them were two-to-one, but since they were operating as two-cruiser groups, they could only attack three targets, leaving many Rebel ships free to gang up on them. Four Empire cruisers went after the first unit of four Rebel cruisers they came to. The remaining two-ship split up into individual units whose purpose was to harass and delay the remaining Rebel units from assisting. That wing was soon colored as Chessori. The first Chessori ship to be attacked was, again, slow to shift from Rebel to Chessori control, and it didn’t last long. The second didn’t last long either, but then the Chessori got their act together and started fighting back. The battle quickly turned into a melee, and the Terrans all reverted to two-ship operations, hitting one Chessori hard, then shifting to another when too severely threatened. Two Terran ships fell, and when readiness numbers of the remaining Terrans appeared in the display, Trexler was dismayed. After the first 30 minutes, the Terran ships were down to 50% shields and 80% weapons, and those numbers would continue falling, probably at an accelerating rate as the damaged ships became less effective. There were not enough Terrans to make repairs. He knew the same thing was being repeated many times over throughout the Aldebaran system, and it was disturbing. Should the two-ship concept be scrapped for the slow ships? In retrospect, they should have sent 12 slow ships against each wing.
Then he remembered the feeling he’d gotten during the engagement at Orion III. It had seemed to him that they had not so much taken out the cruisers’ weapons as they had overloaded its shields, then quickly punched through to vital internal parts of the target.
He called Chandrajuski. “I see that the slow ships are having some difficulty.”
“They are.”
“Look, they’re doing their best to each take a different side of the target.”
“That was their instructions.”
“Try having them both focus all their guns on the same side of the target. They’re more likely to overload the target’s shields, and they’ll have plenty of guns facing outward to ward off reprisal.”
“Difficult flying, Ray. Very difficult.”
“I know.”
Chandrajuski cut the connection. What more could be said?
The other group of slow ships had encountered a purely Rebel wing. It was not slow to respond, but it sent its smaller ships in ahead of the cruisers, as was standard Empire practice. The Empire attackers ignored them and immediately focused on the cruisers. At two against one, it didn’t last long. Surprisingly, the Rebel ships that were not targeted did not come to the assistance of those under attack. Either they had orders to bull their way through to the planet at all costs, or they simply stayed with standard doctrine, which stipulated that squadrons operated independently. After the first two Rebel squadrons fell, all six Empire ships focused on the two remaining squadrons of that unit, then moved on to the next unit. The second unit fell, but so, too, did two Empire ships, and the remaining Empire ships were so badly damaged that they could no longer fight. They had to pull back for repairs.
Waverly couldn’t believe his eyes. “Don’t they know how to retreat, Ray?”
“Who? Our guys or theirs?”
“Well, both, but I only care about our guys. Look at those readiness numbers. They’ve been walking wounded for a long time. I’m surprised more didn’t fall. They’re staying in there far too long, and it’s not necessary. The Rebels still have a long, long way to go to reach the planet. There’s plenty of time for our guys to pull back and make repairs, then reengage.”
“It’s pretty hard to pull back with ships, Jim. When they’re evenly matched, the bad guys can keep up. We generally hang in there and plan for support.”
“What support? Everyone’s committed.”
“Maybe we should uncommit some of the fast ships, is that what you’re saying?”
“No, but it’s not a bad idea. In the infantry, retreat is a real ballet, but if properly executed, it’s highly effective. A couple of guys lay down maximum firepower while everyone else pulls back. When everyone has gone back a ways, two more guys lay down heavy fire, and the first two guys run back and join the main group. They keep leapfrogging like that until they’re clear. I don’t see anything like that happening here. You have no exit strategy, Ray, and your guys are staying in there too long.”
“You’re right. Let me think about this.”
He called Chandrajuski again. “Sir, the slow ships are hanging in there too long. I haven’t been following the fast ships, but they might be, too.”
“The fast ships are fine. We’re pulling some of them back to support the slow ships.”
“Look, our guys don’t need to hang in there until the bitter end. It’s many days before the first Rebel ships reach the planet. We have plenty of time for our guys to fall back, make repairs, then go back at it.”
“The Rebels will also be making repairs.”
“So what? We’ll out last them if we keep our resources in good enough shape. We’re throwing lives away as it is, to no purpose.”
“What is your suggestion?”
“Issue an order requiring disengagement for any ship that falls below some safe number. Set the number high, maybe 50%. Let them get out while they can still protect themselves.”
“That will completely throw off the dynamics of the two-ship, Ray. If one ship leaves, the other must leave with it or be exposed.”
“Then have both of them pull back. Better yet, put your group commanders to work reassigning. They can keep healthy ships together. The whole group might eventually fall back, but it’s better than losing them.”
“Let me think about it.”
“Think fast, then get back to me. I have another thought.”
Chandrajuski was back in a couple of minutes. “M’Coda agrees. The order is going out. We’ll study the results.”
“Okay. The other item isn’t as easy. Waverly noticed that we don’t have a good retreat mechanism, and he’s right. In the infantry, they leap-frog. A unit provides heavy firepower against the enemy while everyone else pulls back. Then another unit does the same while the main unit pulls back. The process keeps repeating. I’m not sure how that would work here, but I’d like the guys to have something they can try. What do you think?”
“I think we don’t have time for training, and this would require training, but let me think about it. This sort of thing is M’Coda’s specialty. Anything else?”
“Maybe. The slow ships might have an easier time pulling back if you send fast ships to their rescue. The fast ships can keep the enemy squadrons from following.”
“That’s a major realignment of our attacking forces. We’ll look at it. It’ll slow down the battle, but it’s a good idea. Anything else?”
“No. I haven’t spent much time on the big picture. How are we doing?”
“Our fast ships are superb. No losses among them yet. The slow ships are suffering. Overall, the Rebels are losing six to our one.” He cut the connection.
Trexler wondered about the remainder of Seeton’s reserves. Where were they? At this point, they would be so far out of position when they came in that they wouldn’t be of much use.
Suddenly, the Queen was back on the air, her First Knight beside her.
“I am Ellandra of the Chosen. The line of Chosen continues, through me. I am Queen of your Empire. I am here leading the battle at Aldebaran I.
“For you reserves new to the battle, hear my call, for I am the only legitimate ruler of Empire, and I have been chosen by you, all of you, Rebels and loyal Empire forces alike.
“To those of you on Rebel ships, I say to each and every one of you personally, I have not forsaken you. Rise up against your cruel and cowardly leaders. They have failed you today, and they will fail you always. I will accept the surrender of any ship that asks, but I will not permit retreat.
“To you loyal Empire officers and sailors, I say stay the course. You have chosen rightly and well. Though it might not seem so, my commanders tell me the battle is won.”
She leaned into the pick-up, just as she had earlier, until her face completely filled the display. “I see you Struthers. I know where you are. Your men have fought bravely, though they fail, just as your grand plan is failing. Come to me, you coward. I dare you in front of all your men. I am in a small frigate. Choose any single ship, even a cruiser, and come to me. I will guarantee your safe passage through my forces, and I will fight you one on one, with no quarter asked and none given. A leader would accept the challenge. A coward will flee. Show your men what
