Post by Mal on Jun 14, 2011 20:19:01 GMT -5
*****SECURED MESSAGE*****
From, Faragut, Victor J., Commander, ANMO Naval Forces
To: All ANMO naval vessels involved in Koenigfaste operations
Use ANMO decrypt routines
=====MESSAGE BEGINS=====
All ships on the blockade line southeast of Enowald are to make best speed to meet the fleets approaching in their assigned sectors.
ASW aircraft will be providing group commanders with updated data on an hourly basis. Enemy submarines are to be treated as priority targets.
With the disabling and capture of the Liberator, ASW capabilities by the enemy are now severely limited.
The order is: capture or sink all enemy shipping, military or civilian.
=====MESSAGE ENDS======
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12 hours later on board the Malecia Destroyer Exton
"Plot, Captain. Position check."
"Captain, plot. We're just over the horizon from the main enemy group at 62 hours 47 minutes south by 135 hours 26 minutes west."
"Very well," he answered. He clicked the cradle on the handset's base and dialed the number for the Combat Information Center. When the weapons officer came on he began giving orders to arm the main missile systems and prepare for firing when he was interrupted by the overhead speaker.
"Bridge, Radar! Incoming missiles bearing 082 and 083!"
"Helm, bring us around to zero nine 5, and increase to flank! Weapons, engage the Close in Weapons System!"
Seconds later, the report of the CIWS firing could be heard. It fired so loudly and so fast that many described it's report as sounding like a chainsaw. One of the missiles was destroyed, but the other was hit in the tail, leaving the warhead in tact. It struck the Exton in the stern, instantly killing the men manning the 5 inch gun and the AA batteries in on that section of the deck.
The Exton fired her anti ship missiles and was subsequently joined by the destroyer Turnbury and the cruiser Westport.
The Exton lost 12 men as well as one of her five inch guns and the AA battery. There was also damage to her single helicopter pad.