TF Amethyst

Inside PG-08 Sparrow's bridge, Colonel Pearson observed Battle Group C's east flank which did not change their formation or speed. "They are oblivious to our presence."

“Aye Sir,” replied Captain Rockie.

"It's time for pissing contest. Captain, give me some targets.”

Wasting no time, Captain Rockie showed Colonel Pearson footage from MQ-8N Fire Scout. “They place their corvettes and frigates to form their outer perimeter, just next to our left. 

But I suggest we pick their destroyers. Each one of them has trebuchet and they can approach Sommer Island very closely.

We had to eliminate these trebuchet destroyers as much as possible, and at a distance of 28 km, our main gun will easily reach them.”

“Start marking them.”

“We already did.” As he changed the footage on the main screen, Captain Rockie continued, “Also, FRS Goblin send us this footage. As you can see, these pairs are two times larger than other carrier ships. FRS Goblin advised us to use these two as lab rats for our missile."

As he observed two carrier ships with a big marking 'Solera-01' and 'Solera-02' written on their upper deck, Colonel Pearson asked, “Do we have a firing solution for this pair of bigass lab rats, from our current position I mean?”

In an instant, Captain Rockie grinned. “We do. These carrier ships are part of oppositions that take position in south of Sommer Island, or to be precise it's 145 km to the southwest of our position. Standard Missiles will easily nail them.”

“Well, let's hope they put their high-command in one of these bigass lab rats."

“Aye Sir.” Captain Rockie happily replied.

A moment later, OTO Melara 76 mm on PG-08 Sparrow and PG-10 Albatross turned to the left before starting to launch a salvo with rate of fire 20 rounds/minute.

Seagull-class patrol boat used a compact model of OTO Melara 76 mm Naval Gun, with an 80-round magazine. The ammunition was multipurpose round which used tipe 3A-Plus programmable multi-role fuze, made it capable for armour-piercing, short-range anti-missile point defence, anti-aircraft, anti-ship, and ground support.

In summary, both PG-08 Sparrow and PG-10 Albatross easily conducted a precision massacre on their target, in a span of time less than five minutes.

Then, one cell of Mk.41 Vertical Launcher System on each boat opened, followed by intense outburst as SM-2MR vertically thrusting into night sky, then flew to the southwest at a speed of 3.5 mach and leaving behind a trail of thick white smoke.

At the same time, Colonel Pearson took a breath of relief as the launching process ran smoothly. As a former Weapon System Officer in Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, it could be said he knew SM-2MR very well.

Basically, SM-2MR Standard Missile was a medium range surface-to-air interceptor with a secondary role as anti-ship missile. It was a key part of Aegis combat system and introduced the inertial and command mid-course guidance. Its autopilot was programmed to fly in the most efficient path to the target and could receive course corrections along the way. And in its operating history, SM-2MR proved to be able to kill fast attack craft, helicopters, fighter jets, and anti-ship missiles.

Unfortunately, SM-2MR's reputation got tarnished after it was mistakenly deployed to shoot down Iran Air Flight 655. As he heaved a deep sigh, Colonel Pearson turned his attention towards aerial footage sent by Reaper from FRS Goblin. A few moments later, he witnessed how each SM-2MR fatally hit their target right in the middle.

"We have a good hit, Sir. Targets destroyed."

"Yeah." As the two carrier ships broke into big chunks of wreckages and slowly sank, Colonel Pearson said, “We had full fill our role. Now, we can only let FRS Goblin fend for themselves.”

“Sir, maybe we can continue with medium-multirole Tomahawks from each boat?”

“No,” Colonel Pearson firmly replied. “Even if XO has gone to earth for a while, we still haven't received the second batch of missile shipping. We have to save what we have for our intended role.”

“Copy, Sir.”

Even though he was slightly disappointed, Captain Rockie didn't argue. Under the darkness of the night, PG-08 Sparrow and PG-10 Albatross then sailed back to Yellow Tail.

---

Inside corvette Renart-01's bridge, Captain Aran calmly sat in his command seat while enjoying a cup of warm tea. At night, when Rider couldn't fly to provide aerial surveillance, a warship could only rely on crystal sensor which it's range was limited by horizon line. Therefore, Captain Aran and his sailors didn't realize that two grim reapers were peeking from behind the horizon.

And finally, the reapers showed their presence, right when Captain Aran just sipped his tea.

Boom! Boom! Bo-boom!! Bo-Boboboooom!!!

Without any warning, the sky in the eastern horizon blinked ceaselessly, followed by a chain of thunderous booms. Then, as Captain Aran choked on his tea, a flock of projectiles suddenly popped-up from behind the horizon. They flew across the night sky and in the blink of one eye they had already passed Corvette Renart-01's position. 

With ease, Captain Aran concluded the target of the incoming projectiles. “Some bastards are attacking our main formation. We need to stop them, at the triple.”

“At once, Sir.”

Wasting no time, Senior Sailor Zhorka carried out the order. Corvette Renart-01 then swiftly changed its course to the east, followed by other corvettes in the east flank. In total, more than three hundred corvettes sailed to the east at maximum speed, right under the trajectory of the incoming projectiles. At the same time, footbowmen made the preparation for versus contact in the upper deck.

However, suddenly the sky in the eastern horizon stopped blinking. A few moments later, two giant fire spears spiked to the sky, then flew to the southwest like a pair of meteors, crossing the night sky while leaving behind two white smoke trails.

“What the…” muttered Captain Aran as sweat drenched his back.

“What are those things?” asked Senior Sailor Zhorka.

“Something dangerous, I believe.” After calming turmoil in his heart, Captain Aran continued, “and they fly towards First Task Force. We have to warn them."

“At once, Sir.”

A few minutes later, the group of corvettes from east flank arrived at the location, which they believed to be the place where the opposing side launched their sudden attack. However, other than the calm sea under the night sky, they found nothing.

In fact, If they did not receive notifications that 143 destroyers under Second Task Force's command had just sank, while a dozen others suffered a severe damage, then they would believe that the salvo of projectiles and the two giant fire spears, which they previously witnessed was only a figment of their imagination.

---

From the bridge of carrier ship Korral-01, Admiral Jarros calmly looked at the sea surface under the night sky. Then, one of the staff officers suddenly approached him and reported.

“Ser, Duke Velker sent you a message.”

Admiral Jarros immediately turned his gaze towards carrier ship Solera-01, which was sailing not far in front of him. "Is he giving me some order?"

"No, Sir." The staff officer looked at the message in his hand as he continued, "Duke Velker appointed you to take over his position in case something happens to him."

In an instant, Admiral Jarros frowned. "He sits in the middle of a formation consisting of more than a thousand ships. So, how can something happens to----"

Admiral Jarros did not finish his words as suddenly a commotion was heard from the deck. Then, when he looked at the night sky pointed by sailors above the deck, he found two giant fire spears was flying across the night sky. It rapidly approached the center of First Task Force's formation, and then dove diagonally and hit Solera-01 and Solera-02.

BO-BOOOOMMM!!!

Almost at the same time, two huge and dazzling explosions turned Solera-01 and Solera-02, the two biggest carrier ships under Battle Group C's command into wreckages, which slowly sank and only left some wood chips on the sea surface.

With a slightly trembling voice, the staff officer then said, "Sir, it seems like you just got promoted to hold the second highest position in Battle Group C, right below Prince Dellan.”

“It seems so.” After calming the turmoil that rocked his mind, Admiral Jarros continued, "Send the damage report to Prince Dellan, and assure him we will take Sommer Island today.”

“As your command, Sir.”

Even if he felt a little nervous, Admiral Jarros knew he could not cancel the campaign to take Sommer Island. As the sun would rise in 40 minutes while the maneuver to siege Sommer Island had been completed up to 80%.

Moreover, he believed that the opposing side's remarkable firepower wouldn't be without limit. Otherwise, they would have already swept the whole Battle Group C with their giant fire spear.

A few moments later, as the sun rose in the east, Battle Group C had completed the maneuver to circle Sommer Island. They were then carefully strengthening their grip. Meanwhile, Riders scramble from every carrier ship to launch an opening strike.

*****