Emdeman
The Atlantic Federation
- Location
- Australia
It is almost sundown but it will not be enough to save Elodie's Wrath. The ship has taken heavy damage and won't survive long against the pounding it is about to take.
The Federation ships pause fighting again and once more offer surrender.
Once more it is denied.
Elodie's Wrath lands a solid hit on the Federal flagship - knocking out a gun - but takes withering fire from the black shells in reply. Creating more breaches in her armour. Despite the low light, federation gun crews are performing well.
A destroyer gets too ambitious and is badly wounded attempting a closer, more concentrated torpedo run. It limps away as it makes repairs. The light cruiser being held in reserve is sent to that flank to provide assistance to the remaining destroyer. It adeptly dodges a rowboat carrying survivors from an imperial vessel and soon makes its way.
The Federation battleships get closer once more, this time to put the Imperial flagship out of commission for good. All their remaining guns open fire in devastating salvoes one after another. Multiple guns are knocked out in exchange for a hull breach on the Federal flagship but it seems Elodie's Wrath is on its last legs. The moderately damaged destroyer is coming in for another run, much closer this time. There are not enough operational guns to stop it this time and the damage to the engines has impaired the imperial capital ship's movement. It seems certain to cause devastating damage. In addition to this, the light cruiser is also coming in to support the destroyer in its attack.
The Novans have offered a spirited fight but this was it. As the main guns prepare to fire once more the Federation commander offers a salute for a battle well fought.
Then the Federation light cruiser that's attempting a flanking attack is hit by a sudden torpedo strike that seemingly came out of nowhere.
For several moments, everyone is confused. Battleships don't normally carry torpedoes, do they? Eyes scan the sea for the launch vector of the torpedoes.
It soon turns out that the torpedoes had come from one of the hulks that were strung across the battlefield. It had in fact come from a civilian ship nearby.
The disabled merchantmen that everyone assumed had been crippled by engine failure had been playing a deception. In a field marked by opponents that far outclassed it, the ship had played dead in the water. As a result, everyone had ignored the cargo ship for more threatening military ships. That is, until it had sucker punched a light cruiser as it passed by.
From behind the bulky ship comes a more sleeker vessel, its silhouette trails behind it in the darkening skies. It is the shape of a destroyer that had been hiding behind the bigger ship until now. It had not ran when its comrades had but stayed behind making repairs. Its absence had not been noted by the distracted Federation lookouts.
Imperial order of battle
1 Battleship
1 Destroyer
1 Armed Merchantmen
Federation order of battle
2 Battleships
1 Light Cruiser
2 Destroyers
It soon becomes apparent that the light cruiser has suffered extreme damage. It starts to heel over from the massive gash on its side and will not survive the night. An order is given to abandon ship and it slowly starts evacuating crew on rowboats.
The imperial destroyer makes a quick path towards its federation counterpart making a torpedo run and unleashes a hail of fire on the ship's rear. The escort quickly suffers heavy damage along its entire length and breaks off. The ship is trailing oil and smoke, in addition to taking on water.
The shocked Federals realise the battle is not quite over and begin fighting anew.
The battleships try to redirect their fire but are distracted by Elodie's Wrath. The imperial flagship's last few guns rake its federation counterpart forcing a disengagement.
The imperial destroyer is not yet done however. It soon proceeds full speed towards the cluster of mammoth battleships.
The armed merchantmen it had been hiding behind pursues a duel with the destroyer wounded by Elodie's Wrath earlier.
The destroyer's target appears to be the mine-damaged Federation battleship. It approaching from the weaker side, giving it an easier ride. That side has fewer operational guns, and the main guns pointed towards Elodie's Wrath.
Both sides seem to watch as the destroyer lines up a perfect angle for its torpedoes. It is not harassed at all by the few remaining Federal escorts who are currently distracted.
The imperial escort unleashes its torpedoes and the wounded battleship moves as fast as its cumbersome form allows it. It is not enough. Three torpedoes strike its damaged side and cause disastrous damage. Many of its emergency repairs unravel and the capital ship slowly begins to sink, listing heavily.
Realising the tables have suddenly turned, the Federation flagship prepares its last stand. It hopes to take its counterpart down with it before it dies. However, a communication passes between the Federation leviathans. One currently dying, and another severely damaged.
After several long moments the flagship begins to withdraw. It is followed by a lone damaged destroyer that had been losing its confrontation with a civilian ship. The destroyer uses its speed to get away from the armed, but slower merchantmen. It consoles itself by thinking that it had been ordered to cover the flagship's withdrawal.
To cover the retreat of the federal ships, the remaining federal battleship launches a suicide run at Elodie's Wrath. The rapidly expiring ship moves slowly but is still a threat. Given that both battleships have few guns operational the fate of the duel is ultimately determined by the destroyer. It launches another accurate torpedo spread that finishes off the Federation battleship. The explosions from the torpedoes cause it to list heavily and the once mighty ship begins sinking rear first.
By then the two remaining Federation ships are off in the distance. The flagship is trailed by the destroyer. Pursuit is considered by the imperials but rejected in favour of picking up survivors from both sides.
Federation losses
1 Battleship
1 Light Cruiser
1 Destroyer
In the aftermath of the unexpected victory, Elodie's Wrath slowly makes its way back to the Novan home port of Scapa Flow. The flagship is flanked by its two brave escorts. It had suffered heavy damage but survived the battle against all the odds. Behind it, the gulf is covered in the wrecks of many ships.
The troop transport is almost empty as you make your way out onto shore. A hasty camp has been set up on the beach, it will be temporary given the sea battle probably went poorly. The fires in the darkness of the night make it clearly visible, something that will have to be changed.
You have a decent sized forced available right now. They consist of Giraud's last company - the man himself being sent to the ridges - and Mueller's armoured company, which will be fully unloaded sometime in the night. Mueller himself is on another transport with the rest of his battalion, you hope they survived.
From the left you hear that the hillocks have been secured. Pickets range out across the entire length. They have made contact with some of Surena's troops, who sends her thanks. The main force will come tomorrow sometime before noon and join you.
On the front, the forces sent there have build up a solid defensive position on the ridges. Your forward observers on the ridge line report campfires on the horizon. Enough to be a sizeable group. It is likely they will be attacked on the next day.
You wonder how to employ the reserve you have built up. You could beef up the front, or you could send them to the right and attempt a flanking manoeuvre come tomorrow. However this will put you out of contact with them. It might be safer to hold them in reserve, that way you can respond to any developments. But Surena will come in the morning anyway so it might be a waste.
Also, you need to get that radio working. Though you fear the news will be grim.
How will you use the tank company and the last elements of Giraud's battalion tomorrow?
[] Hold them in reserve until they are needed
[] Send them to the right to attempt a flanking manoeuvre
[] Send them to the ridges to bulk up the force already there
[] Split them up
- [] Write-in
The Federation ships pause fighting again and once more offer surrender.
Once more it is denied.
The guns of the battleships speak on both sides as they attempt to destroy each other one more time.
Elodie's Wrath lands a solid hit on the Federal flagship - knocking out a gun - but takes withering fire from the black shells in reply. Creating more breaches in her armour. Despite the low light, federation gun crews are performing well.
A destroyer gets too ambitious and is badly wounded attempting a closer, more concentrated torpedo run. It limps away as it makes repairs. The light cruiser being held in reserve is sent to that flank to provide assistance to the remaining destroyer. It adeptly dodges a rowboat carrying survivors from an imperial vessel and soon makes its way.
The Federation battleships get closer once more, this time to put the Imperial flagship out of commission for good. All their remaining guns open fire in devastating salvoes one after another. Multiple guns are knocked out in exchange for a hull breach on the Federal flagship but it seems Elodie's Wrath is on its last legs. The moderately damaged destroyer is coming in for another run, much closer this time. There are not enough operational guns to stop it this time and the damage to the engines has impaired the imperial capital ship's movement. It seems certain to cause devastating damage. In addition to this, the light cruiser is also coming in to support the destroyer in its attack.
The Novans have offered a spirited fight but this was it. As the main guns prepare to fire once more the Federation commander offers a salute for a battle well fought.
Then the Federation light cruiser that's attempting a flanking attack is hit by a sudden torpedo strike that seemingly came out of nowhere.
For several moments, everyone is confused. Battleships don't normally carry torpedoes, do they? Eyes scan the sea for the launch vector of the torpedoes.
It soon turns out that the torpedoes had come from one of the hulks that were strung across the battlefield. It had in fact come from a civilian ship nearby.
The disabled merchantmen that everyone assumed had been crippled by engine failure had been playing a deception. In a field marked by opponents that far outclassed it, the ship had played dead in the water. As a result, everyone had ignored the cargo ship for more threatening military ships. That is, until it had sucker punched a light cruiser as it passed by.
From behind the bulky ship comes a more sleeker vessel, its silhouette trails behind it in the darkening skies. It is the shape of a destroyer that had been hiding behind the bigger ship until now. It had not ran when its comrades had but stayed behind making repairs. Its absence had not been noted by the distracted Federation lookouts.
Imperial order of battle
1 Battleship
1 Destroyer
1 Armed Merchantmen
Federation order of battle
2 Battleships
1 Light Cruiser
2 Destroyers
It soon becomes apparent that the light cruiser has suffered extreme damage. It starts to heel over from the massive gash on its side and will not survive the night. An order is given to abandon ship and it slowly starts evacuating crew on rowboats.
The imperial destroyer makes a quick path towards its federation counterpart making a torpedo run and unleashes a hail of fire on the ship's rear. The escort quickly suffers heavy damage along its entire length and breaks off. The ship is trailing oil and smoke, in addition to taking on water.
The shocked Federals realise the battle is not quite over and begin fighting anew.
The battleships try to redirect their fire but are distracted by Elodie's Wrath. The imperial flagship's last few guns rake its federation counterpart forcing a disengagement.
The imperial destroyer is not yet done however. It soon proceeds full speed towards the cluster of mammoth battleships.
The armed merchantmen it had been hiding behind pursues a duel with the destroyer wounded by Elodie's Wrath earlier.
The destroyer's target appears to be the mine-damaged Federation battleship. It approaching from the weaker side, giving it an easier ride. That side has fewer operational guns, and the main guns pointed towards Elodie's Wrath.
Both sides seem to watch as the destroyer lines up a perfect angle for its torpedoes. It is not harassed at all by the few remaining Federal escorts who are currently distracted.
The imperial escort unleashes its torpedoes and the wounded battleship moves as fast as its cumbersome form allows it. It is not enough. Three torpedoes strike its damaged side and cause disastrous damage. Many of its emergency repairs unravel and the capital ship slowly begins to sink, listing heavily.
Realising the tables have suddenly turned, the Federation flagship prepares its last stand. It hopes to take its counterpart down with it before it dies. However, a communication passes between the Federation leviathans. One currently dying, and another severely damaged.
After several long moments the flagship begins to withdraw. It is followed by a lone damaged destroyer that had been losing its confrontation with a civilian ship. The destroyer uses its speed to get away from the armed, but slower merchantmen. It consoles itself by thinking that it had been ordered to cover the flagship's withdrawal.
To cover the retreat of the federal ships, the remaining federal battleship launches a suicide run at Elodie's Wrath. The rapidly expiring ship moves slowly but is still a threat. Given that both battleships have few guns operational the fate of the duel is ultimately determined by the destroyer. It launches another accurate torpedo spread that finishes off the Federation battleship. The explosions from the torpedoes cause it to list heavily and the once mighty ship begins sinking rear first.
By then the two remaining Federation ships are off in the distance. The flagship is trailed by the destroyer. Pursuit is considered by the imperials but rejected in favour of picking up survivors from both sides.
Federation losses
1 Battleship
1 Light Cruiser
1 Destroyer
In the aftermath of the unexpected victory, Elodie's Wrath slowly makes its way back to the Novan home port of Scapa Flow. The flagship is flanked by its two brave escorts. It had suffered heavy damage but survived the battle against all the odds. Behind it, the gulf is covered in the wrecks of many ships.
***
The troop transport is almost empty as you make your way out onto shore. A hasty camp has been set up on the beach, it will be temporary given the sea battle probably went poorly. The fires in the darkness of the night make it clearly visible, something that will have to be changed.
You have a decent sized forced available right now. They consist of Giraud's last company - the man himself being sent to the ridges - and Mueller's armoured company, which will be fully unloaded sometime in the night. Mueller himself is on another transport with the rest of his battalion, you hope they survived.
From the left you hear that the hillocks have been secured. Pickets range out across the entire length. They have made contact with some of Surena's troops, who sends her thanks. The main force will come tomorrow sometime before noon and join you.
On the front, the forces sent there have build up a solid defensive position on the ridges. Your forward observers on the ridge line report campfires on the horizon. Enough to be a sizeable group. It is likely they will be attacked on the next day.
You wonder how to employ the reserve you have built up. You could beef up the front, or you could send them to the right and attempt a flanking manoeuvre come tomorrow. However this will put you out of contact with them. It might be safer to hold them in reserve, that way you can respond to any developments. But Surena will come in the morning anyway so it might be a waste.
Also, you need to get that radio working. Though you fear the news will be grim.
How will you use the tank company and the last elements of Giraud's battalion tomorrow?
[] Hold them in reserve until they are needed
[] Send them to the right to attempt a flanking manoeuvre
[] Send them to the ridges to bulk up the force already there
[] Split them up
- [] Write-in
