Talk:AIF/@comment-13740085-20150324040820/@comment-10905876-20150324051257

On the bridge of the Lord Pemberton, Hodston watched as the new group of hostiles warp in north and south of the coalition fleet, cutting off any chance of retreat. Not that he planned on retreating, there was no place to retreat to, as Neviston would be overran by Federation troops and Pittshaven would probably fall soon after. Despite the grim look of the situation however, there were still a few cards to be played. He turns to his flag captain:

"Signal the fleet to stand by for Battle Pattern Phantom. Inform the Second and Fourth BSQs to stand by for jump."

Once the signal is given that the fleet was standing by, Hodston uttered one word, "Execute!"

The fleet of IKN ships inside the encirclement, aside from the First Emperors guarding the approaches to the harbor, vanishes in a flash of light, and is replaced by five First Emperors, twenty Endymions, and an AstroTurf class mobile battery. The vessels fire off a barrage of MCMs, and then unleash a flurry of heavy shells, though it still is less than the fleet they replaced. The ships establish a tight-beam link with the Neviston Battery, coordinating fire to prevent any ships from getting through to the city.

To the north of the Federation formation, roughly 300 ships of the 2nd and 4th BSQs had hypersailed in, and had formed a battle line attacking the rear of the American fleet. The fleet from Neviston had warped in behind the central force of American ships, and had re-formed a battle line headed on an intercept with the fleet to the north.

IKN submarines continue to harass the larger American subs, and others, including the older but faster Ewe-11 class boats, harass surface vessels if they get the chance. Back at the battery, trucks work to re-load the SSN-12 batteries for another salvo, and word is sent from inland that a train carrying more doomsday cannon ammunition is en route.