Sovereign

"Heindhöff's 'terror bombing' of the Archduchy of Löt intensifies! Evacuations from major cities have been organized by the Archduchess in Löt, all as the RGO and the OAF continue their strenuous collaboration to defend the Archduchy. Reports of heavy firebombing on Thein had been recorded widely, with estimates reaching 1200 tons worth of bombs dropped on the city in just 3 days, creating severe firestorms in the city center. Civilian casualties have been estimated to have reached above 40,000 in Thein alone, with Archduchess Dubois calling it a 'barbarous act of men against all women,' in a press conference this morning. Defense Minister Heindhöff replied quickly in an address to the newly formed 'Emergency Cabinet' in Eirhow, declaring the attacks as 'justified bombings in strategic military targets.' Analysts have placed doubts on this, calling the bombings an ideological venture rather than a strategic necessity."

- Geopol News

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The two squadrons broke into 2 groups of 7 planes divided into 2 clusters, each being their respective squadrons.

On the left side, the fast movers of VFA-13, or Hellcat 1, their callsign, zoomed up quickly, their planes in a triangular formation.

On the right side, slightly below in altitude relative to VFA-13, VFA-18, or Hellcat 5, flew in formation as well, their lights flashing and illuminating the dark clouds of heavy rain ever so slightly.

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The distance toward their designated launch sites was approaching close, being only 90 kilometers away. With their extremely high speeds, which already approached 400+ meters per second, it would be enough for them to cross such a distance within minutes.

And so they did, as they braved through the dark and stormy skies, distant sounds of thunder and its sudden lights occasionally illuminating the squadron a faint blue.

Underneath their wings, on their pylons, angry, almost triangular-looking grey cruise missiles were affixed - their main weapon for the strike.

They weren't expecting, nor were they prepared for any air-to-air engagement. All they had was their two ASCM Mark 1 missiles on each plane, and nothing more.

They were purely here to decimate the enemy fleet with Orland's latest missile technology. As such, their CAG decided not to fit them with more munitions, as they would simply bolt out quickly anyway.

And they needed speed above all.

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They zoomed in higher, as they finally all synchronized their formations as one as if they were preparing to fire a volley.

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With a roar, each plane launched its 2 ASCM missiles, and just as immediately, turned straight in the direction of Strike Force 7.

A swarm of 56 missiles zoomed straight toward the Larissan fleet, 300 kilometers away, guided both by Ajax 4 and an Orlish satellite above the planet.

But, just as they dispersed and passed the 170-kilometer barrier mark, the datalink with Ajax 4 and the Orlish satellite was lost. A pulse of passive Larissan ECM, most likely from one of the escort destroyers of the fleet, most likely terminated the link.

Yet it didn't matter. They were now directed straight toward them.

Immediately, the group of ASCMs communicated with each other using their autonomous swarm AI, which routed them in constantly changing headings as their calculations changed and adjusted.

At the 110-kilometer mark, the AI made a final adjustment to their general heading, eliminating all other grid coordinates where it considered the possibility of the Larissan fleet being there.

Already, the radar emissions of the Larissan fleet slammed into each of the missiles, but it was mostly absorbed, their stealth technology coupled with the stormy weather working in tandem to keep them from detection.

At the 30-kilometer mark, the sensors of the missiles finally fully detected and homed into the ships, and the AI initiated a terminal descent, as all of them flew rapidly down and hugged the sea, further hiding them from the radars as they closed.

Above them, Larissan jets zoomed up, having just mopped up the missile strike from VFA-24 moments earlier - completely unaware of the hornets below them.

Within 12 kilometers, the fleet became visible to the (LOS) line-of-sight sensors of the swarm. Each of them coordinated their targets rapidly, with many immediately heading for the massive carrier in the center, and the rest grouping up toward the individual escorts of the GIS Askagrad.

Only then did the Larissan radars pick them up, as suddenly, 56 angry red blips appeared heading straight for them.

Chaos erupted in the CICs of each ship, as their PDS systems tried a last-minute scramble to turn and lock at each missile - but they slammed and slammed on each ship, pummeling them with powerful explosions as the first shots and the first SAM missiles from the Larissans blared out in vain.

The GIS Askagrad itself was hit by two both in her bow and stern, then another three amidship, and another two nearly under her waterline, the constant pummeling slamming on one of the depots where the missiles of its air squadrons were kept, and then-

The dark sea lit up, and the GIS Askagrad detonated like a candle, splitting the behemoth in half, all as it lit up the utter devastation around it, as its escorts burned and sank. The destructive beauty of it was completely visible to every sailor and crewman who abandoned their ships, or those who scrambled for damage control - their eyes wide agape at the view.

Orland struck back.

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Almost 6 LF-12s of VFA-24 flew west in a ragged formation. Two of them were so badly damaged even, that just as they left smoke trails, they were almost shaking as they flew.

Just moments ago, VFA-24 found themselves in a brutal air-to-air engagement, and due to their utter lack of missiles, they were at an immediate disadvantage.

As a result, VFA-24 split in half, with 6 of them volunteering to fight to "hold off" the Larissans as the rest of them escaped.

It was a cold, brutal, and calculated move to preserve strength. They could not lose too many planes.

Naturally, it left a sour, guilty taste for those who escaped, as each of them wondered if their brothers survived and won.

They could not do anything.

<<2-1! We have contacts dead ahead!>>

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The squadron nearly spread out as their squadron commander flew directly in front, and began hailing the contacts ahead of them.

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A split-second sigh of relaxation came on the line. Indeed, it was hell.

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"We what?!"

"I-it came from nowhere."

"Directions! I need directions! Where did the attack come from?! Why did we not see it?! And why did I lose an IMPORTANT MILITARY ASSET?!"

Admiral Rurik nearly faltered at the furious tirade of his little sister. Not that it wasn't justified, they didn't just lose one carrier. No, they lost all of Task Force Piranha, all in one fell swoop.

3 guided-missile cruisers were sunk or disabled. 8 of their destroyers were so badly damaged, that almost all hands were lost aboard. But most importantly - the GIS Askagrad, the flagship of Task Force Piranha, and one of their three carriers that participated in this operation, was now an involuntary submarine.

None of them expected it. It was as if all the sensors of Task Force Piranha went kaput.

"Current intel suggests that it came from the southeast of Task Force Piranha. W-we suspect that the enemy used their new stealth missiles."

She looked absolutely livid.

"Stealth?! Stealth?! That thing is new technology, isn't it? Orland barely even has it, as far as we know. Then how can you suggest to my face that they used such a thing when we don't even have it yet!?"

"P-perhaps they already do. There's no other way." He shook his head quickly. "The radars of the fleet could not have malfunctioned all at the same time."

She crossed her arms, unconvinced.

"Or, you men are a special breed of incompetent."

Rurik felt his fury rise, yet he didn't vocalize it, fearing for his continued status of 'alive'. Yet how dare she? She sent them to fight again and again. To dare insult them as they serve and die for her?

"Rurik."

"Yes?"

"Send our squadrons southeast. I want results, as my patience is thinning."

He gulped. That glow in her eyes showed it clearly. The GIS Terror had a massive contingent of Imperial Knights with the Empress. Defy her…and he would…

No, he needed to destroy Albert. Either he goes down, or Rurik does.

"Yes, I'll make sure of it."

"Your words mean nothing right now. I want results!"

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June 19, 2024

Northern Sea

150 Kilometers South of the Previous Position

Strike Force 7

01:25 Hours

One by one, the planes of VFA-18 and 13 landed on the decks of the ONS Rebenslof, rapidly filling it with planes as they were taxied to the elevators and hangars.

Many crewmen and sailors were lined up on the decks, watching and cheering as they landed one by one, even as the heavy rain thundered and poured above them.

Albert smiled as he placed down his coffee. He was watching from the observation post of the bridge.

Finally, victory. Now, all he needed to do was hide and disappear quickly.

He turned around as the door opened behind him, and Captain Vogel, alongside Captain Schlatt, arrived, both with victorious smirks plastered on their faces.

"Gentlemen?"

"Commodore, it has been a success." Schlatt handed him a document as he smiled. "Ajax 4 confirmed that the signatures were hit. We don't know if the carrier is gone, as we have no visual contact, but regardless, it should be disabled at least."

"Good job. Captain Vogel?"

"We steamed in this direction at a consistent 32 knots for the past few hours. We are far enough away."

Schlatt even laughed beside him.

"In fact, we sent Ajax 5 to monitor our last positions. The fools reached it just 15 minutes ago, and naturally, we're as gone as shit. They pressed on away from us, most likely still searching."

"That indeed is good news gentlemen, it seems like we found ourselves our first victory."

"Scratch one of their carriers on the list, sir," Schlatt added, as he gave a mirthful laugh once more, and while Albert laughed alongside the two, he eventually turned serious as the laughs subsided.

To sit on their laurels, and celebrate before total victory was unacceptable. Nay, it would be suicidal. And he reminded the two of that.

"But, celebrations would be for later. This campaign isn't over. Yet."

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