Double Blind (Part II)

"Forward units are getting hammered, Admiral!" Lieutenant Felicia Danvers called out from her station.

Catherine Hutchinson nodded through gritted teeth--as the Maranello returned fire at whatever was striking the armada with such impunity. From here, she could already see that three ships of the Miranda-class had bit the big one and several other smaller ships belonging to both the Nova and Akira-class of vessels weren't faring much better.

"Regroup at Point Delta-Five and tighten formation!" The woman ordered brusquely. "Sphere the ships!"

From his tactical station, Gerald Harper nodded and sent the orders to all ships in the fleet and soon the wave of return fire was being concentrated on one specific point.

"Sensor scans on full, everyone. Tell me what I need to know..." Catherine told her bridge crew.

After a few precious seconds, every science officer manning the rear stations came back with the same report.

"Sensors are being deflected, Admiral." One junior officer reported. "Because of the close proximity of these satellites, we're still unable to pierce the local distortions and interference."

"This can't be good." Heidi murmured with some worry in her voice. "We have the most advanced stuff on record and it's still not enough?"

"Easy, easy..." Her CO mollified with a raised hand as yet another ship took a few direct hits from their port quarter and dissolved into fire and scattered debris.

"There goes the Wentworth, Admiral. Apparently, her captain couldn't get into position long enough to bring their ship into the new defensive matrix."

"Damn." The woman muttered. "How many are left out there and how many do we have cobbled together?"

"Seventy percent of the fleet has responded. We still have thirty percent...now twenty six percent--of the fleet still out of position. But they are responding to your orders."

Catherine Hutchinson nodded in blunt satisfaction. "Keep at, Gerald. And have the rest of the fleet provide covering fire for the remaining ships. Once in position, I want you to instruct the Intrepid and Galaxy wings to engage their Armor systems so they act as a buffering shield against the incoming fire."

"Begging your pardon, Admiral, but what good would that do?" Harper asked.

"It'll buy us some time so we can figure out what our next move will be. And possibly flush out our enemies as well. Because these sensor blinds can't last forever."

Heidi Greene agreed. Glancing back at the ship's tactical officer, she said, "Do it." 

***

Artwork by Jetfreak-7.