Yaichiro’s eyes widened as alerts of the enemy’s plan rang through his mind. It had been one of the calculated responses the Irims had deemed possible, but not one he’d personally expected. YSS Kappa’s interdiction dropped as planned, when the last enemy ships collapsed, so as to permit the Irim to fold to their targets.
Thankfully, the Irim selecting the new fleet’s potential patterns (NG-X5-83 through NG-X5-86, and NG-X5-91 through NG-X5-93) had mostly anticipated this action. All but NG-X5-91 and NG-X5-92 had honed in on the enemy’s plan. NG-X5-92 had anticipated the collision with Himitsu, but was unable to act in time, while NG-X5-91’s own systems delivered her to Jiyuu IV instead. The Irim did, however, find that there would be a Power Armor battle between Jio 1-40, Yab 1-75 and the 5th XF’s Forces. Already disengaged from the main battle by her –IES’ incorrect prediction, she activated her CDD and initiated pursuit to provide support to the Panthers and the mass of Lamia M1 units.
In a matter of nanoseconds, Yaichiro issued this message to all of his forces.
All Sakura in Nami no Seigi Squadron, YSS Asuka, and the NK-X5-25 subgroup fold to intercept! Initiate interdiction upon drop, and I want them more than 1 AU away but within the field. Our data puts that as the theoretical limit of most of their weaponry. Also keep us out of the Irims’ paths! NB-X5-03 and NK-X5-24 subgroups, you’ll stay here and shield Hotaru and Himitsu respectively! Take out those Quintessence Torpedoes and provide backup to the 17th.
YSS Kappa, our data indicates that the STL capabilities of these units are low. Keep them in the field, but maintain our distance. You have 0.25 AU radial leeway. Split into a radial group and two chord groups from the perimeter, so we can leave the field quickly if needed and make optimal use of our space.
It only took the ships’ –IES systems nanoseconds to coordinate the initial strike. As the Irims folded into position, the Kappa, Asuka, and the other units ordered arrived, and the field went up once again. Asuka hadn’t even time to pick her own personnel from the battlefield, but Yaichiro now trusted in Caine’s competence.
The YSS Kappa was in the exact center of the field, guarded by 4 Sakura (NG-X5-221, NG-X5-223, NG-X5-225, and NG-X5-226) and 2 Arashi (NE-X5-126 and NE-X5-128) , while the Kyoto (NK-X5-25) was on the left from the view of the enemy ships, and was defended by 2 Arashi. (NE-X5-129 and NE-X5-130). YSS Asuka was to the right and defended by 3 Sakura (NG-X5-227 through NG-X5-229). The ships had placed themselves 1.1 AU away from the approaching force, due to the calculations of the –IES system…Yaichiro only prayed they were a decent distance from Jiyuu should they somehow fail. Still, it was seven against fifteen, and that was just inside the interdiction field.
As the Irims arrived, it was revealed that Yaichiro’s desire for distance was two-fold. One was to give the ships some safety from the enemy Mishhu weaponry…and the other was to ensure their safety from that of the Irim. The Irims (NG-X5-83 through NG-X5-86, and NG-X5-91) arrived, and targeted the line of ships. The first five targeted Brunswick III, V, VII, IX and X specifically, hoping that any overlapping secondary damage to IV, VI, VIII from the massive blasts, would do as much damage as possible. NG-X5-91 was to hold its fire and go for the least damaged (or most dangerous) remaining target remaining after the attack.
Meanwhile, The 4 Arashi (NE-X5-26 and NE-X5-28 through NE-X5-30) unleashed a volley of AS-7 Antimatter torpedoes as well as Projected Energy Beams at Brunswick III, IV, VIII, and X, though the torpedoes were drastically slowed by the interdiction field. The truth is that they were merely a distraction for the enemy fire, their relatively light range of one mile and their slow speed meaning they were not good for much else. All 5 Arashi deployed their Variable Weapons Pods, should they be required to go in closer.
As a final deadly measure, all Sakura, including the YSS Kappa (NG-X5-221, NG-X5-222, NG-X5-223, and NG-X5-225 through NG-X5-229), selected all eight enemy targets (Brunswick III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X) and unleashed their Aether Shock Arrays at the enemy. Weapons and Aether Pods were deployed on the Saukra as well, in preparation for a close-quarters fight.
The twenty Quintessent Torpedoes were easy pickings for the Projected Energy Beams of Hotaru, as well as the remaining 9 Arashi attached to the Yuumi (NB-X5-03) subgroup. While the missiles sped up again when Kappa’s Interdiction field was gone, Hotaru’s was still in full effect, and slowed them down once more when they crossed the threshold.
As Hotaru began to pick off enemy Power Armors in Gyu I with its Projected Energy Beams, three Arashi (NE-X5-138 through NE-X5-141) also assisted with their own Energy Beams. Another 4 Arashi attached to the Yuumi subgroup (NE-X5-142 to NE-X5-145) did the same to Gyu II, but their primary contribution came when the eight ships ordered their massive stores of Power Armor (Arashi AL1-1 through Arashi AL1-18) out to assist the 17th, 16 additional wings in all. Arashi AL1-1 through Arashi AL1-8 charged Gyu-I, while Gyu-II was issued the pleasure of Arashi AL1-9 through Arashi AL1-16, weapons blasting as they closed the distance. Yuumi observed, ready to attack those who would do harm to Hotaru again.