No Way to Start a War (TCOTU, Book 2) (This Corner of the Universe) Read Online Free PDF Page A

the other
officers and waited for a pause in the conversation.
    Gary
pointedly tapped her head while staring at Moore and stated, “It makes more
sense to use a diamond wall formation with the frigates on the periphery than
going with a standard square formation that has them in the center.”
    Moore
shook her head and responded, “That’s contrary to decades of missile defense
theory, Kelly.  Doctrine says you anchor your strongest ships in the corners of
the square and flood the center with less capable ships for mutual support. 
Weren’t you paying attention in SOS?”  Moore used the abbreviation for Squadron
Officer School, a supplemental school full lieutenants were sent to that
specialized in teaching the tactics of ships in squadrons.  The twelve-week
course covered most forms of naval combat including missile defense theory and,
of equal importance, served as a “rebluing” for Brevic company grade officers.
    Gary’s
eyes narrowed at Moore’s barb.  The specifications of the Carriage class
frigate flashed onto the briefing room’s center table screen as Gary punched viscously
at her datapad.  “Coach and Chariot are both Carriage class frigates.  At best,
each will be able to bear three quad GPs and two dual GPs for point defense. 
Doctrine,” Gary gestured in air quotes as she spoke the word, “says those
frigates will only be able to stop roughly fifteen incoming missiles per wave.”
    Gary
punched more buttons.  The briefing screen changed to show a slender, vertical diamond
formation with the two Buckler class destroyers, Aspis and Kite ,
forming the sides, Durmont’s escort light cruiser at the top point and Moore’s Guardian
class escort destroyer, Sentinel , at the bottom position.  Chariot sailed slightly ahead of Kite and Coach was positioned behind Aspis . 
“If you use a diamond formation, Kite and Aspis will be much closer to the
center and our two ships can stop over two hundred missiles per wave!”  Gary glanced
at Heskan and asked, “What do you think, Garrett?”
    “We
need our strength closest to the carriers,” Heskan offered.
    “There’s
no way we’re going to come under such a massive attack,” Moore said
dismissively.  “The Hollies won’t have that kind of throw-weight, and besides, they’re
going to be too busy shooting at our main battle fleet to have much left to
fire at a carrier formation.  Sure, putting us in a diamond formation makes us
strong in one direction but it leaves our flanks wide open to attack.  No
disrespect intended, but I’m the only one here who was a distinguished graduate
from SOS, so I think I know what I’m talking about.”  She tapped her “DG”
ribbon in the row of ribbons on her service uniform.
    Heskan
considered her arguments.  I think we’re going to attract a lot more
attention than she believes, but she does have a point about our flanks if you
look at it strictly by the book .  However, I think naval tactics are
undergoing a revolutionary change and she’s missing that .  “Stephanie, our
task group is going to be a lot more mobile in combat than any group before.  I
agree that, potentially, our flanks will be more vulnerable in diamond
formation.  However, our task group won’t be locked into standard missile
attack fleet maneuvers.”
    Gary
nodded aggressively and added, “Avenger and Eagle will launch their fighters
and then most likely start running away.  There’s no reason to close with the
enemy in a carrier group and because we won’t be closing, we shouldn’t find
ourselves facing coordinated attacks from multiple directions.”
    Outnumbered,
Moore sat back and exhaled.  “Ultimately, it’s Commander Durmont’s decision
anyway.”
    As
if on cue, a petty officer entered the briefing room and announced, “Ladies and
gentleman, the commander.”
    All
three lieutenants stood and came to attention as Durmont came in.  He walked to
the head of the briefing table and sat before saying, “As