Courage, Fire and Hell

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Unbeknownst to the Cadets, in an observation room, Navy instructors evaluated the students responses. Among them was Andrew Bates.

After the Cadet explained her proposed battle maneuver, Bates tapped in the maneuver into a terminal, editing a few parameters. Executing the simulation, he smiled as the result was displayed on his screen. This Cadet was a wildcard, but she did successfully complete the simulation.

Satisfied, he typed a quick message and attached a scenario to it, and sent it to the Instructor’s console.

The instructor scanned the scenario, and hushed the class.

“Quiet down. This next Scenario is a test. Please pay attention to the holoprojector.

You are commanding a battlegroup in a defensive formation. Attached to your group is one Phalanx class Liberty Assault Battlecruiser, twelve Guardian Very Heavy Fighters divided in two flight squads, and 6 upholder bombers.

Opposing your force is a Gallic Royal Navy Battleship with standard combat escort of two squadrons of fighters. The Gallic force has detected your Guardian recon element, but due to the current tactical disposition your Battlecruiser has not been identified.

Your objective is the destruction of the Gallic Royal Navy Battleship and her escorts, minimizing friendly casualties. The Battlecruiser must survive, as it is key to the long term defense of the battlespace. Use any tactic you see fit to accomplish the objective. Begin.”

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Power does not corrupt. Fear corrupts... perhaps the fear of a loss of power.