[b][i][u](Double post because.......reasons) [/u][/i][/b] [b]Mediterranean Sea 36°08'02.9"N 15°10'31.0"E 30NM North of Malta, 35NM South of Sicly [/b] [u][b][color=6ecff6]Byzantion Commander Luke Sousse " Lucky"[/color][/b][/u] Floréal-class frigates served the French navy well during the war. Their relatively light weight and powerful propulsion system makes them the fastest vessel on the water over 20,000 tons. Originally designed for surveillance, the Byzantion Maritime Patrol or BMP for short, used them in the same role. Long range patrol, reconnaissance, interdiction and rescue was the domain of the Floreal Class. At 27, Commander Sousse was a bit young to be commanding a frigate. Usually reserved for captain just making their rank, frigates usually lead to larger ship commands. "BZ-141 The Abyssinia" Or Abyss for short was Lucky's third ship since joining the Maritime Patrol. Long range patrol was one of the least desirable jobs for frigate captains, being one of the youngest in the group he was almost guaranteed a spot. Why do people not like long range patrols you ask? The BMP has 12 light frigates designed for long range patrols, these are split into two groups of six. One group patrols the water to the west of Sicily and the other patrols the waters to the east. Each group has to patrol 2500 nautical miles of water in a constant fashion for two weeks until their relief is dispatched. Which means, long periods of time looking at lots and lots of water, getting chased/attacked by pirates and baking in the hot summer sun. The Patrols originate at the resupply depot in Malta, vessels then leave exactly 24 hours after one another, ensuring that there is always a BMP vessel in every patrolled territory at any time. This also ensures a constant stream of information back to headquarters, as ships arrive throughout the week as they return from patrols. The Abyssinia patrolled the western Mediterranean and was currently lingering in the patrol lane, both anchors down. If anyone cared to pay attention, they would ask "why is there a ship just sitting in the patrol lane?" and "Why does this ship not have an IFF radar on?". Luckily for Luke, he knew the staff at the Malta radar station were lazy potheads and were more concerned with who could role the perfect joint than looking at the radar scope. It took one to know one however and Luke was doing just that……trying to buy some pot. 10 gallons of Valencian wine for 10 pounds of fine Roman marijuana, was a fair trade in Luke's opinion, how else was the crew supposed to stay sane for the next week. In a perfect world, Luke wouldn't have to borrow the BMP's frigate to go buy weed from some enterprising Romans. When you patrol the sea for two weeks out of the month and refit for the other two, there isn't much time for growing his own. There are benefits in travel however, Valencian wine was all the rage in the west and Valencia just happened to be on his patrol route. Through his connections, and maybe a little bit of money, Luke had created a small amateur smuggling ring. [color=6ecff6]" How long have we been here?"[/color] Luke asked angrily, turning his head to face the navigator on the bridge. [color=6ecff6]"30 minutes, they're late…."[/color], the Navigator quipped, sounding equally as annoyed. Luke turned his head back around and stood, walking up to the windshield on the bridge. He let out a heavy sigh and brought the pair of binoculars that were hanging around his neck to his face. " This is the first time, they have been late" he said to himself as he scanned the horizon. With the radar off the crew could physically see up to the 15 mile horizon, the man in the crow's nest could see out to 20 miles in any direction. The Romans should be coming from the north and unless they haven't left yet, should be clearly visible. With another heavy and audible sigh Luke dropped the binoculars and let them hang from his neck again. [color=6ecff6]"Turn on the Radar, I want to find where these guys are"[/color] he said in an irritated tone before he heard the whirring sound of the radar scope screen warming up. [color=6ecff6]" Got em"[/color] the radar operator said [color=6ecff6]" Due north, 25 miles….they are stationary?"[/color] the woman finished in a questioning tone [color=6ecff6]" They are being shadowed by another vessel, both stationary" [/color] The Mediterranean is never "fully" safe, pirates are a problem, it's the reason why these ships are armed. Pirates this far away from the middle east coast would be odd however, but not completely unheard of. [color=6ecff6]" Turn to 023 and increase power to full "[/color] Luke ordered, walking back to the captains chair. The ground shuddered a bit as the engines turned over and the anchors were locked in place. The ship pivoted north and was soon at full speed, speeding towards the smugglers. After traveling for a few minutes the handheld around his waist crackled to life and the voice of the lookout boomed on the bridge. [color=6ecff6]" Sir, I see your guys, there's another ship moored to it….."[/color] the man said flatly [color=6ecff6]" What…."[/color] Luke said in an annoyed tone, shooting back up from the chair to walk back to the windshield, bringing the binoculars back up to his face. The smugglers always used a modified 40ft Yacht, it was fitted with hydroplanes for increased stability and an aqua jet propulsion system for speed, nearly 60 knots with calm seas. At full magnification Luke could see the smugglers yacht and what looked like a small unmarked frigate directly next to it. The marijuana or alcohol itself was not a problem and was freely traded in both nations. However, on duty BMP personnel could not partake in such liberties, as it ( and rightfully so) dulls your senses, ruins crew cohesion and so on. The illegal part was the unincorporated and unmarked trade of goods on the sea. Not punishable by anything more than a fine but there is a reason these rules exist. Marked and incorporated traffic is tracked by the BMP and other allied navies. Unmarked traffic is not tracked, and no one knows when they are in trouble, piracy is a problem. [color=6ecff6]" The ship is classified as a Italian Minerva-class corvette, no IFF reply"[/color] the radar operator said calmly Luke let out an audible 'hmm' before walking out onto the bridge walkway " Pirates, like that….all the way out here. Cant be.." he said to himself before bringing the binoculars back up to his face. The ship was a little over 10 miles away and could be clearly viewed by the binoculars. The Corvette was well maintained and painted, surprising for a vessel of that size outside of a major navy. As he continued to scan the mystery corvette a white flash along the deck caught his eye, followed by the unmistakable shape of a torpedo flying into the water. [color=6ecff6]" Shit…"[/color] he got out before flying through the door of the bridge. [color=6ecff6]" Launch starboard decoys and distractions, turn to port, make for flank speed!"[/color] he yelled, initially stunning the crew before they jumped into action. The hissing sound of compressed air being expelled could be heard on the bridge as the decoys and sonar distractions launched, being followed by a quick lurch to the left. The Abyss was now moving perpendicular to the mystery corvette and the torpedo could now be clearly seen just below the water, it was taking the bait. ' That was easy' Luke thought before he heard the high pitched whine of a high velocity shell passing close over the ship. [color=6ecff6]" Shit…"[/color] he said again realizing what the corvette's captain was trying to do. The torpedo was probably a dud, just a distraction for us to give him a bigger target for the gun. 10 miles was pushing the range of the 76mm gun and the shells were flew erratically as they reached this range. The Corvette was moored onto the smugglers yacht and could not be safely fired upon. The corvette could fire over the yacht with ease but firing back would be a problem. Their problem was amplified by the fact that the closer they got, the more accurate the fire would get. [color=6ecff6]" Ready an Exocet…."[/color] Luke said in an annoyed tone between the shrieks of high velocity rounds. [color=6ecff6]" All ahead flank"[/color] he added as the ship sped up to full speed. Exocet missiles were the premier French anti-ship missile during the war. Capable of supersonic travel in its terminal phase, it could be programmed to attack in sea skimming or vertical attack mode. It utilizes a semi armor piercing high explosive delay to blow holes through its target instead of on it. Although not designed to minimize collateral damage, it will work perfectly in this situation. Why wasn't he happy to shoot an Exocet then? Luke, being the captain of the ship would be responsible for every round that left his ship. Every shot required and explanation, read paperwork, and missiles required a lot of…..paperwork. Ammunition and missiles are checked out during the re-arm so you couldn't lie about how much ammo you left with. [color=6ecff6]" Bay one ready"[/color] the intercom screamed as the missile indication light flashed green. [color=6ecff6]" Program bay one to go supersonic after launch and attack vertically, standard delay"[/color] Luke quipped before the weapons technician began typing away. [color=6ecff6]" Ready to fire…"[/color] the weapons technician said coolly [color=6ecff6]" Fire…."[/color] Luke ordered, shortly before the thunderous sound of a rocket could be heard firing. The missile fired from the vertical launcher on the bow, shooting straight up into the air before beginning its shallow curve towards the corvette. This all happened within plain view of the pirate corvette which immediately started to take counter measures, much to the surprise of the crew. Almost immediately after launch two, interceptor missiles were launched from the pirate corvette and began flying towards the Exocet. The Excocet was starting its dive as the first interceptor was getting into range. Although oringally designed in the 80s, the French poured a lot of money in keeping the Exocet modern. Random evasive maneuvering during the terminal phase was the industry standard amongst anti-ship missiles at the time. The active radar guidance of the Exocet picked up the missile and quickly calculated the closest escape vector. The missile made a hard turn to the left before making an equally as jarring turn back down towards the pirate vessel. The Exocet audibly broke the sound barrier and sped past the second interceptor missile before slamming into the deck of the pirate corvette. A jet of water shot up from the corvette like a geyser before the deck exploded upwards. Thick black smoke poured from the single smoke stack as a quick burst of flame exploded out of the bridge windows. The ship began sinking almost immediately, as it listed heavily to its port side. [color=6ecff6]" Lets get in there"[/color] Luke said excitedly as he felt the shake below him. He could see the romans beginning to cut the sinking corvette loose as they fought off the survivors who tried to swim to their boat. By the time the Abyss got to the smugglers yacht, only the conning tower of the pirate vessel was visible above the waves. The water was a maroon mixture of blood and oil, with crates floating to the surface every so often. Luke walked down off the bridge and on to the quarterdeck of the Abyss. [color=ed1c24]" Ave…"[/color] the romans yelled up to the captain and crew now gathering on the starboard side of the ship. [color=6ecff6]" Ave…."[/color] Luke responded….[color=6ecff6]" So…..you got my stuff….."[/color] he said with a sly smirk, prompting chuckles from both sides.