Chapter 7-7: Neglected Motion - Prepared for Treason

Sharon- United Human Faction- Night 71

            The early morning brightened earlier than was ever intended, as Anning’s ships began firing on Chinese ground troops and boats alike. The earlier reconnaissance had paid off, even at the cost of two fighter jets. Anning himself barked coordinates to his aides, who, in turn, barked orders over their radios to the long-range cannon batteries and allied ships in the former US Admiral’s fleet. Sharon approached carefully, knowing not to tread in the bitter officer.

            “The ground forces are ready to advance as soon as your ships have fired their last shots. Contact me when the coast is clear,” she said to him softly.

            “Don’t leave just yet. I want to show you how a fleet operates. Maybe you could teach that old man a thing or two about tactics,” Anning grunted, pointing at the large map displayed on what Sharon assumed was a map of the naval battlefield. “We are positioned behind the island, where the Chinese are unable to see us. That means that we can shell them as long as we want, but we’ll never be able to focus our fire on specific ships. We just don’t now where they are, and I’m not willing to throw my pilots’ lives away in the hopes of finding them. Our ships are the strongest on the planet. We dominate every sea in every ocean. The Chinese are using cheap knockoff models, and your men don’t have anything coming close. That means that when we can see our opposition, we can tear them apart. I can’t see the Chinese, so I can’t kill them. On the other hand, the old man’s fleet is perfectly visible.”

            “Don’t threaten us Anning. If we could push back the entire US Army, we can beat you.”

            “I’m not threatening you, I’m warning you. Next time that son of a bitch questions my loyalty and blocks my maneuvering, I’m sinking every trash heap in his fleet. You’re dismissed, General.”

            Sharon stepped out of Anning’s CIC, ready to speak with her Admiral.

            “Is there a problem, ma’am?” a Faction marine asked as she left exited through the bulkhead.

            “Not yet. Get a message to our Admiral. Say that Anning’s orders take precedence over his own, but that mine still have top priority.”

            The marine saluted and ran toward the flight deck. She could only hope the Chinese fleet would sink to Anning’s guns before her own.