The Lost Fleet: Courageous

Copyright © 2008 by John G. Hemry.

All rights reserved.

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a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,

375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.

ISBN: 1-4295-7967-6

ACE

Ace Books are published by The Berkley Publishing Group,

a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,

375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.

ACE and the “A” design are trademarks belonging to Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

To David Sherman,

who has kept the faith.

Semper Fi

For S., as always.

CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS THE ALLIANCE FLEET CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER TWO CHAPTER THREE CHAPTER FOUR CHAPTER FIVE CHAPTER SIX CHAPTER SEVEN CHAPTER EIGHT CHAPTER NINE CHAPTER TEN CHAPTER ELEVEN CHAPTER TWELVE

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I remain indebted to my agent, Joshua Bilmes, for his ever-inspired suggestions and assistance, and to my editor, Anne Sowards, for her support and editing. Thanks also to Catherine Asaro, Robert Chase, J. G. “Huck” Huckenpohler, Simcha Kuritzky, Michael LaViolette, Aly Parsons, Bud Sparhawk, and Constance A. Warner, for their suggestions, comments, and recommendations. Thanks also to Charles Petit, for his suggestions about space engagements.

THE ALLIANCE FLEET

CAPTAIN JOHN GEARY,

Commanding (acting)

As reorganized following the losses suffered immediately prior to Captain Geary assuming command in the Syndic home system.

Ship names in bold are those lost in action, with the name of star system of their loss given afterward.

SECOND BATTLESHIP DIVISION THIRD BATTLESHIP DIVISION

Gallant Paladin

Indomitable Orion

Glorious Majestic

Magnificent Conqueror

FOURTH BATTLESHIP DIVISION FIFTH BATTLESHIP DIVISION

Warrior Fearless

Triumph (lost at Vidha) Resolution

Vengeance Redoubtable

Revenge Warspite

SEVENTH BATTLESHIP DIVISION EIGHTH BATTLESHIP DIVISION

Indefatigable Relentless

Audacious Reprisal

Defiant Superb

Splendid

TENTH BATTLESHIP DIVISION FIRST SCOUT BATTLESHIP DIVISION

Colossus Arrogant (lost at Kaliban)

Amazon Exemplar

Spartan Braveheart

Guardian

FIRST BATTLE CRUISER DIVISION SECOND BATTLE CRUISER DIVISION

Courageous Leviathan

Formidable Dragon

Intrepid Steadfast

Renown Valiant

FIFTH BATTLE CRUISER DIVISION FIFTH BATTLE CRUISER DIVISION

Dauntless (flagship) Invincible (lost at Ilion)

Daring Repulse (lost in Syndic home system)

Terrible (lost at Ilion)

Victorious Furious

Implacable

SIXTH BATTLE CRUISER DIVISION SEVENTH BATTLE CRUISER DIVISION

Polaris (lost at Vidha) Opportune

Vanguard (lost at Vidha) Brilliant

Illustrious Inspire

Incredible

THIRD FAST FLEET AUXILIARIES DIVISION

Titan

Witch

Jinn

Goblin

THIRTY-SEVEN SURVIVING HEAVY CRUISERS

IN SEVEN DIVISIONS

First Heavy Cruiser Division

Third Heavy Cruiser Division

Fourth Heavy Cruiser Division

Fifth Heavy Cruiser Division

Seventh Heavy Cruiser Division

Eighth Heavy Cruiser Division

Tenth Heavy Cruiser Division

minus

Invidious (lost at Kaliban)

Cuirass (lost at Sutrah)

Crest, War-Coat, Ram, and Citadel (lost at Vidha)

SIXTY-TWO SURVIVING LIGHT CRUISERS IN TEN SQUADRONS

First Light Cruiser Squadron

Second Light Cruiser Squadron

Third Light Cruiser Squadron

Fifth Light Cruiser Squadron

Sixth Light Cruiser Squadron

Eighth Light Cruiser Squadron

Ninth Light Cruiser Squadron

Tenth Light Cruiser Squadron

Eleventh Light Cruiser Squadron

Fourteenth Light Cruiser Squadron

minus

Swift (lost at Kaliban)

Pommel, Sling, Bolo, and Staff (lost at Vidha)

ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY-THREE SURVIVING DESTROYERS IN TWENTY SQUADRONS

First Destroyer Squadron

Second Destroyer Squadron

Third Destroyer Squadron

Fourth Destroyer Squadron

Sixth Destroyer Squadron

Seventh Destroyer Squadron

Ninth Destroyer Squadron

Tenth Destroyer Squadron

Twelfth Destroyer Squadron

Fourteenth Destroyer Squadron

Sixteenth Destroyer Squadron

Seventeenth Destroyer Squadron

Twentieth Destroyer Squadron

Twenty-first Destroyer Squadron

Twenty-third Destroyer Squadron

Twenty-fifth Destroyer Squadron

Twenty-seventh Destroyer Squadron

Twenty-eighth Destroyer Squadron

Thirtieth Destroyer Squadron

Thirty-second Destroyer Squadron

minus

Dagger and Venom (lost at Kaliban)

Anelace, Baselard, and Mace (lost at Sutrah)

Celt, Akhu, Sickle, Leaf, Bolt, Sabot, Flint, Needle,

Dart, Sting, Limpet, and Cudgel (lost at Vidha)

Falcata (lost at Ilion)

SECOND FLEET MARINE FORCE

Colonel Carabali commanding (acting)

1,560 Marines divided into detachments on battle cruisers and battleships.

ONE