''For this round both side will have a fleet of ship under command. It can be a ship of any type, any size, any class, the fleet capacity is limited to 15''.
The 5 minutes prep time fly fast, the simulation started. The rest of the cadets were in spectator mode allowing them to oversee the battle, they can even get the camera to a specific unit for more immersion but they can't interfere. Yet it was nothing compared to what both participant where experiencing. For Azran Barwick it was something extraordinary, something really new. He sure played COS like all the kid of his generation, but never really pay attention to star-ships, now he feels like a small fish in a very very giant pool. Moreover there was the crew, they were not really human but they act like such, analyzing radar signature, giving sitrep (situational report), explaining ship status and more. It was really an extraordinary experience even if it was not real.
''Commander we have a signature on the radar. The enemy fleet in sight''
He snap back to reality. His sense comes back and he decide to act as the fleet captain dspite the unease created by the simulation.
''Get all the ships ready. Everybody in battle formation 79.''
From the spectator point of view the rest of the class and the instructor could get a more ''global view'' of what going on.
''Wow it is totally unfair''. Said a kid.
''He summons 15 battleships, that's almost cheating.''
Indeed Berwick fleet was entirely made of the biggest and more powerful ship in the Aurelian navy arsenal. Such ships would take at least 3 heavy destroyer to match one.
''Is he just stupid ? all he does is relying on raw power'' Said one cadet.
''No actually it is the smartest move'' said Norton ''There is no ammo restriction nor fuel limit which is usually the problem with such heavy ships. He actually run on unlimited Olith and Shells.''
Remember that Norton Kid from chapter 2 ? Yeah you know the who gave kid Kalis existential crisis ? Yes he is cadet Norton now. Their relationship didn't get any better but it is not state of war either. Rather a cold war, each cadet trying to outperform the other in every possible way. Apparence wise, Norton get more sporty (still average), he get rid of the glass so he can show his face yet his freckles are something he can't get rid of. Despite everything he is also one of the best student of the promotion.
''Oh,you got a point, I didn't saw that this way.''
Back to the simulation, the battle is happening on a desert planet high orbit. On the other end of the map there was Cadet Enyx Fleet. Once the instructor switch pov, everybody was surprise at the choice of his ships. Cadet Barwick could not see that on his side since his only POV was his screen.
''Okay this is actually getting interesting''. Said the girl next to the instructor.
''What the hell going on in this kid mind?'' Whisper the instructor.
Space battle recap, there are 3 principals type of weapons use for space warfare in the grand scheme of galactic warfare . Each got his fair share of advantages and disadvantages. Lasers, missiles and canon. The canon advantage are the raw power, cause massive damage in close range (which happen more than you can imagine), shells easy to produce, often allow shield saturation, it is an old weapon system yet many military keep using it. The big disadvantage being that it can be stopped by any type of shield, lack of range and low velocity compared to missiles.
Missiles and rocket are the second way to fight space battle. They got a good amount of destructive power which is the best way to punch through shields, some of them are designed for shield destruction. Their range is also nothing to be understimate. Unfortunately they are easy to intercept and the fact that ships easily run out of missiles during big naval engagement make them a secondary weapons in all galactic navy military.
Then come the controversial king of space. Lasers. Depending on the platform lasers can be freaking powerful in addition to have long range (also depending of the platform). Laser battery are the standard issue is this case, big gun set with powerful laser. Unfortunetely the firing rate is even slower than a canon. Lances system are small tube fit inside of the ship, not as powerful as the battery but can shoot at more decent pace. Some laser battery can be retrofit to intercept missiles. However in addition to the low firing rate they cost too much energy meaning that ship Olith consumption also increase. only advance military with enough ressources use them as primary weapons (Like the empire for example).
Shield are basically force field generate by olith reactors, unfortunately not every ship are equiped with that especially (Only the most advance and modern).
Okay thats the end of the serious exposition now lets go back to the battle
''Commander enemy signature on the radar. They are around 160''
Barwick on the bridge receive the message with great confusion, yet he remains calm and collected.
''It must be a mistake, re-verify''
The operator run the scan again, there was no mistake, it was on every screen of the fleet, more than Hundreds of unit moving on, getting closer to the ship.
''What in Aurelius is going on ? Tactical can you identify the target ?''
The tactical officer, the one in charge of firing solution and weaponry answered.
''Actually sir, they are interceptors.''
''Fighters ?''
The report spread more confusion as Berwick trying to figure out what going on with Kalis. Yet the answer was simple an clear.
''Carrier.'' He just declare.
Indeed young Kalis have no way to bypass the ship population cap but what about the figthers cap. You know Fighter carrier are actually not a thing in space battle. Up until year 100 of the Aurelian calendar people just stuck X numbers of fighter inside a cargo, ship it to the battlefield. They were mostly use to attack fix target like space station, orbital defense, mining asteroid and so on. Figthers do not really play a pivotal role in naval engagement and most admiral prefer saving thieir transport ship for boarding, fuel transport and direct battlefield necessity. There is also the fact that is the cargo get destroyed before or after deployment leaving the fighter with no place to return.
The thing is young Kalis father is actually a ship designer (mostly civilian) and actually get a contract from Rear Admiral Norton Northrop senior to create the first Battle Carrier of the Aurelian Navy. A space Ship entirely dedicate to everything flying in space. Shuttle, interceptor, AWACS, even cargo transport for marines. Okay that's basically space aircraft carrier but lets call it space carrier for the rule of cool.
''Sir they are in range of our main gun''
''Not sure they will be of any use here. Everybody get ready for close combat interception.''
Okay let me explain what is about to unfold here, does anybody ever heard of pearl harbor ? Midway ? Well the oversimplification here is when people realize that rather than sending big big ship fighting each other they can actually send a swarm of tiny planes with big bomb to destroy big ship. The advantages ? Planes are more difficult to hit, can cause massive damage to a very faraway target. Disadvantages, if you get hit you got one shot. Is it effective ? i don't know ask the pacific war. So does cadet Kalis ever heard of Pearl Harbor ? Absolutely not. But thanks to the magic of the plot and since he is a naval history nerd lets say some similar event happen in their timeline, he read about it get the idea of carrier application in battle.
''Commander the enemy is closing in.''
''Tell the fleet to only use secondary weapon for interception , and pay attention to friendly fire.''
As soon as he gave the order the enemy formation split into 3. Two of them flank the fleet while the first wave come straight forward. Berwick on the other hand is not an idiot. He move his fleet in low orbit allowing to limit the fighters movement. If they get too close they will be attract by the planet gravity, but at the same time they kinda become sitting ducks. The battle goes on as it was cannon fire and explosion everywhere. Ships get hit and since this type of vessel get no shield, every single missile going through the barrage was a hard hit. On the other side, Kalis number of Fighter slowly diminish. Berwick connect his turrets to the radar interception system in order to maximize interception rate and it was paying off, aside that he is start losing ships. It was a battle of attrition, and it could be worse until Kalis pull his Fighters back. Barwick take his time to breath trying to go back to his sense of relief, he tried to understand what just going on, run damage assement, but the alarm kick off. A second wave of fighters and even bombers this time. Berwick smile as he knows that he doesn't have enough battleship to survive this run.
At the end of the simulation the two cadet meet up again, shake hands, Barwick seems to take it easy while Kalis is not displaying his usual arrogance.
''No hard feelings'' said Kalis.
''Haha don't Worry, I am just disappointed with myself''.
''Why did you pick these old outdated ships? It is unsual.''
''I couldn't resist, so i tried to surprise you. Big Gun Big Ships with unlimited ammo and fuel, you supposed to be scared haha. Look how it turn out.''
''You could have win with a good old laser interception.''
''Not so sure, the main guns are big and heavy, not ideal to intercept high maneuver target, also the risk of friendly fire was too high''.
''Oh... I see...''
''Oh you know I still have a lot to learn, after all I am still a cadet and It was...''
Not a real battle