PUNCHING ABOVE ITS WEIGHT CLASS

WAR 113, DAY 327, HEADSMAN'S VILLA, The Fingers --- David and Goliath, a tale known by all. The story of a small boy beating a giant using his sling, a symbol of the weak triumphing against the strong, with impossible odds. Stories like this aren’t uncommon in our own war either, whether on the battlefield... or the high seas.

On Day 327, an alarm blares within the Colonial Combined Fleet (CCF) headquarters. An enemy ship had just been spotted off the coast of Tuatha Watchpost. Yet the reports they were receiving were confusing and contradictory. Eventually, this confusion was cleared up, Lieutenant Colonel Jewel reporting 120mm shells hitting a nearby scrap field.

Orders immediately went out. The local Observation Tower got redirected towards the ship's last known location, with gunboats leaving Keelhaul's Seaport the instant the report was confirmed. The first ship out to sea, nicknamed "Ratio", was ready to set sail thanks to an encounter with an enemy submarine the day before. Configured with two “Typhon” ra.XII Anti-Tank Rifle, the vessel was commanded by [38SOG] neersighted. Alongside him was [1LAR] winter_wolf98 at the helm, with the guns operated by [KANE] Face McShooty and Major HellRaiser.

Neersighted would recount the story, stating that "When we crossed into Endless Shore, The Frigate wasn't visible on the map anymore.” Once Ratio reached Tuatha Warchpost though, the Warden vessel was reidentified near Rusty Anchor in the neighbouring Fingers. Tracking the vessel with a listening kit tapped observation tower, neersighted would lament "We thought it was impossible to catch up with her, so we turned back towards Keelhaul."

But an apparent mistake on the Warden's part triggered a new alarm at CCF headquarters. Colonel winter_wolf98 would state "The Frigate apparently overshot Headsman's Villa Seaport, making it look like it was gunning for Reaver's Pass." Colonial engineer detachments on stand-by headed out immediately to blow out bridges, with the hope of blocking the frigate’s route. Due to logistical mishaps though not enough explosives were on hand.

Approaching, their guns opened up, scoring twenty hits in under two minutes, a light breeze allowing them to fire unimpeded. Finally, the Warden ship would begin reversing its engines, towards Headman’s Villa, seemingly awakening from its slumber. Ratio wouldn’t let up though, even as a captured Velian Gunboat flying blue emerged alongside the frigate, seemingly out of nowhere. The Frigate was firing 120mm, failing to hit the much smaller vessel, unable to effectively traverse its gun. Now faced by two foes, the gunboat sped towards Ratio, while the Frigate slowed itself, attempting to line up the perfect shot. Ratio simply sped forward with no fear, a single shot from its main gun wiping the opposing gunboat as they came side by side, killing every man on it.

Seeing its escort wiped in an instant, the frigate resumed its reverse, desperate to reach the safety of the allied Warden coastal gun. In the chaos though, as mortar fire hammered away at the Warden vessel the helmsman made a crucial mistake, running the ship aground along the east embankment. What followed was a desperate crew, trying to keep the sinking vessel afloat as it weathered heavy fire. For every breach the crew managed to plug though, two new holes would appear somewhere else. They just didn’t have the manpower, and with no help, the end was nigh.

So much like David and Goliath, Ratio would slay the Frigate, disregarding its size, even its escort, showing the strength of resolve and experience in this violent conflict.

Writer: [PRESS] Jean Baricave

Sources: [38SOG] neersighted

Editor: [PRESS] Henry Stewart

Date of Publication: 21/07/2024