Hook, Line, and Sinker
Bradley watched as the Vanagas slowly pulled to the port quarter of the Crater Bay. Maneuvering in lazy zig-zags, Task Force 62-1 meandered through the shallow waters between the Hooks - avoiding mines, submarines, and civilian shipping as it made its way through the busy strait. Off to the east, dozens of Basilic supertankers and cargo ships sat at anchor - unable to trade with the world, they sat at anchor in the natural harbor of East Hook, waiting to sail again. The flight deck was less active than normal, with alert helos flying SAR patrols and the constant change of direction leaving Harriers unable to launch. Not that they should be needed.
The order came through to 4th Fleet the night before - a second aircraft had gone down in the area and much of the blame was seemingly being put on Basil’s interceptors. Many at home were unconcerned of the events but for the Navy, the need to mount a forward presence in the area was paramount. The UIF was and still is the Confederacy’s strongest ally, and the incident highlighted the delicate peace that was being enforced in the Baskay. Zokesia was 1500km away, but her bravest were out making sure her interests were being maintained.
Bradley gave the order to the helm to shift course 20 degrees starboard, clearing the last of the civilian freighters ahead and opening the Task Force to the inner baskay. A right turn and they'd be in their search tracks, and the long days ahead. It was near 24 hour alert to ensure the air defenses were manned and no chance of accidental weapons release, but the men were tired. Bradley knew as the days wore on their chances of an incident increased, and already there had been a scare when a Brzinair local flight deviated directly at the task force, having received every radar’s emission on the task force for its trouble. The Fortisians were not the concern, however - his worries lay east. As he looked out at East Hook, the charred, burned out remains of buildings, radars, air defense trucks and weapons systems littered the island. The IU had left in a hurry and for good reason. The Basilians had already showed their clearly capable long range missile systems would spell trouble if they turned then onto his little fleet, and the force he was assigned to was neither the prime nor the cream of the Navy. A tired old LHD, three coast guard cutters, and a dozen or so Harriers on their way to retirement did not a competent and robust defense make. Their task was for peaceful rescue and neutral enforcement of passage, but if the shooting started he expected to go to a sailor’s grave.
After checking into the overhead ZP-6, turning over command, and confirming no submarine activity in the fleets vicinity, Bradley Grunbaum retired to his quarters after a long shift as watch officer.