Chapter Fifty-Six
The first wave leaped into the nova and an hour later North's task
force followed. Five hours later the first wave appeared in hostile
territory. They spread out, leaving a clear passage for North's task
force.
2 Two-and-a-half hours later North's group appeared deep in The Haven
system, and all chaos broke loose in The Godden Capitol! Exactly a half
hour after North's ships appeared, The Fleet Command Post, that ancient
starship that had long been the offices of the Commander of all Haven
Space Forces, was rocked by terrible explosions. The supports that held
it to the great building that was its pedestal were blown away, and it
toppled with a great CRASH! into the surrounding buildings.
3 Secondary explosions destroyed its fire fighting apparatus and set it
aflame. In moments it and the buildings around it, became a blazing
inferno.
4 The Godden Commanders, relying heavily on telemetry and orders from
Headquarters were hesitant as to what to do. This brought North
precious hours while a new Command Post was hastily set up. Even then
the orders it was transmitting were confusing, especially since North's
Agents, using their own transmitters, were sending contradictory orders!
5 All this confusion allowed North to get within a day of his objective
without meeting any resistance at all. But of course nothing would have
made the one-hundred ships guarding The Imperial Capitol leave their
posts.
6 Taking up a double wall formation, they made a straight assault on
North's forces. It was not the right formation to use. North kept his
own formation in a five star line, and simply blew his way through them.
7 The Goddens lost a third of their forces in this first attack, while
North lost one ship, and only suffered