Westward Ho

[joeclark77 (OP)]

January 1, 2001 AD:
The Western Federation represents a loose confederacy of almost all of the significant technological civilizations left on Earth following the re-election of US President Jimmy Carter in 1980 and the devastation of World War III which almost immediately followed.  Most of Europe, Asia, and Islamic north Africa were reduced to a new stone age, and the major coastal cities of the Americas experienced total moral and economic collapse soon after.  The survivors in those areas are slowly rebuilding, but have little impact on technology or commerce of the now Trans-Newtonian powers of the West.  The Federation now includes most of the now-independent states and provinces of Western North America, the Catholic nations of Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa, and the few pockets of civilization remaining in Eurasia, namely Ireland, Israel, and South Korea.  The central government, such as it is, is headquartered in Texas, one of the largest and most economically important member republics.  "Western" in the name of the alliance refers to the Western hemisphere where it is mostly situated, to Western civilization which it preserves, and to the pioneer ethos of "going West".  Following the discovery of Trans-Newtonian physics in 1997 (Al Gore never invented the Internet in this alternate history, so physicists got a lot more work done), Governor of Earth Sarah Palin (whose remarkable rise from the Wasilla town council is a story for another day) proclaimed the beginning of a new era of exploration and settlement.  By 2001, the first generation TN ships were ready to launch.

Starting Population: 800m
Construction Factories: 672
Mines: 640 conventional, 128 automated
Research Labs: 32
Starting Research Points: 192000
Shipyards: 6: C72000T, N9000T, N7000T, N7000T, N6000T, N4000T

Starting NPRs: 1
Real Stars: OFF
Precursors: ON
Invaders & Swarm: OFF

[joeclark77 (OP)]

The Pathfinder and Prospector exploration vessels were some of the first TN designs to be built (two of each).  The Rocky Mountain Spaceship Yard is currently expanding and retooling to be able to efficiently manufacture more of them, beginning with the Pathfinder:

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Pathfinder class Deep Space Survey Ship    7,500 tons     81 Crew     471.4 BP      TCS 150  TH 216  EM 0
1440 km/s    JR 1-25(C)     Armour 1-34     Shields 0-0     Sensors 5/5/2/0     Damage Control Rating 4     PPV 0
Maint Life 8.67 Years     MSP 1157    AFR 112%    IFR 1.6%    1YR 28    5YR 413    Max Repair 100 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 120 months    Spare Berths 0   

7500T Commercial Jump Drive     Max Ship Size 7500 tons    Distance 25k km     Squadron Size 1
Hyundai 108 EP Commercial Ion Drive (2)    Power 108    Fuel Use 2.42%    Signature 108    Exp 3%
Fuel Capacity 250,000 Litres    Range 247.9 billion km   (1992 days at full power)

1HS Ship Detector Alpha-MR6-R170 (1)     GPS 1700     Range 6.5m km    Resolution 170
1HS Thermal Sensor Alpha-TH1-5 (1)     Sensitivity 5     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  5m km
1HS EM Detection Sensor Alpha-EM1-5 (1)     Sensitivity 5     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  5m km
Gravitational Survey Sensors (2)   2 Survey Points Per Hour

This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
The Prospector is a geological survey vessel with a very similar design.  It is intended for somewhat longer deployments so it has lower-maintenance components and an extra layer of armor to better protect its crew from particle impacts and radiation in deep space.

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Prospector class Geological Survey Vessel    7,500 tons     64 Crew     483.4 BP      TCS 150  TH 216  EM 0
1440 km/s    JR 1-25(C)     Armour 2-34     Shields 0-0     Sensors 5/5/0/2     Damage Control Rating 1     PPV 0
MSP 40    Max Repair 100 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 180 months    Spare Berths 0   

7500T Commercial Jump Drive     Max Ship Size 7500 tons    Distance 25k km     Squadron Size 1
Hyundai 108 EP Commercial Ion Drive (2)    Power 108    Fuel Use 2.42%    Signature 108    Exp 3%
Fuel Capacity 500,000 Litres    Range 495.9 billion km   (3985 days at full power)

1HS Ship Detector Alpha-MR6-R170 (1)     GPS 1700     Range 6.5m km    Resolution 170
1HS Thermal Sensor Alpha-TH1-5 (1)     Sensitivity 5     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  5m km
1HS EM Detection Sensor Alpha-EM1-5 (1)     Sensitivity 5     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  5m km
Geological Survey Sensors (2)   2 Survey Points Per Hour

This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
The men of the West will colonize the stars beginning with a fleet of five Longhorn class freighters and two Conestoga class colony ships:

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Longhorn class Freighter    38,500 tons     107 Crew     412.6 BP      TCS 770  TH 864  EM 0
1122 km/s     Armour 1-101     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 1     PPV 0
MSP 7    Max Repair 16.2 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months    Spare Berths 0   
Cargo 25000    Cargo Handling Multiplier 10   

Hyundai 108 EP Commercial Ion Drive (8)    Power 108    Fuel Use 2.42%    Signature 108    Exp 3%
Fuel Capacity 500,000 Litres    Range 96.6 billion km   (996 days at full power)

This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes

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Conestoga class Colony Ship    24,000 tons     145 Crew     907 BP      TCS 480  TH 540  EM 0
1125 km/s     Armour 1-74     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 1     PPV 0
MSP 24    Max Repair 16.2 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months    Spare Berths 0   
Cryogenic Berths 60000    Cargo Handling Multiplier 15   

Hyundai 108 EP Commercial Ion Drive (5)    Power 108    Fuel Use 2.42%    Signature 108    Exp 3%
Fuel Capacity 500,000 Litres    Range 155.0 billion km   (1594 days at full power)

This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes

[joeclark77 (OP)]

Although extraterrestrial life is considered an absurdity by most citizens of the Federation, a policy of "better safe than sorry" has led to the development of two beam-armed peacekeeping warships.  Researchers employed by the Federation's more prominent defense contractors continue to work on improving their designs for laser and meson weapons, as well as sensors, fire controls, and other supporting technologies.  Early-stage research into microwave weapons and gauss or coilguns is also under way.

The federation navy as of now includes two Maverick class destroyers and five Mustang class frigates.  Under the leadership of Secretary of War (aka Fleet HQ Commander) Donald Rumsfeld, they begin fleet training exercises today.

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Maverick class Destroyer    8,000 tons     234 Crew     1165 BP      TCS 160  TH 720  EM 0
4500 km/s     Armour 3-35     Shields 0-0     Sensors 25/25/0/0     Damage Control Rating 2     PPV 30.43
Maint Life 1.85 Years     MSP 182    AFR 256%    IFR 3.6%    1YR 67    5YR 1011    Max Repair 81 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 24 months    Spare Berths 0   

60 EP Ion Military Rocket (12)    Power 60    Fuel Use 66.5%    Signature 60    Exp 10%
Fuel Capacity 650,000 Litres    Range 22.0 billion km   (56 days at full power)

15cm C3 Visible Light Laser (4)    Range 120,000km     TS: 4500 km/s     Power 6-3     RM 2    ROF 10        6 6 4 3 2 2 1 1 1 1
Quad R3/C3 Meson Cannon Turret (1x4)    Range 30,000km     TS: 9000 km/s     Power 12-12     RM 3    ROF 5        1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Meson Turret Fire Control S03 40-9000 (1)    Max Range: 80,000 km   TS: 9000 km/s     88 75 62 50 38 25 12 0 0 0
Maverick Laser Fire Control S04.5 120-4500 (1)    Max Range: 240,000 km   TS: 4500 km/s     96 92 88 83 79 75 71 67 62 58
1HS-4.5P Gas-Cooled Fast Reactor (6)     Total Power Output 27    Armour 0    Exp 5%

5HS Ship Detector Alpha-MR32-R170 (1)     GPS 8500     Range 32.6m km    Resolution 170
5HS Thermal Sensor Alpha-TH5-25 (1)     Sensitivity 25     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  25m km
5HS EM Detection Sensor Alpha-EM5-25 (1)     Sensitivity 25     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  25m km

This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes

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Mustang class Frigate    4,000 tons     111 Crew     576 BP      TCS 80  TH 480  EM 0
6000 km/s     Armour 3-22     Shields 0-0     Sensors 5/5/0/0     Damage Control Rating 1     PPV 9
Maint Life 2.17 Years     MSP 90    AFR 128%    IFR 1.8%    1YR 26    5YR 386    Max Repair 54 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 24 months    Spare Berths 1   

60 EP Ion Military Rocket (8)    Power 60    Fuel Use 66.5%    Signature 60    Exp 10%
Fuel Capacity 350,000 Litres    Range 23.7 billion km   (45 days at full power)

R3/C3 Meson Cannon (3)    Range 30,000km     TS: 6000 km/s     Power 3-3     RM 3    ROF 5        1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Meson Turret Fire Control S03 40-9000 (1)    Max Range: 80,000 km   TS: 9000 km/s     88 75 62 50 38 25 12 0 0 0
1HS-4.5P Gas-Cooled Fast Reactor (2)     Total Power Output 9    Armour 0    Exp 5%

1HS Ship Detector Alpha-MR6-R170 (1)     GPS 1700     Range 6.5m km    Resolution 170
1HS Thermal Sensor Alpha-TH1-5 (1)     Sensitivity 5     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  5m km
1HS EM Detection Sensor Alpha-EM1-5 (1)     Sensitivity 5     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  5m km

This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
Earth is defended by four Alamo anti-missile PDCs:

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Alamo class Planetary Defence Centre    14,800 tons     413 Crew     1371 BP      TCS 296  TH 0  EM 0
Armour 15-53     Sensors 25/50     Damage Control Rating 0     PPV 86.58
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months    Spare Berths 3   
Troop Capacity: 2 Battalions   

Quad R3/C3 Meson Cannon Turret (6x4)    Range 30,000km     TS: 9000 km/s     Power 12-12     RM 3    ROF 5        1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Meson Turret Fire Control S03 40-9000 (2)    Max Range: 80,000 km   TS: 9000 km/s     88 75 62 50 38 25 12 0 0 0
1HS-4.5P Gas-Cooled Fast Reactor (16)     Total Power Output 72    Armour 0    Exp 5%

5HS Ship Detector Alpha-MR32-R170 (1)     GPS 8500     Range 32.6m km    Resolution 170
5HS Thermal Sensor Alpha-TH5-25 (1)     Sensitivity 25     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  25m km
5HS EM Detection Sensor Alpha-EM5-25 (1)     Sensitivity 25     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  25m km

This design is classed as a Planetary Defence Centre and can be pre-fabricated in 6 sections

[joeclark77 (OP)]

January 4, 2001 AD:
Spirits are lifted around the world as man returns to the moon.  A geological team led by Charlie Metcalfe was dropped off on Luna by GEV Prospector 001.



January 28, 2001 AD:
History is made as DSS Pathfinder 001 locates two of the theorized "jump points" in our solar system.  Both are quite close to Saturn at this time of the Saturnian year.  JP1 is just inside its orbit, and JP2 is just outside of its orbit.  Their locations are noted by the cartographers while the space agency FASA deliberates on when and how to safely test the survey ships' unproven jump engines.


March 18, 2001 AD:
Initial geological survey results are published and reported by the press.  Mining industry leaders are disappointed by the lack of TN minerals on Luna and the absence of hoped-for sorium in Jupiter's atmosphere.  On the bright side, Mars has extensive and moderately-accessible duranium deposits as well as supplies of mercassium and uridium that may become accessible if geologists on the surface are successful.  Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto all have TN mineral deposits -- of particular interest are Europa's corundium reserves and Ganymede's high-accessibility duranium and corbomite deposits. Aware of the necessity of sorium for the long-term viability of space exploration, both GEVs are en route to the more distant gas giants.


May 13, 2001 AD:
A third jump point is located just inside the orbit of Uranus.  The GEVs have ruled out the possibility of finding sorium on Saturn or Uranus and GEV Prospector 001 is en route to Neptune.


June 18, 2001 AD:
74000T of sorium at 0.4 accessibility is found on Neptune.  This confirms the theory that it's possible to harvest sorium fuel from gas giants, but the find itself is disappointing.


July 19, 2001 AD:
A fourth jump point is charted, also near the Uranian orbit.  Rocky Mountain Spaceship Yard has finished its retooling and construction has begun on three new DSS Pathfinders.
The cargo fleet has unloaded 90 auto-mines on the comet Wild which has a diverse array of TN minerals at high accessibility if low quantity.  Cargo ships have now been re-assigned to deliver infrastructure to support colonies on Luna, Mars, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto.


September 27, 2001 AD:
To great wonder and consternation among the Federation, it was announced to the press today that DSS Pathfinder 002 had discovered a fifth jump point outside the orbit of Neptune -- this one featuring a stable jump gate of apparently alien construction.  No one is quite sure what to make of this, except Secretary Rumsfeld, who immediately requisitions the construction of more Mavericks and Mustangs.  Two of each are commissioned at the same shipyards in Texas where their prototypes were constructed.


October 27, 2001 AD:
Whitehouse Shipping Company launches the first civilian freighter on the occasion of the founding of a civilian mining complex on the comet Borrelly.


January 4, 2002 AD:
Colonies have been founded on Luna and Mars, as infrastructure is still being shipped to the Galilean moons of Jupiter.  The first year of TN travel has seen the discovery of five jump points and the discovery of minerals from Venus all the way out to Quaoar (both have significant Duranium deposits), the beginnings of civilian mining and transport industries, and of course most significantly the discovery of an alien jump gate.  2002 promises to be an even more interesting year as FASA begins its first interstellar voyages of exploration.

[joeclark77 (OP)]

March 25, 2002 AD:
The gravitational survey of the system is completed as a sixth and final jump point is located between the orbits of Neptune and Pluto.  Three new DSS Pathfinders have been launched from the shipyard and three more are now under construction.  All five currently operational Pathfinders, and GEV Prospector 001, are en route to the six jump points.  FASA has decided that simultaneous jumps would be an appropriately dramatic way to kick off the age of interstellar travel.


May 8, 2002 AD:
In a day that will be remembered forever, six starships carried human explorers to distant stars.  The new stars, named after the towns where their discoverers grew up, are (in order of jump point proximity to the Sun):
Muskogee -- A trinary system with no planets or asteroids.
Ponca -- Six planets, three of which are gas giants.  The inner gas giant is in a zone of very mild temperatures and seven of its moons have suitable gravity for colonization.  Although they have no atmospheres, they have colony costs of 2.0 only.
Laramie -- A binary system with four planets orbiting the A star.  Laramie-A II is a gas giant right in the habitable zone and four of its moons are good colonization targets.  The other three planets are terrestrial and could be terraformed in time, but of them only Laramie-A IV is a cost-2.0 world.  The eighth moon of Laramie-A II is extremely appealing as it already has a nitrogen-oxygen atmosphere with 0.05 atm of oxygen.  It is a bit warm but could be terraformed very quickly.  Curiously, however, scanners are picking up what appear to be spaceship wrecks in orbit of the gas giant, 4.5 billion km from the Sol jump point: three wrecks of 22650T and one of 15100T.  DSS Pathfinder 002, renamed the DSS Laramie, has set a course to investigate.  There are also some attractive planets orbiting Laramie-B, but that star is a trillion kilometers distant and unreachable with current technology.
Wichita -- The most economically exciting discovery, this system has ten planets with its inner three in the habitable zone.  Wichita III is actually a double-planet system (the planet and its "moon" have gravity 1.08 and 1.06 respectively) and both have nitrogen-oxygen atmospheres, with the moon's air actually breathable.  Wichita I also has an N2-O2 atmosphere and liquid oceans.
Roswell -- The alien-made jump gate is a two-way construction with a matching gate on this side.  The system itself has only three planets, all with acceptable gravity for humans but far too hot to be easily terraformed.  Roswell I and III have Venusian atmospheres but Roswell II has a nitrogen-oxygen mix and a colony cost of 8.47 (its surface temperature is 241.2).  It is not likely to be a high priority for colonization, but a fortuitous mineral discovery could change that.
Paducah -- Has two planets: a warm, airless dwarf planet close to the star that could be colonized (cost 2.0) and a large Venusian world.  No moons, asteroids, or comets.

The starships which discovered the systems have been renamed for them: DSS Muskogee, GEV Paducah, etc.

June 14, 2002 AD:
96 million km from the gas giant with the mysterious wrecks, DSS Laramie picks up the thermal signature of an alien vessel moving toward it.  Turning on its active sensor, it also detects a companion.  The two ships are of different classes, both traveling at 5463 km/s, a very great speed.  The Kanin class is 15100T and the Otlichny is 7550T.

June 14, 2002 AD, 17 minutes later:
The alien ship designated Otlichny opens fire on DSS Laramie with some sort of particle beam at a range of 120kkm, aiming apparently for Laramie's engines, disabling her jump engine and one of her two ion drives in the first volley. Panicking, the crew head for the lifepods.  22 of them, including Commander Katherine Ashton, manage to eject before two more volleys of particle beams destroy the ship.  Unfortunately, no help can get to them before their air runs out... or worse.

June 24, 2002 AD:
Communication from the Laramie's lifepods ceases days before their life support should have run out.  Mission control fears that the survivors have been captured by the aliens.

June 29, 2002 AD:
The linguistic team determines that the Laramie aliens are too unlike us for communication to ever be possible.  Military analysts determine that the Kanin fired its particle beams at Laramie from 183kkm, indicating far better beam weapons than human ships can match.  New investments are proposed for research that will extend the range of Western lasers and meson beams.

July 14, 2002 AD:
GEV Prospector 001 (now GEV Paducah) finished surveying the two planets of the Paducah system.  Although the venusian world does have large deposits of Duranium at 0.6 accessibility, it has no other minerals that are reasonably accessible, so the system is unlikely to be settled any time soon.  GEV Paducah has been re-assigned to survey the Wichita system.


September 6, 2002 AD:
Colonies of 240,000 citizens each have been established on Callisto, Ganymede, and Europa.  Whitehouse Shipping Company has launched humanity's first luxury spaceliner to carry passengers to distant colonies in style.


November 4, 2002 AD:
GEV Paducah surveyed the sister planets of Wichita III.  Both have enormous TN mineral deposits but most of the minerals are hardly accessible.  The exceptions are neutronium and tritanium (both 0.5) on the planet and mercassium (0.7) and sorium (0.8 ) on the moon.  The planets have been named Skagway and Wasilla after the birthplace and home town of the Federation's great leader.


November 16, 2002 AD:
En route to Wichita II, GEV Paducah detects an active sensor characteristic of the hostile Laramie aliens.  Commander Elise Griffiths orders a course change but it is too late to escape the pursuer, a 7550T ship of a new class, dubbed Oscar.  This class, too, fires particle beams from about 180kkm.  22 crew make it to lifepods.


December 31, 2002 AD:
It has been an eventful year, as expected.  Two promising systems for colonization have been identified, but hostile and technologically advanced aliens make them inaccessible for now.  Survey ships are charting the other known systems in hopes of making even more distant discoveries, while researchers on earth are working hard to develop the tools to enable interstellar colonization.  Notably, a project to develop a jump gate construction module and a project to develop a terraforming module are both expected to be completed in summer of the coming year.  Needless to say, research into weapons and engines is also becoming extremely important.

[joeclark77 (OP)]

June 23, 2003 AD:
A breakthrough has been made in terraforming technology, enabling the development of an orbital terraforming module.  A shipyard is being expanded and retooled to build the first terraforming stations, but these preparations will take several months.  Meanwhile, designs are being drawn up for an interplanetary tugboat which will move the terraformers into position.


July 20, 2003 AD:
The Muskogee system has been fully surveyed, and three additional jump points have been located.  DSS Muskogee and DSS Pathfinder 007 are en route to explore two of them.

August 5, 2003 AD:
Researchers on Earth have solved the problem of how to build stable jump gates.  Plans have been drawn up for a gate construction ship.  A shipyard is now being expanded and tooled to build the Trailblazer:

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Trailblazer class Construction Ship    38,900 tons     116 Crew     1015.6 BP      TCS 778  TH 864  EM 0
1110 km/s     Armour 1-102     Shields 0-0     Sensors 5/5/0/0     Damage Control Rating 1     PPV 0
MSP 16    Max Repair 16.2 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months    Spare Berths 1   
Jump Gate Construction Ship: 360 days

Hyundai 108 EP Commercial Ion Drive (8)    Power 108    Fuel Use 2.42%    Signature 108    Exp 3%
Fuel Capacity 1,000,000 Litres    Range 191.1 billion km   (1992 days at full power)

1HS Thermal Sensor Alpha-TH1-5 (1)     Sensitivity 5     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  5m km
1HS EM Detection Sensor Alpha-EM1-5 (1)     Sensitivity 5     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  5m km

This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes

August 15, 2003 AD:
With the construction of three more Pathfinders, ten of these gravitational survey ships are now in service.  The new vessels have been assigned to explore newly-discovered jump points in three systems.  The shipyard is being retooled to begin constructing new Prospector geological survey ships, as FASA only has one of the prototypes in service since the destruction of the GEV Paducah.

August 20, 2003 AD:
Jumping from Muskogee, DSS Pathfinder 007 discovers the Oskaloosa system which contains only a few cold dwarf planets and comets, and is renamed DSS Oskaloosa.

August 30, 2003 AD:
DSS Muskogee discovers and names the Fristoe system (for the home town of its first officer).  Fristoe-A has two unremarkable planets but Fristoe-B, which is 25Gkm distant, has a number of attractive worlds including one with 0.08atm of oxygen and liquid oceans.  Time will tell whether it is worth the round trip.

September 19, 2003 AD:
DSS Pathfinder 009 discovers and names the Texarkana system, which has three stars but only a couple of airless dwarf planets of little interest.  The ship is renamed DSS Texarkana.

September 21, 2003 AD:
DSS Pathfinder 010 discovers and names the Ponchatoula system, jumping from Ponca, and is renamed.  The system is a binary with three marginally colonizable terrestrial worlds, a super jovian, and a dozen or so  asteroids.

October 26, 2003 AD:
DSS Pathfinder 011 discovers the Hattiesburg system and is renamed DSS Hattiesburg.  This system is connected to Roswell and it features three stars and a super-jovian planet (12Gkm out).

January 3, 2004 AD:
The third year of the new era was one of exploration and expansion with few unexpected turning points.  Civilian shipping lines have grown substantially and are making a great deal of money ferrying colonists around.  There are currently about 12 million colonists living on the moon, 1.2 million on Mars, and 400k each on Europa, Callisto, and Ganymede, so there is a great deal of demand for trade goods, necessities, and passenger transport.  Several new systems have been charted and technologies have improved.  Shipyards are being expanded to put these discoveries to good use.

[joeclark77 (OP)]

June 24, 2004 AD:
The first orbital terraforming station begins construction, as does the tug that will haul it to Lunar orbit:

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Greenhorn class Terraformer    101,700 tons     410 Crew     2334 BP      TCS 2034  TH 0  EM 0
1 km/s     Armour 1-194     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 1     PPV 0
MSP 14    Max Repair 500 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months    Spare Berths 6   
Terraformer: 4 module(s) producing 0.004 atm per annum

This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes

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Bison class Tug    23,200 tons     146 Crew     581.8 BP      TCS 464  TH 1512  EM 0
3258 km/s     Armour 1-72     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 1     PPV 0
MSP 16    Max Repair 100 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months    Spare Berths 3   
Tractor Beam     

Hyundai 108 EP Commercial Ion Drive (14)    Power 108    Fuel Use 2.42%    Signature 108    Exp 3%
Fuel Capacity 1,000,000 Litres    Range 320.5 billion km   (1138 days at full power)

This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes

November 24, 2004 AD:
DSS Roswell completes the gravitational survey of the system for which it is named.  There is only one unexplored jump point in addition to the Sol and Hattiesburg connections.  There is no continuation of any chain of alien-built jump gates.  Thus the jump gates connecting Sol and Roswell remain a mystery.


December 2, 2004 AD:
Exploring a jump point from Paducah, DSS discovers the binary star system Bigfork and takes its name.  The system has a large Venusian world, a gas giant with no moons, and a compact asteroid belt worth exploring for minerals.

[joeclark77 (OP)]

January 17, 2005 AD:
DSS Ponca jumps from an unexplored JP in Paducah to a new system it names Eureka.  Both stars of this system are orbited by terrestrial worlds, gas giants, and asteroid belts, and there are a number of candidates for possible settlement.  Eureka-A III has a breathable atmosphere and almost-ideal temperature but its gravity (2.05G) is slightly too high for humans to endure long-term.  Some imaginative researchers are tossing around the idea of genetically engineering humans who could live on the world, which the explorers have named Reagan.

February 2, 2005 AD:
Construction begins on the first Trailblazer jump gate construction ship.  Delivery is promised on Christmas of 2006.  A second slipway is being added to the shipyard.  Three new GEV Prospectors join the fleet and are assigned to begin surveying some of the extrasolar systems that the Federation is considering settling.

February 26, 2005 AD:
DSS Roswell discovers that the unexplored JP in its namesake system connects to the already-explored Texarkana system, over 7Gkm from the Muskogee JP in that system.

March 17, 2005 AD:
DSS Ponca detects an alien ship of 3600T sitting still at a survey point in the Eureka system, guessing it to be an alien survey ship.  Although it is alarming that aliens are surveying jump points and presumably have the theoretical knowledge to exploit them, the alien's energy signature is not consistent with the Laramie-Wichita aliens, leading FASA mission control to conclude the vessel comes from some other civilization.  DSS Ponca optimistically attempts to initiate communication.

March 25, 2005 AD:
DSS Roswell jumps from Texarkana to the unexplored system it names Walla Walla.  This binary star system has no planets or asteroids.
In Eureka, the alien survey vessel disappears from DSS Ponca's sensors.

March 29, 2005 AD:
DSS Ponca detects four ships of a new class, with energy signatures indicating they are ships of the same civilization as the alien survey ship, approaching it at 700kkm.  Turning on active sensors, Ponca determines that the ships are of 9150T and moving at 4327km/s.  Communication has not yet been established, so Ponca's crew is extremely nervous.  The aliens make a quick fly-by, giving humanity its first good look at an alien vessel with the naked eye, but they do not open fire, instead leaving in the same direction they came from (toward the inner system) and allowing Ponca to continue on her course to the next survey location.

April 15, 2005 AD:
Another alien survey vessel is detected at the next survey location.  The two survey vessels observe each other but neither takes action.

April 30, 2005 AD:
Fristoe A-II, a dwarf planet with colony cost 2.00, is surveyed and a major TN mineral find is made:
Duranium 204,800 (0.7)
Neutronium 48,400 (0.5)
Corbomite 1,210,000 (0.9)
Tritanium 3,240,000 (0.8 )
Boronite 32,400 (0.1)
Mercassium 90,000 (0.4)
Vendaraite 640,000 (0.6)
Sorium 3,763,600 (0.4)
Uridium 1,392,400 (0.1)
Corundium 250,000 (0.5)
Gallicite 360,000 (0.7)
The other attractive planets in the system orbit the very distant B star (about 30Gkm from the Muskogee JP) but due to the attractiveness of A-II, they have been deemed worthy of exploration.
In other news, a second civilian shipping line, called Briggs Lines, has been founded.  With five colonies in the Sol system there is plenty of need for transport of infrastructure and colonists, and more than enough profit to go around.


May 15, 2005 AD:
Communication has been established with the Eureka aliens, who call themselves the Irian Commonwealth.  Ambassador Jacob Mistry has assembled a team to conduct diplomacy in hopes of peaceful cooperation and trade with the Irians.

August 8, 2005 AD:
In response to unrest on the various colonies, the Federation has deemed it necessary to establish military garrisons for peacekeeping and law enforcement, despite the fear that this may be the first step toward ending the federal separation of powers and moving power toward the central government.  The first interplanetary troop transport was delivered today and has begun loading garrison troops bound for Luna and Mars.  Troops bound for the Galilean moons have been given notice that they will ship out soon.

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Stampede class Troop Transport    23,000 tons     144 Crew     521.2 BP      TCS 460  TH 648  EM 0
1408 km/s     Armour 1-72     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 1     PPV 0
MSP 14    Max Repair 40 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months    Spare Berths 1    
Troop Capacity: 5 Battalions    Cargo Handling Multiplier 15    

Hyundai 108 EP Commercial Ion Drive (6)    Power 108    Fuel Use 2.42%    Signature 108    Exp 3%
Fuel Capacity 500,000 Litres    Range 161.6 billion km   (1328 days at full power)

This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes

September 19, 2005 AD:
The new system of Saskatoon is discovered by a jump from Hattiesburg, and given a name.  The system is large, with planets and asteroids hundreds of billions of kilometers from the star.  Three gas giants are within reasonably accessible distance (<12Gkm) and a number of inhospitable moons and terrestrial planets may or may not turn out to be interesting after geological surveys are conducted.

October 8, 2005 AD:
DSS Pathfinder 006 discovers and names the Abilene system, and is renamed DSS Abilene for its discovery.  The system's A star only has one planet, a colony cost 2.11 dwarf.  Three small planets orbit the B star but it's almost three trillion kilometers out of reach.  This is the last unexplored system connected to Paducah.



January 16, 2006 AD:
Festivities are held commemorating five years of human expansion into outer space.  As the first terraformer begins operation over Luna, and the first working Stellarator Fusion reactor is unveiled to the public, the research community begins a race to develop Magneto-plasma Drive technology and a new generation of ships to employ it.  The military now consists of 6 Maverick destroyers and 12 Mustang frigates.  After extensive wargaming, it has been determined that these two ships are not good complements to each other.  Future versions of the Maverick will give them more speed and longer-range weapons to make them offensive powerhouses that can engage the Laramie-Wichita aliens outside of their particle weapon range.  The Mavericks will likely be accompanied by dedicated anti-missile ships, sensor craft and jump ships, enabling them to project offensive power, hunt and destroy enemies.  The Mustang instead will evolve into a stealthy surprise attack craft, with low-signature engines and supported by powerful passive sensors.  Its role may be to picket jump gates and chase down any ships that attempt to run the blockade.  It could also be used for raiding enemy shipping behind their battle lines.  Mustangs may be accompanied in the future by some sort of carrier to extend their range, and supported by low profile anti-missile and scout fighters that complement their stealthy mission.

[joeclark77 (OP)]

January 21, 2006 AD:
A geological survey of Ponchatoula-B II (a nearly-ideal colony planet which lacks only oxygen) turns up large, accessible deposits of duranium, boronide, mercassium, and gallicite... and the ruins of a destroyed alien outpost.  As the Ponchatoula system contains the only sorium-rich gas giant yet discovered, and is connected to Ponca, a mineral-rich system with seven easily-terraformed moons, this discovery all but cements FASA's intention to focus colonization efforts down the Ponca-Ponchatoula chain.

February 26, 2006 AD:
Fresh from this discovery, GEV Prospector 004 transits from Ponchatoula into a new system, naming it Pocatello and renaming the ship GEV Pocatello.  This system features a number of terrestrial and gas giant planets with some attractive moons.  Pocatello IV is a particularly attractive world with a nitrogen-oxygen atmosphere, moderate temperature, and liquid oceans, that only needs a bit more oxygen to be habitable by unassisted humans.

The known universe:


Jump points in the Solar system:



April 21, 2006 AD:
DSS Ponchatoula jumps from its namesake system and discovers a new system it dubs Rangeley.  Rangeley has two cold gas giants with a number of inhospitable moons, and a single comet.

April 26, 2006 AD:
Trailblazer 001, the Federation's first jump gate construction ship, enters service.  Although the Ponca chain appears the most profitable for immediate colonization, it is determined that the first jump gate will be built on the Sol-Paducah jump points so that the West can establish a strategic base in Paducah to detect and intercept any hostile Irian fleets before they enter Sol.  Another Trailblazer begins construction.

May 8, 2006 AD:
A jump from the Oskaloosa system reveals the Brainerd system, a binary with a single venusian planet.

July 11, 2006 AD:
GEV Prospector 008 jumps from Texarkana and discovers and names the Sheboygan system, renaming itself GEV Sheboygan.  The system features nine planets orbiting two stars (although two or three of the planets are too far from the star to be accessible with modern engine technology).  The innermost planet and two moons of the innermost gas giant are airless but potentially colonizable.  A number of moons and asteroids may yield minerals.

July 19, 2006 AD:
GEV Prospector 007 jumps from Texarkana to a red star it dubs Humboldt.  There are no planets, asteroids or comets orbiting it.  The ship is renamed GEV Humboldt.

July 27, 2006 AD:
DSS Texarkana jumps though the sixth and final unexplored JP in its namesake system and discovers the star Slocomb, an orange star with no planets, asteroids or comets.  She begins a gravitational survey.

August 22, 2006 AD:
GEV Prospector 006 jumps from Ponchatoula into the new system of Yoakum, and takes its name.  It is a large system with five gas giants and many moons as well as some terrestrial planets and a number of asteroids.

September 27, 2006 AD:
At a secret facility on Luna, the Federation navy tests their newest weapon: a 20cm Near Ultraviolet Laser that should prove capable of hitting the Laramie alien ships at ranges out to 240kkm.  Although the damage it will do at that range is minimal, and Federation destroyers cannot yet match the speed of this enemy, the new laser is a big enough breakthrough that Secretary Rumsfeld authorizes the refitting of all Maverick destroyers to carry three of the new lasers (in place of four of the old 15cm lasers).  Their engines will be upgraded later when magneto-plasma technology is ready.

October 7, 2006 AD:
The department of War has also advised that surveillance of known space, especially around jump points, would be a wise precaution.  A rapid design process has resulted in the Coyote class, a recon frigate specialized in placing sensor buoys in deep space, but which could also be used to lay offensive mines if that were to be deemed necessary.

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Coyote class Minelayer    4,500 tons     62 Crew     235.2 BP      TCS 90  TH 108  EM 0
1200 km/s    JR 1-25(C)     Armour 2-24     Shields 0-0     Sensors 5/5/0/0     Damage Control Rating 2     PPV 7
Maint Life 3.23 Years     MSP 65    AFR 81%    IFR 1.1%    1YR 9    5YR 141    Max Repair 28 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 24 months    Spare Berths 0   
Magazine 112   

4500T Commercial Jump Drive     Max Ship Size 4500 tons    Distance 25k km     Squadron Size 1
Hyundai 108 EP Commercial Ion Drive (1)    Power 108    Fuel Use 2.42%    Signature 108    Exp 3%
Fuel Capacity 100,000 Litres    Range 165.3 billion km   (1594 days at full power)

Size 7 Alpha Bouy Launcher (1)    Missile Size 7    Rate of Fire 210
Bouy Launcher Control (1)     Range 150k km    Resolution 1
Hawkeye-A (16)  Speed: 0 km/s   End: 0m    Range: 0m km   WH: 0    Size: 7    TH: 0/0/0

1HS Thermal Sensor Alpha-TH1-5 (1)     Sensitivity 5     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  5m km
1HS EM Detection Sensor Alpha-EM1-5 (1)     Sensitivity 5     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  5m km

Missile to hit chances are vs targets moving at 3000 km/s, 5000 km/s and 10,000 km/s

This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes

November 29, 2006 AD:
GEV Humboldt jumps from the Saskatoon system and discovers and names the Winnemucca system, consisting of a single star orbited by four gas giants, four inhospitable terrestrials, and a large asteroid belt.


December 25, 2006 AD:
DSS Wichita completes its nearly five year mission to survey the Wichita system without being molested by the alien ships that apparently dwell in the inner system.  Two new JPs are located but Wichita does not explore them as she is low on fuel and her crew is mentally exhausted.  She heads back to Earth for an overhaul.  On earth, a second slipway is prepared to build Trailblazer construction ships, and immediately begins work on what will be the third of that line.

[Brainsucker]

an engine of 108EP can move around for 1000 days with only 100.000 fuel? Can you share the design please? I'm curious about it.

[joeclark77 (OP)]

It is size 30 and if I recall correctly it's 0.30 power.  Bigger engines with lower power are extremely fuel efficient.  Even for military engines I would use something like 0.75 or 0.80 power if I were doing a missile fleet.  This energy fleet stuff is really an experiment for me, but I think you need more speed to make it work well.

[joeclark77 (OP)]

February 10, 2007 AD:
DSS Roswell completes a gravitational survey of the Walla Walla binary.  This system seems to be an interstellar hub of sorts, with nine JPs.  JP#3 features a stable jump gate of alien construction, and it is to be explored first.
On the diplomatic front, the Irian Commonwealth has granted us trade access.  However, their diplomats have not yet convinced us to reciprocate.  It will take some years to construct a trade route, anyway.


March 8, 2007 AD:
DSS Roswell jumps through the alien-built gate in Walla Walla and discovers the Saxapahaw system. The new system has three gas giants, dozens of rocky moons, and hundreds of asteroids.  Although none appear hospitable to human life, geologists are interested in the possible mineral discoveries.


May 4, 2007 AD:
Trailblazer 001 completes a jump gate from Sol to Paducah and is at work on the other side.
At the same jump point, ML Coyote is about to launch the first sensor bouy in what will become an interstellar network of surveillance and communication.  Bouys will be launched in each system on the Earthward side of each jump point, so that the bouys themselves will not light a path to Earth for aliens who have not yet discovered our star.
GEV Prospector 003 has jumped from Walla Walla into a new system it names Wheeling. With a single gas giant, no moons, and eight comets, the most interesting thing about the system is that there is an alien-built jump gate on the Wheeling side of the jump connection, but not the Walla Walla side.  Unlike the other alien-built jump connections we have discovered, this one is incomplete.

June 16, 2007 AD:
With the construction of a Sector Command on Earth, Governor Palin is promoted to President of the Universe, and Michael Adams (former Governor of Encke) is promoted to Governor of Earth.
GEV Wheeling jumps through another unexplored JP from Walla Walla and names the system of Yuma, a single star with no satellites of any kind.



June 25, 2007 AD:
On the same day that DSS Ponca completes her survey of the Eureka system (Irian territory), DSS Bigfork transits one of its three unexplored JPs and discovers a system it names Sparwood.  The Sparwood system has six terrestrial inner planets, four substantial gas giants, and almost three hundred noteworthy asteroids.  The third and fourth planets appear highly suitable for colonization, and undoubtedly the Irians will see it the same way.  DSS Ponca heads for another unexplored JP in the Eureka system.

On the same day, jumping from the only unexplored JP in the now-fully-surveyed Slocomb system, DSS Texarkana discovers and names the Blackduck system, a quadruple with planets orbiting the accessible A and C stars.  One planet orbiting Blackduck-C has an N2-O2 atmosphere and is a bit cold but could be terraformed reasonably easily.


July 4, 2007 AD:
GEV Wheeling transits another unexplored JP in Walla Walla and discovers the Boardman system. Consisting of three gas giants and their moons, as well as a B star with an asteroid field, this system is most notable for a moon of the second planet which has breathable air and a temperature only slightly too cold for unaided human habitation.


July 13, 2007 AD:
One of the sensor bouys placed by ML Coyote detects an Irian Echo-class survey ship at the Paducah-Eureka JP.  Due to the small size of the Echo (3600T) it was not presumed to have had its own jump drive, but given that the Irians have not begun building jump gates, this assumption must be discarded.  Soon enough the Irians will discover the way to Earth.  Secretary Rumsfeld's foresight in ordering the sensor bouys is praised by President Palin.


August 7, 2007 AD:
Three new GEV Prospectors have been launched.  These will be used as shuttles and support craft for surface-based geology teams.  The first has been renamed GEV Metcalfe for the talented explorer Charlie Metcalfe, whose team has completed its survey of the Galilean moons and is now on its way to survey the two planets of the Paducah system where the Federation intends to set up its first extrasolar strategic base.  The second is named for James Palmer, who will begin surveying the moons of Ponca, and the third for Mitchell Charlton, who has been studying the geology of Mars for several years now.

DSS Ponca jumps from Eureka into the Cranbrook system, which consists of three gas giants and a handful of moons, dwarf planets, and asteroids.  Two wrecks appear on scanners in deep space outside the third gas giant's orbit.  DSS Ponca begins the gravitational survey but does not approach the wrecks, not knowing whether they indicate the presence of Irians, or Laramie-Wichita aliens, or something else.

Noting that fuel consumption is starting to exceed refinery production, FASA draws up plans for a harvester platform that can produce sorium fuel directly from gas giants like the one discovered in the Ponchatoula system.  The "Wildcat" platforms will be tested on Neptune initially, then towed where they are needed once a jumpgate network allows access to better sorium sources.

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Wildcat class Fuel Harvester    104,200 tons     410 Crew     1837 BP      TCS 2084  TH 0  EM 0
1 km/s     Armour 1-197     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 1     PPV 0
MSP 11    Max Repair 30 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months    Spare Berths 6   
Fuel Harvester: 40 modules producing 1120000 litres per annum

Fuel Capacity 2,500,000 Litres    Range N/A

This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
Houston class oil tankers will transport refined fuel to Earth and other strategic bases.  They will also transport fuel produced by civilian fuel platforms for federal use.

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Houston class Oiler    5,800 tons     28 Crew     391.4 BP      TCS 116  TH 216  EM 0
1862 km/s     Armour 1-28     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 1     PPV 0
MSP 42    Max Repair 16.2 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months    Spare Berths 6   

Hyundai 108 EP Commercial Ion Drive (2)    Power 108    Fuel Use 2.42%    Signature 108    Exp 3%
Fuel Capacity 2,500,000 Litres    Range 3205.9 billion km   (19927 days at full power)

This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes


September 26, 2007 AD:
An Irian Echo-class survey ship is detected in the Solar system for the first time at the Paducah jump point.  Although the aliens have been peaceful so far, military exercises are taking on new importance.


November 10, 2007 AD:
GEV Sheboygan jumps from the Walla Walla system into a new system it names Turtleford.  The system features six uninviting terrestrial planets and a gas giant.

December 15, 2007 AD:
Jumping from Brainerd, DSS Muskogee discovers the star Killarney with a single gas giant and a comet in orbit.

January 1, 2008 AD:
The known universe has expanded substantially in the past two years, even though the slow work of shipbuilding, jumpgate construction, and research makes things seem to be moving more slowly.

[Brainsucker]

this is a crazy expansion. 8 years and there are already many stars explored by the Western Federation

[joeclark77 (OP)]

Wait till you see the next couple years of write-ups.  I found so many new connections between known stars that I had to twist the galaxy map in all kinds of knots to try and make it manageable.  The Federation at this point has about ten Pathfinders and fifteen Prospectors in service, so the cartographers are very busy.  On the downside our military hasn't grown much, and important research is painstakingly slow due in part to our only good P&P researcher being limited to five labs (and also due to the fact that the gameplay is really slow when you're keeping a diary of events like this).

[joeclark77 (OP)]

January 12, 2008 AD:
GEV Sheboygan comes under attack by an Oscar class ship of the Laramie aliens, and is destroyed before she knows what's happening.  Commander Patrick Burns and 12 other crew manage to make it to the escape pods, but have no hope of rescue.

February 29, 2008 AD:
Trailblazer 001 has completed the first two-way jump gate, linking Sol to Paducah.  It will begin making the connection from Paducah to the Irian system of Eureka, as our freighters begin establishing bases on Paducah's two planets -- one a colonization target and the other a mining site.

March 21, 2008 AD:
GEV Prospector 006 jumps from Abilene and discovers the Mayville system, which has at least three attractive planets for colonization, as well as several gas giants and over five hundred asteroids.

April 24, 2008 AD:
DSS Ponchatoula jumps from Rangeley and discovers the Faulkton system, a compact system with two very nice colonization prospects with N2-O2 atmospheres and mild temperatures, either of which would only need a small amount of terraforming to be habitable.

April 28, 2008 AD:
GEV Prospector 005 jumps from Brainerd and discovers the star Deadwood with no satellites. It is renamed GEV Deadwood for its discovery, despite the complaints of some crew members that this is a really bad name for a ship.

May 29, 2008 AD:
GEV Deadwood explores another JP in Brainerd and discovers the star Thedford.  It is a red giant and has two planets but they are tens of billions of kilometers away and not worth the trip to survey them.

August 22, 2008 AD:
DSS Ponca transits the final unexplored JP in the Eureka system, discovering the Akron system.  With one gas giant, two venusian worlds, and three airless terrestrials, it is a mostly unremarkable system.
Elsewhere, GEV Deadwood transits from Killarney into the Holyoke system.  With four stars but only two small planets, it is uninviting.

September 23, 2008 AD:
GEV Deadwood explores another JP in Killarney and discovers the Medford system, which features a few unremarkable planets and is orbited by another star with a thick asteroid belt.
On Earth, the first Wildcat fuel harvester platform is completed and it is being towed to Neptune.  There are now six Greenhorn terraforming platforms in orbit of Luna, with more under construction.

November 1, 2008 AD:
Approaching the Sheboygan JP in Texarkana, ML Fox detects a large thermal signature at the JP.  As it launches its sensor bouy, data begins pouring in. The new contact is 67,800 tons, is not moving, and most importantly does NOT appear to be a ship of either of the two alien civilizations previously encountered.  Sheboygan is a mineral-rich system that has been geologically surveyed but not gravitationally surveyed.  DSS Texarkana has been ordered to immediately set course for Sheboygan to begin a survey.  Xenologists begin the attempt to make contact with this new alien.

November 29, 2008 AD:
DSS Hattiesburg completes its survey of Saskatoon, numbering five JPs.  Transiting one of the unexplored ones, it finds itself in Wichita... a back-door route into the system humans have feared to enter since meeting hostile aliens there. Elsewhere, one of the new Pathfinders discovers a connection between Rangeley and Pocatello.

December 8, 2008 AD:
Another JP from Rangeley has been found to link to Killarney.  Governor of Earth Adams has been killed in an accident involving a banana peel.  Josh Potter, former Governor of Luna, has been elected to fill his seat.

December 13, 2008 AD:
GEV Prospector 014 jumps from Rangeley to discover the new system of Ordway, takes its name, and begins to search for minerals.

January 3, 2009 AD:
Xenologists continue to struggle at communicating with the aliens seen at the Texarkana-Sheboygan JP, but are optimistic that a breakthrough will be made soon.