Author Topic: Chapter I: The Rise of the Terran Republic  (Read 13083 times)

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Offline Cavgunner (OP)

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Chapter I: The Rise of the Terran Republic
« on: March 25, 2019, 01:59:19 AM »
Hey all!  Since my last game was corrupted, I've decided to start a new campaign.  This time though I'd like to present a more blow-by-blow, AAR-type of commentary.  With that in mind, I'm happy to present an alternate-universe account of humans in Aurora 4x: The Rise of the Terran Republic! 

First, a few administrative notes:

*I'm posting this here in the design forum because although there will be an AAR-ish feel to my posts (or so I hope), the focus will be on the ships of the Republic and their deeds.

*Jumpgates are set to ON for all standard jump points.  Therefore, jump drives are not necessary.

*Precursors and Star Swarm are set to ON.  Invaders are currently set to OFF (this may change in the future).

*Somewhere in the depths of space lurk 3 pre-existing NPRs, in addition to any new ones that may be generated as the game goes along.

*The game started in 2025.  Among other things, I used my starting tech points to boost to Level 6 capacitors and Magneto-Plasma drives.  Why these two?  Mag-plasma because I feel it's the lowest engine tech at which fighting ships are really competitive, and as for the capacitors, I really really wanted to start with 5 second 15cm lasers (personal preference). 

*Most of the industrial effort in the first twenty years was spent doubling the amount of research lab capacity.  Therefore, by 2047, the game's current date, the Republic is roughly a tech level 3 or 4 empire.  However, some technologies remain underdeveloped (such as sensor tech) or have not yet been pursued at all (such as energy shielding).

« Last Edit: November 04, 2019, 09:50:27 AM by Cavgunner »
 

Offline Cavgunner (OP)

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Re: The Rise of the Terran Republic
« Reply #1 on: March 25, 2019, 04:11:14 AM »
PROLOGUE

“Listen, are we helpless? Are we doomed to do it again and again and again? Have we no choice but to play the Phoenix in an unending sequence of rise and fall? Assyria, Babylon, Egypt, Greece, Carthage, Rome, the Empires of Charlemagne and the Turk: Ground to dust and plowed with salt. Spain, France, Britain, America—burned into the oblivion of the centuries. And again and again and again. Are we doomed to it, Lord, chained to the pendulum of our own mad clockwork, helpless to halt its swing? This time, it will swing us clean to oblivion.”

– A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller, Jr. (1959). 

Miller's vision of an apocalyptic world nearly became all too real when the Pan-Asian Union declared war on the Russian Confederation in 1996.  Viewed through the lens of history, the specific reasons for this conflict, which we now call the Last War, now seem petty and spiteful.  What remains clear is that both sides welcomed the war at first.  Sadly, as weapons and armies of unparalleled destructive power were unleashed, the social and economic collapse of these regions resulted in a global economic depression.  This, in turn, prompted many other countries to scramble for what resources they could, fanning many regional conflicts and much more bloodshed.  Years of warfare including fallout from limited nuclear strikes proved to be the final nail in the coffin for the natural environment.  As crops failed year after year due to nuclear winter and the oceans themselves yielded only a fraction of the sustenance they once did, millions, then hundreds of millions of people died due to starvation.  Many hundreds of millions more died due to exposure or disease (particularly the gruesome Red Plague), or were preyed upon by military forces that had in many cases been reduced to roving bands of armed marauders.  By 2006, when most of the combatant nations were so far shattered that no semblance of government remained, more than 6 billion people lay dead. 

Had the damage been just a touch more destructive, humanity's recovery might very well have taken the hundreds of years that Mr. Miller had imagined in his story.  Fortunately, pockets of civilization remained.  In North America, California and Texas fared the best, as both states were too populous, too powerful, and too well-armed for most contenders to try and subdue.  In the north, Alaska and the Northwest Territories emerged with some semblance of civilization due to their isolation.  In Asia, Nepal shut its mountainous borders to all and no one dared to come take them.  Island nations such as Australia, New Zealand, and Taiwan also tended to fare better.  Amazingly, both the British Isles and Japan survived with approximately 15% of their pre-war populations, a miracle in that age.  In the Chinese industrial city of Guangzhou a warlord styling himself as a benevolent dictator ruled over two million ragged survivors.  In Africa, the island of Madagascar survived nearly untouched; any boat that approached within 200 miles was sunk, any plane that approached their airspace was shot down.  South America and the Middle East fared the worst, however, each having been reduced to a charnel house.

In the end, it took nearly twenty years for the remaining governments to resume a meaningful level of cooperation.  Tired to no end of war, most of the world voluntarily banded together in a cooperative agreement that, by 2025, was formalized as the Terran Republic.  The most notable concept of the Republic is the concept of Citizenship.  While basic rights such as life, liberty, and freedom from persecution are granted to all, other rights must be earned.  Full Citizenship is only granted after a long period of voluntary civic, military, or governmental service.  This is not to say that Civilians can't enjoy fruitful lives or rise positions of prominence, quite the contrary.  However, unlike Civilians, Citizens may vote in elections, run for public office, and may have more than two children, among many other privileges.  It should be noted that a Military career, in particular, is pursued in conjunction with the ultimate goal of Citizenship.  The path to Citizenship, although certainly not impossible, is highly challenging.  Thus, roughly only 20% of the population can claim Citizenship at any given time.

Meanwhile, the damaged Earth has slowly recovered.  Vast areas that had succumbed to rampant human habitation are now again overgrown wilderness, and the eerie, ruined cities are home to all manner of flora and fauna.  Vast areas of farmland throughout the world have reverted to prairie or are being reclaimed by forest.  In North America, the first great Bison migrations in nearly two hundred years have been observed.

Historians generally agree that only three good things resulted from the Last War. 

First, there has been a general acceptance that humans are, under certain circumstances, selfish, short-sighted, and adversarial.  This has prompted a widespead social awakening in regard to how each individual may overcome, or at least channel in a positive way, these primal behaviors.  The popular view is that only in doing so may each person grow as an individual and thus also as a member of society.  Most people are deeply vested in improving themselves in meaningful ways.

Second, most people now reject the view that humans have the right to simply take whatever they want from the natural environment with no regard for the future.  Far from being lip service, participation in conservation and environmental restoration are viewed as important pursuits for Citizens and Civilians alike.

Thirdly, just before society ground to a halt, the military advancements of the Last War resulted in an entirely new area of science called Trans-Newtonian Theory.  Intially developed with the goal of projecting missiles to targets on the other side of the globe in minutes rather than hours, Trans-Newtonian technologies thankfully never entered service during that conflict.  However, decades of peacetime research have finally yielded amazing results: a simple Trans-Newtonian shuttlecraft can now reach the Moon in less time than it once took to fly a jetliner from Denver to Atlanta, while the most humble spacetug can make the trip to Mars in less than a day.  Most importantly, it also granted humanity the technology needed to detect jump points. 

By 2027 humanity had colonized Mars, and by 2035 the first extrasolar colony on Horizon had been founded.  In 2047, the fledgling Terran Republic, just emerging from the ravages of the Last War, finds itself reaching out with a sense of newfound wonder and hope into a dark, mysterious cosmos.
« Last Edit: March 26, 2019, 01:19:59 AM by Cavgunner »
 
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Offline Cavgunner (OP)

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Re: The Rise of the Terran Republic
« Reply #2 on: March 25, 2019, 12:56:03 PM »
KNOWN SPACE:  2047

 
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Re: The Rise of the Terran Republic
« Reply #3 on: March 25, 2019, 01:07:09 PM »
Interesting start, will keep reading!
 
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Re: The Rise of the Terran Republic
« Reply #4 on: March 25, 2019, 02:58:26 PM »
The Worlds of the Terran Republic

In the year 2047 the Terran Republic is focused on exploration.  In theory the Republic claims official dominion over all systems within 4 jumps of Earth.  However, this claim is tenuous at best, since most of those systems have no Republic presence at all except perhaps for the sensor buoys that are occasionally dropped at Jump points by Republic scout ships.  Nevertheless, new colonies are thriving on Mars in the Sol system, Horizon at Barnard's Star, and Outback at 82 Eridani.

The most important system, of course, is Sol itself. 

Sol System
  • Earth:  800 million.  The homeworld and capital.  Primary center of industry, shipbuilding, research, and finance.  The Republic Citizen's Academy is also located here.  The scars of the Last War remain highly visible, and many people alive today still vividly remember those dark times.  After decades of work, a major expansion of the Republic's research capacity was recently completed.  This doubled the number of research complexes from 20 to 40.  It is quite telling that in this post-war age, the sciences are one of the most important sources of employment on Earth.  Currently, the Republic is beginning to expand its shipbuilding capacity toward the goal of fielding the first combat-capable military ships, while also expanding capacity for a greater variety of civilian designs.
  • Mars:  45.8 million. At present 5 million people are employed operating the terraforming facilities on Mars.  These gigantic complexes are finally starting to have a telling effect on the Martian atmosphere.  Increasing air pressure means that liquid water can now be retained on the surface, and small, gentle Martian seas have formed as a result of the polar ice caps melting.  Recently, major rainstorms have been observed.  It is expected that within less than a decade it will be possible for humans to breathe the atmosphere without special equipment, although the planet will likely remain quite chilly long after that.  Aside from the terraforming project, all other activity on Mars is currently directed toward increasing its construction capacity.
  • Venus: No permanent population.  While the hellscape environment of Venus makes it totally unsuitable for habitation, it was found to have plentiful quantities of several types of T-N minerals.  Hundreds of heavily reinforced auto-miner sites are now tasked with collecting these resources for Earth's increasingly voracious industries.
  • Jupiter:  No permanent population.  Jupiter and its moon Callisto represent the most concentrated sources of Sorium controlled by the Republic.  A single Kirby Transport Alliance Sorium harvester has been farming Jupiter for years.  However, the first two government-operated Aquarius-class Sorium harvesters recently entered service.  These slow, bulbous ships use their internal refineries to process atmospheric Sorium directly into raw fuel.  This fuel is then stockpiled at nearby Callisto for later use. In contrast to Jupiter's atmospheric Sorium, Callisto is also a source of the concentrated mineral form of Sorium that is required in industry and shipbuilding.  A small auto-miner facility on Callisto is tasked with sending mass driver packets of raw Sorium and Uridum back to Earth.
  • Several bodies in the Solar System have become the sites of automated civilian mining complexes.  These include Saturn's moon Hyperion, the comets Halley's Comet, Reinmuth, and Van Biesbrock, and the asteroid NT33.

Barnard's Star 
  • Horizon:  26 million.  The first extra-solar colony.  An earthlike planet, Horizon is very cold but its atmosphere required only a small amount of terraforming to make it breathable.  Horizon has large, but rather inaccessible deposits of Duranium, Mercassium, and Sorium.  A years-long geological survey is currently attempting to address this accessibility.  It is anticipated that it will be many years before Horizon will possess meaningful industrial capacity.  Worryingly, Horizon is only one jump away from Alpha Centauri and the unidentified hostile menace lurking there.  The Republic is therefore highly keen on improving Horizon's defenses, which, at present, are virtually nonexistent.

82 Eridani
  • Outback, 420,000.  Located at the far end of the desolate Barren Stars jump-lane (also known as the Barren Twins), Outback is a young, rough colony on a desolate, Mars-sized moon.  Outback orbits a stupendously large Super-Jovian gas giant which has blasted the moon clean of atmosphere and natural water deposits.  This has made habitation here challenging to say the least.  In time, it is hoped that resources will become available to terraform the moon and eventually unlock its variety of rich Trans-Newtonian deposits.

HIP 86961
  • Currently uninhabited.  The second planet of this system's second star has been identified as a treasure trove hosting every known T-N element.  Unfortunately, with a gravity 2.62 times that of Earth and atmospheric pressure 149 times that of Earth, the planet is uninhabitable using currently available technologies.

61 Cygni
  • Currently uninhabited.  This system is of great interest to the Republic because it hosts 3 potentially habitable worlds, earning it the nickname "The Garden of Life."  However the Pathfinder geosurvey mission here has yet to be completed.

Alpha Centauri
  • Disputed due to Interdiction.  Ten years ago a Republic Pathfinder and its shuttlecraft were attacked and destroyed by small, strange-looking spacecraft shortly after entering this system.  All attempts to communicate with these aliens, for that is what they appear to be, have met with failure.  Clearing the Alpha Centauri system of this potential threat has been designated as a Class I priority.

GJ 1207
  • Disputed due to Interdiction.  When a pair of Republic Pathfinders entered this system nine years ago, there was a great amount of excitement at long-range scans which indicated a habitable Earthlike planet in the system.  This excitement turned to dismay aas both ships were destroyed by unidentified spacecraft using conventional energy weapons.  However, unlike the engagement in Alpha Centauri, the Alexander MacKenzie's shuttlecraft was able to escape with 63 survivors including captain Kai Howe.  As the shuttlecraft escaped it was able to observe the alien vessels at close range.  The vessels exhibited strange design cues, but were clearly of a manufactured origin.  It was also noted that the hulls of each vessel were heavily pitted, both from apparent battle damage as well as numerous micrometerorite strikes.  These factors suggest that the vessels have been operating for a very, very long time.  After analyzing the engagement in detail, our scientists believe that these vessels comprise some sort of leftover drone defense system from some long-ago alien race.  Clearly, the drones were primarly concerned with defending the habitable planet in the system, but what might be found there remains a secret.  Unfortunately, all efforts to communicate with or subvert the "Ancient Guardians" as they are now known have met with failure. 

    As the case with Alpha Centauri, clearing this system is also a Class I priority.  The threats in Alpha Centauri and GJ 1207 have prompted the Republic to finally begin developing its first combat warships.
« Last Edit: March 30, 2019, 10:54:53 PM by Cavgunner »
 

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Re: The Rise of the Terran Republic
« Reply #5 on: March 25, 2019, 05:55:16 PM »
THE FIRST STARSHIPS


The Union-class starfreighter was the first major starship to enter service.  This is a simple, sturdy design with capacity to haul both goods and colonists.  An updated version with salvaging equipment is being considered.  Five vessels are currently in service: Union, Accord, Coalition, Concordat, and Alliance.

Code: [Select]
Union class Freighter    53 450 tons     350 Crew     1547.6 BP      TCS 1069  TH 3600  EM 0
3367 km/s     Armour 1-126     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 1     PPV 0
MSP 18    Max Repair 100 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months    Spare Berths 0   
Cargo 25000    Cryogenic Berths 10000    Cargo Handling Multiplier 50   

General Dynamics 400 EP Commercial Magneto-plasma Drive (9)    Power 400    Fuel Use 4.42%    Signature 400    Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 750 000 Litres    Range 57.1 billion km   (196 days at full power)

This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes


The Pathfinder-class exploration ships are the first major vessels to be operated as components of the Republic Navy.  These vessels are designed expressly for long-range, deep space exploration.  As such, they accommodate sufficient crew facilities and self-maintenance capability to allow for fully independent operations of up to 5 years or even longer if needed. 

The Pathfinder's twin primary drives are designed for efficiency and redundancy, not power, and thus it is not a particularly swift vessel.  As designed, the Pathfinder is completely unarmed.  It was intended that the Raytheon TSS 6 thermal sensor would be able to detect threats from a sufficient distance to allow the Pathfinder to escape undetected, however, the thermal sensor has proven to be inadequate for this task.  Designers have suggested an alternative arrangement that would remove one of the Pathfinder's thrusters in order to fit a cloaking device.  However, this plan is controversial since a single-drive ship would be stranded if unable to perform field repairs. 

Despite its drawbacks the Pathfinder features good range, high reliability, high crew comfort, and it is well suited as a survey ship.  The Pathfinder also features a simple launching device capable of deploying the ubiquitous Beagle active sensor buoy.  Most jump routes heading back to Earth have been marked with Beagle buoys on both sides of the jump point.  In this way, the Republic will, in theory, but able to identify the movement of any unidentified ships within the frontier.  Given the active presence of hostile starships in two systems already, it is generally accepted that it is only a matter of time before the Republic encounters a civilization willing and able to communicate.  The Pathfinder also features a small hangar capable of accommodating one or two Kiowa shuttlecraft.  This capability has proven extremely useful, for the Kiowa can swiftly and easily be dispatched to explore new jump points, or as was the case with the loss of the Alexander Mackenzie and the Thor Heyerdahl in GJ 1207, act as a rescue ship if the Pathfinder itself should somehow be destroyed.

Assignment to a Pathfinder is considered demanding yet prestigious.  Nine vessels of this class are currently in service:  Pathfinder, Francisco Pizarro, Walter Raleigh, Yuri Gargarin, Henry Hudson, Leif Erikson, Alexander MacKenzie II, Marco Polo II, and Thor Heyerdahl II.

Code: [Select]
Pathfinder class Exploration Ship    9 850 tons     181 Crew     1417.3 BP      TCS 197  TH 308  EM 0
4467 km/s     Armour 1-40     Shields 0-0     Sensors 90/1/2/2     Damage Control Rating 8     PPV 1.5
Maint Life 2.81 Years     MSP 719    AFR 97%    IFR 1.3%    1YR 132    5YR 1984    Max Repair 211.75 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 60 months    Flight Crew Berths 0   
Hangar Deck Capacity 250 tons     Magazine 150   

General Dynamics 440 EP Magneto-plasma Exploration Drive (2)    Power 440    Fuel Use 5.61%    Signature 154    Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 750 000 Litres    Range 244.3 billion km   (633 days at full power)

Raytheon Buoy Launcher Size 6 Missile Launcher (25% Reduction) (1)    Missile Size 6    Rate of Fire 18000
Beagle Size 6 Buoy (25)  Speed: 0 km/s   End: 0m    Range: 0m km   WH: 0    Size: 6    TH: 0/0/0

Raytheon TSS 6 Thermal Sensor TH15-90 (1)     Sensitivity 90     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  90m km
Gravitational Survey Sensors (2)   2 Survey Points Per Hour
Geological Survey Sensors (2)   2 Survey Points Per Hour

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



The ubiquitous Kiowa-class shuttle has earned its place as one of the most important assets in the fleet.  This humble, simple craft features good speed, excellent range, low sensor visibility, and the ability to provide reasonable accommodation for up to 50 humans, including the pilot.  The Kiowa's most important roles include scouting low-risk areas, performing search and rescue operations, and quickly and efficiently transporting VIPs from one site to another.  As additional Navy vessels begin entering service it is envisioned that every major starship will be designed to accommodate at least one Kiowa.

Dozens of Kiowa shuttles are currently in service. 

Code: [Select]
Kiowa class Shuttle    125 tons     1 Crew     28.4 BP      TCS 2.5  TH 5.6  EM 0
6400 km/s     Armour 1-2     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 0     PPV 0
Maint Life 0 Years     MSP 0    AFR 25%    IFR 0.3%    1YR 2    5YR 35    Max Repair 14 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 1 months    Spare Berths 49   

General Dynamics 16 EP Magneto-plasma Drive (1)    Power 16    Fuel Use 49.5%    Signature 5.6    Exp 10%
Fuel Capacity 5 000 Litres    Range 14.5 billion km   (26 days at full power)

This design is classed as a Fighter for production, combat and maintenance purposes


The Aquarius-class Fuel Harvesters, also known as the Constellation-class, are designed to expand the Republic's strategic fuel generation capacity by exploiting Jupiter's vast reserves of atmospheric Sorium.  The Aquarius-class accomplishes this by lowering hundred-kilometer-long carbon nanotube drogue lines directly into the very upper levels of Jupiter's atmosphere.  An advanced filtering system separates pure Sorium from other gases, which is then processed on-site in the vessel's massive internal refinery.  Once the bulbous external fuel tanks are filled the Aquarius makes the short trip to Callisto where it stockpiles the gathered fuel before heading back to Jupiter to repeat the process. 

Because the Aquarius is designed solely to travel very short distances within the Sol system itself, a single General Dynamics 400 commercial thruster was viewed as sufficient to its design.  The Aquarius is wholly unsuited for any notion of combat, but it is sturdy enough to survive a rough docking or the occasional impact from a micrometeorite.  Two vessels are in service, the Aquarius and the Leo.  Ten more vessels are planned, with two currently under construction.

Code: [Select]
Aquarius class Fuel Harvester    67 750 tons     285 Crew     1171.2 BP      TCS 1355  TH 400  EM 0
295 km/s     Armour 1-148     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 1     PPV 0
MSP 11    Max Repair 100 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months    Spare Berths 2   
Fuel Harvester: 25 modules producing 1000000 litres per annum

General Dynamics 400 EP Commercial Magneto-plasma Drive (1)    Power 400    Fuel Use 4.42%    Signature 400    Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 1 000 000 Litres    Range 60.1 billion km   (2356 days at full power)

This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes


The Overlord-class troop transport is, to date, the largest vessel yet constructed.   Weighing in at over 120,000 tons, the Overlord features the capacity to transport an entire Army Division in one lift.  Furthermore, although it is not a dropship, the Overlord's advanced loading/unloading system is capable of delivering this firepower to the target location swiftly and efficiently.  Detractors of this ship have pointed out that there is currently only one active division in service to begin with, the 1st Mobile Infantry Division, rendering these ships a needless extravagance.  Despite this the Overlord is designed to remain in service for many more decades to come.  Planners remain confident that in the future it will perform a greater range of services than simply shuttling Garrison PDFs to the Republic's current handful of small colonies.  As a troopship the Overlord features a very respectable level of armor protection, and this factor combined with its sheer bulk would likely make it a tough nut to crack.  At present the class is unarmed, but an upgrade featuring a pair of self-defense miniguns has been proposed.  Two vessels are in service:  Overlord and Subjugator.

Code: [Select]
Overlord class Troop Transport    120 250 tons     1015 Crew     5222 BP      TCS 2405  TH 8000  EM 0
3326 km/s     Armour 6-217     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 1     PPV 0
MSP 27    Max Repair 100 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 6 months    Spare Berths 3   
Troop Capacity: 21 Battalions    Cargo Handling Multiplier 150   

General Dynamics 400 EP Commercial Magneto-plasma Drive (20)    Power 400    Fuel Use 4.42%    Signature 400    Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 2 000 000 Litres    Range 67.7 billion km   (235 days at full power)

This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
« Last Edit: March 25, 2019, 06:30:39 PM by Cavgunner »
 

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Re: The Rise of the Terran Republic
« Reply #6 on: March 26, 2019, 10:07:09 PM »
THE FIRST WARSHIP

November 24, 2048

/Vid start

"Welcome, friends. I'm Lieutenant Commander Louise Saunders, and this is your daily news feed.  Let's get right to the most important story of the day.  The Republic officially has a Navy.  Yes you heard that right.  Unless you've completely ignored the growing hype in the last 12 months, you were probably plugged in with everyone else at 0900 GMT this morning as the first three Akizuki class missile boats, the Akikaze, the Asayuki, and you guessed it, the Akizuki herself slipped from their orbital moorings.  Wow.  Just look at all those recessed missile pods.  Aren't they something, folks?  The perfectly-timed simultaneous launches were, by any measure, a smooth and brilliantly choreographed display.   First Minister Edward Perkins was the guest of honor in attendance, along with representatives from the Great Assembly, various members from all the Armed Forces including the commanders of the new ships, employees of Mitsubishi and their families, and a veritable galaxy of artists, philosophers, scientists, and historians.  Although the simultaneous launch went off without a hitch, oddsmakers on the Net were predicting that at least one of our new fighting ships would malfunction in its berth." 

Hirokazu Nakamura, Mitsubishi CEO, stands at a podium in the foreman's observation dome of the Mitisubishi Orbital Dockyard.  In front of him sit the many guests in attendance.  Behind him, the viewing area of the vast observation dome offers an incredible vista of local space and the blue-green Earth below.  Nakamura seems to pause while looking down at his notes, and then looks over his shoulder at the three shining, heavily armed vessels hovering in space approximately 300 meters beyond the viewing area.  "Well," he says in perfect English as he turns back to the crowd with a knowing smile.  "I suppose the CEO of General Dynamics owes me 500 credits."  The audience laughs enthusiastically.

"First Minister Perkins, whose hair has famously turned gray in his first three months in office, for once seemed all smiles as he read a short prepared statement."

A tall, dark-skinned man with short, afro-textured gray hair now stands at the observatorium's podium.  Makeup can only partially conceal the pronounced bags under his eyes.  "It has become clear to us that there are forces in the Universe, unknown, and perhaps unknowable, that do not acknowledge the concept of peaceful coexistence with humanity.  We do not seek the stars to relive the most terrible moments of human history.  And yet, humans are, and always have been, willing to fight if we must. And rest assured, if we must fight, then our brave starmen will enter into battle with no less than the very best that the Republic can provide.  These three ships are just the beginning!"  The crowd claps and cheers enthusiastically as Perkins smiles graciously.

Well folks, there you have it.  Now I'd like to show you a panning shot of the entire L-1 Military Shipyard Complex.  Will you look at that.  What you see here, dear viewers, are no less than five shipyards with a dozen slipways between them, and they are *all* running all full capacity.  I'll say one thing- if you are seriously considering a petition for Citizenship, now is the time, because it looks like the Navy is hiring. 

In the meantime, we'll keep all our viewers updated as additional developments occur.  We'll be right back after this brief public announcement.

/Pause feed

/Would you like to know more?  Please select your viewing option.

/View publicly available specifications: Akizuki warship

Code: [Select]
Akizuki class Missile Boat    3 500 tons     54 Crew     532.8 BP      TCS 70  TH 112  EM 0
4571 km/s     Armour 1-20     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 3     PPV 22.5
Maint Life 3.4 Years     MSP 238    AFR 39%    IFR 0.5%    1YR 31    5YR 470    Max Repair 224 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 6 months    Flight Crew Berths 1   
Hangar Deck Capacity 125 tons     Magazine 150   

General Dynamics 320 EP Magneto-plasma Drive (1)    Power 320    Fuel Use 21.47%    Signature 112    Exp 8%
Fuel Capacity 260 000 Litres    Range 62.3 billion km   (157 days at full power)

Raytheon Size 5 Box Launcher (30)    Missile Size 5    Hangar Reload 37.5 minutes    MF Reload 6.2 hours
Raytheon Missile Fire Control FC129-R100 (1)     Range 129.6m km    Resolution 100
Javelin Size 5 Anti-ship Missile (30)  Speed: 30 200 km/s   End: 56.8m    Range: 103m km   WH: 9    Size: 5    TH: 110/66/33

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
« Last Edit: March 27, 2019, 02:09:41 PM by Cavgunner »
 

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Re: The Rise of the Terran Republic
« Reply #7 on: March 27, 2019, 11:48:53 AM »
May 29, 2049

The first Luyang-class fleet support tankers (Luyang, Renhai) enter service.  Swift and well-armored, they are also notable for being the first ships to support the automatic "Phalanx" close-in missile defense system. 

Code: [Select]
Luyang class Tanker 29950 tons     178 Crew     1731.6 BP      TCS 599  TH 2400  EM 0
4006 km/s     Armour 7-85     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control 1     PPV 0
Maintenance Capacity 36 MSP
Spare Berths 4   

General Dynamics 400 EP Commercial Magneto-plasma Drive (6)    Power 400    Fuel Use 4.42%    Armour 0    Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 10 000 000 Litres    Range 1359.5 billion km   (3927 days at full power)

Phalanx ROF 4 CIWS-120 (2x4)    Range 1000 km     TS: 12000 km/s     ROF 5       Base 50% To Hit

This ship is classed as a commercial vessel for maintenance purposes
 

Offline Cavgunner (OP)

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Re: The Rise of the Terran Republic
« Reply #8 on: March 27, 2019, 08:05:50 PM »
October 6, 2049
  • The 2nd Mobile Infantry Division has been formed on Earth.  Four Construction Brigades will be mobilized next.
  • A new colony has been founded on 36 Ophiuchi-C III.  A warm world covered entirely in oceans, the nitrogen-rich atmosphere is tainted by ammonia.  But as always, Republic planners are looking to the future.  The planet holds vast deposits of every known T-N element, save Neutronium (although the deposits are not currently very accessible).  If the ammonia gases can be replaced with oxygen, the planet would be the closest match to Earth yet encountered.  In time, it could become a very, very productive colony.
  • The first Broadsword-class corvettes, Broadsword and Arbalest, have entered service.  They join the 7 Akizuki-class missile boats currently in service.  Meanwhile, the first Luna-class destroyer is due for completion in approximately two months.  While no new threats have been encountered, Republic military officials continue to monitor the jump points to Alpha Centauri and GJ 1207 with concern.  While the Fleet is growing at a swift pace, if an enemy attacked now we simply wouldn't be ready.

Code: [Select]
Broadsword class Corvette    6 600 tons     132 Crew     1304.4 BP      TCS 132  TH 224  EM 0
4848 km/s     Armour 9-31     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 13     PPV 12
Maint Life 1.81 Years     MSP 371    AFR 116%    IFR 1.6%    1YR 142    5YR 2129    Max Repair 224 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 6 months    Flight Crew Berths 0   
Hangar Deck Capacity 125 tons     

General Dynamics 320 EP Magneto-plasma Drive (2)    Power 320    Fuel Use 21.47%    Signature 112    Exp 8%
Fuel Capacity 590 000 Litres    Range 74.9 billion km   (178 days at full power)

General Dynamics 15cm C6 Ultraviolet Laser (3)    Range 192 000km     TS: 4848 km/s     Power 6-6     RM 4    ROF 5        6 6 6 6 4 4 3 3 2 2
Raytheon 15cm Fire Control S03.5 96-5250 (1)    Max Range: 192 000 km   TS: 5250 km/s     95 90 84 79 74 69 64 58 53 48
General Dynamics "Slick 6" Stellarator Fusion Reactor Technology PB-1 (3)     Total Power Output 18    Armour 0    Exp 5%

Raytheon Lynx Active Search Sensor MR1-R1 (1)     GPS 17     Range 1 000k km    MCR 109k km    Resolution 1

This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
« Last Edit: March 28, 2019, 11:38:00 AM by Cavgunner »
 

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Re: The Rise of the Terran Republic
« Reply #9 on: March 27, 2019, 09:20:10 PM »
December 14, 2049

A historic day: the destroyer Luna, leader of her class, has joined the Fleet.  With the presence of this ship the Navy can now claim to have a fully functional task force, albeit a small one. 

Code: [Select]
Luna class Destroyer    20 850 tons     478 Crew     3625.6 BP      TCS 417  TH 672  EM 0
4604 km/s     Armour 8-67     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 22     PPV 60
Maint Life 1.56 Years     MSP 1304    AFR 289%    IFR 4%    1YR 618    5YR 9269    Max Repair 448 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 6 months    Flight Crew Berths 72   
Hangar Deck Capacity 250 tons     Magazine 758   

General Dynamics 640 EP Magneto-plasma Drive (3)    Power 640    Fuel Use 14.31%    Signature 224    Exp 8%
Fuel Capacity 1 050 000 Litres    Range 63.3 billion km   (159 days at full power)

General Dynamics 15cm C6 Ultraviolet Laser (2)    Range 192 000km     TS: 4604 km/s     Power 6-6     RM 4    ROF 5        6 6 6 6 4 4 3 3 2 2
Bofors AB 10cm Railgun V3/C3 (4x4)    Range 30 000km     TS: 4604 km/s     Power 3-3     RM 3    ROF 5        1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Bofors AB 10cm Fire Control S01.3 36-5250 (1)    Max Range: 72 000 km   TS: 5250 km/s     86 72 58 44 31 17 3 0 0 0
Raytheon 15cm Fire Control S03.5 96-5250 (1)    Max Range: 192 000 km   TS: 5250 km/s     95 90 84 79 74 69 64 58 53 48
General Dynamics "Slick 6" Stellarator Fusion Reactor Technology PB-1 (4)     Total Power Output 24    Armour 0    Exp 5%

Raytheon RL 4 Size 5 Missile Launcher (8)    Missile Size 5    Rate of Fire 40
Raytheon Missile Fire Control FC129-R100 (1)     Range 129.6m km    Resolution 100
Raytheon AuxCon Missile Fire Control FC6-R10 (1)     Range 6.8m km    Resolution 10
Javelin Size 5 Anti-ship Missile (152)  Speed: 30 200 km/s   End: 56.8m    Range: 103m km   WH: 9    Size: 5    TH: 110/66/33

Raytheon Lynx Active Search Sensor MR1-R1 (1)     GPS 17     Range 1 000k km    MCR 109k km    Resolution 1
Raytheon Active Search Sensor MR108-R100 (1)     GPS 18000     Range 108.0m km    Resolution 100

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
« Last Edit: March 28, 2019, 11:36:04 AM by Cavgunner »
 

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Re: The Rise of the Terran Republic
« Reply #10 on: March 27, 2019, 10:09:16 PM »
December 28, 2049

The first of two planned Mercy-class hospital ships has entered service.  The Mercy is unarmored and unarmed, but its small size helps it evade detection.  The Navy intends to use this vessel to recover lifepods after, and if necessary, during a battle.  While the Mercy is not usually assigned a shuttlecraft of its own, it does possess one launch bay in order to facilitate the swift transfer of casualties from other small craft such as Kiowa shuttles.  The Mercy features 8 surgical operating theaters and 167 recovery beds.  However, when necessary this small ship can accommodate up to four or five times that many wounded for short periods.

Code: [Select]
Mercy class Hospital Ship    1 000 tons     14 Crew     209.8 BP      TCS 20  TH 33.6  EM 0
4800 km/s     Armour 1-8     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 1     PPV 0
Maint Life 11.73 Years     MSP 131    AFR 8%    IFR 0.1%    1YR 2    5YR 26    Max Repair 84 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 6 months    Spare Berths 175   
Hangar Deck Capacity 125 tons     

General Dynamics 96 EP Magneto-plasma Drive (1)    Power 96    Fuel Use 47%    Signature 33.6    Exp 10%
Fuel Capacity 100 000 Litres    Range 38.3 billion km   (92 days at full power)

This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
« Last Edit: March 28, 2019, 11:35:39 AM by Cavgunner »
 

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Re: The Rise of the Terran Republic
« Reply #11 on: March 27, 2019, 11:51:38 PM »
February 1, 2050

In a concerning turn of events, the supply of Gallicite on Earth has been exhausted.  This is not yet a critical issue, as we still have large Gallicite stockpiles in reserve, and the mining operations on Mars and Halley's Comet continue to deliver significant amounts of this mineral.  Nevertheless, this highlights the fact that it will be necessary to secure additional resources in the long term. 

Meanwhile, our massive shipbuilding project has caused a significant problem:  financial debt.  The Republic has been running on negative income for the last year.  New financial centers continue to be constructed, new theories in financial management continue to be researched, but money remains a problem.  For now, there is nothing to do but try to power through it.

The area of space known to the Republic is expanding.  However, only Earth currently possesses the ability to support large starship operations.  As a result, our overworked Pathfinder exploration ships are now reaching the upper limit of their operational range.  Opening up Alpha Centauri and GJ 1207 would provide new and less distant regions to explore.

 

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Re: The Rise of the Terran Republic
« Reply #12 on: March 28, 2019, 11:38:52 AM »
April 11, 2050

The first Red Oak Victory-class Fleet Support Vessels enter the field:  Red Oak Victory and China Victory.  Although they are the largest military-grade ships yet produced, significantly more massive than the Luna class, they are not truly warships.  Instead they will be used to ferry ammunition and maintenance supplies.  With the ability to carry 500 Dart AMMs and 512 Javelin ASMs, this class can fully replenish the magazines of several friendly ships and still have ammunition left to spare.

The Red Oak Victory is visually similar to the Luyang class tanker, and in fact draws many design principles from it.  However, it is not intended to be used as a primary fleet tanker, for its auxiliary fuel reserves are only sufficient to assist stranded ships if needed.  And while this ship has a hanger bay, it is not intended to be used as a carrier either.  Instead, the hangar bay is purpose-built to reload Akizuki-class missile boats in the field.  This ability will drastically improve the utility of the Akizuki during extended operations.

The Red Oak Victory features enough armor protection to survive a rough pounding, and it carries a pair of Phalanx miniguns to give it a measure of point defense.

Two more ships in the class are planned, but construction is delayed due to a critical shortage of drive components.

Code: [Select]
Red Oak Victory class Fleet Support Vessel    30 000 tons     449 Crew     4024 BP      TCS 600  TH 672  EM 0
3200 km/s     Armour 6-86     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 38     PPV 0
Maint Life 4.94 Years     MSP 5347    AFR 257%    IFR 3.6%    1YR 364    5YR 5457    Max Repair 448 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 6 months    Flight Crew Berths 2   
Hangar Deck Capacity 3750 tons     Magazine 3060   

General Dynamics 640 EP Magneto-plasma Drive (3)    Power 640    Fuel Use 14.31%    Signature 224    Exp 8%
Fuel Capacity 2 240 000 Litres    Range 93.9 billion km   (339 days at full power)

Phalanx ROF 4 CIWS-120 (2x4)    Range 1000 km     TS: 12000 km/s     ROF 5       Base 50% To Hit
Dart Size 1 Anti-missile Missile (500)  Speed: 43 100 km/s   End: 4.7m    Range: 12.2m km   WH: 1    Size: 1    TH: 158/94/47
Javelin Size 5 Anti-ship Missile (512)  Speed: 30 200 km/s   End: 56.8m    Range: 103m km   WH: 9    Size: 5    TH: 110/66/33

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



 

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Re: The Rise of the Terran Republic
« Reply #13 on: March 28, 2019, 01:20:47 PM »
April 20, 2050

"Have you ever dreamt of floating away on the most gently rolling seas?  Have you ever imagined what it would be like to lounge under the warmth of an orange sun?  Then join us... on Darwin.  With your help, we'll create a paradise, together!  After all, it's simply... evolutionary.  Habitation modules at all price points are available now, so apply for residency today!  To inquire, please contact --- "

"We interrupt this broadcast to bring urgent breaking news.  I'm Lieutenant Commander Louise Saunders.  We've just received word of a major development in the 61 Cygni star system.  With the gracious assistance of Central Command we have been authorized to disclose this information as it happens.  Do we have that feed?  Shen, do we have that feed to the Francisco Pizarro?  No.  Ok, let's try to get that back please.  Viewers, there is about an 18-minute communication delay between Earth and 61 Cygni, so just stay with us while we try to get that signal back.  Some of you may recall 61 Cygni by the nickname it earned after it was discovered four years ago, the "Garden of Life," three worlds with primitive ecosystems developing along entirely separate evolutionary paths, and a fourth, the one you are about to see, whose hydrosphere appears to have intentionally been burned away.  We have it?  Ok, run it."

A grainy, desaturated video feed can be seen.  It appears to be local nighttime.  A violent, sandy windstorm howls around the camera's point of view, further obscuring the picture.  A blindingly powerful set of floodlights is barely piercing the dust-storm ahead.  Shadowy, vague shapes loom in the distance.  The camera point of view rocks uneasily; whatever small craft is shooting the feed appears to be hovering, but it is having a hard time maintaining position.  A static-filled exchange between the scout and another vessel is occurring.  "...structures.  I repeat, structures.  Dozens of them.  My god, it looks like the ruins of Manhattan.  Pizarro Actual, be advised, some of the structures appear to be pow-"  The audio feed cuts out, but the video continues.  As the camera moves closer, lines, corners, and other design elements of buildings become evident.  Huge, strangely configured buildings, as large as any skyscrapers of old Earth.  "....repeat.  Power signatures, really faint, but there.  Pilot, two o'clock low.  Is that a landing pad?  Pizzarro Actual, we're going to..."  The feed cuts out again, video and audio both.

"Ok we lost the signal again.  Viewers, while it would be premature for us to jump to conclusions, it appears that our brave starmen have discovered the ruins of some kind of settlement.  It would seem... highly unlikely that this find is of human origin.  We will return as soon as more information becomes available." 

 

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Re: The Rise of the Terran Republic
« Reply #14 on: March 28, 2019, 08:24:09 PM »
August 6, 2050

After years of work, Commander Dominic Slater's geology team on Outback has finally finished their comprehensive mineral survey.  The presence of Corundium has been confirmed on Outback for the first time, and the team also identified methods to improve the accessibility of Outback's extensive Duranium deposits.

Several new starships have launched this month.  With the launches of the Ursa and the Draco, there are now 8 Aquarius-class fuel harvesters in service at Jupiter.  The growing Sorium havesting operation there has already noticeably improved the Republic's strategic fuel reserve stockpile.  New military ships include the second Luna-class destroyer, the Amalthea, the Broadsword-class corvette Scimitar, and the hospital ship Compassion.  The 12th Akizuki-class missile boat, the Umigiri, has also been completed.  No additional missile boats are planned for now, but there are sufficient stockpiles of components to build three or four more on short notice if needed.

Finally, the first Nakhimov-class command ship has also entered service.  Because Trans-Newtonian theory allows for nearly simultaneous communication between two points within the same star system, it is no longer necessary to embed the commanding Fleet Admiral directly into a task force.  The Nakhimov will allow the commanding Admiral to see every aspect of what his fleet sees, while still retaining the ability to relay orders instantaneously.  Meanwhile, the vessel itself can remain safely undetected at the edge of the battlezone, freeing the Admiral from the distraction of having to fight the ship.  Despite its small size the Nakhimov is equipped with the finest command and control technology available, and the Flag Bridge's holotank is a marvel of engineering. 

Code: [Select]
Nakhimov class Command Ship    1 000 tons     38 Crew     332.8 BP      TCS 20  TH 44.8  EM 0
6400 km/s     Armour 1-8     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 1     PPV 0
Maint Life 8.04 Years     MSP 208    AFR 8%    IFR 0.1%    1YR 6    5YR 86    Max Repair 150 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 6 months    Spare Berths 0   
Flag Bridge   

General Dynamics 128 EP Magneto-plasma Drive (1)    Power 128    Fuel Use 46%    Signature 44.8    Exp 10%
Fuel Capacity 175 000 Litres    Range 68.5 billion km   (123 days at full power)

This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes