Starting setup Addendum:
NATO has four O'Neill class Orbital Habitats in orbit of Titan, with a current population of 900,000 and a total capacity of one million. They also have two Mayflower class colony ships, which were used to deliver the colonists.
Mayflower class Colony Ship 27,300 tons 376 Crew 1088.8 BP TCS 546 TH 1650 EM 0
3021 km/s Armour 1-80 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
Maint Capacity 25 MSP Max Repair 38 MSP
Colonists 50000 Cargo Handling Multiplier 10
Commercial Ion Engine (11) Power 150 Fuel Use 7% Signature 150 Armour 0 Exp 1%
Fuel Capacity 100,000 Litres Range 94.2 billion km (360 days at full power)O'Neill class Orbital Habitat 1,258,600 tons 215 Crew 2264.4 BP TCS 25172 TH 0 EM 0
1 km/s Armour 1-1038 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
Maint Capacity 1 MSP Max Repair 34 MSP
Habitation Capacity 250,000
Guardian CIWS (5x6) Range 1000 km TS: 16000 km/s ROF 5 Base 50% To Hit
SN/SPN-14 Navigation Sensor (1) GPS 1575 Range 17.3m km Resolution 751st January 2025
NATO begins towing the Norfolk Navy Yard from Earth orbit to Titan. The shipyard has two slipways of 9000 ton capacity and is tooled to build the Spruance class Destroyer Escort. This is part of a longer term programme intended to relocate key military assets from Earth, or Earth orbit, to Titan. The recent establishment of four orbital habitats around Titan and the delivery of almost a million colonists has provided almost a third of the necessary workforce for the shipyard. Some discussions were held among NATO's leaders with regard to terraforming Titan. However, due to the extreme environment of the moon, it was decided that construction of the orbital habitats would be less costly. After construction in Earth orbit, the habitats were towed to Titan by the Hercules class Tugs. Further habitats are planned to provide the remainder of the required workers.
The Soviet Union begins construction of its own version of NATO orbital habitats. Although the Project 1212 'Mir' Space Station is smaller than the O'Neil, and therefore less efficient in terms of cost vs capacity, it can be built more quickly. Several Project 1212 are planned and will be deployed to Ganymede once completed. Unlike their NATO equivalent, the Russian habitats are capable of moving under their own power, albeit slowly. Even the journey from Earth to the Soviet base on Ganymede will require four months.
Project 1212 Mir class Space Station 510,000 tons 205 Crew 1193.8 BP TCS 10200 TH 750 EM 0
73 km/s Armour 1-568 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
Maint Capacity 1 MSP Max Repair 38 MSP
Habitation Capacity 100,000
Commercial Ion Engine (5) Power 150 Fuel Use 8% Signature 150 Armour 0 Exp 1%3rd January 2025
The People's Republic of China establishes an automated mining outpost on Mercury. The innermost planet of the Sol system has extensive and accessible deposits of Duranium, Neutronium and Tritanium and has so far been ignored by NATO and the Soviet Union as they concentrate their efforts on Titan and Ganymede respectively.
Mercury Survey Report
Duranium 5,505,889 Acc: 0.9
Neutronium 2,288,563 Acc: 1
Tritanium 1,000,800 Acc: 0.9
6th January 2025
The first Chinese Terraforming Ship arrives in Mars orbit and begins to add a safe greenhouse gas to the atmosphere
11th January 2025
The Enterprise Carrier Strike Group and the First Expeditionary Force begin a series of training exercises near Saturn. Three days later, a Soviet Raketnyy Korabl Otdel (Missile Ship Division) begins its own exercise in the vicinity of Jupiter.
21st March 2025
Despite its communist origins, the People's Republic of China is evolving into a state-controlled capitalist-oriented society. An example of this is the launching of a Xian class freighter by Liu Container Services, a recently formed and privately owned shipping company. This is the first spacecraft from any power bloc to be constructed by a non-governmental organization. Three similar companies have been formed within NATO but have yet to launch their first vessel, mainly due to the lack of demand for any commercial services.. The Chinese colony on Mars will provide a outlet for private enterprise whereas the NATO colony on Titan is much further away and its environment is much further from human tolerances, hence the need for orbital habitats. NATO leaders begin to consider the creation of their own Mars colony, especially as the Chinese have yet to establish any military presence on the red planet.
9th April 2025
NATO lays down Akagi and Graf Zeppelin, its fourth and fifth Enterprise class carriers. They will require almost two years for construction.
15th April 2025
Liu Container Services launches its second vessel, a Luda class Colony Ship. The combination of Liu's freighter and colony ship will allow the People's Republic to begin colonizing Mars. NATO's own private sector is becoming much more involved with exploitation of the Sol system. Richards Marine, A NATO shipping line, launches its own colony ship and a mining company establishes a civilian mining outpost on Rhea, one of Saturn's moons. NATO's Atlas class freighters transport infrastructure to Mars so that NATO can begin colonizing the planet using both commercial and government-owned colony ships. The Chinese object profusely, on the basis that NATO and the Soviet Union have both effectively claimed sovereignty over Saturn and Jupiter, and their moons, respectively, and therefore China is laying claim to Mars. On instructions from his government, NATO's ambassador points out that Titan and Ganymede have substantial military bases and are the headquarters of the respective space fleets of NATO and the Soviet Union. Apart from a small population of 360,000 and a single terraforming ship, Mars has not been developed in any way by the People's Republic, not to mention that it is the only realistic site of any major surface-based colonization effort in the Sol system rather than a freezing, inhospitable moon. Eventually, the disagreement is settled by a three-power agreement that China will have sovereignty over Mercury and that Mars will be open to colonization by all three powers. As part of the agreement, Mars will be a demilitarized zone.
This agreement is a setback for Chinese plans to establish a safe haven for their population on Mars but they do not have the military forces to confront both of the other powers over the issue. In any event, after recent scientific discoveries all three powers are developing jump point theory, which could lead to out-system colonies. As this would provide an even more secure location for a Chinese safe haven, the Chinese leadership decides to adopt a wait and see approach. Even if that proves to be a vain hope, the Chinese advances in genetic modification will eventually allow colonization of other bodies within the Sol system that will be unsuitable for unmodified NATO and Soviet colonists.
12th June 2025
The Soviet Union completes its first Project 1212 'Mir' class Orbital Habitat. The habitat begins the slow journey to Ganymede at 73 km/s.
12th July 2025
The Soviet Union becomes the first Earth-based power to develop jump point theory. A team led by Academician Wolfgang Spitzer, an East German scientist, begins work on gravitational survey sensors. Five days later, a NATO team completes its own research into jump point theory. Like the Soviet Union, NATO sensor experts start development of gravitational sensors, albeit using a smaller percentage of their research capability so that simultaneous research can be conducted into jump drive efficiency. Fortunately for NATO, the scientists in charge of both projects are experts in their field and should complete their work at approximately the same time as their Soviet counterparts.
1st August 2025
NATO completes construction of its fifth O'Neill orbital habitat. A Hercules class Tug attaches its tractor beam and starts towing the new habitat towards Titan at 173 km/s. The voyage will require almost one hundred days.
17th August 2025
A NATO civilian mining colony is established on Oberon, a moon of Uranus.
3rd October 2025
The first Soviet 'civilian' freighter is launched. Kazakov Transport is a wholly state-owned company set up to handle commercial shipping outside the control of the Defence Ministry. This is seen by outsiders as an attempt by the Soviet Politburo to ensure too much power does not lie within a single ministry.
8th October 2025
NATO scientists complete development of gravitational survey sensors. In the longer term, NATO ship designers intend to create a jump-capable gravitational survey ship. That isn't possible though until the development of a jump drive, which is still some months away. In the short term, NATO needs to deploy a gravitational survey ship as quickly as possible in order to complete a survey of the Sol system before China or the Soviet Union. Given NATO's considerable expertise in the field of fighter design and operations, it is no surprise the result of that requirement is the S-29A Mamba Survey Craft. The Mamba is equipped with a single gravitational survey sensor and can operate from any of the existing NATO carriers. Although the high fuel consumption rate of the Mamba is an issue, it can be carried close to its destination by a carrier. Beside, as it can be built by fighter factories, the S-29A can be brought into service very quickly, which offsets any concerns over fuel usage. Devoting an Enterprise class carrier to survey operations is seen as overkill so the 14,400 ton Iwo Jima class Assault Carrier Inchon is detached from the 2nd Expeditionary Force at Titan and dispatched to Earth, accompanied by the Daring class Area Defence Cruiser Dervish. One or more dropships will remain at Earth to make room for Mambas, as they become available.
S-29A Mamba class Survey Craft 403 tons 39 Crew 128.3 BP TCS 8.05 TH 36 EM 0
4472 km/s Armour 1-4 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/1/0 Damage Control Rating 0 PPV 0
Annual Failure Rate: 5% IFR: 0.1% Maint Capacity 50 MSP Max Repair 100 MSP Est Time: 3.91 Years
Pratt & Whitney F150 Ion Engine (1) Power 36 Fuel Use 7000% Signature 36 Armour 0 Exp 25%
Fuel Capacity 50,000 Litres Range 3.2 billion km (8 days at full power)
Gravitational Survey Sensors (1) 1 Survey Points Per Hour12th October 2025
Soviet scientists complete their own work on gravitational sensors only days after their NATO counterparts. The Soviet approach to their initial survey ship design is based on modifications to their Project 1205 Vishnaya class Intelligence Ship, which results in the Project 1214 'Kamenka' class Razvedyvatel'niye Korabl'. At 1000 tons, the Kamenka is much larger than the S-29A Mamba yet still small in terms of other Soviet ship designs. Like NATO, the Soviet Union is keen that gravitational survey ships enter service as quickly as possible. However, retooling of an appropriate shipyard will require two months before the first Kamenka can be laid down.
Project 1214 Kamenka class Razvedyvatel'niye Korabl' 1,000 tons 98 Crew 283.8 BP TCS 20 TH 60 EM 0
3000 km/s Armour 1-8 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/2/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
Annual Failure Rate: 5% IFR: 0.1% Maint Capacity 266 MSP Max Repair 100 MSP Est Time: 9.49 Years
Ion Engine (1) Power 60 Fuel Use 80% Signature 60 Armour 0 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 100,000 Litres Range 225.0 billion km (868 days at full power)
Gravitational Survey Sensors (2) 2 Survey Points Per Hour23rd November 2025
The first S-29A Mamba in service detects a jump point just inside the Mars - Jupiter asteroid belt, at a distance of 380 million kilometers from Sol. Until jump drives become available, it will not be possible to explore the newly discovered jump point.
29th November 2025
China completes construction of three Luda class colony ships. Including a fourth ship already in service, this gives China a state-controlled colonist lift capacity of 120,000, which is 20% higher than NATO. A fifth Luda is in service with Liu Container Services. The Soviet Union has designed its own colony ship, the Project 1213 'Chirikov' class Kolonizator. Two are under construction in state shipyards and a third is already in service with Kazakov Transport. NATO has two Mayflower class colony ships in service, each with a 50,000 capacity. Three more are under construction in government shipyards while Richards Marine and Schimmel Shipping operate one each.
Project 1213 'Chirikov' class Kolonizator 20,850 tons 243 Crew 860.2 BP TCS 417 TH 900 EM 0
2158 km/s Armour 1-67 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
Maint Capacity 26 MSP Max Repair 38 MSP
Colonists 50000 Cargo Handling Multiplier 10
Commercial Ion Engine (6) Power 150 Fuel Use 8% Signature 150 Armour 0 Exp 1%
Fuel Capacity 50,000 Litres Range 54.0 billion km (289 days at full power)5th January 2026
A second jump point is discovered in the midst of the Mars - Jupiter asteroid belt, four hundred and sixty million kilometers from Sol. Three S-29A Mambas are now in service, operating from the assault carrier Inchon, and five of the thirty survey locations in Sol have been surveyed. No Soviet or Chinese survey ships have even been laid down. A fourth Mamba still under construction is likely to be the final survey fighter. Their high fuel usage and short range is proving to be more of a problem than anticipated.
10th January 2026
The People's Republic of China launches two Yinchuan class Terraforming Ships. They are dispatched to join the third member of the class in Mars orbit. Only China has terraforming ships in service.
27th March 2026
A NATO team led by Max Nolan completes development of a jump gate construction module, providing an alternative to jump-capable ships. A new construction ship class is designed and the first two units are laid down in the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Shipyard. Delivery is tentatively scheduled for August 2027.
Gateway class Construction Ship 63,900 tons 796 Crew 1642.4 BP TCS 1278 TH 1500 EM 0
1173 km/s Armour 1-142 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
Maint Capacity 16 MSP Max Repair 38 MSP
Jump Gate Construction Ship: 180 days
Commercial Ion Engine (10) Power 150 Fuel Use 7% Signature 150 Armour 0 Exp 1%
Fuel Capacity 250,000 Litres Range 100.5 billion km (992 days at full power)23rd April 2026
The People's Republic of China completes research into gravitational survey sensors. A basic survey ship design is quickly finalised and work begins on retooling an appropriate shipyard.
Dalian class Survey Ship 800 tons 73 Crew 172.8 BP TCS 16 TH 40 EM 0
2500 km/s Armour 1-7 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/1/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
Annual Failure Rate: 5% IFR: 0.1% Maint Capacity 135 MSP Max Repair 100 MSP Est Time: 6.77 Years
Nuclear Pulse Engine (1) Power 40 Fuel Use 90% Signature 40 Armour 0 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 50,000 Litres Range 125.0 billion km (578 days at full power)
Gravitational Survey Sensors (1) 1 Survey Points Per Hour28th April 2026
A third NATO civilian mining colony is established, this time in the Mars-Jupiter asteroid belt. Thus far, neither China nor the Soviet Union has established any civilian mining colonies.
20th May 2026
As a result of the experience gained from several years of leading research teams, NATO's leading propulsion scientist, the Frenchwoman Pénélope Jean, has increased her management and research skills to the point where her team is estimated to be three times more effective than it would be with an inexperienced leader. Even when leading a team outside her own discipline, she can increase their output by up to fifty percent. Her only weakness is that she has found it very hard to manage teams spread across more than fifteen research facilities.
19th June 2026
Pénélope Jean's propulsion research team has developed the first NATO jump drive. The 750 ton drive will allow a ship of up to 3000 tons to transit a jump point. While the research team begins work on improving the efficiency of future jump drive designs, NATO commanders and ship designers are debating whether to use the new drive for their first jump-capable ship or wait approximately eight months for the latest research. A new shipyard, Neptun Werft, has recently been constructed for the purpose of building survey ships but so far has only one slipway with a capacity of 1800 tons. A delay of eight months would allow expansion of that shipyard. On the other hand, no Soviet or Chinese survey ships are in commission yet and a total of three jump points have already been discovered by Inchon's S-29A Mambas, so a less capable ship available sooner could allow NATO to gain an early advantage in interstellar exploration. Even so, retooling a shipyard for a new design could take almost eight months anyway. Eventually, the decision is reached that single, small prototype ship will be built for the purposes of exploration and a dedicated jump-capable survey class will be designed in early 2027. The prototype will use the new shipyard to avoid retooling costs, although that will delay the eventual larger survey ship. A delay of three weeks will be required to allow expansion of the new shipyard to 2000 tons capacity.
Intrepid class Exploration Ship 2,000 tons 197 Crew 330.4 BP TCS 40 TH 120 EM 0
3000 km/s JR 3-50 Armour 1-14 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/11/1/0 Damage Control Rating 2 PPV 0
Annual Failure Rate: 16% IFR: 0.2% Maint Capacity 206 MSP Max Repair 100 MSP Est Time: 4.57 Years
Blohm + Voss BV300 Jump Drive Max Ship Size 3000 tons Distance 50k km Squadron Size 3
Rolls Royce Ion Drive (2) Power 60 Fuel Use 70% Signature 60 Armour 0 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 110,000 Litres Range 141.4 billion km (545 days at full power)
SN/APS-4 Active Search Sensor (1) GPS 3360 Range 37.0m km Resolution 160
SN/SLR-24 EM Detection Sensor (1) Sensitivity 11 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 11m km
Gravitational Survey Sensors (1) 1 Survey Points Per Hour9th August 2026
The Soviet Union develops its first jump drive. Unlike NATO, the Soviet Union decides to build its primary survey ships based on efficiency level four jump technology, rather than building a small interim vessel, such as the Intrepid, as a stopgap. The Project 1215 'Fyodorov' class is intended to serve as the primary Soviet gravsurvey class for the foreseeable future. With the new NPO Energomash RD-400 Military Jump Drive, three gravitational survey sensors, capable active and EM sensors and enough fuel and maintenance for extended deployments, the Project 1215 is likely to give the Soviet Union a significant edge in survey capability once it enters service. Retooling of an existing Soviet shipyard will be completed by mid-December 2026. In addition to the Project 1215, the Soviet Union also begins retooling to build the Project 1216 'Molchanov' class Razvedyvatel'niye Korabl', which is identical to the 'Fyodorov', except for the replacement of gravitational survey sensors with geological survey sensors. As all the original geosurvey ships of the major powers were very low tech, they were phased out several years ago after a geological survey of the Sol system was completed.
Project 1215 'Fyodorov' class Razvedyvatel'niye Korabl' 4,000 tons 393 Crew 760.4 BP TCS 80 TH 300 EM 0
3750 km/s JR 3-50 Armour 1-22 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/16/3/0 Damage Control Rating 4 PPV 0
Annual Failure Rate: 32% IFR: 0.4% Maint Capacity 475 MSP Max Repair 100 MSP Est Time: 4.97 Years
NPO Energomash RD-400 Military Jump Drive Max Ship Size 4000 tons Distance 50k km Squadron Size 3
Ion Engine (5) Power 60 Fuel Use 80% Signature 60 Armour 0 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 300,000 Litres Range 168.8 billion km (520 days at full power)
Voskhod MR-300 Search Sensor (1) GPS 3840 Range 30.7m km Resolution 120
Gurzhor-16 EM Detection Sensor (1) Sensitivity 16 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 16m km
Gravitational Survey Sensors (3) 3 Survey Points Per Hour15th August 2026
Once NATO Intelligence learns that the Soviet Union is laying down both gravitational and geological survey vessels, NATO leaders and military commanders leaders revaluate their own recent decisions. They are loathe to change their minds on their approach to gravitational survey ships, even if the Soviets gain an advantage for a while. However, they do recognize the need for a geological survey ship to ensure the Soviet Union does not identify new sources of Trans-Newtonian minerals before NATO. Therefore a larger and more capable of the Intrepid is designed, equipped with geosurvey sensors. The Discovery class is smaller and slower than its Soviet counterpart, although it has equal survey capabilities. It will be built in the Bath Iron Works shipyard, which has previously built Virginia class cruisers. While this is not an ideal use of a shipyard with three slipways of 15,000 ton capacity, it will allow the Discovery class to be laid down as quickly as possible. Retooling is expected to take three months.
Discovery class Geosurvey Ship 3,000 tons 296 Crew 611.4 BP TCS 60 TH 180 EM 0
3000 km/s JR 3-50 Armour 1-18 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/11/0/3 Damage Control Rating 3 PPV 0
Annual Failure Rate: 20% IFR: 0.3% Maint Capacity 446 MSP Max Repair 100 MSP Est Time: 6.1 Years
Blohm + Voss BV300 Jump Drive Max Ship Size 3000 tons Distance 50k km Squadron Size 3
Rolls Royce Ion Drive (3) Power 60 Fuel Use 70% Signature 60 Armour 0 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 250,000 Litres Range 214.3 billion km (826 days at full power)
SN/APS-4 Active Search Sensor (1) GPS 3360 Range 37.0m km Resolution 160
SN/SLR-24 EM Detection Sensor (1) Sensitivity 11 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 11m km
Geological Survey Sensors (3) 3 Survey Points Per Hour30th August 2026
The Soviet Union completes construction of eighteen Tupolev-50 bombers and a pair of Beriev A-100 early warning craft. Together they form the Pyaty? Morskoi Razvedki Aviatsionnyi Polk or Fifth Maritime Reconnaissance Regiment, which increases the strength of Soviet Naval Aviation by twenty-five percent. A new Project 1211 Borodino class Aviabaze, which will be the base for the new regiment, has been prefabricated on Earth and shipped to Ganymede where it will be assembled. Six engineer brigades have been transported to Ganymede to carry out the construction, although it will take a long time due to the size and cost of the Project 1211. Two Mir class Orbital Habitats are in orbit of Ganymede and can house 200,000 colonists, many of which could be used to operate construction factories. Unfortunately the first pair of Soviet colony ships will not be available until early November, so for the moment the habitats remain empty.
9th October 2026
Inchon and her small squadron of four S-29A Mambas complete their gravitational survey of the Sol system, finding six jump points in total, two of which are located near the last of the thirty survey locations and close to the orbit of Pluto. Inchon sets course for Earth, where she will refuel, resupply and re-embark her dropship squadron before heading to the Titan fleet base. The Mambas will remain in Earth orbit until needed once more.
21st October 2026
The Soviet Union launches three small Project 1214 gravitational survey ships. The 1000 ton spacecraft are far less capable than the recently designed Project 1215 but they will suffice to survey the Sol system while their larger sisters are under construction.
20th November 2026
The People's Republic of China develops its first jump drive. As China is less advanced in terms of shipboard systems than the other two powers, the jump drive is only efficiency level three, which results in the small and not very capable Huangwen class. Although it has a jump engine and a single gravitational survey sensor. it lacks anything but the most basic passive EM and thermal sensors and has no active sensors. Due to the inferior engine technology of the PRC, the Huangwen is slower than its NATO and Soviet equivalents.
Huangwen class Survey Corvette 2,250 tons 216 Crew 312 BP TCS 45 TH 120 EM 0
2666 km/s JR 3-50 Armour 1-15 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/1/0 Damage Control Rating 2 PPV 0
Annual Failure Rate: 20% IFR: 0.3% Maint Capacity 173 MSP Max Repair 100 MSP Est Time: 3.64 Years
J2250 Military Jump Drive Max Ship Size 2250 tons Distance 50k km Squadron Size 3
Nuclear Pulse Engine (3) Power 40 Fuel Use 90% Signature 40 Armour 0 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 170,000 Litres Range 151.1 billion km (655 days at full power)
Gravitational Survey Sensors (1) 1 Survey Points Per HourThe Chinese also develop the Jinan class geosurvey ship, based on the same hull as the Huangwen. The primary difference is that the Jinan has two geological survey sensors compared to a single gravitational sensor in the Huangwen. The additional sensor meant the sacrifice of one engine, which makes the Jinan much slower than its gravsurvey counterpart. Chinese designers decided that speed was more important for the Huangwen whereas survey rate was the priority for the Jinan.
Jinan class Geosurvey Ship 2,250 tons 216 Crew 392 BP TCS 45 TH 80 EM 0
1777 km/s JR 3-50 Armour 1-15 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/2 Damage Control Rating 2 PPV 0
Annual Failure Rate: 20% IFR: 0.3% Maint Capacity 218 MSP Max Repair 100 MSP Est Time: 4.15 Years
J2250 Military Jump Drive Max Ship Size 2250 tons Distance 50k km Squadron Size 3
Nuclear Pulse Engine (2) Power 40 Fuel Use 90% Signature 40 Armour 0 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 170,000 Litres Range 151.0 billion km (983 days at full power)
Geological Survey Sensors (2) 2 Survey Points Per Hour1st December 2026
China launches six small Dalian class gravitational survey ships. Although they are only 800 tons and equipped with a single gravitational survey sensor, their numbers will make up for their limited capabilities. The Chinese intend to keep the Dalians in service once the jump-capable Huangwens are available.
3rd March 2027
The new Enterprise class carriers Akagi and Graf Zeppelin are launched from the Newport News Orbital Shipyard. Due to severe financial constraints within NATO, no new escorts have been constructed for the carriers so NATO high command has decided to deploy them within existing carrier strike groups. Graf Zeppelin will partner Enterprise while Akagi will join up with Ark Royal. Enough new fighters have been constructed for only one complete strikegroup so those are divided into six squadrons, designated Marinefliegergeschwader One through Six, and assigned to Graf Zeppelin. Akagi's strikegroup will be added by squadron as the fighters become available.
20th March 2027
The Soviet Union completes construction of a third Project 1201 'Orlan' class Gvardeysky Raketnyy Kreyser. The 30,000 ton battlecruisers are the most expensive warships built by the Soviet Union. In addition to their impressive defensive capabilities, each one is capable of launching a wave of one hundred and fifty P-500 Palash anti-ship missiles.
25th March 2027
Pénélope Jean's propulsion team completes research into jump drive efficiency level five and develops a design for the Blohm + Voss BV600 Jump Drive, capable of opening a jump point for a ship of up to 6000 tons. While they begin work on an ever larger jump drive, the BV600 is utilized by NATO ship designers for the Galileo class Survey Cruiser. This ship is intended as NATO's long-term exploration and survey vessel. In addition to three gravitational survey sensors and a full suite of active and passive sensors, the Galileo has greater range than any previous survey vessel of any nationality and an extensive maintenance capacity. Unlike all previous survey designs, it is armed with a battery of twelve Mk4 Box Launchers, which can be used for both recon probes and anti-ship missiles. The shipyard building the single Intrepid class only has a capacity of 3000 tons so the Galileo will be built in the Norfolk Navy Yard. This shipyard was towed to Titan two years ago but was returned to Earth at the end of 2026 so that the population in Titan's six orbital habitats could be used to man construction factories instead. Retooling will require eight months so the first Galileo will be laid down in November 2027.
Galileo class Survey Cruiser 6,000 tons 538 Crew 1062.8 BP TCS 120 TH 480 EM 0
4000 km/s JR 3-50 Armour 1-29 Shields 0-0 Sensors 10/22/3/0 Damage Control Rating 6 PPV 10.8
Annual Failure Rate: 48% IFR: 0.7% Maint Capacity 664 MSP Max Repair 144 MSP Est Time: 3.9 Years
Magazine 72
Blohm + Voss BV600 Jump Drive Max Ship Size 6000 tons Distance 50k km Squadron Size 3
Rolls Royce Ion Drive (8) Power 60 Fuel Use 70% Signature 60 Armour 0 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 500,000 Litres Range 214.3 billion km (620 days at full power)
Mk4 Box Launcher (12) Missile Size 6 Hangar Reload 45 minutes MF Reload 7.5 hours
SN/APG-5 Missile Fire Control (1) Range 33.3m km Resolution 160
AGM-3A Katana ASM (8) Speed: 28,000 km/s End: 20.4m Range: 34.3m km WH: 12 Size: 6 TH: 93 / 56 / 28
RLN-6A Raven Reconnaissance Drone (2) Speed: 10,000 km/s End: 285.7m Range: 171.4m km WH: 0 Size: 6
RLN-7A Shadow Passive Recon Drone (2) Speed: 10,000 km/s End: 285.7m Range: 171.4m km WH: 0 Size: 6
SN/APS-3 Active Search Sensor (1) GPS 6300 Range 69.3m km Resolution 100
SN/SQR-16 Thermal Sensor (1) Sensitivity 10 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 10m km
SN/SLR-17 EM Detection Sensor (1) Sensitivity 22 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 22m km
Gravitational Survey Sensors (3) 3 Survey Points Per Hour19th May 2027
Intrepid, the first jump-capable human spacecraft, is launched from the Neptun Werft (Neptune Shipyard). Her first mission will be to explore all six jump points in Sol. Command of the ship is assigned to Captain Quinn Manard, who also commanded the first production S-29A Mamba. Despite NATO's early lead in terms of gravitational survey and jump technology, the Soviets and Chinese are catching up fast. The Soviet survey of Sol is already complete and the Chinese survey will be finished within a few days. The two Chinese jump-capable Huangwen class are scheduled for launch on September 1st 2027, while the Soviet Project 1215 'Fyodorov' Razvedyvatel'niye Korabl' will be completed by April 2028. The Soviet design is far more capable than either the Intrepid or the Chinese Huangwens, which is the reason for the longer construction time. The first unit of the NATO Galileo class will not even be laid down for another six months, although three jump-capable geological survey ships will be available by March 2028.
24th May 2027
To ensure no interference from Soviet or Chinese forces, Intrepid's first transit is covered by the Enterprise / Graf Zeppelin Carrier Strike Group. A Soviet Project 1205 'Vishnaya' class Mal'yy Razvedyatel'niye Korabl', or Small Intelligence Ship, monitors the progress of the NATO carrier force from twenty-five million kilometers away as it moves from Titan across the inner system to the innermost jump point, located on the far side of Sol from the NATO fleet base. A second Project 1205 is already holding position five million kilometers from the jump point. A Chinese Jiangwei class cruiser, dispatched to follow Intrepid, maintains watch from a distance of ten million kilometers. Once the carrier group is within a million kilometers of the jump point and a combat space patrol is providing close-in security, Intrepid begins her voyage into the unknown, escorted by a pair of F-24A Cobras.
Intrepid and her fighter escort emerge three billion kilometers from Alpha Centauri-A, a G-class star just 4.4 light years from Earth. The star is orbited by a small asteroid belt, five terrestrial worlds, a gas giant with ten moons and a K-class star at 23 AU with its own collection of planets. Several of the planets are of particular interest with regard to future colonization. Alpha Centauri-A II is a desert world with an almost breathable atmosphere and a surface temperature of 64C. The third and fifth planets are ice worlds with thin nitrogen-oxygen atmospheres and temperatures of -65C and -92C respectively. Alpha Centauri-A IV is also covered by a thick ice sheet but lacks any oxygen as the atmosphere comprises nitrogen, carbon dioxide and helium. With extensive terraforming, all four worlds could eventually support substantial human colonies. The innermost terrestrial world is only half the size of the Earth and lacks any atmosphere. Its low gravity makes long term colonization impossible for unmodified humans, although the Chinese experiments with genetic modification might result in a human hybrid that could live in a low gravity environment. The most promising candidate for immediate colonization is the third planet of Alpha Centauri-B, which already has a breathable atmosphere, although the surface temperature of 63C takes it outside the ideal zone and gives it a colony cost of 0.87. Two-thirds of the planetary surface is ocean and steaming jungles cover the land masses. The eleventh moon of Alpha Centauri-B IV also has minimal potential for colonization as it has acceptable gravity, a temperature of -57C and a thin atmosphere, albeit of nitrogen and methane. The jump point is almost equidistant from both stars, although the orbit of Alpha Centauri-B will gradually bring it closer, eventually passing within five hundred million kilometers in approximately fifteen years. Thereafter it will move away and reach a distance of over six billion kilometers forty years later. A brief system summary is provided below:
Alpha Centauri System Summary
Alpha Centauri-A G2-V Diameter: 1.39m Mass: 1.02 Luminosity: 1.31
Asteroid Belt: 84
Alpha Centauri-A I: Temperature: 45.4, Gravity: 0.29, Orbit: 85m
Alpha Centauri-A II: Colony Cost: 2.00, Temperature: 63.8, Gravity: 0.78, Orbit: 143m
Nitrogen 80%, Oxygen (0.08) 12.8%, Carbon Dioxide 7.2%, Pressure: 0.62
Alpha Centauri-A III: Colony Cost: 2.97, Temperature: -65.4, Gravity: 0.48, Orbit: 229m
Nitrogen 80%, Oxygen (0.05) 20.0%, Pressure: 0.23
Alpha Centauri-A IV: Colony Cost: 4.35, Temperature: -95.8, Gravity: 0.48, Orbit: 313m
Nitrogen 86%, Carbon Dioxide (F) 10.1%, Helium 3.9%, Pressure: 0.21
Alpha Centauri-A V: Colony Cost: 4.13, Temperature: -91.0, Gravity: 0.51, Orbit: 422m
Nitrogen 81%, Oxygen (0.05) 19.0%, Pressure: 0.26
Alpha Centauri-A VI: Colony Cost: 4.13, Temperature: -152.2, Gravity: 15.0, Orbit: 775m
Total Moons: 10
Alpha Centauri-B K1-V Diameter: 1.25m Mass: 0.79 Luminosity: 0.39. Orbits Alpha Centauri-A at 23.0 AU.
Alpha Centauri-B I: Temperature: 385.7, Gravity: 1.04, Orbit: 14.0m
Alpha Centauri-B II: Temperature: 641.5, Gravity: 3.3, Orbit: 39m
Carbon Dioxide 98%, Nitrogen Dioxide 2.00%, Pressure: 197.00
Alpha Centauri-B III: Colony Cost: 0.87, Temperature: 63.0, Gravity: 1.03, Orbit: 77m
Nitrogen 79%, Oxygen (0.13) 17.9%, Carbon Dioxide 3.2%, Pressure: 0.74
Alpha Centauri-B IV: Colony Cost: 0.87, Temperature: -78.9, Gravity: 0.92, Orbit: 162m
Alpha Centauri-B IV - Moon 11: Colony Cost: 2.57, Temperature: -56.6, Gravity: 0.40, Orbit: 571k
Nitrogen 83%, Methane 17.0%, Pressure: 0.16
Total Moons: 14
Alpha Centauri-B V: Temperature: -138.8, Gravity: 23.1, Orbit: 338m
Alpha Centauri-B V - Moon 1: Colony Cost: 6.31, Temperature: -138.8, Gravity: 0.34, Orbit: 207k
Alpha Centauri-B V - Moon 16: Colony Cost: 4.54, Temperature: -100.0, Gravity: 1.55, Orbit: 5.0m
Hydrogen 76%, Helium 15.4%, Nitrogen 8.6%, Pressure: 2.40
Total Moons: 23
Alpha Centauri-B VI: Temperature: -176.3, Gravity: 3.1, Orbit: 725m
Total Moons: 8
Jump Points
1) Sol: Distance: 3.0b Bearing: 1Intrepid and the two fighters return to Sol where Captain Manard provides a full report to his superiors. Given the long term potential of Alpha Centauri, discussions soon begin at NATO headquarters with regard to annexing the system, as well as the construction of either terraforming installations or terraforming ships. While the military is confident they can keep the Soviets and Chinese out of Alpha Centauri, if so ordered by NATO's civilian leadership, many officers are concerned about the prospect of provoking a devastating conflict within the Sol system. For the moment, any decision is put on hold until the other jump points can be explored.
27th May 2027
Intrepid enters Sol's second jump point and finds an even more promising system than Alpha Centauri. Epsilon Eridani has a single K-class star orbited by eight planets, which have a total of one hundred and four moons between them. The eighteenth moon of Epsilon Eridani II is an ideal habitable world, with a temperature of 40C, a gravity of 1.25G and a breathable nitrogen-oxygen atmosphere with a density fifty-seven percent higher than Earth. Despite the high temperature, high gravity and denser than normal atmosphere, it is within the range of normal human tolerance and colonization can begin immediately without the need for specialized infrastructure. Furthermore, the twenty-second moon of the same super-jovian is also close to ideal, with a breathable atmosphere and with gravity and atmospheric pressure almost identical to Earth. Only the surface temperature of -11C is outside the ideal range, which makes the colony cost 0.50. The third planet also has long term potential, with a temperature just below zero and acceptable gravity. While there is no oxygen in the carbon dioxide - nitrogen atmosphere, that could be added through terraforming.
Epsilon Eridani System Summary
Epsilon Eridani-A K2-V Diameter: 1.25m Mass: 0.75 Luminosity: 0.29
Epsilon Eridani-A I: Colony Cost: 0.00, Temperature: 98.3, Gravity: 8.2, Orbit: 38m
Epsilon Eridani-A II: Colony Cost: 0.00, Temperature: -37.9, Gravity: 19.9, Orbit: 95m
Epsilon Eridani-A II - Moon 17: Colony Cost: 2.00, Temperature: -37.9, Gravity: 0.41, Orbit: 2.01m
Epsilon Eridani-A II - Moon 18: Colony Cost: 0.00, Temperature: 39.8, Gravity: 1.25, Orbit: 2.18m
Nitrogen 82%, Oxygen (0.28) 18.0%, Pressure: 1.57
Epsilon Eridani-A II - Moon 22: Colony Cost: 0.50, Temperature: -11.1, Gravity: 1.02, Orbit: 17.3m
Nitrogen 75%, Oxygen (0.26) 25.0%, Pressure: 1.03
Total Moons: 23
Epsilon Eridani-A III: Colony Cost: 2.00, Temperature: -0.4, Gravity: 0.79, Orbit: 186m
Carbon Dioxide 76%, Nitrogen 24.0%, Pressure: 0.62
Total Moons: 1
Epsilon Eridani-A IV: Temperature: -153.6, Gravity: 1.91, Orbit: 367m
Total Moons: 23
Epsilon Eridani-A V: Temperature: -189.5, Gravity: 2.32, Orbit: 750m
Epsilon Eridani-A V - Moon 2: Colony Cost: 9.48, Temperature: -208.6, Gravity: 0.41, Orbit: 117k
Nitrogen 82%, Methane (F) 18.0%, Pressure: 0.14
Epsilon Eridani-A V - Moon 12: Colony Cost: 9.26, Temperature: -203.6, Gravity: 0.35, Orbit: 507k
Helium 87%, Hydrogen 13.0%, Pressure: 0.12
Total Moons: 28
Epsilon Eridani-A VI: Temperature: -202.9, Gravity: 1.42, Orbit: 1.06b
Total Moons: 11
Epsilon Eridani-A VII: Temperature: -222.3, Gravity: 0.81, Orbit: 2.04b
Total Moons: 16
Epsilon Eridani-A VIII: Colony Cost: 10.59, Temperature: -233.0, Gravity: 0.34, Orbit: 3.9b
Total Moons: 2
Jump Points
1) Sol: Distance: 887m Bearing: 67A new debate begins within NATO headquarters, regarding whether Alpha Centauri or Epsilon Eridani should be the primary focus of any future NATO colonization effort. The former has more habitable real estate and perhaps more long term potential while the latter has more immediately available colonization sites and has a jump point closer to the primary. There is also the question of geological surveys, which might have a significant impact on the desirability of each system. Agreement is quickly reached that a decision must be made on one or the other as NATO could not defend both systems against China and the Soviet Union. Some senior NATO diplomats point out that the discovery of two systems with great potential might open up the possibility of a deal with the Soviet Union. While they like the idea, the civilian leadership decides to hold off on proposing such a deal until the Soviets have also carried out their own jump point explorations.
June 6th 2027
Covered by the Enterprise / Graf Zeppelin carrier group, Intrepid enters jump point three and emerges in the system of Bernard's Star, located approximately six light-years away from Earth in the constellation of Ophiuchus. Unlike the first two systems to be discovered, Bernard's Star does not have any habitable planets or serious prospects for terraforming. The faint M-class primary is orbited by ten planets, three of which are gas giants, which have eighty-four moons between them. All the planets and moons are either far too hot or far too cold and the atmospheres that exist around three of the bodies contain gases that are dangerous or toxic to humans. Intrepid returns to Sol and heads for jump point four.
16th June 2027
Intrepid enters jump point four and arrives less than six hundred million kilometers from Proxima Centauri, the nearest star to Earth except for Sol. Five planets and almost three hundred asteroids orbit the red dwarf primary. Unexpectedly for such a dim star, one of the planets is Earth-sized and lies within the liquid water zone. The atmosphere is nitrogen - oxygen but with a density of only 0.03 atm. A colony site with some long term potential, albeit requiring a considerable terraforming effort.
11th July 2027
Intrepid transits jump point five and emerges in the Luyten 726-8 system, a binary with two red dwarf stars orbited by a total of seven planets. The only world of interest is the second planet of the primary, which has acceptable gravity, a surface temperature of -34C and a nitrogen - oxygen atmosphere with a pressure of 0.16 atm.
14th July 2027
Intrepid explores Sol's outermost jump point and discovers EZ Aquarii, a trinary system of three red dwarfs. Between them, the planetary systems of the three M-class stars include nine planets, twenty-three moons and over three hundred asteroids. The second planet of the primary has an ideal temperature of 22C and an acceptable gravity of 0.69G but the atmosphere has only a quarter the density of Earth's and the oxygen content is an insignificant 0.4%. However, with oxygen added to the atmosphere through terraforming, EZ Aquarii-A II could one day become an ideal habitable world. With exploration of all six of Sol's jump points now complete, Intrepid is ordered to transit into Epsilon Eridani and begin a gravitational survey. The Enterprise / Graf Zeppelin carrier group heads for Titan to refuel and resupply.
25th August 2027
NATO launches two Gateway class construction ships. The 64,000 ton vessels are designed to build jump gates, allowing any size of ship to transit without the need for a jump-capable escort. Given the enormous size of NATO carriers, a network of jump gates will be essential in order to use them to full effect. Of course, any jump gates built by the Gateways will be equally accessible to Soviet or Chinese ships so in may respects they are a double-edged sword. The availability of the Gateways brings forward the decision on how to proceed with future NATO colonization; in particular whether to focus on Alpha Centauri or Epsilon Eridani and how to handle any Chinese or Soviet reaction to NATO annexation of either system.
Relations between NATO and the Soviet Union over the previous few years have been cool rather than cold. Both superpowers have been content to expand their own presence in space without undue interference by either party into the affairs of the other. In deep space, NATO recon craft and Soviet intelligence vessels have watched the activities of the other side, sometimes rather closely, but neither side has attempted to approach the major base of their rival and there have been no significant incidents. Before the discovery of jump points, leaders in Moscow and the NATO capitals were aware that this was a temporary situation at best and inevitable resource shortages would eventually force a confrontation. With interstellar exploration now a reality, forward thinkers within the NATO leadership see a real opportunity to redefine their relationship with the Soviet Union.
The situation vis-à-vis the People's Republic of China is more complex. China has a state-controlled capitalist-oriented economy, rather than the more traditionally communist economic model of the Soviet Union, which on the surface makes it a more suitable economic partner for NATO than the Soviet Union. However, the intentions and long term goals of the Chinese are much harder for NATO intelligence agencies to establish, especially as the Chinese appear almost uninterested in the ongoing military rivalry between the other two superpowers. Rumours abound of genetic experiments and human hybrids behind the Bamboo Curtain but so far none have been substantiated by either NATO agencies or the KGB. The lack of knowledge regarding the Chinese agenda makes the People's Republic appear a more sinister opponent than the more powerful but understandable Soviet Union. Therefore, despite the opposing ideologies, NATO leaders are more inclined to reach out to the Soviets than the Chinese.
After great deliberation, NATO's political and military leadership decide that Epsilon Eridani, rather than Alpha Centauri, is the best candidate for colonization. Although Alpha Centauri has a total of six planets or moons that could be terraformed into ideal habitable worlds, including one with a colony cost of 0.87, and has more overall real estate, Epsilon Eridani already has one ideal habitable world, a second with a colony cost of just 0.50 and a third with a colony cost of 2.00 that lacks only oxygen. The greater long-term potential of Alpha Centauri is outweighed by the immediate short-term benefits of Epsilon Eridani. Of course, neither system has had a geological survey so the key factor of mineral resources cannot be part of the decision-making process. While the jump point to Epsilon Eridani is further from Sol, the entry point in the system is closer to the system primary than in Alpha Centauri. This advantage will be offset over time as Alpha Centauri-B moves closer to the Sol jump point but once again short-term benefit is judged as more important than the longer term situation.
With this goal in mind, a summit meeting is held with the Soviet Union. The NATO proposal is that NATO should annex Epsilon Eridani while the Soviet Union annexes Alpha Centauri. China will be excluded from the agreement and left with Sol's four outer jump points to explore. Well aware that the Soviets may also regard Epsilon Eridani as the better option, the NATO proposal comes with a sweetener. Once the agreement is signed, a NATO Gateway class construction ship will build jump gates between Sol and Alpha Centauri, allowing the Soviets to exploit the system far more quickly than they could if left to their own devices. The Soviet Union has yet to develop jump gate construction technology and is therefore years away from its own construction ships. Jump gates would allow easy access for Soviet commercial shipping and major warships. The gate on the Sol side would even be completed before the first jump-capable Soviet survey ship becomes available. The Soviets ask for time but the Politburo recognizes the obvious advantages of the NATO proposal. While they too believe that Epsilon Eridani is probably the better option, the difference in potential between the two systems is not worth the likelihood of future conflict with NATO should both powers attempt to exploit the same system. In fact, once a geo survey is completed, it may well be that Alpha Centauri represents the better option. Furthermore, the offer of a jump gate built by NATO ships will allow Soviet expansion to proceed far more quickly than previously envisaged. Within a week of the summit meeting the deal is finalised and announced to the world. NATO and Soviet forces immediately move to secure the Sol side of the two jump points.
The Chinese are privately furious but publicly maintain an inscrutable face, commenting only on the unseemly scramble by NATO and the Soviet Union to exploit the resources of unspoiled worlds. Due to their military disadvantage, the Chinese do not entertain any immediate thoughts of trying to force entry into Alpha Centauri or Epsilon Eridani and instead continue with their long term goal of developing genetic modification technology that will allow exploitation of a wider range of environments than will be possible by the other powers. This will allow star systems that appear to be of little value to NATO or the Soviet Union to be annexed and exploited by China without any opposition.
5th September 2027
The People's Republic of China launches two jump-capable Huangwen class gravitational survey corvettes. With a NATO carrier group led by the Independence sat on the Epsilon Eridani jump point and a powerful Soviet task group at the Alpha Centauri jump point, the Chinese have little option but to dispatch the corvettes to explore jump points three through six.
Huangwen class Survey Corvette 2,250 tons 216 Crew 312 BP TCS 45 TH 120 EM 0
2666 km/s JR 3-50 Armour 1-15 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/1/0 Damage Control Rating 2 PPV 0
Annual Failure Rate: 20% IFR: 0.3% Maint Capacity 173 MSP Max Repair 100 MSP Est Time: 3.64 Years
J2250 Military Jump Drive Max Ship Size 2250 tons Distance 50k km Squadron Size 3
Nuclear Pulse Engine (3) Power 40 Fuel Use 90% Signature 40 Armour 0 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 170,000 Litres Range 151.1 billion km (655 days at full power)
Gravitational Survey Sensors (1) 1 Survey Points Per Hour17th November 2027
China completes construction of two jump-capable Jinan class geological survey ships. These are the only geosurvey ships in service with any of the three powers and will give the Chinese an early advantage in the search for extra-solar minerals. Three NATO Discovery class geosurvey ships are due to be launched in March 2028, while a pair of Soviet Project 1216 Molchanov class survey ships are scheduled for completion one month later. The two Jinans head for the Bernard's Star system, where the two Chinese Huangwens are carrying out a gravitational survey.
7th January 2028
The two NATO Gateway class construction ships complete work on the Sol - Alpha Centauri and Sol - Epsilon Eridani jump gates. Both ships enter their respective systems and begin work on jump gates on the far side of the jump points. The three Soviet Project 1214 'Kamenka' gravitational survey ships head for newly built gate in order to enter Alpha Centauri and begin a survey.
In Epsilon Eridani, the construction ship has been working for several hours when it detect an active sensor at a distance of fifteen million kilometers heading straight for its position. Unfortunately, there is no way for the Gateway to transit back into Sol without a jump gate and construction will require another 124 days. Additional ships could transit into the system from Sol if they knew there was a problem but NATO's focus is on preventing other human powers from entering Epsilon Eridani. The only other NATO vessel in Epsilon Eridani is Intrepid, which is carrying out a gravitational survey and is currently more than three billion kilometers from the Sol jump point.
The initial assumption is that the active sensor is from a previously unknown jump-capable Soviet or Chinese spacecraft that entered Epsilon Eridani without being detected. Intrepid, still under the command of Captain Quinn Manard, abandons its survey and heads for the jump point so a warning can be carried into Sol. Lieutenant Commander Hendrik Schanze, commanding the construction ship, continues with his mission of building a jump gate and awaits further information on the unknown ship. The first suspicion that something out of the ordinary is happening arises when the rate of approach of the active sensor is calculated at 6976 km/s, far faster than any known spacecraft larger than a fighter. Once it moves within 400,000 kilometers, a thermal signature of 900 is detected by the limited sensors of the Gateway, which confirms it is definitely not a fighter. Lieutenant Commander Schanze hails the unknown ship and requests identification. The reply is two strength-12 hits from some form of energy weapon. The construction ship is shaken to its keel but somehow survives. Schanze sends a warning to Intrepid and orders his crew to the life pods. Twenty-five seconds later, a second volley blasts the Gateway into tiny pieces. The Lieutenant Commander and one hundred and seventy-nine of his crew make it to the pods. Six hundred bodies remain behind in the wreckage.
to be continued...
