Author Topic: The Thirteenth of May  (Read 3865 times)

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Offline Theodidactus (OP)

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The Thirteenth of May
« on: June 15, 2014, 11:42:43 PM »
[ooc]All in All I'm happy with how this turned out though it was much more complex and time consuming than I initially imagined. As is usual in these situations, things happened which prevented me from doing hobby work. My aurora campaign is no considerably more interesting but substantially messier, given the damage you all have wrecked upon my mightiest fleets.[/ooc]

A report prepared by Lt. Co. Jennifer Charleton to be delivered to Taylor Storey, Admiral of the 4th Fleet and Knight of the 12 Worlds
Delivered 13th May, 2142 at 00:14

In my capacity as Intelligence officer of the Fourth Fleet, it is my duty to inform you of the events of the day. Wormhole drones are still delivering periodic updates and as we are behind enemy lines in deep Ophiuchian space, intelligence will be even spottier than usual. Still, here is what we know for sure.

The fighting broke out at about 13:20 yesterday, though I understand the initial attack wave coincided almost exactly with the death of the Concordant. We can absolutely confirm that he is dead. Photographs were taken sometime before the destruction of the Raphael to that effect. The initial attack wave of interceptors and photon bombers damaged the light carriers of the command fleet, preventing fighter counterattacks. Conflicting orders paralyzed several large battle groups for about 3 minutes until both sides began exchanging cobalt torpedo fire nearly simultaneously. We have almost no good intelligence for the next three minutes. Several escort craft and laser frigates were severely crippled or destroyed, and the Coronado, which seems to have been the origin point of the rebellion, was presumed destroyed from a barrage of long ranged Polaris Missiles fired from the James Madison and significant torpedo hits to its fusion channels.

Initially elements of the command fleet were confident they could win the engagement due to superior craft under their control, but Griffiths and the cadre of officers under his command carried out a series of rather brilliant missile attacks on the command fleet's light destroyers, which significantly cut down on their readiness during the second round of torpedo fire.

The five minute self-destruct sequence aboard the Raphael was initiated at 13:26, at the authorization of Admiral Griffiths himself. It appears that the Discord's intention was never to hold the Raphael, but rather to disable the central organs of government and move on. It would have only been possible with the cooperation of one Duke, but we may never know which. Casualties aboard the Raphael were not nearly as high as they could have been, given the circumstances, 60-70 dead in in the initial uprising and another dozen or so killed when they were unable to make it to a life support pod before the reactor blew. Both of Franca's dukes are missing, presumed dead. In the crossfire, 2 light cruisers under Griffiths' command were able to penetrate the command fleet and pluck several life pods from the wreckage of the Raphael, including Admiral Griffiths and the nucleus of his rebellion. He is safe on the surface of Monticello as of 17:21 this evening...

Significant fighting in the Epsilon Eridani system concluded at about 13:35, with both sides sustaining heavy damage. The Coronado was able to effect significant repairs in the heat of battle and steam for Monticello, along with the remains of Griffth's fleet, We estimate the rebels still have a light cruiser, a destroyer escort, and one badly damaged carrier shielded from missile fire behind Monticello. Despite superior craft, the Command fleet and the loyal remnants decided to break for the Sol jump point rather than risk photonic antiship fire from the surface, It's still unknown whether Griffiths controls these planetary defense centers.

The uprising cannot properly be termed a success or a failure: While critical command and control functions necessary for the continuation of the concordance are all but destroyed, the planetary uprisings Griffiths appears to have counted on to cement his power did not manifest. He remains in control of 2/3rds of the Monticellan surface but his forces on Earth appear to be significantly outnumbered. Still, the fighting on both worlds is likely catastrophic, or will become so soon. The death toll could climb into the millions in the next few days. Griffiths did not seem to have counted on such steep initial resistance, rather critically, he seemed to have anticipated colonial guard laser frigates would have stood down, and the James Madison would have defected to his side, in the initial moments of the battle.

At present, here is what we know about the order of battle on both worlds where significant fighting has broken out:

Monticello:

Concordance Forces:
- 1 Garrison force protecting the Isthmus of Debuchy

Discordant Forces:
- 1 Mountaneer strike force massing at the southern extent of the Isthmus of Debuchy
- 1 Garrison force subduing or already controlling planetary defense centers around the Port of Kings
Forces loyal to Griffiths appear to control all major satellite, microwave, and ground communications, as well as the planetwide light rail and power generation infrastructure. They have blockaded all sanctioned spaceports. The planet is effectively closed to merchant traffic from planets that do not recognize Griffiths as "Supreme Commander." The economic damage this inflicts could be catastrophic in the months ahead and many actually cause a defection or two unless the blockade can be broken.
 
Earth

Concordance Forces:
- 1 Garrison Brigade (4 garrison battalions) holding Central Armenia
- 1 Garrison Brigade (4 garrison battalions) Holding Egypt and the Sinai
- 1 Special forces bridgade (2 marine battalions and a engineering battalion) at Mccord Airforce base, awaiting deployment to europe
- 1 Combat infantry brigade (1 assault infantry battalion and 3 mobile infantry battalions) mobilizing in the Sudan
- 1 Combat infantry brigade (1 assault infantry battalion and 3 mobile infantry battalions) mobilizing in Afghanistan
- 1 combat infantry brigade (1 assault infantry battalion and 3 mobile infantry battalions) mobilizing in russia
- 1 combat infantry brigade (1 assault infantry battalion and 3 mobile infantry battalions) mobilizing in outer mongolia
- 1 heavy assault brigade (4 heavy assault battalions) loading on troop transports in brazil
Central asian and south american forces seem most loyal to the Concordant, which makes sense given his nationality and political ties. The openly rebellious states seem confined to central and norther Europe, though there is always the possibility that the united states or Russia may switch sides...

Discord Forces:
- 1 Garrison Brigade (4 garrison battalions) holding france and western germany.
- 1 Heavy assault battalion (4 heavy assault battalions) massing near the caucuses for an attack on the central spaceport facilities in Armenia
- A mobile infantry battalion and scattered replacement battalions mobilizing in southern europe.

The Discord appears to be massively outnumbered but they are moving rapidly to secure the earth-based infrastructure underpinning the spaceworks of the first fleet. The First fleet is the largest and most powerful spacefleet but has been dry docked for repairs. Whoever can mobilize that fleet will effectively control Terran space, making the ground war irrelevant. Best estimates say that the First Fleet will not be spaceworthy for at least a month, perhaps two. Longer if supply lines to the spacedocks are cut.




As the situation stands, the second fleet appears to be completely crushed. While they maintain control of the space within low orbit of Monticello, their craft are all severely damaged and low on missiles and fuel. The command staff of the second fleet has been migrated to the surface and taken up new command duties. The command core of the Rebellion appears to still be Admiral Griffiths, Mark Hutchinson, Andre Rochat, and Luciana Tourinho, who are coordinating the rebellion from a garrison command post near the Sea of Calmar.

The loyal remnants of the second fleet and the command fleet has withdrawn to the Sol Jump Point, with the exception of the Missile Cruiser group centered on the James Madison, which is effectively besieging the planet. Its long ranged missiles will be able to destroy anything larger than 1000 tons that leaves low orbit. The group is operating under the immediate command of Colonial Guard commander Stephen Humphries  and the Captain of the James Madison Du Quian E.   Lt. Co. Renee Claude has already received an official UN commendation for her heroic fighting aboard the Raphael.

As far as is known, the man who killed the Concordant was a low level attache of a monticellan politician. He was killed in the initial phase of the uprising, along with Dr. Nathan French, Dr.  Alexander Peacock, and  Lt. Co. Gregoire de Saint Pierre. Currently, Concordance spaceforce activities have reverted to the command of Admiral Kate Watson of the Shipyard Fleets, though she is standing by to surrender all active concordance starships to the authority of Franca's chosen successor, who was delegated emergency powers by four of the five sitting admirals about an hour ago. You, of course, could not be counted on to vote, having just been  informed of this now.

Power will likely formally revert to this individual within the next 24 hours. They have been charged with the mission of re-uniting Terran space and restoring the former power of the Concordance...

which brings me to the next and most critical part of the briefing....
« Last Edit: June 16, 2014, 01:13:55 AM by Theodidactus »
My Theodidactus, now I see that you are excessively simple of mind and more gullible than most. The Crystal Sphere you seek cannot be found in nature, look about you...wander the whole cosmos, and you will find nothing but the clear sweet breezes of the great ethereal ocean enclosed not by any bound
 

Offline Theodidactus (OP)

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Re: The Thirteenth of May
« Reply #1 on: June 18, 2014, 09:07:25 AM »
Update:

Assault troops of Earth nations loyal to the Discord of Monticello have commenced a ground assault on garrisons in Armenia protecting the primary United Nations spacecraft construction facilities. Gyumri has fallen to hovertank battalions, resulting in approximately 25,000 civilian casualties. Infantry battalions of the united nations have mobilized to counterattack but the old RUSSO confederacy has delayed in deploying its heavy artillery, likely for political reasons.

Loyalist Garrisons on Monticello are slowly but steadily being overwhelmed.

Admiral Taylor Storey of the Fourth Fleet has been named concordant and granted emergency powers, as per the final orders of Gabriel Franca. He has yet to officially assume the station. At last word his badly damaged fleet was steaming toward the border between Ophiuchian and Terran space, in order to reach earth in time to assume command of the First Fleet and restore order, but the whereabouts of his fleet are presently unknown...
My Theodidactus, now I see that you are excessively simple of mind and more gullible than most. The Crystal Sphere you seek cannot be found in nature, look about you...wander the whole cosmos, and you will find nothing but the clear sweet breezes of the great ethereal ocean enclosed not by any bound
 

Offline Theodidactus (OP)

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Re: The Thirteenth of May
« Reply #2 on: June 19, 2014, 10:13:56 PM »
May 20th...

The ground offensive on earth has been stopped approximately 60 miles from the primary UN spaceworks. An estimated 50,000 more armenians have died in the evacuation, more due to exposure, disease, and unrest than collateral damage.

A United Nations Peacekeeping force has crossed the Pyrenees into france, but are making very little progress against heavily fortified french garrisons loyal to the discord.

Fighting on Monticello has come to a draw in the dense jungles of the Isthmus of Debuchy, but Admiral Kyle Griffiths remains in control of almost all other parts of the planet.   Some aspects of Monticellan life are resuming: battle did not come to the big cities, and planetwide commerce is resuming. Discordant forces fired upon to Long Inc. ships suspected of bringing resistance fighters to monticello but otherwise civilian craft have been permitted to come and go.

The Freeside colonies on distant Teegarten's star, the most remote and distant outpost of humanity, have declared independence, though they are not siding with Admiral Griffiths and are remaining ostensibly neutral. The planet has almost nothing of value expect for the ruins of an ancient race, long dead.

Admiral Storey has accepted the role of Concordant of the 12 worlds, but issued no orders as of yet. His badly damaged fleet is stationed at the jump point to barnard's star. It is unknown when, or if, he will be making the jump into Terran space. His fleet would be threatened by even a comparatively small fighting force, and he has yet to work out who he can trust, if anyone...
My Theodidactus, now I see that you are excessively simple of mind and more gullible than most. The Crystal Sphere you seek cannot be found in nature, look about you...wander the whole cosmos, and you will find nothing but the clear sweet breezes of the great ethereal ocean enclosed not by any bound
 

Offline Theodidactus (OP)

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Re: The Thirteenth of May
« Reply #3 on: June 19, 2014, 11:34:06 PM »
May 25th...

Storey's flagship, the Sun Yat Sen, registered on Solar Tracking Stations on May 25th. Several hours later, he broadcast several orders, including

- a rather decisive order calling for the resignation of virtually all high level officers that could remotely be connected with the Discord of Monticello, all those who resign are to receive honorable discharge. This action was done largely to avoid lengthy trails and intrigues which would further divide humanity

- Cmdr. Stephen Humphries and Lt. Cmdr. Renee Claude are to be knighted for their services to humanity.

- all Discordant forces are to lay down arms and abandon ships.


One day later, the first two orders have been carried out. Two thirds of all high ranking officers have been removed from office.

on Earth, battle lines have not moved, but Discordant forces have captured critical fabrication facilities around the black sea. Batumi and various other Turkish cities have been shelled directly by EU defectors, resulting in 75,000 casualties in several days alone. The war shows no signs of stopping, and russia has not moved.

In the depths of space, Storey appears to be assembling a new command staff, and making battle plans...
« Last Edit: June 20, 2014, 01:50:24 AM by Theodidactus »
My Theodidactus, now I see that you are excessively simple of mind and more gullible than most. The Crystal Sphere you seek cannot be found in nature, look about you...wander the whole cosmos, and you will find nothing but the clear sweet breezes of the great ethereal ocean enclosed not by any bound
 

Offline Theodidactus (OP)

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Re: The Thirteenth of May
« Reply #4 on: June 20, 2014, 12:02:29 AM »
May 30th...

United Nations forces continue to attempt to push into france, encountering heavy resistance and incurring severe casualties. In Armenia, both sides have withdrawn from nearly 2 weeks of intense fighting, and the battle has shifted to the skies over turkey. While peripheral space fabrication and refueling facilities have been destroyed, the grounded first fleet now seems to stand little chance of being captured. Storey has ordered the first fleet to be launched by June 15th, and has ordered the comparatively small third fleet from Proxima Centauri to earth orbit, presumably, to crush the Discord of Monticello once and for all. For the first time in two weeks, there appears to be some sense of certainty. The discord has almost certainly lost. However, they show no signs of surrendering...
My Theodidactus, now I see that you are excessively simple of mind and more gullible than most. The Crystal Sphere you seek cannot be found in nature, look about you...wander the whole cosmos, and you will find nothing but the clear sweet breezes of the great ethereal ocean enclosed not by any bound
 

Offline Theodidactus (OP)

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Re: The Thirteenth of May
« Reply #5 on: June 20, 2014, 10:28:28 AM »
June 25th...

United Nations forces have overwhelmed garrisons in France and Belgium, the ground war on Earth appears to have been decided. The Discord now stands no chance of capturing anything of value. Massive fuel refineries in Turkey, Crimea, and Bulgaria have been destroyed by retreating forces of the Discordant nations, precipitating a fuel crisis for the fleets of the new concordant, now converging at earth. The old fleet system has been disbanded and a massive military reorganization is in effect.

Governors on Earth, Mars, and Euphrates have given Concordant Storey control of their ground forces, and martial law is in effect on every world except Monticello, where discordant forces continue to maintain control of 80% of the planet's surface.

on June 26th, The third fleet's carrier group is sited by Monticellan deep space tracking stations...
My Theodidactus, now I see that you are excessively simple of mind and more gullible than most. The Crystal Sphere you seek cannot be found in nature, look about you...wander the whole cosmos, and you will find nothing but the clear sweet breezes of the great ethereal ocean enclosed not by any bound
 

Offline Theodidactus (OP)

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Re: The Thirteenth of May
« Reply #6 on: June 21, 2014, 02:14:23 PM »
July 2nd:

After a decisive fighter skirmish among the moons of Aconcagua, the third fleet has triumphed over the offensive arm of the discord of Monticello. Following a tense night where cobalt torpedos were targeted within miles of Monticello's largest cities, "Supreme Commander" Griffiths has given the order to lay down arms. Many of his closest supporters have vanished without a trace, but he has remained in a largely abandoned garrison along the Sea of Calmar to await arrest and trial. The discord has ended. While failing to accomplish their goals, they seem to have forced the installation of a much more moderate ruler.

At 13:21 on July 3rd, Concordant Taylor Storey issued specific orders to suspend martial law on all 12 worlds, continuing the Concordance tradition of not controlling the ground, but rather terran space. Every indication suggests he is a tolerant and reasonable man who is intent on protecting the systems he has now inherited.Now, the next chapter of the concordance begins...
My Theodidactus, now I see that you are excessively simple of mind and more gullible than most. The Crystal Sphere you seek cannot be found in nature, look about you...wander the whole cosmos, and you will find nothing but the clear sweet breezes of the great ethereal ocean enclosed not by any bound
 

Offline JacenHan

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Re: The Thirteenth of May
« Reply #7 on: June 21, 2014, 02:24:21 PM »
We won! Sort of. Discord has been defeated, but Franco is dead and a large chunk of the fleet has been destroyed. Looking forward to future updates on the Concordance.
« Last Edit: June 21, 2014, 08:51:14 PM by JacenHan »
 

Offline Theodidactus (OP)

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Re: The Thirteenth of May
« Reply #8 on: June 21, 2014, 02:34:41 PM »
Currently, the fleets are regrouping and undergoing massive reorganization on earth. Ships are going to be upgraded and new ships will be built, but there were minor fuel and mineral shortages before which have now become  critical, and Storey has recently eschewed the option of taking over worlds and forcing them to cooperate. In doing this, he's secured the goodwill of most surface-based citizens, but this forces him to make enemies of the largest spacefaring corporations, as he'll be taking an even larger percentage of their fuel in exchange for the protection his fleets afford.
My Theodidactus, now I see that you are excessively simple of mind and more gullible than most. The Crystal Sphere you seek cannot be found in nature, look about you...wander the whole cosmos, and you will find nothing but the clear sweet breezes of the great ethereal ocean enclosed not by any bound
 

Offline Theodidactus (OP)

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Re: The Thirteenth of May
« Reply #9 on: November 01, 2014, 06:01:07 PM »
10 years later...May 12th, 2152

Alexander Peacock, Nathan French, and Andre Rochat: were never found. Rumors circulate that they were either killed in the battle aboard the Raphael, spaced when it self destructed, or fled into the jungles of Monticello following the collapse of the Monticellan Discord.

Former Admiral Kyle Griffiths along with three other high-level officers implicated in the coup, was taken to a prison on the distant moon Vadim, where he lived in relative isolation for the remainder of his days. A brief communique issued on August 3rd 2149 stated that he had died and his body was committed to space.

Concordant Taylor Storey served for 10 years of relative peace and nonintervention, protecting terran space from minor alien threats while the worlds in his care were allowed to progress and develop however they saw fit. Toward the end of his term, the Concordance became embroiled in a devastating ground war on the independent colony of Maidensong, where he intervened with the minimum possible civilian casualties in order to protect Maidensongi colonists from cruel corporate oppression. In the midst of the crisis, he retired for health reasons, to be replaced by Concordant Paulina Raya Menendez, a former commodore and line officer, cementing a tradition of promotion from the middle. The Maidensongi crisis shows every sign of having been resolved. For the moment, space is peaceful again. Storey is still alive and has retired to an undisclosed location.

Renee Claude: now a star commander, has lead 2 successful xenology operations to distant worlds, making her among the most seasoned planetary explorers in known space. Her current assignment is coordinating a joint archeological operation with the friendly Commune of Achird which has the potential to at last provide a clear historical record of alien colonization in this section of the galaxy.

Stephen Humphries:, now a commodore, has served with distinction in 2 battles against the semisentient large spaceborn lifeforms known only as The Elders. his current assignment, handed down just days ago, is the command of Starfleet Delta's Carrier group in orbit of Monticello, the planet he faithfully defended a decade ago. Rumor is that he is highly favored among the admiralty and may be concordant himself someday.

The Counterattack... by the hostile aliens known as the Enlightened Lords of Ophiuchi, the entire reason this coup was carried out in the first place, never arrived at all...
My Theodidactus, now I see that you are excessively simple of mind and more gullible than most. The Crystal Sphere you seek cannot be found in nature, look about you...wander the whole cosmos, and you will find nothing but the clear sweet breezes of the great ethereal ocean enclosed not by any bound