Race to the Stars CampaignThis is a v6.40 test campaign, specifically to test the new Truce Countdown feature, The only player race in Sol in this game is the Colonial Alliance. The other five are all NPRs. Because this is a test campaign the background is fairly briefThe discovery of trans-Newtonian physics in 2020 led to a new period of global tension as every major nation rushed to take advantage of the new technology, both in industrial and military terms. The destabilising effect of the new technology, combined with the growth of new powers such as India and Brazil, resulted in the formation of several different alliances and power blocs, returning the world to a situation similar to that before World War I with a number of competing great powers. With space likely to be the next great battlefield, each of the powers constructed warships to defend their interests. By 2029 the existence of jump points was theorised and every alliance built both geological and gravitational survey ships in the hope of finding new worlds and new resources before Earth’s limited trans-Newtonian minerals ran out. The Race to the Stars had begun.
Colonial AllianceLed by the United States, the nations of the Colonial Alliance believe that it is only a matter of time before tensions in the Sol system explode into open warfare. Given the massively destructive power of trans-Newtonian weapons, they believe their only option is to establish viable off-world colonies that can survive the inevitable conflict. Other members include Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand and the United Kingdom plus several smaller countries. Total Population is 800m.
The other powers are as follows:
• People’s Republic of China: Population 1600m. Industry/Wealth 40%
• European Union: Population 600m. Industry/Wealth 100%
• Indo-Russian Alliance: Population 1500m. Industry/Wealth 40%
• Union of South American Nations: Population 600m. Industry/Wealth 40%
• Islamic Alliance: Population 1500m. Industry/Wealth 20%
Game Setup TN start. 2 NPRs (plus Sol system NPRs). 150% difficulty. Truce Clock 15 years.
Colonial Alliance: 32 Research Facilities, 1280 Factories, 640 Mines, 128 Auto-mines, 6 Shipyards (57,000 Naval, 126,000 Commercial)
Earth Mineral SurveyDuranium 716,480 Acc: 0.9
Neutronium 273,120 Acc: 1
Corbomite 175,760 Acc: 0.8
Tritanium 339,920 Acc: 0.3
Boronide 259,120 Acc: 0.7
Mercassium 264,400 Acc: 0.8
Vendarite 128,160 Acc: 0.6
Sorium 402,720 Acc: 0.8
Uridium 254,800 Acc: 0.4
Corundium 348,640 Acc: 0.6
Gallicite 239,760 Acc: 0.5
Colonial FleetThe three destroyers of the Lexington class, Lexington, Invincible and Kagero, are the only warships of the Colonial Alliance in January 2030. It is a bare bones ship, designed around eight Zapata Missile Systems Z4-40 Guided Missile Launch Systems and their accompanying magazine space. With no anti-missile escorts available, the Lexingtons will use their long-range RGM-1A Sabre anti-ship missiles to strike at enemy forces while remaining out of hostile missile range. The strategic planners of the Alliance believe that many additional ships will be required to survive the predicted war.
Lexington class Destroyer 9,000 tons 219 Crew 1306.16 BP TCS 180 TH 720 EM 0
4000 km/s Armour 5-38 Shields 0-0 Sensors 5/11/0/0 Damage Control Rating 4 PPV 32
Maint Life 2.42 Years MSP 363 AFR 162% IFR 2.2% 1YR 85 5YR 1278 Max Repair 126 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months Spare Berths 1
Magazine 464
Rolls Royce RR-180 Military Engine (4) Power 180 Fuel Use 59.5% Signature 180 Exp 10%
Fuel Capacity 590,000 Litres Range 19.8 billion km (57 days at full power)
Zapata Missile Systems Z4-40 GMLS (8) Missile Size 4 Rate of Fire 40
Koyama-Yoshimatsu CN/SPG-6 Missile Fire Control (1) Range 151.8m km Resolution 120
RGM-1A Sabre (116) Speed: 28,800 km/s End: 84.5m Range: 146m km WH: 4 Size: 4 TH: 96/57/28
Austin-Kennedy Aerospace CN/SPS-2 Active Search Sensor (1) GPS 15120 Range 151.8m km Resolution 120
Killeen-Gravelle CN/SQR-12 Thermal Sensor (1) Sensitivity 5 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 5m km
Killeen-Gravelle CN/SLR-11 EM Detection Sensor (1) Sensitivity 11 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 11m kmA single Cheyenne class PDC provides security and early warning for Earth. Its huge SN/SPY-4 Area Surveillance Array can detect ships out to the far edge of the asteroid belt while thirty Z8-40 GMLS can launch the deadly BDM-2A Scimitar against targets throughout the inner system. Two full brigades of ground troops can shelter behind its formidable armour.
Cheyenne class Planetary Defence Centre 82,300 tons 937 Crew 5162.2 BP TCS 1646 TH 0 EM 0
Armour 15-168 Sensors 1/420 Damage Control Rating 0 PPV 240
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months Spare Berths 2
Troop Capacity: 20 Battalions Magazine 2160
Zapata Missile Systems Z8-40 GMLS (30) Missile Size 8 Rate of Fire 40
Koyama-Yoshimatsu CN/SPG-7 Missile Fire Control (2) Range 227.7m km Resolution 120
BDM-2A Scimitar (270) Speed: 27,000 km/s End: 144.2m Range: 233.7m km WH: 9 Size: 8 TH: 90/54/27
Austin-Kennedy Aerospace SN/SPY-4 Area Surveillance Array (1) GPS 50400 Range 506.1m km Resolution 120The Columbia class gravitational survey vessel is designed for long-term deep space operations, seeking out systems with potential colony sites that might provide a safe haven from the expected apocalyptic war. The Columbia relies on its powerful sensor suite for defence, using it to avoid contact with potentially hostile spacecraft. Two ships are in service; Columbia and Discovery.
Columbia class Gravitational Survey Vessel 7,500 tons 193 Crew 1141.275 BP TCS 150 TH 405 EM 0
2700 km/s JR 3-50 Armour 1-34 Shields 0-0 Sensors 20/55/3/0 Damage Control Rating 9 PPV 0
Maint Life 7.39 Years MSP 856 AFR 50% IFR 0.7% 1YR 28 5YR 413 Max Repair 126 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 60 months Spare Berths 1
Woodward-Ferguson WF-75 Military Jump Drive Max Ship Size 7500 tons Distance 50k km Squadron Size 3
Rolls Royce RR-135E Military Engine (3) Power 135 Fuel Use 28.98% Signature 135 Exp 7%
Fuel Capacity 1,000,000 Litres Range 82.8 billion km (355 days at full power)
Austin-Kennedy Aerospace CN/SPS-2 Active Search Sensor (1) GPS 15120 Range 151.8m km Resolution 120
Killeen-Gravelle CM/SQR-15 Thermal Sensor (1) Sensitivity 20 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 20m km
Killeen-Gravelle CN/SLR-9 EM Detection Sensor (1) Sensitivity 55 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 55m km
Gravitational Survey Sensors (3) 3 Survey Points Per HourThe Nebula class is a smaller sister to the Columbia, designed to carry out geological surveys within relatively safe space. Two ships are in service on January 1st 2030; Nebula and Pulsar.
Nebula class Geological Survey Vessel 5,000 tons 125 Crew 800.65 BP TCS 100 TH 270 EM 0
2700 km/s JR 3-50 Armour 1-26 Shields 0-0 Sensors 5/33/0/3 Damage Control Rating 4 PPV 0
Maint Life 5.07 Years MSP 400 AFR 50% IFR 0.7% 1YR 26 5YR 389 Max Repair 100 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 48 months Spare Berths 0
Woodward-Ferguson WF-50 Military Jump Drive Max Ship Size 5100 tons Distance 50k km Squadron Size 3
Rolls Royce RR-135E Military Engine (2) Power 135 Fuel Use 28.98% Signature 135 Exp 7%
Fuel Capacity 650,000 Litres Range 80.7 billion km (346 days at full power)
Austin-Kennedy Aerospace CN/SPS-1 Active Search Sensor (1) GPS 7560 Range 75.9m km Resolution 120
Killeen-Gravelle CM/SQR-12 Thermal Sensor (1) Sensitivity 5 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 5m km
Killeen-Gravelle CN/SLR-10 EM Detection Sensor (1) Sensitivity 33 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 33m km
Geological Survey Sensors (3) 3 Survey Points Per HourA single Liberty class freighter and a single Conestoga class colony ship are in service.
Liberty class Freighter 41,800 tons 199 Crew 787.2 BP TCS 836 TH 1800 EM 0
2153 km/s Armour 1-107 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/11/0/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
MSP 12 Max Repair 75 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months Spare Berths 2
Cargo 25000 Cargo Handling Multiplier 15
Graciano-Vandewater GV300 Commercial Ion Drive (6) Power 300 Fuel Use 6.19% Signature 300 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 300,000 Litres Range 20.9 billion km (112 days at full power)
Austin-Kennedy Aerospace CN/SPN-5 Navigation Sensor (1) GPS 2520 Range 25.3m km Resolution 120
Killeen-Gravelle CN/SLR-11 EM Detection Sensor (1) Sensitivity 11 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 11m kmConestoga class Colony Ship 29,200 tons 244 Crew 1227.8 BP TCS 584 TH 1800 EM 0
3082 km/s Armour 1-84 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/11/0/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
MSP 26 Max Repair 75 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months Spare Berths 2
Cryogenic Berths 50000 Cargo Handling Multiplier 15
Graciano-Vandewater GV300 Commercial Ion Drive (6) Power 300 Fuel Use 6.19% Signature 300 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 300,000 Litres Range 29.9 billion km (112 days at full power)
Austin-Kennedy Aerospace CN/SPN-5 Navigation Sensor (1) GPS 2520 Range 25.3m km Resolution 120
Killeen-Gravelle CN/SLR-11 EM Detection Sensor (1) Sensitivity 11 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 11m kmGround Forces9x Mobile Infantry Battalion
9x Garrison Battalion
2x Replacement Battalion
History of the Colonial AllianceJanuary 1st 2030The two Columbia class gravitational survey vessels and the two Nebula class geological survey ships begin their survey of the Sol system while the three Lexingtons begin a fleet training exercise. The Cheyenne engages its active sensor to maintain a watch on the inner system. In Earth orbit, the BAE Systems shipyard completes retooling to a new design, the 6750 ton Spruance class destroyer escort, and lays down the first two units. In the other five shipyards a total of eight new ships are under construction, comprising two destroyers, three survey ships, two freighters and a colony ship.
8th January 2030A geological survey of Mars is completed, revealing substantial accessible deposits of Duranium and Mercassium, plus less accessible deposits of Corbomite and Vendarite. A geological survey team is dispatched to the planet in search of additional mineral deposits.
Mars Survey ReportDuranium 3,516,552 Acc: 0.8
Corbomite 374,544 Acc: 0.1
Mercassium 1,183,744 Acc: 0.9
Vendarite 2,137,444 Acc: 0.3
16th January 2030The location of Sol’s first jump point is pinpointed between the asteroid belt and Jupiter at roughly the nine o’clock position (when viewed from above the Sol system). CFS Discovery is diverted from her survey mission to investigate. She enters the jump point six days later and emerges one point eight billion kilometres from the red dwarf star Lalande 21185. Seven planets orbit the star, including four gas giants and three terrestrial worlds, one of which is slightly smaller than Earth and has a nitrogen-oxygen atmosphere. While the pressure is only 0.28 atm and the oxygen is insufficient at 0.06 atm to make the atmosphere breathable, the gravity of 0.84G and surface temperature of -19C make this an excellent terraforming candidate. Unfortunately, for the moment there is no way to get terraformers or colonists out of the Sol system. Despite this, Discovery heads for the planet to check that it is not already inhabited by an alien civilization. While this is highly unlikely, it is better for Discovery to confirm the absence of aliens at long range than for the first colony ship to arrive unprepared.
18th January 2030The Colonial Alliance establishes a small colony of 50,000 settlers on Mars. Meanwhile, Colonial sensors have detected a small European Union colony on Earth’s moon.
30th January 2030Discovery reaches Lalande II without incident. After reporting back to Colonial Alliance Command on Earth, she begins s survey of the Lalande system, leaving Sol to CFS Columbia.
1st May 2030Surveys of Jupiter and Saturn have not revealed any deposits of Sorium in the atmosphere. It has been theorised by Colonial scientists that such deposits might exist and could be extracted from the gas giants by orbiting fuel harvesters. Long-term fuel supplies are a major concern for the Alliance.
16th May 2030A civilian mining colony is established on comet Wolf-Harrington. The Quance Container Company, a recently formed civilian shipping line, has launched three freighters so far this year and is shipping infrastructure to Mars to support the new colony.
9th June 2030Almost a million tons of accessibility 1.0 Sorium are discovered in the atmosphere of Neptune.
24th July 2030A second jump point is found in Sol, just outside the orbit of Uranus at one o’clock. CFS Columbia moves to investigate and discovers the Barnard’s Star system, which has thirteen planets, six of them gas giants, and almost one hundred and fifty moons orbiting a red dwarf star. The second planet has an atmosphere that is close to breathable but a surface temperature of -83C, giving it a colony cost of 3.04 on the Cornelius Scale. Columbia sets course for the inner system.
1st August 2030The following is a report on the known forces of the European Union. Given the number and size of the units with resolution 1 active sensors, the EU appears to have formidable anti-missile defences. With only three Colonial destroyers in service plus the Cheyenne class PDC it seems unlikely that the Alliance would be able to overwhelm European defences. In fact, the sheer size and number of EU warships is causing severe concern for the Colonial Fleet. On the positive side the overall speed of European ships and the power of their active emissions suggest the Colonial Alliance has the edge in engine and sensor technology.
Intelligence Report: European Union (sensors are shown as resolution / estimated range)
4x Courbet class: 19,200 tons. Sensor 1/1. No movement out of Earth orbit so could be some form of orbital defence base.
2x Bordelais class: 19,000 tons. Sensor 1/1. No movement out of Earth orbit so could be some form of orbital defence base.
1x Duguay-Trouins: 9600 tons. 2500 km/s. Sensor 1/1. Assumed to be some form of anti-missile escort.
3x Foch: 9600 tons. 2500 km/s. Sensor 1/1. Assumed to be some form of anti-missile escort.
1x Suffren: 9600 tons. 2500 km/s. Sensor 1/1. Assumed to be some form of anti-missile escort.
2x Montcalm: 19,200 tons. 2500 km/s. Sensor 1/1. Assumed to be some form of anti-missile escort.
3x Clemenceau: 34,200 tons. 1314 km/s. No Active Sensor. Possibly Freighter.
3x Richelieu: 21,550 tons. 2088 km/s. No Active Sensor. Possibly Colony Ship.
1x Gloire: 2500 tons. 2120 km/s. No Active Sensor. Possibly Survey Ship.
1x Dunkerque: 9600 tons. 2500 km/s. Sensor 20/20. Assumed to be warship – possibly FAC-killer.
1x Saphir: 9600 tons. 2500 km/s. Sensor 64/10 and 4/3. Assumed to be warship – possibly Fighter-killer.
1x Surcouf: 19,200 tons. 2500 km/s. Sensor 64/92. Assumed to be large warship.
1x Le Terrible: 9600 tons. 2500 km/s. Sensor 64/61. Assumed to be medium warship.
1x Le Redoutable: 9600 tons. 2500 km/s. Sensor 20/20 and 64/92. Assumed to be large warship.
2x Bisson: 3950 tons. 2670 km/s. No Sensors. Possibly survey ship
5x Pegasus: 950 tons. 4736 km/s. Sensor 64/10. Assumed to be fast attack craft.
Shipyard Complex: 295,000 tons.
Ground Forces: Contact Strength 150
11th August 2030CFS Columbia reaches the inner system of Barnard’s Star without incident. She heads back into Sol while the geological survey ship CFS Nebula is ordered to break off her survey of the Kuiper Belt and begin work in Barnard’s Star.
10th September 2030CFS Columbia enters the third jump point to be discovered in Sol, midway between the orbits of Uranus and Neptune at twelve o’clock, and emerges in the unremarkable system of NN3076, a binary comprising a yellow G0-V primary with four planets and a distant, planetless red dwarf companion. The third planet is has acceptable gravity and surface temperature but lacks any atmosphere at all. Nevertheless, Columbia proceeds in-system to investigate. Because of the potential difficulty in remembering the similar star names used by the major star catalogues, the Colonial Alliance has already decided that any systems with non-mnemonic nomenclature will be renamed after cities of the classical age. NN3076 is therefore re-designated as Athens.
21st September 2030As Columbia moves within eight hundred million kilometres of the Athens primary, she detects an unknown ship at the edge of her one hundred and fifty million kilometre sensor range and approximately sixty degrees to starboard of her course. The 64,800 ton ship is stationary and apparently not reacting to the presence of the Colonial survey ship. As far the crew can determine from the vessel’s signature, it does not belong to one of the six Solarian powers, which leaves an alien ship as the only explanation. Given that the alien is in a system adjacent to Sol, Columbia’s commander, Captain Dawn Bannister, orders her helmsman to immediately reverse course and head for home to warn Colonial Alliance Command. In the meantime she hails the alien in an effort to establish communication before any of the other human powers. There is a response but it is garbled and completely unintelligible.
22nd September 2030An espionage team operating in the People’s Republic of China has learned the technical details of the Chinese Jara anti-ship missile. It is 25% larger than the AGM-1A Sabre and has a speed of 18,700 km/s, range of 81m km and warhead of strength-8. A second espionage team is formed and dispatched to the European Union.
1st October 2030CFS Columbia returns to the Sol system, bringing news of the alien contact in Athens. The members of the Colonial Alliance Command consider warning the other five powers but eventually decide against it on the basis that the information could cause further instability in the Sol system, which would not be a pleasant prospect given the military disadvantages of the Alliance. Besides, if an alien force enters the Sol system the CAC would prefer another power to lead from the front in any engagement.
1st November 2030The following is a report on the known forces of the People’s Republic of China. The ships of the PRC are generally faster than those of the European Union, although still slower than Colonial Alliance designs. and have much longer-ranged sensors. While there are far fewer anti-missile escorts, the Chinese have five very large warships, five warships of similar size to the Lexingtons and five fast attack craft; a formidable force. The largest Chinese ship, the 63,000 ton Kaifeng, is currently stationed on the Sol – Lalande jump point so may be a jump gate construction ship, something which is beyond current Alliance technology. Several Chinese ships have been detected in the Lalande system so they are already operating outside of the Sol system.
Intelligence Report: People’s Republic of China (sensors are shown as resolution / estimated range)
2x Zhanjiang class: 18,200 tons. Sensor 1/2. No observed movement out of Earth orbit. Assumed to be orbital defence base.
2x Jiangwei class: 17,850 tons. Sensor 1/2. No observed movement out of Earth orbit. Assumed to be orbital defence base.
1x Zunyi: 18,400 tons. 3391 km/s. Sensor 1/2. Assumed to be some form of anti-missile escort.
1x Zhuhai: 18,400 tons. 3391 km/s. Sensor 1/2. Assumed to be some form of anti-missile escort.
3x Luhu: 31,500 tons, 952 km/s. No Active Sensor. Possibly Freighter.
1x Houjian: 2600 tons. 1115 km/s. No Active Sensor. Possibly Survey Ship.
3x Luda: 18,850 tons. 1591 km/s. No Active Sensor. Possibly Colony Ship.
2x Xian: 2600 tons. 1653 km/s. No Active Sensor. Possibly Survey Ship.
1x Changsha: 18,400 tons. 3391 km/s. Sensor 81/187. Assumed to be large warship.
2x Xia: 18,400 tons. 3391 km/s. Sensor 81/119. Assumed to be large warship.
2x Huangwen: 18,400 tons. 3391 km/s. Sensors 81/187 and 20/25. Assumed to be large warship.
1x Nanchang: 9200 tons. 3391 km/s. Sensor 81/17 and 4/2. Assumed to be warship – possibly Fighter-killer.
1x Jianghu: 9200 tons. 3391 km/s. Sensor 81/17 and 4/2. Assumed to be warship – possibly Fighter-killer.
2x Xining: 9200 tons. 3391 km/s. Sensor 20/25. Assumed to be warship – possibly FAC-killer.
1x Han: 9200 tons. 3391 km/s. Sensor 81/119. Assumed to be medium warship.
5x Chongqing: 950 tons. 4736 km/s. Sensor 81/17. Assumed to be fast attack craft
1x Kaifeng: 63,000 tons. 952 km/s. No Active Sensor. On Lalande jump point so may be jump gate construction ship
Shipyard Complex: 1,079,000 tons.
Ground Forces: Contact Strength 176
18th November 2030CFS Discovery completes the gravitational survey of Lalande. It is a dead-end system, with no jump points except the one to Sol. Unfortunately that fact eliminates Lalande as a suitable colony site for the Alliance. When the predicted war finally breaks out, the colony upon which the Colonial Alliance will rely for its long-term survival cannot be located in a system with no escape route.
4th December 2031A jump gate has been appeared on the Sol – Lalande jump point, constructed by one of the other powers. Two large ships were detected near the jump point in recent months, one Russian and one Chinese, so either one could have built it.
21st January 2031The survey ship Nebula discovers sixty-seven million tons of accessibility 0.9 Duranium on the ninth moon of Barnard’s Star VI. There are also huge quantities of seven other minerals, although most are accessibility 0.1. Barnard’s Star II, which is colony cost 3.04, also has very large Duranium deposits. While there are ‘only’ twelve million tons at accessibility 0.6, the planet could be terraformed to allow manned mines whereas the moon is colony cost 8.02 and therefore would realistically require automated mines.
1st February 2031The following is a report on the known forces of the Indo-Russian Alliance. The warships of the Indo-Russian Navy (IRN) are similar in speed to those of the European Union and therefore significantly slower than Colonial Alliance designs. In contrast, those ships suspected to be commercial designs appear to be relatively fast in comparison to the other powers. While the IRN appears to have fewer warships than the EU and PRC, the 30,000 ton Slava and Kirov class battleships are far larger than any other warships of the major powers and will make fearsome opponents. The 73,050 ton Sverdlov, is almost certainly a jump gate construction ship. It disappeared from sensors shortly after the gate was constructed on the Sol – Lalande jump point.
Intelligence Report: Indo-Russian Alliance (sensors are shown as resolution / estimated range in millions of km)
2x Borodino class: 19,750 tons. Sensor 1/1. No observed movement out of Earth orbit. Assumed to be orbital defence base.
2x Baku class: 19,850 tons. Sensor 1/1. No observed movement out of Earth orbit. Assumed to be orbital defence base.
1x Osa: 10,000 tons. 2640 km/s. Sensor 1/1. Assumed to be some form of anti-missile escort.
1x Novorossiysk: 10,000 tons. 2640 km/s. Sensor 1/1. Assumed to be some form of anti-missile escort.
1x Kiev: 2600 tons. 1250 km/s. No Active Sensor. Possibly Survey Ship.
3x Krivak: 36,950 tons, 1622 km/s. No Active Sensor. Possibly Freighter.
2x Moskva: 4400 tons. 2045 km/s. No Active Sensor. Possibly Survey Ship.
1x Kirov: 30,000 tons. 2640 km/s. Sensor 67/140. Assumed to be very large warship. Classed as battleship.
1x Slava: 30,000 tons. 2640 km/s. Sensor 67/140 and 20/25. Assumed to be very large warship. Classed as battleship.
1x Sovremenny: 10,000 tons. 2640 km/s. Sensor 67/99 and 20/25. Assumed to be medium warship.
3x Oscar: 10,000 tons. 2640 km/s. Sensor 67/140. Assumed to be medium warship.
1x Sverdlov: 73,050 tons. 1642 km/s. No Active Sensor. High probability this is a jump gate construction ship
3x Udaloy: 24,300 tons. 2469 km/s. No Active Sensor. Possibly Colony Ship.
Shipyard Complex: 755,000 tons.
Ground Forces: Contact Strength 150
21st February 2031CFS Nova, the third Nebula class geological survey vessel, joins the Colonial Fleet.
25th February 2031CFS Columbia finds a fourth jump point in Sol, located midway between the orbits of Neptune and Pluto at approximately ten o’clock. She transits and emerges ten billion kilometres from Sirius, a brilliant A1-V star that is the brightest in Earth’s night sky. The primary is orbited by a white dwarf star at three billion kilometres and eight planets with orbits ranging from three hundred million to seventy-four billion kilometres. Two further planets orbit the white dwarf. A large asteroid belt lies between the fourth and fifth planets with the inner edge at around fifteen billion kilometres and the planets have almost one hundred moons between them. In all, a vast system. The third planet is twice the diameter of Earth and has a thick nitrogen – oxygen atmosphere, gravity of 1.97G, well above human tolerance, and a surface temperature of 170C. While this is hardly a vacation spot, it is possible it could support some form of life so Columbia begins the long voyage to investigate.
16th March 2031CFS Discovery locates two new jump points on the same bearing, around five o’clock. One just inside the orbit of Neptune and the other just inside the orbit of Pluto. The outer of the two jump points leads to HIP 103096, an unremarkable red dwarf system with four gas giants and a single terrestrial world. Neither the rocky planet nor any of the ninety-five moons were even remotely habitable. Of more far more interest than the real estate is the discovery of a jump gate on the far side of the jump point, presumably constructed by an alien race at some point in the past. Given the aliens in the Athens system, now referred to as Athenians, and the discovery of an alien jump gate, it appeared the galaxy is far less empty than had been believed. The jump point is only one hundred and fifty million kilometres from the star so Discovery begins a tour of the planets to check if the gate builders are still in the system. In line with the Alliance’s naming convention, HIP 103096 is renamed as Corinth.
21st March 2031Sixteen million kilometres from Corinth III, CFS Discovery detects a 2000 ton alien ship in orbit of the gas giant. It does not appear to be from one of the human powers and does not have the same signature as the Athenian ship encountered six months previously. Discovery’s commander, Captain Mitchell Adler, is forced to conclude that this ship is from a second alien race, one that will no doubt become known as the Corinthians. He orders an immediate course change toward the jump point so he can warn Earth. Given the size and location of the Corinthian ship, it is most likely a geological survey vessel. As his ship moves away from the gas giant and its moons, Adler hails the alien in an attempt to establish communication.
22nd March 2031CFS Discovery arrives in Sol and delivers her message. The report is a cause for considerable apprehension among the members of the Colonial Alliance Command. Alien vessels are located in two of the systems adjacent to Sol and a third system is a useless cul-de-sac. Even Sirius is too large to be easily exploited. That leaves Barnard’s Star, which has good mineral reserves but limited colony sites, and whatever system lies behind the remaining unexplored jump point. Considering the long-term goal of the Alliance is to establish a large extra-solar colony, the prospects so far are not promising.
29th March 2031CFS Discovery enters the unexplored jump point and arrives in Alpha Centauri, a binary with a G2-V primary, similar to Sol, and an orange K1-V companion orbiting at three point five billion kilometres. Three terrestrial worlds orbit the primary while a gas giant and a dwarf planet orbit the B component. Alpha Centauri-A II is a large high gravity world with an atmosphere that would be breathable if the oxygen content was slightly reduced. The gravity is within the upper limit of human tolerance but the surface temperature is close to 200C. This could be lowered with extensive terraforming but would only be worth it if the planet had substantial mineral deposits. Discovery heads for the inner system to check for signs of life.
1st April 2031Since the initial encounter with the Athenians, Colonial linguists have been working with the records of the communications between CFS Columbia and the alien ship. After months of work they finally achieve a breakthrough. The aliens call themselves the Belasco Commune, not exactly the appellation that some members of the Colonial Alliance Command were hoping would be attached to the first alien race to be encountered. Apart from their name and their apparent desire to communicate, little of tactical or strategic value is learned about the Belasco. Once the Colonial Fleet has increased its strength considerably, the CAC plans to send an armed expedition to carry out further contact and learn more about the Commune’s capabilities. For the moment though the Alliance’s military disadvantages restrict its short-term objectives to staying out of trouble.
4th April 2031CFS Discovery arrives at Alpha Centauri-A II without incident. She heads back to the Sol system to continue her gravitational survey. A day later, CFS Columbia arrives safely at Sirius III. At least these two systems appear to be free of alien ships. Columbia plots a course that will take her two the two innermost worlds, making absolutely sure that Sirius is clear, and then to the Sol jump point.
21st April 2031Atlantis and Endeavour, two new Columbia class gravitational survey vessels, are launched from the BAE Systems shipyard. Both are immediately dispatched to the Barnard’s Star system to begin a new survey.
1st May 2031Two new Lexington class destroyers, Sydney and Iroquois, are launched from the Norfolk Navy Yard.
5th May 2031The following is a report on the known forces of the Islamic Alliance. The Islamic Alliance Navy (IAN) is characterised by smaller and slower warships than the other powers, with an exception in size for the 17,800 ton Joshan class and an exception in speed for the 8900 ton Nahang class. For reasons that are yet to be determined, the Nahang is three times as fast as similarly sized warship classes. For the moment it is being classed as a warship but could possibly be some form of fast scout. IAN survey ships are another exception to the generally slow speed of the Islamic designs and are faster than the Alliance warships. Islamic sensors also appear to be limited with an estimated range of only eighty-six million kilometres for the largest systems. While the IAN appears to be less powerful than the larger European, Russian and Chinese forces, it does possess six suspected orbital defence bases, which will make it a difficult opponent in any engagements close to Earth.
Intelligence Report: Islamic Alliance (sensors are shown as resolution / estimated range in millions of km)
4x Osrick class: 17,550 tons. Sensor 1/1. No observed movement. Assumed to be orbital defence base.
2x Neyzeh class: 17,800 tons. Sensor 1/1. No observed movement. Assumed to be orbital defence base.
3x Falaq: 36,800 tons, 1086 km/s. No Active Sensor. Possibly Freighter.
1x Kalat: 8900 tons. 1438 km/s. Sensor 80/58. Assumed to be medium warship.
1x Khadang: 8900 tons. 1438 km/s. Sensor 80/10 and 4/1. Assumed to be warship – possibly fighter-killer
1x Sabalan: 8900 tons. 1438 km/s. Sensor 80/58. Assumed to be medium warship.
1x Joshan: 17,800 tons. 1438 km/s. Sensor 80/86. Assumed to be large warship.
1x Meraj: 8900 tons. 1438 km/s. Sensor 80/58. Assumed to be medium warship.
1x Xoubin: 3300 tons. 1939 km/s. No Active Sensor. Possibly Survey Ship.
2x Falakhon: 4050 tons. 2370 km/s. No Active Sensor. Possibly Survey Ship.
1x Derafsh: 950 tons. 2631 km/s. Sensor 80/10. Assumed to be fast attack craft
1x Nahang: 8900 tons. 4314 km/s. Sensor 80/86. Assumed to be medium warship but very fast compared to others
2x Fath: 24,150 tons. 1656 km/s. No Active Sensor. Possibly Colony Ship.
Shipyard Complex: 489,000 tons.
Ground Forces: Contact Strength 76
16th May 2031The Dirk Ream espionage team, operating in the People’s Republic of China, acquires technical details of Turret Tracking Speed 2000 km/s
22nd May 2031Analysis of the communication logs recorded during the brief encounter with the alien survey ship in Corinth has led to the alien language being deciphered. The alien race is apparently known as the Paju Monarchy.
27th May 2031The first two Spruance class escorts, Spruance and Yamamoto, are launched from the Nakadai Shipbuilding shipyard. The Spruances are designed to provide an anti-missile shield for the Colonial Fleet.
Spruance class Destroyer Escort 6,750 tons 149 Crew 1149.56 BP TCS 135 TH 540 EM 0
4000 km/s Armour 4-31 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 3 PPV 10
Maint Life 2.24 Years MSP 319 AFR 121% IFR 1.7% 1YR 86 5YR 1285 Max Repair 189 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months Spare Berths 3
Magazine 442
Rolls Royce RR-180 Military Engine (3) Power 180 Fuel Use 59.5% Signature 180 Exp 10%
Fuel Capacity 400,000 Litres Range 17.9 billion km (51 days at full power)
Zapata Missile Systems Z1-10 GMLS (10) Missile Size 1 Rate of Fire 10
Koyama-Yoshimatsu CN/SPG-17 Anti-Missile Fire Control (2) Range 20.8m km Resolution 1
RIM-3A Stiletto (442) Speed: 32,200 km/s End: 4.2m Range: 8.1m km WH: 1 Size: 1 TH: 128/77/38
Austin-Kennedy Aerospace CN/SPS-1 Active Search Sensor (1) GPS 7560 Range 75.9m km Resolution 120
Austin-Kennedy Aerospace CN/SPD-16 Missile Detection Sensor (1) GPS 189 Range 20.8m km MCR 2.3m km Resolution 14th June 2031CFS Pulsar discovers the ruins of an alien settlement on the innermost planet of Alpha Centauri-A, making this the third system adjacent to Sol with evidence of an alien presence. In addition to the ruins, there is one large intact structure built into the side of a mountain. A landing team from the survey ship investigates and determines it was an advanced alien biological research installation, designed to provide support to normal research facilities. Colonial scientists believe it would almost double the output of any research facilities on the planet working on biological research projects. Some of the ruined structures may also be recoverable so a Xenology team is assembled on Earth. As CFS Nebula has recently finished her survey of Barnard’s Star, she is ordered to return to Earth where she will refuel, resupply and pick up the new team for transport to Alpha Centauri. The planet on which the ruins are located is within human gravitational tolerance but lacks an atmosphere and has a surface temperature of 82C.
27th June 2031The gravitational survey of the Sol system is completed. Six jump points have been found in total, all but one of which are outside the orbit of Uranus. In order of distance from Sol they lead to Lalande, Barnard’s Star, Athens, Alpha Centauri, Sirius and Corinth. Alien ships have been detected in Athens and Corinth so neither is deemed safe for a gravitational survey, Lalande has already been surveyed and is a dead-end and Sirius is hard to survey because the mass of the star means jump points can exist much further out than in Sol. Therefore survey efforts will concentrate on Barnard’s Star and Alpha Centauri.
19th July 2031CFS Atlantis explores a newly discovered jump point in Barnard’s Star and finds that it leads to Lalande. The main advantage of the connection is that the route via Lalande brings the inner system of Barnard’s Star closer to Earth by about two billion kilometres. It also means that Lalande is no longer a dead-end system, although the only exit is to another system adjacent to Sol.
12th August 2031CFS Atlantis explores another new jump point in Barnard’s Star, this time with a jump gate on both sides. The star beyond the gate is Ross 154, immediately renamed as Knossos, which is orbited by five unremarkable planets, four of which are gas giants. Atlantis heads on-system to check for any sign of an alien presence. Knossos is the first system to be explored two jumps from Sol.
18th August 2031CFS Columbia investigates the first jump point to be discovered in Alpha Centauri and emerges in a red dwarf system, named Argos. The star is orbited by nine planets, remarkably without a single gas giant, plus a large asteroid belt. None of the planets are habitable.
14th September 2031 The following is an intelligence report on the known forces of the Union of South American Nations. The South American Navy (SAN) has fewer ship designs than the other Solarian powers and fewer warships overall, although like the Islamic Alliance they have impressive orbital fortifications. Speed is comparable to the warships of the European Union and Indo-Russian Alliance while sensors appears to be reasonable, especially the primary sensor of the Antares class cruiser. No design has so far been classified as a colony ship, which is unique among all the human powers.
Intelligence Report: Union of South American Nations (sensors are shown as resolution / estimated range)
4x Rio de Janeiro class: 19,250 tons. Sensor 1/1. No observed movement. Assumed to be orbital defence base.
2x Tupi class: 19,700 tons. Sensor 1/1. No observed movement. Assumed to be orbital defence base.
1x Roraima: 19,700 tons. 2631 km/s. Sensor 1/1. Assumed to be some form of anti-missile escort cruiser.
1x Rademaker: 19,700 tons. 2631 km/s. Sensor 1/1. Assumed to be some form of anti-missile escort cruiser
3x Parati: 32,950 tons, 758 km/s. No Active Sensor. Possibly Freighter.
1x Pampeiro: 2100 tons. 1190 km/s. No Active Sensor. Possibly Survey Ship.
1x Amapa: 19,700 tons. 2631 km/s. Sensor 110/92 and 20/14. Assumed to be large warship.
1x Antares: 19,700 tons. 2631 km/s. Sensor 110/154. Assumed to be large warship.
2x Almirante Sabóia: 3500 tons. 2885 km/s. No Active Sensor. Possibly Survey Ship.
1x Liberal: 9,850 tons. 2629 km/s. Sensor 110/92. Assumed to be medium warship.
Shipyard Complex: 120,000 tons.
Ground Forces: Contact Strength 76
18th September 2031CFS Atlantis enters the third new jump point in Barnard’s Star and emerges two billion kilometres from Altair, a white A7-IV sub-giant orbited by a single dwarf planet. Approximately three hundred million kilometres from the star are three wrecked ships, none of which match any known class, human or alien. Two are 15,900 tons and the third is 7950 tons. With evidence of an alien presence plus evidence of conflict in the system, Atlantis’s C.O., Commander Dominick Clairmont, decides to forego the usual inner system investigation, especially as there is only a single uninhabitable planet, and orders his ship back into Barnard’s Star. While recovering the alien ships may provide minerals or reveal technical information, the Colonial Alliance does not possess salvage technology and has no way for any large ship to reach Altair. Those capabilities are moved up the priority queue for research.
6th October 2031CFS Atlantis and CFS Endeavour complete the gravitational survey of Barnard’s Star. The system’s four jump points lead to Sol, Lalande, Altair and Knossos. With Lalande a dead-end and Altair a high mass star with evidence of combat nearby, the only realistic option for the next survey is Knossos.
14th November 2031A ship of the Belasco Commune is detected within the Sol system. Initial contact with the alien ship, designated as Aphrodite class, is made using planetary-based thermal sensors as it crosses the orbit of Jupiter heading sunwards at 4439 km/s. As it moves across the inner system and is picked up by the Cheyenne class PDC, it becomes apparent it is on a direct course for the Lalande jump point. Given its course and its 4100 ton size, it appears to be a survey ship. While the presence of an alien ship in Sol is of great concern to Colonial Alliance Command, the decision is taken to avoid conflict. The Colonial Alliance is still in no shape to fight a war. However the Aphrodite will pass within seventy million kilometres of Earth, which could potentially spark a reaction from one of the other five Solarian powers. The jump point to the Athens system, where the Belasco were first encountered, is at the twelve 0’clock position while the Aphrodite is approaching from three o’clock, which suggests it may have been surveying in Sol for some time.
Eleven European Union Pegasus class fast attack craft depart Earth orbit and close on the Aphrodite, as does a single Islamic Derafsh FAC. Two recently built USAN Raposo class ships, 9850 tons with a speed of 3949 km/s, are heading back into the inner system through the asteroid belt on an intercept course with the intruder. A number of commercial vessels from different powers, such as freighters and colony ships, leave orbit heading in the opposite direction. The European FACs catch the Commune vessel and match course and speed, taking no offensive action. A trio of Russian Oscar class destroyers break away from their manoeuvers in the asteroid belt and set an intercept course at 6600 km/s, much faster than their previously observed top speed.
The Aphrodite and its pursuers move out of active sensor range, which leaves thermal signatures and active sensor emissions as the only indication of what is happening. The USAN, Russian and Islamic ships appear to break off their chase, possibly because they have lost track of the intruder. The Colonial Alliance has recently made efforts to improve its planetary-based sensors so those sensors are likely to have longer range than other powers. Signatures from the active sensors of three European FACs remain close to the alien ship. At 03:45 on November 16th the Aphrodite transits into Lalande and vanishes from Colonial sensors. The Pegasus class FACs head back toward the inner system.
November 29th 2031Three ships of the Belasco Commune transit into Sol from Athens. Even though they are only being detected on thermal sensors, these appear to be far larger than the Aphrodite. One is Agamemnon class, with a thermal signature of 1680 while the other two are designated Hector class and have a thermal signature of 2520 km/s. In comparison, the Lexington class destroyer has a signature of just 720. All three are heading in-system at 5315 km/s. CAC recalls all warships on training exercises to Earth orbit and assembles the Colonial Fleet.
Nine hours after the initial contact, four more Commune ships transit into Sol. One Pericles and three Socrates class, all of which have thermal signatures of 1680. The situation is growing serious, with what appears to be a fully-fledged invasion underway. The Athens jump point is three point seven billion kilometres from Sol, which at least allows some time before the seven alien ships reach potential weapons range. The four new ships follow the earlier arrivals, apparently on a direct course for Earth. The five Liberty class freighters and two Conestoga class colony ships are ordered to head for Jupiter, which is on the far side of Sol from the approaching ships.
2nd December 2031The approaching ships have obviously been detected by the other powers as a significant number of ships are heading out of the inner system to intercept, led by three Nahang class destroyers of the Islamic Alliance. Although these ships are currently classified as destroyers, they are much faster than other Islamic warships and may be some form of scout.
At 18.15, four additional Commune ships are detected just ahead of the first group. They comprise two Zeus class and two Dionysus class, all four of which have thermal signatures of 840, explaining why they have only just been detected.
At 03.53 on December 3rd, three additional ships are detected in formation with the Pericles and Socrates. Designated as a single Perseus and two Cerberus, they have the same thermal signature as the Zeus and Dionysus classes. There are now fourteen alien vessels, presumably warships, heading straight for Earth. Current range is one point eight billion kilometres.
Situation at 16.35:
to be continued...
