The Magneto-plasma Drive was available by 4020, along with several other technological improvements, which led to a new series of warship designs to supplement the four existing ships. The first pair of Firestorm II class frigates, Cape Wrath and Silent Fire, were launched in July 4021 and followed by a further six ships over the following three years. In addition to the new engines and reactors, they had improved shields, faster-firing weapon batteries, longer-ranged lance batteries, a new sensor suite and a smaller jump drive. The changes were so extensive, it was not possible to refit the older ships without a complete rebuild that would cost more than a new ship. The original pair of Firestorms remained in service on colony protection duties.

Firestorm II class Frigate      15,000 tons       511 Crew       3,246.5 BP       TCS 300    TH 1,920    EM 2,130
6400 km/s    JR 3-50      Armour 4-54       Shields 71-426       HTK 100      Sensors 5/8/0/0      DCR 10-6      PPV 74
Maint Life 1.62 Years     MSP 1,527    AFR 180%    IFR 2.5%    1YR 681    5YR 10,217    Max Repair 960 MSP
Commander    Control Rating 2   BRG   AUX   
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months    Morale Check Required   

RM-150-B Military Jump Drive     Max Ship Size 15000 tons    Distance 50k km     Squadron Size 3
Ravenor Drive Systems RDS-1920-MB (1)    Power 1920    Fuel Use 34.92%    Signature 1920    Explosion 12%
Fuel Capacity 486,700 Litres    Range 16.7 billion km (30 days at full power)
Valentinian-Stern VS-71 Void Shield (1)     Recharge Time 426 seconds (0.2 per second)

Valentinian-Ventris V6-240 Lance Battery (4)    Range 240,000km     TS: 6,400 km/s     Power 15-5    ROF 15       
Astaroth Kinetics AK-25B Weapons Battery (4x4)    Range 250,000km     TS: 6,400 km/s     Power 15-5    ROF 15       
Astaroth Kinetics AK-10 Weapons Battery (6x4)    Range 50,000km     TS: 6,400 km/s     Power 3-3    ROF 5       
MK II Energy Weapon Fire Control (2)     Max Range: 320,000 km   TS: 6,400 km/s    ECCM-1
R-30 Stellarator Fusion Reactor (2)     Total Power Output 61.6    Exp 5%

MK II Frigate Active Augur Array (1)     GPS 5760     Range 54.5m km    Resolution 120
MK II Small Torpedo Detection Array (1)     GPS 8     Range 4.5m km    MCR 406.2k km    Resolution 1
MK I Thermal Augur Array (1)     Sensitivity 5     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  17.7m km
MK II Electromagnetic Augur Array (1)     Sensitivity 8     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  22.4m km
Electronic Warfare Jammers:   Fire Control 1    Missile 1 

The Dauntless class light cruiser was also updated on similar lines, with four new ships built between November 4021 and February 4024. The two original Dauntless class ships remained in service without a refit.

Dauntless II class Light Cruiser      30,000 tons       997 Crew       6,427.6 BP       TCS 600    TH 3,840    EM 6,390
6400 km/s    JR 3-50      Armour 5-86       Shields 213-426       HTK 190      Sensors 5/8/0/0      DCR 20-6      PPV 148
Maint Life 1.61 Years     MSP 3,178    AFR 360%    IFR 5.0%    1YR 1,426    5YR 21,391    Max Repair 960 MSP
Captain    Control Rating 2   BRG   AUX   
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months    Morale Check Required   

RM-300-B Military Jump Drive     Max Ship Size 30000 tons    Distance 50k km     Squadron Size 3
Ravenor Drive Systems RDS-1920-MB (2)    Power 3840    Fuel Use 34.92%    Signature 1920    Explosion 12%
Fuel Capacity 908,000 Litres    Range 15.6 billion km (28 days at full power)
Valentinian-Stern VS-71 Void Shield (3)     Recharge Time 426 seconds (0.5 per second)

Valentinian-Ventris V6-240 Lance Battery (8)    Range 240,000km     TS: 6,400 km/s     Power 15-5    ROF 15       
Astaroth Kinetics AK-25B Weapons Battery (8x4)    Range 250,000km     TS: 6,400 km/s     Power 15-5     ROF 15       
Astaroth Kinetics AK-10 Weapons Battery (12x4)    Range 50,000km     TS: 6,400 km/s     Power 3-3     ROF 5       
MK II Energy Weapon Fire Control (3)     Max Range: 320,000 km   TS: 6,400 km/s    ECCM-1
R-30 Stellarator Fusion Reactor (4)     Total Power Output 123.2    Exp 5%

MK II Light Cruiser Active Augur Array (1)     GPS 13440     Range 83.3m km    Resolution 120
MK II Small Torpedo Detection Array (1)     GPS 8     Range 4.5m km    MCR 406.2k km    Resolution 1
MK II Electromagnetic Augur Array (1)     Sensitivity 8     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  22.4m km
MK I Thermal Augur Array (1)     Sensitivity 5     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  17.7m km
Electronic Warfare Jammers:   Fire Control 1    Missile 1   

In October 4021, the first Gothic class cruiser, Righteous Fury, was launched by the Eisenstein Electric Boat shipyard, followed by a sister ship, Imperial Wrath, in February 4024. The Gothic was an upscaled Dauntless, with the addition of a hangar bay for a Thunderhawk assault transport and a sensor jammer. The larger hull allowed for six Valentinian-Stern VS-71 Void Shield generators, which would give the Gothic considerable staying power in battle.

Gothic class Cruiser      60,000 tons       1,950 Crew       12,613.5 BP       TCS 1,200    TH 7,680    EM 12,780
6400 km/s    JR 3-50      Armour 6-136       Shields 426-426       HTK 372      Sensors 6/8/0/0      DCR 42-7     PPV 296
Maint Life 1.67 Years     MSP 6,518    AFR 686%    IFR 9.5%    1YR 2,795    5YR 41,921    Max Repair 960 MSP
Hangar Deck Capacity 1,000 tons     
Captain    Control Rating 2   BRG   AUX   
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months    Flight Crew Berths 20    Morale Check Required   

RM-600-B Military Jump Drive     Max Ship Size 60000 tons    Distance 50k km     Squadron Size 3
Ravenor Drive Systems RDS-1920-MB (4)    Power 7680.0    Fuel Use 34.92%    Signature 1920.00    Explosion 12%
Fuel Capacity 2,128,000 Litres    Range 18.3 billion km (33 days at full power)
Valentinian-Stern VS-71 Void Shield (6)     Recharge Time 426 seconds (1 per second)

Valentinian-Ventris V6-240 Lance Battery (16)    Range 240,000km     TS: 6,400 km/s     Power 15-5    ROF 15       
Astaroth Kinetics AK-25B Weapons Battery (16x4)    Range 250,000km     TS: 6,400 km/s     Power 15-5    ROF 15       
Astaroth Kinetics AK-10 Weapons Battery (24x4)    Range 50,000km     TS: 6,400 km/s     Power 3-3    ROF 5       
MK II Energy Weapon Fire Control (4)     Max Range: 320,000 km   TS: 6,400 km/s    ECCM-1
R-30 Stellarator Fusion Reactor (8)     Total Power Output 246.3    Exp 5%

MK I Cruiser Active Augur Array (1)     GPS 23040     Range 109.1m km    Resolution 120
MK II Small Torpedo Detection Array (1)     GPS 8     Range 4.5m km    MCR 406.2k km    Resolution 1
MK II Electromagnetic Augur Array (1)     Sensitivity 8.0     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  22.4m km
MK II Thermal Augur Array (1)     Sensitivity 6.0     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  19.4m km
Electronic Warfare Jammers:   Sensor 1    Fire Control 1    Missile 1   

Strike Group
1x Thunderhawk Assault Transport   Speed: 15207 km/s    Size: 19.99

In addition to the warships, a pair of light carriers, Defiant and Archangel, were constructed in April 4021 and March 4022 respectively. With no weapons and limited passive defences, the Defiant class was not intended to engage in direct combat. Instead, it would stand off at long-range and utilise its strikegroup of twelve Starhawk class bombers and twelve Fury class interceptors. Each Starhawk carried a pair of MK II Standard Torpedoes, which were equipped with ECCM-1, active terminal guidance, five decoys and a strength-15 warhead. The Defiant carried sufficient additional torpedoes to re-arm its bombers twice. The Fury was intended for close-in protection of its mothership against hostile torpedoes, or for attacks against lightly defended targets where torpedoes were not required. In late 4022, the Starhawk and Fury designs were both updated to the B-models, which updated their fire control systems with ECCM-2. The strikegroups of both carriers were refitted to the new type. An MK II-B Standard Torpedo was introduced with the same upgrade.

Defiant class Light Carrier      30,000 tons       582 Crew       4,507.6 BP       TCS 600    TH 3,840    EM 2,130
6400 km/s    JR 3-50      Armour 3-86       Shields 71-426       HTK 140      Sensors 0/0/0/0      DCR 21-7      PPV 0
Maint Life 1.78 Years     MSP 3,472    AFR 343%    IFR 4.8%    1YR 1,355    5YR 20,323    Max Repair 960 MSP
Hangar Deck Capacity 9,500 tons     Magazine 578 / 0   
Captain    Control Rating 2   BRG   AUX   
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months    Flight Crew Berths 190    Morale Check Required   

RM-300-B Military Jump Drive     Max Ship Size 30000 tons    Distance 50k km     Squadron Size 3
Ravenor Drive Systems RDS-1920-MB (2)    Power 3840    Fuel Use 34.92%    Signature 1920    Explosion 12%
Fuel Capacity 1,008,000 Litres    Range 17.3 billion km (31 days at full power)
Valentinian-Stern VS-71 Void Shield (1)     Recharge Time 426 seconds (0.2 per second)

MK II Standard Torpedo (48)    Speed: 38,000 km/s    Range: 10.4m km    WH: 15    Size: 12    TH: 158/95/47

MK II Light Cruiser Active Augur Array (1)     GPS 13440     Range 83.3m km    Resolution 120
MK II Small Torpedo Detection Array (1)     GPS 8     Range 4.5m km    MCR 406.2k km    Resolution 1
Electronic Warfare Jammers:   Sensor 1    Missile 1   

Strike Group
12x Starhawk Bomber   Speed: 12800 km/s    Size: 8
12x Fury Interceptor   Speed: 16002 km/s    Size: 6
2x Aquila IV Scout   Speed: 4800 km/s    Size: 10

Starhawk class Bomber      400 tons       1 Crew       75.7 BP       TCS 8    TH 102    EM 0
12800 km/s      Armour 1-4       Shields 0-0       HTK 3      Sensors 0/0/0/0      DCR 0-0      PPV 3.6
Maint Life 1.48 Years     MSP 25    AFR 80%    IFR 1.1%    1YR 13    5YR 191    Max Repair 51.2 MSP
Magazine 24 / 0   
Lieutenant Commander    Control Rating 1   
Intended Deployment Time: 3 days    Morale Check Required   

Ravenor Drive Systems RDS-102-MDB (1)    Power 102.4    Fuel Use 700%    Signature 102.4    Explosion 20%
Fuel Capacity 21,300 Litres    Range 1.37 billion km (29 hours at full power)

Fixed Torpedo Launcher (2)     Missile Size: 12    Hangar Reload 173 minutes    MF Reload 28 hours
MK I Starhawk Fire Control  (1)     Range 9.2m km    Resolution 12   ECCM-1
MK II Standard Torpedo (2)    Speed: 38,000 km/s    Range: 10.4m km    WH: 15    Size: 12    TH: 158/95/47
MK I Starhawk Augur Array (1)     GPS 192     Range 10m km    Resolution 120

Fury class Interceptor      300 tons       2 Crew       97.3 BP       TCS 6    TH 96    EM 0
16002 km/s      Armour 1-3       Shields 0-0       HTK 1      Sensors 0/0/0/0      DCR 0-0      PPV 1.65
Maint Life 2.18 Years     MSP 30    AFR 60%    IFR 0.8%    1YR 8    5YR 127    Max Repair 48 MSP
Lieutenant Commander    Control Rating 1   
Intended Deployment Time: 0.3 days    Morale Check Required   

Ravenor Drive Systems RDS-96-MDB (1)    Power 96    Fuel Use 1412.03%    Signature 96    Explosion 25%
Fuel Capacity 9,500 Litres    Range 0.4 billion km (7 hours at full power)

MK II Lascannon (1x2)    Range 50,000km     TS: 16,002 km/s     Power 1.5-1.5     RM 50,000 km    ROF 5       
MK I Fury Fire Control (1)     Max Range: 64,000 km   TS: 16,000 km/s    ECCM-1     84 69 53 38 22 6 0 0 0 0
R-1B Stellarator Fusion Reactor (1)     Total Power Output 1.5    Exp 15%
MK I Fury Augur Array (1)     GPS 2     Range 2m km    MCR 181.7k km    Resolution 1

In January 4022, a pair of Starhawk-R class bombers were constructed to probe the alien-inhabited systems where Aquila class scouts had been lost. By this point, that had grown to four: Carpathia, Moebius, Pyhrria and Repentance.

Starhawk-R class Bomber      500 tons       3 Crew       57.2 BP       TCS 10    TH 48    EM 0
4800 km/s    JR 3-50      Armour 1-5       Shields 0-0       HTK 5      Sensors 0/0/0/0      DCR 0-0      PPV 3.6
Maint Life 2.19 Years     MSP 25    AFR 100%    IFR 1.4%    1YR 7    5YR 105    Max Repair 24 MSP
Magazine 24 / 0   
Lieutenant Commander    Control Rating 1   
Intended Deployment Time: 1 months    Morale Check Required   

RM-5-B Military Jump Drive     Max Ship Size 500 tons    Distance 50k km     Squadron Size 3

Ravenor Drive Systems RDS-48-M (1)    Power 48    Fuel Use 127.80%    Signature 48    Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 73,400 Litres    Range 20.7 billion km (49 days at full power)

Fixed Torpedo Launcher (2)     Missile Size: 12    Hangar Reload 173 minutes    MF Reload 28 hours
MK I Starhawk Fire Control  (1)     Range 9.2m km    Resolution 12   ECCM-1
MK I Augur Drone (2)    Speed: 6,750 km/s    End: 7.5d     Range: 4,370.1m km    WH: 0    Size: 12    TH: 28/16/8
MK I Starhawk Augur Array (1)     GPS 192     Range 10m km    Resolution 120

Moebius was the first system to be probed, with the Starhawk entering the system on March 17th 2022. An Augur Drone launched from long range detected sixteen alien ships in orbit of the second planet, although twelve of them, designated as Mephrit class, were less than a thousand tons each. The other four ships were all of different types, including a 19,000 ton Scythe and three ships of approximately 9600-tons. The drone was destroyed by a hostile torpedo one point four million kilometres from the planet. The capabilities of the alien ships were unknown.

Necron Forces in Moebius
1x Scythe 19,164 tons
1x Shroud 9,590 tons
1x Cartouche 9,590 tons
1x Khopesh 9,590 tons
12x Mephrit 979 tons.

A month later, the same Starhawk-R probed Pyhrria and discovered a much more substantial force in orbit of Pyhrria II: fifteen ships, many of which were new types, ranging from 9600 tons to 28,800 tons, plus twelve of the small Mephrit class. The largest type, three of which were present, was designated as the Scarab class. The total force was approximately 270,000 tons, which at that time was almost as large as all Imperial warships combined.

Necron Forces in Pyhrria
3x Scarab 28,800 tons
1x Dirge 19,271 tons
1x Deathmark 19,212 tons
3x Scythe 19,164 tons
2x Cartouche 9,590 tons
1x Khopesh 9,590 tons
1x Shroud 9,590 tons
1x Cryptek 9,567 tons
2x Jackal 9,550 tons
12x Mephrit 979 tons.

The second Starhawk-R was deployed to Carpathia, arriving in May 4022. The alien race, which by this point had been designated as the Necrons by Imperium Intelligence, due to its apparent lack of population and the general inactivity of its forces, was present in orbit of both the second and third planets. Neither force was particularly large, with the total Necron presence in the system massing approximately 110,000 tons.

Necron Forces in orbit of Carpathia II
1x Phaeron 19,324 tons
1x Dirge 19,271 tons
1x Deathmark 19,212 tons
12x Mephrit 979 tons.

Necron Forces in orbit of Carpathia III
1x Phaeron 19,324 tons
1x Scythe 19,164 tons
1x Shroud 9,590 tons
1x Cartouche 9,590 tons
1x Khopesh 9,590 tons

On June 7th, the first Starhawk entered Repentance and was immediately destroyed by energy weapon fire from an unknown ship picketing the jump point, which left Imperium Intelligence without any information on the Necron forces in that system. A fifth Necron system, Golgotha, was discovered in mid-4023 by the Tempest class survey frigate Red Dawn. One of her two Aquila class scouts was chased and destroyed by a fleet of seven ships moving at 5,686 km/s. Three Triarch class ships each opened fire with five bombardment cannon, a weapon known to the Imperium but yet deployed. The calibre of the alien weapons was estimated at 25cm, compared to only 15cm for Imperial technology. Red Dawn’s second Aquila managed to approach the second planet and detected twelve Mephrits, but was unfortunately also destroyed when attempting to leave the system.

Necron Forces in Golgotha
1x Dirge 19,271 tons
1x Deathmark 19,212 tons
3x FF Triarch 9,553 ton, 5,686 km/s, 5x 25cm Bombardment Cannons
2x Cryptek 9,567 tons, 5,686 km/s.
12x Mephrit 979 tons.

The early months of 4023 were marked by two significant blows to the Imperium’s research effort, with the deaths of key scientists. Eremiel Macrinus, a power and propulsion expert with the administrative skill to run eleven research facilities and the scientific skills to boost output by up to thirty percent died in February. Three months later, Anton Eisenstein passed away. Eisenstein ran seven facilities and boosted them by fifty percent.

In January 2024, the Imperium discovered a significantly greater threat than the somnolent Necrons. The Tempest class survey ship Torchbearer entered Jotunheim, seven transits from Sol at the time of discovery, and found an almost ideal habitable world. Only the temperature of -16C fell outside human tolerance. Following standard procedure, an Aquila class scout was dispatched to check it out. The scout was intercepted short of the inner system by a pair of 21,550-ton ships, designated at Grendel class, which were travelling at 7205 km/s. Communication attempts were unsuccessful, so the scout pressed on to Jotunheim III where it discovered a population signature slightly greater than one third of Terra’s. A further forty-three ships were in orbit, ranging from 24,000 tons to 65,000 tons. There was no way to determine if the ships had military or commercial engines unless they moved.

The planet issued several unintelligible communications, which the scout took as a sign to withdraw and land on Torchbearer. The survey ship began a gravitational survey of the system, remaining apparently undetected by the new race, which were temporarily designated as the Jotun by Imperium Intelligence.

Known Jotun Forces
8x Midgard: 64,755 tons
7x Fenrir: 50,773 tons
4x Gungnir: 43,489 tons
10x Hrothgar: 43,199 tons
7x Norn: 36,518 tons
7x Tyr: 23,932 tons
2x Grendel: 21,550 tons. 7205 kms/s, Military Engines.

Added the first section. I am going to do shorter updates on this one, but hopefully more often.

I am going to do shorter comments on this one, but hopefully more often. 

In 2032, Earth was attacked without warning by an alien armada, which bombarded the surface from orbit. The aliens were apparently only interested in devastating the planet as there was no follow-up invasion.

It was probably for the best, really.

The Emperor decreed that the Imperium would become a star-faring civilization, dedicated to building a military force capable of seeking out and destroying the aliens that had almost wiped out humanity, along with all other potential threats.

Waaaaagh!!!

humanity would venture forth to conquer the stars.

WAAAAAAAGH!!!!!

•   All spoilers active except Rakhas.

...waaaagh?

Consequently, a new small craft design, the jump-capable Aquila class scout, was developed and six were constructed,
...
Eventually, six jump points were discovered in Sol and probed by the Aquilas.

What a convenient coincidence that is in no way related to narrative foreknowledge on the part of the author! 

The geological survey proved disappointing, with nothing of note except the ruins of an alien city on Alpha Centauri-B V, most likely another victim of the same aliens that attacked Terra two thousand years earlier.

I don't know what it is, but Alpha Centauri in my games almost always seems to be pretty much barren, which is rather disappointing for such a famous and nearly always colonizable system. Occasionally I'll have some luck with a gas giant or asteroid belt but it's fairly rare.

Beyond jump points four and five were Barnard’s Star and Andromeda, neither of which held anything of interest.

That's Andromeda, the star. Not to be confused with:

• Andromeda, the constellation
• Andromeda, the galaxy
• Andromeda, the Greek mythological figure

The scout crews were really confused when they transited a jump point and found that last one just floating in space.

Background
In 2032, Earth was attacked without warning by an alien armada, which bombarded the surface from orbit. The aliens were apparently only interested in devastating the planet as there was no follow-up invasion. Only pockets of humanity remained, living in near-medieval conditions in a cold, irradiated wasteland. In the centuries that followed, some semblance of civilisation returned with the emergence of villages, towns and eventually small city states. Even though knowledge of the Fall was part of collective human memory in the form of myths and legends, humanity was fractured and small wars still broke out over territory or resources. A thousand years after the attack, one of these nascent states, known as the Imperium, began to expand its borders, either by conquering its city-state neighbours or by forming alliances based on the concept that humanity must unite and prepare for another alien attack. The Imperium was led by a mysterious figure known only as the Emperor, who seemingly never aged, guiding his subjects for decades and eventually centuries.

Humanity slowly recovered from the Fall, albeit at a glacial pace due to most of the easily accessible resources being consumed by the previous human civilization. Technology was based on wind and water power, then steam and eventually the internal combustion engine. Meanwhile, the Imperium, guided by the Emperor, developed into an economic, scientific and military powerhouse that gradually expanded until it dominated its home continent. Driven by his concern for the long-term fate of humanity, the Emperor announced the Imperium’s possession of nuclear weapons and intercontinental bombers by launching a mass strike against all the key military and industrial targets of its major rivals. The Great War ensued, lasting almost ten years and causing significant devastation across the globe, but when it ended the Imperium stood alone. A century of peace, reconstruction and scientific advancement followed the bloodshed, known as the Pax Imperium, during which the Imperium’s in-depth education programs ensured that old national rivalries were extinguished.

The post-war period was brought to an end by the discovery of Trans-Newtonian physics in the late 40th Century. The Emperor decreed that the Imperium would become a star-faring civilization, dedicated to building a military force capable of seeking out and destroying the aliens that had almost wiped out humanity, along with all other potential threats. The first step would be to convert the entire industrial base of the planet, renamed Terra in honour of the new era of humanity, to the new technology. Terra’s economic might would be the foundation from which humanity would venture forth to conquer the stars.

Scenario
•   Conventional Start
•   Starting population is two billion with 3200 CI and 33 Research Facilities.
•   Ruin chance is increased from 20% to 25%.
•   All spoilers active except Rakhas.
•   System Count is 30 for Raiders, 60 for Swarm and 100 for Invaders.
•   10 NPRs. 75-150 LY
•   NPRs can generate other NPRs with a 10% chance.
•   NPRs generate Precursors and Raiders
•   Minor Races set to 100%
•   Limited Research Admin
•   Hostility Modifier +20
•   Survey Speed 25%
•   Sol has six jump points

Terra Survey Report
Duranium:   420,300   0.90
Neutronium:   160,100   0.70
Corbomite:   106,700   1.00
Tritanium:   147,800   0.80
Boronide:   184,100   0.90
Mercassium:   139,600   0.70
Vendarite:   300,000   1.00
Sorium:   168,650   0.70
Uridium:   165,700   1.00
Corundium:   176,700   0.80
Gallicite:   211,200   0.90

The conversion of all industry to Trans-Newtonian technology was completed on December 4th 4004, resulting in 1800 construction factories, 1000 mines and 400 financial centres. More than a year later, after the construction of several fighter factories, a series of Cygnus class geological survey craft began construction, with the first launched on May 24th 4006. The Cygnus was a bare bones design intended primarily for a survey of the Sol system. While the inner planets proved disappointing, two vital discoveries were made in the outer system. Io, the innermost of the four Galilean moons, had substantial deposits of Duranium, Neutronium and Corundium at mid to high accessibility. Saturn had over three million tons of accessibility 1.0 Sorium in its atmosphere, providing a fuel source for the Imperium for decades to come.

Cygnus class Geological Survey Craft      500 tons       13 Crew       124.5 BP       TCS 10    TH 10    EM 0
1000 km/s      Armour 1-5       Shields 0-0       HTK 2      Sensors 0/0/0/1      DCR 0-0      PPV 0
Maint Life 4.39 Years     MSP 38    AFR 8%    IFR 0.1%    1YR 3    5YR 48    Max Repair 100 MSP
Lieutenant Commander    Control Rating 1   
Intended Deployment Time: 36 months    Morale Check Required   

Ravenor Drive Systems RDS-10-ME  (1)    Power 10.0    Fuel Use 35.58%    Signature 10.00    Explosion 5%
Fuel Capacity 45,700 Litres    Range 46.2 billion km (535 days at full power)
Geological Survey Sensors (1)   1 Survey Points Per Hour

Io Survey Report
Duranium:   3,730,546   0.80
Neutronium:   1,274,686   0.50
Vendarite:   259,978   0.40
Corundium:   453,966   0.60

Saturn Survey Report
Sorium:   3,194,310   1.00

A series of four Corvus class gravitational survey craft were launched in early 4009, similar in design to the Cygnus except for improved armour and a different sensor. They were followed in March and July 4009 by the first large Trans-Newtonian spacecraft: a Carrack class freighter and a Caravel class colony ship respectively. The new ships were used to establish a lunar colony. While Terra’s moon had no mineral deposits, the Emperor saw the moon as a first step into interstellar colonisation and a catalyst for the development of fledgling civilian shipping lines. That proved prescient with the completion of the first civilian ship by Zagan Freight later the same year.

Carrack class Freighter      49,319 tons       219 Crew       690.8 BP       TCS 986    TH 1,680    EM 0
1703 km/s      Armour 1-119       Shields 0-0       HTK 66      Sensors 5/6/0/0      DCR 1-0      PPV 0
MSP 8    Max Repair 50 MSP
Cargo 25,000    Cargo Shuttle Multiplier 3   
Lieutenant Commander    Control Rating 1   BRG   
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months   

Ravenor Drive Systems RDS-240-C (7)    Power 1680.0    Fuel Use 3.72%    Signature 240.0    Explosion 4%
Fuel Capacity 500,000 Litres    Range 49.1 billion km (333 days at full power)

MK I Commercial Active Augur Array (1)     GPS 1200     Range 21.6m km    Resolution 120
MK I Electromagnetic Augur Array (1)     Sensitivity 6.0     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  19.4m km
MK I Thermal Augur Array (1)     Sensitivity 5.0     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  17.7m km

Caravel class Colony Ship      49,400 tons       274 Crew       1,456.9 BP       TCS 988    TH 1,680    EM 0
1700 km/s      Armour 1-119       Shields 0-0       HTK 68      Sensors 5/6/0/0      DCR 1-0      PPV 0
MSP 18    Max Repair 400 MSP
Cryogenic Berths 100,000    Cargo Shuttle Multiplier 3   
Lieutenant Commander    Control Rating 1   BRG   
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months   

Ravenor Drive Systems RDS-240-C (7)    Power 1680    Fuel Use 3.72%    Signature 240    Explosion 4%
Fuel Capacity 500,000 Litres    Range 49 billion km (333 days at full power)

MK I Commercial Active Augur Array (1)     GPS 1200     Range 21.6m km    Resolution 120
MK I Electromagnetic Augur Array (1)     Sensitivity 6     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  19.4m km
MK I Thermal Augur Array (1)     Sensitivity 5     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  17.7m km

The new Corvus class ships began finding jump points in Sol, but had no way to explore them. Consequently, a new small craft design, the jump-capable Aquila class scout, was developed and six were constructed, starting in July 4010.

Aquila class Scout      500 tons       13 Crew       57.6 BP       TCS 10    TH 30    EM 0
3000 km/s    JR 3-50      Armour 1-5       Shields 0-0       HTK 6      Sensors 5/6/0/0      DCR 0-0      PPV 0
Maint Life 8.35 Years     MSP 17    AFR 8%    IFR 0.1%    1YR 0    5YR 7    Max Repair 15 MSP
Lieutenant Commander    Control Rating 1   
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months    Morale Check Required   

RM-5 Military Jump Drive     Max Ship Size 500 tons    Distance 50k km     Squadron Size 3
Ravenor Drive Systems RDS-30-M (1)    Power 30.0    Fuel Use 164.32%    Signature 30.00    Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 69,900 Litres    Range 15.3 billion km (59 days at full power)

MK I Commercial Active Augur Array (1)     GPS 1200     Range 21.6m km    Resolution 120
MK I Thermal Augur Array (1)     Sensitivity 5     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  17.7m km
MK I Electromagnetic Augur Array (1)     Sensitivity 6     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  19.4m km

Eventually, six jump points were discovered in Sol and probed by the Aquilas. The innermost led to Proxima, a red dwarf system with two small and unremarkable planets. Jump point two led to Alpha Centauri, a far more interesting binary system with eleven planets and almost eight moons. Two planets had thin nitrogen-oxygen atmospheres and several more were colony cost 2.00 worlds in the habitable zone. The geological survey proved disappointing, with nothing of note except the ruins of an alien city on Alpha Centauri-B V, most likely another victim of the same aliens that attacked Terra two thousand years earlier. A number of factories and mines and a research facility were recovered and converted for human use.

Jump point three connected to a planetless brown dwarf system, which was named Styx. Beyond jump points four and five were Barnard’s Star and Andromeda, neither of which held anything of interest. Jump point six led to Scarus, a red dwarf binary with five planets and several comets. One of the latter would eventually become a mining colony. Scarus and Barnard’s Star connected only to each other, so the Cygnus and Corvus class survey craft, escorted by the Aquilas, began to explore beyond the other four systems.

The subforum name says "conventional", yet the posting of a comment thread without any updates to comment on says "unconventional". Which is to be believed?? 

  Looking forward to this one, Steve!

Reserved for second scenario issue