[code]WARNING POSSIBLE SPOILERS WITHIN!!
Part 1: A Plague of Aliens!
2065
1st January 2065. Sol. The EDA Resource Commission reported that the civilian mining operation on Callisto has been increased to 150 civilian mining complexes.
9th January 2065. Sol. The research community is in shock this morning when news was released of the death of Professor Acharya Ghosh . Professor Ghosh was one of the EDA’s most prominent power systems research team leaders. Details are sketchy but it appears that Professor Ghosh was working on a prototype C16 capacitor when the novel dielectric broke down and exploded, killing many of the team including Professor Ghosh. The UN-EDA Security Council sent condolences to Professor Ghosh’s wife, Pat and his two children Joshua and Rebecca with an appreciation of the very valuable work he has carried out in the past. There will be a memorial service next week and a commemorative seminar celebrating all aspects of Professor Ghosh’s scientific endeavours is to be organised.
This is the second disastrous explosion in EDA research establishments that have killed prominent scientists; critics are calling for tighter scrutiny of projects with regard to Health and Safety before they are instigated. The C16 capacitor project will be considerably delayed because of this unfortunate accident.
17th January 2065. Wolf 629. The defensive systems research team lead by Malcolm Stenzel completed work on the armoured fuel bunker- level 1.
Sol. The Astano Commercial ‘Yard laid down the Luna class terraformers Serenitatis, Tranquilitatis, Nectaris and Foecunditatis as Earth recovered from its fuel shortage.
22nd January 2065. Sol. Professor Dai Yong Ju’s sensor research group completed development and prototyping of the S08 150-40000 beam fire control.
Professor Adharma Ahmed’s defensive systems research group completed development and prototyping of cloak sensor reduction of 93%.
Beta Canum VenaticorumThe EDA Resource Commission reported that the Shi Feng Li geological survey team carrying out a geological survey of Beta Canum Venaticorum-A IX – moon 3 had found a deposit of 80,802 tonnes of Duranium (0.9).
27th January 2065. Sol. The BAE Systems ‘Yard laid down the Europe class heavy carriers Europe, Australia, India, Norway, Africa, Atlantic.
The Qiuxin naval ‘Yard laid down the Winston Churchill Mk I Mod 2 jump cruisers CJ Mikhail Gorbachev and CJ Charles de Gaulle.
5th February 2065. Sol. The EDA Resource Commission reported that the civilian mining operation on Callisto has been increased to 151 civilian mining complexes.
Gliese 526. The EDA Resource Commission reported that the civilian mining operation on Gliese 526-A asteroid #292 has been increased to 61 civilian mining complexes.
17th February 2065. Sol. The EDA Resource Commission reported that the civilian mining operation on Callisto has been increased to 152 civilian mining complexes.
The Astano Commercial ‘Yard completed the Luna class terraformer Pico and laid down the Crisium.
22nd February 2065. Gliese 526. The EDA Resource Commission reported that the civilian mining operation on Gliese 526-A asteroid #292 has been increased to 62 civilian mining complexes.
Wolf 629 The status of Sutama-Wolf 629-A II has changed to that of subjugated.
17th March, 2065. Wolf 629, Oscar Byrne’s defensive systems research group finished the prototype of a new HS200-90% cloaking module. Due to advances in cloaking technology this module is now obsolete.
Sol. The Gandhari Jha missiles and kinetic weapons research team reorganised the work streams for ordnance production increasing it by 25%.
Gliese 526. The EDA Resource Commission reported that the civilian mining operation on Gliese 526-A asteroid #292 has been increased to 63 civilian mining complexes.
27th March 2065. Sol. The Shimonoseki Shipyard and Machinery works completed the Queen Joanne colony transport.
19:22:32. 2nd April Gliese 414-A Asteroid #7The watch office was bored, he glanced at screens in front of him, it was just the start of the shift and he had four hours to go before his relief arrived. Even then there was not a lot to do off shift on this former Precursor base, facilities were still very basic; the EDA just had not got around to transferring the installation to Bryan’s World. The screens displayed the current sensor contacts for the system. As always there were the twenty contacts for the ships of Terraformer Group 3 and the routine visits by Colony Group #3, transporting a million involuntary colonists to Bryan’s World each trip, but they weren’t due on his shift. A little red light began to blink in a rarely observed section of the console. It did this for thirty seconds unobserved by the watch officer, who by now was sipping a hot coffee in an effort to stay awake at his post. The raucous alarm that sounded made the officer jump, spilling the scalding coffee down his uniform. He cursed, wiped the hot coffee off his uniform as best he could then he scanned the console and spotted the red light, indicating an unidentified contact! He sighed and started the self-diagnostics for the board. Two minutes later the diagnostic program reported all green, the board was in perfect order. The officer scratched his head, he then started the diagnostic programme for the tracking array but that again came back green. Puzzled the watch officer called up the recorded track of the vessel, it was unmistakeable, it was conducting a geological survey! But everyone knew there was nothing to find in Gliese 414! The drive signature definitely was not in the database, the watch officer finally resigned himself and pushed the red button to alert his superiors to the fact that an alien survey vessel was flitting about the system and was currently 250 million kilometres from Asteroid #7.
The base Superintendent rushed into the sensor station, ”What’s up?” He asked. The watch officer indicated the contact on the screen. “Damn” was the response. The Superintendent confirmed the contact was real and asked, “what’s the Navy got in system?” The answer was not meant to induce a feeling of confidence “not a damned thing” came the reply “we are well down the list for the next obsolete fighter group.”
The Superintendent moved to the communications console and sent the sighting report - “Alien detected in Gliese 414, 250 million k from Bryans World, AI has designated the new class as the Nyati 001.“ He sent this to the Star Gate network and copied it to Governor Bryan” at that he grinned; Governor Bryan would quickly lose his smug look when that report hit his desk.
Sol.Eight-and-a-half hours later the message reached the Admiralty building on Earth. It took a little while for the message to be decoded and passed up the line.
08:30 3rd April. The office of Commander – Fleet. Vice Admiral Madonna Pelz was looking at the blue print for the concept assault carrier, a 50,000 tonne jump capable monster. With an advance in jump theory it would become more than just a drawing, carrying half-a-dozen 30cm X-ray lasers and a fighter group of 40 strike fighters. There was a knock at her door which opened without waiting for her reply, Admiral Pelz looked up angrily, “What!” was all she got out before her adjutant laid the message flimsy in front of her, she scanned it rapidly, “My God, it’s for real?” Was all she got out. The adjutant replied “Yes, it’s for real; you may want to oversee Operations.” “Thank you James, what have we got available?” Pelz said in a consolatory voice as they moved out of the office to the lifts that would take them to Operations.
Within the hour fleet movements began. Battle Group Téméraire newly overhauled was detailed back to Wolf 629, Battle Group Forrestal was recalled from Wolf 629, Cruiser Squadron 1 was sent to Gliese 414, since it possessed one of the rare fleet scouts. Cruiser Squadron 2 was sent as additional support to Wolf 629. Battle Group Illustrious was sent to Gliese 414 with orders to prevent any alien incursion on to Bryan’s World. 3rd Flotilla was also recalled from 70 Ophiuchi to Gliese 414 with orders to prevent any alien incursion into Beta Canum Venaticorum since the mineral deposits in this system were deemed to be of strategic importance to the Earth Defence Authority. Cargo Task Group #3 was ordered to transport five maintenance facilities, five factories and 1000 tonnes of each TN element from Titan to Bryan’s World. Cargo Task Group #2 was ordered to transport old prefab Defender Mk II PDCs mothballed on Mars for decades, two going to Shoh’jir-Beta Canum Venaticorum-A V and three to Bryan’s World –Gliese 414-A II. The idea was to support the fighter group from Battle Group Forrestal at Bryans World. Battle Group Forrestal would then go and re-equip with new A5B and A6 strike fighters waiting for her at Earth.
The Troop Transport Groups were ordered to pick up the 8th Orbital Assault Division, 1st Armoured Division and the 5th Expeditionary Division from Sutama – Wolf-A II followed by the 3rd Expeditionary Division from Asgard - 70 Opiuchi-A II which will be held in reserve at Sol. The shortage of troop transports now made itself felt. There were currently only eight full divisions in the EDA Army Command and five of them were on Sutama – Wolf 629-A II, the other end of the longest jump chain explored by the EDA from Gliese 414-A II were they may be needed. The garrison on Sutama would be reduced to a single division.
Admiral Pelz returned from her office having briefed Director Karamchand and the rest of the Governors who could make the emergency meeting of the EDA Security Council. They were all agreed that the means to block the aliens’ entry to Beta Canum Venaticorum should be procured. The Sunburst Mk III space mine looked as though it could do the job. But Sol based ordnance industries were already fully committed supplying the fleet with new missiles and it would take months for a ‘Yard to retool to begin construction of the Planter class minelayer. An unpalatable decision had to be taken; the only ordnance capacity available was that on Sutama. That planet also had ‘Yards that would be able to begin immediate construction of the minelayers. Director Karamchand was forced to endorse this decision for the sake of the security of the Earth, which is the prime directive of the Earth Defence Authority. However it would still take a year before they were ready.
Finally the decision was taken to investigate the unexplored jump points in Gliese 414 before the aliens did. It had been intended to build Bryan’s World up to a minor fleet base before the jump point nexus was explored but for obvious reasons it was now to be accelerated. It may become an absolute necessity to backtrack the alien vessels to their home world. To that end the Jump Squadrons John Cabot and Pedro Alvares Cabral were ordered to probe the jump points in Gliese 414. Further Sutaman aid was called for. The first Sutaman vessel to be employed by the Navy, the sole surviving Kiev class geological survey vessel, was called in because it was jump capable and would accelerate the investigation of the Gliese jump points.
Terraformer Group #3 represented an enormous investment, twenty Astronaut class terraformers; the decision was made to recall it to Shon’jir – Beta Canum Venaticorum–A V until the situation clarified. On the other hand involuntary colonists were still to be transported as manpower would be required to run the maintenance facilities and construction factories being sent to Bryan’s World. The aliens were, it is thought, responding to the first contact protocols transmitted from Asteroid #7. A diplomatic team was recruited to establish communications.
16th April 2065. Gliese 414. Battle Group Illustrious, flag officer Rear Admiral Salvatore Rehbein commanding in the CJ Leander, entered Gliese 414, sensors active. It was not long before two Nyati geological survey vessels were identified. In addition a new class of alien ship was detected, assigned the reporting name Boghammer 001 of 7,350 tonnes. This vessel was hanging over Governor Bryan’s head and causing him to send any number of panicky messages to Director Karamchand and Vice Admiral Pelz and anyone else he thought would help him with this alien threat.
18th April 2065. Gliese 414. 03:38. Another Alien ship of the Nyati class was detected, designated Nyati 007 (of 2750 tonnes). 07:38. Nyati 008 and 009 were detected. 09:38 Nyati 010 was detected.
24th April 2065. Sol. The Shimonoseki Shipyard and Machinery works completed the Queen Henrietta and Queen Margaret colony transports. Five new vessels are scheduled to be laid down later in the year.
29th April 2065. GJ1156. The EDA Resource Commission reported that the Shura Ulyanov geological survey team carrying out a geological survey of GJ1156-A VI - moon 11 had found a new deposit of 187,276 tonnes of Duranium. The new find also increased the availability of all Duranium deposits from 0.5 to 0.8. The Shura Ulyanov Geology Team does not believe any new mineral deposits can be found by the further geological survey of GJ1156-A VI - moon 11.
30th April 2065. Gliese 414. The aliens had apparently concluded their geological survey and the survey craft were in the process of exiting the system, however the Boghammer remained but moved away from Bryan’s World, out of synchronous orbit, perhaps intimidated by Battle Group Illustrious with shields up in close company.
Nyati 009 was detected disappearing at jump point #3, indicating this is the prime candidate for the alien home jump line.
3rd May 2065. Gliese 414. Contact with alien ships Nyati 002, 001, 007, 008 and 010 lost at the location of jump point #3.
6th May 2065. Gliese 414. The Pedro Alvares Cabral Jump Squadron probed jump point #4 in Gliese 414, and found Gliese 499, a binary star system consisting of a dim M0-V and a brighter M5-V pair of red dwarfs. The secondary component possessed three planets. Geological Survey Squadron 1 was called forward from Beta Canum Venaticorum to survey the system, but nothing of note was found. The Pedro Alvares Cabral Jump Squadron stayed to provide such cover as it could. Gravitational Survey Squadron 1 was detailed to complete the jump point survey.
8th May 2065. Gliese 414. The John Cabot Jump Squadron probed jump point #1. Lieutenant Commander Kerry Kroencke relaxed in her command chair as the K2, in close company with the jump cruiser John Cabot, slid effortlessly through the gravitational anomaly; she had done several first probes, now that they held no fear for her. The John Cabot arrived in the real universe again with its two consorts, the venerable escort cruisers K2 and the Atlas. It was unusual for a mere Lieutenant Commander to command the Squadron, but the Captain who should have taken command of the John Cabot had been sent planet-side sick and his replacement had not arrived before the crisis was upon them. Thus the command of the squadron fell to Lieutenant Commander Kroencke being next in seniority and rather than transfer her self temporarily to the John Cabot she stayed on the K2. Sensors stabilised and revealed and empty system, only the second such system devoid of planets discovered.
It took the XNAV only a short time to establish the Jump Squadrons location (periodic X-ray signals emitted from pulsars are used to determine the location of a spacecraft in deep space. XNAV compares received X-ray signals with a database of known pulsar frequencies and locations. This comparison allows the spacecraft to triangulate its position accurately). Hussey 644 was yet another binary system, this time a K0-V and a M4-V red dwarf star, orbiting each other, planetless in the void. However it was noted that there was a Star Gate of alien manufacture on the Hussey 644 side of the jump point. The system was 33.8 light-years from Sol.
The tight beam from the Cabot to the K2 crackled into life. “We have contacts at 561 million kilometres from the jump point, five in all. Four contacts assigned reporting name Kamikaze massing 6000 tonnes, one contact massing 60,000 tonnes reporting name Takao. We’re having some difficulty resolving them, they look like a new species of alien we haven’t met before, may be better if you come across and see for yourself.” That was the problem with staying on the K2, it was myopic at best being an elderly escort cruiser. Lieutenant Commander Kroencke thought of several unpleasant curses before swallowing them and rising from her command chair. “Number one, prepare the ships boat I need to see the contacts first hand on the Cabot, you have command until I return.” Fifteen minutes later she was aboard the John Cabot and being ushered into the command centre. The acting captain welcomed her on board and after a few pleasantries got down to business. “The returns from these vessels are strange, not a hard return you expect from a Duranium hulled ship. It’s a sort of soft return, as though there was little TN materials or even non-TN metals used in their construction.” Lieutenant Commander Kroencke inquired, “have you started first contact protocols?” “Yes” replied the executive officer of the Cabot, “no reply but they have begun moving towards us.” Kroencke looked at the sensor screen, the five contacts were there crawling towards the jump point, moving at a mere 1000 k/s. “Not very fast are they” she commented, “what does the long-range optics look like“. “Strange!” was the sensor officer’s reply as he brought up an image onto a screen that showed a long fat misshapen cylinder blotched with dark shadows, like nothing the ESA would design. Kroencke felt a shiver run down her spine. Kroencke made up her mind “ I think we let the professionals handle this one, if it blows up in our faces we have no offensive hardware to return the compliments. The Squadron will return to Gliese 414 and log a sighting report.” With a little more discussion Lieutenant Commander Kroencke returned to the K2 and shortly the squadron transited back to Gliese 414.
Sol. Professor Dai Yong Ju’s sensor research group completed development and prototyping of the S06 225-30000 beam fire control.
Wolf 629The Frank Nieman sensor research Team completed development and prototyping of the S06 300-15000 beam fire control.
9th May 2065. Sol. Nine hours later Admiral Pelz was informed of the second alien contact.
Operations were stressed to receive the dispatch from the John Cabot Jump Squadron, resources were stretched already and now another alien race had been discovered. Operations were loath to strip any defences from Bryan’s World, but since 3rd Flotilla was in position at the jump point to Beta Canum Venaticorum then 1st Cruiser Squadron was freed up to make contact with the new aliens. But that operation would wait until well after the investigation of jump point #3 in Gliese 414. The appropriate communications were sent via the Star Gate network.
12th May 2065. Gliese 414. The John Cabot Jump Squadron entered jump point #2 and found Xi Ursae Majoris, the first quaternary system they had come across. Xi Ursae Majoris was about 27.3 light-years from Sol. Component A was a K8-V, component B was a G5-B, component C was a M6-V and component D was a M9-V, There were many planets and moons, hundreds of asteroids in the system. The B component had a frozen terrestrial planet with a habitability index of 1.8; the two pairs of stars were separated by 10 AUs. Fortunately the two pairs of stars were linked by navigable intra-system Lagrange points. Lieutenant Commander Kerry Kroencke scanned the sensor logs sent over from the Cabot, a promising system for colonisation perhaps but nothing surprising to worry about. The initial scan of the system completed the squadron returned to Gliese 414 and onto the next jump point. Lieutenant Commander Kroencke might have more to be concerned about with the next jump point investigation, it was jump point #3, the one the aliens disappeared down.
13th May 2065. Gliese 4148th Orbital Assault Division and 1st Armoured Division arrived on Bryan’s World.
16th May 2065. Gliese 414.0The John Cabot Jump Squadron probed jump point #3, the probable alien home jump line. This time Lieutenant Commander Kroencke joined the Cabot prior to transit so she could observe things first hand when time might be of the essence. The Squadron found Struve 3121 a binary system comprising a pair of K3-V stars; there was once more a Star Gate of alien manufacture on the other side of the jump point. In addition another five Star Gates lit up the sensor screens on the John Cabot. There were a number of alien vessels present in the system, three vessels of 7,350 tonnes of the Boghammer class already seen in Gliese 414, five vessels massing 7,400 tonnes of a new class given the reporting name of the Natya class and a second new class of 18,400 tonnes given the reporting name of the Nisr class. In addition there was another alien vessel from yet another alien race, the AI gave it the reporting name of Shark, since it massed 70,300 tonnes, Lieutenant Commander Kroencke hoped it did not live up to its name and was in fact the Star Gate construction vessels it appeared to be. Once again first contact protocols were initiated, and there was some kind of response. The system of Struve 3121 possessed a planet Struve 3121-A III, with an HI of 1.46. The squadron jumped back into Gliese 414 and sent its report to the Admiralty once more, while signalling Gravitational Survey Squadron 1 forward to survey the system, this was a pre-arranged part of the sortie, if the aliens can survey one of our systems then we can damn well survey one of theirs!
Nine hours later the Admiralty responded putting in place a diplomatic team to initiate communications with this new alien race.
Sol. The Viktor Lenac ‘Yard laid down the Gomati Mk VB missile boats Flounder, Wahoo, Croaker, Flasher, Gabilan, Gunnel, Haddo, Harder, Hoe and Jack.
Gliese 414The 5th Expeditionary Division was delivered to Bryan’s World, Gliese 414-A II.
19th May 2065. Sol. The Northrop Grumman Ingalls ‘Yard completed the Weapon class battlecruisers Arbalest, Arrow, Ballista, Bardiche and Battleaxe. The Yard is retooling for the Mod 1 and will start construction of the next five battlecruisers at the beginning of June.
Professor Emanuela Segovia’s expert power systems research team reduced the size of a hyperdrive equipped engine by 7.7%.
23rd May 2065. Gliese 414. The Kiev 001, a Sutama vessel, made its first transit into the unknown through jump point #5 and found Giese 505. It was a binary system with a K2-V and the inevitable red dwarf a M1-V, 36.62 light years from Sol. Both had well developed planetary systems. The Kiev 001 set to work cataloguing the mineral worth of the planetary bodies.
27th May 2065. Gliese 414. The veteran John Cabot Jump Squadron probed jump point #6. This found the Squadron in the light of a G0-V star. XNAV was quick to identify the system as 10 Beta Venaticorum, considered by Earth bound astronomers to be slightly metal-poor, 26 light-years from Sol, once considered a prime candidate to harbour life. The yellow light from the star bathed 10 Beta Venaticorum-A V with a watery intensity producing a surface temperature of -13.7
oC and only a trace of atmosphere but still the planet had an HI of 1.8, another terraforming possibility.
Sol. Professor Yu Jian Qing’s sensor research group completed the design and testing of a new ECM-5 module.
GJ 1156. The EDA Resource Commission reported that the Shura Ulyanov geological survey team carrying out a geological survey of GJ1156-A V - moon 3 had found a new deposit of 200,00 tonnes of Duranium (0.9), increasing the total from 1,427,112 tonnes to 1,627,112 tonnes.
28th May 2065. Gliese 414.
The John Cabot Jump Squadron entered jump point #7 in Gliese 414 and emerged into the light of two red dwarfs; the system was Gliese 507 yet another binary system, 46.1 light-years from Sol and consisted of an M2-V and an M4-V. Both stars had well developed planetary systems. There was one easily terraformable planet, Gliese 507-A II, with an HI of 1.8. Nothing threatening was detected on the sensors, so the Squadron returned to Gliese 414.
3rd June 2065. Sol.
Northrop Grumman Ingalls completed retooling for the Mod 1 battlecruiser. The Weapon Mk I Mod 1 vessels Bayonet, Bazooka, Bec de Corbin, Blade and Blowgun began construction.
Professor Dai Yong Ju’s sensor research group finished the development and prototyping of the S16 300-40000 beam fire control.
Wolf 629.
The Huang Dong Dan sensor research group completed the development of missile ECM-3
17:40. 9th June 2065. Hussey 644.
Finally released to carry out its first contact mission Cruiser Squadron 1, consisting of the Province Mk II missile cruisers Guangdong, Lhasa, Moskva, Qinghai, Xinjiang and Zengzhou, the Mountain Mk II Mod 1 escort cruisers Adamant Range, Akashi, Annamite, Berchtesgaden and the fleet scout Sentinel, Senior Officer Commander Mary Rhone, moved into Hussey 644. The Sentinel’s sensors easily found the alien vessels virtually where they had last been detected. First contact protocols were transmitted, the only response was that the alien star ships began to approach the cruisers. They were slow, the Takao at 1000 k/s and the Kamikaze class at 1333 k/s began to approach the Squadron, but no interpretable signal was received from them.
At 19:40 the Sentinel picked up 26 new contacts 206 million kilometres out, given the reporting name Tama. They were 800 tonne vessels, approaching at 10,000 k/s, very reminiscent of fast attack craft. In fact far too much like FACs for Commander Rhone’s tastes, she ordered the Squadron to start lighting up the alien vessels with missile fire controls, targeting the incoming ships. The Commander also started transmitting warnings to the alien vessels that if they came within missile range of 97 million kilometres she would consider it a hostile act and open fire. As communications had not be opened with this race Commander Rhone had no idea whether the aliens would take the hint, but they were not getting within her missile envelope with that many FAC. 19:42 The twenty six Tama FACs were still on a direct approach even though warned off.
22:05 targeting solutions for first dozen alien vessels were set up. Commander Rhone reviewed the optical sensor logs of the approaching craft, they looked like something grown rather than built, they all had distinctive features that were easily picked out, and Commander Rhone could have sworn she saw mouths on the images from the time resolved optical sensor. She definitely saw what appeared to be the snout of an energy weapon.
22:40 The alien craft passed the 96.4 million kilometre mark, not a friendly act as defined by Commander Rhone. Reluctantly Commander Rhone gave the order to open fire, knowing full well she may have opened hostilities with an alien power, which would have grave repercussions for her career, not that that had long to run anyway, but she needed the pension.
22:40:17. The first sixty SIM-1 Longbow were on their way, only a last minute hail could prevent the missiles reaching their targets.
23:19:17. The Longbows reached their targets and nothing stood in their way, no point defence. The first wave took out twelve of the approaching gunboats, their funeral pyres marked by bright actinic flashes. However it was strange in that the dying ships leaked a viscous fluid, freezing as the vacuum of space stripped any heat away from it, not gases, before the craft charred blackened and crumpled in upon themselves, not at all what was expected. To cap it all once more there were no life pods.
23:19:32. The second wave took out another twelve gunboats, the dark of space pocked by the fusion fires that consumed them. The final two alien Tama class continued to advance as though oblivious of the fate of their consorts. The missile wave was notable in that one SIM-1 Longbow missile missed, the first in many engagements.
23:20:02. The final wave of ten missiles took out the last two remaining gunboats.
The rest of the alien fleet, the four Kamikaze and the massive Takao continued to approach the Squadron. Commander Rhone moved the Squadron in towards the new enemy.
10th June 00:55:07. Four cruisers launched against the four approaching Kamikaze class contacts at 94 million Kilometres. At 01:44:12 twenty missiles crashed into the four Kamikaze class vessels, three alien ships died, the fourth continued on, damaged but not dead, the same unusual effects of the nuclear detonations was observed, more leaking fluid, more charring, nothing like the effects seen when a Republic of Sutama vessel was destroyed, and no life pods. The missile cruiser Guangdong loosed a single missile at the surviving Kamikaze, Forty-five minutes later the missile impacted the wounded alien ship. The single missile was all that was required to finish it.
The next target was the 60,000 tonne Takoa, assumed to be the mothership for the gunboats, still advancing towards the cruiser squadron at a steady 1000 k/s. This would not be so easy. Commander Rhone decided on an initial attack using 300 missiles, four salvos from the Province Mk II cruisers. She hoped this would be sufficient, but had no information on point defence or even armour thickness, but she did know it had strength 600 shields up.
09:05:52. The alien vessel had eventually crawled into missile range and the Squadron launched. At 09:54:52. Sixty missiles bore down on the alien ship, then point defence weapons lashed out destroying five of the approaching missiles leaving fifty-five Longbows to slam into the alien vessel, nuclear devastation walked over the alien hull, the shields began to buckle but did not quite fail, the shields began to come back up, fast, at 2 per second. The alien mothership, for such she was revealed, released a swarm of twenty Tama class gunboats. This was a development that Commander Rhone had not counted on, thinking it had already shot that particular bolt. However the Squadron was well trained and at 09:55:17 the six missile cruisers of Cruiser Squadron 1 launched against twelve of the gunboats. However, the missiles against the Takao were just not getting through! Even thought the shields had been breached, the alien point defence was taking out five of the missiles of every wave with some kind of beam weapon before they reached their target. Then at 08:55:37 with the fourth and final salvo the Takao was seen to leak the same viscous fluid that the other ships had. Commander Rhone decided reluctantly to launch another three salvos at the large alien contact. It was a ragged launch, the first that was not synchronous, perhaps a sign of panic within the newest ships to join the Squadron. But it was followed by two perfect synchronous launches and the first salvo was only designed to flatten the ships recovered shields.
10:32:37 Sixty SIM-1 Longbows hit the new wave of gunboats, notably one missile missed its target, but all the others found theirs. All twelve targets were destroyed in a cataclysmic nuclear explosion, briefly outshining the system’s star. Fifteen seconds later forty more Longbows unerringly hit the remaining gunboats eliminating the threat with prejudice. Meanwhile back at the mothership the first twenty missiles reduced the vessels shields to 393, the next thirty five reduced it to 106, this would rise before the next salvo impacted, but there was now the chance of penetration, even though each wave lost five missiles to point defence.
10:43:47. Fifty-five Longbows made it past the point defence, more fluid was seen to stream from the vessel, but there were no other visible effects although the hull was visibly charred and burnt by the nuclear fires it had endured.
10:44:07 Another sixty Longbows streamed in to attacked the wounded mothership, but it was an anti-climax, only five missiles detonated searing the alien hull which finally failed under the relentless assault of the cruisers. Predictably no life pods were observed leaving the fragmenting alien vessel.
All Commander Rhone had to do now was to return to Gliese 414 and explain why she had exterminated the aliens she had been sent to make peaceful contact with. Ships of the Squadron moved in to pick up wreckage of the alien vessels. This proved quite difficult as they did not leave an easily locatable wreck and gave a feeble return, only detectable because the cruisers already knew the location of the destroyed ships.
20:30 The Admiralty received word of the engagement in Hussey 644, their immediate response was to recall Cruiser Squadron 1 and set up a Board of Inquiry probably to be swiftly followed by a Courts Marshall for Commander Rhone.
11th June 2065. Gliese 414.
Battle Group Forrestal arrived Bryan’s World and unloaded its fighter group. The Battle Group set out for Earth to rearm.
15th June 2065. Wolf 629.
The Jamie Bartlett sensor research team completed the development of the S04 75-40000 beam fire control for the new cloaked Japan class escort cruisers. This was the final bit of kit required for a ‘Yard to begin retooling for the new class. However most Naval ‘Yards are in the process of expansion and those that aren’t are already committed to construction projects.
.Japan class Escort Cruiser 10800 tons 1086 Crew 4480.4 BP TCS 21.6 TH 616 EM 2160
8148 km/s Armour 5-43 Shields 72-300 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 50 PPV 31
Annual Failure Rate: 93% IFR: 1.3% Maint Capacity 2593 MSP Max Repair 450 MSP Est Time: 3.04 Years
Magazine 604
Rolls Royce Inertial Confinement Fusion Drive E5 (11) Power 160 Fuel Use 50% Signature 56 Armour 0 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 260,000 Litres Range 86.7 billion km (123 days at full power)
Theta R300/20 Shields (18) Total Fuel Cost 360 Litres per day
Quad R15/C6 Meson Cannon Turret (1x4) Range 150,000km TS: 31250 km/s Power 24-24 RM 15 ROF 5 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Fire Control S04 75-40000 (1) Max Range: 150,000 km TS: 40000 km/s 93 87 80 73 67 60 53 47 40 33
Solid-core Anti-matter Power Plant Technology PB-1 AR-0 (3) Total Power Output 24 Armour 0 Exp 5%
Size 1 Missile Launcher (10) Missile Size 1 Rate of Fire 5
Missile Fire Control FC9-R1 (2) Range 9.6m km Resolution 1
AMM-4 Spartan (604) Speed: 65,600 km/s End: 1.5m Range: 6m km WH: 1 Size: 1 TH: 962 / 577 / 288
Active Search Sensor MR9-R1 (1) GPS 300 Range 9.6m km Resolution 1
Active Search Sensor MR128-R20 (1) GPS 4000 Range 128.0m km Resolution 20
Cloaking Device: Class cross-section reduced to 10% of normal
Compact ECCM-3 (3) ECM 30
Missile to hit chances are vs targets moving at 3000 km/s, 5000 km/s and 10,000 km/s
This design is classed as a military vessel for maintenance purposesGliese 526The EDA Resource Commission reported that the civilian mining operation on Gliese 526-A asteroid #292 has been increased to 64 civilian mining complexes.
3rd July 2065 23:50:52,Sol. Cruiser Squadron 1 returned to Earth, a Board of Inquiry was immediately convened and the sensor logs of every ship confiscated. The wreckage samples of the alien vessels were sent to the laboratories.
(Note to Steve: This should be a research topic available only when Star Swarm samples have been obtained. It would elucidate the nature of the Star Swarm.) 20th July 2065. Gliese 526. The EDA Resource Commission reported that the civilian mining operation on Gliese 526-A asteroid #292 has been increased to 65 civilian mining complexes.
10th July 2065. Sol. Professor Dai Yong Ju’s sensor research group completed the prototyping and testing of the S04 300-10000 beam fire control. This component allowed the construction of the River Mk I Mod 1 class to proceed. The General Dynamics ‘Yard began retooling for River class Mod 1.
River Mk I Mod 1 Independent Survey Cruiser 13000 tons 1156 Crew 8805.6 BP TCS 260 TH 441.6 EM 3000
7076 km/s Armour 6-49 Shields 100-300 Sensors 42/1/0/6 Damage Control Rating 33 PPV 69
Annual Failure Rate: 100% IFR: 1.4% Maint Capacity 5715 MSP Max Repair 1350 MSP Est Time: 2.41 Years
Magazine 200
Rolls Royce Overdrive ICF Drive E5.2 (10) Power 184 Fuel Use 52% Signature 44.16 Armour 0 Exp 12% Hyper Capable
Fuel Capacity 695,000 Litres Range 185.0 billion km (302 days at full power)
Theta R300/20 Shields (25) Total Fuel Cost 500 Litres per day
Triple 15cm C6 X-Ray Laser Turret (1x3) Range 420,000km TS: 33300 km/s Power 18-18 RM 7 ROF 5 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 5 4 4
30cm C12 X-Ray Laser (2) Range 600,000km TS: 10000 km/s Power 24-12 RM 7 ROF 10 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 20 18 16
CIWS-400 (2x10) Range 1000 km TS: 40000 km/s ROF 5 Base 50% To Hit
Fire Control S04 300-10000 (1) Max Range: 600,000 km TS: 10000 km/s 98 97 95 93 92 90 88 87 85 83
Fire Control S12 225-40000 (1) Max Range: 450,000 km TS: 40000 km/s 98 96 93 91 89 87 84 82 80 78
Solid-core Anti-matter Power Plant Technology PB-1 AR-0 (1) Total Power Output 1.6 Armour 0 Exp 5%
Solid-core Anti-matter Power Plant Technology PB-1 AR-0 (13) Total Power Output 41.6 Armour 0 Exp 5%
Size 4 Box Launcher (50) Missile Size 4 Hangar Reload 30 minutes MF Reload 5 hours
Missile Fire Control FC192-R20 (2) Range 192.0m km Resolution 20
SIM-2 Longbow (50) Speed: 40,000 km/s End: 51m Range: 122.4m km WH: 9 Size: 4 TH: 453 / 272 / 136
Active Search Sensor MR9-R1 (1) GPS 300 Range 9.6m km Resolution 1
Active Search Sensor MR672-R70 (1) GPS 21000 Range 672.0m km Resolution 70
Active Search Sensor MR128-R20 (1) GPS 4000 Range 128.0m km Resolution 20
Thermal Sensor TH3-42 (1) Sensitivity 42 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 42m km
Advanced Geological Sensors (2) 6 Survey Points Per Hour
ECM 40
Missile to hit chances are vs targets moving at 3000 km/s, 5000 km/s and 10,000 km/s
This design is classed as a military vessel for maintenance purposesThe Sing Koon-Seng ‘Yard gained the contract for additional troop transports. The contract was for three complete divisional lift squadrons plus supplementary brigade transports. The ‘Yard began construction of the Napoleon, Caesar and Alexander, General Mk II Mod 1 troop transports.
{code] General Mk II Mod 1 class Troop Transport 27450 tons 370 Crew 2291.2 BP TCS 549 TH 1260 EM 0
6557 km/s Armour 2-81 Shields 0-0 Sensors 18/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
Maint Capacity 52 MSP Max Repair 175 MSP
Troop Capacity: 6 Battalions Cargo Handling Multiplier 30
Pratt & Whitney ICF Drive E0.5 (9) Power 400 Fuel Use 5% Signature 140 Armour 0 Exp 1%
Fuel Capacity 340,000 Litres Range 445.9 billion km (787 days at full power)
Active Search Sensor MR128-R40 Nav (1) GPS 4000 Range 128.0m km Resolution 40
Thermal Sensor TH1-18 (1) Sensitivity 18 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 18m km
This design is classed as a commercial vessel for maintenance purposes[/code]
Gliese 414. The outpost on Gliese 414-A Asteroid #7 was abandoned, all facilities transferred to Bryan’s World, since the asteroid was almost indefensible. The decision was also taken to return Terraforming Group #3 to Bryan’s world as so far the aliens are behaving themselves. The defences of Bryan’s World have also been strengthened, in addition to Battle Group Illustrious there are 128 A3B Vengeance fighters and there are four Defender Mk II PDCs under construction that while old are still a functional design.
Wolf 629. Salvage Group #2 found evidence of EM sensitivity 24 in the wreck of a Republic of Sutama Houjian class warship.
11th July 2065. Sol. The Board of Inquiry published its findings. They concluded that the sensor records showed that an attack was being mounted on Commander Rhone’s command and she acted properly in defending the Squadron and exonerated her. The Board also concluded that, given the preliminary analysis of the samples brought back from Hussey 644, the alien vessels appeared be an organic construct. Some samples clearly resembled neuronal tissue, others appeared to have organs embedded in them and the function of some could be elucidated. The used of TN materials was non-existent. The Board hypothesized that the vessels may be relics of a civilisation that ran out of TN minerals or perhaps never discovered them. The function of the three vessels also appeared different, obviously the big 60,000 vessel was the mothership, which appeared capable of spawning gunboats, then there was the 6000 tonne vessels that had many mineral extraction systems similar to the EDA asteroid mining module within them and appeared to be miners, while the gunboats were just that, small attack craft armed with an energy weapon, although experts are not sure what kind. There is speculation that Hussey 644 is planetless because the brood had consumed any orbiting bodies that were present, however this is merely conjecture and far from proven. What is clear is that who ever released them into the Galaxy had released a von Neumann machine!
15th July 2065. Wolf 629. Brooke McDonald’s sensor research group completed development of Electronic hardening L2 to protect systems from EM pulses.
Gliese 526. The EDA Resource Commission reported that the civilian mining operation on Gliese 526-A asteroid #292 has been increased to 66 civilian mining complexes.
20th July 2065. Sol. The Astano Commercial ‘Yard completed the Luna class terraformers Serenitatis, Tranquilitatis, Nectaris and Foecunditatis. Four more were laid down, the Frigoris, Vaporum, Smniorum and Mortis Undarum.
Gliese 526. The EDA Resource Commission reported that the civilian mining operation on Gliese 526-A asteroid #292 has been increased to 67civilian mining complexes.
30th July 2065. Sol. The Sing Koon-Seng ‘Yard completed retooling for the Okinawa Mk IV Mod1 troop transport, the Dieppe, Lofoten, Normandy, Iwo Jima, Falklands, Inchon and Sicily were begun in the empty construction bays.
Okinawa Mk IV Mod 1 class Troop Transport 23850 tons 337 Crew 2133.5 BP TCS 477 TH 1120 EM 0
6708 km/s Armour 3-73 Shields 0-0 Sensors 18/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
Maint Capacity 56 MSP Max Repair 175 MSP
Troop Capacity: 5 Battalions Cargo Handling Multiplier 30
Pratt & Whitney ICF Drive E0.5 (8) Power 400 Fuel Use 5% Signature 140 Armour 0 Exp 1%
Fuel Capacity 315,000 Litres Range 475.4 billion km (820 days at full power)
Active Search Sensor MR128-R40 Nav (1) GPS 4000 Range 128.0m km Resolution 40
Thermal Sensor TH1-18 (1) Sensitivity 18 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 18m km
This design is classed as a commercial vessel for maintenance purposes4th August 2065. Gliese 499. Gravitational Survey Squadron 2 completed the survey of Gliese 499. Two jump points were found in addition to the one leading to Gliese 414.
8th August 2065. Sol. It has been reported that Commodore Nancy Outman of the EDA Navy has died of natural causes. Commodore Outman served as Flag Officer for several Task Groups and lately sat on several boards of inquiry, the last being that into the engagement in Hussey 644. There will be a commemorative service followed by a committal with full military honours.
The communications team assigned to initiate communications with the Hussey 644 aliens has failed. They concluded that communications will never be possible with the Brood. The only thing the team could decipher from investigation of a large neuronal node recovered from the wreck of the mothership was the indication of a great hunger backed by a deep hostility. Their recommendation is that these aliens are treated as hostile unless there are further developments. Reporting names have been changed to Mothership, Miner and Gunboat.
Gliese 414. Communications have finally been established with the aliens that appeared in Gliese 414. They call themselves the Rodez Commonwealth as close as the translators could make out.
Ambassador Bryan of the Earth Defence Authority, Governor of Bryan’s World sat before a giant screen in the depths of the Government building in the Capital of Bryan’s World. It was the first live transmission between the two Species. Ambassador Bryan felt confidant he could handle anything. Then the screen flickered into life and displayed the alien representative of the Rodez Commonwealth. An icy spear entered Bryan’s spine and pierced his brain, he was paralysed by the form displayed on the screen, he broke out in a cold sweat. On the screen was the first clear picture of the aliens, imagine if you can a stretched ovoid body about four foot long covered in close long stiff orange hairs some sticking out, supported on eight legs banded by light and dark orange bands with white strips separating them. The slightly square head also covered in long stiff hairs, multiple eyes regarding Bryan like a tasty morsel as its mouthparts twitched and two long protruding fangs dripped saliva or was it poison? Two manipulator palps worked equipment just off screen. It was the archetypical Arachnid of popular fiction! Bryan forced his brain to work as the whistling piping language of the Rodez Commonwealth came in over the audio feed; Bryan began his welcome speech working woodenly off the script, brain numb.18th August 2065. Sol. The Astano Commercial ‘Yard completed the Luna class terraformer Crisium. The Symthii was laid down.
The EDA Resource Commission reported that the civilian mining operation on Callisto has been increased to 153 civilian mining complexes.
Gliese 526. The EDA Resource Commission reported that the civilian mining operation on Gliese 526-A asteroid #292 has been increased to 68 civilian mining complexes.
4th September 2065. Sol. The River class survey cruisers Danube, Mekong, Amazon, Tiber and Nile were laid down at the General Dynamics ‘Yard.
The EDA Resource Commission reported that the civilian mining operation on Callisto has been increased to 154 civilian mining complexes.
10th September 2065. Wolf 629. Professor Jordan’s energy and kinetic weapons research group prototyped a reduced size laser that is only 75% the size of a standard laser. The drawback is that it takes four times longer to charge with the standard capacitor.
15th September 2065. Sol. The EDA Resource Commission reported that the civilian mining operation on Callisto has been increased to 155 civilian mining complexes.
30th September 2065. Xi Ursae Majoris.Gravitational Survey Squadron 2 completed the gravitational survey of Xi Ursae Majoris. The system has two jump points including the one to Gliese 414.
16th October 2065. Sol. Professor Adharma Ahmed’s defensive systems research group completed the design and prototyping of a new cloaking device the HS320-93%, intended for the Close Action Combatant.
Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding ‘Yard began retooling for the Sword Mk I Close Action Combatant. Finally after decades of development the vessel is to be built. The Mk I is really the Mk I Mod 1, at the last minute the laser batteries were enlarged by a third entailing the design of a new cloaking device.
Wolf 629. The EDA Resource Commission reported that deposits of Mercassium on Sutama - Wolf 629-A II have been exhausted. The TN mineral deposits are not extensive on that planet and the requirements in the long term are unlikely to be met by current mining operations in 70 Ophiuchi or GJ 1156. In the short term it may prove desirable to move facilities to Midgard – 70 Ophiuchi-B II, being nearer to GJ 1156 and any new systems explored. The Admiralty is actively considering further exploration in this arm once the situation around Gliese 414 has stabilised. For the first time ever the EDA is running a deficit with all the new defence spending. This is being met from extensive reserves for the moment.
Gliese 414. The second alien race found in Struve 3121 race identified itself as the Chennai Commonality, communications fully established.
25th October 2065. Sol. Professor Dai Yong Ju’s sensor research group finished he development and testing of a new PDC S08 225-4000 fire control.
The Viktor Lenac ‘Yard completed the Gomati Mk VB missile boats Flounder, Wahoo, Croaker, Flasher, Gabilan, Gunnel, Haddo, Harder, Hoe and Jack. These ships will form the first division of the 10th Flotilla. Lapon, Mingo, Muskallunge, Paddle, Pargo, Peto, Pogy Pompon Puffer, and Rasher laid down
5th November 2065. Sol. The BAE Systems ‘Yard completed the Europe class heavy carriers Europe, Australia, India, Norway, Africa, Atlantic. The Tibet, Libya, North Pole, Pacific, America and Asia are scheduled to be laid down once the strike groups for the first six carriers have been filled.
The Admiralty have decided on the new Battle Group composition. The new Heavy Battle Groups will each consist of three Europe class carriers, ten Weapon class battlecruisers, ten new Island class escort cruisers, three Cimarron class tanker/supply vessels, three new Insect class munitions carriers and two Sentinel Mk II fleet scouts. For the time being these groups would be limited to systems connected by Star Gates. Once SCAM propulsion drives are available it may be possible to refit some of the older escort cruisers to fulfil the escort role in the new Battle Groups, but at the moment they are far too slow to match the projected 8000 k/s velocity of the new Groups. However budgetary concerns may force their use. The Admiralty hope to raise four of the new Battle Groups.
GJ 1156.The EDA Resource Commission reported that the Shura Ulyanov geological survey team carrying out a geological survey of GJ 1156-A V – moon 3 had found a new deposit of 1000 tonnes of Corundium (0.9). The Shura Ulyanov Geology Team does not believe any new mineral deposits can be found by the further geological survey of GJ 1156-A V – moon 3.
13th November 2065. Gravitational Survey Squadron 1 completed the gravitational survey of Hussey 644. Two jump points were located in the system, including the one to Gliese 414.
28th November 2065. 70 Opiuchi. The Midgard Ice sheet melted, the temperature rose from -27
oC to -0.3
oC. Bulk N
2 is now to be added to the atmosphere. Once the atmospheric pressure reaches 0.8 atmospheres greenhouse gases will be added to raise the temperature to Earth normal.
Gliese 526. The EDA Resource Commission reported that the civilian mining operation on Gliese 526-A asteroid #292 has been increased to 69 civilian mining complexes.
Sol. The EDA Resource Commission reported that deposits of Corundium on Comet Walmsley have been exhausted, however, there are still many years worth of Mercassium left to exploit.
7th December 2065. Sol. Professor Adharma Ahmed’s defensive systems research group finished the theoretical work to improve the current model of shields.
The defensive systems research team lead by Malcolm Stenzel completed work on a new model cloaking system the HS 293-93%.
Gliese 526. The EDA Resource Commission reported that the civilian mining operation on Gliese 526-A asteroid #292 has been increased to 70 civilian mining complexes.
14th December 2065. Sol.Major General Charumati Koul, Victor of Sutama, retired from the EDA Service aged 63. He was awarded the Order of Merit, the Distinguished Service Order and the Distinguished Service Cross during his service career.
Commander Rhone, latterly Senior Officer of Cruiser Squadron 1, retired from the Service aged 60. She was the Senior Officer of Cruiser Squadron 1 during the Hussey 644 incident.
The Shimonoseki Shipyard and Machinery works laid down the Queen Berengaria, Queen Sophia, Queen Charlotte, Queen Adelaide and Queen Alexandra colony transports. This is the last batch in the current contract.
The Brooke McDonald sensor research group completed development and testing of a new TH3-72 thermal sensor.
Commercial Shipping Digest 2065. The year opened with Darr Trading adding a Niuew Amsterdam colony transport to its fleet, the only colony transport commissioned by any operator this year. The Ryzkhov Shipping Company followed the Lane Freight Group in commissioning a Krivak Mk II freighter into its fleet, while the Balducci Colony Group added a pair of Krivak freighters to its fleet. The Maggart Corporation and Darr Trading were more conservative continuing to commission the reliable but more expensive Port Mk V class freighters, Maggart Corporation adding two, Darr Trading only one to their respective fleets.
