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Fiction > Aurora
Ascension - an AAR
Desdinova:
Setup
Starting year: 2018. Standard conventional start. I didn't go to the trouble of messing with population size or add a neutral NPR, so we'll have to accept that 500 million isn't the 'real' population of Earth, merely the fraction that is industrialized and participating in the labor force. Real stars, difficulty is at 150%, NPR chances at 60/90 (I never seem to get NPRs in real starts games. . . ), no starting NPR. Spoilers on (no invaders).
2018
The United Nations Space Agency is formed, part of a renewed multinational push towards space exploration. At its inception, the agency’s budget and scope is limited to serving as go-between with participating national space agencies on several international exploration missions. Mohammed Crumby named first agency head.
May 2022
Dr. Hung Metheney’s research team publicizes their discovery of several stable trans-uranium elements with exotic matter properties. Their breakthrough ushers in what will become known as the era of “Trans-Newtonian” science. Their work will have far-reaching implications across all fields of science and industry. The first visible application of this discovery is an experimental device the team calls an “intertial nullifier” - a device which uses TN elements to generate negative mass and neutralize most of an object’s inertia and the effects of gravity on that object. The discovery makes conventional orbital rocketry obsolete overnight.
The scientists and engineers responsible for the discovery insist that the technology be used for the betterment of all mankind, and given its obvious potential military applications, it is too powerful a force to leave in the hands of any nation. They zealously guard the details of their research until a multinational organization is set up to oversee its application and distribution, to prevent reverse engineering. One of the consequences of this policy is that the UNSA is given exclusive rights to the technology for space exploration. This forces the last holdouts among the national space agencies to join the UNSA, which will form an umbrella organization managing the exploration and exploitation of the solar system using Trans-Newtonian technology.
December 2023
The first spacecraft built in orbit using TN technology is launched. The Armstrong, and her sister ships Gagarin, Glenn, Shepard, and Tereshkova are the first manned vessels operated by the UNSA. While TN technology gives them unprecedented range and endurance, they rely on conventional electrical propulsion. While very fuel-efficient compared to chemical rockets, this means they devote more than 3/4ths of their mass to the drive section. The equipment and crew size required necessitates a total mass greater than a fully-fueled Saturn V rocket. The mission of these five spacecraft is to survey the inner solar system, scouring planets and asteroids for the exotic elements Earth will need to fuel its nascent trans-Newtonian industry.
--- Code: ---Armstrong class Geological Survey Vessel 4 900 tons 56 Crew 189.6 BP TCS 98 TH 8 EM 0
81 km/s Armour 1-25 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/1 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
MSP 24 Max Repair 100 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months Spare Berths 0
2.5 EP Hall-Effect Thruster (3) Power 2.5 Fuel Use 13.26% Signature 2.5 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 10 000 Litres Range 2.7 billion km (392 days at full power)
Geological Survey Sensors (1) 1 Survey Points Per Hour
This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
--- End code ---
2025
For the last two years, the UNSA has been planning for the exploration and eventual colonization of the moon and Mars. To support this, plans are drawn up for a fleet of transport and colony ships. With Trans-Newtonian technology, the round trip to Mars can be made in a matter of weeks rather than years, and there is no requirement for a favorable launch window.
Trans-Newtonian industry is finally making construction of a permanent lunar colony practical, but do so will require a fleet of transport and colony ships.
--- Code: ---Ganymede class Freighter 14 150 tons 84 Crew 159.2 BP TCS 283 TH 15 EM 0
53 km/s Armour 1-52 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
MSP 7 Max Repair 5 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months Spare Berths 2
Cargo 5000
2.5 EP Hall-Effect Thruster (6) Power 2.5 Fuel Use 13.26% Signature 2.5 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 100 000 Litres Range 9.6 billion km (2094 days at full power)
This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
--- End code ---
--- Code: ---Hyperion class Colony Ship 14 200 tons 102 Crew 352.2 BP TCS 284 TH 15 EM 0
52 km/s Armour 1-52 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
MSP 16 Max Repair 5 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months Spare Berths 2
Cryogenic Berths 20000
2.5 EP Hall-Effect Thruster (6) Power 2.5 Fuel Use 13.26% Signature 2.5 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 100 000 Litres Range 9.4 billion km (2094 days at full power)
This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
--- End code ---
December 2025
A civilian-operated mining colony is established on the comet Wild, shortly after Trans-Newtonian drives are made available for lease by civilian entities.
June 2026
The first 20,000 civilian colonists arrive on the moon. It is agreed that, as international law prevents any government from claiming territory beyond Earth, that all extraterrestrial colonies will be managed by the United Nations.
August 2026
The Kells Line launches its first space liner, offering fast and luxurious service between Earth and the moon.
May 2027
The first permanent settlers arrive on Mars.
2028
Renewed interest in nuclear propulsion leads to the first practical nuclear thermal rockets built to take advantage of TN materials. This renders all existing spacecraft obsolete, but also opens up the outer solar system to exploration. The first spacecraft to use atomic propulsion is the freighter Prospero, followed by the colony ship Phobos. Ten Prospero-class freighters and five of the Phobos-class will be constructed in all. The Hyperion- and Ganymede-class ships will soldier on for five more years, servicing the lunar colony, but are then scrapped once the initial wave of development is complete.
--- Code: ---Prospero class Freighter 8 700 tons 36 Crew 131.85 BP TCS 174 TH 125 EM 0
718 km/s Armour 1-37 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
MSP 9 Max Repair 15.625 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months Spare Berths 2
Cargo 5000
General Atomics 62.5 EP Commercial Nuclear Thermal Engine (2) Power 62.5 Fuel Use 13.26% Signature 62.5 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 100 000 Litres Range 15.6 billion km (251 days at full power)
This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
--- End code ---
--- Code: ---Phobos class Colony Ship 8 750 tons 54 Crew 325.05 BP TCS 175 TH 125 EM 0
714 km/s Armour 1-37 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
MSP 23 Max Repair 15.625 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months Spare Berths 1
Cryogenic Berths 20000
General Atomics 62.5 EP Commercial Nuclear Thermal Engine (2) Power 62.5 Fuel Use 13.26% Signature 62.5 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 100 000 Litres Range 15.5 billion km (251 days at full power)
This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
--- End code ---
2031
The Armstrong-class survey ships are decommissioned, replaced by the Antares-class survey vessels. Twelve ships will be built over the next three years.
--- Code: ---Antares class Geological Survey Vessel 2 500 tons 42 Crew 297.025 BP TCS 50 TH 62 EM 0
1240 km/s Armour 1-16 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/2 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
MSP 74 Max Repair 100 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 24 months Spare Berths 1
General Atomics 62.5 EP Commercial Nuclear Thermal Engine (1) Power 62.5 Fuel Use 13.26% Signature 62.5 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 100 000 Litres Range 54.3 billion km (506 days at full power)
Geological Survey Sensors (2) 2 Survey Points Per Hour
This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
--- End code ---
Desdinova:
Chapter 2
2038
Scientists theorize that Trans-Newtonian technology allows the stabilization of natural wormholes to allow faster-than-light travel between points in space. The work is initially kept secret.
2039
A method of detecting these wormholes by studying the interaction of large gravitational fields is devised, while scientists begin work on a “jump drive” capable of traversing them. The wormholes themselves become known as jump points.
2041
The Aries is launched as a testbed for this gravitational survey equipment. Almost immediately, a stable jump point is detected between the orbits of Earth and Mars. Four more ships are commissioned, and soon, a total of six such jump points are mapped throughout the solar system. Knowledge of their existence is kept highly classified.
2042
With the burgeoning numbers of civilian TN spacecraft and increasing incidents of TN technology being reverse-engineered, it is seen as only a matter of time before a nation-state, pirate, or terrorist organization exploits TN technology for nefarious purposes. Privately, the decision makers who know of the theoretical possibility of interstellar travel are also wary of the possibility of a hostile alien power. After much deliberation, the UN votes to amend the Outer Space Treaty to allow the construction of armed spacecraft to patrol the spacelanes. The UN Space Agency is reconstituted along paramilitary lines into the United Nations Space Force, with the permanent members of the UN security council all directly contributing personnel and material. The force’s mission is singular: protect Earth and her colonies from spaceborne threats. RADM Laverne Muranaka is named UNSF commander.
2044
The design of the first armed TN spacecraft is finalized. Their primary mission will be to patrol the space lanes to prevent piracy and terrorist action. They have a secondary missile-defense role. Four ships are initially ordered: Sirius, Arrow, Dragon, and Jupiter.
--- Code: ---Sirius class Patrol Vessel 4 000 tons 114 Crew 466.5 BP TCS 80 TH 125 EM 0
1562 km/s Armour 2-22 Shields 0-0 Sensors 5/6/0/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 13
Maint Life 2.48 Years MSP 73 AFR 128% IFR 1.8% 1YR 16 5YR 247 Max Repair 60 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 9 months Spare Berths 1
Magazine 190
Aerojet Rocketdyne 31.25 EP Nuclear Thermal Engine (4) Power 31.25 Fuel Use 132.76% Signature 31.25 Exp 12%
Fuel Capacity 330 000 Litres Range 11.2 billion km (82 days at full power)
GE 10cm Railgun V2/C3 (1x4) Range 20 000km TS: 1562 km/s Power 3-3 RM 2 ROF 5 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Honeywell Fire Control S00.6 10-1562.5 (1) Max Range: 20 000 km TS: 1562 km/s 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
General Atomics Pressurised Water Reactor PB-1 (3) Total Power Output 3 Armour 0 Exp 5%
Size 1 Missile Launcher Mk 1 (10) Missile Size 1 Rate of Fire 15
Raytheon Missile Fire Control FC3-R1 (2) Range 3.6m km Resolution 1
Barracuda Mk 2 AMM (190) Speed: 6 900 km/s End: 9.8m Range: 4.1m km WH: 1 Size: 1 TH: 30/18/9
Raytheon Active Search Sensor MR3-R1 (1) GPS 60 Range 3.6m km MCR 392k km Resolution 1
Raytheon Thermal Sensor TH1-5 (1) Sensitivity 5 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 5m km
Raytheon EM Detection Sensor EM1-6 (1) Sensitivity 6 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 6m km
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 purposes
--- End code ---
March 2045
The first Sirius-class patrol ship is commissioned. The last decade has been a period of rapid colonial expansion and development. By now, over 22 million people are living on the moon, and 10 million on Mars.
August 2045
A further six Sirius-class ships are ordered, bringing the total to ten. Ships ordered: Achilles, Battleaxe, Brilliant, Dauntless, Diamond, Lynx.
January 2046
Four Phoenix-class jump ships are ordered: Phoenix, Orion, Hercules, and Aquarius. Equipped with the first top secret experimental jump drives, they will be the first true “starships”.
--- Code: ---Phoenix class Jump Scout 1 000 tons 27 Crew 96 BP TCS 20 TH 15 EM 0
1000 km/s JR 1-50 Armour 1-8 Shields 0-0 Sensors 5/18/0/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
Maint Life 14.23 Years MSP 60 AFR 8% IFR 0.1% 1YR 1 5YR 8 Max Repair 18 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months Spare Berths 0
BAE J1000(1-50) Military Jump Drive Max Ship Size 1000 tons Distance 50k km Squadron Size 1
General Atomics 20 EP Nuclear Thermal Engine (1) Power 20 Fuel Use 43.5% Signature 15 Exp 8%
Fuel Capacity 120 000 Litres Range 49.7 billion km (574 days at full power)
Raytheon Thermal Sensor TH1-5 (1) Sensitivity 5 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 5m km
Raytheon EM Detection Sensor EM3-18 (1) Sensitivity 18 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 18m km
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
--- End code ---
April 2046
Trans-Newtonian technology has revolutionized Earth's industry. While not a "post-scarcity" society by any means, the TN revolution has solved some of the most pressing problems of the 21st century: clean energy, climate change and the availability of water. While the benefits haven't been universal and conflict hasn't been eliminated on Earth by any means, the great powers of Earth agree to renounce their first-strike ability and place Earth under the aegis of an internationally-run, global missile-defense network. The possibility of FTL travel persuades the more paranoid among them that such a system is necessary to guard against an extraterrestrial threat. Work begins on four Missile Defense Bases. Each base is designed to protect near-Earth space from spaceborne threats. Meanwhile, an automated mining colony is being established on Mercury.
--- Code: ---Missile Defense Base class Missile Defence Base 24 650 tons 547 Crew 2351.4 BP TCS 493 TH 0 EM 0
Armour 16-75 Sensors 1/200 Damage Control Rating 0 PPV 115.28
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months Spare Berths 0
Troop Capacity: 2 Battalions Magazine 800
Quad GE R3/C3 Meson Cannon Turret (4x4) Range 30 000km TS: 8000 km/s Power 12-12 RM 3 ROF 5 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Raytheon PDC Fire Control S02 15-8000 (4) Max Range: 30 000 km TS: 8000 km/s 67 33 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
General Atomics Pebble Bed Reactor Technology PB-1 (4) Total Power Output 48 Armour 0 Exp 5%
PDC Size 1 Missile Launcher (50) Missile Size 1 Rate of Fire 10
Raytheon Missile Fire Control FC14-R1 (2) Range 14.4m km Resolution 1
Barracuda Mk 2 AMM (800) Speed: 6 900 km/s End: 9.8m Range: 4.1m km WH: 1 Size: 1 TH: 30/18/9
Raytheon Active Search Sensor MR12-R1 (1) GPS 200 Range 12.0m km MCR 1.3m km Resolution 1
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 Planetary Defence Centre and can be pre-fabricated in 10 sections
--- End code ---
June 2046
The Phoenix-class jump ships are launched. After a short shakedown, they embark on their pioneering mission.
7 June 2046
Jump scout Aquarius makes the first experimental FTL jump to the Ross 154 system; lieutenant commander Brent Valadez commanding.
27 June 2046
Jump scout Phoenix jumps to Alpha Centauri, and identifies several potentially habitable worlds. Another scout is sent in to search the system but discovers no signs of habitation. The decision is made to publicize the existence of the jump drive and the historic discovery.
April 2047
Interstellar exploration and colonization will require an entirely new infrastructure. To that end, the Hudson-class jump tender is designed, to allow civilian ships access to the worlds beyond a jump point.
--- Code: ---Hudson class Jump Tender 22 500 tons 116 Crew 754.55 BP TCS 450 TH 375 EM 0
833 km/s JR 2-25(C) Armour 1-70 Shields 0-0 Sensors 5/6/0/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
MSP 21 Max Repair 33 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months Spare Berths 1
Northrop Grumman JC22K Commercial Jump Drive Max Ship Size 22500 tons Distance 25k km Squadron Size 2
General Atomics 62.5 EP Commercial Nuclear Thermal Engine (6) Power 62.5 Fuel Use 13.26% Signature 62.5 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 6 540 000 Litres Range 394.4 billion km (5480 days at full power)
Raytheon Thermal Sensor TH1-5 (1) Sensitivity 5 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 5m km
Raytheon EM Detection Sensor EM1-6 (1) Sensitivity 6 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 6m km
This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
--- End code ---
21 November 2047
JSC Hercules, upon transiting to the Lacaille 8760 system, detects an anomalous object in orbit around the star. The red dwarf lacks any natural satellites. Sensor readings indicate the object is made of an unknown material. What is the object? Is it a starship? Where did it come from? Lacking any answers, but faced with the strong possibility that the object is artificial, fleet command decides to classify the report until such time it can be more thoroughly investigated.
After the discovery, the security council authorizes another eight Sirius-class ships: Alacrity, Amazon, Avenger, Broadsword, Charybdis, Daring, Leander, and Leopard.
May 2049
Scientists have devised a way to stabilize jump points so that they can be transited without the use of a jump drive. The Andromeda-class construction ship is designed to construct these “jump gates”. Three ships are ordered: Andromeda, Perseus, and Virgo.
--- Code: ---Andromeda class Construction Ship 65 800 tons 239 Crew 1576.45 BP TCS 1316 TH 625 EM 0
474 km/s Armour 1-145 Shields 0-0 Sensors 5/6/0/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
MSP 15 Max Repair 31.25 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 48 months Spare Berths 0
Jump Gate Construction Ship: 180 days
General Atomics 125 EP Commercial Nuclear Thermal Engine (5) Power 125 Fuel Use 7.07% Signature 125 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 1 000 000 Litres Range 38.6 billion km (942 days at full power)
Raytheon Thermal Sensor TH1-5 (1) Sensitivity 5 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 5m km
Raytheon EM Detection Sensor EM1-6 (1) Sensitivity 6 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 6m km
This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
--- End code ---
July 2049
For the past decade, scientists have postulated that Trans-Newtonian technology could enable the terraforming of the moon and Mars. An installation in lunar orbit could process the lunar regolith into its component elements and release the oxygen, creating a breathable atmosphere. Furthermore, discovery of a gaseous compound with excellent greenhouse properties - and nontoxic in any practical concentration – would allow temperature stabilization at a level compatible with human life. Constructing such an installation would be no mean feat of engineering, however, and terraforming on a time scale above centuries would require many such installations. After a lengthy design process, work begins on two such terraforming bases.
--- Code: ---Terraforming Base class Terraforming Base 155 400 tons 614 Crew 3894.4 BP TCS 3108 TH 0 EM 0
1 km/s Armour 1-257 Shields 0-0 Sensors 5/6/0/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
MSP 16 Max Repair 500 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 120 months Spare Berths 0
Terraformer: 6 module(s) producing 0.0072 atm per annum
Raytheon Thermal Sensor TH1-5 (1) Sensitivity 5 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 5m km
Raytheon EM Detection Sensor EM1-6 (1) Sensitivity 6 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 6m km
This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
--- End code ---
Deploying these stations to lunar orbit, however, will require a vehicle capable of towing them. Plans are drawn up for three Indianapolis-class tugs.
--- Code: ---Indianapolis class Tug 53 450 tons 520 Crew 1091.6 BP TCS 1069 TH 2500 EM 0
2338 km/s Armour 1-126 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
MSP 13 Max Repair 100 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months Spare Berths 0
Tractor Beam
General Atomics 125 EP Commercial Nuclear Thermal Engine (20) Power 125 Fuel Use 7.07% Signature 125 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 1 000 000 Litres Range 47.6 billion km (235 days at full power)
This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
--- End code ---
May 2050
Settlers arrive on Alpha Centauri-A III and IV, Earth’s first extrasolar colonies. Alpha Centauri-A III is a relatively Earthlike planet two thirds the size of Earth, with an average surface temperature of -21. 1 degrees, gravity of . 68 g, an Earthlike magnetic field and a nitrogen atmosphere thick enough to walk outside with only an oxygen mask. It has a 22 hour day, 327-day year, and an extreme axial tilt of 66 degrees that causes extreme seasonal variations. However, it lacks a hydrosphere. After arriving, the colonists decide to name the world Terra Nova – New Earth.
Alpha Centauri-A IV is colder, has a very thin nitrogen/oxygen atmosphere, gravity of . 48 g, and a trace magnetic field. It also has a 22 hour day, 5 degree axial tilt, and plentiful water in the form of ice over 41% of the surface. The colonists name their new world Hope.
A third world, the third moon of the gas giant Alpha Centauri-B I, is marked as a candidate for future colonization. It has gravity, magnetic field, and a breathable atmosphere almost identical to Earth, but is too cold to make current colonization practical.
Desdinova:
Chapter 3
April 2051
While surveying the Lalande 21185 system, the geosurvey ship Neptune is fired upon and destroyed by an unknown alien force. Some of the crew escape in life pods, but no rescue is possible or attempted. Fleet command is not informed until the rest of the survey group returns to Sol some two weeks later. All at once, humanity is confronted with the knowledge that not only is man not alone in the universe, but that there exists a hostile alien power on Earth’s doorstep.
Public reaction across Earth and her colonies is one of near panic. The UN security council makes the immediate decision to arm for war. The current fleet of Sirius-class escorts were never designed to stand toe-to-toe with an enemy fleet. They entirely lack long-range sensors and standoff weaponry. A new fleet will need to be constructed. A moratorium on exploration is imposed until the threat can be assessed and dealt with.
June 2051
The first mobile terraforming bases are constructed; terraforming of the moon begins. The Sirius-class ships begin refitting with newly-developed nuclear pulse engines. No longer euphemistically labeled “patrol vessels”, they are now designated as guided missile frigates, as their only suitable role will be to serve as screens and escorts for larger warships yet to be built.
--- Code: ---Sirius - 2051 Refit class Missile Frigate 4 000 tons 114 Crew 529 BP TCS 80 TH 150 EM 0
2500 km/s Armour 2-22 Shields 0-0 Sensors 5/6/0/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 13
Maint Life 1.88 Years MSP 83 AFR 128% IFR 1.8% 1YR 30 5YR 453 Max Repair 62.5 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 9 months Spare Berths 1
Magazine 190
Rolls-Royce 100 EP Nuclear Pulse Engine (2) Power 100 Fuel Use 125.78% Signature 75 Exp 12%
Fuel Capacity 330 000 Litres Range 11.8 billion km (54 days at full power)
GE 10cm Railgun V2/C3 (1x4) Range 20 000km TS: 2500 km/s Power 3-3 RM 2 ROF 5 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Honeywell Fire Control S00.6 10-1562.5 (1) Max Range: 20 000 km TS: 1562 km/s 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
General Atomics Pressurised Water Reactor PB-1 (3) Total Power Output 3 Armour 0 Exp 5%
Size 1 Missile Launcher Mk 1 (10) Missile Size 1 Rate of Fire 15
Raytheon Missile Fire Control FC3-R1 (2) Range 3.6m km Resolution 1
Barracuda Mk 4 AMM (190) Speed: 15 600 km/s End: 4.6m Range: 4.3m km WH: 1 Size: 1 TH: 78/46/23
Raytheon Active Search Sensor MR3-R1 (1) GPS 60 Range 3.6m km MCR 392k km Resolution 1
Raytheon Thermal Sensor TH1-5 (1) Sensitivity 5 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 5m km
Raytheon EM Detection Sensor EM1-6 (1) Sensitivity 6 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 6m km
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 purposes
--- End code ---
April 2053
The fuel supply would be vital to expansion and to any war effort. Unfortunately, the Sol system severely lacks in Sorium, so it must be harvested elsewhere. Fortunately, most surrounding systems have Sorium-bearing gas giants. This Sorium must be harvested. Plans have been drawn up for a Sorium-harvesting space station that can be left in the upper atmosphere of a gas giant almost indefinitely. Three harvesters begin construction in April, with many more to follow.
--- Code: ---Fuel Base class Fuel Harvester Base 152 800 tons 514 Crew 3678.4 BP TCS 3056 TH 0 EM 0
1 km/s Armour 1-254 Shields 0-0 Sensors 5/6/0/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
MSP 15 Max Repair 30 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 1200 months Spare Berths 0
Fuel Harvester: 50 modules producing 2000000 litres per annum
Fuel Capacity 20 000 000 Litres Range N/A
Raytheon Thermal Sensor TH1-5 (1) Sensitivity 5 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 5m km
Raytheon EM Detection Sensor EM1-6 (1) Sensitivity 6 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 6m km
This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
--- End code ---
May 2053
The Fearless-class destroyer mounts a similar anti-missile armament to the existing Sirius-class frigates, but also includes the newly-devised Tigershark anti-ship missile system. The Fearless’ sensors are optimized towards anti-fighter and anti-FAC use, however, and she lacks a large long-range sensor. In May, three ships are laid down: Fearless, Conqueror, and Liberator, along with five additional Sirius-class frigates.
--- Code: ---Fearless class Missile Destroyer 8 000 tons 180 Crew 1021.5 BP TCS 160 TH 400 EM 0
2500 km/s Armour 3-35 Shields 0-0 Sensors 5/6/0/0 Damage Control Rating 2 PPV 20.94
Maint Life 1.3 Years MSP 160 AFR 256% IFR 3.6% 1YR 100 5YR 1496 Max Repair 100 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 9 months Spare Berths 0
Magazine 480
General Atomics 200 EP Nuclear Pulse Engine (2) Power 200 Fuel Use 111.8% Signature 200 Exp 12%
Fuel Capacity 755 000 Litres Range 15.2 billion km (70 days at full power)
GE 10cm Railgun V2/C3 (1x4) Range 20 000km TS: 2500 km/s Power 3-3 RM 2 ROF 5 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Honeywell Fire Control S00.6 10-2500 (1) Max Range: 20 000 km TS: 2500 km/s 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
General Atomics Pebble Bed Reactor Technology PB-1 (1) Total Power Output 3 Armour 0 Exp 5%
Size 1 Missile Launcher Mk 1 (12) Missile Size 1 Rate of Fire 15
Size 3 Missile Launcher (33% Reduction) (6) Missile Size 3 Rate of Fire 900
Raytheon Missile Fire Control FC17-R16 (2) Range 17.3m km Resolution 16
Raytheon Missile Fire Control FC3-R1 (2) Range 3.6m km Resolution 1
Raytheon Missile Fire Control FC43-R100 (1) Range 43.2m km Resolution 100
Barracuda Mk 4 AMM (267) Speed: 15 600 km/s End: 4.6m Range: 4.3m km WH: 1 Size: 1 TH: 78/46/23
Tigershark Mk 1 ASM (71) Speed: 12 000 km/s End: 58.7m Range: 42.3m km WH: 4 Size: 3 TH: 64/38/19
Raytheon Active Search Sensor MR17-R16 (1) GPS 1152 Range 17.3m km Resolution 16
Raytheon Active Search Sensor MR3-R1 (1) GPS 60 Range 3.6m km MCR 392k km Resolution 1
Raytheon Thermal Sensor TH1-5 (1) Sensitivity 5 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 5m km
Raytheon EM Detection Sensor EM1-6 (1) Sensitivity 6 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 6m km
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 purposes
--- End code ---
June 2053
The Dunkirk-class expands on the anti-missile and anti-ship armament of the Fearless class, with more anti-ship missiles and launchers, and a 40m km search radar. She has a small hangar, intended for an early warning or rescue craft. Three ships are laid down: Dunkirk, Gettysburg, and Jutland.
--- Code: ---Dunkirk class Missile Cruiser 12 000 tons 253 Crew 1522.2 BP TCS 240 TH 600 EM 0
2500 km/s Armour 3-46 Shields 0-0 Sensors 5/6/0/0 Damage Control Rating 4 PPV 26.88
Maint Life 1.65 Years MSP 317 AFR 288% IFR 4% 1YR 137 5YR 2060 Max Repair 100 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 9 months Flight Crew Berths 21
Hangar Deck Capacity 250 tons Magazine 723
General Atomics 200 EP Nuclear Pulse Engine (3) Power 200 Fuel Use 111.8% Signature 200 Exp 12%
Fuel Capacity 1 240 000 Litres Range 16.6 billion km (77 days at full power)
GE 10cm Railgun V2/C3 (1x4) Range 20 000km TS: 2500 km/s Power 3-3 RM 2 ROF 5 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Honeywell Fire Control S00.6 10-2500 (1) Max Range: 20 000 km TS: 2500 km/s 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
General Atomics Pebble Bed Reactor Technology PB-1 (1) Total Power Output 3 Armour 0 Exp 5%
Size 1 Missile Launcher Mk 1 (12) Missile Size 1 Rate of Fire 15
Size 3 Missile Launcher (33% Reduction) (12) Missile Size 3 Rate of Fire 900
Raytheon Missile Fire Control FC3-R1 (2) Range 3.6m km Resolution 1
Raytheon Missile Fire Control FC17-R16 (2) Range 17.3m km Resolution 16
Raytheon Missile Fire Control FC43-R100 (4) Range 43.2m km Resolution 100
Barracuda Mk 4 AMM (267) Speed: 15 600 km/s End: 4.6m Range: 4.3m km WH: 1 Size: 1 TH: 78/46/23
Tigershark Mk 1 ASM (152) Speed: 12 000 km/s End: 58.7m Range: 42.3m km WH: 4 Size: 3 TH: 64/38/19
Raytheon Active Search Sensor MR43-R100 (1) GPS 7200 Range 43.2m km Resolution 100
Raytheon Active Search Sensor MR17-R16 (1) GPS 1152 Range 17.3m km Resolution 16
Raytheon Active Search Sensor MR3-R1 (1) GPS 60 Range 3.6m km MCR 392k km Resolution 1
Raytheon Thermal Sensor TH1-5 (1) Sensitivity 5 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 5m km
Raytheon EM Detection Sensor EM1-6 (1) Sensitivity 6 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 6m km
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 purposes
--- End code ---
The LCU is a small, inexpensive landing craft intended to rapidly deploy ground troops to the colonies in the case of unrest or alien invasion. Until recently, the colonies have not been garrisoned, but recent unrest in Alpha Centauri has shown the UNSF the value of rapid-response peacekeeping forces. Six boats are ordered.
--- Code: ---LCU-100 class Landing Craft Utility 1 000 tons 11 Crew 125 BP TCS 20 TH 50 EM 0
2500 km/s Armour 1-8 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 0 PPV 0
Maint Life 3.43 Years MSP 39 AFR 16% IFR 0.2% 1YR 5 5YR 76 Max Repair 60 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months Spare Berths 2
Drop Capacity: 1 Battalion
BAE 50 EP Nuclear Pulse Engine (1) Power 50 Fuel Use 132.76% Signature 50 Exp 12%
Fuel Capacity 90 000 Litres Range 12.2 billion km (56 days at full power)
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
--- End code ---
July 2054
RADM Laverne Muranaka retires and is succeeded by RADM Erich Fowles.
September 2054
Phoenix-class scouts are decommissioned. Their first-generation jump drives are now obsolete, and the force requires a jump ship with more capable passive sensors to serve a fleet reconnaissance misison.
October 2054
The replacement for the Phoenix class scouts, the J-100 is faster, with a more advanced jump drive and a significantly more advanced passive sensor suite. Six ships are ordered.
--- Code: ---J-100 class Jump Scout 1 000 tons 29 Crew 120.8 BP TCS 20 TH 50 EM 0
2500 km/s JR 1-50 Armour 1-8 Shields 0-0 Sensors 18/18/0/0 Damage Control Rating 0 PPV 0
Maint Life 5.54 Years MSP 38 AFR 16% IFR 0.2% 1YR 2 5YR 31 Max Repair 25 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months Spare Berths 5
Northrop Grumman J1000(1-50) Military Jump Drive Max Ship Size 1000 tons Distance 50k km Squadron Size 1
BAE 50 EP Nuclear Pulse Engine (1) Power 50 Fuel Use 132.76% Signature 50 Exp 12%
Fuel Capacity 120 000 Litres Range 16.3 billion km (75 days at full power)
Raytheon Thermal Sensor TH3-18 (1) Sensitivity 18 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 18m km
Raytheon EM Detection Sensor EM3-18 (1) Sensitivity 18 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 18m km
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
--- End code ---
November 2054
Two Houston-class troop transports, Houston and Geneva, are laid down. The Houston is designed to serve as a brigade transport, but not intended for an assault role.
--- Code: ---Houston class Troop Transport 18 650 tons 114 Crew 456.4 BP TCS 373 TH 400 EM 0
1072 km/s Armour 1-62 Shields 0-0 Sensors 5/6/0/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
MSP 15 Max Repair 50 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months Spare Berths 0
Troop Capacity: 5 Battalions
BAE 200 EP Commercial Nuclear Pulse Engine (2) Power 200 Fuel Use 7.07% Signature 200 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 250 000 Litres Range 34.1 billion km (368 days at full power)
Raytheon Thermal Sensor TH1-5 (1) Sensitivity 5 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 5m km
Raytheon EM Detection Sensor EM1-6 (1) Sensitivity 6 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 6m km
This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
--- End code ---
December 2054
Three more Dunkirk-class cruisers are ordered, Ypres, Waterloo, and Kursk.
January 2055
The first three Fearless-class destroyers are commissioned. Three more, Capable, Sentinel, and Valor, are laid down.
12 March 2055
A J-100 jump scout is sent to investigate the anomalous contact in the Lacaille 8760 system. An initial scan of the system reveals nothing. On reaching the vicinity that the contact was reported, the ship detects an enormously powerful electromagnetic contact. The scout avoids detection and manages to fall back to the Ross 154 jump point. First contact is attempted using message buoys to disguise the entry jump point, but no communication received. The system is declared off-limits.
Elsewhere, six new GEV-100 class survey ships are ordered. The Antares class has served admirably, but they are now over 20 years old and due for refit or replacement. The decision is made to replace them with a much smaller vessel equipped with passive sensors and their own jump engine.
--- Code: ---GEV-100 class Geological Survey Vessel 1 000 tons 28 Crew 179.8 BP TCS 20 TH 24 EM 0
1200 km/s JR 1-50 Armour 1-8 Shields 0-0 Sensors 6/6/0/1 Damage Control Rating 0 PPV 0
Maint Life 4.59 Years MSP 56 AFR 16% IFR 0.2% 1YR 4 5YR 65 Max Repair 100 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months Spare Berths 0
Northrop Grumman J1000(1-50) Military Jump Drive Max Ship Size 1000 tons Distance 50k km Squadron Size 1
BAE 24 EP Nuclear Pulse Engine (1) Power 24 Fuel Use 37.41% Signature 24 Exp 7%
Fuel Capacity 105 000 Litres Range 50.5 billion km (487 days at full power)
Raytheon Thermal Sensor TH1-6 (1) Sensitivity 6 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 6m km
Raytheon EM Detection Sensor EM1-6 (1) Sensitivity 6 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 6m km
Geological Survey Sensors (1) 1 Survey Points Per Hour
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
--- End code ---
May 2055
The first three Dunkirk-class cruisers are commissioned. A J-100 scout ship on a reconnaissance mission to the Lalande 21185 system detects a massive thermal contact in orbit of Lalande 21185 II. As Lalande 21185 II is apparently barely hospitable to life, it is thought that the planet may be some sort of forward base. The UN security council has been deadlocked on the issue of whether to try to take the system, due to the risk that an attack may provoke some vastly superior alien power. For now, Earth's space forces will focus on training and reconnaissance.
Three Valley Forge-class assault ships are laid down: Valley Forge, Saipan, and Iwo Jima. It has been considered that an attack on Lalande 21185 may involve ground combat; this requires some method of transporting soldiers and their equipment into battle. The Valley Forge class is an assault ship capable of transporting an entire brigade of mobile infantry and has a hangar deck for dropships or landing craft.
--- Code: ---Valley Forge class Assault Ship 30 000 tons 282 Crew 1263.8 BP TCS 600 TH 800 EM 0
1333 km/s Armour 1-86 Shields 0-0 Sensors 5/6/0/0 Damage Control Rating 10 PPV 0
Maint Life 0.94 Years MSP 250 AFR 757% IFR 10.5% 1YR 265 5YR 3975 Max Repair 50 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 9 months Flight Crew Berths 35
Hangar Deck Capacity 5000 tons Troop Capacity: 5 Battalions
BAE 200 EP Commercial Nuclear Pulse Engine (4) Power 200 Fuel Use 7.07% Signature 200 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 250 000 Litres Range 21.2 billion km (184 days at full power)
Raytheon Thermal Sensor TH1-5 (1) Sensitivity 5 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 5m km
Raytheon EM Detection Sensor EM1-6 (1) Sensitivity 6 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 6m km
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
--- End code ---
July 2055
Colonists arrive on Gliese 682 II. The planet is a frozen world almost entirely covered with water ice. It has a thick oxygen/nitrogen atmosphere and gravity of 1. 7 g. The planet is approximately twice the size of Earth, and tidally-locked to its red dwarf sun. The colonists choose the name Pacifica for their adopted homeworld.
October 2055
The Antares class geosurvey ships are decommissioned as the first GEV-100 class ships enter service.
October 2056
Survey ships are able to recon the Lalande 21185 system, finding no sign of alien presence beyond the second planet. Despite being extremely minerally rich, there is no sign of mining activity. Fleet intelligence surmises that the alien presence on Lalande 21185 II may be a forward operating base or outpost.
December 2056
The GSV-100 class enters production, as a replacement for the Aries-class, which are decommissioned and sent to the breakers. They are closely based on the GEV-100 class geosurvey ships.
--- Code: ---GSV-100 class Gravitational Survey Vessel 1 000 tons 28 Crew 179.8 BP TCS 20 TH 24 EM 0
1200 km/s JR 1-50 Armour 1-8 Shields 0-0 Sensors 6/6/1/0 Damage Control Rating 0 PPV 0
Maint Life 4.62 Years MSP 56 AFR 16% IFR 0.2% 1YR 4 5YR 64 Max Repair 100 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months Spare Berths 0
Northrop Grumman J1000(1-50) Military Jump Drive Max Ship Size 1000 tons Distance 50k km Squadron Size 1
BAE 24 EP Nuclear Pulse Engine (1) Power 24 Fuel Use 37.41% Signature 24 Exp 7%
Fuel Capacity 105 000 Litres Range 50.5 billion km (487 days at full power)
Raytheon Thermal Sensor TH1-6 (1) Sensitivity 6 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 6m km
Raytheon EM Detection Sensor EM1-6 (1) Sensitivity 6 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 6m km
Gravitational Survey Sensors (1) 1 Survey Points Per Hour
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
--- End code ---
January 2057
A J-100 jump scout is lost with all hands while on a recon mission to Lalande 21185. It manages to close within 13.8m km of Lalande 21185 before being detected. While tragic, it does establish a useful baseline for how far away FAC-size craft must be able to engage.
June 2057
For the last six years, the UNSF's focus has been entirely on preparing for the possibility of interstellar war. 25 Sirius-class frigates are now in service, along with six each of the Dunkirk-class cruisers and Fearless-class destroyers. But there's been no sign of intrusion from Lalande 21185, or any sign of activity at all in the system, despite regular patrols by small craft. Colonization has been advancing rapidly, with 80 million people now living on Mars, and over 70 million on the moon; 17 million more call Alpha Centauri home, and another million people have settled on Pacifica. Terraforming of the moon is rapidly progressing as well. The colonies have almost reach the point of being self-sustaining; the next step in the UN's development plan is to set up their own domestic industry; to support this aim, the UNSF's spacelift division will require significantly larger transport capability. To that end, the Minsk-class of freighter is developed:
--- Code: ---Minsk class Freighter 36 750 tons 129 Crew 510.4 BP TCS 735 TH 800 EM 0
1088 km/s Armour 1-98 Shields 0-0 Sensors 6/6/0/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
MSP 9 Max Repair 50 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months Spare Berths 2
Cargo 25000 Cargo Handling Multiplier 5
BAE 200 EP Commercial Nuclear Pulse Engine (4) Power 200 Fuel Use 7.07% Signature 200 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 500 000 Litres Range 34.6 billion km (368 days at full power)
Raytheon Thermal Sensor TH1-6 (1) Sensitivity 6 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 6m km
Raytheon EM Detection Sensor EM1-6 (1) Sensitivity 6 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 6m km
This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
--- End code ---
Three ships are ordered in 2057.
In order to project power beyond the jump gate network, the UNSF requires a jump ship. The Orion class is based on the Dunkirk class, but with the long-range sensors and most of the anti-ship armament deleted to make room for a jump drive. Three ships are laid down: Orion, Auriga, and Hydra.
--- Code: ---Orion class Jump Cruiser 12 000 tons 313 Crew 1501.7 BP TCS 240 TH 600 EM 0
2500 km/s JR 3-50 Armour 3-46 Shields 0-0 Sensors 5/6/0/0 Damage Control Rating 5 PPV 20.94
Maint Life 1.38 Years MSP 391 AFR 230% IFR 3.2% 1YR 221 5YR 3316 Max Repair 266 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 9 months Spare Berths 1
Magazine 405
Northrop Grumman J12000(3-50) Military Jump Drive Max Ship Size 12000 tons Distance 50k km Squadron Size 3
General Atomics 200 EP Nuclear Pulse Engine (3) Power 200 Fuel Use 111.8% Signature 200 Exp 12%
Fuel Capacity 1 190 000 Litres Range 16.0 billion km (73 days at full power)
GE 10cm Railgun V2/C3 (1x4) Range 20 000km TS: 2500 km/s Power 3-3 RM 2 ROF 5 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Honeywell Fire Control S00.6 10-2500 (1) Max Range: 20 000 km TS: 2500 km/s 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
General Atomics Pebble Bed Reactor Technology PB-1 (1) Total Power Output 3 Armour 0 Exp 5%
Size 3 Missile Launcher (33% Reduction) (6) Missile Size 3 Rate of Fire 900
Size 1 Missile Launcher Mk 1 (12) Missile Size 1 Rate of Fire 15
Raytheon Missile Fire Control FC3-R1 (2) Range 3.6m km Resolution 1
Raytheon Missile Fire Control FC43-R100 (1) Range 43.2m km Resolution 100
Raytheon Missile Fire Control FC17-R16 (2) Range 17.3m km Resolution 16
Barracuda Mk 5 AMM (267) Speed: 20 800 km/s End: 1.7m Range: 2.2m km WH: 1 Size: 1 TH: 104/62/31
Tigershark Mk 2 ASM (46) Speed: 16 000 km/s End: 42.9m Range: 41.2m km WH: 4 Size: 3 TH: 80/48/24
Raytheon Active Search Sensor MR3-R1 (1) GPS 60 Range 3.6m km MCR 392k km Resolution 1
Raytheon Active Search Sensor MR17-R16 (1) GPS 1152 Range 17.3m km Resolution 16
Raytheon Thermal Sensor TH1-5 (1) Sensitivity 5 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 5m km
Raytheon EM Detection Sensor EM1-6 (1) Sensitivity 6 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 6m km
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 purposes
--- End code ---
August 2057
A million settlers arrive on V577 Monoceri-B II. The most inhospitable planet yet colonized, it has a very thin oxygen/nitrogen atmosphere and gravity 45% of Earth's, but lacks a hydrosphere or a magnetic field. The colonists name the new world Acheron.
Ten years after the first FTL jump, exploration has stagnated as the UNSF focuses on building up its military strength and developing the existing colonies. Several jump points are mapped but unexplored.
Alpha Centauri and Gliese 682 are home to human colonies; the Ross 154 jump point is just outside Earth's orbit and the system has several gas giants rich with Sorium, making it a natural location for a fuel harvesting base.
Desdinova:
Chapter 4
October 2057
One of the ramifications of jump drive is that jump points are natural choke points; one method to control these choke points would be deep space mines. The minelayer Newcastle is laid down in October to explore this concept, but her first mission will be to lay sensor buoys throughout explored space for early warning purposes.
--- Code: ---Newcastle class Minelayer 5 000 tons 74 Crew 381.4 BP TCS 100 TH 200 EM 0
2000 km/s Armour 1-26 Shields 0-0 Sensors 18/18/0/0 Damage Control Rating 2 PPV 6
Maint Life 2.54 Years MSP 95 AFR 100% IFR 1.4% 1YR 21 5YR 308 Max Repair 36 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months Spare Berths 0
Magazine 384
BAE 100 EP Commercial Nuclear Pulse Engine (2) Power 100 Fuel Use 10.61% Signature 100 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 115 000 Litres Range 39.0 billion km (225 days at full power)
Size 24 Missile Launcher (25% Reduction) (1) Missile Size 24 Rate of Fire 24000
Raytheon Missile Fire Control FC43-R100 (1) Range 43.2m km Resolution 100
Mk 1 Size 24 Sensor Buoy (16) Speed: 0 km/s End: 0m Range: 0m km WH: 0 Size: 24 TH: 0/0/0
Raytheon Thermal Sensor TH3-18 (1) Sensitivity 18 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 18m km
Raytheon EM Detection Sensor EM3-18 (1) Sensitivity 18 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 18m km
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 purposes
--- End code ---
January 2058
Several members of the UNSF's senior leadership are proponents of small, lightly-armed but fast strike craft. The FAC-100 fast attack craft is intended to evaluate the effectiveness of this concept, with plans for two squadrons.
--- Code: ---FAC-100 class Fast Attack Craft 900 tons 4 Crew 141.8 BP TCS 18 TH 160 EM 0
8888 km/s Armour 1-8 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 0 PPV 3.6
Maint Life 0 Years MSP 0 AFR 180% IFR 2.5% 1YR 65 5YR 972 Max Repair 80 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 0.1 months Spare Berths 0
Magazine 24
Rolls-Royce 160 EP FAC Nuclear Pulse Engine (1) Power 160 Fuel Use 407.3% Signature 160 Exp 20%
Fuel Capacity 65 000 Litres Range 3.2 billion km (4 days at full power)
Size 3 Box Launcher (8) Missile Size 3 Hangar Reload 22.5 minutes MF Reload 3.7 hours
Raytheon Missile Fire Control FC43-R100 (1) Range 43.2m km Resolution 100
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
--- End code ---
March 2058
Along with these new fast attack craft, the FPC-100 will provide long-range sensor capability, allowing them to work in tandem as hunter/killers.
--- Code: ---FPC-100 class Fast Patrol Craft 900 tons 5 Crew 184 BP TCS 18 TH 160 EM 0
8888 km/s Armour 1-8 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 0 PPV 0
Maint Life 0 Years MSP 0 AFR 180% IFR 2.5% 1YR 114 5YR 1705 Max Repair 80 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 0.1 months Spare Berths 5
Rolls-Royce 160 EP FAC Nuclear Pulse Engine (1) Power 160 Fuel Use 407.3% Signature 160 Exp 20%
Fuel Capacity 65 000 Litres Range 3.2 billion km (4 days at full power)
Honeywell Active Search Sensor MR48-R100 (1) GPS 8000 Range 48.0m km Resolution 100
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
--- End code ---
April 2058
Terraforming of the moon is completed.
August 2058
A vital component of any navy's ability to project force is underway replenishment. The Myrmidon-class can resupply and rearm a task force while maintaining their speed. Ships ordered: Myrmidon, Helios, Minotaur.
--- Code: ---Myrmidon class Replenishment Ship 12 000 tons 190 Crew 1079.65 BP TCS 240 TH 450 EM 0
2500 km/s Armour 1-46 Shields 0-0 Sensors 6/6/0/0 Damage Control Rating 11 PPV 0
Maint Life 12.7 Years MSP 5619 AFR 104% IFR 1.5% 1YR 65 5YR 968 Max Repair 140.625 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months Spare Berths 0
Magazine 1050
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries 300 EP Nuclear Pulse Engine (2) Power 300 Fuel Use 19.48% Signature 225 Exp 7%
Fuel Capacity 825 000 Litres Range 63.5 billion km (294 days at full power)
Raytheon Thermal Sensor TH1-6 (1) Sensitivity 6 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 6m km
Raytheon EM Detection Sensor EM1-6 (1) Sensitivity 6 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 6m km
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
--- End code ---
The Ontario class fleet oiler, based on the same hull as the Myrmidon. can triple the range of a cruiser squadron. Three ships are laid down - Ontario, Vulcan, and Cyclops.
--- Code: ---Ontario class Oiler 12 000 tons 128 Crew 799.65 BP TCS 240 TH 450 EM 0
2500 km/s Armour 1-46 Shields 0-0 Sensors 6/6/0/0 Damage Control Rating 9 PPV 0
Maint Life 1.71 Years MSP 375 AFR 128% IFR 1.8% 1YR 155 5YR 2319 Max Repair 140.625 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months Spare Berths 3
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries 300 EP Nuclear Pulse Engine (2) Power 300 Fuel Use 19.48% Signature 225 Exp 7%
Fuel Capacity 5 800 000 Litres Range 446.6 billion km (2067 days at full power)
Raytheon Thermal Sensor TH1-6 (1) Sensitivity 6 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 6m km
Raytheon EM Detection Sensor EM1-6 (1) Sensitivity 6 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 6m km
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
--- End code ---
December 2059
Improvements are being planned to Earth's orbital infrastructure, including three new orbiting docking platforms to service the expanding UNSF fleet.
--- Code: ---Spacedock class Space Station 24 300 tons 333 Crew 2471.4 BP TCS 486 TH 0 EM 0
1 km/s Armour 1-74 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 2 PPV 0
Maint Life 0 Years MSP 127 AFR 2361% IFR 32.8% 1YR 0 5YR 0 Max Repair 8 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months Flight Crew Berths 315
Hangar Deck Capacity 20000 tons Magazine 450
Fuel Capacity 250 000 Litres Range N/A
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
--- End code ---
May 2060
The Indianapolis-class tugs are showing their age, so a new class, equipped with current drive technology, is needed. Three ships are planned.
--- Code: ---Chicago class Tug 48 150 tons 474 Crew 1356.6 BP TCS 963 TH 3600 EM 0
3738 km/s Armour 1-117 Shields 0-0 Sensors 6/6/0/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
MSP 18 Max Repair 100 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months Spare Berths 0
Tractor Beam
BAE 200 EP Commercial Nuclear Pulse Engine (18) Power 200 Fuel Use 7.07% Signature 200 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 1 000 000 Litres Range 52.9 billion km (163 days at full power)
Raytheon Thermal Sensor TH1-6 (1) Sensitivity 6 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 6m km
Raytheon EM Detection Sensor EM1-6 (1) Sensitivity 6 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 6m km
This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
--- End code ---
Desdinova:
Chapter 5
The Battle of Lacaille 8760
28 September 2060
The order goes out: Task Force 14 will proceed at once to the Lacaille 8760 system. Once in-system, they will sweep the system for alien activity. If contact is made, they will attempt communication and initiate no hostile action, although the commander is authorized to use any force necessary to ensure the safety of his task force, at their discretion.
The force will consist of the Dunkirk-class cruisers Dunkirk, Gettysburg, Jutland, Kursk, Waterloo, and Ypres, the Orion-class jump cruisers Auriga and Hydra, and the Sirius-class frigates Achilles, Apollo, Arrow, Avenger, Boxer, Brilliant, Broadsword, Cleopatra, Dragon, Juno, Jupiter, Leopard, Lynx, Minerva, Scylla, and Sirius. The fleet oilers Ontario, Cyclops, and Vulcan are tasked for underway replenishment.
At best speed, Lacaille 8760 is only 11 days from Earth; determining the nature of the anomalous contact and alien sighting is seen by the UNSF admiralty as a high priority to ensure Earth’s safety. The fleet has spent years preparing for combat, and now the time has come for their first patrol outside of the Sol system under real combat conditions.
10 October 2060
In position at the Lacaille 8760 jump point, task force commander Captain Guo Qing Hui detaches her replenishment ships, before squadron jumping the Auriga and Hydra, escorted by Avenger, Boxer, Lynx, and Scylla. Once the rest of the fleet is safely through the jump point, she detaches her frigates to screen the main force in a hexagonal configuration, with two rings at intervals of 350,000 km, the maximum range at which they can reliably detect enemy missiles. The task force gets underway in the direction of the last sighting of the alien vessel.
12 October 2060
The UNSF crews, while well trained, have never seen combat. The mood aboard ship is light and jovial, with most of the crew and officers treating the patrol as just another exercise. While rumors have been circulating the fleet about the sighting in Lacaille 8760, most have dismissed them. Even those who know the reason for the patrol don’t believe anything will come of it; if an alien ship was sighted, the system is devoid of planets – surely they must have moved on?
Then, after 34 hours in system, all hell breaks loose. Sensor operators detect 36 contacts of approximately 750 tons, bearing straight ahead and closing at a speed of 10,666 km per second. The contacts are assigned the codename “Barnard” by the tactical computer. The fleet reacts swiftly and professionally, as battle stations is sounded. The task force commander takes immediate evasive action, reversing course, and makes the judgement call that this is almost certainly a hostile response. For the preservation of the task force, she orders her fleet to engage.
As they are responsible for fleet defense against fast attack craft, the destroyers open up first. But the anti-ship missiles they engage with are only slightly faster than the enemy, so most of the first salvo misses. Those that do hit seem to do little to deter the advancing vessels. The Dunkirk-class cruisers then open up with their own anti-ship launchers; as the sound of the missiles leaving their launchers reverberates through each cruiser, the reality of the situation sets in for the men and women aboard.
The second salvo is more successful, with a higher hit ratio, and one enemy vessel is destroyed and another crippled by a secondary explosion. Sensors show the vessel as venting some sort of fluid into space.
With the enemy now closing to within 6 millon kilometers, those ships equipped with the latest generation of Barracuda anti-missile open fire with those.
By 3 million kilometers, the entire fleet is shooting everything that they can throw at the advancing vessels. Slowly their numbers are whittled down, but they keep closing the range in the face of dozens of anti-missiles. The final vessel is destroyed less than 200,000 km short of the frigates Apollo and Cleopatra.
After dispatching any disabled stragglers, the commander is able to take stock of her situation. About 25% of the fleet’s missiles have been expended. No damage or casualties have been reported. Bizarrely, what remains of the enemy doesn’t register as metallic – the sensors can’t make heads or tails of it. The 36 enemy contacts have been reduced to a cloud of vapor and what appears to be some sort of organic material. But the captain is not a scientist, and she orders the fleet to resume its original course.
24 November 2060
After almost a month on patrol since the battle, Captain Guo Qing Hui is close to declaring the system clear of hostile contacts. But during one final sweep, the fleet detects a massive active sensor contact in the vicinity of the star, near where it was originally reported. She orders the fleet to close within active sensor range.
Upon closing in, there can be no doubt that the vessel is the same contact reported five years earlier. Furthermore, the drive signature matches that of the small craft that were previously destroyed. This thing, therefore, must be some sort of mothership. She is authorized by fleet command to engage it.
But the strange vessel is protected by an energy shield too strong for even all 15 cruisers and destroyers combined to bring down, at least from range. Shortly after the first salvo lands, a second wave of 20 Barnard-class contacts appears on the screen, confirming the larger vessel to be a carrier or mothership of some sort. The captain orders her escorts to rejoin and maintain a tight formation as they allow them to close within anti-missile range. Once again, the enemy are stopped, but only just short of the fleet.
With the enemy attack wave stopped, the captain orders her fleet to close to 2 million kilometers, so that all armament may be brought to bear. The waves of anti-missile and anti-ship missiles begin to have an effect, but barely. The captain decides to close in even closer, to achieve even higher saturation. At 150,000 km, the missiles start to do real damage, with a more than one secondary explosion appearing on the scope. But the shields are still regenerating, so once the contact’s active sensor ability is knocked out, they close even closer, to less than 10,000 km, to engage point-blank with their secondary railgun armament.
At such close range, it is just barely possible for a ship’s onboard visual scopes to resolve the 60,000 ton vessel. And what they see is monstrous – a hulk of apparently living matter, writhing and scored by hundreds of missile impacts. It’s not just venting fluid – it’s bleeding. Without its energy shield, half a minute of railgun bombardment is all it takes to blast the entity apart.
After the battle, the remains are analyzed, but the analysis raises more questions than answers. Their means of propulsion and ability to generate energy fields cannot be explained. The scientific consensus is that such a species could never have evolved naturally in deep space. Somehow, these beings were engineered. But by whom, and for what purpose? The only thing that is certain is that they did not originate from Lacaille 8760. While not officially named except with a numeric designator, throughout the fleet, the Lacaille 8760 entities become known as the “Star Swarm”.
The crews of the task force, on their return to Earth, receive a hero’s welcome. 23 year old CDR Arina Yefimov, C.O. FFG Cleopatra, is singled out for heroism, destroying four enemy vessels while maneuvering at point-blank range with the enemy. She is awarded the Sol Cross, the UNSF’s first combat decoration.
Analysis of the battle raises some questions about the UNSF’s ships and doctrine. 208,000 tons of Earth spacecraft took on 102,000 tons of space monster and won without casualty, but only prevented them from closing by the narrowest of margins. The biggest point of criticism is the missiles used; the fleet was mostly equipped with a mix of current- and previous-generation missiles, and the previous generation of anti-missile has only a 2.1 million km range. Several salvos were wasted after being fired from beyond their maximum range due to mid-battle confusion. The anti-ship missiles used did not have a uniform speed, giving the enemy’s shields time to regenerate, and the rate of fire was too low. Neither AMM or ASM was wholly effective against the enemy fast attack units. Furthermore, a single battle depleted almost the entire supply of modern anti-missiles.
Railguns proved extremely effective against a disabled target, but would have been too short-ranged to be useful against a “boom and zoom” attack. The fleet’s detection and early warning systems were inadequate; the mothership should never have escaped detection on the initial pass through the system. One final criticism would be that the Sirius-class frigates, being designed as patrol vessels, lack the speed to maneuver with fleet assets. Future escorts should be faster than the ships they’re escorting.
On the positive side, the use of intermediate-resolution sensors and fire controls proved crucial. Having an extra fire control system allowed the cruisers and destroyers to engage enemy fast attack units with both short- and long-range missiles. Crew performance was excellent, and the fleet-wide focus on training over the last several years made a great deal of difference. The presence of replenishment oilers capable of keeping up with a task force at full speed was also a major asset.
August 2061
With the terraforming of Mars complete, the UNSF Corps of Engineers moves to deploy terraforming bases to Pacifica and Alpha Centauri.
May 2062
Earth is facing a critical shortage of Neutronium within the next ten to twenty years. The UNSF Corps of Engineers identifies asteroid mining as the best way to meet that demand.
--- Code: ---Mining Base class Mining Base 112 300 tons 1014 Crew 4795.2 BP TCS 2246 TH 0 EM 0
1 km/s Armour 1-207 Shields 0-0 Sensors 6/6/0/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
MSP 27 Max Repair 120 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 1200 months Spare Berths 0
Asteroid Miner: 20 module(s) producing 240 tons per mineral per annum
Raytheon Thermal Sensor TH1-6 (1) Sensitivity 6 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 6m km
Raytheon EM Detection Sensor EM1-6 (1) Sensitivity 6 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 6m km
This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
--- End code ---
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