On January 1st 2015, a team of scientists from Berkeley University in California announced to the world that they had discovered an entirely new area of physics with the potential to revolutionise industry and transform space travel, opening up access to the rest of the solar system. Their initial claims were met with scorn, especially regarding the eleven new minerals that underpinned their discovery, until other scientists repeated their experiments and realised an incredible theoretical breakthrough had been achieved. There was still a massive amount of work involved in turning the theory into practical application but with the obvious benefits involved, every major government and power bloc in the world immediately diverted every available resource into the effort to conquer Trans-Newtonian Physics.
By early May, although no practical application of the new theory had been accomplished, the private sector in India had managed to amass the necessary funding to build a civilian space centre, dedicated to the exploration and colonization of space. Two weeks later, the People’s Republic of China became the first nation on Earth to completely comprehend the fundamentals of Trans-Newtonian technology, although this was partly due to the fact work was underway before the Berkeley announcement. Their first priority was to begin converting their industrial base to make use of the new technology while their scientists began to look at ways to increase the rate of which the industry could be converted.
The United States and the European Union made their own breakthroughs approximately five weeks after the Chinese. Both countries began looking at potential propulsion methods, both for spacecraft and for advanced missiles based on the new technology. The Europeans had an advantage in the short-term as they had more capability in the area of propulsion research while the best American scientists were in the field of missile and kinetic weapon research. The first stage for both nations was the development of pressurised water reactors, which would in turn allow the development of nuclear thermal engines.
In early October the Japanese Alliance became the fourth power bloc to join the Trans-Newtonian club. Wary of their giant neighbour, Japan and her allies decided to concentrate on building an orbital defence system to guard against a Chinese ICBM strike. The first stage of this project was the development of gauss technology. The USAN made their own Trans-Newtonian breakthrough three weeks later and began researching improvements to construction technology.
to be continued...
By the start of 2016, the Russian Federation had caught up with the other powers and decided to concentrate its own efforts on active sensors, planning to use a monopoly on the technology to scan the technical systems of the other power blocs. Around the same time, both China and the European Union were running into problems with the supply of Trans-Newtonian minerals. China had initially concentrated on converting its conventional industrial base to construction factories but the increase in construction capability outstripped the extraction of minerals required to support it. The European Union ran into trouble because it had the most efficient industrial output due to the efforts of Fleet Admiral Eva Tellez Pelayo, head of the European military, who was taking a personal interest in the industrial effort. Her efforts had increased production but unfortunately the output of the Union’s mines was insufficient to keep up. Both China and the European Union began converting industry to mines but the delay slowed down their overall conversion effort. The United States was faring better, partly because it had adopted a more balanced approach in terms of mines and construction factories but mainly because Vice Admiral Purdom, commanding the entire American industrial effort, had a mining background and was able to get more out of his available capacity than his economic rivals. The economic status of the various powers on January 4th 2016 was as follows:
United States: 411m / 1167 CI / 10 CF / 22 Mines
European Union: 511m / 1162 CI / 10 CF / 26 Mines
China: 1430m / 873 CI / 20 CF / 6 Mines
Japan: 361m / 592 CI / 7 CF
USAN: 412m / 296 CI / 3 Mines
Russia: 208m / 299 CI
India: 1123m / 225 CI
Islamic: 514m / 150 CI
In addition to converting conventional industry to construction factories and mines, the United States made use of its advantages in mineral production to simultaneously work on increasing its capacity to build spacecraft. By May 2016, the United States was in a position to work on two spacecraft at once, once the necessary technology became available, whereas all the other powers were restricted to working on a single spacecraft. Both the European Union and China had begun similar projects but had to put them on hold due to mineral shortages. Later the same month, India became the seventh of the major powers to complete the basic Trans-Newtonian research.
(NB: Bug spotted at this point that although convert cost was 20 wealth, duranium cost was 30)
China completed research into improvements to its construction rate in July and began work on its mining production. The leading scientists of the People’s Republic were specialised in construction and production technologies so they decided to build their industrial base before embarking on the space-related technologies pursued by their major rivals. A month later, the Russian Federation completed its research into active sensor technology and began developing an active sensor that they intended to deploy in orbit.
Orbital Detection System
Active Sensor Strength: 20
Sensor Size: 2 Sensor HTK: 1
Primary Mode: Resolution: 5 Maximum Range: 1,000,000 km
Chance of destruction by electronic damage: 100%
Cost: 20 Crew: 10
Materials Required: 5x Duranium 15x Uridium
Development Cost for Project: 200RPIn late August, the European Union completed research into nuclear thermal engine technology, having already developed the pre-requisite Pressurised Water Reactor technology, and immediately began work on the first practical spacecraft engine, the Nuclear Thermal Drive. The United States was pursuing the same research but at this stage was approximately nine months behind the Europeans. Once the Drive was ready, the European Union planned to develop geological survey sensors and then build a spacecraft capable of surveying the rest of the solar system for additional sources of trans-newtonian minerals
Nuclear Thermal Drive
Power Output: 25 Explosion Chance: 5 Efficiency: 1 Thermal Signature: 25
Engine Size: 5 Engine HTK: 2 Internal Armour: 0
Cost: 12 Crew: 25
Materials Required: 3x Duranium 9x Gallicite
Development Cost for Project: 120RPMeanwhile the Japanese had completed work on Gauss Cannon technology and were developing the first practical spacecraft weapon, intended for orbital deployment as a guard against Chinese missiles.
Gauss Cannon
Damage Output 1 Rate of Fire: 1 shot every 5 seconds Range Modifier: 1
Max Range 10,000 km Size: 6 HTK: 2
Cost: 12 Crew: 24
Materials Required: 12x Vendarite
Development Cost for Project: 120RPOn November 18th 2016, the Russian Federation launched the first “spacecraft” based on Trans-Newtonian technology. The Krivak-class Recon Satellite was equipped with the recently developed Orbital Detection System, which would allow the Russian Federation to observe the spacecraft of any other power anywhere within the Earth/Moon system and perhaps glean technical information about their capabilities. For the moment, with nothing to observe, the Russians chose to leave the sensor system inactive to avoid giving away the Krivak’s own capability.
Krivak class Recon Satellite 250 tons 15 Crew 38.6 BP TCS 5 TH 0 EM 0
1 km/s Armour 1-3 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/0/0/0 Damage Control Rating 0 PPV 0
Annual Failure Rate: 50% IFR: 0.7% Maintenance Capacity 0 MSP Max Repair 20 MSP
Orbital Detection System (1) GPS 100 Range 1,000k km Resolution 5
Economic Situation on January 8th 2017
United States: 424m / 1100 CI / 50 CF / 50 Mines
European Union: 523m / 1097 CI / 50 CF / 52 Mines
China: 1461m / 830 CI / 20 CF / 50 Mines
Japan: 371m / 559 CI / 20 CF / 20 Mines
USAN: 424m / 277 CI / 10 CF / 12 Mines
Russia: 218m / 282 CI / 17 Mines
India: 1147m / 218 CI / 1 CF / 5 Mines
Islamic: 530m / 150 CI
Earth Mineral Situation
Duranium 488,432 Acc: 1
Neutronium 94,215 Acc: 0.5
Corbomite 55,372 Acc: 0.4
Tritanium 81,902 Acc: 0.7
Boronide 103,059 Acc: 0.6
Mercassium 139,589 Acc: 0.9
Vendarite 27,686 Acc: 0.2
Sorium 169,589 Acc: 0.9
Uridium 98,832 Acc: 0.1
Corundium 75,372 Acc: 0.4
Gallicite 100,745 Acc: 0.8
On March 8th 2017, the European Union completed research into geological sensors, the last piece of technology required for the design of the Montcalm class geosurvey ship. The first ship of the class was laid down shortly thereafter with construction expected to require seven months.
Montcalm class Geosurvey Ship 850 tons 68 Crew 155 BP TCS 17 TH 25 EM 0
1470 km/s Armour 1-7 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/0/0/1 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
Annual Failure Rate: 5% IFR: 0.1% Maintenance Capacity 114 MSP Max Repair 100 MSP
Nuclear Thermal Drive (1) Power 25 Efficiency 1.00 Signature 25 Armour 0 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 50,000 Litres Range 105.8 billion km (833 days at full power)
Geological Survey Sensors (1) 1 Survey PointsThus far in the Trans-Newtonian Age the Russian Federation had concentrated its efforts on sensor and fire control technology and in mid-April they developed the basis for beam fire control. As they had no weapons capability they were unable to make use of this so Russian diplomats approached their Japanese counterparts to discuss a technology transfer. Although they could not be described as allies, there was no real potential for future conflict between Russia and Japan and both nations were very wary of the Chinese. Therefore it did not take long for them to reach an agreement. The Russians agreed to transfer knowledge of Beam Fire Control Range 10,000 km and Active Sensor Strength 10 in exchange for Gauss Cannon Rate of Fire 1 and Gauss Cannon Rate of Fire 1. This would allow both nations to begin work on orbital anti-missile systems designed to combat the threat posed by Chinese ICBMs.
On May 8th, the Islamic Alliance finally made the breakthrough into Trans-Newtonian technology, the last of the major powers to do so. A week later the Japanese finished work on detection and fire control systems based on newly acquired Russian technology. These were incorporated into the design for the Zuiho class Orbital Weapon Platform. The Zuiho was able to fire two shots every five seconds, which given the 15 minutes flight time for Chinese ICBMs, would allow a single Zuiho to fire three hundred and sixty shots against any hostile missiles. Construction of the first Zuiho began immediately.
Zuiho class Orbital Weapon Platform 1000 tons 65 Crew 56 BP TCS 20 TH 0 EM 0
1 km/s Armour 1-8 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/0/0/0 Damage Control Rating 0 PPV 12
Annual Failure Rate: 200% IFR: 2.8% Maintenance Capacity 0 MSP Max Repair 15 MSP
Gauss Cannon (2) Range 10,000km TS: 1000 km/s Power 0-0 RM 1 ROF 5
Anti-ICBM Fire Control (1) Max Range: 20,000 km TS: 2000 km/s
Missile Detection Sensor (1) GPS 5 Range 50k km Resolution 1A month later the Russian Federation finished its own research effort, resulting in the design for the Kirov class Missile Defence Satellite. As Russia’s only shipyard had been tooled up to build the Krivak Recon Satellite, two of which were in orbit, it would take a little time to convert it to produce the Kirov. Once converted, the smaller Kirovs could be produced more quickly than their more capable Japanese equivalents.
Kirov class Missile Defence Satellite 600 tons 36 Crew 40.4 BP TCS 12 TH 0 EM 0
1 km/s Armour 1-6 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/0/0/0 Damage Control Rating 0 PPV 6
Annual Failure Rate: 120% IFR: 1.7% Maintenance Capacity 0 MSP Max Repair 15 MSP
Gauss Cannon (1) Range 10,000km TS: 1000 km/s Power 0-0 RM 1 ROF 5
GC Fire Control System (1) Max Range: 20,000 km TS: 1000 km/s
ICBM Detection Array (1) GPS 5 Range 50k km Resolution 1The United States became the second power to develop a working Nuclear Thermal Engine on June 28th 2017. They still lacked the geological survey sensors developed by the European Union or the weaponry developed by the Russians and Japanese so they held back from designing any Trans-Newtonian spacecraft for the time being
The first Japanese Zuiho class Orbital Weapon Platform was launched into orbit on July 23rd, causing considerable consternation. The 250 ton Russian Krivak Recon Satellites had caused mild concern but all the powers were aware they were almost certainly too small to contain any type of weapon system. The Zuiho was 1000 tons and its capabilities were completely unknown to the other powers, with the exception of the Russian Federation. No thermal signature was detected by any ground based stations, which meant the largest man-made object in the sky was probably not a spacecraft and that left some type of armed space station as the only reasonable option. The other powers demanded an explanation of its purpose. The Japanese response was that the satellite was purely defensive and provided a shield against any unwarranted aggression. Beyond that they were not prepared to discuss its capabilities. To the initial surprise of several other powers the Russians backed up the Japanese right of self-defence, but the more astute diplomats quickly realised that meant the Russians were likely to be deploying their own orbital weapons in the near future.
Until this point, the race into space had been relatively free from tension. The governments and the populations of the major powers had been so absorbed and excited by the possibilities of the Trans-Newtonian technologies, they had almost forgotten old rivalries. For some nations, all their efforts had been concentrated on propulsion systems and thoughts of surveying the solar system. Suddenly there was a space station above their heads with weapons of unknown type and strength. Hastily convened crisis meetings were held in the capitals of the world and research priorities were swiftly reassessed.
The European Union was already mid-way through developing a nuclear thermal missile drive so the President of the Union and his military advisors decided that all their efforts should be concentrated on developing a viable missile system, preferably ship-mounted to enable it to remain out of range of Earth-based ICBMs. The United States had just began development of geological survey sensors but that was rapidly abandoned in favour of a similar approach to the European Union. A problem facing both powers was that they had no factories capable of building Trans-Newtonian missiles so they would have to convert conventional industry to ordnance factories, which would slow down overall conversion of their conventional industry. The People’s Republic of China had just completed its own research into mining technology, giving it a twenty percent advantage over the other powers in output per mining complex. Combined with its twenty percent advantage in construction rates this gave China the ability to punch above its industrial weight and compete with the United States and the European Union. However, now that its main rival had deployed an OWP, Chinese leaders were far more interested in military than economic capabilities. After careful deliberation, the People’s Republic decided to pursue meson technology. This would provide them with a weapon that could be based on Earth or in space and would be unaffected by the atmosphere, either in terms of firing at spacecraft from the Earth’s surface or vice versa. The meson’s ability to pass through any form of matter would allow to penetrate any type of armour protection, making it ideal for taking out hostile ground bases, even if they were deep underground. It could even be used to destroy incoming ICBMs launched by the other powers.
The Russian Federation was quite content with the situation as its own OWP would begin construction within two weeks. Given the success of their technology trades with Japan, the Russians decided to make use of their expertise in the field of sensors to develop geological survey sensors, on the basis that several other nations would be willing to trade for the technology. India was only a month away from completing research into the Pressurised Water Reactor so the government decided that should be finished first. As their own expertise was in the area of power and propulsion, the Indians decided to press ahead with development of nuclear thermal engines as soon as possible and hope to use that knowledge to trade for weapon technology. If not, they would avoid any form of conflict and develop missiles as soon as it was practicable. The Union of South American Nations was following a similar approach to the Chinese, improving their industrial capabilities before looking to space. Work on increasing their construction rate was seventy percent complete so the USAN decided to see that work through and then reassess the situation. The Islamic Alliance had no particular specialization in terms of research, which combined with their general low level of research capability put them at a severe disadvantage during a technological arms race. The leaders of the Alliance briefly debated the idea of keeping a low profile, avoiding any provocation of the other powers and hoping that an opportunity to improve their situation might present itself. This was harshly dismissed by the more hawkish members who put forward a much more aggressive option. They would engage in saber-rattling, demanding that the Alliance be provided with the technology to participate more fully in the benefits of Trans-Newtonian technology or they would be forced to launch punitive strikes with their recently developed nuclear weapons. Obviously no such strikes would actually take place but their threat, combined with a well-acted fanaticism, would compel the other powers to hand over technology to avoid the possibility of a nuclear attack. The more cautious members still urged a conciliatory approach, citing the many uncertainties introduced into world affairs by the destabilising influence of Trans-Newtonian tech, but they were shouted down. Over the next few weeks, the Islamic Alliance steadily increased its rhetoric and its demands for access to the technology of other nations became more and more strident. To the surprise of both the hawks and the doves within the Alliance, the other powers simply ignored them, apart from threatening massive retribution for any attack.
The Japanese launched a second Zuiho on September 28th and the Russian Federation launched a Kirov class Missile Defence Satellite on October 3rd. Both these events were completely overshadowed by the launch of the Montcalm, the first true Trans-Newtonian spacecraft, on October 8th 2017. As soon as the Montcalm left the European shipyard, she broke orbit and headed for the Moon, partly to test her systems but mainly so the Russian and Japanese satellites could not take a shot at her. The two Russian Krivak class Recon Satellites engaged their active sensors and began tracking Montcalm. As soon as the Europeans realised the Russians had developed active gravitational sensors, they protested their use vehemently. The reaction of the Russian foreign minister was an ironically Gallic shrug, as the Russians were confident there was nothing the Europeans could do about it, especially with their own satellite now guarding against any hostile missiles.
The first mission of the Montcalm, surveying the Moon for sources of Trans-Newtonian minerals, was completed on October 14th, revealing large deposits of Neutronium, Corundium and Gallicite, although only the Corundium was easily accessible. She headed for the inner system, en route to Venus and Mercury before heading out to Mars. Once out of the Earth/Moon system she was also well away from the prying eyes of the Russian sensors. Over the next month she surveyed the inner two planets, with the following results:
Mercury Survey Report
Duranium 11,907,200 Acc: 0.6
Neutronium 116,691 Acc: 0.6
Corbomite 771,587 Acc: 0.1
Venus Survey Report
Duranium 1,237,983 Acc: 0.5
Corbomite 20,602,520 Acc: 0.5
Tritanium 23,441,090 Acc: 0.1
Uridium 2,109,698 Acc: 0.1
Gallicite 1,322,224 Acc: 0.1
On November 27th 2017, Montcalm made arguably the most important discovery in human history. Her survey of Mars was almost complete when her geological sensors detected several vast underground caverns around the equatorial regions. Their shapes were far too regular to be natural, which meant someone, or something had excavated them. More intense study revealed refined Trans-newtonian minerals within the caverns, indicating a large number of artificial structures, which no doubt required. advanced construction techniques. Commander Laura Swift, captain of the Montcalm, contacted European Military Command and in a barely controlled voice reported that her ship had detected what appeared to be an alien city beneath the surface of Mars. To say the report caused a furore would be an understatement. After Commander Swift had convinced her superiors that the readings were not due to equipment malfunction or an over-active imagination, the Europeans were left with a critical decision. After taking advice from his military commanders, the President decided that the information could not be made public. Partly because of security and intelligence concerns and partly because the discovery would have a massive cultural impact, potentially causing a panic at the knowledge that aliens did exist and certainly precipitating a crisis within several of the world’s major religions. The information was restricted to a very small group to avoid leaks to the other powers.
Montcalm was immediately recalled to Earth to pick up an archaeological team that would search the alien city for new technologies and a cybernetic team that would attempt to gain control of any still operable alien installations. Discussions also began on the best way to protect any significant discoveries. The return of Montcalm to Earth was covered by a celebration of her mission to survey Earth’s near neighbours. The teams were secretly transferred to the ship during a brief maintenance and refuelling operation and a public announcement was made that her next mission would be to survey Jupiter’s moons. Fortunately Mars and Jupiter lay almost in a direct line from Earth so any Earth-bound sensors that could detect Montcalm would have no reason to doubt the veracity of the statement.
Even as Montcalm dropped her excited passengers on Mars, a third Zuiho and a second Kirov were launched into orbit by Japan and Russia respectively. Tension on Earth ratcheted up another notch with several powers fearing an ultimatum from the Russians or Japanese if their orbital weapons really did have the capability of neutralising the conventional ICBMs. The first quiet discussions took place between the United States and the European Union regarding an alliance should such circumstances arise.
After a week exploring the caverns under Mars, the European teams reported that the alien city was several thousand years old and only partially intact. In addition to the underground areas, the city was originally built above ground as well. Some unknown catastrophe destroyed the upper levels of the city leaving only the underground levels, several of which had suffered damage due to the collapse of the upper city. Over time, the sands of Mars had covered over the lower levels and hidden them from the telescopes and early probes of mankind.
Economic Situation on January 1st 2018
United States: 436m / 1015 CI / 94 Construction Factories / 80 Mines / 10 Ordnance Factories
European Union: 536m / 1006 CI / 75 Construction Factories / 108 Mines / 10 Ordnance Factories
China: 1492m / 830 CI / 60 Construction Factories / 82 Mines
Japan: 382m / 518 CI / 40 Construction Factories / 41 Mines
USAN: 436m / 277 CI / 30 Construction Factories / 17 Mines
Russia: 227m / 282 CI / 16 Construction Factories / 20 Mines
India: 1172m / 218 CI / 8 Construction Factories / 10 Mines
Islamic: 545m / 150 CI / 5 Construction Factories
The European cybernetic team on Mars made their first significant breakthrough with the reactivation of an abandoned alien automated mining complex. The automated mine had the same output as the human-operated mining complex on Earth but was able to operate autonomously in any environment. As Mars had considerable deposits of Duranium and Corundium, the reactivated complex immediately began extracting them. Two weeks later the team recovered a more familiar manned mining complex but with no one to operate it, it lay dormant.
The Russian Federation continued its strategy of technology exchange to compensate for its economic weakness compared to the other major powers. In April 2017, they traded gauss technology to the South Americans in exchange for their recently completed work on improving construction rates. In terms of the amount of research effort required this agreement favoured the Russians but the Union of South American Nations was very conscious of its total lack of weaponry and saw the Russian offer as a short term solution to the problem. Next the Russians approached the European Union, offering to share its new construction technology in exchange for engine technology. Worried about the Russians mounting their gauss weapons on a mobile platform, the Europeans refused and furthermore contacted the United States to warn them about the Russian request. Both nations agreed to ban technology transfers to Russia or any state that might pass on technology to Russia. A few days later the United States refused a similar Russian offer.
On April 26th, the European Union became the second state to add a second slipway to their shipyard. The expansion in shipyard capacity was planned to coincide with the end of a long-running research programme to provide the Union with a warship design. A nuclear thermal missile drive had been developed and the imaginatively-named TNM-1 (Trans-Newtonian Missile One) was in production. A missile launcher capable of firing the TNM-1 had been created and after the recent completion of background research into active gravitational sensors, the final piece of the technological puzzle was almost at hand. Development of an active sensor to identify targets and a missile fire control system to guide the TNM-1 were underway. The United States was pursuing a similar course. They had their own Trans-Newtonian missile, with the much more inspiring name of Poseidon, and like the European Union had so far built approximately fifty missiles. A missile launcher had been developed and they were about three months away from completing their research into active sensors. Although behind on research, the USA was close to increasing the capacity of its two slipways to 1500 tons, enabling it to build larger ships than any of its rivals.
One month later, the European Union launched James Wolfe, its second Montcalm class survey ship. Although of minor significance to most, the naming of the second European survey ship revealed some old rivalries still present within the European government. French officials had successfully lobbied for a French name to be assigned to the first European spacecraft, mainly due to other European countries being more interested in the industrial advancements on Earth. Only the British had raised any serious objection. Finally the British agreed on the condition that they could name the second ship and they had veto power over the French name. The two sides agreed finally agreed on Montcalm, a French general who fought in several European campaigns before taking command of French forces in North America in the Seven Years war. Four French warships had borne the name over the previous 150 years. James Wolfe was the British general who defeated Montcalm at Quebec, a decisive battle that eventually resulted in all French possessions in eastern North America being lost to the British.
In late June, the European cybernetic team on Mars re-activated an alien deep space tracking station with passive sensor capabilities equal to any nation on Earth. Besides the tracking station, the team had so far recovered two mining complexes, one automated mine and a cache of sixty alien missiles, each one sixty percent larger than the TNM-1. The archaeological team had yet to find anything of note. No other nation on Earth even suspected the existence of the Martian ruins but the Europeans knew that would change as soon as another spacecraft with geological sensors visited the planet.
With all the necessary systems available, the final design of the first European warship was completed on July 1st 2018. It was at this point that the design team realised they had made a major error. Early in the design process, the team had specified that 200 tons would be available for the active sensors and missile fire control system, taking into account the engines, missile launchers, engineering, fuel storage and crew quarters. Unfortunately, what they didn’t specify was magazine space for additional missiles. As the design stood, the Bayern class frigate could launch only two missiles and had no reloads. Several options were available. Although the available magazine system was 150 tons and could hold sixteen missiles, the ship would be growing to a size where additional control spaces were necessary resulting in a size of 1200 tons in total. The European shipyard could be increased in capacity to 1200 tons, which would require at least five months. Alternatively, a new smaller magazine system could be designed, requiring only 50 tons and holding just five missiles and the 50 tons could be saved by removing the engineering spaces. That would require new miniaturisation technology for the missile handling and the best estimate was twelve months for a working system. Much smaller electronic systems could be designed, using only 50 tons of space in total but that would reduce the range of the sensors to just 500,000 kilometers and would also require several weeks of research time. Finally, one missile launcher could be removed, providing room for the 150 ton magazine without increasing the size of the hull. The single remaining missile launcher would be able to fire seventeen times.
While the single launcher would reduce the chance of overcoming the gauss-armed space stations in Earth orbit, now numbering three Russian and three Japanese, it would at least allow retooling of the European shipyard to begun immediately and result in an armed European spacecraft in the shortest possible time. Therefore the go-ahead was given, with the proviso that the shipyard would be increased in capacity as soon as practicable. In the meantime, an oversight committee was formed to oversee spacecraft design and prevent a similar debacle in the future.
Original Bayern class Frigate 1000 tons 123 Crew 120 BP TCS 20 TH 25 EM 0
1250 km/s Armour 1-8 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/0/0/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 6
Annual Failure Rate: 8% IFR: 0.1% Maintenance Capacity 75 MSP Max Repair 30 MSP
Magazine 6
Nuclear Thermal Drive (1) Power 25 Efficiency 1.00 Signature 25 Armour 0 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 50,000 Litres Range 90.0 billion km (833 days at full power)
S3 Missile Launcher (2) Missile Size 3 Rate of Fire 90
TNM-1 (2) Speed: 8300 km/s End: 30 minutes Range: 14.9m km Warhead: 3 MR: 10 Size: 3 F60-10 Missile Fire Control (1) Range 6.0m km Resolution 20
S60-10 Active Sensor (1) GPS 600 Range 6.0m km Resolution 20Bayern class Frigate (redesign) 1000 tons 98 Crew 123 BP TCS 20 TH 25 EM 0
1250 km/s Armour 1-8 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/0/0/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 3
Annual Failure Rate: 8% IFR: 0.1% Maintenance Capacity 77 MSP Max Repair 30 MSP
Magazine 53
Nuclear Thermal Drive (1) Power 25 Efficiency 1.00 Signature 25 Armour 0 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 50,000 Litres Range 90.0 billion km (833 days at full power)
S3 Missile Launcher (1) Missile Size 3 Rate of Fire 90
F60-10 Missile Fire Control (1) Range 6.0m km Resolution 20
TNM-1 (17) Speed: 8300 km/s End: 30 minutes Range: 14.9m km Warhead: 3 MR: 10 Size: 3
S60-10 Active Sensor (1) GPS 600 Range 6.0m km Resolution 20In October 2018, the Union of South American Nations approached the European Union with regard to a technology exchange. While some members of the USAN had originally proposed the United States as a potential partner, others had concerns over the influence their northern neighbour might gain from such an arrangement. The European Union had no sphere of influence within South America and no record of any hostile action so they were deemed a safer option. The USAN offered improvements to the construction rate of European factories and asked for engine technology. Wary of future USAN technology exchanges with the Russian Federation and keen to maintain good relations with the United States, the European President contacted his American counterpart to discuss a joint deal with the South Americans. The Russian Federation clearly had active sensors so that technology could be traded to the USAN without fear of the technology being passed on. Unfortunately that was were the certainty ended. There was no way to know what other powers were working on until they demonstrated their capabilities. Eventually, the USA and the EU decided the Russians probably had at least pressurised water reactors so they offered a deal exchanging active sensor and reactor technology for construction technology. While unhappy that two nations were benefiting from their technology, which restricted future opportunities, the USAN could not afford to be left behind so they accepted the deal.
Meanwhile on the other side of the world, Chinese and Russian diplomats were deep into discussion of their own potential technology transfer. China was feeling very threatened by the Japanese and Russian orbital weapon platforms plus the possibility of a formal Russo-Japanese alliance that past Japanese and Russian cooperation indicated could happen. While the exact capability of the armed platforms was unknown, China was concerned that her deterrent ICBM force was in serious danger of being completely neutralised. The opinion of Chinese Intelligence was that only Russia and Japan’s concerns over how their OWPs would actually perform against a massed ICBM attack, plus the threat from the significant Chinese conventional force, was preventing unacceptable demands being issued against China. While this may have been an unduly pessimistic assessment, China had faced many invasions in the past from technologically superior enemies and her leaders were determined that history would not repeat itself. Therefore China set herself the dual aim of splitting up Russia and Japan and eliminating the threat of the OWPs.
China’s meson weapon was almost ready but she lacked the sensor and fire control systems necessary to target it, plus the reactor required to power it. Therefore, well aware of Russia’s international efforts to secure new technology, China attempted to kill two birds with one stone by offering mining technology to the Russian Federation in exchange for active sensor and beam fire control technology. This would give China what she needed while a judicious leak to Japanese Intelligence regarding the arrangement would sow discord between Moscow and Tokyo. To ease Russian concerns over how the technology might be used and to further break the Russian Federation away from Japan, China proposed a secret non-aggression pact. The Russians knew they were getting a good deal in terms of the amount of research time required for each of the technologies involved and the non-aggression pact was a surer way of preventing hostilities than the orbital weapon platforms, assuming that China could be trusted. While they were aware that Japan would not look kindly on the technology exchange with China, Russian leaders decided the opportunity was too good to miss so they agreed to the Chinese offer on the condition of secrecy for the whole deal, not just the non-aggression pact. One week later, the Russian ambassador to Japan was summoned to the residence of the Japanese Prime Minster, who demanded an explanation of the Sino-Russian non-aggression pact. Russo-Japanese relations had just taken a turn for the worse. While arguments raged between Moscow and Tokyo, Chinese diplomats concluded a deal to obtain reactor technology from India in exchange for improvements in construction technology.
In mid-November, both China and Japan added a second slipway to their shipyards. Japan had already developed pressurised water reactors and was researching her own nuclear thermal engine. It was a slow process though that was not expected to be finished before April 2020. While China had not even started a project to develop reactors as her concerns were Earth-related for the foreseeable future, she saw no reason not to expand her construction capacity so she could deploy her own armed satellites.
Economic Situation on January 6th 2019
United States - Vice Admiral Rolf Purdom (Research 30%, Mining 15%, Shipbuilding 15%)
Population: 449m
Wealth: 4487
Research Facilities: 8
Conventional Industry: 899
Construction Factories: 150
Mines: 130
Ordnance Factories: 10
Fuel Refineries: 10
European Union - Fleet Admiral Eva Tellez Pelayo (Research 30%, Prod 15%, Shipbuilding 10%)
Population: 553m
Wealth: 5529
Research Facilities: 8
Conventional Industry: 901
Construction Factories: 140
Mines: 148
Ordnance Factories: 10
China - Fleet Admiral Lai Cui Zhen (Research 35%, Wealth 20%, Pop Growth 10%, Shipbuilding 5%)
Population: 1525m
Wealth: 18300
Research Facilities: 6
Conventional Industry: 663
Construction Factories: 120
Mines: 116
Japan – Tai-Sho Yamahata Takakazu (Research 30%, Shipbuilding 15%, Pop Growth 10%)
Population: 393m
Wealth: 3932
Research Facilities: 5
Conventional Industry: 479
Construction Factories: 60
Mines: 60
USAN – Almirante Luzia Alcoforado (Research 25%, Prod 20%, Wealth 15%, Pop Growth 15%)
Population: 449m
Wealth: 5168
Research Facilities: 3
Conventional Industry: 223
Construction Factories: 30
Mines: 46
Russian Federation – Marshal Helen Belkin (Research 30%, Production 20%, Pop Growth 20%)
Population: 235m
Wealth: 2354
Research Facilities: 4
Conventional Industry: 230
Construction Factories: 30
Mines: 39
India – Admiral Behula Karia (Research 25%, Logistics 15%, Pop Growth 10%)
Population: 1198m
Wealth: 11982
Research Facilities: 3
Conventional Industry: 188
Construction Factories: 20
Mines: 16
Islamic Alliance – Caliph Barakah Abbas (Shipbuilding 25%, Mining 20%, Growth 20%, Wealth 5%)
Population: 562m
Wealth: 5897
Research Facilities: 2
Conventional Industry: 132
Construction Factories: 15
Mines: 2
In early January of 2019, the People’s Republic of China designed a planetary defence centre using their new R15 Meson Cannon. While short-ranged, the Meson Cannon could hit anything on Earth or in Earth orbit and the range of the sensor and detection systems was based on that requirement. It also had two key advantages over the orbital weapon platforms. Mesons would travel through atmosphere while shots from a gauss cannon could not and the PDCs would be buried within mountain giving them far more protection than the relatively fragile weapon platforms. Finally the PDC had barracks for troops, enabling them to guard the base against a ground attack. Construction of the first Jianghu began immediately.
Jianghu class Planetary Defence Centre 3600 tons 217 Crew 133 BP TCS 72 TH 0 EM 0
Armour 5-20 Sensors 1/5 Damage Control Rating 0 PPV 15
Troop Capacity 1 Divisions
R15 Meson Cannon (5) Range 15,000 km TS: 1000 km/s Power 3-1 RM 1.5 ROF 15 Meson Fire Control (1) Max Range: 20,000 km TS: 1000 km/s
Pressurised Water Reactor (5) Total Power Output 5 Armour 0 Exp 5%
Active Search Sensor (1) GPS 5 Range 50k km Resolution 1The European archaeological team on Mars made its first discovery on January 16th 2019, finding alien blueprints for a small missile magazine. The satisfaction at this find was coloured by a considerable amount of irony, given the problems with the design of the Bayern class frigate.
On March 1st 2019, the United States finalised the design of their first Trans-newtonian spacecraft. The Lexington class destroyer was a warship and far more capable than its European Union counterpart, primarily because the United States had expanded its shipbuilding capacity to the point where it could build two 2000 ton ships simultaneously. The Lexington was equipped with five missile launchers, albeit for the Poseidon which was only two-thirds the size of the European TNM-1. Eighty missiles were carried, allowing the Lexington to fire sixteen full salvos. Active sensors and fire control were comparable to the Bayern class. Construction of the first two ships would require eight months.
Lexington class Destroyer 2000 tons 208 Crew 208 BP TCS 40 TH 50 EM 0
1250 km/s Armour 1-14 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/0/0/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 10
Annual Failure Rate: 32% IFR: 0.4% Maintenance Capacity 65 MSP Max Repair 30 MSP
Magazine 160
Nuclear Thermal Engine (2) Power 25 Efficiency 1.00 Signature 25 Armour 0 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 50,000 Litres Range 45.0 billion km (416 days at full power)
Missile Launcher (5) Missile Size 2 Rate of Fire 60
MFC-1 Missile Fire Control (1) Range 6.0m km Resolution 20
Poseidon (80) Speed: 7500 km/s End: 50 minutes Range: 22.5m km Warhead: 2 MR: 10 Size: 2
AGS-1 Active Search Sensor (1) GPS 600 Range 6.0m km Resolution 20Three weeks after the Lexingtons were laid down, the Bayern was launched by the European shipyard. This was the third Trans-Newtonian spacecraft to be launched, all of which were European. Bayern’s sister ship would be ready a month later. Once launched, the Lexingtons would completely outclass the Bayerns but for now the European Union had the only warship in the Sol system. As soon as Bayern was launched the active sensors on the Russian and Japanese orbital weapon platforms began scanning the ship, trying to learn new technical information. The President of the European Union summoned the ambassadors from both countries and requested politely but firmly that the active scans should cease immediately. Japan and Russia denied the request, citing freedom of action in Earth orbit and warning that should the Europeans try to shut down the platforms, they would respond with unspecified but deadly force. Concerned that their new ship would only be able to intercept a few ICBMs if the other powers chose to escalate to that point, the Europeans decided not to force the issue. Instead, the Bayern broke orbit and headed to Mars where it would be safely outside scanning range.
As a result of this minor crisis, the European Union decided it needed its own orbital weapon platforms as soon as possible. Negotiations were opened with the United States, which was aware of its weakness in the same area. One option was to obtain existing gauss weaponry by exchanging technology with another power but the United States was keen to develop a weapon system with greater flexibility. Therefore the two powers decided to launch a joint program to develop railguns, which could serve for both missile defence and as a short-range offensive weapon to complement missile launchers. The United States would use its expertise in kinetic weaponry to develop the basic railgun technology while the European Union’s power and propulsion experts would research capacitor technology, improving the recharge rate, and therefore rate of fire, of the railguns.
Two weeks later, the People’s Republic of China adopted a far more direct approach to the perceived threat of the orbital weapon platforms. Three Jianghu class PDCs were now operational, giving the Chinese fifteen Meson Cannon. With no warning, the Jianghus engaged active sensors and opened fire on the three Japanese Zuiho class platforms orbiting high above them. Bright explosions in the night sky signalled the destruction of two Zuihos, while the third received crippling damage. Before the Japanese even had chance to surrender, a follow up salvo fifteen seconds later destroyed the surviving platform. Sixty-five Japanese service personnel escaped in emergency life pods. One hundred and thirty were killed. Even as debris from the Zuihos was burning up as it entered the atmosphere, the Chinese ambassador to the Russian Federation was notifying the Russian President of China’s actions and congratulating him on the decision to sign the recent non-aggression pact. The ambassador also requested that as a courtesy, the Chinese government would appreciate the de-activation of any active Russian sensor systems on their own satellites and orbital weapon platforms. The Russian Federation complied immediately.
Japan protested the Chinese action vehemently and demanded that other nations condemn China. Unfortunately for Japan, her previous refusal to comply with the wishes of the European Union and the United States now came back to haunt her. In diplomatic language, the two most powerful states on Earth suggested that Japan had brought this on herself with her recent intransigent behaviour. Besides, given the demonstrated power and capability of the Chinese meson cannon, no other nation had any intention of getting involved. Five days after the destruction of the Japanese orbital weapon platforms, with an obvious lack of international support for Japan and her allies, China declared war and launched a ground invasion. Her goal was nothing less than annexing Japanese industry and research capacity. Chinese ground forces comprised four armoured and twenty infantry divisions, ranged against the four armoured divisions and ten infantry divisions of the Japanese Alliance.
