WARNING POSSIBLE SPOILERS WITHIN!!
Tales of the Union.
Assault!
10thAugust 36. Deveria - Delta Aquilae-A IV. The action began slowly with a Union MI battalion mixing it with an enemy assault Infantry battalion. The 12th MI battalion received 36% casualties, while the enemy were estimated to have lost a fifth of their number.
15th August 36. Deveria - Delta Aquilae-A IV. The14th and 15th MI Battalions were mauled in a skilfully laid ambush in the frozen terrain, the 14th lost 18% of its suits destroyed or off line but the 15th lost 49% and had to be rotated out of the line to recuperate.
A suit not in full working condition was effectively a coffin, the air was cold enough to freeze the lungs with a few breaths, any unprotected human exposed would succumb quickly to the brisk 244
o K temperatures coupled to a wind chill factor that made a blast freezer look positively tropical. Even worse was the fact that the Devarians were a partially aquatic species and their dwellings were often connected by passages filled with salt laden water, with a eutectic point just below the frigid temperature of the planets surface. The combat suits, after immersion in the water, would often start accumulating layers of ice as the wind chill factor lowered the temperature even further, hampering their mobility while the dissolved salts forced their way into any breach in the suits outer skin and began their corrosive work on the suits delicate sensors and electronics,
20th August 36. Deveria - Delta Aquilae-A IV. The Union 2nd Leviathan (heavy assault) battalion was ambushed, losing 24% of its armoured vehicles. Even Brigade HQs did not escape with the 40th Brigade HQ having to throw filing clerks and orderlies into the action as a sudden push by the Imperials left them fighting for their lives. A third of the HQ unit were killed, wounded or frozen to death in the icy waste that was Devaria. The enemy had become far too skilled at these sorts of tactics. One enemy assault infantry unit lost over a quarter of its effectives but that was the only result of the continuing offensive, a stalemate was developing with the forces on either side evenly balanced. However, Major-General Ford was determined to push on.
29th August 36. Deveria - Delta Aquilae-A IV. Major-General Ford called for the rest of the forces from Delta Aquilae-A III to join him on Delta Aquilae-A IV leaving only a couple of garrison battalions. After a few days to organise themselves the fresh units joined the offensive. It got off to a good start, although the 9th & 69th MI received 23% & 35% casualties and the 26th Brigade HQ received 26%, but Imperial losses were greater. The Imperial 2nd Armoured battalion had a third of their vehicles destroyed or incapacitated, while the 16th Garrison battalion lost up to 41% of its effectives. In all seven enemy battalions took significant losses as Union forces were able to pin them in place and take them in the flank.
5th September 36. Deveria - Delta Aquilae-A IV. The Union 74th MI suffered 28% losses, again in an ambush. The frigid conditions were affecting the ability of Union forces in the unforgiving terrain. Only the units that had been deployed to Excalibur had experienced similar conditions before. Urban fights were even more wearing as most cities were at least partially subterranean, with water filled connecting passages having to be cleared, usually by throwing in an explosive charge and letting the shock wave do the rest. The Imperials were still losing men and material, the 4th Imperial Armoured lost in excess of 20% of its continental siege units while the 24th Engineering Brigade suffered 64% casualties and the 15th Garrison battalion lost 56% of its troopers in the defence of a regional capital. An attempted counterattack was repulsed with significant losses to the Union 10th and 11th assault infantry battalions.
10th September 36. Deveria - Delta Aquilae-A IV. The Union ground forces moved on to their next objective, and once more the preponderance of Union forces won the day; they were slowly wearing the Imperials down. The Imperial 2nd and 4th Armoured and 9th Assault Infantry were once again brought to action, the 2nd losing a quarter of its CSU’s and the 9th 20% of its effectives. Even the 17th Imperial Brigade HQ lost over a quarter of its complement. Action around an Imperial city cost the Imperial 16th Garrison battalion and the 24th Engineering brigade dear as they suffered between 20-35% casualties. Union losses were restricted to the MI battalions, the 14th lost 24% and the 74th 38% of their effectives.
15th September 36. Deveria - Delta Aquilae-A IV. In an attempt to secure the latest regional capital fresh battalions were thrown in to the fray. The Union 10th and 28th Assault Infantry spearheaded the attack and dealt severely with the Imperial forces garrisoning the city. The veteran Imperial 5th Mobile Infantry were brought in but lost nearly a 60% of its establishment, but managed to inflict serious losses on the Union 10th Assault infantry, which suffered greater than 40% casualties in the vicious fighting. The Imperial 13th Garrison battalion and 25th Engineering brigades suffered between 15-30% casualties each in the successful defence of the city. Union replacement troops were brought forward to fill the gaps in the files of the Union 10th Assault Infantry.
20th September 36. Deveria - Delta Aquilae-A IV. In a further attempt to secure the disputed regional capital fresh battalions were committed to the battle, unfortunately both sides had the same idea. The Union 9th and 14th Mobile Infantry spearheaded the attack and engaged with the Imperial forces garrisoning the city. The veteran Imperial 4th Armoured was committed to try and break the siege but lost nearly a fifth of its CSU’s’, while the Union 11th Assault Infantry tried a spoiling attack and lost 20% of its number. The Imperial 13th Garrison battalion and 24th and 25th Engineering brigades lost around 20% of their number in the successful defence of the city. The Union mobile infantry bore the brunt of the fighting this time, now street to street, dwelling to dwelling, the 9th and14th MI both lost over a quarter of their establishment.
25th September 36. Deveria - Delta Aquilae-A IV. The Union 12th and13th MI battalion were almost swept away by the wave of poorly trained recruits that advanced over them. Quantity as they say has a quality all of its own, but they also used the terrain to their advantage, disappearing into water filled passages and suddenly appearing from beneath the snow, completely unfazed by the conditions so inimical to the Gram troopers. The Union battalions were fortunate to lose only 20-25% casualties, rescued only by the intervention of the irreplaceable limited number of Union Leviathan battalions. The Imperial veteran 4th Armoured were once again in the thick of the fighting and suffered grievous casualties around the 40% mark, but that was the only positive result for the Union.
The Imperials lost men but their fighting efficiency was undiminished. It was apparent along the whole line that the position had returned to the stalemate of the 20th August, with the opposing forces at parity and there were no more Union troops to throw into the fray. Group Commander Lees recalled Major-General Ford aboard the UAS Spire for a conference; the Group Commander was becoming increasingly concerned at the prosecution of the ground campaign. A chastened General Ford returned to his battalions. Two nights later as quietly as possible the Union troops disengaged, retiring at least ten klicks from their Imperial foes. Three hours after this successful manoeuvre the night sky lit up with the white hot streaks of re-entry vehicles, Seconds later mushroom clouds obscured the Imperial positions. The bombardment continued until there were no effective Imperial units left.
The Union MI made a drop on the Imperial capital decapitating the Imperial Household; the Devarian Empire capitulated in the face of overwhelming force. The shock of losing the home world was so sudden that all Imperial ships surrendered, several having to be informed via open jump points. One of the surrendered ships was the Jump Destroyer Alma Lodaka which had only emerged from the orbital ‘yards minutes before the surrender and had expected to die under the guns of the Union blockading fleet. The vessel was later pressed into Union service.
Alma Lodaka class Jump Destroyer 7,150 tons 856 Crew 832 BP TCS 143 TH 320 EM 0
2237 km/s JR 4-50 Armour 2-33 Shields 0-0 Sensors 12/6/0/0 Damage Control Rating 4 PPV 36
Maint Life 2.26 Years MSP 291 AFR 102% IFR 1.4% 1YR 77 5YR 1157 Max Repair 256 MSP
J7250(4-50) Military Jump Drive Max Ship Size 7250 tons Distance 50k km Squadron Size 4
Nuclear Pulse Engine E9 (8) Power 40 Fuel Use 90% Signature 40 Armour 0 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 100,000 Litres Range 28.0 billion km (144 days at full power)
Particle Beam-3 (6) Range 100,000km TS: 12500 km/s Power 7-2 ROF 20 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
Fire Control S04 96-3000 (1) Max Range: 192,000 km TS: 3000 km/s 95 90 84 79 74 69 64 58 53 48
Pebble Bed Reactor Technology PB-1 (5) Total Power Output 15 Armour 0 Exp 5%
Active Search Sensor MR22-R62 (1) GPS 2976 Range 22.7m km Resolution 62
Thermal Sensor TH2-12 (1) Sensitivity 12 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 12m km
EM Detection Sensor EM1-6 (1) Sensitivity 6 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 6m km
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes30th September 36. Delta Aquilae-A I. Union troops subdued the last Imperial hold out, a mining concern on Delta Aquilae-A I. The Garrison battalion put up stiff resistance but was overrun by Union heavy armour. Thus all of the Delta Aquilae system was brought under Union control. The former Imperial ships were brought under the control of the Star Corps. However the freighters and colony transports were so slow, with a speed of just 888k/s, as to be unusable without a refit. The jump destroyer Alma Lodaka and the survey vessel Ashen Shugar 002 however had considerable utility and updated versions of both would later be put into series production. The construction ships were particularly prized as the Union had nothing like them.
Ashen Shugar class Geosurvey Ship 2,500 tons 236 Crew 479.2 BP TCS 50 TH 80 EM 0
1600 km/s JR 3-50 Armour 1-16 Shields 0-0 Sensors 12/1/0/3 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
Maint Life 2.47 Years MSP 120 AFR 50% IFR 0.7% 1YR 27 5YR 409 Max Repair 100 MSP
J3750(3-50) Military Jump Drive Max Ship Size 3750 tons Distance 50k km Squadron Size 3
Nuclear Pulse Engine E9 (2) Power 40 Fuel Use 90% Signature 40 Armour 0 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 100,000 Litres Range 80.0 billion km (578 days at full power)
Thermal Sensor TH2-12 (1) Sensitivity 12 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 12m km
Geological Survey Sensors (3) 3 Survey Points Per Hour
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposesIt was determined by interrogation of Imperial records that the destruction of the Discovery was not premeditated, but the precipitated by an Imperial official and the actions of a relatively junior staff officer. However, having destroyed the vessel and knowing it could only be regarded as an act of war, coupled with the subsequent discovery of Excalibur, a planet they coveted, efforts were made to eliminate the Union. It had never occurred to the Imperials that the Union might resist their decrees and this accounted for their lackadaisical pace of operations and palpable shock as their first probe was annihilated.
The Clan Council determined they would not become a future threat and would be demilitarised. In reparations all ordnance factories and ground force training facilities were to be relocated to Excalibur, as would 50 fuel refineries. All automatic mines would be relocated to sites in Avalon to supply Excalibur with the minerals it needed to grow. The naval ‘Yards would also be moved to Excalibur once suitable tugs were constructed. A second Task Group would be assembled and police the Delta Aquilae system.
Some astrogation data was also captured, principally on the adjacent Omicron Aquilae, 31 Aquilae and EG201 systems with some data on more distant systems, but no jump routes to those systems. This should have rung alarm bells but didn’t. Finally the Imperial population of Delta Aquilae-A III would be repatriated to Deravia - Delta Aquilae-A IV and the planet terraformed to suit humans. Marshal Sykes was concerned that the Imperials had demonstrated the capability to move ground forces between planets, however no troop transports had been surrendered. But in the days of celebration that followed nobody was listening and this fact was forgotten. It would be some time before this came back to haunt the Union. The mineral deposits in Delta Aquilae were distinctly limited and it would not be too long before mining colonies in other systems would be required to sustain Devaria as a manufacturing base.
The addition of the Devarian Empire to the Union caused a pause in everything but shipbuilding, the exploitation of known systems and exploration of former Imperial systems.
11th January 37 Omicron Aquilae. After a six month hiatus survey work resumed, principally to check out star systems previously discovered by the Imperium. The Jump Destroyer Alma Lodaka was soon pressed into service and its first task was to explore out of the Omicron Aquilae system. The vessel entered an unexplored jump point in the Omicron Aquilae system and located the new system of Woolley 9681, a G7-v star with a substantial planetary family.
21st February 37. Omicron Aquilae. The Jump Destroyer Alma Lodaka exploring another unexplored jump point in the Omicron Aquilae system found the new system of HIP 99452, a binary of a K1-v as the A component and a dim M0-v as the B component, both had planetary systems, but the B component was over 250 billion klicks distant and the return journey out of range of current survey craft.
19th March 37 01:35:14, Kuiper 99. The exploration of an unexplored jump point in the Kuiper 99 system by the jump ship Endurance revealed the new system of Delta Equulei, a binary pair of F7-v stars both with extensive planetary systems. There was an HI 1.9 planet orbiting the A component and the promise of mineral deposits on at least a few bodies as the vessel set to surveying the system.
13th August 37. Excalibur – Avalon-A IV. The atmosphere of Excalibur was breathable without a concentrator! The end of the Great Enterprise was in sight! More colonists started arriving within days of the joyous news. However there was a strange reluctance of the Clans to embrace this with a full scale depopulation of Gram. This was shared by a considerable number of the population, having been brought to the brink, they now had second thoughts. Food was no longer a problem, Excalibur could indeed act as the bread basket of Avalon, there was no longer a pressing need to relocate from what had become quite comfortable cities, nor was there a need to exploit the wild desert which could be left to the sand dragons. Those who were of an adventurous frame of mind were not just going next door; they were off to Kuiper 99 and a whole new star system. The population of Gram actually rose from that at the start of the great enterprise but levelled off between 1.7-1.8 billion with a trend to fall as the mining industry was automated.
Gram – Avalon-A IIThe CV Queen completed at union Naval ‘Yard. Soon after leaving the construction bay she embarked No. 2 FAC Squadron, now like the majority of FAC Squadrons consisting of ten craft.
21st October 37. Gram- Avalon-A II. The tugs Camel and Mule left the ‘Yards on their way to Deveria to collect the first naval ‘Yards destined for Excalibur.
19th April 38. Gram- Avalon-A II. CV Ameer completed at the Union Naval ‘Yard and embarked No. 3 FAC Squadron.
14th September 38. Kuiper 99-B III. The survey vessel Ashen Shugar 002 located a ruined city on Kuiper 99-B III. In addition substantial deposits of Corbomite 61,340,220 (1) and some Gallicite 495,616 (0.5) were discovered. There were further substantial mineral deposits in the system making it a viable colony site.
13th October 38. 31 Aquilae. The Jump Ship Discovery II explored a jump point in the 31 Aquilae system and revealed the new system of Gliese 778, a K1-v star unaccompanied except for a few asteroids.
16th October 38. 31 Aquilae. The Jump Ship Endeavour explored a jump point in the 31 Aquilae system and revealed the new system of Gliese 728, a dim M0-v star with ten planets and dozens of moons, the Endeavour set to surveying the system.
19th October 38. Kuiper 99. The contact team attempting communication with the aliens detected in Kuiper 99 admitted failure. The contact team believed this race to be too alien and communication would never be established. Unfortunately all further contacts should be classed as hostile as the Union just cannot comprehend their alien reasoning. Curiously the fleeting contacts which had appeared when Task Group 1 entered the system had never reappeared. At least this race did not appear to be overtly aggressive.
27th October 38. Gliese 727. The Jump ship Discovery II explored a jump point in the 31 Aquilae system and revealed the new system of Gliese 727, a single star system consisting of a K4-v star with thirteen planets, dozens of moons and hundreds of asteroids.
17th November 38. Gram- Avalon-A II. CV Empress completed at the Union Naval ‘Yard and embarked No. 4 FAC Squadron.
22nd January 39. 110 Herculis. The Jump Destroyer Alma Lodaka explored a jump point in the Omicron Aquilae system and revealed the new system of 110 Herculis, an F6-v star with a couple of planets and a handful of asteroids.
13th June 39. Gram- Avalon-A II. CV Khedive completed at the Union Naval ‘Yard and embarked No. 5 FAC Squadron.
14th October 39. Gram- Avalon-A II. The last four of the Sandstone class FAC were completed, bringing the complement of the carriers up to the intended ten FACs each. The five carriers plus the CV Thane, when she launches, are to be concentrated into three task groups consisting of two carriers and six escorts each. However, the utility of the carrier groups has been regarded as poor as they are restricted to the jump gate network. There were no jump ships with near enough capacity to take the carriers outside the jump gate network.
17th February 40. Gram- Avalon-A II. As Major-General Jonathan Ford has not been given any assignments during the past six years, he has been deemed surplus to staff requirements and released from the service. So exited the self-styled conqueror of the Imperium from Union military service.
1st June 40. Gram- Avalon-A II.The last carrier, the CV Thane completed at Union Naval ‘Yard and embarked No. 6 FAC Squadron. Many see these vessels as useless for much apart from keeping the civilians quiet as they look very impressive, but the FAC are beginning to show their age and the cruiser lobby will not allow their replacement citing that they are an inefficient use of resources. Further the Flarestar missiles used by the FAC had only the most necessary upgrade and were not highly regarded. Indeed it is doubtful if many improve Flarestars were actually manufactured.
6th June 40. Kuiper 99-BIII. The Madri Mayachari xenological team completed their survey and investigation of the ruins on Kuiper-B III. The former occupants of the planet called themselves the Straham Hegemony; there were 137 structures that might be recovered. The tech level of the Hegemony was approximately TL3, lower than the Union. They appear to have been wiped out some considerable time ago. The aliens detected in system do not appear to be related to this vanished race. In recognition of the former occupants the planet would henceforth be known as Stratham.
The destroyed alien outpost discovered during the Discovery’s fateful probe of Delta Aquilae had been determined to belong to another alien race and was not an abandoned Imperial colony. The Imperials had excavated the site and records note that this alien polity called itself the Kansas Empire and curiously looked remarkably similar to the inhabitants of Avalon in the fragmentary images recovered. There was speculation that this fact could have precipitated the destruction of the Discovery. Following the precedent set in Kuiper 99, Delta Aquilae-A III would hence forth be known as Kansas.
4th July 40. Gram- Avalon-A II.
Retooling for Ruler Mk II class completed at Union Naval 'Yard on Gram - Avalon-A II. The carrier fleet will all be upgraded to the new standard. The FAC are becoming long in the tooth now and it is envisaged that a new attack shuttle will be developed to replace the currently embarked FAC squadrons in due course.
Ruler Mk II class Carrier 25,000 tons 1406 Crew 4733.55 BP TCS 500 TH 1650 EM 360
6600 km/s Armour 3-76 Shields 12-300 Sensors 18/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 14 PPV 0
Maint Life 3.49 Years MSP 1657 AFR 357% IFR 5% 1YR 209 5YR 3129 Max Repair 126 MSP
Hangar Deck Capacity 10000 tons Magazine 375
Starr Industries Internal Confinement Fusion Drive E7.2 (30) Power 110 Fuel Use 72% Signature 55 Armour 0 Exp 10%
Fuel Capacity 1,470,000 Litres Range 147.0 billion km (257 days at full power)
Gamma R300/12 Shields (6) Total Fuel Cost 72 Litres per day
CIWS-250 (3x6) Range 1000 km TS: 25000 km/s ROF 5 Base 50% To Hit
Flarestar III (125) Speed: 43,300 km/s End: 25.4m Range: 65.9m km WH: 6 Size: 3 TH: 202 / 121 / 60
Active Search Sensor MR60-R19 (1) GPS 2394 Range 60.4m km Resolution 19
Thermal Sensor TH3-18 (1) Sensitivity 18 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 18m km
ECM 20
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 purposes26th September 40. Devaria - Delta Aquilae-A IV. Union rule of Devaria had met with a better response from the population of late. Many Devarian politicians were talking of Devaria’s future being inextricably linked to the Union. Conditions have improved so much that the local politicians were moving to have Devaria regarded as a candidate population to join the Union.
3rd December 40. Excalibur – Avalon-A IV. The terraforming of Excalibur is complete! But there was strange resistance of the Clans to let their people emigrate to this new paradise. Many Clans had established strong industrial empires during the great enterprise and suddenly realised that without their clan members as a work force they would cease to be able to operate. Industry on Gram had burgeoned; there were no longer sufficient workers to man all the factories. The population of Excalibur was by now around the 325 million mark. Over time of course as minerals ran low on Gram much of the industries and population would move to Excalibur or Clarent, especially the shipyards and missile production which even now were experiencing local shortages of Gallicite on Gram.
20th January 41. Stratham - Kuiper 99-B III. The 52nd Engineer Brigade disturbed an underground vault on Kuiper 99-B III that contained hostile robotic soldiers. The brigade had to fall back rapidly as they were assaulted by various crawlers, hoppers and jumpers in considerable strength, approaching brigade level. Fortunately the 7th Sky and Light Division was on planet for just such an eventuality after the emergence of the automated vehicles on Excalibur.
The MI battalions reacted rapidly in an effort to contain the outbreak to the excavation site. Unfortunately they were not totally successful in that objective and the automated enemies managed to break in to a residential block, killing 25,000 occupants. The automatons also manage to incinerate a maintenance facility, but this effort cost them dear as one golem battalion had 74% of its units deactivated with prejudice and another was decimated.
25th January 41. Straham - Kuiper 99-B III. The fighting continued on Stratham but was entering its last phases as the machines rushed at the MI without though to their own survival. This enabled the MI to mop up the remaining enemies above ground and move on the vault having destroyed between 84-99% of two of the cybernetic battalions and decimated the third. There was no further loss to the citizenry or installations.
30th January 4. Straham - Kuiper 99-B III. The MI encountered fanatical resistance as they extinguished the last few automatons which fought in the labyrinth of their vault, but to no avail, the MI had their measure and took them down without loss.
The assailants were identified as being of the same origin as the Kuiper 99 alien vessels and had not belonged to the Straham Hegemony. However, ever since the unfortunate occurrence on Excalibur a regular division was always sent to any alien excavation so the robotic hoppers, jumpers and crawlers could not achieve their purpose of disrupting the recovery of installations from the dig site.
28th April 41. Wolley 9731. The exploration of a jump point in the Kuiper 99 system has revealed the new system of Wolley 9731. It contained a K2-v star surrounded by five or six planets and a few dozen moons and asteroids. Nothing of great interest.
10th May 41. Delta Equulei. Exploration of a jump point in the Kuiper 99 system has revealed the new system of Delta Equulei, an F7-v binary. Seven unprepossessing planets accompanied by dozens of moons and hundreds of asteroids orbited around the A component, while the B component had only two planets, one however, was an excellent terraforming prospect.
18th June 41. Clarent – Avalon-A III. The atmosphere of Clarent - Avalon-A III just became breathable, if warmed considerably as the temperature was still far from ideal.
9th August 41. Gram - Avalon-A II. Stellar Causeway Stellar Conveyor and Stellar Bridge (Stellar class) were constructed in Excalibur orbit. These are the first replenishment ships for the Star Corps and will provide Fuel, expendable munitions and maintenance supplies. These vessels are vital for the conduct of distant operations by frigate or carrier group. However once again there is a problem with the size of the vessels making it impossible to venture outside the jump gate network.
Stellar class Replenishment Tanker 18,500 tons 1169 Crew 3882.85 BP TCS 370 TH 1375 EM 900
7432 km/s Armour 3-62 Shields 30-300 Sensors 11/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 9 PPV 0
Maint Life 2.54 Years MSP 1181 AFR 304% IFR 4.2% 1YR 255 5YR 3827 Max Repair 126 MSP
Magazine 2325
Starr Industries Internal Confinement Fusion Drive E7.2 (25) Power 110 Fuel Use 72% Signature 55 Armour 0 Exp 10%
Fuel Capacity 1,320,000 Litres Range 178.4 billion km (277 days at full power)
Gamma R300/12 Shields (15) Total Fuel Cost 180 Litres per day
CIWS-250 (1x6) Range 1000 km TS: 25000 km/s ROF 5 Base 50% To Hit
Active Search Sensor MR60-R19 (1) GPS 2394 Range 60.4m km Resolution 19
Thermal Sensor TH1-11 (1) Sensitivity 11 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 11m km
ECM 20
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes12th September 41. Gram – Avalon-A II. Salvor 001 and Salvor 002 (Salvor class) built in Gram orbit and assigned to Salvage Group 1. These vessels are salvage vessels and their first task will be to clean up both the Avalon and the Delta Aquilae systems which are still littered with wrecks after the war.
Salvor class Salvager 64,000 tons 859 Crew 2035.3 BP TCS 1280 TH 5500 EM 0
4296 km/s Armour 1-142 Shields 0-0 Sensors 11/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
MSP 20 Max Repair 250 MSP
Cargo 25000 Cargo Handling Multiplier 20
Salvager: 1 module(s) capable of salvaging 1000 tons per day
Celesteon Designs Internal Confinement Fusion Drive E0.6 (22) Power 250 Fuel Use 6% Signature 250 Armour 0 Exp 1%
Fuel Capacity 330,000 Litres Range 154.7 billion km (416 days at full power)
Active Search Sensor MR12-R100 (1) GPS 2100 Range 12.6m km Resolution 100
Thermal Sensor TH1-11 (1) Sensitivity 11 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 11m km
This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes5th January 42. Devaria – Delta Aquilae-A IV. A New Shipping Line has been formed: Walishettar Marine, the corporate HQ of which was based on Devaria - Delta Aquilae-A IV.
25th April 42. Gram – Avalon-A II, The fleet started a new round of refits. Radium, Scandium, Krypton, Xenon and Argon were the first refitted to the Argon Mk III class standard on Gram - Avalon-A II. Other classes will follow as soon as the ‘Yards are retooled.
Argon Mk III class Escort 7,000 tons 539 Crew 1747.2 BP TCS 140 TH 550 EM 1020
7857 km/s Armour 3-32 Shields 34-300 Sensors 33/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 4 PPV 34.64
Maint Life 4.1 Years MSP 624 AFR 98% IFR 1.4% 1YR 59 5YR 892 Max Repair 96 MSP
Starr Industries Internal Confinement Fusion Drive E7.2 (10) Power 110 Fuel Use 72% Signature 55 Armour 0 Exp 10%
Fuel Capacity 265,000 Litres Range 94.6 billion km (139 days at full power)
Gamma R300/12 Shields (17) Total Fuel Cost 204 Litres per day
Triple Gauss Cannon R3-50 Turret (2x9) Range 30,000km TS: 30000 km/s Power 0-0 RM 3 ROF 5 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Fire Control S02 20-25000 (2) Max Range: 40,000 km TS: 25000 km/s 75 50 25 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Active Search Sensor MR36-R19 (1) GPS 1463 Range 36.9m km Resolution 19
Active Search Sensor MR6-R1 (1) GPS 56 Range 6.2m km Resolution 1
Thermal Sensor TH3-33 (1) Sensitivity 33 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 33m km
ECCM-2 (2) This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposesPhoenix Mk III class Missile Boat 7,000 tons 469 Crew 1677.45 BP TCS 140 TH 550 EM 780
7857 km/s Armour 3-32 Shields 26-300 Sensors 33/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 3 PPV 29.4
Maint Life 3.74 Years MSP 449 AFR 130% IFR 1.8% 1YR 50 5YR 751 Max Repair 126 MSP
Magazine 196
Starr Industries Internal Confinement Fusion Drive E7.2 (10) Power 110 Fuel Use 72% Signature 55 Armour 0 Exp 10%
Fuel Capacity 205,000 Litres Range 73.2 billion km (107 days at full power)
Gamma R300/12 Shields (13) Total Fuel Cost 156 Litres per day
CIWS-250 (1x6) Range 1000 km TS: 25000 km/s ROF 5 Base 50% To Hit
Size 4 Box Launcher (49) Missile Size 4 Hangar Reload 30 minutes MF Reload 5 hours
Missile Fire Control FC64-R19 (2) Range 64.4m km Resolution 19
Firestar II (49) Speed: 34,000 km/s End: 33.1m Range: 67.5m km WH: 7 Size: 4 TH: 136 / 81 / 40
Active Search Sensor MR60-R19 (1) GPS 2394 Range 60.4m km Resolution 19
Thermal Sensor TH3-33 (1) Sensitivity 33 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 33m km
ECCM-2 (2) ECM 20
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
Spire Mk II class Missile Frigate 11,000 tons 1127 Crew 2569.35 BP TCS 220 TH 880 EM 960
8000 km/s Armour 3-44 Shields 32-300 Sensors 33/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 15 PPV 40
Maint Life 3.31 Years MSP 730 AFR 193% IFR 2.7% 1YR 101 5YR 1509 Max Repair 126 MSP
Magazine 415
Starr Industries Internal Confinement Fusion Drive E7.2 (16) Power 110 Fuel Use 72% Signature 55 Armour 0 Exp 10%
Fuel Capacity 245,000 Litres Range 55.7 billion km (80 days at full power)
Gamma R300/12 Shields (16) Total Fuel Cost 192 Litres per day
CIWS-250 (1x6) Range 1000 km TS: 25000 km/s ROF 5 Base 50% To Hit
Size 4 Missile Launcher (10) Missile Size 4 Rate of Fire 30
Missile Fire Control FC64-R19 (2) Range 64.4m km Resolution 19
Firestar II (104) Speed: 34,000 km/s End: 33.1m Range: 67.5m km WH: 7 Size: 4 TH: 136 / 81 / 40
Active Search Sensor MR60-R19 (1) GPS 2394 Range 60.4m km Resolution 19
Thermal Sensor TH3-33 (1) Sensitivity 33 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 33m km
ECCM-2 (2) ECM 20
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 purposes17th October 42. Straham - Kuiper 99-B III. 48th Engineer Brigade disturbed another underground vault on Straham - Kuiper 99-B III that contained hostile robotic soldiers. Once more the engineering brigade fell back and the 7th Sky & Light pushed the automatons back to their bunker. Once more a residential block was torched wit the loss of 25,000 settlers. Fortunately these were the only casualties. The two cybernetic battalions lost well in excess of 50% of their number destroyed or incapacitated.
22nd October 42. Straham - Kuiper 99-B III.. As the mobile infantry drove the alien mechanoids back to their bunker one mechanical battalion was completely shattered, all of its mechanisms broken beyond repair and the other was a shadow of its former strength. There were no further civilian casualties.
27th October 42. Straham - Kuiper 99-B III. The end came quickly as the remnants of the surviving mechoid battalion were forced back into their bunker and the structure collapsed on top of them. There seemed no reason to salt the remains of a vanished civilisation with booby traps, unless that race didn’t just vanish but was exterminated, perhaps by the Kuiper 99 aliens? They certainly appear to be very keen on preventing others investigating too closely.
24th November 43. Delta Equulei.The jump ship Endurance probing jump points out of Delta Equulei was now a month overdue and there had been no further ansible reports from her after her initial communication stating she was about to enter an unexplored jump point in the Delta Equulie system. The Galain 001, a construction ship, opening a jump point in the adjacent system had also not seen or heard from her. But to investigate her disappearance another jump ship had to be located and there were very few in the Union, the three 10,000 ton Discovery class and the 7,200 ton Alma Lodaka were all they had. So used to open jump points and the network created by the Imperials had the Union become that jump ships were a neglected capability. It took months to free up a Discovery class jump ship, get it to rendezvous with the Task Force and even then the Spire class FGs would be unable to transit with the Task Force through a closed jump point.
4th February 44. Delta Equulei. Task Force 3, commanded by Captain Patrick Sheppard, arrived in Delta Equulei in their search for the jump ship Endurance. The Task Force moved to the coordinates of the last jump point the Endeavour reported it was entering. Captain Sheppard split the Task Force, The three Spire Mk II class FGs Corrie, Edge and Flute, remaining at the jump point on the Delta Equulei side forming Task Group 3.2 while the rest of the fleet, designated Task Group 3.1 consisting of the Phoenix class MBs Efreet, Elf, Gargoyle, Ghoul, Giant, Goblin, the escorts Barium, Bromine, Hafnium, Strontium, Titanium and Zirconium, the jump ship Diligence and the scout Guardian, transited into the unknown system.
Task Group 3.1 emerged into the light of a dim M1-V red dwarf, identified as Hip 108380. The star had a well developed solar system, HIP 108380-A III had an HI of 1.9. As sensors stabilised the wreck of the Endurance was clear on the screens of Task Group 3.1, 242 million klicks from the jump point, at a gravitational survey location. In addition to the wreck of the Endurance there were three ships of the Kuiper 99 aliens present. These three alien vessels, designated Las Palmas 002, 003 and 004 were clustered around the wreck of the Endurance, what were they doing there? Had they gone to render assistance after a catastrophic accident or did their presence have a more sinister intent? Orders were passed and the fleet moved against the aliens. The alien ships had obviously detected the Task Group and were moving towards them. Captain Sheppard was unhappy with the aliens’ presence and knew they were to be regarded as hostile, but he was willing to give them a chance and broadcast a demand that the aliens leave the immediate area around the wreck and turn over any survivors they rescued. If they failed to do so he would regard it as an act of war. No reply was received.
5th February 44. HIP 108380. 02:28 Efreet and Elf targeted each of the approaching vessels with 23 Firestar I missiles and waited to open fire as soon as the enemy was in range. 02:45, the fleet reached the engagement envelope of the antiquated Firestar I missiles, 53 million klicks, and the two ships attempted to open fire. Then came the unfortunate discovery that the enemy were using advanced ECM and the engagement range was down to 38.7 million klicks. In addition the Union Task Group speed was only 4500 k/s with the jump ship Diligence in company or a possible 6000 k/s without her, but even then the aliens had the advantage, being capable of 6716 k/s.
02:47. While the Union fleet was out of range, it was now readily apparent that the aliens were not and if any doubts about their being responsible for the loss of the Endurance remained they were now banished as nine missiles, in three salvos of three were detected incoming, at a worrying 40,000 k/s, the tracking speed of the Argon class escorts was only 30,000 k/s. However the first salvos were all intercepted successfully. All subsequent salvos were also dealt with until 02:35:37 when a single missile penetrated the Task Group’s defences and impacted on the Guardians shields with hefty eight-kilotons. The next salvo saw another missile penetrate the defence envelope and impact on Efreet, but again only damaging the vessels shields. Efreet took another missile from the next salvo further reducing her shields. Then fortune smiled on the fleet and the next five incoming salvos were all intercepted before a single leaker dented Elf’s shields. At 02:56 the onslaught ceased and the danger passed. Now the problem was trying to intercept the aliens which travelled at 6716 k/s, Diligence was sent back through the jump point. Even without the Diligence the group was still 716 k/s slower. It was a hopeless task, the aliens were pulling away. Rather than face a second alien barrage to which he had no reply Captain Sheppard decided to withdraw. The fleet returned to Delta Equulei. It would require longer ranged missiles or faster ships, preferably both to successfully engage the aliens.
5th February 44. Gram – Avalon-A II. News of the debacle in HIP 108380 came via the ansible to Star Corps HQ on Gram . The ineffectiveness of the Star Corps weapons was particularly worrying. While there were better missiles in the inventory they did not use the latest technology. A hurried refit programme was brought forward to modernise the fleet’s sensors and electronic warfare suite and the Firestar III missile entered development. This missile was capable of 42,500 k/s had a range of 81 million klicks and carried a nine-kiloton warhead.
When the news reached the Clan Council on Gram there was uproar, an emergency session was called. An enemy that was more capable than the Star Corps was a real threat to the Union. There was much discussion about what could be done. A main stumbling block was that industry on Gram and Excalibur was overstretched and under manned. The Council was faced with the unpalatable decision to re-militarise the Devarian home world or wait a considerable time for Avalon to catch its breath and then begin anew. It was a close run decision, but the decision was made to remilitarise the Devaria to a limited extent. Devaria would become a member of the Union of Avalon, abet with a human Governor and would not be allowed to generate any colonies of its own. Three naval ‘yards would be authorised, one to build updated model of the 3000 ton Ashen Shugar class for survey work, one of 11,000 tons in case it became necessary to outplace the construction of jump ships and later the final ‘yard of 8,500 tons to build an improved version of the jump destroyer Alma Lodaka class. One of the three commercial ‘yards that remained at Devaria after the conquest was to be commissioned to start building additional construction ships, which were in short supply within the Union. The commercial ‘yards at Devaria’s only previous role was to install new engines in the old Imperial cargo, colony and construction vessels. Finally two hundred ordnance factories would be built to expedite the production of new missiles, principally the new Firestar III.
28th July 44. Avalon. Retooling for both Spire Mk IIB class and Phoenix Mk IIIB class completed at the Storm Industries ‘Yard 1n Gram orbit.
Spire Mk IIB class Missile Frigate 11,000 tons 1127 Crew 2725.35 BP TCS 220 TH 880 EM 1440
8000 km/s Armour 3-44 Shields 48-300 Sensors 33/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 15 PPV 40
Maint Life 3.35 Years MSP 774 AFR 193% IFR 2.7% 1YR 105 5YR 1572 Max Repair 162 MSP
Magazine 415
Starr Industries Internal Confinement Fusion Drive E7.2 (16) Power 110 Fuel Use 72% Signature 55 Armour 0 Exp 10%
Fuel Capacity 245,000 Litres Range 55.7 billion km (80 days at full power)
Epsilon R300/15 Shields (16) Total Fuel Cost 240 Litres per day
CIWS-250 (1x6) Range 1000 km TS: 25000 km/s ROF 5 Base 50% To Hit
Size 4 Missile Launcher (10) Missile Size 4 Rate of Fire 30
Missile Fire Control FC105-R19 (2) Range 105.5m km Resolution 19
Firestar III (104) Speed: 42,500 km/s End: 31.8m Range: 81m km WH: 9 Size: 4 TH: 184 / 110 / 55
Active Search Sensor MR98-R19 (1) GPS 3078 Range 98.9m km Resolution 19
Thermal Sensor TH3-33 (1) Sensitivity 33 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 33m km
ECCM-3 (2) ECM 30
Missile to hit chances are vs targets moving at 3000 km/s, 5000 km/s and 10,000 km/s
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposesPhoenix Mk IIIB class Missile Frigate 7,000 tons 469 Crew 1791.45 BP TCS 140 TH 550 EM 1170
7857 km/s Armour 3-32 Shields 39-300 Sensors 33/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 3 PPV 29.4
Maint Life 3.8 Years MSP 480 AFR 130% IFR 1.8% 1YR 52 5YR 783 Max Repair 162 MSP
Magazine 196
Starr Industries Internal Confinement Fusion Drive E7.2 (10) Power 110 Fuel Use 72% Signature 55 Armour 0 Exp 10%
Fuel Capacity 205,000 Litres Range 73.2 billion km (107 days at full power)
Epsilon R300/15 Shields (13) Total Fuel Cost 195 Litres per day
CIWS-250 (1x6) Range 1000 km TS: 25000 km/s ROF 5 Base 50% To Hit
Size 4 Box Launcher (49) Missile Size 4 Hangar Reload 30 minutes MF Reload 5 hours
Missile Fire Control FC105-R19 (2) Range 105.5m km Resolution 19
Firestar III (49) Speed: 42,500 km/s End: 31.8m Range: 81m km WH: 9 Size: 4 TH: 184 / 110 / 55
Active Search Sensor MR98-R19 (1) GPS 3078 Range 98.9m km Resolution 19
Thermal Sensor TH3-33 (1) Sensitivity 33 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 33m km
ECCM-2 (2) ECM 20
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 purposes13th October 44 . Gram – Avalon-A II. Dragon Dryad, Dwarf, Gorgon, Grendal and Harpy (Phoenix Mk IIIB class) refitted on Gram - Avalon-A II. They were immediately dispatched to join Task Force 2.
15th November44. Kuiper99. As Task Group 3.2 retired into Kuiper 99 two alien contacts were detected in system, illuminated by the improved long range sensors on the Guardian. They appeared to be the same vessels which were detected back on 12th November 35; they had been given the reporting names of Tramontana 002 & 003 then. All through the 16th to 21st of November Task Group 3.2 trailed the faster alien ships by a billion klicks. When the Task Group stopped so did the aliens. So Elf and Efreet were detached and with no active sensors and lowered shields, at 2000 k/s attempted to approach with in firing range, On the 24th at 500 million klicks from the alien ships the Elf and Efreet reduced speed to 1000 k/s and at 200 million klicks their speed reduced to 500 k/s and hour after hour the Elf and Efreet crept closer. At 57 million klicks just outside missile range the two ships velocity reduced further to 250 k/s. At 50 million klicks lock-on and launch were attempted with 23 Firestar Is’ targeted at each enemy vessel, but as expected lock-on was impossible at greater than 38 million. Finally at 01:56 on the 3rd December the two ships reached engagement range and launched. 92 missiles later the aliens were not even leaking atmosphere! The exercise was repeated by the four remaining Phoenix class MBs, with no better success! The brave enterprise had been let down by the poor weapons the vessels carried. It would all have to be repeated a third time! Only a 45% hit rate was achieved by the Firestar I missiles, there were not enough missiles in the Task Group to destroy the alien vessels with this rate of success.
16th January 45. Excalibur – Avalon-A IV. A new Shipping Line has been incorporated: Summers Transport Services. Its corporate HQ was based on Excalibur.
20th March 45. Gram – Avalon-A II. Corrie, Edge, Flute, Saddle, Talus and Slab (Spire Mk IIB class) completed their refit in Gram orbit. These vessels were also sent to join Task Force 2 which had taken over from Task Force 3 the task of eliminating the alien threat.
End of Part Three.
