Aurora 4x
C# Fiction => Kurt's Fiction => Humanity First => Topic started by: Kurt on June 09, 2024, 07:52:49 AM
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Trans-Newtonian and System Expansion Era Begins
The Terran Empire encompasses the entire world, and has been responsible for rebuilding civilization. It is a constitutional monarchy, but one where the monarch has considerable power in narrowly defined areas. These areas are mostly related to war and the defense of the Empire, while the democratically elected senate passes laws and budgets, which must be approved by the emperor, although an Imperial veto can be overridden by a vote of 60% of the senate.
(https://i.imgur.com/xiMINOv.jpg)
Emperor Charles the First
The public is united behind the emperor, who has promised to take humanity to the stars and hunt down those responsible for destroying the old world. Both the senate and the military are strong supporters of the “shoot first and ask questions later” mindset that is the emperor’s approach to the search for aliens, and alien contact. This mindset largely characterizes the Imperial Loyalist party, the largest party in the senate. They have adopted the Alien Review Panel’s theory that the raids were caused by unrest and perhaps by civilizational collapse in the local area, and both fear that further raids are possible, and lust after the resources and territory that such unrest and collapse might have made available.
Having said that, there are other factions. The Terra First party is not against a strong defense, but prefers not to go looking for trouble. They have been actively campaigning to limit expansion to the solar system, preferring to establish strong defenses in the system and let the aliens do whatever they want elsewhere. The Co-Existence Party has adopted the theory that came out of the Alien Review Panel, but they come at it from a different perspective than the Imperial Loyalists. They believe that the aliens that conducted the raids were forced into such actions by desperation caused un internal unrest or civilizational collapse, and therefore if we take the time to talk to them, and understand their problems, we can eventually development a mutually beneficial relationship that make humanity much stronger than going it alone. Notably, they are pro-military and in favor of a strong defense. There are no parties against the military in the Empire, not after the destruction of the old world and the death and disappearance of so many humans during the raids.
Imperial Guard and Marine Corps
Both the guard and the marines use the following organization:
10,000 ton battalions
Brigade with HQ capable of commanding 50,000 tons. Usually this means 4xBattalion with attachments
Division with HQ capable of commanding 250,000 tons, usually with 4xDivision with attachments
Corps with HQ capable of commanding 1,000,000 tons, usually with 3-4xDivision with attachments
Attachments include Log units and artillery of various types, and are usually 1,000 to 5,000 tons.
STO units are built in sizes of 1,000 to 2,000 tons, and then usually combined up to 5,000 tons.
July, 2095: The Empire’s first STO unit is deployed. This is a 1st generation ten-centimeter laser point defense battery.
July, 2096: Initial conversion of two hundred old factories into new construction facilities and mines is completed. Construction capacity not devoted to building the Empire’s new orbital shipyards is set to building deep spaced detection stations and maintenance facilities.
August, 2096: The Empire’s first naval shipyard is completed, and work begins enlarging the yard to 1800 tons to handle construction of a survey ship. The survey ship is equipped with a nuclear radioisotope engine and is capable of 1460 km/s, has a range of 52.6 billion kilometers, and an endurance of twenty-four months.
December, 2097: The first geo-survey ship is laid down in the orbital yards.
August, 2098: The first geo-survey ship is launched and immediately heads for the moon to begin its survey efforts. This upgraded design includes a nuclear thermal engine which gives it improved speed and endurance. Work on a second unit is begun as the first heads out of orbit.
February, 2099: A second slipway has been added to the Empire’s sole shipyard. A third survey ship is laid down as work begins on enlarging the shipyard so it can handle larger hulls. Unfortunately, the first survey ship has only found some minor deposits on some asteroids and one comet. Aside from Venus the inner system has been surveyed and found to be singularly lacking in resources. The survey of Venus was delayed due to its inconvenient positioning. The second survey ship is launched, and work begins on a fourth.
August, 2100: A survey ship suffers a maintenance failure while cruising in the outer solar system, beyond Pluto. Because of the ship’s smaller maintenance facilities, it cannot repair the geological sensors without assistance. After receiving the ship’s report, Survey Command decides to recall all five of the survey ships to Earth and end the efforts to survey the outer system.
The survey of the solar system is complete, and the results are disappointing. No planets or moons in the inner system contain TN resources. Only a few scattered moons of the gas giants possess useable resources, although in limited quantities. These results deal a heavy blow to the isolationists in the senate, who now have to admit that going to the stars is an inevitability.
November 1, 2101: Work begins on deciphering the alien interstellar drive captured during the final raid.
May, 2102: Work is completed on deciphering the alien interstellar drive information. The emperor orders research to begin on the systems necessary to build a jump drive, and to begin preparations to survey the solar system for jump points.
December, 2102: The Empire’s first warships are launched. These are small, fast interceptors with a single fifteen-centimeter laser, intended to intercept targets relatively near Earth. The have a range of ten billion kilometers, but have limited endurance and are intended to be deployed only when there are identified targets.
January, 2103: The Empire’s first troop transport is laid down.
October, 2103: The empire’s first cargo ships are launched. They immediately set out for Io, which is the location of one of the few TN deposits in the solar system, as well as a suitable site for the Empire’s first off-world colony.
January, 2104: The last of the old-style construction factories are converted to TN tech.
February, 2104: The Empire’s fist troop ship is launched. It is immediately pressed into service transporting Guardsmen and planetary defense units to Io.
August, 2104: Grav survey ships find their first jump point in the solar system. It is located 4.1 billion kilometers from the Sun, in between the orbits of Uranus and Neptune.
May, 2105: The survey of the solar system is complete. Disappointingly, the system contains only one jump point. The survey ships are recalled for rest and refit, while the first jump ship is under construction.
June, 2105: The empire’s first colony ship is built. The Empire’s first extra-planetary colony is established on Io. 100,000 colonists live there so far.
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Ship designs from the System Expansion era
Abductor class Survey Craft 1,712 tons 36 Crew 229.7 BP TCS 34 TH 64 EM 0
1870 km/s Armour 1-12 Shields 0-0 HTK 13 Sensors 6/6/0/1 DCR 1-5 PPV 0
Maint Life 4.47 Years MSP 83 AFR 23% IFR 0.3% 1YR 7 5YR 101 Max Repair 100 MSP
Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 24 months Morale Check Required
Nuclear Thermal Engine (1) Power 64 Fuel Use 80.0% Signature 64 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 500,000 Litres Range 65.7 billion km (406 days at full power)
Basic Active Search Sensor Mk II (1) GPS 1200 Range 20.3m km Resolution 100
Basic EM Sensor Mk II (1) Sensitivity 6 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 19.4m km
Basic Thermal Sensor Mk II (1) Sensitivity 6 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 19.4m km
Geological Survey Sensors (1) 1 Survey Points Per Hour
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Survey Ship for auto-assignment purposes
This design was in use by the end of the Solar System survey and expansion era.
Abductor Flt III class Survey Craft 1,668 tons 36 Crew 247.5 BP TCS 33 TH 100 EM 0
2998 km/s Armour 1-12 Shields 0-0 HTK 13 Sensors 6/6/0/1 DCR 1-5 PPV 0
Maint Life 4.43 Years MSP 92 AFR 22% IFR 0.3% 1YR 8 5YR 114 Max Repair 100 MSP
Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 24 months Morale Check Required
NGC Engine (1) Power 100 Fuel Use 70.0% Signature 100 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 500,000 Litres Range 77.1 billion km (297 days at full power)
Basic Active Search Sensor Mk II (1) GPS 1200 Range 20.3m km Resolution 100
Basic EM Sensor Mk II (1) Sensitivity 6 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 19.4m km
Basic Thermal Sensor Mk II (1) Sensitivity 6 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 19.4m km
Geological Survey Sensors (1) 1 Survey Points Per Hour
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Survey Ship for auto-assignment purposes
The grav-survey design is a direct copy of the geo-survey design, merely replacing the sensors.
Abductor(Gr) Flt III class Gravitational Survey Craft 1,725 tons 37 Crew 260.8 BP TCS 34 TH 100 EM 0
2900 km/s Armour 1-12 Shields 0-0 HTK 13 Sensors 8/8/1/0 DCR 1-5 PPV 0
Maint Life 11.73 Years MSP 594 AFR 24% IFR 0.3% 1YR 8 5YR 119 Max Repair 100 MSP
Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 24 months Morale Check Required
NGC Engine (1) Power 100 Fuel Use 70.0% Signature 100 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 500,000 Litres Range 74.6 billion km (297 days at full power)
Basic Active Search Sensor Mk III (1) GPS 1600 Range 25.7m km Resolution 100
EM Sensor Mk III (1) Sensitivity 8 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 22.4m km
Thermal Sensor Mk III (1) Sensitivity 8 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 22.4m km
Gravitational Survey Sensors (1) 1 Survey Points Per Hour
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Survey Ship for auto-assignment purposes
The Interceptor design is intended to give the Empire some combat capability in space. Although no firm data remains, it is suspected to be slower than most of the alien ships observed during the raids, but is considered a transitional design to be used until better engines are developed. The Interceptor’s engine is an overpowered design, providing a high power output at the cost of efficiency.
Aberration class Interceptor 1,968 tons 55 Crew 298.3 BP TCS 39 TH 130 EM 0
3304 km/s Armour 5-13 Shields 0-0 HTK 16 Sensors 18/18/0/0 DCR 0-0 PPV 5
Maint Life 1.79 Years MSP 47 AFR 62% IFR 0.9% 1YR 18 5YR 274 Max Repair 65 MSP
Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 2 months Morale Check Required
Naval Power NGC Engine (1) Power 130 Fuel Use 134.88% Signature 130 Explosion 13%
Fuel Capacity 150,000 Litres Range 10.2 billion km (35 days at full power)
15.0cm NUV Laser (1) Range 96,000km TS: 4,000 km/s Power 6-3 RM 30,000 km ROF 10
Laser Fire Control (1) Max Range: 96,000 km TS: 3,000 km/s ECCM-0 67 59 52 44 36 28 20 12 5 0
Gaseous Fission Reactor 4K (1) Total Power Output 4 Exp 5%
Active Search Sensor Mdm Ship Mk II (1) GPS 6400 Range 45.7m km Resolution 200
Standard Thermal Sensor (1) Sensitivity 18 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 33.5m km
Standard EM Sensor (1) Sensitivity 18 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 33.5m km
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Warship for auto-assignment purposes
Abomination class Troop Transport 19,574 tons 150 Crew 566.7 BP TCS 391 TH 360 EM 0
919 km/s Armour 1-64 Shields 0-0 HTK 53 Sensors 8/8/0/0 DCR 1-0 PPV 0
MSP 18 Max Repair 27 MSP
Troop Capacity 10,000 tons Cargo Shuttle Multiplier 10
Lieutenant Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 36 months
Commercial NGC Engine (2) Power 360 Fuel Use 1.41% Signature 180 Explosion 3%
Fuel Capacity 50,000 Litres Range 32.6 billion km (410 days at full power)
EM Sensor Mk III (1) Sensitivity 8 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 22.4m km
Thermal Sensor Mk III (1) Sensitivity 8 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 22.4m km
This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Troop Transport for auto-assignment purposes
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End of the System Expansion Era, Start of the Interstellar Exploration Era
July 19, 2106: A momentous occasion. The Empire’s first jump ship leaves the solar system through its lone jump point and finds itself 7.86 light years from Terra in the Wolf 359 system. The system has a red M6-V primary, orbited by a small rocky world seventeen million kilometers from the primary and three huge gas giants, each with numerous moons. The rocky inner planet is icy and has no atmosphere. Two of the gas giant moons are large enough to be considered worlds in their own right, but only one has an atmosphere and it is covered with a frigid blanket of hydrogen and helium. There is no sign of habitation or system-exploitation.
January, 2107: The geo-survey of Wolf 359 is complete. The results are not as good as hoped, but there are several potential mining sites. A large moon orbiting the outermost gas giant is probably the best, with four TN resources available at decent availability ratings in large quantities. One of the moons of the innermost gas giant has over 800,000 units of sorium at 1.0 availability, making it a prime site for refueling if the sorium can be extracted. Unfortunately, while there is at least one potential mining site, this system will not be able to provide the Empire the resources it needs to continue expanding.
Late in the month the jump ship jumps out of Wolf 359 to Lacaille 9352. The system contains two small rocky inner planets, a gas giant with ten moons, and asteroid belt. The jump ship heads back to the jump point to the solar system to report the discovery and escort the survey ships back to the solar system to refuel and give their crews shore leave.
On the 30th the grav survey is completed, finding a third jump point in the Wolf system.
June, 2107: The jump ship probes the last jump point in the Wolf 359 system, discovering the Alpha Centauri system. Alpha Centauri is a binary yellow/red star system. The primary is orbited by a single small rocky planet, while the secondary red star has a frigid inner rocky planet with an oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere and a gas giant with twenty moons, and a massive asteroid belt.
March 2106: Corbomite deposits have been mined out on Earth. This is currently a low-usage resource, but is a harbinger of things to come.
June, 2108: The geo survey of the Lacaille system is complete. Three asteroids and a comet have TN resources, with only the comet being a worthwhile target for exploitation. The second planet out from the star has vast deposits of TN resources, but five of the ten types are present at .1 availability levels. The other four have availability levels ranging from .2 to .9, making it a worthwhile target for exploitation. The planet has a nitrogen-ammonia atmosphere with an average temp of -50, and is covered by an extensive ice sheet. It is a potential terraforming target, but the ammonia in the atmosphere will have to be removed before it can be colonized.
August 2108: A jump ship jumps out of the Alpha Centauri system and discovers Groombridge 34, a binary system with two small red stars orbiting each other from 16.5 to 30. Billion kilometers apart. The system primary has three rocky inner planets, one with a thin oxy-nitrogen atmosphere, as single gas giant with seven moons, and a large asteroid belt.
August 27, 2108: The geo survey ships exploring the outer edge of the asteroid belt in the Groombridge system detect two ships with raised shields orbiting the second planet from the star. This is the planet with an oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere. The Imperial ships immediately turn and race back to the jump point to rendezvous with the jump ship there.
September 7, 2108: The five survey ships assigned to survey the planets and asteroids of the Groombridge system rendezvous with the jump ship at the jump point and they all jump out, headed back to the solar system and Terra.
October, 2108: The terraforming of Io has begun.
November, 2108: The survey group arrives from the Groombridge system with a warning about the aliens located there.
The Emperor declares the Groombridge system off limits until the Imperial Navy can be built up to force levels sufficient for both defense and offense.
State of the Imperial Military, December, 2108
Imperial Fleet (Rear Admiral St. Denis)
11xAberration Flight II class Interceptor
2xAbuser Flight II class Jump Ship
6xAbomination Flight II class Brigade Troop Transports
Survey Command (Captain Laverne Henriquez)
4xExplorer Flight IV Grav Survey Ships
5xSurveyor Flight IV Geo Survey Ships
2xAbuser Flight II class Jump Ship
Logistics Command (Captain Kenton Eisenbeisz)
20xFreighter Flight II class
3xColony Ship Flight II class
2xAbsolution Class Stabilization Ships
1xTerra Class Terraformer
The 2108 review ordered by the Emperor in light of the discovery of alien ships in the Groombridge system reveals a Navy much more capable than it was even a few years ago, but not yet capable of out-system operations. The Navy’s only warships are short-duration interceptors not yet capable of operating at the level of the ships observed during the first incursion. Worse, the Navy lacks a support structure that would give it out-system capabilities. Tugs, fuel ships, maintenance support ships, and capable scouts would all be needed to support effective out-system operations. In addition, larger, more capable ships would be necessary to project significant power beyond the solar system.
Currently, the Navy possesses a mere four shipyards with five slipways, the largest of which is capable of building a 7,800 ton ship. All four yards are being upgraded as rapidly as possible, but it will be some time before the planned 10,000 ton destroyer class can be deployed.
Imperial Ground Forces
Terra
5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th Guard Divisions – 11 Guard Infantry Brigades, 4 Guard Armored Brigades, all equipped with 2nd or 3rd generation armor and weapons
1st, 2nd, and 3rd Territorial Guard Divisions – 10 Guard Infantry Brigades + 1 independent Battalion, all equipped with 1st generation weapons and armor
1st, 2nd, and 3rd Guard Armored Brigades
1st Marine Division – 4 Marine Brigades, all equipped with 1st generation armor and weapons
27 12cm laser anti-orbit batteries
18 15cm laser anti-orbit batteries
54 20cm Plasma anti-orbit batteries
30 1st generation laser PD batteries
42 2nd generation laser PD batteries
Io
8th Territorial Guard Brigade, all equipped with 1st generation weapons and armor
12 12cm laser anti-orbit batteries
18 1st generation laser PD batteries
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The Flight II model Interceptor is 800 km/s faster than the base design, achieved by replacing the original nuclear gas-core engine with a hi-performance ion drive. This is the only change in the design.
Aberration Flt II class Interceptor 1,968 tons 55 Crew 326.6 BP TCS 39 TH 163 EM 0
4130 km/s Armour 5-13 Shields 0-0 HTK 16 Sensors 24/24/0/0 DCR 0-0 PPV 5
Maint Life 1.67 Years MSP 51 AFR 62% IFR 0.9% 1YR 22 5YR 326 Max Repair 81.3 MSP
Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 2 months Morale Check Required
Hi Thrust Ion Drive (1) Power 162.5 Fuel Use 115.61% Signature 162.5 Explosion 13%
Fuel Capacity 150,000 Litres Range 11.9 billion km (33 days at full power)
15.0cm NUV Laser (1) Range 96,000km TS: 4,130 km/s Power 6-3 RM 30,000 km ROF 10
Laser Fire Control (1) Max Range: 96,000 km TS: 3,000 km/s ECCM-0 67 59 52 44 36 28 20 12 5 0
Gaseous Fission Reactor 4K (1) Total Power Output 4 Exp 5%
Active Search Sensor Mdm Ship Mk II (1) GPS 6400 Range 45.7m km Resolution 200
Standard Thermal Sensor Mk II (1) Sensitivity 24 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 38.7m km
Standard EM Sensor Mk II (1) Sensitivity 24 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 38.7m km
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Warship for auto-assignment purposes
The Jump Scout was designed to primarily support survey operations. To this end it is designed with a long-duration capability and large fuel tanks and refueling systems to support survey ships in the field. It is also equipped with a 15cm laser to defend itself.
Abuser Flt II class Jump Scout 5,000 tons 120 Crew 595.5 BP TCS 100 TH 250 EM 0
2500 km/s JR 3-50 Armour 4-26 Shields 0-0 HTK 31 Sensors 24/24/0/0 DCR 2-4 PPV 5
Maint Life 5.95 Years MSP 648 AFR 100% IFR 1.4% 1YR 31 5YR 469 Max Repair 83.3 MSP
Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 36 months Morale Check Required
J5000(3-50) Military Jump Drive Max Ship Size 5000 tons Distance 50k km Squadron Size 3
Ion Drive (2) Power 250 Fuel Use 60.0% Signature 125 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 1,009,000 Litres Range 60.5 billion km (280 days at full power)
Refuelling Capability: 50,000 litres per hour Complete Refuel 20 hours
15.0cm NUV Laser (1) Range 96,000km TS: 4,000 km/s Power 6-3 RM 30,000 km ROF 10
Laser Fire Control (1) Max Range: 96,000 km TS: 3,000 km/s ECCM-0 67 59 52 44 36 28 20 12 5 0
Gaseous Fission Reactor 4K (1) Total Power Output 4 Exp 5%
Active Search Sensor Mdm Ship Mk II (1) GPS 6400 Range 45.7m km Resolution 200
Standard EM Sensor Mk II (1) Sensitivity 24 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 38.7m km
Standard Thermal Sensor Mk II (1) Sensitivity 24 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 38.7m km
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Warship for auto-assignment purposes
The Flight II model is just over 200 km/s faster than the original, but is unchanged otherwise. The Abomination class is named for raid sites across Terra where alien invaders inflicted atrocities in the course of their raids.
Abomination Flt II class Troop Transport 19,574 tons 150 Crew 580.2 BP TCS 391 TH 450 EM 0
1149 km/s Armour 1-64 Shields 0-0 HTK 53 Sensors 8/8/0/0 DCR 1-0 PPV 0
MSP 18 Max Repair 33.8 MSP
Troop Capacity 10,000 tons Cargo Shuttle Multiplier 10
Lieutenant Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 36 months
Commercial Ion Drive (2) Power 450 Fuel Use 1.21% Signature 225 Explosion 3%
Fuel Capacity 50,000 Litres Range 38.1 billion km (383 days at full power)
EM Sensor Mk III (1) Sensitivity 8 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 22.4m km
Thermal Sensor Mk III (1) Sensitivity 8 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 22.4m km
This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Troop Transport for auto-assignment purposes
The Flight IV design for both the grav and geo designs replaces the nuclear gas-core engine with an improved ion engine, increasing the design’s speed by 725 km/s.
Explorer Flt IV class Gravitational Survey Craft 1,725 tons 37 Crew 273.3 BP TCS 34 TH 125 EM 0
3625 km/s Armour 1-12 Shields 0-0 HTK 13 Sensors 8/8/1/0 DCR 1-5 PPV 0
Maint Life 11.16 Years MSP 599 AFR 24% IFR 0.3% 1YR 9 5YR 132 Max Repair 100 MSP
Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 24 months Morale Check Required
Ion Drive (1) Power 125 Fuel Use 60.0% Signature 125 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 500,000 Litres Range 87 billion km (277 days at full power)
Basic Active Search Sensor Mk III (1) GPS 1600 Range 25.7m km Resolution 100
EM Sensor Mk III (1) Sensitivity 8 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 22.4m km
Thermal Sensor Mk III (1) Sensitivity 8 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 22.4m km
Gravitational Survey Sensors (1) 1 Survey Points Per Hour
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Survey Ship for auto-assignment purposes
Surveyor Flt IV class Survey Craft 1,725 tons 37 Crew 273.3 BP TCS 34 TH 125 EM 0
3625 km/s Armour 1-12 Shields 0-0 HTK 13 Sensors 8/8/0/1 DCR 1-5 PPV 0
Maint Life 11.16 Years MSP 599 AFR 24% IFR 0.3% 1YR 9 5YR 132 Max Repair 100 MSP
Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 24 months Morale Check Required
Ion Drive (1) Power 125 Fuel Use 60.0% Signature 125 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 500,000 Litres Range 87 billion km (277 days at full power)
Basic Active Search Sensor Mk III (1) GPS 1600 Range 25.7m km Resolution 100
EM Sensor Mk III (1) Sensitivity 8 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 22.4m km
Thermal Sensor Mk III (1) Sensitivity 8 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 22.4m km
Geological Survey Sensors (1) 1 Survey Points Per Hour
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Survey Ship for auto-assignment purposes
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May, 2109: An Imperial jump ship operating in the Lacaille system discovers the 61 Hydrae system through a newly discovered jump point. The central star is a small brown dwarf orbited by a gas giant barely smaller than the brown dwarf. The only other object in the system is a lonely comet in the inner system.
June, 2109: The Imperial jump ship in the 61 Hydrae system discovers the V1216 Sagittarii system through the system’s second jump point. The new system’s primary is a small red star orbited by two terrestrial class planets, two super Jovian giants, two gas giants, and two rocky outer planets. The giants are orbited by fifty-nine moons, and there is an asteroid belt in between the inner super Jovian and the new gas giant outwards. One of the rocky inner planets and several of the moons of the inner gas giants appear to be reasonable terraforming sites.
January, 2110: the survey of the V1216 Sagittarii system is complete. The survey turned out to be very disappointing. TN resources on Earth are being depleted, with there being only seven left on Earth and those will be depleted within the next year. Although the Empire has a large stockpile, sufficient for at least ten years at the current usage rates, so far there have been no large deposits found in or near the solar system. With its plentiful planets and moons, hopes were high that the Sagittarii system would be a good mining site, however, only one moon and one asteroid have any deposits at all, these are minor in size and availability. Three of the gas giants and super Jovian’s have large deposits of sorium in their atmospheres, which will make them good refueling sites in the future, but the system won’t alleviate the empire’s growing concerns about resources. The imperial jump ship transits out through the systems one new jump point and discovers the Lalande 21185 system. The primary is a small red star, orbited by two inner rocky planets, a gas giant and a super Jovian orbited by thirty-two moons, and two icy outer planets. The system also contains an asteroid belt and several comets. The survey ships spread out to begin their survey while the jump ships return to Terra to refuel.
May, 2110: The geo-survey of the Lalande system is complete, and the results are outstanding. Nine of the planets and moons have TN deposits, including the innermost planet that possesses an oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere. The planet is too hot for unaided human habitation, but other than that it is a prime colony location. Even better, the planet’s TN resources are present in large quantities at mostly good availability levels. Several of the other moons and planets also have significant deposits, meaning this system is a prime target for Imperial exploitation.
August, 2110: The grav-survey of the Lalande system is complete. The system has two additional jump points. The first leads to the Tau Ceti system. The system primary is a yellow star much like Terra’s star. Tau Ceti is orbited by two rocky inner planets and a gas giant with nineteen moons. The star also possesses a small asteroid belt. The second jump point leads to the Proxima Centauri system. Proxima is a red star orbited by a small inner planet, two super Jovian’s with fifty-five moons between them, and two icy dwarf planets. With this discovery the jump ship returns to Lalande to collect the survey ships assembled at the jump point and then they will return to Terra to rest and be refurbished. The first stellar exploration effort is complete, and the empire will focus on exploiting the territory it has surveyed before beginning another survey effort.
August 26, 2100, 4:11 pm: Ground based sensors on a corporate mining station on a comet just inside the orbit of Jupiter detect an alien ship, 826 mkm’s from Terra. The ship was detected on thermal sensors, and it was observed moving at 5,639 km/s, much faster than the fastest Imperial ship. A single jump ship, escorted by a trio of interceptors, are dispatched to meet the alien ship. Imperial Naval Intelligence designates the alien race with the code name Archer, and the ship class Alpha, making the contact Archer Alpha-1.
Six and a half hours later the contact disappears as it moves beyond the outpost’s sensor range. The contact group is ordered to proceed to the contact’s last known position. Several hours later the contact reappears. Archer Alpha-1 is headed in-system, but is not headed towards any planet or even the sun.
August 28, 2100: As the contact group maneuvers to get in between Archer Alpha-1 and the inner system, the alien ship turns away and begins moving out-system. The alien ship was sixty-five mkm’s from the Imperial group, outside of active sensor range. The Imperial contact group turns to follow, but is much slower. Even detaching the interceptors only reduces the rate at which the alien ship is pulling away. As with its course in-system, the alien ship’s course out-system doesn’t seem to point at anything in particular, and certainly not the system’s only jump point.
August 29, 2110: The pursuit group has lost the alien ship beyond Jupiter. For now, the group is ordered to hold position.
September 2, 2110: The contact re-appears 324 mkm’s in-system from the pursuit group’s location, back on its original heading towards the inner system. The pursuit group turns back, and a second group of interceptors is dispatched from Terra to get in front of the alien ship. Once again, the alien ship turns away from the inner system, and the outer pursuit group is ordered to close on the alien ship.
After much jockeying, the outer pursuit group manages to close to 30 mkm’s from the alien ship, which is in theory well within the interceptor’s active sensor range. The alien ship remains stubbornly undetected by the active sensors, indicating that it is either much smaller than the sensors are designed to detect, or it is equipped with something that makes it difficult for the active sensors to lock on to.
At 1245 hours, as the imperial ships continue to close on the contact, Archer Alpha-1 opens fire with four railguns at 150,000 kilometers range, just outside of the interceptor’s own range. The weapons the alien is using appear to be at the limit of their range, they do only minor armor damage to one of the interceptors.
Fifteen seconds later one of the interceptors fires its fifteen-centimeter NUV laser at the alien at the same second the alien fired its railguns. The imperial laser hit the alien ship, and the alien ship scored one hit on the human ship, but as the Imperial laser penetrated the alien’s hull it was clear the Imperial attack ships had the advantage. Five seconds later the second human interceptor fired its laser, punching through the alien ship’s thin hull and damaging its engines. The alien ship turned away, but it has been slowed to just over half the speed of the human interceptors.
The human interceptors commence to pummel the alien ship with their lasers. After a series of hits the alien ship comes to a halt, now a sitting duck for the human ships. Two more salvoes and the alien ship exploded, ending the threat.
Although the alien threat was eliminated, the intrusion into the solar system was alarming. The colonists on Io appeal to the imperial government for more protection, and the emperor directs the Guard to dispatch additional troops and STO units to the moon. In addition, the navy must re-evaluate its design strategy. Even the fast interceptors were too slow to catch the alien ship, and it only fell into their hands due to being out-maneuvered. In addition, although it was destroyed in exchange for light armor damage to one interceptor, the Navy suspects that the alien ship was not a warship but rather a lightly armed survey ship. Worse, the interceptor’s sensors only managed to get a lock at very close range. Inspection of the wreckage shows that it was 7,328 tons, not the 732 tons the sensors insisted that it was. Improvements in our sensor and engine tech are necessary, as is the development of a salvage vessel to recover the wreck. The technology for the next generation magneto-plasma drive is already under development, but won’t be ready for application until mid-next year, so ships likely won’t be equipped with it until 2112.
(https://i.imgur.com/w13QmVP.jpg)
Aliens designated "Archer" by Imperial Naval Intelligence
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The Imperial Jump Ship was designed as a jack-of-all-trades, intended to probe newly discovered jump points, picket critical jump points, escort survey craft, act as a refueling ship when necessary, and engage hostile ships. Of course, while it could do all of those things, it really did none of them well. Its sensors weren’t sensitive enough to qualify it as a scout, it didn’t carry enough fuel to really support survey operations, and its weaponry and defenses were minimal. However, unlike any other ship in the Imperial fleet at the time, it could do all of those missions, making it indispensable.
Asteroid class Jump Ship 5,000 tons 120 Crew 570.5 BP TCS 100 TH 200 EM 0
2000 km/s JR 3-50 Armour 4-26 Shields 0-0 HTK 31 Sensors 24/24/0/0 DCR 2-4 PPV 5
Maint Life 6.20 Years MSP 642 AFR 100% IFR 1.4% 1YR 29 5YR 429 Max Repair 83.3 MSP
Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 36 months Morale Check Required
J5000(3-50) Military Jump Drive Max Ship Size 5000 tons Distance 50k km Squadron Size 3
NGC Engine (2) Power 200 Fuel Use 70.0% Signature 100 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 1,009,000 Litres Range 51.9 billion km (300 days at full power)
Refuelling Capability: 50,000 litres per hour Complete Refuel 20 hours
15.0cm NUV Laser (1) Range 96,000km TS: 4,000 km/s Power 6-3 RM 30,000 km ROF 10
Laser Fire Control (1) Max Range: 96,000 km TS: 3,000 km/s ECCM-0 67 59 52 44 36 28 20 12 5 0
Gaseous Fission Reactor 4K (1) Total Power Output 4 Exp 5%
Active Search Sensor Mdm Ship Mk II (1) GPS 6400 Range 45.7m km Resolution 200
Standard EM Sensor Mk II (1) Sensitivity 24 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 38.7m km
Standard Thermal Sensor Mk II (1) Sensitivity 24 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 38.7m km
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Warship for auto-assignment purposes
The Flight II class interceptor includes a new ion drive that’s been modified to produce thirty percent more power at the cost of significantly increased fuel consumption. In addition, the Flight II includes improved passive sensors.
Aberration Flt II class Interceptor 1,968 tons 55 Crew 326.6 BP TCS 39 TH 163 EM 0
4130 km/s Armour 5-13 Shields 0-0 HTK 16 Sensors 24/24/0/0 DCR 0-0 PPV 5
Maint Life 1.67 Years MSP 51 AFR 62% IFR 0.9% 1YR 22 5YR 326 Max Repair 81.3 MSP
Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 2 months Morale Check Required
Hi Thrust Ion Drive (1) Power 162.5 Fuel Use 115.61% Signature 162.5 Explosion 13%
Fuel Capacity 150,000 Litres Range 11.9 billion km (33 days at full power)
15.0cm NUV Laser (1) Range 96,000km TS: 4,130 km/s Power 6-3 RM 30,000 km ROF 10
Laser Fire Control (1) Max Range: 96,000 km TS: 3,000 km/s ECCM-0 67 59 52 44 36 28 20 12 5 0
Gaseous Fission Reactor 4K (1) Total Power Output 4 Exp 5%
Active Search Sensor Mdm Ship Mk II (1) GPS 6400 Range 45.7m km Resolution 200
Standard Thermal Sensor Mk II (1) Sensitivity 24 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 38.7m km
Standard EM Sensor Mk II (1) Sensitivity 24 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 38.7m km
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Warship for auto-assignment purposes
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Results of the first survey effort by the Imperial Survey Service:
(https://i.imgur.com/45JgAcn.jpg)
Note: This map was current as of 2109 and does not show the results of the survey effort beyond the V1216 Sagittarii system.
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Imperial Naval Intelligence Report, Encounter with “Archer” Aliens on September 2, 2110
Analysis of Alpha class Archer ship:
Actual tonnage: 7,300, apparent tonnage per active sensors - 730
Observed Speed: 5,639 km/s
Armament: 1xRaigun, ROF 15, max known range 158,000 km
Thermal Signature: 198
Armor: Light, potentially basic armor coverage
The Archer Alpha class does not appear to be a purpose-built warship. It is lightly armed and has only minimal armor, which, given its size, indicates that it has another purpose, perhaps either a scout or survey vessel. Additional analysis will be performed after the wreck is salvaged.
November, 2110: The Guard position on Io has been reinforced to include a full Territorial Division, twenty-seven surface to orbit laser batteries, eighteen STO plasma batteries, and thirty-five point-defense laser batteries.
September, 2111: Work is complete on the new magneto-plasma engines, but refits for the warship classes are delayed while new sensors are developed to improve detecting and targeting the alien ships.
January, 2112: The Empire’s first orbital missile base has been deployed. The Aggressor class is 9,813 tons, has heavy armor, and mounts fifty box launchers equipped with the newly developed Archer Anti-Ship Missile, and ten anti-missile missile launchers for the Shrike AMM. The Archer ASM has a range of 71 mkm’s and a speed of 17,500 km/s.
February 2112: The jump gate network to the V1216 Sagittarii system has been completed. The stabilization ship has moved on to the Lalande system to complete the link there, but the Empire’s plans to establish a fueling and military base in the Sagittarii system can now move forward. Troop ships are dispatched to the innermost moon of the system’s inner super Jovian to drop off STO units to protect the base and the fuel ships that will eventually be sent there.
March, 2112: R&D is complete and the new ship designs are ready. The shipyards will begin updating themselves, and once they are reconfigured, refits will begin. The new interceptor design will increase their speed to 6,153 km/s, and replaces their older laser with a new 15 cm UV laser cannon, with the latest targeting systems as well. The new Aggravator class destroyers get updated as well, increasing their speed to 5,280 km/s. It will take time to reconfigure the yards, and more time to refit the fleet. So far, no further alien ships have appeared.
June, 2112: Freighters arrive over V-Sag, as the troops have taken to calling the new military outpost on the innermost moon of the super jovian planet selected as the empire’s first out-system fueling site. The freighters are dropping off ten tracking stations, a mass driver, and a refueling station. So far, fifteen anti-orbit laser batteries, six plasma batteries, and nineteen PD laser batteries have been deployed to the moon. Soon two brigades of Imperial Guard troops will join them.
August, 2112: Ten harvesters arrive over the super Jovian V-Sag orbits and begin filling their tanks.
October, 2112: The alien wreck is salvaged, recovering various systems, including an aux control, EM sensor, what appears to be a decoy launcher, a fusion generator one generation behind our current tech, and some assorted wreckage with valuable TN resources.
Naval Intelligence Evaluation, Archer Alpha Salvage Report
The recovery of systems from the wreckage revealed no new or startling technologies. The breakdown of systems recovered from the Archer Alpha does show that the Archers are more advanced in terms of ECM and ECCM, however, their other tech appears to be at our current technology level, or even more primitive. The recovery of a decoy launcher does indicate that the Archers are more advanced in their counter-missile technology, something that should be taken into account by the Aggressor Defense Base team.
September, 2113: with the fueling outpost in Sagittarii set up and functioning, it is almost time to move into Lalande and begin exploiting the TN resources there. Planning for the colony on the innermost nearly habitable planet begins, and when the troop transports are released from the refit docks, they will begin transferring Guard units to the planet. For now, freighters will begin transferring infrastructure and tracking stations to the planet.
February 2, 2114: The outpost on Lalande 21185 I detects an alien ship amongst the system’s asteroid belt. The alien ship is the same class as the ship destroyed in the solar system. This is a problem, as the outpost’s STO defenders are still embarked on their troops ships, headed in-system from the jump point. Worse, the troop ships will pass relatively near the alien ship on its way to the outpost. The outpost commander, Administrator Lacasse, is known as a dour and harsh boss, but he’s no one’s fool and not a coward. He immediately sends a message to the troop ships informing them of the contact and suggesting they divert around the inner system and approach the outpost from the far side, away from the alien ship. The troop ship commander agrees, and diverts away from the alien ship. Unfortunately, the alien ship appears to be surveying the system’s planets and soon arrives over the innermost planet and the Terran outpost.
Much to everyone’s relief, the alien ship moves on, headed out towards the third planet. Soon the alien ship moves out of the inner system and the troop ships are given the all clear to head directly to the colony.
By the thirteenth, the STO’s have been unloaded from the transports, which immediately head out-system, carrying a contact report that will cause much consternation once it arrives back home. Even as the transports move away, the alien ship is detected once again moving towards the inner system. This time the outpost is prepared, and the defenses are ready. Oddly, the alien ship moves through the inner system, close to the sun, and then stops on the inner planet’s orbit, approximately 38 mkm’s from the outpost. For nearly fifteen hours it sits in space, and then it turns towards the outpost.
The alien ship plunges towards the planet, refusing all communications. At 40,000 kilometers, the outposts 15 cm NUV laser batteries and 20 cm plasma batteries open fire, achieving multiple hits. Five seconds later the outposts point defense laser batteries open fire, scoring more hits, slowing the alien ship to a crawl. Five seconds after that the colony’s heavier lasers fired again, destroying the alien ship before it could reach orbit. The combat report is sent to the retreating transports for relay to HQ.
March 28, 2114: The troop transports enter the solar system and send their reports off to Terra, causing consternation throughout the imperial government at the new evidence of alien encroachment.
May 3, 2114: A new alien ship has been detected in the Solar system, in the asteroid belt 350 mkm’s from Terra. It is quickly identified as another Archer Alpha class ship. Unlike last time, the fleet has ships capable of responding in an effective manner. Two groups are dispatched to intercept the alien, a group of two destroyers and a group of two interceptors. The destroyers are 400 km/s slower than the alien, while the interceptors are 500 km/s faster. The alien ship is moving across the asteroid belt, perhaps surveying the belt.
The interceptors came up behind the alien ship, pushing it into fleeing directly into the destroyer group coming out of the inner system. The destroyers began preparing to fire when the alien ship fired on them, hitting the lead destroyer with three low strength railgun hits. The second destroyer got off shots next, firing its large lasers and plasma cannons at 60,000 kilometers, but missed across the board. The same destroyer fired its 10 cm lasers next, getting three hits, which penetrated the alien ship’s armor. The alien ship fired again, scoring four hits on the lead Imperial destroyer, causing serious armor damage as it was now at close range. In exchange, the second destroyer fired again, scoring a hit with its 15 cm laser battery.
The two Imperial destroyers closed to point blank range and the second destroyer continued pounding the alien ship with its light lasers. The lead destroyer had finally worked out its problems and launched a devastating broadside at point blank range, gutting the alien ship with its plasma cannons. The threat eliminated; the two groups turned back to Terra.
With the number of alien ships entering the solar system seemingly increasing, the Navy decides it needs a picket posted at the jump point to control entry and egress from the system. Therefore, design begins on the Aggressor Long-Duration variant, which will have an endurance and maintenance capability that will allow it to be stationed at remote locations like the jump point for long periods of time.
November 30, 2116: Yet another Archer Alpha class ship is detected in the asteroid belt of the solar system. The third destroyer group and the 1st interceptor group are ordered to pursue and destroy the alien ship. The interceptors leap out ahead of the destroyers, and the three groups of ships race towards each other as the alien ship moves in-system on its enigmatic mission. The interceptors reach nineteen mkm’s from the alien ship before it turns away, and the chase is on.
It took hours, but finally the interceptors were closing in on their laser’s range, but before they could reach range the alien ship opened fire with its railguns, scoring several low-power hits on the lead interceptor. The alien ship would fire four more times before the interceptors reached their range, doing moderate damage to the lead interceptor’s armor, but then the four interceptors opened fire on the alien ship. The human ships missed across the board, but they were closing and their chance to hit would only improve. The alien ship would fire twice more before the interceptors finally got hits.
During the next salvo, the human interceptors got another hit, but the alien ship finally penetrated the lead interceptors’ armor, destroying the small ship’s search sensor. The CO of the 1st Interceptor Group, Commander Erin Cauthon, ordered Interceptor 003 to drop out of the pursuit and retreat to avoid suffering further damage. The alien ship shifted its fire to Interceptor 004, and the pursuit continued. Ten seconds later, one of the Imperial interceptors scored a critical hit, taking out the one of the alien ship’s engines, slowing it by 50%. Ten seconds later the next salvo cut deeply into the alien ship, knocking out its engines. Even as the interceptor’s crews cheered, a group of two Archer Alpha class ships appeared on the ship’s sensors, six hundred and fifty million kilometers out-system of their location. The DD group, coming up behind the interceptors, changed course to intercept the two alien ships.
The new contact faded from the sensors even as the interceptors destroyed the crippled alien ship in front of them. Ten seconds later the alien ships reappeared. Commander Cauthon detached her ship, which had suffered damage during the battle, and ordered the last two interceptors of the 1st Group to join the destroyers instead of approaching the two alien ships alone.
December 1, 2116: The 3rd Destroyer Group, bolstered by the two remaining interceptors, picks up the alien intruders on their active sensors 48 mkm’s from the Imperial force. The active sensors pick up a new and unknown class of ship with the two Archer Alpha class ships. The new class is designated the Archer Bravo class. The active sensor signature is 732 tons, a tenth of the known mass of the Alpha class, possibly due to jamming or cloaking of some sort. The three alien ships are headed in-system, directly towards the Imperial squadron.
Twelve minutes later the alien ships turn away and begin moving out-system with the Terran squadron in pursuit. Unfortunately, the destroyers are four hundred km/s too slow to catch them and begin falling behind. Commander Asher, the CO of DD Group 3, considers detaching the interceptors to pursue the alien ships, but decides against it given there are only two with his squadron. He does send a message back to Terra requesting additional interceptors, though. Unfortunately, the bulk of the remaining interceptors are either in training or being overhauled.
Seven hours later the alien ships pass beyond the 3rd DD Group’s sensor range and fade from view. The Imperial ships are still 260 mkm’s from the point where the alien ships were first observed, and Commander Asher considers continuing on to that point, but in the end, worried about the alien ships slipping around him, he decides to come to a halt and hold position to watch for the alien ships attempting to return to the inner system. Two days later HQ orders Commander Asher’s group to return to base.
As a result of this encounter, the Navy requests that its scout ship project be moved up in priority, and that the planetary detection networks on Terra, Io, and the two out-system outposts be enlarged. R&D efforts are diverted from economic projects to improve sensor capabilities before specific development of scout systems begins.
December 8, 2116: The same three alien ships are detected entering the asteroid belt on the same vector as before. The 3rd DD Group, along with the 1st and 3rd Interceptor Groups, are dispatched to intercept. Four hours later the alien ships fade from sensors, and the intercepting groups are ordered to move to their last known location. Two hours later a fourth alien ship appears on Terra’s sensors. This one is 780 mkm’s farther out than the closer group, has commercial engines, and is moving at 1,830 km/s. This new contact is designate as an Archer Charlie class ship. Shortly after this, the interceptors of Interceptor Group 2 complete their overhauls and are dispatched to follow the other groups moving out towards the aliens.
Nineteen hours later, the 1st and 3rd Interceptor Groups approach the last known location of the alien ships. Their active sensors don’t pick up the alien ships, so the interceptors continue outwards, towards the Archer Charlie contact that is still moving in-system.
December 10, 2116, 9:57 pm: The 1st and 3rd Interceptor Groups are close enough to pick up the Archer Charlie contact on active sensors. The active sensors show that the Archer Charlie is 119,531 tons, and is escorted by an Archer Alpha and two Archer Bravo’s, none of which have been seen before, meaning that the prior contact of two Archer Alphas and an Archer Bravo is still out there somewhere. The two Imperial interceptor groups tighten their formation and then charge forward. By this time, the alien ships have turned away, but they are tied to the slow Archer Charlie and the interceptors are much faster.
One and a half hours later the interceptors are approaching weapons range and they are hit by a massive volley of railgun projectiles, all aimed at two of the interceptors in the 1st Interceptor Group. One of the interceptors merely loses a little armor, but the other is seriously damaged. The damaged interceptor is detached to head back to Earth, while the remaining seven open fire. All seven interceptors target the same ship, one of the Archer Bravo’s, as they are more heavily armed than the Archer Alpha.
The interceptors are hit by another massive salvo of railgun projectiles, all targeted on the interceptor damaged in the earlier attack, causing serious damage. The Archer Bravo is hit by six 15cm lasers from the interceptors, penetrating its armor with all six hits. The alien ship continues with its squadron mates, while the damaged interceptor turns back, leaving six to pursue the alien ships. The interceptors shift targeting to the second Archer Bravo while their lasers recharge, all except one interceptor that continues to target the first Archer Bravo.
The interceptors are hit by another salvo of railgun projectiles five seconds later, targeting one of the remaining interceptors, which suffered internal damage. The damaged interceptor is ordered to turn back, but its CO, Commander Rayford Harjo, hesitates. His weapons are almost recharged, and the temptation to remain is nearly overwhelming. After a second’s hesitation he relents and orders his ship to turn away. Their armor is shredded, and while their internal damage is light, another salvo from the alien’s railguns would destroy his small ship. The Imperial interceptor force is reduced to five ships now.
Unfortunately, the aliens target the retreating interceptors, including Commander Harjo’s ship. Harjo’s interceptor is hit by twenty-eight railgun slugs, half of which are absorbed by the already damaged armor. The remaining slugs rip through the small ship, damaging more systems but leaving them motive power. The other damaged interceptor is less lucky, loosing both its fuel tanks and its engine. In exchange, the five intact interceptors get three hits in the next exchange of fire, two on the second Archer Bravo and one on the first. All three hits penetrate, and both alien ships lose power and begin drifting. The Imperial ships target the Archer Alpha and both damaged Bravos, while the damaged Imperials target one of the Archer Bravos.
Rayford Harjo’s ship was targeted again by the damaged Archer Bravo’s, and suffered a catastrophic explosion, killing most of the crew and Commander Harjo. Harjo’s ship got off one last shot, hitting the Bravo targeting his ship, but the laser didn’t do any apparent damage.
The two remaining damaged interceptors are now beyond the Bravo’s range, so they shift fire to the intact interceptors, doing moderate armor damage to one and causing light internal damage. In exchange, the Imperial ships get two hits on the Archer Alpha and one each on the damaged Bravo’s, which are falling behind the other ships. The damaged interceptor, the last remaining ship from the 1st Interceptor Group, detaches and moves away from the battle, but instead of heading back to Terra, which would take it back towards the damaged Archer Bravos, it races ahead of the Archer Alpha and Archer Charlie, away from the damaged Bravos. The four remaining interceptors remain with the Archer Charlie.
The damaged interceptor is hit again by railguns from the Archer Alpha, while the lasers on the imperial ships recharge. Five seconds later the interceptors pound the Archer Alpha with their 15 cm lasers, causing multiple penetrating hits, while the Alpha returns fire with railguns damaging one of the interceptors armor. Ten seconds later the ships exchanged fire again, and this time the Archer Alpha lost its engines, falling behind the Archer Charlie. Unfortunately, the Alpha targeted the retreating Interceptor that had moved ahead of the fleet, and one of its hits destroyed the fleeing interceptor’s engine. Not willing to allow the Alpha to continue to fire on the crippled interceptor, Commander Taffe, the CO of Interceptor Group 3, ordered her ships to remain with the Alpha and destroy it.
Fifteen seconds later, as the Archer Charlie continued to flee, the interceptors destroyed the crippled Alpha, which did not return fire. They then turned to pursue the futilely fleeing Archer Charlie. It took fifty-five seconds of continuous fire but finally the commercial ship was destroyed.
With the last mobile ship destroyed, Commander Taffe ordered her ships turn back and approach to just within laser range of the damaged Archer Bravos. Seven salvoes later, with no return fire from the Bravos, Commander Taffe ordered the squadron to close to 50,000 kilometers to improve their hit chance and damage. This proved effective and the next salvo destroyed the Archer Bravo. They then shifted fire to the last remaining Bravo and pounded it into scrap.
In the aftermath of the battle the area was littered with wrecks, and two of the interceptors were still without power. The 1st Interceptor Group moved in to pick up the survivors of the destroyed interceptor, and then remained on station while a tug and salvage ships were dispatched from the inner system. The 3rd Destroyer Group was seven and a half hours away and racing to their location to reinforce the interceptors in case the other alien ships suspected to be in the system appeared. Interceptor Group 2 was even closer, and would arrive on station in just over three hours.
December 11, 2116, 2112 hours: The three alien ships that had been lost reappear on the destroyer group’s sensors. Immediately the two interceptor groups race away, towards the aliens, followed by the slower destroyers. The aliens immediately turn away and the chase is on. The interceptors must bring the alien ships into their own sensor range before the aliens manage to move out of the destroyer’s sensor range, or they will be lost once again. Two and a half hours later the interceptors are within range of their own sensors, long before the aliens manage to get out of the destroyer’s sensor range.
At 0915 hours on December 12th, the contacts, which were at that point fifteen mkm’s in front of the pursuing interceptors, suddenly disappeared off of the sensors of the pursuing ships. By everything the Terrans knew, there was no way for the ships to suddenly disappear while so far within their detection envelope. The terran ships pushed on, closing on the area where the alien ships disappeared. Forty-two minutes later the interceptors arrive and found nothing but empty space. The aliens were gone.
This development threw caused much consternation throughout the Navy. There was no jump point detectable at the location where the alien ships disappeared. The survey of the solar system had been exhaustive and hadn’t revealed any even potential jump points aside from the one to Wolf 359. If the aliens had some other way of moving between stars, then the implications for the Empire were dire.
December 25, 2116: The two interceptor groups are dispatched back to Terra, as they are not intended for long duration deployments. The 1st DD Group will remain on station for now.
January, 2117: The salvage of the wrecked Archer Charlie resulted in the recovery of several systems, including a cargo shuttle bay.
March, 2117: The salvage ship and its attendant freighters returns to Terra and begins unloading their haul. Subsequent examination of the recovered systems reveals little in the way of new technology, except the two active sensors recovered from the Archer Bravo wrecks. These yield useful information on ECCM tech. The rest is scrapped.
Imperial Naval Intelligence Report on Archer Alien Incursion of 2116
The Archer Incursion in November-December 2116 consisted of three groups of ships:
Group 1: 1xArcher Alpha – destroyed
Group 2: 1xArcher Alpha, 2xArcher Bravo – lost contact
Group 3: 1xArcher Charlie, 1xArcher Alpha, 2xArcher Bravo – destroyed
Archer Bravo Class
Actual tonnage: 7,300, apparent tonnage per active sensors - 730
Observed Speed: 5,639 km/s
Armament: 5xRaigun, ROF 5, max known range 39,902 km
Thermal Signature: 198
Armor: Light, potentially basic armor coverage
The Bravo class appears to be a variant of the Alpha class. Like the Alpha Class, it has light armor, but carries a much heavier armament of faster firing railguns, making it a formidable opponent.
Archer Charlie Class:
Actual tonnage: 119,500
Observed Speed: 1,830 km/s
Armament: none
Thermal Signature: 4,375
Armor: None/light
The purpose of this class is currently unknown. Analysis of the wreckage shows that it has a cargo shuttle bay, but no other systems that might reveal its purpose were recovered.
Intelligence recommends that the Marine Boarding program be accelerated so that the next incursion can be countered by boarding any commercial craft encountered so that their capabilities and intentions can be determined.
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Imperial Naval Designs, 2110-2117
The Flight III upgrades include, most importantly, a new engine based on the recently developed magneto-plasma drive technology. The Hi-Thrust magneto-plasma drive was developed specifically for the interceptor class and has its base power boosted by 50%, at the cost of fuel efficiency and a somewhat higher chance of explosion should the drive unit be damaged. The new drives give the interceptor a speed of 6,153 km/s, higher than the speed of all known Archer ships. The interceptor’s fuel tankage has not been increased, meaning that its range has been reduced by approximately 20%, a trade-off seen as acceptable given its short endurance and defensive missions.
In addition, this design includes an upgraded laser main armament and improved sensors, including an active sensor designed specifically to detect the low-profile Archer ships encountered to date.
Aberration Flt III class Interceptor 1,951 tons 45 Crew 446.1 BP TCS 39 TH 240 EM 0
6153 km/s Armour 5-13 Shields 0-0 HTK 17 Sensors 33/33/0/0 DCR 1-5 PPV 5
Maint Life 5.93 Years MSP 214 AFR 20% IFR 0.3% 1YR 10 5YR 156 Max Repair 120 MSP
Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 1 months Morale Check Required
Hi-Thrust Magneto-plasma Drive (1) Power 240 Fuel Use 165.34% Signature 240 Explosion 15%
Fuel Capacity 150,000 Litres Range 8.4 billion km (15 days at full power)
15.0cm Ultraviolet Laser (1) Range 128,000km TS: 6,153 km/s Power 6-3 RM 40,000 km ROF 10
EW Fire Control Mk II (1) Max Range: 128,000 km TS: 5,000 km/s ECCM-0 92 84 77 69 61 53 45 38 30 22
Stellarator Fusion Reactor (1) Total Power Output 6.4 Exp 5%
Interceptor Active Search Sensor (1) GPS 784 Range 33.7m km Resolution 14
Standard Thermal Sensor Mk IV (1) Sensitivity 33 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 45.4m km
Standard EM Sensor Mk III (1) Sensitivity 33 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 45.4m km
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Warship for auto-assignment purposes
The Flight II upgrades to the destroyer class include the newly developed magneto-plasma drives, boosting its speed to near parity to the known Archer classes. In addition, the upgrades added significantly to the class maintenance capability, ensuring that it can continue to operate in difficult conditions. Much like the smaller interceptors, the destroyers receive an upgraded sensor package, including an active sensor designed specifically to detect low-profile Archer ships.
Aggravator Flight II class Destroyer 10,000 tons 252 Crew 1,691.8 BP TCS 200 TH 1,056 EM 0
5280 km/s Armour 5-41 Shields 0-0 HTK 68 Sensors 33/33/0/0 DCR 3-3 PPV 36
Maint Life 2.99 Years MSP 1,217 AFR 267% IFR 3.7% 1YR 204 5YR 3,056 Max Repair 176 MSP
Tractor Beam
Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 36 months Morale Check Required
Magneto-plasma Drive (3) Power 1056 Fuel Use 53.84% Signature 352 Explosion 11%
Fuel Capacity 1,553,000 Litres Range 51.9 billion km (113 days at full power)
25.0cm Plasma Carronade (3) Range 128,000km TS: 5,280 km/s Power 16-4 RM 10,000 km ROF 20
15.0cm Ultraviolet Laser (3) Range 128,000km TS: 5,280 km/s Power 6-3 RM 40,000 km ROF 10
10cm Ultraviolet Laser (3) Range 120,000km TS: 5,280 km/s Power 3-3 RM 40,000 km ROF 5
EW Fire Control Mk II (3) Max Range: 128,000 km TS: 5,000 km/s ECCM-0 92 84 77 69 61 53 45 38 30 22
Magnetic Mirror Fusion Reactor (6) Total Power Output 30 Exp 5%
Destroyer Active Search Sensor (1) GPS 1568 Range 47.7m km Resolution 14
Standard EM Sensor Mk III (1) Sensitivity 33 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 45.4m km
Standard Thermal Sensor Mk IV (1) Sensitivity 33 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 45.4m km
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Warship for auto-assignment purposes
The Aggressor class missile base is intended to provide heavy-standoff firepower to augment planetary defenses. The Empire has little experience with missile combat, and this design is their first attempt at a missile-combatant.
Aggressor class Missile Base 9,813 tons 111 Crew 1,648.4 BP TCS 196 TH 0 EM 0
1 km/s Armour 15-40 Shields 0-0 HTK 87 Sensors 0/0/0/0 DCR 2-2 PPV 70
Maint Life 2.07 Years MSP 262 AFR 308% IFR 4.3% 1YR 81 5YR 1,220 Max Repair 105 MSP
Magazine 835 / 0 Tractor Beam
Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 24 months Morale Check Required
Fuel Capacity 50,000 Litres Range N/A
Standard Box Launcher (50) Missile Size: 8 Hangar Reload 141 minutes MF Reload 23 hours
AM Missile Launcher (10) Missile Size: 1 Rate of Fire 10
AM Missile Fire Control (2) Range 29.7m km Resolution 1
Missile Fire Control (1) Range 79.6m km Resolution 100
Archer Anti-Ship Missile (50) Speed: 17,500 km/s End: 27.3m Range: 28.7m km WH: 12 Size: 8 TH: 67/40/20
Shrike AMM (435) Speed: 35,000 km/s End: 2.6m Range: 5.5m km WH: 1 Size: 1 TH: 116/70/35
Active Search Sensor Mdm Ship Mk III (1) GPS 8400 Range 70.9m km Resolution 200
Lg Active Search Sensor Sm Ship (1) GPS 10500 Range 75.9m km Resolution 100
AM Active Search Sensor (1) GPS 105 Range 19.2m km MCR 1.7m 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 Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Warship for auto-assignment purposes
Designed after the second alien incursion into the solar system, the Long Duration variant of the standard missile base has reduced armor in exchange for increasing the unit’s endurance to ten years, and increasing its box launchers by 26%.
Aggressor Long Duration class Missile Base 9,928 tons 139 Crew 1,657.9 BP TCS 199 TH 0 EM 0
1 km/s Armour 10-41 Shields 0-0 HTK 111 Sensors 33/33/0/0 DCR 8-8 PPV 85.6
Maint Life 10.17 Years MSP 1,335 AFR 99% IFR 1.4% 1YR 23 5YR 352 Max Repair 140 MSP
Magazine 769 / 0 Tractor Beam
Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 120 months Morale Check Required
Fuel Capacity 50,000 Litres Range N/A
Standard Box Launcher (63) Missile Size: 8 Hangar Reload 141 minutes MF Reload 23 hours
AM Missile Launcher (10) Missile Size: 1 Rate of Fire 10
AM Missile Fire Control (2) Range 29.7m km Resolution 1
Missile Fire Control (1) Range 79.6m km Resolution 100
Archer Anti-Ship Missile (63) Speed: 17,500 km/s End: 27.3m Range: 28.7m km WH: 12 Size: 8 TH: 67/40/20
Shrike AMM (265) Speed: 35,000 km/s End: 2.6m Range: 5.5m km WH: 1 Size: 1 TH: 116/70/35
Destroyer Active Search Sensor (1) GPS 1568 Range 47.7m km Resolution 14
AM Active Search Sensor Mk II (1) GPS 140 Range 22.1m km MCR 2m km Resolution 1
Standard Thermal Sensor Mk IV (1) Sensitivity 33 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 45.4m km
Standard EM Sensor Mk III (1) Sensitivity 33 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 45.4m 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
This design is classed as a Warship for auto-assignment purposes
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April, 2117: The first Long Duration Missile Base is launched. Originally intended to be stationed on the jump point into the solar system, it will now be towed to the point where the alien ships disappeared from the solar system in an attempt to prevent future raids.
Once the missile base is on station the DD group stationed in the area will be withdrawn to Terra for overhaul.
May, 2117: Two orbital yards are being retooled to build the new Planet class battlecruiser and Annihilator class jump cruiser. These ships are 20,000 tons, the empire’s largest warships to date.
June, 2117: A second long duration missile base is completed and will be towed to the jump point to secure the solar system’s entry point.
The senate approves a measure to end terraforming efforts on Io and to transfer the terraforming fleet, now twenty-two ships strong, to the Lalande system to begin work on the colony there. The decision is controversial, as the terraforming of Io, which was hailed as an Imperial commitment to its citizens, is only partially complete. This decision was made due to the relative value of the two colonies. The Empire’s critical need for TN resources, which are available on Lalande Prime, and the need to jump start the colony in the Lalande system, far outweighs any possible argument for the terraforming of Io. The first step will be to send fuel ships to Io to refuel the terraformers, before they set out on the long trip to the Lalande system. The empire’s five tugs will be detailed to tow some of the terraformers to Lalande to speed the process up, because while the terraformers are officially classified as “mobile” they are very slow.
The empire’s plans for Io have not ended. Instead, the moon’s capacity to support its population will be augmented by large orbital constructs which are being designed right now and will be built by Terra’s industrial might.
On June 17, the massive terraformers lift ponderously out of orbit over Io and begin their trip. It will take the older terraformers over a year to reach Lalande, although the assignment of the tugs to assist them will reduce this time considerably.
August, 2117: R&D is complete on a new generation of laser weaponry. The new weapons are more powerful than previous generations, and are based on new far ultraviolet technology recently developed. In addition, they incorporate the latest in capacitor tech, making them faster firing as well as more powerful. The newly developed 15cm laser, which is the mainstay of the fleet, can fire twice as fast as the older 15cm UV laser. In addition, a new 20cm FUV laser mount will be deployed to the fleet, as will a 25cm spinal mount laser. Although no refits are scheduled, all newly built ships will incorporate these systems, designated as (b) models.
September, 2117: The tug group drops off five older terraforming ships over Lalande I and turns back to rendezvous with the plodding terraformer groups and get the next batch. Both terraforming groups are still in the solar system, slowly heading towards the jump point.
June 11, 2118: A new alien ship, Archer Alpha class, has appeared in sol. The ship was detected 460 mkm’s from Terra, in the asteroid belt. Disturbingly, the ship appears on almost the diametrically opposite side of the solar system from the area where the other Archer ships appeared and disappeared. A destroyer group and two interceptor groups are dispatched to the area.
The alien ship continues on course in-system, until the interceptors close to 17 mkm’s, at which point the alien ship turns away.
June 12, 2118, 1833 hours: The two interceptor groups are nearing their maximum weapons range when the Archer Alpha opens fire with its railgun, scoring hits on one of the interceptors. The interceptors open fire at 110,000 kilometers with their 15cm UV lasers, getting one hit. Two more salvoes and the Alpha was drifting. One more salvo left the Alpha a wreck. The interceptors turned back to base. Intercepting Archer Alphas is becoming routine for the interceptors of the Solar Defense Group.
With the Solar system secure and the fleet growing, HQ feels secure enough to dispatch the survey ships to survey the two systems beyond the Lalande system. They will stop at V-Sag base to refuel before continuing on.
August, 2118: The tug group has been diverted from the terraforming group to transport the newly built habs from Terra to Io. They arrive over Io late in the month with five orbital habitats capable of sustaining one million colonists each. The habs immediately begin unloading some of their colonists to the colony below to free up space on the orbital habitats.
September, 2118: The Emperor meets with senate leaders and they agree to impose a moratorium on new construction except as needed in emergency situations. Terra’s TN resources are almost exhausted, and in several critical instances, such as gallicite, the stored stocks will run out within a year at current usage rates. The massive buildup of the Imperial navy will have to end, at least until the Lalande system can be fully exploited.
By mid-month a maintenance base has been established on Lalande Prime capable of supporting 35,000 tons of naval shipping. The 4th Interceptor Group is assigned to Lalande Prime as the primary defense force for the colony. The group departs Terra on this date, and will stop at V-Sag base to refuel before continuing on to Lalande Prime.
October, 2118: R&D on sensor systems for a fleet scout is complete, and the design is finalized. Acting on priorities approved by the senate, the Navy high command authorizes the conversion of a shipyard and the diversion of resources sufficient for two fleet scouts to be constructed.
Elsewhere, an Imperial Territorial Guard unit is embarked, along with an older laser STO unit, for transfer to a new mining site in the Lalande system.
October, 2118: The geo-survey of the Tau Ceti system is complete. One of the inner planets and several moons and asteroids possess deposits of TN resources, but none are prime mining sites.
Later in the month the survey ships complete their survey of Proxima Centauri. The system contains a number of valuable mining sites. Several moons possess multiple hi-availability deposits, but with low total quantities, but one terrestrial class moon has seven TN resources in large quantities at availabilities ranging from .1 to .6, making it a prime base site. This moon possesses an atmosphere of hydrogen-helium at a pressure of .94 and an ice sheet covering approximately 27% of its surface.
December, 2118: The grav survey of Proxima Centauri is complete. The system contains two new jump points. The survey group will probe the two jump points and begin their survey of the most promising system.
While probing the first unexplored jump point in the Proxima Centauri system, the group discovers that the jump point leads back to the already known 61 Hydrae system. After reassembling the group, they set out for the second new jump point in the Proxima Centauri system.
January 2, 2119: The survey group working out of Proxima Centauri probes the second new jump point, discovering the V577 Monoceri System. This is a binary system with two small red stars. The system primary is orbited by three lonely comets, but the secondary star is more promising. This star is orbited by a terrestrial class planet with an ice sheet and a thin oxygen nitrogen atmosphere. In addition, there are two gas giants, one of which is orbited by twenty-one moons, and a small asteroid belt.
Later in the month a survey group completes its grav survey of the Tau Ceti system, discovering one new jump point.
March, 2119: The survey group operating in the Tau Ceti system jumps through the unexplored jump point, discovering the 55 Bootis system. This system is a single-star system with a red primary orbited by two terrestrial class planets, a super-Jovian with thirty-six moons, and a moderate sized asteroid belt and a few comets.
April, 2119: The Mark IV Guardsman weapons and armor are now available. The Mark IV equipment means the standard guardsman will be four times as tough and resilient as a trooper equipped with Mk I armor, and deal out twice as much damage. Mk II equipped Guard units will be redesignated as Reserve Territorial Guard, joining Mk I equipped units.
May, 2119: The grav-survey of the V577 Monoceri system is complete. Two new jump points were found.
June, 2119: The survey group operating out of the Monoceri system probes the innermost new jump point, discovering Van Biesbroeck’s Star. This is a binary system with pair of red stars. The primary is orbited by five rocky planets, one of which is Venusian, and two gas giants, along with a small asteroid belt. The secondary red star is orbited by a pair of rocky planets and a moon-less gas giant.
July, 2119: The survey group in the Monoceri system probes the second new jump point, discovering Barnard’s Star. The system primary is a red star with no planets, asteroids, or moons.
August, 2119: the gravitational survey of 55 Bootis is complete and one new jump point has been found.
The development of Mk IV Marine equipment is complete. Mark IV equipment includes heavy powered infantry armor, heavy crew served anti-personnel weapons, and improved genetic enhancements that make the Imperial Marine a fearsome opponent on the battlefield.
The survey group in 55 Bootis probes the single new jump point found in the system and discovers the Sigma Eridani system. The system primary is a brown dwarf with no planets or asteroids. The survey group sets out for home.
August, 2119: Three Planet class battlecruisers are launched. Along with their jump cruiser sisters, these ships were the last laid down before the building moratorium was declared. These twenty-thousand ton behemoths are as fast as the smaller destroyers and mount a fearsome broadside of five plasma cannons, a 25cm spinal laser, a 20cm laser, five 15cm lasers, and two 10cm laser turrets for missile defense. The BC’s have a range of nearly 48 billion kilometers and an endurance of one year in deep space.
October, 2119: The first two jump cruisers are launched. These are the same size as the battlecruisers, but mount jump drives at the expense of some weaponry.
December, 2119: The Imperial Navy makes the decision to discontinue the watch station where the aliens were believed to be entering the system. The missile base towed to the location has not spotted any alien ships in the two and half years since it was stationed there, and there has been an incursion since, which apparently came from elsewhere. A base will continue to be stationed on the jump point into and out of the solar system.
January, 2120: The extensive shipyard facilities over Terra have largely been shut down due to resource shortages. There are four ships currently being built, a jump cruiser and three fleet scouts.
The fleet’s three battlecruisers and two jump cruisers are training in the inner system and several deficiencies in their designs have come to light. In particular, their maintenance facilities are a clear problem. In spite of being out for less than half their designed endurance time, one of the jump cruisers has depleted 68% of their maintenance supplies, and the battlecruiser’s maintenance supply use, while better, calls into question their ability to sustain long-duration engagements where their equipment will be stressed by heavy use. The next refit will remedy this situation.
There are now thirty-three terraformer ships over Lalande Prime, each mounting three terraforming modules. One additional terraformer is en route from the solar system, brining the total of modules over Lalande Prime to 102 when it arrives. The terraformers have succeeded in reducing the carbon dioxide in Lalande Prime’s atmosphere to a trace, and have now begun lowering the planet’s temperature to bearable levels.
February, 2120: The survey of Van Biesbroeck’s Star is complete. The system contains one additional jump point, and several mining sites of minor interest. The survey group will probe the new jump point before returning home for rest for the crews and overhauls for the ships.
Late in the month the survey group probes the jump point and discovers the Procyon system. The system is binary, with a hot F5 subgiant primary orbited by two planets, a hot gas giant orbiting 93 mkm’s from the primary, and a terrestrial class planet with a thin nitrogen-methane atmosphere and a surprisingly balmy temperature of 21.4 C. The secondary star is a lonely white dwarf orbiting 2.4 billion kilometers from the primary.
March, 2120: The Wesley Marchman R&D team completes development of magnetic fusion drive technology. Development of engine designs begin immediately, and plans are made to begin overhauling all fleet units as soon as possible. The new engine designs will finally give the Imperial navy parity with or superiority over observed alien performance.
Profile – Io Colony, 2120
Gravity: 0.183
Diameter: 3,642 km
Temp: -48.8 C
Atmospheric Pressure: 0.87
Atmospheric Composition: Aestusium – 100%
Hydrographic Composition: 20% Ice Sheet
Terrain: Cold Desert, Mountainous
Population: 64.3 million
Resources: Duranium 4,130,352(0.7), Mercasium 553,685(0.3)
The Io colony is an example of the Empire’s first tentative steps to create an off-world presence. The moon has been partly terraformed, with the atmosphere’s harmful elements removed and the temperature partially remediated, but the terraforming effort was abandoned when the Empire shifted its focus to the resource rich Lalande system. In place of the terraforming effort, the Empire began constructing massive orbital population centers, five of which were towed into orbit over the moon, but then this effort was abandoned as well when the resource shortages became critical.
The moon’s population is primarily employed in the extensive financial sector that has grown rapidly due to favorable laws passed by the senate, in the moon’s spaceport, and in the moon’s mines. Io currently has a large population of potential workers (unemployed), and the Imperial government is considering the best utilization of the colony. There are currently proposals to relocate some or most of the orbital shipyards there, or speed up the growth of the financial sector on the moon. No decision has been made so far.
April, 2120: The new commercial magnetic fusion drive is ready for deployment. The government authorizes the retooling of the yards to begin, although refits will be delayed until the naval force is refitted and the cost in TN resources can be properly evaluated.
May, 2121: The Imperial Navy’s three fleet scouts are launched from the orbital yards. These scouts mount the same low-profile engines the survey ships use, and are equipped with a jump drive and very large active sensor and thermals sensor, along with an ELINT module. The active sensor will be able to detect 700 ton alien ships at up to 130 mkm’s, and the large thermal sensor should be able to detect the alien ships even farther out. Two of the three scouts immediately return to the yards for refits. The third will be sent to the Groombridge system to probe the planet there where alien ships were detected during the initial survey effort. A jump ship will follow the scout and picket the jump point back to the rest of the empire to observe.
July, 2121: The fleet scout jumps into the Groombridge system. The jump point is almost 3.5 billion kilometers from the location the alien ships were last seen, so it isn’t a surprise when nothing is detected, however, a wreck of an Archer Alpha class ship is detected in the inner system. The scout sets out for the inner system.
The scout moves to 600 mkm’s from the target planet without detecting anything new, and so continues moving in-system. Thirty hours later it is 300 mkm’s with nothing new detected, so it continues. On the 29th of July it reaches a point 92 mkm’s from the planet, and goes to low power to reduce its sensor profile. The planet will eventually move closer to the scout’s location, approaching to its closest point at 37 mkm’s.
By August 13th, the planet has reached its closest point, and still nothing new has been detected. After some debate with his second in command, Commander Luis Framer orders the ship’s powerful active sensors to be powered up. The scout’s powerful active sensors immediately pick up the same two contacts in orbit over planet 2 as were detected all those years ago. Both are over 17,000 tons, but have a very low thermal profile, explaining why the scout’s sensitive thermal sensors didn’t see them. The scout’s CO orders the active sensors powered down, and the scout goes quiet again. Interestingly, the scout’s sensors do not detect any populations on the planet.
Groombridge A-II
Terrestrial, Gravity .433
Hydrosphere: Liquid water covers thirty five percent of the surface
Atmosphere: Oxygen-Nitrogen, pressure 0.189
Temperature: 4.32 C
A-II is within human tolerances for colonization in terms of hydrosphere and temperature. The atmosphere is too thin and contains too little oxygen to be considered breathable. In addition, the planet has an eccentricity of 0.25, and its average temp varies from 4.32 at a high to -38.86 at a low. The planet’s resources are unknown, as the constructs orbiting the planet prevented the survey ships from completing their survey of the system.
Commander Framer orders his ship to relocate to a new position ahead of the planet to distance himself from the spot where they activated their sensors.
The scout ship slowly creeps closer to the orbital track of A-II, positioning itself so that at the planet’s closest approach the scout will be just over 12 mkm’s from the planet. On the 23rd the planet its at its closest approach and the scout’s sensors confirm that only the two previously detected ships are in orbit over the planet, but now they can see a weak thermal contact on the planet as well. The contact is strength 30, which is much smaller than ever the smallest mining outposts in the solar system, but no details can be resolved.
Under orders from Naval HQ, Commander Framer begins attempting to communicate with the aliens. The aliens seem at least somewhat willing to learn how to talk to humans, but after five days the aliens abruptly shut down all comms attempts.
July, 2122: The Sampson R&D team, working out of the newly established Io research complex, completes development of theoretical cloaking technology. The Io R&D facility is being used by the Imperial Navy to research highly classified tech, as the remote location and limited access makes security controls much easier to enforce.
January, 2124: Lalande Prime reaches zero colony cost as a result of the efforts of the terraforming fleet orbiting overhead. The fleet will continue to work for some time as the planet’s eccentric orbit means that the temps must be brought down even more to ensure it stays within the habitable band for humans.
May, 2124: A forward base on Alpha Centauri A-I is established. Alpha Base is garrisoned by three brigades of Guards from the 6th Guards Division on Terra. Eventually, marine units will join the Guards and STO’s will be deployed to protect the base. Alpha base will be used as a forward staging area for the eventually invasion of Alpha Centauri.
Alpha Centauri A-I is an atmosphere-less dwarf planet orbiting 75 mkm’s from the yellow primary star and has very little aside from location to recommend it.
April 2125: The Empire’s first six courier ships are launched. They are immediately dispatched to the mining colonies in the Wolf 359 system, the military refueling base in the V1216 Sagittarii system, and two to the vital colony in the Lalande system. These ships will orbit their assigned locations and be available to rapidly return to the Solar System with contact reports or incursion warnings.
May, 2125: Demonstrating its commitment to defend out-system populations, the Navy dispatches the 9th Destroyer Group, composed of two Flight III destroyers, to the Lalande system.
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After a long debate in the Senate, the Aggravator class destroyers were renamed the Hero of Terra class. This was largely a public relations effort, as the names of the individual ships weren’t changed, and neither was the intent of the naming scheme, just the framing. Originally, the destroyer class was named under the Imperial Navy’s original aggressive naming scheme, and it was named for persons who had ‘aggravated’ the alien raiders during humanity’s long fight before the Empire achieved effective space flight. Changing the class naming scheme represents the Imperial government’s attempt to highlight the heroes that defended humanity in its most dire times, linking the current fleet to the heroism that came before.
The Flight III refits for the destroyer class adds magnetic fusion drives to the destroyer design, increasing its overall speed to 6,000 km/s, making it faster than the fastest observed alien ships and increasing its range significantly. In addition, new armor materials have allowed designers to increase the class’s armor protection slightly. The laser armament has been upgraded to more powerful far UV laser designs.
A small boat bay has been added to the class with the intent to eventually provide small fast scouts or fighters to augment the destroyer force.
Hero of Terra Flight III class Destroyer 10,000 tons 245 Crew 2,031.1 BP TCS 200 TH 1,200 EM 0
6000 km/s Armour 6-41 Shields 0-0 HTK 63 Sensors 42/33/0/0 DCR 3-3 PPV 36
Maint Life 2.79 Years MSP 1,280 AFR 267% IFR 3.7% 1YR 238 5YR 3,567 Max Repair 200 MSP
Hangar Deck Capacity 150 tons Tractor Beam
Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 36 months Flight Crew Berths 3 Morale Check Required
Magnetic Fusion Drive (3) Power 1200 Fuel Use 35.36% Signature 400 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 1,511,000 Litres Range 76.9 billion km (148 days at full power)
25.0cm Plasma Carronade (3) Range 128,000km TS: 6,000 km/s Power 16-4 RM 10,000 km ROF 20
15cmFUV Laser (3) Range 128,000km TS: 6,000 km/s Power 6-6 RM 50,000 km ROF 5
10cm FUV Laser (3) Range 128,000km TS: 6,000 km/s Power 3-3 RM 50,000 km ROF 5
EW Fire Control Mk II (3) Max Range: 128,000 km TS: 5,000 km/s ECCM-0 92 84 77 69 61 53 45 38 30 22
Capital Tokamak Fusion Reactor (1) Total Power Output 41.6 Exp 5%
Tokamak Fusion Reactor (1) Total Power Output 8 Exp 5%
Destroyer Active Search Sensor (1) GPS 1568 Range 47.7m km Resolution 14
Standard EM Sensor Mk III (1) Sensitivity 33 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 45.4m km
Standard Thermal Sensor Mk III (1) Sensitivity 42 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 51.2m km
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Warship for auto-assignment purposes
The Planet class BC is intended to be the pride and the backbone of the fleet. The original Flight I design was replaced by this Flight Ib variant while the first units were still in the yards, and all three battlecruisers were immediately refitted to this design after launch. This class is the first in the Empire to utilize shield tech and electronic warfare tech. The initial training cruise for the three units of this class highlighted the meager maintenance capabilities of this design, a weakness that will be remedied in the next refit.
Planet Flight Ib class Battlecruiser 20,000 tons 496 Crew 3,501.3 BP TCS 400 TH 2,112 EM 1,890
5280 km/s Armour 6-65 Shields 63-216 HTK 136 Sensors 33/33/0/0 DCR 14-7 PPV 78.84
Maint Life 1.22 Years MSP 937 AFR 800% IFR 11.1% 1YR 648 5YR 9,721 Max Repair 176 MSP
Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months Morale Check Required
Magneto-plasma Drive (6) Power 2112 Fuel Use 53.84% Signature 352 Explosion 11%
Fuel Capacity 2,861,000 Litres Range 47.8 billion km (104 days at full power)
Delta Shield Gen (7) Recharge Time 216 seconds (0.3 per second)
25.0cm Plasma Carronade Mk II (5) Range 128,000km TS: 5,280 km/s Power 16-6 RM 10,000 km ROF 15
25.00cm Spinal FUV Laser (1) Range 128,000km TS: 5,280 km/s Power 16-6 RM 50,000 km ROF 15
20cm FUV Laser (1) Range 128,000km TS: 5,280 km/s Power 10-5 RM 50,000 km ROF 10
15cmFUV Laser (5) Range 128,000km TS: 5,280 km/s Power 6-6 RM 50,000 km ROF 5
Twin 10cm UV Laser Turret (2x2) Range 120,000km TS: 16000 km/s Power 6-6 RM 40,000 km ROF 5
Laser Turret Fire Control (1) Max Range: 64,000 km TS: 16,000 km/s ECCM-0 84 69 53 38 22 6 0 0 0 0
EW Fire Control Mk II (3) Max Range: 128,000 km TS: 5,000 km/s ECCM-0 92 84 77 69 61 53 45 38 30 22
Stellarator Fusion Reactor (13) Total Power Output 83.2 Exp 5%
Destroyer Active Search Sensor (1) GPS 1568 Range 47.7m km Resolution 14
Standard EM Sensor Mk III (1) Sensitivity 33 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 45.4m km
Standard Thermal Sensor Mk IV (1) Sensitivity 33 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 45.4m km
Electronic Warfare Jammers: Sensor 1 Fire Control 1 Missile 1
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Warship for auto-assignment purposes
The Annihilator class is designed to convey the battlecruisers or any other fleet ships to systems not served by stabilized jump points. The design gives up speed to be able to mount a jump drive, a design decision that has been very controversial and is still being debated.
Annihilator Flight Ib class Jump Cruiser 20,000 tons 537 Crew 3,735.1 BP TCS 400 TH 1,760 EM 1,890
4400 km/s JR 4-100 Armour 6-65 Shields 63-216 HTK 137 Sensors 33/33/0/0 DCR 14-7 PPV 78.84
Maint Life 1.07 Years MSP 966 AFR 800% IFR 11.1% 1YR 853 5YR 12,799 Max Repair 403.3 MSP
Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months Morale Check Required
J20000(4-100) Military Jump Drive Max Ship Size 20000 tons Distance 100k km Squadron Size 4
Magneto-plasma Drive (5) Power 1760 Fuel Use 53.84% Signature 352 Explosion 11%
Fuel Capacity 2,195,000 Litres Range 36.7 billion km (96 days at full power)
Delta Shield Gen (7) Recharge Time 216 seconds (0.3 per second)
25.0cm Plasma Carronade Mk II (5) Range 128,000km TS: 5,000 km/s Power 16-6 RM 10,000 km ROF 15
25.00cm Spinal FUV Laser (1) Range 128,000km TS: 5,000 km/s Power 16-6 RM 50,000 km ROF 15
20cm FUV Laser (1) Range 128,000km TS: 5,000 km/s Power 10-5 RM 50,000 km ROF 10
15cmFUV Laser (5) Range 128,000km TS: 5,000 km/s Power 6-6 RM 50,000 km ROF 5
Twin 10cm UV Laser Turret (2x2) Range 120,000km TS: 16000 km/s Power 6-6 RM 40,000 km ROF 5
Laser Turret Fire Control (1) Max Range: 64,000 km TS: 16,000 km/s ECCM-0 84 69 53 38 22 6 0 0 0 0
EW Fire Control Mk II (3) Max Range: 128,000 km TS: 5,000 km/s ECCM-0 92 84 77 69 61 53 45 38 30 22
Stellarator Fusion Reactor (13) Total Power Output 83.2 Exp 5%
Destroyer Active Search Sensor (1) GPS 1568 Range 47.7m km Resolution 14
Standard EM Sensor Mk III (1) Sensitivity 33 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 45.4m km
Standard Thermal Sensor Mk IV (1) Sensitivity 33 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 45.4m km
Electronic Warfare Jammers: Sensor 1 Fire Control 1 Missile 1
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Warship for auto-assignment purposes
The Avenger class is intended to be the fleet’s early warning system, scouting ahead of an advancing fleet or watching over critical locations. Design tradeoffs mean that this design is much slower than the fleet’s standard speed, however the large sensor arrays and the inclusion of a jump drive meant that only so much space could be devoted to the engines. The low-profile engines have significantly reduced the scout’s thermal profile, making it much harder to detect.
Avenger class Fleet Scout 10,000 tons 291 Crew 2,557.2 BP TCS 200 TH 256 EM 0
2560 km/s JR 3-50 Armour 1-41 Shields 0-0 HTK 53 Sensors 700/33/0/0 DCR 7-7 PPV 0
Maint Life 2.33 Years MSP 1,618 AFR 114% IFR 1.6% 1YR 406 5YR 6,094 Max Repair 924 MSP
Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 24 months Morale Check Required
J10000(3-50) Military Jump Drive Max Ship Size 10000 tons Distance 50k km Squadron Size 3
Survey LP Magneto-plasma Drive (4) Power 512 Fuel Use 34.35% Signature 64.0 Explosion 8%
Fuel Capacity 950,000 Litres Range 49.8 billion km (225 days at full power)
Scout Clk Active Search Sensor (1) GPS 11760 Range 130.7m km Resolution 14
Standard EM Sensor Mk III (1) Sensitivity 33 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 45.4m km
Scout Thermal Sensor (1) Sensitivity 700 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 209.2m km
ELINT Module (1) Sensitivity 5 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 17.7m km
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Intelligence Ship for auto-assignment purposes
The Flight II design was developed while the new-build Flight I scouts were still being built. Two of the three scouts were turned around and put into the yards for refit immediately upon being built. The new magnetic fusion drives boosted the scout’s speed and range significantly, and its maintenance capability was improved as well.
Avenger Flt II class Fleet Scout 10,000 tons 290 Crew 2,630.1 BP TCS 200 TH 210 EM 0
3000 km/s JR 3-50 Armour 1-41 Shields 0-0 HTK 53 Sensors 700/33/0/0 DCR 8-8 PPV 0
Maint Life 2.75 Years MSP 1,815 AFR 100% IFR 1.4% 1YR 347 5YR 5,198 Max Repair 924 MSP
Hangar Deck Capacity 150 tons
Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 24 months Flight Crew Berths 3 Morale Check Required
J10000(3-50) Military Jump Drive Mk II Max Ship Size 10000 tons Distance 50k km Squadron Size 3
Survey LP Magnetic Fusion Drive (4) Power 600 Fuel Use 24.36% Signature 52.50 Explosion 7%
Fuel Capacity 967,000 Litres Range 71.5 billion km (275 days at full power)
Scout Clk Active Search Sensor (1) GPS 11760 Range 130.7m km Resolution 14
Standard EM Sensor Mk III (1) Sensitivity 33 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 45.4m km
Scout Thermal Sensor (1) Sensitivity 700 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 209.2m km
ELINT Module (1) Sensitivity 5 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 17.7m km
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Intelligence Ship for auto-assignment purposes
Six orbital habitats of this design were built before the construction moratorium was announced. All six are in orbit over Io.
Orbital Hab class Orbital Habitat 2,504,453 tons 160 Crew 1,159.6 BP TCS 50,089 TH 0 EM 0
1 km/s No Armour Shields 0-0 HTK 131 Sensors 0/0/0/0 DCR 1-0 PPV 0
MSP 0 Max Repair 200 MSP
Colonist Berths 1,000,000
Lieutenant Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months
Fuel Capacity 10,000 Litres Range N/A
This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Space Station for construction purposes
This design is classed as a Colony Ship for auto-assignment purposes
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July, 2125: A stabilization ship completes work on Neptune’s LaGrange point, creating a new in-system jump point in the solar system.
September, 2125: In preparation for the Empire’s advance into the Groombridge system, a stabilization ship jumps into the system to begin work on the jump point back to Alpha Centauri. The stabilization ship’s minimal sensor suite detects multiple combat signs in the inner system over the second planet, and two new wrecks of Archer Alpha class ships, bringing the total of wrecks in-system to three. The stabilization ship jumps back and reports this new development before beginning its mission. When the message reaches the base in the inner system it is relayed to one of the orbiting couriers, which immediately departs for the solar system.
The battle in the Groombridge system continues for some time and several massive nuclear strikes are detected, but the stabilization ship cannot determine whether the nuclear explosions are coming from the Groombridge aliens or the Archers.
Once the courier arrives in the Solar System Fleet Command will dispatch a scout to probe the Groombridge system to determine what is happening in the inner system.
After the second wave of 100 plus nuclear detonations over the second planet a new Archer Alpha wreck is detected. And then a third after a third wave of explosions. Four more waves of explosions and an unknown wreck massing 14,679 tons is detected. This is larger than any known Archer combat class, and smaller than the two known Groombridge contacts. Another wave of explosions sees the appearance of the wreckage of an Archer Bravo class. This appears to signal the end of the combat.
November, 2125
Alpha Base
Alpha Centauri I – Rocky Dwarf, average temp 103C, gravity .245,, no atmo, tidally locked to primary.
Installations: 10xDeep Space Tracking Stations, 1xRefueling Station
Stores: 1,022 Maintenance Supplies, 17,982,624 liters of fuel
Troops
1st,2nd, 3rd, and 4th Marine Divisions – 14xMarine Brigades, including attachments
22nd, 25th, and 39th Guard Brigades – 12xGuard Brigades, including attachments
29th Anti-Orbit Laser Battery – 7xLaser Emplacements (various types)
21st Anti-Orbit Plasma Batter – 16x25cm Plasma Emplacements
32nd Point Defense Laser Battery – 19x3rd Generation Laser PD Emplacements
All told, 710,000 tons of combat units
Note: This was to be the invasion force for Groombridge II, however, in light of the combat taking place in the Groombridge system, the Emperor has decided that the invasion will be a ‘maximum effort’, and so an additional Guard Corps will be staged on Alpha Base before the effort to take Groombridge II begins. The deployment of the 1st Guard Corps from Earth will mean that another 600,000 tons of combat power will be available for the invasion.
March, 2126: The Terran scout approaches to 30 mkm’s range of Groombridge II and then activates its sensors. The two known Groombridge contacts are still present, as is the ground contact. All appears peaceful at the current time. Deactivating its sensor, the scout settles in to watch the aliens.
December, 2126: The jump point out of the Groombridge system is stabilized, and the route for the Imperial Navy to move into the system is clear. The force dispatched to probe the system and force contact with the aliens at the second planet will be composed of:
Contact Fleet (VAdm Tony Shatswell)
1st Battlecruiser Squadron: 3xPlanet Flt II BC’s, Terra, Mars, Jupiter (Commodore Reynaldo Naraine)
1st Destroyer Group: 3xHero Flt III class DD’s, Aydan Calligaris, Victor Aita, Victoria Konecny (Captain Pierre Cadena)
2nd Destroyer Group: 3xHero Flt III class DD’s, Chandra Graf, Iris Hennig, Cord Gotti (Captain Cordelia Hodgens)
3rd Destroyer Group: 3xHero Flt III class DD’s, Wei Zhao, Jun Hsu, Shu Ko (Captain Vernon Newel)
4th Destroyer Group: 3xHero Flt III class DD’s, Sashi Patil, Yeong-Ja Rhee, Ryosuke Kamiya (Captain Heidi Kehrer)
5th Destroyer Group: 3xHero Flt III class DD’s, Megan Edwards, Femke Janzen, Ganna Shvets (Captain Kyle Peifer)
All told, 210,000 tons of warships
Note: as of 2125, the destroyer class has been renamed the Hero of Terra class, and is named for notable people who fought against the alien incursions before the Empire took humanity to the stars.
December 25, 2126: The Contact Fleet has arrived at Alpha Base and refueled. It will now set out for the Groombridge system, where it will join the fleet scout already in the system.
January 6th, 2127: The Contact Fleet has arrived at the fleet scout’s location, 18 mkm’s from Groombridge II, and the two alien ships/bases orbiting there. Thirty minutes later they had approached to 9 mkm’s from the planet without any response from the orbiting units. Meeting no resistance they continued to advance. At 7:36 pm the Contact Fleet is 4.2 mkm’s from the target. Six minutes later they were at 2 mkm’s range. At this point the fleet received an incomprehensible message from the aliens. The message was accompanied by a visual which showed what appeared at first to be a heavily armored suit, but which on closer examination was clearly some sort of bipedal robotic unit, or an armored bipedal alien with an extremely small head.
Regardless of the true nature of the alien/robot, it was enough for the commander of the Contact Fleet.
Vice Admiral Shatswell, acting on orders from the Emperor himself, ordered his battlecruisers to raise their shields, and for the fleet to advance on the alien fleet and engage them. The alien visible in the transmission matched aliens ID’d in two separate raids on Terra, and that could not be forgiven.
Five minutes later, as the fleet reached 1.7 mkm’s, one of the alien ships, designated Groombridge Bravo-01, launched fifty-two very small missiles at the human fleet. The missiles were moving at the incredible speed of 60,300 km/s. Vice Admiral Shatswell ordered all lasers in the fleet to be set for point defense and ordered them to continue to advance. Ten seconds later the Bravo-01 contact launched another fifty-two missiles. Every ten seconds another salvo launched.
In total the fleet had the following weapons available for its defense:
3x25cm Spinal Laser
60x25cm Plasma Cannon
15x20cm laser
45x15cm Laser
45x10cm laser
6xDual 10cm Laser turret
The defensive fire destroyed just ten incoming missiles. The remaining missiles stripped the Terra’s shields and damaged her armor. At this point Vice Admiral Shatswell decided that they would not be able to survive the alien missile fire and ordered his ships to retreat. The next two salvoes targeted the other two battlecruisers, stripping their shields as well.
The aliens rotated their targeting through each of the battlecruisers. One minute and thirty seconds after the first missile was launched, the human fleet had retreated to 1.8 mkm’s from the planet, and while there had been no armor penetrations, the Terra’s armor was down to 62%, while the Jupiter’s was at 82% and the Mars was at 77%. One more missile salvo arrived, further damaging the Mars’ armor, but then the missile salvoes started self-destructing. Apparently, the fleet had moved beyond their range at 2 mkm’s.
Vice Admiral Shatswell ordered the fleet to return to Terra for repairs, and to report this development. The fleet’s inability to defend itself from the alien missile fire was alarming, and would be examined by the fleet’s intelligence units, design teams, and strategic and tactical planners.
February 11, 2127: The fleet returns from Groombridge. The battlecruisers are rushed into the yards for repair, while several of the destroyer groups go into overhaul status and the rest refuel and resupply. The Terra will be in the yards for nearly a month, while her two sister ships will require somewhat less time for repair.
By this point, Fleet Command has a plan: The Sparrow ASM. This small missile is designed for one purpose, to be launched from outside the Groombridge alien’s range and bombard them until they cannot fire back. With a speed of 30,000 km/s and a range of 2.8 mkm’s, any unit equipped with this missile will be able to engage the aliens with impunity, or so it is hoped.
May, 2127: The first cargo fleet carrying resources from Lalande arrives over Terra. The cargo group is carrying two hundred and forty thousand units of TN resources for the hungry industries of Terra. The imperial government begins loosening restrictions on construction, but new build ships and ground construction are still limited to those determined to be necessary.
Late in the month construction starts on the Empire’s first 40,000 ton battleship, the Sol.
On the 22nd, an Archer Alpha is detected in the solar system, just outside of Jupiter’s orbit, 280 mkm’s from the Io colony. The Io colony’s defenses go to high alert, and the 1st and 3rd Interceptor Groups are dispatched to intercept, with the 1st BC Group following behind as backup. There is concern on Io, as the Archer Alpha is headed directly for Jupiter.
Nearly seven hours later the Archer Alpha is now 144 mkm’s from Io and approaching, while the interceptors are still 28 hours away.
Six hours and fifty-seven minutes later the Archer Alpha is approaching the maximum range of the 15cm NUV Laser emplacements on Io. To everyone’s relief, the Archer Alpha is alone, and Io’s STO’s should be more than sufficient to deal with it. Ten seconds later both sides opened fire. The archer Alpha got three hits on one of the orbiting habs, while the 1st anti-orbit laser battery fired back, completely missing their target. Ten seconds later the 1st anti-orbit plasma battery scored several hits on the Archer Alpha’s thin armor.
Five seconds later the alien was 69,000 kilometers from Io and scored four railgun hits on one of the orbiting habs, while the Archer Alpha was hit by two 12cm laser emplacements. Ten seconds later the Archer Alpha was within range of all of the STO emplacements on Io, and it was hit by a barrage of close-range laser and plasma fire. The Alpha was hit by seven lasers of various types and three plasma cannons, leaving it drifting. There was no return fire from the Alpha. The next salvo of fire from the STO’s destroyed the alien ship.
The warships turned back to Terra, and a salvage ship was dispatched to examine the wreck.
The alien raid roiled politics in the solar system. Coming on the heels of the failed attack into the Groombridge system, the Imperial Navy’s image took significant damage. Several hundred thousand Io colonists living in the orbital habs died when the Archer Alpha targeted one of the orbital habs, and the ground batteries were apparently incapable of stopping them in time and the navy was a day away. The public demanded heads, and Brigadier General Brosey, CO of Io Defense Forces, was the first to pay. In the aftermath of the raid, General Brosey was relieved of command and recalled to Guard HQ on Terra for an inquiry. General Brosey had acted decisively in defense of Io, and presented evidence that her ground batteries did the best that could be expected, given their outdated nature. In fact, her ground batteries were all first or second-generation weapons, far behind the current Imperial standard, but during the hearings General Brosey made the mistake of appearing uncaring about the civilian casualties. Under normal circumstances this might not have mattered, but, in an attempt at transparency and to quell public unrest, the hearings had been made public. The general’s uncaring attitude put Guard HQ in an untenable position. In the end, the General was cleared of direct responsibility for the civilian deaths, but was reprimanded for her force’s response after the attack, and demoted. Several months later General Brosey would quietly retire, and upon her retirement she was given a promotion to her old rank.
The second senior officer to fall was Admiral Von Whitlach, commanding officer of Sol Battle Fleet. As CO Battle Fleet, Admiral Whitlach was responsible for solar deployments, and thus directly responsible for the lack of a naval presence over Io. In the aftermath of General Brosey’s retirement, Admiral Von Whitlach’s position became precarious. Already in bad health, Admiral Von Whitlach took full responsibility for the Io disaster and retired seven days after the raid. Two days later, on the recommendation of the Emperor, Admiral Shatswell was promoted to full admiral and given command of Battle Fleet. Soon after taking office Admiral Shatswell announced that no human colony will be left unguarded by the Navy.
The Navy wasted no time rectifying the situation. A new maintenance base was established on Io, and fuel and maintenance supplies were stockpiled at the base in anticipation of naval ships being stationed there.
June 1, 2127: The 1st Interceptor Group arrives over Io, much to the relief of the colonists. The 8th Destroyer Group will arrive in another 22 hours, bolstering the colony’s defenses with two destroyers.
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The Star class battleship is the Empire’s largest warship design, and is intended to act as a fleet flagship in extra-solar deployments. This design has heavier shields and armor than the Planet class battlecruiser, the same speed and range, but slightly worse station-keeping ability.
Star class Battleship 40,000 tons 957 Crew 7,610.1 BP TCS 800 TH 4,800 EM 8,100
6000 km/s Armour 8-104 Shields 270-216 HTK 251 Sensors 14/11/0/0 DCR 23-5 PPV 122.08
Maint Life 1.16 Years MSP 2,045 AFR 985% IFR 13.7% 1YR 1,541 5YR 23,117 Max Repair 400 MSP
Commodore Control Rating 5 BRG AUX ENG CIC FLG
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months Morale Check Required
Capital Magnetic Fusion Drive (6) Power 4800 Fuel Use 25.00% Signature 800 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 5,028,000 Litres Range 90.5 billion km (174 days at full power)
Delta Shield Gen (30) Recharge Time 216 seconds (1.3 per second)
25.00cm Spinal FUV Laser (1) Range 128,000km TS: 6,250 km/s Power 16-6 RM 50,000 km ROF 15
25.0cm Plasma Carronade Mk II (5) Range 128,000km TS: 6,250 km/s Power 16-6 RM 10,000 km ROF 15
20cm FUV Laser (10) Range 128,000km TS: 6,250 km/s Power 10-5 RM 50,000 km ROF 10
Twin 10cm FUV Laser Turret (4x2) Range 128,000km TS: 16000 km/s Power 6-6 RM 50,000 km ROF 5
Laser Turret Fire Control Mk II (2) Max Range: 80,000 km TS: 20,000 km/s ECCM-2 88 75 62 50 38 25 12 0 0 0
EW Fire Control Mk II (4) Max Range: 128,000 km TS: 5,000 km/s ECCM-0 92 84 77 69 61 53 45 38 30 22
Capital Tokamak Fusion Reactor (5) Total Power Output 207.9 Exp 5%
AM Active Search Sensor Mk II (1) GPS 140 Range 22.1m km MCR 2m km Resolution 1
Destroyer Active Search Sensor (1) GPS 1568 Range 47.7m km Resolution 14
Basic Thermal Sensor Mk V (1) Sensitivity 14 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 29.6m km
Basic EM Sensor Mk IV (1) Sensitivity 11 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 26.2m km
Electronic Warfare Jammers: Sensor 3 Fire Control 3 Missile 3
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Warship for auto-assignment purposes
The flight II variant of the Planet class has upgraded magnetic fusion drives, increasing her speed to 6.000 km/s, which will be the new fleet-standard speed. In addition, the larger redesigned capital drives give the class a larger range due to increased fuel efficiency. In addition, the laser broadside armament has been optimized, eliminating the older 15cm lasers in favor of 25cm lasers, and the electronic warfare suite has been improved across the board.
Planet Flight II class Battlecruiser 20,000 tons 506 Crew 3,923.8 BP TCS 400 TH 2,400 EM 2,160
6000 km/s Armour 7-65 Shields 72-216 HTK 126 Sensors 42/33/0/0 DCR 18-9 PPV 75.04
Maint Life 2.05 Years MSP 1,980 AFR 400% IFR 5.6% 1YR 629 5YR 9,429 Max Repair 400 MSP
Hangar Deck Capacity 150 tons
Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months Flight Crew Berths 3 Morale Check Required
Capital Magnetic Fusion Drive (3) Power 2400 Fuel Use 25.00% Signature 800 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 2,518,000 Litres Range 90.6 billion km (174 days at full power)
Delta Shield Gen (8) Recharge Time 216 seconds (0.3 per second)
25.0cm Plasma Carronade Mk II (5) Range 128,000km TS: 6,250 km/s Power 16-6 RM 10,000 km ROF 15
25.00cm Spinal FUV Laser (1) Range 128,000km TS: 6,250 km/s Power 16-6 RM 50,000 km ROF 15
20cm FUV Laser (5) Range 128,000km TS: 6,250 km/s Power 10-5 RM 50,000 km ROF 10
Twin 10cm FUV Laser Turret (2x2) Range 128,000km TS: 16000 km/s Power 6-6 RM 50,000 km ROF 5
Laser Turret Fire Control (1) Max Range: 64,000 km TS: 16,000 km/s ECCM-0 84 69 53 38 22 6 0 0 0 0
EW Fire Control Mk II (3) Max Range: 128,000 km TS: 5,000 km/s ECCM-0 92 84 77 69 61 53 45 38 30 22
Capital Tokamak Fusion Reactor (2) Total Power Output 83.1 Exp 5%
Destroyer Active Search Sensor (1) GPS 1568 Range 47.7m km Resolution 14
AM Active Search Sensor Mk II (1) GPS 140 Range 22.1m km MCR 2m km Resolution 1
Standard EM Sensor Mk III (1) Sensitivity 33 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 45.4m km
Standard Thermal Sensor Mk III (1) Sensitivity 42 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 51.2m km
Electronic Warfare Jammers: Sensor 2 Fire Control 2 Missile 2
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Warship for auto-assignment purposes
The Siege class missile base is the proposed resolution to the overwhelming missile salvoes launched by the Groombridge aliens. The base is small and easily constructed, even under current resource constraints, and will be towed into range of the target. In addition, the base can be used to bolster the defenses of any inhabited world, providing intermediate range missile capability to bases or colonies.
Siege class Missile Base 3,351 tons 31 Crew 548.2 BP TCS 67 TH 0 EM 0
1 km/s Armour 5-19 Shields 0-0 HTK 7 Sensors 0/0/0/0 DCR 2-5 PPV 45
Maint Life 6.83 Years MSP 204 AFR 45% IFR 0.6% 1YR 8 5YR 114 Max Repair 140 MSP
Magazine 300 / 0
Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 60 months Morale Check Required
Fuel Capacity 10,000 Litres Range N/A
Sparrow ASM Box Launcher (100) Missile Size: 3 Hangar Reload 86 minutes MF Reload 14 hours
AM Missile Fire Control (1) Range 29.7m km Resolution 1
Sparrow ASM (100) Speed: 30,000 km/s End: 1.6m Range: 2.9m km WH: 4 Size: 3 TH: 120/72/36
AM Active Search Sensor Mk II (1) GPS 140 Range 22.1m km MCR 2m 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 Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Warship for auto-assignment purposes
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September 8, 2127: An Archer Alpha class ship is detected in the Alpha Centauri system, 240 mkm’s from Alpha Base. Both couriers are dispatched back to the jump point to the Wolf system, and the two fleet scouts, along with the troop transports in orbit over Alpha are ordered to remain at the base, under the guns of the ground batteries.
September, 9, 2127: Eleven hours and twenty-nine minutes later the Archer Alpha was a mere 9 mkm’s from the base when an additional two Alpha class and a Bravo class appeared on the Base’s sensors 260 mkm’s out and closing. Twenty-six minutes later the closest Archer Alpha entered weapons range of the 25cm laser ground emplacements, which immediately opened fire, missing completely. Fifteen seconds later the Alpha was in range of the 15cm laser ground emplacements, which joined the 25cm lasers in firing on the intruder. The lasers scored two hits, for no appreciable damage. Fifteen seconds later the 25cm lasers fired again, this time joined by the 25cm plasma cannon emplacements. The plasma cannons got one hit, and the big lasers got three, damaging the Alpha and slowing it. The Alpha opened fire at this point, hitting one of the orbiting transports, but its armor was thick and the damage negligible. The Alpha turned away at this point, trying to open the range, but it was slowed to half its original speed. The 15cm lasers got off another salvo, but only got one hit, but five seconds later the heavy plasma cannons and lasers fired again, getting two hits between them.
The Alpha retreated out of plasma cannon range, but the heavy lasers continued targeting it. Another salvo from the heavy lasers reduced the Alpha’s speed to zero before it could get out of range, and five more salvoes destroyed it. The Alpha only got one shot off against the orbiting transports.
The second group continued closing, and at 2000 hours on the 9th, it entered heavy laser range of the base. The three ships plunged forward, directly towards the base, taking fire from the ground batteries as they closed. The three ships targeted the same assault transport as the first had, getting hits immediately, but the transport’s thick armor shrugged off the long-range railgun fire. By this point the alien ships had closed to 140,000 kilometers from the base, and were within range of all ground emplacements except the point defense lasers. It was at this point that the Bravo class took multiple plasma and heavy laser hits and came to a halt, seriously injured.
The two Alphas left their damaged mate behind and continued closing. After ten seconds the Bravo restored half speed and began limping away. The ground emplacements continued bombarding the approaching Alphas, with the point defense lasers now joining in. The Alpha’s continued targeting the same transport.
Five seconds later, with the Alpha’s now 25,000 kilometers from the base, the heavy lasers and plasma cannons score multiple hits on both Alphas, bringing one to a halt. The one remaining mobile Alpha turned away, attempting to open the range, but was hit by five point-defense lasers, halving its speed. The alien ships continue targeting the same transport.
The fleeing Alpha is hit by the point defense lasers as it flees, further damaging it, and the crippled Alpha is completed destroyed by the heavy laser batteries. By this time the last Archer Alpha class ship is out of point defense laser range, but continues to be targeted by the base’s larger lasers. Two more salvoes from the heavy lasers and the plasma cannons destroy the Archer as it flees. By this point the Bravo class ship is 265,000 kilometers out and retreating, only within range of the base’s heavy lasers. The heavy lasers only get one more shot off before the alien ship leaves their range, and they miss. Almost a day later the Bravo disappears from the base’s scanners, 265 mkm’s away. The scouts are dispatched to probe the area. The lone transport targeted by the aliens suffered 2% armor damage.
September 11, 2127, 0557 hours: The fleet scout advancing out of Alpha Base detects the Archer Bravo class ship that escaped from the attack on Alpha. It is hanging in space, motionless, 251 mkm’s from the base. The scout closes to 70 mkm’s and comes to a halt, its sensors probing the alien ship.
September 21, 2127: Alpha Base’s courier ships reach the jump point that leads back to the solar system, through the Wolf 359 system. One of the couriers remains on the jump point, while the other jumps out to carry word back to HQ.
September 29, 2127: The Alpha Base courier jumps into the solar system and immediately beams its message packets to the inner system. Once Naval HQ receives them a destroyer group and a salvage ship are dispatched to Alpha Centauri.
October 22, 2127: The 1st Destroyer Group, under Captain Cadena, arrives over Alpha Base. After refueling they head towards the Archer Bravo class ship which is still dead in space. Two hours later the three destroyers are racing towards the apparently crippled Archer Bravo, and are now 14 mkm’s from the alien ship. Suddenly, and without fanfare, the alien ship disappears from both their active and passive sensors. One second it was there and the next it was gone. The scout confirmed the destroyer’s sensor readings. The destroyers closed on the alien’s last known position, but it was gone, and there was nothing there to show it had ever been there. When the destroyer group returned to Terra its sensor logs were transferred to Naval Intelligence and the crew was sworn to secrecy. The idea that the raiders had an unknown method of traveling between the stars was unsettling, and would only panic the public to no good end.
November 4, 2127:
Senator Bucannon entered the small study and found the Emperor sitting at his desk. As he entered, the Emperor gestured to one of the chairs across the desk from where he sat.
“Grumpy today?”
The emperor sent a dark look at the senator. “It depends. Are you going to give me a hard time?”
For a few seconds the two looked at each other, then the emperor burst out laughing. “Damn it George!” He said it with a laugh, for all of the forbidding look on his face. “I’ve got enough troubles as it is. I don’t need you here stirring things up.”
Senator Bucannon sat for a few seconds, looking at his old friend. “I’m the head of the peace party, really, it’s my job to give you troubles.”
“Well, you don’t need to be so good at it!”
Senator Bucannon shook his head. “We barely control a quarter of the seats in the Senate. I couldn’t give you trouble if I tried.”
The emperor shook his head. “You gained seats in the last election. It’s been over sixty years since the last raid. The young people don’t remember, and more and more of the old people are forgetting what happened.”
The two paused and considered the situation for a second, then the emperor shook his head. “Don’t tell me you are here to try to get me to communicate with the robots in Groombridge?”
Bucannon shook his head. “No, no. Not that.” He sighed. “Even if I wanted to, you wouldn’t and if I somehow did convince you the people would tear us apart. You say public sentiment towards aliens is weakening, and maybe so, a bit, but we both know that any alien identified as taking part in the Raids is going to be seen as an enemy for a long time. And those bastards were some of the worst.”
They both thought back to their youth, spent fighting the aliens that had been left behind by the various raids. The early raids had been professional and methodical, but as time went on the raiders turned more haphazard and crueler. More than once the raiders left some of the number behind, either out of sloppiness or fear, or perhaps to establish a base against their eventual return. Some of those left behind established petty kingdoms that had to be eliminated, others turned brigand and had to be hunted down. The robots from the Groombridge system had been among the worst. They were merciless, killing anyone and anything that got in their way, or who even looked like they might possibly be a problem in the future. Women, children, pets, livestock, it didn’t matter to them, and they could not be negotiated with at all. No one knew if they acted on their own volition or were tools for another race. Large groups of their ground units had been left behind when their ships left Terra, and they had been very difficult to destroy. Too this day schools taught children to fear them, and over time they had become known as Reapers. There would be no quarter given to the Reapers.
After a few seconds the Emperor shook himself. For all that George Bucannon was a political enemy, he was an old friend, and their friendship had been forged in the fires of battle against an implacable enemy. He smiled. “Well, if you’re not hear to badger me, what can I do for you?”
Bucannon smiled. “I didn’t say I wasn’t here to badger you. Just not about the Reapers. To hell with them, and if some in my party aren’t happy with that they can go straight to hell. No, it’s about the next aliens we meet. Our ships are pushing farther out. We need to establish a contact protocol. Something aside from shoot first and learn to communicate when we examine the remnants of their databases.”
The emperor peered at his old friend for a few seconds. “Do you really think there are peaceful aliens out there?”
Bucannon shook his head. “I know you subscribe to the collapse theory. That there is or was some sort of multi-species alien empire or federation out there, which collapsed causing a waive of raiders and refugees moving away from the chaos into the outer areas of the galaxy. Our area. We have no evidence one way or another. It may be true, or not. I don’t know.” He left unsaid that he didn’t think anyone, including the emperor, knew. “But what I do believe, is that no matter what is actually going on, there are aliens out there that are just as much victims of this situation as we are. They are just as afraid, just as determined to defend themselves as we are. And if we approach them as enemies, then they certainly will be our enemies. What if, instead, we approach them and try to talk first? Maybe we can find allies in this mess, instead of just more enemies.”
The emperor was silent for a time. Finally, he nodded. “Navy will be difficult about this. As you know, their attitude is that the best alien is a dead alien. I suppose it comes from training all of their officers in their officer’s school outside of the ruins of Beijing. If I make a policy pronouncement, they will do their best to undermine it. But what I can do is ask them to establish some standards and procedures for the scouts and their officers. The scouts are unarmed and likely will be sent into any system suspected of having an alien presence. If the officers are carefully selected, I think we can establish the de facto policy that you want.”
Senator Bucannon smiled. “The navy brass is going to be pissed if they find out you’ve been meddling in their bailiwick, especially if it’s at my request.”
The emperor grinned, and then his face settled into a look that was all to familiar to Bucannon. Many of the Emperor’s enemies had found themselves on the wrong side of that look, and none had survived it. “They’ll suck it up and do their jobs, or I’ll find someone that can. The Navy serves the Empire, not the other way around.”
Bucannon shivered a bit. They had fought together, but there was a ruthlessness in Charles that had led him to the throne while others had burned out or retired to civilian life when the actual fighting ended. “I’m glad to see that while we may be on opposite sides of the politics occasionally, I and my faction still serve the empire.”
The emperor’s eyes softened. “You serve the empire, and humanity. I know that. I’m not so sure about some of those in your party though.”
Bucannon shook his head. “We both have our burdens to bear. Aakster and her rabble are a trial for me at times, but they are nothing but a fringe group, and have no real power.”
The emperor grimaced at the mention of Anika Aakster. She led a group called “Peace Now!” who believed a conspiracy theory that had somehow grown during the Raids. The theory was that humanity had actually caused the Raids by mistreating the aliens who had peacefully visited them before the Raids, to the point that the aliens had launched reprisal raids that were, of course, all humanity’s fault. Anika and her followers believed that to achieve peace with the alien races humanity must apologize and promise reparations. It was ridiculous, of course, but there were those who would always blame humanity first. Naval Intelligence kept a careful watch on her group, as they were suspected of having taken direct extra-legal action more than once in the past to hinder military efforts, although nothing had ever been proven.
“I suppose you’re referring to the Humanity Only people.” The emperor shook his head. “They hold rallies, but that’s it. They have no real power.”
“They want all aliens wiped out, and that’s pretty close to the Navy’s stance. Too close for me. You know that more than a few of the navy’s officers give the group at least tacit support.”
The emperor shook his head. “They make good fighters. A lot of the Guard’s recruits come from their ranks.”
“That’s going to be trouble, should you ever decide to form a peaceful relationship with an alien race.”
The emperor shook his head. “As much as I like to consider the possibility, how likely is that given our previous experience with aliens?”
Bucannon shook his head, and they moved on to more personal matters, like the health of their respective families, and their vacation plans.
In the following weeks, the Emperor established a proposed training and selection plan for scout ship commanders, one which emphasized diplomatic preparation over other command capabilities. And the preparations for the campaign into the Groombridge system went forward with all of the unstoppable inertia that a massive bureaucracy could give it.
February 17, 2128: The Bombardment Bases are complete and tugs tractor five of them and set out for Alpha Centauri, following the Contact Fleet.
February 22, 2128: The Io research facility completes development of advanced genetic enhancement, and the Marines initiate development of the Mark V armor, enhancement, and weapons package. Genetic enhancement is a well-kept secret, and the government has been careful to portray the fact that the Imperial average marine is larger, faster, and stronger than an average human as merely the result of a careful selection program and secret training methods. Indeed, with the latest enhancements a standard marine is twice as hard to kill as a baseline human.
March 20, 2128: The fleet has assembled over Alpha Base. After refueling and resupplying, the fleet and the tugs set out for the assembly point in the Groombridge system.
April 7, 2128: The fleet is assembled 15 mkm’s from Groombridge II and its orbiting defenders. The fleet now advances to a point 2.7 mkm’s from the planet, out of the known range of the two orbiting object’s missiles. Forty minutes later, with the fleet in position, the tugs move towards the assembly point. Once on station, the operation began. The five missile barges towed by the tugs established themselves, set up targeting solutions, and then flushed their box launchers with a five hundred missile alpha strike, all aimed at Bravo class known to be equipped with missile launchers.
When the alpha strike missiles reached 1.3 mkm’s from the alien ships/bases, the Bravo class launched fifty missiles at the incoming strike. A second alien salvo was headed towards the alpha strike when the first hit, taking out thirteen missiles. The second wave of AAM’s took out seventeen, the third twenty-two. The fourth took out eighteen. The fifth took out sixteen, but that was the last salvo of defensive missiles, because the remaining human missiles had reached their targets. In a massive orgy of overkill, the missiles completely wiped out the orbiting base. Eighty-six were destroyed short of the base by defensive missiles, forty-nine wiped out the base’s shields, thirty-three were absorbed by the base’s armor, and a whopping one hundred and ten were decoyed, but there were so many missiles that the alien base couldn’t survive. When the explosions cleared there was only drifting wreckage.
With the missile base gone, Rear Admiral Muro ordered his fleet to advance on the remaining base. The Terran fleet approached to the edge of its fire control range and opened fire at just over 100,000 kilometers range. The alien base took twenty-seven long-range hits to its shields, but did not return
fire. The Terran fleet continued advancing, firing as it came. The third salvo from the human ships took out the alien base’s shields and began eating into its armor. Admiral Muro ordered the fleet to come to a halt at 42,000 kilometers, as the base hadn’t fired back and he didn’t want to find out if it had powerful short-ranged weapons the hard way. The next salvo destroyed the base completely. It had never fired back.
With space clear, Admiral Muro ordered his battlecruisers into orbit over Groombridge II. It was the hard way to find out if there were ground based batteries present, but he had no desire to send in troop transports without first probing for ground emplacements. The battlecruisers made orbit without incident and without encountering any resistance. The ground contact was small, consistent with a sensor base or something similar. After probing the surface for a short time, Admiral Muro ordered the rest of the fleet into orbit, except the 1st DD Group, which was to head for the jump point and relay a message to the troop transports waiting in the Alpha Centauri system. It was their turn.
June, 2, 2128: Two survey groups arrive in the Groombridge system to begin surveying the system.
June 21, 2128: The assault fleet has arrived over Lalande II. For the last two months the Contact Fleet has been making attempts to establish communications with the alien base, but so far they have ignored the Terran ships. They will no longer have that luxury.
At 1310 hours the 4th Marine Division begins its drop. The marines of the 4th are equipped with fourth gen armor, weapons, and mods, and no deployed battalions are equipped better. The 4th is a light division, with only two brigades of four battalions each, but it has been reinforced with two artillery detachments. There is no fight to be had. The ground base is actually a lone deep space tracking station, with no crew or ground support personnel. There is an abandoned installation nearby. The 4th marines will be left on station, while the bulk of the fleet returns to Terra, along with the rest of the embarked troops.
July, 2128: A geo-survey ship completes its survey of Groombridge A-II. The results are as follows:
Terrestrial Class, temp 1.16C, Gravity 0.433, diameter 9,400 km, Atmo Nitrogen-Oxygen, pressure 0.189, hydrosphere water 34.7%.
Current Colony cost: 1.8
Duranium: 34,212,992 0.90
Corbomite: 15,586,704 0.10
Boronide: 1,857,769 0.10
Vendarite: 2,553,604 0.10
The survey ship, with assistance from the 4th Marines, confirmed the presence of what appears to be a destroyed alien outpost.
On the 30th, the 1st Destroyer Group arrives in the solar system with the battle report. Based on the discovery of the alien ruins, high command decides to move Alpha Base to Groombridge A-II to protect the ruins and the survey base that will be established there.
August, 2128: Salvage of the Groombridge Alpha class is complete. An intact beam fire control was recovered, indicating it had some sort of non-missile weaponry, however, it was never observed to have fired during the engagement. After action analysis has pointed out the possibility that the Alpha was damaged by prior engagements with Archer Alphas and Bravos, the wreckage of which are strewn about the system.
The survey of the Groombridge primary star system is complete. In addition to the TN resources found on II, additional finds were as follows:
Groombridge 34-A I Survey Report
Duranium: 5,814,050 0.50
Corbomite: 2,598,544 0.60
Tritanium: 1,315,609 0.10
Boronide: 6,943,225 0.10
Mercassium: 4,443,664 0.10
Vendarite: 423,801 0.10
Sorium: 2,699,449 0.40
Uridium: 346,921 1.00
Corundium: 8,856,576 0.10
Groombridge 34-A IV - Moon 4 Survey Report
Uridium: 25,600 0.50
Corundium: 614,656 0.90
Groombridge 34-A IV - Moon 5 Survey Report
Uridium: 4,761 1.00
Corundium: 7,225 1.00
In addition, a whopping forty-seven asteroids have TN deposits. The survey group is now heading to the B component to survey that system.
The decision has been made that Groombridge II will not be colonized. While initially tempting due to its oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere, the planet’s eccentricity is such that it cannot be brought to a 0.0 colonization rating with current technology.
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September, 2128: The grav survey of Groombridge is complete. The survey ships have found one new jump point, which like the first is located between the two stars of the system. The grav survey group will move to that jump point and probe it as soon as the group is assembled.
On the 22nd, the grav survey group jumps out and discovers the Beta Antliae system, a disappointing M8-V star with no planets. The group begins its survey of the system.
October, 2128: The grav survey group completes its efforts in the Beta Antliae system, discovering two new jump points.
November, 2128: Troop transports land STO batteries on Groombridge A-II, along with xeno-study teams assigned to survey the wrecked base on the planet. With defenses in place, the Contact Fleet is given clearance to return to Terra to reduce the strain on their maintenance departments.
December, 2128: The first Star class battleship, the Pride of Sol, is launched from the yards on the 3rd. The ship immediately begins a training cruise to shake down.
On the 5th, the salvage group operating the in the Groombridge system completes its salvage of the Groombridge Bravo class orbital base. This base was the unit that fired large volleys of missiles at the Contact Fleet driving it off during its first attempt to approach the planet. Tech information was obtained that will assist researchers working on missile launcher reload rates, as well as several missile launchers and a decoy launcher. The salvage group will now move on to the last wreck, an unknown ship massing 14,679 tons drifting in the orbit of A-II. It is not known currently if the wreck is an Archer unit, or Groombridge, or a third alien race yet to be encountered.
December, 2128: The grav survey group working in the Beta Antliae system jumps out of the first newly discovered jump point, into a planet-less single star system designated as the HH Andromedae system. The group jumps back out and moves on to the second new jump point. Five days later they jump through the second jump point, finding another planet-less system, this one known as the 68 Andromedae system. This means that all three systems found beyond Groombridge are planet-less. The survey group turns for home for rest and overhaul.
Meanwhile, in the Groombridge system, the survey of the B star’s planets and moons is complete. The results are very good!
Groombridge 34-B I Survey Report
Duranium: 16,657,992 0.20
Corbomite: 5,094,049 0.50
Tritanium: 6,517,809 0.10
Boronide: 3,286,969 1.00
Mercassium: 10,361,961 0.10
Vendarite: 49,284 0.10
Sorium: 2,650,384 0.10
Uridium: 10,601,536 0.10
Corundium: 494,209 0.10
Gallicite: 11,088,900 0.60
Groombridge 34-B II Survey Report
Duranium: 170,755,200 1.00
Neutronium: 106,915,600 0.10
Corbomite: 3,097,600 0.10
Tritanium: 77,440,000 0.40
Boronide: 13,176,900 0.10
Mercassium: 10,176,100 0.10
Vendarite: 15,681,600 0.10
Sorium: 27,878,400 0.10
Uridium: 8,820,900 0.10
Corundium: 3,496,900 0.10
Gallicite: 3,097,600 0.10
Groombridge 34-B III - Moon 11 Survey Report
Neutronium: 197,136 0.70
Corbomite: 627,264 0.60
Tritanium: 1,296 0.70
Sorium: 2,304 0.70
Uridium: 1,140,624 0.90
Groombridge 34-B III - Moon 17 Survey Report
Duranium: 654,368 0.60
Corbomite: 2,172,676 1.00
Tritanium: 1,982,464 0.90
Boronide: 1,800,964 0.70
Mercassium: 4,276,624 0.50
Corundium: 4,008,004 0.40
Groombridge 34-B VII - Moon 1 Survey Report
Duranium: 270,848 0.40
Corbomite: 4,096,576 0.90
Tritanium: 52,900 0.10
Boronide: 12,222,016 0.90
Mercassium: 304,704 0.90
Vendarite: 8,133,904 0.10
Sorium: 8,133,904 0.10
Uridium: 14,930,496 0.10
Corundium: 18,301,284 0.10
Gallicite: 2,304,324 0.60
In addition, there are a number of other smaller deposits on the various moons of the system, making it a fantastic mining site. The two resource-rich inner planets are both Venusian, and so poor colonization candidates, but several of the innermost gas giants’ moons, B-III 11 and 17, are classed as large moon or small terrestrial planets, and are potential colonization targets, if necessary. Unfortunately, A-II, the location of the existing base, is not considered a good candidate for terraforming as its orbit is too eccentric.
At the end of the month, the salvage group in Groombridge finished work on the wreck of the unknown ship. Several systems were recovered, and some of those systems were identical to systems recovered from Archer alien ships, meaning this ship is likely one of theirs, or possibly related to their ships in some way.
February, 2129: At long last the terraforming effort on Lalande Prime is complete and the world is temperate the year around. The planet’s eccentricity made it difficult to fine tune the terraforming, but it is finally complete. The terraforming group will now relocate to the terraforming target. As before the tug group is dispatched to speed the process along.
June, 2129: The salvage group arrives over Terra and unloads its salvaged systems. Tech teams immediately set to work examining them. For the most part Terran technology has exceeded that of the Archer and Groombridge aliens, however, the Groombridge missile launchers and the Archer rail guns prove superior to human tech and the teams set to disassembling them to learn their secrets.
October, 2129: Sorium refining stops on Terra due to raw sorium shortages. Fortunately, V-Sag Base has a large fuel stockpile. This situation has government planners uneasy. Currently, out of the sixteen systems humanity has explored, only two, V1216 Sagittarii and Proxima Centauri, have gas giants with substantial sorium deposits, and the deposit in Proxima Centauri are present at low availability levels. Fortunately, V1216 Sagittarii has three gas giants with large deposits at good availability, but until new deposits can be found V-Sag Base will be critical to humanity’s continued expansion.
Terran Empire, 2130
With the conquest of Groombridge 34 A-II and the exploration of the three systems beyond Groombridge, the Empire is now turning its focus to the systems beyond Proxima Centauri. The reorientation will mean a massive shift of assets from the Alpha Base/Groombridge A-II axis to the Lalande Prime/Proxima Centauri axis in the coming years.
Terra
Population: 5.6 billion
Shipyards/Slipways: 12/56
R&D: 63
Ground Force Construction: 33
Construction Factory: 2,050
Ordnance Factory: 300
Fighter Factory: 100
Mine: 648
Fuel Refinery: 500
Maintenance Fac: 445
Financial Center: 2,870
DSTS: 38
Mil Academy: 8
Naval HQ: 2
Sector Command: 17
Space Port: 1
Terra is the heart of the Empire. Although the bulk of Terra’s resources have been exhausted, and most of her mines moved off-planet, Terra remains the center of the Empire. There are sixteen private mining locations scattered around the solar system, all at sites considered low priority for extraction by the Empire due to the limited size of the deposits, limited availability, or limited # of TN resources present. The Empire is currently buying all of the resources extracted from these sites.
Io
Population: 334.6 million
R&D: 32
Mine: 55
Maintenance Fac: 20
Financial Center: 30
DSTS: 15
Space Port: 1
The bulk of Io’s population work in the R&D stations transferred here several years ago. As there continues to be a surplus population the Empire will likely transfer more of Terra’s R&D stations here in the future. Io is strongly in the “Alien Annihilation” camp, especially since the last attack killed hundreds of thousands of colonists living on the orbital habs.
Lalande Prime
Population: 54.7 million
Mine: 546
Auto Mine: 18
Maintenance Fac: 25
DSTS: 35
Space Port: 1
Lalande Prime is a verdant mountainous planet with oceans somewhat larger than Terra’s and an average temperature slightly higher than Terra-norm. Ever since it was certified by the Terraforming Commission, colonists have been coming here in droves to settle this fresh new world. The bulk of the population works in the mines, and in fact there is a shortage of workers the Empire is struggling to correct. Once the worker shortage is corrected more of Terra’s mines will be transferred here, as its massive resource deposits are desperately needed by Terra’s industries and shipyards. There are currently two mining outposts established in the system, one on a moon of III, the innermost gas giant, and one on a moon of IV, the outer gas giant. Between them the two mining stations boast 398 automated mines, and all of their mined resources are sent to Lalande Prime via mass drivers.
Mining Outposts
The Empire has mining outposts in the Wolf and Lacaille systems, with a total of one hundred and thirty-four automated mines working to extract resources. The Lacaille mining site is being considered for terraforming. Establishing a population on a 0.0 cost world in this system would help the navy secure the route to the critical Lalande system and V1216 Sagittarii systems, and would also make it easier to exploit the resources on this planet.
Bases
The Imperial Navy and Guards have several bases in Imperial Territory, aside from the populated planets and moons mentioned above.
Victory Base, Groombridge-34
This planet was taken from the Groombridge aliens, and contains ruins currently being exploited by Imperial Guard construction units. As the planet has an oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere and a significant hydrosphere, there was some initial excitement that the planet could be terraformed into a 0.0 cost environment for a new colony. However, initial excitement cooled upon further examination when it was discovered that the planet’s significant eccentricity would make a 0.0 terraforming effort impossible. In addition, recent exploration efforts have shown that there is no alien presence in the adjacent systems. In fact, the system adjacent to Groombridge, and the two adjacent to that, are all planet-less systems. This has caused the Navy and Guard to reclassify this system from their Primary Forward Expansion Base to a scientific study site. The terraformers and the bulk of the Guard and marine units on the planet will be redeployed elsewhere.
Alpha Base, Alpha Centauri
Alpha Base acted as a stepping stone to support attacks into the Groombridge system, but has no other inherent value. The base is located on Alpha Centauri A-1, the lone planet of the primary star. This planet is a small rock, barely qualifying as a dwarf planet, and has no atmosphere or resources. The secondary star has a larger planetary system, including a terrestrial class planet with an oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere and thick ice sheet. This planet has larger quantities of duranium and sorium, but it’s buried deep and will be difficult to extract. The large asteroid belt does have several mining sites of interest, including an asteroid 800 km in diameter with relatively larger deposits of four TN resources. Once the current resource shortage eases the Empire is studying various methods for exploiting resources found in the various asteroid belts over the last decade.
In any case, when Groombridge A-II fell to Naval and Marine forces, the reason for Alpha Base’s existence went away, and the base is being shut down.
V-Sag Base
This base is located on the innermost moon of V1216 Sagittarii A-III, an enormous Super Jovian planet with approximately five times that of Jupiter. The moon V-Sag base is located on is uninteresting, except that it is close to III, which is the location of the largest sorium deposits found by Terran explorers. The base acts as a repository for the fuel refined by the harvester fleet orbiting III, and as a defensible shelter should Alpha raiders appear. The base boasts 20 DSTS’s to detect alien ships headed towards the base and the harvesters, and a large ground defensive force. Should aliens be detected headed in towards the harvester fleet or the base, the harvester group will withdraw to the base and shelter under the protection of its STO batteries until the aliens leave or are destroyed.
Located on the path to the Empire’s most important out-system mining sites in the Lalande system, this base is critical to the survival of the Empire. The Navy is currently making plans to expand the base with a local population capable of supporting maintenance facilities for its ships, so that a destroyer squadron can be relocated to this position to secure not only the base but also the system.
Imperial Navy
The Imperial Navy has undergone a reorganization recently, resulting in the creation of three battle groups centered on the fleet’s three battlecruisers. Each battle group contains one battlecruiser and two destroyers. The remaining destroyers are deployed in two or three ship destroyer groups. The fleet’s jump cruisers cannot meet fleet speeds, so they are considered independent support units and not assigned to line units except upon need. The fleet’s lone battleship, the Pride of Sol, is currently in training status. Current plans are to deploy it as a fleet flagship for any extra-solar deployments and will likely be deployed with a destroyer group as an escort.
Battle Fleet, HQ Terra, CO Admiral Tony Shatwell
Battle Group Terra (Commodore Reinaldo Naraine) – orbiting Terra
1xBC Planet Flt II, 2xDD Hero Flt III
Battle Group Mars (Commodore Kim Kelm) – Orbiting Terra
1xBC Planet Flt II, 2xDD Hero Flt III
Battle Group Jupiter (Commodore Luis Wesby) – Orbiting Terra
1xBC Planet Flt II, 2xDD Hero Flt III
Destroyer Group 1 (Capt Loretta Swor) – Orbiting Terra
2xDD Hero Flt III
Destroyer Group 2 (Capt Cordellia Hodgens) – Orbiting Terra
2xDD Hero Flt III
Destroyer Group 3 (Capt Daryl Tambum) – Orbiting Terra
2xDD Hero Flt III
Destroyer Group 4 (Capt Oren Peppard) – Orbiting Terra
2xDD Hero Flt III
Destroyer Group 5 (Capt Vernon Nevel) – Orbiting Terra
2xDD Hero Flt III
Destroyer Group 6 (Capt Sandy Moulds) - Orbiting Terra
2xDD Hero Flt III
Destroyer Group 7 (Capt Efrain Curry) – Orbiting Terra
3xDD Hero Flt III
Destroyer Group 8 (Capt Wilson Rochon) – Orbiting Io Colony
2xDD Hero Flt III
Destroyer Group 9 (Capt Donnie Belleau) – Orbiting Lalande Prime
2xDD Hero Flt III
Interceptor Group Io (Commander Charles Cuppermell)
6xInterceptor Flt IV
Interceptor Group Lalande (Commander John Holtkamp)
5xInterceptor Flt IV
Interceptor Group Terra CO (Captain Cassandra Koen)
25xinterceptor Flt IV
Jump Cruiser Group, Terra (Captain Mohamed Bostrom)
3xAnnihilator Flt II Jump Cruisers
Scout Group, Terra (Commander Lon Pecinovsky)
3xAvenger Flt II class scouts
Fortress Command, Terra (Rear Admiral Charles Cuppernell)
Bombardment Group, Terra (Commander Jerrod Budreau)
6xSiege Class Missile Base
Orbital Defenses, Terra (Commander Roxann Fridley)
6xAgressor Class Missile Base
7xAgressor Long Duration Class Missile Base
Training Command, Terra (Rear Admiral Bert Seidler)
1xStar Class Battleship
Ground Force Deployments
Terra
1st Guard Corps - 4xGuard Divisions – 16xGuard Brigades - 39xGuard Infantry Battalion, 25xGuard Armored Battalion, 4xMed Artillery Detachment, 3xConstruction Group, 2xHvy Armor Detachment, 3xHvy Artillery Detachment, 2xLong Range Artillery Detachment, 4xLogististics Detachment
1st Guard Division – 4xGuard Brigade – 12xInfantry Battalion, 4xArmored Battalion
1st Territorial Division – 4xInfantry Brigades – 16xInfantry Battalions
2nd Territorial Division – 4xInfantry Brigades – 16xInfantry Battalions
45th Territorial Guard Battalion
1st Marine Division – 4xMarine Brigade – 16xMarine Battalion, 2x Construction Group, 2xHvy Armor Detachment, 1xHvy Arty Detachment, 1xLR Arty Detachment, 1xMed Arty Detachment, 2xLog Detachment
2nd Marine Division – 4xMarine Brigade – 16xMarine Battalion, 2x Construction Group, 1xHvy Armor Detachment, 1xHvy Arty Detachment, 2xLog Detachment
3rd Marine Division – 4xMarine Brigade – 16xMarine Battalion, 1x Construction Group, 1xHvy Armor Detachment, 1xHvy Arty Detachment, 2xLog Detachment
Io Colony
3rd Territorial Division – 4xTerritorial Brigades – 16xTerritorial Battalions
Victory Forward Base, Groombridge 34
2nd Guard Corps – 4xGuard Divisions – 16xGuard Brigades – 10xGuard Infantry Battalion, 6xGuard Armored Battalion, 4xMed Arty Detachment, 3xConstruction Group, 2xHvy Armor Detachment, 3xHvy Arty Detachment, 2xLR Arty Detachment, 2xLog Detachment
4th Marine Division – 8xMarine Battalion, 2xLogisitics Detachments
V-Sag Base, V1216 Sagittarii
32nd Guard Brigade – 4xInfantry Battalion
7th Territorial Guard Brigade – 4xTerritorial Guard Battalion
Lalande Prime, Lalande 21185 System
8th Territorial Guard Brigade – 4xTerritorial Guard Battalion
Lalande 3/2 Defense Group, Lalande Planet III, Moon II, Lalande 21185
5th Territorial Guard Brigade – 4xTerritorial Guard Battalion
Wolf 4/3, Wolf 359, Planet IV, Moon III
20th Territorial Guard Brigade – 4xTerritorial Guard Battalion
Plaentary Defense Command
Terra Defense Group, Terra
3xAnti-Orbit Laser Battery, 3xAnti-Orbit Plasma Battery, 3xPoint Defense Battery
Io Colony Defense Group, Io
2xAnti-Orbit Laser Battery
1xAnti-Orbit Plasma Battery
2xPoint Defense Battery
Lalande Defense Group, Lalande Prime, Lalande 21185
1xAnti-Orbit Laser Battery
1xAnti-Orbit Plasma Battery
1xPoint Defense Battery
Lalande 3/2 Defense Group, Lalande Planet III, Moon II, Lalande 21185
1xAnti-Orbit Laser Battery
Victory Forward Base, Groombridge 34
1xAnti-Orbit Laser Battery
2xAnti-Orbit Plasma Battery
2xPoint Defense Battery
V-Sag Base, V1216 Sagittarii
1xAnti-Orbit Laser Battery
1xAnti-Orbit Plasma Battery
1xPoint Defense Battery
Wolf 4/3, Wolf 359, Planet IV, Moon III
1xAnti-Orbit Laser Battery
1xPoint Defense Battery
April 30, 2130: Imperial Naval Intelligence Report, Groombridge A-II
Analysis of the ruined outpost on A-II is complete. The listening post was established by Reapers as a forward operating base in this area of the galaxy. The listening post, protected by the two orbiting bases, was intended to be a foothold in this area to support future expansion, however, for an unknown reason this expansion never happened. No further information was found relating to the Reapers or their intentions. It is unknown if this base supported the raids on Terra. Nine potentially recoverable installations were discovered in the ruined outpost.
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September, 2130: The Jump Ship Cruithne, accompanied by its gravitic survey team, jumps through a newly discovered jump point in the Barnard’s Star system, discovering the Luhman 16 System. This is a binary system with two small brown dwarves as the primary and secondary stars. The primary is orbited by two terrestrial class planets, and a dwarf with two moons. The terrestrial class planets have ice sheets and atmospheres, although the atmosphere of the innermost planet is so thin its hard to detect. The secondary star has no planets. The survey group begins hunting for jump points.
October, 2130: Shield Forward Base is established in the V577 Monoceri system. Ten DSTS’s have been dropped off by a cargo group, along with a fueling system. Troop transports with guard and marine units, along with STO’s, are enroute, as are fuel ships to establish a fuel and maintenance dump to support survey efforts in the region.
November, 2130: The grav survey of the Luhman system is complete and the group has discovered a whooping five new jump points! This system contains the highest number of jump points found to date. The group will begin probing the jump points as soon as the survey ships have rendezvoused with the jump tender and refueled.
Three days later they jump through the innermost jump point, discovering the 25 Ursae Minoris system. This system consists of a lonely brown dwarf with no planets. The group jumps back and proceeds to the next jump point.
A day later the group jumps through the second new jump point, materializing in the Psi Ceti system. This system is a binary with two red stars. The primary has three terrestrial class planets orbiting it, the second of which has a thin nitrogen-oxygen atmosphere at the perfect temperature for humans. The group jumps back out and heads to the next jump point.
Two days later they jump through to the Sigma Cephei system. This system has an M9-V primary orbited by two rocky inner planets, a gas giant with twenty-eight moons, and a frigid terrestrial class outer planet with a single large moon.
Several days later the group jumps from Luhman to the Epsilon Indi system. This is a trinary system, with a central K5-V star orbited by two brown dwarves. The two brown dwarves orbit each other in a distant orbit from the central star, which is itself orbited by two Venusian inner planets, two super Jovian planets with forty moons between them, and two rocky outer planets. The group jumps out to probe the last jump point in the Luhman system.
On the 20th the survey group jumps through the last new jump point, finding itself in the Struve 2398 system. This is a binary system with a K5-V central star orbited by a red M4-V star. The primary is orbited by a super Jovian in a close orbit, a terrestrial and a Venusian planet, and a gas giant with twenty-four moons. The second planet, a terrestrial class, has a nitrogen-oxygen atmosphere and an extensive hydrosphere. The planet’s average temperature is 93C, so too hot for unaided colonization. The secondary red star is orbited by three inner terrestrial class planets, one of which is hot and has a thin oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere, a gas giant with sixteen moons, and an icy outer terrestrial planet. The survey group breaks up and begins its grav survey of this system.
January, 2131: Late in the month troop transports arrive over Shield Base and begin disgorging the 1st Guard Corps and marine units, along with STO’s. Shield Base is now fully active and protected, and is already serving a critical function as the survey jump ships have already refueled here, extending the time they can remain on station to support their groups. Half of the transports will set out for home, while the remainder will be assigned to Shield Base.
February, 2131: The ruins on Groombridge A-II have been fully exploited. The construction teams have recovered a mine, two automated mines, two fuel refineries, a financial center, a DSTS, an ordnance transfer station, two hundred infrastructure, several grav survey sensors, and five sorium harvester modules.
Late in the month, the grav survey group completes its survey of the Struve 2398 system. The system contains no additional, jump points, so they move on to the Psi Ceti system.
March, 2131: The geo-survey group completes its survey of the Struve 2398 system. Struve A-II, which has an oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere, has deposits of seven TN resources, all of which are present in availability levels of one to fourteen million. Unfortunately, most have accessibility levels of 0.1, but two, duranium and vendarite, have accessibility levels of 0.7 and 0.8 respectively. Several other planets and moons have large deposits but in limited numbers or accessibility, and a large number of asteroids have deposits. The geo-survey group will follow the grav-survey group to Psi Ceti once it is assembled.
April, 2131: The geo-survey of the Psi Ceti system is complete. The innermost Venusian planet has some resource deposits, but there are not enough of them, and they are not rich enough to be of immediate interest. The group will move on to the Epsilon Indi system once it is reassembled.
The grav survey of Psi Ceti is completed on the 30th. This system, like Struve, has no additional jump points.
June 15, 2131: Shield Base in V577 Monoceri detects an Archer Alpha class ship in the system, 290 mkm’s from the base and headed directly for them. It took just over twelve hours for the ship to close on the base. As always, the ship ignored all attempts to contact it or warn it away. Once it entered weapons range of the planet it opened fire on one of the orbiting transports, doing negligible damage to the armored ship. In response, the base’s ground batteries pounded it into scrap, decisively ending the threat.
August, 2131: The geo-survey of Epsilon Indi is complete. The two inner Venusian planets have significant deposits, but at low availability levels. Several asteroids and moons have deposits, but none are of particular interest at the current time. The survey group will set out for Sigma Cephi as soon as it’s assembled to complete a survey of several bodies that were missed in the first survey.
The grav survey of the Epsilon Indi system is completed before the end of the month. One additional jump point was discovered. The grav-survey group will probe the jump point as soon as it is reassembled.
September, 2131: Jumping out of the Epsilon Indi system, the grav survey group discovers the FL Virginis system. This is a binary system with two red stars. The primary is orbited by two lonely comets, while the secondary’s planetary system consists of two gas giants with twenty-one moons and a barren rocky planet with no atmosphere.
<author’s note: At this point I’m going to only report survey results if there is something notable or outstanding.>
December, 2131: Victory Base, in the Groombridge 34 system, has largely been evacuated. A few territorial guard troops will remain, along with some DSTS’s, to protect the fuel and supply dump, against the time that the Empire decides to focus on the unexplored systems beyond Groombridge.
January, 2132: The first units of the Empire’s newest ship class are launched from the yards. The Shield Class Destroyer Escorts are 10,000 tons, can match the current fleet speed, and are equipped with ten quick firing gauss cannons for missile and small craft defense. This ship has slightly thinner armor but mounts light shielding, unlike the destroyers.
Later in the month, the first group of Miner class asteroid mining ships are launched.
August 3, 2132: A new Archer Alpha class ship is detected in the Lacaille system, outside of the orbit of the third planet. The empire maintains a mining base on Lacaille II, and recently the new mining fleet began operations on a comet in the outer system. Fortunately, the mining base is protected by relatively new STO batteries, and the mining group is laying low in the outer system and should be undetectable. There is also a group of imperial freighters headed in-system to pick up resources from the mining complex. The freighter group receives the warning from the base and immediately turns away from the mining base, but its maximum speed is far below that of the Archer Alpha.
The Archer Alpha continues on course for the innermost planet and ignores the freighters, if indeed it can see them. The Archer Alpha proceeds to the first planet and, finding nothing, immediately turns towards the base on the second planet.
The base’s heavy lasers open fire first, at 320,000 kilometers, but score no hits. They fire again, missing again, but then the Archer Alpha entered range of the base’s plasma cannons. Between them the lasers and plasma cannons got three penetrating hits. The Alpha class ship came on, shrugging off the damage. Fifteen seconds later all weapons on the planet engaged the Alpha, killing it just as it got off a salvo of railgun shots at the base. The railguns managed to take out an automated mining unit, but did no other damage.
August, 2132: Transports begin loading territorial guard units bound for the Proxima Centauri system, where a new mining complex will be opened on a moon of one of the gas giants. Freighters are following will automated mines and DSTS’s.
January, 2133: The first units of a new group of terraformers are launched from the Terra Yards, and immediately set out for Io, where they will fulfill the Empire’s promise to the colonists. Meanwhile, the primary terraformer fleet over Shield Base in the V577 Monoceri system is fine tuning the environment of Monoceri B-I, the planet Shield Base is located on. The environment is currently rated at 0.0 for human colonization, however, the atmosphere’s water vapor content is changing as the water added to the atmosphere settles out and enhances the planet’s oceans. This settling causes warming, which brings the planet’s highest temps over human-comfortable ratings. This is due to the planet’s eccentric orbit, which is just within the terraformer’s capability to create a 0.0 environment. Thus, the terraformers will have to wait for the water to settle out of the atmosphere before they can move on.
June, 2133: Eight units of the new destroyer escort class are currently training in the solar system. As with several other previous classes, the tough training schedules have revealed a significant weakness in the class’s maintenance department that will be fixed in the next round of refits. One DDE nearly had to be towed back to Terra orbit when it suffered a series of failures that drained its maintenance supplies, leaving it unable to deal with an engine failure.
Late in the month, in spite of the maintenance problems, the first four DDE’s are certified as “Deployable”. The DDE’s are assigned to escort the fleet’s four capital ships.
August, 2133: The Imperial Terraforming Command certifies V577 Monoceri B-I as open for colonization with a stable 0.0 rating. The terraforming group will move on to its next target.
With V577 Monoceri opened for colonization, a massive effort begins. Newly built colony ships begin ferrying colonists to the planet, and the civilian companies are given the go-ahead to begin transporting colonists to the planet as well. Several freighter fleets are assigned to begin transporting maintenance facilities to support a fleet presence in the system.
September, 2133: The first three units of the empire’s new Challenger class exploration units are released from the yards. These ships are much more capable than their smaller and older brethren. They are 10,000 tons, five times larger than the current exploration ships, and they mount their own jump drives, eliminating the earlier design’s dependence on a jump ship to ferry them in between systems. In addition, the Challenger is 729 km/s faster than the smaller ships, but has a slightly lower endurance and range, meaning it will have to depend on strategically located fuel ships or forward bases for support. Finally, the Challenger class ships mount both gravitic and geo survey sensors, giving the local survey commander much more flexibility about conducting system surveys.
November, 2133: Shield Base in the V577 Monoceri system is now a functioning maintenance base, although there will be a worker shortage for some time yet. Once the worker shortages are alleviated the Navy will station ships there for local defense and forward deployment.
March, 2134: Imperial R&D teams develop internal confinement fusion drive technology, and development immediately begins on drives for the fleet. In a drive to optimize performance, the fleet is demanding many different drive types to cater to its various classes, rather than one or two utilitarian types and sizes. This will require longer development time, but will provide much greater performance to the fleet in the end.
In mid-month, the Empire designates Io as the Guard’s primary base, and freighters begin transferring ground force training facilities to the colony.
On the 19th, the Ronald McNair, a Challenger class long-range survey ship, detected an alien ship 3.4 mkm’s away and approaching its position as it conducted a gravitic survey of the Chi Draconis system. The alien ship was of a type previously unknown, of unknown tonnage, had a thermal signature approximately equivalent to an imperial destroyer, and, most alarmingly, was moving at 13,516 km/s, or three times as fast as the survey ship could move. Indeed, it was faster than any ship the empire fielded, and even faster than some of the small craft the empire had been experimenting with.
The commander of the McNair, Captain Devon Trader, ordered his ship to go to station keeping to reduce their already low profile. The ship’s active sensors were already off, as the survey command preferred to use a stealthy approach to entering new system. It was immediately clear to Captain Trader that the alien was not native to this system, as the only planet in the binary system was a terrestrial class planet in a close orbit of the secondary orange star with a Venusian atmosphere.
In spite of the precaution the alien ship rapidly closed on the McNair, and Captain Trader ordered his ship to retreat to the jump point, which was a day away at maximum speed. Much to the relief of Captain McNair and the entire crew, the alien ship settled in at the gravitic survey point and stopped, almost certainly meaning that it was a survey ship. As they retreated Captain Trader ordered his comm section to begin first contact procedures.
Twenty-four hours later the McNair jumped out of the system, back to Gamma Carinae. Once there he sent an emergency signal to the Scobee, the other Challenger class ship in the system. The message took over two hours to reach the Scobee, and in fact caught them just five minutes before jumping out of the system through the unexplored third jump point. The McNair headed back to Shield Base in Monoceri to report the contact, while the Scobee jumped out to probe the unexplored jump point.
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(https://i.imgur.com/99AkNrs.jpg)
Map of Jump Routes as of mid-2134
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Shield class Destroyer Escort 10,000 tons 240 Crew 1,694.1 BP TCS 200 TH 1,200 EM 540
6000 km/s Armour 5-41 Shields 18-216 HTK 63 Sensors 42/33/0/0 DCR 4-4 PPV 60
Maint Life 1.83 Years MSP 434 AFR 195% IFR 2.7% 1YR 163 5YR 2,446 Max Repair 200 MSP
Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 36 months Morale Check Required
Magnetic Fusion Drive (3) Power 1200 Fuel Use 35.36% Signature 400 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 1,008,000 Litres Range 51.3 billion km (98 days at full power)
Delta Shield Gen (2) Recharge Time 216 seconds (0.1 per second)
Gauss Cannon Mk I (10x3) Range 30,000km TS: 6,250 km/s Power 0-0 RM 30,000 km ROF 5
DDE Gauss Fire Control (2) Max Range: 40,000 km TS: 6,000 km/s ECCM-2 75 50 25 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
AM Active Search Sensor Mk II (1) GPS 140 Range 22.1m km MCR 2m km Resolution 1
Standard EM Sensor Mk III (1) Sensitivity 33 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 45.4m km
Standard Thermal Sensor Mk III (1) Sensitivity 42 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 51.2m km
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Warship for auto-assignment purposes
Miner class Mining Platform 68,064 tons 589 Crew 2,024 BP TCS 1,361 TH 1,500 EM 0
1101 km/s Armour 1-148 Shields 0-0 HTK 133 Sensors 14/11/0/0 DCR 1-0 PPV 0
MSP 18 Max Repair 120 MSP
Lieutenant Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 48 months
Orbital Miner: 10 modules producing 250 tons per mineral per annum
Commercial Magnetic Fusion Drive (5) Power 1500 Fuel Use 0.64% Signature 300 Explosion 2%
Fuel Capacity 100,000 Litres Range 41.4 billion km (435 days at full power)
Basic EM Sensor Mk IV (1) Sensitivity 11 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 26.2m km
Basic Thermal Sensor Mk V (1) Sensitivity 14 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 29.6m km
This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Orbital Miner for auto-assignment purposes
Challenger class Long Range Survey Ship 10,000 tons 222 Crew 2,131.2 BP TCS 200 TH 315 EM 0
4500 km/s JR 3-50 Armour 4-41 Shields 0-0 HTK 66 Sensors 84/33/3/3 DCR 8-8 PPV 0
Maint Life 6.53 Years MSP 1,565 AFR 100% IFR 1.4% 1YR 63 5YR 951 Max Repair 112 MSP
Captain Control Rating 3 BRG ENG SCI
Intended Deployment Time: 72 months Morale Check Required
J10000(3-50) Military Jump Drive Mk III Max Ship Size 10000 tons Distance 50k km Squadron Size 3
Survey LP Magnetic Fusion Drive (6) Power 900 Fuel Use 24.36% Signature 52.50 Explosion 7%
Fuel Capacity 1,923,000 Litres Range 142.1 billion km (365 days at full power)
Destroyer Active Search Sensor (1) GPS 1568 Range 47.7m km Resolution 14
Capital Thermal Sensor (1) Sensitivity 84 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 72.5m km
Standard EM Sensor Mk III (1) Sensitivity 33 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 45.4m km
Geological Survey Sensors (3) 3 Survey Points Per Hour
Gravitational Survey Sensors (3) 3 Survey Points Per Hour
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Survey Ship for auto-assignment purposes
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April 1, 2134: The McNair jumps into the V577 Monoceri system and immediately transmits its contact report to the base. The base then sends its courier back to Terra to inform fleet command of the situation. It will take the courier eighteen days to reach the Solar System.
April 13,2134: An Archer Alpha class raider is detected headed towards the mining base set up on one of the moons of a gas giant in the Proxima Centauri system. The base’s STO’s are put on full alert as the raider continues towards the base.
Simultaneously, the mining base in the Lacaille system detects an Archer Charlie class ship inbound. The Archer Charlie class are equipped with commercial engines and are very large. Naval Intelligence believes them to be troop transports or cargo ships of some sort. The one other time a Charlie class was observed it was accompanied by warships. The Charlie is 970 mkm’s away and closing slowly, so it will take approximately 147 hours before it reaches weapons range. The base commander immediately dispatches the orbiting courier to the solar system with the contact report. Just over six hours later an Archer Alpha light raider appears much closer to the base.
At 1335 hours the Archer Alpha in the Proxima Centauri system enters weapons range of the ground batteries on the surface of the moon. These are all the latest generation of laser ground batteries fielded by the empire, and they get two hits at 282,000 kilometers, penetrating the raider’s light armor.
Fifteen seconds later they fire again, getting a total of four hits at 198,000 kilometers, causing internal damage to the raider. Ten seconds later, before the ground batteries could fire again, the raider targeted one of the orbiting terraformers and got one hit, scoring its thin armor. Five seconds later, firing at 113,000 kilometers, the ground batteries got three hits, doing devastating damage and destroying the raider.
Six hours later the Archer Alpha in the Lacaille system entered orbit of the third planet, a gas giant with ten moons, none of which had bases.
On the 16th, the courier from the Lacaille system arrived in the solar system and transmitted the contact report. Three and a half hours later Naval HQ had the contact report. The response was immediate. A group of six interceptors was dispatched to the Lacaille system as a fast response group. It would take them almost seven days to get there. In addition, the Jupiter Battle Group was dispatched, although it would take them just over 9 days to get there. Finally, a fuel ship was dispatched to support the short-ranged interceptors.
At 1520 hours on the 18th, the Archer Charlie has finally approached close enough that the base’s sensors can determine that it is escorted by two Bravo class ships. The Bravo class ships are much more dangerous than the Alpha class in spite of having the same tonnage as they are more heavily armed with five railguns to the Alpha’s one. The Archer Charlie class, with its escorts, is 133 mkm’s out and closing at 1,830 km/s, giving it an ETA of just over twenty hours. While slow, it would reach the base long before any help from Terra could arrive. Two hours later the base’s sensors picked up a third escort, this time an Archer Alpha.
It soon became clear that the group of Archer ships were not headed for the base, but the wreck of the Archer Alpha class ship destroyed by the base some time ago. This likely meant that the Archer Charlie class was some sort of salvage ship.
At 0914 hours on the 19th, the Archer Alpha class ship that had been hovering over the third planet suddenly accelerated away from the planet, towards the base on the second planet. At 1314 hours it entered range of the base’s heavy lasers, which immediately opened fire, missing. Fifteen seconds later they fired again, getting a hit that penetrated the Alpha’s thin armor. Fifteen seconds later the heavy lasers fired again, along with the plasma cannons now in range, getting five hits and staggering the Alpha, which came a halt 137,000 kilometers from the base. The Alpha, now within range of its railgun, fired back, but did no damage to the surface targets. Fifteen seconds later the ground batteries fired again, getting three hits, all of which penetrated the ship’s armor but did no apparent damage. The Alpha fired back, targeting the base, but also did no damage. It was the Alpha’s last attack. It took two more rounds of fire from the ground batteries before the Alpha blew up. No damage was done to the base.
The group of Archer ships continued on towards the wreck of the first Archer Alpha destroyed in the system. If it was a salvage ship, then almost certainly once it was done with the first wreck it would approach the base to salvage the second. The base’s ground batteries had dealt with lone Archer Alpha’s, but could they deal with an Alpha and two Bravos at the same time? The Interceptor group dispatched by Naval HQ was still four days away.
The group of Archer ships continued to approach the wreck, until, for no known reason, they suddenly turned away and began retreating back the way they had come.
On 1000 hours on he 23rd, the interceptor group entered the Lacaille system and immediately set out in pursuit of the Charlie class, which was still on the base’s sensors. The Charlie was 588 mkm’s from the base, and almost 900 mkm’s from the interceptors, which gave them an intercept time of 40.5 hours.
Thirty-nine hours later, the interceptor group had the group on its own sensors. It took another eighty-nine minutes before they closed to weapons range. The Archer Alpha fired first, outranging the interceptor’s weapons and fire controls. It got three hits, lightly scoring an interceptor’s armor. Five seconds later the interceptor group fired its 15cm far ultraviolet lasers, getting two hits on a Bravo, both of which penetrated its thin armor. The interceptor’s lasers were fast firing, and were able to fire every five seconds, giving them an advantage over the raiders. The interceptor’s second salvo targeted the same Bravo, getting three hits. In return, all three Archer warships opened up on the interceptors, getting twenty-four hits on one, reducing its armor to 68%, getting no penetrations. The human lasers were doing almost as much damage as the more numerous shots from the alien’s railguns, as the lasers were much more powerful.
Five seconds later the interceptors fired again, at which time they had closed to point blank range. The six interceptors got four hits, gutting the alien Bravo class and leaving it a drifting wreck. In return the alien warships targeted two interceptors, including the one attacked before. Interceptor 004, attacked before, was hit twenty-six times, with one penetration. Its armor was reduced to 29%, and it lost both its laser and its targeting system. The other interceptor, 006, was hit five times, reducing its armor to 94%.
Interceptor 004 turned away from the battle, while the other five doggedly continued to attack the alien ships, now shifting their fire to the second Bravo class. Fortunately, the aliens let 004 go. The second Bravo class was hit by two laser strikes, both of which penetrated its armor, leaving the ship a wreck. Interceptor 006 took seventeen hits, reducing its armor to 74%.
The next salvo from the interceptors got three hits, all of which penetrated the Alpha’s armor, bringing it to a halt in space, its weapons silent. The interceptors continued to follow the fleeing Charlie, but continued to pour fire into the now receding Alpha. It took two more salvoes before the stubborn ship blew up, and then there was only the Charlie. It took seven salvoes before the big ship died, but died it did. With nothing left to do, the Interceptors turned back to the base.
On the 25th, at 1648 hours, the Jupiter battle group entered the Lacaille system and set course for the second planet. The battle group is composed of the Jupiter, two destroyers, and a destroyer escort. Once the Jupiter’s battle group arrives over the base the interceptors will return home for repair and rest for their crews. The interceptors will have to wait at the jump point for the fuel ship, which is slowly climbing out of the solar system.
On the 26th, before the interceptors reach the jump point, a new Archer ship is detected 274 mkm’s from the base and headed towards Lacaille III. This is a new class of ship, designated as a Delta class. It has a stronger thermal signature than either the Alpha or the Bravo, but is approaching at the same speed as those two classes. The interceptors, low on fuel, continue out of the system while the Jupiter Battle Group heads out towards the intruder.
One hundred and ninety-eight minutes later BG Jupiter detects four more ships with the Delta, three Alpha’s and a Bravo. Just over two hours later, as BG Jupiter was 48 mkm’s away from the approaching alien group, the aliens turned away, running from the Jupiter and her escorts. The human ships had an advantage in speed over the aliens, but only by 370 km/s. That meant that if the aliens continued to flee it would take the human battle group thirty-six hours to catch them. Fortunately, the Jupiter was almost within range of her on board sensors, meaning that they wouldn’t fall out of contact if they moved out of the base’s sensor range. Eighteen minutes later the aliens were within range of the human sensors, and they were able to confirm that the Delta class ship was showing the same apparent mass as the Alphas and the Bravo.
Just over six hours later the Delta class ship dropped off of the battle group’s sensors. The other four alien ships continued on. One hour and forty minutes later the battle group overran the location that the Delta class had disappeared. They found nothing, but then shortly thereafter the Delta class reappeared with the other alien ships.
Some time later the apparent mass of the Delta class changed from 734 tons to 1468. The Alphas and Bravos continued showing their mass as 733 tons, an apparent affect of their cloaking devices. The battlecruiser’s tactical department had no theories for why the Delta was behaving in such a manner.
At 1100 hours on the 28th the pursuit passed the wrecks from the previous battle. At this point the human battle group was 3.5 mkm’s from the alien ships.
April 28, 2134, 1343 hours: The battle is joined. The aliens fired first, targeting the Jupiter with railguns. The Jupiter was hit by fifteen shots, reducing her shields to 79%. Fifteen seconds later the aliens fired again, getting thirteen hits on the Jupiter’s shields, reducing them to 68%. Tactical has determined that the Delta class is armed with railguns, like the other raider warships. The range is 152,000 kilometers, still out of range of the human ship’s weapons. Fifteen seconds later the Jupiter is hit again, this time seventeen times, further reducing her shields. The next salvo, fifteen seconds later, reduces the Jupiter’s shields to 37%.
The aliens get time for one more salvo before the human ships enter their own range. The human’s first salvo, aimed at the Delta, misses completely. The two destroyer’s fast firing lasers recharge and fire again five seconds later, getting one hit that fails to penetrate. The alien’s next salvo drops the Jupiter’s shields and begins digging into her armor.
The two groups continued on, with the aliens fleeing and the human ships slowly closing. The aliens were targeting the largest human ship, the Jupiter, while the humans targeted the Delta class, which seemed to have thicker armor than either the Bravo or the Alpha.
Two and a half minutes into the battle, after a barrage of laser fire from the human ships penetrated its armor, the Delta class suddenly slowed to 4,222 km/s and began falling behind the other ships. By this point the Jupiter’s armor had been reduced to 79%.
Two more salvoes saw the Delta reduced to 2815 km/s and falling even further behind the main enemy fleet. Two additional salvoes were sufficient to destroy the alien ship, at which point the human ships shifted their targeting to the Bravo class. It took a single laser salvo to reduce the Bravo’s speed, and two more to destroy it, after which the Jupiter’s battle group began taking out the Alphas. Two minutes later all three Alpha’s were destroyed. The Jupiter’s armor was at 69%. The Jupiter Battle Group turned back towards the base.
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April 19, 2134:
Even as the battle raged in the Lacaille system, the courier from Shield Base arrived in the solar system with the news that aliens had been detected on the frontier. This news galvanized the Navy and accelerated plans to enlarge Shield Base. Instead of waiting for the civilian population of Shield Base to be large enough to support a ground-based maintenance facility, the Navy rushed an orbital maintenance base into production, along with a rest and recreation facility. Once complete these would be towed to Shield Base so that major fleet units could be staged at the system. In addition, two fleet scouts were dispatched to probe the system where the alien ships had been discovered.
May, 2134: A tanker arrived over Lacaille II and began refueling and resupplying the Jupiter’s battle group. Later that same day Interceptor Group 4 under Commander Yearta arrives over Terra to a hero’s welcome. The group receives a unit commendation and the commanding officers of 013, 006, 017, and 007 all receive awards for destroying an alien ship. The yards immediately begin repairs on 004 and 006.
Development continues on inertial confinement drives for the fleet, and shipyard retooling has begun for the jump cruisers and some civilian designs.
July, 2134: The scout group jumps into Chi Draconis with its sensors active. Nothing is within range of the jump point, so the scouts deactivate their sensors. One remains on the jump point while the other heads in-system. The scout’s powerful thermal sensors should be able to detect the known alien ship class at over 200 mkm’s.
July 6, 2134: The Christopher Columbus, a gravitic survey ship, detects an alien ship in the 70 Ophiuchi system, three jumps from Shield Base in V577 Monoceri. The Columbus is crossing the system to join the rest of its group at a newly discovered jump point when its sensors detected the alien 13.4 mkm’s behind it. The ship’s computer immediately ID’d it as having emissions consistent with the Reapers, a frightening development. The survey ship’s active sensors show that that the Reaper is 8,675 tons and has a speed 8,023, far faster than the Columbus.
The Columbus immediately sends a contact report off to the survey group and continues on course. It soon becomes clear that the Reaper ship, now designated as a Charlie class, is following the Columbus. Two minutes later the Columbus’ passive sensors detect a second Reaper Charlie class ahead of it, orbiting 70 Ophiuchi II, a terrestrial class planet with a thin nitrogen-oxygen atmosphere.
When the Columbus’ message arrives at the other ships of the group, they immediately set a course for the jump point they entered the system through, avoiding the Columbus’ location if necessary.
(https://i.imgur.com/uRCztWW.jpg)
Just over an hour later, as the first Reaper Charlie class is closing from behind, the Columbus’ sensors detect three additional contacts in orbit over Ophiuchi II. The survey ship is heading across the system, away from the first contact, which is taking it closer to II for the moment, although soon they will begin drawing farther away. The new ships are designated as Delta and Echo classes, although the ship’s sensors can give little detail aside from their presence. Another hour passes, and the Columbus detects four more ships or objects in orbit over II, these being designated as Foxtrot class, bringing the number of objects in orbit there to eight. Shortly thereafter the Columbus detects four more objects, two Alphas and two Bravos.
Seventy-two minutes later the Columbus detects the objects in orbit raise their shields, and the Charlie orbiting II leaves on an intercept course for the Columbus. In response, the Columbus changes course away from the oncoming Charlie, and incidentally away from the rest of the human ships in the outer system. As they turn, two more Reaper ships appear in orbit over II, designated as Golf class. The first Charlie continues pursuing the Columbus, but the second sets out across the system. The Columbus runs out-system for twenty hours, and for twenty hours the Reaper Charlie class follows, neither closing or receding. Commander Wiedmaier orders his ship to turn to run across the system, staying clear of the inner system. This course will take them across the outer system to a point where they can turn towards the jump point back towards human space without nearing the Reaper ships in the inner system. By the time the Columbus reaches its turning point towards the jump point, the rest of the survey group will already be at the jump point and hopefully safe.
July 11, 2134: The scout moving into the Chi Draconis system detects a ship belonging to the same race identified in the system before, although this is a different class. The ship is in orbit over the only body in the system, a terrestrial class world in a close orbit around the secondary K0-V star. The planet has a Venusian atmosphere and an average temp of 1216C, so it definitely is not the home world of the Chi aliens, as they have become known. The scout changes course slightly to a point in space ten mkm’s from the planet and begins contact attempts.
As the scout approaches it detects two more Chi ships in orbit, these a new class which will be designated as Charlie class. Three hours later the scout detects thirteen new ships of two new classes, all orbiting the Venusian planet.
An hour later the scout detected fifty-nine new ships, bringing the total up to seventy-one ships in ten different classes. The scout’s commander decided to stop where he was and maintain distance from this somewhat intimidating assemblage of ships. Five seconds after stopping the number of alien ships increased to two hundred and twenty-six, and the scout’s commander ordered them to turn away and begin retreating.
Immediately after the scout turned away, eight Chi ships left orbit, headed away from the scout, and thirty-six headed towards them. The aliens were moving 3.7 times faster than the scout, so escape was impossible.
The Chi aliens closed to 150,000 kilometers and opened fire, hitting the scout with an unknown weapon, causing some internal damage. The scout turned away and began running, but it was over quickly. The aliens fired as they came, and when they reached point blank range, they boarded the scout. The scout’s valiant crew tried to fight them off, but the aliens were fearless and attacked with some sort of acid-based weapon that ate through whatever it hit.
(https://i.imgur.com/TmGwoWc.jpg)
The scout crew fought bravely against the animalistic attackers, but were completely incapable of stopping the aliens, who killed a third of the crew in the first few minutes of the boarding action. The crew fought on with no thought to surrender, because everyone who tried was dissolved by the alien acid weapons. Suddenly, the attack ended when the alien attackers inflicted so much damage on the ship that it exploded, killing the crew and boarders alike.
The second scout, sitting in the outer system, recorded the transmission from the other scout then quietly jumped out, taking the warning to the rest of the empire. This was a major threat, and one that could not be ignored.
Chi ship classes:
Alpha # 1 speed 13,516 unk suspected gravitic survey ship
Bravo #1 speed 10,562 sensor tonnage 130,600
Charlie #2 unk sensor tonnage 119,689
Delta #2 speed 2,732 sensor tonnage 21,030
Echo #11 speed 10,562 sensor tonnage 21,495
Foxtrot #42 speed 12,326 sensor tonnage 761
Golf #1 speed 10,649 sensor tonnage unk
Hotel #62 speed 11,109 sensor tonnage 844
India #24 speed 11,109 sensor tonnage 695
Juliet #82 speed 11,109 sensor tonnage 844
In light of the numbers, and the way the animalistic aliens attacked the scout, they immediately became known to the Imperial Navy as The Swarm.
(https://i.imgur.com/W6p0fmj.jpg)
July 12, 2134: At 0938 hours the Columbus joined the rest of her group and they jumped out, leaving the 70 Ophiuchi system behind. The Reaper ship had followed them across the entire system, never closing on them. Once on the far side they began running from the jump point. If the Reaper Charlie class had a jump engine, then it could jump through in less than a half hour.
A half hour later the group was five million kilometers from the jump point, which remained clear. The group proceeded on towards the jump point back to Terran space.
July 25, 2134: The Challenger, operating out of the Tau Cephei system, probes a newly discovered jump point. They discover the GJ 1128 system, a single-star system with a small red star primary. The red star is orbited by seven planets, two terrestrial class, two dwarves, and three gas giants, along with numerous moons. Excitingly, the third planet is terrestrial, with a cold oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere. The initial analysis shows that the world is rated at 0.86 for colonizing purposes. As of yet, the Challenger’s crew is unaware of the Empire’s encounters with the Reapers and the Chi aliens, so the Challenger’s captain is tempted to probe the planet to determine if it is inhabited. They are low on fuel, though, so he reluctantly turns back to rendezvous with the fuel support ship several system’s back towards Imperial space.
July 30, 2134: The fleet scout arrives in the Monoceri system and immediately transmits its sensor and comm logs to the base. Two hours later it receives a response from the base ordering it to return up the jump route to the 25 Ursae Minoris system and picket the jump point. Shield Base immediately dispatched its courier to Terra with the sensor and comm logs. It would take just under eighteen days for the news to arrive in the Solar System.
August 5, 2134: The Jump Ship Culthine and her gravitic survey group jump into the Monoceri system and immediately transmit their Reaper contact report to Shield Base. As the base’s courier has already jumped out of the system, the base commander orders the Culthine and her group to return to the Solar System with their report. As the gravitic survey group is low on fuel they head in-system to refuel at the base before setting out for home. It will take them nearly thirty days to reach the Solar System.
August 10, 2134: Fleet Scout 003 jumps into the 25 Ursae Majoris system and contacts the fuel support ship stationed at the jump point. The fuel ship reports that the three long-range survey ships departed less than a day ago, headed for the rim. The scout immediately sends a message to the three LR survey ships, ordering them to return to Shield Base. Fortunately, they are still in-system and turn back. The scout then orders the fuel ship to return to Shield Base as well, after topping off its tanks.
-
August 18, 2134: The courier from Shield Base jumps into the Solar system with its report of the disaster in the Chi Draconis system. The report throws Fleet HQ into barely controlled chaos as all of their carefully laid plans are revealed to be inadequate to deal with the threat presented by the Chi Draconis aliens, who quickly become known as the Swarm, for their swarm attack tactic. The first casualty of the discovery are the new designs for the massive refit that the shipyards are nearly ready to begin. The new designs incorporate the newly developed engine tech, along with upgrades to sensors and fire controls, but the initial analysis of the sensor logs determines that the upgrades, while significantly improving the fleet’s ships, are inadequate in the face of the Hivers’ speed and numbers. Worse, their speed advantage and apparent strategy of boarding enemy ships means that the empire’s ships are hideously vulnerable to boarding, especially given the scout crews’ inability to fight off the Hiver boarders.
After some indecision, with design teams and intel specialists arguing over radical changes to fleet composition and design, fleet command imposes order. The refit process is already underway, although actual refits to warships haven’t started. Minor changes will be made to the current designs in light of what they’ve learned, but there is no way that the fleet’s major combatants can be brought up to parity with the Hiver’s displayed speed with the current technology, without a radical redesign, and perhaps not even then. Instead, the fleet’s units will be modified to carry marine boarders to defend them, along with some other modifications, and the refits will go ahead.
In addition to modifying the upcoming refits and designing new ships and small craft, the Imperial Navy, in consultation with the Imperial Government, places a moratorium on exploration and expansion beyond Shield Base for the near future. No further jump point stabilization will take place in the territories beyond Shield Base, and the exploration fleets will be recalled and redeployed.
This was to be the Flight IV refit for the Hero class destroyer. The new inertial confinement engines raise the class speed to 7,500 km/s, well in excess of known alien ship classes, although not the newly discovered Swarm ships. The new IC fusion engines were designed especially for this class, and replaced three of the older engines with two IC fusion drives, giving this class better fuel efficiency and range. This design removed the small hanger bay, which was never utilized, and optimized the ships weaponry and fire controls.
Hero Flight IV class Destroyer 10,000 tons 235 Crew 2,457.4 BP TCS 200 TH 1,500 EM 0
7500 km/s Armour 6-41 Shields 0-0 HTK 62 Sensors 42/0/0/0 DCR 3-3 PPV 33
Maint Life 2.12 Years MSP 1,360 AFR 267% IFR 3.7% 1YR 405 5YR 6,079 Max Repair 375 MSP
Tractor Beam
Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 36 months Morale Check Required
IC Fusion Drive (2) Power 1500 Fuel Use 23.09% Signature 750 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 1,796,000 Litres Range 140 billion km (216 days at full power)
25.0cm Plasma Carronade Mk II (2) Range 160,000km TS: 7,500 km/s Power 16-6 RM 10,000 km ROF 15
15cmFUV Laser (5) Range 300,000km TS: 7,500 km/s Power 6-6 RM 50,000 km ROF 5
Main Battery Fire Control MK III (2) Max Range: 320,000 km TS: 6,250 km/s ECCM-2 97 94 91 88 84 81 78 75 72 69
IC Fusion Reactor (5) Total Power Output 50 Exp 5%
Standard Active Search Sensor Mk II (1) GPS 2016 Range 61.1m km Resolution 14
Standard Thermal Sensor Mk III (1) Sensitivity 42 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 51.2m km
Electronic Warfare Jammers: Fire Control 3
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Warship for auto-assignment purposes
The redesign as a result of the Chi Draconis incident saw the addition of a troop bay for the ship’s marine contingent, and the removal of all plasma cannons in favor of the faster firing 15cm lasers and an additional fire control, to help deal with the expected high number of targets. In addition, the armor was slightly increased. Space for these improvements was found by removing the ship’s tractor beam, along with some of its weaponry.
Hero Flight IVb class Destroyer 10,000 tons 228 Crew 2,498.6 BP TCS 200 TH 1,500 EM 0
7500 km/s Armour 7-41 Shields 0-0 HTK 56 Sensors 42/0/0/0 DCR 3-3 PPV 30
Maint Life 2.13 Years MSP 1,368 AFR 267% IFR 3.7% 1YR 403 5YR 6,044 Max Repair 375 MSP
Troop Capacity 400 tons
Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 36 months Morale Check Required
IC Fusion Drive (2) Power 1500 Fuel Use 23.09% Signature 750 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 1,799,000 Litres Range 140.2 billion km (216 days at full power)
15cmFUV Laser (6) Range 300,000km TS: 7,500 km/s Power 6-6 RM 50,000 km ROF 5
Miain Battery Fire Control MK III (3) Max Range: 320,000 km TS: 6,250 km/s ECCM-2 97 94 91 88 84 81 78 75 72 69
IC Fusion Reactor (5) Total Power Output 50 Exp 5%
Standard Active Search Sensor Mk II (1) GPS 2016 Range 61.1m km Resolution 14
Standard Thermal Sensor Mk III (1) Sensitivity 42 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 51.2m km
Electronic Warfare Jammers: Fire Control 3
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Warship for auto-assignment purposes
The Flight III refit for the battlecruisers included the new IC fusion engines, improvements in range and endurance, newer and larger shield generators that increased the ship’s shield strength by 67%, and upgraded laser turrets, fire controls, sensors, and EW systems.
Planet Flight III class Battlecruiser 20,000 tons 509 Crew 5,012.4 BP TCS 400 TH 3,000 EM 3,600
7500 km/s Armour 7-65 Shields 120-360 HTK 120 Sensors 42/14/0/0 DCR 19-9 PPV 71.14
Maint Life 2.23 Years MSP 2,659 AFR 356% IFR 4.9% 1YR 720 5YR 10,804 Max Repair 500 MSP
Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months Morale Check Required
BC IC Fusion Drive (3) Power 3000 Fuel Use 20.0% Signature 1000 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 2,633,000 Litres Range 118.5 billion km (182 days at full power)
Lg Epsilon Shield Generator (4) Recharge Time 360 seconds (0.3 per second)
25.0cm Plasma Carronade Mk II (4) Range 160,000km TS: 7,500 km/s Power 16-6 RM 10,000 km ROF 15
25.00cm Spinal FUV Laser (1) Range 320,000km TS: 7,500 km/s Power 16-6 RM 50,000 km ROF 15
20cm FUV Laser (5) Range 320,000km TS: 7,500 km/s Power 10-5 RM 50,000 km ROF 10
Twin 10cm FUV Laser Turret Mk II (2x2) Range 150,000km TS: 25000 km/s Power 6-6 RM 50,000 km ROF 5
Turret Fire Control Mk III (1) Max Range: 200,000 km TS: 25,000 km/s ECCM-2 95 90 85 80 75 70 65 60 55 50
Main Battery Fire Control MK III (2) Max Range: 320,000 km TS: 6,250 km/s ECCM-2 97 94 91 88 84 81 78 75 72 69
Capital IC Fusion Reactor (2) Total Power Output 160 Exp 5%
Standard Active Search Sensor Mk II (1) GPS 2016 Range 61.1m km Resolution 14
AM Active Search Sensor Mk III (1) GPS 180 Range 28.3m km MCR 2.5m km Resolution 1
Basic EM Sensor Mk V (1) Sensitivity 14 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 29.6m km
Standard Thermal Sensor Mk III (1) Sensitivity 42 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 51.2m km
Electronic Warfare Jammers: Sensor 3 Fire Control 3 Missile 3
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Warship for auto-assignment purposes
The upgrades for the “b” variant include marine bays and a re-arrangement of the weaponry, in exchange for removing some of the fuel tankage.
Planet Flight IIIb class Battlecruiser 20,000 tons 492 Crew 4,953.7 BP TCS 400 TH 3,000 EM 3,600
7500 km/s Armour 7-65 Shields 120-360 HTK 114 Sensors 42/14/0/0 DCR 19-9 PPV 63.14
Maint Life 2.33 Years MSP 2,720 AFR 337% IFR 4.7% 1YR 679 5YR 10,192 Max Repair 500 MSP
Troop Capacity 400 tons
Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months Morale Check Required
BC IC Fusion Drive (3) Power 3000 Fuel Use 20.0% Signature 1000 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 2,648,000 Litres Range 119.2 billion km (183 days at full power)
Lg Epsilon Shield Generator (4) Recharge Time 360 seconds (0.3 per second)
31.250cm Spinal FUV Laser (1) Range 320,000km TS: 7,500 km/s Power 26-6 RM 50,000 km ROF 25
25.0cm Plasma Carronade Mk II (4) Range 160,000km TS: 7,500 km/s Power 16-6 RM 10,000 km ROF 15
15cmFUV Laser (4) Range 300,000km TS: 7,500 km/s Power 6-6 RM 50,000 km ROF 5
Twin 10cm FUV Laser Turret Mk II (2x2) Range 150,000km TS: 25000 km/s Power 6-6 RM 50,000 km ROF 5
Turret Fire Control Mk III (1) Max Range: 200,000 km TS: 25,000 km/s ECCM-2 95 90 85 80 75 70 65 60 55 50
Main Battery Fire Control MK III (2) Max Range: 320,000 km TS: 6,250 km/s ECCM-2 97 94 91 88 84 81 78 75 72 69
Capital IC Fusion Reactor (2) Total Power Output 160 Exp 5%
Standard Active Search Sensor Mk II (1) GPS 2016 Range 61.1m km Resolution 14
AM Active Search Sensor Mk III (1) GPS 180 Range 28.3m km MCR 2.5m km Resolution 1
Basic EM Sensor Mk V (1) Sensitivity 14 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 29.6m km
Standard Thermal Sensor Mk III (1) Sensitivity 42 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 51.2m km
Electronic Warfare Jammers: Sensor 3 Fire Control 3 Missile 3
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Warship for auto-assignment purposes
The Flight II upgrade for the DDE adds the new IC fusion engines, improved maintenance capability, increased range, improved shielding, sensors, and EW systems.
Shield Flt II class Destroyer Escort 10,000 tons 249 Crew 1,960.4 BP TCS 200 TH 1,500 EM 660
7500 km/s Armour 5-41 Shields 22-264 HTK 65 Sensors 42/0/0/0 DCR 6-6 PPV 60
Maint Life 2.34 Years MSP 747 AFR 131% IFR 1.8% 1YR 186 5YR 2,783 Max Repair 375 MSP
Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 24 months Morale Check Required
IC Fusion Drive (2) Power 1500 Fuel Use 23.09% Signature 750 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 983,000 Litres Range 76.6 billion km (118 days at full power)
Epsilon Shield Generator (2) Recharge Time 264 seconds (0.1 per second)
Gauss Cannon Mk I (10x3) Range 30,000km TS: 7,500 km/s Power 0-0 RM 30,000 km ROF 5
DDE Gauss Fire Control (2) Max Range: 40,000 km TS: 6,000 km/s ECCM-2 75 50 25 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
AM Active Search Sensor Mk III (1) GPS 180 Range 28.3m km MCR 2.5m km Resolution 1
Standard Thermal Sensor Mk III (1) Sensitivity 42 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 51.2m km
Electronic Warfare Jammers: Fire Control 3
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Warship for auto-assignment purposes
the “b” variant removes the shield generators to add troop bays, and slightly increases the ship’s tankage.
Shield Flt IIb class Destroyer Escort 10,000 tons 242 Crew 1,923.2 BP TCS 200 TH 1,500 EM 0
7500 km/s Armour 5-41 Shields 0-0 HTK 59 Sensors 42/0/0/0 DCR 6-6 PPV 60
Maint Life 2.33 Years MSP 733 AFR 131% IFR 1.8% 1YR 184 5YR 2,764 Max Repair 375 MSP
Troop Capacity 400 tons
Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 36 months Morale Check Required
IC Fusion Drive (2) Power 1500 Fuel Use 23.09% Signature 750 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 1,018,000 Litres Range 79.3 billion km (122 days at full power)
Gauss Cannon Mk I (10x3) Range 30,000km TS: 7,500 km/s Power 0-0 RM 30,000 km ROF 5
DDE Gauss Fire Control (1) Max Range: 40,000 km TS: 6,000 km/s ECCM-2 75 50 25 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
AM Active Search Sensor Mk III (1) GPS 180 Range 28.3m km MCR 2.5m km Resolution 1
Standard Thermal Sensor Mk III (1) Sensitivity 42 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 51.2m km
Electronic Warfare Jammers: Fire Control 3
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Warship for auto-assignment purposes
The Flight V interceptors included a much improved hi-performance IC fusion engine, increasing its speed to the previously unobtainable 10,000 km/s, and included improved fire controls and sensors.
Interceptor Flt V class Interceptor 2,000 tons 44 Crew 693.2 BP TCS 40 TH 400 EM 0
10002 km/s Armour 6-14 Shields 0-0 HTK 13 Sensors 42/0/0/0 DCR 1-5 PPV 5
Maint Life 5.63 Years MSP 325 AFR 21% IFR 0.3% 1YR 17 5YR 260 Max Repair 200 MSP
Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 1 months Morale Check Required
Hi Performance IC Fusion Drive (1) Power 400 Fuel Use 129.53% Signature 400 Explosion 16%
Fuel Capacity 293,000 Litres Range 20.4 billion km (23 days at full power)
15cmFUV Laser (1) Range 300,000km TS: 10,002 km/s Power 6-6 RM 50,000 km ROF 5
Main Battery Fire Control MK III (1) Max Range: 320,000 km TS: 6,250 km/s ECCM-2 97 94 91 88 84 81 78 75 72 69
Fighter Plasma IC Fusion Reactor (2) Total Power Output 12 Exp 10%
Interceptor Active Search Sensor Mk II (1) GPS 1008 Range 43.2m km Resolution 14
Standard Thermal Sensor Mk III (1) Sensitivity 42 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 51.2m km
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Warship for auto-assignment purposes
The encounter with the Hivers demonstrated that even the new Flight V interceptors were inadequate, so Fleet Command ordered the R&D teams to develop a newer, even higher performance IC fusion engine. They complied, developing the Mark II Hi Performance IC Fusion Drive, but at the cost of range. The newer drive was much more fuel hungry than the old, reducing the interceptor’s range to an unacceptable level. Therefore, all unnecessary equipment, including the thermal sensors, were removed and the fuel tankage was increased, increasing the overall size of the ship. Fleet Command was not happy with the resulting range, but was forced to accept it in exchange for the speed, which was faster than all known Swarm designs.
Interceptor Flt Vb class Interceptor 2,065 tons 45 Crew 743.2 BP TCS 41 TH 575 EM 0
13929 km/s Armour 6-14 Shields 0-0 HTK 13 Sensors 0/0/0/0 DCR 1-4 PPV 5
Maint Life 4.90 Years MSP 337 AFR 23% IFR 0.3% 1YR 23 5YR 348 Max Repair 287.5 MSP
Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 1 months Morale Check Required
Hi Performance Inertial Fusion Drive Mk II (1) Power 575.0 Fuel Use 320.91% Signature 575.00 Explosion 23%
Fuel Capacity 500,000 Litres Range 13.6 billion km (11 days at full power)
15cmFUV Laser (1) Range 300,000km TS: 13,929 km/s Power 6-6 RM 50,000 km ROF 5
Miain Battery Fire Control MK III (1) Max Range: 320,000 km TS: 6,250 km/s ECCM-2 97 94 91 88 84 81 78 75 72 69
Fighter Plasma IC Fusion Reactor (2) Total Power Output 12 Exp 10%
Interceptor Active Search Sensor Mk II (1) GPS 1008 Range 43.2m km Resolution 14
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Warship for auto-assignment purposes
The Flight IV refit for the jump cruisers added the IC fusion engines, improved sensors, EW systems, fire controls, power plants, and shield generators.
Annihilator Flight IV class Jump Cruiser 20,000 tons 507 Crew 4,855.4 BP TCS 400 TH 3,000 EM 2,310
7500 km/s JR 4-250 Armour 6-65 Shields 77-264 HTK 121 Sensors 42/14/0/0 DCR 17-8 PPV 63.14
Maint Life 1.59 Years MSP 2,062 AFR 457% IFR 6.3% 1YR 948 5YR 14,221 Max Repair 500 MSP
Captain Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months Morale Check Required
J20000(4-250) Military Jump Drive Mk III Max Ship Size 20000 tons Distance 250k km Squadron Size 4
BC IC Fusion Drive (3) Power 3000 Fuel Use 20.0% Signature 1000 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 2,591,000 Litres Range 116.6 billion km (179 days at full power)
Epsilon Shield Generator (7) Recharge Time 264 seconds (0.3 per second)
31.250cm Spinal FUV Laser (1) Range 320,000km TS: 7,500 km/s Power 26-6 RM 50,000 km ROF 25
25.0cm Plasma Carronade Mk II (3) Range 160,000km TS: 7,500 km/s Power 16-6 RM 10,000 km ROF 15
20cm FUV Laser (4) Range 320,000km TS: 7,500 km/s Power 10-5 RM 50,000 km ROF 10
Twin 10cm FUV Laser Turret Mk II (2x2) Range 150,000km TS: 25000 km/s Power 6-6 RM 50,000 km ROF 5
Main Battery Fire Control MK III (1) Max Range: 320,000 km TS: 6,250 km/s ECCM-2 97 94 91 88 84 81 78 75 72 69
Turret Fire Control Mk III (1) Max Range: 200,000 km TS: 25,000 km/s ECCM-2 95 90 85 80 75 70 65 60 55 50
IC Fusion Reactor (1) Total Power Output 10 Exp 5%
Capital IC Fusion Reactor (2) Total Power Output 160 Exp 5%
Standard Active Search Sensor Mk II (1) GPS 2016 Range 61.1m km Resolution 14
Standard Thermal Sensor Mk III (1) Sensitivity 42 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 51.2m km
Basic EM Sensor Mk V (1) Sensitivity 14 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 29.6m km
Electronic Warfare Jammers: Sensor 3 Fire Control 3 Missile 3
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Warship for auto-assignment purposes
The “b” redesign added troop bays and completely changed the weaponry of the class, at the cost of some shielding, along with other minor changes. The weaponry was changed to smaller, faster firing 15cm lasers, along with an additional turret.
Annihilator Flight IVb class Jump Cruiser 20,000 tons 517 Crew 5,445.3 BP TCS 400 TH 3,000 EM 1,800
7500 km/s JR 4-250 Armour 6-65 Shields 60-360 HTK 112 Sensors 42/14/0/0 DCR 18-9 PPV 55.71
Maint Life 1.86 Years MSP 2,361 AFR 400% IFR 5.6% 1YR 867 5YR 13,010 Max Repair 500 MSP
Troop Capacity 400 tons
Captain Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months Morale Check Required
J20000(4-250) Military Jump Drive Mk III Max Ship Size 20000 tons Distance 250k km Squadron Size 4
BC IC Fusion Drive (3) Power 3000 Fuel Use 20.0% Signature 1000 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 2,642,000 Litres Range 118.9 billion km (183 days at full power)
Lg Epsilon Shield Generator (2) Recharge Time 360 seconds (0.2 per second)
31.250cm Spinal FUV Laser (1) Range 320,000km TS: 7,500 km/s Power 26-6 RM 50,000 km ROF 25
15cmFUV Laser (4) Range 300,000km TS: 7,500 km/s Power 6-6 RM 50,000 km ROF 5
Twin 10cm FUV Laser Turret Mk II (3x2) Range 150,000km TS: 25000 km/s Power 6-6 RM 50,000 km ROF 5
Main Battery Fire Control MK III (2) Max Range: 320,000 km TS: 6,250 km/s ECCM-2 97 94 91 88 84 81 78 75 72 69
Turret Fire Control Mk III (3) Max Range: 200,000 km TS: 25,000 km/s ECCM-2 95 90 85 80 75 70 65 60 55 50
IC Fusion Reactor (1) Total Power Output 10 Exp 5%
Capital IC Fusion Reactor (2) Total Power Output 160 Exp 5%
Standard Active Search Sensor Mk II (1) GPS 2016 Range 61.1m km Resolution 14
Standard Thermal Sensor Mk III (1) Sensitivity 42 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 51.2m km
Basic EM Sensor Mk V (1) Sensitivity 14 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 29.6m km
Electronic Warfare Jammers: Sensor 3 Fire Control 3 Missile 3
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Warship for auto-assignment purposes
The Flight I refit design for the battleship was not finalized before the reports from Chi Draconis arrived, so the new design includes the improvements based on that information. The design includes troop bays, the newer, larger Battleship IC Fusion Drive design, which significantly improved the ship’s range, along with improved sensors and fire controls, next generation shield generators, and improved laser turrets. In addition, the ship’s engineering department was slightly larger, giving it improved sustainability. Finally, the flag bridge was removed and relocated to a new design (below), turning this class into a pure combat vessel.
Star Flight I class Battleship 40,000 tons 957 Crew 8,845.1 BP TCS 800 TH 6,000 EM 13,500
7500 km/s Armour 8-104 Shields 450-360 HTK 221 Sensors 14/14/0/0 DCR 29-7 PPV 113.71
Maint Life 1.38 Years MSP 4,195 AFR 656% IFR 9.1% 1YR 2,379 5YR 35,683 Max Repair 1,000 MSP
Troop Capacity 400 tons
Commodore Control Rating 4 BRG AUX ENG CIC
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months Morale Check Required
BB IC Fusion Drive (3) Power 6000 Fuel Use 14.14% Signature 2000 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 4,921,000 Litres Range 156.6 billion km (241 days at full power)
Lg Epsilon Shield Generator (15) Recharge Time 360 seconds (1.2 per second)
25.00cm Spinal FUV Laser (1) Range 320,000km TS: 7,500 km/s Power 16-6 RM 50,000 km ROF 15
25.0cm Plasma Carronade Mk II (5) Range 160,000km TS: 7,500 km/s Power 16-6 RM 10,000 km ROF 15
20cm FUV Laser (10) Range 320,000km TS: 7,500 km/s Power 10-5 RM 50,000 km ROF 10
Twin 10cm FUV Laser Turret Mk II (3x2) Range 150,000km TS: 25000 km/s Power 6-6 RM 50,000 km ROF 5
Miain Battery Fire Control MK III (3) Max Range: 320,000 km TS: 6,250 km/s ECCM-2 97 94 91 88 84 81 78 75 72 69
Turret Fire Control Mk III (1) Max Range: 200,000 km TS: 25,000 km/s ECCM-2 95 90 85 80 75 70 65 60 55 50
Capital IC Fusion Reactor (3) Total Power Output 240 Exp 5%
AM Active Search Sensor Mk III (1) GPS 180 Range 28.3m km MCR 2.5m km Resolution 1
Standard Active Search Sensor Mk II (1) GPS 2016 Range 61.1m km Resolution 14
Basic EM Sensor Mk V (1) Sensitivity 14 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 29.6m km
Basic Thermal Sensor Mk V (1) Sensitivity 14 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 29.6m km
Electronic Warfare Jammers: Sensor 3 Fire Control 3 Missile 3
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Warship for auto-assignment purposes
The Star class fleet flagship was a formidable ship, but had no jump engines and so was dependent on the stabilization network to travel. With the discovery of the Swarm, all work on extending the stabilization network in that region will be discontinued, so a jump version of the battleship design was needed. The flag bridge was relocated to this design, and a new jump engine large enough for the battleships was developed. The weaponry has been optimized around smaller, faster firing lasers with additional fire controls to engage larger numbers of smaller ships.
Star(C) Flight I class Battleship 40,000 tons 960 Crew 8,993.1 BP TCS 800 TH 6,000 EM 13,500
7500 km/s JR 4-250 Armour 7-104 Shields 450-360 HTK 205 Sensors 14/14/0/0 DCR 31-7 PPV 83.71
Maint Life 1.51 Years MSP 4,535 AFR 593% IFR 8.2% 1YR 2,244 5YR 33,666 Max Repair 1,000 MSP
Troop Capacity 400 tons
Commodore Control Rating 5 BRG AUX ENG CIC FLG
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months Morale Check Required
J40000(4-250) Military Jump Drive Max Ship Size 40000 tons Distance 250k km Squadron Size 4
BB IC Fusion Drive (3) Power 6000 Fuel Use 14.14% Signature 2000 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 5,005,000 Litres Range 159.3 billion km (245 days at full power)
Lg Epsilon Shield Generator (15) Recharge Time 360 seconds (1.2 per second)
25.00cm Spinal FUV Laser (1) Range 320,000km TS: 7,500 km/s Power 16-6 RM 50,000 km ROF 15
15cmFUV Laser (10) Range 300,000km TS: 7,500 km/s Power 6-6 RM 50,000 km ROF 5
Twin 10cm FUV Laser Turret Mk II (3x2) Range 150,000km TS: 25000 km/s Power 6-6 RM 50,000 km ROF 5
Main Battery Fire Control MK III (2) Max Range: 320,000 km TS: 6,250 km/s ECCM-2 97 94 91 88 84 81 78 75 72 69
Turret Fire Control Mk III (1) Max Range: 200,000 km TS: 25,000 km/s ECCM-2 95 90 85 80 75 70 65 60 55 50
Capital IC Fusion Reactor (3) Total Power Output 240 Exp 5%
AM Active Search Sensor Mk III (1) GPS 180 Range 28.3m km MCR 2.5m km Resolution 1
Standard Active Search Sensor Mk II (1) GPS 2016 Range 61.1m km Resolution 14
Basic EM Sensor Mk V (1) Sensitivity 14 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 29.6m km
Basic Thermal Sensor Mk V (1) Sensitivity 14 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 29.6m km
Electronic Warfare Jammers: Sensor 3 Fire Control 3 Missile 3
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Warship for auto-assignment purposes
The above designs are the result of the initial reaction to the discovery of the threat from the Swarm. While the designs are clearly inferior to the demonstrated speed and numbers of the Swarm, it is felt that this is the best that can be done with the tech and designs available.
However, the fleet’s designers have been directed to develop countermeasures to the Swarm’s speed and numbers with the available technology. To this end they are investigating developing small craft, under 1,000 tons, that will be faster and capable of striking at the Hiver ships from beyond their range.
To this end they have proposed the following design as a carrier for the new small craft. The design uses already developed systems and is capable of the standard fleet speed. Tradeoffs between hangar capacity and magazine capacity were made that made no one happy. Originally, the design had storage for just 80 missiles, which wouldn’t be enough to rearm the fighter group even one time. To enlarge the magazines without decreasing the hangar capacity, compromises had to be made, such as reducing the armor, removing marine bays, and reducing the ship’s EW capability.
Country class Carrier 40,000 tons 681 Crew 6,645.7 BP TCS 800 TH 6,000 EM 0
7500 km/s Armour 2-104 Shields 0-0 HTK 196 Sensors 84/0/0/0 DCR 36-9 PPV 0
Maint Life 1.72 Years MSP 4,199 AFR 492% IFR 6.8% 1YR 1,724 5YR 25,864 Max Repair 1,000 MSP
Hangar Deck Capacity 14,000 tons Magazine 1,350 / 0
Captain Control Rating 4 BRG AUX ENG FLG
Intended Deployment Time: 24 months Flight Crew Berths 280 Morale Check Required
BB IC Fusion Drive (3) Power 6000 Fuel Use 14.14% Signature 2000 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 2,930,000 Litres Range 93.2 billion km (143 days at full power)
Sparrow II ASM (450) Speed: 41,267 km/s End: 1.3m Range: 3.3m km WH: 6 Size: 3 TH: 181/108/54
AM Active Search Sensor Mk III (1) GPS 180 Range 28.3m km MCR 2.5m km Resolution 1
Standard Active Search Sensor Mk II (1) GPS 2016 Range 61.1m km Resolution 14
Capital Thermal Sensor (1) Sensitivity 84 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 72.5m km
Electronic Warfare Jammers: Sensor 3 Missile 3
Strike Group
26x Eagle Strikefighter Speed: 20012 km/s Size: 9.99
3x Aegis Patrol Craft Speed: 19289 km/s Size: 6.48
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
This design is classed as a Carrier for auto-assignment purposes
The Eagle class strike fighter is the Empire’s first attempt at creating a small, fast combatant that would be capable of out-running a Swarm ship and strike from a safe distance, then return to its carrier which would remain far enough from a Swarm fleet to be safe. While the Eagle is built around an engine developed for small craft, it is very much a cobbled together design, using missiles and fire control systems first developed to engage Reaper units from beyond their own missile range. This class is very much viewed as a concept test-bed for future development.
Eagle class Strikefighter 500 tons 3 Crew 145.4 BP TCS 10 TH 200 EM 0
20012 km/s Armour 1-5 Shields 0-0 HTK 3 Sensors 0/0/0/0 DCR 0-0 PPV 3.6
Maint Life 1.86 Years MSP 18 AFR 20% IFR 0.3% 1YR 7 5YR 99 Max Repair 100 MSP
Magazine 24 / 0
Lieutenant Commander Control Rating 1
Intended Deployment Time: 3 days Morale Check Required
Aslt Shuttle Inertial Fusion Drive (1) Power 200 Fuel Use 357.77% Signature 200 Explosion 20%
Fuel Capacity 40,000 Litres Range 4.03 billion km (55 hours at full power)
Sparrow ASM Box Launcher (8) Missile Size: 3 Hangar Reload 86 minutes MF Reload 14 hours
Missile Fire Control (1) Range 79.6m km Resolution 100
Sparrow II ASM (8) Speed: 41,267 km/s End: 1.3m Range: 3.3m km WH: 6 Size: 3 TH: 181/108/54
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 Fighter for production, combat and planetary interaction
This design is classed as a Fighter for auto-assignment purposes
The Aegis class is intended to accompany strike waves of Eagle class units to provide active sensor capabilities so that they can acquire targets for their missiles.
Aegis class Patrol Craft 325 tons 2 Crew 159 BP TCS 6 TH 125 EM 0
19289 km/s Armour 1-4 Shields 0-0 HTK 5 Sensors 0/0/0/0 DCR 0-0 PPV 0
Maint Life 4.67 Years MSP 30 AFR 8% IFR 0.1% 1YR 2 5YR 34 Max Repair 86.4 MSP
Lieutenant Commander Control Rating 1
Intended Deployment Time: 3 days Morale Check Required
Fighter IC Fusion Drive (2) Power 125.0 Fuel Use 1250.0% Signature 62.5 Explosion 25%
Fuel Capacity 101,000 Litres Range 4.49 billion km (64 hours at full power)
Interceptor Active Search Sensor Mk II (1) GPS 1008 Range 43.2m km Resolution 14
This design is classed as a Fighter for production, combat and planetary interaction
This design is classed as a None for auto-assignment purposes
The Forward class is intended as a fleet-defense unit, to provide missile defense and close-in defense against Swarm units should they manage to close on an Imperial Fleet. This unit is not envisioned as a long-range strike unit, like the Eagle class. In order to squeeze a laser into the fighter frame, a new, down-sized laser had to be designed that was smaller and charged slower than a full sized unit.
Forward class Attack Craft 365 tons 5 Crew 163 BP TCS 7 TH 125 EM 0
17156 km/s Armour 2-4 Shields 0-0 HTK 4 Sensors 0/0/0/0 DCR 0-0 PPV 2.25
Maint Life 5.94 Years MSP 42 AFR 11% IFR 0.1% 1YR 2 5YR 31 Max Repair 39 MSP
Lieutenant Commander Control Rating 1
Intended Deployment Time: 3 days Morale Check Required
Fighter IC Fusion Drive (2) Power 125.0 Fuel Use 1250.0% Signature 62.5 Explosion 25%
Fuel Capacity 35,000 Litres Range 1.38 billion km (22 hours at full power)
Fighter 10cm FUV Laser (1) Range 80,000km TS: 17,156 km/s Power 3-1.5 RM 50,000 km ROF 10
Fighter Beam Fire Control (1) Max Range: 80,000 km TS: 16,000 km/s ECCM-2 88 75 62 50 38 25 12 0 0 0
Fighter IC Fusion Reactor (1) Total Power Output 3 Exp 10%
This design is classed as a Fighter for production, combat and planetary interaction
This design is classed as a Fighter for auto-assignment purposes
The Breaker class is intended to act in the same role as the Forward class, as a fleet-defense unit. Unfortunately, fitting a gauss cannon into the small frame made the design larger than the other proposed designs, meaning fewer could be fit into a carrier.
Breaker class Armed Shuttle 607 tons 8 Crew 185.7 BP TCS 12 TH 200 EM 0
16494 km/s Armour 1-6 Shields 0-0 HTK 5 Sensors 0/0/0/0 DCR 0-0 PPV 6
Maint Life 1.24 Years MSP 19 AFR 29% IFR 0.4% 1YR 13 5YR 194 Max Repair 100 MSP
Lieutenant Commander Control Rating 1
Intended Deployment Time: 3 days Morale Check Required
Aslt Shuttle Inertial Fusion Drive (1) Power 200 Fuel Use 357.77% Signature 200 Explosion 20%
Fuel Capacity 15,000 Litres Range 1.24 billion km (20 hours at full power)
Gauss Cannon Mk I (1x3) Range 30,000km TS: 16,494 km/s Power 0-0 RM 30,000 km ROF 5
Fighter Beam Fire Control (1) Max Range: 80,000 km TS: 16,000 km/s ECCM-2 88 75 62 50 38 25 12 0 0 0
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a FAC for auto-assignment purposes
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August, 2134: The tug group towing the first contingent of new maintenance bases arrives at Shield Base I n the Monoceri system. The maintenance bases increase the ground-based facilities capability to 10,000 tons. The forward deployment of ships has been delayed due to the refit schedule.
December, 2134: The second group of maintenance bases are released over Shield Base in the V577 Monoceri system, along with a rest and recreation base.
Later in the month the salvage ship assigned to salvage the wrecks in the Lacaille system finishes the last wreck and moves on towards the Proxima system to salvage the wreck there. Having seen no additional Archer ships in the system and the salvage ship departing, Battle Group Jupiter turns for home for repairs and rest for its crews.
January 5th, 2135: The Jupiter arrives over Terra to a hero’s welcome. The Battle Group receives a unit citation, and its commander receives a medal as well. The Jupiter will be rushed into the yards as soon as space opens up.
May, 2135: Io is officially a 0.0 world, finally fulfilling the empire’s promise the colonists. There are celebrations across the colony as the terraformers continue to labor to improve the world’s livability and ensure that it remains within habitable parameters during its entire year.
June, 2135: Io is certified as a stabilized 0.0 world and the terraformers move on to their next assignment.
July, 2135: Io based research teams develop compressed carbon armor. The fleet’s refit schedule is well underway, but all new refits will include this development, as will new construction.
Late in the month the first group of six interceptors completes their refits and are launched from the yards. They immediately set out for Shield Base in the Monoceri system to act as system defense ships. The trip will be nearly at the limit of their fuel and endurance, but is within their capabilities. They’ll be on-station in nine days.
August, 2135: The 2nd Long Range Survey Group is operating in the newly discovered HIP48659 system when one of its ships detects an alien population on one of the moons of the fourth gas giant. The moon is a barren, frigid rock with no atmosphere, meaning the alien base is likely either a mining base, sensor base, or military outpost. Following SOP the survey group withdraws, with two of the survey ships heading to their next target while the third heads back to the Groombridge system to report the contact.
Ten days later the survey ship jumps into the Groombridge system and sends off its contact report. When the report reaches Victory base, the base commander immediately dispatches his courier to the Solar System with the contact report. ETA to the solar system is thirty-six days.
October 4, 2135: The courier from Victory Base arrives in the solar system and sends off its contact report. The response from the admiralty is immediate. Couriers are sent to all out-system bases ordering all surveying to come to a halt and for the survey ships to return to Terra. There are now three known threat axis, and until one or more can be neutralized surveying will stop.
A fleet scout is dispatched from Terra to rendezvous with a LR survey ship in the Groombridge system, and from there they will proceed to the HIP 48659 system, where the scout will attempt to gather information on the newly discovered aliens.
February 16, 2136: The scout posted in the 25 Ursae Minoris system, on the jump path in between the Swarm’s known location and Shield Forward Base, detects a Swarm survey ship in the system. The scout immediately jumps out to report the contact.
On the 27th the scout arrives in the Monoceri system and sends off its contact report. It then proceeds in-system for overhaul, as it is near the limit of its endurance.
March, 2136: The Avenger III, a fleet scout, arrives at a position 30 mkm’s from the alien outpost in the HIP 48659 system. The outpost appears exactly as it was, and there are no alien ships in sight. The scout proceeds towards the outpost, and will take up an orbit over moon #9, just outside of the orbit of the moon that the alien outpost is located on.
Once the scout takes up its position orbiting moon #9, its sensitive sensors detect a ground force garrisoning the alien outpost. The alien outpost’s thermal and EM signature is relatively weak, indicating that it is either a minor mining outpost or a listening post.
By mid-month attempts to communicate with the aliens are progressing, but slowly. On the 23rd the scout detects an alien ship headed across the system. The ship has emissions consistent with the outpost, indicating that it is likely from the same race, and has a speed of 1,769 km/s. The ship is almost 300 mkm’s out, and far beyond the range of the scout’s active sensors, so the scout’s CO declines to activate them.
Late in the month the scout begins receiving communications from other locations in the system, including the jump point back to human space, indicating that the aliens know the location of the jump point. The scout’s crew has made significant progress with deciphering the alien’s language.
On the 31st, the survey ship picketing the jump point back to Imperial space in the HIP 48659 system detects two alien ships headed for the jump point at 1,769 km/s. They are well within its active sensor range, so the CO orders a quick scan of the alien ships. One of the alien ships is 72,332 tons, and the other 17,755 tons. The first is the same ship detected by the scout deeper in the system, while the second is a new contact. The Imperial survey ship deactivates its sensors in case the aliens feel it is an aggressive move. The alien ships approach the jump point and settle in over it, making it possible that the larger ship is a construction ship.
April 6, 2135: On this date the fleet scout assigned to establish contact with the aliens in the HIP 48659 system finally succeeds in deciphering their language and establishes meaningful contact. The aliens call themselves the Brobruisk Corporation, and do not match any records of known Raid species.
Meanwhile, the Navy continues to work towards a counter to the Swarm’s high speed. Because the new inertial confinement engines, which were the result of nearly five years of development and R&D, were barely enough to boost the fleet’s speed to just over half that of the Swarm’s demonstrated speed, a new solution is needed. The Navy Design Bureau’s answer is several different versions of sub-1000 ton fighter craft, and a battleship-sized carrier. As work has gone forward towards developing and deploying a fighter force, the fleet has asked for a smaller carrier design. The Moon class strike carrier is the Naval Design Bureau’s answer.
The Moon class is based on the battlecruiser design, with the weaponry and some defenses removed to make room for the hangar space.
Moon class Strike Carrier 20,000 tons 302 Crew 3,357.6 BP TCS 400 TH 3,000 EM 0
7500 km/s Armour 4-65 Shields 0-0 HTK 89 Sensors 42/14/0/0 DCR 9-4 PPV 0
Maint Life 2.13 Years MSP 2,246 AFR 337% IFR 4.7% 1YR 662 5YR 9,936 Max Repair 500 MSP
Hangar Deck Capacity 6,000 tons Troop Capacity 400 tons Magazine 425 / 0
Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months Flight Crew Berths 120 Morale Check Required
BC IC Fusion Drive (3) Power 3000 Fuel Use 20.0% Signature 1000 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 2,604,000 Litres Range 117.2 billion km (180 days at full power)
Standard Active Search Sensor Mk II (1) GPS 2016 Range 61.1m km Resolution 14
AM Active Search Sensor Mk III (1) GPS 180 Range 28.3m km MCR 2.5m km Resolution 1
Basic EM Sensor Mk V (1) Sensitivity 14 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 29.6m km
Standard Thermal Sensor Mk III (1) Sensitivity 42 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 51.2m km
Electronic Warfare Jammers: Sensor 3 Missile 3
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Carrier for auto-assignment purposes
April, 2136: With the fleet undergoing a massive refit, concerns are growing about the advance of the swarm towards Shield Base, so a tug group is detailed to take six missile bases under tow and transport them to Shield Base to act as cover until the fleet can be forward deployed.
In the HIP 48659 system, the aliens request that the human scout leave their system. The scout complies.
April, 2137: The empire’s first ambassadorial ships are launched. This design is based on the courier design, and is as non-offensive as the empire can make it.
Ambassador class Diplomatic Ship 5,402 tons 82 Crew 524.7 BP TCS 108 TH 406 EM 0
3760 km/s Armour 1-27 Shields 0-0 HTK 23 Sensors 14/14/0/0 DCR 1-1 PPV 0
MSP 60 Max Repair 300 MSP
Captain Control Rating 1 BRG DIP
Intended Deployment Time: 48 months
Commercial Inertial Fusion Drive (1) Power 406.2 Fuel Use 0.49% Signature 406.25 Explosion 2%
Fuel Capacity 10,000 Litres Range 68 billion km (209 days at full power)
Basic Active Search Sensor Mk V (1) GPS 560 Range 26.9m km Resolution 20
Basic Thermal Sensor Mk V (1) Sensitivity 14 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 29.6m km
Basic EM Sensor Mk V (1) Sensitivity 14 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 29.6m km
This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Diplomatic Ship for auto-assignment purposes
The first unit of this class sets out for Victory Base in the Groombridge system, and from there will advance to the HIP 48659 system where it will reestablish contact with the Bobruisk.
Strategic Situation, April 2137
Battleship Force: BB-01 Sol refitting, launch date May 12, 2137, 2 under construction
Battlecruiser Force: Refitted, ready for deployment, 3 under construction
Destroyer Force: 9 Refitted, 9 Refitting, 7 awaiting refitting
Destroyer Escort Force: 8 awaiting Refitting
Interceptor Force: 30 refitted, 9 refitting, 7 under construction
Jump Cruiser Force: 3 refitted, read for deployment
The existing battlecruisers are refitted and ready for duty, and the existing battleship is nearly ready, however, their escorts are still in the midst of refits, and the refits on the destroyer escort force have not begun yet. This means that the capital ships are faster than their escorts, and the Navy is loath to commit them against faster foes until their escorts have been refitted.
The bulk of the refitted destroyers and interceptors are forward deployed to out-system colonies and bases, and to Io. Construction has not yet begun on carriers for the proposed attack wings, and construction of the attack wings themselves has been slow due to the need to build the factories that would build them.
The empire faces threats along multiple axis. The Bobruisk are located down the Alpha Centauri chain, beyond Victory Base in the Groombridge system. Although they have not behaved aggressively towards the empire, and are not among the alien races identified as participating in the Raids, the Empire must clearly establish a bulwark against their possible expansion into Imperial Space, and Victory Base in the Groombridge system is that bulwark. Currently the base is garrisoned by six latest generation interceptors, a territorial guard brigade, and relatively new ground batteries. In addition, an orbital maintenance base has been deployed to the base, and the empire plans to build and deploy orbital habitats to the base to provide a local work force. Eventually the Navy plans to forward deploy a destroyer group to the system, and the Guard plans to bolster the ground batteries when new batteries become available.
Victory Base is well sited to act as a defense point against both the Bobruisk and the Swarm, as it has two planet-less systems in between it and the Bobruisk-claimed HIP 48659 system, and three planet-less systems between it and the Swarm.
The second threat axis is the Reaper base located in the 70 Ophiuchi system, three jumps from Shield Base in the V577 Monoceri system along the Van Biesbroeck’s Star system chain. A total of seventeen Reaper ships and a planetary base were detected in the 70 Ophiuchi system, and although they have not advanced out of the system since, the possibility cannot be discounted. The Reapers have been positively identified as a Raid Race, and are one of the worst, having committed countless meaningless atrocities during their time on Terra.
The third threat axis are the Swarm, originally located in the Chi Draconis system. Since initial contact, their survey ships have advanced out of the system to first the Gamma Carinae system and then the Ursae Minoris systems, three jumps from Shield Base. Because of their advance towards Imperial space, and their numbers and speed, the Swarm are viewed as the primary threat to the Empire at this time.
At the current time, the Empire is taking a cautious defensive stance towards the Bobruisk focused on building up Victory Base and establishing continued peaceful contact with the Bobruisk. The Reapers are considered a secondary threat, as they have not advanced out of 70 Ophiuchi and may not be able to do so. Evidence recovered at the former Reaper Base in the Groombridge system hinted that the units there had been established as a forward outpost and then subsequently abandoned for an unknown reason. It is possible that the installation in the 70 Ophiuchi system is in a similar situation, without the resources to expand beyond its system. The Swarm are considered the primary threat at the current time; however, the Empire will be unable to advance into the Chi Draconis system for some time due to the need to build attack wings and carriers for them.
Currently, the Navy intends to assemble an attack force and assault the 70 Ophiuchi system first, before dealing with the Swarm. The Reapers are considered a softer target, and eliminating at least one threat axis as soon as possible is preferable. The proposed attack force would consist of the jump cruiser squadron (3xjump cruisers, attached DDE’s), three battlecruiser groups (one BC, two DD’s, one DDE), a battleship command ship, and attached destroyer groups.
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June, 2137: Development begins on Mark VI armor and weapons for ground troops and vehicles.
July, 2137: The empire’s second battleship leaves the yards and immediately starts its training cruise.
Later in the month, as the new diplomatic ship crossed the 68 Andromedae system bound for the HIP 48659 system, it encountered a Bobruisk jump stabilization ship. The diplomatic ship settled in to follow the ship and further the Empire’s understanding of the race.
A note on refits: The imperial Navy uses “Flight” to denote major upgrades, usually meaning engine upgrades, and “Mod” to indicate minor upgrades. For instance, Destroyer Flight IIb would indicate a second-generation destroyer with a mod b upgrade. Mod updates to designs do not usually involve refitting existing units, but rather allow the Navy to include now technology in new builds. Therefore, Mod B might indicate upgraded weaponry, tracking systems or sensors, or defenses.
As an example, the Empire recently developed 30cm lasers, and have deployed a 37.5cm spinal lasers. The Star class Battleship design, currently Flight IIb, will be upgraded to include this new weaponry and will have the designation Star Flight IIc. Functionally, this means that a squadron or group might contain ships of different mods, with different weaponry, defenses, or sensors. This is considered acceptable by planners and the admirals, while mixing ships of different flights is not, as they would have different speeds and thus the slower ships would slow down an entire squadron.
October, 2137: The Antares, a Star(C) class battleship, is launched and begins its training cruise. The Flight I upgrade of the basic Star class flagship removed the flag bridge and replaced it with quarters for marines, along with other minor changes, turning the ship into a pure heavy combatant. The Star(C) variant retains the flag bridge and mounts a jump drive capable of getting the massive ships through un-stabilized jump points.
Star Flight Ib class Battleship 40,000 tons 983 Crew 8,911.7 BP TCS 800 TH 6,000 EM 13,500
7500 km/s Armour 8-104 Shields 450-360 HTK 230 Sensors 14/14/0/0 DCR 34-8 PPV 113.71
Maint Life 1.78 Years MSP 4,841 AFR 533% IFR 7.4% 1YR 1,897 5YR 28,462 Max Repair 1,000 MSP
Troop Capacity 800 tons
Commodore Control Rating 4 BRG AUX ENG CIC
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months Morale Check Required
BB IC Fusion Drive (3) Power 6000 Fuel Use 14.14% Signature 2000 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 4,931,000 Litres Range 156.9 billion km (242 days at full power)
Lg Epsilon Shield Generator (15) Recharge Time 360 seconds (1.2 per second)
25.00cm Spinal FUV Laser (1) Range 320,000km TS: 7,500 km/s Power 16-6 RM 50,000 km ROF 15
25.0cm Plasma Carronade Mk II (5) Range 160,000km TS: 7,500 km/s Power 16-6 RM 10,000 km ROF 15
20cm FUV Laser (10) Range 320,000km TS: 7,500 km/s Power 10-5 RM 50,000 km ROF 10
Twin 10cm FUV Laser Turret Mk II (3x2) Range 150,000km TS: 25000 km/s Power 6-6 RM 50,000 km ROF 5
Miain Battery Fire Control MK III (3) Max Range: 320,000 km TS: 6,250 km/s ECCM-2 97 94 91 88 84 81 78 75 72 69
Turret Fire Control Mk III (1) Max Range: 200,000 km TS: 25,000 km/s ECCM-2 95 90 85 80 75 70 65 60 55 50
Capital IC Fusion Reactor (3) Total Power Output 240 Exp 5%
AM Active Search Sensor Mk III (1) GPS 180 Range 28.3m km MCR 2.5m km Resolution 1
Standard Active Search Sensor Mk II (1) GPS 2016 Range 61.1m km Resolution 14
Basic EM Sensor Mk V (1) Sensitivity 14 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 29.6m km
Basic Thermal Sensor Mk V (1) Sensitivity 14 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 29.6m km
Electronic Warfare Jammers: Sensor 3 Fire Control 3 Missile 3
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Warship for auto-assignment purposes
Star(C) Flight Ib class Battleship 40,000 tons 991 Crew 9,572.7 BP TCS 800 TH 6,000 EM 13,500
7500 km/s JR 4-250 Armour 7-104 Shields 450-360 HTK 209 Sensors 14/14/0/0 DCR 34-8 PPV 70.71
Maint Life 1.87 Years MSP 5,239 AFR 512% IFR 7.1% 1YR 1,917 5YR 28,752 Max Repair 1,000 MSP
Troop Capacity 800 tons
Commodore Control Rating 5 BRG AUX ENG CIC FLG
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months Morale Check Required
J40000(4-250) Military Jump Drive Max Ship Size 40000 tons Distance 250k km Squadron Size 4
BB IC Fusion Drive (3) Power 6000 Fuel Use 14.14% Signature 2000 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 5,022,000 Litres Range 159.8 billion km (246 days at full power)
Lg Epsilon Shield Generator (15) Recharge Time 360 seconds (1.2 per second)
15cmFUV Laser (9) Range 300,000km TS: 7,500 km/s Power 6-6 RM 50,000 km ROF 5
Twin 10cm FUV Laser Turret Mk II (3x2) Range 150,000km TS: 25000 km/s Power 6-6 RM 50,000 km ROF 5
Miain Battery Fire Control MK III (3) Max Range: 320,000 km TS: 6,250 km/s ECCM-2 97 94 91 88 84 81 78 75 72 69
Turret Fire Control Mk III (3) Max Range: 200,000 km TS: 25,000 km/s ECCM-2 95 90 85 80 75 70 65 60 55 50
Capital IC Fusion Reactor (3) Total Power Output 240 Exp 5%
AM Active Search Sensor Mk III (1) GPS 180 Range 28.3m km MCR 2.5m km Resolution 1
Standard Active Search Sensor Mk II (1) GPS 2016 Range 61.1m km Resolution 14
Basic EM Sensor Mk V (1) Sensitivity 14 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 29.6m km
Basic Thermal Sensor Mk V (1) Sensitivity 14 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 29.6m km
Electronic Warfare Jammers: Sensor 3 Fire Control 3 Missile 3
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Warship for auto-assignment purposes
September, 2138: A second group of interceptors is dispatched to Shield Base. This leaves only six interceptors over Terra, but several groups are training and will be available if necessary.
October, 2138: Humanity’s first carrier is launched. The United Kingdom embarks its fighter group and begins exercising in the inner system.
February 19, 2139: At long last the bulk of the fleet is refitted and ready for service out-system. The Navy declares the Retribution Fleet operational, and announces a departure date for Shield Base in V577 Monoceri. The fleet is composed of the following units:
Retribution Fleet, CO Rear Admiral Doxey aboard the Battleship Antares
Battleship Group, CO Commodore McCullick aboard Battleship Antares
1xStar Flight Ib Class BB Pride of Sol
1xStar(C) Flight Ib class BB Antares
2xShield Flight IIc class DDE
Jump Cruiser Group, CO Captain Sessions aboard Jump Cruiser Annihilator
3xAnnihilator Flight IVb class Jump Cruiser
Jupiter Battle Group, CO Captain Fortenberry aboard the BC Jupiter
1xPlanet IIIb class BC
2xHero IVb class DD
Mars Battle Group, CO Commodore Kelm aboard the BC Mars
1xPlanet IIIb class BC
2xHero IVb class DD
1xShield IIc class DDE
Terra Battle Group, CO Commodore Naraine aboard the BC Terra
1xPlanet IIIb class BC
2xHero IVb class DD
1xShield IIc class DDE
DD Group 3, CO Commander Kight aboard the DD Jun Hsu
2xHero flight IVc DD
DD Group 8, CO Commander French aboard the DD Megan Edwards
2xHero flight IVc DD
DD Group 9, CO Captain Belleau aboard the DD Kefilwe Okorie
3xHero flight IVc DD
In addition, seven fuel tankers, two fleet scouts, and two salvage ships accompanied by two freighters were dispatched to support the fleet. In addition, eleven brigade transports carrying the 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions will be sent to provide ground assault capability.
The Fleet’s orders are to clear the 70 Ophiuchi system of the Reaper infestation. Naval HQ does not want a Reaper threat on Shield Base’s flank once the fleet goes on the offensive against the Swarm.
March 11, 2139: The Retribution Fleet arrives over Shield Base and refuels. The presence of the fleet is straining the base’s maintenance capacity, so it won’t be able to remain long, but it will only be there until the fleet’s support units arrive.
April 5, 2139: The fleet’s fuel and scout ships have arrived at Shield Base, and the offensive is ready to begin. The assembled ships will first move to the jump point in the V577 Monoceri system that leads to Van Biesbroeck’s Star, after which the scouts will probe ahead and the fleet and fuel ships will advance behind them.
April 29, 2139: The Retribution Fleet, after making a cautious advance down the Van Biesbroeck’s Star chain, is now at the jump point to 70 Ophiuchi. The fleet pauses and refuels from the waiting tankers as the capital ships charge their shields.
Finally, at 1535 hours, the fleet is refueled and ready to move into the 70 Ophiuchi system. It is not known if the Reapers are guarding the far side of the jump point, but after following the survey ship that discovered them, they certainly know where it jumped out, so the fleet’s commander assumes they are waiting at the jump point.
The jump point assault force will consist of the Battleship Group and the three Battlecruiser Battle Groups, each reinforced with a jump cruiser. Two of the battle groups will have to leave behind their DDE’s, as the jump cruiser’s jump drives cannot take more than four ships through the jump point.
The fleet jumps through to find the jump point clear. The Antares jumps back, and in minutes the fleet scouts and the remaining destroyers are assembled on the jump point. After a short time spent reorganizing, the fleet sets out for 70 Ophiuchi II and the Reaper base. The three jump cruisers will be left behind with one of the scouts.
Battle Report to come!
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April 30th, 2139, 0513 hours
Rear Admiral Delois Doxey stared at the plot tank intently as the fleet’s sensors got their first hint that the Reapers were still in the system. One hundred and fifteen million kilometers away, over 70 Ophiuchi II, three red icons appeared. After a few seconds the flagship’s computer put up info tags indicating that these were two Deltas and a Charlie. After a few seconds of studying the plot, she activated the comm system in her station and opened a line to the command deck. “Commodore McCullick, the fleet will continue on course for planet two.”
Tension built among the crews of the fleet as they continued to advance towards the Reaper Base. They had all seen the recordings of the Reapers in action on Terra during the Raids, and everyone knew them to be merciless killers. Every crewer in the fleet was determined to do their best to eliminate this threat, but they wouldn’t be human if they didn’t wonder about what kind of meat grinder they were advancing towards.
Two hours later the planet was in active sensor range of the fleet, and the plot suddenly updated with numerous contacts over the planet. The Reaper fleet now consisted of thirty-six ships of ten classes, three of which were new. Even as the intelligence division parsed the information coming in from the sensors, Admiral Doxey called a virtual command conference for her group leaders. Within minutes Admiral Doxey, her flag captain, and the commanders of the Jupiter, Mars, and Terra battle groups were present in the virtual environment. Although she could have chosen any setting for the meeting, as usual Admiral Doxey had chosen a no-nonsense briefing room virtual environment for the meeting, and the attendees appeared in the chairs surrounding a table with large displays hanging over them in positions they could all see. Once they were all present, she called up a breakdown of the Reaper fleet on the overhead displays.
Alpha: 17,400 tons, speed 0, armor 4, shields 196, suspected beam platform
Bravo: 17,300 tons, speed 0, armor 2, shields 196, 52xclass 2 Missile launcher
Charlie: 8,650 tons, speed 8,023, unknown armament or defense
Delta: 26,089 tons, speed, and armament unknown, shields 122
Echo: 17,396 tons, unknown speed and armament, shields 196
Foxtrot: 8,691 tons, unknown armament and defense, speed 5,338
Golf: 961 tons, Unknown speed, armament and defense
Hotel: 17,772 tons, unknown speed, armament and defense
India: 17,399 tons, unknown speed, armament and defense
Juliett: 8,689 tons, unknown speed, armament and defense
Total tonnage of Reaper force: 256, 706
Total tonnage of Imperial Force: 310,000
“As you can see, there are thirty-six Reaper ships present over planet two. Alpha and Bravo are known to be immobile bases, and Charlie class units are known to have a higher speed than our fleet standard. Aside from that little is known about the composition of the Reaper force. At this time, it is my intention to advance to contact with the Reaper force and engage them closely.”
Commodore Kelm, commanding officer of the Mars Battle Group, frowned. “The Reaper missiles are believed to have a range of approximately two million kilometers. At maximum fleet speed it’ll take two hundred and sixty-seven seconds to close to point blank range with the Reaper fleet, meaning that they will have the chance to launch twenty-two salvoes before we even close to combat range. And that’s assuming the other unknown classes can’t add any additional missiles to the salvoes.”
A general discussion started between the attending officers about the plan to close to beam range through missile fire. Admiral Doxey remained silent, watching who was talking, their demeanor, and what they were saying. Commodore Naraine of the battlecruiser Terra was optimistic as always, pointing out that the new escort destroyers and their gauss cannons, backed up by the fleet’s massed laser point defense, would deal with the Reaper missiles. Commodore Lacefield, CO of the battleship group, argued as always that orders were orders, and shouldn’t be questioned. Captain Fortenberry, the CO of the Jupiter and her battle group, was the youngest in the virtual room and the lowest ranking, and as usual remained silent throughout most of the conversation.
After a few minutes the conversations had devolved to a near argument between Commodore Kelm on one side, who was arguing that they should send for tugs to bring up bombardment bases to eliminate known Reaper missile bases before they entered combat range, and Commodores Naraine and Lacefield who were defending the current plan. Admiral Doxey raised her hand and the others quickly quieted down. “There are two Bravo class units over the Reaper Base. Fleet Ops has determined that the escort destroyers and destroyers that comprise our escort force will be sufficient to attrit the Reaper missile salvoes to the point that that capital ships can absorb the leakers with their shielding, which can be recharged. We will continue with the advance. Prepare your crews for an anti-missile engagement. That is all.”
One by one they left the virtual environment, leaving the admiral to be the last to leave. The fleet advanced through the depths of space, towards an inevitable fight.
Five minutes after the conference ended, at 0741 hours, Admiral Doxey was in her office, going over the plan of attack and the fleet deployment orders yet again, when alarms started ringing. Almost immediately Commodore McCullick was on the comms to her office. “Ma’am, sensors detect an inbound wave of missiles five point two million kilometers away and closing at 30,085 km/s, ETA 173 seconds. The missile salvo is composed of two hundred and sixteen size seven missiles. Current range to the Reaper base is fifty-one million kilometers. The fleet is at combat readiness, shields raised, point defense networks established.”
“Very well. I’ll be on the flag bridge. Fight your ship.” Closing the comms channel she hurriedly left her office and made the short trip to the flag bridge. Entering, her eyes went immediately to the plot, which showed the missile salvo closing on the fleet. Seeing the missiles closing on her fleet, she knew that they couldn’t close through fifty million kilometers of repeated missile strikes. Especially since these larger missiles were almost certainly more capable than the Reaper missiles they had encountered before. She made a snap decision and opened a comms channel to the bridge.
“Commodore McCullick, we will be executing a fleet turn to a reciprocal course back towards the jump point. Please plot the course and disseminate it to the fleet. We will turn on your mark, after I speak to the fleet.” She didn’t wait for his acknowledgement before closing the channel and opening the fleet wide channel.
“This is fleet command to all units. We will execute a fleet turn to a reciprocal course. The course and timing will be disseminated by the flagship. All ships are to engage incoming missiles as per the established missile defense plan.”
The fleet came about as ordered, and began opening the range to the Reaper fleet and stretching out its engagement time with the incoming missiles. The entire fleet watched as the incoming missile wave overtook them, racing towards the fleeing ships like a wave. The missiles raced through the fleet’s point defense fire in seconds to crash against the two battleship’s shields. It was all over so fast the point defense fire and the missiles hitting the battleship’s shields seemed simultaneous. Alarms rang throughout the Antares as the big battleship’s shields absorbed multiple missile-strikes, shedding the energy as the shields collapsed. After the explosions cleared Admiral Doxey could see that her flagship’s shields were still at 84%, but alarmingly, the Pride of Sol’s shields had been reduced to 11%.
“Report on point defense effectiveness!”
“Enemy missile salvo contained numerous decoys. Total number of missiles killed by point defense, twenty-five. Estimated fifty-seven decoy hits by point defense.”
She grimaced. A ten percent kill ratio was not enough to attrit the missiles, and the Pride of Sol’s shields had almost been knocked down on the first salvo. “Damage report.”
“The fleet reports no damage. The Pride of Sol reports sixty-seven hits by strength six missile warheads, shields intact and recharging. The Antares reports twelve hits, shields recharging.”
She was fortunate that the Reapers concentrated on her two largest and most capable units. Even so, the Pride of Sol almost lost her shields. It was at this moment that she realized that there was nothing she could do to affect the outcome of the battle. Her fleet was retreating, trying to get out of the enemy’s missile range before the enemy overwhelmed their defenses. There was no clever strategy that she could employ, no rabbit she could pull out of her hat. The Reaper missiles would come, and there was nothing that she or her fleet could do about it but endure it.
Ten minutes and fifteen seconds later the next wave of missiles appeared on the fleet’s sensors, rapidly overhauling them. Admiral Doxey felt very fortunate that it had taken that long for another salvo to appear on their sensors, as it had given the battleships time to recharge their shields. Three minutes and forty seconds later the missiles had reached the outer edge of the fleet’s point defense envelope and the battlecruiser’s heavy spinal lasers fired, trying to pick them off at range. The heavy lasers missed, and the missiles came on. The next up was the plasma cannons on the battle cruisers, but they only managed to kill one decoy. The missiles raced in on the fleet and the massed lasers and gauss cannons fired at the last second, killing twenty-two missiles and seventy-six decoys. The rest targeted the battlecruisers Terra and Mars.
Admiral Doxey anxiously watched the plot, waiting for it to update. Finally, the light codes for the Terra and Mars updated. Both battlecruisers had lost their shields, and their armor had been reduced to 80% and 87% respectively. Neither was showing any internal damage. Admiral Doxey was relieved, but if the Reapers continued to target those ships, things would get bad quickly.
Anxiety aboard the fleet ships grew until, like clockwork, the next salvo appeared on the fleet’s sensors ten minutes and twenty seconds later. Once again, the long-range point defense fire took out several decoys but no actual missiles. This time the last second point defense took out twenty-nine missiles and forty-three decoys. To Admiral Doxey’s horror, the missiles targeted four destroyers, the Jun Hsu, Aydan Calligaris, Chandra Graf, and the Iris Hennig. The destroyers had no shielding, and were completely exposed to the incoming missiles.
Admiral Doxey’s eyes remained riveted to the destroyer’s light codes while the system assimilated the incoming damage reports. She was briefly relieved to see that the Hsu took twenty-one hits, reducing her armor to 62%, and the Chandra Graf took sixteen hits, reducing her armor to 67%, and that both of the destroyers had sailed out of the fireballs as if nothing had happened.
She was dismayed when the light code for the Iris Hennig updated, showing that the destroyer had taken twenty hits and had one burn through, damaging multiple internal systems and causing losses among the crew. Her dismay turned to horror when the Calligaris’ code updated. The Calligaris took twenty-six hits, drastically depleting her armor and suffering a burn through that damaged one of her engines, reducing her speed by half.
Before Admiral Doxey could open a channel to the Calligaris, her comms tech informed her that Commander Spomer, CO of the Calligaris, was on the line. She opened the channel immediately. “Commander, what is your status?”
The Calligaris’ bridge was barely controlled chaos as the ship’s officers coordinated the damage control teams efforts. Commander Spomer looked grim. “Admiral, our number two engine is damaged, and my engineering teams don’t think they can restore it any time soon. Our armor is at 47%, but we have multiple burn throughs and several other seriously weakened sections. We have fifteen casualties at this time.”
Admiral Doxey thought furiously for a few seconds, as Commander Spomer turned away to deal with urgent issues. It took Doxey only seconds to realize what she had to do. When Spomer turned back to the screen, she said “Commander, I cannot order the fleet to slow down to cover your ship. It is imperative that I get the fleet out of range of those launchers. I’m sorry.”
Commander Spomer grimaced. “I don’t know what good it would do if the fleet remained with us. Too many of the Reaper missiles are getting through our defenses, Admiral. Endangering the fleet won’t save us if they’ve got other missiles out there targeting us.”
Admiral Doxey hated doing it, but after closing out the channel she ordered the fleet to continue on, leaving the Calligaris behind.
Eight minutes later, the lagging Calligaris’ sensors picked up the next inbound missile wave. Admiral Doxey, and the whole fleet, heaved a sigh of relief when the missile wave passed the limping destroyer and continued on towards the main fleet. No one wanted to be the target of those missiles, but the sight of the lone destroyer falling behind the fleet, valiantly struggling to remain alive as the remorseless Reaper missile salvoes closed, rallied the crews and turned their fear, which had steadily been increasing, into anger.
The fleet’s massed point defense fire killed sixty-seven decoys and twenty-three missiles. This wave targeted the battleships, which by this time had recharged their shields. The Pride of Sol was hit by sixty-seven missiles, once again having her shields reduced to 11%. The Antares came through with her shields at 73%.
Six minutes later the Calligaris, falling farther and farther behind, detected the next wave of inbound missiles. This missile salvo passed the Calligaris by as well. Point defense killed twenty-nine missiles and fifty-nine decoys. This missile salvo was split between the battleships Antares and Pride of Sol, and the battlecruiser Jupiter. All three ships emerged from the fireballs with their shields intact.
The next five minutes passed with no new sightings of missile waves. Another ten minutes passed before Admiral Doxey passed the order for the crews to stand down from alert status. When another five minutes passed without incident Admiral Doxey ordered the fleet to turn back and rendezvous with the Calligaris, taking it back in under the fleet’s protection. Once the Calligaris rejoined the fleet, Admiral Doxey ordered the fleet to turn for the jump point. A new strategy for attacking the Reaper fleet would have to be devised.
Admiral Doxey ordered an after-action report on the performance of the fleet’s anti-missile defenses. It soon became clear that the much-vaunted gauss cannons didn’t perform as well as hoped. The fleet’s most effective anti-missile weapons were the mark II laser turrets, followed by the destroyer’s rapid firing 15cm lasers. The turrets had a consistent kill ratio of 29%, and the 15cm lasers were at 10%, while the gauss cannons were at 8%. The higher rate of fire for the gauss cannons raised their effective kill rate, and the laser turret’s larger size reduced theirs, but it was clear that the fleet needed much more effective anti-missile weapons.
Five hours later the Calligaris’ damage control teams finally managed to repair the destroyer’s damaged engine and the fleet was able to resume full speed. Shortly after that, four Delta class ships left the Reaper base and accelerated towards the retreating fleet. The Deltas were moving at 5,333 km/s, substantially slower than the Terran fleet’s speed of 7,500 km/s.
For a few moments Admiral Doxey entertained the idea of turning to engage the Reaper ships, but not knowing which units were equipped with the long-range missiles left her unwilling to try to close with the alien ships, even away from the base. Two minutes later the fleet’s sensors picked up two Charlie class ships speeding ahead of the Deltas, running at 8,023 km/s, faster than the human ships. There was no way they could catch the human ships before they jumped out, though.
May 1st, 2139, 0442 hours
The fleet was finally at the jump point. Admiral Doxey ordered the fleet to jump out, leaving only a scout behind with its engines at low power and its active sensors off to reduce its profile. Once in the Procyon system, Admiral Doxey ordered the four damaged destroyers to refuel and return to Shield Base. Once the damaged destroyers were off, the rest of the fleet refueled and resupplied from the waiting tankers, after which the slow support ships set out for the jump point back to Van Biesbroeck’s Star. With the immediate concerns resolved, Admiral Doxey called for another command conference.
This time, when the commanding officers had assembled, she immediately launched into her plans, instead of calling for a discussion. She knew the mood of the crews and officers after the long flight from the inner system, and it matched hers. They were mad, and they wanted revenge for their dead comrades. The Reapers would pay, and she knew how to make them pay.
“I intend to move the fleet into defensive positions here at the jump point. We will wait for the Reaper force to invest the far side of the jump point. If they come through then fine, we will destroy them here. If they don’t jump through, then two days from now we will jump into the 70 Ophiuchi system and attack the Reaper fleet at the jump point on the far side.”
Commodore Kelm immediately spoke up. “And if they aren’t one the jump point, but waiting somewhere within range of their missiles?”
Admiral Doxey’s eyes narrowed. It was a reasonable question, but Kelm’s tone was annoying and her actions during the battle had been…subtly off. It wasn’t anything she could put her finger on, but it was there. She made a mental note to talk to her XO and her squadron CO’s after the upcoming battle. “We will evaluate the situation as needed. If they aren’t within immediate attack range, then I will decide if they are close enough to make a run at them. If not, we will retreat through the jump point back to this location and assume defensive positions against an assault by the Reapers. Assault groups will be determined today, and I’ll send the attack plan to all commands as soon as it is ready. Prepare your ships.” She left the virtual conference, and one by one the officers left as well.
On May 2nd the scout’s sensors began picking up additional ships in the approaching Reaper fleet, until finally just before midnight the count for the Reaper force stood at four Deltas, an India class, six Foxtrot and five Golf class, for a total of sixteen ships. The two Charlie class ships detected leading the force earlier were not currently with the Reaper Fleet. The fleet was moving towards the jump point at a speed 0f 5,333 km/s, and the scout waited until they reached 75 mkm’s from the jump point before jumping out. The Reaper ETA at that point is just under four hours.
The Retribution Fleet divided into four groups, each led by a capital ship. The three battle cruiser groups each consist of the lead battlecruiser, a jump cruiser, and two destroyers. The battleship group consists of two battleships and two destroyers. The fleet’s destroyer escorts remain behind as the jump ships cannot carry them through the un-stabilized jump point along with the other ships. For now, the DDE’s will assume defensive positions with the battle groups at the jump point.
May 3, 2139, 1025 hours
Admiral Doxey keyed the all-ships channel, which would put her through to every ship in the fleet. Each ship, forewarned, put her on the general channel so every crewer could hear her announcement.
“Men and women of the Imperial Fleet! The Reapers devastated our home planet. They killed and kidnapped innumerable human beings over multiple raids. They attacked our fleet in the Groombridge system, and now they’ve attacked us here. They refuse to talk. They refuse to negotiate. And now they think they’ve thrown us out of their system because we cannot face their missile barrages. But if I’m right, then they are sitting on the far side of this jump point, and when we go through, we’ll jump in on top of them. We’ll be in our weapons range, and then we’ll teach them what it means to attack the Empire! For the Empire!”
Cheers rang out on every ship, and at the appointed time, the fleet jumped out…
…And into pure chaos!
As soon as the fleet materialized in the Ophiuchi system the Reapers opened fire, even before the Terran ships had fully materialized. The Terran assault groups came out of the jump scattered around the jump point, with the enemy concentrated directly on the jump point, in between the four groups of human ships. The Mars Battle Group came out of the jump closest to the jump point and immediately came under fire from the Reaper ships, and most of the fire was targeted on the group’s largest ship, the Mars herself. The Foxtrots, slightly smaller than Terran destroyers, hit the battlecruiser with three unknown weapons each, later identified as some sort of very powerful particle beams. The particle beams would prove to be particularly effective in the close-in fighting around the jump point. The Golf class ships, the same size as the Foxtrots, hit the Mars with rapid fire gauss cannons, picking away at its shields and armor. The powerful particle beams smashed through the Mars’s shielding and shredded its armor, and within seconds of materializing in the system the Mars blew up.
Admiral Doxey, along with the entire fleet, was stunned by the quick destruction of the Mars, but none of them could spare the time to grieve as the chaos around the jump point intensified as the Terran ships started striking back. Although the Terran commanders were as stunned as the admiral at the loss of the proud battlecruiser, they all had a job to do, and their survival, and the survival of their crews depended on them doing it.
Following established fleet orders, the Terran ships got underway, trying to close to point blank range with the Reaper missile ships, now identified as Delta and India class ships. The Delta class ships were launching large size seven missiles as fast as they could, while the India class unit was firing off size two missiles equally quickly. The missiles launched by the Reapers when the Terrans appeared in the system began arriving as the Terran ships moved out, and with their point defense nets disorganized by the jump the missiles had little difficulty closing on the remnants of the Mars battle group. For whatever reason the Reapers targeted one of the Mars battle group’s two destroyers, and Doxey’s fingers tightened on her chair as the destroyer was wreathed in explosions. The destroyer was hit by thirty-eight of the size seven missiles, leaving it crippled and drifting. A second group of missiles attacked the Terra, knocking her shields down and scoring her armor. Oddly, the Jupiter was attacked by one lone missile, which flared ineffectually against her shields. As the Terrans advanced, the Reaper Golf class ships targeted a Terran destroyer with their gauss cannons, reducing her armor to 83%.
Ten seconds after materializing in the system the battlecruiser Terra, the pride of the fleet, opened fire on the Reapers, targeting one of the missile-spewing Deltas. The Terra’s 31.25cm spinal laser speared the Delta from just over 100,000 kilometers range, cutting through its armor like butter and causing a jet of debris to trail behind the ship. The Terra’s four 25cm plasma cannons fired next, getting three hits and one penetration, followed by four quick-firing 15cm lasers, three of which hit as well, getting one armor penetration. The broadside from the Terran battlecruiser left the Reaper missile ship drifting and out of the battle, causing a cheer to break out among the Terran crews who had been shaken by the destruction of the Mars. One of the Terra’s escorting destroyers opened fire on a second Delta, knocking down its shields and scorching its armor.
It was at this point that Admiral Doxey, who had seriously been considering ordering her fleet to retreat, realized that the Reapers had been caught with their shields down. The Terra’s broadside, while powerful, wouldn’t have been able to penetrate a Delta’s full shield strength, but the one the Terra targeted hadn’t had any shields at all. She keyed the all-ships channel. “We caught them with their shields down! Pour it on! Don’t let them raise their shields!”
The Golf class Reapers turned their gauss cannons on the Terra, ripping through her barely recharged shields and sandblasting her armor, which had already been damaged by the initial Reaper missile salvo. Eight gauss cannon rounds penetrated her shredded armor, knocking out her passive sensors, a fusion reactor, one of her plasma cannons, and a fuel tank. The proud battlecruiser was still in the fight, though. As the Golf’s ravaged the Terra, the lone India class launched twenty-six size two missiles.
Missiles sleeted in on the jump cruiser and destroyer that were all that remained of the Mars Battle Group. The Assassin, the jump cruiser, spit defiant laser fire at the incoming missiles, but they were small and very fast, and thus hard to hit. The Assassin destroyed all five of the incoming missiles, but Terra was targeted as well, and by more missiles. The damaged battlecruiser defended itself with its laser turrets and knocked down four of the incoming missiles, but that left twenty to slam into her bare armor, causing multiple burn throughs, losing more fuel and a 15cm laser emplacement. At this point the battlecruiser’s armor was down to 44% and was holed in multiple places. She was still at full speed, though, and most of her weapons. She was definitely still in the fight.
The Jupiter and one of her escorting destroyers poured fire into a Delta at 65,000 kilometers, getting multiple armor breaches and slowing the Reaper missile ship to 75% speed. Meanwhile, the Terra and one of her destroyers had reached point blank range of the Deltas and unloaded all of their 15cm lasers into one, staggering the Reaper missile ship and leaving it drifting. While the battlecruisers had been slugging it out with the Reapers, the battleship group had closed to 27,000 kilometers of the main Reaper fleet. Apparently, the sight of the oncoming battleships was too much for the Reapers, because the Golf class ships shifted their gauss cannon fire to the flagship of the human fleet. The Antares plowed ahead as if unstoppable as the gauss cannon rounds sparked off her heavy shielding. In response, the Antares fired its 15cm lasers at an undamaged Delta, but its armor absorbed the blow. No other Terran ships were able to fire yet.
The Terran ships closed on the Reaper force, continuing to pour laser and plasma fire into the Delta class missile ships. Each battle group targeted a Delta, and with two at point blank range and two within 100,000 kilometers, the broadside was devastating. The Delta targeted by the battleship Pride of Sol was hit at point blank range by the battleship’s spinal laser and four plasma cannons and simply vaporized. Delta one, targeted by the Jupiter battlegroup, was crippled and left drifting. Delta two, attacked by a single destroyer from the Mars group, had managed to get its shields at least partially powered and suffered no damage, while Delta three, targeted by the Terra battle group was left crippled as well.
The Golf class ships continued to pour point blank gauss cannon fire into the Antares, getting sixty-one hits. The big battleship bulled its way through the barrage as if it didn’t notice them, pursuing the Reaper ships. The India class ship launched another salvo of size two missiles from the periphery of the battle as the other ships slugged it out in a chaotic furball around the jump point.
Admiral Doxey could see that the Delta’s were a spent force and ordered her battle group commanders to shift fire to the Foxtrots. They had handily destroyed the Mars with their particle weapons, and hadn’t fired again, indicating that they were slow to charge. She wanted them out of the fight before they could kill another of her capital ships. She ordered the Mars group to continue firing on Delta two, which had gotten its shields up and was still intact.
Terran point defense, having recovered from the jump, shot down fifteen of the incoming missiles, and fourteen slammed into the Antares, but the big battleship’s shields shrugged off the damage. After being pelted with gauss cannon rounds and now missiles, the battleship’s shields were still at 74%. Once again, the Golf’s targeted the Antares with their gauss cannons, and got many hits, but merely succeeded in reducing the battleship’s shields to 66%. The Terran fire against the Foxtrots was devastating. Most of the Terran ships were at either point blank range or under 50,000 kilometers and their lasers were doing terrible damage at that range. Five of the six Foxtrots were targeted, and all took penetrating hits, leaving one crippled and one at reduced speed. Delta two suffered multiple hits, but her armor continued to absorb the damage.
Admiral Doxy again ordered her fleet to shift fire, this time focusing on the Golf class gauss cannon units, along with the intact Foxtrot and Delta two. In response, the Golf class units shifted their fire to a Terran destroyer which had already lost most of its armor and shredded the Terran ship, leaving it a wreck surrounded by life pods. Once again Delta two survived the barrage aimed at it, its armor absorbing the laser fire. Four Foxtrot and four Golf class units came under laser fire from the Terran ships, destroying one Foxtrot and heavily damaging the others.
The India class unit launched another salvo of size two missiles, and at this point Admiral Doxey could sense the end of the battle approaching, and gave the order for her units to fire at will, freeing them to choose the best target they could as the enemy faltered.
The Terrans shot down sixteen missiles leaving eleven to slam into the Antares’ shields, barely affecting the battleship and only reducing her constantly recharging shields to 65%. The Terran ships spit fire in every direction, targeting every Reaper ship within reach. The destroyer Ganna Shivets raked a Foxtrot with its 15cm laser, leaving it a wreck. A second destroyer got in close to a Foxtrot and speared it with its entire laser broadside, penetrating all the way through the Reaper ship and leaving it tumbling in a cloud of debris. The Antares targeted a damaged Foxtrot that was trying to retreat and wiped it from space. There would be no quarter given, and no Terran was willing to let a Reaper ship get away now that they had them in their grasp. In response the DD Kemke Janzen was raked by gauss cannon fire from four Golf class ships, reducing her armor to 87%.
The battle was turning into a slaughter at this point, and the Terrans were reveling in it. The remaining Golf class ships continued to pour fire into the Janzen, but the destroyer’s armor was intact when they started and it would take time for the Golf’s to wear it down. Time they didn’t have. In quick order Terran laser and plasma fire wrecked two Deltas and three Foxtrots and inflicted punishing damage on several other ships, including the India class missile ship.
Once again, the Antares was attacked by a size two missile salvo, and once again her shields shrugged off the damage. The Golf class ships split their fire between the Janzen and another already damaged destroyer, but didn’t get any penetrations on either, reducing their armor to 71 and 74% respectively. In response the Terran fleet finally destroyed the India class missile ship, and a Foxtrot and Delta class.
The Terran fleet now turned its attention to the last Delta, Delta two, and the Golf class ships. In quick order the Delta and a Golf were swatted out of space, and several other Golfs were damaged. The Golfs returned to concentrating their fire on the Janzen, which had its armor reduced to 59% and suffered a penetration that failed to do any internal damage.
The battle was close to ending, but the Reapers had no give in them. They kept fighting to the end, and even when their ships had lost their weapons they tried to ram, although none of them were successful. By this point only one Golf class still had intact weapons, and it doggedly followed the DD Kemke Janzen, pouring gauss cannon fire into the evading destroyer. The Janzen suffered a second penetrating hit, losing a 15cm laser, but in quick succession the Terran fleet destroyed the three remaining Golf class ships, decisively ending the battle.
When the light code for the last Reaper ship turned dark, Admiral Doxey looked around the flag bridge at her aides and staff, and for a second they looked back, all of them shocked at the violent and destructive battle. Still trying to comprehend what had happened, Doxey looked down at her command station and saw that the battle, which had seemed to last for hours, had instead started and ended in less than a minute. She stared dully at the tank, at the light codes for the two Terran ships lost in the battle. Two Terran ships, seven hundred crew, lost in less than a minute. Then she saw the light codes for life pods around the two ships, and that brought her back to herself. She still had a job to do.
“All right people! We won the battle, now let’s pick up the pieces. I need damage reports from all fleet ships.” She glanced at the tank and noted that the battleship Pride of Sol’s icon indicated no damage. “Detail the Sol to pick up the life pods from the Mars and the Fergeson.”
The damage report was sobering. The battleships had come through the battle with no damage, as had the Jupiter. The battlecruiser Terra’s armor had been reduced to 44% and had suffered multiple penetrations, and had moderate internal damage. It could still make full fleet speed, though, and its engineering team promised full repairs were possible before reaching Shield Base. Of the destroyers, one had armor damage and the Janzen had serious internal damage, although it too could make full fleet speed.
Overall, Admiral Doxey was well-satisfied. Sixteen Reaper ships had been eliminated, seriously weakening the force at Ophiuchi. The battle had cost the fleet two Terran ships, one in the first seconds of the battle. Of the original thirty-six Reaper ships, the Reaper fleet had been reduced to 2xAlpha, 2xBravo, 2xCharlie, 1xEcho, 12xGolf, and 1xHotel. After action analysis confirmed that the Delta class carried forty size seven missile launchers, the Foxtrot was armed with 3 particle beams, the Golf’s were armed with two rapid firing gauss cannons, and the India class was armed with twenty-six size two missile launchers. Although she was tempted to make a run at the Reaper base in the inner system, that was easy for her to put aside. Seven of her destroyers were damaged to one extent or another, and the Terra, while repairable, shouldn’t go into battle again until her armor was repaired. The Reapers had been stripped of most of their mobile units, the base could wait.
The two Terran battleships proved to be extremely durable and effective combatants. The Pride of Sol came through the battle with her shields at 67% and destroyed three Reaper ships, while the Antares’s shields were at 100% by the end and had destroyed one Reaper ship. The destroyers, with their fast-firing 15cm lasers, were particularly effective. The Kemke Janzen, which suffered serious internal damage, destroyed two Reaper ships in the battle. The jump cruiser Eradicator came through the battle unscathed and destroyed an India and a Foxtrot class ship. Most of the other ships in the fleet destroyed at least one enemy ship, all assisted in the kills. The enemy particle weapons, which had destroyed the Mars in the first seconds of the battle, were concerning, but they were apparently slow to reload because they had not fired again during the battle.
Later, as the fleet assembled at the jump after rescuing the survivors and completing initial damage survey’s, Admiral Doxey was interrupted by an incoming call from the commander of the Pride of Sol. Commodore Lacefield was considered something of a rising star within the fleet, and had been given command of the tough battleship as a reward for exemplary service. He was well liked by his peers and subordinates, and generally cheerful. So, when Admiral Doxey saw the dour expression on his face, she knew she wasn’t going to like what he was going to say. “Commodore, what can I do for you?’
Commodore Lacefield grimaced in what looked like disgust. “Admiral, I suggest you take this call in private.”
Admiral Doxey hadn’t expected the unusual request, but it wasn’t too uncommon for an officer under her command to request privacy, so she agreed and put the channel on hold while she relocated to her office near the flag bridge. Once there, she opened the channel. “Very well, Commodore, the channel is encrypted and I’m alone.”
“Admiral, we picked up the life pods from the Mars and the Fergeson. We rescued two hundred and four survivors, including Commodore Kelm and Commander Zadrozny.”
Admiral Doxey looked relieved. “Well, that is good news, but I assume there is more to the story.”
“Unfortunately, Admiral, there is. The life pod that Commodore Kelm was recovered from was empty, aside from the Commodore. She claimed that the entire bridge crew died in the attack on the ship, and that she was the only one who got to the life pod in time.”
Admiral Doxey frowned. “That’s unlikely.” It was extremely unlikely, in point fact.
“I know, but it is possible, I guess. There is more though. Commodore Kelm claimed that the entire bridge crew died in the attack, leaving her as the only officer to get off of the bridge and to the bridge life pod. But lieutenant commander Delduca, an officer in Mars’ logistics department and a bridge watch stander, was rescued aboard a different pod. He tells a different story. I think you should talk to him.”
“Right now?”
“Yes ma’am, right now. I’ve got him waiting in my quarters, and I can bring him in right now.”
Admiral Doxey had a bad feeling about this. “Very well.”
It took Commodore Lacefield just a few seconds to retrieve the other officer, who sat down in front of the monitor. “Go ahead, tell the admiral what you told me.”
Lt Commander Delduca looked uncomfortable, but determined. “Ma’am, it didn’t happen the way Commodore Kelm is claiming.” The Lt Commander looked nervous, but continued. “Ma’am, you saw what happened to our ship. We materialized in the system and were hit almost immediately. It happened really even before we were aware we had arrived. One second, we were in the Procyon system and the next there was a tremendous snap when the shields failed under enemy fire. Whatever weapon they were using just cut through our shields and armor like it wasn’t there! Our shields failed, and then the Mars shuddered as her armor was shredded.” Delduca shook himself, and looked right at Admiral Doxey. “Ma’am, that’s a feeling I’d rather never have again. The Mars was solid! As good a ship as there is, but we were torn apart before we knew what was happening. Alarms were ringing, and entire sections of the ship were going red. That was my position on the bridge, damage control coordinator. I could see it happening in seconds. Entire sections of the ship going red, and the screams from the intercom! Oh my god, the screams!”
Delduca sobbed, overwhelmed, and Commodore Lacefield put his hand on the man’s shoulder. “It’s okay, William. It’s okay. Just tell the admiral what happened next.”
Delduca took a second, then nodded. “Yes sir.” He looked back at the admiral, and she could see the hell he had witnessed in his eyes. “Ma’am, it was all chaos. Everyone on the bridge was struggling with their stations, trying to get the ship under control even as it was shot out from under us. I could tell it wasn’t going to work. There was too much damage, and it was coming in too fast. I turned to the Commodore, to tell her what I was seeing on my board, but when I turned around, she wasn’t at her station. Then I saw her.” Delduca’s face got still and rigid. “Ma’am, she was running towards the aft area of the bridge. I wasn’t the only one. The XO, Commander Jenson, saw her too. He cursed at her, as she left the bridge.” Delduca sat, lost in thought.
Admiral Doxey sat stunned for several seconds, trying to understand what she had heard. “Are you saying Commodore Kelm abandoned her post?” Her voice had gone flat.
Lt Commander Delduca straightened under her gaze. “Yes ma’am, she did. She ran through the rear hatch, that leads to the bridge life pod, and the crawlspace tubes that lead down into the ship. That’s the last I saw of her.”
Admiral Doxey couldn’t believe this. She didn’t like Kelm personally, but she had always performed well. This couldn’t be true. Still, why would a relatively junior officer lie? “What happened next?”
“Ma’am, the XO began to ask me a question, but before he could the ship shook under us and we knew she was finished. XO Jenson gave the order to abandon ship and we all went to the bridge life pod. That’s when we discovered that it was gone. I think we knew that Kelm had taken it, but none of us really believed it until we saw it with our own eyes. I…I could see the anger in Commander Jenson’s eyes, but he was our leader now, and he was a good officer. He ordered us back to the elevators, but I told them that my board had showed them as destroyed just below the command deck, so he ordered us into the crawlspace tubes. As long as they aren’t breached you can get nearly anywhere on the ship, and all we needed to do was get to the first crew deck two levels down and we’d find some pods. So, we set out, but before we got to the crew deck there were more explosions and fires, and one by one the others were killed, or wounded and couldn’t go on. Finally, it was just me, but I got lucky. I found a pod and got off, with some others from the crew services section.”
Admiral Doxey sat silently for a few seconds, considering what she had been told. Her elation at their recent victory now tasted like ashes in her mouth. She didn’t want to believe it, but she knew that Delduca was telling her the truth as he believed it. Still, accusing a commodore of cowardice in the face of the enemy was a serious thing, and couldn’t be done solely on the word of a junior officer. “Lt. Commander Delduca, is there anyone else who can support your claims?”
Delduca looked sad. “Ma’am, no one else from the bridge got off, I think.” He looked up at Commodore Lacefield hopefully.
Lacefield shook his head. “No, I’m sorry, no one else was recovered from the bridge crew.” Delduca’s face fell.
Admiral Doxey thought for a second. “Very well. Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Commodore, would you take the Lt Commander back to your quarters and then come back. I’d like to talk to you about this matter.”
Lacefield straightened. “Yes ma’am.” He escorted Delduca out of the office and returned in a few seconds.
“Commodore, this is a very serious matter. You are to sequester Lt Commander Delduca for the time being. No one from his or your crew are to speak with him. He is not a prisoner though. You are not to speak with Commodore Kelm at this time.”
“That won’t be a problem ma’am.” His face twisted with disgust. “She has been camped in our sick bay since recovery, claiming multiple injuries since her harrowing escape from the Mars.”
Admiral Doxey looked up sharply. “She said that? Is she injured?”
Lacefield shook his head. “In so many words. But I’d say from the volume of complaining she was fine, ma’am.”
“Very well. I am going to dispatch the Buckler to the wreckage of the Mars. They will recover the bridge recorder and any other evidence available, and report to me. You are not to speak of this matter to anyone else, aside from me, until I give you further orders. Is that clear?”
“Very clear, ma’am.”
Admiral Doxey signed off, and then made a call to Commander Belmonte, commander of the DDE Buckler. Shortly thereafter the DDE sped away from the fleet, arrowing towards the wreck of the Mars. The Buckler hovered over the wreck for three hours, while the rest of the fleet prepared for return to the Procyon system. Upon its return to the fleet, the Buckler docked with the flagship. Shortly afterwards, Admiral Doxey ordered Commodore Lacefield to transfer Commodore Kelm to her flagship.
Admiral Doxey was present at the boarding area when Commodore Kelm arrived from the Pride of Sol. The Commodore was a tall, regal blonde, with a carefully controlled expression on her face as several Sol crewpersons escorted her aboard the flagship. She saw the admiral and straightened and saluted. “Admiral Doxey, thank you for…” She faltered when she saw the Antares master at arms behind the admiral, along with two of her mates.
Admiral Doxey, not wanting to prolong this any longer than necessary, nodded at the master at arms. “Commodore Kelm, you are under arrest for treason and cowardice in the face of the enemy.” Kelm’s face drained of color and she gasped. “You will be held until the fleet returns to Terra, at which time you will be tried and convicted. May god have mercy on your soul.” Admiral Doxey turned to leave as the master at arms and mates took the Commodore into custody.
“But…but…Admiral! You can’t! I didn’t…” she looked around frantically as the master at arms took her wrists and bent her arms behind her. “Admiral! Please!” Kelm’s voice had taken on a whining tone that grated on everyone present.
The whine in Kelm’s voice stopped Doxey in her tracks. Suddenly her self-control slipped and she was furious. She rounded on the commodore. “There is video for heaven’s sake!” Doxey’s face was flushed and she was as angry as she’d ever been. “There is video of you leaving those heroes behind to die!” Kelm opened her mouth, and Doxey took a step forward, raising her hand. “Not one word! They deserved better than you!” With that Admiral Doxey turned and left the stunned commodore behind to be taken to the brig.
The fleet jumped back to Procyon minutes later, leaving behind the scouts to watch the jump point.
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May 11, 2139: The fleet scouts in the Ophiuchi system detect a single Charlie class ship approaching the jump point. By 2314 hours the contact is 70 mkm’s out and closing. The scouts go active and confirm it is a single Charlie class ship, then jump out.
May 13, 2139: The Retribution fleet has completed refueling and resupplying over Shield Base, and has dropped off the survivors rescued from the pods. With everything ready, the fleet sets out for home. Before departing the 9th DD Group is detached to act as a forward defensive force at the base.
May 29th, 2139: The Retribution Fleet arrives over Terra. The Emperor himself meets the officers and crews at Terra’s spaceport, and gives an address to the Empire, welcoming the heroes home. The representatives of the officers and crews of the Retribution Fleet were drawn up in ranks on the spaceport tarmac, in front of the scarred shuttles that brought them home. In front of them on a raised dais was the Emperor, looking out over a crowd of the family and friends of the crews who had come to welcome their loved ones home. The Emperor’s speech was broadcast across Terra live, and encoded and sent to every off-planet colony and station.
The Emperor began by briefly describing the fleet’s move into the 70 Ophiuchi system, and the cowardly Reaper attack on the fleet with long-range missiles, and the decision by Rear Admiral Doxey to retreat rather than subject her fleet to the destructive long-range fire. The crowd was deathly silent as the Emperor described the heroic actions of the destroyer crewers who lost their life when their ships were damaged by the missile fire, and how the fleet finally retreated beyond the Reaper’s range. Everyone listening to the address were on the edge of their seats as the Emperor described the retreat to the jump point, with the Reapers in pursuit. When the Emperor spoke of Admiral Doxey’s decision to attack the Reapers, cheers rang out across the tarmac and indeed the entire planet. But when he described the destruction of the Mars there were gasps and sobs, and then silence. The Emperor credited the Mars’ executive officer, Rodrigo Jenson, and a bridge officer, Lt Commander Delduca, with saving other Mars crewers during the chaotic evacuation of that ship, and announced that Captain Jenson would receive the Navy Cross, posthumously, while Commander Delduca would receive the Navy Distinguished Service medal.
The Emperor’s description of the battle was riveting, and the cheers when he described the final destruction of the Reaper fleet were overwhelming. After letting the crowd cheer itself out, the Emperor reminded them that the war was not over. There were still Reaper ships in 70 Ophiuchi, and the menace of the Swarm hung over that entire sector of space.
No mention was made of Mars’ commanding officer. She was listed on records released to the public as having died during the destruction of her ship. As the speech was happening and the crowd was cheering, an unnamed officer was quietly transferred from the battleship Antares to fleet marine custody. In the weeks after the fleet’s return, a secret court martial was held, after which, as Admiral Doxey had predicted, that officer was found guilty and sentenced to death. The sentence was carried out immediately, and her name was struck from the navy rolls.
In the meantime, the damaged ships of the fleet went into the yards for repair, and the fleet was reorganized for its next assault on the 70 Ophiuchi system.
August 10, 2139: The repairs to the DD Kemke Janzen are complete, and with the release of the DD from the yards the repairs to the Retribution Fleet’s ships are complete. Once overhauls and shore leave are complete, the fleet will return to 70 Ophiuchi and finish the job.
October 15, 2139: Repairs, shore leave, and overhauls are complete, and the Retribution Fleet is ready to set out for Shield Base. However, a hold is declared as the operation is intended as a proving ground for the newly deployed carriers and strike fighters, and there are not yet enough missiles to fill out the two operational carrier’s magazines.
During this same month, the Navy calls a halt to all fleet training missions due to a severe shortage of maintenance supplies. Construction resources have been diverted to increase the maintenance capacity on Terra, but that will take time.
August, 2140: The Empire’s first DDE(M) is launched. This is a new design that resulted from the engagements with the Reapers.
Shield(M) Flt IIc class Destroyer Escort 10,000 tons 217 Crew 2,363.4 BP TCS 200 TH 1,500 EM 0
7500 km/s Armour 7-41 Shields 0-0 HTK 68 Sensors 0/0/0/0 DCR 6-6 PPV 20
Maint Life 2.59 Years MSP 901 AFR 131% IFR 1.8% 1YR 189 5YR 2,837 Max Repair 375 MSP
Troop Capacity 400 tons Magazine 560 / 0
Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 36 months Morale Check Required
IC Fusion Drive (2) Power 1500 Fuel Use 23.09% Signature 750 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 1,060,000 Litres Range 82.6 billion km (127 days at full power)
AM Missile Launcher (20) Missile Size: 1 Rate of Fire 10
AM Missile Fire Control Mk II (4) Range 43.9m km Resolution 1 ECCM-2
Shrike II AMM (560) Speed: 87,600 km/s End: 1.2m Range: 6.5m km WH: 1.5 Size: 1 TH: 292/175/87
AM Active Search Sensor Mk III (1) GPS 180 Range 28.3m km MCR 2.5m km Resolution 1
Electronic Warfare Jammers: Fire Control 3
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
This design is classed as a Warship for auto-assignment purposes
June 30, 2141: An Archer Alpha class ship is detected approaching the mining base in the Lacaille system. The base commander dispatches his courier and the base’s STO’s are put on alert. The Archer raider’s ETA is eight and a third hours. Five hours later the Archer Alpha goes into orbit over Lacaille III, which was in between the mining base and the location that the raider appeared at. Eleven hours later the Archer Alpha was still orbiting the third planet, so the courier jumped out bound for the Solar System.
July 2, 2141: The courier jumps in and alerts fleet command about the presence of an Alpha class Archer ship in the Lacaille system. Fleet command orders two DD Groups, a total of four destroyers, to proceed to the Lacaille system and destroy the raider(s).
July 9, 2141: The two DD groups arrive in the Lacaille system and set their course for the third planet.
At long last the Retribution Fleet leaves orbit, bound for Shield Base on the frontier. The fleet’s departure has been delayed several times, largely due to fleet commands desire to include first the new strike fighters and their carriers in the fleet, then the new AMM DDE’s, and finally the new CVS’s with their laser equipped fighters. The fleet now consists of 1xBB(C), 1xBB, 3xBC, 3xCJ, 9xDD, 3xDDE(M), 8xDDE, 2xCV, and 2xCVS.
July 10, 2141: The Archer Alpha begins running when the Terran destroyers reach 47 mkm’s range, and the destroyers pursue. At 0919 hours the destroyers finally bring the fleeing raider within range of their 15cm lasers and open fire. The destroyers get six hits at 265,000 kilometers range, a testament to the training of the crews and to how much Terran weaponry and fire controls have improved. Over the next minute the destroyers get fourteen more hits, destroying the fleeing Alpha class raider before it could return fire. Their job done the destroyers turn and set course for the base on the second planet.
Two and a half days later an Archer Delta class ship is detected moving in-system, close to where the wreck of the earlier raider drifted. The two destroyer groups immediately set an interception course for the Delta class ship. Deltas are referred to as heavy raiders, and are 50% larger than Terran destroyers and mount four railgun emplacements. The Delta class soon fades off of the base’s sensors, but the destroyers continue on their course. Nine hours later they arrive at the last known location of the heavy raider, but it is no where to be found. The destroyers settle in to wait.
July 14, 2141: The mining base in the Lacaille system picks up a Charlie class 970 mkm’s out, on the same bearing as the Alpha and Delta. Charlie class ships are slow, and are suspected to be salvage ships and are usually escorted. The destroyers immediately set course for the Charlie.
July 14, 2141, 23:47 hours: The destroyers now have the Charlie on sensors. It is escorted by three ships, an Archer and two Bravos. The Archers and Bravos are both smaller than Terran destroyers, and slower. The Archers are lightly armed and are suspected to be survey ships of some sort, while the Bravos are more heavily armed with short ranged railguns.
July 15, 2141, 0136 hours: The destroyers are now within range of their lasers and open fire on the Bravo class ships. At the same time, the destroyers turn and begin running in front of the Archer ships, maintaining the range and firing on them from beyond the Archer ship’s own range.
Twenty-five seconds later the terran ships have scored fifty-eight hits on the two Bravos, but then two additional Alpha class ships appear on the destroyer’s sensors. Fortunately, they are 255 mkm’s away and will not be a factor in the battle.
The destroyers score another forty-two hits on the two Bravos before one is destroyed. The destroyer targeting that ship shifts its fire to the Alpha and the battle continues. Twenty seconds and fifty hits later the second Bravo is destroyed and all of the destroyers now focus on the last Alpha class ship. Twenty-five seconds and forty-five hits later the Alpha is gone, leaving only the lumbering Charlie class ship. The destroyers close to point blank range before opening fire again, destroying it in two firing passes.
With the Charlie destroyed, the destroyers set their course for the last known location of the two Alphas, which had disappeared off of the fleet’s sensors during the battle.
At 10:20 hours, the destroyers detect a large Archer fleet headed in-system. The fleet consists of a Delta class, nine Alphas and four Bravos. At first glance it is a bit much for four destroyers to handle, but the Terran destroyers are faster than the Archer ships and have longer ranged weaponry. Captain Tamburri, aboard the Wei Zhao, orders his destroyers to attack the Archer fleet. The Archer fleet has turned and is running, but the Terran destroyers are 1,870 km/s faster and will be able to overhaul them. As if they realize that, the Archer ships turn and run at the Terran destroyers in an attempt to close.
AT 1153 hours the destroyers open fire on the Bravos at 240,000 kilometers, scoring multiple hits on the two Bravos. This time, though, as the destroyers turned at to maintain the range, they slipped too close to the Archer fleet. As a result, the Sashi Patil came under fire from Archer railguns. The Patil suffered four hits, barely scratching her armor. The destroyers scored nineteen hits on two of the Deltas.
The Terran destroyers managed to open the range again, and the Archer ships were unable to return fire. Eventually the destroyers slipped back into range of the Archer ships as they had broken into two groups and one group had managed to close on the Terran ships. Once again, the long-range railgun fire did little more than scratch the targeted DD’s armor. The destroyer’s sensors pick up three more Archer ships in the system, 24 mkm’s away. Twenty-five seconds after opening fire one of the Bravos suffers a massive internal explosion and rips apart. The destroyers shift fire to another Bravo and continue the engagement. Twenty-five seconds later the second Bravo explodes.
For the next six minutes and thirty seconds the Terran destroyers chased down and mercilessly destroyed all of the raiders. The Delta class was a tough ship, and it took three times as long to destroy as an Alpha, but it was destroyed like all the others, leaving nothing but wreckage floating in its wake.
With this group destroyed, the destroyers turned for the new contacts, two Alphas and a Bravo. While the destroyers had suffered little but scratches, Captain Tamburri was growing concerned at the overtaxing of his lasers. The destroyers couldn’t sustain another battle as long as the one they had just finished. Even so he ordered his ships out to interceptor the third group. The three Archer ships ran ahead of them, but the Terran destroyers were faster.
At 1535 hours the raiders were within range and the Terran destroyers opened fire. After fifty-five seconds of sustained fire the three Archer raiders were destroyed and the system was clear. Of the four destroyers, the Sashi Patil was in the best shape, with 76% of her maintenance supplies remaining, but the Wei Zhao and the Yeong-Ja Rhee both were reduced to just 28%, while the Ryosuke Kamiya wasn’t much better. Captain Tamburri orders his ships back to the mining base in the inner system and sends a message to the courier to return to the Solar System and ask for another destroyer group to replace his and defend the system.
(https://i.imgur.com/mbjR1C8.jpg)
Empire as of 2141
Meanwhile, the Retribution Fleet continued on towards Shield Base.
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July 26, 2141: The Retribution Fleet reaches Shield Base and refuels, then sets out for the 70 Ophiuchi system.
August 3, 2141: The Retribution Fleet has arrived at the jump point to the 70 Ophiuchi system. As before, it separates into assault elements and then jumps to the far side. Once on the far side the fleet finds nothing but wreckage around the jump point, so it proceeds in-system after detaching the jump cruisers to watch the jump point.
August 3, 2141, 2249 hours: The Retribution fleet is now 207 mkm’s from the second planet, and although no Reaper ships have been detected they haven’t seemed to stray too far from the planet in the past. At Admiral Doxey’s order the two carriers, the United Kingdom and the America, launch their strike fighters. The fifty-two strike fighters and four Aegis sensor platforms race away from the fleet towards the second planet.
At 0113 hours on the 4th, the strike wave moves close enough to the planet for the Aegis platforms to confirm that the Reaper fleet is in orbit over the second planet. The Aegis platform’s sensors confirm that there is nine Juliette, one Hotel, three India, twelve Golf, one Echo, two Charlie, two Bravo, and two Alpha class units present, for a total of thirty-two ships. The India class units are Admiral Doxey’s primary concern at this point, as they are the only known mobile units equipped with missile launchers. The strike wave commander, Lt Commander Zehnke, orders the group to close to missile range.
The approach is nerve-wracking for the fighter crews, as they have no idea at what range the Reaper ships will detect or be able to fire upon them. The Naval Design Bureau and the fleet’s strategists insist that the Eagle’s small size and fast speed will be more than enough protection, but their assurances feel somewhat hollow now as the fighter crews race towards a hostile fleet in their thin-skinned fighters.
Thirty-three minutes later the fighters have closed to 2.9 mkm’s from the Reaper fleet and are within range of their missiles. Seconds later four hundred and sixteen missiles were in space, headed towards the Reaper fleet. As the Imperial fleet was still testing its deployment strategies, they were all targeted on one India class ship.
Sparrow II ASM: Size 3, Speed 41,267 km/s, ECCM 2, ATG 32%, Retarget-Yes, Range 3.3 mkm’s, Warhead 6
Fifty-five seconds later, while the missiles were still 750,000 kilometers from their target, AMM’s started hitting the missile wave. Thirty-six missiles were taken out by the first wave of interceptors, leaving three hundred and eighty to continue on towards their target. Five seconds later another thirty-two were taken out by a second wave of AMM’s, and then another thirty-seven five seconds later by a third wave, leaving three hundred and eleven Sparrow II ASM’s in-bound towards the Reaper force. The last interception before the missiles reached attack range took out just four, and then the Sparrow II’s were in amongst the Reaper fleet. Twenty attacking ASM’s were hit by a last second AMM launch, and ninety-six more were killed by the Reaper Fleet’s point defense weapons. A full eighty of the surviving one hundred and ninety-one ASM’s were decoyed away from the target by its decoy defenses, but the remaining one hundred and eleven were enough to wipe the India class ship from space.
Later analysis would show it took seventeen hits to drop the India’s shields, and twenty more before the armor was penetrated. Once the armor was penetrated it took thirty-three more hits to kill the India class ship.
Total ASM’s in strike: 416
Intercepted by AMM’s: 129 (31%)
Intercepted by PD: 96 (23%)
Total stopped by active defenses: 225 (54%)
Decoyed by ship-borne decoy systems: 80 (19%)
Stopped by shields & armor: 46 (11%)
Total stopped by passive defenses: 126 (30%)
That left just sixty-five missiles causing penetrating damage. It only took twenty-four to destroy the ship, meaning the other forty-one were overkill. However, the results left Lt. Commander Zehnke with mixed emotions. He and his pilots were elated at the destruction of the India class ship, but when they had launched their missiles, he had strongly felt that targeting one ship with the entire missile wave was serious overkill. However, the results indicated that had they split the missile wave between two targets, they likely wouldn’t have penetrated either ship’s passive defenses.
The fighters turned back towards their carriers to rearm and refuel. As the fighters retreated, the Retribution fleet was moving forward. Just over two hours later the fighters landed on their carriers and began rearming. After rearming they launched and set out for their missile launch point. Like a well-oiled machine they launched their missiles a second time, again targeted on a single India class ship.
The results were nearly identical with the first attack, resulting in the destruction of the second India class unit. The fighters turned back to the carrier group to rearm for one last attack.
It took the fighters fifty-four minutes to return to their carriers, twenty minutes to rearm, and another ten minutes to reset their box launchers, and then they launched, carrying the last of their carrier’s complement of missiles. The third strike took out the third India class ship, hopefully leaving the Reaper fleet without long-range missile launchers.
As the fighters returned to their carriers, the Retribution Fleet, which had been stationary beyond the range of the Reaper long-range missiles, began moving forward. The fleet left behind the carrier group and the strike carrier group. The carrier group had expended its ammunition and would return to Terra to rearm after it recovered its fighters, while the strike carriers would remain out of range and safe from combat. At this point the fleet would consist of two battleships, three battlecruisers, nine destroyers, four DDE’s, and three DDE(M).
Forty-two minutes later Fleet Intel’s analysis was proved inadequate when fifty-six incoming missiles were detected. Admiral Doxey ordered the fleet to prepare for missile defense and for the fleet to come about and let the missiles chase them. The Reaper missiles steadily closed until they reached 3.4 mkm’s, and then the fleet’s AMM ships launched a salvo of anti-missiles at the offensive missiles. A second salvo raced away from the DDE’s ten seconds later. Most of the missiles were drawn off by decoys, and only six were destroyed by the first wave of AAM’s. A third salvo was launched as the second hurtled towards the incoming missiles. The second salvo only destroyed three missiles, with eleven being decoyed. Another salvo raced away from the DDE’s. The third salvo destroyed eleven missiles, and the fourth took out three. With the incoming missile salvo reduced to thirty-three missiles, and the DDE’s reduced to approximately 80% of their full load of missiles, Admiral Doxey ordered the DDE’s to cease fire after the fifth and sixth salvoes were launched. The fifth salvo took out six Reaper missiles, and the sixth took out three, leaving twenty-one incoming missiles. Last ditch point defense took out eleven missiles, and the rest wasted themselves against the Pride of Sol’s shields, reducing them to 95%.
Almost ten minutes later, as Admiral Doxey was considering turning back towards the planet, a second salvo appeared on their sensors. Once again, the fleet deployed to meet the incoming missile strike. Once again anti-missiles raced away from the retreating fleet, wearing down in the incoming missile strike, and once again Admiral Doxey stopped the out-going fire after six salvoes were launched. This time the defensive missile fire only killed twenty-nine incoming missiles, leaving twenty-seven to approach the fleet. This time the fleet’s point defense took out sixteen and the rest again reduced the Pride of Sol’s shields to 95%.
Ten minutes later a third salvo appeared on the fleet’s sensors. At this point, Admiral Doxey, who had been pondering her options since the missile attack started, ordered the fleet to come about and resume their course to the planet and the Reaper Fleet. If they had to endure missile attacks every ten minutes to reach the Reapers, then they would.
The third salvo managed to reduce the Sol’s shields to 91%, but the DDE’s magazines were now at 36, 45, and 73 %, and they still had a long way to go to get to the planet. Admiral Doxey ordered the DDE’s to fire three salvoes of AMM’s at 1-1 ratios for each incoming wave of missiles to extend their usefulness.
The fourth and fifth salvoes were also focused on the Pride of Sol, and even with reduced expenditure of AMM’s the battleship’s shields only dipped to 89% before recharging. After the fifth salvo the DDE’s magazines were at 11, 27, and 56%.
The sixth salvo came on schedule, and this one was targeted on the Antares, temporarily reducing her shields to 89%. Ten minutes passed and no knew missile salvoes appeared, so perhaps the Reapers had run out of missiles.
The fleet closed to 28 mkm’s when another missile salvo appears on their sensors. This salvo is composed of sixty size seven missiles moving much faster than the missiles of the earlier attacks. Once again anti-missiles spill from the DDE’s, but this time one of the DDE’s runs dry and ceases fire after the first salvo. The AMM’s take care of thirty of the incoming missiles, which seem to have no decoys, making them easier to hit. The Pride of Sol took five hits, reducing its shields to 95%.
The fleet braced itself for more missile fire, but no more missile salvoes were detected as they advanced. Finally, when the fleet was 1.5 mkm’s from the planet, a wave one hundred and four size two missiles was detected. The DDE’s began firing, running their magazines dry as the fleet was in final approach. The AMM’s had trouble taking out the small fast missiles and most of them survived to close on the fleet. They met a wall of point defense fire, but there were too many and eighty-three got through to hit the Sol’s shields, reducing them to 82%.
The second massive wave of small missiles reduced the Sol’s shields to 76%, and they weren’t being given enough time to recharge. Fortunately, the next wave attacked the Antares, reducing her shields to 86%. The next, smaller wave of missiles attacked one of the AMM DDE’s, scoring its armor. The next massive salvo attacked a different DDE(M), reducing its armor to 65%. The next massive salvo attacked all three DDE(M)’s, but got no penetrating hits. The next massive wave was split between one of the DDE’s, which had its armor reduced to 55%, and the Pride of Sol, whose shields, which had had time to recharge, were reduced to 77%. The current range was 950,000 kilometers, and their ETA to firing range was 85 seconds.
The next massive wave of missiles was targeted on the battlecruiser Terra and one of the DDE(M)’s. The Terra’s shields easily absorbed the hits, but the battered DDE(M) staggered under the hits and suffered serious internal damage. The DDE(M) turned away from the battle and accelerated away, hoping to avoid further damage. The next salvo targeted the two remaining DDE(M)’s, causing serious internal damage to one. Both were detached to return to the jump point. Unfortunately, the Reapers continued to target the DDE’s with at least some of their missiles, causing further damage as they retreated. The next massive salvo destroyed two of the retreating DDE(M)’s. The destruction of the two retreating ships infuriated the crews of the Terran ships, as they had been damaged and clearly retreating, no longer a threat to the Reapers. Smaller missile salvoes continued chasing the last DDE(M) as it withdrew, and it was clear that the tiny ship wouldn’t make it. Rather than abandoning ship in the face of inevitable destruction, her commander, Jin Hoang Jian, refused to leave, insisting on pulling as many missiles away from the main fleet as possible.
Ten seconds later the DDE Aegis was the center of a fire storm as one hundred and thirty six missiles detonated around the retreating DDE. Miraculously, the ship was still intact when the missile salvo finished, but it was a drifting hulk. The fleet’s range to the target was 575,000 kilometers, and their ETA to firing range was 35 seconds.
The missile salvo that crippled the Aegis was the last. The Reaper missile launchers had finally run dry. Admiral Doxey established the following targeting priority list:
Charlie(2) (unk)
Echo(1) (Unk)
Hotel(1) Unk)
Juliette(9) (unk)
Alpha class (2) (EW armed, unknown type)
Golf(12) (short ranged gauss cannon)
Bravo(2) (size two missile launcher)
At 1445 hours on the 4th of August the fleet finally moved within range of its lasers and opened fire on one of the Charlie class ships. The fleet scored ten hits, scoring its armor. Admiral Doxey was concerned about ground batteries given the significant signature of the ground force on the planet, so she ordered the fleet to come to a halt at 270,000 kilometers and continued pouring long range fire into the Charlie class. The second salvo scored ten hits, six of which penetrated the armor of the Charlie. The third salvo of laser fire got thirteen hits, five of which penetrated, however, in response the Echo class launched twenty-five size seven missiles and the Bravo class launched twenty-five size two missiles.
Admiral Doxey immediately ordered a targeting change to Echo-001, and ordered the fleet to advance to 250,000 kilometers to improve their accuracy. The smaller missiles arrived first and targeted the Pride of Sol, and most got through the fleet’s point defense fire but only managed to reduce her shields to 95%. The Terran ships got twenty-four hits on the Echo, but its shields absorbed them all.
When no ground fire materialized, Admiral Doxey, ordered the fleet to advance to 200,000 kilometers range and to continue concentrating on the Echo. The heavier missiles slammed into the fleet, targeting the Pride of Sol, reducing her shields to 86%. The fleet returned fire at Echo-001 and scored thirty-nine hits, further reducing the ship’s shields. It was at this point that the ground fire that Doxey feared materialized, as twelve particle lances fired on the Sol, reducing her shields to 79%. In addition, Charlie 001 left the planet and raced towards the Terran Fleet.
Admiral Doxey ordered the fleet to hold its position, and to target the oncoming Charlie class ship with short-ranged weapons. The massed plasma cannons of the fleet stopped the advancing Charlie class ship with one tremendous salvo, utterly destroying it in a deluge of plasma. The fleet scored thirty-nine more hits on the Echo even as the Charlie was destroyed. The next salvo scored forty-nine hits, further reducing the Echo’s shields. It took two more salvoes and seventy-six hits to take down the shields and begin eating away at the Echo’s armor. The next salvo got two penetrating hits, as did the next. It took five more salvoes before the Echo finally exploded.
Admiral Doxey ordered her fleet to begin bombarding the ground batteries, hoping to destroy them before they could reload. Ten seconds of bombardment resulted in the destruction of one of the ground batteries, but then the remaining mobile units began running away from the Terran fleet. The nine Golf Class units were the fastest, at 8,237 km/s, with the last Charlie right behind them at 8,023 Km/s. The massive Juliettes were retreating at a mere 585 km/s, leaving the two Alphas, two Bravos, and the Hotel in orbit.
Knowing she couldn’t catch the Charlie or Golf’s, Admiral Doxey ordered the Strike Carriers to launch their fighters to run down and destroy the fleeing Golf class ships. In the meantime, the fleet continued to bombard the planet. After another salvo was ineffective, Admiral Doxey ordered the fleet to shift fire to the Alpha class bases. If they could be eliminated, the fleet could close to point blank range and eliminate the remaining defenders quickly. Twenty seconds of sustained fire was enough to knock Alpha-001’s shields down, and fifteen seconds more had caused several penetrating hits. That was when the ground batteries fired again, but they scored no hits. Another twenty-five seconds of fire destroyed the Alpha, and the fleet shifted targeting to the second Alpha. It took fifty-five seconds of sustained fire to destroy the second Alpha, but then the planet’s defenders were reduced to two Bravos that were out of missiles, and a Hotel class with unknown weaponry.
Admiral Doxey ordered her fleet to open fire on the Hotel, and to advance to 150,000 kilometers range of the planet. Whatever the Hotel was, it wasn’t a hardened target. The first salvo of laser fire penetrated its thin armor and caused internal damage. The second salvo destroyed it.
Admiral Doxey ordered the fleet to shift fire to the ground batteries again, and to advance to 100,000 kilometers range. The closer range, which allowed for greater accuracy and for more of the fleet’s weapons to engage, gave the fleet a decisive advantage. The first salvo at the closer range eliminated three of the STO’s, the second four, and the third two. The fourth salvo destroyed the last three STO’s.
At this point Admiral Doxey ordered the fleet to go into orbit over the planet. The fleet’s ships fired on the last two remaining orbital bases, the two Bravo class bases, as they raced towards the planet. When the fleet crossed the 25,000 kilometer range from the planet, a new set of STO’s opened fire on the ships. Fortunately, the incoming fire was low powered and did minimal damage to the Pride of Sol’s shields. By the time the fleet made orbit the two Bravo class bases were destroyed and the fleet switched to targeting the STO’s. The result was a massacre as all seven STO’s were destroyed in the first salvo. With the defenders destroyed, Admiral Doxey ordered her fleet into pursuit of the slow moving Juliettes, which were just 110,000 kilometers away and struggling to put space between them and the vengeful Terran fleet. It took just fifteen seconds to run down the fleeing Reaper ships, and by the time the fleet reached them four had been destroyed by laser and plasma fire. It took just another five seconds to wipe out the remaining Juliette class ships.
That left the nine Golf and one Charlie class ships that were already out of range and were faster than the Terran fleet’s speed. They would be left to the fighters from the CVS’s. The fleet turned back to the planet, while the Jupiter’s battle group was detached to pick up life pods from the two DDE’s.
1549 hours: The Jupiter has picked up the life pods, and the CVS strike group races past the Retribution Fleet in pursuit of the remaining ten fleeing Reaper ships.
1645 hours: The thirty Forward class fighters reach firing range and open fire with their 10cm lasers, focused on Golf-002 at 41,000 kilometers. It only takes thirteen hits to destroy the Golf class ship. For their next attack the fighters target Golf-003 and 004. Ten seconds later they fire again, killing the two Golf class ships, which have not returned fire.
The fighters again split their fire, this time among six of the remaining Golf class ships, but this time they only destroyed one. This seemed to cause the Reaper ships to change their tactics, and the remaining seven Golf’s began trying to ram the much faster fighters, to little avail. It took just twenty seconds to eliminate the remaining Golf’s, which just left the last Charlie as the final intact Reaper unit in the system. It took the fighters just forty seconds to run down the Charlie, and one volley of laser fire to destroy it. The system was clear, at least as far as the Fleet’s sensors could detect.
Admiral Doxey dispatched the jump cruiser group, stationed at the jump point, back to Shield Base in the Monoceri system, to call forward the support ships waiting at the base, and to request tug support from the Solar system for the damaged Aegis, which is struggling to repair its systems, and has lost its fuel to damage to its tanks. It will take the jump cruisers six days to return to the Monoceri system.
August 12, 2141: The jump cruiser group enters the Monoceri system and immediately sends off its reports and orders. The commander at Shield Base, Brigadier Chambley, immediately dispatches one of his couriers to the Solar System with the report of the Retribution Fleet’s victory and request for assistance. He then begins preparation for the support fleet to move to the 70 Ophiuchi system. The support fleet will consist of the twelve assault transports of Troop Transport Group 2, and the three ships of Salvager Group 1. Troop Transport Group 2 has been waiting in orbit over Shield Base with the 1st and 2nd Marine divisions embarked, for the order from Admiral Doxey to advance. With the receipt of the report from 70 Ophiuchi, though, Brigadier General Chambley orders the transports to load the 4th Marine Division from Shield Base, along with all of the support units that can fit in the transports.
Brigadier General Chambley is the CO of Shield Base, and of the 1st Guard Corps stationed at Shield Base. He and his staff are virtually certain that the sensor readings from the Retribution fleet that show a brigade sized force on the second planet vastly underestimate the actual size of the Reaper force, given the certainty that they are dug in and hard to detect. Further, the 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions are equipped with older tech than the 4th. Therefore, the transport group will take the 4th, and all of the support units, tanks, and artillery that can be crammed into the transports.
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August 19, 2141: The courier from Shield Base has arrived in the Solar System with the report of the Retribution Fleet’s victory, and its losses. There are celebrations across the planet as the government releases information from the battle reports, and the Fleet immediately organizes a relief squadron. The at the heart of the squadron will be a troop transport with a jump engine, as it is the only vessel large enough and capable of conveying the other support ships to the 70 Ophiuchi system. In addition, the squadron will consist of a tug, three fuel ships, and three munitions ships carrying all of the Sparrow II ASM’s available on Terra to restock the carrier’s magazines. The Relief Squadron sets out on the 20th, carrying 869 Sparrow II ASM’s, seven construction groups, and five logistics detachments. It will take the squadron one hundred and seventeen days to reach the Ophiuchi system.
August 23, 2141: After some study, the Naval Design Bureau has recommended substantial changes to the DDE class ships. Currently, there are two types, a gauss cannon class and a variant with AMM launchers. The NDB has decided to combine the classes into a new variant with a gauss cannon turret with newly developed Mark II gauss cannons, and AMM launchers, combining the two and giving each DDE both capabilities. In the recent battle against the Reapers, the anti-missile equipped destroyer escorts became a liability once their magazines ran dry, however, the flight III version will mount both gauss cannons and AMM launchers, giving it a continuing ability to fill its role even if the anti-missile missiles run out.
Shield Flt III class Destroyer Escort 10,000 tons 212 Crew 2,329 BP TCS 200 TH 1,500 EM 0
7500 km/s Armour 5-41 Shields 0-0 HTK 68 Sensors 0/0/0/0 DCR 6-6 PPV 40.76
Maint Life 2.36 Years MSP 888 AFR 131% IFR 1.8% 1YR 218 5YR 3,271 Max Repair 375 MSP
Troop Capacity 400 tons Magazine 365 / 0
Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 36 months Morale Check Required
IC Fusion Drive (2) Power 1500 Fuel Use 23.09% Signature 750 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 1,012,000 Litres Range 78.9 billion km (121 days at full power)
Twin Gauss Cannon Mk II Turret (2x8) Range 40,000km TS: 25000 km/s Power 0-0 RM 40,000 km ROF 5
Turret Fire Control Mk III (1) Max Range: 200,000 km TS: 25,000 km/s ECCM-2 95 90 85 80 75 70 65 60 55 50
AM Missile Launcher (5) Missile Size: 1 Rate of Fire 10
AM Missile Fire Control Mk II (1) Range 43.9m km Resolution 1 ECCM-2
Shrike II AMM (365) Speed: 87,600 km/s End: 1.2m Range: 6.5m km WH: 1.5 Size: 1 TH: 292/175/87
AM Active Search Sensor Mk III (1) GPS 180 Range 28.3m km MCR 2.5m km Resolution 1
Electronic Warfare Jammers: Fire Control 3
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
This design is classed as a Warship for auto-assignment purposes
September 4, 2141: The 1st Long-Range Survey Group enters the 70 Ophiuchi system and begins its survey efforts.
September 9, 2141: The LRSS Scobee has confirmed the presence of wide-spread ruins on Ohpiuchi II. In addition, the Scobee has discovered significant deposits of three TN resources on the planet, but at low availability levels.
September 23, 2141: The survey of the 70 Ophiuchi system is complete. The survey fleet discovered two new jump points, and found resources on the first and seconds planets, and on four asteroids. The asteroids are potentially good mining sites for the asteroid mining fleets, but none of the planets are of interest for mining efforts at this time. Planet II, with its oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere, temperate temperatures, oceans, and ruins, is a prime spot for colonization and terraforming, just needing additional oxygen to give it a breathable atmosphere.
October 1, 2141: A long-range survey ship jumps out of the 70 Ophiuchi system through one of the newly discovered jump points, discovering a dim red star orbited by a few lonely comets. The ship jumps back to the Ophiuchi system to report.
October 6, 2141: The LRSS Ronald McNair jumps out of the 70 Ophiuchi system through the second newly discovered jump point, and finds itself in a planet-less system with a dim brown dwarf system primary. The ship jumps back to report. Admiral Doxey orders the survey group to split between the two newly discovered systems and survey for jump points. She wants to determine if there are any nearby threats that could affect the coming efforts to eliminate the Reaper ground forces and then exploitation of the ruins.
October 7, 2141: The troop transports from Shield Base enter the 70 Ophiuchi system and set their course for the second planet. A salvage group enters with them and immediately begins salvaging the wrecks around the jump point. The Retribution Fleet’s battleship group, which had been waiting at the jump point, escorts the troop ships to the planet.
October 12, 2141: The troop transports arrive over the Reaper base and begins an orbital drop of the three marine divisions and their supporting units. The marine assault battalions immediately began their attack against Reaper positions, supported by heavy tanks and artillery.
Stats:
1st Marine Division combat elements
Marine Assault Element, Mk I: sz-12, arm-9, HP-6, Sht-6, Pen-6, Dam-6
Second Marine Division combat elements
Marine Assault Element, Mk III: sz-20, arm-20, HP-12.5, Sht-6, Pen-12, Dam-8
Marine Anti-Armor element, Mk III: sz-16, arm-20, HP-12.5, Sht-1, Pen-16, Dam-24
4th Marine Division combat elements
Marine Assault Element, Mk IV: sz-20, arm-24, HP-19.2, Sht-6, Pen-15, Dam-10
Marine Assault Element, Mk V: sz-20, arm-24, HP-24, Sht-6, Pen-18, Dam-12
Marine Anti-Armor element, Mk IV: sz-16, arm-24, HP-19.2, Sht-1, Pen-20, Dam-30
Marine Anti-Armor element, Mk V: sz-16, arm-24, HP-24, Sht-1, Pen-24, Dam-36
Rhino Heavy Tank element: sz-156, arm-72, HP-72, Sht-3, Pen-50, Dam-20, sht-1, Pen-60, Dam-60
Medium Arty element: sz-98, arm-40, HP-40, Sht-3, Pen-12, Dam-32 /Mdm bomb x 2
LR Arty Element: sz-118, arm-40, HP-40, Sht-3, Pen-12, Dam-32 /LR bomb x 2
Heavy Arty element: sz-138, arm-40, HP-40, Sht-3, Pen-16, Dam-48 /Hvy bomb x 2
The carnage was terrible. The marine assault elements, especially the newer ones, made deep penetrations into the Reaper positions, taking fire from all sides and giving back as good as they got. The Reapers, as expected, deployed combat mech walkers of various types, and infantry fighting frames dubbed Centurions during the Raids. The older Marine combat suits had difficulty dealing with the mechs, but could handle engaging the centurions just fine. The newer generation suits, particularly the fourth and fifth generation suits handled by genetically enhanced marines, did well against the centurions and were able to destroy even the mechs, although with some difficulty. The heavy tanks, all older models, performed poorly, in general. It quickly became clear that they were not up to front line engagements against the Reapers, as they were relatively ineffective against the centurions and had difficulty hitting the mechs. When they did get a hit on a mech, though, they often destroyed it.
All told, in the first eight hours of fighting, the three marine divisions destroyed an estimated 419 mechs of various types, 5,660 centurions, and 1,993 rear area units. Unfortunately, the 13th, 17th, and 31st Marine battalions, and the 5th Heavy Armor detachment, were surrounded in the fighting and wiped out, leaving behind a few scattered rear area units that survived the onslaught. The 9th, 20th, 22nd, and 28th Marine Assault battalions suffered casualties trying to relieve the surrounded units, but remained intact and capable of fighting. In all, the marines lost 1124 marines of various designations, 32 tanks, and a scattering of rear area units. All of the units lost were 1st and 3rd generation units.
Intelligence reported the following information about enemy units:
Centurion: Arm-15, HP-10, sht-6, Pen-12, Dam-12
Praetorian Combat Mech: Arm-40, HP-40, sht-1, Pen-72, Dam-72, sht-6, Pen-18, Dam-12
Decurion Mech: Arm-40, HP-40, sht-1, Pen-36, Dam-72, sht-1, Pen-36, Dam-72
Six hours into the fighting it appeared that the enemy force was spent. Most, if not all, of the centurions had been wiped out in the counter attack that had encircled the marine battalions, and most of the mechs had been destroyed too. Over the next three hours the operation turned into an exercise in mopping up, which mostly involved taking out isolated decurion mechs and chasing down evading rear area units. The marines destroyed 159 mechs, and 1109 rear area units, in exchange for light losses to two marine battalions that let itself become too exposed while hunting mechs.
The Reaper force was hunted down and eliminated quickly after the destruction of the last mechs. Combat operations were declared over by 0233 hours on the 14th, and the transports began loading some of the marines to return them to Shield Base, where they would be unloaded and replaced with xeno study teams who would be rushed to the Reaper base to begin studying the ruins. The 1st Marine Division will remain on the planet until Guard units can be moved forward to garrison the planet.
With the destruction of the ground force, and the lack of current threats, Admiral Doxey detaches the Jupiter’s battle group and orders them to return to Shield Base and off-load the survivors recovered from the two DDE’s. The battle group is to remain at Shield Base for the time being.
November 1, 2141: The survey of Eta Monocerotis, one of the systems adjacent to 70 Ophiuchi, is complete. No new jump points were found. The survey ships set course for the 70 Ophiuchi system to report their findings.
November 9th, 2141: Admiral Doxey orders the three survey ships from the 1st LR Survey Group that have assembled in the system to transit back to the Procyon system and probe the unexplored jump point there. The three ships set out immediately.
November 11, 2141: The survey ships jump out of Procyon to discover the Pi Ophiuchi system. The system has a red star primary, orbited by the usual number of planets and asteroids. None have oxygen-nitrogen atmospheres.
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(https://i.imgur.com/1ZZziyQ.jpg)
System Map, 2141
December 4, 2141: One of the survey ships operating out of the 81 Orionis system, adjacent to the 70 Ophiuchi system, jumps through a newly discovered jump point. The ship materializes in a red star system with several gas giants and a Terra-like world with an oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere, designated as 65 Serpentis. The atmosphere is too thin for humans, and the planet is cold, but it is a prime candidate for terraforming. Given the Reaper’s interest in planets with oxygen-nitrogen atmospheres, the possibility that they might be in the inner system is high, so the survey ship turns back to warn the fleet in the 70 Ophiuchi system.
December 15, 2141: The survey ship brings word of the discovery of the suspicious planet in the 65 Serpentis system. Admiral Doxey dispatches the Saturn’s battle group, reinforced with a jump cruiser, to probe the system.
December 18, 2141: The support group arrives at Shield Base, but it immediately becomes clear that there has been a mix-up. Shield Base currently has no ordnance transfer capability, meaning that the orbiting munitions ships cannot transfer their ordnance to the base. Heads will roll, but for now this means that the fleet will have to return to the solar system to rearm.
December 25, 2141: The Saturn and her battle group arrive in the 65 Serpentis system and immediately begin moving inward towards the second planet. Their ETA to the limit of their active sensors is 3.8 days.
December 28, 2141: The second planet is now within range of the Saturn’s sensors, and there are no ships detected, so the Saturn continues towards the planet. Several hours later the battlecruiser is over the planet and has confirmed that there is no Reaper ships present. The Battle Group turns for the jump point to return to the 70 Ophiuchi system.
April, 2142: The salvager group has returned from the Lacaille system, where it salvaged the Archer ships destroyed in the most recent attack on the mining base in the system. The resources and ship’s systems salvaged from the wrecks are offloaded as soon as the salvage ships arrive in orbit. The Archer railguns are of particular interest, as that is an area that the Empire has done little research. Teams set to work disassembling the salvaged railguns as soon as they are offloaded, yielding advances in railgun tech. Most of the rest of the systems are scrapped as they are not as advanced as comparable Terran systems.
May 6, 2142: Admiral Doxey is forced to withdraw to Shield Forward Base. She had planned to stay until the base on the second planet was equipped with STO defenses, however, those defenses have been delayed for various reasons and her maintenance situation has become critical. One of her smaller ships has suffered a major maintenance casualty that cannot be corrected with its remaining on-board maintenance supplies and she is sure that is just the beginning of major problems for her deteriorating fleet. She therefore orders her fleet to relocate to Shield Base immediately. She detaches the DDE Buckler, which has lost one of its engines to maintenance issues, before the fleet departs. The Buckler will be escorted back to Shield Base by a jump cruiser at a slower speed.
May 8, 2142: A strike carrier Io delivers a fighter squadron to Shield Base to act as the base’s long range strike component.
May 26, 2142: The DDE Aegis arrives over Terra under her own power. The ship and her crew are hailed as heroes of the Empire. The Aegis’ CO, Commander Jin Hong Jian, a hero of the 2nd Battle of Ophiuchi, is presented the Lion of Terra and promoted to Captain by the Emperor himself, in honor of his heroic actions in the battle. The crew of the Aegis are given a unit citation, and an enhanced combat bonus authorized by a grateful Emperor.
The Aegis herself is sent to the yards for repairs, after which it will be refitted to the flight III design that is the current DDE standard.
June 11, 2142: The Retribution Fleet arrives home over Terra and is met with fanfare and celebrations across the planet as the crews are released to spend time with their families. Awards are handed out to many of the officers that participated, and Rear Admiral Doxey is awarded the Navy Cross and promoted to Vice Admiral. She will be taking command of the Monoceri system Fleet Base that is being formed at Shield Base once it is operational.
March 2143: Victory Base, in the Groombridge system, detects an Archer Alpha class ship in-bound from the outer system. Captain Tambum, commander of the newly established Groombridge Naval District, orders his orbiting interceptor group to meet the intruder, which is 60 mkm’s away and closing. By the time the interceptors close to 28 mkm’s, the Alpha turns away and starts running. The interceptors are over twice as fast as the raider ship and run it down in short order. Shockingly, before the interceptors can close to attack range, the raider disappears off of their active sensors, as if it was never there. This is yet more proof that the raiders are using some sort of unknown interstellar transportation system as this is not the first time they have disappeared while being well within active sensor range. The interceptors close to probe the location the raider disappeared, and then return to base.
May 3, 2143: The Retribution Fleet has been reformed, and is ready to set out for the frontier. The fleet is composed of the following ships:
Retribution Fleet – CO Rear Admiral McCullick
Flagship – BB 03 Antares
Carrier Group, CO Captain Methot
CV 01 United Kingdom
CV 02 America
CV 03 China
78xEagle Class fighter, 6xAegis class sensor platform
Strike Carrier Group, CO Commander Kathleen Melle
CVS-01 Luna
CVS-02 Phobos
CVS-03 Io
45xForward class Fast Attack Craft, 3xAegis class sensor platform
Destroyer Group, CO Commander Arlie Sherlock
DD-05 Victor Aita
DD-06 Victoria Konecny
DD-10 Iris Hennig
DD-14 Kemke Janzen
Destroyer Escort Group, CO Captain Jin Hong Jian
DDE-04 Ancile
DDE-06 Svalinn
DDE-07 Pridwen
DDE-08 Ochain
DDE-10 Derg-Druimnech
DDE-15 Aegis
Note: the DDE’s have all been refitted to Flight III standard, which incorporates both AMM launchers and a gauss turret.
Jump Cruiser Eradicator, CO Captain Guajardo
The fleet’s mission is to probe down the chain of systems from Monoceros towards the last known location of the Swarm.
May 19, 2143: The Retribution Fleet arrives over Shield Base and pauses to refuel and give its crews some shore leave. The Avenger-003 fleet scout, assigned to Monoceri Naval District, is dispatched down the jump chain leading to Swarm space to probe ahead of the fleet while the Retribution Fleet’s crews enjoy the nightlife of Shield Base’s civilian quarter.
May 20, 2143: The salvage group that salvaged the Reaper ships in the 70 Ophiuchi system have finally arrived in the Solar System. Immediately after arriving through the jump point, they download research data recovered from Reaper ships to Terra’s research facilities. This includes a large amount of data relating to shield regeneration tech, an area where the Reapers are apparently ahead of the Empire. The group will continue in-system and off-load their cargo of recovered ship’s systems and resources once they arrive over Terra.
May 23, 2143: The Retribution Fleet sets out from Shield Base on course to follow the fleet scout to Swarm space.
May 26, 2143: The Avenger-003 fleet scout has jumped into the Luhman system, two jumps from Shield Base. After detecting no Swarm ships, the scout moves on towards the jump point to 25 Ursae Majoris, the last reported location of Swarm survey ships.
May 28, 2143: The fleet scout jumps into the 25 Ursae Majoris system. The scout detects nothing at the jump point, but instead of advancing further into suspected Swarm territory the scout waits for the fleet to reach its position.
May 29, 2143: With the Retribution fleet alongside, the fleet scout advances to the jump point to the Gamma Carinae system.
May 31, 2143: The scout jumps into the Gamma Carinae system, followed shortly by the Retribution Fleet. Their sensors clear of contacts, the fleet and scout advance to the jump point to the last confirmed location of the Swarm, the Chi Draconis system. The fleet jumps through in assault configuration, to find that the jump point is clear. The scout follows, and confirms there are no contacts within range of the scout’s sensors.
The fleet then sets out for a point one point five billion kilometers closer to the Venusian planet the Swarm were orbiting the first time they were contacted. The fleet scout accompanies the fleet as it moves in-system.
June 5, 2143: The Retribution Fleet is now one billion kilometers from the lone planet of the Chi Draconis system. Once in place the fleet’s three carriers launch their strike fighters, which then proceed in-system towards the planet. This will be a test of the new strike fighter concept, and the fleet’s ability to project power against an enemy that utilizes ships that are faster than the Imperial Fleet’s ships.
At 1908 hours the strike group moves within its own active sensor range of the planet, and suddenly the Aegis platform’s sensors detect a massive fleet in orbit over the planet. There are a total of two hundred and thirteen Swarm ships over the planet. Imperial Naval Intelligence had only limited information on the ship classes. To avoid confusion with the Reapers, the Swarm ship classes have been renamed.
Current Contacts:
24xAbductor, max speed 11,109 km/s, known tonnage 695
62xAberation, max speed 11,109 km/s, known tonnage 844
82xAbhorrent, max speed 11,109 km/s, known tonnage 844
1xAbomination, unknown speed, known tonnage 21,020
6xAbuser, unknown speed, known tonnage 10,699
38xAccelerator, max speed 12,326 km/s, known tonnage 761
The sheer size of the Swarm was daunting, but the fighters would have to move much closer before being able to fire their missiles. As they moved closer though, they began detecting more and more swarm ships. The newly detected ships were as follows:
1xAcid, max speed 10,562 km/s, known tonnage 130,600
11xAdversary, max speed 10,695 km/s, known tonnage 21,495
The Acid class was particularly concerning. Such a large ship would normally almost certainly be a civilian ship of some sort, but this one was coming at the Terran strike group at the same fleet speed as the much smaller known warships, meaning it was almost certainly a warship of some sort.
Finally, when the fighters had reached 25 mkm’s from the Swarm, a portion of the swarm fleet broke away from the planet and began racing towards the strike group. In total, one hundred and ninety swarm ships were headed towards the strike fighters, in three groups, which seemed to correspond to their maximum speeds. This included the massive Acid class ship, further proof that it was a warship. The fighters continued on course to close, confident in the fact that their higher speed would allow them to break free once they had launched their missiles.
(https://i.imgur.com/CeSuzE6.jpg)
As the swarm closed on the fighters, the lead group, which consisted of the bulk of the small fast units, inexplicably slowed down and fell behind the slower, larger units. This left Lt Commander Rosh, the strike group CO, with a choice of targets. The closest targets were fourteen of the smaller ships, all Abhorrent, Aberration, and Abductor class units. Behind that were three large Adversary class units, and behind that was a group of thirteen ships, one of which was a 130,600 ton monster. Lt Commander Rosh was tempted to launch his missiles at the Acid class on the theory that it was almost certainly the Swarm fleet’s flagship, but was uncertain if his missiles would be able to harm such a big ship. Instead, he decided to target the tree large Adversary warships in the middle group.
At 1936 hours the three Adversary class swarm ships were in range of the strike group’s missiles, and the Terran fighters launched their first strike against the Swarm fleet. A massive wave of six hundred and twenty-four missiles leapt away from the fighters and raced towards the oncoming swarm fleet. The fighter pilots watched with baited breath as their alpha strike raced away from their fighters. As always when engaging a new target with unknown capabilities they had no idea of how the strike would go. It could be massive overkill, with over two hundred missiles assigned to each of three ships, or they might not score any damage at all if the enemy’s defenses were strong enough.
Fifty seconds later the missiles raced by the lead group of Swarm ships without incident. No AMM’s had been fired by the swarmers, and no defensive weapons were fired at the missiles as they passed the lead group. The missile wave slammed into the three targeted ships and exploded on que, with no active defenses apparent. One of the Adversary class ships exploded after taking seventy-four hits and suffering multiple internal explosions. The other two Adversary’s took seventy and one hundred and two hits respectively, but survived. One, the Adversary that took more hits, was left at reduced speed.
The remaining missiles circled around and attacked again, killing one of the two remaining Adversary’s and causing considerable damage to the other. The remaining missiles took out the remaining Adversary in an orgy of destruction five seconds later. Oddly, when Naval Intelligence reviewed the strike group’s sensor logs, they determined that the destruction of the three battlecruiser sized swarm ships left no appreciable debris or wreckage.
Their attack accomplished and their missile racks now empty, the fighters set their course for the fleet and began pulling away from the remaining swarm ships. Just over an hour later the swarm ships had slipped far enough behind that they fell off the retreating strike group’s sensors. Fourteen hours later the fighters landed on their carriers and began rearming and refueling. One hour later the fighters were refueled and rearmed, and slipped out into space again.
At 1214 hours on the 7th of June, the strike group detected eight swarm ships in the approximate location where the Adversary class ships had been destroyed. The strike continued on course. Over the next several minutes the Aegis platforms detected more swarm ships, including the massive Acid class flagship. Once again, when the strike wave passed 25 mkm’s from the swarm ships, they started pursuing the human fighters. The Swarm group was composed of the massive Acid class flagship, four battlecruiser sized Adversary class ships, five destroyer sized Abuser class ships, and three fighter sized Accelerator class units.
At 1240 hours, the fighters were three million kilometers from the swarm ships, and they launched their missiles. This time the entire alpha strike was targeted on the massive Acid class ship. As before the missiles sailed up to the target without opposition. This time there was defensive fire to contend with one hundred and sixty-seven of the incoming missiles being intercepted at the last second. One hundred and ninety-eight of the four hundred and fifty-seven remaining missiles hit the massive swarm ship, all of which were absorbed by the ship’s armor.
That left two hundred and fifty-nine to circle around and attack again. One hundred and thirty-eight were intercepted, and forty-three hit, leaving seventy-eight to try again. Six got through to hit, but like the first two attacks, all were absorbed by the massive ship’s armor.
The fighters turned to run away. Their carrier’s had enough missiles to rearm them once more. The results were somewhat gratifying, as they had gotten a 39.5 percent hit ratio, which was outstanding, but every fighter pilot came away from the engagement somewhat intimidated that the massive swarm ship had absorbed almost two hundred and fifty missiles without showing any visible signs of damage.
At 1421 hours the fighters landed and began rearming. An hour later they launched again. This time, instead of heading directly for the planet, they headed to a point offset from the planet, so that they could dogleg around the swarm flagship and her consorts, and thus attack the main fleet at the planet.
The strategy worked well. Coming in from the side allowed the fighters to bypass the swarm flagship and other ships positioned in between the Retribution Fleet and the planet. At 0134 hours on the 8th, the fighters had approached to forty mkm’s from the planet and their sensors picked up one hundred and seventy-nine small swarm ships in orbit over the planet. As they approached another twenty-four small swarm ships appeared in orbit, bringing the total to two hundred and three ships in orbit.
When the fighters reached five mkm’s from the planet one hundred and seventy-four small swarm ships began to race towards the fighters, while twenty-nine ran away for some reason. The fighters continued to close past the three million kilometer range of their missiles as the swarm ships were so small that the fighter’s targeting systems couldn’t get a lock on until they closed to two point two million kilometers. The fighters each targeted a swarm ship with their missiles and launched at two million kilometers, although they would have to continue to close to target the smallest swarm ships. The first salvo of missiles raced away as the fighters continued to close on the smaller swarm ships. A second salvo was launched at one point eight million kilometers, and a third at one point five million kilometers. As soon as the third wave of missiles was launched, the fighters turned away and began opening the range.
The first wave of missiles slammed into the small swarm ships in a tidal wave of explosions. The small swarm ships, all sub-1,000 ton designs, defended themselves with last second energy weapons fire, but it wasn’t enough. The Terran missiles and their ability to reacquire their targets if they missed proved to be too much for the swarm force, because when the explosions finally cleared thirty seconds after they started, only fifty-seven swarm ships survived, and only six of those were mobile.
Lt Commander Rosh wished that the fleet commander had sent the Forward class attack fighters with his group, their lasers would make short work of the remaining Swarm ships. The current distance was beyond their range, though, so they had been withheld. In any case, the strike fighters had expended their missiles and it was time to return to the fleet. The remaining mobile swarm ships pursued, but rapidly fell behind.
Seventeen minutes after turning away, the strike group detected eight swarm ships ahead of them. The group turned away, headed away from both groups of swarm ships, opening the range before turning back towards the Retribution Fleet.
In the meantime, Admiral McCullick received the strike group’s report and decided to move the fleet in closer to the planet to enable them to deploy their Forward class attack fighters. He was under orders to not risk serious losses to his fleet, but he considered the risk negligible given the fact that the Swarm was staying close to their planetary base.
At 1226 hours on the 9th, the strike carriers launched their attack fighters, which raced away from the fleet towards the planet and its Swarm defenders. They too followed a dogleg course which should allow them to attack the damaged ships left behind by the strike fighters. At 0915 hours the Aegis platforms accompanying the attack fighters detected ninety-five swarm ships exactly where the damaged ships had been left. The damaged force had been composed of fifty-seven ships, meaning that they had picked up an escort of thirty-eight ships. One minute later the count grew to one hundred and fifteen ships.
The attack fighters continued to close on the swarm ships. The main fleet was under orders to avoid close engagement and not to take risks, but the fighters were under no such constraint. Indeed, this mission was to test their capabilities, and Lt Commander Stano intended to do just that. Given that there were apparently intact ships in close proximity to the damaged swarms ship, Lt Commander Stano issued orders for his pilots to target the intact ships first, as the greater threat. By the time they had closed to one point eight million kilometers none of the swarm ships had moved, so Stano ordered his pilots to target the nearest swarm ships and to fire within range, unless some of the ships started moving, in which case they were to prioritize the moving ships.
At one million kilometers the swarm ships still hadn’t reacted, so Stano ordered his fighters in, targeting the nearest immobile swarm ship, an Aberration class. The attack fighters opened fire with their 10cm lasers at 40,000 kilometers, and one of the fighters got a hit, destroying the alien ship. The fighters turned their fire on an Abhorrent class ship at 60,000 kilometers from their current position, destroying it as well. It took four hits to destroy the Abhorrent, after which the fighters turned towards the large bulk of damaged swarm ships two hundred and forty thousand kilometers away. As the fighters approached the main swarm force, they began taking fire from the Swarm ships. The fire was focused on the Aegis sensor platforms, so Lt Commander Stano detached them from the group and ordered them to retreat beyond the swarm force’s weapons range. Meanwhile, the attack fighters continued to close on the swarm force.
With the Aegis platforms retreating out of range, the Swarm ships concentrated their fire on the fighters, destroying one and damaging another. The Terran fighters began firing back, and the melee was on. The Terran fighters destroyed one swarm ship, in exchange for losing four of their own, two of which had been damaged before. Lt Commander Stano gave the order to close to point blank range and continue firing.
Six more fighters were destroyed racing towards the swarm fleet, several of which were damaged in the previous exchange of fire. Six more fighters died in the next exchange of fire, in exchange for one alien ship. Lt Commander Stano was among those lost when his fighter was hit by the alien weapons.
At this point Lt Commander An ordered the fighters to withdraw, having lost a third of the force after causing negligible damage to the alien force. The left behind one crippled fighter, and three lagged behind the main force, reduced to half speed. Four more were destroyed while retreating, and another fighter lost its engines and was left behind. Fortunately, the bulk of the fighters were beyond the range of the swarm ship’s weapons and no more were lost, except the crippled fighter left behind. In all twenty-four attack fighters survived, leaving behind twenty-one of their number.
Intel analysists would determine the following from the battle sensor logs:
Aberration Class: Armament - High Power Microwave, ROF 5, range 85,780 km’s, estimated Armor 3
Abhorrent Class: Armament – Laser, ROF 5, range 171,555, estimated armor 3
This was of serious concern for the attack fighter program. To save on mass, the fighters were equipped with a small 10cm laser that had been reduced in size, which decreased its rate of fire to once every ten seconds. This meant that they were seriously outmatched by the Swarm ships, which had weapons that fired faster and farther. In addition, the Swarm ships had heavier armor, meaning the only category the attack fighters exceeded their opponents was in speed. In addition, several attack fighters lost their weapons when they suffered maintenance casualties during the battle. All of this pointed to the fact that the attack fighters had to be improved if they were going to stand toe to toe with the Swarm. The Eagle strike fighters, though, had been a complete success, but were dependent on munitions that the Empire was having difficulty producing in sufficient numbers.
Buy 1322 hours on the 10th, the fighters were back aboard their carriers and the fleet had turned back towards the jump point back to Terran space. The attack was over.
June 23, 2143: The Retribution Fleet arrives over Shield Base to tremendous acclaim. The base’s courier ship is dispatched back to Terra with the fleet’s reports, while the crews are greeted and feted by the grateful civilian population of the planet.
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June 28, 2143: The salvage group from the 70 Ophiuchi system has arrived over Terra and unloaded its store of salvaged ships systems. Tech teams immediately begin disassembling a recovered shield system, gaining some research known how for shield regeneration tech. The Empire’s tech has surpassed the Reapers and the Archers in all other ways, so the rest of the systems are scrapped.
On this date the Retribution Fleet departs Shield Base, bound for Terra.
June 30, 2143: Shield Base’s courier arrives in the Solar System. A project team is assembled to begin the redesign the Forward class strike fighters.
This is the proposed new design. The Forward II class has a standard 10cm laser, meaning its faster charging, and a comparably improved fire control, giving the fighter a much longer firing range. In addition, it has an enlarged maintenance area to accommodate the more maintenance intensive laser, and increased armor. All of this means that the Forward II is slower than the original version, although it is still faster than all known Swarm ships, although the Swarm survey ship comes close to the Forward II’s speed.
Forward II class Attack Craft 449 tons 7 Crew 193.2 BP TCS 9 TH 125 EM 0
13928 km/s Armour 3-5 Shields 0-0 HTK 4 Sensors 0/0/0/0 DCR 0-0 PPV 3
Maint Life 12.38 Years MSP 95 AFR 5% IFR 0.1% 1YR 1 5YR 17 Max Repair 72 MSP
Lieutenant Commander Control Rating 1
Intended Deployment Time: 3 days Morale Check Required
Fighter IC Fusion Drive (2) Power 125.0 Fuel Use 1250.0% Signature 62.5 Explosion 25%
Fuel Capacity 35,000 Litres Range 1.12 billion km (22 hours at full power)
10cm FUV Laser (1) Range 150,000km TS: 13,928 km/s Power 3-3 RM 50,000 km ROF 5
Fighter Laser Fire Control Mk II (1) Max Range: 160,000 km TS: 15,000 km/s ECCM-2 94 88 81 75 69 62 56 50 44 38
Fighter IC Fusion Reactor (1) Total Power Output 3 Exp 10%
This design is classed as a Fighter for production, combat and planetary interaction
This design is classed as a Fighter for auto-assignment purposes
July 1, 2143: The scout picketing the Gamma Carinae system detects a Swarm Aggravator class ship approaching its position. The Aggravator is a 4,014 ton ship, an observed speed of 10,649 km/s, and with unknown capabilities. The fleet scout jumps back to the Ursae Majoris system and heads towards the jump point in that system leading back to Shield Base.
July 9, 2143: The fleet scout in the 25 Ursae Majoris system detects a Swarm Aggravator class ship approaching. The scout jumps back to the Luhman system and heads for the jump points headed back to Shield Base. The Aggravator follows the scout through the jump point into the Luhman system, causing the scout’s commander much consternation as it is faster than the scout. However, the Aggravator turns towards the outer system, away from the scout.
July 11, 2143: The scout reaches the jump point to the Barnard’s Star system and waits to see if the Aggravator will follow it.
July 14, 2143: The Retribution Fleet arrives over Terra to much acclaim. The fleet refuels and rearms while its crews are given shore leave to enjoy the enthusiasm of the masses. It is at this point that the weakness of the Eagle fighters is revealed. Terra’s stockpile of missiles isn’t sufficient to rearm the carriers and their fighters, so the next sortie will have to wait.
September 7, 2143: The xeno teams on the second planet of the 70 Ophiuchi system have finished their examination of the ruins and completed their survey and report. The perfunctory examination made by Naval Intelligence after the battle was over confirmed that the ground forces and their base was Reaper tech, but they didn’t delve into the ruins. The xeno teams have determined that the ruins do not belong to the Reapers, but instead a different race entirely. Disturbingly, it appears based on information discovered by the teams that the Reapers wiped out the local race completely. The teams have determined that there are three hundred installations that are relatively intact, and construction units assigned to the occupation force have already begun work on recovering them.
Naval Intelligence Report on information developed from the Reaper base on 70 Ophiuchi II
Classified: Ultra Red, Limited Access
Summary: Information gathered from the Reaper ruins confirms that they are a robotic force employed by an unknown race or power to secure areas of interest beyond the borders (possibly ‘former borders’) of “The Galactic Imperium” (possibly Confederation/Federation/Union), translation uncertain. The Reaper Base on 70 Ophiuchi II was established approximately 100 years ago, concurrent with the Raid period on Earth. Notably, this is roughly consistent with the establishment of the Reaper Base in the Groombridge system. Both the Groombridge base and the Ophiuchi base appear to have been abandoned by either the main Reaper force or by their employers/owners/masters within ten years of the bases being established, for unknown reasons. No information was recovered as to the power(s) behind the Reapers. Given the Reaper’s established habit of picketing planets with oxygen-nitrogen atmospheres, caution should be used approaching all such planets in the future.
September 24, 2143: A long-range survey ship operating in the Sigma Eridani system (three jumps from Lalande in the opposite direction from the Swarm), jumps through a newly discovered jump point and discovers the 111 Virginis system. This is a single-star system with a red star primary, orbited by two dwarf planets, two terrestrial planets, and a gas giant. One of the terrestrial planets has a thick nitrogen-oxygen atmosphere. The planet, planet #2, is larger than Terra with a gravity of 1.31 G, and an average temp of -68 C with an ice sheet covering 60% of the planet. Given the propensity of the Reapers to infest planets with life giving atmospheres, the survey ship will return to Shield Base to request a warship to probe the planet.
November 1, 2143: Work has begun retooling the Arrellano Shipbuilding yards to build the Empire’s newest design, the Galaxy class Dreadnought. The Dreadnought is an experimental design, designed to go toe-to-toe with the largest swarm ships. It has massive shielding and armor, and a large marine complement to handle any boarders that managed to penetrate its defenses. In addition, it carries a fighter complement with deep magazines to whittle down any swarm attempts to overwhelm it before they can reach attack range. The inclusion of the fighters was controversial, as the Empire’s missile shortage is critical, so the hangar bay may be filled with attack fighters rather than strike fighters. The most controversial element of this design, though, is the increase in speed. This is meant to improve the design’s ability to engage Swarm ships, however, this also means that it cannot operate effectively with other Imperial ships due to their lower speed.
Galaxy class Dreadnought 80,000 tons 1,821 Crew 18,190.3 BP TCS 1,600 TH 16,000 EM 16,200
10000 km/s JR 4-250 Armour 9-165 Shields 540-360 HTK 380 Sensors 108/84/0/0 DCR 59-7 PPV 146.47
Maint Life 1.09 Years MSP 11,105 AFR 1024% IFR 14.2% 1YR 9,461 5YR 141,912 Max Repair 2,000 MSP
Hangar Deck Capacity 4,000 tons Troop Capacity 1,200 tons Magazine 900 / 0
Commodore Control Rating 5 BRG AUX ENG CIC FLG
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months Flight Crew Berths 80 Morale Check Required
J80000(4-250) Military Jump Drive Max Ship Size 80000 tons Distance 250k km Squadron Size 4
DN IC Fusion Drive (4) Power 16000 Fuel Use 10.0% Signature 4000 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 5,334,000 Litres Range 120 billion km (138 days at full power)
Lg Epsilon Shield Generator (18) Recharge Time 360 seconds (1.5 per second)
45.0cm FUV Spinal Laser (1) Range 320,000km TS: 10,000 km/s Power 53-8 RM 50,000 km ROF 35
30cm FUV Laser Mk II (4) Range 320,000km TS: 10,000 km/s Power 24-8 RM 50,000 km ROF 15
15cmFUV Laser (6) Range 300,000km TS: 10,000 km/s Power 6-6 RM 50,000 km ROF 5
Twin 10cm FUV Laser Turret Mk II (3x2) Range 150,000km TS: 25000 km/s Power 6-6 RM 50,000 km ROF 5
Twin Gauss Cannon Mk II Turret (2x8) Range 40,000km TS: 25000 km/s Power 0-0 RM 40,000 km ROF 5
Miain Battery Fire Control MK III (4) Max Range: 320,000 km TS: 6,250 km/s ECCM-2 97 94 91 88 84 81 78 75 72 69
Turret Fire Control Mk III (1) Max Range: 200,000 km TS: 25,000 km/s ECCM-2 95 90 85 80 75 70 65 60 55 50
Capital IC Fusion Reactor (3) Total Power Output 240 Exp 5%
AM Active Search Sensor Mk III (1) GPS 180 Range 28.3m km MCR 2.5m km Resolution 1
Standard Active Search Sensor Mk II (1) GPS 2016 Range 61.1m km Resolution 14
Capital EM Sensor (1) Sensitivity 84 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 72.5m km
Capital Thermal Sensor Mk II (1) Sensitivity 108 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 82.2m km
Electronic Warfare Jammers: Sensor 3 Fire Control 3 Missile 3
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Warship for auto-assignment purposes
November 2, 2143: The survey ship arrives in the Monoceri system and transmits its report on the 111 Virginis system along with a request for a probe by naval ships. Once finished transmitting it proceeds in-system to refuel before returning to its group and resuming survey duties. Vice Admiral Doxey, the CO of Monoceri Naval District, orders two destroyers from the 9th Destroyer Group, to probe the 111 Virginis system. She detaches the jump cruiser Annihilator to accompany the destroyers.
November 25, 2143: The 9th DD Group enters the 111 Virginis system. The Annihilator remains at the jump point while the two destroyers move in-system towards the second planet.
December 4, 2143: The 9th Destroyer Group has completed its probe of the second planet and found nothing in orbit or on the group. The DD’s turn back towards the jump cruiser at the jump point.
December 10, 2143: The 9th DD Group jumps into the 82 Draconis system to inform the survey group about the results of their probe of the 111 Virginis system. The group’s commander intends to turn for home, but the commander of the survey group requests that they remain on station until the new jump points they have discovered in the 82 Draconis system can be probed, avoiding the necessity of requesting their presence again. Captain Belleau of the Annihilator provisionally agrees, as long as his maintenance situation doesn’t deteriorate. Several of his ships were near the limit of their maintenance endurance before the mission to 111 Virginis system, and if his maintenance supplies continue to be depleted, they may have to return prematurely.
December 29, 2143: A Leslie Transport Corp colonist transport in the 61 Hydrae system sends out a distress call stating that it is under attack by unknown forces. The 61 Hydrae system is uninhabited and unexploited, but it is on the path to the V-Sag fueling base, the Lalande mining system, and Shield Base on the frontier. The presence of an enemy here is alarming. Fortunately, there is a group of Imperial tankers in the system, en route to Terra after refueling at the V-Sag base. The tankers receive the mayday and immediately turn and run for the jump point to Proxima. They will head to Shield Base Lalande to warn them of the incursion, as they are cut off from Terra. Their ETA to Monoceri is 14.5 days. In the meantime, the system is re-designated as off-limits to civilian traffic. This in essence will divide the Empire into two until it can be resolved.
The fuel ships monitored the transports calls for help throughout the short battle. It took the unknown attacker three minutes and thirty seconds to dismantle the colony transport, and the ship’s crew grew more and more desperate as the attack went on and cryo-pod transport bays were peeled away from the ship by the enemy’s weapons. After they went silent the fuel ship’s crews were left with the knowledge that 220,000 colonists just died in their sleep.
Four and a half hours later, as the fuel ships ran for the jump point, the next group of civilian ships, this time four large freighters, came under attack. One by one the freighters were destroyed by the invisible attacker. The tanker group was 80 mkm’s from the attack location and retreating at top speed. Given the fact that the last attack was closer to the tanker group than the first, the tanker group’s CO decided that they had to escape the system immediately. The tanker group shifted their course to jump out through the jump point to the V1216 Sagittarii system, which was closer than the jump point to the Proxima system.
At 0304 hours the tankers jumped out of the 61 Hydrae system and into the V1216 Sagittarii system. The tankers immediately set their course for the V-Sag base, which had ground-based defenses and would be able to protect them if the unknown aggressor followed them into the system. They also sent off a contact report as soon as they entered the system.
The contact report arrived at V-Sag base seventy-five minutes later. The commander of the ground forces of the base, Colonel Gasperini, had no ships to send to 61 Hydrae, but he did have a courier, which he immediately dispatched to Shield Base. The courier’s ETA was just over six days.
January 3, 2144: There are still several civilian ships in the 61 Hydrae system, mostly lying low and hoping the enigmatic attackers go away. At 1304 hours the wreck of one of the freighters destroyed in the attack disappeared off of their screens, indicating a salvage effort was underway. Unfortunately, they had no way of communicating this to anyone else.
January 5, 2144: The courier from V-Sag base arrives in the Monoceri system and immediately sends off its reports to Shield Base.
Admiral Doxey, commander of the Monoceri Naval District, responds immediately, dispatching the Jupiter Battle Group, reinforced with destroyers from the Shield Base Defense Group. Their ETA to the 61 Hydrae System is just under six days.
As the battle group burns for the jump point, Naval Intelligence analysists examining the sensor logs downloaded by the courier determine that the most likely identity of the attacker is an Archer Light Raider. The weapons used against the civilian ships match the known weapons profile of the Alpha class exactly. This information is transmitted to the Jupiter before the group jumps out.
January 9, 2144: A group of four UNREP ships returning from a resupply mission to Shield Base jumps into the 61 Hydrae system and heads towards the jump point that will take them to the Solar System, after several more jumps. At 0434 hours the UNREP ships detect an Archer Light Raider and an Archer Salvage Ship at the location of the destroyed civilian ships. The UNREP ships immediately come about and head directly away from the raiders, towards the jump point to the V-Sag system. Fortunately, they are faster than the Archer ships and should be able to evade. Ten hours later, as they are jumping out, they notice a wreck disappear from their sensors.
January 11, 2144: The Jupiter Battle Group jumps into the 61 Hydrae system and immediately sets course for the last known position of the alien attackers.
At 2042 hours the passive sensors on the Jupiter pick up the Archer Salvage Ship co-located with the three remaining wrecks. The group is 105 mkm’s out and closing.
At 2222 hours, the group’s active sensors are in range and pick up a Light Raider, three Raiders, the Salvage ship, and an entirely new class. The new ship is somewhat larger than the Jupiter at 23,465 tons, and is provisionally designated as UC-01, for Unknown Class. The Jupiter and her consorts continue to close.
At 2312 hours, the Archer task group gets underway, moving diagonally away from the oncoming Terran ships. The Archer ships have split into two groups, Group A consisting of the Salvage Ship, the Light Raider, and two Raiders, and Group B consisting of the UC and a Raider. Group A moving at the max speed of the Salvage Ship, 1,830 km/s, while Group B is moving slightly faster at 2,330 km/s. Captain Fortenberry of the Jupiter orders her group to pursue Group B.
At 0111 hours on the 12th, the Jupiter opened fire on the UC-01 at just over 300,000 kilometers with her 31.25cm spinal laser. The chance to hit was low, and indeed she missed, but the fact that the UC-01 and her escorting Raider failed to respond was gratifying. Captain Fortenberry ordered her group to close to 250,000 kilometers and to continue firing as their weapons came in range. The UC-01’s capabilities were unknown, but the Raider class was known to be equipped with short range rail guns, meaning that the Jupiter and her destroyers should be able to stand off and pick them apart with lasers. At this point Group A was nearly four million kilometers behind, and wouldn’t be able to affect the outcome of the engagement with Group B.
The three Imperial destroyers attacked next, firing their 15cm rapid firing lasers at 291,000 kilometers and getting five hits on the UC-01, all of which were absorbed by the ship’s armor. The Imperial warships continued to close, firing the 15cm lasers as they came, chipping away at the UC-01’s armor. After another salvo, Captain Fortenberry ordered her group to continue to close, seeking to improve their chance to hit and the damage being done by their lasers.
The next salvo, at 223,000 kilometers, got eight hits, three of which penetrated the UC-01’s armor. The next several salvoes got increasing numbers of penetrating hits, and finally, when they reached 150,000 kilometers, the 15cm lasers were close enough to do additional damage with every hit. The UC-01 was now reduced to just under 1,000 km/s and faltering. The very next salvo destroyed the UC-01 and the group shifted targeting to the Raider, which had accelerated to 5,643 km/s. With the unknown capabilities of the UC-01 no longer a factor, Captain Fortenberry ordered her group to close to 100,000 kilometers from the Raider, which was till far out of that ship’s range. It took just two salvoes to destroy the Raider, and the Terran ships turned to close on Group A.
Just under seven minutes later the terran warships were closing on Group A. The Terran ships opened fire at 208,000 kilometers, getting fourteen hits on the Lt Raider, four of which penetrated. It took two more salvoes to destroy the Lt Raider, and then they moved on the Raiders. The four imperial ships split their fire between the two Raiders, taking them down in three salvoes, leaving the Salvage Ship as the last known Archer ship in the system.
It took just one salvo to destroy the Salvage Ship, leaving the system clear of Archer raiders. Captain Fortenberry detached two of her destroyers, sending one to Shield Base and the other to Terra with her sensor logs and reports. The Jupiter and one destroyer would remain in-system for now to guard against a follow up attack.
January 14, 2144: The DD Miyo Wendell arrived in the Solar System with the reports from Captain Fortenberry. After waiting for the light-speed transmission to arrive, and for any orders to return, the Wendell jumped back out to return to her task group in the 61 Hydrae system.
The news electrifies first Naval HQ, then the Imperial government, and finally the people. The cold-blooded destruction of a colony transport is horrific, and further conformation that the raiders are inhuman monsters. For the navy and the government, this presents a significant problem. All colonies and forward bases have been garrisoned with both ground defenses and varying amounts of naval ships for self defense and the defense of their system, but uninhabited and unexploited systems have not. Up to now it was thought that the raiders focused on inhabited systems, but the attack on the 61 Hydrae system has proven that belief to be mistaken. Imperial defense plans will have to be re-examined.
January 15, 2144: A long-range survey ship discovers a connection between the just-surveyed 82 Draconis system and the GJ 1128 system. The GJ 1128 system was discovered ten years ago just before the Swarm was encountered, two jumps beyond the system from which the Swarm was discovered. After the discovery of the Swarm the survey ships were withdrawn, in spite of the fact that the GJ 1128 system contained two terrestrial class planets, one of which had a thin oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere and a thick ice sheet. In light of this discovery, the survey ship jumps back to the 82 Draconis system and requests that the 9th Destroyer group probe the system.
(https://i.imgur.com/cwXIdos.jpg)
Picture of the north-eastern portion of the Empire's star map. The skulls represent known Swarm territory.
(https://i.imgur.com/DoLlSbD.jpg)
Picture of the south-eastern portion of the Empire's star map. Sol/Terra is one jump to the left of the Wolf 359 system.
January 18, 2144: The Jupiter Battle Group in 61 Hydrae detects an Archer Survey Ship in-bound towards the wrecks the battle group has been watching over. The contact is 76 mkm’s out and closing. The group immediately goes to max speed and begins closing. When the group moves close enough for its active sensors to reach the Salvage Ship, they detect two Raiders and a Light Raider escorting the salvage ship. The Archer ships eventually turn away and begin running, but it is too late for them to escape as the faster Imperial ships run them down.
At 0424 hours on the 18th, the battle group opened fire on the Lt Raider at 180,000 kilometers, scoring seven hits with two penetrations. After four salvoes the Lt Raider was a drifting wreck, and the Imperial ships turned their weapons on the two Raiders. Once again, the Imperial ships split their fire between the two Raiders, and after four salvoes took both down. That left the Salvage Ship as the last target. Three salvoes were enough to take the commercial ship down, leaving the system once again clear of contacts.
January 19, 2144: A new Archer Light Raider is detected twenty-seven mkm’s in-system from the current location of the Jupiter and her destroyers. The group begins their pursuit immediately. The Light Raider appeared well within range of the Jupiter’s active sensors, possibly revealing their entry point into the system. The group opens fire at 210,000 kilometers, getting multiple hits. It took four salvoes to destroy the Light Raider, and in exchange the Light Raider got one hit on the Jupiter’s shields.
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January 22, 2144: The 9th DD Group has cleared the third planet of the GH 1128 system and heads back out-system. It is time for them to return to base to resupply and overhaul their ships.
Fleet Command has decided to establish a naval base in the 61 Hydrae system to protect the shipping transiting the system. The only suitable body in the system is a small comet, so the base will be established there. Fuel, maintenance supplies, orbital maintenance facilities, and an orbital recreation facility will be transferred to the system, along with ground-based defenses. Once the installations are in place an interceptor group will transferred to the system.
April 1, 2144: The maintenance base has been established in the 61 Hydrae system, and the defenses have been set up. Six interceptors are dispatched from Terran orbit to establish a guard force in the system. In addition, the Navy has set up a maintenance base close to the jump point in the solar system, consisting of four maintenance stations and a recreation base. A destroyer group will be stationed at the base, close to the jump point, as a quick reaction force capable of rapidly responding to all nearby systems without having to first travel all the way from Terra to the jump point. The base will be named High Guard Station.
April 29, 2144: The Retribution Fleet has finally been rearmed and sets out for the frontier to confront the Swarm yet again. This time the Jupiter and Venus battle groups, along with the battleship Rigel, join the fleet in case close combat becomes necessary or possible.
April 30, 2144: The survey of the GJ 1128 system is complete. The system has four jump points, two of which are known, and multiple potential mining sites. While planet #3, the one with the oxy-nitrogen atmosphere, has limited available resources, planets #1 and 2 have moderately large quantities of high-availability resources, making the system an interesting prospect for future exploitation, once the Swarm is dealt with.
May 15, 2144: The Retribution Fleet arrives over Shield Base and begins refueling, before setting out for the Swarm frontier.
May 19, 2144: The Retribution Fleet has entered the Luhman16 system and joined the fleet scout stationed at the jump point. After downloading updates from the scout, the fleet moves forward again.
Second Battle of Chi Draconis
May 24, 2144: The Retribution fleet is now in the Chi Draconis system, the last known location for the Swarm. The fleet begins moving in-system to a better location to launch its strike wings.
May 27, 2144, 1256 hours: The Retribution Fleet is positioned in deep space 700 mkm’s from the planet that seems to be the center of attention for the Swarm. America, China, and UK launch their fighters, which immediately sweep away from the fleet towards the last known location of the damaged ships from the last encounter with the Swarm. The second attack on the Swarm has begun.
At 1932 hours the strike group detects four Swarm ships, two 21,000 ton Abomination and two 10,699 ton Abuser class units, close to where the last battle took place. The strike group turns to close on the Swarm ships. At 2008 hours the America’s strike group launches its missiles at the four ships. Two hundred and eight missiles were targeted on the four ships.
The missiles sped towards the targets, which never moved or otherwise gave any sign that they knew they were under attack.
Results:
Abomination-1: total hits 38, all absorbed by armor
Abuser-7: total hits 28, all absorbed by armor
Abuser-6: total hits 33, one penetrating hit
Abomination-2: total hits 40, three penetrated, two secondary explosions, target destroyed
The results were somewhat disappointing, but the strike group commander, Lt Commander Sturgess, decided not to follow up. The remaining three swarm units would be left for the main fleet, if they decided to follow up the strike. Instead, the strike group detoured around the three remaining ships and headed for the planet. The Swarm ships attempted to pursue, but two had been slowed to 2,732 km/s and even at full speed they were too slow to catch the fighters.
At 2202 hours, while still 95 mkm’s from the planet, the fighters detected six small Abhorrent and Aberration class swarm ships ahead of them. The swarm ships were racing towards the group at full speed. By 2223 the swarm ships were well within range, and six fighters from the China’s group launched their missiles at the oncoming attack ships.
The forty-eight Sparrow II ASM’s killed all six swarm ships, however, it was a close-run thing. The strike group continued on towards the planet.
At 2249 hours, the strike group was finally close enough to the planet for its sensors to see what was in orbit. The fighter’s sensors detected one hundred and twenty-six ships in orbit. This number grew over the next several minutes as the fighters closed, until the total was:
One Acid class, 130,000 tons
Four Adversary class, 21,495 tons
Five Abuser class, 10,699 ton
forty-nine Abhorrent class, 844 tons
forty-six Aberration class, 844 tons
twenty-six Accelerator class, 761 tons
nineteen Abductor class, 695 tons
Total tonnage: 402,442
When the strike group reached 27 mkm’s from the planet a large group of the swarm ships broke away from the main mass over the planet and began heading towards them at 11,109 km/s. Lt Commander Sturgess ordered his fighters to close to two million kilometers to launch their missiles.
Lt Commander Sturgess had hoped to thin out the ranks of the smaller ships, but the lead group approaching the fighters was composed of five Abusers, four Adversary’s, and the massive Acid class mothership. Sturgess ordered the strike group to target the Abuser class destroyer-sized units with their missiles. Seconds later three hundred and sixty missiles sped away from the fighters.
Damage Report:
Abuser-1: 24 hits
Abuser-2: 20 hits
Abuser-3: 18 hits
Abuser-4: 15 hits
Abuser-5: 20 hits
Astonishingly, the Abusers absorbed all of the damage without showing any outward signs of damage, meaning they had to launch more than 72 missiles per Abuser.
At 0528 on the 28th, as the fighter group was returning to the fleet, they detected a lone Abuser class swarm ship 470 mkm’s from the planet, but just 225 mkm’s from the fleet. The Abuser was headed towards the fleet, but that could just be a coincidence as the fleet stood between the planet and the jump point back to Imperial space. Lt Commander Sturgess ordered his group to follow the swarm ship at a discrete distance, as they had no weapons left, and sent a contact report to the fleet.
Back at the fleet, Admiral McCullick wasted no time and ordered his strike carriers to launch their forty-five forward class attack fighters. The fighters raced away from the fleet, towards the swarm ship. They had not performed well against a large mass of smaller swarm ships. This would be a test of their capability against a larger swarm ship.
At 0745 hours, the forty-five attack fighters of the CVS strike group open fire on the advancing Abuser class swarm ship, getting nineteen hits, one of which penetrated. Twenty seconds later the Abuser blew up under the concentrated fire of the attack fighters, which then turned back towards their carrier.
At 1304 hours the carriers launch their second strike. At 2228 hours the strike group re-establishes contact with the main swarm fleet over the planet. Notably, the fleet over the planet consists only of the smaller swarm ships, which all began running from the fighters when they reached 11 mkm’s from the planet.
At 2315 hours, after a short pursuit, the fighters were technically in range of their missiles, but Lt Commander Sturgess delayed firing to close further, ensuring the missiles could reach the fleeing targets.
Finally, at 2316 hours the fighters fired all six hundred and twenty-four missiles at the fleeing swarm ships, with each fighter targeting a different swarm ship. The results were devastating. When the explosions that wreathed the swarm ships cleared, sixty-six had disappeared, and fourteen were left drifting. The remaining sixty-two were charging the fighters, but the human ships easily outran them when they turned back towards their carriers.
The fighters returned to base and reloaded, and were in space again by 1035 hours on the 29th. At 1959 the strike group’s sensors confirm that the group of mobile swarm ships is over the planet again, sixty-two strong. The fighters closed as they had before. Once again, the swarm ships began running when the fighters got close enough, and once again the fighters pursued. At 2037 hours the fighters from the UK launched their missiles at the fleeing swarm ships. The twenty-six fighters launched their missiles, each targeted on a different swarm ship, and then turned away.
Twenty-five seconds later the missiles struck home, leaving forty-three swarm ships in space. Next, the America’s strike group launched their missiles at the swarm group. After this strike, only twenty swarm ships were left. That left the China’s group to mop them up, and when the explosions cleared, there were no swarm ships left. The bulk of the swarm’s known small ships had either been destroyed or damaged. The fighters withdrew.
May 30, 2144: The fighters have returned to their carriers, but the carriers have no more missiles to load in their bays. Admiral McCullick has a decision to make. The swarm has been deprived of most of its known small ships, leaving only the larger destroyer and battlecruiser sized ships, along with the mammoth mother ship, all of which are faster than the corresponding human ships. In the end, it’s an easy decision to make. The Retribution Fleet’s warships, 2 battleships, two battlecruisers, a jump cruiser, six destroyers, and six destroyer escorts, are out-massed by the remaining swarm fleet. Admiral McCullick orders the fleet to return to Shield Base.
June, 2144: Fleet HQ has been dissatisfied with the Fleet Scout design for some time. This design was intended to be both an independent scout probing and guarding the frontiers, and a support unit for the fleet during fleet operations in disputed space. However, as an unarmed ship it was seen as vital that the ship be stealthy, so it was fitted with low-emission engines that would make it hard to detect. However, these expensive engines also meant that the scout was unable to maintain fleet standard speed, which meant that if the scout accompanied fleet units they would be reduced to the scout’s speed, which was seen as unacceptable by most fleet commanders, so the existing scouts remained on independent duty for the most part. And after the loss of a scout in the Chi Draconis system, the fleet was unwilling to risk them in dangerous systems.
After much wrangling between the operations department and the fleet designers, they decided to redesignate the existing scout design from “Fleet Scout” to a “Scout”, reflecting its independent operational nature, and to design a new fleet scout capable of maintaining fleet speed and supporting fleet operations. The new Boone class Fleet Scout is essentially the same design as the Avenger Scout, but with the low-profile engines stripped out and replaced with standard destroyer engines, and the jump drive has been removed and replaced with armor and shields.
Boone class Fleet Scout 10,000 tons 275 Crew 3,363.6 BP TCS 200 TH 1,500 EM 330
7500 km/s Armour 3-41 Shields 11-264 HTK 47 Sensors 756/6/0/0 DCR 9-9 PPV 0
Maint Life 2.84 Years MSP 2,392 AFR 89% IFR 1.2% 1YR 434 5YR 6,514 Max Repair 1,296 MSP
Lieutenant Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 24 months Morale Check Required
IC Fusion Drive (2) Power 1500 Fuel Use 23.09% Signature 750 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 891,000 Litres Range 69.4 billion km (107 days at full power)
Epsilon Shield Generator (1) Recharge Time 264 seconds (0 per second)
Scout Lg Search Sensor Mk II (1) GPS 216000 Range 405.7m km Resolution 200
Scout Thermal Sensor Mk IIb (1) Sensitivity 756 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 217.4m km
ELINT Module (1) Sensitivity 6 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 19.4m km
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Intelligence Ship for auto-assignment purposes
The Eagle class strike fighters with their Sparrow II ASM’s have proven to be an effective weapon against the Swarm, however, the Empire’s difficulties in producing enough missiles to keep them supplied continues to be a weakness that the Imperial Navy has had difficulty alleviating. R&D Assets have been tasked with improving the Empire’s munitions factory’s productivity, and construction factories have ceaselessly been building more munitions factories, but it never seems to be enough.
In the meantime, construction has started on the Forward Flight II attack fighter design, which will replace the current Forwards in the Fleet and are, hopefully, an improvement in action against the various Xenos enemies.
The Forward II is 84 tons larger than the original, but has better armor, better fire controls for its laser, and the 10cm laser has a better fire rate because it is a full-sized laser installation, rather than the original reduced size installed on the earlier model. All of this means the Forward II is substantially slower than the original design, but this couldn’t be avoided. The Forward II is still faster than most known Swarm designs.
Forward II class Attack Craft 449 tons 7 Crew 193.2 BP TCS 9 TH 125 EM 0
13928 km/s Armour 3-5 Shields 0-0 HTK 4 Sensors 0/0/0/0 DCR 0-0 PPV 3
Maint Life 12.38 Years MSP 95 AFR 5% IFR 0.1% 1YR 1 5YR 17 Max Repair 72 MSP
Lieutenant Commander Control Rating 1
Intended Deployment Time: 3 days Morale Check Required
Fighter IC Fusion Drive (2) Power 125.0 Fuel Use 1250.0% Signature 62.5 Explosion 25%
Fuel Capacity 35,000 Litres Range 1.12 billion km (22 hours at full power)
10cm FUV Laser (1) Range 150,000km TS: 13,928 km/s Power 3-3 RM 50,000 km ROF 5
Fighter Laser Fire Control Mk II (1) Max Range: 160,000 km TS: 15,000 km/s ECCM-2 94 88 81 75 69 62 56 50 44 38
Fighter IC Fusion Reactor (1) Total Power Output 3 Exp 10%
This design is classed as a Fighter for production, combat and planetary interaction
This design is classed as a Fighter for auto-assignment purposes
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January 14, 2145: The Retribution Fleet sets out for Shield Base. It has been reinforced to include 1xStar(C) BB, 2xStar Flight Ib BB, 3xCV, 3xPlanet Flt IIIc BC’s, 3xCVS, 1xAnnihilator Flt IVb Jump Cruiser, 1xHero Flt IVb DD, 7xHero Flt IVb DD, 8xShield Flt III DDE, 78xEagle Class Strike Fighters, 36xForward Flt II class attack fighters, 9xAegis Scout Fighters. The Empire intends for this to be the last sortie against the Swarm in Chi Draconis. To reinforce the fleet to this size, the Solar system has been stripped of most of the fleet’s capital ships. In fact, only the battlecruiser Jupiter has been left behind to defend the solar system, although it is well supported by interceptors, destroyers, and destroyer escorts.
January 31, 2145: The Retribution Fleet arrives at Shield Base and begins refueling. It is reinforced by a jump cruiser from the Base’s fleet, two scouts, and a tug. In addition, a group of tankers are dispatched to the Gamma Carinae system to support the fleet. The tankers and tug will have to assemble in the Luhman system as that’s where the jump gate network ends, and there are no jump ships of the correct type to escort them further until the jump troopship assigned to Monoceri can return from transporting survey teams to the frontier.
February 8, 2145: The Retribution Fleet has arrived at the jump point to Chi Draconis and joined the two scouts that had arrived several days earlier. The fleet jumps through, and after confirming the far side is clear, sends a ship back to bring the scouts in. After detaching a jump cruiser to watch the jump point, the fleet and the two scouts move in-system to the waypoint established in previous attacks as the assembly point for the carriers to launch their strikes.
February 12, 2145: The fleet is now in position, 650 mkm’s from the only planet in the system, the known assembly point for the swarm fleet. Admiral McCullick orders the fleet to close to point #2, approximately 250 mkm’s closer, so that the scout’s very sensitive sensors can determine if the swarm fleet is still present.
February 13,2 145: The scouts are now within theoretical range of their active sensors, but detect nothing over the planet. Unlike the raiders, the swarm is not known to use active emission reduction tech, so if they were present the scouts should be able to see them. Admiral McCullick orders the fleet and the scouts to continue closing.
By 0927 hours the fleet has closed to 250 mkm’s from the planet and continues to detect nothing. At this point Admiral McCullick orders the carriers to launch their missile-armed fighters, along with their Aegis scout fighters, to probe closer to the planet.
At 1215 hours, at 41 mkm’s from the planet, the fighters detect fourteen small swarm ships at the planet, of four classes all sub-1,000 tons. The fighters continue to close after reporting the contact to the fleet.
Unlike during the previous attacks, the small craft maintained their orbit and didn’t react to the approach of the fighters. Eleven fighters fired their missiles, each targeting a different swarm ship with their eight missiles, but three failed to get a lock on as the three abductors were too small to target and they would have to close even more to get a lock on. The swarm ships started running when the fighters launched, but it was too late. The missile wave swooped in on the fleeing swarm ships and wiped all eleven from space, leaving three Abductors to continue running.
The fighters continued to close, and when they reached one million kilometers they opened fire again, sending twenty-four missiles against the remaining three small craft, wiping them from space.
With the known swarm ships destroyed, the fighters set out along their last course. The swarm ships had originally begun running directly away from the fighters when they had launched their missiles, but after the first missile wave destroyed the bulk of their fleet, the remaining three small craft had turned approximately 90 degrees out-system and continued running. Lt Commander Wireman was curious if they were running towards something.
After continuing along this course for three hours and detecting nothing, Commander Wireman ordered his fighters to turn back and head towards the planet. The fleet began moving towards the planet as well.
February 14, 2145: The fleet has now assembled one million kilometers from the planet. No ground units have been detected, so Admiral McCullick orders the fleet to orbit the planet. The missing heavy ships is a concern, especially as there is no place else to go in the system. There are survey ships en route to the system to complete a survey, and the fleet will wait for them in the hopes of tracking down the swarm to where ever it is hiding.
April 3, 2145: A gravitic survey group arrives in the Chi Draconis system and immediately splits up to begin surveying for new jump points.
April 5, 2145: The geo-survey group dispatched to assist the Retribution Fleet has arrived and probed the unknown jump point in the Gamma Carinae system, adjacent to the Chi Draconis system. They have discovered a system with a red star primary, a Venusian planet, four gas giants with eighty-four moons, and a dwarf outer planet. They jump back to Gamma Carinae and set out for the Chi Draconis system to survey the swarm planet.
April 25, 2145: The survey ship completes its survey of Chi Draconis B-I, finding large deposits of eight different TN resources, some of which are present at good availability levels. This, perhaps, explains the presence of the swarm, however, there is no sign of a mining effort. The planet is terrestrial, but with a Venusian type atmosphere at 55 atmospheres of pressure and an average ground temp of 1188 degrees centigrade. The gravitic survey continues.
June 13, 2145: The survey of the Chi Draconis system is nearly complete. No new swarm ships have been discovered, but one new jump point has been localized. Admiral McCullick dispatches the jump cruiser Eradicator, escorted by a destroyer, a destroyer escort, and a scout to probe the jump point.
June 24, 2145: The jump cruiser and her escorts jump into the new system and are immediately taken under fire by two swarm ships in close proximity to the jump point. The Eradicator’s sensors show a 21,030-ton Abomination and a 10,699-ton Abuser sitting just 20,000 kilometers from the jump point. Fortunately, the Terran squadron jumped into the system about 95,000 kilometers from the swarm ships, giving them a little time to get organized. The Abomination targeted the Eradicator with eighteen energy weapons of some sort, causing minor shield damage from the one that managed to hit.
Captain Boddy, aboard the Eradicator, ordered his squadron to target the Abomination. While the Terran ships tried to get their weapons into action, the swarm ships headed for the jump point. Ten seconds after the Terran ships appeared in the system, the swarm ships jumped out, appearing close to the Terran scout left behind in the Chi Draconis system.
The scout, surprised, did the only thing it could and jumped through to the new system, as Captain Boddy ordered his squadron to pursue the swarm ships. The scout jumped through to the new system as the Eradicator and her escorts approached the jump point. Fifteen seconds after the swarm ships jumped to Chi Draconis, the squadron jumped after them.
They appeared in the Chi Draconis system to see the two swarm ships 60,000 kilometers away and fleeing at 2,732 km/s, which appeared to be the Abomination’s top speed. Captain Roddy ordered his squadron to pursue while they readied their weapons. The Eradicator suffered to hits to her shields when she appeared. As they raced away from the jump point, Captain Roddy changed the squadron’s targeting to the Abuser, which had a top speed higher than his ships, and could potentially escape if they destroyed the larger Abomination first.
As they raced away from the jump point the Abuser opened fire with its lasers, seriously depleting the Eradicator’s shields. Five seconds later the Abuser fired its lasers again, reducing the Eradicator’s shields to 21%. The next salvo from the Abuser dropped the Eradicator’s shields and scored her armor, but at that point the Eradicator opened fire, getting hits with its 31.25cm spinal laser, two of its 15cm lasers, and four of its turret-mounted 10cm lasers. All of the hits on the Abuser appeared to have been absorbed by its armor.
The Eradicator took another seven hits to its armor, but now the DDE Ancile and the DD Victor Aita opened fire, launching a salvo of AMM’s at the fleeing Abuser and scoring its armor with 15 cm lasers. At this point the Abuser accelerated away from the Abomination, opening the range on the Terran squadron.
As the Abuser raced away, the Terrans got multiple hits with their lasers, getting a penetration, but there was no apparent damage. The Abuser shifted its fire to the Terran DD, getting several hits on its armor. At this point, Captain Roddy ordered the squadron to accelerate and pursue the fleeing Abuser, but to shift most targeting to the Abomination, which they would pass close to during their pursuit of the Abuser. Only the Eradicator’s spinal laser and the DDE’s missiles would continue to target the Abuser, for now.
The next salvo from the Terran ships pounded the Abomination at 26,000 kilometers, getting sixteen laser hits and sixteen gauss cannon hits, with one penetration. In response, the Abuser continued to target the DD Aita, getting three hits. The next salvo pounded the Abomination from just 8,435 kilometers range. Once again, the Terrans got multiple hits and one penetration, but as with the first salvo, the penetration came from a gauss cannon round, and so was low power. The Abuser continued to fire on the Terran DD, getting multiple hits on its armor.
The Terran squadron was now past the Abomination, which turned back towards the jump point. The next Terran salvo on the retreating Abomination was at nearly 50,000 kilometers. They got multiple hits, and one of the Eradicator’s turrets punched right through a previous penetration and took out one of the Abomination’s engines, reducing it to half speed. The Eradicator’s spinal laser, finally recharged, stabbed out at the Abuser, now at 71,000 kilometers, but missed. Captain Roddy ordered one more salvo at the Abomination, and then for all ships to shift targeting to the Abuser. The next salvo ripped the Abomination from end to end, leaving her drifting. The Terran ships shifted targeting to the Abuser. The Abuser had continued targeting the Aita, whose armor was down to 88%.
The battle stretched out as the Abuser continued running ahead of the Terran ships. The range had stabilized at around 80,000 kilometers. Ten seconds later, the human ships got a penetrating hit that took out an engine, dropping the Abuser’s speed to 8,057 km/s, just slightly faster than the human ships. The next salvo of laser fire caused a massive internal explosion that destroyed the Abuser. The Terran ships turned back towards the Abomination, and after four salvoes the Abomination blew up. The Terran squadron sent off a contact report to the Retribution Fleet and then jumped through to join the scout in the newly discovered HIP 31292 system. The system consisted of a lonely M3-V star orbited by two small comets.
With the system clear, the gravitic survey group is dispatched from Chi Draconis to the new system to begin their survey and to determine if more swarm ships are present. Admiral McCullick decided to relocate his fleet to the jump point to HIP 31292 to be closer to the surveying forces.
August 24, 2145: The Empire’s first Dreadnought, the Andromeda, is launched and begins its training flight. The 80,000 ton warship is the pinnacle of Imperial Naval might, and when it is done training it will assume the position of fleet flagship.
Meanwhile, the survey of the HIP 31292 system is complete, and an astounding five new jump points have been discovered, bringing the system’s total to six. Only one other system in the empire has close to this number, the Luhman 16 system, with five jump points. This is frustrating for Admiral McCullick, who was hoping to track down the missing swarm ships. Mindful of the fact that the swarm were picketing the jump point to the HIP 31292 system, Admiral McCullick reorganizes his fleet, detaching two jump-capable groups. Group one consists of the flagship, reinforced by the three ships of the Mercury battlegroup. The second group was built around the jump cruiser Eradicator, reinforced by the Saturn battlegroup. The Eradicator’s former escorts were returned to the fleet. The two groups set out to probe the newly discovered jump points.
September 18, 2145: The Antares jumps through the third new jump point in the HIP 31292 system, discovering a red star system with a planet with an oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere. The planet is cold, with a thin atmosphere, but given the Reaper’s penchant for occupying such planets, Admiral McCullick calls forward the Retribution fleet to perform a probe in force of the system.
September 20, 2145: The Retribution Fleet is stationed at the jump point, and the Antares, escorted by the Mercury battle group and two carriers, heads in-system.
September 24, 2145: Having found nothing at the planet, the Antares and her escorts turn back towards the jump point.
September 30, 2145: The jump cruiser Eradicator jumps through the last unexplored jump point in the HIP 31292 system and materializes in the Omicron Tucanae system, a previously discovered system on the frontier. The system contains a Terra-like planet with an atmosphere just a bit too thin, and an environment a bit too cold for human habitation. The planet was previously probed, but considering they are searching for missing swarm ships, Captain Boddy decides to head in-system and probe the planet again, after reporting his discovery to the Retribution Fleet.
October 3, 2145: The planet is still clear, so the Eradicator and her escorts turn back towards the jump point to HIP 31292 to rejoin the fleet.
October 13, 2145: The Retribution Fleet has reassembled in the HIP 31292 system. Admiral McCullick decides to return to Shield Base to refuel and resupply. He leaves behind the two survey groups and the scouts to watch for the return of the Swarm.
November 2, 2145: The Retribution Fleet arrives over Shield Base to refuel and resupply. Admiral McCullick, pursuant to orders from Terra, detaches a battleship, two battlecruiser groups, a jump cruiser, and a carrier and two strike carriers to reinforce Shield Base, then sets out for home.
November 11, 2145: A troop transport group sets out from Terra, carrying the 12th Guard Division(reinforced), and a large contingent of STO batteries to establish a forward base on the lone planet in the Chi Draconis System. The new base will be named Bastion Base, once fully established.
November 22, 2145: The Retribution Fleet has arrived over Terra and the government announces its success in destroying or scattering the swarm.
The Emperor gives a system-wide speech extolling the victory of the fleet and the elimination of another threat to humanity’s expansion to the stars, after which he gives out awards and commendations to officers and crews of the Retribution Fleet. A week of celebration is announced to welcome the fleet home. The speech is well received, and the elimination of another threat is welcomed by nearly all. The fact that the swarm flagship and several other ships are missing is not mentioned, and is kept a closely held secret. And while still a minority, there is a growing peace movement that opposes the militarization that characterizes the Empire and its approach to other species, and its leaders are questioning the necessity of genocide against aliens that were never given a chance to talk or surrender.
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February 8, 2146: The base in the Lacaille system detects an Archer Light raider headed in-system. The Base commander dispatches his courier to the Solar High Guard station to ask for help. Unfortunately, the light raider, at first headed in-system towards the inner planet, soon changes course to pursue a group of civilian freighters passing through the system. Ten and a half hours later, long before the courier could reach the solar system, the light raider intercepted a large colony ship belonging to Krum Shipping. Soon the raider began forcibly disassembling the colony ship, which was on its return run, and so empty, thankfully. The luckless colony ship was soon reduced to drifting debris.
With its first prey under its belt, the raider set out for a nearby group of civilian freighters and as soon as it was in range it began firing on the hapless ships. Once it had destroyed the four freighters, the raider sat on their wrecks, as there were no more ships within range of its sensors.
The Raider floated for hours, and then suddenly set out in pursuit of a fleeing Lesslie Corp colony ship.
February 9, 2146: The courier from Lacaille Base arrives at High Guard station in the solar system. Commander Amacker, the CO of the High Guard Squadron, immediately dispatched a contact report to fleet command and jumped out with his squadron of three destroyers. Their ETA to the Lacaille system was just over twenty-eight hours.
Several hours later, fleet command dispatches the battlecruiser Terra and her escorts to back up the High Guard Squadron, but it will take over six days for them to laboriously climb out of the inner system and reach the jump point.
At 0923 hours the Lesslie Corp colony ship comes under fire. Unlike the other colony ship, this one is outbound and when its cryo tubes are destroyed, tens of thousands of colonists die in their sleep. After destroying the transport, the light raider turned back in-system, back towards its earlier victims. After checking on its first kill, the raider turned outwards, towards the system’s third planet and its ten moons. The gas giant and its moons were uninhabited and unexploited, so this was a welcome diversion.
February 10, 2146: The High Guard Squadron enters the Lacaille system and sets out for Lacaille Base, but after receiving the Base’s contact reports, turns towards the third planet. Their ETA is thirteen hours. At 2348 hours the destroyers pick up the raider on their active sensors. It is in a close orbit of the gas giant. They race towards it like avenging angels, eager to wipe it from the universe before it can do more damage. As the destroyers approach the planet the light raider turns and runs, but it isn’t as fast as the avenging destroyers and they run it down.
February 11, 2146: At 0441 hours the three Imperial destroyers opened fire on the fleeing light raider at 293,000 kilometers range. Their first salvo got multiple hits, including one penetrating hit. Their second salvo got a penetrating hit as well, and this caused a massive internal explosion that completely destroyed the raider. The Imperial DD’s immediately turned back and set their course for the civilian wrecks, to begin rescuing life pods.
February 16, 2146: The Terra’s battlegroup arrives in the Lacaille system to relieve the High Guard Squadron, which will now return to base. A salvage group is following to begin salvaging the wrecks, as they seem to draw more raiders.
March 31, 2146: The ruins on 70 Ophiuchi II have been fully exploited. The recovery effort has been a massive boon for the Empire, and Imperial freighters have been constantly shuttling in and out of the system, carrying the recovered installations, ship’s systems, and ore all across the Empire. Of particular value was a large stock of maintenance supplies recovered from the ruins, which helped the Empire alleviate what had been a critical empire-wide shortage. The effort to relocate the recovered installations will be ongoing for some time, even though no new recoveries will be made going forward.
April 29, 2146: The survey ships working in the Omicron Tucanae system discover a massive dormant construct on the innermost planet. Omicron Tucanae I is a terrestrial planet, with no atmosphere, and an average temperature of 575 C. Interestingly, the second and third planets are also terrestrial, but much more habitable. The system lies far beyond the frontier, 2 jumps beyond the former swarm system of Chi Draconis.
June 5, 2146: A long-range survey ship operating in the Omicron Tucanae system jumps out through a newly discovered jump point and materializes in a system with a F7-V star orbited by four terrestrial inner planets, three gas giants, and an icy outer terrestrial planet. Two of the inner planets have oxygen-nitrogen atmospheres, and, after reviewing the sensor data, the survey ship’s computer rates one of them at 0.07 colony cost, meaning it was close enough to Terran normal to be colonizable without major modification. The survey ship proceeds in-system to probe the planets. The system is designated the Zeta Doradus system.
June 11, 2146: The LRSS Scobee has reached its launch point and launches two sensor drones towards the two terrestrial planets with oxygen-nitrogen atmospheres. This is the first test of the (d) variants of the LRSS, equipped with box launchers for sensor drones for just this situation. Seventeen hours later the first drone arrives over planet four and finds nothing.
June 13, 2146: The sensor drone arrives over Zeta Doradus II and finds nothing, freeing the survey ships to begin their survey of the system.
October 2146
State of the Empire
With the Swarm threat in Chi Draconis apparently eliminated, the Empire currently has no active strategic threats. The Empire’s relationship with the Bob’s (Bobruisk Corporation) in the HIP 48659 system continues to be peaceful, if non-involved, meaning that for the first time since the expansion into interstellar space the Empire can stand down from a war footing, although the Raiders continue to be a threat.
In response to growing demands from the Senate and mega-corps to focus on improving resources closer to the Solar System and the center of human civilization, and improving anti-Raider defenses, the Emperor has declared a period of retrenchment, with the Empire focusing on improving defenses in inhabited and exploited systems, particularly the main routes between inhabited systems, and improvement of the Solar system. To date the terraforming fleet has been focused on improving extra-solar planets in systems with easily exploited resources. Now, the Emperor has agreed to divert construction resources to build additional terraformers that will be focused on improving planets and moons in the solar system, allowing the Empire to disperse its population to locations more easily reached by the relatively slow colony ships and freighters that currently comprise the Empire’s fleet. In addition, while no new major expansions to the fleet are planned, improvements to the fleet’s ability to Fleet’s support elements are underway and will be joining the fleet over the next several years.
Solar System
Terra: 5.35 billion population
Terra is the capital of the Empire, and the heart of the human civilization. All of the Empire’s construction capacity is concentrated on Terra, as is its shipyards. There is some pressure in the Imperial legislature to diversify the Empire’s construction capacity, either by moving the yards to Io or moving at least some of the factories to an out-system location, such as Terra Nova (formerly Lalande Prime), however, no decision has been made. Terra is also the Imperial Navy’s primary fleet base, and the home base for the Imperial Guard.
Io: 907 million population
Io is the second largest population in the Empire, and is the Empire’s secondary research location, and secondary ground force construction site, after Terra. Io is the home of the Imperial Marine force, and is the primary construction and organization site for the Empire’s planetary defense STO units.
Terra Nova: 695 million population
Terra Nova, or Lalande 21185 I, is the Empire’s largest out-system population, and is the Empire’s primary mining system. More than 70 million colonists work in the mines on the surface of Terra Nova, and the system hosts 535 automated mines on moons of two of the system’s gas giants. Four hundred and thirty-three thousand standard units of TN resources are mined per year in the system, and all of it is sent back to the solar system to feed Terra’s ravenous industries. Three separate freighter groups make the Sol-Wolf 359-61 Hydrae-V1216 Sagittarii-Lalande 21185 run to carry the resources back to Terra, making that route and those systems extremely valuable to the Empire.
Currently, Terra Nova is garrisoned by a full Guard Division and a Territorial Division. Plans are underway to upgrade Terra Nova to be the home base of the Territorial Guard, meaning that all Territorial Guard Units not deployed to the frontier will be home based on Terra Nova.
Shield Forward Base, V577 Monoceri System: 44.86 million Population
Shield Forward Base is primarily a military installation, originally intended as a jumping off point for attacks on the Reapers in 70 Ophiuchi and the Swarm in Chi Draconis. With both of those Xenos threats ended, the base is transitioning to a defensive frontier bulwark, and a base for further expansion into the frontier beyond the V577 Monoceri system. The Base is equipped with extensive maintenance facilities capable of supporting over 500,000 tons of naval vessels, and a small fuel refining station consisting of fuel refineries recovered from the Reaper Base in 70 Ophiuchi. Shield Forward Base is located on V577 Monoceri B-I, a 0.0 colony cost world terraformed by the Empire’s terraforming fleet.
Victory Base, Groombridge 34 System: 44.59 million population
Like Shield Base, Victory Base is primarily a military base, with most of its population working in the Base’s maintenance facilities. While the planet has some TN resources, they are not considered currently viable for extraction. There are two other bodies in the system that house automated mining installations, and a Mobile Mining Group is currently assigned to one of the system’s outer comets. Victory Base acts as a collection point for all of the resources mined at those locations, as well as for the resources mined at the thirteen civilian mining sites in the system. Victory Base currently has enough maintenance capacity to support 100,000 tons of naval vessels.
Mining and other bases
Lacaille 9352 system
This system contains one mining base, on the second planet of the system, which contains 119 automated mines. In addition, a mobile resource extraction group is currently assigned to a comet in the outer system. A sensor base has been established on the second planet, and a territorial guard unit and STO’s have been placed on the planet to guard the mines and any ships in the system.
Proxima Centauri
The Proxima Centauri system contains two mining sites, both on moons of the third planet. Between the two sites they boast a total of 343 mines, and both sites are garrisoned with territorial guard units and STO’s.
Wolf 359 System
This system contains one mining site, on a moon of the fourth planet. The moon houses 94 automated mines and a garrison.
70 Ophiuchi system
This system was controlled by the Reapers, but has been liberated and now is the site of a growing frontier base. Five recovered terraforming installations are working to make the planet more suitable for human habitation, and the terraforming fleet has been recalled from its work in the 55 Bootis system to assist. All of the automated mines found in the ruins of the dead civilization have been relocated to the innermost planet, which is the site of extensive deposits of TN resources, although most are present at low concentrations. The Empire has plans to use this base to expand into surrounding systems, although that will take place in the medium future as the Empire is currently focused on improving its standing in currently exploited systems.
V1216 Sagittarii System
V-Sag base is an important fuel storage site for the Empire. The Empire’s fleet of harvesters is located here, harvesting sorium from the innermost gas giant. V-Sag Base is located on the innermost moon of that same gas giant, and is intended to store the fuel harvested by the fleet and to protect the Empire’s harvesters should the Raiders or any other aliens come calling.
61 Hydrae System
This system contains an Imperial Naval station on the system’s only suitable body, a comet orbiting 35 mkm’s from the system primary. The base consists of several orbiting maintenance bases and recreational base, supporting a squadron of interceptors intended to protect critical shipping passing through the system. In addition, the base houses a garrison of the territorial guard, and an STO force to protect the facilities. The system has no other sites of interest.
Chii Draconis System
This is the Swarm’s former home base, and the base has been set up on the only suitable body, Chi Draconis B-I, a Venusian world with an inhospitable environment. The base consists of a garrison and an STO force, along with refueling and ordnance transfer facilities recovered from the ruins in the 70 Ophiuchi system. Freighters carrying deep space sensor stations are en route from the solar system to give the base the ability to watch for any remaining swarm ships that might try to approach their old anchorage. In the meantime, a scout has been assigned to watch over the base.
Omicron Tucanae System
This system is currently on the frontier, seven jumps from Shield Base, which puts it far beyond the current range of systems being considered for exploitation once the current focus on internal improvement is finished. However, the recent discovery of a dormant alien construct on the innermost planet has caught the interest of both the Navy and the Senate. Omicron Tucanae I is a colony cost 3.9 world, as it has no atmosphere and is very hot at 558 C, however the construct elevates the Empire’s interest in the system significantly. Planet II has a thin oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere and should be fairly easily terraformed, and the third planet has a thin nitrogen-CO2 atmosphere and would also be fairly easily terraformed. Unfortunately, while the second planet has some TN resources, there are no prime mining sites in the system. The Navy has already ordered its gate construction ships to begin construction of the gate network to this system, although that will have to wait until the Chi Draconis system is linked with the rest of the Empire.
Imperial Navy
With the elimination of the Swarm in the Chi Draconis system, the Navy has been directed to improve defenses along the Sol-Wolf 359-Lacaille 9352-61 Hydrae- V1216 Sagittarii-Lalande 21185-Proxima Centauri-V577 Monoceri route. While most all of those systems have at least sensor bases with ground defenses and STO’s, it has become clear over the last several years that those bases are not enough to secure the shipping in the systems if the Raiders attack. Therefore, the Navy will be focusing on building and deploying maintenance bases and rec bases to those systems, and then placing interceptor squadrons in the systems to defend the shipping that is passing through the systems.
As noted above, while there are no major expansions to the fleet that are currently planned, there will be an effort to improve the fleet’s mobile support capabilities, and to round out its numbers in escort and defensive capabilities.
Current Naval Deployments
Sol Naval District
Terra: 2xBB, 2xBC, 1xJump Cruiser, 2xCV, 1xCVS, 9xDD, 14xDDE, 26xInterceptor, 2xFleet Scout, 2xScout
Io: 2xDD, 6xInterceptor, 5xMarine Boarding Pods, 52xStrike Fighter, 19xAttack Fighter, 6xAegis Sensor Fighter, 6xMissile Base, 6xSiege Missile Base, 3xLong Duration Missile Base
High Guard Station (Jump Point): 3xDD, 4xMaintenance Base, 1xRec Base
Training Division: 2xDN, 4xBC, 1xCVS, 5xDD, 16xAttack Fighters, 2xAegis Sensor Fighter, 5xMarine Board Pods (Assigned to the CVS)
Retribution Fleet: 2xCV, 4xBC, 1xCJ, 1xCVS, 9xDD, 1xScout, 11xDDE, 52xStrike Fighter, 12xAttack Fighter, 5xSensor Fighter
Lalande Naval District
Terra Nova: 2xDD, 6xInterceptor
Hydrae Naval District
Hydrae Base: 6xInterceptor, 2xMaintenance Base, 1xRec Base
Groombridge Naval District
Victory Base: 6xInterceptor, 3xMaintenance Base, 1xRec Base
Monoceri Naval District
Shield Base: 1xBB, 3xBC, 2xJump Cruiser, 1xCV, 2xCVS, 10xDD, 1xDDE, 12xInterceptor, 26xStrike Fighter, 84xAttack Fighter, 8xAegis Sensor Fighter, 3xLong Duration Missile Base, 7xMaintenance Base, 1xRec Base
Support Command
Tanker Group 01 (V577 Monoceri): 3xTanker – en route to V-Sag base to refuel, then to Sol, ETA 60 days
Tanker Group 02 (V577 Monoceri): 2xTanker, 1xJump Tanker
Tug Group 01 (Sol): 10xTug
Tug Group 02 (V577 Monoceri): 1xTug
Tug Group (Large) (Sol): 6xLg Tug, 1xTanker
UNREP Group 01 (V577 Monoceri): 2xUNREP – en route to the High Guard Station Sol, ETA 15.9 days
UNREP Group 02 (V577 Monoceri): 5xUNREP
Survey Command
Survey Group 01 (Zeta Doradus System): 3xLR Survey Ships
Survey Group 02 (MU Cassiopeiae System): 3xLR Survey Ship
Industrial Command
9xFreighter Groups (20xFreighter each)
2xColony Fleets (19xColony Ships Each)
1xHarvester Fleet (71xHarvester)
Io Orbital Habitats (4xOrbital Habitat)
Victory Base Orbital Habitats (12xOrbital Habitats)
3xMining Groups (26/30/24 Orbital Mining Ships)
3xResource Transport Groups (6/6/8 Freighters) – transporting resources from Lalande and other systems to the Solar System
4xSalvage Groups (1xSalvage, 1xFreighter each)
Stabilization Group (7xStabilization Ships)
Terraforming Group (67xTerrafomer ships)
Courier Command
16xCourier deployed across the Empire
3xDiplomatic Ships, deployed to the HIP 48659 system to maintain contact with the Bob’s.
Ground Forces
There are three primary types of Terran Ground Forces, the Imperial Guard, the Territorial Guard, and the Imperial Marines.
The current Guardsman is equipped with Mark V armor and weapons, and the base organizational unit is a 10,000 ton Battalion that is equipped with guardsmen equipped with a variety of weapons, light armored units, a battalion HQ, and logistics units. A division consists of four battalions and current consists of 176,006 tons of guardsmen and equipment. A Guard Corps consists of four divisions, and consists of 720,734 tons of guardsmen and equipment. A reinforced brigade, division, or corps can have heavy armor units, artillery of various types, construction equipment, or additional logistics units attached.
The Territorial Guard consists of guardsmen equipped with 1st, 2nd, or 3rd generation equipment, and Territorial Guard units are typically relegated to garrison positions across the Empire. The Territorial Guard uses the same organization as the standard Guard, although currently no Territorial Guard units have been reinforced with artillery or heavy armor units.
The Imperial Marine Corps is the Empire’s premier assault infantry unit. Current Imperial Marine units are equipped with Mark VI armor and weapons, which includes heavy powered armor and advanced genetic enhancements. Imperial Marine units are organized similarly to Imperial Guard units, and are built around a 10,000 ton battalion base unit.
Inhabited Systems
Sol, Terra: 2nd Guard Corps(Reinf) (725,928 tons), 4th Guard Corps(Reinf) (768,724 tons), 1st Marine Corps(Reinf) (767,006 tons), 1st Territorial Division (181,288 tons), 85 STO Units (48,000 tons)
Sol, Io: 6th Guard Corps (720,734 tons), 33rd Guard Division (176,006 tons), 28th Marine Division (175,462 tons), 8xGuard Battalions (10,000 tons each), 6xMarine Boarding Platoons (400 tons each), 116xSTO Units (42,800 tons)
Lalande 21185 System, Mining Outpost Planet IV Moon 5: 19th Territorial Brigade (41,546 tons), 39xSTO Units (13,200 tons)
Lalande 21185 System, Mining Outpost Planet III, Moon 11: 5th Territorial Guard Brigade (41,546 tons), 13xSTO Units (4,651 tons)
Lalande 21185 System, Terra Nova: 23th Guard Division (172,416 tons), 3rd Territorial Guard Division (171,184 tons), 168 STO Units (62,000 tons)
Forward Bases
70 Ophiuchi System, 70 Ophiuchi II: 1st Marine Division (Reinf)(184,230 tons), 12xConstruction Units (57,240 tons), 1st Log Support Unit (17,856 tons), 74xSTO (26,000 tons), 6xXeno Study Groups (30,00 tons)
Chi Draconis System, Bastion Base: 12th Guard Division (Reinf)(199,940 tons), 134xSTO Units (46,000 tons)
Groombridge 34 System, Mining Outpost A-I: 4th Territorial Brigade (41,546 tons), 55xSTO’s (18,500 tons)
Groombridge 34 System, Victory Base: 17th Territorial Brigade (41,546 tons), 77xSTO Units (23,650 tons)
V577 Monoceri System, Shield Forward Base: 1st Guard Corps(Reinf) (287,534 tons), 2nd Marine Division (167,516 tons), 4th Marine Division (193,230 tons), 8th Territorial Division (215,434 tons), 7th Territorial Division (215,426 tons), 86xSTO Units (27,500 tons)
Mining and Security Systems
61 Hydrae System, Hydrae Base: 4th Territorial Brigade (41,690 tons), 81 STO units, various types (33,000 tons)
Lacaille 9352 System, Lacaille II: 17th Territorial Brigade (41,546 tons), 39xSTO Units (13,200 tons)
Proxima Centauri System, Mining Outpost Planet III, Moon 21: 12th Territorial Brigade (41,546 tons), 18xSTO Units (9,200 tons)
Proxima Centauri System, Mining Outpost Planet III, Moon 1: 49th Territorial Brigade (41,690 tons), 55xSTO Units (23,000 tons)
V1216 Sagittarii System, V-Sag Base: 7th Territorial Brigade (41,546 tons), 32nd Territorial Brigade (41,690 tons), 40xSTO Units (11,140 tons)
Wolf 259 system, Mining Outpost Planet IV, Moon 3: 20th Territorial Guard Brigade (41,546 tons), 28xSTO Units (9,500 tons)
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(https://i.imgur.com/LpRBxdq.jpg)
Central portion of the Empire.
(https://i.imgur.com/g00KVxD.jpg)
Lower right portion of the map, overlaps with the map above.
(https://i.imgur.com/ttStYP1.jpg)
Upper left portion of the map, overlaps with the central map
(https://i.imgur.com/bv1SqTW.jpg)
Upper right portion, overlaps with the second and third maps.
Areas not shown include the Bob's territory, what little is known, which is located beyond Groombridge, and the far frontier, past Chi Draconis
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May, 2147: The Wolf 359 Naval District is stood up, and an interceptor group is en route from Terra. Wolf Base is located on the innermost planet of the system, as the two mining locations are too far out to be effective base locations. The base is equipped with two orbital maintenance bases, an orbital recreation base, a refueling station on the planetary surface, along with a stockpile of fuel and maintenance supplies. Deep space sensor stations will be brought in as soon as they can be built.
August 8, 2147: Lacaille Base and naval district are stood up on this date, and an interceptor group is en route from Terra to the base on Lacaille II.
September, 2147: A survey ship operating in the Omega Pegasi system, five jumps behind Shield Base in the Monoceri system, discovers an abandoned construct on the innermost terrestrial world of the system. The planet is airless and cold, as it orbits a small red star. The construct is ancient, and from a distance does not appear to be related to any known race.
October 2, 2147” A light raider appears in the Proxima Centauri system. This is alarming because the system’s naval base has not yet been completed. In fact, a tug group just delivered the maintenance and recreation bases to the mining colony on a moon orbiting the third planet. The raider is approximately 400 million kilometers from the base, and closer to the second planet. As the naval base is not yet complete there are no warships assigned to the system, but the base has a full complement of ground troops and STO defenses. Unfortunately, there are several groups of civilian freighters and transports in the system, including two groups that are just 200 million kilometers from the raider.
The base commander immediately dispatches his courier to the Monoceri system to summon naval assistance, but it will take 2.3 days to arrive.
In the meantime, the raider headed towards the second planet and its retinue of moons, which were thankfully uninhabited and unexploited.
October 5, 2147: Admiral Doxey, CO of the Monoceri naval district, dispatches the Jupiter Battle Group, reinforced by a strike carrier, to the Proxima system.
October 8, 2147: The Jupiter and her battle group jump into the Proxima Centauri system and set their course for the second planet.
October 9, 2147: A light raider is detected in the Wolf 359 system, 115 million kilometers from the jump point to the solar system. Unlike the Proxima system, the Wolf 359 Naval District was completed some time ago, and a six-ship interceptor squadron is on station. The Naval District commander orders the interceptors out after the raider. The raider obligingly heads straight towards the interceptor group, until it finally detects them and turns away. The interceptors are fast enough to run it down, though. Twelve minutes later the base’s sensors detect two additional light raiders four hundred and sixty-five million kilometers farther out.
Two salvoes from the interceptor’s fifteen-centimeter lasers sufficed to destroy the light raider, in exchange for two minor armor hits on one of the interceptors. The interceptor group then turned towards the last known location of the two light raiders in the outer system.
Eight hours later, when the interceptors were sixty-two million kilometers from the last known contact point, the interceptor’s sensors picked up a group of Raider warships closing on their position, forty million kilometers out. The group was composed of a heavy raider escorted by seven light raiders. The Imperial interceptors didn’t hesitate and plunged on towards the raider battle group.
As the Imperial ships closed, the raider battle group split into two groups, with the heavy raider and four light raiders continuing to head inwards, and three light raiders heading outwards, away from the Imperial ships. The interceptors headed for the larger group, and closed to combat range at 0210 hours on the 10th. The raiders got in the first shot, heavily damaging the lead interceptor. The fight turned into a furball after that, which both sides unloading into each other at point blank range. When the last raider ship blew up, only four interceptors remained, and one of those was heavily damaged and had lost its weapon and engine. The squadron commander detached the damaged ship to pick up the survivors of the nearby interceptor wreck, and set his course for the remaining raider ships in the system.
The remaining interceptors picked off the raider ships at long range, never closing to within the raider’s own weapons range. It took longer, but after the third and last raider blew up the interceptors had suffered no further damage.
In the aftermath of the battle, the three more or less intact interceptors, having suffered only armor damage, set out to rescue the survivors of the other destroyed interceptor, and headed for the solar system and the repair yards. A tug would be sent for the heavily damaged interceptor remaining in the system.
October 11, 2147: The three interceptors of the Wolf System Defense Group jump into the solar system and pass a warning to the destroyer group at High Guard Point before heading in-system for repairs. The four destroyers of the High Guard Group jump into the Wolf system to watch for any more raiders until more interceptors can be dispatched.
At 0959 hours on the 11th, the Jupiter Battle Group detected the light raider in the proximity of Proxima II. The Jupiter’s captain, Kathleen Fortenberry, ordered the CVS Luna to launch her strike group. The twelve Forward II attack fighters and their Aegis sensor fighter raced away from the group, towards the light raider. The raider, having possibly detected the Jupiter, raced away from the gas giant it had been orbiting, towards nothing in particular in deep space.
The fighters closed to combat range at 1113 hours, at which time both the fighters and raider opened fire. The raider focused on the Aegis sensor fighter, which immediately turned away to open the range. The Forward II’s, with their rapid firing ten-centimeter lasers, poured salvo after salvo into the raider and quickly wrecked it. The fighters then regrouped and headed back to their carrier base. The Jupiter Battle Group headed into the moon system of the second planet to see what the raider had been doing while it hid there.
October 23, 2147: The Proxima Naval District is now operational, and a group of interceptors has been dispatched from the Solar System to take up station at the base on the twenty-first moon of the third planet.
November 4, 2147: The new naval base in the V1216 Sagittarii system is operational, and an interceptor group and two destroyers have been dispatched to patrol the system.
November 5, 2147: The LR Survey ship Rick Husband, surveying the Omega Ceti system, five jumps from the Lalande 21185 system, detects an unknown alien ship closing on its location. The alien ship is approximately 4,000 tons and moving at 17,392 km/s, making it faster than almost everything in the Terran Navy aside from the Eagle strike fighter. The commander of the Husband, Captain Jaime Sayas, orders the ship’s active sensors active and to begin transmitting contact messages. In addition, he transmits a warning to all of the other survey ships in the system. Knowing he can’t outrun the alien; he orders his ship to come to a halt. Shortly thereafter the alien comes to a halt as well, 30 mkm’s from the Husband. It is sitting on top of a gravitic survey point, so it is a reasonable assumption that it is a survey vessel.
After two days spent attempting communications, Captain Sayas determines that the aliens are refusing to make any effort to communicate. This is alarming, given Humanity’s history with the aliens in this area of the galaxy. Captain Sayas orders his ship to withdraw and return to the jump point to rejoin the rest of the group.
November 10, 2147: The survey group in the Omega Ceti system has reassembled and jumps out of the system, headed back to the Lalande system to warn the empire of a new threat.
December 3, 2147: The 3rd Survey Group has arrived in the Lalande system and immediately sends off a contact report to the naval base on Terra Nova. Captain Sabala, the CO of the Lalande Naval District, immediately dispatches a courier back to the solar system.
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The Omega Ceti Campaign
December 9, 2147: The courier from Terra Nova arrives in the solar system, causing an uproar in Fleet Command, and subsequently in the Senate. The Navy almost immediately proposed sending a major fleet to probe the Omega Ceti system, along with survey support, as the aliens were obviously not from that system. Although some in the senate are concerned about either a major show of force, or sending a large fleet so far away from the center of the empire, in the end, with the emperor’s support, the Navy gets approval to send the fleet to the Omega Ceti system.
The Imperial 1st Fleet will consist of 1xDN, 2xBB, 2xCV, 1xCVS, 4xBC, 1xCJ, 9xDD, 2xFSC, 11xDDE, 52xStrike Fighters, 20xAttack Fighters, 6xSensor Fighters, and is commanded by Rear Admiral Tyrell McCullick. Their ETA to the 111 Virginis system, adjacent to the Omega Ceti system, is twenty-six days. At the same time, groups of slower support ships set out from both Terra and later from Shield Base in the Monoceri system to rendezvous in the Lalande system.
January 16, 2148: The Retribution Fleet is assembled in the 111 Virginis system, at the jump point to the Omega Ceti system, the system where the new aliens were discovered. Admiral McCullick, ever cautious, ordered The Mars II’s battle group, reinforced by a jump cruiser, and the battleship group to jump to the far side of the jump point and determine the situation on the far side. The two battleships, battlecruiser, jump cruiser, two destroyers and two destroyer escorts of the probe force jumped through at 2137 hours.
They emerged on the far side of the jump point to find thirty small ships in close proximity to the jump point. The Mars II and her escorts were closest to the jump point, having appeared just 22,000 kilometers from the ships on the jump point, while the battleship group appeared 227,000 kilometers away. Captain Boddy of the Mars II immediately ordered his group to move away to join the battleships. His cruisers had their shields up, but under their current rules of engagement they could not fire unless fired upon. Commodore Sessions, the CO of the battleship group, was very unhappy with the situation. The ships assembled on the jump point were all small, under 760 tons, and strongly reminded him of the swarm fleet encountered in Chi Draconis.
The situation deteriorated immediately. Five seconds after entering the system, the aliens opened fire on the human ships. Both groups of ships were attacked, with a destroyer in the battleship group receiving fourteen minor hits on its armor, and a destroyer attached to the Mars Battle Group getting hit by six strange weapons that directly attacked its electronics, bypassing its armor. That destroyer lost its fire controls, some of its EW systems, and its sensors.
The alien group was composed of three different classes of ships. Twenty were 750 tons and designated as the Eshu class, six were also 750 tons, designated as the Hecate class, and four were 550 tons and designated as the Aqen class. Admiral McCullick, after confirming that the six 750 tons ships were the origin of the six electronics destroying weapons hits on the Mars group, ordered the fleet to concentrate their fire on those six ships first.
The aliens continued bombarding the two destroyers, but the DD in the battleship group continued to shrug off the low power hits to its armor, while the DD in the Mars group had little electronics left to damage. Only the BB Antares got off shots with their lasers, as the other ships were still recovering from transit effects and the shock of the immediate attack. The Antares hit one of the small ships mounting what were now confirmed to be high powered microwave weapons, doing some damage to its armor.
Commodore Sessions ordered his battleship group to begin moving away, to try to keep some distance between them and the aliens. He knew it was futile, as the aliens were more than twice as fast as his ships, but if they could delay them closing to point blank range even for a bit it would help. He hadn’t forgotten the boarding tactics the swarm in Chi Draconis had used, and even though his ships carried marine boarders to counter that tactic, he had no desire to test their defenses. All of the alien ships focused their fire on the Antares, but her shields were strong and even after a full salvo they were at 86% of full strength. In return the Antares got ten hits with its lasers on one of the small microwave armed ships, getting four penetrations and leaving it drifting.
The Antares was once again the focus of all of the alien’s fire, but fortunately the alien’s microwave weapons couldn’t penetrate shields and as a result the formidable BB remained unscathed. Finally, though, more of the Terran ship’s weapons were online and all but the two cruisers were able to fire on the aliens. As a result, one of the small microwave-equipped ships was completely destroyed and the other four took armor damage.
The aliens continued focusing their fire on the Antares, whose shields were now down to 69%. By now, all of the Terran ships were in action, and the results were devastating to the microwave armed Hecates. After the next Terran laser and plasma barrage, only one Hecate class unit remained. The fleet now shifted fire to the other alien ships and began dismantling the alien fleet.
At this point the aliens, perhaps recognizing that they had lost the advantage, turned away and began running. They continued their attack on the Antares, but the big BB’s shields held firm. The Terrans, in exchange, pummeled the retreating ships with laser fire as long as they could, destroying one of the fleeing ships.
The aliens opened the range to 187,000 kilometers, and then hovered there and continued to attack the Antares. The pursuit continued, with the aliens pummeling the Antares’ shields, and the Terrans taking the small alien ships apart one by one.
After twenty seconds of running, the remaining twenty alien ships came to a halt, perhaps to cluster around a damaged ship. Commodore Sessions gave the order for the fleet to close to 50,00 kilometers. At this point the Antares shields were at 56%. The carnage was incredible as the Terran lasers speared ship after ship out of space.
Finally, four minutes after entering the system, the battle was over and the jump point was clear. The only damage to the Terran squadron was to the DD hit early in the battle by the microwave weapons, and a second DD that had suffered minor armor damage. By the end of the battle the Antares shields were down to 38%, but they had held. Battle analysis by the intel section showed that the most numerous class of enemy ship, designated the Eshu class, were armed with lasers.
In the battle’s aftermath, Commodore Sessions ordered his jump cruiser to return to the fleet and inform them that the jump point was clear. The DD that had suffered the armor damage, the Joseph Campbell, continued to suffer damage as the alien weapons continued to eat at her armor sheath.
Disturbingly, the destroyed alien ships rapidly melted away, leaving no wreckage and little for the intel teams to examine. Several bodies were discovered floating near the locations of the destroyed ships, and their discovery caused consternation throughout the fleet. They were clearly a version of the familiar swarm warriors, although different enough that they clearly weren’t the same species, but closely related.
Once the fleet was assembled on the jump point, it set out for the inner system. The Joseph Campell continued to suffer damage, however, the acid stopped before the DD’s armor was compromised. Two hours after entering the system, Admiral McCullick ordered his strike carrier to launch a sensor fighter to probe the inner system ahead of the fleet.
January 17, 2148: The sensor fighter reaches the innermost planet and finds nothing. The fighter waits for the fleet to arrive and lands on its carrier to replenish its fuel and allow its pilot to rest, before being launched again to probe the system’s fourth planet.
January 18, 2148: The Retribution Fleet, orbiting the innermost planet of the Omega Ceti system, detects five small alien ships, all from the same classes as those encountered at the jump point. The ships are 26 mkm’s from the fleet’s location, and are moving at 15,814 km/s, more than twice the fleet’s top speed. Admiral McCullick orders the America to launch her strike group and eliminate the alien ships. The alien ships turn and run, but the fighters are faster. One hundred and four minutes later, five fighters from the America’s strike group launched their missiles, each targeting a different alien ship. They were unable to target one of the alien ships, which had been designated by the intel section as the Aqen class, as it was smaller than the other ships and the fighters would have to be closer.
The missile strike killed four of the five alien ships, leaving only the Aqen class ship left, but upon the demise of its squadron mates it accelerated to 20,587 km/s, which was over 1,000 km/s faster than the pursuing fighters. The last alien ship outpaced the fighters and soon drew away, out of range of their weapons. The fighters continued to follow in the hopes that it would lead them to another group of ships. For twenty-five minutes the small alien ship ran, but then it turned back towards the fighters, closing to the point that the strike group was able to launch missiles at it. The missile strike destroyed the small ship, at which time the fighters returned to their carriers.
January 21, 2148: The Retribution Fleet’s sensors pick up a large group of alien ships close to where the first group appeared. This group is composed of seventy ships, forty-two of which are known classes, and twenty-eight of which are a new class. All of them are moving at 15,814 km/s. Admiral McCullick, who is beginning to suspect that there is a jump point at the location that the alien ships are appearing at, orders his carriers to launch their strike fighters. The America and the China launch their fifty-two strike fighters at the alien group, which is moving away from the inner system. The pursuit moved out of the inner system and it soon became clear that the alien ships were heading in the general direction of the jump point that the fleet had used to enter the system. Admiral McCullick had left three destroyers, two destroyer escorts, and a fleet scout to secure the jump point, including the destroyer that had been damaged in the fight to enter the system. That destroyer’s crew had used the time productively, and had repaired all of the damage inflicted by the enemy’s microwave weapons.
When the enemy reached 100 mkm’s from the jump point, the enemy group turned back towards the pursuing fighters, which had closed to 7.3 mkm’s. Three minutes later the aliens had closed to within three million kilometers, theoretically within range of the fighter’s missiles, however, the fighter’s fire controls couldn’t lock on to the enemy small craft so they continued to close. Thirty-five seconds later the fighters were close enough, and the strike group launched 416 Sparrow III ASM’s at the alien small craft.
Thirty seconds later the missile wave crashed over the alien ships. The missiles that missed reacquired their targets and tried to hit them again, and again. When the explosions cleared, there were thirty-six alien ships left, now traveling at 18,000 km/s. Most of the alien ships remaining were of the new class, designated as the Myrkul class, weighing in at 650 tons.
The fighters turned back towards their carriers, and the alien ships turned towards their original target, the jump point. Admiral McCullick ordered the jump point force to retreat away from the oncoming aliens and go into low emissions mode, in the hopes that they wouldn’t be seen. In the meantime, he ordered the fleet to advance on the suspected jump point location and take up a standoff position two million kilometers from the jump point.
One hour and forty minutes later the alien force stops at the jump point, assuming a protective ring around the point. Nearly simultaneously, a group of four alien ships appear on the fleet’s sensors, six hundred and seventy-four thousand kilometers away. The four ships are of a new type, and are moving at 14,663 km/s.
At 0213 hours on the 22nd, the strike group lands on its carriers and begins to rearm. Ninety minutes later the carriers launch their fighters, again targeted on the group occupying the jump point. In the meantime, the four new contacts, which are cruising across the outer system, aimed at nothing the Terran sensors could detect, will have to wait, as the attack fighters remaining with the fleet are too slow to catch them.
0515 hours: The fighter strike group, which had been moving to create an offset from a direct course to the jump point, to prevent the possibility of the aliens fleeing directly into the hiding jump point watch force, detect the alien ships leaving the jump point and heading back in-system. The fighter groups immediately turn to close with the alien ships. The aliens apparently detect the fighters at 0603 hours and turn back towards the jump point. Over the next several minutes the aliens will make several course changes, alternating between their original course back into the inner system and back towards their original location at the jump point.
The twenty-six strike fighters of the China space group launch first, targeting twenty-six of the small alien ships. The missiles are devastating. Ten alien ships are destroyed by the initial strike, eleven more when the remaining missiles retarget, and five by the last few missiles that remained after the last two attacks. There were now ten alien ships left.
Ten fighters of America’s space group then launched, targeting the remaining ten alien ships. This proved to be enough to wipe out the last ten alien ships. Their mission accomplished, the fighters turned back to their carriers.
As the fighters are returning, the four alien ships in the outer system perform an in-system jump using a la grange point associated with the fifth planet in the outer system, jumping in behind the fleet into the inner system. This is problematic, as one of the fleet scouts had been left in orbit over the innermost planet when the fleet departed to picket the suspected jump point. Leaving the carriers behind to recover their fighters, the Retribution fleet goes into the pursuit of the four ships and Admiral McCullick orders the scout to run from the aliens. The four alien ships have been designated as the Anubis class, and are 20,583 tons and are currently moving at 14,633 km/s, almost twice as fast as the scout.
Unfortunately, with the fleet still 40 mkm’s away from the main fleet, the aliens overrun the scout and wipe it out in a barrage of laser fire. The alien ships then head away from the fleet, towards the outer system. Knowing that they can’t catch the fleeing ships, Admiral McCullick orders the fleet to rescue the survivors of the scout and then to picket the inner LaGrange point. Contact with the alien ships is lost at 1121 hours. Admiral McCullick orders the scout with the jump point watch force to join the main fleet in the inner system.
At 1136 hours the four alien ships are reacquired moving back towards the inner system. At 1200 hours, when the carriers have rejoined the fleet, Admiral McCullick orders a strike launched against the four alien ships, which are now 172 mkm’s away and moving inwards towards the fleet. In short order the strike fighters are away and racing towards the alien ships.
The alien ships apparently detect the oncoming fighters at around 47 mkm’s, because they turn and begin running. The strike fighters continue their pursuit.
1335 hours: The four alien ships suddenly come to a halt, allowing the fighters to rapidly close. At 1350 they suddenly accelerate towards the oncoming fighters. The fighters launch an alpha strike, four hundred and sixteen ASM’s, targeted on the four alien ships at 1357 hours. It took the ASM’s forty-five seconds to cross the distance between the fighters and the alien ships, and then the alpha strike washed across the alien formation. Eighty-seven missiles hit their targets, more or less evenly distributed across the four ships, causing only armor damage. The surviving missiles came around again, and this time the aliens used their lasers to defend themselves, shooting down twenty-eight missiles, leaving seventy to hit the four ships. This time there were penetrating hits on three of the four ships. Sixty-nine missiles hit on the third pass, causing penetrating hits to all four ships, leaving one drifting. The fourth pass got forty hits, again causing penetrating hits to all four ships. One of the alien ships was drifting, and two were reduced to half speed. Forty-five missiles hit on the fifth pass, killing one of the alien ships and leaving the other three at reduced speed. The sixth attack left two alien ships to be the focus of the remaining twenty ASM’s. The last two ships absorbed all twenty ASM’s and kept running, however they were reduced to 3,665 km/s and 5,498 km/s respectively.
In the aftermath of the strike, Admiral McCullick ordered his flagship and the strike carrier to launch their laser armed attack fighters, to run down the remaining alien ships. The strike fighters would continue shadowing the alien ships to maintain contact until the attack fighters arrived.
The two alien ships split up, with the faster ship pursuing the Terran strike fighters, and the slower ship running for the outer system.
1556 hours: The twenty attack fighters of the strike group opened fire with their 15 cm lasers at 50,000 kilometers, scouring three hits, all of which penetrated. The next salvo took place at point blank range, and obliterated the alien ship. The strike group continued on towards the other alien ship while the strike fighters turned back towards their carriers.
1737 hours: The attack fighters open fire on the last alien ship at 150,000 kilometers, scouring five hits, one of which penetrates. It takes two more salvoes from their rapid firing 15 cm lasers to destroy the alien ship, which did not fire back. The attack fighters turn back towards the fleet.
Omega Ceti Aliens (OC Aliens until proper name determined)
Five known ship classes
Aqen: Spd 20,587, Tonnage 550, Weaponry Unknown
Hecate: Spd 15,814, Tonnage 750, Weaponry 1xHigh Power Microwave
Anubis: Spd 20,583, Tonnage 20,583, Weaponry 1xLaser (72 damage), 14xLaser (32 damage)
Eshu: Spd 15,814, Tonnage 750, Weaponry 1xLaser (3 damage)
Myrkul: Spd 18,030, Tonnage 650, Weaponry unknown
Of particular concern are the high-powered microwave weaponry of the Hecate class, which effectively disabled an Imperial destroyer in one salvo. The microwave weaponry proved less effective against a shielded ship, fortunately. In addition, the laser weaponry used by the Anubis class ships is extremely powerful, with their primary weapon capable of causing 50% more damage than an Imperial 45cm far ultraviolet spinal laser mount.
The continuing analysis of the debris left behind in the jump point battle has revealed evidence that the Omega Ceti aliens bear a significant resemblance to the Swarm first encountered in the Chi Draconis system. While they use different weaponry and ship classes, the physical resemblance is uncanny, and their behavior is similar.
The possibility that this is another swarm race disturbs Admiral McCullick greatly. His carriers have reloaded his primary striking force, the strike fighters, but they have no additional missiles, meaning the next strike will be the last until reloads arrive. The support fleet, at least the portion that is jump capable, should still be assembling in the Lalande system, and won’t be in the Omega Ceti system for some time, perhaps a month.
Admiral McCullick prepares a report for Fleet Command. McCullick takes full responsibility for the loss of the fleet scout, and recommends the development and deployment of a ship capable of deploying the newly developed sensor buoys in support of active fleet operations.
January 30, 2148
The Retribution Fleet in the Omega Ceti system detects a new class of alien ship 831 mkm’s out, beyond the location where they first detected the four large ships several days ago. The new ship is moving at 14,663 km/s. One day later the contact has grown to four ships, the original ship and three additional Anubis class ships. The group is on course for the outer LaGrange point used by the earlier group to jump into the inner system.
Admiral McCullick orders the fleet to take up a position three million kilometers from the LaGrange Point, with the carriers positioned one million kilometers behind the fleet. Once in position, at Admiral McCullick’s orders the carriers to launch their fighters, with the strike fighters remaining with the carrier group, and the laser-equipped attack fighters moving in close to the LaGrange point. He does not want his capital ships too close to the LaGrange point as the aliens would be able to engage them before they could fire back.
At 0900 hours on the 31st, the alien group had closed to 370 mkm’s as it closed on the LaGrange Point, and the ship count had grown to eight, with four additional ships of a new class appearing. With the ship count increasing, Admiral McCullick ordered the strike fighters to move forward to the Fleet’s location. If the alien squadron proved to have a large number of as-yet unobserved small craft with it, Admiral McCullick wanted the missile armed fighters with his fleet to thin their ranks before the aliens closed on the fleet. In addition, he ordered the attack fighters to withdraw to the fleet’s location, so that they would present the aliens with a united front when they jumped in, and could attack simultaneously. With the updated sensor readings, Admiral McCullick has realized that they may be in over their heads. The contact first detected, designated as the Osiris class, has a thermal sensor reading 80% greater than that of the monstrous flagship of the original swarm that massed 130,000 tons. It is too late to run, though. Already, the alien fleet is close enough that it will catch the Terrans if they run for the jump point, so Admiral McCullick decides to remain in position.
Admiral McCullick ordered the strike fighters to launch their missiles when the alien ships jumped in. If the alien fleet numbers remained consistent, then the fighters were to target the Anubis class ships as their primary target, as their powerful lasers were a threat to the larger ships of his fleet. If the larger alien ships were accompanied by smaller ships that weren’t showing up on their sensors because of the range, then the fighters were to attack the alien small craft, to prevent them from swarming the fleet.
1112 hours: The alien fleet appeared on the LaGrange point, three million kilometers from the fleet. The fleet numbers remained stable. There was one Osiris class, massing 61,591 tons, three Anubis class, massing 20,583 tons each, and four Mors class, massing 10,153 tons each. Or, in Imperial terms, One heavy battleship, three battlecruisers, and four destroyers. Immediately after they appeared they accelerated towards the Imperial fleet.
As planned, the strike fighters accompanying the Retribution Fleet launched their missiles soon after the aliens appeared, with thirteen fighters targeting each of the Anubis class ships, and thirteen targeting the Osiris. As soon as they launched, they turned and set out for their carriers, which were hovering one million kilometers behind the battleline. The carriers themselves turned and began running for the jump point, putting space between themselves and the aliens. The missiles reached the alien fleet forty-five seconds after launch. The alien fleet put up a spirited defense, with numerous energy weapons being discharged at the incoming missile wave. In twenty seconds, the attack was over, with the aliens succeeding in shooting down most of the missiles. The missile attack scored no penetrating hits, but did armor damage on all four targeted ships.
Alpha Strike Results (All hits strength 6)
Osiris: 30 hits on armor
Anubis 05: 14 hits on armor
Anubis 06: 25 hits on armor
Anubis 07: 31 hits on armor
The results were disappointing. Based on the prior engagement against the four Anubis class ships, Admiral McCullick had anticipated his missile strike to knock out the three Anubis class ships with this fleet, however, that did not happen and indeed, the Terran missiles got no penetrations.
By the time the last missile was shot down, the alien fleet was just 1.4 mkm’s from the Terran fleet. Admiral McCullick ordered his fleet to begin retrograding from the alien fleet once they entered long range. The fleet wouldn’t be able to maintain the range against the faster alien fleet, but he could delay the aliens from getting into optimal range for their weapons. In addition, he orders his fleet to target a single Anubis class unit, hoping that he can destroy them before they can get into firing range. With their weakened armor, the Terran fleet should have a good change of wounding or destroying them at long range.
1115 hours: The alien fleet opens fire at 410,000 kilometer’s range, which is almost 100,000 kilometers beyond the fleet’s own range. The Osiris and two and of the Anubis fire lasers at the battleship Pride of Sol, getting multiple hits and reducing her shields to 91%. Disturbingly, the alien lasers are doing significant damage, even at extreme damage. Admiral McCullick immediately realizes that he has made a critical mistake. By positioning his force away from the LaGrange point, he has given the alien fleet a crucial advantage. The alien fleet outranges and can out run the Terran fleet. Admiral McCullick immediately orders the fleet to pursue and close on the alien fleet, including the fleet’s 20 Forward II attack fighters.
The two fleets streak towards each other with a combined closing speed of over 22,000 km/s. There is a brief lull as the aliens recharge their lasers and the humans try to close to weapons range. Ten seconds after the aliens hit the Pride of Sol, the attack fighters hit one of the Anubis with their 10 cm lasers, causing armor damage. At that point the aliens turned and began running ahead of the human fleet.
As the alien fleet began pulling away from the humans, the human fleet opened fire, but only scored four hits on one of the Anubis. In return, the aliens hit the Pride of Sol with three strength six shots from 270,000 kilometers.
The Terran Fleet quickly fell out of range of its weapons. The fighters, which were closer, could still fire on the retreating alien fleet, but they were finding it difficult to hit the alien ships. The DDE’s were launching AMM’s at the Anubis as well, but between their defensive fire, their speed, and their EW systems, the alien fleet was difficult to hit. For their next salvo, the aliens switched targets to the largest human warship, the DN Andromeda. The Andromeda’s shields shrugged off the laser fire, but Admiral McCullick knew they wouldn’t last forever, and the aliens were now beyond his fleet’s range.
It didn’t take McCullick long to come to the conclusion that the aliens were going to pick his fleet apart from beyond their own weapons range if they didn’t do something. And there was little he could do, given the fact that the aliens were twice as fast as his fleet. In fact, there was really only one option. He keyed the all-ships channel.
“McCullick to fleet. The fleet will change course on the flagship’s mark. The fleet’s fighters will continue the pursuit. The new course will be to the LaGrange point at maximum speed!” He closed a channel and keyed in a message to his flag captain to make the course change immediately.
That done, he turned to the plot in the center of his flag bridge. The inner LaGrange point was 2.6 million kilometers away. At their current speed it would take his fleet 5.7 minutes to reach the point and jump through. They were going to take a lot of damage in that time, but it was their only hope of forcing the aliens into their own range. After jumping across the system, the aliens would be forced to turn back and jump themselves, and that would leave them at point blank range of the fleet’s weapons.
The pursuit continued. The alien fleet was in between the Retribution fleet and the LaGrange point, and the fleet’s fighters were in between the two fleet’s and were trying to close on the aliens. If the alien ships wanted to remain in weapons range of the human fleet, they would have to allow the human fighters to close. In the meantime, the fleet’s anti-missile escorts continued pelting the alien fleet with missile fire, which was largely ineffective but did serve to at least inflict some damage.
The human fighters soon pushed the alien fleet out of range of the main fleet. The aliens remained just out of range of the fighter’s lasers, but also seemed to be just out of their own range as well. That illusion as dispelled when the Anubis class ships opened fire and shot six fighters out of space, smashing them with their devastating lasers. The pursuit continued. Every twenty seconds the aliens smashed another six fighters, while periodically being attacked by human AMM’s, most of which didn’t get through their defenses.
The next time the alien lasers recharged they only hit three human fighters, destroying all three. The fighter force was reduced to five attack fighters and two sensor fighters. The next attack took out the two sensor platforms, leaving four fighters to pursue the alien fleet. At this point, for some reason, the aliens stopped firing on the human fighters. Until a minute later, when one of the four remaining fighters was swatted from space, leaving three.
At 1119 hours the alien force running ahead of the Terran fleet passed the LaGrange point with the fighters in hot pursuit. Fifteen seconds later the fighters passed the LaGrange point. Ten seconds later the aliens swatted another fighter from space, leaving two to pursue the alien fleet. Forty-five seconds later another fighter exploded, and the fighter force was down to one. Forty-five seconds later the last fighter exploded. At this point the Retribution Fleet was 650,000 kilometers from the LaGrange point, and at its current speed it would reach the point in 87 seconds.
With the fighters gone, the alien fleet turned around and began racing back towards the Terran Fleet. McCullick’s fleet is now 1.6 mkm’s from the LaGrange point, and will require 109 seconds to reach the point. It’s now a race. The DDE’s kept spitting out missiles as they approached the LaGrange point until Admiral McCullick called a halt as they were on final approach. At this point the DDE’s were down to under 50% on their missiles.
At 1122 hours the fleet slipped through the LaGrange point just as the alien fleet reached its weapons range. Once on the far side the fleet stopped on the LaGrange point and waited. Admiral McCullick distributed a firing plan that targeted the fleet’s weapons on the Anubis class ships. The fleet’s sensors could still see the alien fleet, but unexpectedly, it had changed course to pursue the fleeing carriers, now seven million kilometers distant. Admiral McCullick’s frustration soared. He had hoped that the aliens would pursue him through the LaGrange point, so he could force a closer range engagement, or that they would approach and picket the far side of the LaGrange point, allowing him to launch an attack by jumping into the inner system. By pursuing the carriers they were going to force him to try to distract them. Seeing no other choice, he ordered the fleet back through the LaGrange point.
The Terran fleet appeared just over 200,000 kilometers from the alien fleet, and both sides started firing immediately. The aliens concentrated their fire on the Andromeda, reducing her shields to 70% in one shot with their heavy lasers. The humans, who had been planning on attacking at point blank range when the aliens came through the jump point, spread their fire ineffectively amongst the alien Anubis class ships, getting a number of armor hits. Admiral McCullick ordered the carrier group to turn directly away from the alien force and run at top speed.
The human fleet immediately set out in pursuit of the alien fleet, which turned away to maintain the range. Admiral McCullick ordered all ships to target a single Anubis, in the hopes of knocking out at least one while within range of the fleet’s weapons. The range was opening up, though, and the human ships were finding it hard to hit the elusive alien targets. The aliens got one hit on the Andromeda’s shields, reducing them to 67%, and in return the humans got five low power hits on the Anubis’s armor. The next round of fire, at 278,000 mkm’s, got four hits on the Anubis’s armor, but the aliens had succeeded in slipping out of range.
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Admiral McCullick realized that his strategy had failed. The aliens were out of range again, and while his fleet could duck through the LaGrange point again, the aliens would just begin chasing the retreating carriers again. And positioned as they were, they would be getting farther away from the LaGrange point, not closer, so he couldn’t mousetrap them again. His eyes drifted to the carriers. The aliens were fast enough to chase them down and destroy them before they could reach the jump point. But…he could use them to draw the aliens into a position he wanted. He issued orders for the carriers to come about and move in nearly the opposite direction as they had been traveling. At the same time, he ordered his fleet to come about and begin moving in roughly the same direction as the carriers, in an attempt to draw the aliens into a better position for his next move.
Even as the terran fleet turned the aliens fired on the Andromeda again, reducing her shields to 64%. For thirty seconds the fleets danced, and then Admiral McCullick ordered his fleet back to the LaGrange point. Just before transiting the Andromeda was hit again, reducing her constantly recharging shields to 63%. After that the fleet slipped through the LaGrange point.
Admiral McCullick waited for twenty seconds at the far LaGrange point, and then ordered the fleet back through the LaGrange point to the inner system. They caught the alien fleet at 133,000 kilometers. Both sides started firing as soon as the first terran ship appeared. The aliens targeted the flagship, hitting the big dreadnought thirty-six times, knocking her shields out and shredding her armor. While her passive defenses stopped most of the damage, the Andromeda lost an engine, reducing her to the fleet standard speed of 7,500 km/s. In response the terran fleet targeted one of the Anubis class ships, hitting it twenty-six times, penetrating its armor four times and reducing its speed to 10,997 km/s.
With one of the alien ships slowed, McCullick ordered the bulk of the fleet’s firepower to be focused on a different Anubis class ship, and ordered the fleet into pursuit to keep them in range for as long as possible. The alien lasers were silent as they ran ahead of the terran fleet, trying to open the range, presumably recharging. The alien fleet left its damaged ship behind while it tried to open the range. The Terrans scored eight hits on the second Anubis, getting one penetration, but it continued on at the same speed as its consorts.
On board the Andromeda the situation was critical. The damage inflicted by the aliens appeared to have an acid-based component, and it continued doing damage, taking out another engine, reducing the Andromeda to half speed. Admiral McCullick, knowing he couldn’t slow the fleet down to the flagship’s speed, ordered the Andromeda back through the LaGrange point while the fleet continued to engine.
(https://i.imgur.com/o46NENF.jpg)
The fleet continued firing on the aliens as the fled, continuing to target the same Anubis class ship, which just stubbornly continued to soak up damage. The aliens fired on the Andromeda again before she could reach the LaGrange point, but only got one hit that was absorbed by the ship’s armor, and then again just as she slipped through the point, destroying a crew compartment. The Terrans got another penetrating hit on the Anubis, but were forced to refocus their fire on the slower Anubis as the other ships were nearly out of range.
Just before the Andromeda jumped, Admiral McCullick ordered the carriers to go into EMCON mode in the hopes that they would drop off the alien’s sensors. Fifteen seconds after the Andromeda jumped out, the aliens targeted the BB Pride of Sol with their long-range lasers, dropping her shields to 86%. The Terrans had continued to bombard the lagging Anubis with their lasers getting multiple hits and several penetrations, but the stubborn ship just continued on as if the damage meant nothing. The next long range laser attack from the aliens dropped the Pride of Sol’s shields to 81%.
On the far side of the jump point the Andromeda continued to suffer damage from the corrosive acid, losing her jump drive and another engine leaving her at a quarter of her maximum speed. With the aliens slipping out of range, Commodore Sessions, in command of the fleet with Admiral McCullick on the far side of the system, ordered the fleet back to the LaGrange point. Meanwhile, the Andromeda continued to suffer, losing her last engine, a laser emplacement, and a fuel tank. The fleet jumped out at 1125 to find the Andromeda drifting near the LaGrange point, powerless.
The aliens didn’t hesitate, after the fleet jumped out, they turned and set out for the carriers. The carrier force immediately activated their engines and began running. The carriers wouldn’t get far, though, with the far faster aliens in pursuit. At their current speed the aliens would run the carriers down in 887 seconds, or just under fifteen minutes, long before they could reach the jump point or any place important.
Sixty seconds after the fleet jumped to the outer system the acid finally stopped eating away at the Andromeda. The ship was a near wreck. Her engines were inoperative, as were two thirds of her shield generators and crew quarters, and her tanks had been breached and the fuel lost. Her jump drive was gone, and her weapons had been severely damaged. If the aliens came through the LaGrange point, she wouldn’t last five seconds, although her active shield generators were recharging. At Commodore Sessions’ urging, Admiral McCullick transferred to the Battleship Antares, leaving the crippled flagship behind.
While the fleet was focused on the Andromeda’s problems, the aliens had split up. One Anubis class ship, the damaged and slowed ship, was pursuing the carriers, while the other seven ships were on a reciprocal course towards an unknown target. They were passing the LaGrange point, but were out of weapons range of the point and would not get any closer on their current point. Captain Brennan, commander of the detached carriers, felt some relief. Her crews were reloading the fighters with their remaining missiles, but it would take time. While they didn’t have enough to take out the entire alien fleet, or load all of the fighter’s racks, they did likely have enough to take out one alien ship, even one of the tough Anubis. The problem was time. The Anubis would catch them before they could reload the fighters.
Two minutes passed. The main alien fleet was 1.7 mkm’s from the LaGrange point, while the lone Anubis was 2.2 mkm’s from the LaGrange Point in the opposite direction. At McCullick’s order, the fleet jumped back to the inner system in an attempt to distract the alien ships from the retreating carriers. Inexplicably, the alien ships continued on their original courses, ignoring the fleet sitting on the LaGrange point. This left McCullick in a difficult position.
(https://i.imgur.com/73YrRP2.jpg)
If he did nothing the Anubis class ship would overtake the carriers before they could rearm their fighters with their remaining missiles. If he ordered his fleet to pursue the Anubis, they wouldn’t be able to catch it before it reached the carriers, and the main alien fleet could turn and trap them away from the LaGrange point, which would be disastrous.
In the end, having no real choice, McCullick ordered his fleet to remain on the LaGrange point and sent a transmission to the carriers informing them that they were on their own.
1134 hours: The Retribution Fleet remained on the inner LaGrange point. The main alien fleet was now 6.9 mkm’s away and speeding towards an unknown location, perhaps an unplotted jump point. The Retribution Fleet’s carrier group was 9.3 mkm’s away in the opposition direction, on course for the jump point and the force stationed there to secure it. The lone Anubis class ship pursuing the carriers was 3.3 mkm’s from the carriers and closing at nearly 3,500 km/s, meaning it would reach weapons range of the carriers in 858 seconds. That was approximately fifty minutes before the carrier group’s fighters would be rearmed.
Playing her last card, Captain Brennan ordered the China to launch her fighters. The China’s fighters had no missiles as their carrier’s magazines had run dry after the last strike, but in spite of this Captain Brennan had a mission for them. The fighters immediately streaked away from the three carriers on a tangent towards the Anubis class ship. The twenty-eight fighters were much faster than either their carriers or the alien ship, and soon arrived at a waypoint offset from the alien ship’s course.
Two minutes later the fighters were 1.5 mkm’s from the alien ship, off to one side. They then turned towards the Anubis with orders to close to within 300,000 kilometers from the alien ship, theoretically within range of its long-range lasers. One minute later they reached 300,000 kilometers from the alien ship and the fighter group slowed down to 10,700 km/s, just under the alien ship’s speed.
Unfortunately, the alien ship did not take the bait. Instead, it continued on course and began firing at long-range. Ten seconds after slowing two fighters exploded. The commander of the strike group, Lt Commander Hsieh Hui Guo, and orphaned survivor of the Raid Years and the destruction of China, knew that it was only his fighters that stood between the vulnerable carriers and destruction, so he ordered his group to full speed and closed on the alien ship. Perhaps if they got close enough, they could distract the alien ship from its target.
Twenty seconds later the fighters were ninety thousand kilometers from the alien when it fired again, destroying two more fighters with powerful laser blasts that simply vaporized the small ships. The alien continued on course towards the carriers. At this point, Captain Brennan did the only thing she could and ordered the carriers to split up. Five seconds later the Anubis fired a massively powerful laser that vaporized another fighter. Seeing the fighters’ valiant charge was futile, Captain Brennan ordered them back to the China.
The Anubis destroys four more fighters before they can get out of range, and appears to be chasing the China. It soon becomes clear that the Anubis is angling to move between the China and America in a bid to engage both. Captain Brennan orders the Phobos to join the China, and for the China to change course further away from the America, as the China is the only carrier with fighters capable of engaging the alien ship, if they can be rearmed. Unfortunately, the alien ship changes course to pursue the America. Knowing that the America’s time is limited, Captain Brennan orders the America’s strike group to launch and transfer to the China, which will continue its rearming. She then orders the China’s strike group to join with the Phobos, and for the Phobos to take a course radically divergent from the China’s, in the hopes that the alien will chase the Phobos next.
1146 hours: While still at 462,000 kilometers range, the Anubis opened fire on the America with twelve lasers, a stunning feat of technology. Fortunately, they all missed, but Brennan knew that wouldn’t last with the aliens closing on her ship. She was tempted to order her crew to abandon ship, in the hopes that at least some of them would survive, but she needed to distract the alien ship from the other carriers for as long as possible. In addition, she wasn’t sure the Imperial Fleet would be returning to this system any time soon, so a quick death was probably preferable to lingering in a life pod that would never be picked up.
The pursuit continued. The smaller alien lasers fired again in twenty seconds, at 392,000 kilometers, scoring one hit that penetrated the America’s thin armor and destroyed a hanger deck. The next salvo, twenty seconds later and seventy thousand kilometers closer, scored five hits, all of which penetrated. Two more hangar decks were destroyed, but so far, the America’s engines were undamaged and she could continue drawing the alien ship away from the other carriers. Fortunately, when the alien ship fired its large and powerful laser again, five seconds later, it missed, but the acid damage from the previous hits had begun eating away at the America’s interior, causing additional damage. The next salvo, fifteen seconds later, caused massive damage to the carrier, but her engines were still intact and she kept running, pulling the aliens further away from the other carriers.
1148 hours: The next salvo at the America was the beginning of the end. Ten powerful lasers struck the carrier, destroying her engines and leaving her drifting. Ten seconds later the Anubis’s powerful spinal laser carved the valiant carrier in two, gutting the ship. Captain Brennan died on the ship’s bridge, fighting her ship to the last.
The alien Anubis class ship overran the hulk of the America and kept going, running towards nothing that could be seen on any Terran plot or sensor, moving farther away from the two remaining carriers every second. Meanwhile, the main alien fleet was twenty million kilometers away from the LaGrange point and moving further away as well.
1232 hours: The China launches America’s rearmed strike group, and the twenty-six fighters and two sensor fighters raced away on an interception course for the lone Anubis.
1350 hours: The America’s fighters reach their launch point and in seconds one hundred and seventy-six missiles are in space and racing towards the Anubis. Twenty seconds later the missiles slammed into the Anubis, stripping her armor and scoring twenty-seven penetrating hits and reducing the tough ship to 1,832 km/s. The remaining missiles attacked again, and this time they took out the alien ship once and for all.
With the America’s destruction, they no longer had a mother ship to return to. However, the Fleet’s fighter losses had been bad enough that there were enough for them to return to. So, the squadron split up. Twelve headed for the strike carrier Phobos, to land on her empty decks. Eight headed for the China, to replace her lost fighters. And the remaining six fighters and two sensor fighters headed for the Retribution Fleet and the LaGrange point, so they could land on the Andromeda’s bays in the outer system. The two remaining carriers, the CV China and the CVS Phobos, set their course for the main fleet’s location on the LaGrange point.
1655 hours: The carriers have rejoined the fleet and the fighters have landed. The alien fleet is crossing the orbit of Omega Ceti V and is still headed out-system at full speed.
1710 hours: Just as the alien fleet reaches the orbit of Omega Ceti V they turn back and begin heading in-system again.
1810 hours: The Andromeda’s crew successfully repairs one of the DN’s engine rooms. The crippled ship immediately moves away from the LaGrange point on a course for the jump point. It will take the flagship nearly three days to reach the jump point at its current speed. With an engine repaired, her damage control teams begin working on her hangar bays, so the fighters from America that were diverted to her location can finally land.
1910 hours: For some unknown reason the alien fleet has turned again, and is heading out-system.
February 1, 2148, 0824 hours: The alien fleet continues to move aimlessly back and forth, ranging from 240 to 300 mkm’s from the Retribution Fleet. This is not far enough from the Retribution Fleet to allow them to run directly for the jump point, and the Andromeda is still limping towards the jump point from the outer LaGrange point. Once the Andromeda reaches the jump point the main fleet will be able to jump back to the outer LaGrange point and proceed from there to the jump point without being concerned that the alien fleet could run it down before it reaches the jump point. The Andromeda is still twenty-one hours from the jump point.
1848 hours: The main alien fleet has returned to the inner system and is headed for the LaGrange point and the Retribution Fleet’s location. It is now 110 mkm’s out and closing. Strangely, it reaches 100 mkm’s and then turns and begins heading for the outer system. Admiral McCullick has begun to wonder if the aliens are trying to tempt him away from the LaGrange point.
February 2, 2148, 0003 hours: The aliens are now 280 mkm’s away and about as far as they usually get before turning back, so Admiral McCullick orders his fleet through the LaGrange point. Once through they settle on the LaGrange point to see what the aliens will do. Admiral McCullick doesn’t want to get too far away from the La Grange point until he knows where the alien fleet is going.
0505 hours: The Andromeda has reached the jump point and joined with the five destroyers and escort destroyers left there to guard the jump point. Unfortunately, the Andromeda’s crew ran out of maintenance supplies for repairs during the trip, and were unable to repair the ship’s jump drive, meaning the ship cannot jump point of the system. They did manage to get the ship up to half speed, and repaired most of her bays, so most of the fighters were able to land. In the inner system the aliens have passed the innermost LaGrange point and are headed towards the outer system, on a course that will take them in between the outer LaGrange point and the jump point.
Unexpectedly, when the alien fleet reaches the orbit of Omega Ceti II it comes to a halt, 15 mkm’s from the second planet’s LaGrange point. Admiral McCullick is now in a difficult position. If he moves towards the jump point, the aliens have enough speed to intercept him before he can reach the jump point.
With the Andromeda unable to make the jump out of the system, the fleet is effectively trapped. A support squadron is due to arrive in the system in approximately 40 days. The support group carries fuel, maintenance supplies, but no missiles for the carriers, as the UNREP ships were taken from locations away from the solar system and thus had no stocks of missiles to draw from. A second support group was en route, but was several weeks behind the first group.
February 3, 2148, 0854 hours: The wreck of a Forward II class fighter disappears from the fleet’s sensors, in the location where the alien fleet is sitting. That explains what the alien fleet is doing. Admiral McCullick has begun to wonder if the aliens can see him in the outer system, but leaving the LaGrange point is risky. If he leaves the point and the aliens can see him, they will be in the perfect position to jump in behind him and run his fleet down in deep space, then destroy the entire fleet from beyond their own range. At least now he knows what they are doing. Admiral McCullick orders shields lowered and sensors off, then orders the fleet to proceed to the jump point.
February 4, 2148: The Retribution Fleet has reached the jump point. While the Andromeda is still not able to jump out, the fleet is reassembled and ready to be reloaded once the support ships arrive.
February 5, 2148: Another fighter wreck disappears from the fleet’s sensors.
March 12, 2148: The long-awaited support group jumps into the system. The group is composed of five tankers and three UNREP ships loaded with supplies. Admiral McCullick orders the jump-capable tanker that conveyed the group to the Omega Ceti system to jump back and rendezvous with the second support group, which is carrying the missiles desperately needed by his fleet. Meanwhile, the UNREP ships begin transferring supplies to the Andromeda so that she can continue repairs, and the tankers begin refueling the rest of the fleet.
While the fleet waited for the support group, the alien fleet in the inner system salvaged all of the wrecked fighters, and was now working on the wreck of the America.
Immediately after receiving the much-needed maintenance supplies, the Andromeda’s crew finished their repairs of the flagship’s hangar bays, meaning that the America’s two long-suffering sensor fighters could finally come on board.
March 14, 2148: As the crew of the Andromeda frantically works to repair her systems, in particular her jump drive, a new alien contact appears on the fleet’s thermal sensors. It is a single contact of a new class of ship, coming in from the general direction of the alien fleet, although somewhat offset. Its speed is 13,972 km/s, and current distance is just over 200 mkm’s. Fortunately, it is not headed directly towards the fleet, but rather across the system towards some unknown point. Several hours later the contact disappears from the fleet’s sensors, perhaps indicating it powered down. The contact then reappeared, but remained stationary approximately 152 mkm’s from the fleet.
March 16,2148, 0615 hours: The alien fleet in Omega Ceti’s inner system suddenly leaves its position and heads for the jump point and the Retribution Fleet. Three hours pass and the alien fleet, now composed of the large Osiris class ship, two Anubis class, and four destroyer-sized Mors class ships, reaches 200 mkm’s. Admiral McCullick orders the support group to jump out to the 111 Virginis system, and for the Andromeda, which has not managed to repair its jump engines yet, to begin moving directly away from the jump point.
When the alien fleet reaches 154 mkm’s from the jump point it turns and begins heading back into the system, away from the fleet. It then begins vacillating between 150 and 190 mkm’s, as if its commander cannot make up its mind. Admiral McCullick decides to take a risk, and orders his jump cruiser through the jump point to bring the jump tanker and an UNREP ship back to escort the Andromeda. If they can transfer enough supplies to the Andromeda, the ship’s crew may be able to repair its jump drive and the fleet can leave the system.
1201 hours: The Andromeda has come to a halt one million kilometers from the jump point, on the far side from the alien fleet, waiting for the support ships to return. At this point the alien fleet blows past its previous turn point and continues towards the jump point. The alien fleet closes to 125 mkm’s then turns away yet again.
1349 hours: The alien fleet is now 220 mkm’s from the fleet and is apparently headed back in-system, towards the two remaining wrecks.
March 18, 2148: The alien fleet headed back into the inner system several days ago, and ultimately dropped off of the fleet’s sensors. The lone alien ship within range of the jump point, tentatively ID’d as a scout, has been gradually inching closer to the jump point over the last several days, and is now 118 mkm’s from the fleet. The Andromeda is accumulating enough maintenance supplies to attempt a repair on her jump drive.
March 20, 2148: The Andromeda’s crew finally repairs her jump drive. The ship is still reduced to half speed, and has several other systems that need to be repairs, but she is finally jump capable. Admiral McCullick orders her to return to the jump point and rejoin the fleet. There is even better news that arrives through the jump point shortly after the Andromeda completed her jump drive repairs. A jump transport dispatched from the Monoceri naval base arrived in the Sigma Eridani system and escorted the UNREP ships carrying the fleet’s missile resupply through the jump point into the 111 Virginis system, and the UNREP ships were now speeding towards the jump point to the Omega Ceti system. They would arrive in eleven days.
At this point there are no alien ships within detection range, as the small alien ship that had been hovering in the fleet’s vicinity disappeared off its sensors some time ago. Admiral McCullick decides to wait on the jump point for the arrival of the support ships.
March 24, 2148: The alien Osiris class flagship reappears on the fleet’s sensors 918 mkm’s away, far out in the outer system. The ship moves in-system jumps through the outer LaGrange point, and then begins heading towards the fleet and the jump point. When it appears in the inner system the fleet’s sensors reacquire the other six ships escorting the large flagship.
For a times the alien fleet heads towards the Retribution fleet, but then it turns away and begins its vacillating course again, turning towards the fleet and away again.
March 25, 2148: The alien fleet jumps back through the inner LaGrange point to the outer system, and begins moving across the system, in the general direction of a suspected jump point. It then turns back and returns to the inner system.
March 26, 2148, 0449 hours: For the last thirty hours the alien fleet had been cruising back and forth between the inner system and the jump point that the Retribution fleet was located at. Now, that has changed. During its current run the alien fleet blew past all previous turning points, and is now just over five million kilometers from the jump point and the Terran fleet.
Admiral McCullick orders the Andromeda, which still has not been able to repair all of its engines, and the remaining support ships and carriers, to jump to 111 Virginis. Once through the jump point the carriers and support ships accelerate away from the jump point, while the Andromeda remains on station.
The alien fleet approaches to four point nine million kilometers and then turns away, back towards the inner system. Admiral McCullick sends a ship through the jump point to recall the support ships, so that the resupply and refueling of the Andromeda could continue. The carrier group continues away from the jump point to meet the missile resupply ships.
March 28, 2148: The carrier group meets the UNREP ships carrying the fleet’s missile resupply, and both groups turn towards the jump point to Omega Ceti. While they travel towards the jump point, the UNREP ships begin transferring missiles the China and the Phobos. Crews on the carriers immediately begin rearming their fighters.
March 31, 2148: The carrier group and its attendant UNREP ships join the Andromeda on the jump point to Omega Ceti. The UNREP ships immediately start filling the dreadnought’s magazines, so that its fighter complement can be rearmed. The Andromeda still has not been able to repair one of its engines, but is capable of the fleet standard speed. All of its other damage has been repaired, aside from the gouges in its armor belt.
At 1517 hours the Andromeda and the UNREP ships and tanker jumps into the Omega Ceti system and joins the fleet on the jump point. Once the UNREP ships and the tanker are through the jump point, the ships of the Retribution Fleet line up to begin resupplying and refueling. The alien fleet is on the far side of the system and out of sensor range.
1759 hours: The refueling and resupply is not yet complete, but the aliens are rising out of the inner system again. Admiral McCullick orders every strike fighter in the fleet to be launched for a strike on the alien ships. In short order forty-four strike fighters streak away from the fleet towards the oncoming alien ships.
The unpredictable alien ships almost immediately turn away, although they almost certainly could not detect the fighters at a distance of 260 million kilometers. Sure enough, the alien ships reach the inner system and then turn back towards the oncoming fighters.
2126 hours: The strike group has reached attack range. As one they fired off their missiles at the hated alien ships. The missiles were targeted on the two Anubis class ships, which had given the fleet so much trouble, and on one of the Mors class destroyers. Thirty seconds later the three hundred and fifty-two missiles slammed into the alien ships. The first attack caused armor hits on all three targets, but no penetrations. The second attack also caused armor damage, but there were again no penetrations. The third and last attack was stopped by alien point defense fire with no hits. The results were astounding.
Anubis 05: 24 hits
Anubis 06: 22 hits
Mors 01: 20 hits
An Imperial destroyer, approximately the same size as the alien Mors class ship, had armor that could possibly withstand twenty hits from Imperial Sparrow II ASM’s, but it would almost certainly suffer burn throughs. And the two Anubis had been attacked multiple times over the last month. How they would withstand the new attack was unknown. The fighters turned away to rearm.
The alien fleet followed the fighters for over an hour then turned away towards the inner system. The fighters landed on their carriers and rearming began at 0054 hours on the 1st.
By 0221 hours the fighters were rearmed, and the unknown class of alien ship tentatively ID’d as a scout was approaching the fleet from the general direction of Omega Ceti V. It was 103 mkm’s out when Admiral McCullick ordered the Andromeda to launch its six strike fighters to intercept. The fighters raced away from the fleet towards the contact, which was suspected to be small, as it was well within the active range of the fleet scout’s active sensors, but was only showing on the fleet’s thermal sensors.
Sure enough, when the fighters closed to forty-three million kilometers their sensitive active sensors determined that the alien ship was 3,246 tons, and was designated as a Charon class unit by the fleet’s tactical department. The fighters launched their forty-eight missiles at one point five million kilometers. The alien ship managed to intercept one missile, and took twenty-one hits before a massive internal explosion ripped it apart.
April 1, 2148, 0609 hours: The Terran fleet launches a second strike on the alien fleet, still vacillating just outside the inner system. The Andromeda’s fighters only have a partial load, but the two carrier’s fighter strike groups are fully loaded with missiles.
1240 hours: The fighters have closed to 750,000 kilometers, well within their missile’s range, as the alien fleet is fleeing directly away from the fighters. They launch as one, with all of the missiles targeted on the two Anubis class ships. Three hundred and twelve missiles streak away from the fighters and race towards the alien fleet.
The missile wave reaches the alien fleet, and one hundred and thirty are blown out of space before they can reach their targets. Forty-two hit the two Anubis class ships, and the remainder come around for a second attack. One hundred and two were shot down short of their targets, and only nine hit their targets, but one penetrated one of the Anubis’s armor. The remaining missiles were shot down before they could hit their targets. The damaged Anubis showed no signs of slowing.
Anubis 05: 29 armor hits
Anubis 06: 21 armor hits, 1 penetration
The fighters turned back towards their carriers. The land at 1713 hours, and by that time Admiral McCullick has made his decision. The carriers have enough missiles to rearm their fighters for one last strike, but he has decided against it. The previous strikes have shown little results, and while a change of targets might show improved results, McCullick decides that leaving the fleet with no long-range striking power in exchange for negligible gain. It is clear to Admiral McCullick that the alien ships were equipped with some sort of regenerating armor, as the two remaining Anubis class ships had been subjected to repeated attacks that should have destroyed them several times over.
Admiral McCullick orders the fleet to continue refueling from the tankers in preparation for leaving the system.
The fleet leaves the Omega Ceti system at 1136 hours on the 2nd of April.
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I just noticed that on one of the pictures in the post above it had ship class names for the alien ships that were different than the class names used in the write-up. At some point in the write-up I decided I didn't like the auto-assign class names and changed them, but it must have been after taking the screen shot.
Indomita = Osiris in the writeup
Delfin = Anubis in the writeup
Mocovi = Mors
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May 8, 2148: The Retribution Fleet enters the solar system and transmits its reports to Naval HQ on Terra. The reports are disturbing, given the technology available to this new swarm race, and their demonstrated capabilities. In spite of this the Emperor announces a great victory, emphasizing the number of swarm ships destroyed by the fleet during the campaign. The Navy’s losses are downplayed, although the government is eventually forced to admit that an entire carrier was lost in action against the aliens.
Admiral McCullick tenders his resignation two days after returning from the campaign. He cites the loss of the America, and the near loss of the entire fleet as his reasons for resigning. Several hours after the resignation is delivered to the Admiralty, Admiral McCullick is summoned to a meeting in the Palace. Once there, he is escorted to a small comfortable study where the Emperor and Admiral Shatswell, the CNO, are waiting for him. They spend the next several hours picking his brain for every detail of the campaign, and his plans and intentions going into the fight. When the questions finally stop, the Emperor informs him that his resignation is denied, and that his orders will be forthcoming. In the meantime, his ordered to write up recommendations for future engagements with the new swarm.
Several days later Admiral McCullick receives orders to take command of the Terran Naval Academy, along with a promotion to Vice Admiral. The orders come with a personal message from the Emperor, asking him to prepare the next generation of the navy’s leaders for the threats that face humanity.
Admiral Mccullick’s recommendations are almost universally accepted. The missile construction program is revitalized, and plans are made to begin constructing more ordnance factories as soon as possible. In addition, an upgraded Sparrow IIb ASM is to be put into production as soon as possible. The IIb has the same speed and range, but has a warhead that is 33% more powerful than the block II, and has better ECCM and ATG packages.
As for R&D, new tech for engines is still 4-6 years away, even with the Empire’s best scientists working on the project. A team looks into boosted engines capable of generating speeds to match the aliens with current tech, but the design will gobble fuel at a prohibitive rate, approximately six times the rate of current designs. Mounted on a Country class carrier, the new engines would reduce its range to approximately 25 days, an unacceptable limitation even with tanker support.
Without being able to match the aliens in terms of speed, R&D resources will be focused on matching them in other areas. Projects deemed of no immediate use are cancelled, and R&D teams are reassigned. The first project is to improve the ability of our electronic systems to survive microwave attack. The top-secret labs on Io are devoted to improving current shielding (a project already underway), and improving our laser weaponry.
The Imperial Navy, after analyzing the battle results, realizes that its most effective weapon is the Eagle class strike fighter, which is both faster than almost all of the alien ships, and armed with missiles that can outrange the enemy’s long-range lasers. The development of hard-hitting battlegroups based on carriers and their fighter wings is emphasized. The Forward class attack fighters currently carried by the fleet’s dreadnoughts and strike carriers are deemed to be inadequate for front line service, as they are not fast enough to force an engagement with the aliens. They will be relegated to system defense duties and the dreadnoughts and strike carriers will be rearmed with strike fighters.
Data, bodies, and debris collected from destroyed alien ships brought back by the fleet are immediately distributed to the labs on Io for study. It is immediately apparent to the researchers that this alien race is similar to the swarm encountered in the Chi Draconis system, but not identical. Genetic studies show that they were descended from the same race, however, at some point they diverged to the point that they may not be able to interbreed.
The Emperor’s ministers, after consultation with the navy and with the Emperor, decide that the swarm threat must be rebranded for public consumption, both to emphasize the threat and to make the situation clearer. Therefore, the swarm will be renamed to The Hive, and each instance encountered will be given a different designation. The original swarm, encountered in the Chi Draconis system, will be designated Hive Fleet Leviathan, while the new swarm, in Omega Ceti, will be designated Hive Fleet Kraken. The new names will make clear that the two instances are related to each other, but are also separate.
May 26, 2148: The Andromeda finally goes into the yards for repairs. As most of its systems had been repaired by the time it returned to the solar system, it will only take two months in the docks before it is battle-worthy again.
August 13, 2148: A stabilization ship working in the Omicron Tucanae system detects a ship belonging to Hive Fleet Leviathan entering the system through the jump point it is stabilizing. The stabilization ship immediately sends a warning off to the other stabilization ship working in the system, then turns and slowly moves away from the jump point. The hive ship is an Alpha class, of an unknown size and capability, only seen once in previous encounters with the Hive Fleet Leviathan. This news is particularly alarming as Hive Fleet Leviathan was believed to have been neutralized and either destroyed or to have retreated from the frontier after the battles in Chia Draconis and the nearby systems.
As the ponderous stabilization ship slowly moves away from the jump point at 1,036 km/s, the hive ship runs past it at 13,516 km/s, ignoring the slow Terran ship. The hive ship is on the same course as the Terran ship, towards the jump point to the chain of systems that leads back to the site of previous engagements with Hive Fleet Leviathan, Chi Draconis. It will take the nearer stabilization ship eighty days to reach Chi Draconis and the base located there. The hive ship will arrive much sooner.
October 12, 2148: Unrest has been rising on Terra Nova after the information that a new swarm was encountered in the Omega Ceti system was released to the public. The fact that the Omega Ceti system is five jumps from Terra Nova, and 13.6 billion kilometers away, has not reassured the public given the fact that no Terran forces are currently deployed between Lalande and Omega Ceti. To allay public fears, the Emperor orders the Navy to deploy two carriers and their escorts to the colony to bolster the system’s defenses.
In addition, the Navy sends a battlecruiser group and a strike carrier to the Lalande system, with orders to deploy a string of newly developed sensor buoys at jump points along the path to the Omega Ceti system. This path will be patrolled by a pair of jump cruisers assigned to the Lalande system, to download the buoy’s sensor data and determine if the swarm is advancing on the colony, giving the Imperial navy some warning of the threat.
November 1, 2148: One of the two stabilization ships that detected the hive ship in the Omicron Tucanae system jumps into the Chi Draconis system and transmits its warning to the base located on the former hive infested planet orbiting the system’s secondary star. The scout Avenger-01, orbiting Bastion Base, immediately departs for the base at the Monoceri system with the warning. The scout’s ETA at the Monoceri system is just over 15 days.
November 2, 2148: The CVS Europa and her detachment arrive over Terra Nova and refuel. The mission commander, Captain Boddy aboard the jump cruiser Eradicator, decides to give the crews R&R on Terra Nova before continuing.
November 12, 2148: Fresh from R&R on Terra Nova, the Europa arrives at the jump point to the Tau Ceti system in the Lalande system. There, she launches her fighters, which proceed to deploy a two-stage sensor buoy at a location 50,000 kilometers from the jump point. There were cheers on the carrier when the delivery vehicle raced straight to the target location and deployed its sensor buoy, exactly as planned. This marked the first successful deployment of a deliverable sensor buoy by the Imperial navy.
Its mission complete, the fighter returned to the Europa and the squadron set out for the far side of the jump point, where they would deploy a second buoy.
November 16, 2148: The Avenger-01 arrives in the Monoceri system and immediately sends its contact report to Shield Base. The Base’s commander immediately dispatches a courier to the solar system with the report.
November 24, 2148: The Long-Range Survey Ship Komarov, operating in the 8 Centauri system six jumps beyond Shield Base in the Monoceri system, discovers an ancient construct on the innermost planet of the primary star. 8 Centauri is a binary system with a yellow star primary and a distant small red star companion. The companion star has no orbiting planets or asteroids, while the primary has a robust planetary system boasting three gas giants, two terrestrial planets, and two dwarf planets. The gas giants boast forty-eight moons between them, and the system is home to a large asteroid belt. None of the planets or moons have atmospheres. The innermost planet is terrestrial, with no atmosphere, and an average temperature of 621 C. There is no indication of the reason the construct is located here, as the planet isn’t habitable by any known standard and has no TN resources.
November 24, 2148: The courier from Shield Base arrives in the Solar System and sends its report to Terra. The report’s arrive causes consternation and alarm in Fleet HQ and within the upper levels of the government.
The Imperial Secured Operations Room (SOR) was, in fact, a heavily protected bunker buried far beneath the Imperial capital city. Intended to give the Emperor and his military advisors a secure command center should Terra come under attack, the center was also used by the Emperor for meetings that absolutely had to be kept secret. That was the use it was being put to today. Word of the discovery of ships belonging to Hive Fleet Leviathan had just arrived in the solar system, and that, coupled with the fleet’s near defeat in the Omega Ceti system, had caused the Emperor to summon Commodore Jian, the head of Naval Intelligence, to the SOR. Commodore Jian, the recipient of the Lion of Terra for his actions in the Second Battle of Ophiuchi, had been the head of INI for five years, and had transformed what had been a small, insular organization into the premier investigative service looking into the various alien races that threatened humanity.
A marine sentry escorted Commodore Jian to the conference room where the Emperor waited. Once the commodore entered the room, the sentry closed the door and assumed a guard position outside. Jian found himself in the conference room with the Emperor of all Humanity, who was sitting in one of the chairs at a large table, apparently relaxed in sweat pants and an old T-shirt. The only other person in the small conference room was Declan Baker, who had no official position in the government but was known to be the emperor’s oldest friend, a fellow combatant from the Raid Years, and suspected to be the Emperor’s confidant, bodyguard, fixer, and all-around general handyman.
As Commodore Jian braced to attention the emperor waved him to a seat. “No time for that, Jin. All hell’s about to break loose out there when the new sighting report is released. I need information before that happens, and I need it now.”
Commodore Jian nodded and sat in one of the chairs opposite the Emperor and his confidant/bodyguard. “Very well, sire, what can I do for you this morning?”
The emperor leaned forward. “I know your shop is working on the data seized from the various raider ships we’ve destroyed over the years, and the two Reaper bases we’ve taken. I’ve seen your reports, but you’ve been awfully vague on details. I need to know what you know.”
Commodore Jian stirred uncomfortably in his seat. “Sire, we’ve had this conversation before. We have very little in the way of direct facts. We have reams of data that constitutes little more than rumor or supposition, second or third hand references. I am reluctant to pass on what may be little more than fever dreams of isolated fanatics, or fiction written by inspired idiots. We have no way of verifying most of the information we’ve taken.”
The Emperor shook his head. “Jin, I understand all of that. If you remember, I concurred with your request to withhold the information your team was developing until you could verify at least some of it. But now, given the position we are in, I need you to give me the broad outline that you are most comfortable with at this point.”
“Very well, sire. I will, of course, but under protest. Taking this information into account in making strategic deployment decisions is dangerous, given its largely speculative nature.” Commodore Jian lifted his satchel to the table and began removing folders marked with his agency’s logo and numerous classification markings.
The Emperor chuckled. “I see that in spite of your protests, you anticipated my request.”
Commodore Jian looked at the Emperor, suddenly formal. “Of course, your majesty.” Once he had the folders spread out on the table in front of him, he gestured at them. “I will give you the overview, but if you need details, or to see the actual reports the over view is based on, they are here.” He settled back in his chair, and at a nod from the Emperor he continued. “The cause of the Raid Years has long been a subject of speculation amongst the academics who study that period. One of the most prominent theories is that a large multi-stellar government that controlled the regions close to our solar system collapsed, causing chaos, war, starvation, and societal collapse both inside this ‘empire’ and outside its borders, where presumably our system lay. We believe, based on the preponderance of evidence gathered since that time, that this theory is indeed true. This is based on data recovered on Terra during the Raid Years, from disabled Raider ships, from the two Reaper bases taken by our forces, and from contacts with the Bobruisk Corporation in the HIP 48659. While there are conflicting data in places, the majority of recovered information agrees that a vast interstellar government did exist, and covered an appreciable portion of the galaxy, perhaps even as much as one to three percent. It seems clear that the center of this government, which we will refer to as the Imperium for simplicity’s sake, was far from here, and that the Solar System is located beyond the borders of the Imperium. We have very little information on what they called their government, or its structures, thus our use of the title ‘Imperium’, which should not be taken to denote an actual form of government. What little information we do have is contradictory and unclear. Still, we can say with some authority that the Imperium existed, and that it ruled a significant portion of the galaxy for a time period estimated to be in the thousands of years, perhaps longer.”
Commodore Jian leaned forward, looking at the other two, confirming that they were following his words. “It is a matter of much speculation within my study groups as to whether Imperium actually existed for thousands of years, or whether that was propaganda or political rhetoric. Certainly, given the capabilities of the remnants we have encountered, it does not seem that the Imperium possessed technology sufficiently advanced to sync with being in existence for thousands of years.”
Baker, sitting next to the Emperor and following the briefing raptly, grimaced. “They seemed advanced enough to us at the time.”
Commodore Jian shook his head. “Advanced yes, but thousands of years ahead of us? No. In some areas our current technology is more advanced that what most of the Raid Races demonstrated during the Raids. My teams are divided on this, and we have little evidence to support any position. A bare majority hold to the view that the Imperium did exist for thousands of years, as claimed in some of the records, but that it did so by suppressing technological development. There is some evidence for this point of view. There are references in some of the documents recovered from the Reaper Base in 70 Ophiuchi to the “Proscriptions”, and the importance of enforcing such in the border lands of the Imperium. It would certainly explain how a government could exist for that long in the first place, and also why it was not impossibly advanced compared to us at the time of contact.”
Commodore Jian leaned back again, looking up from his documents and seeing that the two were paying him rapt attention. “At any rate, some time before the Raid Years it is clear that the authority of the Imperium collapsed, at least in the central regions. The cause of this is unknown. Civil war, external threats, plague, widespread civil unrest, or all or some of the above. None of the reports we have access to at this point are clear, and it is possible that the sources we have access to simply did not know what caused this calamity. There are several references to travel times to the central areas of the Imperium being multiple years long. Perhaps as long as five to ten years, to get from the outer frontier to the central sectors. In contrast, it takes one of our fast couriers thirteen days to get from Terra to the frontier base in the Monoceri system. Imagine the size of the Empire, if it took five years to get to the frontier.”
The Emperor sagged in his seat. “I…I can’t. It’s inconceivable.”
Baker looked intrigued. “It would explain these Proscriptions, though.” The other two looked at him. He looked at the emperor has he continued. “Think about your difficulties in keeping the Empire together and moving in the same direction. Now consider how it would be if you could stifle change and advancement. How much easier it would be to spot groups that were not cooperating or acting against the central government.”
The Emperor, to his credit, looked aghast. “But the cost would be enormous. We would have to build a police state, with tremendous powers of surveillance and internal control, backed up by serious military might, led by leaders who wouldn’t hesitate to use that might against their own people.”
Baker shook his head. “Remember the Nealon Report.” The other two nodded. Florence Nealon had been an Imperial Senator who had retired from the Senate and put together a team to study Imperial governance in light of the expanding borders of the Empire. Her report, which had immediately been classified by the government, had theorized that it would become increasingly difficult to exert central control once travel times between the capital and the frontier exceeded one month. Her team had investigated alternatives, such as dividing the empire into sectors and appointing sector governors to exert local control, subject to the ultimate authority of the emperor. This seemed a promising approach, but introduced problems of its own as giving individuals so much power and authority risked establishing a competitor to central control, rather than an enhancement to that control.
Commodore Jian shook his head. “At any rate, we have very little information on the internal governance of the Imperium, and what we do have is very contradictory. It is clear, though, that the Imperium reached our section of the galaxy some time ago, perhaps as long as five to six hundred years ago, and then stopped advancing before it reached our system. The fact that our civilization existed just beyond their borders and yet remained relatively unmolested for that entire period of time seems both remarkable and unlikely. Our best estimate is that this had something to do with the Proscriptions, and that exploration and activity beyond the Imperium’s established borders was actively discouraged. Our communications with the Bobruisk authorities seems to confirm this, as they had a spacefaring civilization prior to the Raid Years, although it was confined to their home system until approximately the same time that the raids started. Upon the collapse of central authority, the Proscriptions began breaking down. While fighting did not start on the local frontier immediately, the information that we have is clear that the local frontier powers began jockeying for position as the Imperium’s resources either failed or withdrawn to deal with emergencies in more important locations. This brings us to the Raid Years.”
The Emperor shook his head. “The biggest disaster in humanity’s history. Arguably.” He settled back in his chair, intrigued by the briefing being put on by his intel chief. He had already heard much of this in dry reports regularly forwarded by Commodore Jian, but hearing it all put together like this was fascinating.
Commodore Jian continued. “The information we have on this is fairly clear and unequivocal, as it relates to actions and decisions made locally. When the situation on the border continued to deteriorate, the local races and powers began to make plans, and once it became clear that the Imperium’s local power either no longer existed or was incapable of either protecting the member races or stopping them from taking actions they felt were necessary to defend themselves or to bolster their power, they began to act against one another. One of these actions was to begin exploring beyond the established borders of the Imperium for resources or assets that they could use against each other. Races, such as ours, were known to exist, and in addition the Imperium was known to place top secret naval bases and research stations in systems beyond the border to ensure secrecy or for isolation given the dangerous materials they were reputed to be working with. It seems clear that as the situation in the border area closest to us deteriorated the desperation of the local races increased to the point where they began launching raids on easy targets beyond the border, in desperate actions to bolster their own strength before open fighting broke out. We have no information on the results of the various raids, or what happened to the races that launched them, but the fact that all such activity ceased over one hundred years ago and that no one has seen most of the involved races since argues that they no longer exist as interstellar powers or are hiding somewhere. Or possibly that the Imperium has reestablished control over its frontier, although this seems unlikely for various reasons.”
Commodore Jian opened one of the folders in front of him and withdrew several pictures of known aliens.
(https://i.imgur.com/rqqNewO.jpg)
Raiders
(https://i.imgur.com/6Efpu7f.jpg)
Reapers
“This brings us to these two ‘races’. The Reapers are a known Raid Race, and were involved in several of the Terran Raids. In addition, we have encountered them in two systems, 70 Ophiuchi and Groombridge 34, where they established planetary bases. The Raiders have been encountered multiple times since we expanded out of the solar system, never communicating and always on the attack. Both are robotic in nature, and appear to be autonomous. We believe, based on information recovered from the Reaper base on 70 Ophiuchi II, that the Reapers are in fact an Imperium combat team, probably not intended for completely independent actions but rather as an adjunct and support arm for the Imperium’s military. The information we have recovered indicates that all of the Reapers we have encountered belong to something called the 1135th Frontier Security and Control Unit. The doctrinal information we recovered from the base indicates that the Reapers were primarily used in a support role to establish and secure frontier bases that could then be used by their actual military. Certainly, the Reapers in 70 Ophiuchi had been sent there to establish and secure a forward base for the 1135th, which appears to never have been used for some reason.”
The Emperor leaned forward, an intent look on his face. “But what about the Reapers that raided Terra? They didn’t seem to be acting to support a legitimate government at that time, and in fact were and are considered one of the worst and most merciless Raider races.”
“That’s true. But, while we have no definitive information on this mystery, we do have some indications of what might have happened. The majority of my researchers now believe that the Reapers that were sent to Terra were in fact dispatched to Terra by the 1135th Frontier Security and Control Unit in an attempt to establish a base to prevent further raids by Imperium members. However, the programming of their controlling AI’s seems to have been corrupted for reasons unknown. Both the original mission and the corruption have been corroborated by processing and data units recovered after the end of the raids. It was until just recently that we had the technology and expertise to interpret the data on the recovered systems. It appears that the mission sent to the Solar System by the 1135th was sabotaged, perhaps to weaken them, or perhaps to allow the raids to continue, or both. In fact, the mission to the solar system is the last definitive record we have on the actions of the 1135th, and what happened to them after that is unclear. It is clear that they no longer seem to be active in the local area, much like the various Raid Races. It is possible, perhaps even likely, that we will continue to discover them in apparently random locations during exploration, and they will continue to be a localized threat should they be discovered.
“As for the Raiders, this is a bit more difficult. Several competing theories exist, and no consensus has been reached. What is known is that the Raiders are from the Imperium. The numerous wrecks salvaged have shown that the construction methods used to build the raider ships are common to Imperium races, and show some similarity to the Reapers, a known Imperium enforcement tool. The Raiders are also robotic, much like the Reapers. Whatever the true nature or origin of the Raiders, it is apparent now that they are not under the control of a central authority, and appear to be acting randomly and without direction or clear goal. The information we have is not clear, and my teams have no clear consensus on the origins and utility of the Raiders. From some records recovered from the Reaper bases, it appears that the Imperium’s military had access to some sort of FTL drive technology that did not use standard jump points, but reserved it for special uses. Certainly, no such technology has ever been found on a wrecked Raider ship. It is clear that the Raiders are not using known jump points to travel between systems, as they have never been observed to use a known jump point, and no jump point has ever been found on the rare occasion that a Raider ship was observed to leave one of our systems. Whether the Raiders were some sort of Imperium military auxiliary unit, like the Reapers, that has now escaped their control, or was some sort of experimental R&D development that has no run wild in the absence of Imperium authority, is unknown, and perhaps unknowable.”
Commodore Jian pulled two more pictures out of his folder and placed them on the table.
(https://i.imgur.com/4mRpZpN.jpg)
Hivers
“That brings us to these ugly beasts. Bio-analysis of the bodies and bits of alien ships recovered from Omega Ceti shows that these new aliens are indeed a cousin of the first swarm encountered in Chi Draconis. While no useful intelligence was recovered from the swarm vessels in either Chi Draconis or Omega Ceti, we have developed interesting intelligence from the analysis of the extensive data captured from the Reaper bases in Groombridge and 70 Ophiuchi, and from the data recovered during the Raid Years and recently interpreted. Once the Imperium’s control over the frontier began breaking down, the local frontier powers began extensively exploring beyond the established frontier. This can be considered conclusive given the number of references we have found to this phenomenon in the various databases we have seized or recovered. What they were searching for is rather less clear, but there are multiple references to hidden Imperium research bases beyond the frontier, and in particular to experiments the Imperium was known to be conducting into bio-weaponry, and self-replicating bio-ships. While there is no direct connection to the hivers we have encountered, this seems like too much of a coincidence to be discounted, especially given the recent developments in the study of the two different hiver fleet’s genomes. Doctor Im’s determination that the two swarms are genetically linked, and that both swarms’ genome was artificially altered, perhaps even engineered by some technology that remains unknown, seems definitive. The likelihood that the swarms were some sort of Imperium research and development project that escaped their control, perhaps when Imperium resources were withdrawn from the frontier, or perhaps when the local powers discovered the R&D center and inadvertently released the swarms from confinement, is unknown.
The three continued to talk for an hour, but little additional information was imparted.
In response to the reappearance of Hive Fleet Leviathan beyond Shield Forward Base, the Empire commissions two new ship designs:
The Allegiance class Heavy Carrier is intended to be the Empire’s ultimate answer to the threats that hover on its border. Starting with the Galaxy class DN design, the design team stripped off the extraneous engine, which reduced the new design to the fleet standard speed, some of the weaponry and defenses, and added a spacious hanger deck and vastly enlarged the design’s magazine capacity.
Allegiance of Terra class Heavy Carrier 80,000 tons 1,613 Crew 16,042 BP TCS 1,600 TH 12,000 EM 18,000
7500 km/s JR 5-500 Armour 6-165 Shields 600-400 HTK 389 Sensors 108/84/0/0 DCR 77-9 PPV 70.76
Maint Life 1.41 Years MSP 11,269 AFR 883% IFR 12.3% 1YR 6,194 5YR 92,909 Max Repair 2,000 MSP
Hangar Deck Capacity 16,000 tons Troop Capacity 1,200 tons Magazine 1,800 / 0
Commodore Control Rating 5 BRG AUX ENG CIC FLG
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months Flight Crew Berths 320 Morale Check Required
J80000(5-500) Military Jump Drive Mk II Max Ship Size 80000 tons Distance 500k km Squadron Size 5
DN IC Fusion Drive (3) Power 12000 Fuel Use 10.0% Signature 4000 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 5,345,000 Litres Range 120.3 billion km (185 days at full power)
Lg Theta Shield Generator (15) Recharge Time 400 seconds (1.5 per second)
45.0cm FUV Spinal Laser (1) Range 320,000km TS: 7,500 km/s Power 53-8 RM 50,000 km ROF 35
30cm FUV Laser Mk II (2) Range 320,000km TS: 7,500 km/s Power 24-8 RM 50,000 km ROF 15
Twin Gauss Cannon Mk II Turret (2x8) Range 40,000km TS: 25000 km/s Power 0-0 RM 40,000 km ROF 5
Miain Battery Fire Control MK III (2) Max Range: 320,000 km TS: 6,250 km/s ECCM-2 97 94 91 88 84 81 78 75 72 69
Turret Fire Control Mk III (1) Max Range: 200,000 km TS: 25,000 km/s ECCM-2 95 90 85 80 75 70 65 60 55 50
Capital IC Fusion Reactor (3) Total Power Output 240 Exp 5%
AM Active Search Sensor Mk III (1) GPS 180 Range 28.3m km MCR 2.5m km Resolution 1
Standard Active Search Sensor Mk II (1) GPS 2016 Range 61.1m km Resolution 14
Capital EM Sensor (1) Sensitivity 84 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 72.5m km
Capital Thermal Sensor Mk II (1) Sensitivity 108 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 82.2m km
Electronic Warfare Jammers: Sensor 4 Fire Control 4 Missile 4
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Carrier for auto-assignment purposes
The missile destroyer design is intended to give planetary defense squadrons some standoff capabilities, and to boost the long-range engagement abilities of mobile fleets.
Absolution class Missile Destroyer 10,000 tons 118 Crew 1,914.3 BP TCS 200 TH 1,500 EM 0
7500 km/s Armour 6-41 Shields 0-0 HTK 74 Sensors 54/0/0/0 DCR 4-4 PPV 50.4
Maint Life 2.70 Years MSP 1,378 AFR 200% IFR 2.8% 1YR 270 5YR 4,043 Max Repair 375 MSP
Troop Capacity 400 tons Magazine 336 / 0
Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 36 months Morale Check Required
IC Fusion Drive (2) Power 1500 Fuel Use 23.09% Signature 750 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 1,823,000 Litres Range 142.1 billion km (219 days at full power)
Standard Box Launcher (42) Missile Size: 8 Hangar Reload 141 minutes MF Reload 23 hours
Missile Fire Control Mk II (2) Range 117.6m km Resolution 100 ECCM-2
AM Active Search Sensor Mk III (1) GPS 180 Range 28.3m km MCR 2.5m km Resolution 1
Standard Active Search Sensor Mk II (1) GPS 2016 Range 61.1m km Resolution 14
Standard Thermal Sensor Mk IV (1) Sensitivity 54 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 58.1m km
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Warship for auto-assignment purposes
The shift of the navy from a beam intensive focus to a missile-based approach has necessitated the creation of a vast munitions capability to supply all of these missile-equipped ships. The effort to bolster this capability is ongoing.
-
(https://i.imgur.com/TQJDhEX.jpg)
December 3, 2148: The Europa Detachment is operating in the 111 Virginis system, placing sensor buoys close to all of its jump points to warn of movements by Hive Fleet Kraken in the Omega Ceti System one jump away. When the strike carrier and her escorts reach thirty-two million kilometers from the jump point to the Omega Ceti system a group of Kraken ships appear on the jump point. There is a single 20,583 ton Anubis class ship, a 10,153 ton Mors class ship, a 3,296 ton Charon class ship, and two new ships, designated as the 93,890 ton Mania class. The Kraken ships are divided into two groups, sitting just off of the jump point itself, as if they are guarding against an incursion from the far side.
Captain Boddy decides against launching an attack with his fighters, as he is tempted to do. He only has eleven fighters, and has no wish to provoke the swarm ships, which can outrun his squadron, and given the presence of the Anubis class, outranges his ships as well. Instead, he orders his fighters to launch and deploy a sensor buoy at a point 100,000 kilometers from the jump point, as a test to gage the swarm’s reaction. He also orders his ships to deactivate their active sensors, so as to not draw the attention of the swarm ships. With their sensors down, the swarm ships disappear off of the squadron’s displays.
Just over two hours later the delivery vehicle arrives on target and deploys the sensor buoy, which begins to send data back to the squadron. Unfortunately, the buoy shows nothing. This is somewhat alarming, as the buoy’s thermal sensors are powerful enough to detect the larger swarm ships far beyond its current range to the jump point. Captain Boddy then orders his squadron to activate their sensors, out of fear that the swarm ships might be charging his squadron, but nothing shows up on their screens either.
After consulting with his sensor chief, Captain Boddy orders his fighters to deploy a second buoy closer to the jump point, just in case, and for his fleet to begin retreating to their entry jump point. It is clear the swarm ships detected his fleet and retreated through the jump point. He has no desire to wait until they are reinforced.
December 5, 2148: While traveling back to the jump point to the 111 Virginis system, the Europa Detachment detects a 3,298 ton Charon class Kraken ship forty-four million kilometers ahead of them. The Charon class is suspected to be a survey/scout. Captain Boddy immediately orders his fighters into space to chase down the Kraken ship. The fighters race away from the strike carrier towards the swarm ship, which is moving on a tangent across the squadron’s course. Twenty-two minutes later they launch twenty-three Sparrow IIb ASM’s at the target. Twenty seconds later the missiles intercept the target, swatting it from space. The fighters turn back to their carrier and the squadron continues on towards its exit point.
December 21, 2148: The Europa and her escorts jump into the Lalande system and set out for Terra Nova. The strike carrier sends off a report on its mission to the naval base on the colony as they get under way. Several hours later the squadron receives a response. The group is ordered to proceed to Shield Base, and from there establish a sensor network to cover the operational territory of the original swarm. Their ETA is just over nineteen days.
January 9, 2148: The terraforming of Terra’s moon is nearly complete. It will take some time for the water vapor in the atmosphere to settle out, but in all other respects the terraforming is finished. Colonization will wait until more of the vapor has settled, but for now the terraformers are moving on to Mars.
January 11, 2149: The Europa is at the jump point to Barnard’s Star in the Monoceri system. This is the first location that they will leave a buoy. They will be following the following path to plant their sensor buoys:
Monoceri(Shield Base) – Barnard’s Star – Luhman – 25 Ursae Minoris – Gamma Carinae – Chi Draconis
Their actions from Chi Draconis will be determined by various factors they find when they arrive in the system.
February 11, 2149: The Europa Group jumps into the GJ 1128 system, located adjacent to the Omicron Tucanae system, home to an ancient construct. As the strike carrier prepares to launch her fighters to deploy the sensor buoys, the ship’s sensors pick up anomalous readings from an area of space just outside the orbit of the system’s outermost gas giant. Captain Boddy orders the fighters to deploy a sensor buoy close to the anomaly. The Anomaly is over thirteen million kilometers across, so the fighters will place four buoys around the outer perimeter. In addition, the fighters send a buoy bus towards the third planet, which is a colony cost 0.83 world with an oxygen nitrogen atmosphere.
Unlike the previous systems, where the group moved on after launching the drones, this time the Europa and her consorts waited for the drones to reach their targets and deploy their buoys.
February 14, 2149: The buoys have been deployed throughout the GJ1128 system and no ships of any type have been detected. The Europa group continues on to their next target.
February 16, 2149: The Europa Group sends its last two buoy carrier missiles on their way to seed the jump points in the Tau Cephei system’s jump points with sensor buoys and then sets out for Terra to reload more buoys.
March 23, 2149: The Europa Battlegroup departs Terra, rearmed with missiles and their crews rested. They will proceed along the line Sol - Wolf 359 – Alpha Centauri – Groombridge 34 – Beta Antliae – 68 Andromeda – HIP 48659, laying buoys along the way. The HIP 48659 system is particularly important as that is the only system known to be exploited by the Bobruisk. Once that line of buoys is complete, the battlegroup will return to the Beta Antliae system to begin laying another line of buoys through the chain that connects to the frontier beyond the Monoceri system.
May, 2149: The Europa Battlegroup is approaching the jump point to the 68 Andromeda system when it detects ships belonging to the Bobruisk on the jump point. There are two, a 72,000 ton ship suspected to be a stabilization ship, and a 17,755 ton ship equipped with shields and believed to be some sort of warship. The Bobruisk acknowledge the Terran ships’ presence, but aren’t interested in talking. The Europa launches her fighters, which then launch a buoy carrier missile towards the selected observation point. The Bob ships watch as the missile races away and places its sensor buoy 65,000 kilometers away. Once the buoy is placed the Europa’s fighters land and the Terran group jumps out to the 68 Andromeda system.
The ships arrive in the 68 Andromeda system to find all three local jump points stabilized, apparently by the Bobruisk. This system is adjacent to the original contact point with the Bobruisk, so it appears they are expanding towards Imperial space. The Europa continues its mission to seed the jump points with buoys.
Late in the month the Europa and her escorts arrive in the HIP 48659 system, home of the contact point with the Bobruisk. The Europa launches her fighters and dispatches buoys to picket the only known jump point and the four planets of the system.
June, 2149: The Europa Battlegroup has completed its mission to seed sensor buoys in the areas frequented by the old swarm. The group sets course for the Terra.
July 2149: The 2nd Long Range Survey Group arrives at Victory Base in the Groombridge system. The survey ships give their crews R&R after the long trip from Shield Base and begin refueling from the base’s fuel tanks. Once the R&R is complete, the group will move on to the HIP 48659 system to begin a survey. The system is claimed by the Bobruisk, but the Empire has grown tired of the Bobruisk Corporation’s standoff nature. Several diplomatic ships have been stationed close to the Bobruisk forward base on a moon in the system for several years, but have made no progress in getting the Bobruisk to open up. Despite their continued attempts at diplomacy, the Bobruisk continually reply with requests for our ships to leave the system. The Imperial government is particularly interested in the extent of the Bobruisk nation, and the Navy is concerned about the Bobruisk expansion towards Shield Base and Bastion Base in the old swarm’s territory. So, the survey group is being dispatched to the HIP 48659 system to begin probing the Bobruisk territory. Reinforcements from the Solar System will be dispatched to Victory Base in the near future.
July, 2149
Overview of Known Threats to Imperial Security
Hive Fleet Leviathan: Thought to be decimated and scattered after the last battle in Chi Draconis in May of 2144. The Retribution Fleet destroyed 210 Hive ships in multiple battles. Twenty-seven ships are unaccounted for, including the 130,000 ton Hive Queen. Just one Hive Fleet Leviathan ship has been spotted since then, an Alpha class ship of unknown type and capability. Most recently in the Omicron Tucanae system in the far frontier.
(https://i.imgur.com/TQJDhEX.jpg)
The spotting of the Alpha class ship in Omicron Tucanae suggests that Hive Fleet Leviathan may not have left the local area as originally thought, and may be active in the far frontier, or just beyond known space. As a result, sensor buoys have been deployed to every jump point in the following chain:
Monoceri(Shield Base) – Barnard’s Star – Luhman 16 – 25 Ursae Minoris – Gamma Carinae – Chi Draconis – Hip 31292 – Omicron Tucanae – GJ 1128 – Tau Cephi (linking back to Gamma Carinae)
There have been no further sitings since the buoys were placed.
Hive Fleet Kraken: Hive Fleet Kraken is known to be active in Omega Ceti and 111 Virginis, and is suspected to be active in an unknown number of systems beyond Omega Ceti. The Retribution Fleet destroyed one hundred and twelve Kraken ships in the Retribution Fleet’s attack on Omega Ceti, however, the remaining Kraken ships, including the 60,000 ton Osiris class ship that seems to be their Hive Queen, forced the Retribution Fleet to retreat and the Kraken fleet remains a serious threat in the area around Omega Ceti. Thirteen Hive Fleet Kraken ships are known to still be active in and around Omega Ceti, and the Imperial Navy has no information on the size of the hive’s remaining force.
(https://i.imgur.com/gbA8XrO.jpg)
To keep track of Hive Fleet Kraken’s expansion towards Imperial territory, the Imperial Navy has laid a series of sensor buoys at the jump points of the following systems:
Lalande(Terra Nova) – Tau Ceti – Sigma Eridani – 111 Virginis
The Bobruisk Corporation: The Bob’s, as they are commonly known in the Empire, are an isolationist race discovered in the HIP 48659 system in August of 2135 by survey ships working in the system. The system survey was never completed as the survey ships immediately withdrew. Eventually communications were established and the aliens identified themselves as the Bobruisk Corporation. Although standoffish, the Bobruisk confirmed that they had suffered something like our Raid Years, however, the scientists and negotiators communicating with them were given the impression that the Bobruisk had been at least somewhat successful in fighting off the raiders that struck their system.
In the years since communications were established the Bobruisk have tolerated the presence of our diplomatic ships in their frontier system, however, they have been unwilling to be more forthcoming with our ambassadors or make any agreements with the Empire. In the years since contact the Bobruisk have expanded towards the Empire. They have stabilized the jump point in HIP 48659 that leads to 68 Andromedae and then to Beta Antliae, and based on the traffic in the 68 Andromedae system they have expanded into the chain beginning there and leading through 7 Centauri. That chain was surveyed by Imperial ships some time ago and deemed of little interest at the time, due to its distance from Sol and its proximity to the unknown threat of the Bobruisk, as well as the chain’s connection to the frontier beyond the base at Monoceri. Of the four systems beyond 68 Andromedae, one is planet-less, and the next two are of limited interest due to containing only minor resource deposits. The fourth, 58 Cassiopeiae, has not been surveyed, but possessed only two planets, one of which was a gas giant.
As the Bobruisk have been contained to the 68 Andromedae – 7 Centauri chain, the Empire has been content to leave them alone, however, the establishment of a stabilized jump point pair between 68 Andromedae and Beta Antliae is of concern, as it implies that the Bobruisk have the intention of expanding towards territory the Empire considers its property.
Over the years Imperial ships have observed a total of twenty-seven Bobruisk ships in and around HIP 48659. Eight of these ships were obviously military, and range in speed from 1,769 km/s to the astounding Caustic class ships that were only observed at a distance, but were seen to be moving at 20,294 km/s. Seventeen of the ships were commercial in nature, with the largest being the 158,876 ton Belligerent class. Most of the commercial ships have speeds in the 1 to 1,500 km/s range. Two of the ships were only observed briefly and at a distance, and could not be determined to be either commercial or military.
Currently, the Bobruisk have five 32,261 ton commercial Calamitous class ships, one 12,105 ton Corpulent class warship, an 36, 029 ton Effulgent class commercial ship, and a 158,876 ton Bellicose class commercial ship stationed at their forward base in the HIP 48659 system, and one of their fast Caustic class warships in the 68 Andromedae system at the jump point to HIP 48659.
July 30, 2149: The 2nd LR Survey Group enters the HIP 48659 system and begins surveying for additional jump points and resources.
August 4, 2149: One of the 2nd LR Survey group’s ships determines that the 7th moon of the 4th planet, the location of the Bobruisk outpost, is the site of large deposits of seven TN resources, all present at high availability levels. In addition, the Bobruisk Corporation has stationed a large ground force at their moon base.
September 6, 2149: The LR Survey Ship Jarvis jumps out of the HIP 48659 system through a newly discovered stabilized jump point and discovers the Mu Delphini system. The system has a small red primary star and seven planets, five of which are gas giants. One of the inner terrestrial planets has an atmosphere of CO2 and Nitrogen. There are no Bobruisk ships within detection range of the jump point. The Jarvis jumps back to the HIP 48659 system to report its findings.
September 7, 2149: The Resnik, another LR survey ship with the 2nd, jumps out of HIP 48659 through a second newly discovered jump point, this one also stabilized. The survey ship discovers the Gliese 835 system. The system primary is a small red star orbited by three dwarf planets and a single terrestrial planet. None of the planets have atmospheres and no Bobruisk ships are detected in the system.
On that same day another of the 2nd’s survey ships jumps through a third newly discovered jump point, finding itself in the Iota Pegasi system. This system has a hot F5-V central star, orbited by four terrestrial planets and a dwarf. None of the planets has an atmosphere, and as before, the jump point is stabilized and no Bobruisk ships are in sight of the jump point.
September 10, 2149: The Onizuka jumps through the fifth and final jump point found in the HIP 48659 system and finds itself in a planet-less brown dwarf system. Clearly none of the systems connecting to the HIP 48659 system are the home system of the Bobruisk, although some may be exploited by them. The survey group’s commander orders the 2nd to move to the Mu Delphini system and begin a survey.
September 14, 2149
The Imperial Navy commissions an upgrade for the Galaxy class dreadnoughts. The upgrade includes improved EW systems and the navy’s newly developed soft x-ray laser weaponry and theta class shielding. In addition, the navy decides to remove the DN design’s extra engine, reducing the class to the fleet standard speed. While the increased speed was originally intended to give the DN a better ability to chase down enemies, and redundancy to withstand internal damage, the Andromeda’s performance in Omega Ceti was judged to not be worth the 8,000 tons that had to be devoted to the additional engine, or 10% of the mass of the entire vessel. By removing the engine, the designers were able to significantly increase the design’s shielding, and its laser weaponry. In fact, between the new class of shield generators and the increased tonnage devoted to them, the Flight Ic’ shielding is twice as powerful as the Ib’s, and its laser weaponry is much more powerful than the Ib’s.
Galaxy Flt Ic class Dreadnought 80,000 tons 1,964 Crew 19,262.1 BP TCS 1,600 TH 12,000 EM 32,400
7500 km/s JR 5-500 Armour 9-165 Shields 1080-400 HTK 442 Sensors 108/84/0/0 DCR 78-9 PPV 206.47
Maint Life 1.51 Years MSP 12,803 AFR 875% IFR 12.2% 1YR 6,337 5YR 95,049 Max Repair 2,000 MSP
Hangar Deck Capacity 4,000 tons Troop Capacity 1,200 tons Magazine 900 / 0
Commodore Control Rating 5 BRG AUX ENG CIC FLG
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months Flight Crew Berths 80 Morale Check Required
J80000(5-500) Military Jump Drive Mk II Max Ship Size 80000 tons Distance 500k km Squadron Size 5
DN IC Fusion Drive (3) Power 12000 Fuel Use 10.0% Signature 4000 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 5,330,000 Litres Range 119.9 billion km (185 days at full power)
Lg Theta Shield Generator (27) Recharge Time 400 seconds (2.7 per second)
45.0cm Spinal Soft X-ray Laser (1) Range 320,000km TS: 7,500 km/s Power 53-8 RM 60,000 km ROF 35
30cm Soft X-ray Laser (11) Range 320,000km TS: 7,500 km/s Power 24-8 RM 60,000 km ROF 15
15.0cm Soft X-ray Laser (4) Range 320,000km TS: 7,500 km/s Power 6-6 RM 60,000 km ROF 5
Twin 10cm FUV Laser Turret Mk II (3x2) Range 150,000km TS: 25000 km/s Power 6-6 RM 50,000 km ROF 5
Twin Gauss Cannon Mk II Turret (2x8) Range 40,000km TS: 25000 km/s Power 0-0 RM 40,000 km ROF 5
Miain Battery Fire Control MK III (4) Max Range: 320,000 km TS: 6,250 km/s ECCM-2 97 94 91 88 84 81 78 75 72 69
Turret Fire Control Mk III (1) Max Range: 200,000 km TS: 25,000 km/s ECCM-2 95 90 85 80 75 70 65 60 55 50
Capital IC Fusion Reactor (4) Total Power Output 320 Exp 5%
Sparrow IIb ASM (300) Speed: 41,267 km/s End: 1.3m Range: 3.3m km WH: 8 Size: 3 TH: 192/115/57
AM Active Search Sensor Mk III (1) GPS 180 Range 28.3m km MCR 2.5m km Resolution 1
Standard Active Search Sensor Mk II (1) GPS 2016 Range 61.1m km Resolution 14
Capital EM Sensor (1) Sensitivity 84 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 72.5m km
Capital Thermal Sensor Mk II (1) Sensitivity 108 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 82.2m km
Electronic Warfare Jammers: Sensor 4 Fire Control 4 Missile 4
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
This design is classed as a Warship for auto-assignment purposes
The Andromeda is currently in overhaul, and will move into the yards as soon as a yard is reconfigured to handle the refit. The Pegasus is currently exercising her fighters and will move into refit once the Andromeda is released from the yards.
November 15, 2149
The Chi Draconis Naval District is declared operational. A quartet of orbital maintenance bases have been towed to the system, along with a recreation base, and a fuel dump and maintenance supply warehouse have been placed on the surface, along with fueling equipment, a naval headquarters unit, an ordnance transfer station, and a cargo shuttle station. In addition, an extensive deep space tracking network has been established on the surface. All of this is protected by the 12th Imperial Guard Division and a large contingent of STO batteries. Finally, an interceptor group is on its way from Terra to protect the system.
March 11, 2150: A sensor buoy placed in the Omicron Tucanae system, at the jump point to the unexplored far frontier system of Lambda Volantis, detects a Hive Fleet Leviathan ship jumping into Omicron Tucanae. The ship is previously unseen Aggravator class ship, 4000 tons, known speed of 10,469 km/s. The buoy immediately sends off a burst communication to the other buoys in the system, updating their logs. Unfortunately, the two patrol ships that covered this section of the sensor network were about as far from the system as they would get, and would take around ten days to return to strip the logs. The Hive ship soon disappeared off of the buoy’s sensors.
March 15, 2150: A second sensor buoy in the Omicron Tucanae system picks up the Hive ship, this time at the jump point to the Zeta Doradus system, another system beyond Omicron Tucanae in the far frontier. The Hive ship soon jumps out.
March 22, 2150: The buoy at the Zeta Doradus jump point in Omicron Tucanae detects a previously identified Alpha class ship from Hive Fleet Leviathan entering the system. The buoy tender is eight hours away. The Hvie ship soon moves away from the jump point.
March 23, 2150: A buoy tender ship jumps into the Omicron Tucanae system and strips the logs from the nearest buoy. The ship’s commander is immediately alerted to the contact report, and the ship turns and jumps out as soon as her jump engines recharge.
March 24, 2150: The Alpha class is reacquired by buoys picketing the inner system. The Alpha class ship, a suspected warship, may be on its way to the jump point to the HIP 31292 system. A second patrol tender is approaching that jump point from the far side.
March 26, 2150: The Alpha class Hive ship transits from Omicron Tucanae to HIP 31292, appearing on the sensors of buoy’s stationed on both sides of the jump point. Both buoys send out updates to the other buoys in the system, and to any other Imperial ships in the system. Thus, the buoy tender five hundred and twenty-five million kilometers from the jump point is warned about the appearance of the hive warship and immediately turns back to warn Bastion Base in Chi Draconis. The Alpha class sets out on a course that is either a pursuit course for the buoy tender, or headed in the same direction but towards one of the three other jump points in the same general direction.
After a short period of consideration, the buoy tender’s commander orders his ship to detour away from their current course, as the Alpha class is 5,000 km/s faster and if it isn’t pursuing them, it may overtake and detect them on its way to whatever its target is.
March 30, 2150
The buoy tender that received the original warning of hive ships in the Omicron Tucanae system arrives in Chi Draconis and sends off a warning transmission to Bastion Base. The base commander immediately dispatches a courier to warn Shield Base and fleet command on Terra of the incursion. It will take 16 days for the courier to arrive in the solar system.
March 31, 2150
A Hive Fleet Leviathan ship arrives in the Omicron Tucanae system through the jump point to Lambda Volantis. The ship is a previously seen Aggravator class unit which immediately heads away from the jump point.
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April 16, 2150
The courier from Bastion Base arrives in the solar system and transmits its contact report to fleet command.
For the last month, the Senate, government, and Navy have been struggling with the target for the next expeditionary campaign. Hive Fleet Kraken in the Omega Ceti system is the favored target of the Navy, as it remains undefeated and a current threat. The Senate favors launching a campaign against the Bobruisk, as there are powerful business interests that fear that they’ll lose access to resources in the frontier if the Bobruisk continue to expand. The administration has no clear goal, and all three groups are conflicted. The arrival of the courier changes everything and makes the target of the next campaign an easy decision. Hive Fleet Leviathan was still active on the far frontier, and given the presence of an ancient construct in the Omicron Tucanae system, their activities in and around the system could not be tolerated.
After the last campaign in the Omega Ceti system, the Navy had quietly decommissioned the Retribution Fleet in light of the restructuring of the Navy’s offensive strategies. In its place the Navy has instituted the Expeditionary Fleet, which, while being composed of mostly the same ships, has a different emphasis. Ever since the battles in Omega Ceti, the Empire has been building additional carriers and fighters, and carrier training groups have multiplied around Terra.
On the same day that the courier arrived, the Navy’s newest carrier, the Allegiance of Terra class Heavy Carrier, launched from the yards, along with her two sister ships, the Angel of Retribution and the Eternal Crusader. These massive ships would not participate in the upcoming campaign, of course, as only the Allegiance of Terra had her fighters, and both the fighter crews and the Allegiance’s crew were untrained. In addition, there were four newly built carriers either training or refitting after training cruises.
The core of the new Expeditionary Fleet would be composed of two carriers and five strike carriers, all equipped with Eagle class strike fighters with fully trained crews and magazines full of the latest Sparrow IIb ASM’s. In addition, there would be two battlecruiser battlegroups, each composed of a battlecruiser and a destroyer and a destroyer escort, a battleship group composed of two battleships, a destroyer and a destroyer escort, and the flagship group, composed of the DN Pegasus, a fleet scout, and a destroyer and a destroyer escort. An additional four destroyers and two destroyer escorts would accompany the fleet, assigned to escort the carriers. Two jump cruisers would be assigned to the force as it advanced to the frontier to provide the nucleus of a jump assault force, if needed. Rear Admiral Casella, an early advocate of carrier power and known as a flexible and pragmatic commander, is placed in command of the 1st Expeditionary Fleet.
To support the expeditionary force, two Fleet Support Groups are assembled. The first is a fast group of UNREP ships, including the latest class of combat munitions ships, while the second is composed of slower tugs, older UNREP ships, and tankers. Finally, the 1st Long-Range Survey Group, currently going through overhaul at Shield Base, will join the fleet in the Omicron Tucanae system if survey efforts are needed in the adjoining systems.
The combined force will depart for Bastion Base in the Chi Draconis system on May 1, 2150. Their ETA will be 42 days.
May 3, 2150
A light Raider appears in the Omicron Tucanae system, in between the first and second planets, detected by the sensor buoy in orbit over the innermost planet. The buoy network logs the contact and continues to track the raider. The ship is headed towards innermost planet, which currently is home to the 3rd Xeno Study Regiment and the 91st Guard Brigade, present to study the ancient artifact on the planet. The Imperial ground forces have no orbital defenses, and when it enters orbit the raider begins a ground bombardment. But after one salvo the raider departs.
May 20, 2150
The Long-Range Survey Ship Husband, operating beyond the Bobruisk contact point of HIP 48659, jumps through a newly discovered jump point into the Eho Pyxidis system. This system was assumed to be known to the Bob’s, like the other eight systems found beyond HIP 48659, as it has a stabilized jump point. Like the other eight systems, no Bob ships were seen upon jumping into the system. There was a planet with an oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere in the inner system, so the Smith set out to a way point towards the inner system to be in range of her sensor torpedoes.
May 22, 2150
The Husband detects a previously unknown Bobruisk ship, a 32,000 ton commercial ship their database assigns the class name of Limpid class. The ship is moving at 2,223 km/s and appears to be on a course for the jump point. The Husband continues on towards her launch point.
May 23, 2150
The Husband has reached her firing point and launches a sensor torpedo targeted on the second planet at 1757 hours.
May 25, 2150
The Husband’s sensor torpedo is closing on the second planet when it detects a Bobruisk ship in orbit over the planet. It is a Cerulean class ship, 35,164 tons, and assumed to be a warship with a known speed of 13,878 km/s and an observed shield strength of 600. The sensor torpedo reaches the planet and detects no other ships, but does detect a large ground force on the surface. No installations or populations are detected, though, ruling this planet out as a candidate for the Bobruisk home planet. The Husband heads back to the jump point to call through the other ships in the group to survey the system.
June 12, 2150
The expeditionary fleet has reached Bastion Base in the Chi Draconis system. Admiral Casella orders the fleet to refuel while the crews take R&D on the orbiting recreation base. Once the ships are refueled and the crews given a break, the fleet will continue on to the HIP 31292 system and begin sweeping for Hive Fleet Leviathan ships.
June 20, 2150
The survey ships in the Eho Pyxidis system discover a Bob outpost on an asteroid as they survey the system.
June 21, 2150
The 1st Expeditionary Fleet enters the HIP 31292 system and strips the logs of the sensor buoy on the jump point. The logs include a message from the buoy tender, which has been hiding in deep space since its near encounter with a Leviathan warship. The Hive ship has not been seen since, and the system is barren, containing only two comets.
Admiral Casella orders her fleet into the system, towards the nearest comet, which is located centrally as it is more or less in between all of the system’s jump points. In addition, she has her comms section send a message to the buoy tender letting them know they can proceed back to Bastion Base.
June 26, 2150
The expeditionary fleet has reached its target comet and found nothing. Instead of casting about the system aimlessly looking for a single Hive ship, Admiral Casella orders her fleet to continue on towards Omicron Tucanae. She detaches three destroyers and two light carriers to return to their entry point and escort their support ships to the Omicron Tucanae system.
June 28, 2150
The 1st Expeditionary Fleet, en route to the jump point to the Omicron Tucanae system, detects a Hive Fleet Leviathan Alpha class ship sitting on the jump point, 1.23 billion kilometers away. The detection comes when the Alpha throttles up its engines and becomes visible on both the fleet’s sensors and the sensor buoy close to the jump point. Admiral Casella orders the fleet to advance on the jump point. The Alpha class leaves the jump point and begins closing on the Fleet.
At 1911 hours, Admiral Casella orders the CVS Europa to launch her fighter group, which then advances on the Alpha. At 2206 hours the fighter’s sensors confirm that the Alpha is a 4,744 ton ship with military engines and a top observed speed of 13,516 km/s. At 2244 hours the Europa’s fighters launch forty Sparrow IIb ASM’s at the Alpha. It took thirty-five seconds for the ASM’s to reach the fleeing Alpha, and it took just half of the missiles to destroy the small ship. The Europa’s fighters turned back towards the fleet, which had resumed its course towards the jump point.
June 30, 2150
The expeditionary fleet jumps into the Omicron Tucanae system and strips the logs of the sensor buoy close to the jump point. The network’s logs indicates that there has been repeated Leviathan activity at the Lambda Volantis and Zeta Doradus jump points. Admiral Casella orders her fleet to the Lambda Volantis jump point as it is the closest, and the location of the bulk of the activity.
July 4, 2150
The expeditionary fleet arrives at the jump point to Lambda Volantis without incident. As she does not know what lies in wait for them on the far side of the jump point, Admiral Casella orders her fleet into assault configuration and then orders the assault elements through the jump point.
A jump cruiser soon returns to report negative contacts on the far side of the jump point and the fleet jumps into the system. Lambda Volantis is a small brown dwarf orbited by a single dwarf planet and a small scattering of asteroids and comets. The system was discovered by surveyors in 2146 and promptly ignored as it held little promise. Worse, the single planet had an extremely distant orbit, at 5.3 billion kilometers, making it an unlikely target for exploitation even if it had resources. Now, though, with the Hive known to be operating in the system, the fleet must check the planet to determine if it harbored a hive presence.
Admiral Casella detaches the Mars II’s battlegroup to watch the jump point, supported by the CVS Io, and sets out for the planet.
July 12, 2150
The Support Group, accompanied by the warships detached by the Carrier Strike Force, enter the Omicron Tucanae system and remain at the jump point back to the HIP 31292 system.
July 14, 2150
The expeditionary fleet is now 375 mkm’s from the planet and within range of the fleet scout’s powerful active sensors. No hive ships are detected, but if they were the smaller class of ship it is possible that they would escape detection at this range, so the fleet continues to close. Early on the 15th the fleet arrives over the planet to find it barren and alone. Admiral Casella orders her fleet to return to a central location in the system, and sends a message off to the force at the jump point to call the survey group forward as soon as it arrives in Omicron Tucanae.
August 3, 2150
The 1st LR Survey Group arrives in Lambda Volantis and begins its survey efforts.
August 7, 2150
The 1st Survey Group discovers a jump point in Lambda Volantis, and Admiral Casella orders the fleet to advance to the new jump point.
August 11, 2150
The assault elements of the expeditionary fleet jump in through the newly discovered jump point and find themselves in the 85 Draconis system. This system has an orange star primary with numerous planets, moons, and asteroids, including a planet with an oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere. Admiral Casella orders the fleet into the system to probe the inner system.
August 18, 2150
The 1st Expeditionary Fleet has reached orbit of the third planet and has found nothing within range of its sensors. Admiral Casella orders the fleet back to the Lambda Volantis system. In addition, she dispatches orders for the support ships and their escorting warships to advance to the jump point to the Lambda Volantis system. Some of her smaller ships are down to 56% on fuel, and she wants to refuel her ships as soon as possible.
August 23, 2150
The Imperial Ecological Council declares Luna to be a 0.0 colony cost world and opens it to colonization from Terra.
September 4, 2150
The survey ships have completed their survey of the Lambda Volantis system without finding any further jump points. This is disappointing as the sensor buoys have confirmed Hive Fleet Leviathan ships transiting into and out of Omicron Tucanae from this system.
Admiral Casella orders her fleet back to the Omicron Tucanae system, where they will join the support ships, refuel, rearm, and resupply before heading to the Zeta Doradus system. The Mars battlegroup will remain in the system for now.
September 11, 2150
The expeditionary fleet has been rearmed and refueled, and sets out for the jump point to the Zeta Doradus system.
September 15, 2150
The expeditionary Fleet arrives in the Zeta Doradus to find nothing near the jump point. Admiral Casella orders her fleet into the system to probe the <almost> habitable world that is the second planet in the system.
September 18, 2150
A buoy tender in the 68 Andromedae system (Bobruisk frontier) detects a Light Raider five million kilometers ahead of it, sitting motionless in space. The tender turned away, and the raider went into pursuit, but fortunately the tender was nearly 3,000 km/s faster and it soon pulled away. Once the raider was out of sight the buoy tender turned towards the jump point that led back to Victory Base in the Groombridge system.
September 21, 2150
The expeditionary fleet reaches planet 2 in the Zeta Doradus system and finds nothing of note in the inner system. Admiral Casella decides to probe the four additional jump points in the system.
Late in the day the buoy tender that encountered the raider in the 68 Andromedae system jumped into the Groombridge system and sent off its contact report. The base commander only has an interceptor group and no warships, so cannot send a force himself. Instead, he dispatches a courier to the solar system with the contact report.
September 27, 2150
The Bobruisk Corporation, in an unexpected move, approached the diplomatic ships in the HIP 48659 system with a request to establish trade relations.
October 9, 2150
The expeditionary fleet has cleared the 94 Draconis system and will depart for the next system on its list.
October 7, 2150
The courier from the Groombridge system arrives in the solar system with the news of the contact with the raider in the 68 Andromedae system. Due to a heated political debate going on within the senate involving several minor scandals in the navy’s administration, the response is delayed several weeks. Eventually the Pluto Battlegroup, consisting of a battlecruiser and two destroyers, is dispatched to the 68 Andromedae system.
November 13, 2150
Europa, in the Solar System, has been declared a colony cost 0.0 world and opened to colonization.
November 16, 2150
Admiral Casella is frustrated. Her fleet has completed a sweep of the systems surrounding the Omicron Tucanae system, and the systems surrounding them, and found no sign of the Hive fleet. For now, she orders her fleet back to the Omicron Tucanae system to join the support ships and refuel and resupply. In the meantime, the survey group assigned to her fleet will continue pushing back the boundaries of known space.
November 21, 2150
The 2nd LR Survey Group sets out for Terra after completing its survey of the 95 Pegasi system in Bobruisk space. The results of the 2nd’s efforts have been interesting but ultimately disappointing. All of the systems beyond HIP 48658 are connected by stabilized jump points, but only one had a Bobruisk presence and it, like HIP 48659, held only an outpost. The survey will have to continue, but for now the survey group needs to refuel, resupply, and undergo an overhaul cycle.
December 1, 2150
A massive colonization effort has been underway to transfer population from Terra to the newly terraformed moons in the solar system. A large population has been transferred to Luna, and, under a plan to diversify Terra’s industrial concentration, tugs begin moving shipyards to Luna. In addition, several freighter groups begin transferring financial centers to Luna.
February 2151
A new generation of fire controls is under development in the Silberberg research labs on Terra. These new fire controls include a new generation of ECCM, and will be the first to include the newly developed hardening technology that will make them resistant to the Hive’s microwave weapons.
March, 2151
Admiral Casella has decided to return to Terra. There have been no sightings of ships belonging to Hive Fleet Leviathan since June of last year. The survey group has pushed back the borders of known space beyond Omicron Tucanae to two or even three jumps out, and no sign of the remaining Hive ships have been found. Her ships are consuming maintenance supplies at an increasing rate, and there appears to be little remaining to do in this system.
As the fleet departs for home, she composes her report, which will recommend the establishment of a major fleet base on Omicron Tucanae I. The planet had already been slated for a base, as it was the location of an ancient construct, but with the Hive still active in the region it would need to be heavily garrisoned to ensure its safety. In addition, Admiral Casella will propose the establishment of a network of sensor buoys in all surrounding systems, to track any Hive ships still active in the area, and the continuing survey of the surrounding systems to push back the border.
May 5, 2151
An UNREP group, having been detached from the expeditionary fleet support group, is moving towards Omicron Tucanae I to drop off maintenance supplies for the base to be established there when it detects a light raider 33 mkm’s away. The UNREP group contains ships of the latest design, capable of the fleet standard speed of 7,500 km/s, so they are faster than the raider, however, they divert away from the base to open the range. The raider does not pursue, so after a day the support ships turn towards the base. The support ships send a contact report to the buoy tender moving across the system.
May 10, 2151
A LR survey ship working in the Mu Doradus system, three jumps from Omicron Tucanae, detects ten Hive Fleet Leviathan ships sitting 50 mkm’s from the system primary, in between the orbits of the second and third planets, in apparently empty space. The small fleet consists of four 10,650 ton Abuser class, armed with lasers, and six ships of a new type of ship of unknown size or capability. The Komorov is the closest ship to the contact, just 28 mkm’s away. Fortunately, the alien ships are moving at just 3,801 km/s, much slower than the survey ships. The Komorov immediately turns away from the contact and dispatches a contact report to the other ships in the system. Once they receive the message the other ships set out towards their entry jump point.
After an hour it becomes clear the hive ships are not pursuing the withdrawing survey ships, but are on a course across the system.
May 14, 2151
The LRSS Komorov is the first survey ship to reach the jump point back to Terran space. Since the initial detection of the hive ships, there has been no further sign of their presence. The Komorov jumps out to take word back to the Empire, while the other ships will assemble on the jump point before leaving the system.
May 26, 2151
The 1st Expeditionary Fleet has returned to Terra. Admiral Casella’s report and recommendations are accepted, and planning begins to establish a major fleet base in the Omicron Tucanae system. The stabilized jump network to that system is almost complete, and should hasten the establishment of the base considerably. Transports begin loading STO and Guard units to protect the new base location, along with the ancient artifact found there. The fact that the fleet only encountered a few hive ships, and that there are still hive warships that have not been accounted for, continues to be a concern for the Admiralty.
In addition, a group of newly built missile cruisers, with battlecruiser and carrier support, will be dispatched to the area to seed the systems discovered so far with sensor buoys to track the hive ships, should they reappear. This will have to wait until the Pluto Battlegroup returns to Sol and goes through overhaul, as the jump cruiser Assassin will be needed for this mission.
June 12, 2151
The LRSS Komorov enters the Chi Draconis system and sends off its contact report to the base in the inner system. Upon receipt, the base commander dispatches a courier to the Solar system. The courier’s ETA to the Sol system is 16.3 days.
June 28, 2151
The courier from Bastion base in the Chi Draconis system arrives in the solar system and sends off its contact report relating to the Hive Fleet Leviathan squadron detected in the Mu Doradus system. Naval HQ decides to stick with its current plan to dispatch a force to seed the area with sensor buoys, with special attention on the Mu Doradus system. This will take some time, as the fleet is currently undergoing a major refit to update its major combatants with the latest weapons, shields, and fire controls.
July 21, 2151
Battlegroup Jupiter enters the Omicron Tucanae system to search for the light raider reported by returning support ships. Two days later, as the battlegroup approaches the third planet, their sensors pick up the raider in orbit over the second planet. The battlegroup changes course to the second planet. Twenty-four minutes later, when the battlecruiser and its two escorting destroyers were still 47 mkm’s from the second planet, the raider set its course for the outer system. It was clearly heading towards something that the Terran ships couldn’t see, because it wasn’t heading directly away, but rather on a tangent to the battlegroup’s course. The Terran ships were nearly 2,000 km/s faster, and set out in pursuit.
Three hours and fourteen minutes later the raider was within range of the Terran warship’s weapons. The squadron opened fire at 248,000 kilometers range, scouring three hits on the light raider’s armor. It took five salvoes of laser fire to destroy the raider. The enemy ship only got off one shot at the pursuing Terran ships, and although it got four hits on the Pluto, all four splashed against the big ship’s shields, causing no damage.
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September 8, 2151
A sensor buoy in the 111 Virginis system detects a ship belonging to Hive Fleet Kraken jumping into the system from Omega Ceti. This is a new kind of ship, and will be eventually designated as the Iku class once the contact report is received on Terra. It is small, at 3,950 tons, has military engines, and its observed speed in 17,392 km/s.
The ship leaves the vicinity of the jump point and is soon out of sensor range of the buoy. Thirty-six hours later the buoy on the fourth jump point, to an un-surveyed system named 103 Ceti, detects the hive ship approaching the jump point. The Hive ship jumps out shortly thereafter.
Nine hours later, on the 10th, a buoy tender jumps into the 111 Virginis system and strips the nearest buoy’s logs. The contact report is noted and the ship jumps back out, headed for the Lalande system to report this newest information.
September 18,2 151
Battlegroup Indefatigable sets out for the Omicron Tucanae system from Terra on this date. The battlegroup is composed of three Indefatigable class missile cruisers, two strike carriers, a jump cruiser, and three destroyers. The missile cruisers are carrying sensor buoys in addition to their standard missile loadout, and will seed the systems around Omicron Tucanae to track Hive Fleet Leviathan ships.
November 17, 2151
Eight Hive Fleet Kraken ships jump into the 111 Virginis system. The nearby sensor buoy notes their arrive and dispatches its contact report to the other buoys in the system. One day later the buoy tender will jump in and download the logs. It will take seventeen days for the contact report to reach Terra.
November 25, 2151
The Empire announces the establishment of the courier network. The network will consist of couriers stationed at each side of jump points connecting inhabited or exploited systems. Each courier will receive messages transmitted from the inhabited worlds of the system, ships, or bases, and jump through to the far side of the jump point to transfer the messages to the courier on the far side, which will then transmit the messages to the next courier in the network.
This is a monumental accomplishment, greatly reducing message transit times between bases and planets in the Empire. Currently, for a courier to get from the frontier at Shield Base in the Monoceri system to the solar system with a message it would take just over thirteen days. Once the new network is in place, a message will take just eleven hours to get from Shield Base to Terra! This will revolutionize not only business practices and personal communications, but will also allow for much faster comms between naval bases and forward fleets.
December 4,2 151: The contact reports detailing Hive Fleet Kraken activity in the 111 Virginis system reach Terra. Many of the major units of the fleet are in the midst of a major refit, so no action will be taken for now, at least until the buoy seeding force returns from the Omicron Tucanae frontier.
December 15, 2151
The Buoy Seeding Force has delivered sensor buoys to the three known jump points in the Mu Draconis system, and to the second planet in the inner system. No hive fleet ships are detected, so the force jumps out to continue seeding the nearby systems.
January 31, 2152
A light raider is detected in the Lacaille system. An interceptor group is dispatched from the naval base in the inner system, and a contact report is sent to the solar system via the ICN (Interstellar Communications Network). Unlike the earlier courier network, where a courier based in Lacaille would have to travel all the way to the Solar system to report, taking days, the message, which is transmitted to a courier on the jump point in Lacaille, and then carried through the jump point to the Wolf system, where it is transmitted to a courier on the jump point to the solar system and then carried through that jump point by that courier, will arrive on Terra in just five hours.
The light raider is positioned in the outer system, beyond the jump point to the Wolf system. Fortunately, the interceptors are fast and will intercept the raider before it becomes a problem. The interceptors close on the raider, until at twenty million kilometers it turns and begins running. The interceptors steadily close, until at 160,000 kilometers they open fire with their 15 cm lasers. It takes three salvoes before they get a penetrating hit, and the interceptors continue to pour fire into the fleeing raider. After eleven additional salvoes and numerous additional hits, the commander of the interceptor group decides to close to enable his lasers to do more damage per hit. The very next salvo, at 123,000 kilometers, cripples the raider, and the next destroys it. A second message is sent to the solar system while the interceptors return to base.
April 29, 2152
The ICN is extended to the 111 Virginis system, establishing a link with the sensor buoys in that system that have been tracking the Hive Fleet Kraken activity in the system.
May 7, 2152
The 1st LR Survey Group has assembled on the jump point to the Lambda Volantis, joining the Buoy Seeding Force in the area beyond Omicron Tucanae. Their survey of the 85 Draconis system is complete, and both adjacent systems have been probed. The Buoy Seeding Force has positioned sensor buoys on all three jump points in the system. At this point, Captain Feng declares his mission complete. The survey ships will return to Terra for overhaul and possible refits, accompanied by the Buoy Seeding Force. No contact has been made with Hive Fleet Leviathan.
May 31, 2152
A force of ten Hive Fleet Leviathan ships is detected by a sensor buoy in the Mu Doradus system, at the jump point to the 26 Draconis system. The force is composed of four 10,650 ton Abuser class, and six ships of a new class, designated as the Equalizer class. The ships jump through to the 26 Draconis system. Shortly thereafter, the ships jump back to the Zeta Doradus system.
June 11, 2152
The Hive Fleet Leviathan force appears in the 123 Herculis system.
June 19, 2152
The 1st Expeditionary Fleet begins forming in the Solar System. Many of its units are still training up, or in overhaul or refit status, but once it is ready it will head out to deal with either of the hive fleets, depending on their activity.
August 11, 2152
The 1st Expeditionary Fleet leaves Terra for Omega Ceti. The fleet consists of two dreadnoughts, six carriers, three battleships, one battlecruiser, four missile cruisers, two strike carriers, three jump cruisers, five destroyers, six escort destroyers, five missile destroyers, one hundred and ninety-two strike fighters, sixteen Aegis sensor fighters, a fleet scout, and six military replenishment ships. Tankers, tugs, and UNREP ships are moving from various bases across the Empire to support the fleet, along with a survey fleet. The 2nd LR Survey Fleet is being recalled from Bobruisk territory and will join the fleet as soon as possible.
August 29, 2152
A light raider is spotted in the Lalande system, 365 mkm’s from Terra Nova. The thirty-five warships of the 1st Expeditionary Fleet just happen to be passing through the system at the time, but are just over a billion kilometers away. Rear Admiral Casella orders her fleet to continue on towards the jump point out of the system, while the naval forces assigned to Terra Nova respond. The six interceptors of the Terra Nova squadron chase down the raider and destroy it with two salvoes from 120,000 kilometers range without suffering any damage of their own.
September 3, 2152
A light raider is detected in the Alpha Centauri system, in between the base on the innermost planet and a group of freighters transporting resources from the Groombridge system to the Solar System. The interceptors of the Alpha Centauri group are dispatched to intercept. These interceptors are equipped with the latest soft X-ray lasers, and engage at 261,000 kilometers. It isn’t long before the raider is reduced to wreckage.
September 25, 2152
The 1st Expeditionary Fleet has refueled and resupplied from waiting support ships, and jumps into the 111 Virginis system. The jump point is clear, as confirmed by the ICN ship that has been stationed on the far side. Once in system, the fleet proceeds to the nearest jump point, to 63 Hydrae. Given the prior hive activity in the system, Admiral Casella wants to probe each jump point to determine if Hive Fleet Kraken ships are present.
September 26, 2152
The 63 Hydrae system is clear, and contains no planets, asteroids, or comets. The fleet jumps out and heads to the next jump point. Four days later the fleet clears the 100 Ceti system, which, like 63 Hydrae, has no planetary bodies and only a lonely comet.
September 30, 2152
The fleet is assembled at the jump point to the 101 Ceti system. To probe the jump point, five warships move away from the rest and then jump through. The DN Pegasus, followed by the battleships Pride of Sol, Rigel, and Antares, and the battlecruiser Terra. For these probing jumps, Admiral Casella had decided to only include ships with shields, to avoid exposing her destroyers to microwave and corrosive weapons.
Unlike the other two probes, there is a Hive Fleet Kraken ship waiting for them on the far side. It is a 3,298 ton Charon class, just 40,000 kilometers from the jump point. The assault group appears 290,000 kilometers from the alien ship. Admiral Casella orders her ships to pursue the alien ship and open fire.
Reacting quickly, the alien ship jumped out to the 111 Virginis system, and to what it clearly thought would be safety. Instead, it appeared in the midst of the assembled Expeditionary Fleet. The alien ship was ravaged by a nearby destroyer and then nearly cut in half by a 30 cm Soft X-ray laser from the DN Andromeda. The assault group jumped back and the fleet moved on to the next jump point.
October 6, 2152
Having cleared all of the other jump points, the Expeditionary Fleet has arrived at the jump point to Omega Ceta. As it is entirely possible that a large proportion of the Hive Fleet is on the other side, Admiral Casella will be taking three assault groups through the jump point. Two of the groups are composed of five ships, the third is composed of four. The three groups account for virtually all of the beam combatants in the fleet. The carriers and missile ships move off of the jump point, in case the hive ships jump through.
They find nothing on the far side, so Admiral Casella calls forward the support ships so her fleet can refuel before moving into the system. In the meantime, the missile cruisers begin launching senor buoy carriers to various points in the system, to provide intelligence on the location of the Hive Fleet, if it is present.
When the main fleet enters the system, the scout’s sensors pick up two contacts in the inner system approximately 350 mkm’s away. The first contact, designated as Viper-1, consists of one previously unknown 19,762 ton ship designated as Scathach-01. The second contact, designated Viper-2, is fifteen million kilometers in-system from the first group and consists of the 61.550 ton Osiris class suspected to be the hive’s flagship, two 20,550 ton Anubis class (laser combatant), and four 10,153 ton Mors class (point defense). Admiral Casella orders an Alpha Strike with every fighter in the fleet, hoping to eliminate the enemy’s flagship in the first strike.
Seconds later one hundred and eighty-two strike fighters are headed in-system, leaving only the DN’s fighters with the Fleet. Unfortunately, one hour later the alien forces disappear through the system’s inner LaGrange point, jumping out to the outer system. The fighters are ordered to hold position. An hour later Viper-2, including the alien flagship, jumps back into the inner system and sets its course for the jump point where the main fleet is located. The fighters are ordered to intercept.
Unfortunately, force Viper-2 soon turns back and jumps back to the outer system. Admiral Casella orders the fighters to continue to close on the LaGrange Point.
2144 hours
The fighter group is now 2.3 mkm’s from Viper-2. The fighter’s sensors have confirmed that the group has no additional ships. The hive group is moving at 14,663 km/s, over five thousand km/s slower than the fighters. Lt Command Tupin orders an overwhelming strike against the alien fleet. Seventeen fighters targeted each of the Anubis class ships, ten each of the Mors, and fifty-two targeted the Osiris class (416 total missiles).
The Sparrow IIb missiles raced away from the fighters at 41,266 km/s. Forty seconds later they slammed into Viper-1. The first wave scored as follows:
Osiris-1: 124 hits, 14 penetrating hits
Anubis-5: 28 hits, 3 penetrating hits
Anubis-6: 26 hits
Mors 1: 28 hits, 4 penetrating
Mors 2: 30 hits, 2 penetrating
Mors 3: 25 hits, 2 penetrating
Mors-4: 24 hits, 1 penetrating, destroyed (internal explosion)
121 missiles destroyed short of their targets by point defense
Second wave attacks
Osiris-1: 17 hits, 9 penetrating, destroyed (internal explosion)
Anubis-5: 15 hits, 1 penetrating, destroyed
Anubis-6: 16 hits, 1 penetrating
Mors-1: 8 hits, 2 penetrating, destroyed (internal explosion)
Mors-2: 7 hits, 2 penetrating, destroyed (internal explosion)
Mors-3: 14 hits, 8 penetrating
10 missiles destroyed by point defense
Third wave attacks:
Anubis-6: 11 hits, 3 penetrating
Mors-3: 4 hits, 4 penetrating, destroyed
3 missiles destroyed by point defense
Fourth wave attacks:
Anubis-6: 4 hits, 3 penetrating
Fifth wave attacks:
Anubis-6: 4 hits, 3 penetrating
Sixth-tenth wave attacks
Anubis-6: 7 hits, 7 penetrations
The fighters launched a follow-up attack on the last surviving Hive ship, Anubis 5. Thirty-two missiles raced away from the fighters and wiped the Anubis from space. Their mission complete, the fighters turned back to their carriers.
October 24, 2152
The fleet has been refueled and the carriers have rearmed their fighters, and restocked their magazines from the replenishment ships. As survey ships enter Omega Ceti, the fleet moves in-system towards the inner LaGrange point. Sensor buoys have been deployed to all critical locations in the system, and there is no sign of the hive.
November 5, 2152
A new jump point is discovered in the outer system of Omega Ceti. One of the survey ships launches a buoy carrier to position a buoy to observe the jump point.
November 22, 2152
A second new jump point is discovered in the Omega Ceti system. This one is located just inside of the orbit of Omega Ceti VI, and is in the general area that the Hive Fleet Kraken ships seem to retreat towards. A survey ship launches a buoy carrier towards the jump point. The grav survey of the system is now complete.
November 24, 2152
Sensor buoys are now in place surveilling both jump points. Admiral Casella orders the fleet to move to the most recently discovered jump point to probe it before unleashing the survey ships on the new system.
November 27, 2152
An assault group jumps through the jump point just inside of the sixth planet’s orbit. The five warships materialize 123,000 kilometers from the jump point, and 134,000 kilometers from the 19,762 ton Scathach class hive ship hovering just off of the jump point. The Hive ship dives for the jump point and jumps out before the Terran ships can fire, materializing in the midst of the Terran fleet. The soft X-ray lasers of the Andromeda and the Pride of Sol ripped the hive ship apart five seconds after it materialized.
The Fleet jumped into the new system shortly thereafter. The scout’s sensors were clear out to 400 mkm’s. The new system was designated as the Iota Ursae Majoris system, with a K-8V primary orbited by two terrestrial planets, three gas giants, and a small rocky dwarf. Neither of the terrestrial planets were particularly habitable as one was airless and the second had a thin helium-hydrogen atmosphere. One of the moons orbiting the innermost gas giant was terrestrial class, though, and had an oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere, although its atmosphere was thin and the moon was bitterly cold.
Admiral Casella ordered a missile cruiser to launch a buoy carrier to the moon, just in case. With the buoy carrier on the way and the survey fleet moving into the system, Admiral Casella ordered the fleet back to Omega Ceti to probe the other jump point.
December 1, 2152
A Charon class hive ship appears in the 111 Virginis system, on the jump point to 100 Ceti. One of the couriers left in the system by the fleet jumps through to Omega Ceti and warns the fleet. Once Admiral Casella receives the warning, she dispatches her two strike carriers, along with several DDE’s and DD’s, and a jump cruiser, to return to the 111 Virginis system and deal with the threat.
December 4, 2152
The fleet is now positioned at the second new jump point in the Omega Ceti system. As before, the three assault groups have assembled on the jump point, and the carriers and other ships have retreated to one million kilometers from the jump point. The three assault groups have incorporated missile cruisers, to make up for the destroyers sent with the strike carriers.
1328 hours: The three assault groups jump through to the new system. They are immediately taken under fire by waiting Hive Fleet Kraken ships. The three assault groups are spaced almost evenly around the jump point, with the nearest being 270,000 kilometers from the jump point and the farthest 490,000 kilometers. A Hive Fleet Kraken force composed of Mors class escort, Anubis class laser-cruiser, and two massive 93,890 ton ships designated as the Mania class by the tac computers, sits just 48,000 kilometers from the jump point. The Anubis class ship fired on the nearest assault group with its heavy lasers, getting seven hits on a jump cruiser that knocked the ship’s shields down and scored her armor.
As per their orders, the three assault groups accelerated towards the hive ships, their crews struggling to open fire as they came. All of the Terran ships targeted the Anubis class unit. The three Terran cruisers remained with their assault groups but did not open fire.
In response the Hive fleet jumped back to Omega Ceti. Admiral Casella ordered the assault groups to close on the jump point in case they jumped back.
In Omega Ceti, the carriers of the Expeditionary Fleet observed the hive ships jump into the system. Captain Scoggin ordered the fleet to maintain the range and for to prepare to launch their fighters. The hive squadron set a course away from the Terran carriers, towards the outer system, eliminating the sensor buoy as they passed it on their way towards the outer system.
Fifteen seconds later the hive ships turned back towards the jump point. Captain Scoggin had delayed launching the fighters as he wanted the hive ships to get far enough away from the jump point that they couldn’t duck back to the other system if he launched on them, and his hesitation turned out to be prudent. The hive ships didn’t jump out, though. Instead, they passed the jump point and continued their pursuit of the fleeing carriers, which were now 1.4 mkm’s away and running at their top speed, just half of the hive’s speed.
Forty-five seconds later the hive ships had closed to 1.1 mkm’s and were now almost 600,000 kilometers from the jump point. Captain Scoggins gave the order and the one hundred and fifty-six fighters of the carrier group launched. Five seconds later over a thousand missiles were in space, streaking towards the hive ships.
Twenty-five seconds later the missiles slammed into the oncoming hive ships, wreathing them in fire and destruction. None of them survived.
First wave results
Mania 01: 139 hits, 8 penetrating hits, drifting
Mania 02: 135 hits, 13 penetrating hits, drifting
Mors 05: 28 hits, 3 penetrating hits
Anubis 08: 40 hits, 2 penetrating hits, destroyed
29 missiles destroyed by PD
Second wave results
Mania 01: 12 hits, 5 penetrating hits, destroyed
Mania 02: 36 hits, 20 penetrating hits, destroyed
Mors 05: 8 hits, 3 penetrating hits, destroyed
18 missiles destroyed by PD
All targets destroyed after 573 hits
Back in the new system, the jump cruiser that had been hit by corrosive fire from the hive ships has suffered light internal damage after the corrosive effect managed to eat through its armor, but the corrosion had stopped after destroying its search sensor and damaging its troop bay. By then, the assault group’s personnel finally had enough time to look around and realized that they were in a very unusual system. Approximately 435 mkm’s away lay the accretion disk of a black hole. There was nothing else in close proximity, aside from dust and gas falling into the maw of the nearby (in galactic terms) beast. After a short time, the assault ships jumped back to the Omega Ceti system and rejoined the victorious carriers.
December 7, 2152
The strike carrier group detached from the 1st Expeditionary Fleet has arrived at the last known position of the Charon class hive ship in the 111 Virginis system, the jump point to the 100 Ceti system. The group’s jump cruiser, along with two destroyers, head to the jump point and jump through, leaving the two strike carriers and their escorting DDE’s waiting one million kilometers from the jump point. The jump cruiser and destroyers find space clear on the far side and soon jump back to 111 Virginis and join the carriers.
December 21, 2152
Charon-06 appears in the 111 Virginis system on the jump point to 101 Ceti. It soon jumps back out.
February 8, 2153
A survey ship working in the Iota Ursae Majoris system discovers a single new jump point in the system as it finishes up the survey. Following orders, the survey ship heads back to the Omega Ceti system, where he will report the discovery to the 1st Expeditionary Fleet before heading on to the black hole system.
February 18, 2153
Admiral Casella dispatches an assault group, reinforced with the 1st Carrier Division, to probe the new jump point in the Iota Ursae Majoris system.
March 12, 2153
A light raider is detected by a sensor buoy in the Zeta Doradus system. Zeta Doradus is located in the Hive Fleet Leviathan frontier beyond Omicron Tucanae. The contact report will be sent back eventually, but as the system is uninhabited and unexploited no ships will be sent.
March 18, 2153
A Terran assault group jumps through the new jump point in the Iota Ursae Majoris system, leaving the 1st Carrier Division watching the jump point behind them. They appear in a K5-V star system the computers will later determine to be 1112 Aquarii. The system has a grand total of one atmosphere-less terrestrial class planet and three lonely comets. There are no hive ships within sensor range of the jump point, so the assault group jumps back out.
April 21, 2153
A LR survey ship working in the 63 Hydrae system, adjacent to the 111 Virginis system, detects an Iku class Hive Fleet Kraken ship sitting on top of the survey point it is heading towards. This seems to confirm the fleet’s suspicion that the Iku is a survey ship of some sort.
May 19, 2153
A light raider appears in the V577 Monoceri system. This is a serious mistake on the part of the raiders, as this is the largest Imperial Naval fleet base outside of the solar system. One of the base’s two interceptor squadrons is dispatched to deal with the raider, while the base’s naval squadron is put on alert in case there are more raiders lurking.
The interceptors soon overtook the raider, which had turned and run as soon as it detected the Terran ships. The six interceptors were an older design, not yet refitted to the latest standard, and so had to get relatively close to consistently hit the raider, and so one of the interceptors suffered several minor hits to its armor before the raider was destroyed.
May 22, 2153
A raider salvage ship is detected two billion kilometers out in the Monoceri outer system. This is somewhat more serious than the attack by the light raider, as the salvage ships are usually escorted by several larger warships. The base commander sorties his fleet, two battlecruisers, a strike carrier, and four destroyers, all of the latest design.
May 24, 2153
When the Monoceri task force reaches sensor range of the raider force the Terran ship’s sensors confirm the presence of the salvage ship, and detect its three escorts, two raiders and a light raider. As the Terran sensors pick up the raider force, the raiders see the oncoming warships and turn to run. Their flight will be futile given the Terran overtake speed of 5,700 km/s.
Captain Galster, the CO of the BC Uranus, decides to directly engage the raider force instead of using the Io’s fighters, and the Terran force closes to 300,000 kilometers, well within range of even the DD’s 15 cm soft X-ray lasers, before opening fire. The four destroyers concentrate on the light raider, while the two BC’s fire on one of the larger raiders. They began scoring hits immediately, but all were low power hits from the smaller lasers, so Captain Galster ordered his ships to close to 200,000 kilometers and maintain fire. Four salvoes later the light raider exploded, and the Terran DD’s turned their fire on the other raider. Pretty soon only the salvage ship remained. Captain Galster ordered his squadron to close on the civilian ship and to pound it into scrap. It took just three salvoes from the devastating laser weapons to destroy the civilian ship.
Jume 18, 2153
Admiral Casella has been considering declaring the campaign complete and returning to Terra, mostly because her ships are all in increasing need of overhauls, however, on this date two Hive Fleet Kraken ships appear in the Omega Ceti system, close to the jump point to the Iota Ursae Majoris system. As this is the first sighting in some time, and one of the two ships is a Mors class anti-missile escort, she orders her fleet to relocate to the jump point to investigate the contact. Their ETA is 3.5 days.
June 21, 2153
The 1st Assault Group jumps through to the Iota Ursae Majoris system. They are taken under fire as soon as they materialize close to the jump point. The two Hive ships, a 10,153 ton Mors class destroyer escort, and a 19,762 ton Scathach class, are sitting just 15,000 kilometers away. The Mors class fires ten lasers at the Terran destroyer Aydan Calligaris, hitting with all ten and scouring away 20% of her armor.
As the Terran ships struggle to recover from the jump shock, the Hive ships begin running from the jump point at the Scathach’s apparent maximum speed of 3,818 km/s. A second salvo from the Mors manages to penetrate the Aydan Calligaris’ armor and causes significant internal damage. Admiral Casella orders the damaged DD to open the range while the rest of the Terran ships pursue the hive ships.
The Assault Group closes to point blank range as the Terran crews try to get their system’s operational, while the Calligaris flees. A third laser salvo hits the Calligaris at 65,000 kilometers, causing extensive internal damage and dropping the DD’s speed to 50%. The hive ships turned and pursued the Calligaris continuing to fire and inflict damage, with the Terran ships in close pursuit. However, the hive ships weren’t pursuing the Calligaris, they used the opportunity to duck through the jump point. Unfortunately for them, they appeared in the midst of the 1st Expeditionary Fleet.
The Mors lasted exactly as long as it took the BC Terra’s soft X-ray lasers to discharge. The Terra’s 45cm spinal laser tore a massive hole in the Mors’ thin armor, and the rest of her lasers savaged the ship, leaving it breaking up after a single salvo. The Scathach was destroyed by the Pride of Sol’s lasers immediately after.
The Aydan Calligaris rejoined the Assault Group and the group jumped back to Omega Ceti. Damage control teams worked frantically to repair the Calligaris’ damage, fearing the accumulation of additional damage from the corrosive effect of the Hive ship’s weapons. For some reason, in this case, there was no such corrosion and the DC teams were able to focus on the destroyer’s most significant damage.
June 27, 2152
The 1st Expeditionary Fleet has returned to the jump point in the Omega Ceti system that ultimately leads back to the Terran Empire. The Aydan Calligaris has repaired its engines and some of the other damage the DD suffered during the battle, but the ship has run out of maintenance supplies. Admiral Casella orders the fleet to refuel and resupply from the waiting support ships, and then return to the Solar System. The campaign is over.
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July 20, 2153
A survey ship operating in the Phi Arietis system, adjacent to the 111 Virginis system, detects eight Hive Fleet Kraken ships in close proximity to a comet that was the target of the survey ship. There are two Mors class escorts, and six new 15,432 ton ships designated as the Camazolz class. The survey ship immediately turns away and runs for the jump point back to 111 Virginis, but fortunately the hive ships have no interest in fighting and they too turn to run.
July 25, 2153
A long-range survey ship jumps into the 111 Virginis system from Phi Arietis and sends off a contact warning to the courier network ship on the 111 Virginis to Sigma Eridani jump point. Once that ship received the message, it jumped out and then returned a few minutes later, after delivering the message to the next ship in the chain. The message would then be passed back up the chain first to the 1st Expeditionary Fleet, and then to fleet HQ on Terra in a matter of hours. Admiral Calligaris by then was in the 55 Bootis system headed home. Because the hive ships didn’t attack the survey ship, she decided to continue home rather than detaching any of her ships, which were badly in need of overhauls.
July 26, 2153
A group of four survey ships were assembled on the jump point in the 111 Virginis system that led to the Phi Arietis system. They were waiting for the remaining two ships of their squadron when the eight Hive Fleet Kraken ships that had caused them to abandon the Phi Arietis system jumped into 111 Virginis, leaving them at point blank range of the two Mors class escorts that were accompanying the six other hive ships. The survey ships immediately sent off a contact report, while the sensor buoy sitting just off the jump point sent off a contact report to the rest of the system.
Once the survey ships jumped out, the hive ships broke into two groups, neither of which seemed to be headed anywhere in particular.
August 22, 2153
The 1st Expeditionary Fleet has returned to Terra to honors and acclaim after destroying or scattering Hive Fleet Kraken. The fleet’s ships have gone into a much-needed overhaul cycle, while the navy begins planning its next move to pacify the frontier.
September 13, 2153
A survey ship operating in the Xi Bootis system, on the Hive Fleet Kraken frontier, two jumps beyond 111 Virginis, came under fire when approaching the third planet of the secondary star of the system. The ship was rapidly destroyed by ground fire from Reaper batteries on the planetary surface, having barely enough time to get a warning out to the other ships in the system. The other survey ships in the system immediately turned for the jump point out of the system.
The destruction of the survey ship is alarming, for obvious reasons, but when news reaches Terra it will infuriate the admiralty. After the initial contact with the Reapers, the Admiralty had instituted a requirement for all survey ships to probe planets with an oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere with automated sensor probes, and all survey ships had been refitted to allow them to do just that. For some reason the survey ship in the Xi Bootis system failed to perform that step before approaching the planet.
Xi Bootis system
Primary: G8-V Yellow Star
2xTerrestrial – one has a thin C02-Nitrogen atmosphere, the other is Venusian.
3xDwarf
1xSuper Jovian with 23 moons
Secondary: K4-V Orange star
5xTerrestrial with 4 moons, 2x Venusian, 1 with an oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere
1xDwarf with 2 moons
2xGas Giants with 49 moons
September 25, 2153
A survey ship from the 1st LR Survey Group jumps into the 111 Virginis system and dispatches a Reaper Contact report to the courier network ship on the jump point back to the Empire. The report will reach Terra in nineteen hours.
September 26, 2153
The Reaper contact report arrives on Terra. In response, the Imperial Fleet begins organizing an expedition to Xi Bootis system, and requests Marine and Army support.
The 1st Expeditionary Fleet is still in overhaul, so the ships will have to be drawn from the system defense fleet. After much wrangling, the Xi Bootis Expeditionary Fleet will consist of 2xCVA, 3xBC, 4xDD, 5xDDG, 3xDDE, 60xStrikefighter, 4xAegis sensor fighters. Support units will join the fleet en route.
The ground contingent will consist of the 5th, 3rd, and 29th Marine Divisions, over five hundred thousand tons of ground force, bolstered by artillery and heavy armor attachments. The ground transports will have to follow behind the fleet, as they will take time to load and are slower than the fleet’s warships.
October 6, 2153
The ill-fated 1st LR Survey Group jumps into the 63 Hydrae system, adjacent to the 111 Virginis system, to probe the two jump points detected by an earlier survey. Shortly after jumping into the system, they come under fire from the two Mors class ships detected earlier, last seen in 111 Virginis. The survey ships run from the jump point as they will not be able to jump out for some time.
It soon becomes clear that the hive ships are running from the jump point as well, so the survey ships turn back to jump back to the 111 Virginis system, all except for the lead ship which had lost its jump drive when it was targeted entering the system.
October 25, 2153
The Xi Bootis Expeditionary Force has arrived in the 111 Virginis system and refueled from a waiting tanker group. With that complete, Commodore Gabehart orders his force to proceed to the jump point to 63 Hydrae to determine if the Hive Fleet Kraken ships that attacked the survey group are still present.
October 26, 2153
The Xi Bootis Expeditionary Force arrives at its assembly point two million kilometers from the jump point. There is no sign of the hive ships, so Commodore Gabehart orders his force to divide into two groups. His two assault carriers will jump through to the far side of the jump point, while his battlecruisers and destroyers will wait on this side of the jump point. His DDG’s and DDE’s will wait at the assembly point.
When the two assault carriers jump through to the 63 Hydrae system, they find the eight hive ships sitting just off of the jump point. The assault carriers materialized 350,000 kilometers from the jump point, so they are just within range of their lasers. The human ships turn towards the hive ships and begin moving back towards them and the jump point. As expected, the hive ships run to the jump point and jump to the 111 Virginis system. Right into the sights of three battlecruisers and four destroyers.
The Terran warships gutted the Mors class escorts as they came through the jump point, and then turned their fire on the Camazotz class ships, which were clearly civilian ships of some sort, as they had never been observed to fire on any human ship. Although they carried significant armor, all six Camazotz ships were destroyed in short order. The fleet reassembled and then set course for the jump point to the 100 Ceti system.
November 15, 2153
A survey ship working in the EQ Pegasi system discovers a ruined colony on the only planet of the system, a terrestrial world with an oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere, a little hot but otherwise ready for colonization without any terraforming. EQ Pegasi is on the Hive Fleet Kraken frontier, three jumps from 111 Virginis. This planet was probed for Reaper presence before the survey ship came near, and this time no Reapers were found, in spite of the ruins.
November 24, 2153
The Xi Bootis Expeditionary Force has reached its observation point five million kilometers from Xi Bootis B-III. The ship’s sensors detect a ground force present on the planet, but no ships. After observing for a short time, Commodore Gabehart orders his force to close to 1,000,000 kilometer’s range.
When the Terran ships reach one million kilometers, their sensors reveal the presence of an active sensor on the planet, but no additional information. Commodore Gabehart orders his assault carriers and his battlecruisers to move to just within laser range of the planet, leaving behind his carriers and destroyers to wait out of range.
When the big Terran ships reach firing range they begin bombarding the ground force targets with their heavy lasers. At that range their chance of hitting anything is small, so Commodore Gabehart orders his ships to close to 200,000 kilometers range. Reaper STO units begin firing on the oncoming ships as they close, and the Eternal Crusader begins taking damage to her shields. However, the unmasking of the STO’s allows the Terran units to target them instead of random ground units. While their chance of hitting has increase, Commodore Gabehart is still unhappy with their low accuracy, so he orders his ships to close to 100,000 kilometers.
The Terran ships continue to fire as they close, but their accuracy is still lacking. As no new STO’s have opened fire, Commodore Gabehart orders his ships to close to point blank range. The STO’s opened up with everything they had as the Terran ships closed, including numerous gauss cannon point defense units, but they were barely able to scratch the shields of the big assault carriers. The five Terran capital ships hovered over the planet and poured fire into the Reaper base, pounding it mercilessly with continuous laser fire. It took several minutes of laser bombardment to eliminate the STO’s, but it was a forgone conclusion. The Eternal Crusader’s shields never dropped below 95% during the bombardment, although the three battlecruisers reduced their maintenance stocks to an average of 79% before they were done. With the threat eliminated, Commodore Gabehart sent a message to the courier at the jump point to signal the ground forces that the way was clear. It would still take some time for them to arrive, as their transports were much slower than the fleet’s warships. In the meantime, the survey command would be free to finish their survey of the system.
Later that same day, a survey ship operating in the EQ Pegasi system (Hive Fleet Kraken frontier), probed a new jump point and discovered that it linked to a known system several jumps from Chi Draconis in the Leviathan frontier.
November 29, 2153
Another survey ship working in the EQ Pegasi system probes another new jump point and finds itself in the 6 Centauri system, which is located on the frontier beyond Shield Base in the Monoceri system.
December 11, 2153
The 1st Expeditionary Fleet’s ships have completed their overhauls and been transferred to Sol System Command. With the ships freed up, a new expeditionary unit is put together to purge the remaining Hive Fleet Leviathan ships beyond Omicron Tucanae. The new force is designated as the Hive Fleet Leviathan Expeditionary Force, and it consists of one dreadnought, one battleship, two battlecruisers, four missile cruisers, five missile destroyers, two destroyers, four destroyer escorts, a scout, and the dreadnought’s embarked fighters. The force departs on this date, bound for the forward base in the Chi Draconis system.
January 5, 2154
A survey ship working in the Kappa Ceti system, in the Hive Fleet Kraken frontier, three jumps from 111 Virginis system, had launched a sensor drone towards the system’s third planet some time ago. At 1659 hours, the sensor drone bus reached the third planet, but before it could deploy its sensor buoy it was destroyed by a nuclear detonation.
With the destruction of the sensor drone, the survey ship jumps out to report the contact.
January 10, 2154
The 2nd LR Survey Group, working in the Xi Bootis system after it was cleared by the navy, discovers an ancient construct and ruins on the planet occupied by the Reapers. In addition, the planet has massive deposits of eight TN resources at good availability levels, including gallicite, stocks of which have been shrinking.
January 16,2 154
The contact report concerning possible Reaper presence in the Kappa Ceti system reaches the Xi Bootis Expeditionary Force. As the ground force is still over two and a half months away, Commodore Gabehart decides to probe Kappa Ceti to determine the extent of the problem. His expeditionary force sets out for Kappa Ceti on this date.
February 7, 2154
Survey ships operating in the GJ 2097 system, on the Hive Fleet Kraken frontier, two jumps beyond 111 Virginis, discover a previously unknown alien race on the system’s second planet when the sensor bus deployed by one of the survey ships entered orbit of the planet and deployed its buoy. The buoy immediately detected a small, outpost sized alien population on the planet, which was terrestrial and boasted an oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere and temperate climate. The survey ships began their survey effort while a single ship returned to 111 Virginis to report the contact.
February 24, 2154
The Xi Bootis Expeditionary Force had entered the Kappa Ceti system, location of the presumed Reaper infestation, several days ago and was headed inwards, towards the third planet. It was still 2.3 days away when the fleet scout assigned to the expeditionary force detected a Reaper Charlie class ship 235 mkm’s ahead of the Terran ships. The Charlie class had been encountered before, had a known speed of 8,03 km/s, and although its purpose was unknown it was known to mount a decoy missile launcher. As the Reaper ship was faster than the Terran ships it could evade the expeditionary force, but it couldn’t run from the Terran fighters. Commodore Gabehart ordered his force to continue on course towards the planet, curious what the Reaper ship would do.
After closing for a bit, the Reaper ship turned and started running ahead of the Terran force. Commodore Gabehart, after consulting with his staff, orders his assault carriers to launch their fighters and destroy the Reaper ship before it can join with other ships at the target. Shortly after the fighters move away the Reaper ship turns back towards the Terran force and begins closing. Shortly after that it turns and begins running again.
At 0149 hours on the 25th, twelve of the sixty fighters launch their Sparrow IIb missiles at 2,000,000 million kilometers range, for a total of ninety-six missiles. The missiles take forty-five seconds to reach their target and completely overwhelm it, destroying the Charlie in the first pass. The fighters return to their carriers to rearm.
Five hours later, when the fleet reached 1.3 billion kilometers from the third planet, the scout’s sensors detected a Reaper fleet closing on the Terran force. The fleet consisted of six ships, four Deltas, an India, and a new class designated as the Ability class. Deltas were 26,089 ton offensive missile launching ships, the India was a 17,399 ton defensive missile launching ship, and the Ability was 17,370 tons but otherwise unknown. The Reaper fleet was just under the maximum range of the Terran scout’s sensors, 400 million kilometers, and closing at 5,333 km/s, which was fortunately below the Terran fleet’s speed of 7,500 km/s. Once again Commodore Gabehart orders his fighters to launch.
The sixty Eagle strike fighters raced away from the Terran expeditionary force at their maximum speed of 19,289 km/s while the expeditionary force came to a halt behind them. When the fighters reached the limit of their escorting Aegis sensor fighter’s active sensors, two additional contacts appeared in close proximity to the Ability class unit, which was leading the other five units by 9.5 mkm’s. The two new units were Golf class ships, each 8,689 tons and known to mount gauss cannons. As the fighter’s primary target was the four Delta class ships, the strike commander, Lt. Commander Leota Stach ordered her fighters to detour around the lead force.
The Terran fighters turned and began moving to the side, while the Reaper ships continued on their course towards the Terran ships. Once the fighters reached their waypoint seven mkm’s to the side of the Reaper’s course they waited for the Reaper fleet to pass. Shortly after reaching their waypoint three new contacts appeared trailing eight million kilometers behind the main force, all Foxtrot class ships. Foxtrots are 8,691 ton ships with heavy particle beam weaponry, and are dangerous close-in combatants.
One minute later the Reaper fleet grew again, as a single Golf class escort appeared with the main force and two Golf’s appeared with the trailing Foxtrot units. Lt. Commander Stach waits another eight minutes and then orders her fighters to begin their attack run on the main Reaper force. The Terran fighters close and the Reaper ships continue on their course until the fighters reach fifteen million kilometers, at which time the Reaper main group and the trailing force turns towards the fighters, while the lead group continues on towards the Expeditionary force.
Eight minutes later, at near their maximum range of three million kilometers, the Terran fighters launch their missiles. The Strike planners had no idea what the Reaper’s missile capability would be against the fighters, so they had decided on the maximum range strike as the safest approach. The sixty fighters concentrated all of their missiles on the four Delta class offensive missile units, as they were the primary threat to the fleet. Here, the strike planners had been divided. Previous experience had shown that it was a better allocation of their missiles to eliminate anti-missile escorts first, allowing a later strike to finish off the unprotected offensive ships, but the bulk of the planners felt that the Sparrow IIb missiles, with their improved ECCM and ATG, along with their heavier warheads, would allow them to penetrate the Reaper’s defenses and eliminate the primary targets, leaving the escorts with nothing to protect.
The four hundred and eighty missiles raced away from the fighters, towards the Reaper force, while the fighters turned away to maintain the range. Reaper AAM’s began intercepting the missiles 678,000 kilometers from the Reaper force. Sixteen Sparrow IIb ASM’s were stopped short of the Reaper force by the AMM’s, and then the Terran missiles closed to attack range. The first attack by the missiles destroyed three of the Delta’s outright, and heavily damaged the fourth. Point defense fire only took out a relative few of the attacking missiles, but did manage to take out the few missiles that survived the first attack as they came around to attack again. The strike was a success, with three of the Deltas destroyed and the fourth crippled and reduced to 889 km/s.
The fighters turned back to their waypoint to the side of the Reaper fleet, and then set out for their carriers, their job done. The long-range missile threat from the Reaper force was eliminated. The remaining ships of the main force tried to pursue the fighters, while the lead Reaper force continued on towards the Terran expeditionary force, and the trailing group, along with the damaged Delta, turned back. After a short period, the lead group turned back as well, followed shortly thereafter by the remnants of the main force. Shortly after the fighters left the Reaper ship’s detection range, they all turned back towards the Terran force and began closing again, except for the crippled Delta.
Four hours later the fighters landed on their carriers and Commodore Gabehart ordered his force to close on the oncoming Reaper force, the lead unit of which was now 180 mkm’s away and closing. As the two forces close on each other, the Terran scout detected a Charlie class ship closing on the damaged Delta from the inner system.
When the Reaper ships reach 72 mkm’s from the Terran force they turn away and begin running for the inner system, all except the two remaining ships of the main force, which continue to close. At 2213 hours the India and Golf class units are 27 mkm’s from the Terran force, and Commodore Gabehart orders his DDG’s to engage the oncoming Reaper ships. The Terran Absolution class DDG’s are armed with forty-two box launchers equipped with the Archer III ASM. The Archer III has a speed of 35,000 km/s, second generation ECCM and ATG, a range of 30 mkm’s, and a warhead 50% more powerful than the Sparrow IIb’s carried by the fighters. In addition, the Archer III carries two decoys to help it penetrate fleet defenses. The lead DDG, the Amnesty, launches twenty-five Archer III ASM’s in response, targeted on the two closing Reaper warships.
Reaper interceptor missiles began attacking the missile wave when it reached five hundred and sixty-five thousand kilometers from the Reaper force. For the most part they expended themselves on decoys, but two missiles were destroyed by the AMM’s in the first attack. Three more missiles were destroyed, and twenty-five of the decoys, before the missiles reached attack range. Only two missiles penetrated the point defense fire and the ship’s decoys to hit the Golf class escort, expending themselves against the ship’s shields. Eight missiles survived to hit the India class ship’s shields, and another hit its armor but didn’t penetrate.
For the next attack, two of the Amnesty’s sister ships launch a total of fifty missiles at the two oncoming Reaper ships at twenty-five million kilometers. Once again, the interceptions began around 550,000 kilometers. This time the Reapers took out thirteen missiles before they reached attack range. The India class had its shields stripped again, and took five armor hits, but none penetrated, but the Golf class took a penetrating hit that left it drifting, leaving the India to proceed on its own.
The third attack consisted of forty Archer III ASM’s, all targeted on the India class ship. Nineteen of the forty hit the India, stripping her shields again and getting seven penetrating hits, reducing her speed to 2,666 km/s.
Commodore Gabehart decides that the two Reaper ships have been reduced to irrelevance and orders his fleet to close on them to beam range. The India doggedly continues to close and managed to get several salvoes of missiles off at the Terran force before the Angel of Retribution’s heavy lasers swatted it from space. Between the fleet’s point defense and the CVA’s heavy shields the India failed to inflict any damage. The Terran force set its course for the planet again. One shot with one of the Angel of Retribution’s 30cm soft X-ray lasers took the crippled Golf class out as the force advanced on the planet.
In the meantime, the two other Reaper squadrons had turned and were closing on the Terran force, but later turned away.
February 26, 2154
At 1234 hours, the Terran force picked up a missile salvo of twenty-six missiles closing on their position, apparently launched from the crippled Delta which was now 27 mkm’s away. Commodore Gabehart decided to avoid wasting any more missiles on the Delta and ride out the attack. The three DDE’s escorting the capital ships moved forward and prepared to engage, while the rest of the ships ready their point defense weapons.
The Reaper missiles streaked towards the oncoming Terran ships at 30,085 km/s, while the Delta still limped along at 889 km/s, 30 mkm’s from the Terran fleet and closing. When the incoming missiles reached three million kilometers AMM’s began racing away from the DDE’s. The Terran AMM’s were almost three times as fast as the incoming missiles, and they sped away from their DDE’s as if eager to reach their targets. A second salvo of fifteen AMM’s was launched ten seconds later, followed shortly by a third.
The first wave of AMM’s only got three hits, two of which were decoys. The second got seven hits, but again only one was a real missile. A steady stream of AMM’s raced away from the defending DDE’s as the Reaper missile wave closed, stripping away the decoys. In the meantime, a second missile wave had appeared on the Terran ship’s sensors, but this missile wave was only composed of eleven missiles.
By the time the incoming missile salvo reached laser range of the Terran force, it was reduced to seven missiles. Four more missiles were destroyed by the AMM’s, one more was taken out by last ditch laser fire, and two hit the armor of the DD Wei Zhao, causing minor damage to its armor belt.
The DDE’s began launching again when the second missile salvo reached three mkm’s range. Only one missile from the second wave got close, but it was finally shot down by an AMM just 80,000 kilometers short of the fleet. Space was clear around the expeditionary force again.
The Terran force chased down the slowly fleeing Delta, and once within range of its lasers, took out the Reaper ship with a single shot from the Angel of Retribution’s spinal laser.
The next closest group of ships was the Ability class cruiser and its two Golf class escorts. They were running for the planet at 5,340 km/s, and were sixty-two million kilometers from the expeditionary force. The other group, composed of three Foxtrots and two Golf’s, was also headed towards the planet and was twenty-four million kilometers farther away than the first group. Commodore Gabehart ordered his ships to chase them down.
At 1732 hours the fleet scout attached to the expeditionary force detected two Alpha’s and two Bravo class units orbiting the third planet. These have been encountered before, and are immobile bases used to protect Reaper anchorages. The Bravos carry numerous small missile launchers, while the Alphas are suspected to be point defense bases, and possibly beam combatants. Commodore Gabehart launches his fighters and orders them to close on the suspected Reaper base on the third planet while the expeditionary force continues to chase the Reaper ships.
February 28, 2154, 0108 hours
The fighters are now within range of the sensors on the Aegis sensor fighters, and they pick up twelve Golf class and a Charlie orbiting the planet, along with the four bases. The Golf class are small missile combatants, while the Charlie is a beam combatant.
0144 hours
The fighters are now in their launch position, 1.75 mkm’s from the planet. The sixty Eagle fighters launch their missiles, eight Sparrow IIb ASM’s each, targeting the four bases and the Golf class fast missile ships. Twenty seconds later interceptions start, and sixty-eight missiles are destroyed short of the planet. One hundred and twenty-two are destroyed by point defense fire, and two hundred and fifty-eight hit their targets. Eight Golf class ships are destroyed outright, and the other four suffered several penetrating hits each. The missiles were less successful against the bases. All four bases carried decoy missiles, and succeeded in decoying eighty-six missiles. Two of the bases suffered two penetrating hits, one suffered one penetrating hit, and one escaped unscathed. Their missiles expended, the Terran fighters turned back towards their carriers to rearm.
As the chase grinds on, the closer Reaper force suddenly turned towards the Terran expeditionary force and begins closing. It quickly turns away again, but the range dropped precipitously for a period of time.
At 0703 hours the Terran ships drew into range of their lasers and opened fire, with the CVA’s and the BC’s focusing on the Ability class, while the DD’s concentrated on the two Golf class units. The first hits were low powered and few in number, due to the range, but as the range dropped their accuracy increased, as did the power of the lasers. When the Terran ships reached 237,000 kilometers the fleeing Reaper ships began returning fire, hitting the Angel of Retribution with several energy weapons that barely scratched her shields.
The next laser salvo from the Terran ships dropped the Ability’s shields and scored hits on her armor, several of which penetrated. After several more lasers penetrated her armor, the Ability’s speed began dropping. With the Ability reduced to 4,000 km/s, the two Golf class units turned back towards the Terran ships and suddenly raced towards them, closing rapidly. Commodore Gabehart ordered his turreted weapons to focus on the Golf’s, along with the BC’s plasma cannons, which had so far remained silent, to augment the destroyer’s firepower.
The plasma cannon fire, along with the increased laser fire, stripped the Golf’s remaining shields and shredded their armor, with one suffering a penetrating hit. The next salvo, at 73,000 kilometers, holed both Golfs, leaving one drifting and the other barely underway. Two more salvoes and the Golf’s were reduced to wrecks, leaving only the Ability. One more round of fire from the capital ship’s heavy lasers put paid to the Ability, which had been vainly trying to close the distance.
With the second group of Reaper ships eliminated, Commodore Gabehart ordered his force to run down the third and last mobile force.
At 1047 hours the Terran expeditionary force had closed to twenty-eight million kilometers from the third planet and detects a ground force on the planet’s surface. The third mobile force is now nine million kilometers from the advancing Terran force. Commodore Gabehart ordered his DDG’s to launch a strike with their remaining Archer III ASM’s against the bases in orbit over the planet. Seconds later the three DDG’s with missiles left were wreathed in fire and smoke as ninety-five ASM’s left their launchers bound for the planet. Five minutes later the missiles raced past the last Reaper mobile force on their way to the planet, passing 320,000 kilometers from the ships. Forty seconds later the active sensors on the missiles picked up nine Reaper missiles out-bound, headed for the fleet.
As the Reaper missiles approached the fleet the DDE’s went into action again, spewing AMM’s ahead of the capital ships. Once again, the missiles were stopped short of the fleet. Reaper AMM’s reduced the Terran missile wave to fifty-six as they closed, and then point defense took a massive toll of the large Terran missiles, leaving only nineteen to hit the two Bravo class bases, neither of which lost their shields.
Not wishing to face massive waves of small missiles from the two Bravo class bases, Commodore Gabehart authorizes one more strike by the fighters with the last of the expeditionary force’s fighter missiles. The fighters launch and streak towards the planet shortly thereafter.
Even as the fighters race towards the planet and its orbiting bases, the third mobile group turns back towards the Terran expeditionary force and races towards it, closing rapidly. Commodore Gabehart assigns each of his capital ships to target each of the oncoming Reaper small ships, with his destroyers each picking a target as well.
As the two groups closed the Reaper ships turned away while still out of range, forcing the Terrans into a chase again. In the meantime, the fighters had reached their launch point and sent their missiles towards the orbiting bases. All of the fighter’s missiles were targeted on the two Bravo class missile bases, in an attempt to overwhelm them. As before the Reaper AMM’s began intercepting the fighter’s missiles short of their target, and then a veritable storm of point defense fire tore massive holes in the missile wave, but with two hundred and forty missiles targeted on the two bases there was just no way the Reapers could stop all of them, and the two missile bases disappeared in a series of massive explosions, leaving two point defense bases, a Charlie class beam combatant, and four Golf class escorts orbiting the planet.
Five minutes later the Terran expeditionary force drew into range of the mobile group and opened fire on the Reaper combatants. As before the hits were few and low power at long range, serving only to attrit the Reaper ship’s shields, but they increased in power and number as the range dropped. When the range reached 200,000 kilometers the Terran ships turned to maintain the range just as their fire took down one of the Reaper ship’s shields. So far, the Reaper ships had not got a shot off at the Terran fleet. Soon after that the Terran lasers began penetrating the Reaper ship’s armor.
One by one the Reaper ships were destroyed by the sustained laser fire. One managed to get close enough to fire its particle lance at a Terran destroyer. Fortunately, this was a Hero Flight IVd type destroyer, with the latest shields. The Reaper particle beam took the DD’s shields down, but only scratched her armor. It took time for the Terran ships to reduce the Reapers to scrap, but Commodore Gabehart was perfectly willing to take the time to do the job right.
When the last Reaper ship blew up under sustained laser fire, Commodore Gabehart ordered his fleet forward, towards the planet and its remaining defenders. Fourteen minutes later the fleet came to rest three million kilometers from the planet.
After holding station for a short period of time, Commodore Gabehart ordered the fleet forward. The fleet’s sensors still showed a considerable ground force contact on the planet, two Alpha class point defense bases, a Charlie class beam cruiser, and four Golf class small missile ships. The priority target for the Terran ships would be the two point defense bases, and then the Charlie class cruiser.
As before, the Terran ships opened fire when they came into range, at 384,000 kilometers, but this time they were all targeting the same Alpha class base. The hits started becoming more powerful, and more common, as the fleet closed, but Commodore Gabehart ordered them to come to a halt at 300,000 kilometers. At this range the Terran ships could engage with all of their lasers, and it appeared that the Reapers could not reach them.
Unfortunately, the Terran weapons weren’t getting enough hits or doing enough damage to get through the Reaper’s shield in a reasonable amount of time, so Commodore Gabehart ordered his ships to close to 250,000 kilometers, and then 200,000 when that didn’t increase their effectiveness enough. At 212,000 kilometers range the Angel of Retribution and the Eternal Crusader were attacked by twelve powerful ground-based particle weapons each, but fortunately most missed and the Eternal Crusader only took one hit to her shields. The Terran ships were apparently still too far out to determine which ground units were attacking his ships, so Commodore Gabehart ordered his ships to move back to 250,000 kilometers and to bombard the enemy fleet from there. Even as the Terran ships moved away, they finally penetrated their target’s shields. They almost immediately began getting penetrating hits on the base. It didn’t take long for the base to succumb to the sustained laser fire, at which time the Terran ships shifted to target the second Alpha class unit.
The long-range laser bombardment soon wore through the base’s shields, and then its armor. Soon it joined its fellow base as wreckage orbiting the planet. The fleet then shifted fire to the Charlie class cruiser, and then took out the Golf’s one by one. Once they were gone, the fleet shifted fire to the STO’s that had revealed themselves.
After several minutes pounding the planet, Commodore Gabehart called a halt to the bombardment. The chances of hitting the STO’s was too small, and the wear and tear on his ships was beginning to be a problem. They had destroyed all of the Reaper mobile forces in the system, and the planet lay open to invasion when the ground forces arrived. It was time to withdraw. The Terran expeditionary force turned towards the jump point out of the system, on course to rejoin the tankers and supply ships in the 111 Virginis system.
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April 5, 2154
The Xi Bootis Expeditionary Force has refueled, resupplied, and taken on all of the missiles carried by the waiting UNREP group. Unfortunately, the UNREP groups missiles only filled the CVA’s magazines to just over 50%. Still, it was better than nothing. With their resupply complete, the expeditionary force sets out for the Xi Bootis system to escort the troop transports headed to the planet with the suspected Reaper infestation.
May 7, 2154
The Hive Fleet Leviathan Expeditionary Force returns to Omicron Tucanae Base after probing the nearby systems, looking for any trace of Leviathan ships that had been sighted in the area. Much to Rear Admiral Casella’s frustration, they could find no trace of any hive ships in any of the systems where they had previously been sighted.
Admiral Casella detaches the carrier France, along with two destroyers and two destroyer escorts, to act as the system defense force. A jump-capable battleship will be dispatched from the Solar System to provide the force with jump capability, giving the forward base in the Omicron Tucanae system the ability to project force to any of the nearby systems where a hive ship might appear.
May 10, 2154
The ground assault force has arrived over Xi Bootis B-III, escorted by the Xi Bootis Expeditionary Fleet. The transports immediately begin dropping the 3rd, 5th, and 29th Marine Divisions(reinforced). Initial intel reports place the enemy Reaper force at 448 centurion infantry robots, 3 decurion AA mechs, and assorted support and leader units. They are no match for the augmented and heavily armed and armored marines and their heavy armor and artillery support.
The Reapers were concentrated in a defensive perimeter around what appeared to be a destroyed outpost, and the marine assault elements immediately attacked, pressing in from all sides. The small Reaper force was overwhelmed and wiped out in a matter of hours, at the cost of seven marines KIA.
After mopping up, the marines were loaded onto the transports. Their next target was in the Kappa Ceti system, and would be a much tougher nut to crack.
June 18, 2154
The scout left behind in the Kappa Ceti system to watch the Reaper base detects a Hotel class Reaper ship in the outer system. The Hotel class is 17,772 tons and has commercial engines.
August 29, 2154
The assault transports have finally rendezvoused with the Xi Bootis Expeditionary Force five million kilometers from Kappa Ceti III. For several weeks as they waited for the assault transports to arrive, the Terran warships had been watching the planet, the Reaper outpost, and the orbiting Hotel class ship. Commodore Gabehart and his staff had spent their time working out a plan to attack the Reaper outpost, and had decided to eliminate the ship before beginning landing operations. In spite of it being a civilian ship and unlikely to interfere, it was a complication. Shortly after the transports arrive the Angel of Retribution launched her fighters, and they moved forward towards the planet.
One hour later the fighters were in position and launched against the ship in orbit over the planet. Twenty-four missiles streaked away from the fighters, and slammed into the orbiting ship. It only took eight to destroy it, and there was no opposition from the STO’s on the ground.
The fighters turned back to the Angel, and once they were aboard the next phase started. The Assault Carriers and battlecruisers detached from the rest of the force and moved forward, to just out of the known range of the STO’s on the planet. They were followed by the troop transports, which were moving up about 50,000 kilometers from the planet.
The Eternal Crusader took several hits from heavy particle STO’s at 228,000 kilometers, but her shields absorbed the damage and the force continued to advance, shielding the transports following behind. The ground batteries pounded the two CVA’s with near continuous fire for the several minutes it took for the transports to close, but then the troop transports arrived and began dropping the three marine divisions. It didn’t take long for the marines to drop, and then the transports turned and began racing away from the planet. The warships would remain over the planet as long as it took for the transports to retreat, but the two big CVA’s shields hadn’t dropped below 90% during the engagement, so they were confident in their ability to shield the transports for as long as necessary. Once the transports were out of range, the Terran warships followed them. Now it was up to the marines.
Much like their previous engagement with the Reapers, they were in protective emplacements, but would almost certainly come out to attach the marines when they landed. Marine intel, gathered by the orbiting ships, estimated the Reaper force as follows:
Centurian Infantry Units: 1,715
Praetorian Combat Mechs: 286
Decurion AA Mech: 49
Support and Leadership: 916
Artillery: 67
Unk: 35
The estimate came with a warning that it should be considered unreliable as it was based on limited orbital observation. The line marines found the warning hilarious, as they never considered any intel report reliable, ever. As expected, the Reapers came out to meet the marines as they advanced and the fighting was heavy from the first. By eight hours into the landing, the marines had destroyed 246 centurions, 10 praetorians, 9 decurions, 42 support units, and 9 STO’s. In exchange, the 114th Assault Battalion, which was at the forefront of the fighting, lost 22 marines.
The marines completely overmatched the Reapers, and achieved multiple breakthroughs as they advanced, striking at exposed rear area elements, including the critical STO’s. Another eight hours of fighting saw 286 centurion, 14 praetorians, and 7 decurions destroyed, along with 42 support units and 13 STO’s. All this in exchange for 15 marine losses.
The battle lasted for seventy-two hours. After the first sixteen, it was mostly mopping up by the marines. By the end of the battle, the marines lost 197 KIA, most of which were equipped with the older Mk IV or Mk V armor and augments. The Reaper force totaled 2446 centurion infantry, 151 praetorian combat mechs, 84 Decurion AA mechs, 2268 support units of various types, 37 artillery, and 18 STO’s.
With the planetary defenses defeated, it was time for the fleet to return to the Solar System for overhaul. The marines loaded up onto their transports, and the force departed for the 111 Virginis system, where it would rendezvous with the support units.
September 18,2 154
The Xi Bootis Expeditionary Force has refueled and resupplied from the support ships in the 111 Virginis system. They have been out on the frontier for almost a year, and Commodore Gabehart decides it’s time to return home. The hive menace on this frontier has been destroyed, and the two Reaper infestations have been cleared, opening the way for research teams to begin studying the ruins they protected.
October 17,2 154
Troop transports arrive over Xi Bootis B-III and begin dropping the 1st Xeno Sturdy Battalion, two territorial guard brigades, and a construction group to begin work on the ruins and the ancient construct on the planet.
October 24, 2154
The Xi Bootis Expeditionary Force returned to Terra on this date. The fleet’s arrival was celebrated by world-wide parades and the government announced the rest of the week would be a holiday for all except essential workers.
Commodore Gabehart is promoted to rear admiral, and awards are handed out to many of the officers and crewers. The expeditionary force’s ships are immediately sent to a much-needed overhaul.
November 22, 2154
The 3rd LR Survey Group has finished its overhaul on Terra and will now be dispatched to the Bobruisk territories to continue the Empire’s effort to determine the location of their home world, or at least a major colony.
On this same day, the 1st Xeno Study Regiment on Xi Bootis B-III completes its study of the ruined outpost on that planet. The outpost belongs to an unknown race, given the code-name Hellcat, and the outpost contains ten potentially usable installations. The Xeno regiment will begin studying the ancient construct, while the construction units begin retrofitting the preserved installations.
November 28,2 154
The 1st Xeno Study regiment completes its study of the ancient construct on Xi Bootis B-II and determines that it will assist researchers working on defensive technologies.
December 10, 2154
Surprising no one, a long-range survey ship from the 2nd LR Survey Group confirms the presence of a ruined city on Kappa Ceti III, the site of the Reaper infestation. In addition, the survey ship finds large deposits of eleven TN resources at moderate availability levels. The planet has a noxious atmosphere and is too cold for humans, but is fairly easily terraform-able.
December 22, 2154
The construction units complete their work recovering the stored installations on Xi Bootis B-III. In all, they recovered a mine, three auto mines, a terraformer, and a deep space tracking station, along with assorted alien artifacts, 10,400 tons of duranium, 5,800,000 tons of fuel, and five fire control jamming units. The orbiting transports begin loading the ground units to move them to Kappa Ceti.
January 21, 2154
A raider is detected by the sensor buoy orbiting Zeta Doradus II in the Leviathan Frontier. The contact report is relayed to the courier at the jump point, which immediately jumps back to Omicron Tucanae to report. When the report is received several hours later on Omicron Base, the orbiting squadron is dispatched to intercept the raider.
Just hours later a second raider is detected in the 70 Ophiuchi system, 333 million kilometers from the small colony on the second planet. The closest warships are at Shield Base in the Monoceri system, nine days away. A battlegroup is dispatched, but in the meantime the outpost will have to rely on its STO’s.
The Raider in 70 Ophiuchi heads directly for the innermost planet, which has a mining outpost on it. Unfortunately, the mining outpost has not yet received its contingent of STO’s, and so is unprotected. The Raider briefly orbits the mining outpost then departs for A-II and its much larger, and protected, colony. As it approaches the colony, the raider is brought under fire by the defensive STO’s and quickly destroyed, but not before it gets off one salvo with its lasers, killing four thousand colonists.
March 4, 2155
A ship from the 3rd LR survey group detects five Bobruisk commercial ships in the NN 4176 system during its survey. This is a hopeful sign. The NN 4176 system was selected by the survey command as the most likely of the remaining known systems to lead to Bobruisk territory, as it has an unbroken chain of jump gates leading to it from the first contact point. The fact that a newly discovered jump point in the system also has been stabilized, and the presence of commercial ships, means that it is increasingly likely that the survey group is on the right track.
March 20, 2155
A contact report has reached 111 Virginis from the Theta Corvi system, two jumps away. The report states that an unarmed hive ship, Charon class, has been spotted multiple times in the system, most recently close to the jump point to 103 Ceti (in between Theta Corvi and 111 Virginis). Captain Luis Bray, CO of the Virginis Garrison Force, would like to take his battlecruiser and supporting ships out to eliminate the threat, but he has no jump ships and the stabilized network has not been extended to Theta Corvi yet.
May 24, 2155
A sensor probe launched from a survey ship probing the systems in the Bobruisk sphere in the HIP 96183 system detects an outpost from an entirely new race on the innermost planet of the system. The survey commander had been close to calling their survey efforts off as they were beyond the Bobruisk stabilization network, so out of their territory, but this new discovery has changed his mind.
July 2, 2155
The ruined city found on Kappa Ceti III has been fully explored and contains 169 buildings that can be recovered.
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February 2156, State of the Empire
Fifty-six years after the beginning of the interstellar era, the Empire has become somewhat complacent. While there are still threats to human existence, the Navy has proven more than capable of dealing with all threats encountered to date. Human population has grown to just under eight billion, and is spread across seven systems, including thirteen planets and moons. There is no current active threat to the Empire, although the Navy is carefully watching for a resurgence of either of the known hive fleets, or aggression from the Bobruisk. And, of course, a watch must always be kept for raiders.
To better administer the Empire, the Senate recently formalized the formation of the Core Sector and the Shield Sector, and has plans to create two additional sectors in the frontier, with one centered on the former Hive Fleet Leviathan territory, which is also the location of an ancient construct deemed critical to Imperial R&D efforts, and the second located in the former Hive Fleet Kraken territories, which contain several critical mining sites soon to be established.
No major military actions are being planned at this time, although a minor deployment to the Hive Fleet Kraken frontier is in the early planning stages, to explore the potential threat from the anomalous aliens discovered by survey ships in the GJ 2097 system at the edges of explored space.
(https://i.imgur.com/p8JgGHt.jpg)
Little is known about the race, which has so far refused to talk with the diplomatic ships sent to the system. Orbital observation of the outpost shows it to have minimal infrastructure or buildings, and a small thermal signature, but other sensor readings indicate the presence of a significant military presence on the planet, perhaps equivalent to human battalion size. All visual observation shows no indication of what humans would call civilization, but instead rather primitive behavior such as hunts of local wildlife using primitive weapons and what appears to be ritual combat. Their refusal to communicate, coupled with their apparent primitivism and sensor readings indicating the presence of high technology, creates a conundrum and potential threat that must be investigated.
Core Sector
(https://i.imgur.com/67geQOP.jpg)
The Core Sector is centered on Sol, and extends to Victory Base in the Groombridge 34 system and Terra Nova in the Lalande 21185 system. Sol contains the Empire’s largest populations and most of the Empire’s industrial and R&D capability. Terra Nova is the Empire’s primary mining site, and also a secondary manufacturing center and largest out-system population. V126 Sagittarii is the location of the Empire’s largest fuel extraction and refinery efforts, although a secondary location has been set up in the Shield Sector. Victory Base in the Groombridge system is intended to guard against a Bobruisk incursion, although it is one of the smaller bases in the Empire due to the continued lack of threatening activity by the Bobruisk.
Military Forces
The military forces assigned to the Core Sector are concentrated in the Solar System, although interceptor groups are assigned to all of the systems to deal with Raider incursions, and a battlecruiser group and a carrier group have been assigned to the Lalande system as additional protection for the Empire’s largest out-system population which is also its primary mining site. In addition, a DD group has been assigned as additional firepower for the local interceptor group in the V126 Sagittarii system, as befitting its designation as the Core Sector’s primary fuel producing site. The naval forces concentrated in the Solar System provide the bulk of the forces for the various expeditionary forces and fleets dispatched to the frontier.
The ground forces are also concentrated in the Solar system, although guard and territorial guard units garrison every mining outpost and population in the Sector, along with STO forces.
Sector Naval Forces
3xCVA, 1xDN, 2xBB, 4xBC, 6xCV, 3xCVS, 3xJump Cruiser, 32xDD, 11xDDE, 5xDDG, 291xEagle Strike fighters, 25xAegis Sensor Fighters, 39xForward Class Fighter, 66xInterceptor, 16xMissile Base
Sector Ground Forces
2nd, 4th, 6th, 7th, and 9th Guard Corps (3,344,000 tons)
23rd Guard Division (172,000 tons)
4th, 138th Guard Brigades (85,000 tons)
1st and 8th Marine Corps (1,428,000 tons)
1st Territorial Division (57,000 tons)
4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 11th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 32nd, 43rd, and 47th Territorial Brigades (546,000 tons)
Planetary STO formations (687.000 tons)
Shield Sector
(https://i.imgur.com/1W7qfWh.jpg)
The Shield Sector capital is Shield Base in the V577 Monoceri system, which at 94 million is the largest population in the sector. Shield Base also contains the bulk of the naval forces in the sector, and is considered a bulwark against any incursions from the frontier. Other areas of interest in the sector are the ancient constructs in the Omega Pegasi (Defensive Systems) and 8 Centauri systems (Unknown) and the fueling base in the 84 Orionis system, where fifty-nine massive harvester ships gather sorium from the system’s innermost gas giant.
The Shield Sector is the site of the Empire’s expansion efforts over the last ten years, and several worlds have been terraformed during this time. The following worlds have been colonized to date (in addition to the Sector capital):
Atlantis, Omega Pegasi I, population 7.11 million
New Wyoming, 70 Ophiuchi II, Population 6.11 million
New Siberia, Gamma Carinae II, population 4.74 million
New Siberia is the newest population, and was unsanctioned by the Imperial Bureau of Colonization. Its appearance on the outer reaches of the sector, so close to the Leviathan frontier, was of concern to the military, which has not yet provided defenses for the colony, although a mission to transport troops is already underway. New Wyoming acts as a central collection point for the mines on the inner Venusian planet, but the other two colonies have not yet been classified as to their purpose. Atlantis will eventually become a scientific research station to take advantage of the ancient construct located there, but New Siberia has only limited deposits of inaccessible TN resources, and no other redeeming features, so it is not clear what use the Empire will make of the population.
The military forces assigned to the sector are primarily there to defend populations and mining sites, and to provide a base of operations for expeditions to the Leviathan Frontier.
Sector Naval Forces
1xDN, 1xBB, 1xCV, 4xBC, 1xCVS, 4xCG, 6xDD, 5xDDG, 1xFSC, 4xDDE, 44xEagle Strike Fighters, 10xAegis Sensor Fighters, 81xAttack Fighters, 24xInterceptor, 3xMissile Bases
Ground Forces
1st Guard Corps (295,000 tons)
84th, 167th Guard Brigades (85,000 tons)
7th, 8th, Territorial Divisions (348,000 tons)
39th, 46th, 49th Territorial Brigade (126,000 tons)
1st, 2nd, 4th Marine Divisions (535,000 tons)
STO Defenses (138,000 tons)
Beyond the two settled sectors, the Empire recognizes three frontier territories, the Leviathan Frontier, the Kraken Frontier, and the Bobruisk territories. The Leviathan and kraken frontier areas are the former territories of the Kraken and Leviathan Hive fleets, both of which have been decimated and scattered. Both of these territories have military forces assigned to them, to secure them should the hive fleets reappear.
Kraken Frontier Area
(https://i.imgur.com/RCtt2EB.jpg)
Hive Fleet Kraken, originally contacted in the 111 Virginis system, has been decisively defeated after engagements in the Omega Ceti and Black Hole systems. To secure the area against future incursions, a fleet base is being set up on the second planet of the 111 Virginis system. There was some debate about this location, as the planet is otherwise uninteresting, and there are other nearby sites that will almost certainly be exploited and/or colonized in the future, but in the end the central location of the 111 Virginis system won the argument.
A general survey of the systems surrounding 111 Virginis has been carried out, pushing the frontier out to three to four jumps from 111 Virginis, looking for additional Hive forces. This survey revealed the location of two Reaper bases, in Xi Bootis and Kappa Ceti. Kappa Ceti was the scene of significant fighting between the navy and the Reapers, and a salvage effort to clean up the wrecked Reaper ships is underway, even as construction units labor to reactivate installations left behind by the race that inhabited the planet at one time. In addition, the survey found a small outpost of an unknown alien race in the GJ 2097 system and contact efforts are underway, although the diplomats and scientists are making little progress.
The Kraken territories hold several locations that have interested both the Imperial colonization bureau and the larger mining conglomerates, now that the immediate threats have been eliminated. Xi Bootis B-III, the former location of a Reaper base, is fairly easily terraformed and has large TN resource deposits and good to very good availability levels, along with an ancient construct that would aide defense research. Kappa Ceti III, another former Reaper Base location, is also fairly easily terraformed, and contains both ruins of a dead civilization and large deposits of TN resources at good availability levels. In addition, there are several other prime mining sites in the system. The EQ Pegasi system is the location of a ruined colony of some sort, and is easily terraformed. Several other systems contain prime or secondary mining sites of interest. For now, expansion into this area is delayed, as the Empire is focused on expansion in the Leviathan Frontier.
Territory Naval Forces (111 Virginis II)
1xBC, 1xCJ, 1xCVS, 2xDD, 1xDDE, 11xEagle Strike Fighters, 1xAegis Sensor Fighter
Territory Ground Forces (111 Virginis II)
1st Territorial Brigade (42,000 tons)
STO Forces (22,000 tons)
Leviathan Frontier
(https://i.imgur.com/TfJd2oY.jpg)
Hive Fleet Leviathan has been defeated and scattered, but ships belonging to this fleet continue to operate in the area, although most seem to be survey ships, or at least not combatants. A number of combatants are still unaccounted for, and the last major force to be spotted was a fleet of four Abuser class destroyers armed with lasers, in the company of six unknown hive ships, in the 123 Herculis system. A probe of the 123 Herculis system and the surrounding systems was unable to locate the ships, and their whereabouts continues to be a concerning mystery.
Two bases have been established to secure the territory. The first is in the Chi Draconis system, positioned to block an alien advance either from GJ 1128 or from beyond Omicron Tucanae. This base has become somewhat of a backwater since the establishment of the forward base at Omicron Tucanae. The Omicron Tucanae base can support 80,000 tons of naval ships, and a tug group is en route with additional maintenance bases to double this capacity. The enlarged naval group has been deemed necessary to protect the ongoing effort to terraform and colonize the two innermost planets of the Omicron Tucanae system. The current plan is to terraform Omicron Tucanae II first, as it is the closer to Terran standard of the two, and can be established as Terran standard by merely adding a bit of oxygen and nitrogen to the atmosphere. Once that is complete the terraformers will move on to the innermost planet, which will take a major effort to terraform as it is very hot and otherwise barren. Normally such a planet would not be considered for terraforming, but this planet possesses a critical ancient construct, which can accelerate the Empire’s R&D on power and propulsion systems, deemed a critical area of interest by the Emperor. To this end, almost two hundred terraformer ships are en route, with the first group slated to arrive in forty-five days.
Territory Naval Forces
(These forces are divided between Chi Draconis and Omicron Tucanae, with the bulk in the latter system)
1xBB, 1xCV, 26xStrike Fighter, 2xSensor Fighter, 6xInterceptor
Territory Ground Forces
(As with the naval forces, these units are divided between the Chi Draconis and Omicron Tucanae systems)
12th Guard Division, 200,000 tons
91st, 95th, 96th Guard Brigades, 128,000 tons
3rd Xeno Study Regiment, 78,000 tons
STO Defenses, 80,000 tons
Bobruisk Territories
(https://i.imgur.com/c03ivgj.jpg)
The Bobruisk were initial contacted in the HIP 48659 system in 2135, and diplomatic contact continues in that system to this day. Since then, the Empire has sent several expeditions into Bobruisk territory to explore in the hopes of discovering their home world, or at the very least a major colony. To date the exploration attempts have only discovered Bobruisk outposts and Bobruisk ships. The survey efforts have been attempting to follow the network of stabilized jump points, in the theory that the Bobruisk, like the Empire, have such a network radiating out from their central systems. Assuming this theory is correct, at this point there are only three possibilities, the newly discovered black hole system beyond GJ 1241, the GJ 1241 system itself, and the 52 Capricorni system. Survey ships are currently finishing their survey of the GJ 1241 system and will then move on to the black hole system if no other stabilized jump points are found.
No naval units are stationed in the Bobruisk territories at this time.
Detached Duty
87th Guard Brigade, 42000 tons, assigned to protect 2nd Xeno Study Regiment, in transit to 8 Centauri to examine the construct located there. 8 Centauri is located just beyond the border of the Sheild Sector.
3rd and 10th Territorial Brigades, 84,000 tons, assigned to protect the 1st Xeno Study Regiment (78,000 tons) and the 1st Construction Group (67,000 tons). Currently on Kappa Ceti III.
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Note: From now on when listing alien ship classes, I will be including a designator based on human ship sizes. For instance, a Terran battleship is 40,000 tons, and a battlecruiser is 20,000 tons. An alien warship might have the code name “Backfire”, but to be honest, that doesn’t really mean anything or impart any knowledge, except to differentiate it from other alien ships. Therefore, a 40,000 ton alien warship with the codename Backfire will now be listed as BB Backfire. If it doesn’t match a human ship size, then I will give it a designator as close as possible. Therefore a 35,000 ton ship will be a light battleship, while a 27,000 ton ship will be a heavy battlecruiser. Hopefully this will work to remind both myself and the reader of what I’m actually dealing with. Credit to one of the AAR’s on the board where I saw the author doing this. I wish I could remember which one, so I could give credit by name, as it’s a good idea.
Bobruisk Territories
February 8, 2156
A survey ship from the 3rd Long Range Survey Ship detects two Bobruisk populations on the innermost moons of the GJ 1241 system’s fourth planet. The planet is a super Jovian planet, and the two moons are low gravity moons with no atmospheres. The survey ship launches sensor buoys towards the planet and continues with its survey. As the survey ship closes on the planet, a number of Bobruisk ships appear in orbit over the larger outpost.
When the survey ship completes its survey of the moons of the fourth planet, the results are somewhat surprising, and also encouraging. The two moons being exploited by the Bobruisk have relatively minor deposits of TN resources that show signs of having been extensively mined. If true, this would certainly mean the survey group is on the right track and hopefully closing in on the Bobruisk home planet.
Leviathan Frontier
April 11, 2156
A survey ship probing a newly discovered warp point in the 96 Leonis system discovers it links to a jump point in the 53 Capricorni system. The 96 Leonis system is located in the Leviathan frontier, beyond the Shield sector, and is of note as it links to the EQ Pegasi system in the Kraken Frontier. The newly discovered link to the 53 Capricorni system means it also links to the Bobruisk Territories.
April 14, 2156
A survey ship working in the 96 Leonis system jumps through another newly discovered jump point and finds itself in a system with a massive A3-V white star primary. The system is soon identified as the Fomalhaut system, and it possesses four terrestrial planets orbited by several moons. Three of the planets are Venusian, and none are Terra-like.
Solar System
May 10, 2156
The Senate has been considering the strange situation with the newly discovered race(s) in the GJ 2097 and the HIP 96183 systems. The two systems are widely separated and not connected, at least not with any known connection. The HIP 96183 system is on the periphery of Bobruisk territory, while the GJ 2097 system is on the edge of the Kraken frontier. Both populations are small, with limited populations and installations, appearing to be little more than outposts. And, although widely separated, both appear to be the same race.
Diplomatic ships have been sent to both locations and have been attempting to establish contact, but both expeditions have failed as the aliens have shown no interest in communicating. While the outposts are not a threat in and of themselves, the possibility that they represent the leading edge of an alien race’s territory cannot be discounted, and given their eccentric behavior, their presence is concerning. The Senate has therefore decided that a more forceful approach must be taken.
At the senate’s orders, the Navy is putting together an expeditionary force that will accompany a group of assault transports to the GJ 2097 system, where they will land a force of marines and guard units that will establish contact with the aliens, one way or another.
Kraken Frontier
December 2, 2156
The Contact Expedition arrived over GJ 2097 II late in the day and dropped the 24th Guard Division and the 5th Marine Division close to the alien outpost. The Guards immediately set up a defensible position while the Marines prepared to assault the aliens, but no aggressive actions were taken as the mission commander had ordered them not to fire first.
The aliens waited approximately sixteen hours and then launched a surprise attack on the Terran forces. The aliens had exchanged the stone aged weapons they had been observed hunting with for modern and very capable weaponry, and their attack was vicious in its brutality. Dozens of guardsmen and marines were killed and the Terran camp was thrown into confusion for a short period of time.
Initial intel reports put the enemy strength at 770 infantry and 215 other unknown type units. As the battle went on, the intel units had begun to study the aliens and had determined that their armor was much heavier than that of the Mk V guardsman combat armor, but slightly weaker than a Mk VI marine battle suit. The aliens were much tougher than even an augmented marine, though, and their heavy armor and physical toughness made them difficult to kill. The Terran forces soon rallied after their surprise and fought back, and in the next sixteen hours killed 147 infantry and 27 other units, at the cost of 78 guardsmen and 49 marines.
The marines and guardsmen fought valiantly, but the aliens were vicious and merciless. They seemed to focus on the marines in particular, often ignoring a group of guardsmen who had the drop on them to attack a marine squad that was not an immediate threat. For all their fighting prowess and valor, the aliens were completely outnumbered. Two entire divisions of guardsmen and marines, numbering over twenty thousand humans and vehicles, faced off against several thousand aliens, and the outcome could only go one way. It took the Terran forces one hundred and sixty hours to finish the aliens off, by which time the total tally of the alien forces was two thousand two hundred and seven warriors and one hundred and forty-two supporting units. Four hundred and eighty-nine marines, four hundred and twenty-six guardsmen, twenty-four armored combat vehicles, and one battalion HQ were lost in the fight.
Once the fighting was over, a thorough search of the area found nothing of note. The alien outpost held nothing but crude living areas for the alien troops. There was no tech, no industry, and nothing of value to be recovered. The only thing the troops came away with was a name for their enemies. The aliens became known as the Rakhas, which came from their battle cry.
Kraken Frontier
December 10, 2156
The recovery effort on Kappa Ceti ends on this date. The construction units have recovered the following:
Numerous Alien Artifacts
16xAuto Mine
14xConstruction factory
2xCargo Shuttle Station
4xDSTS
2xFighter Factories
7xFinancial Centers
38,200,000 tons of fuel
4xFuel Refinery
1xGenetic Modification Center
4xGFCC
1260xInfrastructure
640xLow Grav Infrastructure
11xMaintenance Facilities
40,800 maintenance supplies
1xmass driver
25xMine
4xOrdnance Factory
1xOrdnance Transfer Station
1xResearch Lab
2xSector Command
3xTerraformer
55,000xWealth
10,800 tons duranium
21,600 tons gallicite
5,000 tons Uridium
5,200 tons Corbomite
4,200 ton Corundum
7,000 tons Boronide
6,400 tons Vendarite
6,200 tons Neutronium
2xmissile jammer 2
7x20cm Laser
1xCIC
1xCIWS-160
1xDamCon
1x20cm Railgun
4xScience Dept
3xTroop Transport Bay
1xSalvage Module
Info on high power microwave weapons
The ground troops begin packing up their base in preparation for transfer to the EQ Pegasi system.
Bobruisk Territories
January, 2157
Survey units operating in the Bobruisk territories detect a large group of Bobruisk ships in the HIP 34361 system. These ships are moving in several groups, consisting of a total of nine massive 107,259 ton commercial ships, along with a Bellicose class commercial ship of 158,876 tons, an Antic class commercial ship of 159,050 tons, and four Tremulous class commercial ships of 97,193 tons. This sighting seems to confirm that the survey units operating in this are on the right track in their search for the Bobruisk home world.
Bobruisk Territories
February 5, 2157
A survey ship with the 2nd LRSS, probing a new jump point found in the Upsilon Puppis system in the Bobruisk territories, finds itself in the 86 Cygni System. The system is populated by the usual assortment of terrestrial, Jovian, and super Jovian planets and their moons and asteroids. It does not house the hoped for Bobruisk home world, as the only planets with atmospheres have noxious mixes of unbreathable gasses. What it does have, however, are 8 wrecks scattered around the system, of sizes ranging from 8,651 tons to 35,577 tons. The survey ship immediately transits out and reports its find to the courier ship accompanying the survey fleet, which then turns for home to carry the report back to the communications network. None of the wrecks are of a known class of ship.
Leviathan Frontier
February 17, 2157
A sensor buoy detects a Hive Fleet Leviathan warship in the HIP 31292 system. This system is adjacent to the Omicron Tucanae system, and is in the jump line running between Omicron Tucanae and the Shield Sector. A courier immediately jumps back to Omicron Tucanae and warning the guard force there, which sets out to intercept the hostile warship. The warship was last seen at the jump point to Sigma Draconis, an unexplored frontier system with only two planets.
Bobruisk Territories
March 6, 2157
A survey ship with the 2nd LRSS probes a newly discovered jump point in the 86 Cygni system (the one with the wrecks), and finds itself in the HIP 84051 system, a red star system with four planets and a total of eight moons. None of the planets are habitable or have atmospheres remotely conducive to life, but there are over eighty wrecks scattered across the system. Some of the ships are Bobruisk ships, but the bulk are unknown in origin. Even more interesting are the two alien ships sitting on the jump point in close proximity to the survey ship. The survey ship’s captain jumps back to report his find, then returns to try to communicate with the aliens.
It is apparent that the Bobruisk and these new aliens are or were at war, and given the fact that Bobruisk ships were active in the 86 Cygni system, it was possible that the Terran survey ships would find themselves in the middle of a fight.
March 16, 2157
One of the 2nd LRSS’s ships detects a Bobruisk outpost on a moon of the fifth planet in the 86 Cygni system. It sends a sensor buoy towards the population to keep an eye on the area. Several hours later another survey ship finds a second outpost on another moon of the fifth planet. A sensor buoy was dispatched to that moon as well. Both moons proved to have small, mostly depleted, deposits of TN resources.
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Shield Sector
April 7, 2157
The Tau Cephei system is located just within the borders of the Shield Sector. It is an uninteresting red star system with three planets, a number of moons, and several comets. Two of the planets are gas giants and contain significant amounts of sorium at good availability levels, marking them as targets for future exploitation should sources closer to the inner empire run out, but otherwise the system has largely been ignored. It is, however, on the route between the Shield Sector and the GJ 1128 system, which contains the anomalous region of space dubbed the “Aether Rift” by the scientific team sent to study it. Because of this, the sensor buoy network and the courier network have been extended through the system so that if something comes out of the rift the empire will know about it.
At 01441 hours the courier and the sensor buoy stationed on the jump point in the Tau Cephei system that leads to the GJ 1128 system detects an unknown ship just off of the jump point. The ship’s thermal signature is similar to that of an Imperial battleship, and its observed speed is 13,794 km/s. The courier immediately jumps out to the Tau Cephei system, while the buoy sends a contact report to the other jump point. As soon as the contact report is received it is forwarded on to the Shield Sector Capital. This takes eight and a half hours.
At nearly the same time, the buoys deployed around the Aether Rift in the GJ 1128 system detect a second ship in close proximity to the rift. This ship’s thermal signature is between that of a battleship and a battlecruiser, and its observed speed is 10,626 km/s. This contact report is sent off as well.
About an hour later, a third ship is detected in the GJ 1128 system, headed towards the jump point to Tau Cephei. This ship has a similar signature to that of the one still hovering over the rift, but is moving slightly slower. The ship moves past the jump point, possibly headed to the system’s other jump point.
The contact report arrived at Shield Base at approximately midnight, and their reaction was immediate. Their course was clear, as the Naval HQ on Terra had directed a very clear response should ships emerge from the rift. The bulk of the base’s mobile strength, the 1st Battle Group and the Battlecruiser Pluto’s battle group, were dispatched to the Tau Cephei system to make contact with the aliens. They were not to move into the GJ 1128 system without direct orders from Sol, though.
Meanwhile, the contact report, and Shield Base’s response, were forwarded up the chain to all other commands. They would reach Terra in approximately 11 hours, and 111 Virginis in just over 10.
When the contact report arrived in the 111 Virginis system, on the Kraken Frontier, it was received by Commodore Zadrozny, the Contact Force CO, who was on the verge of ordering his ships to return to the Solar system after the disastrous contact mission’s aftermath and cleanup. His mission to the Kraken Frontier was done, he had merely been putting off returning to help the system garrison chase down the Hive Fleet Kraken survey ships that had been popping up occasionally. His squadron was still well within its endurance limits, and they had plenty of supplies and fuel. So, after a short stop at Virginis Base to refuel one final time and give his crews R&R, he ordered his force to the Mu Cassiopeiae system. They would approach GJ 1128 from the secondary route from the Kraken Frontier. He sent his intentions to fleet command in the Solar System before he departed, but once en route would be beyond the courier network and out of touch.
The contact report arrived in the Solar System one hour later. The Admiralty had been electrified by the recent arrival of the news from the Bobruisk territories of the discovery of numerous wrecks and apparent fighting, but this was far more alarming. Unknown ships coming out of a mysterious rift, something never mentioned in any of the records recovered from the alien Imperium. It could only be a threat of stupendous magnitude. Therefore, a fleet was assembled and designated as the 1st Expeditionary Force. It consisted of 1xCVA, 1xDN, 2xBB, 2xCV, 1xCVS, 6xDD, 5xDDE, 100xStrike Fighters, and 8xSensor Fighters. Rear Admiral Paglinawan is placed in command with orders to establish contact with the new aliens. Support units will follow as they are organized.
April 13, 2157
The new aliens, already being referred to as Rift Aliens, have appeared in the Omicron Tucanae system. The news is alarming, as the Omicron Tucanae garrison force is returning from several system’s away, where it had been chasing contact reports of an elusive Hive Fleet Leviathan warship.
After hesitating on the jump point, the Rift ship begins moving in-system. This causes a problem on the second planet, which has been settled by over five million colonists. The system’s naval base is located on the first planet, where an ancient construct is located. This is where the terraformers are currently stationed, and they are defended by the base’s STO’s in the absence of the garrison squadron. The Imperial Army has not yet stationed a defensive force on the second planet, as it was not scheduled to be settled yet. As has happened before, though, once the terraformers were finished civilian ships began transporting colonists to the now planet whether the government wanted them to or not. So, the naval base in the system is defended, as are the terraformers, but the population on the second planet is not.
Fortunately, the Rift Aliens reach the fourth planet and then turn for the outer system and the jump point, without moving towards the inner system planets.
Once the alien ship departs the system, the base commander orders the terraformers to leave the system, fearing the disappearance of the aliens is only temporary. The massive ships slowly lift away from the first planet and begin moving towards the distant jump point out of the system.
April 14, 2157
A Rift Alien fleet is detected closing on the jump point to Omicron Tucanae in the GJ 1128 system. The fleet is composed of nine ships of two different classes. Five of the ships have thermal profiles consistent with that of an Imperial dreadnought, while five have profiles 50% higher than a dreadnought. All are moving at 13,734 km/s. When the ships arrive at the jump point, they casually swat the Terran sensor buoy before jumping to Omicron Tucanae. The other buoys in the system record the death of the sensor buoy, along with the energy profile of the weapons that took it out. If those weapons had been aimed at an Imperial dreadnought, they would have taken out its shields in one shot.
April 17, 2157
The Shield Base Battlegroup, under Rear Admiral Casella, jumps into the Tau Cephei system from Gamma Carinae on this date. The sensor buoy at the jump point reports the presence of a single Rift Alien ship at the system’s second jump point to the GJ 1128 system. At this point, Admiral Casella is unaware of the destruction of the sensor buoy in the GJ 1128 system, however, that information would have been of interest to her, but would hardly have been pivotal in her planning. The destruction of an automated buoy was not a friendly act, but it also wasn’t a declaration of war. And she could hardly be any more cautious than she planned on being anyway.
For now, the Shield Base Battlegroup was on its own. The 1st Expeditionary Fleet, advancing out of Sol, was still twenty-two days away. And the Contact Expedition hadn’t left the 111 Virginis system yet, and would need time to move up the chain to a flanking position on the far side of the GJ 1128 system. Admiral Casella’s battlegroup was not an inconsiderable force in its own right. The battlegroup consisted of the DN Pegasus, the battleship Rigel, four battlecruisers, four missile cruisers, six destroyers, five missile destroyers, four destroyer escorts, a fleet scout, and a carrier and strike carrier with forty-four fighters embarked.
Admiral Casella’s orders were to block the aliens from moving further into the Empire, and, if possible, establish contact with them and determine their intentions. Mindful of the fact that the alien ships were almost twice as fast as Terran warships, she was not willing to advance her force very far from the jump point back to the Empire. Neither was she willing to risk her capital ships, or God forbid her carriers, in close contact with an alien race of unknown intent and capabilities. Therefore, she ordered her force to advance 850 mkm’s towards the jump point on the far side of the system, and from that vantage point she would launch her strike group towards the lone alien ship. The strike group would position themselves approximately fifty mkm’s from the alien ship, at which point a single automated sensor fighter would move into close contact with the aliens to determine their intent.
April 19, 2157, Tau Cephei – Leviathan Frontier
The Shield Base Battlegroup’s strike fighters jumped through the system’s La Grange point into the inner system, bound for a waypoint that would position themselves approximately 60 mkm’s from the jump point to the GJ 1128 Rift System and the Rift Alien ship last seen on the jump point. Shortly after jumping into the inner system, the Aegis sensor fighters with the fighter group detect a 7,423 ton Rift Alien ship in orbit over Tau Cephei I, an airless terrestrial class planet. Instead of continuing on as planned, the strike group remained on the La Grange point and dispatches the specially prepared automated sensor fighter towards the Rift alien ship. Shortly after that, the Rift Alien ship departed the planet, bound for the jump point to GJ 1128.
The automated fighter makes contact with the Rift Alien ship short of the jump point, but is ignored as the alien ship continues to retreat. Once the alien ship reaches the jump point it jumps out, followed by the sensor fighter. The automated fighter is programmed to follow the alien ship through the jump point and return as soon as possible to report on the conditions on the far side.
Two minutes and forty seconds later the fighter reappears in the Tau Cephei system and sends its report to the waiting fighter group. The Rift Alien ship continued its retreat when the fighter appeared in the GJ 1128 system. No other Rift Alien ships were within detection range of the jump point. As ordered, the fighter stripped the logs from the sensor buoy near the jump point and transmitted those as well. The logs were very interesting. The buoys at the jump points to Omicron Tucanae and Mu Cassiopeiae had both been destroyed by Rift Alien ships, which was not in and of itself necessarily a hostile act. While not exactly friendly, it was completely understandable that an alien race might not want sensor buoys from another race in territory they considered their own. However, much more important was the destruction of an Imperial jump point stabilization ship that had apparently been in transit through the GJ 1128 system before it was placed off limits. The commercial ship had been attacked without warning and destroyed within seconds of entering the system. When that report reached Admiral Casella, it settled the question of whether the aliens were peaceful or not rather definitively.
Admiral Casella was tempted to proceed to the jump point and picket it with her heavy ships, but her orders were clear, she was not to unnecessarily risk her command but rather to block any advance into the Empire. To that end she recalled her fighters and ordered one of her missile cruisers to re-establish the sensor buoy coverage of the jump point to the GJ 1128 system.
April 20, 2157, Omicron Tucanae, Leviathan Frontier
For days now a Rift Alien ship had been sitting on the jump point to the GJ 1128 system, watched by a sensor buoy sitting off of the jump point. Now it was joined by a second ship, which immediately headed in-system, towards the Imperial base on the innermost planet. Eventually this new ship would be matched to the ship which ran from the sensor fighter in the Tau Cephei system, but for now it remained unknown to the Imperial forces in this system.
Several hours after leaving the jump point the ship stopped at about 350 mkm’s from the jump point, and the second ship, which had been sitting on the jump point, left and started heading in-system. About an hour later the second ship returned to the jump point, while the first began heading across the system towards a different destination.
April 23, 2157, Omicron Tucanae, Leviathan Frontier
The Omicron Tucanae Carrier Group was back in the system and finally in between the retreating terraformer squadron and the Rift Alien ship that had been poking around the system. The Terraforming Group, one hundred and thirty-four terraformers strong and very slow, was still over eleven days from jumping out of the system. The Rift Alien ship was five hundred and thirty mkm’s ahead of the Terran squadron, and was 7,400 tons and moving at 10,626 km/s. Commodore Hong, CO of the carrier group, was very suspicious of the aliens. They had not been confirmed as hostile, but the immense industrial investment represented by the terraformers meant he couldn’t just avoid contact with them, he had to be aggressive and try to establish whether they represented a threat or not.
Unfortunately, his “carrier group” was, in reality, a single carrier supported by a jump capable battleship. Doctrine demanded that the carrier not be exposed to close attack by a potential threat, but the battleship Antares was built for just such a situation. Commodore Hong ordered the carrier France to retreat and follow behind the Antares from one million kilometers, while the battleship closed on the alien ship and tried to establish contact.
April 24, 2157, Omicron Tucanae, Leviathan Frontier
The battleship Antares reached three hundred thousand kilometers from the alien ship without incident. The battleship had been transmitting contact messages the entire way in, but the alien had not responded. In fact, the alien was doing nothing, just sitting in space. Since the alien hadn’t reacted, Commodore Hong ordered the Antares to close to one hundred thousand kilometers. It was at this point that the alien ship began running, and as it was faster, soon pulled out of the Antares’ weapons range. After ten minutes Commodore Hong called a halt to the chase. After consulting with his officers, Commodore Hong decided on a different approach. He ordered his ships to close on the second alien ship, a faster ship equipped with military engines that had been hovering around the jump point to GJ 1128.
After several hours of following the alien ship as it maneuvered apparently aimlessly across the system, Commodore Hong was losing his patience. The alien ship was faster than the Terran warships, almost twice as fast, and hadn’t allowed then any closer than seventy million kilometers before darting away again. What made it even more frustrating to Hong was that he knew that he could order the France to launch its fighters and they’d be able to chase it down. After some thought he raised the commander of the France and ordered him to launch the carrier’s fighters. The fighters were to close on the alien ship to 1,000,000 kilometers range, and then send in a lone sensor fighter to try and make contact.
Two hours later the fighters were in position and a single sensor fighter detached from the group and closed on the alien ship. The aliens let the fighter close, and changed course towards the jump point, but otherwise ignored the Terran fighter. As the alien ship raced back towards the jump point, the battleship Antares was able to intercept it by cutting across its course, but it ignored the big warship just as it had ignored the fighters.
The alien ships both jumped out of the Omicron Tucanae system at 0937 hours on the 25th, leaving the sensor fighter to wait at the jump point for the rest of the squadron to arrive. The Antares arrived at the jump point five hours later. Commodore Hong ordered the France to retreat to the 4th planet, which would put it 415 mkm’s from the jump point, but still in between the jump point and the base in the inner system. He then sent a message to the courier at the jump point back to the Empire to be forwarded on the other fleets involved in the operation and the fleet HQ on Terra.
The Empire now has blocking forces in place in three of the four systems adjacent to the GJ 1128 system, although two of those forces aren’t particularly strong, and the main force advancing from Sol is still a week away from the Tau Cephei system.
May 7, 2157, Tau Cephei system
The 1st Expeditionary Force has entered the Tau Cephei system, fresh from refueling from the tankers in the Gamma Carinae system. Rear Admiral Paglinawan, following orders issued to him on Terra, retires to his quarters to open sealed orders. Inside the packet he finds that he is ordered to clear Imperial space of the Rift Aliens. Prior to his departure the Senate declared the Rift system and all associated systems part of the Shield Sector. He was ordered to establish contact with the aliens and order them to depart, peacefully, if possible, by any means necessary if not. If the aliens refused to talk, his orders were clear, that would be considered willful refusal of an Imperial order and he was authorized to use force to clear the alien infestation.
His orders clear, Admiral Paglinawan ordered his fleet towards the jump point to the GJ 1128 system.
May 13, 2157, Tau Cephei
The three assault groups of the 1st Expeditionary Fleet were arrayed around the jump point to the GJ 1128 system, also known now as the Rift System. They consisted of an assault carrier, two dreadnoughts, two battleships, a jump battleship, four battlecruisers, and five destroyers. Five million kilometers back from the jump point were the fleet’s other ships, three carriers, two strike carriers, four missile cruisers, five missile destroyers, seven destroyers, nine destroyer escorts, and several support ships. On the signal, the assault groups jumped into the Tau Cephei system.
They materialized in the GJ 1128 system with the familiar 7,602-ton Rift Alien ship sitting on the jump point. The alien ship immediately set out across the system, towards the jump point to the Omicron Tucanae system. After the fleet’s sensors settled, several things became clear. First, the rift itself was not only still there, but had significantly expanded, now extending beyond where the sensor buoys had been placed. The buoys were still there, and still reporting, though. The buoys on the Omicron Tucanae and Mu Cassiopeiae jump points had apparently been destroyed, and, finally, a commercial stabilization ship had been destroyed at the jump point to Mu Cassiopeiae system. That last was enough for Admiral Cassella, who had taken over command of the fleet upon its arrival. The aliens were hostile. With the jump point secure, she sent a destroyer back to call through the rest of the fleet.
Unknown to Admiral Casella, shortly after she jumped into the GJ 1128 system, nine large Rift Alien ships jumped into the Omicron Tucanae system, on top of the battleship Antares, which was picketing the jump point. There were four 22,905-ton ships, and five 15,258-ton ships. None were as large as the Terran warship, but as a group they significantly out-massed the battleship. Commodore Hong ordered his crew to prepare to jump, and targeted all his ships weapons on one of the larger ships, but held fire to see what they would do. After fifteen seconds of staring at the motionless alien ships, Commodore Hong decided to put some space in between his ship and the potentially hostile alien ships. The Antares moved out to just within weapons range of the jump point and settled in to watch the alien ships.
Ninety seconds later all uncertainty was removed when the alien ships opened fire on the battleship and the sensor buoy. Ten lasers of varying strengths hit the Antares, reducing her shields to 91%. Commodore Hong ordered his ship to open fire and sent a message to the France to launch her fighters. The fighters wouldn’t arrive in time to decide this battle, but they would avenge the Antares, if nothing else.
The alien ships accelerated away from the jump point at almost twice the speed of the Terran battleship, racing to close the distance. The Antares fired her laser weapons, but the alien jammers made hitting the oncoming ships nearly impossible and all the battleship’s lasers missed.
Commodore Hong saw the nine alien ships rushing towards his command and knew they were doomed. He couldn’t out run them, and if a single long-range salvo was able to take out 10% of his shields, when he couldn’t even hit their ships, then he wasn’t likely to take very many of them with him. Worse, based on the latest information he had, Admiral Casella had advanced into the GJ 1128 system to make contact with the aliens, and did not know that they were hostile, unless she had already encountered them. His comms officer had already dispatched a message to the courier network ship sitting on the jump point back to the Empire, warning them of the attack, but it would take over twenty hours for the message to reach Admiral Casella. There was a quicker way, though.
“Helm, set a course to the jump point. Take us through. All weapons to continuous fire!”
The Terran BB turned towards the jump point, and the alien fleet, and raced forward. The aliens, perhaps realizing they held the range advantage, turned away to maintain the range. This amused Commodore Hong, who hadn’t been sure that his ship could stand up to a close pass with the alien ships. With them running ahead of his ship, the path to the jump point was clear. The BB took several more hits to her shields during the approach, and scored one low power hit to an alien ship at long range.
At the last second, as the BB approached the jump point, the aliens must had realized she was going to jump out as they turned and raced towards the human ship. The battleship took a heavy shield hit that reduced her shields to 86%, and scored several more hits on one of the alien ship’s armor, and then jumped out.
Once in the GJ 1128 system Commodore Hong ordered his comms officer to send a message towards the jump point to the Tau Cephei system and Admiral Casella’s last reported location. It would take that message thirty minutes to arrive. Then they settled in to wait for the Rift Aliens to jump into the system and continue their assault.
Thirty seconds later they were still waiting. By then the BB’s shields had recharged almost to 100%. Thirty minutes later the battleship was still waiting.
Admiral Casella and the fleet received the transmission from the Antares twenty-eight minutes after it was sent. By that time the Expeditionary Force’s carriers had joined them on the jump point and Admiral Casella had just ordered a fighter strike against the fleeing Rift Alien ship which was now ten million kilometers distant.
Even as the carriers launched their fighters, the fleet scout accompanying the expeditionary force sent a contact report for four additional Rift Alien ships that had appeared within the Rift. The four contacts were 15, 231 tons each. Not wishing to leave a force in her rear when they advanced on the jump point to the Omicron Tucanae system, Admiral Casella ordered her fleet to advance on the rift.
Twenty-five minutes later the fighters had chased down their target and launched their missiles. It took thirty-five seconds for the missiles to reach their target, which launched a decoy at the last second. Only two of the twenty-four missiles were decoyed, and it only took five of the remaining missiles to destroy the fleeing ship. Unlike the Hive aliens, the destruction of the Rift Alien ship left a drifting wreck, which was somehow comforting for all of the Terran crews. The fighters returned to their bays aboard their carriers, to rearm for a strike against the ships in the rift.
May 13, 2157, GJ 1128 system (Rift System)
By 0947 hours the Expeditionary Force was 82 million kilometers from the nearest of the Rift Alien ships. The four ships that had ‘jumped’ into the system were divided into two widely separated groups, and had done nothing since jumping into the system. This put Admiral Casella in something of a difficult position. She could launch her fighters and use them to attack the ships within the rift, but she was reluctant to launch an alpha strike with missiles that could only be replaced by UNREP ships that had to travel all the way from Sol, against ships that could jump out of the system seconds before the missiles reached them. In the alternative, she could take her assault groups into the rift to attack the alien ships, which would avoid wasting missiles, but that would expose her capital ships to a counter-attack by any ships the Rift Aliens had sitting on the far side of the rift.
After some thought, and conferring with her staff, she decided to close to 25 mkm’s, at which point they would launch a strike from the force’s DDG’s. The Absolution class DDG’s carried Archer IV missiles with a range of 30 mkm’s. They would launch a small test strike, to see if the Rift Alien ships would jump out of the system when they came under missile threat.
May 13, 2157, 1132 hours, Omicron Tucanae System
The France’s fighter group had been facing the same problem as Admiral Casella’s expeditionary fleet, in that their targets, the nine Rift Alien ships that had chased the Antares out of the system, were sitting on the jump point. If the fighters launched their missiles, they would be able to avoid the strike by jumping out. Here, though, the strike leader was relying on the experience of the France’s captain, who had served as a fighter pilot and fought several engagements against the Reapers and the Hive. With both of those alien races, if the fighters got close enough to be detected, the aliens would pursue, even if they couldn’t catch the faster fighters. Captain Zhen had ordered his fighters to approach to one million kilometers, and then, if the aliens didn’t react, to close even further. The goal was to get them to pursue the fighters and move off of the jump point. And it worked. When the fighters reached two million kilometers from the jump point the nine alien ships began to pursue.
The France’s fighters turned and ran ahead of the Rift Alien ships and salvoed their missile racks, targeting the four enemy ships equipped with heavy lasers, as they were the bigger threat to the Antares. The heavy laser ships were slightly larger than an Imperial battlecruiser at 22,905 tons, and equipped with nine heavy lasers capable of dealing heavy damage out to 341,000 kilometers. These had been christened the Espakeh heavy battle cruiser class, while the other five ships were the Caripare light cruiser class, in between battlecruiser and destroyer sized, and equipped with eight small lasers presumably for missile defense.
Thirty second after launch, the missiles slammed into their targets. Sixty-three hit their targets, fifty-one were intercepted by laser fire short of their targets, and the remainder came around to attack again.
Espakeh-001: Twelve armor hits, four decoyed
Espakeh-002: Twelve armor hits, two decoyed
Espakeh-003: Eight armor hits, four decoyed
Espakeh-004: Seventeen armor hits, four decoyed
The remaining came around and attacked again, getting only thirteen hits and losing fifty-three to point defense fire.
Espakeh-001: two armor hits
Espakeh-002: four armor hits
Espakeh-003: two armor hits
Espakeh-004: four armor hits, one decoyed
The rapidly dwindling missile swarm came around again, but only managed to get one hit while losing twenty-six more to point defense fire. That left one missile in the strike, and it got shot down before it could get close enough to attack again.
None of the targets suffered breaches in their armor, however, the strike was not a complete failure. The four ships had suffered an average of fifteen missile hits each, and as they had no shields their armor must be at least somewhat depleted. The fighters raced away from the slower alien ships to return to the France and rearm.
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May 13, 2157, 1210 hours, GJ 1128 system
The 1st Expeditionary Force has arrived at its waypoint. Admiral Casella issues the order to fire to her DDG’s, and soon thereafter twenty Archer III ASM’s were on their way, headed towards the closest pair of Rift Alien ships. Little was known about this ship class, which had been designated the Kurhah class. It was 15,231 tons, putting it in between a Terran DD and a BC, but nothing more was known. Twelve minutes later the missiles hit, scoring seven hits on the two ships, with the rest being intercepted.
The Terran fleet waited another two minutes, bit the Rift Alien ships didn’t move. At that point Admiral Casella ordered a second strike to be launched against all four ships. Seconds later eighty Archer III ASM’s were on their way. The missiles reached the closer group first, and this was the same group that was attacked by the first salvo. Nearly half of the missiles avoided point defense fire, but a quarter of those were decoyed away from the ships. The remainder hit the ships and scarred their armor, but none penetrated. The second missile strike scored thirteen hits between the two ships, all of which were absorbed by the armor. Five were decoyed and twenty-two were shot down short of their targets.
The alien ships were proving to be more difficult targets than anticipated. Admiral Casella ordered the five DDG’s to empty their missile pods, and seconds later one hundred and ten missiles were on their way towards the four Rift Alien ships.
Once again, the closer group came under attack first. One of the ships took seventeen hits, ten of which penetrated. The other took seven, none of which penetrated. The two ships of the further group took ten hits each, and both suffered penetrating hits.
The survival of the four ships left Admiral Casella in a difficult position. She could withdraw and head to the jump point to the Omicron Tucanae system and relieve the BB Antares, leaving the four ships on the rift. They were damaged, and it was possible they no longer represented a threat. Or she could advance into the rift and force a close engagement. Even taking the enemy’s superior technology into account, her fleet vastly outmatched the four ships, even if they were intact. She had no idea what was sitting on the far side of the rift, though, and for all she knew the aliens might be waiting for her to move into the rift area so that her fleet could be ambushed.
In the end she decided to launch a fighter strike against the four ships, to eliminate them before moving on to relieve the Antares. Twenty-two minutes later the forty-four strike fighters from the Allegiance of Terra and the two DN’s Andromeda and Pegasus were on station and ready to launch. Seconds later three hundred and twenty Sparrow IIb missiles were on their way towards the four alien ships. When the explosions around the four ships cleared, three were little more than debris, while the fourth had suffered eight penetrating hits.
The two strike groups reunited one point five mkm’s from the remaining alien ship, and then the four fighters with ordnance launched their missiles against that last alien ship. The thirty-two missiles destroyed the last ship, but it took twelve penetrating hits to kill it. Their job finished; the fighters returned to their bays.
With the fighters safely in their bays, the 1st Expeditionary Force set out for the jump point to Omicron Tucanae and the Antares. The five DDG’s, now out of missiles, detached from the main force and jumped out of GJ 1128, headed for Sol to rearm.
May 13, 2157, 1814 hours, Omicron Tucanae
The CV France has rearmed her fighters, and launches again as soon as they are ready. The enemy’s location is not known, as they pursued the fighters until they fell off the fighter’s sensors. The France’s squadron will head towards the jump point in the hopes of reacquiring them.
At 2330 hours the fighters are close enough to re-acquire the alien ships, which have returned to the jump point. Once again, the alien ships begin to pursue the fighters once they get close enough, and again the fighters launch against the alien ships. This time the fighters focused their fire on three of the Caripare class escorts, in the hopes of stripping their missile defense capabilities from the Rift Alien fleet. The two hundred and eight Sparrow IIb missiles reached their targets twenty seconds later, scoring twenty-one, fifteen, and sixteen armor hits on the three ships, none of which penetrated. Once again, the fighters turned back towards the carriers, leaving the alien ships to fall behind them. The aliens pursued the fighters for over an hour, until they fell off the fighter’s sensors.
May 14, 2157, 0639 hours, Omicron Tucanae
The France has reloaded her fighters, but has nearly drained her magazines to do so. Captain Zhen launches his last strike, but with orders to remain four million kilometers from the jump point as Admiral Casella’s ETA to the jump point is approximately an hour after the France’s fighters will arrive. It is Captain Zhen’s intent to have his fighters draw the aliens away from the jump point, so that Admiral Casella can get her carriers and warships into the Omicron Tucanae system without having to engage the enemy ships after jumping in.
At 1155 hours the France’s fighters pick up the nine Rift Alien ships on their sensors as they approach the jump point. The fighters approached to 11 mkm’s from the jump point, at which time the Rift Alien ships began pursuing them. Lt Commander You ordered his fighters to turn away, and the fighter group set out to lead the alien ships away from the jump point. Lt Commander You let the alien ships close to three million kilometers from the fighter group, then accelerated to match the alien ship’s speed, leading them on a course away from anything important in the system.
Almost two hours later, at 1345 hours, the 1st Expeditionary Force arrived at the jump point in the GJ 1128 system to the Omicron Tucanae system. Admiral Casella ordered her assault units through the jump point and they arrived in Omicron Tucanae to find the nine Rift Alien ships pursuing the France’s fighters, now 71 mkm’s from the jump point.
The 1st Expeditionary Force’s assault ships were content to wait on the jump point for the rest of the fleet’s carriers to join them. The alien ships continued to pursue the France’s fighters, but then, just as the fleet’s carriers jumped into the system, the aliens turned back towards the jump point. It was too late, though. Admiral Casella ordered her ships to launch every fighter they had, and soon one hundred and forty-four fighters were in space, headed towards the alien fleet. Once the fighters were away, the carriers jumped back to the GJ 1128 system and put some distance between themselves and the jump point.
At 1429 hours the three fighter groups were in position to launch. Admiral Casella had decided to launch an overwhelming strike against the alien fleet, as the range was too close to try again, or conserve missiles. In seconds, one thousand, three hundred and sixty Sparrow IIb missiles were in space, racing towards the alien ships. The Rift Alien ships all turned towards the France’s fighters after the launch, perhaps running from the bigger missile strike coming from the 1st Expeditionary Force’s fighters. The aliens soon turned back towards the larger fighter group, meaning the alpha strike from the 1st Expeditionary Force’s fighters would arrive first.
The missile wave washed over the alien force in a flurry of explosions. When the first wave’s fireballs cleared, three of the heavy cruisers and three of the light cruisers were just gone, leaving one heavy cruiser and two light cruisers to face the fury of the remaining missiles. The next attack took out the remaining heavy cruiser and one of the light cruisers, leaving a single light cruiser in the midst of fifty-nine remaining missiles. The remaining missiles took out the last light cruiser, meaning that the strike cleared the area of the remaining alien ships. The threat to the Omicron Tucanae system was decisively ended.
While the fighters returned to their carriers, messages were sent to recall the terraformers so they could begin working on the innermost planet once again.
Once the 1st Expeditionary Force’s fighters were back in their bays, Admiral Casella issued orders for the fleet to return to the GJ 1128 system and begin to advance on the jump point to the Mu Cassiopeiae system. A civilian jump gate stabilization ship had been destroyed at the jump point, and the sensor buoy watching the jump point had been destroyed. If there were any more Rift Alien ships in the system, there were likely located there.
Once the France’s fighters landed, the carrier would return to Shield Base for replenishment and overhaul, as it had expended almost all of its missiles. The Antares was left to watch the jump point to the Omicron Tucanae system, and Admiral Casella detached a DD and a DDE to join the battleship.
May 16, 2157, GJ 1128 system
The 1st Expeditionary Force assault groups have arrived at their staging point fifteen million kilometers from the jump point to the Mu Cassiopeiae system without spotting any alien ships. Once the carriers are in position, the assault groups advance and jump to the Mu Cassiopeiae system, where they find a single stabilization ship hovering off of the jump point. No Rift Alien ships have entered the system, so the fleet returns to the GJ 1128 system and heads for the rift. Before they depart, a missile cruiser launches a buoy carrier missile to station a sensor buoy near the jump point.
With the system clear of alien ships, Admiral Casella orders the Contact Force, which had advanced out of the 111 Virginis system and had been guarding the jump point to the adjacent 82 Draconis system, to detach its support ships and return to Sol for overhauls. The support ships would join the 1st Expeditionary Fleet’s support units.
May 18, 2157, GJ 1128 system
The 1st Expeditionary Force is in position 141 mkm’s from the Rift. Admiral Casella orders her missile cruisers to establish another ring of sensor buoys around the rift, to ensure complete coverage.
June 30, 2157, GJ 1128 (Rift) system, Leviathan frontier
A group of tugs drops off four missile bases over the newly established Rift Base, located on the thirteenth moon of the seventh planet, a gas giant. The base is still in the early stages, and does not have ground forces, or most of its installations yet.
July 12, 2157, GJ 1128 (Rift) system, Leviathan Frontier
Assault transports finished unloading the 5th Guard Division and 69,00 tons of STO units for planetary defense. So far, a refueling station and a munitions transfer station had been positioned at the base, and tracking stations and maintenance and R&R bases were on their way.
July 13, 2157, EQ Pegasi System, Kraken Frontier
Xeno study teams have completed their work in the ruined colony found on the innermost planet, discovering seventy-six installations that appear to be recoverable.
September 23,2 157, GJ 1128 (Rift System), Leviathan Frontier
Rift Naval Base is officially declared operational on this date. The base is located on the outer moon of the system’s seventh planet, a gas giant whose orbit will keep it near the rift for some time. The base currently consists of a naval command center, a refueling station, an ordnance transfer station, a cargo shuttle station, and thirty deep space tracking stations. The tankers and UNREP ships assigned to the 1st Expeditionary force have transferred their fuel and maintenance supplies to the base, and heavy ground defenses, including the 5th Guard Division and a large STO contingent, are present. The first group of maintenance and recreation bases are en route and will arrive in five and a half days. Finally, fourteen missile bases are in orbit over the base, with more on the way.
With the establishment of the base, the Senate officially renames the system to the Rift System.
September 29, 2157, Rift System, Leviathan Frontier
The first set of five maintenance bases and a recreation base are delivered to Rift Base. These bases aren’t enough to maintain the missile bases in orbit, much less the 1st Expeditionary Force, but it is a start. The heavy tugs that dropped off the bases immediately leave, headed back to Sol to pick up more maintenance bases.
December 29, 2157, Rift System, Leviathan Frontier
The heavy tug group delivers six more maintenance stations, increasing the Rift Base’s maintenance capacity to the point where it can maintain the nineteen missile bases currently in orbit, with a bit additional for ships. The tugs will return to the Solar system for another group of maintenance bases to enlarge the base’s capability to support additional ships.
January 20, 2158, Rift System, Leviathan Frontier
A salvage ship, working on one of the Rift alien ships destroyed within the rift, recovers a solid-core antimatter power plant, and a soft X-ray laser turret, along with assorted other standard ship’s systems and resources.
January 23, 2158
Both the Hive and the Rift ships have been difficult targets for standard Imperial missiles, so, after the recent engagements in the Rift and Omicron Tucanae system, the Navy began an R&D effort aimed at developing missiles with advanced point defense penetration capabilities. The researchers soon settled on a capability first seen in use by the Rift Aliens, laser warheads, which could attack from a standoff distance that would hopefully allow them to attack before being engaged by point defense. The result is the Assegai-LW ASM. The Assegai is the same size as an Archer IV ASM, and has similar capabilities, except the warhead of the Archer has been replaced with a laser warhead set to engage at 20,000 kilometers. Construction has started and the missile will be deployed aboard the Absolution class missile destroyers as soon as they become available.
The base in the Rift system is now fully operational. The base’s ground defenses are in place, and twelve missile bases orbit the moon. The missile bases do not have the range to engage ships in the rift, but are in place to defend the base should the Rift Aliens attempt to attack the base. The base has enough orbiting maintenance bases to support the orbiting missile bases as well as almost two hundred thousand tons of naval ships. Admiral Casella has decided to depart the system for home, as her ships are in dire need of overhauls. She detaches a battleship, two battlecruisers and three destroyers, along with the 1st Carrier Group, composed of a carrier and two strike carriers, to act as the Rift System Defense Force. These ships immediately set out for Rift Base, where they will undergo overhauls before taking up their system defense duties. The rest of the fleet sets out for Sol.
In addition to the twelve missile bases in orbit over Rift Base, seven long duration missile bases have been towed into position to engage anything coming out of the Rift. Because the rift is now thirty million kilometers across, which more or less matches the missile base’s engagement range, the missile bases will be positioned within the rift.
This is the first time the missile bases have been used in such a critical and exposed role. This, in turn, has caused the missile base program to be examined more closely, and has revealed just how critically neglected the missile base program has been. The bases were originally conceived and built decades ago when naval planners believed that the Raiders were using standard jump points to travel between systems. The bases were built to bolster Terra’s defenses, and long-duration bases were built to be stationed at jump points to interdict Raiders trying to travel between systems. When it became clear that Raiders used other methods to travel between systems, the bases were relegated to colony defense duties, and over the decades they fell behind as naval ships were kept current with successive upgrades. Before being deployed to the Rift system the bases were loaded with the latest missiles, but most of their other systems are woefully out of date. This has caused the Navy to re-examine the bases and planning for a major upgrade and expansion of the base program is underway.
The Rift Campaign is officially over.
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Note: These events occur during the same time period as the last post, but were separated out for clarity. The last event in this post occurs just before the end of the Rift Campaign.
April 10, 2157, Bobruisk Territories
A ship from the 2nd LRSS working in the Bobruisk system of 86 Cygni, jumps through a newly discovered jump point to find itself in a binary yellow/red star system. The system’s third planet, a super Jovian gas giant, is orbited by twenty-one moons, three of which have oxygen-nitrogen atmospheres. None of them are particularly Terra-like, but given the system’s proximity to the battle grounds in the 86 Cygni and HIP 84051 systems, it is certainly possible that this system contains the long-searched for Bobruisk home world. The system’s secondary star is very distant from the primary, over two trillion kilometers, and has no planets or moons with oxygen-nitrogen atmospheres. As the jump point is located almost six billion kilometers from the primary star, the survey ship immediately begins moving in-system to reach a point at which it can launch sensor probes towards the habitable planets to determine if they are populated. The system is designated as the Mu Puppis system.
April 23, 2157, Mu Puppis System, Bobruisk Territories
The first of the sensor missiles launched by the survey ship arrives over one of the habitable moons of the third planet and deploys its sensor buoy. It immediately detects over three hundred Bobruisk ships in orbit over the moon and another eighty in orbit over the planet. The moon has a thermal signature five times that of Terra. The other two probes find a small Bobruisk population on the sixth moon, and nothing on the eleventh moon.
May 22, 2157, HIP 84051 system, Bobruisk Territories
Three ships of the 2nd LR Survey Group were occupied surveying this system when their sensors alerted them that numerous small nuclear explosions had been detected at the jump point to 86 Cygni. Seconds later, the wreck of a 16,190 ton unknown ship appeared on the jump point. The HIP 84051 system was controlled by the new race the Terran ships had discovered when they jumped into the system, and the Bobruisk had had ships stationed on the far side of the jump point. It wasn’t clear if the destroyed ship was Bobruisk, the local aliens, or someone else.
May 24, 2157, 86 Cygni system, Bobruisk Territories
Units of the 2nd LR Survey Group in operating in this system pick up sixty-two strength 12 nuclear detonations on the jump point to the HP 84051 system, along with a large secondary power system explosion. This occurs just over two days after the incident in the HIP 84051 system. It is clear that the Bobruisk and the new race are engaged in a war.
June 12, 2157, Bobruisk Territories
A survey ship in the 2nd LR Survey Group jumps out of the HIP Alien controlled HIP 84051 system through a newly discovered jump point and finds itself in the Rho Camelopardalis system. The system has a red M0-V primary, orbited by three terrestrial class planets, two gas giants, and a small outer dwarf. The second planet was a colony cost 0.0 world for humans, and the other two appeared to be easily terraformed. Of extreme interest were twelve wrecks, mostly clustered around the jump point. Five wrecks were of unknown type, likely meaning they belonged to the new alien race encountered in the HIP 48051 system. These wrecks included three mammoth 89,159 ton ships, and two smaller 25,517 ton ships. In addition, there were five wrecked Bobruisk warships on the jump point, two light battleships and three cruisers. There was an additional wrecked HIP alien ship 75 mkm’s out-system from the jump point, and a wrecked Bobruisk light battleship 800 mkm’s in-system, towards the habitable planet.
The Terran survey ship immediately launched sensor drones towards all of the planets and then jumped out to inform the rest of the survey group about its find.
(https://i.imgur.com/vCTYAlw.jpg)
Known Bobruisk Military Ships
2xLDN
30xHBB
3xBB
48x LBB
4xHBC
7xLBC
19xCA,
3xCL
12xHDD
The armaments of Bobruisk ships are unknown, but assumed to be advanced as their speeds range from 5,575 to 17,314 km/s for capital ships, and speeds in excess of 18,000 km/s for the CL and DD classes. In addition to the military ships listed above, the Bobruisk are known to operate two hundred and six commercial ships of varying sizes. Finally, there are four hundred and thirty-two ships of unknown design operating within the Bobruisk territories. At the current time they have not been observed closely enough to determine if they are military or commercial ships.
Currently, a fleet scout is en route to the Bobruisk Territories to scan both Bob and HIP ships and gather useful intelligence on their military capabilities. In addition, a group of diplomatic ships is on its way to the HIP 84051 system to establish contact with the HIP aliens, and several salvage ships have been sent to begin recovering whatever we can from wrecked Bob and HIP ships.
June 16, 2157, Rho Camelopardalis system, Bobruisk Territories, suspected New Alien home system
A Terran sensor buoy is deployed over the innermost terrestrial planet, detecting a thermal signature twice as strong as the Ganymede colony, which has 527 million colonists but little industry as of yet. The innermost planet is much smaller than Terra, and has no atmosphere. No ships are detected in proximity to the planet.
The sensor buoy also detects a population on the second planet, which is the Terra-like colony cost 0.0 planet. This population has a thermal signature close to that of Terra’s, indicating it is a heavily populated and industrialized world.
Shortly after, a sensor buoy is deployed over the fourth planet, a gas giant. This buoy detects two outposts, on the fifth and six moons, and nine HIP ships orbiting the sixth moon.
Several hours later the drone assigned to the second planet deploys its sensor buoy, and when the data reaches the survey ship, its plot is littered with HIP ship contacts over the world, making it clear that it is almost certainly the HIP home world. In fact, there were over four hundred ships in orbit over the planet. The buoys deployed to the two outer planets, five and six, detected no settlements or ships.
Sometime later, as the survey ship explores the system, it discovers a mining outpost on one of the comets, and deploys a sensor buoy. Seven 956 ton HIP ships are accompanying the comet.
June 19, 2157, HIP 84051 System, Bobruisk Territories
The survey of the HIP 84051 system is complete. It contains two jump points, which see, to connect the HIP and Bob empires. The innermost planet has large deposits of seven TN resources, some at good availability levels. And, of course, dozens of wrecked starships.
June 28, 2157, Rho Camelopardalis, Bobruisk Territories
The Long-Range Survey Ship Husband was conducting a geo survey on an asteroid when its sensors began picking up explosions on or around the HIP home world. Out of the blue there were thousands of energy weapons discharges, and nearly simultaneously the survey ship’s sensors detected over a hundred HIP ships bound for their position at the asteroid, or intent on moving past it, perhaps fleeing the fighting in the inner system. Based on the number of energy weapons discharges there was clearly a major battle ongoing over the HIP home world. The captain of the Husband ordered his ship to abandon the survey and move in-system.
It was at this point that the Husband was attacked by a missile wave, seriously damaging her armor. The Husband’s captain sent out an emergency alert to the other survey ships in the system, and turned to run. Unfortunately, the Husband wasn’t fast enough to escape the groups of HIP ships closing on their position, and they certainly weren’t fast enough to escape the missile waves approaching at 86,000 km/s and 53,000 km/s. The ship wasn’t a warship, and her box launchers were filled with sensor drones.
The first wave of missiles to reach the Husband was composed of four fast missiles, and they devastated the ship. The missiles exploded short of the Husband and sent powerful laser blasts into the ship, which had already had much of its armor stripped away. The four strikes penetrated the remaining armor and destroyed much of the ship’s critical systems, including its engines. This left it a sitting duck for the next wave of missiles, which stripped away more armor and did even more internal damage. At this point the ship’s captain ordered his crew to abandon ship and sent off his last report.
There was one other survey ship in the system, the LRS McAuliffe. When it received the Husband’s distress call and warning, the ship’s captain immediately ordered his ship to head for the jump point. Their ETA was 3.3 days. Once the HIP aliens began taking out the sensor buoys the captain of the McAuliffe decided to detour out to the outer system before heading for the jump point, to try and avoid any alien warships.
June 30, 2157, 86 Cygni system, Bobruisk Territories
A survey ship in the 86 Cygni system picked up explosions at the jump point to the HIP alien-controlled HIP 84051 system, and shortly afterwards a new wreck of a small HIP alien ship appears on the jump point.
July 4, 2157, Rho Camelopardalis, Bobruisk Territories
The LRS McAuliffe is on final approach to the jump point out of the HIP aliens’ system. At a range of sixty million kilometers the survey ship’s sensors detect four corvette class HIP warships on the jump point. The captain of the McAuliffe is determined to run the gauntlet and leave the system, to get word back to the empire of the treachery of the HIP aliens. An hour later a light cruiser becomes visible on the jump point.
When the survey ship reaches 38 mkm’s from the jump point the HIP squadron leaves its station and heads for the oncoming survey ship. As the alien ships are much faster than the Terran survey ship, Captain Quinn knows that she will have little chance to make it to the jump point, and they cannot outrun their pursuers. Therefore, she issues orders for a sensor buoy to be launched. Seconds later a sensor drone races away from the ship, headed towards a point away from the jump point. Before it was launched the McAuliffe’s comm officer downloaded the ship’s logs into the databank of the buoy carried by the drone.
Two minutes later a missile salvo consisting of thirty-three missiles moving at 104,000 mkm’s appeared on the survey ship’s sensors. Just before the missiles hit, Captain Quinn ordered a final download to the buoy’s databanks. Then the missiles exploded and sent rods of coherent light spearing out, cutting through the survey ship’s armor and carving it in half.
The sensor drone was too close to the survey ship when the missiles arrived, and died in the same salvo.
July 7, 2157, HIP 84051 system, Bobruisk Territories
The LRS Smith, which was in the HIP 84051 system, on the jump point heading back towards Bobruisk territory, detected a group of four HIP ships inbound towards the jump point. The captain ordered his science officer to continue to try to establish communications with the aliens, but was otherwise unconcerned. When the HIP ships reached firing range they opened fire at the Smith, annihilating it in one salvo. The Smith had been waiting on the jump point for one of the survey ships in the HIP home system to report in.
July 20, 2157, 86 Cygni system, Bobruisk Territory
LRS-10 Resnik arrived at the jump point to HIP 84051 and found a single Bobruisk ship guarding the point. As the Resnik approached the jump point, the Bobruisk ship transmitted a short message to the Terran survey ship. This was an unusual development, from the normally standoffish Bobruisk, so Captain Jian ordered his ship to halt before they transited and waited for the message to be deciphered. They discovered it was a picture of a wrecked starship. As the survey ship’s officers examined it, they realized that it was a destroyed Terran Long Range Survey ship. The Bobruisk were warning them.
That was enough for Captain Jian. The Resnik had been preparing to jump into HIP 84051 to determine the status of the other four survey ships of the 2nd LRSS, which had all been in the HIP 84051 system, or the HIP alien’s home system. They had been overdue for check in, and now it appeared that they had been destroyed. Captain Jian was tempted to jump through anyway, to see for himself, but his ship wasn’t a warship and couldn’t take a point-blank attack. So, he did the only thing he could. First, he sent a message to the only other remaining ship from the 2nd, which was heading towards the jump point back to the Empire. The message informed them of the warning from the Bobruisk and detailed his plan to meet the 1st LRSS, which was surveying in Bobruisk territory beyond their home system and inform them of the possible destruction of the rest of the 2nd. In the meantime, the Onizuka would head back to Shield Base with their information.
It would take the Onizuka forty-three days to reach the Groombridge system and Shield Base.
July 24, 2157, Mu Puppis (Bobruisk Home system), Bobruisk territories
A survey ship from the 1st LRSS jumps out of the system through a newly discovered jump point, finding itself in the omega Lyrae system. This system has a G8-V primary, orbited by a inner terrestrial planet, a dwarf, two gas giants, and a super Jovian. None of the planets have atmospheres, but the jump point is surrounded by forty-one Bobruisk ships. While all of the ship classes are known, little is known about these classes, even whether they are military or commercial.
July 26, 2157, Mu Puppis (Bobruisk Home System), Bobruisk Territories
The survey of the Bobruisk home system is complete. In addition to a total of three jump points, the system contains a small number of resource deposits of limited interest. The only major deposit is a sorium deposit on the same super Jovian the Bobruisk home world orbits. Interestingly, the Bobruisk home world appears to have no TN resources, indicating that they must have mined it out and are dependent on out-system mining, much like the Empire. The survey ships move on to the two systems found through the newly discovered jump points, both of which have been stabilized.
August 1, 2157, Omega Lyrae System, Bobruisk Territories
The 1st LRSS Komarov, headed in-system and nine hundred and eighty million kilometers from the system, detects two Bobruisk light battleships apparently sitting in deep space.
August 24, 2157, HIP 48659 (Original Bob contact point), Bobruisk Territories
The two surviving survey ships of the 2nd LRSS jump into the HIP 48659 system and immediately send their reports to the courier waiting on the jump point back to the Empire. It will take twenty-three hours for the courier network to relay the message back to Terra.
August 25. 2157, Terra
The arrival of the news of the destruction of the bulk of the 2nd LRSS at the hands of the enemies of the Bobruisk causes consternation throughout both the admiralty and the senate, however, that is a distant problem, and for now the Empire is focused on securing the GJ 1128-Rift system. This new enemy is thirteen jumps from Terra and almost 39 billion kilometers. It can wait.
September 4, 2157, 86 Cygni System, Bobruisk Territories
Three Terran salvage ships and their six accompanying freighters jump into the 86 Cygni system. The group immediately breaks up and heads for the wrecks clustered around their entry point into the system. There are two Bob wrecks, a LBB and an LBC, and a lone 30,644 ton unknown class, probably belonging to the HIP aliens.
The salvage ships are relatively safe in this position, deep within Bob territory, and a Terran scout is located on the far side of the system watching the jump point to HIP alien territory, so there will be warning if the HIP aliens jump into the system.
This is a high priority operation, as salvaging Bob and HIP ships will give the Empire valuable insight into their technological capabilities.
December 19, 2157, Sol
The Imperial Navy puts into action Operation Tollhouse, a plan to establish a hidden base in the Bobruisk Territories. This base will eventually contain ground defenses, refueling and resupply capability, and maintenance support and R&D facilities. The plan calls for the base to be established on one of the moons of the third planet of Upsilon Puppis, which is adjacent to 86 Cygni, where salvage operations are currently underway, and two jumps from the Bob home system and the disputed system of HIP 48069.
The Navy views this as a necessary step to enable a military expedition against the HIP aliens, now officially code named the Oct’s (rather unimaginatively, as the aliens look as if they are descended from Terran octopi). The closest Oct controlled system to the solar system is HIP 48069, and it is fourteen jumps and 42 billion kilometers away from Terra. The Upsilon Puppis system does not appear to be used by the Bob’s, so if they happen to stumble across our base, they hopefully will not be too upset. It will take quite some time to ship all the necessary installations to the system, though.
December 29, 2157, 86 Cygni System, Bobruisk Territories
Three salvage ships had been working in this system for the last several months to recover everything possible from the five wrecks located in the system. These wrecks belonged to both the Bob’s and the Oct’s, and the Empire desperately needed information on their capabilities. The recovery effort was done, and the salvage ships were withdrawing from the vicinity of the jump point to HIP 86059 to rendezvous with the scout assigned to watch over them. It had been a risky move to salvage so closely to the jump point, when the Oct’s were known to launch periodic attacks, but the jump point was guarded by two Bob light battleships, so the risk had been fairly low.
The salvage ships had recovered numerous ship’s systems, including ECM systems equal to those the Empire used, various sensors, and size 8, 2.5, and 9 missile launchers. The size 9 missile launchers came from the unknown wrecks, which were presumed to be Oct warships, and interestingly they were reduced size, slow-loading designs. Additionally, one of the salvage ships stripped some data from one of the wrecks that would give Imperial R&D a leg up on fuel efficiency research.
The real prize was in the HIP 48069 system, where over eighty wrecks drifted. Unfortunately, the loss of the survey ships argued that the jump point was defended, so until the Empire could dispatch a fleet to the area there would be no way to recover those wrecks.
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December 20, 2158, 111 Virginis System, Kraken Frontier
Cargo Group 08, consisting of forty 44,000-ton freighters, had just entered the 111 Virginis system with a cargo of factories and auto-mines recovered from the ruins in the Xi Bootis system. It was fifty-six million kilometers from the jump point and headed towards the base on 111 Virginis II, which had been designated as the central collection point for the facilities and ore recovered from the ruins in the surrounding systems, when a Kraken Iku class ship jumped into the system behind it. Messages from the freighters and the buoy at the jump point were sent to the base, which immediately launched its fighters to intercept. Fortunately, the Iku class ship didn’t seem interested in pursuing the freighters, but instead set out across the system on a course towards one of the other jump points. The fighters continued their pursuit, while the freighter captains tried to regain their composure.
The fighters caught up to the Hive Fleet Kraken ship a number of hours later and promptly swatted it out of the sky with missiles from three of the fighters. The Iku class was a small ship, at just under 4,000 tons, and had never demonstrated any offensive capability, although it did mount military engines. Naval intelligence theorized that it was some sort of survey ship. In any case, it was gone, and the fighters turned back towards base.
December 23, 2158
Grand Senator Durant looked around the room with carefully concealed contempt. His fellow “movers and shakers” within the Expansionist Party, commonly and derisively referred to as the war party, were arguing as usual. And as usual, they were arguing about fine points within the party’s platform, and the purity of their philosophical positions, rather than trying to hash out an actual plan of action. Durant sighed and settled back into his chair. He knew he was part of the problem. He was the single most powerful person in the room, but he wasn’t trying to get the members to cooperate because he knew why they argued about arcane points of purity. As long as the emperor opposed their position there was little that they could do but argue amongst themselves. The Expansionist Party was the second largest party in the Imperial Senate, but the Emperor and his lackies in the Imperial Party, had been very successful at limiting their attempts to enact their agenda, or to expand their ranks. The frustration at this was why the members were arguing now. It was easier to do that than dream of actually getting anything done.
Senator Durant was working himself into a funk when the door to the retreat’s conference room opened and his aide rushed in, looking around for him. Durant waved and the aide rushed over. The room fell silent as the aide whispered into Durant’s ear, handed him a reader, and then turned and left. The color left Durant’s face as he looked at the reader. When he looked up, he saw that everyone’s eyes were on him. He stood. “Senators, we’ve been recalled to the capital. I’m afraid the Emperor has died.” There were gasps around the room as the senators looked at each other. “The palace has released a statement that the emperor passed peacefully this morning. They have called for the Senate to be convened to confirm Prince Roger as the new Emperor.” Again, the Senators looked at each other.
Durant’s mind raced as the senators began talking amongst themselves. Senate confirmation was required, but was considered little more than a rubber stamp, as the Emperor had no other heirs. However, Prince Roger was all of eight years old, and obviously would not be expected to make any decisions for a long time. A Regent would have to be appointed. Durant signaled for the others to quiet down. This was the opportunity they had been waiting for.
December 24, 2158
The palace announced the death of the Emperor and the plans to crown Prince Roger on January 1st, 2159. The Senate voted unanimously to support the coronation of Prince Roger, and issued a statement that meetings between the senate leadership and the court were underway to agree on a Regent and a Regency Council.
The Emperor is widely mourned and the mood across the Empire is somber. The Empress is beloved by most, and Prince Roger is adored, but the Emperor was the rock that the empire rested on, and with his passing most feel at least a little uncertain about the future, even though Terran might is ascendant across known space. The Emperor’s funeral is held on the 31st and Prince Roger is crowned on the first day of the new year. Empress Cordelia is named Regent, and a Regency Council consisting of Sky Marshal Ni, Governor Cicalese of Luna, and three Senators stand behind the new, young, Emperor as he is crowned. Senator Durant is among the senators standing behind the new Emperor.
January, 2159
The new Regency Council almost immediately sets a more militaristic tone for the Empire, holding out the Navy and Marines as the backbone of the Empire.
April, 2159
After years of research and development, the Cowan R&D team completed work on the solid core anti-matter drive. Drive units will now be developed for the navy and for civilian ships. The Regency Council, dominated by the war hawks, sees this as both an opportunity and a setback. They had been pushing hard to increase the fleet presence in the Bobruisk Territories, and to move into the new alien’s space, so that the numerous wrecks in the system can be salvaged, hopefully yielding advanced technology. The navy will now resist this move until their ships can be upgraded, to reduce the speed disparity between humanity’s ships and the ships of the various aliens.
June 20, 2159, Omicron Tucanae System, Leviathan Frontier
A single light raider was detected heading in system, and as a response, the CV France, orbiting the base over Omicron Tucanae I, launched her fighters to intercept. The fighters reached the target at 1501 hours and destroyed it with missiles from a single fighter. The fighters turned back to their carrier, but fifteen minutes later a second raider, this one a heavy raider, was detected in the outer system. The fighters immediately turned to intercept. When they reached active sensor range they found that it wasn’t just one raider, but a heavy raider escorted by nine raiders and four light raiders. This was the largest raider group seen in over a decade.
The fighters continued to close and launched all of their remaining missiles. The alpha strike left the heavy raider and four light raiders drifting, heavily damaged. The fighters sent a strike report and turned for home.
When the strike report arrived, instead of waiting for the fighters to arrive and rearm, Commodore Hong aboard the Star class battleship Antares, decided to take her ship out and eliminate the survivors. Thirty hours later a single salvo of heavy lasers from the Antares blew the heavy raider out of space, and then took out the light raiders one by one. Finally, the battleship chased down the fleeing light raider and took it out as well.
July, 2159, Terra
The naval yards orbiting Luna are busy as they begin retooling before refitting the fleet with the latest technology, most notably, the solid-core anti-matter drives that will push the standard Fleet speed to 9,600 km/s. The Admiralty is giddy with the improved performance, and with the new missiles designed with the new drive tech, and with the newest laser-warhead tech, that are even now being manufactured in the munitions plants of the home-world. Not everyone is as enthusiastic as the admirals, though.
Deep within the senate complex, Senator Durant looked on with irritation as Senator Singh, probably the second most powerful senator in the Expansionist Party, ranted about the Navy’s decision to upgrade its ships before undertaking the campaign against the Oct’s (the new hostile race beyond the Bobruisk). In truth, Durant was at least as irritated as Singh, but he was a good enough politician to know that indulging his irritation was counterproductive. That was the reason he was on the Regency Council, and Singh was not.
Finally, Durant held up his hand, and Singh fell silent. “Senator Singh, you are, of course, right.” Singh’s face expressed surprise, as Durant had not joined in with the Navy-bashing. Durant sighed. “They are delaying, and they are damned good at it.” Seeing the looks on his colleague’s faces, he shook his head. “No, if we try to force the issue it will just make us look weak. Too many ships are already in the yards, and their plans are too advanced. If we try to force them to launch the offensive now, we’ll just throw everything into chaos and in the end, we’ll be forced to wait anyway.” He sighed theatrically, then shook his head again. “No, we must admit, our opponents outwitted us this time.” He looked around the room, noting who looked mulish, or rebellious. “But, if we are realistic, this is an opportunity. Now we have time to reshape the navy into the force we want. To promote admirals who think like we do, and to reorganize the fleet along the lines we want. So, by the time we are in a position to launch the offensive, we will have a force that is not only technologically supreme, but is also led by the kind of admirals we want, who agree with us, instead of officers that will stab us in the back the first opportunity they get.”
Durant continued for some time, and by the time he finished talking he had them convinced. They would wait, but by waiting they would have the opportunity to achieve what they had long dreamed of. Making the Empire not on the dominant force in known space, but the only force in known space.
December 8, 2159, V1216 Sagittarii
A single light raider was detected headed towards the gas giant orbiting outside the Super Jovian orbited by V-Sag base and its attendant fuel harvesters. The base commander dispatched his interceptor group to eliminate the intruding starship. Five hours later, as the six interceptors closed to combat range of the light raider, a second, much larger, force was detected. This force consisted of two heavy raiders, two raiders, and six light raiders. Captain Davison, the base commander, ordered the interceptors to continue their attack, and issued orders for the three destroyers and twelve attack fighters orbiting the base to ready for action.
The interceptors quickly chased down the fleeing raider and destroyed it with long range fire from their lasers. They then turned towards V-Sag base, detouring around the oncoming raider fleet. The raider fleet continued to close on the location of the destroyed light raider for a short period of time, then turned back the way they came.
Almost five hours after the destruction of the light raider, the 1st DD Group, V-Sag Interceptor Group, and V-Sag Fighter Group rendezvoused just over 100 million kilometers from the raider fleet, which was sitting in space close to the position where it had been first detected. Once the defense force was reunited, it set out for the raider fleet.
The Terran warships opened fire at 310,000 kilometers with their soft x-ray lasers. The attack fighters, with their shorter ranged near UV lasers, were forced to wait. The destroyers and interceptors all targeted a single heavy raider, but the hit probability was low at long range. As the Terran squadron closed, It took three salvoes before the lasers penetrated the heavy raider’s armor. Thirty seconds later the Terran lasers carved through the heavy raider’s armor and took out one of its engines, causing it to fall behind its consorts.
Suddenly, as the Terrans continued to pound the heavy raider, the other enemy ships turned back and began racing towards the Terran squadron, closing to 150,000 kilometers before the Terran ships could turn away. The raiders scored eleven hits on one of the interceptors, while the Terran ships continued to pick away at the damaged heavy raider. Commander Platten, the CO of the DD Ganna Shvets and senior officer of the squadron, ordered her ships to shift fire to the light raiders that made up the bulk of the enemy fleet. Two salvoes sufficed to slow two of the light raiders, leaving four with the main fleet. Two more salvoes caused a third to fall behind. The next salvo caused the fourth to lag. At that point Commander Platten ordered the squadron to shift fire to the two raiders, leaving only the fighters to engage the last light raider. The following salvo killed the last light raider’s engines, as well as one of the raiders.
At this point Commander Platten ordered her squadron to divide its fire between the two raider ships that continued to pursue them, a heavy raider and a standard raider. The next salvo of laser fire knocking out the raider’s engines, leaving only the heavy raider to face the Terran ship’s fire.
It took five more salvoes at 150,000 kilometers range to kill the heavy raider, at which time the Terran fleet turned back to eliminate the cripples. One by one the Terran squadron eliminated the crippled raiders. No quarter was asked or given, and no escape pods left the doomed ships. Their mission finished the squadron turned for V-Sag Base to replenish their fuel and supplies.
December 9, 2159, Monoceri System
Report from New Wyoming Planetary Defense Command
At 1618 hours engaged a lone Light Raider approaching New Wyoming. The engagement resulted in the destruction of the raider before it could reach orbit. The enemy ship caused 6,000 civilian deaths; however, the local defense forces took no losses. Details to follow.
March 22, 2160, Rift System
A Rift ship is detected entering the Rift system, not through the Rift as expected, but through the jump point to Mu Cassiopeiae. This is a new class, with an observed speed of over 9,000 km/s. A carrier, escorted by a battlecruiser and a destroyer, are detached to intercept. Unfortunately, the new contact heads outwards, away from the pursuing squadron, which is almost 2,000 km/s slower. Eventually, though, the Rift ship came to a halt 430 mkm’s from the jump point. As the Terran squadron approached, their sensors got a better look at the Rift ship, revealing that it was 8,500 tons.
The Terran squadron came to a halt just a hair over 8- mkm’s from the Rift ship and the carrier Canada launched her fighters. The fighters raced towards the Rift ship on their attack run, and throughout the alien ship sat in the outer system, doing nothing. The fighters launched their missiles at 2 m km’s and then turned away. The sixty-four missiles obliterated the alien ship, leaving a drifting wreck behind.
Twenty-three hours later, just as the squadron turned for Rift Base, a second Rift ship appeared at the jump point, behind the squadron. The new ship was 7,400 tons, and slightly faster than the last ship, at 10,625 km/s. Captain Ni, squadron CO, ordered her squadron to intercept the Rift ship. The alien ship set out across the system, headed inwards, towards the inner planets, none of which were inhabited our exploited. As the Canada and her escorts would never be able to catch the faster Rift ship, Captain Ni ordered the carrier to launch her fighters. The fighters were soon away and pursuing the alien ship.
It took the fighters fifteen hours to run down the alien ship as it headed in-system, and they quickly destroyed it with a deluge of missiles. As the fighters returned to their carrier, Captain Ni received new orders from Rift Base. She was to take her squadron through the jump point to the Mu Cassiopeia system and probe the system for further Rift ships.
At 131 hours on the 26th, the DD Jun Hsu jumped through to the Mu Cassiopeia system. It soon jumped back to report that the far side was clear of enemy ships. Captain Ni took her squadron through the jump point to picket the far side.
August, 2160, Terra
Development work is completed on the Titan, an ultraheavy class ground vehicle. Unlike other Terran war-machines, the Titan is a walker, with a rectangular war-hull low-slung on six legs that allow it to traverse almost any terrain. The Titan’s main turret is equipped with two super-heavy anti-vehicle lasers, and has two smaller turrets each equipped with a heavy auto-laser to deal with smaller enemies. The Titan weighs in at 520 tons, 60% more massive than a continental siege unit.
November 1, 2160, 111 Virginis System, Kraken Frontier
An Iku class Kraken ship jumps into the 111 Virginis system from 103 Ceti and is immediately detected by a sensor buoy, which sends a warning out. Virginis Base dispatches the CV China’s fighters to deal with the Kraken scout/survey ship. The fighters streak away from the orbital anchorage as the Kraken survey ship begins to head across the system, likely towards the jump point to the 63 Hydrae system on the far side. Fortunately, this puts it on a near intercept course with the fighters coming out of the inner system. When the Kraken ship reached the fighter’s active sensor range it suddenly turned and headed away from the fighters, which were faster and so continued to overhaul it. At 2110 hours the fighters reached attack range and a single fighter launched its eight Sparrow IIb missiles at the Iku. It took all eight missiles, but in the end the Kraken ship succumbed to the attack, leaving nothing substantial behind. The fighters turned for home.
January 15, 2162, Lalande 21185 system
A light raider is detected in the outer system. The Terra Nova Interceptor Group is dispatched to eliminate the threat.
There is a sigh of relief in the naval HQ on Terra Nova when the interceptor’s sensors confirm that the contact is indeed a lone light raider, however, that relief turns to consternation when a new contact composed of three raiders and six light raiders appears 138 mkm’s behind the first. The BC Terra, fresh out of refit in the yards orbiting Luna, is dispatched to back the interceptors up, leaving a destroyer group behind to guard Terra’s most important colony.
The Interceptors begin firing at the fleeing light raider at 300,000 kilometers, and continue pounding it as they close. They get several hits at long range, but as they close their accuracy increases. The light raider returns fire at 155,000 kilometers, scoring a hit on the lead interceptor’s armor, but the Terrans just continue pouring fire into the raider. The light raider manages to get off a second salvo, scoring the interceptor’s armor, before the Terrans pound it into scrap. The interceptors set their course for the fleeing raider fleet, with the Terran battlecruiser coming up behind.
At 1958 hours on the 15th, the battlecruiser Terra rendezvoused with the interceptor group, and the combined force began closing on the raider fleet. The Terran ships opened fire at 250,000 kilometers, scoring a single hit. The Terran force ran ahead of the raider group, maintaining the range at 200,000 kilometers, out of range of the raider’s weapons. After three salvos the leading medium raider began falling behind, and the Terran ships shifted to targeting a second medium raider. After five salvoes that raider was falling behind, and the Terrans shifted fire to the last medium raider. Two salvoes were enough to savage that ship, as several of the battlecruiser’s heavy lasers carved massive holes in the raider’s thin armor.
Now it was the light raiders turn. Once by one the Terran ships picked them off, crippling or destroying them from beyond the range at which they could respond. Once the last intact raider was destroyed, the Terran squadron came about and closed on the cripples, which they mercilessly destroyed. The action was over in less than five minutes, after which the Terran ships returned to base to refuel and resupply.
January 24, 2162, Alpha Centauri
The Alpha Centauri system held little interest for the Empire, except in that it was located along the route from Terra to the Groombridge system, which harbored a naval base and several mining installations. A base with refueling and maintenance facilities had been established in the system to protect the civilian shipping moving back and forth, and the Imperial freighters bound for Groombridge to pick up the mined resources, or returning with those resources. At 0521 hours a light raider appeared in the outer system, and the commander of the base dispatched his interceptors to deal with the threat.
The contact proved to be a single light raider, and the interceptors opened fire at 1111 hours. It took ninety seconds to batter the raider into rubble, after which the interceptors turned for home.
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March 1, 2163, Rift System, 2nd Rift Incursion
Imperial Rift System Defense Forces
Stationed within the Rift: 7x10,000 ton Long Duration Missile Bases
Stationed at Rift Base (Moon 7, Planet VII)
Rift System Defense Squadron: 1xCV, 2xCVS, 2xBC, 3xDD, 48xStrike Fighters, 4xScout Fighters
Rift Base Orbital Missile Bases: 6xAggressor class Missile Bases, 6xSeige Class Missile Bases
Rift Base Orbital Fighter Bases: 5xAdamant class 17,943 ton fighter bases, 65 Eagle Strike Fighters, 5 Aegis scout fighters
Rift Base Ground Defenses: 5th Guard Division (132,242 tons), 69,000 tons of STO units
The deployment of forces in the Rift system has been controversial, with factions in both the navy and the senate pushing for deployments to the surrounding systems instead of within the Rift system itself, to quarantine the Rift system. While dispersing forces to the surrounding system would not normally be considered, as each force would be weaker than a consolidated force in the Rift system, the unknown nature of the threat from the Rifters made such a deployment at least somewhat attractive. After some delay, though, the Emperor resolved the impasse by issuing an Imperial decree ordering the establishment of a base in the Rift system.
The selection of the base site then became a point of contention, but, as the Empire’s attention began shifting to the Bobruisk and their hostile neighbors the Oct’s, interest in the Rift system began declining. This is where Captain Thornton Black came into the picture. Captain Black was an ambitious young officer with highly placed and powerful patrons in both the admiralty and the senate. He had begun his career as a pilot of a Forward class FAC, and moved on from there to be a science officer on a long-range survey ship, after which he rose to command another survey ship. After several successful survey voyages, he was ready to make a move that would ensure his admiral’s stars and a bright future in the navy. Even as the planners were arguing about what shape the deployment to the Rift system would take, and the size of the deployment, the Imperial government’s interest in the Rift system was declining. Captain Black and his supporters saw this as the perfect time to seize an opportunity, and Captain Black stepped forward with a plan, cutting through the arguing bureaus and contending officers. Perhaps with a sense of relief, his plan was rapidly approved with minimal oversight, and the transfer of forces to the Rift system began. Captain Black was promoted to Commodore and given command of the new naval district, and oversaw its initial deployment and dispositions. Unfortunately, as would eventually become clear, Commodore Black was an idiot. His patrons had consistently covered up negative performance reviews, and no one senior to him knew that his peers considered him to be an arrogant, resentful, egomaniac with no real experience and at best an academic’s understanding of naval strategy and tactics.
Commodore Black decided to locate the main base for the Rift system forces on a moon of the seventh planet. The seventh planet was the primary star’s outermost planet, and had an orbit that most closely approached the Rift. At the time the base was being established, the planet was quite close to the rift, and would allow any forces stationed there to respond quickly to any incursion. However, for most of its orbit the seventh planet would be quite far from the Rift, and for at least half of the orbit it would be farther from the rift than any other body in the system. This fact was pointed out to Commodore Black, repeatedly, but he was intolerant of criticism and once he had chosen the location, he refused to change his mind. Thus, the base was established on a moon of the outer gas giant.
With the base location decided, Commodore Black then began establishing the deployment of forces for the system. By this time, the base, and its anchoring gas giant, had moved fairly far from the Rift, meaning that the system defense force now had an inconveniently long response time to an incursion. Not being willing to admit to a mistake, Commodore Black developed a plan. He requested the deployment of all existing long-duration missile bases to bolster his defenses. These bases had been developed in the early days of interstellar expansion, when it had been thought that the Raiders were transiting standard jump points, and had been designed with ten-year deployment schedules as jump point interdiction units. Once it was clear the Raiders had their own interstellar transit system and were not using jump points, the bases had been left with no reason for their existence. Even so they had been modernized and had been deployed to bolster the defensive strength of colonies and forward bases. Now, Commodore Black asked for them and all six were transferred to his command. He ordered them deployed to the Rift, to act as an immediate deterrent to Rifter incursions, giving the system defense fleet time to move to the Rift.
This deployment scheme found little favor with the officers of the system defense force, and even less with the officers of the long-duration bases. The original commander of the base squadron protested the deployment as reckless and foolish, but was overruled by Commodore Black, and then, when she protested to fleet command in the solar system, she was relieved of her command by Black’s patrons in the admiralty. Commander Gang, the former second in command of the base squadron, considered resigning to highlight the idiocy of Commodore Black’s deployments, but in the end decided to stay with his people and do the best he could to protect them. And so, when Rifter ships began appearing in the Rift, Rift Base and its attendant gas giant, were, of course, on the far side of the system, and the Rift Defense Fleet was over a billion kilometers away, leaving the six long-duration bases on their own within the Rift.
At 0538 hours on the 1st, three groups of Rift ships arrived within the rift, forming a triangle with its points close to the outer edge of the rift. Two of the groups consisted of two ships each, and matched the designs seen in the last incursion. These units had remained immobile, were equipped with short-ranged weaponry, and were presumed to be some sort of base. The main group of twelve ships appeared closer to the Terran missile bases stationed in the rift than the other groups, but immediately set a course away from the bases. The main group consisted of four heavy cruisers, five light cruisers, and three light destroyers.
The commander of the missile base group, Commander Gang, ordered his crews to combat stations and to begin preparations for immediate launch on the main group. Seconds later power failed on all seven long duration missile bases, leaving them drifting and helpless.
The Rift system’s main fleet base orbited the outer moon of the seventh planet, which was currently just over one billion kilometers distant. The contact message from the buoys at the Rift arrived fifty-five minutes after the arrival of the Rifter ships, and it took nearly another hour to organize the response. The fighter bases orbiting the moon launched their fighters, which joined the Rift Defense Fleet’s fighters, and they set out to intercept the main Rifter fleet. That put one hundred and fifteen fighters in space, racing towards the main Rifter group.
Back at the Rift, Commander Gang’s crews finally restored power to the seven bases. The chief engineers all agreed that the missile bases had been sabotaged by unknown software resident in the power system control computers. With their system’s back up they were finally able to engage the enemy, however, the main fleet had moved beyond their range. The four Rifter medium bases deployed to the edges of the rift were within their range, but were known to be equipped with short range weapons, meaning they were no threat and could be ignored for now. Commander Gang decided to remain on alert against further incursions. Besides, he had teams frantically inspecting the missiles in the base’s magazines. Given the sabotage to the base’s power systems, he had no desire to launch nuclear-tipped missiles until they could be inspected.
The Rifter fleet moved to a point just past 120 mkm’s from the bases in the Rift, then split. The bulk of the fleet headed back towards the rift, and the bases stationed there, while the light destroyers split up and headed across the system. One of the destroyers was headed towards the inner system, while the other two were headed in the direction of the jump point to the Omicron Tucanae system. The fighters speeding away from Rift Base split, with each group intercepting a light destroyer, while on the missile bases stationed in the Rift, Commander Gang told his inspection crews to hurry, as they would have to engage the Rift main fleet before it could reach firing range of the bases.
One hour and forty-five minutes later the Rifter fleet entered extreme range for the Archer IV ASM’s in the bases’ launchers. Commander Gang waited to fire until the Rifter ships reached 20 mkm’s, then launched every missile in his arsenal. Three hundred and fifty big ASM’s raced away from the bases at 35,000 km/s. The Archer IV was the Fleet’s last-generation long range ship-killer. The Archer V had recently gone into production, and was faster and had a longer range, but none were available in the Rift system. The Archer IV was still a potent ASM though. The IV still had the Empire’s best ECCM and active terminal guidance, two decoys, and a heavy warhead. The strike was devastating. When the explosions cleared, three of the Rifter heavy cruisers and three light cruisers were simply gone, wiped from space. Two CL’s appeared to be untouched, and the remaining heavy cruiser had been heavily damaged and were drifting. It was a stunning validation of the Archer IV ASM and the missile base concept. Except for the two remaining mobile CL’s, and the fact that the bases had expended their entire missile supply in the massive alpha strike, leaving them with only short-ranged AMM’s to defend themselves. And worse, the base’s magazines weren’t stocked with a full load of AMM’s due to an oversight at the time of deployment.
Commander Gang and his crews watched, wondering whether the light cruisers were going to continue their charge, but they left the crippled heavy cruiser and set out on a tangent towards the outer system. Five minutes later, though, they turned and headed inwards towards the bases. Eight minutes later they were seven million kilometers from the bases, which opened fire with their anti-missiles. Each salvo contained seventy AMM’s, and they sped away from the bases at 102,400 km/s.
For a while the light cruisers played cat-and-mouse with the AAM salvoes, but in the end the bases, which did not have full stocks of the AMM’s in the first place, ran out before inflicting serious damage on the two remaining Rifter warships. Once the bases ran out of defensive missiles, the Rifter warships closed and began firing at the bases at 150,000 kilometers range. At that point Commander Gang ordered his crews to abandon ship. Life pods began racing away from the doomed bases, and once they were all away the bases self-destructed.
The Rifter ships, in an act disturbingly reminiscent of the Raiders, destroyed the life pods before moving away, eventually appearing on the sensors of a nearby sensor drone, apparently waiting for something within the Rift. After several hours of loitering, they set out away from the oncoming fighters, towards the jump point to 82 Draconis. One of the fighter groups diverted to chase the CL’s, having lost its light destroyer target, while the other fighter group continued chasing the two light destroyers headed towards the Omicron Tucanae jump point.
At 2236 hours on the 1st, the heavy cruiser crippled by the missile bases repaired at least one of its engines and began moving slowly away from the Rift, following the light cruisers towards the jump point to 82 Draconis.
By 0218 hours on the 2nd, the fighters from the Rift System Fleet had managed to close to 80 mkm’s from the two light destroyers they had been pursuing, finally picking them up on their own sensors and verifying their position and status. The two LDD’s were hovering around the jump point to the Omicron Tucanae system, moving on and off of the jump point. The Omicron Tucanae defense force had been warned via the ICN to expect visitors, so if the LDD’s jumped away they would be the problem of that system’s forces, but for now the Rifters seemed content to hover around the jump point.
Several minutes later, though, one of the two LDD’s jumped into Omicron Tucanae, leaving the other LDD in the Rift System. The Rift Defense Force fighters diverted towards the remaining LDD, which was moving away from the jump point. Twenty minutes later the LDD jumped back into the Rift system. The fighters continued on towards the LDD further from the jump point.
At 0428 hours the fighters reached optimum missile range of their targeted LDD and launched eighty Sparrow IIb light ASM’s. The missiles completely overwhelmed the LDD and left only scattered wreckage floating in space. The fighters then turned towards the second LDD, which was now 60 mkm’s away and headed in the general direction of the Rift base’s location. Just over an hour later the fighters were in position and launched a salvo of sixty-four Sparrow IIb light ASM’s at the fleeing LDD. The result was the same, the LDD was left a drifting wreck. Their targets destroyed, the fighter group turned towards the Rift, and the four Rifter bases located there.
At 1349 hours the fighter group from the Rift System Defense Force arrived at its waypoint, one point five million kilometers from the two Rifter bases located to one side of the Rift. The bases had proved to be tough to kill, so the group commander split her remaining missiles between the two, emptying the fighter group’s racks. Two hundred and forty light ASM’s raced away from the fighters towards the two waiting bases. The results were less than satisfying. Forty-four missiles were intercepted by energy weapons fire, and one hundred and twenty-three were decoyed. One of the bases suffered eleven penetrating hits, the other none. The fighters turned towards their carriers, which were now approaching the Rift with the rest of the Rift Defense Force.
While the fleet’s fighters had been tangling with the LDD’s and the bases, the fighters launched from the fighter bases orbiting Rift Base had been chasing down the two CL’s headed towards the jump point to 82 Draconis. It had been a long stern chase, and from the first it was clear that the fighters wouldn’t be able to catch the CL’s before they reached the jump point. Indeed, they were still 71 mkm’s from the jump point when the CL’s reach their target. Both CL’s immediately jumped out to the 82 Draconis system. The 82 Draconis system is a planet-less system located on the edge of the Kraken Frontier, two jumps from the 111 Virginis system. There is no Terran presence in the system aside from sensor buoys located near the jump points.
At 0108 hours on the 3rd the System Defense Fleet, having rescued the few life pods that had somehow escaped destruction and rearmed its fighters, launched its fighter group with orders to destroy the intact pair of bases on the far side of the Rift. At 0211 hours the fighters launched three hundred and eighty-four missiles at the two bases. It took forty seconds for the missiles to reach their targets. Fifty-seven were stopped by energy weapons fire, two hundred and six were decoyed, and the remainder caused thirty-six penetrating hits between the two bases. The fighters turned back towards their carriers. The fighters landed and were rapidly rearmed, but Captain Kitzmiller, the CO of the defense force, decided against launching another strike as his carriers were low on missiles at this point, and at least three of the four bases had suffered significant internal damage. The defense fleet retreated from the Rift at this point, but only to a ten million kilometer standoff distance.
At this point the Rift forces in-system consisted of the four bases, three of which had suffered internal damage, and a damaged CA and undamaged LDD headed towards the jump point to 82 Draconis. Two Rifter CL’s were known to have jumped out to 82 Draconis. The fighters from the defense fleet had landed on their carriers, and the fighters from Rift Base were stationed at the jump point to 82 Draconis. Captain Kitzmiller, who had taken some time to take stock of the situation, ordered the base fighter group to intercept the LDD and CA that were headed towards the jump point to 82 Draconis, and then to return to base, unless the CL’s returned from 82 Eridani. That done, he ordered Captain Lynd to take her battlecruiser group into the rift, accompanied by their destroyer group, and eliminate the damaged bases. Captain Kitzmiller’s carriers would remain outside the rift, on overwatch.
The two battlecruisers and three destroyers of the Rift Strike Force opened fire at 0511 hours on the 3rd, at 346,000 kilometers. All five ships targeted one of the bases, The destroyers scored several minor hits before one of the Mercury’s 30cm lasers carved deeply into the already damaged base, causing a secondary explosion that destroyed it. The Terran ships shifted fire to the second base and began scoring hits, but this base was in better shape. The Terran ships pounded the base until they reached 200,000 kilometers, at which point the BC’s 30cm lasers recharged and carved the base into three separate chunks. Their mission here finished, the Strike Group turned for the second pair of bases, located on the far side of the rift.
At 0637 hours the Strike Group was within range of its lasers and opened fire on one of the pair of bases, scoring several hits with the group’s smaller 15cm lasers. The Strike Group came to a halt 150,000 kilometers from the bases and continued to pour fire into the immobile units, which did not return fire. Whether they possessed weapons that couldn’t reach that far, or had been too damaged by the missile attack to engage was unknown. At any rate it took five more salvoes before the targeted base blew up, at which time the group shifted fire to the last remaining base. It took five salvoes to pound this base into scattered debris, after which the group turned to leave the rift and rejoin the carrier group.
At 1235 hours, the LDD, which had dropped off everyone’s sensors, reappeared on the active sensors of the returning fighter group, which immediately went into pursuit. The Rifter LDD turned and ran, but was much slower and had no chance of getting away. Eighty minutes later the fighters had reached optimum firing range and launched 80 Sparrow IIb light ASM’s. The LDD was completely overwhelmed by the missile strike and left drifting, powerless, as the fighters continued on towards the last Rifter heavy cruiser.
At 2151 hours the base fighters had finally chased down the last Rift ship in the system, a damaged heavy cruiser. The fighter group launched a salvo of forty light ASM’s at the CA. The missiles were more than enough to destroy the last Rifter ship, after which the fighters headed for their home base. The incursion was over.
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Imperial Terran Fleet, as of 2164, at the start of the War with the Octs
The retribution campaign against the Octs was delayed to accommodate the fleet’s refit to solid core anti-matter drive technology. Oct warships were known to boast speeds of 14,000 km/s to 26,000 km/s, so even with the refits the new fleet standard speed of 9,600 km/s was still too slow to match most Oct warships. Studies were done on the feasibility of equipping Imperial warships with over-powered engine designs, but to achieve speeds matching most Oct warships, the engines would have to double their power output over the current naval standard, drastically decreasing the ship’s fuel efficiency – see the proposed design for a fast Star class Battleship below. As this option was determined to be infeasible, the new fleet speed was confirmed to be 9,600 km/s, and perforce the primary striking wing of the fleet would continue to be the fleet’s fighters.
In addition to the new engines, the fleet’s designs were upgraded with several other technologies, including the latest weapons upgrade to full X-Ray lasers. As part of this refit the old plasma carronades were removed from fleet-wide use, as the carronade technology had not kept up with lasers and the space was better allocated to additional laser armaments. Unfortunately, the new Xi class shield generator tech was not available for inclusion into these designs, as it was not developed until the refits were almost completed.
Designs
This class is a proposed design for the Empire’s latest and greatest capital ship. One of the Navy’s yards in orbit over Luna is being upgraded to handle the massive size of this design, and construction will begin as soon as the yard is ready.
The navy does not yet have a jump drive large enough to handle a 160,000 ton ship, so this class will be limited to using the jump gate network until a new class of jump drives can be designed and developed, at which time a command class SD equipped with a jump drive will be designed.
Terrible class Superdreadnought 160,000 tons 4,602 Crew 59,027.1 BP TCS 3,200 TH 30,720 EM 140,400
9600 km/s Armour 15-262 Shields 4680-650 HTK 1057 Sensors 108/108/0/0 DCR 257-16 PPV 527.8
Maint Life 3.14 Years MSP 54,646 AFR 864% IFR 12.0% 1YR 8,320 5YR 124,799 Max Repair 2,560 MSP
Troop Capacity 1,500 tons Tractor Beam
Captain Control Rating 5 BRG AUX ENG CIC FLG
Intended Deployment Time: 20 months Morale Check Required
DN Solid Core AM Drive (6) Power 30720 Fuel Use 7.50% Signature 5120 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 9,210,900 Litres Range 138.2 billion km (166 days at full power)
Capital Xi Shield Generator (18) Recharge Time 650 seconds (7.2 per second)
52.50cm Spinal X-Ray Laser (1) Range 384,000km TS: 9,600 km/s Power 72-9 RM 70,000 km ROF 40
35.0cm X-Ray Laser (15) Range 384,000km TS: 9,600 km/s Power 32-8 RM 70,000 km ROF 20
20cm X-Ray Laser (25) Range 384,000km TS: 9,600 km/s Power 10-10 RM 70,000 km ROF 5
Twin 10cm SXRL Turret Mk II (20x2) Range 180,000km TS: 32000 km/s Power 6-6 RM 60,000 km ROF 5
CIWS-320 (10x8) Range 1000 km TS: 32,000 km/s ROF 5
Turret Fire Control Mk IV (10) Max Range: 192,000 km TS: 32,000 km/s ECCM-3 95 90 84 79 74 69 64 58 53 48
Main Battery Fire Control Mk IV (14) Max Range: 384,000 km TS: 8,000 km/s ECCM-3 97 95 92 90 87 84 82 79 77 74
Capital Solid-core AM Reactor (6) Total Power Output 614.4 Exp 5%
AM Active Search Sensor Mk IV (1) GPS 240 Range 37.1m km MCR 3.3m km Resolution 1
Scout Anti-Clk Search Sensor Mk II (1) GPS 15120 Range 167.2m km Resolution 14
Capital EM Sensor Mk II (1) Sensitivity 108 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 82.2m km
Capital Thermal Sensor Mk II (1) Sensitivity 108 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 82.2m km
Electronic Warfare Jammers: Sensor 5 Fire Control 5 Missile 5
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Warship for auto-assignment purposes
All three units of this class are being deployed to the front line with the Expeditionary Force. This is the Navy’s largest and toughest ship, designed to jump into a combat environment and survive long enough to open the way for the Navy’s carriers to enter a contested system and launch their fighters.
Galaxy Flt II class Dreadnought 80,000 tons 2,003 Crew 23,031.5 BP TCS 1,600 TH 15,360 EM 34,800
9600 km/s JR 6-750 Armour 9-165 Shields 1160-400 HTK 460 Sensors 108/108/0/0 DCR 91-11 PPV 200.34
Maint Life 1.82 Years MSP 16,865 AFR 716% IFR 9.9% 1YR 6,397 5YR 95,953 Max Repair 2,560 MSP
Hangar Deck Capacity 4,000 tons Troop Capacity 1,200 tons Magazine 900 / 0
Commodore Control Rating 5 BRG AUX ENG CIC FLG
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months Flight Crew Berths 80 Morale Check Required
J80000(6-750) Military Jump Drive Mk III Max Ship Size 80000 tons Distance 750k km Squadron Size 6
DN Solid Core AM Drive (3) Power 15360 Fuel Use 7.50% Signature 5120 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 5,419,900 Litres Range 162.6 billion km (196 days at full power)
Lg Theta Shield Generator (29) Recharge Time 400 seconds (2.9 per second)
52.50cm Spinal X-Ray Laser (1) Range 384,000km TS: 9,600 km/s Power 72-9 RM 70,000 km ROF 40
35.0cm X-Ray Laser (8) Range 384,000km TS: 9,600 km/s Power 32-8 RM 70,000 km ROF 20
15.0cm X-Ray Laser (8) Range 384,000km TS: 9,600 km/s Power 6-6 RM 70,000 km ROF 5
Twin 10cm SXRL Turret Mk II (2x2) Range 180,000km TS: 32000 km/s Power 6-6 RM 60,000 km ROF 5
Twin Gauss Cannon Mk II Turret (2x8) Range 40,000km TS: 25000 km/s Power 0-0 RM 40,000 km ROF 5
Turret Fire Control Mk IV (1) Max Range: 192,000 km TS: 32,000 km/s ECCM-3 95 90 84 79 74 69 64 58 53 48
Main Battery Fire Control Mk IV (4) Max Range: 384,000 km TS: 8,000 km/s ECCM-3 97 95 92 90 87 84 82 79 77 74
Capital Solid-core AM Reactor (3) Total Power Output 307.2 Exp 5%
Sparrow III ASM (300) Speed: 52,800 km/s End: 1.4m Range: 4.4m km WH: 8 Size: 3 TH: 246/147/73
AM Active Search Sensor Mk IV (1) GPS 240 Range 37.1m km MCR 3.3m km Resolution 1
Standard Active Search Sensor Mk III (1) GPS 2688 Range 79.9m km Resolution 14
Capital Thermal Sensor Mk II (1) Sensitivity 108 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 82.2m km
Capital EM Sensor Mk II (1) Sensitivity 108 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 82.2m km
Electronic Warfare Jammers: Sensor 4 Fire Control 5 Missile 4
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
This design is classed as a Warship for auto-assignment purposes
As with the dreadnoughts, all three of the Navy’s heavy carriers are being deployed forward in the Expeditionary Force.
Allegiance of Terra Flt II class Heavy Carrier 80,000 tons 1,633 Crew 18,878.8 BP TCS 1,600 TH 15,360 EM 19,200
9600 km/s JR 6-750 Armour 6-165 Shields 640-400 HTK 399 Sensors 108/108/0/0 DCR 78-9 PPV 85.76
Maint Life 1.34 Years MSP 12,701 AFR 868% IFR 12.1% 1YR 7,555 5YR 113,332 Max Repair 2,560 MSP
Hangar Deck Capacity 16,000 tons Troop Capacity 1,200 tons Magazine 1,800 / 0
Commodore Control Rating 5 BRG AUX ENG CIC FLG
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months Flight Crew Berths 320 Morale Check Required
J80000(6-750) Military Jump Drive Mk III Max Ship Size 80000 tons Distance 750k km Squadron Size 6
DN Solid Core AM Drive (3) Power 15360 Fuel Use 7.50% Signature 5120 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 5,497,200 Litres Range 164.9 billion km (198 days at full power)
Lg Theta Shield Generator (16) Recharge Time 400 seconds (1.6 per second)
52.50cm Spinal X-Ray Laser (1) Range 384,000km TS: 9,600 km/s Power 72-9 RM 70,000 km ROF 40
35.0cm X-Ray Laser (3) Range 384,000km TS: 9,600 km/s Power 32-8 RM 70,000 km ROF 20
Twin Gauss Cannon Mk II Turret (2x8) Range 40,000km TS: 25000 km/s Power 0-0 RM 40,000 km ROF 5
Turret Fire Control Mk IV (1) Max Range: 192,000 km TS: 32,000 km/s ECCM-3 95 90 84 79 74 69 64 58 53 48
Main Battery Fire Control Mk IV (2) Max Range: 384,000 km TS: 8,000 km/s ECCM-3 97 95 92 90 87 84 82 79 77 74
Solid-core AM Reactor (3) Total Power Output 38.4 Exp 5%
Sparrow III ASM (600) Speed: 52,800 km/s End: 1.4m Range: 4.4m km WH: 8 Size: 3 TH: 246/147/73
AM Active Search Sensor Mk IV (1) GPS 240 Range 37.1m km MCR 3.3m km Resolution 1
Standard Active Search Sensor Mk III (1) GPS 2688 Range 79.9m km Resolution 14
Capital Thermal Sensor Mk II (1) Sensitivity 108 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 82.2m km
Capital EM Sensor Mk II (1) Sensitivity 108 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 82.2m km
Electronic Warfare Jammers: Sensor 4 Fire Control 4 Missile 4
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
This design is classed as a Carrier for auto-assignment purposes
The Navy’s battleships have been dispersed across the Empire for system defense duties, or held in the Sol system as a reserve. None have been transferred to the Expeditionary Force.
Star(C) Flight II class Battleship 40,000 tons 973 Crew 12,038.6 BP TCS 800 TH 7,680 EM 19,200
9600 km/s JR 6-750 Armour 8-104 Shields 640-400 HTK 226 Sensors 18/18/0/0 DCR 64-16 PPV 84.58
Maint Life 1.76 Years MSP 6,202 AFR 512% IFR 7.1% 1YR 2,459 5YR 36,886 Max Repair 1,280 MSP
Troop Capacity 800 tons
Commodore Control Rating 5 BRG AUX ENG CIC FLG
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months Morale Check Required
J40000(6-750) Military Jump Drive Mk III Max Ship Size 40000 tons Distance 750k km Squadron Size 6
BB Solid Core AM Drive (3) Power 7680 Fuel Use 10.61% Signature 2560 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 5,215,300 Litres Range 221.3 billion km (266 days at full power)
Lg Theta Shield Generator (16) Recharge Time 400 seconds (1.6 per second)
52.50cm Spinal X-Ray Laser (1) Range 384,000km TS: 9,600 km/s Power 72-9 RM 70,000 km ROF 40
35.0cm X-Ray Laser (3) Range 384,000km TS: 9,600 km/s Power 32-8 RM 70,000 km ROF 20
15.0cm X-Ray Laser (3) Range 384,000km TS: 9,600 km/s Power 6-6 RM 70,000 km ROF 5
Twin 10cm SXRL Turret Mk II (2x2) Range 180,000km TS: 32000 km/s Power 6-6 RM 60,000 km ROF 5
Main Battery Fire Control Mk IV (2) Max Range: 384,000 km TS: 8,000 km/s ECCM-3 97 95 92 90 87 84 82 79 77 74
Turret Fire Control Mk IV (1) Max Range: 192,000 km TS: 32,000 km/s ECCM-3 95 90 84 79 74 69 64 58 53 48
Capital Solid-core AM Reactor (2) Total Power Output 204.8 Exp 5%
AM Active Search Sensor Mk IV (1) GPS 240 Range 37.1m km MCR 3.3m km Resolution 1
Standard Active Search Sensor Mk III (1) GPS 2688 Range 79.9m km Resolution 14
Basic Thermal Sensor Mk VI (1) Sensitivity 18 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 33.5m km
EM Sensor Mk VI (1) Sensitivity 18 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 33.5m km
Electronic Warfare Jammers: Sensor 4 Fire Control 5 Missile 4
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Warship for auto-assignment purposes
This class is a proposed design using over-powered engines capable of matching most Oct warship speeds. However, to achieve a speed of 19,200 km/s, the engine’s fuel efficiency has been greatly compromised. A standard Star class battleship has a fuel range of 214.5 billion kilometers, while the proposed fast design’s range is reduced to a mere 38 billion kilometers. Given the ranges the fleet would be operating at, and the fleet’s refueling capability, this limitation was viewed as undesirable.
Star Flight II -proposal class Battleship 40,000 tons 1,227 Crew 16,527.9 BP TCS 800 TH 15,360 EM 18,000
19200 km/s Armour 9-104 Shields 600-400 HTK 230 Sensors 18/18/0/0 DCR 44-11 PPV 115.58
Maint Life 1.31 Years MSP 7,697 AFR 533% IFR 7.4% 1YR 4,727 5YR 70,904 Max Repair 2,560 MSP
Troop Capacity 800 tons
Commodore Control Rating 4 BRG AUX ENG CIC
Intended Deployment Time: 6 months Morale Check Required
Fast Solid Core AM Drive Test (3) Power 15360 Fuel Use 60.0% Signature 5120 Explosion 20%
Fuel Capacity 5,086,300 Litres Range 38.1 billion km (22 days at full power)
Lg Theta Shield Generator (15) Recharge Time 400 seconds (1.5 per second)
52.50cm Spinal X-Ray Laser (1) Range 384,000km TS: 19,200 km/s Power 72-9 RM 70,000 km ROF 40
35.0cm X-Ray Laser (4) Range 384,000km TS: 19,200 km/s Power 32-8 RM 70,000 km ROF 20
15.0cm X-Ray Laser (7) Range 384,000km TS: 19,200 km/s Power 6-6 RM 70,000 km ROF 5
Twin 10cm SXRL Turret Mk II (2x2) Range 180,000km TS: 32000 km/s Power 6-6 RM 60,000 km ROF 5
Turret Fire Control Mk IV (1) Max Range: 192,000 km TS: 32,000 km/s ECCM-3 95 90 84 79 74 69 64 58 53 48
Main Battery Fire Control Mk IV (3) Max Range: 384,000 km TS: 8,000 km/s ECCM-3 97 95 92 90 87 84 82 79 77 74
Capital Solid-core AM Reactor (3) Total Power Output 307.2 Exp 5%
AM Active Search Sensor Mk IV (1) GPS 240 Range 37.1m km MCR 3.3m km Resolution 1
Standard Active Search Sensor Mk III (1) GPS 2688 Range 79.9m km Resolution 14
Basic Thermal Sensor Mk VI (1) Sensitivity 18 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 33.5m km
EM Sensor Mk VI (1) Sensitivity 18 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 33.5m km
Electronic Warfare Jammers: Sensor 4 Fire Control 4 Missile 4
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Warship for auto-assignment purposes
Star Flight II class Battleship 40,000 tons 987 Crew 12,692.4 BP TCS 800 TH 7,680 EM 18,000
9600 km/s Armour 9-104 Shields 600-400 HTK 231 Sensors 18/18/0/0 DCR 44-11 PPV 115.58
Maint Life 1.73 Years MSP 6,259 AFR 533% IFR 7.4% 1YR 2,552 5YR 38,275 Max Repair 1,280 MSP
Troop Capacity 800 tons
Commodore Control Rating 4 BRG AUX ENG CIC
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months Morale Check Required
BB Solid Core AM Drive (3) Power 7680 Fuel Use 10.61% Signature 2560 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 5,056,300 Litres Range 214.5 billion km (258 days at full power)
Lg Theta Shield Generator (15) Recharge Time 400 seconds (1.5 per second)
52.50cm Spinal X-Ray Laser (1) Range 384,000km TS: 9,600 km/s Power 72-9 RM 70,000 km ROF 40
35.0cm X-Ray Laser (4) Range 384,000km TS: 9,600 km/s Power 32-8 RM 70,000 km ROF 20
15.0cm X-Ray Laser (7) Range 384,000km TS: 9,600 km/s Power 6-6 RM 70,000 km ROF 5
Twin 10cm SXRL Turret Mk II (2x2) Range 180,000km TS: 32000 km/s Power 6-6 RM 60,000 km ROF 5
Turret Fire Control Mk IV (1) Max Range: 192,000 km TS: 32,000 km/s ECCM-3 95 90 84 79 74 69 64 58 53 48
Main Battery Fire Control Mk IV (3) Max Range: 384,000 km TS: 8,000 km/s ECCM-3 97 95 92 90 87 84 82 79 77 74
Capital Solid-core AM Reactor (3) Total Power Output 307.2 Exp 5%
AM Active Search Sensor Mk IV (1) GPS 240 Range 37.1m km MCR 3.3m km Resolution 1
Standard Active Search Sensor Mk III (1) GPS 2688 Range 79.9m km Resolution 14
Basic Thermal Sensor Mk VI (1) Sensitivity 18 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 33.5m km
EM Sensor Mk VI (1) Sensitivity 18 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 33.5m km
Electronic Warfare Jammers: Sensor 4 Fire Control 4 Missile 4
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Warship for auto-assignment purposes
The carrier is seen as the primary striking arm of the fleet, and is never intended to be exposed to enemy fire. They are lightly armored and unshielded, and would quickly die in direct combat, so they are always escorted and held away from enemy combatants. Seven carriers have been transferred to the Expeditionary Force.
Country Flt II class Carrier 40,000 tons 681 Crew 7,727.4 BP TCS 800 TH 7,680 EM 0
9600 km/s Armour 2-104 Shields 0-0 HTK 194 Sensors 108/0/0/0 DCR 46-11 PPV 0
Maint Life 1.58 Years MSP 4,639 AFR 492% IFR 6.8% 1YR 2,140 5YR 32,101 Max Repair 1,280 MSP
Hangar Deck Capacity 14,000 tons Magazine 1,350 / 0
Captain Control Rating 4 BRG AUX ENG FLG
Intended Deployment Time: 24 months Flight Crew Berths 280 Morale Check Required
BB Solid Core AM Drive (3) Power 7680 Fuel Use 10.61% Signature 2560 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 3,046,000 Litres Range 129.2 billion km (155 days at full power)
Sparrow III LASM (450) Speed: 52,800 km/s End: 1.4m Range: 4.4m km WH: 6 Size: 3 TH: 246/147/73
Standard Active Search Sensor Mk III (1) GPS 2688 Range 79.9m km Resolution 14
AM Active Search Sensor Mk IV (1) GPS 240 Range 37.1m km MCR 3.3m km Resolution 1
Capital Thermal Sensor Mk II (1) Sensitivity 108 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 82.2m km
Electronic Warfare Jammers: Sensor 4 Missile 4
Strike Group
26x Eagle Strikefighter Speed: 20012 km/s Size: 9.99
3x Aegis Patrol Craft Speed: 19289 km/s Size: 6.48
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
This design is classed as a Carrier for auto-assignment purposes
Prior to the construction of the battleships and dreadnoughts, the battlecruiser was the primary capital ship design of the navy, however, now it is primary used for support and escort roles, or to fill out jump point assault groups.
Planet Flight IV class Battlecruiser 20,000 tons 525 Crew 7,369.9 BP TCS 400 TH 3,840 EM 4,800
9600 km/s Armour 6-65 Shields 160-400 HTK 125 Sensors 18/18/0/0 DCR 29-14 PPV 73.79
Maint Life 2.20 Years MSP 3,437 AFR 337% IFR 4.7% 1YR 958 5YR 14,368 Max Repair 640 MSP
Troop Capacity 800 tons
Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months Morale Check Required
BC Solid Core AM Drive (3) Power 3840 Fuel Use 15.00% Signature 1280 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 2,611,500 Litres Range 156.7 billion km (188 days at full power)
Lg Theta Shield Generator (4) Recharge Time 400 seconds (0.4 per second)
52.50cm Spinal X-Ray Laser (1) Range 384,000km TS: 9,600 km/s Power 72-9 RM 70,000 km ROF 40
35.0cm X-Ray Laser (2) Range 384,000km TS: 9,600 km/s Power 32-8 RM 70,000 km ROF 20
15.0cm X-Ray Laser (5) Range 384,000km TS: 9,600 km/s Power 6-6 RM 70,000 km ROF 5
Twin 10cm SXRL Turret Mk II (1x2) Range 180,000km TS: 32000 km/s Power 6-6 RM 60,000 km ROF 5
Turret Fire Control Mk IV (1) Max Range: 192,000 km TS: 32,000 km/s ECCM-3 95 90 84 79 74 69 64 58 53 48
Main Battery Fire Control Mk IV (2) Max Range: 384,000 km TS: 8,000 km/s ECCM-3 97 95 92 90 87 84 82 79 77 74
Capital Solid-core AM Reactor (2) Total Power Output 204.8 Exp 5%
Standard Active Search Sensor Mk III (1) GPS 2688 Range 79.9m km Resolution 14
AM Active Search Sensor Mk IV (1) GPS 240 Range 37.1m km MCR 3.3m km Resolution 1
EM Sensor Mk VI (1) Sensitivity 18 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 33.5m km
Basic Thermal Sensor Mk VI (1) Sensitivity 18 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 33.5m km
Electronic Warfare Jammers: Sensor 4 Fire Control 4 Missile 4
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Warship for auto-assignment purposes
The missile cruiser and missile destroyers are still considered a test of a theory, rather than a proven design. Currently they are intended to escort the heavier ship and carriers and defend them if the fighters fail to stop a faster enemy ship.
Indefatigable Flt II class Missile Cruiser 20,000 tons 462 Crew 4,680.2 BP TCS 400 TH 3,840 EM 6,000
9600 km/s Armour 5-65 Shields 200-400 HTK 111 Sensors 54/54/0/0 DCR 30-15 PPV 47
Maint Life 2.36 Years MSP 2,962 AFR 320% IFR 4.4% 1YR 724 5YR 10,867 Max Repair 640 MSP
Magazine 947 / 0
Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months Morale Check Required
BC Solid Core AM Drive (3) Power 3840 Fuel Use 15.00% Signature 1280 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 2,428,400 Litres Range 145.7 billion km (175 days at full power)
Lg Theta Shield Generator (5) Recharge Time 400 seconds (0.5 per second)
ASM3 Launcher (14) Missile Size: 3 Rate of Fire 10
AMM Launcher MK II (5) Missile Size: 1 Rate of Fire 5
Sparrow Fire Control (1) Range 31.9m km Resolution 2 ECCM-2
AM Missile Fire Control Mk II (1) Range 43.9m km Resolution 1 ECCM-2
Thermal Buoy Bus (30) Speed: 4,133 km/s End: 11.1d Range: 3,975m km WH: 0 Size: 3 TH: 13/8/4
Shrike IV AMM (257) Speed: 131,200 km/s End: 1.2m Range: 9.4m km WH: 1.04 Size: 1 TH: 437/262/131
Sparrow III LASM (200) Speed: 52,800 km/s End: 1.4m Range: 4.4m km WH: 6 Size: 3 TH: 246/147/73
Standard Active Search Sensor Mk III (1) GPS 2688 Range 79.9m km Resolution 14
AM Active Search Sensor Mk IV (1) GPS 240 Range 37.1m km MCR 3.3m km Resolution 1
Standard EM Sensor Mk V (1) Sensitivity 54 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 58.1m km
Standard Thermal Sensor Mk IV (1) Sensitivity 54 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 58.1m km
Electronic Warfare Jammers: Sensor 4 Fire Control 5 Missile 4
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
This design is classed as a Warship for auto-assignment purposes
[\code]
The Annihilator class is a valued design that gives smaller battlegroups strategic mobility.
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Annihilator Flight V class Jump Cruiser 20,000 tons 485 Crew 6,413 BP TCS 400 TH 3,840 EM 3,600
9600 km/s JR 6-750 Armour 8-65 Shields 120-400 HTK 126 Sensors 54/18/0/0 DCR 34-17 PPV 61.37
Maint Life 3.03 Years MSP 3,805 AFR 229% IFR 3.2% 1YR 620 5YR 9,301 Max Repair 640 MSP
Troop Capacity 400 tons
Captain Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months Morale Check Required
J20000(6-750) Military Jump Drive Mk V Max Ship Size 20000 tons Distance 750k km Squadron Size 6
BC Solid Core AM Drive (3) Power 3840 Fuel Use 15.00% Signature 1280 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 3,277,400 Litres Range 196.6 billion km (237 days at full power)
Lg Theta Shield Generator (3) Recharge Time 400 seconds (0.3 per second)
52.50cm Spinal X-Ray Laser (1) Range 384,000km TS: 9,600 km/s Power 72-9 RM 70,000 km ROF 40
15.0cm X-Ray Laser (3) Range 384,000km TS: 9,600 km/s Power 6-6 RM 70,000 km ROF 5
Twin 10cm SXRL Turret Mk II (3x2) Range 180,000km TS: 32000 km/s Power 6-6 RM 60,000 km ROF 5
Turret Fire Control Mk IV (1) Max Range: 192,000 km TS: 32,000 km/s ECCM-3 95 90 84 79 74 69 64 58 53 48
Main Battery Fire Control Mk IV (2) Max Range: 384,000 km TS: 8,000 km/s ECCM-3 97 95 92 90 87 84 82 79 77 74
Solid-core AM Reactor (6) Total Power Output 76.8 Exp 5%
Standard Active Search Sensor Mk III (1) GPS 2688 Range 79.9m km Resolution 14
EM Sensor Mk VI (1) Sensitivity 18 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 33.5m km
Standard Thermal Sensor Mk IV (1) Sensitivity 54 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 58.1m km
Electronic Warfare Jammers: Sensor 4 Fire Control 5 Missile 4
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Warship for auto-assignment purposes
Originally classified as strike carriers, the Moon class has been reclassified as light carriers. They are often deployed in situations where a full carrier is not needed or cannot be risked, and in the Expeditionary Force the lone light carrier is assigned to carry and deploy boarding pods.
Moon Flt II class Light Carrier 20,000 tons 302 Crew 3,987.2 BP TCS 400 TH 3,840 EM 0
9600 km/s Armour 4-65 Shields 0-0 HTK 88 Sensors 54/18/0/0 DCR 9-4 PPV 0
Maint Life 2.00 Years MSP 2,433 AFR 337% IFR 4.7% 1YR 810 5YR 12,155 Max Repair 640 MSP
Hangar Deck Capacity 6,000 tons Troop Capacity 400 tons Magazine 450 / 0
Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months Flight Crew Berths 120 Morale Check Required
BC Solid Core AM Drive (3) Power 3840 Fuel Use 15.00% Signature 1280 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 2,750,700 Litres Range 165 billion km (198 days at full power)
Sparrow III LASM (150) Speed: 52,800 km/s End: 1.4m Range: 4.4m km WH: 6 Size: 3 TH: 246/147/73
Standard Active Search Sensor Mk III (1) GPS 2688 Range 79.9m km Resolution 14
AM Active Search Sensor Mk IV (1) GPS 240 Range 37.1m km MCR 3.3m km Resolution 1
EM Sensor Mk VI (1) Sensitivity 18 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 33.5m km
Standard Thermal Sensor Mk IV (1) Sensitivity 54 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 58.1m km
Electronic Warfare Jammers: Sensor 4 Missile 4
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
This design is classed as a Carrier for auto-assignment purposes
Absolution II class Missile Destroyer 10,000 tons 118 Crew 2,339.6 BP TCS 200 TH 1,920 EM 0
9600 km/s Armour 7-41 Shields 0-0 HTK 74 Sensors 54/0/0/0 DCR 4-4 PPV 50.4
Maint Life 2.44 Years MSP 1,484 AFR 200% IFR 2.8% 1YR 344 5YR 5,153 Max Repair 480 MSP
Troop Capacity 400 tons Magazine 336 / 0
Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 36 months Morale Check Required
Solid Core AM Drive (2) Power 1920 Fuel Use 17.32% Signature 960 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 1,846,000 Litres Range 191.8 billion km (231 days at full power)
Standard Box Launcher (42) Missile Size: 8 Hangar Reload 141 minutes MF Reload 23 hours
Missile Fire Control Mk II (2) Range 117.6m km Resolution 100 ECCM-2
Archer V ASM (42) Speed: 44,475 km/s End: 15.3m Range: 40.8m km WH: 16 Size: 8 TH: 207/124/62
AM Active Search Sensor Mk IV (1) GPS 240 Range 37.1m km MCR 3.3m km Resolution 1
Standard Active Search Sensor Mk III (1) GPS 2688 Range 79.9m km Resolution 14
Standard Thermal Sensor Mk IV (1) Sensitivity 54 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 58.1m 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
This design is classed as a Warship for auto-assignment purposes
Hero Flight V class Destroyer 10,000 tons 235 Crew 3,294.6 BP TCS 200 TH 1,920 EM 1,200
9600 km/s Armour 6-41 Shields 40-400 HTK 60 Sensors 54/0/0/0 DCR 4-4 PPV 30
Maint Life 2.53 Years MSP 1,723 AFR 200% IFR 2.8% 1YR 377 5YR 5,649 Max Repair 480 MSP
Troop Capacity 400 tons
Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 36 months Morale Check Required
Solid Core AM Drive (2) Power 1920 Fuel Use 17.32% Signature 960 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 1,840,800 Litres Range 191.3 billion km (230 days at full power)
Lg Theta Shield Generator (1) Recharge Time 400 seconds (0.1 per second)
15.0cm X-Ray Laser (6) Range 384,000km TS: 9,600 km/s Power 6-6 RM 70,000 km ROF 5
Main Battery Fire Control Mk IV (2) Max Range: 384,000 km TS: 8,000 km/s ECCM-3 97 95 92 90 87 84 82 79 77 74
Solid-core AM Reactor (5) Total Power Output 64 Exp 5%
Standard Active Search Sensor Mk III (1) GPS 2688 Range 79.9m km Resolution 14
Standard Thermal Sensor Mk IV (1) Sensitivity 54 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 58.1m km
Electronic Warfare Jammers: Fire Control 4
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Warship for auto-assignment purposes
Shield Flt IV class Destroyer Escort 10,000 tons 212 Crew 2,952.9 BP TCS 200 TH 1,920 EM 240
9600 km/s Armour 5-41 Shields 8-200 HTK 73 Sensors 0/0/0/0 DCR 6-6 PPV 40.76
Maint Life 2.41 Years MSP 1,125 AFR 131% IFR 1.8% 1YR 265 5YR 3,981 Max Repair 599 MSP
Troop Capacity 400 tons Magazine 365 / 0
Commander Control Rating 1 BRG
Intended Deployment Time: 36 months Morale Check Required
Solid Core AM Drive (2) Power 1920 Fuel Use 17.32% Signature 960 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 977,700 Litres Range 101.6 billion km (122 days at full power)
Small Theta Shield Generator (2) Recharge Time 200 seconds (0 per second)
Twin Gauss Cannon Mk II Turret (2x8) Range 40,000km TS: 25000 km/s Power 0-0 RM 40,000 km ROF 5
Turret Fire Control Mk IV (1) Max Range: 192,000 km TS: 32,000 km/s ECCM-3 95 90 84 79 74 69 64 58 53 48
AMM Launcher MK II (5) Missile Size: 1 Rate of Fire 5
AM Missile Fire Control Mk II (1) Range 43.9m km Resolution 1 ECCM-2
Shrike IV AMM (365) Speed: 131,200 km/s End: 1.2m Range: 9.4m km WH: 1.04 Size: 1 TH: 437/262/131
AM Active Search Sensor Mk IV (1) GPS 240 Range 37.1m km MCR 3.3m km Resolution 1
Electronic Warfare Jammers: Fire Control 4
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
This design is classed as a Warship for auto-assignment purposes
The bulk of the Expeditionary Force’s fighters are of this older design. The Eagle is known to be slower than some Oct warship designs, so the Expeditionary Force’s commanders will have to be cautious how they deploy them.
Eagle class Strikefighter 500 tons 3 Crew 145.4 BP TCS 10 TH 200 EM 0
20012 km/s Armour 1-5 Shields 0-0 HTK 3 Sensors 0/0/0/0 DCR 0-0 PPV 3.6
Maint Life 1.86 Years MSP 18 AFR 20% IFR 0.3% 1YR 7 5YR 99 Max Repair 100 MSP
Magazine 24 / 0
Lieutenant Commander Control Rating 1
Intended Deployment Time: 3 days Morale Check Required
Aslt Shuttle Inertial Fusion Drive (1) Power 200 Fuel Use 357.77% Signature 200 Explosion 20%
Fuel Capacity 40,000 Litres Range 4.03 billion km (55 hours at full power)
Sparrow ASM Box Launcher (8) Missile Size: 3 Hangar Reload 86 minutes MF Reload 14 hours
Missile Fire Control (1) Range 79.6m km Resolution 100
Sparrow III ASM (8) Speed: 52,800 km/s End: 1.4m Range: 4.4m km WH: 8 Size: 3 TH: 246/147/73
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 Fighter for production, combat and planetary interaction
This design is classed as a Fighter for auto-assignment purposes
This is the new Eagle design with sold core anti-matter engines.
Eagle II class Strikefighter 500 tons 3 Crew 211.9 BP TCS 10 TH 288 EM 0
28800 km/s Armour 1-5 Shields 0-0 HTK 3 Sensors 0/0/0/0 DCR 0-0 PPV 3.6
Maint Life 2.03 Years MSP 26 AFR 20% IFR 0.3% 1YR 8 5YR 126 Max Repair 144 MSP
Magazine 24 / 0
Lieutenant Commander Control Rating 1
Intended Deployment Time: 3 days Morale Check Required
Ast Shuttle Solid Core AM Drive (1) Power 288 Fuel Use 360.20% Signature 288 Explosion 22%
Fuel Capacity 43,400 Litres Range 4.34 billion km (41 hours at full power)
Sparrow ASM Box Launcher (8) Missile Size: 3 Hangar Reload 86 minutes MF Reload 14 hours
Missile Fire Control Mk II (1) Range 117.6m km Resolution 100 ECCM-2
Sparrow III LASM (8) Speed: 52,800 km/s End: 1.4m Range: 4.4m km WH: 6 Size: 3 TH: 246/147/73
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 Fighter for production, combat and planetary interaction
This design is classed as a Fighter for auto-assignment purposes
Aegis class Patrol Craft 325 tons 2 Crew 159 BP TCS 6 TH 125 EM 0
19289 km/s Armour 1-4 Shields 0-0 HTK 5 Sensors 0/0/0/0 DCR 0-0 PPV 0
Maint Life 4.67 Years MSP 30 AFR 8% IFR 0.1% 1YR 2 5YR 34 Max Repair 86.4 MSP
Lieutenant Commander Control Rating 1
Intended Deployment Time: 3 days Morale Check Required
Fighter IC Fusion Drive (2) Power 125.0 Fuel Use 1250.0% Signature 62.5 Explosion 25%
Fuel Capacity 101,000 Litres Range 4.49 billion km (64 hours at full power)
Interceptor Active Search Sensor Mk II (1) GPS 1008 Range 43.2m km Resolution 14
This design is classed as a Fighter for production, combat and planetary interaction
This design is classed as a None for auto-assignment purposes
BPOD II class Breaching Pod 798 tons 8 Crew 228.6 BP TCS 16 TH 320 EM 0
20057 km/s Armour 6-7 Shields 0-0 HTK 4 Sensors 0/0/0/0 DCR 0-0 PPV 0
Maint Life 1.89 Years MSP 17 AFR 51% IFR 0.7% 1YR 6 5YR 92 Max Repair 40 MSP
Troop Capacity 400 tons Boarding Capable
Lieutenant Commander Control Rating 1
Intended Deployment Time: 3 days Morale Check Required
Fighter Solid Core AM Drive (4) Power 320 Fuel Use 937.50% Signature 80 Explosion 25%
Fuel Capacity 10,000 Litres Range 0.24 billion km (3 hours at full power)
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Troop Transport for auto-assignment purposes