Foundations of a Galactic Future

United Earth Federation Command Report: Years 2073–2074

February 6, 2073
The shipyards of Earth have roared back to life, producing new vessels to bolster the fleet. Yet, rapid advancements in technology have left these ships already in need of upgrades. Plans for their refit are underway, ensuring our forces remain prepared for the unknown challenges ahead.

March 3, 2073
A breakthrough in infantry technology has birthed the MK III Heavy Infantry Suits, offering unparalleled protection and firepower. These formidable units have been officially named The Wardens, embodying their role as the stalwart defenders of peace across the growing UEF empire. While the organizational framework for these troops is still being finalized, their deployment marks a new era for ground forces, ensuring the safety and stability of colonies and territories alike.

May 1, 2073
The development of long-range bombardment weapons is a turning point for the UEF. Artillery systems to support infantry on the battlefield are entering production, heralding a shift toward combined-arms strategies in planetary engagements.

May 24, 2073
The Broadsword-class Jump Tender has entered production. Designed to carry up to four 36,000-ton vessels through jump points, these massive ships are heavily armored and essential for fleet mobility. However, the ongoing Gallicite shortages mean their completion may face delays beyond late 2075. Simultaneously, the Red-class destroyer refit project has begun, upgrading these vessels to meet modern combat standards.
Broadsword class Jump Tender      36,000 tons       309 Crew       2,447 BP       TCS 720    TH 5,400    EM 0
7500 km/s    JR 4-50(C)      Armour 8-97       Shields 0-0       HTK 77      Sensors 0/0/0/0      DCR 1-0      PPV 0
MSP 42    Max Repair 225 MSP
Commander    Control Rating 1   BRG   
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months   

Broadsword Jump Drive     Max Ship Size 36000 tons    Distance 50k km     Squadron Size 4

MK I Jump Tender Engine (6)    Power 5400    Fuel Use 2.36%    Signature 900    Explosion 5%
Fuel Capacity 640,000 Litres    Range 135.8 billion km (209 days at full power)

This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a None for auto-assignment purposes
Red II class Destroyer      8,000 tons       228 Crew       1,482.2 BP       TCS 160    TH 1,200    EM 0
7500 km/s      Armour 6-35       Shields 0-0       HTK 52      Sensors 0/0/0/0      DCR 3-3      PPV 42
Maint Life 3.38 Years     MSP 1,347    AFR 171%    IFR 2.4%    1YR 179    5YR 2,685    Max Repair 300 MSP
Commander    Control Rating 1   BRG   
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months    Morale Check Required   

MK II Red Engine (2)    Power 1200    Fuel Use 77.94%    Signature 600    Explosion 15%
Fuel Capacity 1,688,000 Litres    Range 48.7 billion km (75 days at full power)

MK III Battlecruiser Railgun (6x4)    Range 160,000km     TS: 7,500 km/s     Power 12-4     RM 40,000 km    ROF 15       
MK I Battlecruiser Rail BFC (1)     Max Range: 168,000 km   TS: 6,000 km/s    ECCM-0     94 88 82 76 70 64 58 52 46 40
MK III Destroyer Reactor (1)     Total Power Output 24.2    Exp 10%

MK I Defense Platform AMM ASS (1)     GPS 12     Range 4.8m km    MCR 430.9k km    Resolution 1

This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Warship for auto-assignment purposes

June 10, 2073
Advances in microwave technology have extended operational ranges to 60,000 km, though further development is required for practical battlefield application. Meanwhile, surveys of two newly discovered systems yielded no habitable worlds. A detailed geological survey of Epsilon Indi has commenced to assess its potential mineral wealth.

July 29, 2073
Research into Ultra-Heavy ground units has opened the door to devastating new military capabilities. While weapons to arm these units are still in development, their eventual deployment promises to reshape planetary warfare. In a related milestone, Ricky Cockram has been promoted to Lord Captain, with a potential path to Lord High Captain should his exemplary service continue.

October 11, 2073
After two decades of deliberation, the UEF has committed to colonizing Shayou II, a gargantuan planet nearly four times the size of Earth. Its toxic atmosphere poses a monumental challenge, but the potential to house 150 billion people makes it an irresistible target. Terraformers are slated to begin work within months.

December 5, 2073
Gallicite stockpiles are critically low, and essential construction projects are at risk of delay. A freighter has been dispatched to Lucille to retrieve its reserves, but the journey there and back will take approximately four months, slightly delaying crucial projects.

January 1, 2074
In a moment of historic change, the UEF Council has transitioned governance back to democratic principles. Joe Miga, Governor of Little Rose, was elected as the first President of the Republic, securing 46% of the vote under the Militarist Party. His platform promises expanded diplomacy with the Mirage Coalition and civil rights reforms. His first act as President was the introduction of a military pension system, honoring those who have served.

January 28, 2074
In Tau Ceti, an alien race has been detected surveying a comet. To avoid unnecessary conflict, a diplomatic vessel has been dispatched to make contact.

February 24, 2074
The terraforming stations have been towed into orbit around Shayou II, initiating the colossal task of transforming its atmosphere for human habitation.

May 6, 2074
A newly discovered jump point in Tau Ceti has been stabilized, leading to the Codalus system, where initial surveys indicate the presence of an oxygen-rich planet. Diplomatic ships are en route to establish contact with potential alien life.



August 28, 2074
The Sansibar, long-standing enemies of humanity, have been sighted in Epsilon Eridani. With refits nearly complete, the fleet is preparing to mount an operation to remove their presence and secure the system.



October 5, 2074
A milestone in ground combat: towering Ultra-Heavy units have been designed, classified into Anti-Personnel and Anti-Vehicle roles. These 50-meter behemoths are armed with cutting-edge weaponry, capable of holding entire battlefields on their own. Their durability ensures they will rarely require replacement, even in the fiercest engagements.



December 31, 2074
Efforts to locate additional jump points in Tau Ceti have yielded no results. However, alien vessels continue to traverse the Codalus system, though no communication has been established. Meanwhile, a primitive alien civilization has been identified in the Hector system, prompting diplomatic missions to assess their potential for peaceful contact.





A short little update, it was hard to do a 5 year update so I think I'll go back to 2-3 year updates.

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. 

2061–2062: A Pivotal Chapter in Humanity’s Expansion

The United Earth Federation (UEF) entered 2061 with unparalleled ambition and a wealth of possibilities. Humanity's reach extended deeper into space, anchored by Mars' thriving industrial base and the promise of the Thengo system. Yet, triumphs came at a cost, as hard lessons were learned through tragedy and innovation alike.

The Rise of Mars and the Jewel of Thengo

Mars flourished as the UEF's industrial cornerstone. By late 2062, its population had soared to 16 million, supported by a robust mining infrastructure that extracted vast quantities of essential minerals. Earth’s manned mines had been entirely relocated to Mars, further enhancing its production capacity. Automated mines, meanwhile, were redeployed to Venus, where the planet’s harsh conditions made human colonization unfeasible but its vast Gallicite deposits were invaluable.

The Thengo system emerged as humanity’s most promising frontier. Both of Thengo III’s habitable moons—Moon 5 and Moon 8—boasted breathable atmospheres and rich mineral deposits capable of supporting billions. By the end of 2062, Moon 5 had a burgeoning population of 1 million, while Moon 8 housed 670,000 colonists, its infrastructure steadily expanding. These twin jewels promised to rival Earth as centers of human civilization.
https://imgur.com/4vuIwxz
https://imgur.com/8rkmwKv
The Battle for Aerelon: Tragedy Among the Stars

In mid-2061, the UEF faced its darkest hour. A geological survey ship was destroyed in the Aerelon system by an unidentified alien race first encountered in Sansibar years prior. Determined to avenge this loss and gather critical intelligence, the UEF dispatched a fleet consisting of two Alexandria-class light cruisers and three Anaconda-class destroyers. 
https://imgur.com/SV96oXP
The fleet arrived in the Aerelon system prepared for a cautious engagement but was swiftly ambushed by the aliens. Initially, the UEF ships engaged three alien vessels that appeared to be vulnerable, as they were only equipped with laser weaponry. For a moment, there was hope that the UEF’s missile salvos would find their mark. However, within minutes, it became painfully clear that the aliens’ point defense systems were far superior to anything humanity had encountered before—every missile launched by the UEF was either intercepted or deflected with ease.
https://imgur.com/PJNHxVZ
The focus shifted to the aliens' E-war ships, which were lingering around 83 million kilometers away from the battle zone. As the fleet closed in on them, a new threat emerged: 12 previously unidentified ships appeared on the fleet’s sensors, seemingly out of nowhere. The situation rapidly escalated as the aliens launched a barrage of missiles—dozens of them, all packed with decoys, making it almost impossible to discern the real threat. Despite the best efforts of the UEF’s Anaconda-class freighters to intercept, not a single missile was neutralized.
https://imgur.com/PN8tnVc
The first Alexandria-class cruiser, UEF Vanguard, was struck directly by a missile that crippled its engines, leaving it vulnerable. The fleet was forced to make a choice: either fight on or retreat. With the Vanguard slowed to a crawl and no hope of saving the ship, the fleet made the difficult decision to leave her behind.
But the aliens, relentless and calculating, had more firepower in store. Their ships, now clearly superior in both offensive and defensive capabilities, closed in with devastating precision. One by one, UEF vessels were picked apart. The last Alexandria, UEF Resolute, managed to send out a final, fragmented distress signal before the aliens unleashed a devastating beam strike that obliterated her.
https://imgur.com/XkCygxj
In the end, the fleet was decimated, and not a single ship managed to return. The Aerelon Catastrophe marked the largest loss of UEF forces since the beginning of humanity's interstellar endeavors. The loss was compounded by the fact that it was a blind ambush—no one could have anticipated the aliens’ sheer destructive capabilities.

A Memorial for the Fallen

In honor of the 540 crew members who perished in the Aerelon Catastrophe, the UEF established the Resolute Memorial in Denver. A towering structure of black obsidian and etched silver, it bears the names of the fallen alongside an inscription: 
“For those who dared to reach the stars and paid the ultimate price, humanity will forever remember your courage.”

The annual Day of Reflection on September 16th, the anniversary of the battle, encourages all citizens to contemplate the sacrifices made in pursuit of a brighter future.
https://imgur.com/0JiUVoZ
The Fleet Reimagined: New Designs and Shipyard Expansion

Tragedy spurred innovation. UEF engineers introduced a wave of new ship classes to address the growing demands of exploration, diplomacy, and warfare:

- Anaconda II-Class Destroyer: An upgraded version of the Anaconda-class, boasting increased missile detection range and enhanced propulsion systems to support the fleet's point defense needs.   
https://imgur.com/0JiUVoZ
Anaconda II class Destroyer (P)      12,000 tons       305 Crew       1,897.1 BP       TCS 240    TH 1,440    EM 0
6000 km/s    JR 3-50      Armour 3-46       Shields 0-0       HTK 64      Sensors 12/12/0/0      DCR 8-6      PPV 16
Maint Life 2.55 Years     MSP 1,290    AFR 144%    IFR 2.0%    1YR 278    5YR 4,167    Max Repair 360 MSP
Magazine 616 / 0   
Captain    Control Rating 1   BRG   
Intended Deployment Time: 6 months    Morale Check Required   

MK II Anaconda Jump Drive     Max Ship Size 12000 tons    Distance 50k km     Squadron Size 3

MK II Anaconda Engine (2)    Power 1440.0    Fuel Use 36.83%    Signature 720.00    Explosion 12%
Fuel Capacity 1,320,000 Litres    Range 53.8 billion km (103 days at full power)

Size 1 Missile Launcher (16)     Missile Size: 1    Rate of Fire 15
MK II AMM MFC (1)     Range 21.4m km    Resolution 1
Sparrow AMM (610)    Speed: 38,000 km/s    End: 1.6m     Range: 3.6m km    WH: 0.4    Size: 1.00    TH: 126/76/38

MK I Missile Finder ASS (1)     GPS 240     Range 21.4m km    MCR 1.9m km    Resolution 1
Thermal Sensor 27.4m km (1)     Sensitivity 12     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  27.4m km
EM sensor 27.4m km (1)     Sensitivity 12     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  27.4m 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

- Diplomatic Ships: Specially outfitted vessels intended to facilitate peaceful contact with extraterrestrial civilizations, should diplomacy prove possible. 
Beta class Diplomatic Ship (P)      3,500 tons       93 Crew       498.1 BP       TCS 70    TH 154    EM 0
2194 km/s    JR 3-50      Armour 1-20       Shields 0-0       HTK 22      Sensors 0/0/0/0      DCR 1-2      PPV 0
Maint Life 2.03 Years     MSP 283    AFR 65%    IFR 0.9%    1YR 91    5YR 1,371    Max Repair 300 MSP
Line Captain    Control Rating 1   BRG   DIP   
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months    Morale Check Required   

MK I Survey Jump Drive     Max Ship Size 3500 tons    Distance 50k km     Squadron Size 3

MK I Diplomat Engine (2)    Power 153.6    Fuel Use 7.22%    Signature 76.80    Explosion 5%
Fuel Capacity 150,000 Litres    Range 106.9 billion km (563 days at full power)

This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Diplomatic Ship for auto-assignment purposes
- Fuel Harvesters: Dedicated ships designed to extract Sorium from gas giants, ensuring a stable fuel supply for the UEF’s fleet. 
Ise class Fuel Harvester      75,000 tons       350 Crew       1,435.5 BP       TCS 1,500    TH 1,440    EM 0
960 km/s      Armour 1-158       Shields 0-0       HTK 164      Sensors 1/1/0/0      DCR 1-0      PPV 0
MSP 11    Max Repair 120 MSP
Commander    Control Rating 1   BRG   
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months   
Fuel Harvester: 25 modules producing 1,000,000 litres per annum

MK II Freighter Engine (3)    Power 1440.0    Fuel Use 2.89%    Signature 480.00    Explosion 5%
Fuel Capacity 2,082,000 Litres    Range 173.1 billion km (2086 days at full power)

MK I Commerical EM Sensor (1)     Sensitivity 1.2     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  8.7m km
MK I Commerical Thermal Sensor (1)     Sensitivity 1.2     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  8.7m km

This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as a Fuel Harvester for auto-assignment purposes

To accommodate these advancements, Earth's shipyards underwent significant expansions to support both military and commercial construction. This growth was essential for producing the new Anaconda II, a 12,000-ton ship, and preparing for the upcoming battlecruisers and carriers, which would require facilities capable of handling ships up to 36,000 tons. New military and commercial shipyards were actively constructed and retrofitted to meet these demands, ensuring the Federation could swiftly respond to future conflicts and resource needs.

Scientific Breakthroughs Drive Exploration

The UEF’s research divisions continued to build on the technological renaissance ushered in during 2055. While no new propulsion technologies emerged during this period, efforts were focused on refining and optimizing the existing magneto-plasma engines, which had been the fleet's standard for several years. These engines provided a balance of speed and efficiency that remained unmatched, setting a benchmark for interstellar exploration.

Shipyards underwent significant expansions to accommodate the construction of larger survey vessels equipped with more powerful engines, capable of handling up to 5000 tons. These next-generation survey ships, expected to launch soon, would enhance humanity's ability to explore and exploit the stars.

Further breakthroughs included ceramic composite armor, offering superior protection for the fleet, and advancements in beam weaponry and fire control systems, strengthening the UEF’s offensive and defensive capabilities. Progress in diplomatic technologies improved protocols for potential first-contact scenarios, while upgrades to survey equipment streamlined the resource-mapping process across explored systems.

Thengo’s Strategic Importance

Beyond its potential as a center for colonization, the Thengo system held immense strategic and economic value. The mineral wealth of Thengo III’s moons promised to fuel the UEF’s expansion for decades. Additionally, the discovery of multiple jump points within the system positioned it as a gateway to further exploration.

Unity Through Adversity

Despite the hardships of 2061, the UEF emerged stronger and more united. The leadership successfully rallied humanity around a shared vision of resilience and progress. The fleet losses, while devastating, spurred a renewed commitment to ensuring humanity’s survival against any threat.

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By the end of 2062, the United Earth Federation stood ready to continue its expansion into the stars, fortified by innovation, unity, and an unyielding determination to overcome any challenge.

I like the style, keep it up!

The Promise of Thengo: Humanity's Next Great Leap 

January 24, 2057: 
Humanity faced a sobering reminder of its fragility as the Shianzpla B 001 survey vessel was urgently recalled from the Sansibar system, which had become off-limits due to the alien threat. With the production of military hulls like the Anaconda and Alexandria still a year away, doubts lingered about whether even these advanced ships could counter missiles traveling at 48,000 km/s. 

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Advancements and Strategic Adjustments 
The year began with breakthroughs in Thermal Reduction Technology, improving systems to operate at 75% of normal thermal output by January 24. This freed up labs to begin work on next-generation Gamma Shields. By February 20, research into Visible Light Lasers was completed, allowing focus to shift to Human Genome Sequencing, aimed at adapting humanity for colonization on inhospitable worlds and improving infantry resilience. The discovery of a new jump point in the Ninja system underscored humanity's continued drive to explore the stars. 

Building Foundations: Mars and Beyond 
March 8, 2057: 
Mars reached a population of 800,000 as efforts ramped up to establish its role as humanity's first off-world metropolis. With infrastructure to support 2 million already in place, plans were made to increase the population to 1.6 million to avoid the overcrowding seen on Earth’s megacities. Meanwhile, asteroid belt surveys revealed rich deposits, prompting private mining companies to deploy automated mines. 

April 2057: 
Reports from Sansibar raised alarms about the alien civilization's technological capabilities. Evidence of rapid planetary cooling on Sansibar I suggested advanced terraforming technology, adding urgency to humanity’s defensive preparations. 

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The Gateway to Thengo
August 30, 2057:
A newly discovered jump point in Farreach revealed the extraordinary Thengo system, which could become the crown jewel of humanity’s interstellar expansion. With ten planets and two remarkable moons orbiting Thengo III, the system offered unparalleled opportunities: 
- Moon 5: 
  - Larger than Earth (14,000 km diameter). 
  - Breathable atmosphere, potentially supporting billions post-terraforming. 
- Moon 8: 
  - Nearly Earth's size with a breathable atmosphere. 
  - High mineral accessibility, ideal for large-scale mining operations. 

Thengo IV and V, terrestrial planets with trace nitrogen-oxygen atmospheres and gravity levels of 0.68G and 0.4G respectively, added further potential as long-term colony sites. The discovery of LaGrange points further enhanced the system’s strategic importance. 

https://imgur.com/h3q0ZfK

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Unveiling the Riches 
March 17, 2058: Surveys of Moon 5 uncovered immense mineral wealth: 
- Duranium: 74,176,200 (Acc: 0.4) 
- Neutronium: 10,368,400 (Acc: 0.1) 
- Mercassium: 24,700,900 (Acc: 0.1) 
- Vendarite: 39,690,000 (Acc: 0.1) 

April 13, 2058: Moon 8 yielded resources critical for technological and industrial expansion: 
- Duranium: 40,933,152 (Acc: 1.0) 
- Mercassium: 10,549,504 (Acc: 0.9) 

May 17, 2058: Surveys of Thengo V revealed valuable reserves: 
- Duranium: 39,002,112 (Acc: 0.3) 
- Mercassium: 5,992,704 (Acc: 0.5) 

https://imgur.com/Hl2nOKB

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Challenges and the Road Ahead 
December 31, 2058: 
An audit revealed a looming Gallicite shortage, with high-quality reserves in Thengo remaining untapped for at least two years. Plans for improved extraction methods and increased mining infrastructure on Venus were set in motion to address this bottleneck. 

https://imgur.com/Rjfm7jN

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Humanity’s New Horizon 
The Thengo system represents more than just survival—it is a chance to thrive. With two moons capable of supporting billions and immense mineral wealth, Thengo is poised to become humanity’s greatest colony yet. Immediate plans focus on stabilizing jump points, deploying colonization teams, and building infrastructure to secure its bounty. 

Thengo stands as a testament to humanity's enduring ambition, symbolizing not just survival but the will to conquer the stars. Here, amidst the promise of boundless opportunity, humanity takes its next great leap forward.

Mars Year End Report:
https://imgur.com/mSCGjrk