The feverish build-up of 1890-18961890With the Martian Death Machines vanquished on Earth, all ten powers start researching Trans-Newtonian Theory in the hopes that it will allow them to increase their industrial output. As per the rules of the Grand Alliance, each power begins constructing a naval shipyard complex in Low-Earth Orbit, using whatever refurbished Martian equipment available.
(All powers started with a Spaceport)Austria-Hungary and Russia both lack a CP scientist who could control all their labs, so the excess labs are put to research Conventional Engines and then improved armor.
In May, Austro-Hungarian scientists figure out Conventional Composite Armour and Russian scientists do the same in June. This inspires both to create a new fighting vehicle - an armored car armed with a machinegun. Officers in both countries are eager for the cavalry to make a return. The vehicles are named Austro-Daimler Panzerwagen and Omsky AC, respectively.
In August, the Austro-Hungarian army showed off their first two cavalry squadrons, both equipped with 14 armored cars. As their scientists were certain that they were about to introduce an even better armor shortly, the Army was content with what they had.
The Russian squadrons were not ready until September but as their scientists looked at the possibility of electronic spying - another exciting new field - Moscow ordered more squadrons to be built to enhance the Army's mobility.
In December, Austro-Hungarian (A-H from now on) scientists solved the riddle of Conventional Advanced Composite Armour. This led to the development of the Austro-Daimler Panzerwagen 1891, which was otherwise the same but with heavier armour, as well as Austro-Daimler Schweres Panzerwagen, carrying a light field gun instead of a machinegun.
1891By April, A-H had two of their new cavalry regiments ready for service. Vienna called a halt for future construction as money was tight.
In May, German scientists became the firsts to crack the secret of Trans-Newtonian Theory. Reichskanzler Otto von Bismarck had resisted calls to improve the ground forces like A-H and Russia had been doing, in order to focus on the industry first. Thus resources to the fledgling naval shipyard complex were massively reduced in favor of a comprehensive upgrade project that would split the existing conventional industry in half for mines and construction factories.
By July, the Imperial Russian motorized Cavalry Regiments were ready. Tsar Alexander III had wanted more but his financiers convinced him that the empire couldn't afford more at this time.
In October, Germans figured out Conventional Composite Armour but this was merely a stepping stone towards better things and no units were designed.
In December, American scientists became the second ones to solve the T-N Theory. President Grover Cleveland pushed through Congress an industrial plan that did not lack ambition. The Norfolk Sky Complex, while reduced in resources, would still go ahead much faster than its German counterpart, and small portions of the conventional industry would be converted to financial centers and fuel refineries.
1892In January, British scientists figured out T-N Theory, catching bronze in this global competition. Prime Minister Robert Gascoyne-Cecil wanted Her Majesty to have the first space-going ship so his conversation plan kept significant resources dedicated to the naval shipyard complex. Otherwise, the plan was very similar to the German one.
In March, France followed suit. President Francois Sadi Carnot emphasized the importance of creating a strong industrial base. So not only was the French naval shipyard complex scaled back, but the vast majority of industry would be converted into construction factories.
In April, champagne bottles were popped in Vienna. Common Minister Ferdinand von Bauer had been swayed by the mining tycoons of his realm and thus focused on conversion into mines as a priority, though he did not go overboard - factories would be built as well, just not as many and not as fast as mines.
In June, Russians joined the party. Tsar Aleksander III Aleksandrovich followed the British example as he saw a Russian vessel among the stars as a matter of utmost prestige. Thus half of Russia's production was kept working on the naval shipyard while the rest went towards the conversion of factories, with only a small amount to mines. A week later, King Umberto I of Italy boasted that Regno d'Italia was now a member of the T-N club. With her small industrial base, Italian options were limited and Umberto opted to follow the French example, taking it even further - construction of the Italian naval shipyard was completely put on hold while the industry would be converted.
In August, the united kingdoms forming the Rim Pact announced that their scientists had also figured out Trans-Newtonian theory. King Oscar II, who already was king of both Sweden and Denmark, and had thus become the nominal leader of the Pact, described his balanced plan as a steady march along all fronts. Four days later, Iberian Union celebrated its breakthrough. Young King Charles I, the former Portuguese prince, announced that Iberia was focusing on taking the fight to the Martians as quickly as possible.
1893In January, Russian scientists figured out how to put together an electronic listening device. Wireless communications had become far more common during the war against the Martian Invaders as nascent radio technology was developed in a hurry. Now, Russians would use them as a weapon against them. Tragedy hit London a week later, as Professor Lynch was run over by a horse carriage. This was a serious setback to the British power & propulsion research, as his replacement was less than a quarter as brilliant.
Finally, in July, Japan achieved a breakthrough with the T-N theory. Count Yamagata Aritomo, acting prime minister, saw it as yet another humiliation that it took his country so much longer. Incensed and eager to do better in the future, his industrial plan included a significant element for improving Japanese academia and research establishment.
Status of all ten Earth powers at the end of 1893:
1894All powers worked feverishly throughout the year.
1895In April, Italy was the first power to lock down the design for their first armed vessel:
Sadly for King Umberto I, there was no shipyard ready as the conversion of the industry was far from complete. But it did mean that all Italian research efforts could now be focused on developing the necessary technologies for transporting fighting men across the deep void of interplanetary space.
In August, Britain did the same:
In the same month, worried voices in Vienna finally convinced Common Minister Ferdinand von Bauer that he had miscalculated. A-H was still only third in mining output despite the immense focus on that sector but that same focus had caused it to fall behind other powers when it came to construction output. He couldn't push through with anything too drastic but he did manage to switch the focus from mines to factories - the amounts would remain the same but the pace of production now favored construction factories over mines or the shipyard.
Then November brought the Austrian corvette:
Austrian engineers on purpose made the reactor smaller than what the capacitor of the gun could accept every five seconds since it'll be enough to charge the gun every ten seconds instead. Or that is their hope.
1896In March, the United States locked down their corvette design:
Then in May, France finalized the design for both ships it was going to fight Martians with:
and
July brought fireworks across Great Britain as the Carpenter & Brother naval shipyard complex officially opened. It still needed to be expanded slightly to accommodate Tribals. British industrial output was almost half of that of Germany but the first human space ship would be flying the Union Jack.
Late in December, the engineers showed President Cleveland blueprints of their assault transport:
But an even better Christmas gift was the shakedown trip that
HMS Acacia undertook, visiting Luna and then returning to Earth, without provoking further attacks from the Martians. One corvette would not suffice to overcome the defenses of Mars, of that everyone, was certain, but it was a start. Yet in nine capitals, envious eyes stared to the sky, hoping to see the tiny spark of the British ship far above them.