Posted by: SultanPepper
« on: April 17, 2020, 04:56:47 AM »Realised I didn't mention - No Maintenance. It adds a lot to a game, and I prefer to have it, but my focus is the story of the AAR. I don't want to spend to time micromanaging MSP.
Likewise, all JP are stable wormholes as opposed to jump points. Should make wars a tad more interesting!
05/01/2100, Unity Island
“The East Europe rebellion has been crushed by United Armies, sir,” the Minister for Safety announced. “A handful of regrettable deaths, but thankfully no massive damage.”
“Have statues built in honour of the dead Peacekeepers in their hometowns, and add their names to their countries' capital's Wall of Heroes,” SecGen Sykes replied. “Where are we with population?”
“Two billion, sir,” the Minister for Habitation replied. “30% of the landmasses are habitable again, but we're hitting walls everywhere. At the rate we're going, we're going to need population controls.”
“Have the proposal on my desk by Monday,” Sykes ordered. “Next?”
The oldest person there, a grizzled man who had fought in the closing days of the Unification War, cleared his throat. “According to dispatches, our scientists have figured out how to get TN materials to work in space, sir.”
“They have, Admiral.”
“Then I request we expand appropriately,” Admiral Aidan Henderson stated. “I've no doubt our exploration of the system will be peaceful, but all it takes is one crazy man with a ship to decimate our population. I need funding to build warships.”
“Warships?” scoffed Minister Barber for Resources. “We don't even have a space shuttle, man!”
“And what happens when we have one, and the captain is an avowed Russian, or Chinese, or American, and drops a rock on Unity Island?!”
Silence greeted his words. Sykes looked at the Admiral – a title with no meaning, as their was no space navy, or any space ships, yet – with a thoughtful expression.
I want our exploration of space to finally begin, he thought, but I don't relish the thought of warships...a middle ground.
“I understand the Admiral's concerns,” he said to the assembled Cabinet. “And I want you all to know I fully support his desire to keep us safe. One madman with a ship could do incredible damage to what's left of humanity. Construct a new academy, Admiral, and design a proper curriculum for space exploration. I leave our first exploration ships to you – I want them peaceful, but unable to harm Earth.”
“You're leaving peaceful exploration to the military?” demanded another Minister.
“I'm leaving space exploration to the best department we have,” Sykes replied sharply. “And who knows. We may meet hostile aliens. Admiral, train your people, but I want the system explored peacefully. I don't want our first forays into space to be militarised.”
“Understood, SecGen,” the Admiral nodded in respect.
“An expansion into space is going to require a lot of new research,” Minister Wilkins for Science mused. “I request funding to expand the labs. If the good Admiral works with us, we can ensure these Peace Explorers are up to the task.”
“See it done,” Sykes ordered the Minister of Finance. “Whatever they need.”
“Sir, I must remind you we are trying to rehabilitate Earth. We know nowhere else in the system is habitable!”
“But Luna and Mars might be cheaper to terraform than Asia is to rebuild,” mused the Minister for Environment. “Let me run some numbers, sir. Terraforming is expensive, yes, but so is clearing nuclear fallout and demolishing ruins for new construction. New worlds may solve our population problem.”
“Excellent, get on it. Anything else?”
Unity Island, 12/03/2101
“SecGen, we have a slight problem.”
“Yes, Amari?”
“The expansion of the research labs has outstripped the capabilities of the Ahmahle Miners. We're out of Mercassium.”
Sykes looked up, frowning. “Hmm. Can we easily increase production?”
Secretary Amari shook her head. “It'll take months, sir.”
“Then cease construction of the new lab equipment. Get them onto...the new quantum computers don't use Mercassium, do they?”
“No sir.”
“Get more of those, and put them into UN Finance Hubs and Economic Growth Zones – draft a proposal for the latter, obviously. The General Assembly will need to sign off. We need more money to continue this pace of research. Wilkins has quite a varied list of projects that need funding!”
“He claims we will be prepared for everything.”
“I should damn well hope so,” Sykes replied sarcastically. “Send the Science Ministry a memo ordering a focus on improving the Miners. And ask the Admiral where the damn plans are for the new Science Ships.”
“I spoke to a contact of mine in the Stellar Navy yesterday sir. She said five years.”
“Five years!” scoffed Sykes. “Order the Admiral to expedite it! I got elected on a promise of peaceful space exploration. I won't allow it to happen after my term.”
“Sir...your term may last long-”
“I know that, Amari,” Sykes snapped. “But he's talking about the plans in five years? I want ships by then! Order him to expedite it. Now!”
Naval Command, Vienna, 18/09/2021
“This...this is what we have?”
“Yes, Admiral,” sighed Rear Admiral Hurst, rolling her eyes. “The SecGen wanted a design this year. That's what we have.”
“Minister Wilson told me they're on the verge of a breakthrough for more efficient engines already.”
“Yes sir, but 'on the verge' is not finalised. The SecGen wants a design. It's garbage, sir. It would be cheaper and better to wait a few more years and design the ships properly. But we don't have a choice.”
Admiral Henderson looked again at the Science Vessel Barracuda-class design. Named after the shape of it (apparently, it looked nothing like a fish to him), the vessel sported engines and sensors so new they were basically prototypes. Large, unwieldy, and inefficient.
“Get a science department on these,” he ordered. “I don't care how. We are not building this...scrap-heaps without a scientist on board to correct all the data it's going to bring in.”
“Understood, sir.”
“And...put a chapel on it too.”
“Sir?”
“Of no particular faith. I want them for anyone. Don't want to piss off any Space Gods we find.”
Barracuda class Science Vessel 6,102 tons 96 Crew 633.7 BP TCS 122 TH 320 EM 0
2622 km/s Armour 1-29 Shields 0-0 HTK 70 Sensors 6/6/1/1 DCR 1 PPV 0
Maint Life 0.86 Years MSP 64 AFR 298% IFR 4.1% 1YR 74 5YR 1,113 Max Repair 100 MSP
Commander Control Rating 2 BRG SCI
Intended Deployment Time: 24 months Morale Check Required
Unity Island, 21/11/2101
“And let me say, it has been an absolute honour building the engines for these fine vessels,” Janine Reynolds said with a smile, lights glittering from her black dress and glass of champagne.
Sykes hated these fancy parties, but they kept the elite of the world happy.
“I'm just glad Reynolds Marine could turn the UN designs into reality so quickly,” he said politely. “You must have whipped all sorts of people!”
Janine laughed – the sound was a pretty one. “Oh, sir, we work for the glory of Earth!” she winked. “The whips are for everyone.”
He laughed as well, faking true humour. He detested the woman. “And your engines will be ready when, again?”
“Not until the end of '02, around November,” she said with mock sadness.
She has the money. She doesn't care.
“Ah,” Sykes replied with a hint of cool. “That explains the delay on humanity's exploration until early '03.”
“We would never dream of rushing such valuable work, sir. Only the best for the UNOE!”
Yeah, the best, and the fact you're company has a monthly retainer right up to December '02.
Kinshasa Space Port, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 25/02/2103
Secretary General Sykes glared at his secretary.
“You're telling me Wilkin's scientists have got a much more efficient engine already?”
“20% more fuel efficient, sir,” she replied stoically. “It seems Admiral Henderson was right in requesting a few more years to develop technology.”
“The new ships launch in two days!”
“I'm well aware, sir, I manage your diary.”
“You can be horribly irreverent, Amari.”
“And yet, you won't fire me.”
Simmons Steel and Shipbuilding, Earth Low Orbit, 27/02/2103
“It is with great pleasure that we commission these three new Barracuda-class Science Vessels – the Hasekura, Marc-Joseph and Pero,” Admiral Henderson thundered into the mic, his words being transmitted to just about every TV and radio and computer on Earth. “Completed ahead of schedule by the will of the hardworking people! And may I introduce Commanders Chambers, Collins and Bowen, the first three UN Space Graduates to be granted their own ships! They will guide us all to a new and bright future as they scour our home system for more TN Mine Locations! Glory to Humanity! Glory to the United Nations of Earth!”
There was a simulated roar of approval as he left the podium, his Chief of Staff hurrying up.
“How was that?”
“Ideal, sir.”
“The ships?”
“Woefully old-tech already, sir,” the aide said acidly. “The SecGen should have listened. But we have picked the best. They'll do.”
“They'd better.”
Sol System, 06/01/2105
Commander Michael Collins sighed in frustration in his ready room aboard the Barracuda-class Science Vessel, Marc-Joseph.
Junk, junk, details of the plan to put the plan for the new ground forces into design process, new engine specs we'll not get an upgrade too...gods above, why do I have to read all this?
He was going through the extensive amount of data he was sent daily by the Naval Headquarters in Vienna. 99% of it didn't affect him.
Two years, or just about. Two years of scanning asteroids, planets and moons for the traces of the Aether, the dimension from which TN materials could be mined. The first few months had been great. But the majesty of Jupiter got old when you'd seen it for the tenth time while scouring another rock.
And meanwhile, the UNOE is designing...the hell is this? A...Rains of Africa, terraforming base station. And a tug. They're going to terraform Luna? Instead of cleaning up Northern Europe, the money is going to terraform the god-damn moon. Unbelievable.
He sighed in disgust, flicking though the last few messages, when his chime pinged.
“Acknowledge.”
“Captain, we have detected something...unusual.”
It was the voice of his Science Officer, Joel Roberts. Michael frowned.
“What is it?”
“You'd best come see, sir.”
Commander Collins frowned, but got up from his desk and left the room, stepping onto the bridge. Joel gestured for him to come and look at the readings.
“See here, sir, we flew right over it.”
“I...damnit, Joel. I'm a Commander, not a scientist. What is it?”
“A gravitational disturbance, sir,” Joel replied seriously. “We would never have seen it if we hadn't flown right over it, and if you hadn't allowed me to try new sensor modifications a few months back.”
“Okay. Tell me why it's important.”
“I...sir this is crazy. But if we reverse the sensors to projectors, it...it almost looks like an Aether reading. Almost. We've never found one in space, and it's basically closed, but...I think we can open it.”
Commander Collins frowned, but in thought. “A mining location in space?”
“Maybe, sir.”
“And what's the chance of us flying right over it?”
“The same as the chance of us flying over any other particular spot in space, sir,” Joel replied seriously. “I think we need to investigate.”
“Agreed, Scientist. A mining location in space would be extremely valuable. Negligible gravity and all that. Do what you need to do. Helm! Bring us around. Officer Roberts will forward you the coordinates.”
“Bringing us around, sir.”
Michael took his seat on the tiny, cramped bridge as the starscape shifted slightly. Nothing much. Fast as they were, those stars were billions of light years away.
“After a few moments, the helm officer spoke again. “Coming up on the chosen spot, sir.”
“Roberts, go.”
“Activating projectors and...”
Nothing happened. Michael released a sigh.
“Oh well. Log all data for transmit, Command might-”
His words were cut off as the ship shuddered, throwing him from his seat. Wiping blood from a cut above his eye, Michael stared at the display. The stars were gone.
Only they weren't, they'd shifted position. And one was much brighter. And they were ringed in swirling purple.
“Is that...is that a wormhole?”
TLDR: First science ships are utter garbage due to UN wanting them too quick, very little happens until new JP discovered by Commander Collins of the Marc-Joseph
Likewise, all JP are stable wormholes as opposed to jump points. Should make wars a tad more interesting!
05/01/2100, Unity Island
“The East Europe rebellion has been crushed by United Armies, sir,” the Minister for Safety announced. “A handful of regrettable deaths, but thankfully no massive damage.”
“Have statues built in honour of the dead Peacekeepers in their hometowns, and add their names to their countries' capital's Wall of Heroes,” SecGen Sykes replied. “Where are we with population?”
“Two billion, sir,” the Minister for Habitation replied. “30% of the landmasses are habitable again, but we're hitting walls everywhere. At the rate we're going, we're going to need population controls.”
“Have the proposal on my desk by Monday,” Sykes ordered. “Next?”
The oldest person there, a grizzled man who had fought in the closing days of the Unification War, cleared his throat. “According to dispatches, our scientists have figured out how to get TN materials to work in space, sir.”
“They have, Admiral.”
“Then I request we expand appropriately,” Admiral Aidan Henderson stated. “I've no doubt our exploration of the system will be peaceful, but all it takes is one crazy man with a ship to decimate our population. I need funding to build warships.”
“Warships?” scoffed Minister Barber for Resources. “We don't even have a space shuttle, man!”
“And what happens when we have one, and the captain is an avowed Russian, or Chinese, or American, and drops a rock on Unity Island?!”
Silence greeted his words. Sykes looked at the Admiral – a title with no meaning, as their was no space navy, or any space ships, yet – with a thoughtful expression.
I want our exploration of space to finally begin, he thought, but I don't relish the thought of warships...a middle ground.
“I understand the Admiral's concerns,” he said to the assembled Cabinet. “And I want you all to know I fully support his desire to keep us safe. One madman with a ship could do incredible damage to what's left of humanity. Construct a new academy, Admiral, and design a proper curriculum for space exploration. I leave our first exploration ships to you – I want them peaceful, but unable to harm Earth.”
“You're leaving peaceful exploration to the military?” demanded another Minister.
“I'm leaving space exploration to the best department we have,” Sykes replied sharply. “And who knows. We may meet hostile aliens. Admiral, train your people, but I want the system explored peacefully. I don't want our first forays into space to be militarised.”
“Understood, SecGen,” the Admiral nodded in respect.
“An expansion into space is going to require a lot of new research,” Minister Wilkins for Science mused. “I request funding to expand the labs. If the good Admiral works with us, we can ensure these Peace Explorers are up to the task.”
“See it done,” Sykes ordered the Minister of Finance. “Whatever they need.”
“Sir, I must remind you we are trying to rehabilitate Earth. We know nowhere else in the system is habitable!”
“But Luna and Mars might be cheaper to terraform than Asia is to rebuild,” mused the Minister for Environment. “Let me run some numbers, sir. Terraforming is expensive, yes, but so is clearing nuclear fallout and demolishing ruins for new construction. New worlds may solve our population problem.”
“Excellent, get on it. Anything else?”
Unity Island, 12/03/2101
“SecGen, we have a slight problem.”
“Yes, Amari?”
“The expansion of the research labs has outstripped the capabilities of the Ahmahle Miners. We're out of Mercassium.”
Sykes looked up, frowning. “Hmm. Can we easily increase production?”
Secretary Amari shook her head. “It'll take months, sir.”
“Then cease construction of the new lab equipment. Get them onto...the new quantum computers don't use Mercassium, do they?”
“No sir.”
“Get more of those, and put them into UN Finance Hubs and Economic Growth Zones – draft a proposal for the latter, obviously. The General Assembly will need to sign off. We need more money to continue this pace of research. Wilkins has quite a varied list of projects that need funding!”
“He claims we will be prepared for everything.”
“I should damn well hope so,” Sykes replied sarcastically. “Send the Science Ministry a memo ordering a focus on improving the Miners. And ask the Admiral where the damn plans are for the new Science Ships.”
“I spoke to a contact of mine in the Stellar Navy yesterday sir. She said five years.”
“Five years!” scoffed Sykes. “Order the Admiral to expedite it! I got elected on a promise of peaceful space exploration. I won't allow it to happen after my term.”
“Sir...your term may last long-”
“I know that, Amari,” Sykes snapped. “But he's talking about the plans in five years? I want ships by then! Order him to expedite it. Now!”
Naval Command, Vienna, 18/09/2021
“This...this is what we have?”
“Yes, Admiral,” sighed Rear Admiral Hurst, rolling her eyes. “The SecGen wanted a design this year. That's what we have.”
“Minister Wilson told me they're on the verge of a breakthrough for more efficient engines already.”
“Yes sir, but 'on the verge' is not finalised. The SecGen wants a design. It's garbage, sir. It would be cheaper and better to wait a few more years and design the ships properly. But we don't have a choice.”
Admiral Henderson looked again at the Science Vessel Barracuda-class design. Named after the shape of it (apparently, it looked nothing like a fish to him), the vessel sported engines and sensors so new they were basically prototypes. Large, unwieldy, and inefficient.
“Get a science department on these,” he ordered. “I don't care how. We are not building this...scrap-heaps without a scientist on board to correct all the data it's going to bring in.”
“Understood, sir.”
“And...put a chapel on it too.”
“Sir?”
“Of no particular faith. I want them for anyone. Don't want to piss off any Space Gods we find.”
Barracuda class Science Vessel 6,102 tons 96 Crew 633.7 BP TCS 122 TH 320 EM 0
2622 km/s Armour 1-29 Shields 0-0 HTK 70 Sensors 6/6/1/1 DCR 1 PPV 0
Maint Life 0.86 Years MSP 64 AFR 298% IFR 4.1% 1YR 74 5YR 1,113 Max Repair 100 MSP
Commander Control Rating 2 BRG SCI
Intended Deployment Time: 24 months Morale Check Required
Code: [Select]
Reynolds Marine Improved Nuclear Thermal Engine EP64.00 (5) Power 320.0 Fuel Use 90.0% Signature 64.00 Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 2,100,000 Litres Range 68.8 billion km (303 days at full power)
Gregory-Khan Active Search Sensor AS22-R100 (1) GPS 1200 Range 22.2m km Resolution 100
Gregory-Khan EM Sensor EM1.0-6 (1) Sensitivity 6 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 19.4m km
Gregory-Khan Thermal Sensor TH1.0-6 (1) Sensitivity 6 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 19.4m km
Geological Survey Sensors (1) 1 Survey Points Per Hour
Gravitational Survey Sensors (1) 1 Survey Points Per Hour
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes[/i]
Unity Island, 21/11/2101
“And let me say, it has been an absolute honour building the engines for these fine vessels,” Janine Reynolds said with a smile, lights glittering from her black dress and glass of champagne.
Sykes hated these fancy parties, but they kept the elite of the world happy.
“I'm just glad Reynolds Marine could turn the UN designs into reality so quickly,” he said politely. “You must have whipped all sorts of people!”
Janine laughed – the sound was a pretty one. “Oh, sir, we work for the glory of Earth!” she winked. “The whips are for everyone.”
He laughed as well, faking true humour. He detested the woman. “And your engines will be ready when, again?”
“Not until the end of '02, around November,” she said with mock sadness.
She has the money. She doesn't care.
“Ah,” Sykes replied with a hint of cool. “That explains the delay on humanity's exploration until early '03.”
“We would never dream of rushing such valuable work, sir. Only the best for the UNOE!”
Yeah, the best, and the fact you're company has a monthly retainer right up to December '02.
Kinshasa Space Port, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 25/02/2103
Secretary General Sykes glared at his secretary.
“You're telling me Wilkin's scientists have got a much more efficient engine already?”
“20% more fuel efficient, sir,” she replied stoically. “It seems Admiral Henderson was right in requesting a few more years to develop technology.”
“The new ships launch in two days!”
“I'm well aware, sir, I manage your diary.”
“You can be horribly irreverent, Amari.”
“And yet, you won't fire me.”
Simmons Steel and Shipbuilding, Earth Low Orbit, 27/02/2103
“It is with great pleasure that we commission these three new Barracuda-class Science Vessels – the Hasekura, Marc-Joseph and Pero,” Admiral Henderson thundered into the mic, his words being transmitted to just about every TV and radio and computer on Earth. “Completed ahead of schedule by the will of the hardworking people! And may I introduce Commanders Chambers, Collins and Bowen, the first three UN Space Graduates to be granted their own ships! They will guide us all to a new and bright future as they scour our home system for more TN Mine Locations! Glory to Humanity! Glory to the United Nations of Earth!”
There was a simulated roar of approval as he left the podium, his Chief of Staff hurrying up.
“How was that?”
“Ideal, sir.”
“The ships?”
“Woefully old-tech already, sir,” the aide said acidly. “The SecGen should have listened. But we have picked the best. They'll do.”
“They'd better.”
Sol System, 06/01/2105
Commander Michael Collins sighed in frustration in his ready room aboard the Barracuda-class Science Vessel, Marc-Joseph.
Junk, junk, details of the plan to put the plan for the new ground forces into design process, new engine specs we'll not get an upgrade too...gods above, why do I have to read all this?
He was going through the extensive amount of data he was sent daily by the Naval Headquarters in Vienna. 99% of it didn't affect him.
Two years, or just about. Two years of scanning asteroids, planets and moons for the traces of the Aether, the dimension from which TN materials could be mined. The first few months had been great. But the majesty of Jupiter got old when you'd seen it for the tenth time while scouring another rock.
And meanwhile, the UNOE is designing...the hell is this? A...Rains of Africa, terraforming base station. And a tug. They're going to terraform Luna? Instead of cleaning up Northern Europe, the money is going to terraform the god-damn moon. Unbelievable.
He sighed in disgust, flicking though the last few messages, when his chime pinged.
“Acknowledge.”
“Captain, we have detected something...unusual.”
It was the voice of his Science Officer, Joel Roberts. Michael frowned.
“What is it?”
“You'd best come see, sir.”
Commander Collins frowned, but got up from his desk and left the room, stepping onto the bridge. Joel gestured for him to come and look at the readings.
“See here, sir, we flew right over it.”
“I...damnit, Joel. I'm a Commander, not a scientist. What is it?”
“A gravitational disturbance, sir,” Joel replied seriously. “We would never have seen it if we hadn't flown right over it, and if you hadn't allowed me to try new sensor modifications a few months back.”
“Okay. Tell me why it's important.”
“I...sir this is crazy. But if we reverse the sensors to projectors, it...it almost looks like an Aether reading. Almost. We've never found one in space, and it's basically closed, but...I think we can open it.”
Commander Collins frowned, but in thought. “A mining location in space?”
“Maybe, sir.”
“And what's the chance of us flying right over it?”
“The same as the chance of us flying over any other particular spot in space, sir,” Joel replied seriously. “I think we need to investigate.”
“Agreed, Scientist. A mining location in space would be extremely valuable. Negligible gravity and all that. Do what you need to do. Helm! Bring us around. Officer Roberts will forward you the coordinates.”
“Bringing us around, sir.”
Michael took his seat on the tiny, cramped bridge as the starscape shifted slightly. Nothing much. Fast as they were, those stars were billions of light years away.
“After a few moments, the helm officer spoke again. “Coming up on the chosen spot, sir.”
“Roberts, go.”
“Activating projectors and...”
Nothing happened. Michael released a sigh.
“Oh well. Log all data for transmit, Command might-”
His words were cut off as the ship shuddered, throwing him from his seat. Wiping blood from a cut above his eye, Michael stared at the display. The stars were gone.
Only they weren't, they'd shifted position. And one was much brighter. And they were ringed in swirling purple.
“Is that...is that a wormhole?”
TLDR: First science ships are utter garbage due to UN wanting them too quick, very little happens until new JP discovered by Commander Collins of the Marc-Joseph