After the discovery of the Jotun, the build-up of the Imperial Navy became the highest priority for the Imperium. The development of Magnetic Confinement Fusion Drive technology led to a new round of upgrades for the Firestorm II, Dauntless II, Gothic II and Defiant classes in 4025 and 4026. Every class received the new Ravenor Drive Systems RDS-2400-MB engine, upgraded ECM components and updated fire controls to handle the 8000 km/s speed of the II-B designs.

Other new technology had also recently become available, such as Tokamak reactors, Laminate Composite armour, longer-ranged weapon batteries and a new particle lance weapon, but these were not included in the refits as the increase in capability would not justify almost doubling the refit cost. Instead, once all the refits were completed, new ships would be built to an updated specification.

On December 17th 4025, the first pair of ELINT intelligence ships were launched. Daedalus and Icarus would be used to quietly observe alien populations in order to learn their secrets. The small size of the ship and its thermally-reduced engines would make it difficult for hostile powers to detect. Daedalus was immediately dispatched to the Jotunheim system.

Daedalus class Intelligence Ship      2,000 tons       59 Crew       406.3 BP       TCS 40    TH 80    EM 0
4000 km/s    JR 3-50      Armour 1-14       Shields 0-0       HTK 22      Sensors 6/5/0/0      DCR 4-20      PPV 0
Maint Life 15.47 Years     MSP 507    AFR 8%    IFR 0.1%    1YR 4    5YR 60    Max Repair 120 MSP
Commander    Control Rating 1   BRG   
Intended Deployment Time: 120 months    Morale Check Required   

RM-20-B Military Jump Drive     Max Ship Size 2000 tons    Distance 50k km     Squadron Size 3
Ravenor Drive Systems RDS-160-MT (1)    Power 160    Fuel Use 67.08%    Signature 80.0    Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 227,900 Litres    Range 30.6 billion km (88 days at full power)

MK II Commercial Active Augur Array (1)     GPS 1920     Range 31.5m km    Resolution 120
MK II Thermal Augur Array (1)     Sensitivity 6     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  19.4m km
ELINT Module (1)     Sensitivity 5     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  17.7m km

In February 4026, known space reached one hundred systems, six of which contained alien races.



Aexe Cardinal was a young system, two transits beyond the Necron system of Moebius, with seven planets, twelve moons and three hundred and forty-two asteroids. Two survey ships were assigned, as the combination of the system age with the large amount of real estate had the potential to yield valuable mineral resources. Aexe Cardinal I, a Venusian world, was the first body to be surveyed. In addition to extensive deposits of numerous mineral deposits at medium accessibility, it had a high chance of a ground survey improving those results.

Aexe Cardinal I Survey Report
Duranium:   3,553,778   0.70
Neutronium:   216,225   1.00
Corbomite:   6,620,329   0.50
Boronide:   2,907,025   0.30
Mercassium:   4,060,225   0.10
Vendarite:   984,064   0.40
Uridium:   753,424   0.80
Corundium:   15,376   0.40
Gallicite:   1,177,225   0.70

This early indication was a sign that the system had to be secured, so the first offensive military operation of the Imperium was launched to remove the Necrons from the Moebius system. Both Gothic-B class cruisers, three Dauntless II-B light cruisers and both Defiant class carriers were dispatched to Colchis Base, an asteroid in the Colchis system that had large, accessible mineral deposits and was massive enough to support an atmosphere. The asteroid was in the final stages of terraforming and already had a population over twelve million, plus extensive orbital basing facilities capable of supporting the Imperial Expeditionary Force. Colchis Base was within striking range of three Necron systems, including Moebius, making it an ideal forward operating base.

First Expeditionary Fleet
Gothic-B class Cruiser: Imperial Wrath, Righteous Fury
Dauntless II-B class Light Cruiser: Divine Crusade, Ravenor, Vengeful Martyr
Defiant-B class Light Carrier: Archangel, Defiant
2x Thunderhawk class Assault Transport:
4x Aquila IV class Scout:
24x Starhawk-B class Bomber:
24x Fury-B class Interceptor:

The Expeditionary Force entered Moebius, paused at two hundred million kilometres and dispatched an Aquila scout to check the second planet, the location of the previously detected Necron forces, then changed course to investigate Moebius III, a gas giant with twenty-four moons. The fleet confirmed the lack of any alien presence at the gas giant and set course for the second planet, with the small scout just thirty million kilometres from the same destination, approaching without active sensors. Unfortunately, that was not enough to avoid detection and the scout’s passive sensors detected inbound torpedoes. The Aquila engaged active sensors just before they hit but detected nothing else within its fifteen million kilometre range. The salvo comprised ten size-9 torpedoes with strength-7 warheads travelling at 34,555 km/s, sufficient to blow the 500-ton scout into very tiny pieces.



The Expeditionary Force closed on the second planet and detected the same ships as the Starhawk-R mission four years earlier. A 19,164 ton Scythe class, Shroud, Cartouche and Khopesh class ships of 9,590 tons and a dozen Mephrit class ships of 979 tons. At fifty-two million kilometres, the fleet was attacked by a single salvo of ten torpedoes. The fleet used its eighty-four AK-10 weapon batteries for point defence, which resulted in massive overkill on nine torpedoes, but the tenth slipped through and impacted the shields of Imperial Wrath.

Further salvos of ten torpedoes arrived approximately ten minutes apart, with only occasional hits, then pairs of salvos which accomplished the same. A single salvo of forty-eight torpedoes, travelling at 51,844 km/s and estimated to be from the Mephrit class ships, caused more concern, so the fleet’s twenty-four Fury class interceptors were launched to provide additional point defence. Thirty-one inbounds were killed by the fleet’s AK-10 weapon batteries, four by the larger AK-25s and seven by the Furies. Four more missed, leaving just two to expend themselves on the shields of Imperial Wrath. Further salvos of ten continued to arrive in pairs five seconds apart, but posed no real threat. The Expeditionary Force moved within three million kilometres of the planet and detected a ground force signature of 22,000 tons, which probably represented a much larger force after accounting for fortifications.



At one point two million kilometres, the Expeditionary Force came under attack from waves of thirty-two small torpedoes with strength-1 warheads, travelling at 77,200 km/s and arriving every ten seconds. Despite the Furies bolstering the fleet’s point defence once again, several torpedoes from each wave impacted the shields of either Righteous Fury or the carrier Defiant. The Starhawks were launched and ordered to target the largest enemy ship, designated as Scythe class, with a wave of forty-eight MK II-B Standard Torpedoes. Once the Starhawks coordinated their targeting and launched, the Necron torpedo waves began attacking the Imperial torpedoes. The range to the planet was 800,000 km.

Thirty-nine of the Starhawks’ torpedoes detonated, but twenty-eight of those hits decoys. Ten strength-15 warheads were not sufficient to penetrate the Scythe’s armour. The Starhawks landed and began to re-arm, although that process would take too long to affect the battle further. The Necron light torpedoes started to engage the Expeditionary Force once more,  but the Imperial attack had disrupted the coordination of the waves and they now arrived in alternative salvos of twenty and twelve, posing no significant threat.

370,000 kilometres from the planet, the cruiser Righteous Fury came under attack from surface-based energy weapons, estimated to be large bombardment cannons. All thirteen shots missed. The Defiant class carriers and their escorting Furies were ordered to pull back to 500,000 km while the other five ships continued onward. At 250,000 km, four of the five Imperial warships opened fire at with weapon batteries, inflicting multiple armour hits on the four larger Necron ships. Righteous Fury bombarded the planet, trying to eliminate the surface-based batteries. Five seconds later, at 210,000 km, they followed up with lance batteries, penetrating armour on two ships, then held position at that range to avoid getting too close to the STO batteries.

The second volley from the Imperial ships penetrated the armour of all the Necron ships. A massive strength-118 secondary explosion destroyed the Cartouche; the first alien kill for Imperial Wrath and the Imperium and the beginning of humanity’s revenge. The cruiser joined her sister ship in bombarding the planet. Meanwhile, the twelve small Mephrits broke orbit and ran, while the other Necron ships charged the Expeditionary Force

The surface-based bombardment cannon fired again, inflicting four strength-8 hits on Righteous Fury, which destroyed four of them when she returned fire. The Imperial ships continued to hold their position and pounded the approaching Necrons. The Khopesh and Shroud were both disabled, followed by the larger Scythe. All fire was directed against the planet, while the fleet’s two Thunderhawks and their space marines were dispatched to board the crippled alien ships.

The end of the brief engagement was in sight. The last of the STO weapons were eliminated, while the marines boarded and captured the Scythe – an escort design with thirty-two light torpedo launchers. The Fury class interceptors were dispatched to run down and destroy the fleeing Mephrits while the marines boarded their Thunderhawks and assaulted the two smaller disabled ships.

Scythe class Escort Cruiser      19,164 tons       384 Crew       3,063.6 BP       TCS 383    TH 2,176    EM 0
5677 km/s      Armour 6-63       Shields 0-0       HTK 115      Sensors 0/0/0/0      DCR 8-4      PPV 32
Maint Life 0.85 Years     MSP 799    AFR 367%    IFR 5.1%    1YR 937    5YR 14,061    Max Repair 520.6 MSP
Magazine 1,723 / 144   
Captain    Control Rating 2   BRG   CIC   
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months    Morale Check Required   

Magneto-plasma Drive  EP544 (4)    Power 2176    Fuel Use 27.12%    Signature 544    Explosion 10%
Fuel Capacity 750,000 Litres    Range 26 billion km (52 days at full power)

Size 24 Decoy Launcher (6)     Decoy Size: 24    Hangar Reload 245 minutes    MF Reload 40 hours
Size 1 Missile Launcher (32)     Missile Size: 1    Rate of Fire 10
Missile Fire Control FC19-R1 (7)     Range 19.6m km    Resolution 1   ECCM-2

Active Search Sensor AS16-R1 (1)     GPS 82     Range 16.9m km    MCR 1.5m km    Resolution 1
Electronic Warfare Jammers:   Sensor 2    Fire Control 2    Missile 2   

The Imperium warships moved toward the planet to check for any shorter-ranged surface defences. At 90,000 km, Righteous Fury suffered a single strength-20 hit. Six other shots missed. The ships pulled back and opened fire, quickly eliminating the new threat. The fleet moved closer once again, this time without incident. The next phase would be to land Imperium troops to eliminate the remaining Necron ground forces.

Due to the Imperium focus on building its economy, the ground forces had been neglected, apart from the various Ordo formations and planetary defence regiments. Only six armoured formations with a total of six hundred Leman Russ battle tanks, were available. Each tank was 104 tons. On May 22nd 4026, they were landed on Moebius II by three Orca class troop transports. Losses were heavy and immediate. The alien forces comprised a large amount of robotic infantry supported by hundreds of larger Mech-type units with similar capabilities to the Imperium tanks, but utilising superior technology. An evacuation was ordered and half the original assault force made it back to the ships. To their credit, they managed to destroy almost forty percent of the Necron defenders. Meanwhile, an orbital survey revealed a ruined colony on the surface, apparently guarded by the Necrons. Perhaps the ruins of another fallen civilization from two thousand years ago.

A second invasion was launched several months later that included the survivors of the first assault plus four new armoured regiments with improved armour and weapons. This time there was no retreat. Thirteen days after the landing, all enemy forces had been eliminated. Losses were significantly lower than the first attack. There were no alien installations on the surface, but it was now clear for the Ordo Xenos to survey the ruins.

In November 4026, a second operation was launched, this time against the Necrons in Golgotha. This was undertaken by the same Imperial Navy fleet, with the exception of the light cruiser Divine Crusade, which was still covering the ongoing activity in Moebius. The known Necron forces comprised three Triarch class frigates armed with 25cm bombardment cannon, a pair of similarly sized Crypteks of unknown capability, two larger ships, a Dirge and a Deathmark – also never previously encountered, and a dozen Mephrit fast attack craft, each armed with four single-shot torpedo launchers.

Expeditionary Fleet
Gothic-B class Cruiser: Imperial Wrath, Righteous Fury
Dauntless II-B class Light Cruiser: Ravenor, Vengeful Martyr
Defiant-B class Light Carrier: Archangel, Defiant
2x Thunderhawk class Assault Transport:
3x Aquila IV class Scout:
24x Starhawk-B class Bomber:
24x Fury-B class Interceptor:

Necron Forces in Golgotha
1x Dirge 19,271 tons
1x Deathmark 19,212 tons
3x FF Triarch 9,553 ton, 5,686 km/s, 5x 25cm Bombardment Cannons
2x Cryptek 9,567 tons, 5,686 km/s.
12x Mephrit 979 tons.

This time there was no long-range torpedo fire, apart from a single salvo from the Mephrits. When the Expeditionary Fleet moved within one point two million kilometres of the planet, it came under attack from waves of sixty-nine light torpedoes, with a speed of 77,200 km/s. The Furies were deployed to improve point defence coverage and the Starhawk class bombers were ordered to conduct an attack on the Deathmark to distract the defenders. While the Starhawks were still coordinating their launch, the Necrons changed targeting to the bombers.

The first Starhawk exploded just as the Imperium torpedoes were launched, but they had to remain on station to provide guidance for their own torpedoes. Four were destroyed and several other damaged before they could return to the relative safety of their hangar bays. Twenty-two of the MK II-B Standard Torpedoes reached the Deathmark. Nine avoided the decoys and struck the target, with two penetrating the armour. As with the Imperial torpedo launch in Moebius, the attack also disrupted the Necron launches, reducing the effect of the large waves of light torpedoes.

The carriers and the Furies were detached at half a million kilometres as the four Imperial warships approached the planet. They came under attack from the surface and from the Triarchs, while still fending off light torpedoes, but their superior firepower was decisive. Once the alien ships began taking damage, the smaller ships ran – except for one damaged Triarch that charged the Imperial squadron. The Dirge and Deathmark appeared to be orbital bases, with the Dirge being the source of the light torpedoes. The Imperial warships blasted the bases into scrap metal, disabled the approaching frigate, then circled around the planet to chase the other four ships, while focusing their fire on the surface batteries. By the time the battle ended, the three Triarchs had all been disabled and captured, the STOs had been eliminated and every other Necron ship destroyed.
In December, a survey of Golgotha revealed a ruined city and a large ancient construct, believed to be research-related, although a ground survey by the Ordo Xenos would be needed to confirm. In Moebius the survey had been completed, revealing sixty-seven locations of interest that could yield recoverable installations or supplies.

At the end of the month, the first Imperial warship to be completed in several years was launched: the Defiant class light carrier Imperial Ghost. All further construction had been delayed due to the imminent availability of several new technologies, including larger and longer-ranged weapon batteries, new shield generators, faster-charging capacitors, better sensors and improved fuel consumption. Shipyards would be begin retooling with the next generation of warship designs at some point in 4027, with the first new ships laid down in 4028. The changes were so extensive that the existing fleet would not be refitted.

On April 22nd 4027, the invasion of Golgotha II was launched with eight armoured regiments, comprising three hundred Leman Russ battle tanks and five hundred Leman Russ MK IIs, roughly the same force that triumphed in the Second Battle of Moebius Unfortunately, the lessons of the first Moebius invasion had not been learned. The Necron forces on Golgotha II were significantly stronger than the original Moebius garrison and the invasion was a disaster. Four hundred tanks were lost before the survivors were evacuated, with the Necrons losing around ten percent of their force. It would take considerable time to build up for a new invasion.

The situation became even worse for the Imperium on February 8th 2028. The diplomatic station and Daedalus class intelligence ship in orbit of Jotunheim II were destroyed in an surprise attack by the Jotun. Communication had not been established and the Jotun seemed reluctant to engage, but there was no threat of hostilities beyond an occasional unintelligible message. The attacking ship was a 64,755 ton Midgard class cruiser, armed with forty-nine 20cm lasers plus a spinal laser and moving at speed of 5396 km/s. Eight Midgards had been identified, which gave the Jotun a 4-1 advantage in cruiser-sized warships, although their technology appeared to be less advanced. The attacking Midgard was accompanied by Hrothgar class ships of 44,000 tons, which also had military engines but did not open fire. Ten Hrothgars were known to be in service. This meant war. The cowardly and duplicitous Jotun would be destroyed and their resources used to fuel the Imperial war machine.

It's interesting to see how the warship designs start off with a different sort of 'balance' from the conventional start, especially with limited scientist admin meaning you can't just rush MP drive tech in 10 years. Starting off with the 25cm railguns is certainly different!

I'm curious, Steve, if you've ever considered building your colony ships as hybrid colonist transport + cargo hold vessels that can transport their own infrastructure (200 or 250 per million, I would suppose). These would be pretty massive ships which feels very Warhammer to me.

Gothic class Cruiser

I admit, I'm a little offended that this isn't the Lunar class. Gothics are lance boats, dammit! 

That said, 60,000 tons... really liking the upscaled warship sizes in this one!

Will be interesting to see how the Jotun develop. You did start with 10 NPRs, but from the sound of it the Jotun are probably a minor race and so probably not much use as allies unless the trade income is worth it? So probably a better target for exterminatus. That said, between the Necron threat and yet-to-appear threats from the Dark Eldar, Tyranid, and Chaos factions, will the Imperium have the time and resources to carry out such a holy mission?

Third time's the charm!

In 4012, the focus of exploration changed from the small survey craft to the Tempest class survey frigate, a 15,000-ton vessel designed for long-term, deep space exploration. The first two frigates, Tempest and Emperor’s Light, were launched in June 4012, with Covenant and Acta Sanctorum following in October 4013. The original Tempest design was based on gas core engines so after the development of ion drives, conversion to the updated Tempest II design began in July 4016. The new class reduced hangar space to 1000 tons, which reflected the availability and loss rate of the Aquila class scout series. By the end of the decade, eight Tempest IIs and two of the original Tempests were in service.

Tempest class Survey Frigate      15,000 tons       357 Crew       2,273.7 BP       TCS 300    TH 750    EM 0
2500 km/s    JR 3-50      Armour 1-54       Shields 0-0       HTK 91      Sensors 5/6/5/5      DCR 23-15      PPV 0
Maint Life 5.95 Years     MSP 2,179    AFR 78%    IFR 1.1%    1YR 105    5YR 1,580    Max Repair 281.3 MSP
Hangar Deck Capacity 1,500 tons     
Commander    Control Rating 1   BRG   
Intended Deployment Time: 60 months    Flight Crew Berths 30    Morale Check Required   

RM-150 Military Jump Drive     Max Ship Size 15000 tons    Distance 50k km     Squadron Size 3
Ravenor Drive Systems RDS-750-ME (1)    Power 750    Fuel Use 13.86%    Signature 750    Explosion 7%
Fuel Capacity 1,763,000 Litres    Range 152.6 billion km (706 days at full power)

MK I Commercial Active Augur Array (1)     GPS 1200     Range 21.6m km    Resolution 120
MK I Electromagnetic Augur Array (1)     Sensitivity 6     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  19.4m km
MK I Thermal Augur Array (1)     Sensitivity 5     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  17.7m km
Gravitational Survey Sensors (5)   5 Survey Points Per Hour
Geological Survey Sensors (5)   5 Survey Points Per Hour

Strike Group
2x Aquila II Scout   Speed: 3000 km/s    Size: 10

Tempest II class Survey Frigate      15,000 tons       356 Crew       2,300.3 BP       TCS 300    TH 938    EM 0
3125 km/s    JR 3-50      Armour 1-54       Shields 0-0       HTK 89      Sensors 5/6/5/5      DCR 24-16      PPV 0
Maint Life 6.38 Years     MSP 2,800    AFR 75%    IFR 1.0%    1YR 118    5YR 1,775    Max Repair 351.6 MSP
Hangar Deck Capacity 1,000 tons     
Commander    Control Rating 1   BRG   
Intended Deployment Time: 60 months    Flight Crew Berths 20    Morale Check Required   

RM-150 Military Jump Drive     Max Ship Size 15000 tons    Distance 50k km     Squadron Size 3
Ravenor Drive Systems RDS-938-ME (1)    Power 937.5    Fuel Use 12.32%    Signature 937.5    Explosion 7%
Fuel Capacity 2,301,000 Litres    Range 224.1 billion km (829 days at full power)

MK I Commercial Active Augur Array (1)     GPS 1200     Range 21.6m km    Resolution 120
MK I Electromagnetic Augur Array (1)     Sensitivity 6     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  19.4m km
MK I Thermal Augur Array (1)     Sensitivity 5     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  17.7m km
Gravitational Survey Sensors (5)   5 Survey Points Per Hour
Geological Survey Sensors (5)   5 Survey Points Per Hour

Strike Group
2x Aquila III Scout   Speed: 3750 km/s    Size: 10

Alongside the survey ships, the Imperium introduced the first warships, waiting until Ion technology was available before finalising their designs. Two complementary primary weapon systems were selected: the Astaroth Kinetics AK-25 Weapons Battery, for maximum rate of fire and overall damage output, and the Valentinian-Ventris V4-200 Lance Battery, for maximising damage output at long range in situations where the range could be controlled. A smaller version of the weapon battery, the AK-10, was used for increased point defence coverage. Although the Imperium had yet to deploy any torpedoes, it was assumed that other races could already have that capability. The engines for the new warships, the Firestorm class frigate and the Dauntless class light cruiser, were boosted by twenty percent above their normal output, which increased speed and therefore the ability to control range, at the expense of increased fuel consumption. The passive defences were a mixture of shields and armour.

The first warship to be constructed was the Dauntless, launched in October 4016 and followed by her sister ship Bloodhawk in September 4018. Two frigates, Firestorm and Heroic Endeavour, were launched in May 4017. These four ships comprised the offensive firepower of the Imperial Navy until the end of the decade.

Firestorm class Frigate      15,000 tons       503 Crew       2,689.6 BP       TCS 300    TH 1,500    EM 1,110
5000 km/s    JR 3-50      Armour 5-54       Shields 37-370       HTK 98      Sensors 5/6/0/0      DCR 11-7      PPV 74
Maint Life 1.90 Years     MSP 1,407    AFR 164%    IFR 2.3%    1YR 504    5YR 7,557    Max Repair 750 MSP
Commander    Control Rating 2   BRG   AUX   
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months    Morale Check Required   

RM-150 Military Jump Drive     Max Ship Size 15000 tons    Distance 50k km     Squadron Size 3
Ravenor Drive Systems RDS-1500-MB (1)    Power 1500    Fuel Use 39.91%    Signature 1500    Explosion 12%
Fuel Capacity 600,000 Litres    Range 18 billion km (41 days at full power)
Valentinian-Stern VS-37 Void Shield (1)     Recharge Time 370 seconds (0.1 per second)

Astaroth Kinetics AK-25 Weapons Battery (4x4)    Range 250,000km     TS: 5,000 km/s     Power 15-3.75    ROF 20       
Valentinian-Ventris V4-200 Lance Battery (4)    Range 200,000km     TS: 5,000 km/s     Power 10-4    ROF 15       
Astaroth Kinetics AK-10 Weapons Battery (6x4)    Range 50,000km     TS: 5,000 km/s     Power 3-3    ROF 5       
MK I Energy Weapon Fire Control (2)     Max Range: 256,000 km   TS: 5,000 km/s    ECCM-1
R-25 Magnetic Mirror Fusion Reactor (2)     Total Power Output 50.7    Exp 5%

MK I Small Torpedo Detection Array (1)     GPS 6     Range 3.4m km    MCR 304.7k km    Resolution 1
MK I Frigate Active Augur Array (1)     GPS 4320     Range 40.9m km    Resolution 120
MK I Electromagnetic Augur Array (1)     Sensitivity 6     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  19.4m km
MK I Thermal Augur Array (1)     Sensitivity 5     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  17.7m km

Dauntless class Light Cruiser      30,000 tons       986 Crew       5,302.8 BP       TCS 600    TH 3,000    EM 3,330
5000 km/s    JR 3-50      Armour 6-86       Shields 111-370       HTK 189      Sensors 5/6/0/0      DCR 22-7      PPV 148
Maint Life 1.90 Years     MSP 2,930    AFR 327%    IFR 4.5%    1YR 1,043    5YR 15,652    Max Repair 750 MSP
Captain    Control Rating 2   BRG   AUX   
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months    Morale Check Required   

RM-300 Military Jump Drive     Max Ship Size 30000 tons    Distance 50k km     Squadron Size 3
Ravenor Drive Systems RDS-1500-MB (2)    Power 3000.0    Fuel Use 39.91%    Signature 1500.00    Explosion 12%
Fuel Capacity 1,217,000 Litres    Range 18.3 billion km (42 days at full power)
Valentinian-Stern VS-37 Void Shield (3)     Recharge Time 370 seconds (0.3 per second)

Astaroth Kinetics AK-25 Weapons Battery (8x4)    Range 250,000km     TS: 5,000 km/s     Power 15-3.75     ROF 20       
Valentinian-Ventris V4-200 Lance Battery (8)    Range 200,000km     TS: 5,000 km/s     Power 10-4    ROF 15       
Astaroth Kinetics AK-10 Weapons Battery (12x4)    Range 50,000km     TS: 5,000 km/s     Power 3-3    ROF 5       
MK I Energy Weapon Fire Control (3)     Max Range: 256,000 km   TS: 5,000 km/s    ECCM-1
R-25 Magnetic Mirror Fusion Reactor (4)     Total Power Output 101.3    Exp 5%

MK I Small Torpedo Detection Array (1)     GPS 6     Range 3.4m km    MCR 304.7k km    Resolution 1
MK I Light Cruiser Active Augur Array (1)     GPS 10080     Range 62.5m km    Resolution 120
MK I Electromagnetic Augur Array (1)     Sensitivity 6     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  19.4m km
MK I Thermal Augur Array (1)     Sensitivity 5     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  17.7m km

Over a period of six months in the second half of 4018, the same hostile alien race was encountered in three different systems, none of which were connected based on available survey data. In each case, an Aquila class scout, deployed from a nearby Tempest class survey frigate, was destroyed by the same type of torpedoes launched from an unknown source. The survey frigates withdrew and monitored the respective systems but there was no sign of any pursuit or other alien traffic. Imperium Intelligence concluded the threat was probably defensive in nature, but recommended a military build-up and the development of a stand-off recon capability.

Despite their importance, the construction of survey ships and warships was massively overshadowed by the scaling up of the Imperium’s economic base, commercial shipping and scientific establishment. By January 2020, fourteen huge Universe class Mass Conveyors had been constructed, each of which could hold five mines or factories, plus four equally large Jericho class colony ships, each with a capacity of 500,000 colonists. As a result of the massive lift capacity provided by these ships, and the rapidly growing civilian shipping lines, the moon had reached a population of one hundred million, with a further fifty million on the rapidly expanding mining colony on Io. A further twenty million were spread across several extra-solar colonies. The number of mines had increased by almost four hundred since the conversion of industry was completed, with nine hundred remaining on Terra, three hundred and fifty on Io and the rest on the extra-solar colonies.

Jericho class Colony Ship      233,208 tons       1,226 Crew       6,962.5 BP       TCS 4,664    TH 9,500    EM 0
2036 km/s      Armour 1-337       Shields 0-0       HTK 257      Sensors 5/6/0/0      DCR 1-0      PPV 0
MSP 18    Max Repair 400 MSP
Cryogenic Berths 500,000    Cargo Shuttle Multiplier 30   
Lieutenant Commander    Control Rating 1   BRG   
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months   

Ravenor Drive Systems RDS-500-C (19)    Power 9500    Fuel Use 2.56%    Signature 500    Explosion 4%
Fuel Capacity 2,000,000 Litres    Range 60.3 billion km (342 days at full power)

MK I Commercial Active Augur Array (1)     GPS 1200     Range 21.6m km    Resolution 120
MK I Electromagnetic Augur Array (1)     Sensitivity 6     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  19.4m km
MK I Thermal Augur Array (1)     Sensitivity 5     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  17.7m km

A dozen Hephaestus class orbital mining stations had been built, each with twenty-five orbital mining modules, and deployed to comets in the systems of Scarus, adjacent to Sol, and Kapteyn’s Star, three transits out via Proxima and Lalande. Twenty-three similarly-sized Ambrosia class fuel harvesters were in orbit of Saturn and fourteen Gaia class terraforming stations were in operation at various colonies. In addition to the freighters and colony ships, Terra’s expanding shipyards had provided the Imperium with tugs, replenishment ships, troop transports, salvage ships, jump tenders, stabilisation ships and a fleet of long-term intelligence platforms that monitored every jump point within two transits of Sol.

Hephaestus class Orbital Miner      127,645 tons       1,266 Crew       3,428.3 BP       TCS 2,553    TH 0    EM 0
1 km/s      No Armour       Shields 0-0     HTK 166      Sensors 5/6/0/0      DCR 1-0      PPV 0
MSP 16    Max Repair 120 MSP
Lieutenant Commander    Control Rating 1   BRG   
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months   
Orbital Miner: 25 modules producing 350 tons per mineral per annum

MK I Commercial Active Augur Array (1)     GPS 1200     Range 21.6m km    Resolution 120
MK I Thermal Augur Array (1)     Sensitivity 5     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  17.7m km
MK I Electromagnetic Augur Array (1)     Sensitivity 6     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  19.4m km

A hundred fighter factories had been constructed on Terra to fill the hangars of planned future carriers while eighty ordnance factories would build torpedoes for their magazines. Maintenance facilities had been built to support the expansion of the Imperial Navy, while new academies and command facilities would provide the personnel and the planning. Eight new ground training facilities had provided equipment for the Ordo Mineralis,  Ordo Xenos and Ordo Mechanicus, in their efforts to survey planets and recover any usable materials, and surface-to-orbit weapons for planetary defence regiments. The largest construction project was the building of sixty-seven new research facilities, taking the total from thirty-three in January 4005 to one hundred by January 4020.



Status of the Imperium on January 1st 4020

Terra
Population: 2568.85m
Naval Shipyard Capacity: 267,000 tons
Commercial Shipyard Capacity: 3,390,309 tons
Maintenance Capacity: 240,000 tons
Research Facility: 100
Ground Force Construction Complex: 9
Construction Factory: 1,861
Ordnance Factory: 80
Fighter Factory: 100
Mine: 905
Automated Mine: 1
Fuel Refinery: 94
Maintenance Facility: 150
Financial Centre: 659
Deep Space Tracking Station: 10
Mass Driver: 7
Military Academy: 3
Naval Headquarters: 4
Sector Command: 1
Spaceport: 1
Refuelling Station: 2
Ordnance Transfer Station: 1
Infrastructure: 30
Low Gravity Infrastructure: 60

Terra Survey Report
Duranium:   157,140   0.70
Neutronium:   9,814   0.17
Tritanium:   1,215   0.11
Boronide:   7,003   0.16
Mercassium:   2,871   0.12
Vendarite:   50,973   0.41
Sorium:   13,289   0.19
Corundium:   9,796   0.18
Gallicite:   16,485   0.22

Luna
Population: 101.64m
Financial Centre: 45
Infrastructure: 20,423

Io
Population: 52.47m
Mine: 350
Deep Space Tracking Station: 1
Mass Driver: 3
Infrastructure: 11,575

Io Survey Report
Duranium:   3,727,483   0.80
Neutronium:   1,272,772   0.50
Vendarite:   258,446   0.40
Corundium:   451,669   0.60

Pan
Population: 0.05m
Maintenance Capacity: 16,000 tons
Deep Space Tracking Station: 1
Low Gravity Infrastructure: 41

Scarus - Comet #1
200x Orbital Mining Module
Deep Space Tracking Station: 1

Comet #1 Survey Report
Duranium:   311,553   0.90
Neutronium:   123,064   0.60
Corbomite:   42,754   0.70
Uridium:   28,221   0.60
Corundium:   102,824   0.50

Kapteyn Base
Population: 11.06m
Maintenance Capacity: 16,000 tons
Mine: 95
Automated Mine: 20
Deep Space Tracking Station: 1
Mass Driver: 1
Infrastructure: 1,415

Kapteyn Base Survey Report
Duranium:   439,114   0.90
Corbomite:   516   0.45
Tritanium:   340,805   0.90
Corundium:   340,805   0.90
Gallicite:   43,460   0.90

Kapteyn's Star - Comet #3
100x Orbital Mining Module
Deep Space Tracking Station: 1
Mass Driver: 2

Comet #3 Survey Report
Duranium:   369,449   0.80
Tritanium:   73,415   0.60
Boronide:   20,180   0.80
Corundium:   34,668   0.70
Gallicite:   62,169   1.00

Alpha Centauri-B V (was Ruined City)
Population: 5.92m
Terraforming Installation: 3
Deep Space Tracking Station: 2
Refuelling Station: 1
Ordnance Transfer Station: 1
Cargo Shuttle Station: 2
Infrastructure: 1,219
Low Gravity Infrastructure: 120

Hesperus II
Population: 3.84m
Mine: 40
Deep Space Tracking Station: 1
Infrastructure: 1,170

Hesperus II Survey Report
Duranium:   2,821,909   0.90
Corbomite:   2,439,238   0.70
Boronide:   3,253,723   0.80
Mercassium:   3,747,490   0.70
Sorium:   17,251   0.20

Wolf 359 III
Population: 0.53m
Deep Space Tracking Station: 1
Infrastructure: 105

Orpheus III - Moon 4
Population: 0.20m
Deep Space Tracking Station: 1
Infrastructure: 200

Imperial Navy
Dauntless class Light Cruiser: Bloodhawk, Dauntless
Firestorm class Frigate: Firestorm, Heroic Endeavour
Tempest II class Survey Frigate: Ascension, Black Star, Constantia, Emperor's Light, Evening Star, Morning Star, Red Dawn, Tempest
Tempest class Survey Frigate: Acta Sanctorum, Covenant
13x Aquila III class Scout
7x Aquila II class Scout
4x Jericho class Colony Ship
14x Universe class Mass Conveyor
2x Atlas II class Tug
1x Atlas class Tug
23x Ambrosia class Fuel Harvester Station
12x Hephaestus class Orbital Miner
14x Gaia class Terraforming Station
2x Phoenix class Salvager
4x Gateway class Stabilisation Ship
5x Orca II class Troop Transport
3x Carrack II class Freighter
2x Safe Harbour class Maintenance Base
1x Caravel class Colony Ship
3x Brigantine class Replenishment Ship
3x Empyrean class Jump Tender
1x Aether class Jump Tender Station
16x Raven class Intelligence Ship

Added the first section. I am going to do shorter updates on this one, but hopefully more often.