Year 0:
Colonists have arrived at their destination. The Ark carrying them is a large and fully newtonian vessel that was propelled by a laser being being fired from Sol striking a solar sail. The laser shut off early, and so after a number of course corrections the ship has arrived several hundred thousand years late. Only one million colonists survived with limited supplies and building material. Mercifully the destination planet remains habitable, with plentiful oxygen and water. Conditions are harsh, but no harsher than some of the more extreme regions of Earth. Between the surviving cargo and salvage from what’s left of the Ark the colonists begin work on crude shelter and other essentials.
The binary system is dubbed “Genesis”, and their new world “Cradle”. Between the surviving cargo and salvage from what’s left of the Ark the colonists begin work on crude shelter and other essentials. Plans are also laid down for a proper city once the essentials are taken care of.
Year 1:
The colony is established; food, clean water, shelter and basic medical facilities are all operational, with even the beginnings of an electrical grid, though operating heavier machinery is out of the question. However there is enough power to bring online what’s left of the Ark’s computer systems for short periods. There is far too much data to look through fully, but they do find that one of the long term projects the computers were carrying out has been completed, a solution to the Andulhes problem.
The Andulhes problem is a set of equations that, if solved, would theoretically allow the transnewtonian materials first discovered in the mid 21st century to be manipulated safely and reliably. Ultimately it was proven that the equations could only be solved via brute force, attempting every possible configuration until a working one was found. Given that there was a near infinite number of possible solutions, it ultimately became nothing more than a curiosity. However with the launching of the Ark it was assigned to use it’s spare computing power to try to solve the equations, which after a little under three hundred thousand years, it did.
Now with all of transnewtonian physics laid out before them the colonists had a clear path forwards.
Year 50:
The colony has exploded in size, fueled by transnewtonian materials. Although the early years were defined by shortage, both of the mythical new substances and of more conventional material (note: this is my reflection of the empire being “in debt”) by this point abundance is the order of the day. Although conditions are by no means luxurious compared to life back on Earth for those who remembered it, everyone can easily live in comfort. Attention is now being turned towards new developments. Mass industrialization and an explosion of scientific development are driving the colony forwards at a breakneck pace.
Year 80:
The last of the colonist from aboard the Ark are dead, many due to cancer or related complications. It turned out that although the cryogenic segments were once well shielded, millenia of wear and tear had not been kind, and the entire population from aboard the ship had received a substantial exposure. Despite this the city is continuing to grow rapidly. It’s population is exploding at a rate that would have been unsustainable without the help of the colony’s technology and wealth of transnewtonian materials. We also see the emergence of a functional government. Previously the colony had been overseen by the leaders of the Ark project, though with them dead a crude form of democracy has taken over.
Year 85:
Gallicite and Vendarite deposits are growing increasingly scarce. This finally is enough to spur the first meaningful return to space beyond a handful of mapping and communications satellites and various test flights, the Seeker class geological survey ship.
Seeker class Survey Ship 4 500 tons 75 Crew 801 BP TCS 90 TH 200 EM 0
2222 km/s Armour 1-24 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/8 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
MSP 111 Max Repair 150 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 30 months Spare Berths 0
Jenkins-Burns 200 EP Commercial Nuclear Pulse Engine (1) Power 200 Fuel Use 6.19% Signature 200 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 500 000 Litres Range 323.1 billion km (1682 days at full power)
Improved Geological Sensors (4) 8 Survey Points Per Hour
This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
It will be the first time a ship would break from Cradle’s orbit, and to date the single largest engineering project of the Ark Colony. The very first Seeker is laid in late in the year, and expected to be completed within a little under two years. If successful, there are plans to build at least three more.
There are five other planets orbiting the Genesis primary, as well as about a dozen notable asteroids, all of which seem promising. However more interesting is the system’s secondary, around four billion kilometers out, which is surrounded by several hundred large asteroids. Hopes are high that these will be able to supply Cradle for generations to come.
Year 87:
The Seeker is completed on time, and departs on its mission amid fanfare and celebration. Jason Hardy, with his substantial knowledge of transnewtonian physics, leadership experience and close involvement with the design of the Seeker is given command of the vessel, and departs towards the system’s innermost planet. Two additional Seeker class ships are laid in for construction.
Year 89:
The bulk of planets and moons in the system have been surveyed. All bar one of the terrestrial planets bear some amount of transnewtonian material, with the innermost planet’s core seemingly made almost entirely out of them. Although difficult to access, it completely dwarfs all known deposits in the rest of the system, with around eight hundred million tons of transnewtonian material. With the two newly completed Seeker class vessels heading out toward the expansive asteroid field around the secondary star, and another four in construction, attention is now shifting toward the issue of effectively harvesting these materials. To this end, designs have been drawn up for a large transport ship, and work on a large spaceport complex has begun.
Ganymede class Freighter 166 100 tons 440 Crew 1558.8 BP TCS 3322 TH 3000 EM 0
903 km/s Armour 1-269 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
MSP 6 Max Repair 50 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 6 months Spare Berths 0
Cargo 125000 Cargo Handling Multiplier 25
Jenkins-Burns 200 EP Commercial Nuclear Pulse Engine (15) Power 200 Fuel Use 6.19% Signature 200 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 500 000 Litres Range 8.8 billion km (112 days at full power)
This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
Work is now underway to construct a new orbital manufacturing complex large enough to construct the gargantuan ship. Although some have raised concerns over the decision to construct such a large ship, they were overruled by the government, claiming that it is a vital investment in the system’s long term infrastructure.
Year 92:
With all bodies in the system surveyed for transnewtonian material the Seekers have been recalled and work has begun to disassemble them. The government has faced criticism for producing such a large number of geological survey vessels, despite the fact that the system survey was almost complete when the final four Seekers where launched. Although the government has not responded to these complaints they have released a statement congratulating the survey teams for “completing their work far more quickly than first expected”
Year 94:
The Higgins Orbital Shipyard Complex (named for the current First Minister of Cradle) is completed, and work has begun on the first Ganymede Class freighter.
Year 111:
Although the Ganymede freighter has proven effective a new approach for harvesting material from asteroids has been proposed to take pressure off existing infrastructure, an integrated harvester platform, the Leviathan
Leviathan class Asteroid Miner 2 795 350 tons 25040 Crew 69241 BP TCS 55907 TH 0 EM 0
1 km/s Armour 1-1767 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
MSP 15 Max Repair 120 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months Spare Berths 0
Habitation Capacity 250 000
Asteroid Miner: 500 module(s) producing 10000 tons per mineral per annum
Fuel Capacity 250 000 Litres Range N/A
This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
This design is classed as an Orbital Habitat for construction purposes
And to reposition Leviathans
Muskox class Tug 57 900 tons 520 Crew 1777 BP TCS 1158 TH 4000 EM 0
3454 km/s Armour 1-133 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
MSP 19 Max Repair 100 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 30 months Spare Berths 1
Tractor Beam
Jenkins-Burns 200 EP Commercial Nuclear Pulse Engine (20) Power 200 Fuel Use 6.19% Signature 200 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 5 000 000 Litres Range 251.1 billion km (841 days at full power)
This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
Year 116:
First Minister Higgins is found dead at age 77. Although official reports claim that he died as a result of heart failure allegations of foul play are made. Former Minister of Industry and daughter in law of his primary political rival, Lilly Doherty, takes over the position of First Minister.
Year 122:
Exploitation of the system’s resources is proceeding well. The first Leviathan Platform has been completed and is now attached to a duranium rich asteroid, and mining operations have been set up on planets one and four. A private, civilian run mine has also been established on a moon of one of the gas giants. There has been suggestion of sending human colonists to planet four, and First Minister Doherty has opened a public consultation on the issue.
Year 123:
Following the public consultation, and a series of high profile scientific breakthroughs, it is decided that while a small colony will be established on planet four, now Bellafoss, investigation will also be made into potential interstellar expansion. To that end, an experimental new starship has been laid down for construction. Named for the scientific principles that made it possible, the Andulhes class will be the first of its kind, capable of faster-than-light travel, and sporting a new sensor array capable of detecting the gravitational weak points where such a transition is possible.
Andulhes class Gravitational Survey Vessel 10 000 tons 225 Crew 1197 BP TCS 200 TH 800 EM 0
4000 km/s JR 3-50 Armour 1-41 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/6/0 Damage Control Rating 20 PPV 0
Maint Life 8.54 Years MSP 1496 AFR 40% IFR 0.6% 1YR 37 5YR 550 Max Repair 200 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 80 months Spare Berths 0
Pearce-Giles J10000(3-50) Military Jump Drive Max Ship Size 10000 tons Distance 50k km Squadron Size 3
Dixon-Jackson 400 EP Commercial Magneto-plasma Drive (2) Power 400 Fuel Use 4.42% Signature 400 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 1 000 000 Litres Range 407.2 billion km (1178 days at full power)
Advanced Gravitational Sensors (2) 6 Survey Points Per Hour
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
Year 128:
Four navigable systems have been found in proximity to Genesis. Although three are of limited interest save for resource extraction the fourth, FV-YEA, is home to five worlds of comparable habitability to Bellafoss, as well as two thousand asteroids. As readily accessible duranium is becoming increasingly hard to find in Genesis pressure to expand into neighbouring systems is growing.
Year 129:
So as to facilitate the colonization of Bellafoss, and replace the ageing Ganymede class, the Castillo is developed. It’s basic design is largely unchanged, but with the introduction of new Magneto-plasma engines and an upgraded loading system.
Callisto class Freighter 165 600 tons 440 Crew 2351 BP TCS 3312 TH 6000 EM 0
1811 km/s Armour 1-268 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
MSP 9 Max Repair 100 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months Spare Berths 0
Cargo 125000 Cargo Handling Multiplier 50
Dixon-Jackson 400 EP Commercial Magneto-plasma Drive (15) Power 400 Fuel Use 4.42% Signature 400 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 500 000 Litres Range 12.3 billion km (78 days at full power)
This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
Along with it a variant intended to ferry colonist is also released.
Callisto C class Colony Ship 166 300 tons 935 Crew 7244 BP TCS 3326 TH 6000 EM 0
1803 km/s Armour 1-269 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
MSP 27 Max Repair 100 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months Spare Berths 1
Cryogenic Berths 500000 Cargo Handling Multiplier 50
Dixon-Jackson 400 EP Commercial Magneto-plasma Drive (15) Power 400 Fuel Use 4.42% Signature 400 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 500 000 Litres Range 12.2 billion km (78 days at full power)
This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
Year 133:
The colony is in chaos. Upon arrival in the newly discovered system of GQLB-V the frontier exploration fleet noted two peculiarities. First the system is shrouded in a thick nebula, in spite of it’s powerful engines the fleet could barely move. Secondly, in orbit over the system’s third planet, a cloud of wreckage was detected, clearly artificial in origin, and bearing no resemblance to anything on record. Although many are heralding this as the first sign of alien life, many are troubled and pushing for militarisation. First Minister Doherty has stated that precautions will be taken to secure to populations of Bellfoss and Cradle, and efforts would be made to recover the alien wreckage.
Year 140:
With ever increasing shortages of Duranium, the need to start harvesting beyond the Genesis system grows. To that end a new generation of jump capable survey ship is designed: the Fyer
Fyer class Geosurvey Ship 9 550 tons 116 Crew 1431 BP TCS 191 TH 800 EM 0
4188 km/s JR 1-25(C) Armour 1-40 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/15 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 0
MSP 94 Max Repair 200 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 60 months Spare Berths 0
Edwards-Moore JC11K Commercial Jump Drive Max Ship Size 11000 tons Distance 25k km Squadron Size 1
Dixon-Jackson 400 EP Commercial Magneto-plasma Drive (2) Power 400 Fuel Use 4.42% Signature 400 Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 1 000 000 Litres Range 426.4 billion km (1178 days at full power)
Advanced Geological Sensors (5) 15 Survey Points Per Hour
This design is classed as a Commercial Vessel for maintenance purposes
Year 142:
After almost ten years of pressure First Minister Doherty unveils the Colony’s first warship, the Shredder
Shredder class Gunboat 20 300 tons 607 Crew 4930 BP TCS 406 TH 6000 EM 0
14778 km/s Armour 5-66 Shields 0-0 Sensors 110/110/0/0 Damage Control Rating 1 PPV 42
Maint Life 0.01 Years MSP 152 AFR 3296% IFR 45.8% 1YR 14410 5YR 216146 Max Repair 600 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months Spare Berths 0
Cox-Ashton 1200 EP Magneto-plasma Drive (5) Power 1200 Fuel Use 68.89% Signature 1200 Exp 15%
Fuel Capacity 250 000 Litres Range 3.2 billion km (60 hours at full power)
20cm Railgun V5/C4 (6x3) Range 250 000km TS: 14778 km/s Power 11-4 RM 5 ROF 15 5 5 5 5 5 4 3 3 2 2
Fire Control S02 272-4000 (1) Max Range: 544 000 km TS: 4000 km/s 98 96 94 93 91 89 87 85 83 82
Stellarator Fusion Reactor PB-1 (1) Total Power Output 24 Armour 0 Exp 5%
Active Search Sensor MR326-R50 (1) GPS 21000 Range 326.7m km Resolution 50
Thermal Sensor TH10-110 (1) Sensitivity 110 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 110m km
EM Detection Sensor EM10-110 (1) Sensitivity 110 Detect Sig Strength 1000: 110m km
This design is classed as a Military Vessel for maintenance purposes
Although they lack anything to compare it to so as to determine its effectiveness, many do sleep better at night knowing that they have at least something to protect them.
144:
All but one of the geosurvey ships send to FV-YEA have returned. Although the system is only partially surveyed, they report having detected multiple thermonuclear detonations, focused on the missing survey ship. It is presumed to be destroyed, but telemetry is inconclusive. For many this is a realization of their worst fears, an encounter with hostile aliens. Production of Shredder class gunships has been increased dramatically. Now essentially cut off from the most promising system in the local area, and facing what is assumed to be an outright hostile foe the colony's future is uncertain.
