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The head of the research department on Palshife enters presidnet Navarone's office. "Mr. President, good aternoon. We've made some real breakthroughs recently at Research. The big one is a new energy transfer matrix. Shield batteries had a limited speed at which they could be recharged primarily because the energy from the main reactors couldn't be shunted in any faster. With this new setup, we'll be able to have a huge increase in recharging. This should also allow shields to come back up immediately when decloaking, because we'll be able to force much more energy back in in much less time. We've developed a new interceptor using this and the new fusion technology, and are working hard on a new Heavy Cruiser. Main decision is whether to use a modification of the old Rebel Cruiser hull or develop a new one. In any case, it'll have 3 Heavy Fusion Turrets, the new energy system, and carry 12 of the new fighters which we're calling Devil Rays." "Splendid. Will his stiff be ready for our big offensive which we expect to start within a couple of weeks?" "Absolutely. Production of the new fighters has already begun, and we'll start the Cruisers as soon as we get the design finalized. Hope to have that tomorrow. We may not have very many ready in time, but it'll be done." "Well, then don't waste any more time here talking to me. Get back to your fine work."
------------------ Almost doesn't count, but barely does. "The problem with the designated driver program, it's not a desirable job. But if you ever get sucked into doing it, have fun with it. At the end of the night, drop them off at the wrong house." - Jeff Foxworthy
Macavenger is discussing the coming campaign with president Navarone when the R&D; head comes back. Admiral, President, we have the new design finished. It's a heavily modified Rebel Cruiser Hull with completely new technology. It'l go faster, hit harder, and should last longer than previous models, and have the new cloak. Design changes are such that it'll take longer to refit existing ships, but not so radical as to make it impossible. We've already got the main shipyards at work turning some out." Macavenger looks back at him. "Can you get the R.S.S. Annihilator refit in time?" "Sure, I'll add it to the top of the waiting list for you, Admiral. All the yards are full fight now, some of them with new keels, but we should have a spot within a day of two." Mr. Navarone also looks up from the battle plans. "We want to be ready to go inside a week. Will our fleets be ready by then?" "Should be. We've got 16 Cruisers refit to F Class. With the new Mk. IVs ready, we don't have plans to do an more of those. We'll see how many of the new Mk. IVs we can get done, and we've got 40 Assault Carriers now and more coming out all the time. They're pretty easy to do, so we may have a lot of those. Oh, and we haven't come up with a better name for the new cruisers than Rebel Cruiser Mk. IV yet, but we're still accepting suggestions. Well, I better head back." As the R&D; Head leaves, Navarone resumes his battle discussion with macavenger. I'm going to give you 14 of the F Class Cruisers, and leave the other two here for defence in case the Confederates attack. I'll also give you 6 of the Mk. IVs, so you'll have 20 Cruisers like you wanted. Any more new ones that get done will go to Admiral Skyblade's fleet. I'll also give you the 50 Assault Carriers, and extras will be split between here and Skyblade's fleet. How are the plans to blockade Polaris coming?" "Fleet is in position now. Northstar won't be getting any military reinforcements of any kind." "Good. Your plans to hit there and then move on to Rigel are approved. Admirla Skyblade will be attacking from galactic south at multiple points and head for Sol. Hopefully, this won't take more than a few weeks. We'll go as soon as the fleets are ready, no more than a week."
'Hello, and welcome to Levo Public Television's morning news. In today's top story, the leaders of the planet Northstar in the Polaris system announced yesterday that they have begun proceedings to withdraw from the Confederation. They explained that with direct trade routes with much of the Confederation effectively cut off, the withdrawl is being made for economic reasons, but that the planet will still mantain a peaceful trading relationship with the central government. Sources close to the First Minister suggested that the planet may be petitioning for membership in the Alliance of Independent Worlds. Northstar is the first world to attempt to leave the Confederation in over a decade, and the legally mandated plebiscite will be held in three days time.
Still to come on the program: the Confederate Space Navy announces the construction of a large number of new heavy cruisers. The vessels, now being built in Luna's Terran Naval Yards, will feature the latest Confederate power grids and particle beam turrets
The government of Samson's Planet approves funding for experiments in climate control to raise the planet's temperature
and the Ostia Starport project is delayed indefinitely after a series of setbacks following the mysterious deaths of several key private investors. You're watching Levo Public Television News.'
------------------ David Arthur (url="http://"http://members.aol.com/darthur1/talon-ev/")Talon Plugin for the original Escape Velocity(/url)
(This message has been edited by David Arthur (edited 07-15-2001).)
I'm not sure why Polaris's trade routes with the Confeceration would be cut off - it certainly isn't my fleet's fault. They're stopping military traffic only, much like the alliance of independent worlds. Of course, if Northstar leaves the Confederation, the Rebellion will leave them alone.
'This is Levo Public Television with your noon news update. It looks like a good week for the Alliance of Independent Worlds. The planet Northstar may soon be withdrawing from the Confederation, and it has been hinted that they may join the Alliance. In addition, the Manos system has petitioned for membership, as is expected to be accepted. In other news, the Confederation has taken advantage of a lull in Rebel military activity to strengthen their forces. Their shipyards are operating at full capacity producing new frigates and cruisers mounting the latest technology, and they've deployed naval bases in the Alcyon and Castor systems to guard the southern Core Worlds against Rebel attack. On Earth '
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Quote
Originally posted by Macavenger: I'm not sure why Polaris's trade routes with the Confeceration would be cut off - it certainly isn't my fleet's fault.
However, the Rebel conquests of Sirius and Matar cut off major trading routes.
Originally posted by Macavenger: They're stopping military traffic only, much like the alliance of independent worlds.
It's kind of different to blockade a planet and prevent its own military from passing through its borders with unclaimed space than to ban foreign warships from entering your own territory.
Originally posted by David Arthur: **It's kind of different to blockade a planet and prevent its own military from passing through its borders with unclaimed space than to ban foreign warships from entering your own territory. **
What I meant was, they're stopping the same kind of traffic that the Alliance is.
Also, has the alliance started blocking military traffic everywhere yet, or still just preparing to?
============
As the refits continue, so do the non-stop strategy sessions in Navarone's office. "So, what are you planning to do about Northstar, now that they intend to secede from the Confederation?" "My vote is to keep the blockade in place for now. It's not hurting the citizens any, and the world is still affiliated with the Confederation. If and when Northstar does drop out, that fleet can go down to Sirius or Tiber and set up to invade at Tau Ceti or Antares. I'd like to take my fleet through Centari to get to Rigel, in this case." "Very well. My reports show your fleet is almost finished. You should be ready to go in a couple of days at most."
Captain Skyblade, are you still in this, or is it just me and David now?
Originally posted by Macavenger: Also, has the alliance started blocking military traffic everywhere yet, or still just preparing to?
Yes, all foreign military vessels are banned from entering Alliance systems.
So while I'm focusing on the plug and waiting to see if Captain Skyblade comes back for a couple of days, any update on Northstar leaving the Confederation David?
Originally posted by Macavenger: ... any update on Northstar leaving the Confederation David?
Well, they received the required 75% support in the legally mandated plebiscite, so now they've moved on to phase two of the withdrawl procedure. This phase involves negotiating how governmental assets will be split, arranging any necessary diplomatic and trade agreements, and finding the cash to pay back their portion of the national debt.
If you look at the other thread, you'll see I've put together a candidate version of my plugin. Let me know if you have any issues.
(This message has been edited by David Arthur (edited 07-17-2001).)
"So it's official? Northstar really is withdrawing from the Confederation?" President Navarone was consulting with his chief political aid, Mr. Samms. "Yes. They're working out details of the secession now, and it looks like there is no turning back. Northstar will likely be a member of the Alliance of independent worlds within a week of two." "Very well, send Admiral Macavenger in." Mr. Samms leaves, and Macavenger enters. "Well, Macavenger, it looks like we're about ready. You're sure about the new tactics with those Cruisers will work?" "Definitely. I've flown mine in a pirate patrol to Darven and back. Based on that shakedown, we've taken to calling them Supercruisers. You can't appreciate just how good these new ones are without flying one. They outgun, well, everything known, and anything that can outrun it will be no challenge for the fighters, and nothing can outrun them. Don't worry about the Ospreys carving these up, because I can almost guarantee that they won't." "Alright, but be careful anyway. Another issue, Northstar appears to be in the final process of officially leaving the Confederation, so we can drop the blockade now. Send your main group to Sirius and get Admiral Skyblade's fleet set up to make a run on Antares." Navarone sighs. "I hope we hear from him within a couple of days. I don't doubt that you can handle the strategic coordination of the fleets, but it would be better to have him commanding his from a tactical standpoint." "I'll have the fleets in position as soon as possible."
Admiral Skyblade, struggling to stay awake from his lack of sleep, views his Rebel warfleet from his flagship, the Triton Corsair. Never has such a warfleet been assembled by the Rebellion, and possibly won't ever be seen again. The 17th warfleet was composed of 476 destroyers, 213 cruisers of various classes, roughly two thousand Star Cobras, and about twice that number of mantas. Smaller numbers of the new Assault Carriers were also available for the offensive. Rebel shipyards were working at full force to build assault carrier numbers to strength...
While Admiral Skyblade viewed his warfleet statistics from the bridge of the Triton Corsair, the coded communications channel sounded.
The communications officer, Lietenant Burginson, didn't need to decode the message. The numbers were a familiar sight to experienced Rebel officers.
"Sir, we've received the 716 message from Pashlife," Burginson stated.
"Very well," the Admiral replied. "Jonathan Navarone has just given us orders to launch our offensive. Never again will the Confederation Navy suffer as they will within these next few years. Send Admiral Macavenger the coded message across comm channel three within 15:30 hours."
Skyblade paused, then continued. "Captain Wilson, set course for Eridani. Engage warp engines, maximum speed."
CEO of the Corsair Development Team (url="http://"http://tmgmedia.net/jpayne")Corsair Homepage(/url) | (url="http://"http://pub57.ezboard.com/bcorsairdevelopers")Corsair Web Board(/url) | (url="http://"http://pub101.ezboard.com/bstarbasedelta")Starbase Delta(/url)
Captain Skyblade, next time you're here, please see (url="http://"http://www.AmbrosiaSW.com/webboard/Forum6/HTML/001650.html#")this thread(/url). Very important, let me know what you can do there. And you're sure you don't want to switch your command to one of the new Supercruisers? There's probably room for about 4 in your fleet there. But then, I forget, you haven't flown one in the game yet, so you don't appreciate them the way I do.
Macavenger's fleet stood ready at Sirius, preparing to make the jump to Landfall when the signal from Admiral Skyblade arrived. While no where near as large as Skyblade's it was very deadly in it's own right, with 6 Supercruisers, 14 F Class Cruisers, and 50 Assault Carriers. Those ships brought with them a total of 112 Mantas, 400 Firefoxes, and 72 Devil Rays. All the capital ships had Heavy Fusion Beams or Turrets. It was certainly a nearly unstoppable fleet by conventional standards, with the only question being if the new Confederate ships with Particle Beam weapons could tip the scales.
"Any news?" asked the Minister of Defence.
"Yes, Minister," answered Admiral Charles. "We've finished uploading the new driver software to all our defence drones, We wrote it in house this time, and we've had our security experts go over the code to make sure there's absolutely no way the Rebels can hack it."
"Good, good."
"But that's not all. We were able to use some newly-released research findings from the University of Tobermorary to modify the drones' sensor arrays to detect graviton levels and indirectly - but precisely - measure the curvature of the Einsteinian space-time continuum."
The Minister look puzzled. "And this has military applications because..."
"This is important, " explained the admiral, "because although some objects are able to slip through our sensor nets, all matter has mass, all mass has gravity, and all gravity curves the space-time continuum. Therefore, the drones will now be able to detect objects such as small ships and weapons that could previously slip through their sensor net. More important than that, though, they should even be able to detect cloaked ships, since no matter how invisible something is, it still has mass. I'm not saying we'll be able to scan or identify them or anything, but we will be able to get a close enough lock to fire on them. Since the current cloaking devices seem to overload if their cloaking field is hit by any weapon, that should be enough."
Macavenger recieves the signal from Luke's flagship. "Alright, everyone, we're going in. Quick pass through Centauri, then we can take New Britain back from th 'Feds." Macavenger's fleet enters the Centauri system and deploys fighters.
So David, what am I fighting this time?
Alarm bells rang in the CSN Monitoring Center on Earth.
"What's going on? Report!" called Admiral Innes."
"Uh, let's see," stuttered a technician. "It looks like - yes, a large rebel fleet has dropped out of hyperspace in the Centauri system."
The admiral responded without hesitation. "Set the defence drones to fire on it, and keep a watch on the gravitic sensors," she commanded. "If you see anything that looks like a cloaked ship, fire on it. Deploy the Landfall defence fleet and the alert 83rd Fleet - they're in orbit."
She turned towards another technician. "Reilly, what other fleets are within range?"
"The 72nd and 91st are closest."
"Send them in. For that matter, send reinforcements to Rigel, Sol, and Tau Ceti too. Can't be too careful." She turned and spoke to an officer. "Commodore Henderson, take over. I've got to inform the Minister."
She swiftly walked out the door and entered a lift.
Originally posted by Macavenger: So David, what am I fighting this time?
Well, Landfall is guarded by 60 defence drones. The planet's defence fleet provides 100 frigates, which are split about half-and-half between Class I and Class II. A fleet of two Class III Ospreys, ten Class III cruisers, fifteen Class II frigates, and 35 miscellaneous fighters is currently stationed in the system. Of course, as you saw above, you're also fighting central co-ordination at Earth, and reinforcements are on their way.
If that seems large to you for a system that wasn't expecting an attack, you should know that since the Rebels withdrew their forces, the Confederation has been doing everything in its power to increase the size and strength of its Navy. All military shipyards have been operating at peak efficiency, producing Class II frigates, Class III cruisers, Class III Ospreys, and gunboats. Meanwhile, the Purchasing department has been buying up various vessels that can be used for military purposes, including Lightnings, Corvettes, and Kestrels. Meanwhile, the research group in the Ministry of Defence has been preparing the lastest computer technology to reduce the number of personnel required to operate these ships. Also, the Confederation's monitoring center on Earth has been expanded, and new advances in broadband FTL communication have allowed the entire fleet and all Confederate territory to be monitored and controlled centrally. The Confederation's technology may not have advanced as much as some of the Rebel refits, but the Confederate Space Navy is a ~lot~ larger than it was the last time you saw it.
------------------ David Arthur (url="http://"http://members.aol.com/darthur1/talon-ev/")Talon Plugin for the original Escape Velocity(/url) (url="http://"http://members.aol.com/darthur1/confed.html")The Confederate Political System(/url) (url="http://"http://members.aol.com/darthur1/battleforsol.gif")The Battle for Sol Map(/url)
(This message has been edited by David Arthur (edited 07-19-2001).)
Don't worry, I had no doubt of any of that. Of course, the Rebel's can pull some stuff too.
A new set of alarm bells began ringing in the op center shortly after Admiral Innes left. A positively huge Rebel fleet had entered the Eridani system, led by a Rebel Destroyer by the name of R.S.S. Triton Corsair. "Uh oh," said a technician. "We've got over 600 Rebel ships entering the Eridani system, and Admiral Skyblade is commanding them. That's going to be trouble."
Meanwhile, Macavenger's fleet hung back, out of range of the defence drones, trying to draw out the ships to engage them outside the drones cover. Macavenger also knew Skyblade's fleet would be in Eridani, so he waited a bit to see what the Confederation's reaction would be.
If it's relevant to your decision David, Skyblade's fleet has approximately 700 capital ships and several times that many fighters, and my fleet has 70 capital ships and about 600ish fighters, all launched from the ships.
(This message has been edited by Macavenger (edited 07-19-2001).)
Originally posted by Macavenger: (B)If it's relevant to your decision David(B)...
Who says I have to make a decision?
Shortly after Admiral Innes left the Monitoring Center, alarm bells began ringing again.
"Report!" cried Commodore Henderson.
"Another rebel fleet has dropped out of hyperspace in the Eridani system, answered the monitoring technician. "I count 476 destroyers, 213 cruisers, and innumerable fighters."
"What's our status?" asked the commodore.
"The 21st and 52nd fleets are in the system, and the 63rd and 47th are nearby."
"Send in the 63rd and 47th in, deploy the planet's defence fleet, activate the defence drones, and keep an eye on the gravitic sensors for cloaked ships. Send reinforcements to Procyon, Barnard, and Vega too, and put the entire fleet on battle alert just in case the Rebels try anything further. Oh, and will somebody page Admiral Innes and tell her what's going on?"
Meanwhile, at Centauri, Macavenger is contemplating the Defence Drones in the distance. "OK, let's try out the cloaking. R.S.S. Wasp , R.S.S. Hornet , R.S.S. Eagle , R.S.S. Hood , R.S.S. Scimitar , you 5 go in under cloak, and try to knock out those drones like we did at Matar." He looks over at a tactical board. "Meanwhile, since the Confederates haven't come out, we've got 400 Tactical Bombers here taht can close to their range and not be in any danger. He flicks on a different comm. "Firefoxes, split by flight groups. I want each flight group to pick a Frigate out there and take it out. Close to range, launch your torpedoes, and get back here immediately. I don't want more than 5 flight groups out at once though, in case the the Confederates come out, we'll need you to help." Meanwhile, the cloaked carriers closed in with the Drones, Fusion Beams ready to fire when they decloaked.
David, a little note here that comes from the logistical problems of this story. Since I know the ships are going to be fired on but Admiral Macavenger doesn't, he's going to send some ships in to try the cloaking tactic. However, he doesn't like or trust your drones at all, so he's going to be watching them carefully. So, I have to pre-empt you a bit here, because when they start to fire, the Carriers will immediately be ordered to get out of there with full evasive action.
Meanwhile, Admiral Skyblade's fleet had advantages in numbers and overall strength, and pressed it. Skyblade drove his fleet in at the Confederate defenders, concentrating a lot of torpedo fire on the Defence Drones. The massed fleet came in, suffering some casualties, but generally giving far, far more than it was taking.
I also don't feel I can control Skyblade's fleet tactically here, since technically I'm at Centauri, but unless and until he comes back, I'll be doing some general strategic ideas of what his fleet is doing, even though it isn't under my command.
(This message has been edited by Macavenger (edited 07-20-2001).)
"Paging Admiral Innes, Admiral Innes, please respond."
The admiral, walking down the hallway from the lifts to the Minister's office, turned and inserted her keycard in the nearest wall-mounted communications panel. "Yes?"
"Admiral, a large Rebel fleet has dropped into Eridani," came the technician's voice. "We've deployed the drones and defence fleet, alerted the two fleets stationed there, and ordered two more fleets in as well. I've also ordered reinforcements to the neighbouring systems, and put the Navy on general alert."
"Good work," the admiral replied. "I'll tell the Minister. Anything else?"
"Yes. The research department wants to talk to you and Admiral Charles as soon as it's convenient."
"Tell them we'll be down later, and that we're kind of busy right now."
"Acknowledged. Monitoring center out."
Originally posted by Macavenger: However, he doesn't like or trust your drones at all, so he's going to be watching them carefully. So, I have to pre-empt you a bit here, because when they start to fire, the Carriers will immediately be ordered to get out of there with full evasive action.
Just as long as you know that the moment your ships get within range, the drones will begin firing on them. Oh, and at this point I should probably give a little more information about what these drones are; they're armed with proton turret batteries, torpedoes, missiles, and heavy rockets. Each drone is about three quarters the size of a Confederate frigate, and since they have no hyperdrives or crew compartments, that leaves a lot of room for shield generators.
Originally posted by Macavenger: Meanwhile, Admiral Skyblade's fleet had advantages in numbers and overall strength, and pressed it.
I don't think his numerical advantage is as strong as you think. In addition to the defence fleet (which has been greatly expanded from what it is ingame), he's fighting two Confederate fleets - both equipped with the latest Class II frigates, Class III cruisers, and Class III Ospreys - with two more on their way.
Well, for Skyblade's fleet, ones that haven't got there yet don't count, do they? So he has an advantage for now, and hes going to use it.
At Centauri, the five Carriers crossed into range of the Defence Drones's sensors. Back at the Monitoring Center in Sol, the technician watching the appropriate screen called out, "Commodore, I have some gravitic anamolies entering the drone's perimeter." "Fire!" Shouted the Commodore, without giving him a chance to explain further.
Back on the bridge of the R.S.S. Annihilator, Macavenger was hovering over the tactical plot. "Torpedo tracks from the drones, sir," said Leiutenant Berryman, pointing.
"Have to be aimed at the Carriers. Get them out of there, now."
As the Carriers began to pull away, safe for the moment, Macavenger turned to his tech specialist, Commander Larison. "Any idea how they could have detected them?"
Larison frowned. "Probably by gravitics, we haven't been able to neutralize that yet. It would take some really advanced math to get a target lock from that, but the 'Feds might be able to do it. But, I think I may have something more useful."
"Go on."
"First group of Firefoxes making their run now," called out an ops officer.
"Save it."
"The drones have an FTL comm array," continued Larison. "I've picked up some transmissions on it, so I have their frequencies. Further, each of the drones that opened fire recieved a transmission just before they fired. Encrypted of course, but seems rather consistent with a fire order. This suggest that perhaps the drones can't detect the ships themselves, and have to get outside firing orders, or just don't fire on random anamolies without orders, which also makes good sense."
"I see. I assume you have an idea for how we can get around this?" He turned to the comm officer. "Tell the R.S.S. Hood to go back in on the other side, and get out when it detects torpedo launches." Turning back to Larison, he said, "Sorry, testing the theory. Continue."
"Well, since we know what frequencies they use, we can broadcast some white noise across those frequencies. Coding some stuff through encrypt sequence gamma would be good, that can make some pretty nasty junk. then we send it continuously across those FTL comm frequencies, and the drones won't be able to get any new orders."
Berryman pointed. "Torpedoes, going for the Hood."
Macavenger watched the Hood pull away, then turned back. "Did you pick up a transmission again?" "Yes. Can I start broadcasting?"
"What are you planning to send?"
"Well, I have somelong documents handy, like the Rebellion Constitution, Declaration of Rebellion, Alliance Charter, etc. If we encrypt those, that gives us a lot of broadcast material."
"Do it. R.S.S. Hood , one more time. Go back in, and take a run through the drone cloud. Get out if there are any firings, but there shouldn't be any."
The Hood went straight through the drones, without getting scratched.
"It works. R.S.S. Victory , R.S.S. Avenger , cloak and head in. Tandem drone blasting exercise. Once you get those cleared out, we'll be clear to go in."
"Sir, the Firefoxes have completed their first runs, and most are rearmed and out ready again. They report 38 Frigates destroyed and another 9 disabled."
"Good. The Confederates will have to come out and engage us, or we'll just keeping pecking at them this way until they're all gone. Either way, we should win."