Much like Melville liked to write in vivid detail about how rope is made. I too like the nuanced details of how starships work.
Reactors: Starship reactors work by essentially creating micro-stars. Fusion reactors collide hydrogen atoms in very small quantities under controlled conditions to create the light and heat needed to power the ship.
Reactor Vessels: The vessel is a sphere with alternating solar and repulsor panels. The energy is collected in the solar panels, and is converted into electricity for the various ship's systems to be used. Some panels have been altered (around 2%) to tap plasma directly from the reactor, and is channeled into weapons systems, or the Alter-space drive. The repulsor panels, serve to restrict the fusion process and prevent the reactor from consuming the entire vessel. Many times, this repulsor system is the point of failure in combat that causes a ship to explode, and take just about anything in or around it, out with it.
The electrical current is then fed into several electrical buses, that in turn, power the various components connected to them. To provide standardization (and thus reduce the training required for new personnel), these buses have been homogenized across the entire Confederate fleet.
Bus A: Powers life-support, including oxygen generators, artificial gravity generators, lights, and HVAC systems.
Bus B: Powers sensors, computers as well as communications. This bus consumes the least of amount of power.
Bus C: Engineering systems, including main propulsion and reaction control thrusters (RCTs). The Alter-Space drive is not included on this bus.
Bus D: This bus is solely for powering the Alter-Space drive and all associated systems.
Bus E: This bus power defensive systems such as the main shield generator, and structural shielding, including any launch bay shields the ship may require to operate.
Bus F: Used to power weapons, as well as any electronic counter-measures (ECM) or electronic counter-counter measures (ECCM).
Bus G: Is a spare bus, used for various utilities or as an auxiliary bus for any system that has been disconnected from it's primary bus.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Friday, September 9, 2011
The Beginning of the End
By early xxxx, the Confederation was regularly sending covert surveillance ships into Hegemonic systems and monitoring fleet and political operations. The dearth of intelligence that this generated proved highly valuable.
One such surveillance ship was monitoring the construction of a prototype ship of the line, code-named 'Bully'. Bully was an extremely large Battleship that carried a frightening amount of firepower, including two squadrons of fighters, 10 gauge plasma cannons and enough small arms to stand-off just about anything any single Confederate militia could throw at it.
The black-fleet's surveillance ship SC-1355 was monitoring the launch of Bully from the yards and was confident that the ship was going to go through trials in an adjacent and unoccupied star system. When the ship instead made way for the nearest Confederate system, it became clear that the intention was to put the ship through trials in an incursion.
SC-1355 then quickly began to make ready to return home (in the hopes of preventing Bully from surprising Confederate forces) when it's presence was detected and the ship was forced to send it's report via a data probe while sacrificing itself, in order to give Hegemonic forces the satisfaction that they had stopped any leak of the coming attack.
The probe arrived in the Confederate system of Galph just hours ahead of the Bully. But those crucial hours proved invaluable in evacuating civilians and rallying forces to prevent a slaughter.
Bully (now commissioned and officially called the HNV Obligator) entered Galph and began to systematically destroy any Confederate asset it encountered. All the while, civilian ships were being vectored away from the Obligator. Soon however, the Obligator came to the primary colony world of New Spokane and Obligator began to open fire with it's heavy weapons. The orbiting control station was destroyed with no resistance, and most of the surface of the colony was rendered uninhabitable. Tens of thousands were killed but hundreds of thousands escaped, and warning was transmitted to neighboring star systems (as well as to the Confederate government) in enough time to begin to activate the different elements of the fleet.
However, what was not known to any elements of CDCA is that this was a precursor to the full scale invasion of the Confederacy. At about the same time that the Obligator was wrapping up it's operations in Galph, several agents placed aboard the Confederate Colony Ships went into action and managed to either disable or destroy them.
Soon entire task forces were entering Confederate space and initiating open conflict. Spearheaded by the Obligator, they seemed almost unstoppable.
One such surveillance ship was monitoring the construction of a prototype ship of the line, code-named 'Bully'. Bully was an extremely large Battleship that carried a frightening amount of firepower, including two squadrons of fighters, 10 gauge plasma cannons and enough small arms to stand-off just about anything any single Confederate militia could throw at it.
The black-fleet's surveillance ship SC-1355 was monitoring the launch of Bully from the yards and was confident that the ship was going to go through trials in an adjacent and unoccupied star system. When the ship instead made way for the nearest Confederate system, it became clear that the intention was to put the ship through trials in an incursion.
SC-1355 then quickly began to make ready to return home (in the hopes of preventing Bully from surprising Confederate forces) when it's presence was detected and the ship was forced to send it's report via a data probe while sacrificing itself, in order to give Hegemonic forces the satisfaction that they had stopped any leak of the coming attack.
The probe arrived in the Confederate system of Galph just hours ahead of the Bully. But those crucial hours proved invaluable in evacuating civilians and rallying forces to prevent a slaughter.
Bully (now commissioned and officially called the HNV Obligator) entered Galph and began to systematically destroy any Confederate asset it encountered. All the while, civilian ships were being vectored away from the Obligator. Soon however, the Obligator came to the primary colony world of New Spokane and Obligator began to open fire with it's heavy weapons. The orbiting control station was destroyed with no resistance, and most of the surface of the colony was rendered uninhabitable. Tens of thousands were killed but hundreds of thousands escaped, and warning was transmitted to neighboring star systems (as well as to the Confederate government) in enough time to begin to activate the different elements of the fleet.
However, what was not known to any elements of CDCA is that this was a precursor to the full scale invasion of the Confederacy. At about the same time that the Obligator was wrapping up it's operations in Galph, several agents placed aboard the Confederate Colony Ships went into action and managed to either disable or destroy them.
Soon entire task forces were entering Confederate space and initiating open conflict. Spearheaded by the Obligator, they seemed almost unstoppable.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Operation Westcott
Operation Westcott was a counter-insurgency operation carried out by the Confederate Black Fleet in response to a Hegemonic incursion.
The Hegemony had been planning a serious incursion into Confederate space for a considerable period of time, and thanks to Confederate intelligence efforts, was exposed and compromised early. However, rather than openly expose the plans, the Confederation decided to take the opportunity to counter-attack while deceiving the Hegemonic forces.
In the early part of xxxx, the Henry Security forces massed in the fringe Perral system, and waited. Meanwhile the Confederate Data Collection Agency (Black Fleet Intel.) actively sent misleading reports to the Hegemonic forces that all was normal in Confederate space. This was no small feat, and remains among the top five most successful operations ever carried out by the CDCA.
Once the Hegemony commenced the attack, (committing the lion's share of forces in the area) experienced line duty forces held them off capably, while the Black Fleet moved into Hegemonic space, wreaking havoc with communications and supply lines, as well as decimating reserve forces.
The Henry forces were quickly routed losing the majority of their front line units. In addition, two capitol ships were severely damaged, and one Ship-of-the-Line was nearly lost (with the Hegemonic commander aboard).
The ambush was an enormous embarrassment to the Hegemony, and incursions were held off for three years afterward, allowing the Confederation valuable time to build up capability in both tactical and intelligence theaters of conflict.
The Hegemony had been planning a serious incursion into Confederate space for a considerable period of time, and thanks to Confederate intelligence efforts, was exposed and compromised early. However, rather than openly expose the plans, the Confederation decided to take the opportunity to counter-attack while deceiving the Hegemonic forces.
In the early part of xxxx, the Henry Security forces massed in the fringe Perral system, and waited. Meanwhile the Confederate Data Collection Agency (Black Fleet Intel.) actively sent misleading reports to the Hegemonic forces that all was normal in Confederate space. This was no small feat, and remains among the top five most successful operations ever carried out by the CDCA.
Once the Hegemony commenced the attack, (committing the lion's share of forces in the area) experienced line duty forces held them off capably, while the Black Fleet moved into Hegemonic space, wreaking havoc with communications and supply lines, as well as decimating reserve forces.
The Henry forces were quickly routed losing the majority of their front line units. In addition, two capitol ships were severely damaged, and one Ship-of-the-Line was nearly lost (with the Hegemonic commander aboard).
The ambush was an enormous embarrassment to the Hegemony, and incursions were held off for three years afterward, allowing the Confederation valuable time to build up capability in both tactical and intelligence theaters of conflict.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Hidden Fighter Depots
Constructed to support fighter squadrons in the event they become separated from supply lines, Hidden Fighter Depots are self contained facilities that allow for simple repairs for fighters and recuperation for pilots.
These facilities are installed in a number of locations. Remote areas of habitable planets, hollowed out asteroids, apparently derelict stations. A secret database of local depots is kept with each fighter squadron's leader, and is distributed to individual fighters only after extreme emergency.
These facilities are installed in a number of locations. Remote areas of habitable planets, hollowed out asteroids, apparently derelict stations. A secret database of local depots is kept with each fighter squadron's leader, and is distributed to individual fighters only after extreme emergency.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Feint
The Confederation, knowing full well that it's existence was on borrowed time from the Hegemony, began plotting a way to regain the upper hand and eventually end what it perceived as a counter-productive and ultimately destructive form of government.
The plan was disclosed only to a select few in the government, and only the very top admirals in the Black Fleet.
It was called simply, "Feint".
The plan called for the secret construction of a fifth colony ship using cost overruns and spare parts from the construction of the other four, to keep it hidden from auditors and the general population. Construction crews were comprised of a very small number of trusted persons, who were then carefully watched, to ensure they didn't disclose it's existence.
When the time came, and the wave of Hegemonic forces finally invaded, the fifth ship (known as the Sovereign) would assemble as many forces and civilian assets as it safely could, then depart known space and find a distant colony on which to begin again.
There, the Confederation can re-establish and allow humans to thrive in a democratic society until the Hegemony finally burned out and the Confederate forces would return to reclaim their colonies.
In overview the plan seemed simple. And yet in detail the devil comes out.
In order to assure the departure of the Sovereign, nearly a week would be needed to charge her massive Alter-space drive, and get her ready to depart.
This meant that the Grey and White fleets would be sacrificed in engagements only designed to buy time, not victory. This meant the lives of tens of thousands of naval personnel would be forfeited.
Billions of citizens would be abandoned to the Hegemony, while an elite few escaped. This was bound to generate a lot of hatred in those left behind. When the Confederate forces returned, would they be welcomed or destroyed outright? And in the stalling actions of the fleet, would Hegemonic forces take their revenge out on the civilians?
Ultimately, the Hegemony would learn of the Sovereign and attempt to follow her and report back to their fleet who would chase them down. How would this be prevented?
Difficult as these questions were, the plan was implemented and laid out in greater detail over the years. Key civilians were secretly handled and influenced to live on colonies close to the Sovereigns hiding position. Officer's were promoted and stationed in locations favorable to the plan. Many mid-level and even some high level government officials became liabilities to the plan and swift and horrible action was taken to ensure Feint wasn't compromised.
Finally, after nearly 23 years of planning and scheming, the day came when the call had to be made, and Feint became a reality.
The plan was disclosed only to a select few in the government, and only the very top admirals in the Black Fleet.
It was called simply, "Feint".
The plan called for the secret construction of a fifth colony ship using cost overruns and spare parts from the construction of the other four, to keep it hidden from auditors and the general population. Construction crews were comprised of a very small number of trusted persons, who were then carefully watched, to ensure they didn't disclose it's existence.
When the time came, and the wave of Hegemonic forces finally invaded, the fifth ship (known as the Sovereign) would assemble as many forces and civilian assets as it safely could, then depart known space and find a distant colony on which to begin again.
There, the Confederation can re-establish and allow humans to thrive in a democratic society until the Hegemony finally burned out and the Confederate forces would return to reclaim their colonies.
In overview the plan seemed simple. And yet in detail the devil comes out.
In order to assure the departure of the Sovereign, nearly a week would be needed to charge her massive Alter-space drive, and get her ready to depart.
This meant that the Grey and White fleets would be sacrificed in engagements only designed to buy time, not victory. This meant the lives of tens of thousands of naval personnel would be forfeited.
Billions of citizens would be abandoned to the Hegemony, while an elite few escaped. This was bound to generate a lot of hatred in those left behind. When the Confederate forces returned, would they be welcomed or destroyed outright? And in the stalling actions of the fleet, would Hegemonic forces take their revenge out on the civilians?
Ultimately, the Hegemony would learn of the Sovereign and attempt to follow her and report back to their fleet who would chase them down. How would this be prevented?
Difficult as these questions were, the plan was implemented and laid out in greater detail over the years. Key civilians were secretly handled and influenced to live on colonies close to the Sovereigns hiding position. Officer's were promoted and stationed in locations favorable to the plan. Many mid-level and even some high level government officials became liabilities to the plan and swift and horrible action was taken to ensure Feint wasn't compromised.
Finally, after nearly 23 years of planning and scheming, the day came when the call had to be made, and Feint became a reality.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Atomically Synchronized Communications
Atomically Synchronized Communications is a means by which data can be shared across vast distances of star systems. The systems that facilitate these communications circuits are housed in enormous facilities, and are only found on core worlds. The circuit between Homus and Capitol is still active, although as might be expected, much diminished in the amount of traffic that passes over it.
These circuits utilize what is sometimes called "spooky action at a distance". This action is the synchronization of two atom's spin state. No matter how far apart they are, both atoms share the same spin state. A single circuit features ten atoms, and is used in purely simplex mode. A single facility will house two circuits (one send, one receive).
Bandwidth on these systems is limited and only the most financially well off entities (Multi-system corporations and Governments) can afford to use them, but the pay off is significant.
These circuits utilize what is sometimes called "spooky action at a distance". This action is the synchronization of two atom's spin state. No matter how far apart they are, both atoms share the same spin state. A single circuit features ten atoms, and is used in purely simplex mode. A single facility will house two circuits (one send, one receive).
Bandwidth on these systems is limited and only the most financially well off entities (Multi-system corporations and Governments) can afford to use them, but the pay off is significant.
Computers
Obviously the computer systems of 2532 are far in advance of their 21st century progenitors.
Computers of this time, are mostly made from a melding of electronics and bio matter. They come in three distinct types.
1. SmartSystems
2. Semi-autonomous
3. Autonomous
SmartSystems are single task oriented systems, that posses intelligent programming and are often used in robots to take dangerous or rote jobs from humans.
Semi-autonomous computers are broader in their application, and are deployed into situations when advanced computing is needed in conjunction with human judgment. Some systems of this class feature a direct interface with the human brain, allowing for a co-mingling of consciousness.
Autonomous systems are used in situations where advanced level intellect and human leaps of creativity are required. Autonomous computers are exceedingly expensive and therefore rare. Most Core Worlds and all of the colony ships have Autonomous computers managing (or assisting in the management of) operations.
Computers of this time, are mostly made from a melding of electronics and bio matter. They come in three distinct types.
1. SmartSystems
2. Semi-autonomous
3. Autonomous
SmartSystems are single task oriented systems, that posses intelligent programming and are often used in robots to take dangerous or rote jobs from humans.
Semi-autonomous computers are broader in their application, and are deployed into situations when advanced computing is needed in conjunction with human judgment. Some systems of this class feature a direct interface with the human brain, allowing for a co-mingling of consciousness.
Autonomous systems are used in situations where advanced level intellect and human leaps of creativity are required. Autonomous computers are exceedingly expensive and therefore rare. Most Core Worlds and all of the colony ships have Autonomous computers managing (or assisting in the management of) operations.
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