- Location
- Fort Worth, TX
I believe in leaving no parsec unexplored.
Traveller, The Rise of Empire: A Naval Design, Procurement and Command Quest
- Thread starter 4WheelSword
- Start date
- Original Art Quest Sci-Fi
I believe in leaving no parsec unexplored.
[X] We should begin looking 'East', out beyond Xyri.
[x] Additional Surveyors.
We will obviously need to explore in every direction eventually (which is why we should build more scouts), but for now east is the only direction in which we can meaningfully explore due to the refueling capabilities of Xyri
[x] Additional Surveyors.
We will obviously need to explore in every direction eventually (which is why we should build more scouts), but for now east is the only direction in which we can meaningfully explore due to the refueling capabilities of Xyri
Coyote Niff
the most transbian obligate scavenger on the 'net!
- Location
- Misery!
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Again, the "bitter" tone taken in this draft is in-character only; the "avatar" I've drawn up here is a religious young woman whose sympathies lie heavily with the Daughters of the People and dreams of democracy, and so all of the various calumnies on S'taxu and the willingness of our Council to go along with a bunch of rich barons have all rather sapped her spirit. She's starting to see ghosts and plots just about everywhere from behind her tiny desk in the Multispectrum Warfare Office-if you told her the Dynasts shot down the Heimdall to get Home on their side in the S'taxu Civil War, she'd probably start trying to investigate if it was true.
Presenting:
[X] OPLAN: Silent Service
-[X] We should begin looking 'East', out beyond Xyri.
-[X] Write-in: an 800-ton "destroyer escort", the Crossbow-class, revived from an earlier MWO proposal. Equipped with the high-burn drives of the Surveyor class, but bypassing all exploratory equipment, replacing shuttles with military dropships, and adding 100 tons hull space in the design phase to mount large multi-mission torpedo racks, Fleet Landing Force quarters, and particle barbettes.
With the war on S'taxu now a stalemate without any decisive blow and our alliance with the Dynasts thoroughly calcified into long-term relations, the Fleet and its spacers must look beyond the war we are already fighting and towards the peaceful exploration of distant suns. To that end, the Multispectrum Warfare Office proposes strengthening our Xyrian alliance by beginning a series of exploratory patrols into the galactic "East", based around our allies' existing orbital refueling and repair infrastructure. However, we have learned bitterly from our honored dead on the Heimdall–to send Surveyor crews unaided into the deep black, even in tandem, is to invite disaster with every jump. As such, this office has "dusted off" and improved upon a personally-cherished design, the Quarrel-class strike destroyer, and retrofitted its tonnage and weapons systems to develop an 800-ton destroyer escort, referred to in future as the Crossbow-class. Massing 100 tons heavier than the Surveyor, the Crossbow-class will have the speed and endurance to follow its "big sister" into the further reaches of space, but will also carry heavy torpedoes and fast-firing particle barbettes fit to punch well above its weight, ensuring that our Surveyors are never again to perish without a significant fight.
With any luck, this new pairing of vessels will uncover new allies and peaceable partners as we have on Xyri, rather than the chaos and aggression in which we now find ourselves embroiled at the hands of petty kings.
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[X] OPLAN: Silent Service
Okay, I'm on board.
Okay, I'm on board.
There's no point in doing that. Remember than building existing designs comes with a discount, so there's no reason not to delegate some Interstellar Cruisers as escorts, especially after we finish the Flotilla Support Ship.
That said, after reading your post I suddenly become paranoid myself and re-read the early S'taxu exploration to see whether there was no foul play.
BTW, @4WheelSword, is there a reason the S'taxu boat uses missile launchers instead of particle beams? Is it because we haven't released that technology to them, or are there tactical considerations?
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4WheelSword
The original N-body Problem
- Pronouns
- It/She/They
Local production, that's all. They sure like their missiles.
We're not using missiles so it's unlikely our combined force achieves enough saturation to overwhelm Junta point defense systems. But, no complaints from me, it's their choice.
Omake: Memorial Wall
- Location
- Fort Worth, TX
The Memorial Wall, also known as the Remembrance Wall, began construction in Year 2 using government funds allocated to the Navy. The well known architect and designer Said Kamon Vũ would submit a design to the Ministry of Defense/Navy which was selected by a Select Committee. Vũ would wave any fees for his work as contribution towards the country. The land for the Memorial would be purchased and donated by a private trust with additional corporate and private individuals providing donations during construction. The wall design would be minimalist, with the names of Naval Crew-members and Vessels engraved in Seeladium, one of the hardest stones specially selected for its durability to the elements. Even today additional panels and names are added every five years after a member of the military is confirmed missing and or killed. The families of those lost receive a certification and medal from the Ministry Of Defense/Naval Office for the sacrifice of their loved one.
Later on benches and various native plants, displays of various vessels and their histories would be added on the grounds. While the memorial is considered government property, the non-profit Memorial Trust is responsible for the maintenance of the grounds and facilities. The Wall is free to visit with monetary donations accepted, several groups and the Trust conduct fundraising throughout the year. Any visit to the Capital should include a visit here but please prepare for crowds on weekends and public Holidays.
Guide to the Capitol
OOC: Omake
Later on benches and various native plants, displays of various vessels and their histories would be added on the grounds. While the memorial is considered government property, the non-profit Memorial Trust is responsible for the maintenance of the grounds and facilities. The Wall is free to visit with monetary donations accepted, several groups and the Trust conduct fundraising throughout the year. Any visit to the Capital should include a visit here but please prepare for crowds on weekends and public Holidays.
Guide to the Capitol
OOC: Omake
That went much better than I would have expected shooting out someone's strategic deterrent to go.
No clue how Traveler combat works but if the escort is meant to push out a PD perimeter and intercept enemy missiles, that implies whoever launched those missiles will probably be in missile range of the escort.
The Crossbow has several purposes. Firstly it's fast enough to match the scout, so if the scout runs it can keep up. IIRC speed also lets it dictate the range with its torpedoes.
Secondly, it can rapidly deliver marine landing parties and provide them with orbital fire support to rescue attacked scout crews, raid hostile facilities, inspect interstellar merchantmen for contraband, escort diplomatic parties, or arrest treacherous politicians.
Importantly, this is a capability which is not yet available on an interstellar ship, unless refitting a cargo freighter as a landing ship. Though putting marines on a fleet escort seems like a good way to pump up casualty numbers when they intercept a missile with their hull.
Thirdly, it smuggles torpedo-boat doctrine back in through the service entrance.
No clue how Traveler combat works but if the escort is meant to push out a PD perimeter and intercept enemy missiles, that implies whoever launched those missiles will probably be in missile range of the escort.
The Crossbow has several purposes. Firstly it's fast enough to match the scout, so if the scout runs it can keep up. IIRC speed also lets it dictate the range with its torpedoes.
Secondly, it can rapidly deliver marine landing parties and provide them with orbital fire support to rescue attacked scout crews, raid hostile facilities, inspect interstellar merchantmen for contraband, escort diplomatic parties, or arrest treacherous politicians.
Importantly, this is a capability which is not yet available on an interstellar ship, unless refitting a cargo freighter as a landing ship. Though putting marines on a fleet escort seems like a good way to pump up casualty numbers when they intercept a missile with their hull.
Thirdly, it smuggles torpedo-boat doctrine back in through the service entrance.
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- Location
- Here, there, everywhere.
To be honest given it's a torpedo boat and isn't stealthy at all "Silent Service" is kind of an odd name choice given that's something for submarines.
One thing I am interested in is how aggressively we can bend Jump Space and sensors in terms of stealth and attack, an example being if we eject parts from our ship mid-jump space what would happen to it? Charting a course through an enemy system (if possible) and ejecting parasite drones or other objects that just "Fall" out of jump space could be an interesting tactic if we can actually figure out how to make it work.
One thing I am interested in is how aggressively we can bend Jump Space and sensors in terms of stealth and attack, an example being if we eject parts from our ship mid-jump space what would happen to it? Charting a course through an enemy system (if possible) and ejecting parasite drones or other objects that just "Fall" out of jump space could be an interesting tactic if we can actually figure out how to make it work.
slybrarian
Creature of Fable
- Location
- A Far and Sunless Land
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Unless I'm badly misremembering things, there's no way to eject things into while jumping, as there's not really anything outside the ship's jump field. Once you hit the go button, the entire ship either makes to the other end of the jump, or it all goes to visit the Event Horizon.
Wiadi
Uncompromising Radical Leftist
- Location
- Something Clever
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Takeaway: we should make it abundantly clear in any future negotiation plans that our counterparts receiving what we're offering is actually in any way contingent on them delivering what we're requesting.
Coyote Niff
the most transbian obligate scavenger on the 'net!
- Location
- Misery!
- Pronouns
- She/Her
A little inside baseball: I try to make my OPLAN names match small idiosyncrasies in the roles they're supposed to fill or obstacles they face; Interstellar Survey work is long, dangerous patrols in unknown space, and any discoveries go to the crews of the surveyor-the Crossbow is just there to guard and intervene, "silently". Long patrols are a hallmark of submarine deployments, so hence comes the name! Feel free to take stabs at prior OPLAN titles if you want-some are pretty obvious
.Well, we threw everything we had at it and we shot first. Hopefully, we don't need to repeat that ever, since I don't intend to be conquering planets outside of these three core systems.
Yes, but I don't think these are particularly needed at this point. Remember that:
- We've learnt the protocols for relatively safe scouting. We jump in tandem, we don't jump close to planets and we've learnt to better synchronize our arrival. We know people tend to station a lot of defences in the their systems, so adding just one escort doesn't make that much of a difference.
- The QM is not mentioning Heimdall crew in recent updates. I assume that means there'll be no rescue mission. Either the Nightingale Protocol was carried out successfully, or we just don't have the means to confirm where our guys are being held.
- Modern Monitor - To match our stated doctrine and to consider the lack of pilots. 8K tonnes hull. Just within the weight limit of our yards. Either have a dedicated tug boat for it or equip it with J-Drive with fuel for one parsec jump. I'm partial to the second solution, because we're building a tanker that could refuel it.
- Long-Range Scout - Something that can jump 6 parsecs and has staterooms for diplomats. It is possible that our poor negotiations are a result of not having proper negotiators with us.
2-7: Deep Learning
4WheelSword
The original N-body Problem
- Pronouns
- It/She/They
What is the next step in exploration? We should begin looking 'North', past Deep Hope.
We have 1,300 tons of yard space available, and more coming free soon. What should we use that space for? Refitting Interplanetary Cruisers into defence platforms.
Defence Stations
With so few qualified pilots able to effectively control and command the massive warships we have now built a great number of, we must now begin the hard task of choosing which of our ships must cease operating as warships. The obvious choice are the Interplanetary Cruisers, the predecessors to the Interstellar Cruisers that have now proved themselves in combat proper. The three we currently have operational require six pilots that could be tasked with crewing inter stellar capable ships instead. So, these three ships that have served for the last decade or so, will now end their service as commissioned ships and be rebuilt as orbital stations.
Each ships will have its engine decks torn out and entirely rebuilt. Chemical Reaction rockets are replaced by gravitic plates that can hold the station in orbit for as long as they have power. A fusion plant a third the size of the fission plant that previously powered the ship will replace it. Fuel tanks are torn out and reduced in size, and large sections of the ship are simply left empty without the power or network capability to run additional weapon systems. At least the crew will have plenty of space for exercise and recreation while off-duty.
The first 'Defence Station' will be completed by 03y08m03w, the second will be taken into dockyard hands as the Culsans is completed and will be ready for the tugs by 04y00m02w, and the third and final station will be taken into docks as early as 03y08m00w and completed 04y03m02w. Tugs will position the first around Home-3, the gas giant where most fuelling operations are conducted, the second around Home herself and the third in a similar but retrograde orbit compared to the second. The whole operation, including the refits, will cost just 190.125 million credits.
Exploration Endeavours
The Janus jumps back to the system containing the rogue planetoid, the ice ball that's even now considered Deep Hope. One day mining operations will allow ships to refuel here, the quadrillion tons of ice and rock a fine source of hydrogen for our interstellar vessels. We just need to find a way to do that refining work in deep space, away from any infrastructure support.
Janus begins a long, slow search of the heavens, far away from the radio noise and signal traffic of Home. Each segment of sky is given a label, a multi-digit code, and days are spent with telescopes, radar, lidar fixed on miniscule objects, tracking ever so slowly, listening for every scrap of information. Weeks of mission operation time pass, data-banks filled to bursting with information, garbled noise, indifferent blinking lights at great distance from the tiny little ship.
When she returns (03y03m00w), the Janus brings with her a message. A deep space scout needs two things: better reconnaissance and sensor equipment, and the ability to refuel from asteroids and similar to improve deployment and loitering times. In short, this particular kind of exploration will require a more specialised ship than the Janus and her ilk.
How does the Navy respond to this result?
[ ] Continue explorations 'East', out beyond Xyri.
[ ] Continue explorations 'South', past 00,01.
[ ] Refit the Janus when yard space becomes available.
[ ] Refit the Culsans while she is still in the yards.
[ ] Plan and design a new deep space scout.
The Xyri Problem
While we have established some minimal trade agreements and fuelling rights with the government that holds Xyri's space port, there are murmurs amongst the Citizens Council that perhaps we should be encouraging the rise of another power to a position of prominence. While the Dictatorship holds the orbitals, the Technocrats are hungry for space-going capabilities of their own and could be supported to take greater power. It is more than possible that, with a power bloc that is supported into prominence, we will have greater ties with Xyri, with her people and especially with her ship yards and budget.
Several junior members of the Citizens Council have met with several junior members of the Home Space Warfare Branch senior leadership, and there is something akin to a plan forming to... re-orient the future of Xyri in a way that suits Home better.
Will the Senior leadership hear out the Citizens Council?
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
Random Member
Gardener of Human Happiness
- Location
- Behind You
[X] Continue explorations 'East', out beyond Xyri.
[X] Refit the Culsans while she is still in the yards.
[X] Yes
[X] Refit the Culsans while she is still in the yards.
[X] Yes
[X] Continue explorations 'East', out beyond Xyri.
[X] Refit the Culsans while she is still in the yards.
[X] Yes
[X] Refit the Culsans while she is still in the yards.
[X] Yes
[X] Continue explorations 'East', out beyond Xyri.
[X] Plan and design a new deep space scout
[X] Yes
@4WheelSword Are civilian cargo ships enough to ferry materials and workers to Deep Hope to build na outpost? I sort of assumed that would already be happening when we chose to scout north?
I wouldn't be refitting those scouts. We fundamentally need something bigger and longer-ranged, at least 4 jumps, maybe event six. At the same timer our scouts still have jobs to do both as couriers and as mining vessels. At worst we can sell them into civilian hands or gift the to our allies. Speaking of allies, we do want those sweet technology transfers from Xyri.
Perhaps we ought to be preparing fundamentals for a 3-way alliance?
[X] Plan and design a new deep space scout
[X] Yes
@4WheelSword Are civilian cargo ships enough to ferry materials and workers to Deep Hope to build na outpost? I sort of assumed that would already be happening when we chose to scout north?
I wouldn't be refitting those scouts. We fundamentally need something bigger and longer-ranged, at least 4 jumps, maybe event six. At the same timer our scouts still have jobs to do both as couriers and as mining vessels. At worst we can sell them into civilian hands or gift the to our allies. Speaking of allies, we do want those sweet technology transfers from Xyri.
Perhaps we ought to be preparing fundamentals for a 3-way alliance?
These are some very fast response. Would anyone like to talk it out a little more? Why not say "No"? Why not design a new scout?
EDIT: Personally, I think the Citizen's Council is talking some nonsense about destabilizing a neighboring government for very nebulous gains. The Technocrats are hungry for space... great, that makes them our rivals, why do we want to elevate them again? Let's just shut that shit down with a "No".
EDIT: Personally, I think the Citizen's Council is talking some nonsense about destabilizing a neighboring government for very nebulous gains. The Technocrats are hungry for space... great, that makes them our rivals, why do we want to elevate them again? Let's just shut that shit down with a "No".
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I thought the "retrofit" option would start a new Scout design process?
I'm more afraid of this being a conspiracy by low-level upstarts, but at this point it's just talk so I think we can indulge it.
Retrofit changes an existing hull, it'll just add better sensors, maybe switch the mining drones and minerals lab for something new. What we need is more fuel to get more range, that we must build from scratch.
EDIT: Does repairing combat damage take up yard space? How fast is it? We damaged some of our ships and we better not find out those guys are neglected because we didn't order repairs.
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