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Traveller, The Rise of Empire: A Naval Design, Procurement and Command Quest

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11-3: South of Eden
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    • Adhoc vote count started by 4WheelSword on Oct 3, 2024 at 5:21 AM, finished with 23 posts and 10 votes.
    • [X] OPLAN: Renewal
      [x] Plan: Swiss army ride
      -[x] MMS - This is not good enough. Since MMS would have to act alone, unlike previous scouts, it should have redundant capabilities. Modular-built ship could both act as an MMS and as a dedicated diplomatic ship - and maybe we would design for it som new roles in future?
      --[x] As an MMS proper it should have: More internal (or external?) jump fuel; two shuttles with at least one full hangar (to run repairs in); two workshops to repair/modify/produce spare parts; more laboratory space; a second sensor station; a small gas scoop for research purposes;
      --[x] As a diplomatic ship: large briefing room; gourmet kitchen; wet bar; hot tubs; enough stores and impressive common rooms to wine and dine foreing dignitaries and persons of interest. Both diplo-VIP and basic MMS should have a medbay, obviously.
      -[x] FSS - With increasing autonomy periods, it would be beneficial to have at least one workshop on FSS ship. Could we also put gas mining/refining equipment on it? If it could produce and replenish fuel from gas giants on its own, this would be a great boon.
      -[x] Modular MMS can conduct first contact and less important diplomatic work in basic configuration, and run more important diplomatic missions in the VIP-configuration.
      [X] OPLAN: Renewal
      -[X] MMS - it must be capable of its current capabilities, as well as carrying four jumps worth of fuel internally. Add a biosphere and some conference/meeting rooms to better reflect its diplomatic role (and to provide for crew comfort on longer surveys). It should be streamlined so it can land itself for diplomatic meetings. Increase tonnage to achieve this.
      -[X] FSS - investigate whether self-refining capability is possible. Add fuel scoops for recovery of unrefined fuel and internal processing and storage, if possible, for up to 10% of refined fuel capacity per day (200 tons unrefined storage/processing). If possible, keep increased tonnage at or below 500 tons.
      -[X] We should simply build a broad run of MMS ships to conduct diplomatic and survey missions.
    Click to expand...


    Comments from the Senior Command on the MMS: it must be capable of its current capabilities, as well as carrying four jumps worth of fuel internally. Add a biosphere and some conference/meeting rooms to better reflect its diplomatic role (and to provide for crew comfort on longer surveys). It should be streamlined so it can land itself for diplomatic meetings. Increase tonnage to achieve this.
    Comments from the Senior Command on the FSSfII: investigate whether self-refining capability is possible. Add fuel scoops for recovery of unrefined fuel and internal processing and storage, if possible, for up to 10% of refined fuel capacity per day (200 tons unrefined storage/processing). If possible, keep increased tonnage at or below 500 tons.
    Comments from the Senior Command on Diplomatic Duty Ships: We should simply build a broad run of MMS ships to conduct diplomatic and survey missions.

    Available Budget: 3692.649MCr
    Current Dockyard Usage: 7,000Dtons
    Current Pilot Usage: 79/80


    Revisiting the Architects
    Design school is open for business, and the Senior Command has some comments. With an interest in extended range, as well as combining capabilities into a single platform, the Senior Command requests an extension of the size, a redesign of the hull, additional crew comforts; essentially the architects have to return to the drawing board and re-build the ship concept from the ground up. The final result is, at least, significantly more capable:

    ​
    With a 4-6 Jump Range and six months of on-board plant fuel and supplies, the Multi-Mission Surveyor will be able to conduct missions far more capably than any survey ship we have built previously. While it will require greater fuelling infrastructure than we may currently have given its capacious fuel tanks, it will be such a boon in capability - especially when matched with the new, higher capacity Flotilla Supply Such. It will also be a comfortable posting, with 10% of its tonnage devoted to a biosphere, crew common areas and various other more minor additions that ensure a crew of seventy can conduct a whole host of missions outside their designed remit.

    It is, however, twice the cost-per-hull of the previous design; that is the price of that capability. Nonetheless, a price of almost eight-hundred-million credits - half the price of a line warship - may make fleet planners balk.

    Comments from the Senior Command on the MMS:
    [ ] This ship will do nicely. Order X of them (Write in X)
    [ ] It would be perfect except for X (write in minor alterations or suggestions)
    [ ] This is terrible. It must be capable of (write in major alterations or a new design)

    In regards to the FSS, and the continuous supply of fuel out in the dark of space, there is some potential to convert capability that has previously been present only on Anchorage stations. The addition of a refinery would be a simple matter, the machinery required to out-put 200 tons of processed fuel would only require twenty tons of machinery, another twenty for the scoop drones and a further ten tons for the drone command and control systems. We could fit that to the current design plan for the FSS (with a commensurate increase in required crew) with only a small reduction in the available additional cargo space allocated for non-mission critical sundries.

    What is the opinion of the Senior Command?
    [ ] Enlarge the FSS to fit additional systems.
    [ ] Reduce cargo allocation to fit additional systems.
    [ ] Redesign the FSS to allow it to skim its own fuel.


    With the dispatch of the diplomatic mission to Hermosa, travelling and refuelling in Hermosan space, the Scout Flotilla is at what might be considered a loose end. While the higher-ups are considering the fate of their service (and quietly planning a new class that no-one will be dissatisfied by) those currently commanding vessels are hungry for another deep space mission.

    Two options present themselves:
    - First, a mission to the 'South' of Aslan space, investigating the wide open patch of barren void between the lions and Garda-Villis. This would be as much a fact finding mission as anything else, exploring the potential for more systems in that area.
    - Second, a mission to the 'South' of Hexos. While refuelling in Heimdall would limit the potential range of exploration, the full limits of the DSS haven't yet been reached and thus this mission is considered possible.
    ​

    Which does senior command prefer?
    [ ] South of Aslan
    [ ] South of Hexos
    [ ] Something Else

    Please present votes as plans. Voting opens at . One additional question just for me and not part of the main update. Would you like to start giving ship classes names or do you like the 'functional' system we have?
     
  • Threadmarks
    • [X] Plan South of Aslan
    -[x] This ship will do nicely. Order 3 of them (if funds allow)
    -[x] Reduce cargo allocation to fit additional systems.
    -[x] South of Aslan.

    Three MMS ships should be good for now, we are limited in our avenues of expansion, so this should allow for two out on missions and one in for maintenance and repairs.

    The reduction in cargo shouldn't have too much of an impact overall, as it's going from ~300 tons of storage to ~250 tons of storage.

    That unexplored system south of known Aslan space is just two jumps from Xyrie. It would be better to explore this area first and then explore beyond Hexos
     
    we should retire the old supply ships once the new ones are built. Other than that I think hexos should be our next target of exploration. They are right next to the only other political group in our cluster which instantly makes them a priority.
     
    If the unscouted system to south-west of Hexos is a home to some small (and vulnerable to Hermosa) polity, it would be very important to ally with them and protect them. The more we curb Hermosan growth, the better.
     
    4WheelSword said:
    Voting opens at Tuesday at 8:00 PM
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Isn't that 2 days before this was even posted?

    4WheelSword said:
    One additional question just for me and not part of the main update. Would you like to start giving ship classes names or do you like the 'functional' system we have?
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    The functional system is pretty good. A new (manual, more symbolic) naming convention might be fitting for the next eventual organizational restructing, in a (presumably) far future where the HSWS has outgrown its current paradigm

    Shaara1929 said:
    -[x] This ship will do nicely. Order 3 of them (if funds allow)
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    3 of the super-scouts seems excessive, given the cost 2 may already be pushing it if we want the new FSS in "full production" soon
     
    Three MMS will be about ~2400 MCreds. The new FSS is about ~600 MCreds. We could honestly build 3x surveyor, 2x fuel vessels and have yard space (but not budget) left over.
     
    Functional is good, and we have plenty of name options left in it.


    [X] Plan Full Scout Replacement
    -[x] This ship will do nicely. Order 3 of them.
    -[x] Reduce cargo allocation to fit additional systems.
    -[x] South of Hexos. Pay special attention to the system in -02 05

    Maybe building 2 of them would leave funds for some combat ship (along with building only one new FSS), but I am afraid we would later delay ordering the third ship.
    Three MSSs would replace 2 ISS and 4 DSS, freeing 2 pilots. Plus we would be probably able to mothball Ba Kim too, and that's 2 more pilots.

    Alternatively, we could order 2 MMS and 1 FSS for now (and build more MMS and FSS later), and instead order one new flight II CFA
     
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    [X] Plan Full Scout Replacement

    Personally in favor of class names so that our designations can settle down a little. FSS is the first time we've made a successor design with the same name, and that will become confusing without class names.
     
    While making just three right now is fine considering how they will have substantially more range leading and the fact that going forwards they will also need to be fulfilling the role of being our diplomatic ships, I would like to have another set of three built in the next budgetary year. We'll be able to scout much further abroad with the combination of a 4 jump range MMS and the refinery on the FSS, but at the same time being able to do diplomacy with multiple entities at once will be very useful.
     
    [X] Plan South of Aslan
    -[x] This ship will do nicely. Order 3 of them (if funds allow)
    -[x] Reduce cargo allocation to fit additional systems.
    -[x] South of Aslan.

    Edit: repost since the original was posted before plan submission began
     
    [X] Plan Full Scout Replacement

    I'd prefer scouting south of Hexos simply due to the fact that we have interests in Hexos and can refuel from it. The vast emptiness of space isn't of much interest to us and would be rather difficult logistically to project our forces through anyway.
     
    11-4: Talking to the Enemy
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    • Adhoc vote count started by 4WheelSword on Oct 4, 2024 at 4:45 AM, finished with 20 posts and 9 votes.
    • [X] Plan Full Scout Replacement
      -[x] This ship will do nicely. Order 3 of them.
      -[x] Reduce cargo allocation to fit additional systems.
      -[x] South of Hexos. Pay special attention to the system in -02 05
      [X] Plan South of Aslan
      -[x] This ship will do nicely. Order 3 of them (if funds allow)
      -[x] Reduce cargo allocation to fit additional systems.
      -[x] South of Aslan.
    Click to expand...


    Comments from the Senior Command on the MMS: This ship will do nicely. Order 3 of them.
    What is the opinion of the Senior Command? Reduce cargo allocation to fit additional systems.
    Which does senior command prefer? South of Hexos. Pay special attention to the system in -02 05

    Available Budget: 849.239MCr
    Current Dockyard Usage: 16,400Dtons
    Current Pilot Usage: 79/80


    New Builds
    The 17th year of the Home Space Warfare Service begins with the laying down of four new ships, none of them designed with war in mind. Three will be the new Multi-Mission Surveyor, a replacement for both the Interstellar Surveyor and the Deep Space Surveyor with updated equipment, facilities and crew comforts. These ships will also double as the replacement for the 'flying embassy' with similar crew comforts and facilities for a significantly sized diplomatic team. They will also, however, take two and a half years to build, and the same for the new self-fuelling Flotilla Supply Ship flight II.

    Their names, selected by the SIS from a list provided by the HSWS, will be the HSWS Agni, the HSWS Henshen and the HSWS Pushan, while the FSSfII will be the HSLS Shaushka. These will be the last large ships laid down for some time unless someone comes up with a plan to access more yard space. With no other independent polity in the locale with any significant space infrastructure that can be leaned upon to provide access - unless Home decides to change its position in regards to the Aslan or Hermosa - it will take some level of ingenuity or remarkable discovery to change that situation.


    Heading South
    With the Scout Flotilla dispatched to Hexos, an operation in planned into deep space. All four ships - bar the FSS - will fly out from Hexos and as the DSS' are flying separately to investigate sectors a parsec removed, the IS pair are heading for '-02,05' to find out what's happening in that system. It takes a month for the group to get to Hexos, two weeks for them to complete preparations and refuel in system and then a further ten weeks to actually carry out their mission. This means that Home doesn't actually hear news of the missions completion until twenty-two weeks into their 17th year of operations, around 17y05m02w. With such missions now taking six months at a time, it is quickly becoming prohibitive to run such operations with direct input from Senior Command.

    Nonetheless, the scouts persevere.

    -02, 05 - Fornice
    Survey Index:     10
    System Code: C554787-9
    Star(s): Type G (Yellow Star)
    Orbitals: -0205-1 (Mainworld), -0205-2 (Small Gas Giant), -0205-3 (Planetoid Belt)
    Comments: The Crews of HSWS Culsans and Janus are invited to spend several weeks on the surface of the small, fat planet called Fornice. The people are welcoming, warm, friendly. They prize artistry, theatre, poetry, and all those other things. Cultural exchange is the first order of the day of the visit, and the people of Fornice are nothing but happy to feed and house our people, to refuel their ships, to give them gifts and other things to bring back to Home.

    They also depart with a message. The warm welcome to Fornice hides a hidden under-side, an oppressive government that wants nothing more than to crush any dissent and rebellion. They would like nothing more than the support of Home to throw off the yoke of the government. Home's reward? Money, ships, supplies, whatever they want if they'll only support the rebels.

    While this message is for the the Citizens Council, the HSWS will have a perspective on it. What is that perspective?
    [ ] Why wouldn't we support the oppressed! Back them.
    [ ] Weakness is an opportunity to us. Perhaps with the right fleet we could simply take the system.
    [ ] We shouldn't get involved with something so far from Home.
    [ ] Other - write in.


    Diplomatic Outreach
    While the scouts are busy south of Hexos, the diplomatic ship is headed to Hermosa. While their principal intention is to ensure peace between the two nations and to reduce friction along the border, they are also intending to create a framework for a future relationship.

    What would the HSWS prefer is discussed as part of these negotiations? (Select all that apply)
    [ ] Mutual anchorage agreements in Heimdall and Equus, to allow crews to spend some time off their ships
    [ ] The sharing of star charts and other information on other powers
    [ ] Float the potential of combined exercises or war games
    [ ] Recommend the adoption of the Articles of War to Hermosa
    [ ] Create a framework for limitations on system penetration - classifications of allowed ships for instance.
    [ ] Other - write in.

    Please present votes as plans. Voting opens at .
     
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    • Hm. Could go either way with Fornice. Either we were given the old PR tour by an oppressive government, or a less than genuine group wants to seize power for themselves.

    So we could wait to gather more info, though personally I don't like being passive like that.

    So if we want to act now we could either argue that we should err on the side of intervention, cause it is in our strategic interests either way.

    Or we could err on the side of caution, cause historically our interventions have been clusterfucks and that's unlikely to change with even less information

    Not sure which side I would go with for this
     
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    Directly ruling Fornice will be difficult due to distance, but we could probably get away with making them a protectorate, pulling pilots from their population, and opening them up to our corporate interests, but allowing them to self-govern.

    As for Hermosa, we can let them know about our Articles of War, but I doubt they will go for it. We'll be better of just normalizing relations and establishing channels of communication.
     
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