Yes. I would be much more aggressive if not for the fact that we saw nuclear missiles in an action. It shredded our scout. Here, there's several of those and that makes me worry that our ship is going to be swatted out of the sky. That's certainly going to happen if we do it with just one ship, as I think is the case in Somewhere in the Heavens?
Of course, there's an alternative. We might do it more promptly using all six off our cruisers. Jump in near S'taxu 4, bombard laser silos and visible nuclear launchers, disengage, prepare to receive Junta ships in decisive battle over S'taxu 4. I'm not opposed to doing that if the majority of the players think it's unwise to give the Junta time to react and democratic faction time to build more surface weapons.
We are still building two new cruisers, right? If we want more point defense for the war but speed is paramount, can't we replace one of the 4 main guns on the half-finished Cruisers with a whole lot of point defense? Or use the S'taxu shipyards to retrofit some of our existing Cruisers?
We are still building two new cruisers, right? If we want more point defense for the war but speed is paramount, can't we replace one of the 4 main guns on the half-finished Cruisers with a whole lot of point defense? Or use the S'taxu shipyards to retrofit some of our existing Cruisers?
I don't think that's possible, since we'd need to change the configuration of the entire ship to accommodate different power distribution needs. But then again, perhaps some of the Dynasts orbital platforms could be of assistance to us?
Anyways, here's how a more decisive plan would look:
[X] Plan Operation Solar Storm (rapid strike variant)
-[X] Insist that Dynasts task their intelligence with confirming whether Heimdall survivors are alive and their location. Begin construction of 4 500 tonnes point-defense escorts in the S'taxu, based on the earlier MVP proposal, that drops the jump-drive to include more point defense meant to supplement our Interstellar Cruisers in combat.
-[X] Demand that Home gets shares in S'taxu yards after the war. Insist on tonnage limitations for their future fleet and secure basing and transit rights. In addition, secure lucrative contracts for our business partners, making it easier for them to achieve an economic foothold in S'taxu. Exact numbers are negotiable, we can afford to show flexibility so that the deal might be considered more reasonable.
-[X] Check if there are S'taxu pilots in Dynast employ that could be tempted to permanently transfer to our Navy.
-[X] Confirm whether it's feasible to use particle beams to strike at surface targets, if so employ all six Interstellar Cruisers to destroy Xyphon Federation's orbital denial weapons. Surprise strike, jump in to the system with remaining cruisers, proceed to S'taxu 4 orbit, take out silo-based lasers first. If possible outdistance the nuclear retaliation and arrange for Dynasts orbital weapons to perform point-defense tasks. Afterwards, if it doesn't seem like the Junta is going to make an immediate dash to contest S'taxu 4, retain 3 Interstellar Cruisers in S'taxu on rotation. Their job is to intercept rapid insertion drones that supply the Xyphon Fedation.
-[X] From there, we're content to take it slow. We don't to want to venture far from the relative safety of S'taxu 4 orbit until point-defense escorts are built. We might occasionally harass Junta ships and keep an eye on their construction efforts.
Yes. I would be much more aggressive if not for the fact that we saw nuclear missiles in an action. It shredded our scout. Here, there's several of those and that makes me worry that our ship is going to be swatted out of the sky. That's certainly going to happen if we do it with just one ship, as I think is the case in Somewhere in the Heavens?
Popping in to answer this! Somewhere In The Heavens relies on using surface assets combined with orbital-the point is that when we make a big stink out where the Junta is, putting the Feddy denial net on alert, Dynasty air assets downorbit slap them before they can retract-the actual number of ships committed to the orbital distraction is minimal because they're not going to be returning fire, just maneuvering as crazily as possible to hold attention. If needed I can edit in precise numbers, but I was assuming we'd need maybe two ships orbital and the rest hitting the Junta to recover our POWs.
I assumed that if the Dynasts could destroy Federal surface assets with ground or orbital attacks they'd do so already? Isn't that case?
EDIT: @Coyote Niff BTW, earlier I mentioned that we can't really use marines to extract our prisoners, since we don't have troop transport ships. Similarly, if we send 4 Interstellar Cruisers for the extraction mission, is that enough to take on 2 asteroid ships, smaller craft and static defenses?
I assumed that if the Dynasts could destroy Federal surface assets with ground or orbital attacks they'd do so already? Isn't that case?
EDIT: @Coyote Niff BTW, earlier I mentioned that we can't really use marines to extract our prisoners, since we don't have troop transport ships. Similarly, if we send 4 Interstellar Cruisers for the extraction mission, is that enough to take on 2 asteroid ships, smaller craft and static defenses?
The trick of the Federation orbital denial, if I'm reading right, is that they're either mobile, therefore impossible to target unless seeking a target, or siloed, meaning that while their sites are known, they can't be targeted unless also prepping to fire-so our response has to draw them into firing positions where Dynast air assets can hit them. In turn, I think our cruisers' speed and firepower at range makes them a match for Targets Castle and Rock, as they're larger, slower craft, although beefy, and the actual prisoner extraction doesn't need dedicated troop transports, just you regular ground-to-orbit shuttle, retrofitted for the operation; think stripping seats for armor packs and handrails for our Rangers to stand with. Obviously, any Dynast strike assets that they could spare, such as long-range support fire from their orbital guns, would be nice to have, but I don't want to plan the thing down to the minute because that feels like railroading.
Adhoc vote count started by 4WheelSword on Jul 21, 2024 at 5:21 AM, finished with 29 posts and 6 votes.
[X] Plan Operation Solar Storm (rapid strike variant)
-[X] Insist that Dynasts task their intelligence with confirming whether Heimdall survivors are alive and their location. Begin construction of 4 500 tonnes point-defense escorts in the S'taxu, based on the earlier MVP proposal, that drops the jump-drive to include more point defense meant to supplement our Interstellar Cruisers in combat.
-[X] Demand that Home gets shares in S'taxu yards after the war. Insist on tonnage limitations for their future fleet and secure basing and transit rights. In addition, secure lucrative contracts for our business partners, making it easier for them to achieve an economic foothold in S'taxu. Exact numbers are negotiable, we can afford to show flexibility so that the deal might be considered more reasonable.
-[X] Check if there are S'taxu pilots in Dynast employ that could be tempted to permanently transfer to our Navy.
-[X] Confirm whether it's feasible to use particle beams to strike at surface targets, if so employ all six Interstellar Cruisers to destroy Xyphon Federation's orbital denial weapons. Surprise strike, jump in to the system with remaining cruisers, proceed to S'taxu 4 orbit, take out silo-based lasers first. If possible outdistance the nuclear retaliation and arrange for Dynasts orbital weapons to perform point-defense tasks. Afterwards, if it doesn't seem like the Junta is going to make an immediate dash to contest S'taxu 4, retain 3 Interstellar Cruisers in S'taxu on rotation. Their job is to intercept rapid insertion drones that supply the Xyphon Fedation.
-[X] From there, we're content to take it slow. We don't to want to venture far from the relative safety of S'taxu 4 orbit until point-defense escorts are built. We might occasionally harass Junta ships and keep an eye on their construction efforts.
[X] OPLAN Somewhere in the Heavens
-[X] Write-In: SPAFTA. 50/50 Mineral and Resource profit split between Dynasts and Home's private companies on all sites not currently under Chambrestrong control, with exclusive export rights to Xyri. We provide the jobs, they provide the rights, new S'taxi trade unions provide workers, everyone's happy.
-[X] Write-in: Recommendations on the Xyphon Federation are to prepare an orbital feint to prevent Junta space-to-space retaliation, then use Dynast surface forces deployed in the oceans in "Wild Weasel" strikes to eliminate orbital denial weapons. Our Fleet's role in this orbital feint will be to cause trouble, break things, and rescue our hostages from the Heimdall. However, this plan rests on the idea that the information provided by the Chambrestrong forces is correct. If they are lying to us to eliminate their rivals, an alliance with the Federation should be considered in its stead.
What plan would the Navy propose for the S'Taxu system? - Insist that Dynasts task their intelligence with confirming whether Heimdall survivors are alive and their location.
- Begin construction of 4 500 tonnes point-defense escorts in the S'taxu, based on the earlier MVP proposal, that drops the jump-drive to include more point defense meant to supplement our Interstellar Cruisers in combat.
- Employ all six Interstellar Cruisers to destroy Xyphon Federation's orbital denial weapons. Surprise strike, jump in to the system with remaining cruisers, proceed to S'taxu 4 orbit, take out silo-based lasers first. If possible outdistance the nuclear retaliation and arrange for Dynasts orbital weapons to perform point-defense tasks.
- If it doesn't seem like the Junta is going to make an immediate dash to contest S'taxu 4, retain 3 Interstellar Cruisers in S'taxu on rotation. Their job is to intercept rapid insertion drones that supply the Xyphon Fedation.
- From there, we're content to take it slow. We don't to want to venture far from the relative safety of S'taxu 4 orbit until point-defense escorts are built. We might occasionally harass Junta ships and keep an eye on their construction efforts. What does the Navy think would be an appropriate concession? - Demand that Home gets shares in S'taxu yards after the war.
- Insist on tonnage limitations for their future fleet and secure basing and transit rights.
- In addition, secure lucrative contracts for our business partners, making it easier for them to achieve an economic foothold in S'taxu. Exact numbers are negotiable, we can afford to show flexibility so that the deal might be considered more reasonable.
- Check if there are S'taxu pilots in Dynast employ that could be tempted to permanently transfer to our Navy.
Alliances are for making, not breaking
It takes another month before anything like a result emerges from the negotiations, and a further month for an actual plan of attack to come together (03y00m00w). What has been agreed to can be summarised by a single communique from Monarchist aide du camp Georges Masque:
"An alliance between powers of lopsided strength is a promissory note, a debt unpaid, an 'I-O-U' as it were. It brings with it certain expectations, an intertwining of futures and the understanding that somehow, one day, that debt will be repaid. What has been offered to us by these alien sailors, with their fine uniforms and interstellar ships, is not an alliance but a force majeure strike against recidivist positions and the offer of work for yards that have slept silent for overly long. We cannot in good conscience offer collateral that we are not certain we will have in order to return this. Thus, with no combined operations to ensure the swift end of this war, we can only promise that the system will exist, and that the Home Navy will not be limited in their transits or operations by us. Equally, we can promise that once we have operational yards, the Home Navy will be entitled to make good use of them. Anything more than that is simply wishes in the wind - unthinkably distant at this time."
With that being said, an arrangement has been made for the combined operations into Federation territory with orbital fire support from Home warships. Six cruisers will arrive at the 100D limit around S'Taxu-4 on or around 03y00m02w and begin a transit towards a low orbital position over the territory of the Xyphon Federation. The arrival of the sixth cruiser will be the signal for Monarchist ground forces to begin a general offensive Northwards. Once the cruisers are in position they will begin a bombardment with their particle beams, disabling or destroying any identified weapons silos and mobile launchers. Afterwards, the cruisers will switch targets and coordinate with ground forces to strike enemy positions of significant size with high precision. This plan should lead to the conclusion of at least one part of this ugly war.
System Defence Boats
The plan also calls for beginning work on four 500 ton streamlined anti-missile corvettes, point defence boats with most of their weaponry focused specifically on stopping enemy missile swarms and coordinating with larger forces. Four beam lasers and four sand-casters in four turret mounts allow for mixed defensive fire while twenty-four missile tubes give a solid offensive punch and the ability to disabled or otherwise limit any aggressors. It is a survivable little boat, fast, streamlined for atmospheric landings and launches and requires a crew of just fifteen sailors.
They will be bought and paid for by the budget of the Home Space Warfare Branch, but crewed by locals loyal to the Chambrestrong Dynasty. However, they will take over a year to complete, with a commissioning date scheduled for around 04y04m00w. It may be that the war is over by the time they are ready for service, at which point they will make for a decent and effective system security flotilla. It may be that the war will still be raging and they will be pressed into service alongside Home's cruisers, protecting them from missile attack. Only time - and decisive action - will decide their fates.
Beat to Quarters - 03y00m02w
Six cruisers sail into the black in a tight and practiced formation. Each is named for an ancient and vicious god of war; Apedemak, Apolake, Ninurta, Pallas, Sakumo, Sekhmet. Each carries the power of a sun beating at their hearts, and each carries four deadly particle accelerator cannons with which they hope to change the future of an entire star system. They blink out of existence within seconds of each other, and now a week of waiting must commence. A week of preparations and drills. A week of hunger.
Ninurta reappears in our reality and starts the mission clock. Two and a half seconds after arrival, the jump-flash reaches the S'Taxu main world and soldiers know its only hours before they are making one of the most decisive pushes of the war, with brand new weapons orbiting above them. First, however, they have to wait for the sixth ship to arrive. It is not long before a second pair join Ninurta, Apedemak and Pallas re-entering real space within twenty minutes of each other but two hours after Ninurta. The lead ship transmits the mission clock and the three ships synchronise. Apolake joins them four hours after that, then Sakumo an hour later. Finally, nine hours after Ninurta first made it into real space in the S'Taxu system, Sekhmet joins the formation and the operation begins in earnest. After a brief minute or two of preparations, each cruiser lights their manoeuvre drives and begins the two hour descent towards low orbit.
On the surface the engagements begin in earnest. Tanks roll out of their protective earth-works, advancing into enemy fire. Drones circle overhead, providing targeting information for missile and artillery teams, spotting ambushes and recording a litany of violence. Fighters dance above it all, dodging surface to air missiles and lasers, engaging each other with guns and missiles and fury. Through it all the infantry plod, witness to the grind of technologically advanced warfare and hardly able to think for the sounds of destruction. It seems apocalyptic and then, two hours after the battle is joined, the true apocalypse begins.
Guided by pre-planned targeting, air and ground observers and spotting the flight of missiles, the cruiser squadron deployed by Home begins their bombardment. Each lance of super-accelerated particles sounds like the sky being torn open as atmospheric molecules are torn apart by the high-energy protons are slammed into them before they can reach the ground. The opening salvo cripples or buries five out of six identified silos, collapsing internal supports and causing land slides as they set the air aflame. The enemy is not without recourse. Pallas takes a hard hit which shreds half her thruster plates and opens her two lowest decks to space. Ninurta is hit in the centre mass but the shot barely penetrates her armour.
The silos are dealt with in short order, cruisers random walking to make return fire difficult and then they turn to the mobile missile launchers. Swatting munitions is difficult work, and Sakumo is hit by a nuclear armed torpedo some forty minutes into the engagement, shredding her port side and holing one of her fuel tanks. Radiation exposure forces several of her crew to their quarters to await medical treatment, unable to continue fighting. A second detonates close to Apedemak, but does only minimal hull damage. Finally, the surface-to-orbit fire slows and peters out, and the cruisers are able to descend lower to target more specific targets.
-
None of this is known to Home until two weeks after the battle (03y01m01w), as Apedemak,Pallas and Sakumo return to the system, the latter pair limping and bearing clear signs of temporary repairs. We are informed of the excellent progress of the ground campaign to destabilise and remove the Xyphon Federation from play. The remaining cruisers in system - Apoloke, Ninurta, Sekhmet - are working in shifts, orbiting low over the planet to provide continuous fire support to ground troops that are still engaged in heavy fighting. It is also noted that, as far as these three ships know, the Junta has not yet made an aggressive move, seemingly content to sit back and allow the Monarchists free reign over the main world of S'Taxu.
Meanwhile, in Xyri
Diplomatic talks with Xyri continue, and we have been invited to utilise their fuelling platforms for our scouts. Thus, we have a choice; with four months left until we have the Culsans at our disposal, we must choose how to best deploy the Janus for exploration tasks.
What is the next step in exploration?
[ ] We should begin looking 'East', out beyond Xyri.
[ ] We should begin looking 'North', past Deep Hope.
[ ] We should begin looking 'South', past 00,01. We have 1,300 tons of yard space available, and more coming free soon. What should we use that space for?
[ ] Additional Interstellar Cruisers
[ ] Refitting Interplanetary Cruisers into defence platforms.
[ ] Additional Surveyors.
[ ] Something else entirely - write-in.
I love the Dynast answer, it's so malleable it can be understood in several ways. Anyways, it's time for a bit of a breather. I'm choosing refits because we want to free up some of our pilots for other duties and I'm scouting North because I want to develop Deep Home and real exploration begins when our tanker and second scout begin working together to extend exploration range:
[X] We should begin looking 'North', past Deep Hope.
[X] Refitting Interplanetary Cruisers into defence platforms.
Question: @4WheelSword Are you rolling dice in the background? I wonder how close we were to losing ships or what would've happened if we just brought three of them to the mission.
What is the next step in exploration?
[x] 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?
[x] Additional Surveyors.
[X] We should begin looking 'East', out beyond Xyri.
[X] Refitting Interplanetary Cruisers into defence platforms.
Xyri just gave us fueling permission, which is huge when we only have Jump-1 drives. We are sooo slow, and until we can guarantee an escort for the FSS, we shouldn't use it to explore. The Black is a deep and dangerous place after all. As for what to do with the yards; refitting the old Interplanetaries does two things (well does one thing and removes a redundancy, but still). 1; gets us pilots for any other ships we want to build. Remember, we're expecting to only have 35ish Pilots from our entire population. 2; we have the Interstellars now, which are strictly better than the Interplanetaries. Why shouldn't we shift the older ships into something more useful/upgrade them slightly?
@4WheelSword Suggestion: Perhaps add additional color-coding for the map? Have unexplored hexes have grey background, have explored hexes have white background and have hexes where we can refuel have, say, light green background. That way we'll see our logistical situation at a glance.
Wait, now that I think about it, how is exploring "south" past 00:01 an option? We don't have refuelling stations there and our chonky tanker isn't built yet.
Anyways, I think we ought to return to tandem scouting as soon as our new surveyor is built. It already proved it's usefulness. For that reason I don't mind if extra surveyors option wins, it gets us tandem scouts and consistent message couriers. But afterwards we need to be doing refits to preserve pilots and later building some monitors so that our doctrine is fulfilled.
