6-1: Refocusing
4WheelSword
The original N-body Problem
- Pronouns
- It/She/They
Vote Result: OPLAN Slow Walk
The Months That Follow
Operations on the surface of S'Taxu-4 slowly but surely drag to an end. The dust clouds settle, weeks pass, and it slowly becomes apparent that there are no more survivors trapped and now the problem is fundamentally one for the civil architects and engineers, not military search and rescue. The FLF Rangers stay on the surface, assisting in the deployment of aid from Cassalon transport barges and ensuring there is at least some modicum of peaceful life for the refugees and survivors of this nuclear terror. There are two notable incidents where the FLF are forced to engage with lethal force, both well within their rules of engagement: a Xyphoni attack on an aid convoy is turned back with relative ease and only a single casualty amongst the FLF, while an attempted attack on a religious gathering turns into a gun battle on the steps of an ad-hoc house of worship. Three men and a woman with ties to the Chambrestrong Dynasty are killed.
During negotiations it rapidly becomes clear that the PMC and representatives of Cassalon are not interested in negotiating for the release of their captives. Valaria is arguably the next in line for control of the Duchy and thus constitutes a figurehead behind which monarchists could rally. Damjana is less closely tied to the family, but is nonetheless ennobled and was closely involved with Dynastic politicking and power-brokering. Neither of these women will see out the year, considered guilty even before bringing up the events of the last months. They were, after all, part of the ruling class that threw the entire system into internecine conflict.
The boy, however, is a different matter. Nobody is particularly in love with the idea of executing a child, there was simply no other option. He cannot be allowed to grow up on S'Taxu, where a thousand political groups will attempt to sway him to their side. Fortunately, Home offers another option; the abrogation of at least part of the aid bill, a new name and a caretaker family who will raise him in something approaching normality aboard an orbital station that circles Home. He will, of course, never be allowed to return to S'Taxu but that is considered a small price for his life. Julius Danial Stefan Chambrestrong dies in S'Taxu - but Julian Demirci will hopefully have a full and long life in Home.
S'Taxu will recover, and a new government will form from the fires of nuclear war. The Peoples Military Council has always considered itself a temporary body necessary for fighting off the Dynasts threat to the rest of the system and now, with their power shattered, it can be reincorporated back into the system. The Democratic Republic of Cassalon will inherit control of the entire system, with the Peoples Military of Cassalon becoming simply the armed forces of the state. They do have several quite reasonable requests and demands during the ongoing negotiations with Home that incorporate the transition of power;
- S'Taxu - or Cassalon - is not prepared to defend itself at this time, focused as it will be on the survival of its people and rebuilding the cities that have been devastated. It is requested that people from Cassalon be able to volunteer and enlist in the HSWS, as they have been up until now, and that the HSWS inherently take on the defence of Cassalon's space as if it was our own. This is fundamentally a continuation of current policies, formalised with the transition of power.
- Cassalon will continue to provide 4,000 dTons of yard space to the HSWS for construction of militarily vital ships and ship components, and will also provide 500MCr. of additional funding to assist in this construction and to the maintenance of the fleet.
- Cassalon will retain control of the defence asteroids, the four Dynast SDB's and any other in-system forces, but would be pleased to cross train their defence forces with the HSWS to ensure compatibility of doctrine and strategy.
- In return, Home will recognise Cassalon, allow the construction of civilian jump ships in Cassalon yards and allow open trade between Cassalon and Home.
The Citizens Council is unhappy about the loss of two significant survivors of the Chambrestrong Dynasty, having considered them to be a useful tool they could have held over the heads of the people of S'Taxu. They will, however, accept the complete economic and military reliance on Home that Cassalon has agreed too, and they already have plans to further ensure that reliance as time goes on. After all, the people of Cassalon are going to need a great deal of aid as they recover...
New Deployments, New Construction - 09y00m00w
The HSWS undergoes a period of reorganisation as new ships come out of the yards, new stations are established and new postings are formulated. From hereon out, the Service will be organised into the following established groups (several ships listed are not yet with the fleet but will be in time):
Home Fleet - The Interstellar Monitor, two Interstellar Cruisers, one Multi Mission Vehicle, six Frigate, Fleet Escorts, one Flotilla Support Ship.
Heimdall Station - Two Interstellar Cruisers until the arrival of the Frigate, Fleet Escort then the post becomes one IC and two FFE's on rotation.
Cassalon Station - Two Interstellar Cruisers until the arrival of the Frigate, Fleet Escort then the post becomes one IC and two FFE's on rotation.
Expeditionary Force - Two Interstellar Cruisers, one Multi Mission Vehicle, one Flotilla Support Ship.
1st Scout Flotilla - As already described.
Reserve Station - All other ships, especially those on rest and refit
This creates six new formal and permanent postings for five Flight Commodores (O-7) and a single Vice-Marshal (O-8) and plans for a total force strength of eight cruisers, two MMV's and ten FFE's in the permanent force structure. This will require, according to estimates, fourteen cruisers, at least three MMV's and preferably four, and 16-18 FFE's.
If you would like to design patches for these forces, I have been using this generator. Any submitted will be voted on in the next update.
With 5,000 dTons available in yards, the Service considers the following to be a reasonable construction plan for the beginning of our tenth year;
- 2 x Interstellar Cruiser block IIa - 783.18MCr.
- 4 x FFE (2nd tranche) - 757.04MCr.
For a total cost at the start of the year of 1540.22MCr. This would leave 2,000 tons and around 700MCr. for experimental construction and planning, especially of the courier concept and the small carrier. It is broadly understood that at the beginning of next year we will lay down a second MMV, slow-rolling the deployment of the class but ensuring that there are enough ships to cover our stations in the short term.
Regarding other planned forces there are some simple choices to make:
The courier will be a small, fast ship capable of multiple jumps. It should be capable of (choose 1+):
[ ] Four jumps on internal fuel (40% of tonnage)
[ ] Defending itself against minor threats
[ ] High speed transit between the main world and the jump point.
[ ] Carrying priority cargo and passengers between systems.
[ ] Not be intended to fly in system, relying on local shuttles and ships.
[ ] Other - write in.
The Landing Ship will carry multiple platoon landing shuttles. It should be capable of (choose 1+):
[ ] Deploying a Company strength formation (3 platoons plus HQ - 150 FLF - 4 shuttles) - ~550 tons
[ ] Deploying a Battalion strength formation (3 infantry coys, 1 fires coy, 1 rangers coy - 772 FLF - 20 shuttles) - 3,000 tons
[ ] Supporting a landing with ortillery missiles
[ ] Supporting a landing with ortillery torpedoes
[ ] Supporting a landing with ortillery mass drivers
[ ] Defending itself against incidental fire
[ ] Defending itself against concerted attack
[ ] Other - write-in
Next Update: Aslan, Scouting South, Refits
Please present any votes as a plan. Voting opens at
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