Year 2, Month 1
Our scientists are having trouble with both the courier drone and the
external ordnance rack, but work on the standard missile is extremely promising.
More colonists are dispatched to Greta and Aurora. Additional troops are sent to
the planet in Polar Bear to aid in subjugation. Our existing forces have forced
the resistance further on to the defensive and we now control 25% of the
population. Contact with the aliens has proved impossible and we do not even
know their race name, but troops have taken to calling them Efreet due to their
fiery hatred of us. Their troops throw themselves at us in rage, suffering
horrendous losses for little gain. The general populace is terrified of us, but
obedient once the troublemakers have been weeded out.
Several new warships are ordered and further reinforcements reach Home Fleet.
2nd Survey completes the detailed study of Elephant, finding no more
WPs. It then moves on to the non-habitable worlds survey, completing that.
Year 2, Month 2
Unfortunately, news of the probable fate of Surveyor 03 and Least Claw
Bono has leaked out. The public mood is ugly and parliament has demanded action.
Faced with overwhelming public and political pressure, First Fang Ishtar-har
sends orders with the latest reinforcements to Home Fleet that an attack must be
mounted next month. Great Fang Haggis is unhappy as he had wished for more
strength, but he has no choice. There is some good news in that the first
construction run of the newly devised Standard Missile arrives with his supply
shipments.
Much of this month's taxes are ploughed into the development of a new
defensive system that will hopefully allow our ships to defend themselves
against hostile missile attack.
Small Fang Twang finally makes the breakthrough in communication with the
Kimato that enables full understanding. The Kimato view the Haggi as
"gods", as we suspected, and they joyously enter into a partnership
with us. A colony will be established on Kimato next month to help them learn
and grow. Twang is decorated and returns to command of 1st Survey,
relieving Least Claw Borghal who has been deputising for her. Due to his
sterling efforts, he will be rewarded with a fleet of his own soon. In the
meantime, he returns to homeworld. In Elephant, 2nd Survey completes
the detailed survey finding no further WPs and also performs the habitable
worlds survey discovering that the home of the Kimato is rich in minerals. It
then moves to Ark in preparation to go to Giraffe and complete the detailed
survey there.
In Polar Bear, our troops crush all active resistance and set-up moderate
security measures. 1st Survey completes the detailed and
non-habitable worlds survey of the system. Two more WPs are discovered. 1st
Survey moves to the other part of the binary system and performs the
non-habitable worlds survey there. In Walrus, 3rd Survey discovers
another WP upon completing the detailed survey. The uninhabitable worlds are
also surveyed in the primary part of the system. Once the mysterious aliens in
Horse are dealt with, the fleet can be re-deployed to cover our new holdings and
exploration can commence again. The survey commanders are not happy, but they
must content themselves with "rock shovelling" for the time being.
Year 2, Month 3
Research into the Courier Drone and External Ordnance Rack finally results in
deployable systems.
As survey, construction, colonisation, industrialisation and research
continue across our imperium, Great Fang Haggis enters the Horse system on a
mission of war, the first conducted outside of an exercise. He is relieved when
no alien ships are detected near the WP and hopes that the aliens have no means
to detect his transit. He orders the fleet in to cruising formation and moves
his 18 Attack corvettes and 8 Javelin destroyers towards the primary star of
this binary system. Six Whisker scouts are also with the fleet to aid in setting
up a wider scanner shell so that the main body of the fleet will not be
surprised by enemy ships.
The Elbonian colony on the ST world detects the Haggi fleet and sends a
message to the homeworld. Not knowing if this is another survey ship, a feint at
the colony to uncover homeworld or a full scale attack fleet, some ships are
sent from the home fleet to reinforce the colony, but the bulk of home fleet
remains at Elbonia. By pushing their drives, these ships manage to rendezvous at
the colony before the Haggi arrive, as Great Fang Haggis is cautious of a trap
and is advancing carefully. Eventually, the colony detects the numbers of our
ships and sends urgent word to homeworld and the colony fleet moves out to
engage the Haggi fleet in a delaying action. Their plan is to damage ships and
force them to withdraw without becoming too committed themselves, so that home
fleet can engage the survivors decisively. As the fleets draw in to sensor range
of each other, the Elbonian admiral stuns Great Fang Haggis when he transmits a
very unpleasant series of formal threats and insults to both the Queen and the
Haggi race in general, all in the Haggi language! Before the Great Fang can even
begin to reply, the Elbonian admiral cuts the channel with a final promise
"that the Elbonian Regime will never share spoils with the debased Haggi
Confederation, and vows to seek out and destroy your every world, down to the
last kitten!" The aliens clearly managed to capture some of Surveyor
03's crew and have gained some knowledge of our ways. They are obviously
very warlike and a great threat to the Confederation and must be pacified
expeditiously.
Unfortunately for them, their plans begin to fall apart immediately when the
8 Haggi Javelin class destroyers almost obliterate an Elbonian destroyer from
beyond Elbonian missile range. Recognising potential disaster, the Elbonian
admiral orders his ships to try and break through to the Haggi destroyers.
Unfortunately for him and his gallant crews, Great Fang Haggis is wise to this
and the entire Elbonian force of 5 destroyers, 5 frigates and 3 corvettes is
destroyed. They do not die alone or in vain for Attack 21 is destroyed
and many others are badly hurt along with the destroyers Arrow and Harpoon.
Great Fang Haggis moves to the enemy world and destroys two enemy bases from
beyond basic missile range. The absence of alien shipyards indicates to him that
this is merely a colony world and the Elbonian homeworld must be the type T
planet detected orbiting the companion star. He also suspects that another,
probably stronger force is now on the way to engage him here and he faces a
dilemma. Emergency repairs have been conducted and 5 Attack corvettes have been
sent back as too damaged to be any use in combat, but many of the remainder will
not last long in a fight. Without a screen to protect his destroyers, they will
probably be overrun and destroyed by the Elbonian laser ships. With no troops to
secure the planet, it will transmit any move he makes to it's forces
immediately, making a successful surprise attack on the enemy fleet next to
impossible. However, from analysis of the fire patterns of the enemy vessels, it
seems that the Elbonians build a mixture of pure beam and missile ships, and
that their ships have most, if not all, of their weapons before the engines.
This may be exploitable. On the negative side, the same fire analysis shows that
most of the Elbonian vessels exhibited exceptionally high accuracy rates,
indicating very proficient crews. But further forces are on their way from
homeworld and if the Elbonians can be sufficiently weakened, they will be easily
finished off. Haggis finally decides to fight.
The fleet does not have to wait long. In only a few days another enemy fleet
of 5 DD, 5 FG and 6 CT engages the Great Fang's forces. The battle is bloody,
but decisive. The superb Elbonian crews cannot save them from the weakness of
their ship design. Whilst they must virtually annihilate a Haggi ship to silence
it's fire, Great Fang Haggis orders his ships to only engage a target only until
it's drivefield weakens and many enemy ships are mission killed. None surrender
and all attempt to ram, forcing us to destroy them all. Before they die, the
Elbonians destroy the Javelin class destroyers Crossbow and Spear,
along with the corvettes Attack 03, 04, 07, 08 and 09. Home Fleet
has been reduced to four undamaged destroyers, two more with light damage and
seven damaged corvettes. Ammunition is critically low and Haggis decides to
await the expected reinforcements before moving on the alien homeworld. The
damaged ships are sent back to homeworld for repairs with a request for ground
troops to seize the Elbonian colony.
All three survey fleets complete various world and asteroid surveys in their
current systems.
Year 2, Month 4
Due to the proximity of the Horse system, most ships damaged in the battles
last month made it home in short order and urgent repairs begin. With the alien
threat apparently on the verge of elimination, orders go out to the survey
fleets to recommence exploration of new WPs. 1st Survey probes the
WPs in Polar Bear. The first probe finds an uninteresting system that is named
Otter, but the second probe finds a binary system, which we call Racoon, that
has three habitable worlds. Surveyor 02 moves in for a probe and is soon
intercepted by a single alien warship. Communications are sent but no initial
understanding is achieved. Surveyor 02 settles down for a long
negotiation. The third point leads to a starless nexus that is given the name
Bobcat.
When the ship fails to return, Small Fang Twang detaches her warships and
some Whiskers as messengers and moves the rest of her fleet to Otter. A single
Whisker is despatched to homeworld with news and to request warship support.
Meanwhile, 2nd Survey begins the detailed survey of Giraffe and 3rd
Survey probes the two unexplored WPs in Walrus. A single orange star with a
clutch of lifeless planets is discovered and named Beaver, along with a link to
the previously discovered Reindeer system. The fleet moves to Reindeer and
commences surveying, finding that the habitable planet has a harsh climate and
is poor in resources.
Our troops land on the Elbonian colony and encounter stiff resistance from
the natives. Fortunately, the large numbers of troops committed to the attack
are able to swiftly overwhelm enemy attacks and casualties are light. However,
if this is an indication of the resistance we are going to encounter at the
enemy homeworld, then we could be in for an expensive and drawn out campaign.
Great Fang Haggis moves his forces to the enemy homeworld and encounters only
light resistance from two ships supported by two bases and an armed space
station. Long-range standard missile fire suffices to deal with the enemy. When
fire from the space station ceases, Haggis orders fire at it to halt and our
ships move in carefully, fearing a surprise attack at close range. None
materialises and boarders are sent across. After a brief battle, the space
station is captured. The workers on the station are ordered to continue to
maintain it and heavy marine patrols enforce our rule. The fleet moves in to
close orbit ready to support an invasion.
Year 2, Month 5
Using resources saved from last month a major investment is made in a
potential new weapon technology, the Gun/Missile Launcher. This was recommended
by Great Fang Haggis in his after action reports from the conquest of the
Elbonians. The Javelin class destroyers proved vulnerable to close range attacks
from enemy laser ships and if a multi-purpose weapon can be developed it would
be most beneficial. He has also recommended a change in the protection suite of
the Javelins. Whilst all shields costs slightly more in maintenance and
construction cost, repairs are not necessary as with armour. However, if laser
ships get in range, they do damage straight into the vital areas of the vessels.
He advises splitting the protection suite from all shields to half shields and
half armour. The design bureau has taken these comments onboard, but is awaiting
the results of the current research projects before committing to a redesign.
Plans for a mobile shipyard have also been drafted based on the new cruiser
hull, but construction is awaiting the completion of our first prototype hull.
The first colonists land on the homeworld of the Efreet. Whilst the odd
troublemaker opposes this, they are quickly arrested by our security forces and
sent for re-education. More troops are despatched to the Elbonian colony world
and along with forces already on planet quickly crush all remaining military
resistance. They immediately commence operations against the remaining guerrilla
strongholds. Due to the cost of research, an invasion of the Elbonian homeworld
can not be attempted this month and Great Fang Haggis attempts to communicate
and reason with them. His efforts are rejected out of hand.
Over in Racoon, the captain and crew of Surveyor 02 achieve full
communications with the local inhabitants, who call themselves the BrunAgi
Assembly. A Trade alliance is offered and they willingly accept. Some cultural
and historical information is exchanged with our new friends, along with the
necessary astrogation data for the trade routes. It appears that the Assembly is
very contemplative and was formed when the Brun race from the third planet, a
type T, landed on the inner type T world and encountered the primitive Agi
civilisation. They formed a firm friendship, and once the Brun had educated the
Agi, they formed a system wide government and launched a combined colony on the
second planet of their star, a type ST world. Intelligence analysts estimate
from the small amount of information exchanged that the BrunAgi are likely to
have only a small fleet, but that their economic power may be close even to
ours. We must attempt to bring them closer to the Confederation over the coming
months. Surveyor 02 rejoins 1st Survey.
The Whisker sent back to Homeworld by Twang returns to the Polar Bear system
with the First Frontier Defence Force under Small Claw Borghal. They are
relieved to hear the news of the treaty with the BrunAgi, as many members of the
fleet were beginning to think that most alien races were hostile. They commence
normal training operations.
All our survey fleets continue work, with 2nd Survey completing
the rough survey of Reindeer towards the month end, finding no additional WPs.
Year 2, Month 6
Research is complete on the Basic Point Defence system. The Confederation
parliament has issued new orders after a consultation period. Our populations on
the new colony worlds are not growing quickly enough and major efforts are to be
made in colonisation, whilst the survey fleets are being ordered to expand our
borders as rapidly as possible to find more habitable real estate. The desirable
terrain on homeworld has nearly been used up and the expected increase in
colonists will need places to go.
On the Elbonian colony world our troops eradicate the last resistance
fighters and establish a moderate security force. The other forces will link up
with new troops from homeworld next month for an assault on the Elbonian
homeworld and lunar colony.
In Otter, 1st Survey completes the rough survey and finds a single
additional WP. It is probed by Surveyor 02 under the command of Least
Claw Aristedes, who finds a starless nexus that he names Goat. 1st
Survey continues the detailed survey of Otter. 2nd Survey completes
the detailed survey of Giraffe, finding no more WPs and then moves to Fox to
complete the detailed survey there.
Year 2, Month 7
The prototype cruiser Hera has finally been completed. A new mobile
shipyard is laid down to help us build up defences in distant systems. Research
commences on a more capable version of the venerable gun system and a newer
missile for it to use, causing the invasion of Elbonia to be delayed again.
1st Survey completes the survey of Otter, discovering another WP.
Least Claw Aristedes probes it in Surveyor 02 and discovers a single
orange star system which he names Porcupine. He moves in system and locates a
primitive civilisation on the single ST type world. His landing party manages to
gain some information about the natives and starts up an initial contact. The
natives seem friendly, but not overly so. 3rd Survey completes the
detailed survey in Reindeer, finding no more WPs.
Year 2, Month 8
Two additional light cruisers are laid down and some colonisation continues,
but parliament is forced to transfer funds and transport capacity to the
invasion of Elbonia. First Fang Ishtar-har made careful use of the media to
manipulate public opinion in to forcing the politicians to finally resolve the
Elbonian situation. Many troops embark at homeworld and head for the designated
landing zones on Elbonia. They are joined by the experienced forces from the
conquered colony world and the whole force drops into the inferno. Whilst we
have a technological edge, the Elbonians are fierce fighters and it seems as if
most of their population has at least some military training. However, the sheer
number of Haggi troops committed to the battle, plus the deployment of several
nuclear weapons from the orbiting fleet against heavily resisting targets and
troop concentrations, allows our forces to completely crush all open opposition
in a matter of days. The victorious troops begin to set-up standard security
measures and heavy patrols keep the peace. We will consolidate our grip next
month, and the Elbonians will soon be servants of the Confederation, willing or
not.
Least Claw Aristedes has made more progress with the primitive race in
Porcupine. He has established a partial communication and determined that they
call themselves the Jumidar.
1st Survey moves to the Bobcat system and begins surveying. 2nd
Survey completes the study of Fox and after finding no more WPs, moves to Arctic
Hare. Once there, Least Claw Runtipole makes contact with the previously
detected primitive race inhabiting the solitary type T world. They are large
insect like creatures and our initial attempts at communication are in vain.
Year 2, Month 9
Major colonisation efforts recommence, despite the drain on the treasury from
the continuing fighting on Elbonia. Our troops there have gained control of 20%
of the planetary population, but resistance from the natives is still stubborn.
It appears that the use of nuclear weapons, whilst sparing the invasion forces
some losses, has deepened enemy resolve to fight. Our propaganda is having some
effect countering this, but it seems that more troops may be needed to subjugate
the Elbonians. The negotiation teams with the two primitive races continue their
efforts. No further progress is made with the Jumidar, and the strange insect
race goes about its business as if we are not even there.
Meanwhile 1st Survey completes the rough survey in Bobcat, finding
nothing of interest.
Year 2, Month 10
The Gun/Missile launcher is now available for deployment and, as a bonus, our
scientists believe they now have enough data available to commence work on
upgrading our industrial and scientific infrastructure. Refits of our current
ships can finally commence, greatly improving the effectiveness of our fleet.
Communication efforts with the insect race, named Klacken by our teams due to
the sounds they make when moving, continue to be rejected. However, we reach
full understanding with the Jumidar, but they reject our generous offer.
Least Claws Smokey and Runtipole are both promoted to Small Claw for their
great efforts in Survey Command. Least Claw Grendall is given command of the
newly formed 4th Survey Fleet and moves out to the Horse system.
Least Claw Monty takes command of Second Frontier Defence Force and also heads
for the Horse system, allowing Home Fleet to return to homeworld, where Great
Fang Haggis receives a hero's welcome for his defeat of the Elbonian Regime.
Additional ground troops land on Elbonia and link up with the existing
forces. Under this renewed attack, the rebels are beginning to lose support and
in desperation, begin to damage their own planet's infrastructure.
3rd Survey completes the rough survey in Iguana. One additional WP
is found and it proves to lead to a single star system with one uninhabited type
T world. The system is named Wolf and 3rd Survey moves in for a
survey.
Apollo CL: [3] SSSAAH(BbS)(II)W(I)WW(II)WWDb(I)WMg(II)DbLhQ(I)L [6] 9XO
Javelin -r1 DD: [3] SSSAAHQs(I)(I)(I)WW(I)(I)WDb(I)Qs(I)WMg [7] 6XO
Pursuit CT: [2] AAAAHQsDb(I)(I)(I)(I)L [8/4]
Year 2, Month 11
Scientists have completed studies on the larger Sprint Missile.
The BrunAgi reject our offer to upgrade our agreement to a Trade and Military
Alliance. The Jumidar suddenly take offence at our diplomats and attack them in
the conference room. Several members of the diplomatic team are killed or
wounded before marines from orbiting ships can extricate them. We will answer
their violence with violence, as is our way. Meanwhile, the Klacken continue to
be extremely unresponsive to our communication efforts.
More troops land on Elbonia, but mistakes are made and we do not manage to
gain full control of any more of the population.
1st Survey completes the detailed survey of Bobcat, discovering
nothing new. It moves back in to Polar Bear. 2nd Survey performs
the rough survey in Arctic Hare discovering three new WPs. These are probed,
finding a binary star system that is home to another primitive civilisation and
we name the system Roadrunner. The second point leads to a lifeless binary
system, which is given the name Tortoise. The third point drops the probing
Whisker into a single star system that also has no habitable worlds. The system
is named Monkey. Surveyor 04 attempts contact with the primitives in
Roadrunner, but is met with great hostility. The teams vow to try again next
month. 3rd Survey finds the habitable planet in Wolf to be
unremarkable in mineral wealth, but with an unpleasantly harsh climate. 4th
Survey finds one WP in the Horse system after completing the rough survey. It
leads to a starless nexus that is named Skunk.
Year 2, Month 12
Resources are committed to the development of the Deep Space Buoy.
The BrunAgi again reject a Trade and Military alliance, the Klacken continue
to ignore us and the race in Roadrunner remain extremely hostile to our contact
teams.
Our troops continue the thankless task of pacifying the Elbonians. The
innovative new tactics of the field commanders encouraged by the general in
command finally break the back of the resistance, and we now control the whole
population. A moderate security force is set-up. All that remains is to
subjugate the lunar colony next month and the war will be over.
1st Survey moves to Goat and begins the rough survey there. 3rd
Survey completes the rough survey of Wolf, finding no new avenues of expansion.