25-11-2003, 23:58
Country:Usland
Population:6,000,000
Leadership:Democratically elected President, President Jack Croft
City Name: Cape Suzette
Population: 1,000,000
Leadership: Democratically elected mayor, with elected city representatives. Currently Mayor Jack Taylor is the elected offical
History:
Cape Suzette was founded about one hundred years prior to the Great War, during Usland's great expansion period. The city's founders wanted an easily defendable harbor, large enough to accomodate the many ships and cargo vessels of that day. Close to shipping lanes and within reach of many major ports, Cape Suzette was ideally located on the very tip of Usland's northernmost peninsula. The surrounding cliffs and inland mountains were also important -- natural barriers which protected the city on all sides.
In its earliest years, Cape Suzette was nothing more than a collection of crude warehouses and docks lining the periphery of the city's bay. The population was extremely sparse, consisting of a few hopeful settlers and a rapidly-shifting number of sailors and dock workers frequenting the waterfront. However, the majestic surroundings of the humble port -- as well as the safety it offered -- soon transformed Cape Suzette into Usland's major shipping center.
As the decades passed, Cape Suzette grew into a bustling municipality, complete with its own city administration and public service departments. Eventually, the harbor city became the nucleus of Usland's business and world trade. Shipping businesses and cargo houses sprang up to handle the tremendous flow of goods into and out of Cape Suzette. Businesses and major industries made Cape Suzette their home -- the most prominent of which was Khan Industries, an ambitious corporation which also had the honor of erecting the city's first skyscraper.
Cape Suzette was closed to outside non-allied traffic throughout most of the Great War as Usland had moved its military command and control center to this vital hub. Cape Suzette is home to many independant and small aircraft manufacturing firms and information technology firms which have led Cape Suzette to grow in terms of importance on the world stage. The private firms have allowed for small cargo aircraft to be available to the public and many air cargo firms operate with multiple shipping firms.With the reopenning of the harbor and airspace of Cape Suzette the cities future is looking brighter by the day.
Geography and Climate:
Speaking of bright Cape Suzette's year-round climate is balmy and pleasant, although temperatures become noticeably cooler in winter. Due to Cape Suzette's location in the mid-tropics, the area experiences extremely mild winters, causing frequent rainstorms instead of snowfall during the winter months. Acting as a barrier, the cliffs prevent cold seawater from circulating into the harbor, thus keeping the water's temperature relatively comfortable as well.
The main feature -- and indeed, the most prominent feature -- of Cape Suzette's geography is the cliff range. Encompassing the bay area, the Cape Suzette cliffs tower several thousand feet above sea level, forming an impenetrable natural barrier which protects the city. Formidable as they are, the cliffs have a narrow gap near the center of the cliff range. This opening is the only way for ships and planes to enter and leave the harbor, making the spot easily defendable. Various ledges and outcroppings protrude from the cliffs' sheer surface at different altitudes.
The city's freshwater bay is enormous, several miles wide and several hundred feet deep. The harbor's unique geographic situation is a subject of much interest and discussion among prominent geologists. Some speculate that massive erosion carved out the harbor millennia ago. Others believe that a catastrophic event, such as volcanic eruption, may account for the intriguing circular design of the cliffs and bay area.
City Defenses:
Natural-
The city itself is located in a small valley. That valley is surrounded by high mountains blocking off the rest of the mainland behind the city, and the harbor itself is surrounded by massive cliffs which stretch thousands of feet into the air. The cliffs have a narrow openning which is large enough for aircraft and large vessels to pass through. Aircraft must contact Cape Suzette Air Control for allowance into Cape Suzette airspace failure to do so results in a ticket from the Cape Suzette Air Police(CSAP),vessels must make contact with the harbor master or face a similar outcome from the Cape Suzette Harbor Patrol(CSHP).
http://talespinsourcepage.i8.com/images/capesuze35.jpg
Man-Made-
Cliff Guns-
No other harbor in the world is known to have as many anti-aircraft defenses as Cape Suzette has. The famous "cliff guns" lining the rim of the Cape Suzette cliffs are the city's first line of defense when dealing with Air Pirates or other dangers.
Even long before the Great War, Cape Suzette needed protection from outside attacks, as it was a well-known harbor and trade center. The cliffs surrounding the harbor were an effective natural defense, but their effectiveness was only increased by the addition of dozens of naval artillery cannons. The most powerful artillery of that era, the Cape Suzette cliff guns made it impossible for enemy ships to reach the city, let alone attack it. During the Great War, the cliff guns were upgraded to include potent anti-aircraft weapons, organized into an effective defensive network.
There are several different types of cliff guns, each serving a special purpose in Cape Suzette's defense scheme. Lines of several cannons are mounted on a rock ledge which runs across the cliffs' outer wall. Smith & Wesson-Oil "Defenders," these cannons are posted on either side of the cliff entrance. Renowned for their superior range and accuracy, "Defenders" are used for long-range assault and 'warning shots'.
Higher up on the cliffside are smaller, more flexible short-range guns, used for close and mid-range assault. These rapid-firing weapons do not boast the superior range of the "Defender", but more than compensate with improved firepower and pinpoint accuracy at short ranges. The greatest concentration of guns, however, is found on the very top of the cliffs. Cliff artillery here is arranged in two or three-gun clusters, coordinated to bring the greatest firepower to bear on the target.
Most cliff guns fire explosive shells, which are usually timed to release an explosion or burst of flak near the target. The short-range cannons usually fire smaller shells or anti-aircraft rounds, which are more accurate and cause greater damage at close ranges. Additionally, several of the topmost guns are equipped with rocket-propelled shells, known for their improved range and accuracy over regular explosive shells (but rarely used by most gunners).
Despite the unique varieties of cliff guns, they all share two fundamental weaknesses -- they cannot be turned to face inland, and their range is severely limited when firing at steep angles. Invaders may possibly avoid damage by traveling at high altitude, but there are few aircraft with operation ceilings great enough to sustain high-altitude flight for very long. Firing at steep angles can create an additional danger: high winds may catch vertically-launched shells and carry them back over the cliffs, where the resulting explosions may cause damage to the city itself.
http://talespinsourcepage.i8.com/images/capesuze27.jpg
Defender 155mm Multi-Purpose Anti Naval-Anti Air Gun
http://talespinsourcepage.i8.com/images/capesuze28.jpg
Smaller 30mm AA Guns
Air Defense Squadrons-
The City of Cape Suzette operates its own defense squadron under control of the Usland military. Flying Shere Khan Industries SKI-40 Tiger fighters, the Air Defense Fighters operate from two airfields from within the city were a total of 96 fighters sit on either field. Both airfields work on shifts so that only one airfield is on alert during any six hour period. Air Defense Pilots are trained to handle emergency situations and ground crews are trained to operate like race car pitcrews capable of armming and fueling aircraft for take off in under 6 minutes.
http://talespinsourcepage.i8.com/images/capesuze33.jpg
SKI-40 Tiger
Cost: 7 million dollars
Length: 29 feet
Height: 8 feet 2/1 inches
Weight: 6,348 lbs (loaded)
Crew: Pilot
Engine: SKI 605 A-1,12 cylinder V,liquid cooled, 1,475 hp
Speed: 406 miles per hour
Range: 528 miles
Armament: 2 20mm Cannons, 2 .30 caliber machine guns
Population:6,000,000
Leadership:Democratically elected President, President Jack Croft
City Name: Cape Suzette
Population: 1,000,000
Leadership: Democratically elected mayor, with elected city representatives. Currently Mayor Jack Taylor is the elected offical
History:
Cape Suzette was founded about one hundred years prior to the Great War, during Usland's great expansion period. The city's founders wanted an easily defendable harbor, large enough to accomodate the many ships and cargo vessels of that day. Close to shipping lanes and within reach of many major ports, Cape Suzette was ideally located on the very tip of Usland's northernmost peninsula. The surrounding cliffs and inland mountains were also important -- natural barriers which protected the city on all sides.
In its earliest years, Cape Suzette was nothing more than a collection of crude warehouses and docks lining the periphery of the city's bay. The population was extremely sparse, consisting of a few hopeful settlers and a rapidly-shifting number of sailors and dock workers frequenting the waterfront. However, the majestic surroundings of the humble port -- as well as the safety it offered -- soon transformed Cape Suzette into Usland's major shipping center.
As the decades passed, Cape Suzette grew into a bustling municipality, complete with its own city administration and public service departments. Eventually, the harbor city became the nucleus of Usland's business and world trade. Shipping businesses and cargo houses sprang up to handle the tremendous flow of goods into and out of Cape Suzette. Businesses and major industries made Cape Suzette their home -- the most prominent of which was Khan Industries, an ambitious corporation which also had the honor of erecting the city's first skyscraper.
Cape Suzette was closed to outside non-allied traffic throughout most of the Great War as Usland had moved its military command and control center to this vital hub. Cape Suzette is home to many independant and small aircraft manufacturing firms and information technology firms which have led Cape Suzette to grow in terms of importance on the world stage. The private firms have allowed for small cargo aircraft to be available to the public and many air cargo firms operate with multiple shipping firms.With the reopenning of the harbor and airspace of Cape Suzette the cities future is looking brighter by the day.
Geography and Climate:
Speaking of bright Cape Suzette's year-round climate is balmy and pleasant, although temperatures become noticeably cooler in winter. Due to Cape Suzette's location in the mid-tropics, the area experiences extremely mild winters, causing frequent rainstorms instead of snowfall during the winter months. Acting as a barrier, the cliffs prevent cold seawater from circulating into the harbor, thus keeping the water's temperature relatively comfortable as well.
The main feature -- and indeed, the most prominent feature -- of Cape Suzette's geography is the cliff range. Encompassing the bay area, the Cape Suzette cliffs tower several thousand feet above sea level, forming an impenetrable natural barrier which protects the city. Formidable as they are, the cliffs have a narrow gap near the center of the cliff range. This opening is the only way for ships and planes to enter and leave the harbor, making the spot easily defendable. Various ledges and outcroppings protrude from the cliffs' sheer surface at different altitudes.
The city's freshwater bay is enormous, several miles wide and several hundred feet deep. The harbor's unique geographic situation is a subject of much interest and discussion among prominent geologists. Some speculate that massive erosion carved out the harbor millennia ago. Others believe that a catastrophic event, such as volcanic eruption, may account for the intriguing circular design of the cliffs and bay area.
City Defenses:
Natural-
The city itself is located in a small valley. That valley is surrounded by high mountains blocking off the rest of the mainland behind the city, and the harbor itself is surrounded by massive cliffs which stretch thousands of feet into the air. The cliffs have a narrow openning which is large enough for aircraft and large vessels to pass through. Aircraft must contact Cape Suzette Air Control for allowance into Cape Suzette airspace failure to do so results in a ticket from the Cape Suzette Air Police(CSAP),vessels must make contact with the harbor master or face a similar outcome from the Cape Suzette Harbor Patrol(CSHP).
http://talespinsourcepage.i8.com/images/capesuze35.jpg
Man-Made-
Cliff Guns-
No other harbor in the world is known to have as many anti-aircraft defenses as Cape Suzette has. The famous "cliff guns" lining the rim of the Cape Suzette cliffs are the city's first line of defense when dealing with Air Pirates or other dangers.
Even long before the Great War, Cape Suzette needed protection from outside attacks, as it was a well-known harbor and trade center. The cliffs surrounding the harbor were an effective natural defense, but their effectiveness was only increased by the addition of dozens of naval artillery cannons. The most powerful artillery of that era, the Cape Suzette cliff guns made it impossible for enemy ships to reach the city, let alone attack it. During the Great War, the cliff guns were upgraded to include potent anti-aircraft weapons, organized into an effective defensive network.
There are several different types of cliff guns, each serving a special purpose in Cape Suzette's defense scheme. Lines of several cannons are mounted on a rock ledge which runs across the cliffs' outer wall. Smith & Wesson-Oil "Defenders," these cannons are posted on either side of the cliff entrance. Renowned for their superior range and accuracy, "Defenders" are used for long-range assault and 'warning shots'.
Higher up on the cliffside are smaller, more flexible short-range guns, used for close and mid-range assault. These rapid-firing weapons do not boast the superior range of the "Defender", but more than compensate with improved firepower and pinpoint accuracy at short ranges. The greatest concentration of guns, however, is found on the very top of the cliffs. Cliff artillery here is arranged in two or three-gun clusters, coordinated to bring the greatest firepower to bear on the target.
Most cliff guns fire explosive shells, which are usually timed to release an explosion or burst of flak near the target. The short-range cannons usually fire smaller shells or anti-aircraft rounds, which are more accurate and cause greater damage at close ranges. Additionally, several of the topmost guns are equipped with rocket-propelled shells, known for their improved range and accuracy over regular explosive shells (but rarely used by most gunners).
Despite the unique varieties of cliff guns, they all share two fundamental weaknesses -- they cannot be turned to face inland, and their range is severely limited when firing at steep angles. Invaders may possibly avoid damage by traveling at high altitude, but there are few aircraft with operation ceilings great enough to sustain high-altitude flight for very long. Firing at steep angles can create an additional danger: high winds may catch vertically-launched shells and carry them back over the cliffs, where the resulting explosions may cause damage to the city itself.
http://talespinsourcepage.i8.com/images/capesuze27.jpg
Defender 155mm Multi-Purpose Anti Naval-Anti Air Gun
http://talespinsourcepage.i8.com/images/capesuze28.jpg
Smaller 30mm AA Guns
Air Defense Squadrons-
The City of Cape Suzette operates its own defense squadron under control of the Usland military. Flying Shere Khan Industries SKI-40 Tiger fighters, the Air Defense Fighters operate from two airfields from within the city were a total of 96 fighters sit on either field. Both airfields work on shifts so that only one airfield is on alert during any six hour period. Air Defense Pilots are trained to handle emergency situations and ground crews are trained to operate like race car pitcrews capable of armming and fueling aircraft for take off in under 6 minutes.
http://talespinsourcepage.i8.com/images/capesuze33.jpg
SKI-40 Tiger
Cost: 7 million dollars
Length: 29 feet
Height: 8 feet 2/1 inches
Weight: 6,348 lbs (loaded)
Crew: Pilot
Engine: SKI 605 A-1,12 cylinder V,liquid cooled, 1,475 hp
Speed: 406 miles per hour
Range: 528 miles
Armament: 2 20mm Cannons, 2 .30 caliber machine guns