NationStates Jolt Archive

Press Release (which shortly hit the airwaves)

"The New Shiron Government wishes to announce the its first starship, the "Sharon Alderson" left Earth orbit today on a mission toward the Castor Star system. The mission has been given the objective of reaching the star system were a known earth like planet exists with the mission of surveying that world for possible colonization. Aboard her are 23 men and women led by Captain Surina O'Connell of the RAF. The mission is expected to take about 18 months."

a seperate piece released to the media describes the starship

The Sharon Alderson is designed as a modular transport. It normally carries a fuel skimmer, a drop tank, a shuttle and modules totalling 300 tons displacement, in this configuration she can do two Jumps without refueling. The Shuttle has a 1400 kl fuel tank fitted to be used as a fuel tank for the Sharon Alderson in addition to her own fuel supply, this supplies the ship with the ability to do a single jump when fully loaded. She is capable of travel with as many as four drop tanks allowing up to four additional jumps. Where fuel is available in the destination system she will travel with only one drop tank and 600 tons of modules (allowing for a single 1 parsec jump).

Modules come in a variety of sizes up to 100 tons displacement. The most common are the 35 ton modules that can be carried to by shuttle. Modules can have a variety of purposes also, ranging from general cargo, quarters, a reactor, weapon systems, labs, small craft, etc. Since the Dan Alderson can not enter a planets atmosphere, modules are lifted to orbit by Space Force Shuttles

Details
Size: 1000 tons displacement, 5000 metric tons mass, length 70 meters, beam 30 meters
Open configuration, lightly armored hull.

Powerplant and Performance: 50 MW fission reactor (duration 2 years) which powers the non drive portions of the ship (electronics, communications, life support etc), a MHD powered jump drive with sufficient hydrogen for a single 1 parsec jump, with drop tanks can make up to three more jumps as well. Gravitic drive capable of 1 G acceleration (powered by fission reactor).

Crew, Sensors and electronics: Bridge with 8 workstations (command, pilot, astrogation, computer 1, computer 2, sensor 1, sensor 2, communications) Engineering with 3 workstations, 1 medical work station, 1 steward work station. Crew is 13 plus 10 mission specialists. Equipped with a 30,000 Km range radio, maser and television transmitter, 30,000 km range active sensor array with radar and laser targeting systems, and a 120,000 km range gravity and neutrino detector.

Cargo and Stores: 107 m3 of stores (sufficient for 18 months operations). Has external grapples for carrying up to 700 displacement tons of modules and jump tanks. For interstellar mission number one the Sharon Alderson will carry a 200 ton Fuel Skimmer (the Katie Pournelle) and a 95 ton Exploration Shuttle (the Cynthia Niven) plus a 100 ton laboratory module, and 3 drop tanks giving her sufficient fuel to make 5 jumps without refueling.

Weapons: 1 Missile Bay equipped with 25 nuclear detonation x ray laser missiles, plus 10 reloads (controlled from the bridge). In addition, a loadout of drones has been provided for long range scouting.


ooc
this is a tech level 9 exploration starship from the Traveller New Era RPG

ooc
for you science fiction fans, this is an AWESOME website...

http://www.projectrho.com/rocket/rocket3v.html#2.2.2.2.1

the mission was instigated by the invasion from New Cynthia some time back as New Shiron now knows exactly were a habitable planet is located and how to get there.

News story on networks throughout New Shiron
"The RAF announced today that Space Command will conduct a large exercise involving 4 of its corvettes. The spacecraft Ark Royal, Royel Soveriegn, Queen Miranda III and King Gavin II will all be conducting an exercise in the vicinty of Mars for a couple of weeks.

When questioned about whether this was in response to the unrest in Port Olympus the spokeswomen for the RAF flatly denied it and reported that this was a previously scheduled exercise. However, Commander Smythe did comment that the four corvettes will be escorting the 'Sharon Alderson' further out into space until she reaches her jump point."

New Shiron. A recent addition to the Klatch after a bloody war with the invading New Cynthians. Their state was shattered, ruined, and then rebuilt by the vast labour and economic pool that is the FKC. The simple fact that they actually constructed a starship and launched it caught the VIS flatfooted and, in an unexpected manner, caused some concern among the senior military brass. It was uncanny how quickly New Shiron recovered and this only pointed to how sluggish Vrak has become.

====

-They launched a starship. Incredible!
-And what of our capabilities? Can we not do the same?
-We have our scientists along with theirs working on the “gate” technology. Not to mention the advanced projects from that war booty. Really, we have only been limited by funding as of late and the tackling of too many projects. Building a starship was not one of our priorities.
-What of the prototype from the other war booty?
-Ah…that. Suffice to say, great improvements have been made in that. And we do have access from other closely allied nations. A starship is not out of our reach, but it doesn’t fit into our current war plan.
-Hmmm. We shall see. It is still embarrassing to think that our only space navy is a merchant marine fleet owned by a private conglomerate.
-Perhaps, High General, but I can assure you that if we dedicate our resources to that endeavour, we can accomplish it. We do have small fusion plants which are actually reliable now powering some facilities. And great efforts are being realized in rudimentary AIs.
-Very well. Prepare a detailed report by tomorrow. I want to know exactly what we can accomplish regarding “starships”.
-As you command.

====

To: New Shiron
From: Vrak Diplomatic Corps
Subject: spacecraft launch

Congratulations on your new venture! It is always pleasing to see yet another fine state of the FKC engaging in new ventures and displaying its creativity and might.

Surina watched on the monitor as the Earth receeded in the distance. The first stop was Jupiter, and a first real test for the fuel skimmer "Katie Pournelle". At 1 G, the Alderson and her escorts would reach that world in 159 hours (including turnover time) moving at nearly 2800 kilometers per second.

The continous thrust from the gravity drive was a huge advantage, at least while they were relatively near the sun and had something massive enough to push against. Of course further out in the solar system efficiency would fall greatly, but they weren't going that far after all.

"Jerry", she asked, "Are you and Elaine ready".

"Yes ma'm, we are looking forward to it. We have done the simulations dozens of times."

"Ok then, just remember, diving into the outer atmosphere of a gas gaint to skim hydrogen isn't going to be just like the simulations after all. Nobody has done it before, we just know it can be done."

back home, even as the "Alderson" is 59 hours into its journey to Jupiter, the second phase of the New Shiron mission begins. Three SC9B Clipper shuttles lift off from Aliceport carrying the principal components for a second ship. This ship, the "Sarah Hoffman" is essentially identical to the "Sharon Alderson" but instead of carrying a lab and drop tanks it carries a sizeable repair module and substantial amounts of spare parts for the starship. It too will make a journey out of the system, but it will return much sooner after it establishes a small repair facility at Proxima Centauri.

It will take a week to assemble the drive section to the command section and hook up the cargo modules, and by the time the "Sharon Alderson" completes her shake down around Jupiter and its moons the "Sarah Hoffman" will be on her way to meet her sister near Mars.

Jerry Marconi, pilot of the "Katie Pournelle" took a deep breath as he pulled away from the "Alderson". It was time to fish or cut bait. His copilot, Elaine Green, was behind the computer terminal watching through sensors as he guided the "Katie" into its approach. Moving at 4Gs, the 300 ton fuel skimmer (shaped like a flying saucer) speed across the space at accelerating to 750 Kms per second.

It was a relatively fast flight, covering the 14 million Kms in a little over 11 hours. Although a bit far out, it was considered a safe distance for the "Alderson" as only the "Katie" had sufficient armor to protect crew and delicate electronics from the hellish radiation to be found close in the the massive planet Jupiter.

Coming in at a diagonal approach, the ship minimized its exposure to the radiation and slipped under the massive Jovian Van Allen Belt before entering the atmosphere near the Jovian equator between two storm bands. She left a red fiery trail briefly before the continual decceleration reduced her speed to Mach 10 and then further down to 600 KPH as she dipped down into the massive Jovian atmsphere looking for reasonably clear air.

Jerry, sweating heavily, sighed in relief as the "Katie" finally stopped shuddering from wind gusts as he found calm layer and he was able to match velocities with the laminar winds bringing the shudder to a stop.

They were in a layer of heavy concentations of hydrogen gas now, with some helium and other trace gases, and it was time to open the scoops.

"Katie to Sharon, we have a go for refueling."
"Roger, proceed with the mission." Surina's calm voice replyed, her message like theirs being transmitted via maser comm.

Above and below the ships, thousands of meters between them, were vast bands of clouds of purple, yellow, green and other exotic colors. Lightning sometimes flashed between the layers, and occasionally in the distance huge mountain sized tornadoes could be seen.

It was both awe inspiring and frightening. Jerry wondered if he really wanted to try this again.

It was the most demanding piloting of his enter life. A miscalculation could lead to them accidently moving directly underneath on of the inner moons, where the massive electron stream between the inner moon and Jupiter would blot the ship out in a massive surge of energy.

Better not the think about that Jerry decided, and just make sure he didn't fuck up.

"Tanks are 90% full, getting ready to close the doors Jerry." Elaine called out, her adrenaline clearly up.

"Roger, lets get the hell out of here. Remind me to ask for a raise would you?"

The fuel scoop doors were closed moments later, and applying full power, the "Katie" began climbing, once again plunging into the storm layer above and another bout of choppy air followed. Within a few a few minutes the ship burst out of the uppermost heavy clouds into the the thin air at the top of the atmosphere and Jerry finally felt he could breath again.

"Katie to Sharon, we are inbound. Mission has been a success."

ooc
Based on descriptions concerning frontier refueling and the dynamics of a gas gaint from Traveller RPG

http://come.to/FreelanceTraveller

some visuals
http://www.extrasolar.net/image.asp?ImageID=111
http://www.extrasolar.net/image.asp?ImageID=113http://www.extrasolar.net/image.asp?ImageID=37


view from Europa during liquid refueling operations http://www.extrasolar.net/image.asp?ImageID=13

Network news, New Shiron

"The first footage reached us today of the upper atmosphere of Jupiter today"(film clips of the Jovian atmosphere as the 'Katie Pournelle' does it fueling, with lightning bolts in the background and yellowish green clouds above and below like massive walls)

"The brave crew of the 'Katie Pournelle' achieved a first for New Shiron as it flew into the turbelent clouds to test whether the mission would be able to refuel from gas gaints on its extended journey."(heard as the footage continues)

at the Headquarters of the RAF Space Command, controllers watched as new footage was beamed home, the time delay almost extruciating but well worth it as they watched the 'Katie Pournelle' dock safely after completing its trip to Jupiter.

Moments later Surina was on screen, giving her report. "We are about to reach orbit around Europa soon, and we will be making our final approach as planned. But it looks like this might just work." with that, she broke into a dimpled smile, her blue eyes lighting up.

New Shiron's Alderson was being stalked. Not by a preditor, but by a decidely intrested party. The Varian Frigate stayed outside of New Shiron's sensor range and quietly watched as she performed her refueling.

A member of the bridge crew remakred
-An atmospheric drop and load, well done.
-Quite, they have shown themselves to be quite a growing young House have they not.
-Yes my Lord, the Overlord was quite brilliant in his choice of Mate.
-My Lord there appears to be several ships noting the Anderson's manuevers.

-Ah, yes...I think Yut may have taken a dislike to people dipping into their planet. Perhaps it is time that the Council help the House of New Shiron avoid confrontation with such an annoying group of pointy eared Terrans.

at the L4 point between Earth and Luna, three Clippers were pushing the sections of the "Sarah Hoffman" together. The crews were elated over the successful mission around Jupiter and looked forward to their own mission.

Within hours the drive section was mated to the command section and the last of the modules was being attached.

But concerns on the ground were making a change.

Mission Orders Operational Immediate
All Space Command forces are hereby on Defcon 3

The "Sharon Alderson" is to return to Cislunar space and rendevous with the "Sarah Hoffman" and the fueling mission at Europa is hereby cancelled.

Clipper 393 will rendevous with the "Sarah Hoffman" and new orders will be hand delivered at that time. Clippers 394 and 395 will rendevous with the "Sharon Alderson" and provide fuel, while clippers 391, 397 and 398 will return home with excess personnel.

The "Ark Royal" and "Royal Soveriegn" will rendevous with the "Sharon Alderson" on her way back to Cislunar space and provide close escort, while the "Gavin" and "Miranda" will proceed at full speed to Cislunar space and provide close escort to New Shiron space craft there.

on the ground, Admiral Vercingtorix put down the phone after speaking to Minister Ridgeway. His aides looked on questioningly as the orders went out.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, the Minister is concerned about things on the ground. Our Klatchian neighbors have space craft too after all, and we may need to keep some close in case things develop badly in Klatch and spread into space. Alert the 1st Space Fighter Wing and tell them to keep a flight on 15 minute standby. I want some fighters available in case things get out of hand between the neighbors."

Thinking for a moment, he decided to send another message to Surina aboard the "Alderson"

Message Operational Immediate
Plans have been changed. Since gas gaint refueling is possible and now proven, proceed home at once. Planned inspections and repairs are to be conducted close to home to ensure safety of the mission and assets are not available for long range deployment further out in the system. Other information will be transmitted by more secure means. Vercingtorix out.

occ
New Shiron is unaware of the LOW presence or for that matter anybody else in the neighborhood as shipboard sensors are relatively low tech in comparision to more advanced space faring races out there. But a lot of New Shirons retatiliatory and missile defense capability is space based, and with things getting unsettled in the Klatch New Shiron is unwilling to committ too many assets that far from home until things settle down (or not).

ooc
New Shiron now has 6 clippers, 4 corvettes, and 2 starships in space, plus about 100 various satellites (in varying orbits), with 4 fighters on scramble alert, and a squadron on 30 minute notice.

The corvettes and starships are armed.

2 more starships are near completion (sufficient at least for in system travel) and are now being hurried.

SC9B Clipper, Heavy Lift Shuttle TL-9 Size: 100 meters Flattened Sphere Hull Maneuver: 0.67G

Notes: This ship was designed to make maximum use of the new technologies available at TL9 - Fusion Power plants and contra-grav lifters. The maximum size is governed by the maximum available sized 200MW MHD Hydrogen Power Plant thus limiting the shuttle to a 600Ton hull. All crewmembers have cabins on board the ship, although the shuttle isn't mean for interplanetary transits. It's total fuel allows for 1 G-Turn of acceleration - enough to get it into orbit and back again (slowly - multiply times for 1G acceleration by 2) and travel Cislunar space for a month. The quarters are placed along the hemisphere and the ship is spun in flight to produce gravity as needed. The SC9 is the primary ground to orbit and ground to lunar vehicle for the New Shiron Royal Aerospace Force.

Hull: Composite Laminate, 7cm thick 14,000 sq meters surface area Air Locks: 6 Power Plant: 200MW Fusion Reactor Reactor Fuel: 30kl (hydrogen) 2250Tons Thrust: ZHRAE Rocket 1125kl/hour HRF TL-9 ContraGrav Lifters 3 4320kl Cargo hold 13 Large cargo hatches 8 Small Staterooms (crew) endurance 30 days

TL9 Computer Linked Controls 3 x TL9 STD computers 3 x 30,000km Radio, 1 x 30,000km Maser Comm. 30,000km Radar, 60,000km HRT (fixed array) Engineering Crew, 2 Electronics Crew, 1 Drive Crew, 1 Maintanence Crew, 1 Command Crew Mass Loaded: 3346.6 Tonnes Acceleration G's: 0.672 Mass Unloaded: 3038 Tonnes Price: 17 Billion crowns Cargo: 308 Tons which can be all cargo, or consist of 77 staterooms (up to 154 passengers) or 616 passengers in seating (endurance is only in hours in that case) or a mixture of the three.

NSRAF “Ark Royal”, Exploration corvette TL 9 Length: 56 metres Flattened sphere airframe hull (modified teardrop stealth) Maneuver 1 G

Notes: This ship is the newest spacecraft in service with the RAF and is designed for long duration missions to the outer edge of the solar system and beyond. Thanks to New Cynthian assistance, New Shiron now has limited interstellar jump technology and contra grav technology has been obtained through research after observing the Lords of War in operation during the Cynthian invasion. Although still not wholly reliable, both technologies are considered safe enough for the ship to be developed. Also handy as a patrol ship as it can instead of probes can carry a number of space intercept missiles equipped with nuclear detonation X Ray lasers, as well as 2 autocannon (2 cm) to for point defense. The exact number of missiles that can be carried is classified (ooc 12 missiles, usual load is 6 SIM, plus 6 orbit to ground missiles (first stage carried missile into atmosphere where it releases dozens of hyperkinetic energy guided darts—basically Project Thor)

Hull: composite Laminate, 7 cm thick, 2300 sq meters surface area, air locks: 2, Power Plant: 200 MW Fusion Power Plant, 1 year duration, plus sufficient fuel for 2 x 1 parsec jumps (or less), TL 9 contragrav lifters and ZHRAE rockets are used to lift from ground to orbit while landing is via contra grav (just as the SC9). Cargo: 373.25 m^3, 1 large cargo hatch (usually carries a large number of satellites and probes), internal artificial gravity at 1 G Crew: 9 (2 x maneuver, 2 x electronics, 3 x engineering, 1 x command, 1 x mission specialist) Crew Accomodations: 5 x small staterooms Mass: loaded 1079.75 tons empty 674.5 tons (metric), Computer: 3 x TL-10 Model St Commo: 1000 AU radio, 1000 AU maser, Sensors: Passive EMS array 120,000km, Active EMS 120,000km, Controls: Bridge with 5 x Workstations, 4 other workstations, Cost 25 Billion crowns


SF1 Sparrowhawk Orbital Fighter Interceptor TL 9 Length 20 meters, flattened sphere airframe hull (modified teardrop stealth), Maneuver 5.25 G

Notes: Equipping 3 fighter wings, the Sparrowhawk is designed to deal with threats both in space and in the atmosphere, anything from incoming ICBMS to incoming spacecraft. In addition, because of its exceptional range and stealth characteristics, it is highly useful for deep penetration missions.

Hull: composite laminiate, 3 cm thick, 400 sq meters surface area, powerplant: 108 MW fusion MHD powerplant, sufficient fuel for 18 hours operations. Grav drive capable of 5.25 G acceleration (although heating keeps atmospheric speed at Mach 6) maneuvers like a F22 or F16, Armament: 10 hyperkinetic energy ground attack missiles and 2 hypervelocity air to air missiles plus 1 x 1 cm autocannon (deep strike role) or 1 x 1 MW pulse laser and 2 air to air missiles and 2 space intercept missiles (air defense role). Crew 2 (both pilot/weapons operators because of the long range of the craft) . Cost 1 Billion crowns.

a week after receiving new orders, the RAF space flotilla was now concentrated at L4 as the "Sarah Hoffman" was nearly readied, and repairs were completed on the "Sharon Alderson" A stream of clippers came and went bringing up hydrogen and spare parts for both vessels. Two of the corvettes returned to Earth and were replaced by two more.

Soon the flotilla would be ready to leave near Earth space for their various missions.

ooc
what is actually happening is that the "Hoffman" is being converted into a long duration in system ship for a particular mission, while the "Alderson" has everything fixed that went wrong during its shakedown cruise.

The flotilla moved away from Cislunar space now on its way outbound. The shuttles returned home, but the two large ships, escorted by the 4 corvettes continued accelerating at 1 G toward a point 500,000 Km from Earth.

Aboard the "Sharon Alderson", Surina sat in her chair, counting down. "Ten minutes to jump point people. Its time to see if our baby can do what its supposed do."

As the ship approached the final point of departure, the remainder of the flotilla curved off at an angle. Inside the "Alderson", the jump engines burned tremendous amounts of hydrogen, creating a field around the ship that began to make her shimmer.

Soon after, she dissappeared from the Solar System, on her way to a point 3.24 light years away.. a journey that would take a week.

As she left, the other five ships continued on their way to the Asteriod belt, to rendevous with an asteriod that had been determined to be rich in nickel iron. An ideal orbital bombardment munition.

T'paz-nec-zu System, (Remulak)

The Corridors of waystation four were quite empty at this time. Senior Captain Adrea of House Crawfnord and her communications officer, Lieutenant Commander Bradely walked down the circular hall. These spaces had been built for Var and as such the two Terran females didn't need to drop their heads.

The Captain stopped at a door, marked only with five strange glyphs and pressed the small blue light next to the door.

<Who desires to see the Ne-Lord?>
<Captain Andrea, of the Lost Hope and her guard.>
<You are expected, prepare to be received and enter>

The door opened, slowly moving along the wall, allowing both women to enter the darkened space beyond.

At the end of the room was a large holo tank with the figure of a Var beyond. The Captain moved forward to the tank, and gave the traditional salute of her fist over her heart as she bent forward.

<You asked to see me my Lord?>

The Var, raised himself up and stared at the blond across from him. His red eyes seemed to hold no human emotion.

<Yes I did Captain, the Overlord requires your duty to him. Specifically in regards to House New Shiron.>

<The Terran House of his new bride?> Oh, god don't let them send me on a babysitting mission with some third cousin who wants to see Herran or deep space for some god awful reason. Fop him off on the Alconians not me...

<Again, Correct...>

The image in the holotank changed to that of the Sharon Alderson rotating with various details haning in space near her.

<This is the Sharon Elder's Son....Elderson, she is on a deep space mission to system A7559D9-E. She is expected to reach the system in eight to nine months>

<It seems a bit...er crude...it can only go into hyperspace one parsec?>

<Yes, and it does not carry enough fuel for the mission they have sent it on.>

<It does not appear atmospheric capable...>

<I do not beleive it is, they are going to need to use hydrogen from gas giants to fuel their mission.>

<Quite dangerous sir...> This is a babysitting mission isn't it?

<Yes, we would like you to check for their presence as you return from your deep space patrol. If they have not arrived within nine months of three terran days ago, return and sound the alarm. We will send a gunship out to search rather than a cruiser.>

<Ah, so my patrol has not been suspended, just augmented?>

<Yes, we do not need to baby sit the Overlord's wife's new toys. But making sure they arrived safely will not be seen as interfering.>

<Is that all my Lord?>

<I will send your ship the details of their vessel and their mission planning as well as some information upon their previous mission within the Terran system.>

<Thank You my Lord...I will breif myself and my crew upon it.>

<And brush up on your English, no New Shiron know Low Var.>

<Yes, my Lord> The captain again saluted and turned. A moment later she and her crewman were walking down the hallway.

<Sir, are we...?>

<Going to pop in on the Overlord's mate relatives? Yes, on our way back from dealing with those pirates.>

Log Report HMS Sharon Alderson Day 42 from Home

Arrival Star System Ross 128 Hephaistos
Survey information: Star M4V, 2 gas gaint (small sized in orbits 3 and 4) of which Hephaistos 3 is a cool gas gaint ideal for gas refueling as it has minimal for its size radiation and is just outside the habitability zone. 1 Asteroid belt in the orbit 2 position. A terrastrial world (6400 Km, Mars type atmosphere, ice caps) in the orbit 1 position. Marginally habitable at the poles.

Refueling conducted per plan. One death during landing on Planet 1 (the terrestrial world) when Dr. Fleming stepped into a crater filled with dust. Body not recovered.

Exited system on Day 60 en route to next star system. Estimated arrival in star system designated as Forlorn at that time.

Press Release
The New Shiron Space Agency and the RAF announced today in a joint press release that construction of a new large space dock will begin in the near future. The new space dock will have its own manuever drive, a large fission reactor, and will be large enough to allow the construction of larger starships for survey and eventual colonization missions. The new space dock will cost an estimated 100 Billion crowns, and will be the first of its type. Follow on versions will be cheaper and will be suitable for other missions including providing a deep space outpost in the asteriod belt. Versions after that will be equipped with jump drives and will be sent out of our star system to provide mobile bases outsystem.

HMS Sharon Alderson Day 62

As the starship moved into a parking orbit in the trojan points of Forlorn 2, Professor Bill Weir studied the readouts. Forlorn was a surprising complex system considering it had only a small M9V star. With 4 gas gaints and an asteriod belt it was a good location for refueling though. The innermost gas gaint was too close to the star to make refueling safe, but this one, Forlorn 2 was in the habitable zone, and the atmsophere of the Saturn like world was fairly calm. It also had 3 moons, on of which, Forlorn C, actually had a fairly dense atmosphere of its own and clear life signs. There was sufficient oxygen present for it to be breathable as well.

Too bad there were too many other trace elements present to allow for exploration without filter masks or vacc suits.

The other 2 gas gaints were nothing too different from Uranus or Neptune to warrant further study at this point, although there were some sizeable asteriods present.

The frequent solar flares likely from the high variability of the systems star made sticking around unsafe though. Best to refuel quickly while remaining in the Van Allen Belt of Forlorn 2.

"Captain? I have completed my survey. You should be able to begin refueling now."

Aviation and Space Technology Journal, New Shiron

"The new space dock, which will mass nearly 180,000 metric tons when placed into service, is expected to operate as a mobile repair and construction base. With nearly 100,000 tons devoted to hanger, docking, repair and construction space, it will serve the RAF much the way floating dry docks support the Navy. It will also have sufficient room to allow additional modules to be attached while still retaining sufficient thrust to weight to allow not only for station keeping but also acceleration at .1 G for extended periods. When ultimately completed, the structure will mass nearly 1 million tons. Much of this space will be available for civilian uses, and the structure will function essentially as a mobile orbital starport. A veritable floating city in space."

in a large military base, a shimmering energy field surrounded an isolated building in the back portions of a manuever range. Inside, a team of scientists worked on a complex looking electronic device.

"So Dr. Malinkov, you are convinced this will work?" a stern looking older man with white hair and a dark glint in his eye asked.

A serious and rather nervous elderly scientist answered quickly the forbidding figure. "Yes Eminence. Our machine will restore the timeline to what it was before we invaded the heretics."

"Good. We must proceed with the second part of the plan since my successor has bungled the primary attempt so badly."

System 16-90-80

The small, fast craft changed course suddenly. It went to the system north and tried desperatly to crawl away from the incomming missle. It fired several decoys in a last ditch effort to save themselves.

<Enemy has released decoys...too late to do any good>

The Captian nodded quietly and watched the display before her. The heavy missle kept on creeping up on the small pirate craft.

<Impact in 10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1>

The small dots in the holo tank merged. The view screen showed a small flash in the distance of space.

<Reports indicate debries...we nailed him sir>

<Alright...Helm, return us to intercept course on the planet. I want to investiage that pirate base now that we've cleared the system of any warcraft.>

<Aye...Aye...Captain>