NationStates Jolt Archive


Pre-emptive Strike (FT, Invite only)

Firehelper
27-05-2008, 03:23
[Survey Probe A31B]

With a small flash a small object emerged from the existence known only as hyperspace. This little known “underlayer” of space was the only known practical method to move across the vast expanse of space in a self contained ship. However, what emerged from this plane of existence was too small to be a manned ship. It measured only 50 metres by 15 meters. It was small enough to be a small ship but it had no organic beings on it. Inside its shell of metal was the most sophisticated system of sensors ever complied by Firehelper. These included the most advanced FTL sensors, radio sensors, a large light collecting field extending around one square mile achieving a several terrapixel panoramic image, and various other implements. These devices took up the entire front half of the ship while the back half was the fuel bunkers, deuterium and anti-deuterium, along with the hyperdrive unit and basic maneuvering thrusters. It stopped for five minutes before leaving. The ship then left for the next system transmitting the collected information back to the home planet.

[Imperial Senate]

The Senate was nothing but a puppet for the last several hundred years of its existence. It stemmed from the multi-national organizations that operated in the old days before Firehelper took over the world. Now though it met with the Emperor at the head. The meeting was a more violent one brought on by the findings of a recent survey of a nearby system. The survey found that a society on a similar developmental level, though lacking FTL travel, was in the system. Currently the hawks advocated a war with them to eliminate the threat while it still could be done and the rest wished for peaceful contact with them. It was chaos.

After several minutes the emperor stood up and spoke saying, “We will declare war on them and take over their world. The first wave will begin in a year.” His word was final and the arguing ceased and now the talk continued on how the attack should be done.

[WayStation Sector 1134, 1 ly from target system]

The First firehelper Assault Fleet gathered in space. the fleet was one of the largest gathered by the Firehelper Interstellar Navy (a branch of the Firehelper Navy which is divided into planetary, system, and interstellar branches). At its core was the capital ship group. This capital ship group consisted of 15 ships, the largest of any fleet to date. Five of these were carriers carrying squadrons of deadly fighters and able to conduct area defense around the fleet with its secondary armament.

six were battleships. These battleships carried numerous projectile weapons and also the most advanced beam and plasma weapons in the empire. These ships formed the strong arm of the fleet capable of engaging at a distance of several light seconds with missiles with ever increasing amounts of firepower as an enemy approached.

Three of the remaining ships are support ships. Two of these are defensive support ships. These ships have no offensive weaponry. They do however have a significant amount of close in weapons systems. Their primary role is to produce and transmit power. These ships have near invulnerable shields due to the fact that a majority of the ship had no armor and is basically a series of reactors hooked up to large fuel tanks. However, the fact that the ship is built in such a way means that it has excess power and is able to transmit power to the other ships. As such these ships were in the center of the fleet protected from fire by the rest of the fleet as they transmit excess power to the ships in the fleet. The third is a repair ship. This ship is also lightly armored and its primary role is to send materials and nanobots to damaged ships to keep ships in batter longer.

The last capital ship is a heavy assault ship. In reality this ship is a battle cruiser sacrificing armor for more firepower and maneuverability. The ship is the fastest capital ship and carries the heaviest weapons. It has several heavy beam weapons on the front and also carries a formidable array of weapons.

The ships of the fleet all had sleek lines. They were all unique in their shape as the captains were prechosen. Each ship was designed around the weapons they carried. Occasionally there was a ship with the blocky functionality present in civilian ships but a majority had rounded lines and a sense of elegance. There were close to 150 support ships.

The fleet now moved into formation preparing to jump. The countdown began 3…2….1…. the ships all disappeared in a flash of light
Balrogga
09-06-2008, 11:03
Yar’Gon’Toth flicked a speck of dust off his suit as he looked at his reflection in the polished silver disk on his wall. He had an important meeting to attend on D’Arg’Na. He was to present the last quarter’s profits for Sten’Tar’Ga Mining Facility. The SMF was easily turning a profit with shipments of Teh’Thagra reaching the home world to make a profit. The mining company had located several large asteroids within their claim and made sure they didn’t drift outside their boundaries. The refines ore was shipped hourly to the station located high above the solar pole where it would be turned into finished material and parts for ships.

Yar’Gon’Toth sighed and turned to the short table nearby. He picked up his presentation notes and stepped onto the Jump Pad after setting the destination. Moments later he found himself in the corporate headquarters upon D’Arg’Na itself. The methane atmosphere let the light of the blue star filter down through the thick atmosphere. The white dwarf companion star was still below the horizon but it would soon rise, adding to the illumination. Taking a familiar breath of his home loving the metallic tang he could taste he turned and walked down the hall to the board room.


-----


Back at the Sten’Tar’Ga a lone craft flew outside the claim, scouting the mineral reserves in the neighboring area so the company could file their claim and expand operations. He glanced sunward and saw the latest shipment leave the area where the facility was speeding toward the distant blue star where the crew at the factory would use their gravimetric nets to slow and capture the large pod.

A beeping caught his attention. There was an electronic signature out here coming from the other side of the belt. He checked the schedule and there should be no ships in the area. Curious, he contacted Control.

“Control, this is Survey 7. Do you have anything on your schedule to pass outside the belt? I am picking up some sort of electronic signal.”

“Negative, that area should be clear of all traffic.”

“Permission to investigate.”

After a moment, his answer was sent.

“Negative Survey 7. You are to send out a probe and relay the data stream. If it is a rival corporation, we do not want you seen in the area. They might think we are interested and stake a claim before our survey data is compiled.”

“I understand. Launching the automated probe and masking the ship. Probe set to passive so it emits no signals. Standby for data relay.”