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May 1st, 2574, Taurus’s Fleet Marshalling Grounds
Pride of Taurus, Pride of New Vandenberg, and Pride of Ishtar sailed with refurbished flight pods with retrofitted Lightings in mock dogfights with Colonial Vipers. Further off the Sword of Avalon, Sword of Santos, Sword of Excalibur, Sword of Durandal, Sword of Damocles, and Sword of Purity were conducting gunnery drills, the six Minotaur-class Gunships shattering asteroids in the process.
The Colonial Battlestar Galactica and its smaller sister Pegasus hung near an even more massive 9km diameter by 12 kilometer tall Colonial Mobile Shipyard, which was busy overhauling 16 Concordat Frigates at once to Colonial Standards in armor, engines, fusion plants, artificial gravity, inertial compensators, and FTL Drives. A smaller version called Daidalos, now in Taurian livery, was overhauling five Dart-class Cruisers. Six Winchester-class cruisers waited their turn for an overhaul in the Concordat’s own yards which had Colonial Engineers working alongside Taurian Engineers. Nine Pinto-class corvettes were in the process of being scrapped and replaced by superior Colonial Hesperus-class Corvettes that dispensed with the flight capabilities to mount missile tubes. 30 ships were in slipways being built keel up with Colonial Technology.
Several smaller Colonial Flattops were busy overhauling Tigress Assault Shuttles and Lightings while medium sized tenders overhauled dropships.
For Marshal David Santos, of the newly created 1st Royal Guard Fleet, this was a plum assignment in which he could even smoke while aboard ship. Standing in Pride of Taurus’s War Room, he could direct the actions of his fleet. Operators in the upper portion handled communications overseen by Commodore Markand who was both his XO and head of Demi Squadron 1. Space Master Saladin ran the Ship from CIC, which was one room over. On the wall was a plaque commemorating the ship’s previous actions in the Cylon War, when it was known as the Battlestar Solaria. Out of respect to the Ship, he kept it up there.
Santos’ Colonial Liaison Officer was Vice Admiral Helena Cain who had recently arrived to replace Vice Admiral Hebe who was retiring and being appointed as Colonial Ambassador to Taurus in 4 weeks. She was attended by her Aide, Captain Kendra Shaw who was working the rosters, and her Chief Engineer, Commander Barry Garner. They were currently going over a design for a new Carrier Frigate, codenamed Titan.
“Even though we demonstrated the superiority of kinetics, the Titan’s main armament is 20 dual-barrel MNPPCs backed by 24 capital missile launchers and 80 large lasers scattered around the hull.” Commander Garner spoke as he adjusted the design of 512 meter long ship, which resembled a miniature Battlestar, on the map monitor in its 3D mode.
“We aren’t fighting your foes, and we aren’t going to war with you. Our potential foes are the Inner Sphere and Pirates.” Santos reminded the kinetics obsessed Colonials pointing with his pipe to empathize it. “Yes your armor technology throws current lasers we use out the window, we just can’t generate the necessary power without destroying our ships in the process. And we can if necessary swap these weapon out later.”
Admiral Cain gave Garner a glance to cut off his reply and nodded to Santos.
Continuing, Santo laid out his plan, “The purpose of Titan is to create an independent long-range raider carrying two reinforced ASF Divisions of 30 ASFs, comprising 20 Lightings and 10 Raptors. This also allows for the 200 Marines it will be carrying, to launch boarding actions and even attack surface targets. A variant on this design that removes the Lightings, increases the keel at the bottom, removes the missile tubes and turns that into a 5 shuttle landing pad, enables us to deliver a Jump Mech Regiment of one Mech Battalion of 48 Jump Mechs backed by 3 Jump Infantry Battalions of 810 troops, with the five shuttles carrying the Support and HQ company, then performing logistical runs once they are deployed, freeing the Raptor Division to focus on air support.”
“Can’t fault the logic of this design for your needs, no doubt my counter-parts in the Colonial Army would be shaking their heads at your mechs if they weren’t knee-jerking at the Cylon look they evince.” Admiral Cain spoke as she checked the ongoing mock dogfights and frowned as 20 Colonial Vipers were stricken from the board.
“Next on our agenda was setting up the FTL factories to produce your drives.” Santos changed the subject as he pulled out the transfer of technology plan.
“We have 4 more Mobile Shipyards enroute of the Daidalos Class. Since your opponents are incapable of operating in the atmosphere of Gas Giants, you can place them…”
“Sir, High Priority Message from the Fast Courier Crandall.” Commodore Markand interrupted the meeting.
“What is it,” Santos ordered.
“Large Pirate group roaming Anaheim. Requesting urgent support to clear them from the mining belts. Marshal Betsy Callen, head of Anaheim Defense Region.” Markand read out while inserting a thumb drive to bring up the region and the relayed intel.
“Pirates my ass, AFFS is trying to lure us into a trap. Leopard CVs are too new and rare yet to be obtained by pirates.” Santos figured right off the back.
“My briefing docs say they’re pompous and condescending, but not stupid. Why would they go to this trouble?” Cain asked as she observed the information.
“Because you gave us 9 Battleship tonnage ships. It completely upsets their strategic calculus. They want a war. Most likely they got that huge Battleforce hanging out in strike range of Anaheim for that very purpose. Sorry Admiral, but I need to consult with the Lord Protector.”
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Terra, June 1st, 2574
Viola Steiner growled as Ian Cameron stared at the latest intelligence from the Periphery alongside Hehiro Kurita. Marion Marik was nearby reviewing video feeds from mock dogfights between Colonial and Taurian ASFs. Ursula Liao, the youngest Great House Lord present was calmly drinking tea while Alexander Davion read through reports.
Shandra Noruff Cameron spoke as she tried to make sense of these Mysterious Colonials’ ship designs. “Ian, these turrets on the so-called Jupiter-class Battlestars and Minotaur-class Gunships are manned, except for the massive NACs on the prows of the Minotaurs.”
“What? That puts them horizontal to the direction of gravity. They aren’t even wearing proper pressure suits.” Ian noted as he enhanced the image.
“Guys you need to watch this video feed of this Raptor in action.” Marion spoke as she brought up an enhanced feed. “Note these Marines in the back.”
“The hell,” Ian murmured. “These Colonials must have made breakthroughs in magnetism for them to even be swaying like that and must be reinforcing their skeletons to survive these 30g maneuvers. This is all theoretical technology we are researching along with the power armor we have been seeing.”
“Or they developed inertial compensators and artificial gravity.” Ursula spoke up while calmly pouring more tea.
“Ursula, we both have physics degrees,” Shandra answered, “You can’t generate useful natural gravity without large amounts of mass. It’s why we are researching electromagnetism, a far more powerful force, to get around it. And inertial compensators? Please, in this building we follow Newton’s laws except when discussing jump drives and KF-theory.”
Ursula calmly set her tea down, stood up, and addressed the room. “If you need my legally required contribution of troops, call me. But that is all you are getting out of me. If you’re foolish enough not to see what is in front of you, on your own heads be it. I am not risking the destruction of the Capellan Confederation with total war.” She then walked out.
Marion waited till she was gone, then spoke, “Let her go, I am not so foolish as to not realize that a Periphery power that can causally give out nine battleship tonnage ships to another is a problem. My navy can spare all 12 of our Atreus Battleships, and we can escort them with the 14 Black Lions you sold us. I can’t spare more than that without first completing our planned destroyer batches. Then I can release my Dart-class Cruisers.”
“Acceptable Marion, we can help with the production of your next batch of destroyers,” Ian spoke as he turned to the others. “These Colonials have substantial resources as we can see and must be a highly militarized society totally dedicated to war production. We must increase our ship production substantially. Shandra, what is the status of the Texas Project?”
“The concept drawings are done, we are just waiting on the new weapons to finish their design tests…”
“Skip it, we will go with tried and true weapons, and refit them later as the newer weapons are available. That gives us a 1,200m replacement for the Monsoons, likewise let’s go ahead with the planned refit of the Aegis-class and put 40 more on order.”
“That’s reasonable Ian, and my yards are already building more carriers. If you provide the big guns, my carriers can bring overwhelming ASF support. We will own the skies.” The First Prince spoke as he laid out the AFFS current build schedule.
“Should we consider rescinding the Ares Convention as well.” Viola spoke up.
Shandra tried to stop Ian from impetuously saying yes, but he shrugged her hand off, “Yes, we all agreed?”
“I’m for it,” Davion agreed.
“Though this is a threat we need to bring to heel rapidly, and the Taurians never signed the convention, we should avoid nuking worlds.” Marion protested.
“War is cruelty and the crueler it is, the faster its done, I agree, the Draconis Combine is all in.” Kurita spoke.
“Then the convention is revoked and we should begin sending the Periphery a warning, the Taurians especially that they should disarm and be occupied.” Viola spoke.
“I’ll draft that warning myself,” Ian spoke. “The Rim Worlds will join immediately, House Amaris has a weak hold on its populace and as long as we guarantee that house its power and prestige, they will deliver the goods. The Outworlds are a loose confederation and should be run over first with utter brutality. Then we hit the Magistracy and the Taurians.”
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Anaheim: September 11th, 2574
Space Master Amber Archibald shook off the effects of the jump aboard the Concordat-class Frigate, Uriah’s Honor. Taking a sip from her hot cup of tea, a luxury she now enjoyed thanks to the Colonials 125 day long refit. She still had the grav deck, no longer spinning and the machinery removed to give 10,000 tons more cargo space. The ammo for the ordinance weapons was much more powerful. She had 4 compact Colonial Fusion Plants that provided 20 times more power than before. The new armor plating took lasers out of the equation and reduced the effectiveness of PPCs, but KEWs of sufficient weight could still punch through. Overall, her ship was now 60 times more effective. Especially with the replacement of the Broadside and Aft facing NACs with Colonial dual-barrel 508mm gun turrets. The replacement of the NL 45s with said turrets gave additional flexibility. Lastly she could now fire specialized rounds from the NACs.
“Jump completed Ma’am, all systems green. DROSTs 1 to 4 reporting in and Tigresses 1 to 8 have pinged us.” Her XO, David Ferris announced from his chair while he nursed his coffee cup. The rest of the crew had their preferred beverages out as well, something nigh unthinkable before their refit.
Amber still enforced no smoking rules as she hated the habit.
“Excellent, exchanging those drop collars for Killer Whale Launchers is looking better even more and our freed up landing bay is great. Set Formation Delta.” Amber announced as she relaxed in her chair, which she was not giving up, ****** the Colonials if they wanted to stand all day. What were they? Sadomasochists when rounds began impacting the hull?
“Comms announce Formation Delta.” David ordered.
As the Task Force began its formation forming, Amber began writing into her log book the successful jump. She would hold back her 24 Lightings of Goliath Division and her 8 Raptors of 405th Raptor Wing aboard her ship and the other 24 Lightings of Bruno Division and their supporting 8 Raptors of the 103rd Raptor Wing split amongst the DROSTs, till they got closer to her patrol area.
“Okay, helm, prepare to move us towards the asteroids at 3g and copy the DROSTs and Tigresses.”
There were a few moments of work to arrange it, and then David looked up and announced, “Ready.”
“3,2,1, hit it!” Amber ordered.
There was a loud thrum as engines vibrated sound through the hull, but there was no sudden pull against her chair. Amber then stood up and walked forward to the helm station and confirmed they were at 3g acceleration.
“XO, send word to the others to maintain current acceleration till we reach the asteroid field then cut down to .5g.” Amber ordered as she returned to her seat.
“Yes Ma’am. At current speed, we’ll be there in 18 hours.” David reported.
“Notify Goliath Division to prepare to deploy in 18 hours with four Raptors in support, I will be in my day cabin. You have the Conn XO.” Amber instructed as she got up.
“Aye Ma’am, I have the Conn.”
Walking out to a side door, Amber entered a small room with just a cot, sink, toilet, and desk with a secured communications system. Additional monitors provided her vital ship information. Going to her cot, she plopped down to take an 8 hour nap.
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The alarms awoke Amber and looking up she saw contacts on the Radar Screen and rushed out.
“Fighters prepare to launch.” David was announcing as Amber entered the Bridge.
“Report.” Amber spoke as she took back her chair.
“8 Leopard CVs closing fast and launching Stukas. Current closing speed will have us in effective weapons range in 1 hour.” David announced.
“This doesn’t make any sense, this is a clear suicide run… Unless they are screening a warship.” Amber mused. “Launch our fighters. Tigresses and DROSTs are to maintain current speed and link targeting data to our main fire control. Load flak shells into the forward NACs and get me a targeting solution on those Stukas. Execute.”
After a few moments, David looked up, “Firing solution ready.”
Amber set her face to serene calm, “Fire.”
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Commodore McAllister Swinton of the AFFS didn’t know what to expect as Uriah’s Honor fired its 6 forward facing NAC’s outside effective range. But his 48 Stukas being reduced to half via flak bursts wasn’t it. It was too late to abort the attack, inertia was in full swing. “All craft, press the attack, we’re committed.” He ordered while tightening his straps on his chair. “Leopards arm the LRMs, they are committed as well, target the Concordat…”
McAllister’s jaw dropped as the Concordat gave inertia the finger and executed a hard right turn with its escorting DROSTs in just 2 seconds, a 15g turn that by rights should have snapped their spines. And revealed not 3 NACs according to intelligence, but 3 dual-turreted ACs? No, too big…
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“Broadsides ready,” David called out.
“Clear them from my sky,” Amber ordered.
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180 LRMs, from 12 launchers, 12 508mm rounds every 6 seconds, plus 6 medium lasers, and 12 large lasers, not counting the supporting fire of the DROSTs, Tigresses, Lightings, and Raptors, made short work of the remaining Stukas whose own return fire was ineffective due to Colonial Grade ECM/ECCM packages the Taurians received.
For Commodore McAllister his last thought, as a 508mm APHE shell slammed through his Dropship, was he wouldn’t be home for his daughter’s high school graduation.
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“Targets destroyed, should we resume the mission?” XO David asked.
“Not yet, have a Raptor take a priority message back to…”
“Jump signature matching a fast courier,” Section Leader Kallis spoke from his station, cutting off Amber’s order. “Jump has completed, receiving a broad spectrum message. Its unfiltered and unencrypted.”
“Show me it,” Amber ordered.
Upon receiving it, Amber only needed 5 minutes to read it. “Scratch the Raptor, copy this message to a Tigress and send it immediately to Taurus.”
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September 12th, 2574, Office of the Lord Protector
Ambassador Hebe of the 12 Colonies of Kobol read out loud the message, “Furthermore, in consideration of the common goals we share, we must set aside our differences and pool our resources for the common good, once and for all.
The Star League stands for a unified Humanity. As First Lord of the Star League, it is my solemn responsibility to protect the welfare of that Humanity wherever it may be found, be it on Sian or Santiago, New Vandenberg or New Avalon, Andurien or Apollo, Castor or Canopus or the 12 Colonies of Kobol. Though me, the Star League assumes the awesome task of safeguarding the welfare of Humanity. It is a responsibility from which the League will never shrink, a responsibility it shall never lay down. The dark days of barbarism are over-we will not let them return again.
The only way to ensure equal protection for all, the only way to safeguard the liberties of each individual, is for every Human being to accept the benefits we offer, freely and openly. So long as a solitary individual of the most distant planet in the Periphery remains uneducated, impoverished, or disadvantaged, all are equally stricken.
We intend to see that the majority is not denied the benefits of culture and progress at the hands of a minority of radical isolationists. We intend to extend our benevolent protection into every corner of Human-occupied space, whatever the cost, until every man, woman, and child prospers and flourishes. Let no one stand in the way of Human progress. The time for reunification has come.
Signed Ian Cameron, First Lord of the Star League.”
“It’s essentially a declaration of war,” Mitchell pointed out.
“I agree, but I will have to send a report back to President Adar and await instructions. You must understand, our people still fear the Cylons might return and don’t want our defenses weakened. However, I believe he will guarantee your independence and if they dare to use WMDs on civilians. Rest assured, they will quickly learn it’s not a smart ideal.” Hebe replied.
“Thank you, I will be deploying more forces to Anaheim soon to flush out whatever ship is hiding in the belts. I doubt it’s a Warship, though they likely got them on standby. But I’m not going to play that game. I trust your meeting with the Canopian Envoy went well?”
“Certainly Mitchell, the Canopians agreed to our terms and we will be delivering 3 Atlas-class Heavy Carriers, our sole remaining Minerva-class Battlestar, and nine Janus-class Heavy Cruisers to them, plus the license to build the Artemis-class Battlestar and the previously mentioned ships. Vice Admiral Cain will oversee their transfer.”
AN: https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/galacticafanon/images/2/24/Athena_Internal.png/revision/latest?cb=20111003044922What the Titan Project will look like. The Taurian Navy will continue to use DEWs for a while longer. Meanwhile the Inner Sphere after the initial engagements will be dumping them and working on the next step up for NACs, which is basically Halo type MACs. They will also be surgically reinforcing pilot's bodies and looking to grow clones specifically to become fighter pilots who can handle 30g maneuvers without dying. They also will be attempting to put out Battle Armor Troops. This all stuff they have the theoretical framework to do, if not necessarily the technical capability to do outside of labs.
