[Sabin]

I have decided to exclude the sub-chapters, due to a lack of ideas. However, in this post, I have placed Chapter III, so please enjoy. Also, does anyone have any insights about what the Space Empire has been doing wrong thus far, combat-wise?

SPACE EMPIRES VOLUME I: Space Empire

Chapter III: The Pegasus Question
Stardate: 2414.03

Planet Earth, Sol System, 2414.03.(The Grand Master bedroom of the Space Palace.)

The isolation of the Space Empire irked it's leader, Grand Master Sabin, and the people he ruled over, at least that is what he believed. During his reign as the Grand Master, he tried to live up to the former Grand Master's ambitions: To improve society, and to reach the stars. He, in the year of 2400.00 did just that, and now has managed to do more for his people then what has been done in the Last 4 centurys...at least, that is how the history book by an on-line author has been saying, which has been more or less accurate. However, Sabin felt that the amount of expansion that has taken place would have been emulated by any other empire, and the other empires that have been met thus far were proof of that. He knew, that more expansion was important, but he questioned how to go about it, and what it may cost the Space Empire. Indeed, there was the possibilty that by attempting to do so will destroy the Space Empire. Then again, the Space Empire can't wait, since it is already falling behind, if it already didn't.

Sabin paced about the room, and then halted. He began to toy with the idea he just thought of. He began pacing again, moving about in a continous circle, and the idea's roots took hold of the fertile soil of the Grand Master's mind. He quickly accepted the decision, and summoned forth the council, and put before them the idea. It was quickly accepted, and all of the council members had something to gain from such a project. Sabin allocated the personnel and resources required for this particular task, and returned to the Space Palace's Grand Master bedroom. He went to his desk, and turned on the monitor of his personal computer, and accessed the electronic diary he kept. He began typing. "Today, I have had a marvelous idea, which would expand the knowledge of the Space Empire greatly, and show us many things that even Starfleet Command doesn't know about..."

Electronic History book, titled SPACE EMPIRE VOLUME I: Space Empire, Chapter III: The Pegasus Question

In the year 2414.03, a project was taken up by the Space Empire. It had some new ideas, more specifically, it was the idea of designing a new starship, one meant for exploration. This ship was meant to travel among the stars and explore the unknown half of the galaxy...the North-East section. This ship had a different size compared to the Saber series, the size of which was only 200kt. This ship, on the other hand, was 400kt, which doubled the amount of room available for parts. This vessal also featured shields, an invention that couldn't be used on small vessels like the Saber series, due to the size of them. These shields are capable of preventing damage to a starship, more specifcally, damage caused by weapons. This was a good trait for an exploration ship, due to what may be met on a long journey. The final addition was the Quantum Torpedo III, a weapon that was very different from phasers, the default weapons that Sabers were armed with, since the assaults made with a torpedo did not deteriorate over time, a radical difference.

The prototype was eventually created. It was sent on it's maiden voyage, and at one point, it was felt that testing such a vehicle at combat would be a good idea. The ship engaged a Borg planet, and was destroyed by the small fighters that protected the planet. Despite the combat failiure of the vessel, it was decided to create a second, unmodified vessel. It was sent on it's exploration mission and successfully traveled 9 systems away. Near the end of that trip, it met two races, the Romulans and the Orian Syndicate. Non-Agression treaties were formed with both races. During this time, the vessal attacked a planet that housed 9 Borg vessels, unarmed ones. It successfully destroyed all of the vessels, and the five fighters guarding the area. Maxia A was razed, and Maxia III quickly met the same fate. The ship was recalled, so that it may be replaced by a varient more dedicated to exploration, which also featured a different torpedo, the Trilithium-Cobalt Torpedo III, which did similar damage with a side effect of doing quadruple damage to shields, which would make it far more valuable as a secondary weapon. This varient was called the Pegasus-E, due to the ship it was supposed to replace, the Pegasus.

During the return to Sol some events occured. The Orian Syndicate extended a treaty of trade alliance, which has been accepted by the Space Empire, and then was escalated into one that had to do with exchanges of research matierial. Starfleet Command also made another request for help against the Klingons. The Space Empire sent a single Saber MK.II to the Bajor system, which was to be this time an individual unit that would fight primarily the Klingons. The ship was granted a new title, the Chozo. An trade alliance was formed with the Romulans, else, they threatened, they would burn the Space Empire's worlds. The Space Empire took the meaning of it as a joke of sorts, and accepted, laughing all the way to bank, their coffers being filled with a new source of financial support. The project to add the Colonizatation MK.I series was completed, and they promptly entered the museum fleet.

The Pegasus-E attacked a Borg vessel that entered the Sol System and destroyed it while taking little damage. It was reported that the new torpedo in use did away with the shields in almost a single blow, which were rated at 450. It was decided that this torpedo is to become a standard on larger vessels, due to it's usefulness in combat. The Chozo was destroyed by a large group of Klingon ships, and could not resist any attacks that the enemy made at blank range. It was discussed that the Chozo may have been able to defeat a single Klingon vessel, but the point was moot. However, it has been considered that it may have been time to update the Saber series into it's third incarnation. Research about it was taking place, when it was discovered that the Saber series may have finally met their end: Their overall cost was not worth the amount of armor & weapons they could carry.

However, there is hope for this series: Some needed research is coming to a head, and may give this ancient series one Last revival, by improving the amount of ground these ships could cover, and possibly how many supplies they can carry. Also, it was found that if they were in range of a planet equipped with a command center, their combat performance increases by 30% in their attacks and defensive manuevers. It is argued, though, that an new series would gain a far better advantage then the aging Saber series.

Meanwhile, the Pegasus (A), has yet to return to Space Empire territory, for the crew thought they could explore on the way to the Sol System. Now, the trip has been delayed greatly, and it is currently expected that the varient of the Pegasus may have to be remade, due to new technological developments. On 2426.0, it has been decided the Pegasus-E shall be placed on it's maiden voyage, despite the fact that the original has yet to come back. It is to travel to Bajor and return to Sol afterwards.

An offer was made by the Fluidic Imperium for a military alliance, but it was turned down by the Space Empire. The Pegasus-E was destroyed, which has now prompted that a new varient is to be made, due to the fact that new warp technology is available. What destroyed the Pegasus-E is an Klingon vessel, due to it's powerful weapons, and that the Pegasus-E got too close for it's own good, it seemed. The Space Empire decided to change how it conducts battle. However, the Pegasus (A) got destroyed on it's journey home, unlike the way it was shown in motion pictures, where a ship goes down bravely: Hardly without a fight. The Space Empire felt embarressed, it seemed they were completely incompetent in the arena of space, thus concludes chapter three, where the Space Empire is humiliated on a regular basis, though it learned a little more about what goes into designing a starship, and the tactics involved...but would the Space Empire apply them? Or would it continue to flounder like a fish on the deck of a starship?

[ February 22, 2004, 22:34: Message edited by: Sabin ]