Re: Dawn - Big packages
2411.0
Lezzari system
...onboard CDS Springer...
The stealth ship was quietly monitoring the comings and goings in the system. She recorded the destruction of the Phong colony by the Dawn and was in a position to keep an eye on a prize the Dawn had marked – a huge gas giant with an oxygen atmosphere. The Pinta colonizer was poised on the Zezzis side of the warp point, ready to enter and colonize the planet all in one move, before the Sithrak, who had five of their own colonies in the system, could react. At least, that was the plan.
Springer monitored a warp point entry from an unknown system and counted twenty-three Norak frigates that had entered. The plan for a colony on the gas giant would continue, but the protection would have to be increased...
Fezzran system
Onboard CDS Bismarck...
Launched from the Sergetti shipyard at Zezzis XI, the ship was impressive.
Enemies of the Dawn would have another adjective for it.
Monstrous.
At over a metric ton, the battleship was easily the largest space vehicle ever encountered. This class was built for assault. It didn’t carry much in the way of defensive equipment – indeed the technician who suggested putting an ECM unit on the battleship was just stared at – but was carrying eight anti-proton cannons on heavy ship mounts. She did carry a single shield with regenerator, but her purpose was simple. Engage the enemy with massive amounts of firepower. At Fezzran II, she would do just that...
She warped into the system and briefly rendezvoused with the Toronto group. Dunwich was detached to escort the battleship, and was absurdly small compared to the behemoth. Together, they moved to Fezzran II and encountered an Abbidon destroyer. Both forces closed on each other, and Dunwich was ordered to break off. This was to be a live fire exercise for the new warship class with very real consequences...
Scanners reported the Abbdion destroyer had no shields, but carried 640 kT of armor. With Bismarck’s first salvo, six of her eight cannons hit and reduced that number to just 131 kT. The Abbidon began to turn and run, but Bismarck fired a second salvo...
With just two salvos, the destroyer had ceased to exist. The battleship was pronounced a success...
Nekkar III
Corporate headquarters...
The success of the battleship class in combat was somewhat of a relief. There were those who advocated mass production of smaller and faster ships, which could prove just as lethal in sufficient numbers. The ability of a large ship to stand off and destroy with long range weapons, however, won the day (and the debate). While the frigates would still be a mainstay in ship-to-ship combat, the battleship would be the weapon of choice in reducing a planet’s defenses prior to invasion. Of course, the battleship would still be a terrifying foe to any enemy ship that would be unlucky enough to encounter it; but the plan was for fleets to be organized around these giants and not waste their firepower on individual ships.
Reports from the Sheliak system were of another encounter between a Cheththod destroyer and the Empire ships at the Sheliak-Pantrissa warp point. The Empire sent its regrets to the Cheththod with a reminder that they valued the friendship of their first and only ally. The Empire renewed its offer for increased trade and military protection to the Cheththod. It was hoped this one would be accepted.
There was one more item from Sheliak – another set of ruins was located. This time, the planet was an ice planet; Sheliak X. A Santa Maria ice colony ship was already en route from Pantrissa V, but it would take three months to get there. Meanwhile, the frigates Dover and Bristol were released from guarding the warp point and sped toward the planet. Bristol stopped halfway there and would escort the colony ship into the planet.
Townsville also warped into Sheliak along with the cargo ship Adams. Townsville immediately began effecting the minor repairs to Weymouth and Longbow. Also due to the warp point was the second battleship, the CDS Tirpitz. It would join the fleet at the warp point in Sheliak and begin the assault on the Norak colonies there...
(note to the readers: The entries may be coming a bit further apart - there is so much going on and I don't want to miss sharing any of it. The Mentocka campaign begins to wind down as the move into Drepana begins. The Zezzis victory leads to operations in Fezzran and Lezzari. And the attempt to evict the Norak and their never-ending spy operations from Sheliak without alienating my only ally will be something of a challenge. I am tempted to just turn it all over to ministers, but I want to keep the colonies on track with the story. Patience on my end is going to be the hardest part!)
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