[sachmo]

Gains in Bardron

2412.1

The Ukra-Tal came at Correlia again, this time with a mixed fleet of four ships. The minefield around the planet destroyed three, and the fourth was badly damaged. Iolo Defense Fleet made short work of the survivors. Two Ukra-Tal ships remained in the system but posed no immediate threat to the planet. Hitcher kept his fleet in orbit rather than giving chase, as he would not be able to return to the planet until months end and leaving Correlia open to attack. Once the colonists rebuilt the defenses of the planet, or they were reinforced, he could afford to be bolder in his operations. He knew that time would be months away.

The shipyard on Cetarus launched the first of the new generation of supply ships. RSS Filmore was a Cyllene D Class supply ship, the first generation of supply ships fitted with Solar Converters. These devices harnessed the solar energy of local stars and transformed it to useable energy with an efficiency Remorhaz scientists had never thought possible. This energy could then be transferred to the warships, thus extending the life of the power plant charge. A portion of this energy would also be used by the supply ship itself to power food replicators, water condensers, and manufacturing plants to create the staples needed by the crewmen of the warships to survive long periods of space travel. It was hoped that the Solar Converters would extend the range of Remorhaz fleets to an almost indefinite point, depending only on the natural solar energy of stars to replenish their stocks. RSS Filmore set course for Bardron to join Strike Fleet Hellcat.

Strikefleet Hellcat moved in and eliminated the defenses on Bardron II, taking no damage in the process. Brennan’s Strikefleet Avenger moved in a week later and dropped the 1st Space Marine Brigade, capturing the planet while taking light casualties. The planet was renamed Oleander. During the assault, all useable structures on the planet had been destroyed, and so construction began immediately on a supply depot.

In Zezzis, Velocitas, and Sutran, the first Remorhaz fighter squadrons were organized. They consisted of both the F-2 Thunderstrike interceptor and the FA-5 Warhammer ant-ship fighter. Grand Admiral Urian hoped that these squadrons would be able to help cover these vital systems and allow the capital ships to take the battle to the enemy. They had yet to be proven in battle, but if the trials proved to be anywhere close to the reality of their capabilities, they would give any enemy ship a good fight.