Dawn

[attack_condor]

2410.0

Lapzooli system
...onboard CDS Lugosi...

The stealth ship didn’t find the home world of the Abbidon, but it did find something just as revealing. She had taken up orbit over Lapzooli V. The planet had a spaceport, a supply depot, and two organic farm facilities. That, however was on the surface. The real interesting action was going on all around her. In orbit.

A Drushocka frigate was being re-supplied. Cue Cappa ships were re-supplying at this point as well. And the latest customer was a Norak fleet of twenty-three frigates, also headed to Lapzooli V for supplies.

Pantrissa system
Pantrissa V shipyard...

The need for the minelayers was gone. Dawn had ships to patrol the warp points. Jaguar was the first of minelayers to be converted to a new type of military freighter. Cargo bays were re-dimensioned. New equipment was brought on board, and men and women began training on the new technology.

Zezzis system
Zezzis IX...

The troops had been bunkered for almost two months. The reinforcements were finally here. With any luck, the planet would be taken and they could go home, until the next mission.

Sheliak system
...onboard CDS Beagle...

Captain Cabrerra would be late. There would be no attack this month. He sent the signal. The operation against the Norak would be delayed...

Nekkar III
Corporate headquarters..

The meeting between the Chairman and the ambassador from Norak took place. The interpreter was a religious zealot who believed ardently in the goddess and was also a Terran. It was short. The Dawn was expelling the ambassador. The Norak were charged with theft of Dawn plans and materials. They had one month to repatriate all documents and pay for the destroyed supplies. If they did not, they would be in a state of war with the Empire of Dawn. The meeting was over.

[attack_condor]

2410.1

Zezzis system
Zezzis X...

While still angry, the population realized that rioting and destroying their own facilities was going to do very little to change the situation. Propaganda material developed at the UPC helped, but this was a planet of research. Twenty-five facilities were dedicated to the discovery of new technologies. Dawn scientists arrived and toured the planet. They began to discuss how to improve the facilities, processes and techniques to get more from the effort expended in those discoveries. As reason and logic started to replace the emotional response of being “conquered”, plans were made to improve the Sergetti facilities – starting now.

Meanwhile, the ground combat at Zezzis XI continued as more fighters were delivered. The last Sergetti planet in the system, Zezzis XII was invaded by 36 troops. The facilities on the planet were a mixture of organic facilities and research facilities. The Dawn was getting impatient. The time to end the Zezzis operation was now.

Mentocka system
Mentocka VII...

With the capture of Mentocka VI the ships in the system were re-supplied. Mentocka VII was only one month from completing her own supply depot, then supplies would be abundant. There was a Cue Cappa fleet of eight destroyers and a freighter bearing down on Mentocka VII, however, as the other occupants of the system tried to disrupt the Dawn. Bulldog and Northampton moved into orbit to protect the colony, which had a Hercules V and two Hercules VI weapon platforms to assist the ships.

At Mentocka VI, Cardiff, North Weald and Plymouth were joined by sixty-seven fighters to protect the planet and support ships there. The warp point to Ushphada via Tilikanthua was protected by Vancouver, Northampton and Shelly. Shelly had retrieved and re-deployed the Tripwire IV at the warp point. With a level three anti-proton cannon that had a range of 100km, shields and its own regenerator it was a welcome addition to the defense of the point.

The Cue Cappa fleet kept on course and attacked Mentocka VII. Commander O’Rourke ordered Portsmouth to loop around the right side of the formation, while Bulldog looped around the left. She was giving the enemy a direct and unopposed path to the planet. While Portsmouth nimbly darted in and out of range of the enemy, she had to remember that Bulldog was far less agile, so the turns would be less. She was able to get in behind the enemy fleet, charging for the planet in an arrowhead formation. At 100km from the enemy, Bulldog opened fire on the last destroyer in the formation and burned 50% of her armor away. On the other side of the formation, Portsmouth fired at 90km from her target, and reduced its armor to 65%.

Two of the destroyers fired on Bulldog, including her target, but they never deviated from their course to the planet. Bulldog was able to fire again, and destroyed her target’s armor. The destroyer had its port side ripped open, and lost a point defense cannon as well as its ordinance stores. One of its engines was also damaged. Bulldog took the two enemy hits on her shields, which dropped to 92%.

Portsmouth fired again, but two of her beams missed, and the target lost only a bit more armor. The enemy was not approximately 200km from the planet. The operators on the weapon platforms targeted the lead destroyer.

Bulldog took two more hits, and her shields dropped to 88%. She fired, and the enemy destroyer lost five of its six engines. It could still fire, though.

Portsmouth scored with two hits, and her target had only 28% of its armor left. She was paralleling her target’s course, and out of range of return fire. On Bulldog, Commander O'Rourke ordered a hard turn to port. This would slow the ship and allow the second destroyer that was firing on her to take itself out of range and also allow Bulldog to follow the destroyers into the planet. She took one last shot from her target before her own fire ended its struggles.

Portsmouth fired and scored three hits, removing the destroyer’s armor and slicing into one of the engines. The target’s speed slowed to 11km/sec. More fire from Portsmouth destroyed another engine and a weapon, as she was able to pull ahead of the target and attack its front. The destroyer was down to 9km/sec. Portsmouth fired a third time, and the destroyer lost its second weapon, and began to retreat at 7km/sec. Portsmouth targeted a new destroyer.

By now the five remaining destroyers were within range of the planet. The lead destroyer took ten anti-proton beams and lost all of its armor as well as its weapons. The weapon platforms targeted the next destroyer…

Caught between withering fire from the planet that was effectively disabling their ships with every shot, and a pair of ships on their rear, the destroyers were finished. In less than a minute, the Cue Cappa lost their fleet. One shot hit a weapon platform, and repair was already underway...

[attack_condor]

2410.3

Nekkar III
Corporate Headquarters

The deadline had come and gone for the Norak to recompense the Empire for stolen technology and damages. Nothing happened, of course, No one had really expected the Norak to take the threat seriously.

Rita Edwards had succeeded in finally getting her department to adopt new methods and use more of the technology available to assist with defending against foreign espionage operations. The research department was also modernizing, and the facilities began the process of re-inventing themselves. The end results were simple. More research. Better intelligence.

The Chairman had just announced that the war in the Zezzis system had officially concluded. The last Sergetti colony had fallen, and the Sergetti empire was all but eliminated. Traders made mention of a few holdouts but without a planet or access to resources, they wouldn’t be much more than just that. The inhabitants of Zezzis XII weren’t too keen on the idea, and were rioting. This wasn’t unexpected, however and ground troops had moved to protect the facilities while the newest members of the Dawn empire adjusted to their new lives.

The design of ships larger than the Bulldog class cruiser was now available. Battleships were now available for construction. The preliminary plan for them would be planetary assault, with an eye to defeating the weapon platforms defending enemy colonies. Ordinance-based weapons such as missiles and torpedoes could play a key role in the new ships.

Also available – and with a potentially larger effect on the empire – was a large freighter class. Restructuring the fleet’s support ships led to the downsizing of general transport vessels (currently identified as the President class), but the Harvester class of mining ships was now upgraded to this large freighter class. They would be able to carry six remote mining robots each. They would be slow and take a long time (and cost) to build, but their potential for production would be enormous. With their development, the plan to use satellites as remote miners was scrapped.

The homeworld of Nekkar III had launched the second Bulldog class cruiser, christened CDS Mastiff. The new cruiser was sent to bolster the protection at the Pantrissa-Sheliak warp point. The space yard immediately began production of the first of the giant Harvesters. Even with the impressive production capability of the yard there, the ship would still take three months to build.

The war was going to take another lull as the empire focuses once again on defensive operations and infrastructure improvements. The Phong space yard at Zezzis VII is now a level three facility. The first space yard on Sirius XI was also now operational. The significance of this yard was that it was built on what was once a domed Terran colony, but now populated entirely by the Phong. Phong, Sergetti, and even Abbidon were now integrating into the Empire. The ability of these lifeforms to breathe non-oxygen atmospheres meant that domes across the empire may well become museum pieces...

[attack_condor]

2410.4

Nekkar III
Corporate Headquarters

There was no combat this month as the Empire began modernizing research facilities to level five and intelligence facilities to level four. Medical lab upgrades to level three and mining facilities to level four continue throughout the empire. Population re-alignment continues, and planets are beginning to be utilized to their full potential. The empire has extended an offer to the Cheththod for migration to Empire colonies, as they are the only known race to breathe hydrogen.

Research continues for UPC and repair technologies; as well as torpedo improvements in preparation for deployment on battleships.

The Cue Cappa officially declared war on the empire. In response, the empire colonized a fourth planet in the Mentocka system. This was the first colony established with a non-Terran population, as Abbidon citizens of the empire from Mentocka VI boarded a colony ship and settled Mentocka IV...

[attack_condor]

2410.5

Nekkar III
Corporate Headquarters

There weren’t any celebrations, but the mood of the colonies was good enough that a celebration wouldn’t be out of order.

The Sergetti sent a message to the Dawn empire. They proposed a meeting on Fezzran VI. It was their last world. They were surrendering.

Finally, the Zezzis chapter could be closed, and the system could transition into a more peaceful role, It would still be considered a front-line system, but it would not be a war zone. In addition to their formal surrender of their government and last world, they also delivered resources, as well as technologies the Dawn had access to but not yet researched – medium light hull level 3, fighters level 3, cargo level 2, supply level 3, projectile weapons level 2 and base construction level 3. The planet itself had two mine facilities which would be upgraded as soon as possible. Unfortunately, there was a small problem.

Fezzran VI was out of reach of the Dawn Empire’s vaunted fleet.

The planet had about fifty fighters, but a warship was desperately needed. The Norak, the Sithrak, the Eee, and the Cue Cappa all had ships within easy striking range of the newest colony of the empire. The frigate Manchester was dispatched immediately but would not get to the planet until a month later. Dunwich and Bowhunter were also deployed, but they were two months away from reaching the colony...

Back in the Nekkar system, the first Harvester 600 was launched and replaced the Harvester 400 in the Nekkar asteroid belt number III. Production from that one belt went from 8700 minerals a month to an astonishing 15,000 per month. The new Harvester class was a success...

Dawn’s modernization program was also in full swing. Over eighty research facilities upgraded to a level five. Thirteen mineral facilities and intelligence facilities upgraded to level four. Ships were also getting the latest upgrades. The empire was getting stronger...

Sabotage was still running rampant throughout the empire. The openness of the society was proving to be just what enemies needed as a way to strike against the empire. The empire was getting ready to strike back...

[attack_condor]

2410.6

Zezzis system
Zezzis VII...

The Phong builders on the planet had been dedicating their talents to refitting existing ships for the empire, as well as upgrading their own facilities for maximum production and support. This month, however, they produced their first ship for the empire. A second Harvester 600 was now in service, and it now mined the first of the Zezzis asteroid systems. When the Phong had been shown this technology they couldn’t believe that asteroids could be mined the same way a planet could. Once shown, however, they caught on easily enough. Their contribution to the fleet of asteroid miners just added another 16,000 minerals a month to the empire’s totals…

...Zezzis XI...

The Sergetti on the planet were in a much better mood – so much so that most of the ships orbiting the planet could be released for general system duties. CDS Polk had arrived with a load of Terrans from Zezzis I. The Terrans would now breathe the oxygen on Zezzis XI with their Sergetti counterparts, while the Phong on Zezzis I were now able to demolish the domes. Zezzis X and XII, the two large ice worlds with oxygen atmospheres were earmarked for a shipyard each, as their population was already over a billion on each planet. That type of production advantage could not be ignored. The small Phong planet Zezzis VII would eventually use its shipyard for repairs and upgrades only, eschewing production to the larger planets. Once the colonists on Zezzis X and XII were happier in their new role as empire citizens, the transformation from research and farming colonies to construction yards could begin.

Sheliak system
Shelak-Pantrissa warp point...

They really didn’t mean to do it.

The cruiser Mastiff led the frigates Dover, Bristol, and Weymouth as well as the point defense destroyer Longbow into the Sheliak system from the Pantrissa side of the warp point. They knew a Norak destroyer would be guarding the Sheliak side of the point.

They didn’t know the Cheththod would have a pair of destroyers there as well.

As Mastiff materialized in the Sheliak system, the Norak destroyer was firing on the Cheththod. Unfortunately, the inexperienced crew on Mastiff fired on the first target presented to it by the computer systems on board. While the Norak fired on one of the Cheththod destroyer, Mastiff fired on the other. When the mistake was realized, it was too late. The Cheththod targeted by Mastiff was crippled, and the second Cheththod destroyer was trying to disengage from the Norak. Meanwhile, the Norak captain saw all five of the Empire ships materialize, and realized he was seriously outgunned. He broke off and almost made it out of the sector before the frigates caught him. Seeing the Norak being chased down by the frigates, Mastiff’s captain took it upon himself to chase down the second “enemy” and destroy it.

When all was said and done, the Dawn empire would regretfully inform their Cheththod allies that their destroyers were destroyed by a Norak ship that was observed to be firing on them. The fact that the Cheththod were able to destroy their attacker before perishing themselves spoke highly of their ability.

...onboard CDS Mastiff...

The crew didn’t have time for recriminations – they were on their way to the Norak colony of Sheliak II. Standing in their path was another pair of Norak destroyers. They were destroyed as the fleet moved into orbit around their target. The attack was carefully planned, as the planet had seven weapon platforms with level two capital ship missiles whose range was 120km. The anti-photon beams on Mastiff had a range of 110km.

Longbow played her role to perfection, drawing the enemy’s missiles to her skimming along the edge of their firing range, and then pulling away, firing her flak cannons as the missiles closed. She did take three missiles which wiped her shields out and disabled one engine. She was able to get the shields back, but not the engine. Still, she was more careful and didn’t make any more mistakes.

Mastiff and her three frigates were taking advantage of the missiles that were targeting Longbow and closed to fire two beam salvos before retreating outside the missile’s range. Working together in this way, Mastiff, the frigates, and Longbow were able to eventually wipe the weapon platforms out, along with four intelligence facilities. The frigate Weymouth also took a missile hit and also lost a single engine, but the planet itself was dead. The Dawn empire had finally entered the intelligence war - in about as most blunt of a way as is possible...

As the five ships moved back to the warp point to wait for the eventual response, Weymouth distributed her supplies to the four remaining ships and warped back into Pantrissa. Until a repair ship could get to them, she would ferry supplies to the ships on the Sheliak side of the warp point...

Nekkar III
Corporate Headquarters...

The successful strike against a Norak intelligence colony wasn’t without risks. The damaged ships were not really that much of a concern, at least as much as how the Cheththod would respond to the attack on a planet in their system. Ironically, the mistake at the warp point could work out to their advantage. If the Cheththod could be convinced that the Norak were attacking their ships and trying to blame their ally (which was exactly what the Dawn was trying to do, albeit in reverse) then they might be convinced to join their ally in expelling the Norak from Sheliak.

Otherwise, the empire ran the risk of going to war with another empire – something they distinctly wished to avoid...

Drepana system
...onboard CDS Lugosi...

The system belonged to the Cue Cappa. There were space stations, frigates and destroyers almost everywhere. Some were damaged, but the analysis of the data suggested the damage was from refits rather than battle. The stealth ship approached Drepana I and performed a scan. The results were coded and sent as a burst transmission. What the rest of the empire’s planners would find out in the next hour is what Lugosi’s crew already knew.

They had found the home world of the Cue Cappa...

[attack_condor]

2410.7

Drepana system
Onboard CDS Lugosi...

The stealth ship had just finished mapping out the Drepana system. There was only the one Cue Cappa planet – albeit the homeworld. The last planet to be scanned was a large ice planet. There were no signs of life there.

But there was something else...

Mentocka system
...onboard CDS North Weald...

They were the closest, so they went first.

Plymouth would follow, but the orders sent to North Weald were painfully succinct and to the point.

"Proceed best speed Drepana III. Rendezvous Beta. Await orders."

“Beta” was the code name for the stealth ship waiting for them there. Lugosi would not move from her position, using her solar collectors to generate supplies to replenish those that the Dawn ships would surely need. It wouldn’t be hard to figure out what the Cue Cappa response would be when an empire they were at war with suddenly appears at your home planet and warships start charging in...

And so North Weald made the trip to the warp point at the best possible speed, ignoring the two Cue Cappa colonies on the way there. Once there, she warped into the new system...

...Mentocka VI shipyard...

The communication was handled in a uniquely Abbidon style. Chameleon like, they used colors to send the message, “painting” the information that needed to be passed. As one, they all picked up on the hues and repeated the patterns. The Terrans who worked with the gaseous beings could interpret the message, and use a child-like (as far as the Abbidon was concerned) version of the same communication with computer-generated images.

But however the message was passed, the meaning was clear. Work on the new ship needed to be done faster. More would work. Somewhere, someone needed a colony ship.

Very badly...

[attack_condor]

2410.8

Drepana system
...onboard CDS North Weald...

She had achieved orbit with surprisingly little resistance. A single Cue Cappa destroyer challenged them, but it was dispatched easily enough. Around the homeworld, however, a frigate and eight destroyers apparently took no notice of the enemy in their system.

More correctly, the two enemies in their system. A second frigate - Plymouth - was two sectors away from North Weald.

More correctly still – the two enemies they could see...

Mentocka system
...onboard CDS Bulldog...

Commander O’Rourke would have preferred to been escorting the support ships into Drepana, but her ship had a different role to play. By now, the fact that ancient ruins had been discovered on Drepana III was becoming the worst-kept secret (as all secrets usually do) and it would be interesting to be on hand to see them when the planet was colonized. Vancouver was escorting the cargo ship Taylor and the repair ship Melbourne to Drepana III. Taylor carried a load of weapon platforms and fighters for the new colony.

Bulldog was with escorting the cargo ship McKinley to Mentocka II – one of the two Cue Cappa planets in Mentocka. Once Bulldog destroyed the two weapon platforms and indigenous troops, McKinley moved in and launched fourth generation invasion troops and the fighters. Mentocka II wasn’t very big, and its mining facilities survived Bulldog’s bombardment. Once taken, they would add to the empires resource production, but of more importance was that the attack may serve to distract the Cue Cappa from what was happening in their own front yard...

Fezzran system
Fezzran-Zezzis warp point...

They were back together again. This time, they were a much more potent force.

West End and Southampton, along with Dunwich were now part of the newly created Fezzran fleet. The light cruiser Toronto was also with them, as was the point defense ship Artemis. With the exception of Dunwich, these four ships were the first four ships of the fleet so many years ago. Refit with the latest technology, they were now charged with protecting the Fezzran system from enemies of the empire. As soon as they entered the system, their scans detected a Phong colony on Fezzran II. Four intelligence facilities were on the colony. Rather than destroy them, the decision was made to dispatch the cargo ship Grant with a load of third generation invasion troops to try to take the planet, and use the intelligence facilities against their former owners...

...Pantrissa system...

Plans were being made against the Norak colony in the Sheliak system. Three planets were tasked to build troops, while the cargo ships Monroe and Roosevelt would ferry them to the Sheliak system. The repair ship CDS Townsville had warped into Pantrissa and was on her way to the Pantrissa-Sheliak warp point to repair Weymouth. Once that was complete, both ships would warp back into Sheliak and await the invasion forces to join them...

[attack_condor]

2410.9

Nekkar III
Corporate Headquarters...

The policy of unrestricted warfare against Norak and Phong intelligence colonies was winning support among the population. A strike against Fezzran II led by Toronto destroyed four more Phong intelligence facilities. In Pantrissa, troops were being assembled for an attack on Norak colonies in Sheliak. Both operations were the brainchild of Rita Edwards, who persuaded the military to destroy the threat to allow the empire to operate with as few research restrictions as possible...

Mentocka system
Mentocka I...

Commander O’Rourke was pulling her ship away from the planet. Bulldog had just bombarded the planet’s defenses into oblivion, and McKinley dropped the troops that were fresh off of their victory at Mentocka II. The governor and population of the former Cue Cappa possession were already producing a new supply depot. The rioting that had occurred at the captured Zezis colonies was non-existent here. The Cue Cappa race also breathed oxygen, and woud no doubt begin to migrate within the empire, as had the other races that now made up the Dawn...

[attack_condor]

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!)