PACT NOTES 9

TECHNOLOGY

Autoloader(Au): Is 2 hs in size and must be mounted between the VLSc and a Mg. Autoloader reloads 36 csp per turn (or if committed to a 2 turn reloading cycle 75 csp in 2 turns; this is to help loading RD, Mines and DSB etc.). The VLSc system cannot be used during reloading. Non-auto reloading rate is 36 csp every 5 turns (or 75 csp in 10 turns), also while the VLSc does not fire. 25 MCr. Dev cost is 5,000.

Electronics Hardening(e): A computer and hardwired system that enables all electronic systems on a warship to be used the same turn as warp point transit. Size is 1 per 50 hull spaces, 100MCr per hull space used, development is 15,000. Tl10.

Long Lance Torpedo(LLT): Equipped with a huge combination antimatter/nuclear warhead, the LLT moves at speed 14, has limited fire control hardwired into it(+2 to hit), and is fired from specially built spinal mounts. It is engaged as a carrier pod. Unlike SBMHAWK, the Long Lance Torpedo is given a specific target by it’s firing unit, not a specific size or type of target. This is a tactical weapon, not a strategic one. LLT’s, once fired, proceed towards their assigned targets following the shortest route possible, at maximum speed. LLT cost 100 MCr each, dev cost is 20,000. Csp is 18, damage is 30. TL10.

Spinal Mount, Gunboat Launching(GB-SpM): An advanced launching platform, this design was a radical departure for the Pact Navy, away from long-range beam firing spinal mounts. A mere 12hs for the bay and tube, the SpM holds 8 gunboats, firing them singly at speed 15(regardless of payload). They also land one per turn, onto a rear-facing landing pad. Due to the special bracing and power needs, only one spinal mount can be built per 50hs. TL10, cost 400, dev cost: 15,000.

Spinal Mount, Long Lance Torpedo-Firing(LLT-SpM): A devastating long range weapon, the LLT firing spinal mount is a new system, which needs considerable testing before widespread use can be contemplated. At 20 hull spaces, it can fire up to ten LLT from its internal magazine. Due to the special bracing and power needs, only one spinal mount can be built per 50hs. A TL10 weapon, it costs 800 MCr to build, and 25,000 MCr to develop.

Spinal Mount, Neutronium Hypermass Spinal Mount(NH-SpM): A rare material, nuetronium is mined from the neutron star Phi Puma(whose exact location is highly classified) and is a result of research on ultra-dense material at the Trigon III University(aka Ultradense U). This spinal mount weapon fires highly dense neutron projectiles, which do one point of armor damage when entering a ship. This neutronium projectile is so dense that it can literally pierce a warship completely, regardless of its armor or shield defenses. A hypermass, this weapon causes ten points of damage internally(don’t count A or S). Due to the special bracing and power needs, only one spinal mount can be built per 50hs. This spinal mount is 10hs in size, costs 600, and development is 20,000.

SIDE NOTE: Spinal Mounts were originally a collaboration between Michael Sauer and myself, and I would like to take the time to thank him for developing it. Some people have taken our tech and claimed it as their own, but credit should go to where it is deserved. Thanks again, Michael.

Vertical Launch System, Small(VLSa): A containerized missile launch system with limited firing capabilities, the VLS was a radical innovation, which was developed by the Pact Navy during the 5th Dionii Wave. The VLSa can only fire standard missiles, at a rate of 4 SM per round. Unfortunately this rate of fire can only be sustained for five turns before the missile cells are exhausted. Reloading takes 5 turns. The VLSa is eight hull spaces in size and is primarily designed for small ships like destroyers, enabling them to pack a substantial(but limited) punch. The VLSa is TL6, cost 80, dev cost: 6,000.

Vertical Launch System, Medium(VLSb): A larger and more capable missile launch system, the VLSb was developed by Pact technicians at the outbreak of the 10th Dionii Wave, enabling the Pact to maintain border stability in the face of massed Dionii ships. The VLSb can fire both capital and standard missiles, for a respectable eight turns. The VLSb can fire 4 CM or 6 SM per round and is designed primarily for medium combatants like the battlecruiser. The VLSb is 15hs in size, TL8, cost 100, dev cost: 8,000. Reload in two turns.

Very Large Vertical Launch System(VLSc): During the devastating 7th Regional War between the Holot Empire and the Pact of Humanity, senior Pact Admirals pressed for the development of a more capable missile launcher, and BuWeaps responded with the Vertical Launch System. Basically a large missile magazine, the VLS system can fire a large number of missiles rapidly, and reloading is relatively fast(two turns) using the Autoloader or 10 turns without one! However, a single hit on this system disables the VLS, until repairs are effected. TL10 system. 20 hs in size, 100 MCr, 12,000 to develop. VLS-equipped ships cannot mount XO Racks, the launch cells would be blocked by the Racks. Also, the VLS system can only be located immediately after armor and datalink. NOTE: While the VLS is a 20 hull space system, it does not ‘fill’ 20 hull spaces on the control sheet, and is only counted as 3hs when targeted by primaries. Due to limited fire control, the VLS has the following targeting restrictions:

Fire every turn:

SM                  12
CM                  8
SBM                8
CAM               8
ADM               6
CD                   4
AFM                12
AFMc              8
RD1                 1
RD2                 6
Mines               1
DSB                 2

The VLS can be modified to carry CDs, AFMs, EDMs, RDs, or mines. The VLS system can carry the following number of missiles:

SM                  96
CM                  48
SBM                40
CAM               32
ADM               24
CD                   12
AFM                96
AFMc              48
RD1                 2
RD2                 24
Mines               1
DSB                 4

Ie, a Pact battlecruiser with a single VLS can carry 24 ADMs or 32 CAMs, only. Targeting restrictions: you cannot shoot at more than the number of ships/small craft as your current TL.

WEIRD WORLDS
Hypergiant Stars: Among the brightest objects in a galaxy, Hypergiant stars are Luminous Blue Variables(LBV), a extremely rare class of stars on the verge of supernovaeing and whose temperature and mass approaches the absolute maximum believed possible for a star. It’s surface broils at a temperature that ranges between 20,000 degrees Fahrenheit and 50,000 degrees F (compared to the surface temperature of Sol, which comes in around 10,000 degrees F). At it’s coolest, Hypergiant stars become the most compact–though its size would still be large enough to swallow the orbit of Mercury. When the star’s temperature rises, it’s radius swells and would reach the orbit of Mars or beyond. Once in a great while, it’s surface swells to a diameter of two billion miles, the size of Saturn’s orbit.

Moreover, astronomers think that LBVs have one of the densest solar winds known, blowing off about .003 solar masses per year, some six trillion tons, or two Earth masses each day. At this rate our sun would evaporate in little more than three centuries. But LBVs hardly notice. Such large, intensely hot objects must periodically shed additional large amounts of mass to remain stable. What causes these larger eruptions remains a mystery, though astronomers suspect the incredibly high mass and temperature play key roles. The most popular hypothesis says that the star’s luminosity is so great that is occasionally overpowers the gravity that holds the star together. the star becomes unstable; it’s outer layers pulse in and out as if unsure whether they wish to remain in place or gush into space. Eventually an eruption occurs and the outer layers are flung away.

With the loss of this shell of hot gas, the star cools and it’s surface temperature drops to a relatively low 13,000 degrees F. At the same time, it’s electromagnetic output shifts from the high-energy ultraviolet to the less energetic optical radiation, so though the star is now cooler, it radiates more brightly at wavelengths our eyes can see. hence, while the star seems brighter, its overall output undergoes no intrinsic change.

After an eruption, these strange stars become stable for long periods, with their visible luminosity generally holding steady(though small, irregular fluctuations are not unusual). Whether the huge outbursts happen more than once is simply not known. If so, they are separated by thousands of years.

It is also far from clear whether the war between gravity pulling inward and the pressure of radiation pushing outward is the sole cause of these giant eruptions. Some scientists think that turbulence and convection on the stars’ surface either contributes to or causes the outbursts. Others believe that no current theory can be correct because none seems to explain adequately what instigates the eruptions as well as what makes them stop.

Only about fifteen LBVs can be found in an average galaxy. Fifteen WP plus 1d10 additional WPs. At the height of a flare up, some WPs may be inside the star. (Bummer coming out into this situation!).

White Dwarfs: These are ancient stars, at the end of their life cycles, and are the most common star in our galaxy. Although very small, they have the mass of half of Sol’s, they are smaller than the Earth. They are practically invisible on an interstellar scale and account for up to half of a galaxy’s ‘dark matter’. White Dwarf stars were thought to look red, but they actually appear blue. With a average temperature of 3,500 Kelvin’s(5,800 degrees F), they are definitely on the cool side for a star. Our Milky Way has over 100 billion old white dwarves.

Super Gas Giants: If a gas giant is massive enough to reduce the next planet to rubble(creating an AF), it is classified as a Super Gas Giant(ISF, pg 14). SGG have an additional 3d6 moons. The innermost moon has a 50% chance of being T-class, which is automatically Harsh and can support a maximum population of Small. A gas giant larger than this is referred to as a Brown Dwarf.

Brown Dwarfs: Exceptionally large gas giants, Brown Dwarfs are from 10-80 times larger than Sol’s Jupiter. These gas giants are just on the edge of being a planet as anything more massive would ignite into a star. Intense radiation and gravity bands circle this star, making it a most unfriendly environment, lethal to ships without DF. There is a chance that the three innermost moons are T-type planets(50%, 30%, 20% chance respectively). Brown Dwarfs have 5 moons and 2d10 additional moons(due to the BD’s massive size and gravity well).

PACT ARMED FORCES

The Pact Army is primarily set up to support the Navy in its offensive against the Dionii Hive, as well as maintain order on planets all across the Pact of Humanity. Several centuries ago, the Senate mandated a minimum for Pact Marines(800,000), which is small compared to the 13 billion Army troops fielded across the Pact.

Fire Team: 4 men

Squad: 12 men

Platoon: 40 men

Company: 180 men

Battalion: 900 men

Regiment: 2000 men

Brigade: 6000 men

Division: 10-20K men

Several formations in the Pact Army have made themselves notable during the recent spate of fighting that has broken out all over the Pact. One the planet Oceanview, which is a complete waterworld, its 2^nd COMSUBPAC force fired on attacking Onesider forces using underwater ballistic missile firing submarines. Although the planets’ PDCs were destroyed early in the fighting, the surprise missile attacks drove the Onesiders off, and vaulted Submarine Commander Brinkmeyer to a planetary hero.

The 3^rd Shield Division was able to maintain their defense of Garagoas III’s deep radar sites against attacking Goog forces, enabling the planetary PDCs to target the attacking ships more effectively. The Goog forces were driven off with heavy losses, and apparently stopping their assault on the Cluster. Admiral Jennings is urgently requesting reinforcements, and apparently the Pact Naval Command agrees, for it is sending the High Secretary’s elite fleet to support Qasr Bani Cluster. This unprecedented move of sending the twelve supermonitors to support regular Navy units is causing dissention within the Senate on Old Earth, which opposes moving the High Secretary’s fleet without prior approval.

And the 21^st Naval Group on the surface of Arkaddia was able to beat back constant Neitzchean attacks using its mobile wet navy carrier forces. The three carriers, Reannaon, Tobruk, and Aqada Bay, survived the conflict although the Tobruk suffered serious damage and catastrophic losses among its fighter groups during the attack. Admiral Tucker Golikov is now teaching at Arkaddia’s newly forming Skywatch Command.

The Army’s moves on Cetaganda is causing chaos in Brasilia Cluster military command. Since a disputed presidential election three months ago, Cetaganda has had two political rivals each claiming the presidency. The incumbent, Didier Ratsiraka, did badly in the first round but claims the right to a second. His rival, popular businessman Marc Raval, claims he won the election outright. Mr. Raval drew hundreds of thousands of peaceful demonstrators onto the streets of the capital, Antanarivo, to support his claim and he was rewarded with a bloodless grab of parliament, television stations, the central bank, and government ministries. He has since then appointed a government and recalled parliament. However, the military has remained loyal to Ratsiraka, since the Head of the Planetary Army is his brother.

Last month, Mr. Ratsiraka fled the widespread protests in the highland capital to set up his own base with former ministers in Toamasina, a coastal city 250km away. Mr. Ratsiraka, who ruled for 23 years, is not giving up quietly, and the situation is deteriorating rapidly. Early this month, two bridges on the main roads to Antanarivo were destroyed, leafing to difficulties for its 2 billion or so residents. Some prices of food have risen tenfold in two weeks. Last week, piqued by his rival’s accusations that he is a “neofascist”, and worried that the blockade and shortages could sap his support, Mr. Raval attacked Mr. Ratsiraka on the holonet, denounced “people of bad intent who have declared war” by sealing off the capital.

The Pact Army(310^th Division) has begun to oust governors from the provinces who have supported Raval, who is popular in rural areas, and started enforcing curfews. Outsiders have had no luck so far in persuading the two candidates to talk. And others worry that upheaval on this heavily populated planet could spark an eruption of violence all across the Cluster.

WARLORD OF THE WEEK

Born on the religious, isolated world Alta Gracia in Islands Cluster, Tchervain Rholle was the complete maverick warrior: a maverick in terms of conventional military thinking, a maverick in his whole attitude to the established military system, and a maverick in his attitude to all the accepted social mores of the military community in which he served. He showed contempt for many military customs and conventions, and this may well be the reason why, more than thirty years after the 18th Dionii Wave, his name is still reviled by many Pact regular military officers. Interestingly, his reputation with the High Secretary, with the Pact fighter community, and with special forces teams across the Pact is unimpeachable.

He was certainly one of the most controversial figures among the upper echelons of the Pact military during the 18th Dionii Wave. A rare, balanced comment from General Aidan Woodsworth, who served as Pact military liaison during Operation Thursday was that Rholle was a brilliant leader, but he was a very odd person indeed.

A very substantial cause for Rholle's extremely uncomfortable journey through life was his severe upbringing. His parents were devout eCatholics, and he spent much of his young life conscious that he suffered God's displeasure. Even when he was serving in the army, in contrast to most young officers, he pondered over the deeper meaning of life and death, and from an early age felt that he was destined for a violent death. He was born on Alta Gracia in 10,898. As a growing child, with his brother and sisters, he was often left with aunts while his parents went to Old Earth. He rarely mixed with other children, and a boy did not play games and did not attend assemblies, he was eventually isolated, and he remained a loner throughout his life. He emerged from school a lonely boy, who did not share in normal school friendships, who often antagonized his peers, and was perhaps too ready to challenge authority.

When he went to the Royal Military Academy on Galagant Prime in 10,920, a similar pattern emerged. Other cadets found him surly and unfriendly. A fellow cadet found him "odd, anti-social, and out of step with the rest of us". But throughout his life Rholle seemed to enjoy easy access to distinguished people who were able to forward his career. After graduating as an officer in 10,926, he was given a small destroyer command in Golden Cluster. Rholle enjoyed his independent command, and he liked going off on expeditions, which he organized. His superiors found him interesting and impressive--his fellows found him insufferable. His pirate hunting in Omega gave him very valuable experience in planning and executing his own tactics.

When the 19th Dionii Wave broke out, then Senior Captain Rholle was sent to the front lines along with any and all available warships to hold back the massive Dionii tide. By the end of 10,934, Rholle, with his single battleship squadron, had destroyed more enemy warships than any two divisions combined. Of course, this did not endear Tchervain to the military establishment. Admiral King-Clark, who served with Rholle, said that he was uncomfortable and abrasive at close quarters, but was a man of formidable physical courage and moral integrity. Rholle's own views on military affairs were also recorded at the time. He said: "Great soldiers are serious, diligent, and of outstanding character," and he added that a coarse and savage man makes a bad soldier.

After a major victory during Operation Dragoon, Rholle was advanced to Commodore but immediately after he was called to HQ, and was told that his battleship squadron was immediately disbanded, and was ordered to Hynaria as a mere Captain. This was the military establishment wreaking revenge. After a period of serious illness, he was sent back to Alta Gracia for convalescence. He returned to the warmth and affection of his family and, as always, managed to re-establish contact with some of his high-level supporters. His censure after Operation Dragoon was shown to High Secretary MacBannock, who reversed it.

During his leave to Alta Gracia, Rholle simmered with resentment at the way he had been treated, and when he was posted to New Jerusalem he suspected it was to silence him. It was in New Jerusalem Cluster that Rholle first had contact with the newly forming "geneered" fighter groups and several special forces personnel. The Cluster Commander at the time (Fleet Admiral Yamal Nosworthy) did not believe Rholle was fit for command and that his ideas to utilize fighter jocks and special forces teams were impractible. At the time, Rholle went through the Pact's Advanced Military Course and throughout his training his passionate conviction and amazing attention to detail created a confident and aggressive attitude throughout the training squadrons he commanded. That attitude was to serve Rholle well for he was called up to fight in the breaking 20th Dionii Wave, even though he had made many formidable enemies. High Secretary MacDonald, who had heard of Rholle, referred to his successes and called him "this man of genius and audacity". He regarded him as a man of highest quality and invited him to the Gold Dome. After that meeting, Rholle's ideas for using the Pact's genetically engineered fighter pilots and augmented special forces was adopted by the rest of the Pact military after MacDonald endorsed it.

All during his career Rholle faced petty, puerile, and bloody-minded opposition at every level, but Rholle's character and philosophy were so dominant that he remained for many years as controversial as when he was on the front lines. Because he is a complete maverick, rejecting most military conventions, and most social conventions as well, he is positively hated by large numbers of military officials who have never even met him. His enemies loathe him but most Pact leaders consider him to be a towering military genius and one of the Pact's greatest war leaders, thus conferring upon him the title of Warlord.

OLYMPUS CLUSTER

One of the most strategically significant star systems within the Pact of Humanity, Olympus has a total of eight habitable worlds circling the four stars that make up this quaternary system. Olympus has a fantastic GNP, and System Administrator Vladimir Yegorov is jealous of his position, to the point of battling over official Cluster policy with Senator Izumo. The eight worlds are:

               Yennara

               Lemmner

               Bosphi

               Arretria

               Chatalia

               Dultiphar

               Hetharri

               Hankow

   As incredibly choice real estate, Olympus was the focal point of fierce fighting between the Pact of Humanity and the Holot Empire. After its discovery by Pact explorer Hans Largent in 9,310, serious fighting broke out between the Pact of Humanity and the Holot Empire, who stumbled onto the system a few months later. This battle rapidly spread, sparking the Second Regional War, a two-year conflict that cost the Pact dearly. Admiral Mufasa Zyuguni’s 8^th Fleet(a combined force of 210 ships) was wiped out at the start of the war, and two planets (Yennara and Bosphi) were orbitally bombarded from space, eliminating the newly established colonies on both worlds. Some troops on both planets survived, but colonist losses were heavy. The Holot task force was routed a few weeks later when Vice Admiral Misko Skorcz’s fleet from Goragorsk reinforced the system with over 400 warships. This fleet was almost immediately defeate3d by a larger Holot force, which materialized in Olympus a month and a half later. Fighting rapidly spread to adjacent systems, with the Pact Navy losing nearly every battle. Admiral Mora Pulavy’s 14^th Fleet engaged Holot forces in Gran Sasso with over 800 warships, driving them back out of the Cluster, but the war tetter-tottered back and forth between the Olympus System and the Mawcarse WP Junction. Admiral Lorina Farrel’ 3^rd Fleet(1,113 ships) was wiped out defending the Mawcarse but finally Fleet Admiral Ian Stratford forced the Holot’s light task forces out of the Cluster, ending the war. At wars end, the Pact had lost 3,214 warships, 875 orbitals(primarily in the Heaven System), 51 shipyards, and 861,000 military personnel. Civilian losses were quite high (five billion) causing a major outcry in the Pact Senate, and a permanent stationing of naval forces within Olympus itself.

   The only four star system within the Pact of Humanity, and the only system with eight habitable worlds, Olympus is a prime piece of real estate. That fact alone was the primary reason why the Pact navy has fought so hard to keep possession of the system. Overall, Olympus has a combined population of 280 billion people, which is currently half of Olympus Cluster’s total population. It also produces nearly 80% of the Cluster’s GDP and 70% of its weapons. A major portion of Central Fleet, including many heavy units, are located in the Olympus System, able to deploy to critical border regions within a few days via the Mawcarse WP Junction.

RESOLUTE-CLASS DREADNOUGHT

The Resolute-class superdreadnoughts are an entirely new design of warship, with a radical new weapon system (the Hypermass Generator) at its core. First constructed nearly two years ago in Guinea Cluster, three superdreadnoughts (Chen Wang, Louissant, and Renown) were completed and turned over to the Pact Navy for evaluation. While only in the prototype stage, these vessels performed well at the Norfolk Test Range and Cumberland Exercises. Commanded by Vice Admiral Dominque Loye, the three experimental superdreadnoughts are continuing their evaluation of the Hypermass Generator, including live-fire tests at Kline Station. A large missile suite(multiple VLS arrays), self-defense fighters, heavy passive defenses, and rapid-fire grasers round out the design. Heavy computerization, including the latest generation of cybersynth and computer combat programs, were recently installed in the mainframe.

The decision to use superdreadnought hulls for this highly experimental system was because the Hypermass Generators themselves are quite large, so large in fact that they are currently now the biggest engineering system that the Pact Navy produces.

Hull --- 910

I x12 12 120

(AM2) --- 120

Fur1 2 50

Fur2 2 60

Fur3 2 70

XO x20 --- 60

PhR x6 --- 90

Xrm ½ 60

Z --- 40

? 2 50

Mc 60

Hd 2 200

HMG x2 30 1,600

RDB2 1 20

Ac x30 10 150

Ab x17 --- 170

S0 x20 10 120

Pd3 x6 6 410

Sc2 x3 9 540

CIC1 2 100

Cpu 2 100

(#)                    ---                    50
(%)                  ---                    60
(**)                  ---                    70
(<)                   ---                    50
(“)                    ---                    100

Tm x2 1 40

EWBf 1 40

EWB 2 30

Mor x2 1 20

Cs3 x3 3 210

Qm x2 1 50

a 1/2 5

CDB 1/2 10

DCC2 2 45

VLSb x2 30 200

Mg x2 2 20

Grs x7 28 575

(FD6) 6 180

CHSf 1 30

TOTAL COST: 6,856

EVENTS TO WATCH

Neitzcheans Attacks Increase

Continued attacks by Neitzchean forces are occurring with frightening frequency, and the use of their new “voidhawks” is spurring debate within Pact naval circles on how to combat them. Voidhawks appear to be bio-genetic warships that are grown in space and have antimatter engines, and recent raids on Old Earth itself has shocked the Senate.

Cybertron Work-Stoppage Begins

The massive underground robotic civilization on Cybertron has begun and unprecedented work-stoppage to protest the Cyber Party’s work policies and support of non-technocrats. This ancient race was incorporated into the Pact because of their vastly productive society, and the work-stoppage is sure to put a dent in Jerjerrod’s GDP and substantially hinder the Black Forest Zone’s economic recovery.

Old Earth in Chaos

Fourteen people are currently jockeying for position to be elected the new High Secretary of the Pact, but serious in-fighting is stalling the process. Influential Senators are blocking the various factions with a quorum call, and with most Senators having fled from Terra a few months ago there is no current quorum. Currently, Fernando Delano, first cousin of Devon MacDonald, is the favorite for the position of High Secretary.

Warlord Koga Killed

Fighting separatist forces in Munster Cluster, Warlord Koga, a 30 year veteran of the Pact Navy, was killed last week aboard his command superdreadnought PNS Victorius in the Nabatha System. A renowned fighter, he was engaging Neitzchean forces at the time he died. Although he engineered a ruthless take-over of Munster Cluster four months ago, he will be remembered.