We should probably pardon one at random just to make it 42 counts of GPI. For reasons.
Quest Deep Periphery Quest (Battletech Sandbox Empire Builder)
- Thread starter LordSunhawk
- Start date
We should probably pardon one at random just to make it 42 counts of GPI. For reasons.
Turn 127 - My Girl
Turn 127 - My Girl
About a week into the new year Admiral Fisher sends you a memo requesting permission to initiate surveillance operations as a prelude for Operation: Golden Dawn. According to the memo, he has all-volunteer crews lined up for both the Caravel-class jumpship and the quartet of Omaha-class Parasite Scout Cruisers who have been fully briefed on the mission parameters.
It is a high risk operation, with a very high probability of losing at least two of the Omahas to the Black Steel, but it is a critical component of Operation: Golden Dawn, without the pre-strike intelligence provided by this preliminary phase, the rest of the operation would be exponentially more risky.
He also sends Commodore Savić over with the details of the latest proposal from Fortress Command.
Although intellectually you know that she’s not much younger than you are, Commodore Savić is a product of Kilburrough, one of the young girls rescued from pirates who’d sworn fealty to your family. She’d since gone into the Navy and was now a rising star in her own right. Therefore she looks younger than your own daughters, apart from her eyes.
“Your Majesty, Fortress Command, in coordination with BuShips, has proposed an adjunct station cluster concept intended to provide close-in defensive cover for the various Tower stations. The Spartoi Defense Cluster is composed of ten individual stations, little larger than a standard dropship, with an armament optimized for fairly close in defense along with high powered sensors and datalinking systems intended to optimize targeting for the defensive cluster.” She brings up an image of a fairly spherical shaped station with a rotating grav deck in the center, the largest visible weapon is a 55 cm naval laser mounted on one ‘pole’ of the station, and you can see clusters of 30cm sub-capital naval lasers mounted in all quadrants of the design. In addition, as the image is zoomed in, you can see clusters of extended-range PPCs and 8cm laser batteries.
“The armament is solely energy based, Your Majesty, in order to minimize the logistical footprint of the station. In addition it has the latest generation of sensors and datalink systems identical to those fitted on our latest generation of warships.” She clasps her hands behind her back as she speaks. “The primary downside to this system is the cost, as a full cluster of 10 such stations comes in at slightly less than a quarter of the cost of a full-up Black Tower, albeit providing slightly more than a quarter of the raw aggregate firepower. The main benefit to the arrangement is that Black Steel drone fighters and dropships would be engaged at a far more extended range than currently possible and that there is a much larger defensive footprint, making it more difficult for the Black Steel to avoid the orbital defenses for quick strikes.”
The Department of Periphery Studies has been rather quiet as of late and you inquire of the staff as to the situation. Amusingly, the distinguished faculty are currently obsessed with the game of chess, and thus are spending all of their time in endless chess tournaments rather than anything loud and disruptive.
That’s a relief. However, for all of the occasional disruption, the Department of Periphery Studies does provide an enormous benefit to the Empire, especially as it grows. There will always be those with severe mental illnesses, either hereditary or brought on by circumstances. Keeping those people off the street, where they can get treatment in a positive environment and where their various neuroses and such can be dealt with without criminal activity or homelessness is a blessing. This strongly contributes to the exceptionally low homeless rates and helps significantly with keeping crime, especially petty crime, down. A crazy person hearing voices in their head telling them to kill people is far less dangerous when they are armed with a foam rubber sword and are also kept on their medications.
The weapon smuggling ring that was recently busted wide open is continuing to yield fruit as other criminal elements are being exposed. The most disturbing was a human trafficking ring in the New Algiers system which had extended tentacles of influence into Bourbon space as well as outside your own borders with the local pirates. The Special Branch took great pleasure in stomping on them extremely hard. Some might say it's too hard, but you are not among that number. You’ve already pre-approved authorization for capital punishment for those particular ‘people’.
General Perkins comes to meet you with a portfolio of the latest ASF upgrades, along with a brief presentation about the massive Quetzalcoatlus.
“Your Majesty,” he begins. “While the Quetz has been very effective, long term analysis has shown that the pilots primarily rely on their PPCs rather than on the HAG/40 in the nose, on account of the limited ammunition load. However it is very typical for a Quetz to RTB for fuel and minor repairs while still carrying the majority of the ammunition load for the HAG. An analysis of over three hundred engagements shows that in none of them did the Quetz fire the HAG more than 8 times, and that only ten times. In light of that, we are reducing the size of the ammo bins in favor of fitting advanced targeting electronics to maximize the potential of the rest of the armament.”
“That being said, Your Majesty, here are the latest specifications for the New Generation variants of our ASF designs, which are being rolled out to the Aerospace Force as we speak.”
“We are also in discussions concerning a proposed upgrade to the Gripen ASF to bring it up to the latest state-of-the-art. However there is a roadblock here. Since development of this model is shared with the NRR, by contract any improvements we decide to make to the design will need to be shared with our allies. Since we are planning on mounting our latest 5cm extended range lasers, which are a substantial improvement on the previous model, we would require permission to release this technology.”
About a week into the new year Admiral Fisher sends you a memo requesting permission to initiate surveillance operations as a prelude for Operation: Golden Dawn. According to the memo, he has all-volunteer crews lined up for both the Caravel-class jumpship and the quartet of Omaha-class Parasite Scout Cruisers who have been fully briefed on the mission parameters.
It is a high risk operation, with a very high probability of losing at least two of the Omahas to the Black Steel, but it is a critical component of Operation: Golden Dawn, without the pre-strike intelligence provided by this preliminary phase, the rest of the operation would be exponentially more risky.
| [] | Action |
| [] | Approve Recon Mission |
| [] | Don’t Approve Recon Mission |
He also sends Commodore Savić over with the details of the latest proposal from Fortress Command.
Although intellectually you know that she’s not much younger than you are, Commodore Savić is a product of Kilburrough, one of the young girls rescued from pirates who’d sworn fealty to your family. She’d since gone into the Navy and was now a rising star in her own right. Therefore she looks younger than your own daughters, apart from her eyes.
“Your Majesty, Fortress Command, in coordination with BuShips, has proposed an adjunct station cluster concept intended to provide close-in defensive cover for the various Tower stations. The Spartoi Defense Cluster is composed of ten individual stations, little larger than a standard dropship, with an armament optimized for fairly close in defense along with high powered sensors and datalinking systems intended to optimize targeting for the defensive cluster.” She brings up an image of a fairly spherical shaped station with a rotating grav deck in the center, the largest visible weapon is a 55 cm naval laser mounted on one ‘pole’ of the station, and you can see clusters of 30cm sub-capital naval lasers mounted in all quadrants of the design. In addition, as the image is zoomed in, you can see clusters of extended-range PPCs and 8cm laser batteries.
“The armament is solely energy based, Your Majesty, in order to minimize the logistical footprint of the station. In addition it has the latest generation of sensors and datalink systems identical to those fitted on our latest generation of warships.” She clasps her hands behind her back as she speaks. “The primary downside to this system is the cost, as a full cluster of 10 such stations comes in at slightly less than a quarter of the cost of a full-up Black Tower, albeit providing slightly more than a quarter of the raw aggregate firepower. The main benefit to the arrangement is that Black Steel drone fighters and dropships would be engaged at a far more extended range than currently possible and that there is a much larger defensive footprint, making it more difficult for the Black Steel to avoid the orbital defenses for quick strikes.”
| Name | Cost | Materials | HP | A/D | Specials |
| Spartoi-class Defense Cluster | $10,699,725,000 | LFC, DHS | 2570 | 1570 |
|
The Department of Periphery Studies has been rather quiet as of late and you inquire of the staff as to the situation. Amusingly, the distinguished faculty are currently obsessed with the game of chess, and thus are spending all of their time in endless chess tournaments rather than anything loud and disruptive.
That’s a relief. However, for all of the occasional disruption, the Department of Periphery Studies does provide an enormous benefit to the Empire, especially as it grows. There will always be those with severe mental illnesses, either hereditary or brought on by circumstances. Keeping those people off the street, where they can get treatment in a positive environment and where their various neuroses and such can be dealt with without criminal activity or homelessness is a blessing. This strongly contributes to the exceptionally low homeless rates and helps significantly with keeping crime, especially petty crime, down. A crazy person hearing voices in their head telling them to kill people is far less dangerous when they are armed with a foam rubber sword and are also kept on their medications.
The weapon smuggling ring that was recently busted wide open is continuing to yield fruit as other criminal elements are being exposed. The most disturbing was a human trafficking ring in the New Algiers system which had extended tentacles of influence into Bourbon space as well as outside your own borders with the local pirates. The Special Branch took great pleasure in stomping on them extremely hard. Some might say it's too hard, but you are not among that number. You’ve already pre-approved authorization for capital punishment for those particular ‘people’.
General Perkins comes to meet you with a portfolio of the latest ASF upgrades, along with a brief presentation about the massive Quetzalcoatlus.
“Your Majesty,” he begins. “While the Quetz has been very effective, long term analysis has shown that the pilots primarily rely on their PPCs rather than on the HAG/40 in the nose, on account of the limited ammunition load. However it is very typical for a Quetz to RTB for fuel and minor repairs while still carrying the majority of the ammunition load for the HAG. An analysis of over three hundred engagements shows that in none of them did the Quetz fire the HAG more than 8 times, and that only ten times. In light of that, we are reducing the size of the ammo bins in favor of fitting advanced targeting electronics to maximize the potential of the rest of the armament.”
“That being said, Your Majesty, here are the latest specifications for the New Generation variants of our ASF designs, which are being rolled out to the Aerospace Force as we speak.”
| Name | Cost | Materials | HP | A/D | Specials |
| Peregrine NG Interceptor | $451,138.80 | FAA, DHS | 32 | 22 |
|
| Sparrowhawk NG Interceptor | $418,924.20 | FAA, DHS | 31 | 21 |
|
| Stingray NG Dogfighter | $652,697.50 | FAA, DHS | 40 | 30 |
|
| Eagle NG Aerospace Supremacy Fighter | $1,026,474.20 | FAA, DHS | 59 | 39 |
|
| Goshawk NG Light Attacker | $565,778.60 | FAA, DHS | 37 | 27 |
|
| Quetzalcoatlus NG Assault Fighter | $1,289,453.30 | FAA, DHS | 66 | 46 |
|
“We are also in discussions concerning a proposed upgrade to the Gripen ASF to bring it up to the latest state-of-the-art. However there is a roadblock here. Since development of this model is shared with the NRR, by contract any improvements we decide to make to the design will need to be shared with our allies. Since we are planning on mounting our latest 5cm extended range lasers, which are a substantial improvement on the previous model, we would require permission to release this technology.”
| [] | Action | Result |
| [] | Approve the tech transfer |
|
| [] | OUR PRECIOUS!!!!! |
|
Joyousmadman
Well-known member
[X]Approve Recon Mission
[X]Approve the tech transfer
[X]Approve the tech transfer
[X]Approve Recon Mission
It's time to make sure the BS understands the error of their ways.
[X]Approve the tech transfer
I've got no problem sharing with the NRI as well.
-[X] share the project with the NRI as well.
It's time to make sure the BS understands the error of their ways.
[X]Approve the tech transfer
I've got no problem sharing with the NRI as well.
-[X] share the project with the NRI as well.
Thors_Alumni
Well-known member
[X]Approve Recon Mission
[X]Approve the tech transfer
[X]Approve the tech transfer
Yacovo
Occasionally spouting nonsense
I was previously advocating mass potential suicide missions to every possible BS system. So you know my vote.
[X]Approve Recon Mission
Integrity matters to allies. Shows them we have not been taken over by a complete psychopath.
[X]Approve the tech transfer
[X]Approve Recon Mission
Integrity matters to allies. Shows them we have not been taken over by a complete psychopath.
[X]Approve the tech transfer
Winter_Wind45
Well-known member
[X]Approve Recon Mission
[X]Approve the tech transfer
[X]Approve the tech transfer
[X]Approve Recon Mission
[X]Approve the tech transfer
[X]Approve the tech transfer
KyranKandosa
Well-known member
[X]Approve Recon Mission
[X]Approve the tech transfer
-[X] share the project with the NRI as well.
[X]Approve the tech transfer
-[X] share the project with the NRI as well.
foolswriter
Well-known member
[X]Approve Recon Mission
[X]Approve the tech transfer
-[X] share the project with the NRI as well.
[X]Approve the tech transfer
-[X] share the project with the NRI as well.
GooseElite
Well-known member
[X]Approve Recon Mission
[X]Approve the tech transfer
[X]Approve the tech transfer
Turn 127 - Don't Get Mad, Get Even
Turn 127 - Don’t Get Mad, Get Even
You receive confirmation that the advance recon element of Operation: Golden Truth has departed on schedule. A short while later you receive confirmation of their arrival in the target system and that the recon operation is underway.
It will be some weeks before you get any useful data back, weeks where all you can do is wait, hope, and pray.
The NRR is very happy with the release of the data on the 5cm extended range laser, and very shortly after your engineers report that their collaborative work has developed a new standard configuration set for the Gripen ASF.
In other aerospace news, General Perkins comes to meet with you. “Your Majesty, based on data analysis and discussions with the pilots involved it has been determined that the Peregrine Light Dogfighter is to be relegated to militia use, with those squadrons which were equipped with it transitioning to the new configuration Sparrowhawk. Despite the paper advantages of the Peregrine, which traded raw performance for enhanced avionics, in practice this has proven to mostly be of utility against pirates and lesser enemies. Performance against the Black Steel has been poor at best, especially in comparison to the Sparrowhawk which has the raw performance capability to actually match the Black Steel’s drones, at least as long as the pilot avoids GLOC.”
He checks some notes. “We will be retaining the Peregrine airframes, however. Our scientists believe that they would be ideal test platforms for work on our own drone ASF designs. Such projects are still in their infancy, as it is an exceptionally challenging and complicated problem, but work is ongoing.”
A short pause then, and he continues. “The training pipeline for new ASF pilots is improving, and reducing the number of different airframes in use will have benefits in terms of training support personnel as well.”
You thank him for the report, the heavy losses taken by the Aerospace Force had been sobering, as until you’d begun offensive operations they’d been able to easily reconstitute their losses simply from equipment stockpiles due to not losing ASF bays or critical support crews. Losing pilots, equipment, and support crews had been a devastating blow to the ASF community, especially after their exceptionally low comparative casualties up to that point in the conflict.
In much happier news you discover that your youngest daughter is actually dating somebody, now that her volleyball career is officially over. You haven’t met the young man in question yet, but have already set your minions onto discovering what they can about him for proper motherly oversight. Which is much more important than proper Imperial oversight.
You know what your priorities are.
Meanwhile, Parliament is in session, which is always an experience as you wonder just what ridiculous idea they might have this time.
The first bit of legislation that is presented to you is the Veteran’s Relief Small Business Act of 3057. It had been some time since the last Small Business Act, and everytime Parliament introduces a new one there is always a catch.
This time it appears that they are wanting to fund loan guarantees for small business start-ups and expansion. Every citizen of the Empire who had served at least a single tour of active duty in the Imperial military would be eligible to receive such loans as part of their separation benefits. The loans would be guaranteed by the treasury, have a twenty year term and charge no interest. Veterans would be automatically qualified for the loan upon honorable discharge, and this benefit would be retroactively applied to existing veterans.
The price tag is a bit eye-watering, but this is mainly to fully fund the initial tranche of loans due to the retroactive nature of the program. Once fully in place the costs are far more reasonable due to the relatively small size of the military. Three cheers for advanced technology, you guess.
You receive confirmation that the advance recon element of Operation: Golden Truth has departed on schedule. A short while later you receive confirmation of their arrival in the target system and that the recon operation is underway.
It will be some weeks before you get any useful data back, weeks where all you can do is wait, hope, and pray.
The NRR is very happy with the release of the data on the 5cm extended range laser, and very shortly after your engineers report that their collaborative work has developed a new standard configuration set for the Gripen ASF.
In other aerospace news, General Perkins comes to meet with you. “Your Majesty, based on data analysis and discussions with the pilots involved it has been determined that the Peregrine Light Dogfighter is to be relegated to militia use, with those squadrons which were equipped with it transitioning to the new configuration Sparrowhawk. Despite the paper advantages of the Peregrine, which traded raw performance for enhanced avionics, in practice this has proven to mostly be of utility against pirates and lesser enemies. Performance against the Black Steel has been poor at best, especially in comparison to the Sparrowhawk which has the raw performance capability to actually match the Black Steel’s drones, at least as long as the pilot avoids GLOC.”
He checks some notes. “We will be retaining the Peregrine airframes, however. Our scientists believe that they would be ideal test platforms for work on our own drone ASF designs. Such projects are still in their infancy, as it is an exceptionally challenging and complicated problem, but work is ongoing.”
A short pause then, and he continues. “The training pipeline for new ASF pilots is improving, and reducing the number of different airframes in use will have benefits in terms of training support personnel as well.”
You thank him for the report, the heavy losses taken by the Aerospace Force had been sobering, as until you’d begun offensive operations they’d been able to easily reconstitute their losses simply from equipment stockpiles due to not losing ASF bays or critical support crews. Losing pilots, equipment, and support crews had been a devastating blow to the ASF community, especially after their exceptionally low comparative casualties up to that point in the conflict.
In much happier news you discover that your youngest daughter is actually dating somebody, now that her volleyball career is officially over. You haven’t met the young man in question yet, but have already set your minions onto discovering what they can about him for proper motherly oversight. Which is much more important than proper Imperial oversight.
You know what your priorities are.
Meanwhile, Parliament is in session, which is always an experience as you wonder just what ridiculous idea they might have this time.
The first bit of legislation that is presented to you is the Veteran’s Relief Small Business Act of 3057. It had been some time since the last Small Business Act, and everytime Parliament introduces a new one there is always a catch.
This time it appears that they are wanting to fund loan guarantees for small business start-ups and expansion. Every citizen of the Empire who had served at least a single tour of active duty in the Imperial military would be eligible to receive such loans as part of their separation benefits. The loans would be guaranteed by the treasury, have a twenty year term and charge no interest. Veterans would be automatically qualified for the loan upon honorable discharge, and this benefit would be retroactively applied to existing veterans.
The price tag is a bit eye-watering, but this is mainly to fully fund the initial tranche of loans due to the retroactive nature of the program. Once fully in place the costs are far more reasonable due to the relatively small size of the military. Three cheers for advanced technology, you guess.
| [] | Action | Argument | Action |
| [] | Sign the Veteran’s Relief Small Business Act of 3057 | These men and women have served the Empire with honor and distinction, as such it is our duty to serve them in return. We have always had generous veteran’s benefits, and this has benefited the Empire enormously in both tangible and intangible ways. This act would further extend that proud tradition and harkens back to some elements of the original G.I. Bill of the 20th Century United States. Unlike the original, we have no need to further subsidize education as that is already fully subsidized, however many people do not realize that the original legislation also included loan guarantees for establishing businesses and farms. This act is intended to replicate that portion of the ancient law for the modern age. |
|
| [] | Veto the Veteran’s Relief Small Business Act of 3057 | What the supporters of this act deliberately fail to acknowledge are the provisions which effectively ensure that all credit for the enhanced benefits is rendered to Parliament and thus will substantially boost Parliament’s prestige and relative power, making them powerful enough to directly challenge you for control over the Empire. This is nothing more than a thinly veiled power grab from Parliament, taking advantage of their relatively strong position in an attempt to gain absolute power for themselves. |
|
| [] | Veto the Veteran’s Relief Small Business Act of 3057 but implement the provisions via Imperial order | We should fight Parliament with their own weapons. The Crown has the authority to establish such a program without involving Parliament at all, making use of the Crown Reserve and the executive powers granted to the throne. Parliament will be furious, but they will have no real ability to oppose this and it will serve to quite emphatically put them in their proper place, serving the Empire, not ruling it. |
|
Winter_Wind45
Well-known member
The price tag makes my eyes water...