[X4 SV+CoH] After The Supernova (CoH Project Genesis)

[Ormac]

Defenders of Getsu Fune

The Xenon Defence Station finally buckles under power of two battle groups. But the Xenon do not yet break and after locating and destroying a second Xenon Defence Station. The Argon, have finally mustered their own battlegroup and are at least interested in constructing defences on the other side of the Accelerators in Hatikvah’s Choice III.

Hatikvah’s Catastrophe
Today’s loss of the Argon Navy Carrier Witness Sentinel was an unexpected loss having recently entered service and the Hatikvah Battlefield it was set upon by Xenon forces and destroyed. The Argon Navy with the assistance of Paranid and Mercenary fleets had removed all but the final remnants of the Machine Scourge.

The Argon Navy in retaliation wiped the machines from Hatikvah’s Choice and the Xenon Invasion after nine hours has ceased.


With Hatikvah’s Choice saved I’ve ordered some Chimeras which are going to need to be refitted with Paranid shields, a single burst ray plus two bolt cannons adding to the Chimeras natural Split attributes and the thermal disintergrators. The next step is to help the Solborn Militia.

I have the battlegroup waiting at The Void for the refitted Chimeras to arrive. While I assist the Trade Guild of the Antigone Republic with a few tasks, learning about the sector Getsu Fune. The sector is currently contested between the Antigone Republic and the Terran Protectorate.

Getsu Fune [Sector]
Before the Shutdown of the Jump Gate, Getsu Fune was widely regarded as the crown jewel of the Community of Planets’ newfound cooperation. This naively romantic assessment disregards the history of unease that followed the system’s discovery by a legendary adventurer. Her sudden fame bestowed upon the system and unexpected and unprecedented surge in intergalactic attention. The prospect of inadvertently falling behind pressured all major factions to ignore the threats lurking in this remote area of the network and construct large stations to stake their own claims. The fortunate beneficiaries of this peculiar arrangements were the many explorers that followed the spirit of the system’s original discovery, and who now had a straightforward way to outfit their ships with equipment from all major factions.

During a period of interim administration, in which the Argon company TerraCorp set out to improve the system’s infrastructure with new accelerator technology, Getsu Fune was hit by the repercussions of the collapsing Gate network, and all contact was subsequently lost.

After the Jump Gate realignment, the system was once again found to be barren and initially provided a bleak outlook on the current chances of peaceful coexistence. However, recent analysis of the many drifting station wrecks has produced matching signs of a meticulous deconstruction of the key structures, which might ell point towards a joint effort between the system’s many diverse inhabitants. The purpose of this undertaking, which likely took place shortly after the shutdown, and the whereabouts of the settlers, are yet to be determined.

The Little Moon [Planetary Body]

The systems principal planet a Super Earth named Shiokaze is orbited by a small barren moon named Kazuko. The female discoverer of the system and later administrator overseeing development of the sector. It was the desire of Kazuko when deciding what to name the sector, to name it after a ship, flown by another female pilot, whose origins were a once fabled plant Earth.

Both the planet and its moon are unpopulated.


The Echidna with the new Chimeras along with the battlegroup arrive at Getsu Fune and are temporarily recruited as part of the Solborn Militia. Taking one of the Chimeras I still command my own forces but have been assigned to Cadet Shinamon. Arriving at the transport that I’m expected to escort. The cadet introduces himself. He’s glad he’s not the only new recruit as his previous squadmate had been sent on a separate mission into Pioneer Space. Cadet Shinamon is happy to be following me around.

Nothing too significant happens just a light Xenon ambush that the escorts take care of and after laying new minefield, An Antigone miner appears to be approaching and mission command wants a squad to disable the ship to prevent the loss of innocent lives. Shinamon and I handle it. The burst ray making quick work on the engines and a turret. This still causes a diplomatic incident between the Protectorate and the Republic. With the Protectorate having to smooth over this incident with the Republic this initial phase is complete.

Shinamon tells me he struggled with the Xenon and thinks some better Terran engines is the solution. I entertain him heading to Jupiter, stocking up on deployables preferring the top speed to the current Split engines. I head to Saturn for a promotion ceremony, before returning to the Solborn Outpost for the next mission.

Mission Command provides a bigger picture view of the situation.

Continuing to face the Xenon head on, scouring the network with imposing fleets, heroically putting out fires wherever they flare up is unwinnable.
The Intervention Corps is indispensable as long arm of the Protectorate and winged saviour alike.

To truly beat the Xenon in a war of attrition it is paramount that we instead thwart their infrastructure wherever possible. Those parasites are lurking at the edges of our sectors, evading our defences and siphoning our resources.

So the mission is to seek out Xenon infrastructure by luring out Xenon and tracking them back to the edges of Getsu Fune. Deploying a satellite to provide the outpost with some early warning we lure not just a scout or a few fighters but a sizeable raiding party. That’s eventually dealt with and then the satellite picks up two smaller craft which we intercept are Xenon miners/transporters. Not quite the formidable Xenon stations but I’m sure it may slow the xenon for a time.

Shinamon then flies off saying he’s following a strong signal to the edge of Getsu Fune. I reposition the battlegroup to be ready to intercept any Xenon Capitals on likely vectors towards the Terran Outpost and have Echidna deploy the Chimeras. I then follow after [color=#FF8000Shinamon[/color].

Flying through a jumpgate He contacts me saying to continue to the mission area he’s right behind me. He assures me he right behind and then his audio transmission is cutoff by another. This new contact cackles and talks about ending our interference. There’s then another voice telling him that he’s sick.

Mission Control then breaks in with an immediate recall of all squads to the Outpost. I spin round and head to the gate engaging travel drive entering Getsu Fune There are swarms and swarms of Xenon approaching the Outpost and the battlegroup want to engage, I tell them they’re there for the capitals the minefields and the station can withstand a fighter swarm.

Shinamon was right regarding the speed of the Xenon, the Protectorate are prepared for us to use what ever means are necessary to destroy and survive the Xenon, even the station itself and it’s turrets. I target a xenon that’s on the other side of the station and then fly through the docking bay to pounce on the craft. There’s already much xenon debris and I get some of the chimeras collect any salvage positioning them for possible intercepts.

We just have to wait for support to arrive or the Xenon assault to end and a few minutes later it’s all over without much of an increase in xenon force against the station and my pilots just got to do some intense salvaging.

Congratulations squads you handled yourselves admirably even though this was considerably more then you initially signed up for. I’ll be contacting you individually to discuss our next steps once the dust has settled. Until then you will want some time off, Consider that an Order.

Switching the radio to our broadcast bands.

The Xenon retaliation was light. Terrans think their fast, deadly and unpredictable.
Oh they’re deadly but generally predictable.
But where are they?

Echidna Taking Heavy Fire Awaiting Response.
Captain Hang what’s the Situation!
Xenon ambush Shields below 50%. Gunnery Officer reports zero contacts.

Echidna Escape, We’ll come to your position.
Captain Riano Bring the Battlegroup to Echidnas reported location. Prepare battle stations for contact. I’ll prepare the way.

I throttle up to full speed and set for the transmitted position. Once the engines are roaring at 532m/s I engage the travel drive. When the travel drive disengages I see the silhouette of a Xenon K and the battlegroup is still hundreds of kilometres from arriving.

I fly over the Xenon and switching to the burst ray target the far engine and then disable the other engine. I target one of the graviton turrets that will protect the Xenon broadside from my battlegroup assault but while the computer can target it the weapon can’t always get a clear effective angle.

Ma’am you may want to prepare for an explosion.
I instinctively accelerate away and spin to see the Xenon turn into a fireball.
Yes once immobilised it’s short co-operative work for the battlegroup.

Captain Hang here Thanks for the assist Ma’am. The other chimeras have docked, come back home

[Ormac]

An Echidna and a Giraffe.

On board the Echidna I shake hands with the lucky Chimera Pilots and collect any trinkets they may have scavenged from the combat zone before going to catch up on the mounting admin.

Pulling a trigger is an easy thing. Paying for that in credits is quite another. War is constant as the perpetual news articles seem to indicate Xenon attacking Both the Split and the Argon as well as a continual back and forth between the Antigone Republic and the Holy Order of the Pontifex.

The Split of Wretched Skies are just asking for assistance and support building infrastructure and The Argon are wanting another fleet to launch at the Xenon.

I order the Battlegroup to head to Wretched Skies but task Echidna with a different mission. I’m planning to hand over Echidna [CVE-892] to the Argon as part of a requested fleet to help counter the Xenon after I have a Colossus E to replace her. This new Carrier will join the Battlegroup as Echidna with the wing of Chimeras.

There’s several reports from my own traders about pirate activity in areas of Second Contact, as well as a note from Boso about an improvement in teleportation efficiency plus a grand experiment he wants to discuss the details of in person.

Navy Reputation suffers from Black Hole

Following on the heels of the recent Catastrophe of Hatikvah’s Choice the Argon Navy has been left in disorder again. This time by the Holy Order.

The equipment dock at Black Hole Sun the hub and heart of the system was destroyed by Paranid forces belonging to the Holy Order. Locals say the Paranid approached from the accelerator and then fell upon the equipment dock.

A statement from a representative of the Holy Order Pontifex.

Two-eyes cannot keep all eyes on their outposts, Paranid stratagem is superior.
Our forces are unwavering with the Blessing and Vision of our Priest Emperor.
Lesser beings should yield to the Vision of the Priest Emperor.

The Argon Navy is in talks with their Republic counter parts in developing a response. An uptick in recruitment is expected. The Federation and the Argon Navy are desperate to show that no colony will be left to fend for themselves.

[Ormac]

Pride and Wrath

Well it looks like the event at Black Hole Sun has really upset the Argon, judging from some of the new recruitment ads that end with "would you like to know more". Turning up at the Holy Order War Room wanting to know more, the war strategist explains that it’s basically a Paranid civil war that the Argon have been suddenly drawn into.

Normally a probationary period allows them to determine the worth of the volunteer but it appears looking over the jobs board they assume I can tell the Paranid of the Holy Order and the Godrealm apart, or at least their ships. The Argon Navy may be eager to strike back and are willing to forgo the usual process. Choosing an easy information gathering duty initially, drop a satellite in Holy Order territory a location in Holy Vision and after that to destroy an enemy ship and if I manage those I will be awarded a paintjob called snakebite.

I also take a separate mission paying a bounty of 3 million to board a Holy Order Freighter. It’s currently in Hatikvah’s Choice.

I send a Kestrel to Holy Vision and head off in a Chimera looking for the freighter. I soon locate it near the Trade Dock. It’s another Helios E. Radioing my own Helios E

Captain Deena Tarren bring the ship to Hatikvah’s Choice, prepare your teams for another boarding operation.
What’s the Target
Are the teams familiar with the Helios E, because this is the latest information on another one.
Ma’am my squads will be ready.

Once the satellite is deployed and sending data I’m sent the general position and registration of a Holy Order craft that stole information that the Argon Navy does not want to be analysed I retask Bone Naga to True Sight and send the target information package. Soon there’s the Navy’s reward for a task completed as well as a message from Ho’t Sht that the target Gorgon has been retrieved with the stolen information onboard and intact.

Helios E [LUG 811] entering sector. Squads are ready.
Captain move in to position and await my final clearance.

I’ve been trailing the target for a while and it’s been hanging around the dock but once it is sufficiently clear and appears to be moving towards open space I attack the freighter immobilising the engines and then dealing with it’s defences dealing initially with it’s defence drones and a laser tower it deploys from it’s stationary position once I’ve cleared the hull of turrets and made sure the engines remain inoperable.

Captain you may initiate a boarding run.

I watch as the Helios is brought in close and the boarding pods launch, land on the hull of the other. Monitor their progress although it’s radio silence after breaching the hull until the final stages.

Ma’am, Captain Barnard here, confirming capture of Helios E [PGP 988].
Mission success without loss of squad members. Squad leader Tarren should be pleased her recruits performed so well.

Looking at these two freighters side by side one marked with purple the other marked in orange I feel a small sense of pride.