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The Development and Deployment of
AFSC in the Terpla'n Campaign
As with many weapon systems the Anti-Fighter Small Craft (AFSC, also colloquially known as interceptors) was born as an answer to a perceived need. Following will be a concise history of the various races and nations that developed and deployed AFSC and related craft. The Terpla’n Republic/Commonwealth of Planetary States (CPS) After the short war with the Humarsh, in which assault shuttles were used to destroy weapon buoys surrounding the Tinderbox warp point, the Republic Space Force embarked on a program to develop a new class of small craft that could engage buoys and even other small craft more efficiently. The result was the Barracuda, a craft based on a heavily modified hull of an assault shuttle. Just as this craft was approved for further development a parallel program achieved a breakthrough, resulting in the strike fighter. Captain Tulcus Jki, the head naval administrator of the strike fighter program, successfully lobbied for the Barracuda to be put into limited service as they can be used as trainers and conduct exercises as the strike fighter was developed as well as the required infrastructure. Based on planetside spaceports at sector capitals Barracudas were inexpensive to operate and allowed for large groups of pilots to be trained, as well as providing for reserve pilots to refresh their skills. On two occasions Barracudas used in this manner became involved in combat, based at the spaceport on the Crajen sector capital of Longshore during the Fendalen War. After the Axis War the further development of Barracudas was given to the Hazen and Tzel. There were, however, a few CPS members and allies that did use them beyond the training role. The Democracy of Hamthen When encountered by the Republic the Hamthen Navy was at a lower technological base. Providing R&D assistance, the Republic encouraged and funded Hamthen deployment of AFSC, designated Gars, as an interim until strike fighters were realized. Deployed on several ship classes and bases, Gars were used throughout the Axis War as the Hamthen decided to focus on strike fighters and their associated carriers after the war. This did not lead to an immediate phase-out of Gars as the Fendalen War started a short time later, though no further specific ship classes were built, and any losses were in turn replaced by strike fighter carriers. After this war all ships and bases used to deploy Gars were either scrapped or converted, the last hull using them being FT5 freighters for a few more years. Gars continued to be used for training purposes at Hamthen Prime and Hagelkorn. Unified Arms of Hazen Due to their physiology, the Hazen were unable to use strike fighters. Initially noncommittal to using Barracudas their attitude changed upon receiving battle reports of their use by Hamthen forces against the Axis. They rapidly adopted the technology and committed to deploying AFSC, called Lancers in Hazen service, with the enthusiasm of true believers. Several new ship classes were built and used during the Axis War and thereon were found in all allied formations. For warp point defense Lancers were stationed at spaceports on asteroid forts, and only towards the latter half of the Fendalen War did a dedicated base appear in the form of a type 6, reasoning that if Lancers were going to be used then they might as well be in large numbers. Since they were heavy users of Lancers, the Hazen had the incentive to develop the subsequent third and fourth generation models. The 3G model had twin fighter guns as standard but a fair number of them, equipped with an internal fighter hetlaser, served in convoys during the Pulurtan War to supplement accompanying fighters, causing no end of grief for Pulurtan Footman crews. It was briefly considered to have one fighter gun swapped out for an ECM emitter but was rejected as the pilots insisted on maximum gun power even at the expense of inherent protection. With the 4G model the Lancer came on to its own. While a few examples carrying three fighter guns were known, the majority of 4G Lancers had two fighter guns and an ECM emitter, while the rest, serving solely in convoys and on the handful of dedicated Hazen AFSC assault carriers, had the fighter hetlaser instead of the guns. This time the pilots did appreciate the added protection while retaining the firepower they did need. In conjunction with the Tzel reconnaissance versions of the 3G and 4G models were produced. For the 3G the guns were replaced with a long-range sensor package while the 4G retained a single gun. Called Hawkeyes, what this model lacked in overall top speed it made up for with endurance. While one day’s worth of life support couldn’t hold a candle to other small craft a Hawkeye could outlast a JSF even if equipped with an internal long-range sensor package and fully fitted with life support pods. Hawkeyes were stationed at cardinal points around a convoy or fleet, vigilant to ferret any flaw in an enemy’s cloaking field. Based on their Doggin and copies of Umak 2 small craft carriers Hawkeyes saw extensive use in the Pulurtan War. The Tzel Caucus Already noteworthy by independently developing and deploying strike fighters, the Tzel made very limited use of Barracudas in the training role. Only a designated spaceport in the home system was used to evaluate potential strike fighter pilots. Those that passed continued training in Fireflies, as all examples were two-seaters. Having demonstrated the technical ‘knack’ in bringing about their own fighters, the Commonwealth had the Tzel and Hazen work jointly to further develop the Barracuda after the Axis War. Also, any new members joining or allying with the Commonwealth would be offered AFSC technology by the Tzel. In this way the Gluv Mercantile Council and The Mandate of Inna used Barracudas with Tzelan technical assistance. The only examples of Barracudas used by the Tzel in combat operations was the 4G recon version (Hawkeye), albeit in very limited numbers, in the Pulurtan War. Based on Ateva 2 class carriers, Hawkeyes provided sensor coverage against cloaked units. Cloaked Pulurtan raiders continued to be major nuisances, and with the advent of tachyon sensors every additional platform that could make Footman crews sweat was worth it. Gluv Mercantile Council AFSC development by the Gluv was born out of urgency. During the Fendalen War the abnormal ally of the Fendalens, the Cazov, encountered the Gluv and managed to get a trade treaty signed. However, succumbing to what had to be an inherent mental tripwire, the Cazov ambassador shot his Gluv opposite number at a state dinner just one month later after finding out the latter had previously been in contact with the CPS. Having spurned the CPS earlier to form a military alliance, the Mercantile Council agreed to one with alacrity. One result was the immediate emplacement of a science outpost on Gluv Prime. With great investment by Tzelan and Gluv scientists and technicians the AFSC entered service just the first dedicated bases and ships were completed. Using the Terpla’n designation, Barracudas put a resolute defense of the home system’s warp point in their only battle. The following Cazov occupation was harsh as great emphasis was placed on upgrading Gluv economic and technical sophistication to better provide for the Cazov war effort. Any ‘clutter’ had to be cleared away, and in one heinous case that further displayed random Cazov behavior the Tzel science station on Gluv Prime was destroyed. Of the 900 Tzelan personnel only 12 survived to the end of the war, with the rest either killed on the spot when the Cazov military governor made his decision or else in safehouse raids conducted by Cazov security forces. After the Fendalen War the Gluv didn’t pursue further Barracuda development, instead investing fully in strike fighters along with armed pinnaces and gunboats. Only one example of a Barracuda used in Gluv service remained, having been sequestered and put in a private display in the Cazov military governor’s residence. It was retrieved and put in a war museum along with a memorial dedicated to Tzelan personnel that served on Gluv Prime. The Mandate of Inna Unlike other races that were given enhanced technological assistance to reach parity with the CPS, the Inna were deliberate in their advancement. With expansion of their territory and fleet set well within their needs, the Inna provided logistical support to rear-area systems during the Fendalen and Pulurtan Wars. It was not until past the halfway point of the Pulurtan War that military ships were provided for coverage of second-tier convoys. The Inna developed the AFSC with assistance from the Tzel, also designated them as Barracudas upon reaching TL 6. Used for training and planetary defense, Barracudas found use on two classes of ships slated for convoy escort, the Moderator BCE and Constitution CVL. Barracudas provided an inexpensive supplement for point-defense protection for convoys, and after the Pulurtan War they were regulated to training duties as fighter installations for system defense were fully realized. The Ua Cooperative The Uan were the first to receive assistance to develop AFSC, followed by the Hamthen. Even with accelerated R&D efforts, strike fighters were a few months short of fruition when the Asteroid Axis invaded the Uan Cooperative. Despite inflicting punishing damage, the Uan were unable to halt the Axis fleet’s entry into the home system, and Barracudas based on Uan Prime resorted to ramming, taking down more Axis ships. For the rest of the war and afterwards Barracudas were based on all remaining colony worlds, serving alongside fighters stationed on orbital stations and bases. No examples were ever used for operations outside Uan territory. Hokum Imperium/Elotoshan Academy/Foamasi Church of the People Collectively these three nations either didn’t develop AFSC or decided not to produce them upon seeing their use by others. For the Hokum they went straight to fighters after having been on the receiving end during their short war with the Terpla’n Republic. The Elotoshani also went straight to fighters upon liberation as their resistance movement had captured Axis records showing the effectiveness of fighters. As for the Foamasi they already had fighters. They made the acquisition of armed pinnaces and prototype gunboats a top priority. None of these three nations ever used AFSC even for training, going with fighters instead. Gander Confederation The Gander, due to their less robust physiology, were unable to use fighters. Instead, they developed armed pinnaces and prototype gunboats to arm their ships. Against the Cazov initial success was achieved but the Cazov’s possession of strike fighters in large numbers was telling. There was no time nor money to crash develop AFSC, and the Ahlon, with their penchant for red tape, weren’t fast enough to provide help. After the Fendalen War the Gander made AFSC development a priority, resulting in the 2G model called Crusaders. In the latter half of the Pulurtan War, seeing the deployment of Gander fleet units to the front lines, 3G and eventually 4G Crusaders would see combat use. It was also during this time they helped the Ghern Confederation in their 1G Thunderbolt program. The Fendalen (Gyst) Kingdom/Bhohim Enclave/Socialist Republic of Venda/Uhlan Commonwealth Much like the Republic, the Fendalens were interested in a small craft that was more effective in destroying weapon buoys following their war with the Bhohim Enclave. They came up with the strike fighter as the answer, while their soon-to-be Bhohim allies developed AFSC. After subduing the Venda, and seeing how effective fighters were, the Bhohim discontinued their AFSC program altogether. As for the Venda, after launching their ill-advised war against the Fendalens, they engaged in a crash development of AFSC. To their credit they were able to bring 180 examples into service, just in time for the decisive battle of the homeworld warp point. Painfully green, the pilots scored the most success in performing ramming attacks along with assault shuttles against crippled Fendalen ships. Forcibly integrated into the Kingdom, the Venda weren’t permitted to operate fighters and armed small craft at all. The Uhlan already had fighters and thus slotted neatly into the Fendalen’s naval forces once their integration into the Kingdom commenced. That left the Whumps, the Kingdom’s only Super-Terrestroid race. At no time during the Fendalen War was it considered creating AFSC for the Whumps to use, and at any rate they only reached technical parity with the Kingdom just a few months before the Pulurtan War. As such they operated gunboats and half of the pinnace carriers in the Kingdom fleet. Dran Council of Investors/Y’huv Commune/Ahlon Bureau of Government The Dran Council was quite happy to become trading partners when the Fendalens encountered them. Trade finally found an external outlet, and the revenue it generated produced a spurt of colonization, industrial investment, and most importantly accelerated technological development thanks to a Fendalen science outpost established on Dran Prime. After careful analysis of the CPS/Fendalen War the Dran decided to invest in fighters when the technology became viable instead of AFSC, appreciating the flexibility that fighters offered. They also elected not to invest in armed pinnaces and gunboats as such craft would be provided and based on Fendalen ships, though they did, at some expense, bring recon pinnaces into service to give their convoys organic sensor coverage. Like the Dran, the Y’huv Commune also underwent an economic boon when the Fendalens found them, thanks in no small part to a military assistance and trade treaty that managed to be ratified. With Fendalen assistance the Y’huv developed technology at a brisk pace before and during the Pulurtan War. Unable to use fighters due to their physiology it fell upon AFSC (designated Wildebeest) to be developed first. In the late Pulurtan War period expensive adaptive engineering brought the 2G Wildebeest, 2G armed pinnaces and recon armed pinnaces and prototype gunboats to the Y’huv fleet. Their SD and DN-sized escort vessels often carried all three types of small craft, earning the collective nickname of ‘triple threat’ by Pulurtan raiders. For the Ahlon it was their meeting with the Gander that prompted development of the AFSC. Given the designation of Needle, it was used as a defensive measure against Gander armed pinnaces. Initial cool relations gradually warmed, and just as well as both nations allied against the abnormal Cazov. With what could’ve been perceived as an unnatural application of will, the Ahlon had developed prototype fighters and even, at great expense, reversed engineered first-generation fighters. However, all examples were based at the homeworld’s space station as the first examples of carriers and fighter-equipped bases were still under construction and were destroyed along with the station. After the war the Cazov made the Ahlon a vassal state and greatly restricted the type and number of military forces it could use for its system defense force. Thus, the continued use of Needles, albeit in small numbers and only stationed on Ahlon Prime’s spaceport. Following liberation by the Fendalens it was given that Needles wouldn’t be used, but the power of bureaucracy couldn’t be denied. Through torturous departmental negotiations the remaining 200 first-generation Needles were slated for deployment on a future ship class. In this case it was the Carrier Committee, and for Needle pilots they were drawn from the top 5% of graduates of the assault shuttle training program. By the end of the Pulurtan War only 12 Needles remained, though to their credit the surviving pilots were all aces. The Duchy of Xhali/Jazta Union/Socialist Union of Democratic States Technically speaking, it wasn’t the Xhali that came up with AFSC (Hornet), but their Dalthu partners. With their enthusiastic attitude they convinced the Xhali to adopt the craft, even though strike fighters were already in production. Hornet deployment was limited to spaceports located at colonies and larger populated planets and set at 15 squadrons per location. Colonial militias operated Hornets, and each year the top 10% of pilots were offered commission into the Duchy Space Force and trained as fleet fighter pilots. In times of war the DSF received this 10% automatically with the next 10% being offered the choice. The only shipboard use of Hornets was on Highground assault carriers, tasked to engage enemy fighters going after Highground flight groups in warp point assaults. After the Pulurtan War the Duchy, now called the Xhali Protectorate, ended its use of Hornets altogether. The Jazta Union acquired AFSC via a technology exchange with the Xhali a year before both nations entered the Fendalen War. Also called Hornets, the Jazta stationed them at spaceports on asteroid forts used for warp point defense. Any colony or larger population center within three transits of national boarders had at least 15 Hornet squadrons planetside. On advancing into enemy territory prefabricated spaceports were placed on asteroids or moons serving as forward logistics and repair bases. Also, like the Xhali, there was only one class of ship the Jazta used Hornets on. The Abode class carriers were regulated to fleet train escort after the Fendalen War. With the development of 3G recon and later 4G recon variants the handful of Abodes provided an additional layer of sensor coverage. Regarding the Wallen, the race that comprised the Socialist Union of Democratic States, they never developed AFSC either before or after their civil war. After being defeated by the Jazta the new Wallen navy, the Co-Belligerent Navy, only made use of 3G copies of Jazta Hornets for pilot training on Wallen Prime. The Pulurtan High Kingdom/Bios Registry For the Pulurtans it was the result of wargames that brought about strike fighters and their attending carriers. In the war against the Bios Registry, it was the High Navy that deployed prototype gunboats first and an armed version of the fleet pinnace (Tally Hawk), used both for warp point assaults and reconnaissance. As they were on the offensive with these new weapons, and had a robust economy, the Pulurtans didn’t need AFSC as they could readily afford fighter squadrons for systems on or just behind the front lines. As for the Bians, they used their considerable industrial potential to accelerate fighter development and the required infrastructure. They did the same for prototype gunboats and copies of Tally Hawk pinnaces, again trusting their productive power to at least match, if not exceed, that of the Pulurtans. In the end it was the fortunes of war that enabled a Pulurtan victory. Then came the war against the Gyst and Xhali Fendalens, quickly followed by the CPS and its allies. The High Navy quickly copied the 3G armed pinnace and called them Hammers, along with recon pinnaces. Initially dismissive and condescending of AFSC users, the High Navy increasingly felt the pressure as their raider groups faced growing numbers of 3G and 4G AFSC. Hazen and later the Gander produced more AFSC carriers, including ones devised for warp point assaults. What really grind the Pulurtan’s gears was fighter losses inflicted by 1G AFSC as used by the Ahlon and Ghern, comparing it to biplanes shooting down jet fighters. The two aforementioned races took the comparison to the next level by saying it was high-performing biplane aces shooting down raw cadets still figuring out which way was up. The Asteroid Axis Following the Eletoshani War, in which Eleto shuttles performed ramming attacks on Axis ships over Evergreen in the Eleto home system, the Axis Fleet Command went about creating a new weapon system that can provide a counter. The result was the Dirk, a first generation AFSC. Based on Hawk Master CAs, Dirks proved their worth in the first half of the Nu’chut AI war, providing fleet defense against fighters. With the introduction of Axis fighters, Dirks were still retained until the end of the war, being phased out and Hawk Masters converted to Stalwart CAs. When it came to the Commonwealth, and the shock of armed pinnaces, there was a frantic urgency to copy the weapon along with an entirely new small craft. What came out of that rushed project was the escort shuttle, called the Stiletto. It was clear there was some AFSC influence in that the Axis Fleet Command (AFC) wanted a small craft that didn’t require specialized basing facilities, instead using standard small craft bays. It was also clear that the assault shuttle department played a part as the Stiletto could carry marines for boarding actions, and the armed pinnace project managers also injected their opinions. What resulted was a craft that had a point defense equivalent that had the same reach as a ship mounted system to engage fighters, could conduct boarding actions against units that had shields down and whose drive fields were weak or non-existent, and carried some ordnance capable of damaging ships. In the main, however, the crews of Stilettos saw their craft more as ‘heavy’ fighters and were often treated as such, especially when used to escort mass Hatchet fighter formations. Even with the reach of their point defense systems Stilettos were shot down in job lots, with Hazen and even Hamthen AFSC racking up their portion of kills. Acknowledging the Stilettos performance to date, and after the loss of the Eletoshani home system funding for the 2G Dirk program was authorized. It wasn’t until the last year of the war that 2G Dirks were deployed, their impact being marginal. Captured records showed the AFC had wider plans for Dirk deployment, and this was reflected by wargames held by the CSF and its allies. The Sunrise Hegemony (Ghern Confederation) Aside from using cargo shuttles to perform ramming attacks on Cazov ships in the last battle of the Sunrise-Cazov War the Ghern, due to their initial tech level, had no real effective counter to fighters, gunboats and armed pinnaces. After liberation from the Cazov a new nation, the Ghern Confederation, was formed from the worlds of the former Sunrise Hegemony and became a protectorate under Gander administration. Technological progress was sedate; the Ghern achieved Tech Level 5 when the Pulurtan War started. Fulfilling their treaty obligation with the Gander, the Confederation sent freighters to perform rear-area logistical support. Halfway through the war progress had reached the point where 1G AFSC could be researched and developed with a reasonable expenditure of funds. With some technical and financial support from the Gander the Ghern Confederation Navy fielded 1G Thunderbolts on new hulls, including the Eppley class, their largest warship to date. What they lacked in sophistication they made up for in raw numbers, forcing Pulurtan crews into a ‘fish or cut bait’ situation when facing fighters and gunboats at the same time. The Dictate of Cazov True to their eccentric behavior the Cazov did things their way. After defeating the Gander and Ahlon the Atomic Space Authority (later renamed as the Atomic Space Navy) elected to build armed pinnaces and prototype gunboats. The armed pinnace, dubbed ‘the Gander Weapon’, was only based on pinnace tenders, survey frigates and at the homeworld space station which served as the training cadre. Gunboats were based on many warships and auxiliaries. As for AFSC there was no interest at all since an extensive pilot training program was already in place using current examples of strike fighters. There was, however, a perceived need for a small craft capable of moderate endurance for fleet sensor coverage. To that end they took an assault shuttle and modified it, giving it ordnance racks so that it could carry a fighter scanner pack for the sensor coverage role while still retaining the ability to carry and airdrop troops. Labeled Hailstones, this small craft also found use in convoy protection. In this Hailstone crews, like Axis Stiletto crews, likened their craft as heavy fighters due to the reach of their point defense mounts. They were unable to be datalinked, an oversight even reflected by the Pulurtan Tally Hawk pinnace, a factor that downgraded their fighting potential. Though mass formations of Hailstones were rare, those allied fighter wings sent to intercept them had a grudging respect for those crews. On first look one can wonder why the Cazov didn’t simply adopt Hailstones wholesale and replace regular assault shuttles, being capable of the same mission and be available for anti-ship, anti-small craft operations as needed. One answer was that, while still the same physical size, a Hailstone needed twice as much shuttle bay space due to the service and maintenance requirements for its external ordinance racks and enhanced internal systems, thus reducing the number of available shuttles. The adoption of the combined shuttle bay system could partially fix this, but the Cazov simply added more regular assault shuttles. Building larger troopships was considered as they could hold more Hailstones, going by captured records. The ASN decided not to do so, being satisfied with the use of Hailstones in their intended roles. As with so many last stands, Hailstones were used in the defense of the Cazov home warp point. 80% of all available bay space of pinnace tenders housed Hailstones instead of Arrow armed pinnaces as more of the former could be housed on the tenders as all of them had the combined shuttle bay refit. |