The Scrapyard

by DeafeningEcho

When I write it's common for me to trash chapters that have already been partially or fully written. this scrap yard is so you can all see my forever incomplete work or those I have abandoned. They are mostly not edited so expect lots of errors.

28. Fleet of the Alliance 1-2

SHIPS OF THE ALLIANCE:

Corvette:

Space is incomprehensibly vast, our galaxy alone holds hundreds of billions of stars. In order to explore such a great expanse, the Alliance needed a low cost, rapidly produced exploration ships. This requirement is fulfilled by the Corvette. Minimally crewed, less than a dozen personnel per ship, low cost, a Corvette being a fraction of any other ship, and able to be produced quickly, only taking a few months to go from keel laying to commissioning, Corvettes fulfill the requirements of the Alliance perfectly. Corvettes are designed to be the smallest ship that can operate for extended periods without support, holding just enough personnel on board for crew mental health, and the minimum equipment needed to fulfill its function.

While Corvettes are capable of combat, they are minimally armed and have extremely weak hulls. The majority of Corvettes are commanded by Lieutenant Commanders or promising Staff Lieutenants.

Meriwether Lewis Class: Almost immediately the Mars Ruins were discovered, work on the Merriweather Lewis class began. Rapidly planned and constructed, the first vessels of the class had several flaws that needed to be resolved in later vessels. Nevertheless, the Meriwether Lewis class holds the title of first mass produced FTL capable human ship class, the first vessels being completed in the waning days of 2148.

The class was not actually developed by the Systems Alliance ( the first vessels being completed before the Alliance even existed), instead the class was designed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the space exploration arm of the United North American States, which was inherited from the United States of America (the story is similar with the Heartbreak Ridge class Frigate, only it was created by the Chinese People's Federation, and only 4 vessel, including the Heartbreak Ridge herself, were completed before the Alliance was created).

The Lewis cannot enter a planets atmosphere without being destroyed, leading to it carrying a shuttle affixed to the exterior of the hullto carry personnel and equitment to and from atmosphere holding planets. It also lacks the ability to land on even planets lacking an atmosphere with gravity over .75 G.

The class saw continual production until 2155, when production stopped in favor of the newer Francis Drake class. Vessels of the class continue operation in large numbers alongside their successor.

Mass: 2,400 tons

Length: 67 m

Width: 20 m

Hight: 8 m

Armament (Pre 2154 refit): None

Armament (Post 2154 refit): 2 Guardian Laser Emitters

Complement: 1 UT-24 Libra Shuttle (affixed to the hull) OR 1 UT-31 Orion (afixed to the hull)

Crew: 10

Building: 0 (3 month construction time)

Completed: 576

Active: 564 (5 lost to accidents, 4 lost to Pirate attacks, 3 fate unknown)

Francis Drake Class: As early as 2153, the Alliance had been looking for a successor to the Merriweather Lewis class. While the class is acceptable at what is asked of it, the early point in human eezo development in which it was built means it was approaching obsolescence only a few years after the first one was completed; a successor was needed.

In 2155, that successor came; the Francis Drake class. The Francis Drake class manages to include extreme performance improvements and far more sophisticated science equipment with only a 25% increase in mass over its predecessor.

One of the most important improvements is the capability to land on planets with atmospheres and high gravity, allowing the Corvette to act as a base on the planet. This improvement led to the shuttle to be removed, making mass available for more Equitment and allowing the Shuttle pilot to be replaced with another science equipment operator without increasing the crew requirement.

With the rise of piracy in human space, the Alliance decided to arm its Corvettes for their own protection, alongside giving each squadron a Frigate escort. Due to this, much of the aditinal mass was devoted to 4 Guardian Laser Emitters and a quad Mass Accelerator Turret, giving the class more than enough firepower to ward off a Skiff or even some of the smaller armed pirate ships.

Mass: 3,000 tons

Length: 75 m

Width: 35 m

Hight: 12 m (no turrets)

Armament: 4 Guardian Laser Emitters, 4 18 m MACs (1 quad turret)

Complement: NA

Building: 24 (3 month construction time)

Crew: 10

Completed: 120

Active: 120

Destroyer:

When the Alliance was formed, the need for a rapidly produced warship was evident. Fear was rampant and the Alliance needed a fleet of new ships soon. The Destroyer was the solution. Quick to produce, yet far more powerful than a Corvette, Destroyers were the main focus of the Alliance's shipbuilding program for its first few years. That focus bore fruit, between 2149 and 2152, 200 Destroyers were built. However, the lack of range and versatility inherent in the Destroyer's design was its downfall. From 2153 to 2155, only 55 Destroyers were produced, and production ended in 2155.

The main armament of a Destroyer is its Torpedos. Destroyers lack kinetic weapons and relies entirely on their Torpedoes and limited Guardian Laser Emitters. Destroyers are highly vulnerable to Frigates as their high maneuverability and heavy armament allow them to chase down Destroyers, avoid their Torpedos, and take them down quite easily.

Destroyers are commanded by Lieutenant Commanders, with Destroyer Squadrons being led by Captains.

Raven Class: The only Destroyer class in use by the Alliance, the Raven is usually only deployed for garrison duty as they are too short range for most patrols and are too slow in FTL to keep up with the fleets. The Raven class was designed in late 2149.

Mass: 5,000 tons

Length: 135 m

Width: 35

Hight: 15

Armament: 8 Torpedo Launchers (24 Torpedos carried), 8 Guardian Laser Emitters

Complement: NA

Crew: 20

Building: 0 (4 month build time)

Completed: 265

Active: 250 (3 stolen, 2 lost in accidents )

Frigate:

While the Destroyer ruled the years right after the formation of the Alliance, as humanity spread across the star, the Frigate gained dominance as the main light warships of the Alliance. Frigates were first used as escorts to the original exploration fleets that left Sol for the unknown. The explorers who discovered Demeter, Terra Nova, Eden Prime, and many other worlds were protected by the guns of those first generation Frigates. The role of the Frigate was forever changed by three major events in 2152, the colonization of Demeter, the Stargazer Incident, and the Armstrong Raid.

In the first days of 2152, a trio of ships reached the orbit of Demeter and began offloading their cargo and passengers. While this was not the first time humans stepped foot on Demeter, several exploration and scientific ships having repeatedly gone to the planet and the system even holding a Alliance Outpost, this was the first true colonization attempt. Those first ships held mostly workers, equipment and prefabricated buildings, but by the end of the year, Demeter would host a colony of over 20,000.

The news of the year was not all good. On the 25th of January, the SS Stargazer, a scientific research ship leaving the Sol System for Arcturus, was attacked by a small Skiff and boarded. The ship was taken over in under an hour and the crew was held hostage. The event ended with the Pirates getting away with their hostage money, paid for by the ship's owner, Stanford University.

Even worse was the Armstrong Raid. From its colonization, the Moon's abundant resources, proximity to Earth, and low gravity has made it a center for space construction. The discovery of the Mars Ruins did not change this, and so the Armstrong Shipyards operated as a major refit, construction, and repair location for the Alliance. On June 20th, a large force attacked the shipyard and stole a dozen ships, 7 civilian vessels, 3 Destroyers, and a pair of Frigates. These vessels made a break for the edge of the system and escaped into the Local Cluster. A massive manhunt ensued, but none of the vessels were found, until ships in the Local Cluster began to be attacked. Survey ships, Corvettes, mining vessels, all strike by a marauding force with military grade warships. It wouldn't be until 2156 for the fleet's main base of operations to be destroyed, and some of the vessels still remained in operation, plaguing the Local Cluster.

All these events made something evident, the Frigate fleet of the Alliance needed to be expanded badly.

Frigates are equipped with very large eezo cores for their sizes, allowing them to move at high sunlight and FTL speeds. The primary uses of Frigates are patrol, rapid response, Pirate hunting, skirmishing, reconnaissance, escort, and attacking enemy ships that are damaged or vulnerable during battle. When in battle, Frigates form into formations of 4 to 6 Frigates called Wolf Packs (Alliance doctrine dictates that a Pack merge with another Pack once it reaches half strength). While a single Frigate lacks the firepower and protection to face even the sustained broadside turret mounted MACs of Cruisers and Dreadnoughts, a whole Wolf Pack could face them, while retaining superior speed and maneuverability compared to the larger vessels.

Frigates are usually commanded by Staff Commanders, though Frigate Squadrons are usually led by a Captain.

Heartbreak Ridge Class: As soon as the Mars Ruins were discovered, the potential advances it could bring to next generation warships was evident, and many countries wished to exploit that potential. By the time of the creation of the Alliance, the leader in that race was the Chinese People's Federation, being the only country to have created a working next generation warship using technology from the Mars Ruins. When the Systems Alliance was formed, the Heartbreak Ridge and its 3 sisters were given to the Alliance.

Heartbreak Ridge itself would go on to make history only a few days after being given to the Alliance, being the first vessel, Captained by John Grissom, to travel using a Mass Relay. The class served as escorts to exploration ventures.

Construction of the class continued under the Alliance until 2152 when production was superseded by the Hastings class Light Frigate, and later the Yamen class Heavy Frigate. The class was later refitted in 2154 and 2155 to include newer technology.

Mass: 16,000 tons

Length: 217 m

Width: 92.5 m

Hight: 45 m

Armament (Pre 2154 refit): 4 Torpedo Launchers (20 Torpedos carried), 20 Guardian Laser Emitters, 4 240mm Railguns (2 twin turrets)

Armament (Post 2154 refit): 4 Torpedos Launchers (20 Torpedos carried), 30 Guardian Laser Emitters, 4 30 MACS (2 twin turrets)

Complement: NA

Crew: 50

Building: 0 (8 month construction time )

Completed: 28

Active: 24 (2 stolen, 1 lost to accidents, 1 lost to Pirates)

Hastings Class Light Frigate: The Hastings class is the first Alliance designed warships class, the first vessels beginning construction in the later days of 2152. Designed to be cheap, quick to build, and fast, the Hastings is the backbone of the Alliance. The Hastings is the smallest class equipped with a spinally mounted Mass Accelerator Cannon. The Hastings is lighter than the Heartbreak Ridge, with less armor and fewer torpedoes, acting more as a patrol ship or skirmisher than a head on attack ship, focused on fighting smaller, faster ships instead of larger vessels, though the capability still remains. The classes' MACs allow for easy strikes on ships from far away.

Mass: 12,000 tons

Length: 160 m

Width: 35 m

Hight: 18 m

Armament: 2 100 m MACs, 2 Torpedos Launchers (8 Torpedos carried), 12 Guardian Laser Emitters

Complement: NA

Crew: 40

Building: 12 (6 month construction time)

Completed: 96

Active: 96

Yamen Class Heavy Frigate: A response to criticisms of the Hastings minimal Torpedo armament, the Yamen was designed to operate alongside the Hastings as a heavier anti-ship vessel. Introduced midway through 2155, the Yamen is the largest Frigate in Alliance service, and has the heaviest armament and armor.

Mass: 20,000 tons

Length: 200 m

Width: 45 m

Hight: 25 m

Armament: 2 100 m MACs, 8 Torpedos Launchers (24 Torpedos carried), 24 Guardian Laser Emitters

Complement: NA

Crew: 50

Building: 8 (8 month construction time)

Completed: 16

Active: 16

Cruisers:

When the Alliance was deciding on the composition of its new fleet, it put its bets on the Cruiser. Large vessels dozens of times larger than even the largest Frigate, Cruiser construction makes up the majority of the Alliance's naval procurement budget. Each Cruiser is equipped with a pair of Mass Accelerator Cannons that run the majority of the ship, allowing a shell to be launched at extreme speeds. Some have criticized the Alliance for its Cruisers, calling them oversized and uneconomical, though it is only a fraction of the flack given to the Everest class. Nevertheless, the Alliance continues to spend most of its construction budget on Cruisers. Cruisers are commanded by Captains, though they usually also host an Admiral.

Annapolis Class Light Cruiser: The Annapolis class was originally designed by the American Spaceforce in months prior to the formation of the Alliance, using their last Light Cruiser design as a base, but the two Cruisers being built for the class were not completed until after. Once the Alliance was established, it decided to complete the Annapolis class and continue production past the first two vessels. Construction continued until 2155, when production of the Geneva class began. The class lacks the broadside MACs of later Cruisers and the Everest class, and the MAC had to be added in later refits for the first 4 vessels. Each Exploration Flotilla is commanded by an Annapolis class Light Cruiser.

Mass: 500,000 tons

Length: 420 m

Width: 70 m

Hight: 45 m

Armament (block one): 2 2032mm Railguns, 8 Torpedos Launchers (32 Torpedos carried), 40 Guardian Laser Emitters, 30 203mm Railguns (10 triple turrets)

Armament: 2 350 m MACs, 8 Torpedos Launchers (32 Torpedos carried), 40 Guardian Laser Emitters, 20 30 m MACS (10 twin turrets)

Complement: 24 SX1 Tridents, 4 UT-31 Orions,

Crew: 280

Building: 0 (18 month construction time)

Completed: 8

Active: 8

Geneva Class Light Cruiser: The newest class of Cruiser in service. Only three, the Geneva, Genoa, and Florence, have been completed as of April 2157, but three more, the Damascus, Lowell, and Halifax, are set to be completed at year's end.

Mass: 550,000

Length: 450

Width: 70

Hight: 50

Armament: 2 400 m MACs, 12 Torpedo Launchers (48 Torpedoes carried), 50 Guardian Laser Emitters, 20 30 m MACs (5 quad turrets), 8 60 m MACS (broadside)

Complement: 32 SX1 Tridents, 6 UT-31 Orions,

Crew: 300

Building: 3 (18 month build time)

Completed: 3

Active: 3

Berlin Class Heavy Cruiser: The Berlin class was designed to be the Alliance's ship-of-the-line. While the Everest class was more powerful than the Berlin, it was never intended to be produced in large numbers, in fact the Everest was going to be the only ship of the class until Admiral Kastanie Drescher managed to push through the construction of the SSV Fuji. The SSV Berlin and SSV Lagos began construction in 2151, with the SSV San Diago and SSV London beginning construction in 2153, right after the completion of the first two ships. The Berlin class focuses its massive mass on increased firepower and protection, leading to its complement being undersized for its size.

Mass: 1,500,000

Length: 650

Width: 113

Hight: 179

Armament: 2 550 m MACs, 30 60 m MACs (broadside), 20 Torpedo Launchers (80 Torpedos carried), 40 30 m MACs (quad turret), 120 Guardian Laser Emitters,

Complement: 72 SX1 Tridents, 8 UT-31 Orions,

Crew: 600

Building: 2

Completed: 4

Active: 4

Dreadnought:

The first space warship ever called a Dreadnought was the UNASS Freedom, a large ship (for the time at 1.2 million tons) built in the 2110s as a show of the new nation's power. The vessel was commonly derided by many names like the UNASS Compensation, UNASS Second Amendment Rights, UNASS White Elephant (due to its ruinous maintenance and construction costs), and the Tillman 5. Several other "Dreadnoughts" would enter service, usually as a one off design meant to be a flagship and status symbol. Alliance Dreadnought are equipped with massive spinally mounted MACs, capable of destroying a Light Cruiser in a single shot. Dreadnoughts are commanded by only the most senior and trusted Captains, and always have an Admiral on board.

Everest Class: In the spirit of the Dreadnoughts constructed before the Mars Ruins, Admiral Francis Duke wished for the Alliance to have a massive flagship, a single vessel capable of coordinating fleets and turning the tides of entire battles. In 2150, Duke managed to get a design proposal for the Everest class approved, and the SSV Everest began construction. The massive vessel would have been the only ship of its class, if not for the actions of Admiral Kastanie Drescher, who pushed for a second vessel to be made while Everest was still under construction. She eventually succeeded, and the SSV Fuji began construction when Everest was completed. The Everest acts as the command ship of the 1st fleet, dedicated to the defense of the Sol System. The Fuji, once it is completed, is set to take over command of the 2nd fleet from the SSV Lagos. THe Fuji is expected to be completed in June 2157, with an improved design over the Everest, creating the Fuji subclass.

Mass: 3,500,000 tons

Length: 888 m

Width: 205 m

Hight: 145 m

Armament (Everest): 2 800 m MACs, 80 60 m MACs (broadside), 36 Torpedo Launchers (144 Torpedoes carried), 90 30 m MACs (sextuple turrets), 250 Guardian Laser Emitters,

Complement: 160 SX1 Tridents, 24 UT-31 Orions

Crew: 2,000

Building: 1

Completed: 1

Active: 1