Thoughts on the USN (United Slawkenberg Navy)

"Admiral Visiter, good to see you." I greeted the young officer. As is usual in the Navy, his rank was mainly due to his lineage. However, his position was not wrong and he certainly has talent, as I have to admit in the aftermath.

We meet on one of the balconies of the palace. I have arranged simple and comfortable furniture, as I do for every personal and unofficial meeting with the representatives. Jurgen and Melissa are standing inside to protect me at all times. Meanwhile, the palace (and I) was protected by the FSR (First Slawkenberg Regiment).

The Commodore originally led a cruiser squadron, but when his ships were raided and badly damaged by Tau's, he was rescued by my fleet and then defected. I actually thought he was the typical officer who made it this far through lineage and luck alone. What a mistake.

At our first meeting, he asked who was in command, to which I replied General Mahlone and myself. Horrified, Visiter asked who was in command of the fleet, to which I could only answer myself. Visiter then took command of the fleet and I gave him the important (and impossible) task of providing a concept for the deployment and organisation of the USN (United Slavkenberg Navy). Commodore Visiter was not allowed to include battleships in his plans as they are too big to be built by Slawkenberg, he was not allowed to deploy too many ships as we lack the personnel and the fleet should be able to fight over long distances. I thought he would propose a small navy that will not pose a real threat to the Empire, if he can fulfil the task at all.

"It's a pleasure to see you again."

"Why don't you have a seat? Amasec?"

"Gladly." Jurgen moved quickly and quietly and placed two glasses of Amasec on the table. Visiter nodded to him gratefully.

After he left, he began to talk. "I have to admit, the task they gave me wasn't easy. I had to remember and rethink many lessons from the academy. You fight battleships with battleships, but I shouldn't be using battleships and the Navy should be able to operate over long distances."

I nodded as my heart began to beat faster. "And you have a solution?"

He nodded cautiously. "Maybe. At my academy, we were told about the very old battles and the Grand Crusade. Back then, cruisers and grand cruisers were mainly used. Grand cruisers are outdated in the Navy's thinking. They are smaller than a battleship, so they can do less. At the same time, they are also too large to be launched in large numbers. For most officers, they're old and built for a different age."

I nodded to show that I understood him, even though I didn't really. He took a sip of Amasec and continued speaking. "I've been thinking about it. Grand Cruisers have big engines and therefore a good thrust to mass ratio. They can accelerate much faster and are more manoeuvrable than large battleships. This gives us an advantage in ship-to-ship combat, but in large battles it also determines how durable your ships are and how much damage they can deal. There is an easy way to do this. Fighters and bombers and there is a Grand Cruiser that can do this. The Exorcist classe."

Inside, I panic more and more. This officer sounds like he has a plan to field a Grand Navy. I quickly take a sip of Amasec and nod.

"The Mechanicus also thinks these ships are useless and gives the blueprints to many civilised worlds with a shipyard that want larger ships. The Navy also has these blueprints to discuss the change in design and I gave them to the Borg. They were really happy and eagerly accepted my suggestions and incorporated them into the design."

He pulls out a holoprojector and activates it. "I present to you our main battle ship. The Grand Cruiser of the Sorcerer class. Changes to the Exorcist are the second gun deck, the eight frontal torpedo launchers and the Volkit lances on the spine. Over 40 megatonnes displacement, 7.3 kilometres long, up to 2.5 G acceleration, 16 plasma macro cannons per broadside and 6 Volkit lances as main armament and space for up to 1300 fighters. This means that the armament has also been greatly improved in terms of quality. The design is far from complete, as the Borg still have a lot to change and optimise, but they are confident that they will meet these requirements. The ship will also have better shields so that it has a better chance in fleet battles against battleships."

My eyes widened when I heard this information. "We can build ships like this?"

"No, not yet. It will be months before the ship is finally designed and our shipyards will have to be expanded during that time. But it's realistic, just as you wanted it to be. The Sorcerer class is also large enough to fight over long distances and can transport 5 regiments, that is a core of the USA, with support. The maximum capacity is at least 500,000 people, of which at least 200,000 are for soldiers and support personnel. You know how much support a regiment needs."

I think my brain has switched off. "That's very good, but what about larger formations?"

"I've thought about that too. I've chosen Dictator-class cruisers as escort ships. These ships are also carriers and can use their firepower over long distances, but they are also serious enemies in direct combat. They are also being improved and are being built as the Monarch class. Improvements are the second gun deck, the plasma macro cannons and 3 spine-mounted Volkit lances, plus they are armed with six frontal torpedo launchers. As for large formations, I've considered two general shapes. The Assault Fleet and the Supremacy Fleet."

He paused again and took a sip of Amasec. "The Assault Fleet will be made up of a Sorcerer and a Monarch Cruiser division of four ships. Four Monarch Cruisers so they can fight in tandem. They will be supported by a squadron of eight sword frigates. Their improvements are not extensive enough to earn a new name. The Supremacy Fleet basically consists of three Assault Fleets plus a division of Dominator cruisers."

"A good addition to our... Supremacy fleets."

"Yes, especially with their Nova Cannons, which will break up enemy formations and destroy fleeing ships."

"Wait a minute. Nova cannons!?" My brain simply can't process the admiral's words.

"Hmm, oh yes, they're not a Navy Commissar. A nova cannon can fire armour-piercing or explosive shells over tens of thousands of kilometres."

"Tens of thousands of kilometres? Is that a lot?"

"Yes, even in Voit combat that's a lot and a danger at any time. As I said, it's designed to break up formations and act as a kind of sniper."

"But snipers are very vulnerable."

"Yes, right, but they are behind a whole fleet, they have plasma macro cannons and are protected by frigates. My only regret is that there is no way to have a fighter and a nova cannon at the same time."

"There is still room for improvement. Thank you Admiral for introducing me to your concept for the future USN."

"Thank you for your time. My only regret is that I only have enough personnel for one Assault Fleet at the moment."

"Yes, too bad." Admiral Visiter stands up Salutes in the USA style, pounding his heart with his right fist. "Thank you for the Amasec. I hope to see you again soon."

I return the salute. "Goodbye, Admiral."

He leaves the balcony and as the doors slam shut again, I finish my Amasec in one gulp. 'I must delay the construction of the ships and the recruitment and training of the sailors.

Thoroughly built high-quality ships manned by well-trained sailors. Nothing can go wrong with that. Right?

A few thoughts over a big, strong and useful navy.