Terse Period - Revision history

Siddharth1: /* Salvage */

2023-07-04T21:33:03Z

Salvage

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:33, 4 July 2023
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	===Salvage===		===Salvage===
	While a great many surplus warships were disarmed and resold, quite a few were set adrift. Many smaller nations, operating space navies for the first time, did not have the resources to repair damaged craft, and ~~left~~ them. Others, which had ~~challenge~~ crew requirements, were abandoned as uneconomical to return. Officially, such ships were supposed to be "scrapped in place" (destroyed), but in many cases were simply abandoned. In at least the majority of cases, the crews took the precaution of firing off any consumable ordnance (such as missiles and torpedoes) but a considerable number of warships were left fully operational and with partial ~~compliments~~ of very dangerous weapons. In addition to this, every space-battle left wrecks behind: often fully equipped and almost intact, and requiring only a little repair and a new crew. Reclamation of any such ship, and of any component thereof, including unexploded ordnance, was an industry on nearby worlds.		While a great many surplus warships were disarmed and resold, quite a few were set adrift. Many smaller nations, operating space navies for the first time, did not have the resources to repair damaged craft, and abandoned them in space. Others, which had challenged crew requirements, were abandoned as uneconomical to return. Officially, such ships were supposed to be "scrapped in place" (destroyed), but in many cases were simply abandoned. In at least the majority of cases, the crews took the precaution of firing off any consumable ordnance (such as missiles and torpedoes) but a considerable number of warships were left fully operational and with partial complements of very dangerous weapons. In addition to this, every space-battle left wrecks behind: often fully equipped and almost intact, and requiring only a little repair and a new crew. Reclamation of any such ship, and of any component thereof, including unexploded ordnance, was an industry on nearby worlds.

	In some cases, these ships were claimed as salvage, but with piracy a common side-hustle for salvage crews. Any ship found derelict and towed to a legitimate port (which meant, in practice, "any solar system with a habitable planet"), can be claimed as salvage. All a crew must do is put a salvage lien on it, at which point the government who owned it has a certain period to claim the ship. There were millions of these vessels officially "owned" by the Alliance, who lacked the resources to retrieve even a fraction of them (more than a few such ships had been abandoned by the Alliance).		In some cases, these ships were claimed as salvage, but with piracy a common side-hustle for salvage crews. Any ship found derelict and towed to a legitimate port (which meant, in practice, "any solar system with a habitable planet"), can be claimed as salvage. All a crew must do is put a salvage lien on it, at which point the government who owned it has a certain period to claim the ship. There were millions of these vessels officially "owned" by the Alliance, who lacked the resources to retrieve even a fraction of them (more than a few such ships had been abandoned by the Alliance).

	A salvage crew who claimed such a prize was free to re-sell the ship. Since it was no longer classified as "salvage", this meant it could be sold to anyone, at any price, and the crew allowed to profit by it. Some attempts were made to put a stop to such operations, but the resource-strapped Alliance could do very little.		A salvage crew who claimed such a prize was free to re-sell the ship. Since it was no longer classified as "salvage", this meant it could be sold to anyone, at any price, and the crew allowed to profit by it. Some attempts were made to put a stop to such operations, but the resource-strapped Alliance could do very little.

Siddharth1: /* The Terse Period */

2020-06-25T05:03:36Z

The Terse Period

Show changes

Siddharth1: /* Salvage */

2020-06-25T04:52:05Z

Salvage

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:52, 25 June 2020
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	===Salvage===		===Salvage===
	While a great many surplus warships were disarmed and resold, quite a few were set adrift. Many smaller nations, operating space navies for the first time, did not have the resources to repair damaged craft, and left them. Others, which had challenge crew requirements, were abandoned as uneconomical to return. Officially, such ships were supposed to be "scrapped in place" (destroyed), but in many cases were simply abandoned. In at least the majority of cases, the crews took the precaution of firing off any consumable ordnance (such as missiles and torpedoes) but a considerable number of warships were left fully operational and with partial compliments of very dangerous weapons. In addition to this: every space-battle left wrecks behind: often fully equipped and almost intact, and requiring only a little repair and a new crew. Reclamation of any such ship, and of any component thereof, including unexploded ordnance, was an industry on nearby worlds.		While a great many surplus warships were disarmed and resold, quite a few were set adrift. Many smaller nations, operating space navies for the first time, did not have the resources to repair damaged craft, and left them. Others, which had challenge crew requirements, were abandoned as uneconomical to return. Officially, such ships were supposed to be "scrapped in place" (destroyed), but in many cases were simply abandoned. In at least the majority of cases, the crews took the precaution of firing off any consumable ordnance (such as missiles and torpedoes) but a considerable number of warships were left fully operational and with partial compliments of very dangerous weapons. In addition to this, every space-battle left wrecks behind: often fully equipped and almost intact, and requiring only a little repair and a new crew. Reclamation of any such ship, and of any component thereof, including unexploded ordnance, was an industry on nearby worlds.

	In some cases, these ships were claimed as salvage, but with piracy a common side-hustle for salvage crews~~, it wasn't much better~~. Any ship found derelict and towed to a legitimate port (~~here defined as~~ "any solar system with a habitable planet") can be claimed as salvage. All a crew must do is put a salvage lien on it, at which point the government who owned it ~~had~~ a certain period to claim the ship. There were millions of these vessels officially "owned" by the Alliance, who lacked the resources to retrieve even a fraction of them (more than a few such ships had ~~originally~~ been abandoned by the Alliance).		In some cases, these ships were claimed as salvage, but with piracy a common side-hustle for salvage crews. Any ship found derelict and towed to a legitimate port (which meant, in practice, "any solar system with a habitable planet"), can be claimed as salvage. All a crew must do is put a salvage lien on it, at which point the government who owned it has a certain period to claim the ship. There were millions of these vessels officially "owned" by the Alliance, who lacked the resources to retrieve even a fraction of them (more than a few such ships had been abandoned by the Alliance).

	A salvage crew who claimed such a prize was free to re-sell the ship. Since it was no longer classified as "salvage", this meant ~~there were no restrictions and no registration. It~~ could be sold to anyone, at any price, and the crew ~~legally~~ allowed to profit by it. Some attempts were made to put a stop to such operations, but the resource-strapped Alliance could do very little.		A salvage crew who claimed such a prize was free to re-sell the ship. Since it was no longer classified as "salvage", this meant it could be sold to anyone, at any price, and the crew allowed to profit by it. Some attempts were made to put a stop to such operations, but the resource-strapped Alliance could do very little.

	The [[Gudersnipe Foundation]] was a bit better in dealing with the problem. Large numbers of ships had been built under license or supplied under lend-lease. Whenever the Foundation received word that a ship of theirs had been claimed, ~~they could respond. Most often~~ a [[Crimson Blade]] patrol was ~~dispatched and~~ granted authority to evaluate the claim and deal with it according to their own wisdom. Most often this involved scuttling the ship or otherwise rendering it inoperable, depending on the nature and repute of the salvagers. Called "breaker teams", these task forces succeeded in keeping a large number of ships out of pirate hands, but had limited authority.		The [[Gudersnipe Foundation]] was a bit better in dealing with the problem. Large numbers of ships had been built under license or supplied under lend-lease. Whenever the Foundation received word that a ship of theirs had been claimed, a [[Crimson Blade]] patrol was granted authority to evaluate the claim and deal with it according to their own wisdom. Most often this involved scuttling the ship or otherwise rendering it inoperable, depending on the nature and repute of the salvagers. Called "breaker teams", these task forces succeeded in keeping a large number of ships out of pirate hands, but had limited authority.

	===Theft===		===Theft===

CourseDirector at 20:25, 20 June 2020

2020-06-20T20:25:59Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:25, 20 June 2020
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	===Legitimate Sales===		===Legitimate Sales===
	Following the war, many ships were stripped of their armaments and resold on the secondary market. This was a fully legitimate and legal system to dispose of surplus war materials, and indeed small numbers of vehicles had always trickled into the civilian sector this way, to be repossessed as liners, tramp traders, and mail ships. Any number of roles existed whereby a combination of speed, high endurance, or just especially well-made ships were highly sought after for wholly legitimate reasons.		Following the war, many ships were stripped of their armaments and resold on the secondary market. This was a fully legitimate and legal system to dispose of surplus war materials, and indeed small numbers of vehicles had always trickled into the civilian sector this way, to be repossessed as liners, [[Tramp Trade\|tramp traders]], and mail ships. Any number of roles existed whereby a combination of speed, high endurance, or just especially well-made ships were highly sought after for wholly legitimate reasons.

	Often, only nominal efforts were made to "de-militarize" the warships before sale. This typically consisted of unloading any remaining munitions, and removal of the high-power components used in energy weapons. Railguns (legal for civilian ownership and use) were left intact and operational, along with the myriad of support systems. The directed energy weapons, which should have been removed entirely, were only stripped of those components considered valuable for resale, which were often sold in lots alongside the ships themselves.		Often, only nominal efforts were made to "de-militarize" the warships before sale. This typically consisted of unloading any remaining munitions, and removal of the high-power components used in energy weapons. Railguns (legal for civilian ownership and use) were left intact and operational, along with the myriad of support systems. The directed energy weapons, which should have been removed entirely, were only stripped of those components considered valuable for resale, which were often sold in lots alongside the ships themselves.

Siddharth1 at 03:24, 23 March 2020

2020-03-23T03:24:53Z

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CourseDirector at 21:55, 6 March 2020

2020-03-06T21:55:22Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:55, 6 March 2020
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	With fewer weapons available and mill-spec ships much harder to come by, the "golden age" of piracy came to a close. It still continued, as such things always do; but for the first time since the [[Battle of Lerma]], merchant ships could travel in relative safety.		With fewer weapons available and mill-spec ships much harder to come by, the "golden age" of piracy came to a close. It still continued, as such things always do; but for the first time since the [[Battle of Lerma]], merchant ships could travel in relative safety.

			[[Category:Course Books]]

CourseDirector: /* The Battle of Motoro-U */

2020-03-04T23:36:52Z

The Battle of Motoro-U

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:36, 4 March 2020
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	In A.Y. 6839, the Crimson Blade made a move against Motoro. More specifically, they carefully orchestrated a scenario in which they could bring a large force to bare on the system and no one could argue that they had overstepped their authority.		In A.Y. 6839, the Crimson Blade made a move against Motoro. More specifically, they carefully orchestrated a scenario in which they could bring a large force to bare on the system and no one could argue that they had overstepped their authority.

	The ''Walrus'', the name given to the ~~battlecruiser~~		The ''Walrus'', the name given to the battle-cruiser the pirates had stolen and refitted, stood a constant vigil over the system, and protected it from attack by anything less than another capitol ship. The pirates of Motoro, while happy to assualt Crimson Blade-protected convoys, were less apt to go after Foundation-owned cargo knowing it might be forcibly reclaimed.

			However, in 6839 a shipment of highly-valuable but nice-usable [[Giga Collider]] components came to rest on Motoro. These had been looted from a merchant ship and were thought to belong to a large industrial firm. The firm in question was a front-company for [[Fairview, Ltd]], and the parts were bound(via a strangely circutious route) for their [[FTL Fabrication Facility]].

			As was common practice when such a shipment came into pirate hands, Motoro reached out to the owners and offered to "return" the components for a sizable reward. The front-company happily agreed, and said they would send a ship into the system to pick them up.

			That ship was ''[[G.S.S. Invincible]]'', a super-heavy dreadnought traveling with a full battle group. This consisted of ''Invincible'' herself, four carriers, two additional dreadnoughts, six battle-cruisers, and escorts. The entire fleet number seventy-one ships. As an especial treat, the cruisers were of the same type and hull design as ''Walrus''

			The attack was carried out very carefully. Under Alliance law, the Crimson Blade could not simply attack a sovereign nation without instigating a war. While it was unlikely the Alliance would actually have gone to war with the Foundation over Motoro, there was still a legal precedent no one was interested in testing. However, there were two important factors.

			The first, ''Walrus'', officially registered as ''[[C.B.S. Lainy Maru]]'', had not been sold off and was very much the legal property of the Gudersnipe Foundation. As a warship, they were further authorized in the use of force in reclaiming her.

			Second, there was a very clear and present precedent regarding self-defense. In the trying times of the Terse Period, right and wrong were most often settled by answering a simple question: who shot first?

			When ''Invincible'' entered the solar system, the pirates were already out in force. Dozens of ships from the vast raiding fleet, plus their fast-attack vessels, and the ''Walrus'', stood ready. ''Invincible'', in deviance of standard naval doctrine, flew at the head of the formation, which maneuvered very aggressively towards Motoro. Weapon systems fully charged, torpedo and missile ports open.

			The standoff was tense. The task force reached orbit over Motoro and spread out in a defensive posture, while ''Invincible'' launched drones to retrieve the cargo. The launch necessitated lowering shields, thus rendering the ship marginally vulnerable.

			In the after-action report, it was highlighted again and again that the first salvo came from a pirate ship. One of the fast-attack stealth vessels of the common [[Bounty]] design. The age of the gun used and the state of it's repair made it unable to damage ''Invincible's'' hull, but this did not matter. They had fired on a Crimson Blade ship, and ''Invincible'' responded with the full force of her weapons.

			The entire engagement lasted around for hours, owing mostly to an attempt at taking back the Walrus. This was largely done for show, a demonstration that they "had tried" before rendering the warship no longer combat-capable. The honor of decommissioning ''Lainy Maru'' was given to her sister ships, who positioned themselves for a single coordinated gun strike on the disabled vessel.

			===The Beginning of the End===
			The Battle of Motoro-U signaled the end of the pirate states. Similar tactics played out over the next several years, and by A.Y. 6844, about 30 years after the end of the Succession Wars, all but the smallest and most isolated pirate states had been eradicated.

			By this time, too, most of the ships being used were at least thirty years old. Having been built cheaply and not expected to last long, they were in dire states of repair, and the much feared beam cannons were all but inoperable.

			With fewer weapons available and mill-spec ships much harder to come by, the "golden age" of piracy came to a close. It still continued, as such things always do; but for the first time since the [[Battle of Lerma]], merchant ships could travel in relative safety.

CourseDirector: /* The Terse Period */

2020-03-04T23:03:10Z

The Terse Period

@@ Line 54: / Line 54: @@
 ==The Terse Period==
-The era following the war saw vast movements in the commercial sector. Soldiers returning home, ex-patriots returning home, refugees, and large quantities of goods were moved to rebuild shattered worlds. There were many cold and desperate people, and piracy seemed like a simple solution.
+The era following the war saw vast movements in the commercial sector. Soldiers returning home, ex-patriots returning home, refugees, and large quantities of goods being moved to rebuild shattered worlds. There were many cold and desperate people, and piracy seemed like a simple solution.
-So, the era saw roving gangs armed with military-grade weapons haunting the outskirts of every major solar system. The most common tactic was to approach and demand the goods be surrendered, but warning shots and outright firefights were not uncommon. Many civilian transport craft had illegally obtained weapons of their own, and firefights were not uncommon. This was, sadly, not wise for the merchants. They were going up against actual warships, in most cases crewed by former soldiers familiar with their weapons and even more skilled at tactics.
+So, the era saw roving gangs armed with military-grade weapons haunting the outskirts of every major solar system. The most common tactic was to approach and demand the goods be surrendered, but warning shots and outright firefights were not uncommon. Many civilian transport craft had illegally obtained weapons of their own, and full-on firefights were not uncommon. This was, sadly, not wise for the merchants. They were going up against actual warships, in most cases crewed by former soldiers who were very much familiar with their weapons and even more skilled at tactics.
-The short story ''[[The Other Half]]'' is set in this period, and depicts a typical pirate encounter.
+===First Response===
-[[Category:Course Books]]
+The various governments of [[Joint Space]] were at a crisis. Most had disarmed too quickly, and the ships and weapons they needed to combat the pirate epidemic were the very ones being used by the pirates themselves. The Foundation, quite unsurprisingly, had anticipated the rise in piracy and took measures to combat it. It is important to note that they did not intentionally seek to profit from the epidemic, and had done all they could to prevent it. Any areas under their protection were quite safe, as crimson blade task forces were well-equipped. The Foundation, unlike the Alliance, had been much slower to disarm, and at this time still had a vast fleet. However, operating anti-pirate patrols does cost money, and the Crimson Blade was only able to operate in such regions where the local government agreed to hire their services.

Siddharth1 at 22:52, 4 March 2020

2020-03-04T22:52:47Z

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CourseDirector: /* Weapons */

2020-03-04T22:26:42Z

Weapons

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:26, 4 March 2020
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	Most of the ships being sold, stolen, or salvaged were equipped with much larger, more powerful railguns. Ammunition was not an issue as it could be made from any ferric material with little skill and simple tools, and was more than adequate to puncture the hull of a merchant ship.		Most of the ships being sold, stolen, or salvaged were equipped with much larger, more powerful railguns. Ammunition was not an issue as it could be made from any ferric material with little skill and simple tools, and was more than adequate to puncture the hull of a merchant ship.

	===Kinetic Missiles		===Kinetic Missiles===
	The kinetic missiles, similarly, were costly to built and good only for a single use, and lacked accurate targeting systems. While they were built to be compatible with millitary-spec launchers, they were not very useful except perhaps as a show of strength.		The kinetic missiles, similarly, were costly to built and good only for a single use, and lacked accurate targeting systems. While they were built to be compatible with millitary-spec launchers, they were not very useful except perhaps as a show of strength.

	The war made available vast quantities of much more powerful missiles, in particular those designed for use with the ships now being operated.		The war made available vast quantities of much more powerful missiles, in particular those designed for use with the ships now being operated.

	===Other Weapons		===Other Weapons===
	This all changed dramatically with the sesation of hostilities. While during the war munitions had been very tightly controlled, VK Day brought about a serious drought of fucks to give from the various armed forces. Conscripts, by and large, were dismissed from service immediately, and many left their posts with little more than discarding their side-arms along the way.		This all changed dramatically with the sesation of hostilities. While during the war munitions had been very tightly controlled, VK Day brought about a serious drought of fucks to give from the various armed forces. Conscripts, by and large, were dismissed from service immediately, and many left their posts with little more than discarding their side-arms along the way.


	Huge caches of weapons and other equipment was left unguarded, and stolen to be sold on the black market. Some of the more enterprising governments became profiteers themselves, openly selling surplus war material with little consideration for exactly who was buying it. Officially, many items were only legal for resale to foreign allied governments, but the end of the war saw the rise of countless "brokers", who would buy the weapons immediately with plans to resell them later; often being less than reputable.		Huge caches of weapons and other equipment was left unguarded, and stolen to be sold on the black market. Some of the more enterprising governments became profiteers themselves, openly selling surplus war material with little consideration for exactly who was buying it. Officially, many items were only legal for resale to foreign allied governments, but the end of the war saw the rise of countless "brokers", who would buy the weapons immediately with plans to resell them later; often being less than reputable.
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	The Foundation was particularly troubled by these events. A significant portion of the materials being pilfered had been provided under lend-lease and were supposed to be returned. In practice, it was unlikely the Foundation would have retrieved much of the equipment, but of serious concern were the vast numbers of [[N2]] warheads now passing into disreputable hands. The N2, having a nominal yield of around 40 megatons, could easily level a city, and was a very grim threat for use in terrorism.		The Foundation was particularly troubled by these events. A significant portion of the materials being pilfered had been provided under lend-lease and were supposed to be returned. In practice, it was unlikely the Foundation would have retrieved much of the equipment, but of serious concern were the vast numbers of [[N2]] warheads now passing into disreputable hands. The N2, having a nominal yield of around 40 megatons, could easily level a city, and was a very grim threat for use in terrorism.

	A less talked-about, but equally glaring problem was the proliferation of power components. High-power equipment such as capacitors and super-conductive interfaces had a wide array of uses in civilian life, but more importantly were often all that was required to refit the battleship-caliber beam cannons arming the multitude of fast-attack ships now in pirate hands.		A less talked-about, but equally glaring problem was the proliferation of power components. High-power equipment such as capacitors and super-conductive interfaces had a wide array of uses in civilian life, but more importantly were often all that was required to refit the battleship-caliber beam cannons arming the multitude of fast-attack ships now in pirate hands.

	==The Terse Period==		==The Terse Period==