Meeting of the Grand Council
May 8th, 1961. Meeting of the Grand Council of the Axis, Rome. Palazzo Venezia.
09:15. Among the most influential officers at the table we have:
Sato Hirofumi, Grand Admiral and Duce of the Axis (77 years old), in service since 1933
Jochen Scheele, Scientific Director of the Outpost 42 Laboratory (Monaceri)
Natalie Brunner, Commander of the Magika Exploration Fleet, veteran explorer
Bastian Bier, Admiral of Naval Control
Mayuzumi Kiyotsuna, Captain, Operational Director of Industrial Operations
Renzo Bersanti, Freight Transport Command
Sasaki Buntaro, Governor of Outpost 42 Logi Lab at Monoceri-A II
Svyatoslav Timofeyev, Governor of Dwarf Colony at Alpha Centauri - A III
Andrea von Aulbach, Governor of the Sol Sector
note: no IA used for this narrative text
The great hall of the Axis Council is composed of white marble walls, with wide and tall transparent windows that let the morning light stream in bands. The twelve delegates of the Grand Council of the Axis take their places in the spacious chamber, sitting around the large oval table. They are all waiting for the signal from the Grand Admiral, the Duce, to begin proceedings
At the head of the table sits Sato Hirofumi, Grand Admiral and Duce of the Axis, 77 years old. For years there had been rumors of a succession due to his health problems, yet the Duce still appears highly focused, never granting too much familiarity to his officers, and in his decisions, since the beginning of the Era of Expansion, he has always appeared wise and resolute. The people trust him also because in these 28 years of rule he has never faced any open crisis, neither military, nor economic, nor diplomatic. Hirofumi is admired and respected as well by his officers. The Duce Hirofumi stands a great transparent window that fully reveals the Colosseum. An immense monument still intact, symbol of a civilization of centuries ago, from which the Axis draws inspiration, once an arena of epic battles among Terrans.
“Ave, councillors. Our meeting may begin.” “First of all, I would like to hear the report from the Director of the Monclave laboratory, Jochen Scheele.”
Scheele, 49 years old with over 122 scientific works on his record, clears his throat: “Ave Duce, our research is proceeding very quickly. As requested we have already researched and developed projects for the new radars, thermal radar models and Marconi active sensors are ready to be installed on our frigates.” “Larger Gamma shields compared to previous ones have also been developed and can be used. We are also working on the first automatic anti-missile defense systems (Cisw-60) and new, larger holds for missile transport on ships.”
“Thank you Mr Scheele, I would like to know instead the status of the designs for the new ships. Mr Razan, have you handled this?” “Yes, Duce,” replies deferentially Kajwara Razan, chief scientist of the Propulsion Division and director of new ship projects. “We have already transmitted the new designs for the Karlstad Mk2 and for the single Guerriera Mk2. The Beam Corvettes can also be upgraded to the new version. The ships will mount new missile targeting systems with greater range. The newly designed Marconi sensors will be fundamental to detect more precisely and in time raids on the colonies by Raiders. We have also worked on new ship concepts, they are only ideas on paper for now, we worked on new destroyers, cruisers and a battleship. We await guidance from the Council.”
Defense ships, distribution between the Solar System and other colonies.
Report made by Commodoro Connor Barry and Commander Liv Lundstrom
Fleet defence in May 1961
Defense Fleet – Sol
1 Frigate Carrier Hangarina (9,400 tons), 11 Frigates Karlstad (76,000 tons total), 2 Cruisers Renegade (72,000 tons total), 1 Commercial Carrier Asmara (32,000 tons), 1 Stationary Hangar Base (19,500 tons)
Total Fighters: 43 R-Wing II, 4 Pathfinder, 5 FAC Boarding B-2, 4 Fighter Tankers, 6 Torpedo Fighters
Defense Fleet – New Delhi (Procyon System)
4 Corvettes P-Beam (17,000 tons total), 1 Frigate Carrier Hangarina (7,800 tons) + 4 Bombing Fighters
Defense Fleet – Monaceri
2 Corvettes P-Beam B-2 (8,500 tons total), 2 Frigates Karlstad (14,000 tons total)
Defense Fleet – Outpost 61 (61 Hydrae System)
2 Frigates Karlstad (14,000 tons total), 1 Frigate Guerriera (9,900 tons), 2 Frigate Carriers Hangarina (18,800 tons total) + 8 Bombing Fighters
Defense Fleet – Iogawa (Proxima Centauri System)
3 Frigates Karlstad (21,000 tons total), 1 Frigate Carrier Hangarina + 4 Bombing Fighters
Defense Fleet – Capri (DX Cancri System)
4 Frigates Karlstad (28,000 tons total), 1 Frigate Carrier Hangarina (7,800 tons) + 4 Bombing Fighters
Fleet – Tafel-Stromberg (Gamma Carinae System)
2 Corvettes P-Beam (8,500 tons total)
Defense Fleet – Luytens
2 Frigates Karlstad (14,000 tons total)
Defense Fleet – Lambda Reticuli (Comet 6 Escort)
1 Frigate Carrier Hangarina (7,800 tons) + 4 Bombing Fighters
Defense Fleet – Brunner Outpost (Geminorum System)
1 Hangarina (7,800 tons) + 4 Torpedo Fighters
Ships total: 393.800 tons
17 Karlstad (frigate)
5 Karlstad Anti Missile (frigate)
3 Karlstad Torpedo (frigate)
8 Hangarina (carrier frigate)
8 Corvette P-Beam (corvette) *with alien tech
1 Asmara carrier (carrier)
1 Hangar base (static carrier)
1 Guerriera (frigate) * with alien tech
2 Renegade (cruiser) *with alien tech
Fighters-Fac: 41.700 tons
Total Defence Navy Tons: 435.500 tons
Total survey fleet
9 Survey ships Magika of 106.200 tons
New caetgory convention name
500: Fighter
1000: FAC
1000 to 5000: Corvette
5000 to 10000: Frigate
10000 to 15000: Destroyer
15000 to 25000: Cruiser
25000 to 40000: Battlecruiser
40000 to 100000: Battleship
New frontiers
“Thank you Mr Razan, I’ll take a look at the reports. We will soon take a decision on how to develop our defensive and offensive fleets”. Now I would like to know where we stand with exploration and whether we have news from the southern and northern borders of the maps. Captain Brunner?"
“Good morning Duce, always at your service.” Captain Natalie Brunner in full naval uniform has a youthful appearance despite her 55 years. Slender figure, icy blue eyes, she keeps her blonde hair tied behind her head. Medals and decorations gleam on her chest. Her voice is very soothing. “We have explored the systems around the Draconis region, in the south of the Empire. To the north there is the possibility of pushing beyond ‘70 Eridani’. None of our exploration fleets has encountered opposition, nor neutral life forms. From the data we have, the southern cluster seems more promising, both in terms of gas and minerals. We await your order on how to proceed.” Brunner hands the new map to the Duce, who takes it, observing it
“Very well, thank you very much. Certainly Pi Ophiuchi must be completely colonized. And the western side also still seems unmapped. We could also go beyond Omega Ceti. For the moment we must strengthen and consolidate the population in our young colonies. We will not stabilize other jump points except to reach exceptional planets, it is too risky to leave too many access gates open. Only after consolidating ourselves will we be able to think of expanding. Exploration must not stop and neither must the research of new ships. We cannot think of having fleets made only of frigates and corvettes”
“Kiyotsuna order new mining and gas extraction stations. We will truly need them. What is the current situation?”
“Honor to the Duce”. Mayuzumi Kiyotsuna hold many paper in his hands. “Gas extraction operations are proceeding well. We have 7 stations at Proxima Centauri III, 3 at Hydrae, 1 at Geminorum. We produce about 25 million fuel per year.” “I guess we can reach at least 40 million of fuel per year”. “The main mining operation is at Hydrae, with a fleet of 11 extraction ships. But resources are gradually declining. In the Solar System we have 5 stations working full speed at Von Biesbroeck. One station had been lost two years ago during the assault of the Red March, but we replaced it already. Then there is Operation Comet 6 at Lambda Reticuli, the incredible recovered alien station manages to extract many minerals. We bring a lot of material on earth, who knows if one day we will be able to build a similar marvel. Here is our mining situation Admiral, and the extraction fleets disposition”. The Duce takes the documents and analyzes them carefully before to speak again.
“Bersanti, it is your turn. Tell me how logistics between colonies and fuel transport are proceeding.” “Honor to the Duce, we have 4 tankers that each year bring gas to the ports. A tested and efficient system. Another 3 tankers on standby in case of emergencies, shortages, or support to fleets. But for now our frigates do not consume much, apart from the two Cruisers, Renegade, with alien technology. Regarding transport, the Cargo ships have almost completed the transport of a spaceport to Pi Ophiuchi II, where we already have nearly 7 million citizens. The salvager ships have returned with the remains of the last raider destroyed at Luhman 16, the two Tugs are ready if needed to move new stations”.
“Very well. We must now take stock of terraforming works. It is necessary to proceed quickly, otherwise we will not be able to start production outside Earth, and we will have a shortage of colonists. I need to know from you, Buntaro, how things are progressing at Outpost 42, at Monoceri?”
“Duce, we have 65 terrestrial terraforming units. We are adding Aestesium gas to raise temperatures. Oxygen is already at optimal level, but we must bring the total below 30%, it is now at 31.2%. It will take several years, perhaps 3, 4 years. We are proceeding at maximum speed.” “Timofeyev, what can you tell me about Alpha Centauri - A III, it has been 5 years since you began terraforming the dwarf planet. I expect results soon. Alpha Centauri must become our outpost in the north.” The young Timofeyev, 31 years old, trained at the Governors’ Academy of Luna, has a typical lunar accent that reminds everyone of Russian.
“Duce, we are currently limited by the number of colonists, we lack 2.5 million workers to reach 100% efficiency. Fortunately the planet is small, the 24 terraforming platforms are working day and night. We are adding oxygen while the water vapor is gradually condensing, soon we will have sufficient water. I believe that in two years, if we bring more colonists, we will be able to terraform the planet”
“Good, carry on. Then we will have to continue terraforming other bodies in Alpha Centauri, we just have to move installations, and then it will be the turn of Iogawa, we need mines there and I want more workers available.” Hirofumi pauses for a long reflective moment, stands up from his chair placing both hands on the table. “The meeting of the Grand Council may be considered closed for today.” “We now proceed to the voting phase. I ask you gentlemen to indicate your preference on government priorities. Once the vote is cast, I will review the results, study all your reports and update you via holograph with more specific orders. Thank you all, you may vote and return to your duties. Ave”
The officers stand and salute: “Ave”, then begin to press several keys on the meeting table, meanwhile the Grand Admiral has already turned his back, he is leaving the hall with a slow pace, before opening the door he casts a glance to his right, toward the large window where the Colosseum stands.
- Focus on aggressive border exploration build new Magika ships
- Focus on producing defensive fleets of destroyers and cruisers
- Produce more terraforming modules, consolidate existing colonies
- Produce more mining and gas stations and stockpile minerals and gas
Be part of the story
*note: anyone who votes or reads this AAR may ask me to impersonate a character within the story, your character will become part of the narrative and will appear in events and other reports. Reply to this post or send me a message with your character name (be coherent with the story, let me know name and surname) and chosen role. You can choose from:
-fighter pilot defence (Bombing or R-Wing)
-fighter pilot logi or scout pilot (Pathfinder or Tanker)
-cargo pilot
-troop transport pilot
-young colony governor
-salvager pilot
-tug pilot
-gas station commander
-mining station commander
-mining ship pilot
-young scientist
-young ground force commander
as your character gains experience, you may be promoted and eventually take command of a proper warship, and maybe one day partecipate to the Ground Counsil of Axis!