Chronicles of the Axis Empire 🪖

[Boscodiogigia]

1971–1972. HOLDING THE FRONTIER

RAID ON LUYTENS SYSTEM
By early 1972, the Axis Empire was continuing to expand. Exploration ships were surveying new systems, colonial populations were growing, and the Navy had begun a broad refit programme following the completion of new armour and crew accommodation technologies.

Much of this expansion depended on mining and fuel-harvesting operations scattered across the known systems. Protecting them required a combination of mobile squadrons and local defences. Raider incursions had become less frequent, but the threat remained.

On 30 January, a hostile contact appeared in Luytens Star. A Niobe-class Raider was approaching the orbital mining complex. Four Karlstad frigates moved to intercept, while the mining crews waited to see whether the intruder would attack.

The frigates were still too far away when Niobe reached the mining ships. The defence of the complex would fall to the STO weapons deployed on the moon below.

Niobe 045 had first been detected at 09:13, travelling at 5,848 km/s. At 12:41:57, after circling the mining ships, Niobe opened fire.

Miner Harverster 012 took twelve penetrating hits. Its crew quarters, two orbital mining modules, a cargo hold and one engine were destroyed. Fifty-four crew members were killed. The damaged vessel broke away from its parent fleet, its maximum speed reduced to 856 km/s.

But the mining operation had another line of defence. The 9th Divisione Difesa Colonia, commanded by Josephine Sachs, engaged from the surface. Leonardo particle beams struck the Raider, followed by a salvo from the division’s 15cm Berretta railguns.

Niobe’s speed fell to 1 km/s.

Ten seconds after the attack on the mining ship, the STO particle beams fired again. Niobe 045 was destroyed.

Maresciallo Josephine Sachs, known for her discipline and tactical skill, received the Wolf class IV decoration. Miner Harverster 012 survived and was subsequently taken under tow by a Ciclope tug. It reached Earth on 12 June for repairs.

The engagement contrasted with the previous incursion at V577 Monoceri. On 8 December 1970, Karlstad Mk.2 011, 012 and 013 had destroyed Niobe 044 with two coordinated missile salvos. At Luytens, the mining complex survived because the Navy had also deployed ground defences.

DECEMBER 1971. THE REFIT PROGRAMME

Two long-awaited technologies were completed within a day of each other. On 8 December, Marusa Kagami’s team at Hirofumi completed Crew Quarters Design — 40% HS Reduction. On 9 December, Earth completed Ceramic Composite Armour research.

The Navy began updating its existing ships. More efficient accommodation and lighter armour released space for improved equipment, including electronic countermeasures.

Missile Jammer 2, completed by William Holmgren’s team on 3 January 1972, joined Fire Control Jammer 2 in several revised warship designs. The updated Balbo, Brema and Dominix classes incorporated both systems.

By August, 137 vessels had completed refits: fifty R-Wings, thirty Arados, forty-three M-Bombing fighters and fourteen larger ships.

Among them were the Balbo Class: Pisa, Libia and Agordat, both Dominix carriers, the Brema battlecruisers and several Guerriera frigates. Three Karlstad T torpedo frigates completed their upgrades in July. The programme continued. New designs were available before every operational squadron could return to Earth. Meanwhile, nine Saetta-class corvettes were in service along the Empire’s frontier, with another under construction at Noack Shipbuilding Corp’s Earth shipyard.

MAY 1972. THE FIRST ARSENAL

Arsenal Starbase 001 was completed at Earth on 29 May.

The 40,000-ton station was the first completed unit of the Navy’s new outpost programme. Its hangars, missile stores and repair facilities would allow small combat groups to operate away from the main colonial bases.

Its initial air group comprised twenty M-Bombing II fighters, one F-Tanker and one Pathfinder scout. A further component was still in construction: the new Carronade-class FAC.

At 1,000 tons, the design carried a single 25cm spinal plasma carronade, three layers of armour and a specialised ion engine providing 10,009 km/s. Fuel endurance was approximately three days at full power.

The first programme called for ten FACs, with the first five under construction in the August shipyard records. Their intended role was a concentrated close-range attack, supported by the Arsenal’s bombers and reconnaissance aircraft. Arsenal starbases will be deployed at strategic mining and gas-harvesting sites or key jump points, alongside a Maintenance Station and a Recreational Hub Station.

5 PHOENICIS. MINERALS AND AN ANCIENT CONSTRUCT

Exploration continued while the Navy refitted.

On 14 December 1971, Captain Aditi Chitale and the Magika δ discovered 5 Phoenicis. Fifteen days later, their survey of the first planet revealed an Ancient Construct.

The same world contained 12.005 million tons of Duranium at accessibility 1.0, together with substantial Corbomite and Tritanium deposits. Chitale received the Archaeologist class II-B decoration.

An orbital assessment also indicated good potential for further discoveries through a ground survey. The 3rd Brigata Geologi was dispatched, but its investigation, completed on 14 May 1972, found no additional mineral deposits. The initial discoveries remained valuable.

Under Captain Leonhard Troger, Magika δ continued surveying the system. On 2 May, it found almost four million tons of Duranium at accessibility 0.9 on the ninth moon of 5 Phoenicis V.

5 Phoenicis. Key mineral sites

Body	Mineral	Deposits	Acc.
Boström Outpost (I)	Duranium	12.005.000	1.0
	Corbomite	2.325.625	0.7
	Tritanium	2.640.625	0.3
V — Moon 9	Duranium	3.964.928	0.9
	Boronide	1.327.104	1.0
	Mercassium	369.664	0.9
VI	Sorium	11.978.400	0.5
V — Moon 3	Duranium	37.324.800	0.4
	Gallicite	22.127.616	0.1
Ice Nest (III)	Duranium	6.372.450	0.5
	Neutronium	21.068.100	0.1
	Boronide	15.023.376	0.1
	Sorium	15.023.376	0.1
Desert Valley (II)	Sorium	39.690.000	0.1
	Corundium	35.070.084	0.1
	Vendarite	33.593.616	0.6
	Tritanium	30.041.361	0.1

AUGUST 1972. THE SORIUM DISCOVERIES

The explored network had reached 75 known systems, of which 52 had completed gravitational surveys.

New discoveries since 1971 included Gamma Pavonis, 3 Gruis, 5 Phoenicis, Gliese 57 and Gliese 18. On the updated map, the routes through 4 Phoenicis opened several new destinations beyond the Rho Sculptoris frontier.

The most immediately useful discoveries came in early August.

On 4 August, Troger’s Magika δ identified 17.794 million tons of Sorium at accessibility 1.0 on 6 Gruis V. The system had been known since 1964; its mineral survey now revealed a major fuel resource.

On 7 August, Captain Christine Spieler and Magika γ discovered another 5.005 million tons at accessibility 0.7 on Gliese 18 III.

Both deposits offered new locations for future extraction operations.

Date	Body	Sorium	Accessibility
4 august 1972	6 Gruis V	17.794.000 t	1,0
7 august 1972	Gliese 18 III	5.005.000 t	0,7

THE IMPERIAL ECONOMY

Early in 1972, Earth’s mineral stockpile passed two million tons. By August it held approximately 2.029 million.

Across the Empire, nine of the eleven minerals showed a positive balance over the preceding year. Sorium remained an exception: annual consumption exceeded production by approximately 3,091 tons. The discoveries at 6 Gruis and Gliese 18 therefore arrived at a useful moment.

Fuel reserves were more comfortable. The logistics assessment recorded approximately 892 million litres, with estimated annual production of 50.9 million litres. Gas harvesters supplied most of that production.

Expansion and modernisation continued to draw on the treasury. Annual income stood at approximately 114,541 wealth, against expenditure of 119,400. Civilian mineral purchases, transport contracts, construction and research remained major costs.

The Empire now supported 24 populated settlements and approximately 2.48 billion inhabitants. Earth accounted for 1.723 billion, while Hirofumi had grown to almost 302 million. Luna and Mars each supported roughly eighty million.

Growth created further demands. Nuova Delhi and Iogawa were approaching the population supported by their existing infrastructure. Hirofumi already occupied approximately 77% of its assessed habitable capacity.

The next stage of expansion would require more infrastructure, transport capacity and protected extraction sites.

[Boscodiogigia]

The Defence of 61 Hydrae and the Heroic Guerriera Special

18 June 1973 — The first contact appears on 61 Hydrae’s sensors in the early hours. One Niobe, then two Ontarios, a Magnificent and three more Niobes. Seven raider ships enter the system.

Tension rises in the colony’s sensor control room. An attack on this scale is rare, and the mining outpost is home to the Empire’s largest fleet of fuel-harvesting stations. Losing them means a serious blow to the fuel supply that keeps Axis fleets operational.

Only a handful of warships stand in the way: the frigate Guerriera S. 001, fresh from overhaul and looking almost brand new, and the three Karlstad of γ Squadron: 007, under Lieutenant Stefano Ferretti; 008, under Lieutenant Niels Bay; and 020, under Lieutenant Roland Uhlemann.

At 11:25, Lieutenant Julietta D’Alessio takes command of Guerriera Special (an old vessel of 1938 but still valuable). She is twenty-eight, a graduate of the New Delhi Academy, and her recent reassignment reflects High Command’s confidence in her tactical judgement and gunnery skills. Now the fate of Hydrae rests on how she uses them.

Her ship carries two 40 cm railguns and three alien particle beams. The alien weapons come from the Procyon ruins, with their recovery dating back some thirty years. At 6,337 km/s, Guerriera can outrun the raiders, which move at around 5,830–5,850 km/s. The advantage is small, but it gives her control over the engagement distance.

D’Alessio’s plan is to keep moving, keep firing and draw the enemy apart: kiting.

“Karlstad γ, this is Guerriera. I’ll work on their engines. Once they slow down, finish whatever you can with your missiles.”

“Understood,” Uhlemann replies. “Concentrate our salvos. No torpedoes against fast targets—we need better odds.”

The Karlstads carry a mix of Torpedo 6 and Torpedo 6-ET missiles. The newer 6-ETs feature ECCM 2 and a 25% terminal guidance bonus.

18–19 June: The First Wave

After a long sensor search and pursuit, the three Karlstad reach firing range first and open up on the Ontarios.

Torpedoes streak towards the enemy, but the raiders intercept many of them. A few get through. Most of the attack achieves little, and the enemy formation keeps coming.

“Uhlemann, shot slow targets only,” D’Alessio snaps over the radio. “While they stay together, their point defence tears our torpedoes apart.”

The Karlstads score a few hits, but no serious damage. Their magazines are already empty.
“Damn it!” Uhlemann smash his fists on the ship desk.

While Karlstads retreat to colony in Hydrae to refill the magazines. D’Alessio takes her ship along the edge of the enemy formation, alternating attack runs with turns away. At around 160,000 kilometres, the railguns and alien beams begin to find their targets. Many shots miss, but a hit in the right compartment can cripple an engine and leave a raider trailing behind.

At 11:34, Ontario 007 slows almost to a standstill. Niobe 049 follows soon after.

Guerriera keeps manoeuvring, but her helmsman pushes the approach too far. The distance to the stationary Niobe drops below 80,000 kilometres.

The raider cannot chase her. It can still shoot.

Enemy fire hammers the shields: thirty per cent, four per cent, then zero. Another hit strikes the armour.

“Shields down! Armour damage!”

“Engines?”

“Full power.”

“Then open the range. Bay, keep me updated on your ammunition.”

The armour holds. D’Alessio pulls clear with the first scar on her ship’s hull. A crippled raider is still dangerous.

The sustained firing also puts Guerriera’s weapons under strain. Alien particle beams suffer repeated failures, then a railgun breaks down. Repairing that gun alone costs 336 MSP.

This is where the design earns its keep. Guerriera carries 2,193 maintenance supply points, enough to repair her weapons during the fight and keep them firing. Even after hundreds of shots and several repairs, she still has around 67% of her supplies.

At 12:36, Niobe 047 breaks apart. At 13:05, Ontario 008 explodes. At 13:22, a railgun salvo finishes Magnificent 011.

Cheers fill Guerriera’s bridge. On the Karlstads, each kill report lifts morale.

Three kills for Guerriera. So far.

The hunt continues through the night. After replenishing their magazines, the Karlstads return and concentrate on Niobe 046.

“Guerriera, Lieutenant Ferretti here. Penetrating hits. The target is losing propulsion.”

“Uhlemann, can you confirm?”

“Confirmed. Lieutenant Bay, she’s yours.”

At 03:57 on 19 June, Karlstad 008 launches eight torpedoes at the immobilised raider. All eight hit.

“Target destroyed,” Niels Bay reports.

His first kill.

Three disabled ships remain from the first wave: Ontario 007, Niobe 048 and Niobe 049. The Balbo-class cruiser Agordat is on her way from Sol to carry out the boarding operations. Meanwhile, the defenders receive orders to return to Outpost 61 for fuel, ammunition and maintenance supplies.

With victory secure and damage light, celebrations begin aboard the ships and continue through the following day.

21–22 June: Eight More Contacts

Guerriera reaches the outpost at dawn on 21 June.

That evening, at 22:21, another alarm sounds.

Again?

Eight hostile contacts. Six Niobes and two Magnificents. A second raider formation enters the system. Red tracks return to Guerriera’s tactical display. The crew rushes to battle stations. Maintenance supplies are back at full capacity, but the scars in her armour remain.

“Karlstad γ, this is D’Alessio. Here we go again. Same procedure.”

Ferretti answers first.

“007 ready.”

“008 ready,” Bay adds.

“020 ready,” Uhlemann confirms. “This time we know what it takes.”

Guerriera resumes the fight at 163,000 kilometres, just 3,000 kilometres beyond the raiders’ railgun range. D’Alessio switches from target to target, trying to break up the formation before it closes around her.

At 22:38, she destroys Niobe 052. Two minutes later, her alien beams finish Niobe 053. Other raiders lose speed, giving the Karlstads better targets.

Then the attack run against Magnificent 012 goes dangerously close.

The raider loses propulsion, but Guerriera passes within just 17,225 kilometres. At that distance, the enemy guns land twenty-three hits: fifteen against the shields and eight against the armour.

Alarms drown out the radio.

“Shields at zero! Armour at ninety-three per cent!”

Cadet Alexey Medvedev, her executive officer, checks the damage reports.

“Propulsion intact. No engine damage. We can make it.”

“Maximum speed,” D’Alessio orders. “Ferretti, keep your distance from the Magnificent. Keep firing.”

“Understood. We’ll stay on the slow targets.”

Guerriera pulls away. Her armour absorbs another punishing attack, but the engines remain intact. Every mistake in judging the range carries a price.

At 23:03, D’Alessio destroys Magnificent 013. At 23:17, Ferretti finishes Niobe 051: four torpedo hits, target destroyed.

The Karlstads also suffer launcher failures, but their crews repair them immediately. Aboard Guerriera, the alien beams repeatedly cycle through breakdown, repair and return to action.

The fight continues past midnight. Niobe 054 loses half her speed, then almost all propulsion. Niobe 055 also comes to a halt.

Ontario 007, still in the system from the first wave, continues firing. D’Alessio engages her again, taking more hits on the shields before her railguns bring the raider to a standstill.

At last, neither enemy formation can continue the attack.

Eight wrecks and seven disabled raider ships now drift through Hydrae.

2–4 July: The Prizes of Hydrae

The Agordat, a Balbo-class cruiser, arrives from Earth with Sergeant Valeria Klimov’s 1st Assalitori BOA 1000 after 12 days of travel (no more cube in it).

The first target is Ontario 007, a warship of more than 21,000 tons. The assault troops meet resistance, take losses and fight their way through the hull.

At 17:48 on 2 July, the ship falls under Imperial control.

The Empire now holds its first Ontario—a valuable prize for the teams eager to study her systems and components.

That evening, Magnificent 012 also falls. On 3 July, the assault unit takes Niobes 050, 054, 055 and 048. At 05:51 on 4 July, Niobe 049 becomes the final ship to fall under Axis control.

Seven successful boardings in less than two days.

D’Alessio’s personal tally stands at six ships and 73,692 tons of military shipping. Bay and Ferretti account for the other two kills. Uhlemann and his Karlstad contribute to the missile attacks and pursuit. Klimov completes the victory with the capture of all seven surviving hulls.

The participants receive decorations. Julietta D’Alessio and Alexey Medvedev earn recognition for their heroic action and both anti-raider operations. Klimov receives honours for her boarding successes.

On 5 July, tug Ciclope II 004 reaches Outpost 61. The tugs sent to Hydrae begin collecting the captured ships for transfer to the scrap yards.

Minerals, alien components and new research opportunities await the Empire. Guerriera S. returns to port with scars across her armour and a commander whose name is now a legend: Julietta D’Alessio, an Axis hero and an example to military personnel and civilians alike.

Final Battle Report — 61 Hydrae, 18 June – 4 July 1973

Five Axis ships defeat two raider waves totalling fifteen warships: eight enemy ships are destroyed and seven are captured, with no Axis warships lost.

	Axis Empire	Raiders
Ships committed	5	15
Composition	Guerriera Special	10 Niobes, 3 Magnificents, 2 Ontarios
Ships destroyed	0	8
Ships captured by the enemy	0	7
Outcome	Decisive victory — Hydrae secure	Both attack waves eliminated

Guerriera accounts for six kills, Karlstad 007 and 008 for one each. Agordat deploys the 1st Assalitori BOA 1000, which captures all seven surviving raider ships.