# The Trial: Campaign

**URL:** <https://aurora4x.com/t/the-trial-campaign/1055>\
**Category:** Campaign Reports - pappy\_reen\
**Created:** [August 29, 2026, 5:38pm UTC](https://aurora4x.com/t/the-trial-campaign/1055 "2026-08-29T17:38:50Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 8

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![pappy\_reen](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/aurora4x.com/pappy_reen/32/2205_2.png) [@pappy\_reen](https://aurora4x.com/u/pappy_reen)\
**Post date:** [September 15, 2026, 5:49pm UTC](https://aurora4x.com/t/the-trial-campaign/1055/8 "2026-09-15T17:49:37Z")

</div>

## Interlude 2.2: Defence in Theory

_(Vote above still open, but not for long!)_

## — Report to: Morrigan Command —

Classification: Top Secret  
Subject: Defence in Theory: Threats, Tools and Tactics  
Action: Accept / Deny planned infrastructure, research and deployment priorities

Staff recommendation: Accept

* * *

## Threats

 ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/aurora4x/original/2X/c/cfbffa6f3284e2415408746f530f750777369285.png)

JP 1 is a “hot” Jump Point - we believe that the it has been somehow stabilised and allows easy transit for all vessels from the other side. Thus, it represents an existential threat to our civilisation and species. A laser boat, a nuclear missile, a biological weapon - anything could emerge at any time and we would be nearly defenceless.

For the last 5 years, the alien civilisation known as Odell has traversed with impunity. It is only a matter of time before military assets emerge from this weak spot.

We have no understand or use of jump points beyond the Lagrange points within our system. We have no ability to counterattack or even restrain their incursions. While we destroyed their first probe, we expect that they will deploy a confident sortie in the coming years.

The highest speed we have observed is above 2500 km/h - a speed we cannot match.

 ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/aurora4x/original/2X/a/acce1885b00a3339a17e9a4a4b53494c32c914b2.png)

JP 2 is a “cold” JP. We have experienced no incursions to date.

 ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/aurora4x/original/2X/d/d6d8902e5f8b070d7acc642b33e37181af3a2c0d.png)

At preset, our technology cannot differentiate between “hot” and “cold” jump points. There is no reason to believe that the Odell, or indeed another alien race, cannot breach that spatio-temporal horizon.

## Tools

### Lasers

Our “short range” and local defences are slowly being established - the Porcupine STO discourages any \<100k km flyby scans. Like a porcupine, we ensure that any predator pays a high price for direct confrontation.

Yet this does little for our inter-planetary logistics. Freight, colonists, coms - it all relies on threat-free space we cannot control.

Moreover, we have no means of deterring their scouts. For all we know they are monitoring us and our defences at this very moment, waiting for us to be vulnerable before attacking.

Despite extensive investment, therefore, our damage is limited by our tracking technology, range and ship speed. Development of a system-wide deterrent is underway, but will take years.

### Missiles

With minimal investment, by contrast, we can use our existing engine tech to develop high accuracy, high impact missiles. All that is required is a sufficient volume, a launch platform, and a targeting solution.

If we can find a way to cram more radioactive material into our missiles we can deploy an improved Wraith class missile:

```auto
Missile Size: 5.000 MSP (12.5000 Tons)     
Warhead: 4 Radiation Damage: 4
Speed: 9,200 km/s
Range: 12.52m km

100% Chance to Hit: 920 km/s 50% Chance: 1,840 km/s 25% Chance: 3,680 km/s

```

and begin to approach a 50% chance to make contact with the fastest alien vessels we have yet observed.

## Tactics

We must look to game theory to evaluate our defences. We must turn our very presence into a hazard, and raise the cost of even the most cautious scouting expedition to an unreasonable threshold.

Introducing the Skunk class Missile Base as the designated launch platform for Wraith II anti-ship missile:

```auto
Skunk class Defence Satellite      
5,000 tons
Maint Life 12.63 Years
Magazine 425 / 0    
Intended Deployment Time: 60 months Morale Check Required    

Avarice Launcher (85) Missile Size: 5 
Skunk FC (1) Range 13.7m km RES 20

AS [Commercial] (1) GPS 40 Range 4.8m km RES 20

```

This is supported by our Spotter class observation station

```auto
Spotter class Monitoring Station 285 tons 
Sensors 5/5/0/0 DCR 1-35 PPV 0
MSP 103 Max Repair 20 MSP

AS [Commercial] (1) GPS 40 Range 4.8m km RES 20
TS [Commercial] (1) Sensitivity 5 Detect 1000: 17.7m km
EM [Commercial] (1) Sensitivity 5 Detect 1000: 17.7m km

```

Surely nothing our enemies can manufacture could withstand the alpha of 85 missiles.

 ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/uploads/aurora4x/original/2X/e/e3f7d02785d728e34774ae2ed7b98e847960bbc0.png)

Once our frontline is secured and breathing room established, we will have the tempo to develop patrol vessels to pursue stragglers and, in time, go on the offensive. We imagine our first generation could come online in as little as 5 years.

## Action

As per 19-02-0017, in a vote of 6 for and 1 against, the M-COMMAND **APPROVES** this plan of action. Research, manufacture and deploy:

- Enhance missile damage capacity
- Improve missile manufacturing capacity
- Deploy SPOTTER class monitoring stations at all known jump points
- Deploy 4x SKUNK class launchers at all jump points
- Investigate Jump Transit technology

Dissenting vote Admiral Ahcambal would like it recorded that he opposes this reactive posture and encourages theoretical staff to more urgently investigate proactive deterrence measures.

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_[View the full topic](https://aurora4x.com/t/the-trial-campaign/1055)._