The force sent to investigate Camelot Command finally return to Althea's, after almost two years away.
They get several dozens of Mk.39 Voidseeker drones the
004 (Interceptor) and
007 (Striker) variants, and enough spares to maintain these operational for a long time, and the automated maintenance systems that take care of these, but other than that, nothing more is useful in the base – the rest is in a state of disrepair and turned junk with the passing years.
While many of the parts are possible to replicate, the computerized AI's have anti-tampering protections that defeat all attempts – the only result is damaged chips beyond repair.
In the end, a base is created in Althea's moon to operate said drones, and if is not possible to produce more – no blueprints nor analysis of AI's – producing other parts and the already stock of spares guarantee many years of use for the ones salvaged / discovered.
The expedition returned with 43 Interceptor and 27 Striker Mk.39 drones.
Note..: No one successfully defeated said anti-tampering systems, and because of that not even WoB produced new ones. Any data on SDS drones is destroyed by Kerensky, so good luck obtaining blueprints of these.
The War of 3039 is similar to the one OTL. While both sides have more advanced equipment, instead of a few prototypes, that show how capable they are against the 'standard' ones, the number of deployed units is determined by the number of available jumpships – and that is almost the same.
Like OTL, Theodore have more units than Hanse knows, and his new model army is a nasty surprise. Both take notice of how more efficient the new hardware his, and priority to produce more increased.
Note..: 'Thanks' to the covert war against ROM, MIIO, DMI and LIC operated a bellow capability against the Combine, like OTL, and pay the price of don't detecting the much improved and enlarged DCMS.
At 200 tons, The Flanker is a replacement for the
Tigress. An enlarged, much more advanced one.
Using the latest technologies, its armed with 3 ERPPC in the nose, 1 Gauss Rifle on each wing, with 2 tons of ammo each, 2 rear facing Medium Lasers and 1 AMS with 2 tons of ammo.
Is also equipped with a Beagle Active Probe and a Guardian ECM. Armor is 20.5 tons of Ferro-Aluminum, and have 18 DHS. Can carry externally, under the wings, 6 Arrow IV AShM or 2 Alamo's.
Production start in mid 3040 – is another of Althea's only units, normally placed in the zenith and nadir jump points.
Note..: Designed with MegamekLab.
In 3039 the first
Alliance Space Station enter in function in orbit of Althea's. At same time, the construction of two
Olympus started, one in the zenith, another in the nadir jump-points. Also the construction of a dockyard capable of service all types of jumpships from the small Explorer to the huge Monolith is started in orbit of Althea's moon. The fact that for use that, the jumpships need to be towed all the way is a small price that Jean-Luc is comfortable to pay in alternative of placing said dockyard in instant attack range of a force that jumped seconds before.
To supplement the crescent Battlesat force, the first Guardian defense station is started construction in 3040. Similar to the OTL
Capitol – because they don't have blueprints (is a 3051 design), only the vague Jean-Luc memories of the design – this one don't have K-Boom capability and the configuration is different.
Capitol Defense Station
32.000 tons
length 185m
width 185m
fuel 500tons
2x 185m grav decks
Armor
27 (Capital scale, on each of six sides)
12 x ER Large Laser
12 x Medium Laser
24 x AMS
6 x Gauss Rifle
12 x LRM-20w/Artemis IV
12 x SRM-6w/Artemis IV
6 x NAC/10
6 x NL55
300DHS
24 ASF
4 Flanker
8 small craft
4.000tons cargo
Plans are to place 6 defending Althea's and 2 other near the new dockyard.
One of the best clients of the Highlander produce in Althea's – as soon as they start to sell it – are predictably the Northwind Highlanders. Because the mech is very expensive – even for a unit with the capabilities of the Highlanders, and they want several – part of the price is paid in one rotating battalion of the mercenary unit been placed in Althea's for cross-training / garrison duty during the next 5 years.
One particular mechwarrior, and a well know one of the Revenants, Davis McCall, from the Gray Death Legion also bought one of the Royal Highlanders produced in Althea's.
By early 3040 the Revenants deploy two RCT – each with four reinforced mech battalion and several supporting regiments with tanks, mechanized and jump infantry, artillery and ASF – in Althea's and an extra combined arms regiment distributed by the other three world that they help protect.
In mid 3038 discoveries in the asteroid belt show that the Althea's system is very rich in Germanium ore, easily surpassing the Marian Hegemony findings in the last century.
That lead to plans to start construction of Jumpships in the near future – after the necessary infrastructure is deployed.
Note..: In theory, any asteroid belt include an immense potential in resources – the tricky part is finding the right asteroids to mining.
Thanks to be the principal entry point for Lyran and Federated Suns business in the Concordat – and via there to the Magistracy and Reach – Althea's is by early 3040 the richest system in the area, and be far the most industrialized – with is industry very advanced tech.
In early 3039 Jean-Luc have is artificial arm replaced by one using the latest technologies, that like the one of Justin Allard, include a hidden laser weapon.
When in 3038 Janice Calderon contracts the Brisbane Virus, her brother in despair send her to be treated in Althea's Great Hospital (by that time, the most advanced medical unit in all the Concordat and easily in the top 5 in all human sphere).
Note..: Janice position is a Minister without portfolio in her brother government. Because is beloved by the masses, voyages continuously between planets of the Concordat.
Unlike OTL, the much more advanced medical capabilities of Althea's Great Hospital cured her infection with almost no permanent damage. This helped to repair the political damage between Edward and Jean-Luc.
In late 3040, one of the Monolith that are part of Althea's commercial fleet is captured by pirates inside Davion territory. It carry at time seven dropships, two Mule from Althea's, one Monarch from the Magistracy and four Mule from the Federated Commonwealth.
An investigation pointed to Tortuga Pirates to be the most probable culprits.
Jean-Luc response is swift and telling.
First, paying a hefty price, contracted the Black Widow Battalion for support and because the Wolf Dragoons raid in 3007. After that, send then with the full 1st Revenants RCT with considerable space support to reclaim the hijacked jumpship and teach a painful lesson to the pirates about the cost of interfering with is people.
OTL the BWB is not available from 3035 to 3042 – training the Dragoons in the clan ways – but Jean-Luc pay top money and included access to royal mechs and ASF's produced in Althea in the deal. Apart the fact that BWB is an elite force, the principal reason to contract the Dragoons is the fact that on 3007 the Brigade have attacked Tortuga and Jean-Luc want as many information as possible. Another reason is that provided an excellent excuse to strength relations with the Wolf Dragoons.
Appearing in both nadir and zenith jump points, the first phase of the attack is to capture any present jumpship.
For that, on each point, one of the Intruder dropships is loaded with the first production of the Jack battle armor and small craft's instead of ASF.
Note..: Only one Invader with one Intruder, one Leopard CV and one Avenger go for the nadir jump point to capture jumpships. The remaining force goes for the zenith point, and after capturing the local jumpships, moved in direction to Tortuga Prime.
The first part of the operation ran better than estimated. For one, the number of jumpships present in both jump points is higher than estimated – 1 Star Lord, 4 Invaders, 2 Merchant and 1 Tramp – for another, the first use of the Jack's is a resounding success. They cut the pirate security like a hot knife on butter.
Unfortunately, the Monolith is not present.
While the pirates have a higher than expected ASF force – and a surprising capable one – the Revenants come with a superior one, and one that included full upgraded ASF's, to the shocked surprise of the pirates that never fought units with superior range, and in case of the Spad's (thanks to Guardian ECM), so difficult to hit.
The pirates on the ground don't fare well against the better trained and superlative equipped Revenants and Dragoons – the fact that several of the Revenants mechs have Beagle Active Prove frustrated many wold be ambushes and the use of guided Arrow IV time and again is a very nasty surprise for said pirates. Paula Trevaline is killed by Natasha Kerensky in the final phase of the operation in the pirates stronghold.
Not satisfied, Jean-Luc after that raided the remaining Tortuga systems (Morgan's Holdfast, New Port Royal, Fletcher's Feast, New Hati and New Gascony) capturing jumpships in all but New Gascony and extracting a terrible price of the pirates present. The Monolith (and his dropships) is finally found – and reclaimed – in New Port Royal, but about half the crew is dead or severely wounded.
In the end they captured / reclaimed 13 jumpships and 37 dropships. Several pirates have escaped to the remote areas on the planets, but as a raiding force, they are severely depleted. The losses in the Revenants and Dragoons are light.
To everyone surprise, DII put the production rights and blueprints of the Jack to negotiation with Concordat, Magistracy, Federated Commonwealth and Draconis Combine in late 3041. While the price for FC and Dc is not cheap, the interest that the Tortuga operation generated on the new type of unit is enough for then to extract a very good deal.
Note..: Jean-Luc wants Battle-armor to be in widespread use before the Clans arrive, and Althea's can't produce enough by a wide margin. This time, with the relations between the Concordat and the FC much warmer, nobody raised problems.
The production of Gauss Rifles doubled and doubled again. With so many wanted (mechs, ASF, vehicles, dropships and space stations), they can't produce enough.
The need for a mass produced, cheap (relatively) arty unit led to the production of the
Vali. To lower the costs and speed production, the first variant delivered used standard armor instead of FF. Plans for a much more advanced version, not only with FF but also replacing the ICE engine by a fusion one are made, but for now, numbers are the priority. Many of the cheap version also are equipped with the unguided version of the rockets. While in no way as capable as the advanced version (with guided ammo), they are a welcome addition to many units in the Concordat and Magistracy forces. Several orders from mercenary units are also placed.
To give much need information to the Arrow IV and other arty units, the first original Althea's mech start final tests in 3041.
Based on the SI recollection of the OTL 3055
HM-1 Hitman, and using the same name, the only differences are cosmetic, because no blueprints exist.
Edward Calderon have married Anne-Marie Centrella in 3034, Kamea Arano married John Centrella (fictional) in 3032 and after the normalizing of the relations between Jean-Luc and Edward, is decided that Jean-Luc marry Louise Calderon (also fictional, a distant cousin), to strength the relations of both families – is a pure political marriage, but with time affection start to grow between both.
Just before the pirates incident Jean-Luc has sent Major Amanda Liu and the 2nd Battalion of the 2nd Revenants RCT to negotiate access to the Niops data-core. With instructions to look for Nighthawks files. While she protested that she his a warrior, not a politico or merchant, in the end she established successful commercial and scientific relations with the ruling caste. What nobody expected, is that they also have an immense database of Star League technology (and blueprints) on the civil / scientific side, that is not included in the Helm or Dallas data-cores. She returned in mid 3042 with the treaty agreement signed, and a data-core full of information until now everybody think is lost.
Because the asteroid that contains the rich Germanium depots is so important, instead of placing a Snowden in orbit, a permanent mining installation is created in place.
In early 3042 the shipyard in Taurus enter operations again. The one in Canopus is still years in the future (less resources and in bad shape).
Both the Concordat and the Magistracy start to build they HPG network – very stealthy. Installations are discretely built in the opposite sides of planets that already have Comstar HPG's – and the orbital satellites programmed to be blind in that area. In the systems that don't have Comstar presence, they are also placed in remote locations. For now, no station enter in activity.
After purging the Niops data-core of everything military or advanced computer related, it is put to sale in the usual markets – Concordat, Magistracy, Federated Commonwealth and Draconis Combine.
With the already research in the salvaged Hurricane / Tornado Power Armor (Light) and with the help of Niops data on Nighthawks, by mid 3043 Althea's start production – very small scale – of the Nighthawk Mk. XXI.
Note..: Sarna says that Niops found in they SL notes enough data on the Nighthawk to start production soon after. With all that data, Tornado salvage and more industrial capability, Althea's do the same in about one year (is a very high priority). By this time Comstar can only produce Hurricane.
The desire of Jean-Luc to expand the Revenants to a minimum of five full RCT, led to the need to expand the number and variety of mech production lines in Althea's.
Until late 3041, Althea's produce the following battlemechs: HM-1 Hitman, HGN-732b Highlander, SPR-4F Spector and NTK-2Q and 2S Night Hawk. Of these, the Spector is only for Revenants use and the Hitman is still in (final) prototype phase. The Highlander is in high demand from other forces.
By early 3042 three new models start production in Althea's
CRB-27b Crab (Royal variant)
KGC King Crab 001C (based on the future 001, but with 12 DHS and Artemis IV FCS in the LRM 15.
BMB-15C Bombardier – with Endo Steel, 2xLRM15 (with Artemis IV FCS) 6 tons of lrm ammo, 2xSRM2 Streak (one on each arm) 1 ton of srm 2 ammo, 2xMedium Laser (1 on each arm) and 1xAMS with 1 ton ammo. CASE on both the Left and Right torso. Can use Thunder and Swarm ammo.
Also production of Alacorn Mk VI, Padilla Heavy Artillery Tank and the advanced variant of the Vali started by mid 3042.
By early 3043 the first steps to expand the jumpship dockyard orbiting Althea's moon to a full shipyard are taken.
At this time a comprehensive ASF base in Althea's moon is also in construction, complemented by an advanced, long-range radar, Lidar and communication station.
In early 3043 the location of Mundo Nublar is finally found in the last heavily encrypted file in the Argus data-core.
Between other things, the reason for the Argo to have a database of so many secret SLDF locations is also explained as the ship is apparently used by a covert team of SLDF inspectors.
A fleet that include several big cargo dropships, two Avenger and one Leopard pocket warship is send. Said fleet also carry several high yield fusion bombs. The mission orders are to extract everything they can and destroy the rest. Jean-Luc don't want WoB to get anything, this time.
A second, well hidden shipyard started to be constructed in the asteroid belt, under the cover of many Snowden / mining operations. This one, is planned to built warships in the future.
Several mines are now in activity also in Althea's moon, and many brand new, automated factories that produce items that benefit / tolerate low gravity construction, are also in construction phase there.
The first daughter of Jean-Luc and Luise Calderon – Nadia Calderon-Darlan is born in September 2, 3043.
After the transition from small, labor intensive industries to automated SL tech level factories, the industrial output of Althea's exploded – and the grow rate only increases with several new ones been in construction or starting activity every passing year.
In late 3043, Althea's started construction of advanced mainframes. Not as good as the best Nirasaki, but considerable better than the ones so far available in the Concordat.
After the Tortuga operation, relations with the Wolf Dragoons expanded. DII selling military hardware and obtaining production rights for until now only Blackwell Industries products and cross training are negotiated successfully. One of the items that started to be produced in Althea's is the Vector VTOL (all variants). The Jack BA (a specific Dragoon variant) started production in Outreach.
The Taurus shipyard start construction of Invader jumpships. The team that repaired it, started to repair another shipyard inside the Cluster. The Shipyard in Canopus IV is supposed to be operational by mid 3044 a best.
Negotiations with Scoltek Associates led to the production of Hi-Scout and his respective drones – PathTrack and NapFind in Althea's.
Note..: The contract is one of the conditions to sell the Jack BA to the FC.
Several units start to be produced in the 'second generation'
The Maultier, receive a fusion engine, SRM-2 Streak and FF armor
The Stryker line also received fusion engines and FF armor (no weapons upgraded)
Both are now space rated.
The techs start to experiment with a 3D thrust vector engine for the Vulcan to improve is already great agility (SI idea).
The new variant – VLC-9C – have a XL engine, 12 DHS, 2 Gauss Rifles (one on each wing with 2 tons ammo), 2 Medium Lasers firing in the aft arc, 1 ER Large Laser and 1 SRM6 with Artemis IV FCS with 1 ton of ammo on the nose. Armor is 16.5 tons of FA, and a Guardian ECM complete the defense suit. Production start in 3044 (the short lived 8C only get 6 years of production).
Thanks to the fact that the planetary / system ruler is also the unit commander, the Revenants have training areas in all types of biomes – forest, urban (fake city created on purpose), desert, tundra, arctic, moon, asteroid, etc. They have also one of the biggest, more complex simulator network in all human sphere – probably only the Com Guards have better – capable of generating multi RCT engagements in all kind of biome. Adding to that they routinely training with Wolf Dragoons, Northwind Highlanders, Grey Death Legion and several units from the Taurian and Magistracy line units.
From 3042 onward, the Capellan Confederation increased the raids in Taurian territory, namely on ex- Capellan worlds. Edward contract two battalions of the Revenants to bolster the defense in the area (on top of the one already protecting worlds near Althea). To compensate Althea's defenses, Jean-Luc contracted the Gray Death for 5 years, taking advantage of they ending contract with the FC and offering better conditions – including preferential client status to the Althea's military factories. No sane mercenary commander refuse these conditions, and by late 3044 the GDL arrive on Althea's Choice.
Jean-Luc have serious suspicions that Comstar have delivered a substantial 'gift' of military hardware to the Capellan confederation, just like to the Combine about a decade before, but can't prove it.
Note..: The fact that many of the 'new' mechs that the CCAF deploy are of models until now never see or produced in the Capellan territory is a good hint.
By early 3045 production of the
Lee dropship – in the mech, ASF carrier and combat vehicle transport variants start in Althea's. That caused great surprise everywhere, because is a design everybody think is lost, and until now only used by the SLDF. This is going to be the default Revenants dropship, like many other advanced items, only for their use for now.
Taurus, Privy Council
April, 25 3045
'… and the TCW Vandenberg just entered the shakedown cruise in Bolthole. If everything is normal, achieve operational status by the end of the year.'
'
Nice. And the battleships?'
'The first is planned to enter tests by early 3050 at best. the others after, with two years interval between each. Providing that no surprises, of course.'
'
Good to know. Any news from the Capellan incursions?'
'After the trashing that the Revenants give then in Yuris and Vard, they reduced considerably they tempo.'
'Well, they lose one full Warrior House and get another trashed. That is going to hurt a lot.'
Note..: Bolthole is the name of the secret Taurian naval base, location not disclosed. In Yuris Warrior House Lu Sann tried a frontal attack on the 'taurian mercenaries', and is destroyed by the combined fire of the battalion assault mechs and Alacorn VI. Less than a company retreated off-world. In Vard, Warrior House Fujita is confronted by a war of movement by the light mechs of the Revenants, and continuous fire from long range guided Arrow IV fire. While they are busy, battle armor captured they dropships, and after the House leader is killed by a hunter-killer lance (Spector's), they moral crumbled, and they are easy pickings for the rest of the Revenants unit.
In mid 3045 the Concordat have restored four lost colonies (lost because the necessary technology has been lost.), while the Magistracy have only restored one.
By the same date, Althea's started the mass production of big civilian fusion reactors – the type used by SL – and also is one of several worlds producing the advanced water purification systems necessary in the restored colonies (and a great help in several others).
In late 3045 the Canopus IV shipyard finally enter activity. Also producing Invaders and start doing a much necessary and delayed maintenance in the Magistracy jump fleet.
In early 3046 both shipyards in Althea start to operate. The public, civil one in Althea's moon orbit start to produce Star Lord's. Having four slips, two are reserved to maintenance / refit of the local fleet. Plans to add two new slips, capable to build Monolith's are in advanced phase, but for now, no resources are available.
The Military one, deep in the asteroid belt, also start operating in early 3046.
This – for now – only have two slips, one starting the construction of the TCW
Clemenceau the other the TCW
La Fayette.
TCW
Clemenceau (first of class) - carrier
Based on the
Samarkand block II but with the following differences
Armor Heavy Ferrous-Aluminum (Ferrous-Carbide still too expensive / low production rates)
L-F Battery
Capital Weapons (equal to Samarkand Block II)
2x Heavy NPPC
2x Medium NPPC
2x NAC20
2x NL45
6x NL35
Large Lasers (4) and Medium Lasers (10) replaced by the respective pulse variants.
LRM 20 (5), LRM 10 (8) and SRM 4 (6) with Artemis IV FCS
Machine gun (38) replaced by AMS
LRM, SRM and AMS with more ammo (200 tons lrm ammo, 24 tons srm ammo and 144 tons AMS ammo).
1700 SHS replaced by 1200 DHS
Cargo capacity reduced to 30.000 tons(original 36.029 tons).
Normal Dropship load-out – 2xLee CV + 2 Mule PW / (72+2×40=152 ASF)+ 6 Barracuda and 6 White Shark tubes
Super ASF load-out – 4xLee CV (72+4×40=232 ASF)
Super Warship load-out – 4x Mule PW (72 ASF) + 12 Barracuda and 12 White shark tubes
Pocket Warship (PW) Mule have 3x Barracuda and 3x White Shark missile tubes each tube with 39 reloads
Lee CV carry up to 40 ASF and plenty of defensive armament, that double at close support for the TCW Clemenceau after launching the ASF's
TCW
La Fayette (first of class) – escort for the carrier class / raider
Basically a heavily modded / upgraded
Pinto
LF Battery
Armor 93 tons standard armor replaced by 93 tons Heavy Ferrous-Aluminum
800 SHS replaced by 600 DHS
12 ASF
1 Dropship collar
4 x Barracudas tubes with 120 missiles (3.600 tons)
3 x NL35s
2 x Light NPPCs
2 x NAC/10 – 120 rounds (24 tons)
5 x Large Lasers replaced by 5x ER Large Lasers
10 x Medium Lasers replaced by 10x Medium Pulse Lasers
48 x Small Lasers replaced by 48x small Pulse Lasers
80 x Machine Guns replaced by 40x AMS – 160 tons ammo
10 x AC/5s replaced by 10x Ultra AC/5 – 60 tons ammo
4 x AC/20s replaced by 4x Gauss Rifle – 40 tons ammo
9.000 tons cargo
By mid 3046 the construction of Leopard and Mule PW is limited to the last ones in construction, and after that the lines are converted to the 'standard' versions. Leopard's are also only for export.
The reason of these alterations is the entering in production of the Lee Pocket Warship, that is much superior to both older models, and the desire to unify the Althea's / Revenants military dropships around Lee variants.
Lee Pocket Warship
Replacing the mech bay with 6 AR10 tubes and 4.260 tons of ammo, they created a brutal war machine.
6 AR10 launchers (nose) - 78 Killer Whale and 12 Barracuda standard load-out but can be any mix of Barracuda (30t), White Shark (40t) and/or Killer Whale (50t) up to 4.260 tons
9 x Gauss Rifles
7 x ERPPC
8 x ER Large Lasers
6 x AC/20
14 x (Artemis IV) LRM 20s
26 x Medium Lasers
206 DHS (3 more than standard versions)
By mid 3046 the Revenants units in Yuris and Vard are replaced by forces from the first RCT, for R&R.
In 4 July 3046, a group of later identified as Thuggees, tried to assassinate Jean-Luc. Unfortunately for then, the detection / defenses of the Jean-Luc house are capable of detecting much stealthier enemies than they strike force, and after that, they are no match for the Nighthawks in place.
In late 3046, the third Revenants RCT is deployed.
Because the need of a great number of ASF – the nascent Navy need many – and the fact that the biggest produced in Althea's (Vulcan) can only carry 1 Alamo, production of the Thunderbird TRB-D36b (Royal) start in two brand new lines.
While the system 'only' have 16 Snowden by 3046, several permanent locations in the richest asteroids and a growing number of mines in Althea's moon deliver raw materials to the never satisfied growing industry of the system. Continuous researching of new asteroids and other moons in the system to mining is also in course.
Note..: And that is one of the principal reasons for Althea's be the industrial power-house that is at this time. Jean-Luc is (AFAIK) the only leader that bet heavily in exploring the resources of his system, creating a past-scarcity society and massively using the databases of latest SL industrial systems.
In December 4, 3046 the second child of the Jean-Luc marriage is born. François Calderon-Darlan is a healthy boy.
After January 3047, the Althea tech teams operating in the Federated Commonwealth and Draconis Combine, helping repair and rebuild / reactivate older factories stop accepting new contracts and start to return home after finishing the current ones. No explication is provided.
In February 12, 3047 the fleet send to Mundo Nublar finally arrives to Althea's. Whit then comes a barely repaired
Kimajure class pursuit cruiser, SLS
Bird of Prey (fictional) two others salvaged ships lost in the long voyage home (one Baron and one Carson class destroyers). They also transport many parts of advanced military hardware, warship / capital weapons related, and a data-core with data on many prototypes of weapons including Mass Drivers.
The report inform that the base as been successfully destroyed, nothing is left behind. The ship and the parts are send to the military shipyard, deep in the asteroid belt. To the surprise of many, Jean-Luc show little interest in the mass drive technology, more in the possibility to repair the cruiser and the other advanced systems.
Note..: The SI knows that the Mass Drivers provides little of interest compared to other weapons, except if you go planet killer with massive ones – a path that is not interested to follow.
New Avalon
June, 15 3047
Hanse Davion work office
'My Prince, we obtained troubling information from Althea's.'
'
What have the baron done now, Justin?'
'You already know that many of our 'commercial' dropships send there in reality have military grade sensors and a sensor tech from MIIO. In February one of these, get photos of what can only be a warship, class later tentatively identified to be a SLDF Kimagure cruiser, been towed deep in the asteroid belt of the system. Worse, they also get photos of what can only be a shipyard hidden in that steroid belt.'
'
So, the baron not only have one public shipyard in orbit of Althea's moon, but also have another one, hidden in the system, crafty man. And more resourceful than anyone think.'
'What you want to do about this, My Prince?'
'
For now, nothing. But increase our surveillance on the system.'
'As you which, My Prince.'
Tired of continuous raid from CC in the Concordat territory – that have reduced in number after the trashing the Revenants give on two Warrior House units – Edward Calderon decided is time to teach Romano a lesson. For that contracted the Revenants to destroy an important unit in Liao territory, letting the details and place to Jean-Luc choice.
Deciding that is the right time to show what we really have – except warships (not one yet operational, btw) – the target selected is Madras, where two regiments of the Big Mac are present.
Madras
12 July 3047
The fighter forces of the Big Mac have a really bad day so far – not only the invader ASF's are devilish difficult to hit thanks to incredibly effective ECM (latest Revenants Spad and Vulcan ASF have Guardian ECM), they are also very agile, crewed by elite pilots and just to ruin the defenders day, two Mule PW have for the first time used they Barracuda missiles to devastating effect.
The single Capellan assault dropship in system, an aged Achilles, as been disabled in the beginning of the conflict by massive missiles fired by said Mules (6 White Shark fired, 3 hit and disabled the Achilles).
The very few ASF that come in range of the invading dropships also get a rude surprise – the first wave are well armed and armored Lee that easily shrug-off the Capellan fire, and swift deal a massive and deadly answer.
Note..: The 1st RCT is the show-piece of the Revenants. For this mission, all available Lee, 2 Mule PW and the sole Colossus have been assigned to then (and many other new toys). The 2nd is R&R in Althea's and the new 3rd is doing garrison duty is several systems – Yuris, Vard, Celentaro, Organo and Cyrton.
The Colossus alone, functioning as Jean-Luc command system, have a non standard load-out. A single company of mechs – is Revenant Command Company – 12 assault mechs. The usual Command lance 1 Nightstar (Jean-Luc mech), 1 Thug, 1 Cyclops and 1 Highlander, augmented by 2 King Crab, 2 Highlander and 4 Longbow. It also carry 60 Jack BA, 12 Padilla and 8 Koalitsiya (Sniper SPG). And one mobile HQ (latest SLDF variant).
As soon as they take control of Madras orbit, the Revenants dropships and ASF turning busy eliminating the local satellite network and installing theirs. Only after that is concluded, landing operations started.
McCarron's Armored Cavalry are very good military professionals, nobody dispute that. But this time they are fighting a new kind of game, one that they don't full know the rule book.
One game in that the adversary have technological advantage in all areas, bigger range, and complete space and air dominance.
Time and again they tried to lure the Revenants in well placed ambushes, and time and again the enemy discover the ambush in time. The few Ravens are a godsend, and helped the few success that they achieve. But the trice named enemy have many mechs with equal or better capabilities and use then ruthlessly. Another nasty surprise are the guided Arrow IV missiles, some even launched by ASF's!
Note..: The Raven just entered in service, a bit before OTL, and the Big Mac received some. In this campaign, the Revenants make use for the first time of
air-launched Arrow IV, that entered production in late 3045. ITTL, CC don't have yet produced it, but Althea's already have
all variants of Arrow IV missiles – including the air-to-air.
One week in the battle, and after some humiliating defeats, they make a run to escape. The two dropships that lift-off are soon disabled by the Mule PW with ASF support. The surviving forces on the planet changed for a guerrilla type warfare – but with mechs. That also not resulted very well, with the adversaries with superior sensors and using drones and satellites to not lose track of the capellan units.
One battalion tried a last ditch suicide attack on the HQ of the Revenants, trying to kill Jean-Luc. Unfortunately for then, they are detected in time and against a company of assaults supported by guided artillery and dropship heavy fire, they are massacred without doing much damage.
Note..: The Colossus is near, and is also equipped with a pair of Arrow IV launchers, two Gauss Rifles and four LRM20 with Artemis IV.
In less than a month the two Big Mac regiments – the 4th and 6th – are no more – only a few survivors well hidden and scattered remain.
In August 10, 3047 the Revenants return home, with their job done.
Instrumental in this conflict are the Scout variant of the Vector VTOL and the VLC-9C Vulcan – the only ASF's in service modified to operate the air-to-ground guided Arrow IV, and also capable to use a recon pod equipped with a Beagle Active Probe. The pilots hate both systems because the enormous drag they created, but the results are evident.
Note..: While never see anything like a recon pod in Btech, is a logical evolution of the systems – like many used today. So far, only the latest variant of the Vulcan can use both systems, and none of the trio is available for export, as usual.
About the ASF recon / targeting pod – ASF's can carry bombs, Arrow IV and Alamo (big missiles with nuke warhead). If they can carry these external, they can also carry a pod with lots of fancy electronics. The Recon / Targeting pod consist of a Beagle Active Probe and a TAG. Impose the same restrictions that carry an Alamo do – big drag penalty and only one by ASF. The ASF carrying the pod can't carry external weapons, but provide data and illumination for his pairs. The only ASF with the necessary interface / software is the recent VLC-9C Vulcan, only produced in Althea's and both not available to export – not even to the Concordat.
Madras also see the first use of the Arrow IV A2A (air-to-air). Again, the VLC-9C is the only ASF with the necessary interface / software to use then. They are another nasty surprise for the capellan forces. After this successful first use, the Thunderbird D36b and Lightning G15b are planned to receive both upgrades (Arrow A2G and A2A). The Spad is too small for any.
Part of the salvage from Madras are examples of RVN-3L Raven and CTF-3L Cataphract, two of the most recent capellan designs. For the normal mercenary unit or the regular House one, these are very good mechs. For the Revenants, they are just sub-par. After a comprehensive analysis, data on both is sold to interested parties.
Part of the data obtained from Mundo Nublar are the blueprints and working prototypes of sub-capital weapons. The SLS
Bird of Prey is one of the platforms used to test such weapons.
Note..: I always think is strange that Comstar never deployed / developed new systems, and just after the schism, WoB can present a wide variety of new weapons. Is easier to explain that many, like the sub-capital weapons family, are found in Mundo Nublar, that is one of the most secret SLDF weapons testing areas. At least, in this alternate universe is the logic I follow.
One ROM agent is eliminated with data on the secret HPG network. For months, everyone is in high alert and any new construction is stopped. But with the time passing and no visible reaction from Comstar, slowly the construction of new nodes start.
With salvage of the Tornado / Hurricane PA-L (Power-Armor – Light) and producing Nighthawk's and Jack's, the design of a new PA-L, start. This one don't have any stealth system, and is to be mass produced, not custom built. Removing the stealth systems, and adding an improved detection sensor array, with capability to network with existing defensive sensor systems used by Althea's. Armor and power pack capability are also slightly augmented, compared to Tornado / Hurricane. Thanks to improved, powered, armored gloves, can easily carry an upgraded version of the venerable Mauser 960, or any normal infantry weapons. The new PA-L, tentatively named Guard, is designed to replace Jack's and Nighthawk's in defensive operations, outside of front-line service.
The result of Althea's ingenuity (in reality heavily based on a design from Nebfer at SB), the Mriya is a fast armed military transport. Incredibly expensive, is to be only for the Revenants use, and is produced one each two years, the first to be delivered in 3050.
Mriya Jumpship – Military Fast Transport (done with MegaMekLab 0.45.2)
Weight: 400000 tons
BV: 3,932
Cost: 2,274,159,434 C-bills
Movement: 0/0
Heat Sinks: 142 DHS [284]
Fuel Points: 742 (297.0 tons)
Tons Per Burn Day: 3.95
Structural Integrity: 1
Sail Integrity: 6
KF Drive Integrity: 8
Armor: 100 (Capital Scale) (Improved Ferrous-Aluminum) – 167 tons.
Equipped with lithium-fusion battery system.
Armor
Nose 20
Left Front Side 15
Right Front Side 15
Aft 20
Aft Left Side 15
Aft Right Side 15
12 ER LL
8 ERPPC
12 MPL
12 AMS
Weapons Loc Heat
Laser Bay NOS 24
PPC Bay NOS 30
Pulse Laser Bay NOS 12
Laser Bay FLS 24
PPC Bay FLS 30
Pulse Laser Bay FLS 12
AMS Bay FLS 3
Laser Bay FRS 24
PPC Bay FRS 30
Pulse Laser Bay FRS 12
AMS Bay FRS 3
Laser Bay AFT 24
PPC Bay AFT 30
Pulse Laser Bay AFT 12
Laser Bay ALS 24
AMS Bay ALS 3
Laser Bay ARS 24
AMS Bay ARS 3
Ammo Loc Shots
Anti-Missile System Ammo [IS] FLS 180
Anti-Missile System Ammo [IS] FRS 180
Anti-Missile System Ammo [IS] ALS 180
Anti-Missile System Ammo [IS] ARS 180
Carrying Capacity
Aerospace Fighter (2 doors) - 2 units (2 recovery open)
Small Craft (2 doors) - 4 units (2 recovery open)
Cargo Space (2 doors) - 724 tons
Dropship Capacity: 4
Grav Decks: 1 (100 m)
Escape Pods: 0
Life Boats: 19
Crew
Officers 10
Enlisted/Non-rated 50
Gunners 6
Bay Personnel 24
Passengers 20
BA Marines 12
Note..: ASF complement normally is 2 Thunderbird D36b each armed with 4 Arrow IV anti-ship.
From late 3047 to early 3049 Althea's is busy expanding the military industrial complex. Four new slips in the civilian shipyard – 1 for the Mriya, 1 for Monolith and 2 for Invader are added.
At end of 3048 that shipyard can produce 1 Star Lord and 2 Invaders each year and 1 Mriya and 1 Monolith each 2 years. By that date is the most capable shipyard in service in all human sphere. Is also the most advanced, with massive automation, on par with the late SLDF / TH ones, destroyed long ago.
The military one, only get two new slips, one taking care of the Kimagure, the other for future use – they have – again – maxed the resources / personnel before ending that one.
Both shipyards received comprehensive defense elements, from Battlesat and Capitol satellites / stations to pocket warships and CV dropships.
New lines of mech and battle armor production are also completed during 3048. The Jack is replaced by the improved, bugs fixed, Jack Mk.2 and fruit of the collaboration with the GDL and Wolf Dragoons, the Ranger (OTL
GDL Scout) – both starting production in late 3048.
The only mech added to the production is the MAD-4C – the Chris O'Farrell 'This was easier on the Tabletop' MAD-2R modified by the NAIS variant gifted to Smith.
MAD-4C Marauder
Weight: 75 tons
Cost: 7,553,000 C-bills
Movement: 4/6
Engine: 300
Double Heat Sinks: 16 [32]
Gyro: Standard Gyro
Internal: 114
Armor: 206/231 (Ferro-Fibrous) – 11.5 tons FF
Weapons Loc Heat
ER PPC LA 15
Medium Laser LA 3
ER PPC RA 15
Medium Laser RA 3
Large Pulse Laser RT 10
Medium Laser CT 3
Medium Laser CT 3
The contracts with Wolf Dragoons, Northwind Highlanders and Grey Death Legion are re-negotiated to long term, and the one with the GDL with possibility to also defend other locations in place of the Revenants with option to accept sub-contract in offensive operations. All three mercenary forces also make use of the extensive Althea's dropship and jumpship repair / maintenance facilities and have preference client – just after the Revenants – access on the normal military-industrial Althea's complex. Warship and pocket warship or any Revenants only excepted, of-course.
Note..: The WD and NH contracts are that both placed at least a battalion in Althea's for garrison duty and cross training, said force rotating after a minimum of six months. Options exist for an equivalent force from the Revenants replace the mercenary unit if necessary or going training with the rest of the WD or NH.
By mid 3048 several secondary and / or civilian factories are also operational in Celentaro, Organo and Cyrton, making good use of the free labor force on these planets.
In early 3049 the fourth RCT of the Revenants enter in service.
By this date, the existence of the second shipyard is an open secret to Wolf Dragoons, Northwind Highlanders and Grey Death. Too much activity in that area of space and any decent ASF patrol of their units found the reason. But, because the defenses are already tough (you need a considerable force and / or warships to have any chance to do damage to any of the shipyards), Jean-Luc is not much preoccupied by that.
The MAD-4C is not restricted to the Revenants and is an instant success. Mercenary forces like very much the 'zombie' quality and the fact that don't need (expensive) ammo to operate in long term campaigns.
Anticipating that – and with plenty ordered for the Revenants, two full production lines are dedicated to this model only.
Revenants RCT's TO&E late 304x / early 305x
4 mech battalion each with 40 mechs (3 companies plus a command lance per battalion – Lee can carry 40 mechs)
104 ASF – 6×4 from the Lee (mech) and 2x 40 from 2 Lee CV
3 battalion of combat vehicles – 3 Lee CVT
1 regiment of mechanized infantry – 1 Lee CVT
1 mech assault company (RCT command unit), BA (Jack Mk.1 or Mk.2 and Ranger), arty (Sniper SPG and Arrow IV), Flak (Arrow ADA and license build Partisan after 3050), and support units – 3 Lee CVT
13 Lee (4 Mech, 2 CV and 7 CVT) for the RCT and 3 Lee PW or Lee CV for heavy space support – 4 Mriya Jumpship or a mix of Mriya, Invader and Star Lord if not enough Mriya available
If not space support necessary but long operation, then the support dropships are 3 Mule. Depending on mission type and adversary, one or more of these can be a Lee CVT with extra units
Note..: Each Lee PW add 6 ASF, each Lee CV add 40 ASF and each Mriya add 2 ASF. Lee CVT don't carry ASF.
This configuration provide the Revenants with sufficient flexibility to confront almost any type of adversary, if correct information is provided in time.
Federated Commonwealth Monarch class dropship
Golden Fist, one jump away from Althea's, early 3050.
'
Why is the Archon Emeritus visiting this periphery neobarb world?'
'Because we want to acquire they technology?'
'
What they can have that we don't?'
'You be surprised – I see that the years in Tharkad dealing only with the local political front make your knowledge of some things weak at best.'
Jump
'
That's a huge number of ships! And that is an Olympus station! They have one of these?'
'Two actually – they have another at the nadir jump point also.'
'
And what is that one?'
'Oh – that is one Capitol class defense station – they have several in the system.'
'
But that is insane – not even Tharkad have that!'
'And this just the tip of the iceberg, just wait for the rest of system and you see the real reason of this voyage.'
Some time later.
'
Wait – they have forcing us to use one of their pilots and placed an armed force inside? That is preposterous!'
'Standard security measures in reality – and also provided us with some armed escorts – after all we are going to see some restricted places.'
'
Armed escorts – ah. You are talking about that Leopard?'
'That is not a normal Leopard – if you taking attention to details, is modified to carry a NL55 – one of their first Pocket warships variants.'
Deep in the asteroid belt.
'
That's a huge shipyard – and these are real warships, and more of these defense stations! Who are these guys?'
'The ones that provided us with these Star League technologies from the last twenty years. You think they stay idle that time?'
'
But, but nobody have warships! Our program is still in his infancy – they have at least three there!'
'Now, you see why the Archon emeritus come to negotiate with the baron.'
Entering Althea's orbit.
'
Another shipyard??? And with so many jumpships… is insane, nobody place a civilian shipyard so deep in system. How they move these jumpships to jump positions?'
'With a mother-load of tugs, that how. If you take attention, you also see a lot of space industries in orbit, and several Alliance stations.'
'
But that is insane! This system have more space industries and infrastructure than all of the FC combined!'
'See? Not neobarbs, after all. We need what they have and the Archon Emeritus know that very well.'
This is a discussion between two lyran appointees in that mission. While one is well versed in Althea's, the other know nothing about the subject and have all the classic prejudice against periphery realms.
Note..: ITTL Katrina Steiner don't die of cancer in 3040. Thanks to better medicine, the cancer is detected early and she responded to the treatment. But, like OTL resigned on favor of Melissa in March 3039, assuming the title of Archon Emeritus. She stay active in the diplomat and consulting in military areas. She is the natural choice to negotiate FC access to Althea's warship – most specifically intra-system engines – technology.
Edward - 'Before we start to negotiate warship technology is necessary to resolve the various borders conflicts between our nations.'
Katrina - ' Are you talking about the worlds Davion take from you more than two hundred years ago?'
Edward - 'Yes, my people don't let me sign that kind of deal before that point of contention is unsolved.'
Jean-Luc - 'Maybe a referendum on these worlds – with observers from both sides – if they want to return to the Concordat?'
Katrina - 'I like that. That way, nobody can say that the people is forced. I even add that the ones that want to change nations be free to emigrate, provided the respective nation pay the costs.'
Edward - 'I can sell that to my people.'
Katrina - 'Excellent. Now, we want access to your warship technology, more precisely to intra-system engines and automated shipyards. We are prepared to also contract several teams of Jean-Luc people to teach our technicians.'
Jean-Luc -'Sorry, Archon, but this time I can't release anyone. The best I can provide is your people come to my system to learn. I simply need as much formed technicians as I can get, because the many programs I'm running right now.'
Katrina - 'Yes, I see how far you have developed this system. Real remarkable. I don't see any problem sending the people here to learn. You are also capable to deliver engines, or at least blueprints?'
Jean-Luc - 'Both, actually. For a price of-course. These things are very expensive and the Concordat is also in need of some.'
Edward – 'Before we start to negotiate prices, is better to smooth the relations between both nations. Maybe a treaty of Non-aggression, and better tariffs to calm the opposition from both sides?'
Jean-Luc -' I also want access to some of your technologies and production rights, in exchange of starting producing engines for your warships and training your people.'
Katrina - 'Edward, I think I can convince my daughter and her husband to sign these. Jean-Luc, I'm surprised that you want technology from me? That's a first, what you can possibly want from us that you don't have already?'
Jean-Luc - 'Oh, a small thing. Is called black-box I believe? I want blueprints and working models of the latest version, btw.'
Katrina - 'How can you possibly know about these? Never-mind, your reputation is well deserved I see.'
Jean-Luc - 'Is only fair. After all I delivered to you a lot of data on HPG technology, and I know you have already started producing working models. And for your info, the Combine have some of you black-boxes. I don't know if they got then in the fourth succession war or later in the war of 39, but they got some, I believe older models.'
Part of the accords are cross- licenses for production designs. Althea's can now (legally) produce the WLF- Wolfhound F2, and the Partisan, while Kallon can produce the RFL-3N-2 Rifleman II and TharHes the MAD-4C Marauder.
Note..: The Partisan produced in Althea's have 9.5 tons of FF armor, XL engine and the 4 AC/5 are replaced by 4 Ultra AC/5 with 8 tons of air-bursting shells that are optimized for destroying aircraft.
Negotiations for access and cross training / research with NAIS are in course, but no decision is achieved at this time.
Two days after Katrina and Edward dropships lift-off – and still in system – the message that Jean-Luc dread to receive arrives – The Kell Hounds have encountered an unknown force in the Periphery and Phelan Kell, son of Morgan Kell is missing, presumably dead.
'And so it begins' the servant that deliver the news ear the baron saying at that time.
While FC and DC have more and better equipped forces, the ones in the rear areas, are still equipped like OTL, the best ones face the adversaries in the 'hot' frontiers.
Because of that, the first phases of the Clan invasion are almost like OTL.
Note..: Yes, I know that the Phelan 'incident' is in August, 13, 3049, but Comstar delayed the delivery of said news.
While ITTL Phelan pilot a Wolfhound F-2 with an ER-LL and DHS (Kell Hounds have the nice toys), against the Timber Wolf / MadCat of Vlad, the difference is small enough to not change the outcome. Same for is companions.
The WLF-2C produced in Althea's have ES, FF and a Guardian ECM on top of the standard WLF-2.