The Salvaging Of The Charger's Price

[rarcher]

For background on this Kephan 'raid' scenario see the following info as well as the Price's specs:

Model Number: Mk 1
Date Entering Service: 2279
Number constructed: 1
Superstructure: 55
Damage Chart: C-Single
Weight: 159375 mt
Total SCU: 500
Cargo Capacity: 25000 mt
Computer Type: Mark VIII
Cloaking Device: RCD
Power to engage: 22
6-person Transporters: 2
22-person emergency: 3
Cargo: 4
Crew: 371
Shuttlecraft: 2
Total Power Units: 100
Movement point ratio: 5/1
Warp Engine Type: OWF-3
Number: 2
Power Units: 24 each
Stress Charts: L/M
Impulse Engine Type: OIF-2 x4
Power Units: 13 each
Beam Weapon: OD-11
Firing Arcs: 2f/p 2f/s 1a/p 1a/s
Firing Chart: U
Max Power: 8
Damage Mod:
+3: -
+2: (1-20)
+1: -
Beam Weapon: OD-6
Firing Arcs: 1f 1a
Firing Chart: D
Max Power: 5
Damage Mod:
+3: (1-2)
+2: (3-4)
+1: (5-6)
Torpedo Type: OP-5
Firing Arcs: 2f
Firing Chart: Q
Power to arm: 1
Damage: 10
Shield Type: OSY
Shield Point Ratio: 1/2
Max Shield: 12
Combat Efficiency:
D: Unknown
WDF: 54

Background: Construction for the Charger's Price began in 2270 and due to the costs, technologies needed, and other myriad of matters did not see space flight until early 2279. The ship is large by Orion standards culling the best that the merchant empire has to offer in all areas of technologies. Capable of deep space runs of almost 10 years without resupply the ship has massive cargo bays for hauling all sorts of freight, coupled with impressive power output from 4 impulse engines and 2 warp engines as well as layers upon reinforced superstructure the Charger's Price built and commissioned by former Starfleet captain Alexander Van Horn was finally mated in 2278 with a 'borrowed' RCD romulan cloaking device.

Former Captain Horn had once been a successful human Starfleet captain aboard the USS Freedom's Hound a Mk 3 Loknar frigate. His story would have continued there if for some unexplained reason the captain had decided not to sell his ship to orion pirates in exchange for a hefty cut of the profits and slave trade that resulted

(read I have no idea why my buddy did this go figure but it certainly threw my original campaign idea out the window )

Using the funds he gained to vanish from the justice seeking Starfleet radar he bought a small retired and rundown Dwarfstar freighter taking missions that would take him far from Federation space. Over the next several years 'Captain' Horn upgraded his freighter by several degrees finally selling it in 2268 and purchasing one of his rival's company. With a new influx of credits he began to design his own personal 'yacht' as he called it. But before he could claim ownership of it in 2279 Starfleet's Intelligence Branch caught up with him and instead of fighting surrendered himself.

The fate of the Charger's Price remains a mystery in Orion circles, some say that the ship was claimed by Starfleet itself, others say that the Romulans angered over the stolen (and modern) cloaking device destroyed it while still in its dock yards, still others claim that the ship was stolen by one of the lead builders who turned it into one of the most powerful private pirate raider in known space. Regardless of the truth of the story, one thing is for sure that the Charger's Price remains one of the most expensive ships ever constructed by Orion hands and will likely remain so for a long time to come.

---

The following scenario occurs in 2280 The Kephen Unity catches wind of a 'powerful pirate ship' secured in a remote drydock on the known borders of Federation Space. Admiral RArcher hearing the rumored ability of the custom one off Orion built cruiser design sets out to secure the remains of the ship for repurposing for the Unity. Calling upon his personally gifted Dreadnought the Vendee as well as three Diamond class light cruisers the BB Balls Toy, the CK Clefton, and the GG Gamer, the Andorian RArcher took personal command of the high risk raid into Federation space to recover this prize in the UC-119 system just in the Federation's borders.

The system was a two planet system the innermost a dead iron rich rock, the outermost a Class-M world which was home to an aging late Four Years War era Starfleet HQ class station (using the armed specs found here! www.ststcsolda.space/federation/starfleet_hq/starfleet_hq.html ) the system thankfully, according to the recent intelligence, was unguarded otherwise but the Charger's Price was kept in a mobile Pearl Class repair facility for study (found here! www.ststcsolda.space/federation/pearl/pearl.html ). The plan was simple while the Vendee and two of the Diamond class cruisers engaged the starbase the remaining Diamond would disable then tow the Price and Pearl facility out of the system.

Upon arrival the heavy raiding ships entered the system, immediately putting the starbase on alert and the facility. Admiral RArcher hailed the base giving them one chance to surrender the Charger's Price without challenge but the base commander simply laughed in his face confident that even his aged Starbase could handle the raid to come. Closing channels RArcher powered up all ships and proceeded into the system as planned.

---

Battle Outline/Goals:

Federation: 1x Starbase HQ Class Starbase, 1x Pearl Mobile Repair Facility
Unity: 1x Vendee Class XIII Dreadnought, 3x Diamond class light cruisers

Goal For Federation: Defeat incoming raid entirely or destroy/disable RArcher's battleship, prevent the GG Gamer from departing with the Pearl class facility and Charger's Price
Goal For Unity: Disable the Pearl Repair Facility and tow it out of the system. At least RArcher's dreadnought must survive, if disabled or destroyed the raid is called off.

---

The battle began with a stroke of luck for RArcher, the starbase commander's tactical officer foolish powered the wrong arc of shields to the approaching Unity ships! (AKA: My opposing player declared the wrong shields charged on his sheet and verbally ) Taking advantage of this mishap RArcher powered his forward shields heavily with weapons and swooped in with his two flanking Diamonds on the 'port' arc of the base. The remaining Diamond keeping shields minimally powered sped in on the nearby Pearl facility and opened fire with their forward weapons. The opening shots of RArcher's charge ended up in an almost comical stroke badly damaging the base's shields on that arc. Conversely the GG Gamer's attack on the Pearl wound up equally successful in battering through their port shield array and inflicting heavy damage on crew facilities. Return fire though from the base did cause damage to the BB Balls Toy, and the CK Clefton, both ship's forward shields were tossed aside like a rag doll in the opening engages though damage control teams kept the resulting hull damage to moderate levels with only small scale breaches. RArcher's dreadnought though was left untouched by the opening attack.

Coming about the three Unity ships attacking the starbase kept to the port flank of the now unshielded base. Redistributing power flow RArcher powered up his aft shields to the max this time and his sole aft firing disruptors. The Diamonds kept their weapons to the fore but shields to the aft quarter in their return about face. The base commander irate at the foolish blunder by his tactical chief it was found later took personal command of the base's weapons ignoring the demands of his first officer to send a urgent distress call for any nearby aide! Opening fire once more RArcher's dreadnought struck a further blow this time to the base's port side weapons array damaging the systems there, but this time equally as it happened the base commander opened fire hammering RArcher's ship from the aft quarter the return fire knocking aside the shields and badly damaging the dreadnoughts impulse drive to low operational levels. In return the coming about Diamond's did emergency maneuvers and flipped their facing to forward opening fire. The shots though did minimal effect to already damaged or destroyed hull areas. Equally at this time the GG Gamer now not concerned with the base and out of range of its operational weapons fully fired onto the Pearl. This time shearing off the warp nacelle and port side shield array. With the Pearl disabled and an evac being called on the facility to escape pods the GG Gamer moved into position to tow the Pearl and Charger's Price out of the system.

On the next series of movements RArcher was heard to remark that the deed was done, and for all ships to begin falling back to cover the GG Gamer. Powering shields and his low operational impulse engines to maneuver RArcher and the remaining Diamonds withdrew to extreme range of the base's few port side weapons. Strikes were made by the now foaming at the mouth irate base commander who was heard to demand to his chief engineer later to get out into space and push the base in pursuit. The First Officer having enough of his commanding officer's nonsense it was learned stunned him and took command. Turning the base on its axis he hoped to make distant pot shots at the now retreating Unity ships while putting out a now delayed distress call for any allied ships in the area.

Sadly the First Officer's efforts proved futile, while his distant pot shots actually did land on RArcher's flagship disabling it from further sublight movement on its own, it was determined that since they had what they wanted, and were at the system's edge to tow the Vendee the last bit out of the system before all ship's went safely to warp.

---

End Of Action Result: Major victory for Unity!

With repairs soon completed RArcher returned to the Unity space informing his superiors of the utter success of his daring raid! Not only had he dealt a serious blow to the system's starbase, aged as it was, he had also secured an intact operational Pearl repair facility and the remains for study of the Charger Price for copying and possible future building efforts! The fact the ship's prized cloaking device was intact was an even greater boon for study for the Unity. Though RArcher suggested they might be wise to not gain the ire of the Star Empire distant as it was by returning it in exchange for credits or some kind of other trade of salvage or the like. His suggestion was taken under advice though the outcome is still being debated by the Unity.

---

brickwall hope you enjoy this little return gift for your Unity fellows! To be honest had my opposing player not screwed up and some rolls gone my way I think this might have turned out differently!

[brickwall]

Jan 28, 2021 14:25:24 GMT -7 rarcher said:

For background on this Kephan 'raid' scenario see the following info as well as the Price's specs:

Model Number: Mk 1
Date Entering Service: 2279
Number constructed: 1
Superstructure: 55
Damage Chart: C-Single
Weight: 159375 mt
Total SCU: 500
Cargo Capacity: 25000 mt
Computer Type: Mark VIII
Cloaking Device: RCD
Power to engage: 22
6-person Transporters: 2
22-person emergency: 3
Cargo: 4
Crew: 371
Shuttlecraft: 2
Total Power Units: 100
Movement point ratio: 5/1
Warp Engine Type: OWF-3
Number: 2
Power Units: 24 each
Stress Charts: L/M
Impulse Engine Type: OIF-2 x4
Power Units: 13 each
Beam Weapon: OD-11
Firing Arcs: 2f/p 2f/s 1a/p 1a/s
Firing Chart: U
Max Power: 8
Damage Mod:
+3: -
+2: (1-20)
+1: -
Beam Weapon: OD-6
Firing Arcs: 1f 1a
Firing Chart: D
Max Power: 5
Damage Mod:
+3: (1-2)
+2: (3-4)
+1: (5-6)
Torpedo Type: OP-5
Firing Arcs: 2f
Firing Chart: Q
Power to arm: 1
Damage: 10
Shield Type: OSY
Shield Point Ratio: 1/2
Max Shield: 12
Combat Efficiency:
D: Unknown
WDF: 54

Background: Construction for the Charger's Price began in 2270. Due to the costs, technologies needed, and other myriad of matters did not see space flight until early 2279. The ship is large by Orion standards, culling the best that the merchant empire has to offer in all areas of technologies. Capable of deep space runs of almost 10 years without resupply, the ship has massive cargo bays for hauling all sorts of freight. Coupled with it was an impressive power output from 4 impulse engines and 2 warp engines, as well as multiple layers of reinforced superstructure. Charger's Price, built for and commissioned by former Starfleet captain Alexander Van Horn, was finally mated in 2278 with a 'borrowed' RCD Romulan cloaking device.

Van Horn had once been a successful human Starfleet captain aboard the USS Freedom's Hound, a Loknar Mk 3 frigate. His story would have continued there if, for reasons unknown, he had decided not to sell his ship to Orion pirates in exchange for a hefty cut of the profits and slave trade that resulted.

(I have no idea why my buddy did this. Go figure. But it certainly threw my original campaign idea out the window. )

Using funds gained from the sale, he bought a old and rundown Dwarfstar freighter. He took it on missions far from Federation space and under Star Fleet's radar. Over the next several years, Van Horn upgraded his freighter by several degrees, finally selling it in 2268 after buying one from a rival pirate's company. With a new influx of credits, he designed and built his own personal 'yacht' as he called it. But before he could claim ownership of it in 2279, Star Fleet Intelligence caught up with him. Caught by surprise, he surrendered himself.

The fate of the Charger's Price remains a mystery in Orion circles. Some say that Star Fleet claimed the ship for itself. Others say that the Romulans, angered over the stolen (and modern) cloaking device, destroyed it while still in its dock yards. Still others claim that one of the lead builders stole it, making it one of the most powerful private pirate raiders in known space. Regardless of which story was true, the Charger's Price remains one of the most expensive Orion ships ever constructed. It will likely remain so for years to come.

---

The following scenario occurs in 2280. The Kephan Unity catches wind of a 'powerful pirate ship' secured in a remote dry dock on the known borders of Federation Space. Admiral Rarcher, hearing the rumored ability of the custom one-off Orion built cruiser design, sets out to secure the remains of the ship for repurposing for the Unity. Calling upon his personally gifted dreadnought the HHS Vendee as well as three Diamond-class light cruisers the BB Balls Toy, the CK Clefton, and the GG Gamer, the Andorian took personal command of the high risk raid into Federation space. The potential prize lay within the UC-119 system just inside Federation's borders.

The system was a two planet system. The innermost world was a dead iron rich rock. The outermost world, a Class-M planet, was home to an aging late Four Years War era Starfleet HQ-class station (using the armed specs found here! www.ststcsolda.space/federation/starfleet_hq/starfleet_hq.html). According to the Unity's Star Naval Intelligence, recent reports said the system was unguarded otherwise. But the Charger's Price was kept in a mobile Pearl-class repair facility for study (found here! www.ststcsolda.space/federation/pearl/pearl.html). The plan was simple. The Vendee and two of the Diamonds would engage the starbase, while the third Diamond would disable and tow both the Price and Pearl out of the system.

When the raiders entered the system, the starbase and the facility went on full alert. Admiral Rarcher hailed the base, giving them one chance to surrender the Charger's Price without challenge. But the base commander simply laughed in his face, boasting that even his aged Starbase could handle the raid to come. Closing channels, Rarcher powered up all ships and proceeded into the system as planned.

---

Battle Outline/Goals:

Federation: 1x Starbase HQ-class starbase, 1x Pearl Mobile Repair Facility
Unity: 1x Vendee-class XIII dreadnought, 3x Diamond-class light cruisers

Goal For Federation: Defeat incoming raid entirely or destroy/disable Rarcher's battleship, prevent the GG Gamer from departing with the Pearl-class facility and Charger's Price
Goal For Unity: Disable the Pearl Mobile Repair Facility and tow it out of the system. At least Rarcher's dreadnought must survive. If disabled or destroyed, the raid is called off.

---

The battle began with a stroke of luck for Rarcher, the starbase commander's tactical officer foolish powered the wrong arc of shields to the approaching Unity ships! (AKA: My opposing player declared the wrong shields charged on his sheet and verbally ) Taking advantage of this mishap, Rarcher powered his forward shields heavily with weapons and swooped in with his two flanking Diamonds on the 'port' arc of the base. The remaining Diamond, keeping shields minimally powered, sped in on the nearby Pearl facility and opened fire with their forward weapons. The opening shots of Rarcher's charge ended up in an almost comical stroke, badly damaging the base's shields on that arc. Conversely the GG Gamer's attack on the Pearl wound up equally successful in battering through their port shield array and inflicting heavy damage on crew facilities. Return fire from the base did cause damage to the BB Balls Toy and the CK Clefton, both ship's forward shields were tossed aside like a rag doll in the opening engagement. However damage control teams kept the resulting hull damage to moderate levels with only small scale breaches. Rarcher's dreadnought was left untouched by the opening attack.

Coming about, the three Unity ships attacking the starbase kept to the port flank of the now unshielded base. Redistributing power flow, Rarcher powered up his aft shields to the max this time and his sole aft firing disruptors. The Diamonds kept their weapons to the fore, but shields to the aft quarter in their return about face. The base commander, irate at the foolish blunder by his tactical chief took personal command of the base's weapons. (It was discovered later on that he ignored the demands of his first officer to send a urgent distress call for any nearby aide!) Opening fire once more, Vendee struck a further blow this time to the base's port side weapons array damaging the systems there. However by this time, equally as it happened, the base commander opened fire hammering Rarcher's ship from the aft quarter. The return fire knocked aside the shields and badly damaged the dreadnought's impulse drive to low operational levels. In return the coming about Diamond's did emergency maneuvers and flipped their facing to forward opening fire. The shots did minimal effect though to the already damaged or destroyed hull areas. At this time the GG Gamer, out of range of the base's operational weapons, fired onto the Pearl. This time it sheared off the warp nacelle and port side shield array. With the Pearl disabled and it's crew evacuating to the escape pods, the GG Gamer moved into position to tow both facility and pirate ship out of the system.

On the next series of movements, Rarcher was heard to remark that the deed was done, and for all ships to begin falling back to cover the GG Gamer. Powering shields and his low operational impulse engines to maneuver, Rarcher and the remaining Diamonds withdrew to extreme range of the base's few port side weapons. Strikes were made by the now foaming-at-the-mouth irate base commander, who was later heard to demand his chief engineer to get out into space and push the base in pursuit. It was learned in the after action report that the First Officer had enough of his commanding officer's nonsense, stunned him and took command. Turning the base on its axis, he hoped to make distant pot shots at the now retreating Unity ships while putting out a now delayed distress call for any allied ships in the area.

Sadly his efforts proved futile, while his distant pot shots actually did land on the Vendee, disabling it from further sub-light movement on its own. It was determined that since they had what they wanted and were at the system's edge, the two other Diamonds towed Vendee the last bit out of the system before they all went safely to warp.

---

End Of Action Result: Major victory for Unity!

With repairs soon completed, Rarcher returned to Unity space, informing his superiors of the utter success of his daring raid! Not only had he dealt a serious blow to the system's starbase, aged as it was, he had also secured an intact operational Pearl repair facility and the Charger's Price for study, copying and possible future building efforts! The fact the ship's prized cloaking device was intact was an even greater boon for investigation and reverse engineering. In his after action report, Rarcher suggested they return the cloaking device afterwards so as to not anger the Romulans, distant though they were. He suggested returning it in exchange for any soon-to-be scrapped ships like they did secretly with the Klingons and the Federation long ago. His suggestions were taken under advisement, though the outcome is still being debated by the Unity's Congress.

---

brickwall hope you enjoy this little return gift for your Unity fellows! To be honest had my opposing player not screwed up and some rolls gone my way I think this might have turned out differently!

A zillion thank yous to you, Rarcher, as well as to the folks play-testing this with you! Many, many thanks! FOR GOD AND THE UNITY!!!

I especially like Van Horn's backstory. Lucky are the Orion pirates who got his Loknar. Star Fleet must have throw the book at Van Horn for his shenanigans! Correction: they probably threw the whole library at him!

As for the base commander, he'll probably get a "medical discharge" from Star Fleet. The First Officer will take his place. And maybe the base will get an upgrade and some cutters or a monitor to increase system defense. Just a guess on my part. Onward and upward!

[rarcher]

My curiosity is what will the Unity do with the Charger Price remains, the Pearl Facility, and the Cloak? These questions demand answers man!!

[brickwall]

Jan 29, 2021 2:59:35 GMT -7 rarcher said:

My curiosity is what will the Unity do with the Charger Price remains, the Pearl Facility, and the Cloak? These questions demand answers man!!

The Pearl and the Charger's Price will probably head to the Triple Capitol. The former to be repaired, so as to help repair the other ships in the Star Navy. The later for study and copying if it is cost-effective. But the modern cloaking device?

Many in the Congress would make a deal trading it for some old Romulan ships that had no cloaking devices. They could be reported as "missing" in official records if need arises. If they get enough, they could be split between the First Fleet on the Fed borders and the Second Fleet on the Klingon borders.

Others wouldn't go with this due to distance and cost, never mind the risk of destruction within the Triangle, Orion space or the Federation-Klingon Neutral Zone by "unfriendly forces". They'd advocate just giving it back, no questions asked.

So the debate goes on regarding this within their "hallowed halls" on Kepha.

[brickwall]

Okay, we have further development in the Kephan Congressional debate. See what you think, Rarcher. Trynda, Atolm and everyone else, chime in if you wish.

The pro-trade side would exchange the Price's stolen cloaking device for any obsolete ships the Romulans want to get rid of. However, there are a couple of provisos:

1) The ships sold must not have any cloaking devices at all.

2) None of them would be built after AD 2245.

3) No more than one of each class would be sold except for freighters.

(Okay, actually three provisos involved. Yes, this is now probably a Kephan characteristic -- things done in threes.)

What do you think? Would this do well as far as an RPG plot point? Please let me know if this is okay or needs to be fixed. Many thanks in advance.

[rarcher]

RArcher votes for this! I think it'd be a great plot

[brickwall]

Okay, after checking the voluminous files at ( fasaststcs.com/ ), here's an update on all this.

The pro-trade faction within the Congress would insist no Romulan ships bought be built after 2255, rather than 2245.

No ships would have any cloaking devices at all...PERIOD!

The reason why only one of each ship class other than freighters? To not attract either Federation or Klingon attention -- and possible attack -- while flying to Kephan space. And those ships had a LONG way to travel!

Further, Klingon ships traded to the Romulans under their tech exchange agreements had cloaking devices installed in them when they arrived in Romulan space. So unless said devices were removed, they'd be exempt from sale. No chance of them doing that, even though they chafed at having Klingon ships in the first place.

So this looks like it is becoming a smaller version of "An Armada On The Cheap". Longer trip, smaller amount of ships, bigger risk of skirmishes.

What the Romulans may sell to the "Nest of the Crazies" for the Charger's Price cloaking device are the following. NOTE: all ships are Type One models.

One V-1 Starglider CA

One V-2 Hunter CA

One V-4 Wing of Vengeance CA

One V-43 Skylord CA

One T-2 Death Talon DD

One S-4 Swift Wing SC

One R-2 Bright Star ES

Three I-4 Graffler freighters

But I'd suspect even the Romulan Senate would have heated discussions or arguments over this proposal as would the Kephan Congress.

What do you think? If this needs fixing, please let me know. Thank you in advance.

[rarcher]

RArcher approves!

[tinker]

Feb 1, 2021 14:49:38 GMT -7 brickwall said:

The reason why only one of each ship class other than freighters? To not attract either Federation or Klingon attention -- and possible attack -- while flying to Kephan space.

I don't see this as being any kind of issue. In the grand scheme of things, the types of ships involved would not be a factor. Either the total number of ships is going to be an issue...or it isn't.

For a fledgling navy, I would think a single ship type would be more attractive from a logistical standpoint.

Just my $.02.

[brickwall]

Feb 1, 2021 14:49:38 GMT -7 brickwall said:

Okay, after checking the voluminous files at ( fasaststcs.com/ ), here's an update on all this.

The pro-trade faction within the Congress would insist no Romulan ships bought be built after 2255, rather than 2245.

No ships would have any cloaking devices at all...PERIOD!

The reason why only one of each ship class other than freighters? To not attract either Federation or Klingon attention -- and possible attack -- while flying to Kephan space. And those ships had a LONG way to travel!

Further, Klingon ships traded to the Romulans under their tech exchange agreements had cloaking devices installed in them when they arrived in Romulan space. So unless said devices were removed, they'd be exempt from sale. No chance of them doing that, even though they chafed at having Klingon ships in the first place.

So this looks like it is becoming a smaller version of "An Armada On The Cheap". Longer trip, smaller amount of ships, bigger risk of skirmishes.

What the Romulans may sell to the "Nest of the Crazies" for the Charger's Price cloaking device are the following. NOTE: all ships are Type One models.

One V-1 Starglider CA

One V-2 Hunter CA

One V-4 Wing of Vengeance CA

One V-43 Skylord CA

One T-2 Death Talon DD

One S-4 Swift Wing SC

One R-2 Bright Star ES

Three I-4 Graffler freighters

But I'd suspect even the Romulan Senate would have heated discussions or arguments over this proposal as would the Kephan Congress.

What do you think? If this needs fixing, please let me know. Thank you in advance.

Minor change: on the V-2s, there are no Type Ones around. The earlier existing are Type Twos.

Plot proposal: if the Romulan Senate approves the deal, the crews of the above ships would be sent as colonizers on a Kephan world. If married, their families would be traveling within the Grafflers. They'd agree to live within Kephan laws as a result. More likely than not, the crews would be known k'manatri or outcasts from Romulan society. According to the Romulan Way: Game Operations Manual, the k'manatri are not to be acknowledged even by their own kin. So to the Empire, it would be "good riddance to bad rubbish". They usually don't live long, so they'd jump at the chance to see another day and regain their status among their own.

What do you think? Would this be a good deal for both the Kephan Congress and the Romulan Senate, all at the cost of getting back a super-advanced cloaking device? Furthermore, how would both the Federation and the Klingons react to such a deal? What would they do as a response to such a set-up?

Thank you all in advance for your input and suggestions.

[rarcher]

I like the above idea!

[brickwall]

Apr 21, 2021 6:56:47 GMT -7 rarcher said:

I like the above idea!

Further possible development: if the Congress and Senate approve the deal, would the transfer of the Charger's Price cloaking device be done within Orion space?

It is in neutral territory as far as the Feds and Klingons are concerned.

Furthermore, if the device is hidden within a typical Kephan convoy doing the Orion Run, neither Galactic Power would risk an incident trying to snatch it.

Nor would any particular Orion raider or raiders, at least from remembering their past dealings with the Romulans.

You know, this seems to be turning out to be a possible campaign of scenarios involving these Romulan Outcasts. Having to get past IKS raiders near their border. Then Orion pirates or Klingon skirmishers. Then finally Federation patrols before reaching Kephan space.

What do you think? If there are any kinks that need to be worked out in this, please let me know. Many thanks in advance.

[rarcher]

Apr 22, 2021 6:26:01 GMT -7 brickwall said:

Apr 21, 2021 6:56:47 GMT -7 rarcher said:

I like the above idea!

Further possible development: if the Congress and Senate approve the deal, would the transfer of the Charger's Price cloaking device be done within Orion space?

It is in neutral territory as far as the Feds and Klingons are concerned.

Furthermore, if the device is hidden within a typical Kephan convoy doing the Orion Run, neither Galactic Power would risk an incident trying to snatch it.

Nor would any particular Orion raider or raiders, at least from remembering their past dealings with the Romulans.

You know, this seems to be turning out to be a possible campaign of scenarios involving these Romulan Outcasts. Having to get past IKS raiders near their border. Then Orion pirates or Klingon skirmishers. Then finally Federation patrols before reaching Kephan space.

What do you think? If there are any kinks that need to be worked out in this, please let me know. Many thanks in advance.

Oh I like this from a roleplaying perspective!

[brickwall]

One last thing. According to the Triangle Campaign book, if memory serves, the Klingons wiped out any Romulan colonies on their border that they found. I'll stand corrected if I get that wrong.

In light of this, the Kephans would direct such an Outcast Convoy to a potential colony world as far from the Klingon frontier as possible. Meaning the "northern border" of the Unity, so to calm the fears and concerns the Convoy folks have. When they arrive, the freighters would transfer to Commerce Command. The other ships would stay around their new world, both for their protection and as a Star Navy reserve.

This is looking VERY good so far. So this settles it. I'll do the Kephan's relations with the Romulans next. Then the Orions afterward.

So folks, throw in anything you also want to add in this as well. Many thanks in advance.

[trynda1701]

brickwall

Some thoughts on the supply of Romulan ships to the Unity. Sorry it took me so long to reply on this. As always, comments are meant in a constructive manner.

Single Romulan vessels of older ship types might seem to be of little concern to both the Federation and Klingons.

BUT, whereas the original tactic of gaining scrap vessels from Klingon and Federation yards thru dummy corporations, and shipping them on the lowdown back to Kephan space directly in the initial days of the Unity, these Romulan castoffs present a different problem.

Due to the layout of the different political units (Federation, Klingons, Romulans and the Unity), as you said, the sheer distance from Romulan space back to Kephan space using the so-called 'Orion Run' back along the Federation/Klingon Neutral Zone might offer a tempting target to a Klingon captain on the border (they're Romulan vessels after all), or a Federation patrol spotting your latest acquisitions! You need to try and keep your fleet additions secret from Starfleet. Plus all those pesky Epsilon monitoring stations!

You might have to take an even longer route back to Kephan space. The FASA maps simplify the geopolitical view. In 'reality', Federation Space is a sphere, with the Romulans, Klingons and the Unity as 'amoeba' like areas butting up against it. The FASA map is showing us the equatorial plane of all the political units, including the Orion Run.

So your convoy/convoys to get the vessels back to Kephan space might have two options, depending on time scale.

1) If you want to do the trade BEFORE the setup of the Independent Economic Confederation on FASA Stardate 2/25, you just have to take care going thru the Triangle, avoiding the Imperial Klingon States, and possibly the Orion Frontier Merchantile Association, before ducking up or down away from the Federation/Klingon border and the Orion Run.

2) If you want to do the trade of ships AFTER the setup of the IEC, they might be shipped from the Romulan/Triangle border nearest your newly created IEC, and then arc above or below the Orion Run.

In both cases, this is where the sphere of the Federation is getting further away from Klingon space. This would mean that the convoys would be in unclaimed space, further from the borders, monitoring stations, and Klingon or Federation patrols, which would technically have no direct jurisdiction over the area. This would also help protect the Romulan k'manatri colonists.

This tactic would also work if the trade for the cloaking device takes place in Orion space. A fast ship from Kepha arcs away from the borders, and then either dives down or climbs up into the Orion Enclave!

With rarcher giving a date of 2280 (about FASA Stardate 2/20 or so?) in his Chargers Price scenario, this would be a few years before the Genesis Incident, and therefore the later development by Kepha for the Klingons of the hunting world of QaHQun (originally tlpqan yuQ, the "World of Ashes"). So Klingon distrust of Kepha in option 1) would be higher at this time to also complicate matters.

If using the IEC (formed FASA Stardate 2/25), that means that it has taken a few years for the trade deliberations and the resultant ship exchange to be arranged. And QaHQun is probably accepting its first Klingon customers!

Yes, this might mean less skirmishes, but Kepha needs to maximise her protection of new assets!


Sorry if this seems overly complicated, but I like my astronomy, and I also think using the Orion Run is tempting fate geopolitically! Hope you find this of use.

[brickwall]

Trynda, that is phenomenal! I am grateful to you for your analysis of all this so far.

After reading this, I'd say yes to Option Two. The distance between the Unity and the Romulans would necessitate a long time between response and counter-response. Furthermore, it would lessen Klingon paranoia at the Unity with the IEC's creation as a buffer state to spy on the Romulans -- as well as the making of QaHQun. Both empires, of course, would still see the Kephans as 1000% nuts, but beneficial to them in one form or another.

Plus now that I think of it, Rarcher would likely get promoted to Fleet Admiral in light of his successful raid. And the Vendee gets an upgrading in her rear shields. Now we need to fill in any gaps for any RPG campaigns connected with this, if any are made.

Once again, Trynda, many, many thanks for your input.   Onward and upward!

[trynda1701]

I hope you don't think I'm trying to be a killjoy. After all, it might still be possible that Klingon privateers might not have got the memo that the Unity is of use to the Empire, or a Federation starship is exploring past the Federation boundary (it was shown on TOS a few times).

And as in my gaming universe I have the Orions deploying ships out on the opposite border near Tholian space, anything is still possible. Who knows what different cartels think of the Unity!

[brickwall]

Jun 13, 2021 15:51:51 GMT -7 trynda1701 said:

I hope you don't think I'm trying to be a killjoy. After all, it might still be possible that Klingon privateers might not have got the memo that the Unity is of use to the Empire, or a Federation starship is exploring past the Federation boundary (it was shown on TOS a few times).

And as in my gaming universe I have the Orions deploying ships out on the opposite border near Tholian space, anything is still possible. Who knows what different cartels think of the Unity!

General consensus: great customers but tough negotiators. Why? They hold on fiercely to: "Let your 'yes' mean 'yes' and your 'no' mean 'no'. Anything else comes from the Evil One."

If you read up in both the Orion supplements -- Book of Common Knowledge and Book of Deep Knowledge -- their language expresses shades of meaning that gives the individual Orion loopholes to gain advantage on someone. More often than not, it doesn't work that well with Kephans. The Orions never get cheated on, are treated fairly and often come out better than expected. But it is a long-established cultural thing with Orions. They can't help it.

Besides, when the Kephans spring something on them that takes them by surprise, they get shocked. An example is when they first saw their Chain Lightning-class destroyer, which was just two Lightning-class blockade runners welded together with internal improvements. Plus as far as weapons, it was almost as powerful as an old-style Klingon Fat Man battleship. Nobody at all in the Free States or the Cartels expected this.

Or when the Kephans gave the Free States a trio of Charette-class heavy cruisers free of charge for their Star Navy, it was "out of the blue" for them.

So their term for the Kephans, translated from their native tongue, means "They've done it again!".

[brickwall]

This just popped up in my head this moment. We need a sketch up on what the Charger's Price looks like.

It would have a VERY rich look and feel, befitting it's reputation as "the most expensive Orion ship ever built". If the Kephans do make copies of it, I'd think they'd only make one a year because it would cost too much to make more than that.

What do you all think? Would that seem logical to you all?

[trynda1701]

Jul 8, 2021 15:47:49 GMT -7 brickwall said:

This just popped up in my head this moment. We need a sketch up on what the Charger's Price looks like.

It would have a VERY rich look and feel, befitting it's reputation as "the most expensive Orion ship ever built". If the Kephans do make copies of it, I'd think they'd only make one a year because it would cost too much to make more than that.

What do you all think? Would that seem logical to you all?

Interesting. Thoughts to be considered.

1) All Orion components, but would ex-Starfleet Captain Horn be influenced by Starfleet styling? But as a one-off (for now), engines nacelles might be the only recognisable Orion component.

2) Tonnage is close to 160,000mt, with high superstructure due to hull strengthening, (which doesn't necessarily make her too large). But what size is she approximately?

3) Do atolm, JAFisher44 or any of our other ship designing experts have any thoughts they might bring to the table for our ostentatious battle yatch (she is quite heavily armed)?

Anyone else have thoughts on this?

[rarcher]

Well my buddy Brandon used a upscaled Wanderer design for the basis. So maybe use that for starters? If I remember right its a class X sized ship?

[brickwall]

Jul 9, 2021 6:12:10 GMT -7 rarcher said:

Well my buddy Brandon used a upscaled Wanderer design for the basis. So maybe use that for starters? If I remember right its a class X sized ship?

The Wanderer-class is a Class V blockade runner. I don't know what class ship the Charger's Price is.

Oh, here's a heads-up. Am working on a new one-off Kephan dreadnought that involves both the Anchor Co-operative AND Romulan "outcasts". Stay tuned!

[trynda1701]

Jul 9, 2021 6:27:50 GMT -7 brickwall said:

Jul 9, 2021 6:12:10 GMT -7 rarcher said:

Well my buddy Brandon used a upscaled Wanderer design for the basis. So maybe use that for starters? If I remember right its a class X sized ship?

The Wanderer-class is a Class V blockade runner. I don't know what class ship the Charger's Price is.

Oh, here's a heads-up. Am working on a new one-off Kephan dreadnought that involves both the Anchor Co-operative AND Romulan "outcasts". Stay tuned!

brickwall

rarcher is right, the Chargers Price right at the top for Class X tonnage. So BIG by normal Orion standards (as brickwall says, the Wanderer is Class V) if you only use the original Construction Manual tables. That's why I used Klingon tech on my Class X Conqueror class.

However, with updated tables, you've got access to the more powerful tech listed.

rarcher

Hmmm, an upscaled Wanderer, interesting. I could see the original forward pod with an enlarged central section, bulkier than the 'wasp' waist of the original ship with the pods hanging off of it, and the original nacelles for a kitbashed mini.

Maybe squarer and bulkier, loosing the hotrod look of the original Wanderer style because of the heavier superstructure. But then maybe the pod needs to be larger, and the engine nacelles bigger and longer, for the 'real vessel.

[brickwall]

On a hunch, I looked up whether something close to a Class X Orion ship was already posted. Guess what? BINGO! It looks like there was.

Member james43a posted this back in late November 2012. This was the Wander Lust-class battle cruiser. The Orions made seven of them and the Kephans bought one of them, assigned to their Reserves.

Now I hope I'm doing this right and please correct me if I'm doing this wrong. Here is the link to the original post on what it looks like as well as it's stats:

ststcsolda.proboards.com/post/3103

So maybe something looking like this could be a template for the Charger's Price. What do you all think?

[trynda1701]

Jul 9, 2021 20:09:26 GMT -7 brickwall said:

On a hunch, I looked up whether something close to a Class X Orion ship was already posted. Guess what? BINGO! It looks like there was.

Member james43a posted this back in late November 2012. This was the Wander Lust-class battle cruiser. The Orions made seven of them and the Kephans bought one of them, assigned to their Reserves.

Now I hope I'm doing this right and please correct me if I'm doing this wrong. Here is the link to the original post on what it looks like as well as it's stats:

ststcsolda.proboards.com/post/3103

So maybe something looking like this could be a template for the Charger's Price. What do you all think?

brickwall

That link indeed works correctly, and is OBVIOUSLY built from Wanderer parts.

Good catch!

james43a

I know your post brickwall links to was a good few years ago, but do you still have the background you mentioned you might post on the Wonder Lust class?