AAR: Echoes in Eternity

[Pharos]

I started this shortly after Christmas last year, but got distracted by other events and it eventually went on the backburner...and suddenly its 9 months later. Rather than waste it entirely I figured I'd post it and see what happens, if people seem to like it I'll keep it going, though the game it is based on is long finished and I'll just be relying on memory and various saves taken throughout the game. Because of that this'll be much more story driven than some other AAR's I've seen. I hope you like it, and if you don't, well, I will have only cost you a few minutes of your time [;)]

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[center]Echoes in Eternity[/center]

It is arguable whether the initial invasion of the Milky Way galaxy by the Shakturi could be called a success or not, certainly the results could not be called a victory by the native species by any measure beyond base survival. Without a doubt the Four Horsemen of human mythology ran rampant in the wake of the Shakturi repulse: Famine, Pestilence, War and Death stalked the galaxy as the once vibrant civilizations of the Milky Way collapsed under the weight of countless billions of casualties, shattered worlds, rampant bio-weapons, and faltering technology. The grim equation of survival became the dominant factor governing the actions of the remaining population: the light of civilization faded, and the galaxy entered a dark age centuries in duration.

Preface to 'The Second Age of Man'
Phoenix Publications
Terra, Sol System, 2301NCC

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The Haven system contains seven major planets:

Innermost planet and once thought to be a possibility for colonization, the marshy world named Kerbin was later determined to have an atmosphere high in chlorine, making it unsuitable for habitation without extensive terraforming.
The second world is called Hope by the people of the Alliance, and it is a planet with several distinct continents and oceans, it also has various biomes which support, if not perfectly, the various needs of the different races that live there. Hope is orbited by Dahak, an airless satellite with a number of resources suitable for mining operations. It also has a ring system rich in metals called the Glitter Band, thought to be the remains of the core of a second moon destroyed millennia past.
Ijyw is the third planet orbiting Haven, a chill world lacking in water, it lies just outside the habitable zone. Ijyw is a Securan word that translates roughly as 'mirage'.
Vrek and Sekal are barren, airless worlds, both are accompanied by equally barren satellites named Ryavui and Etiffen respectively.
The sole gas giant of the Haven system is named Pale, it is theorized that the deeper atmosphere is rich in the elements necessary for the power generators that will make space travel possible and is therefore a high priority for development. Ened is a moon tortured by its close proximity to its parent world, constant volcanism makes it a potential source of resources often too difficult to acquire on more stable worlds. Observers on Hope have noticed a region of unusual geological stability and for that reason Ened is high on the list of priorities for exploration of the Haven system. Floohag is Pale's second significant satellite, however the barren rock appears to be of considerably less interest beyond the possibility of mineral extraction.
Lastly, the icy world of Hara forms a symbolic end to the Haven system, though apart from potential resources the planet seems to be of limited interest.
Of particular interest, besides the worlds of Haven, is a area close to the star itself where highly reflective objects have been observed. Given the stories of our ancestors traveling to this system with a fleet, this anomaly may provide insight or even answers to the nature of our origins.

Minutes from the Multi-Bureau Conference for the Exploration of the Haven System. 2099.06.23NCC

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Having finally unified the planet of Hope in the Haven system towards the end of the 21st century of the New Consolidated Calendar, the Haven Alliance finds itself presented with a number of issues:
Primary of which is the nature of Hope itself, clearly so many unrelated intelligent species being present on one planet cannot be a result of natural circumstances; even without the startlingly similar oral traditions passed down to those species in the wake of the Great Forgetting, it is clear that the original settlers of Hope had been fleeing something truly terrible. The question of whether that terrible threat still existed after all this time was one that weighed heavily on the Alliance Council.
Secondly it is becoming increasingly clear that the rumors of visitors from other planets that have persisted in years past may actually have some basis in reality. The mysterious optical anomaly captured by the Or'ghat orbital telescope suggests that someone out there has some degree of interest in the Haven system. What may come of that interest no one can as yet say.

The 22nd Century began much the same as any other year for the people of Hope, it definitely didn't signal any massive changes for the Alliance's efforts towards expanding beyond the planet's surface. Deadlock reigned within the Council as the various races butted heads over how the Alliance should approach the process of exploring and exploiting the Haven system: The Ketarov and Quameno both advocate keeping a low profile and developing new technologies before venturing out into the system lest the increased activity attracts unwanted attention. The Humans and Ackdarians, on the other hand, prefer a more energetic approach, venturing forth to claim worlds and resources before the Alliance finds itself under pressure from potential competitors. The Securan and Teekan representatives prefer a less aggressive approach to expansion, though for different reasons, ranging from philosophical objections to conflict being bad for trade. The Xenox want to focus on developing a comprehensive plan for how exploration and expansion will be undertaken rather than the intent behind it: So long as archaeological investigation is a priority they will be happy.

Months of deadlock and intense discussion within the Council was rendered moot when, on 2100.05.14NCC, four vessels jumped into close proximity of Hope and transmitted a demand for currency or goods in exchange for 'protection' from their depredations. In an emergency meeting between the Alliance Council and the Unified Military Command it was decided to reject the demands; the concept of 'protection money' was hardly unknown, and one thing it was especially known for was the all too common absence of protection for the one paying. It was not an easy thing for the military leaders to convince the Council to take that path. But eventually the argument that any short term gain by paying the raiders off would be more than offset by the fact that they would be subsidizing the very ships that would attack when the Alliance eventually could not, or would not, pay the price demanded won through. Doubtless it was a risky strategy, gambling that the raiders wouldn't be able to bring sufficient force to bear against Hope to exact a capitulation. Images captured of the intruding vessels suggested that they lacked weapons suited to bombarding the surface effectively without dropping dangerously deep into Hope's atmosphere.

Even as the Alliance's military mobilized for action the refusal was transmitted to the ships arcing in towards Hope. The raider ships then drop assault shuttles as the Alliance military scrambles to secure strategic locations, that proves to be a mistake as it soon becomes clear the the attackers objectives are not aimed at government infrastructure, but rather the civilian population. In the meantime the four raider ships moved off, apparently taking an interest in the debris field close to Haven's star, however their presence seemed to disturb something concealed amongst the wreckage: Weapons-blink was detected, and at least one ship was seen breaking up, swarmed by some sort of lifeform. Signals intercepts later indicate that the raider's identified the creature as being called a Kaltor. The remaining raider ships jumped away, but did not return to Hope orbit. The fighting on Hope itself was fierce, and not without losses among the civilian population. However, without the support of their ships above, the invader's shuttles were soon destroyed, cutting the troops off from escape. They were eventually encircled and wiped out, the Alliance forces having little interest in showing the pirate scum mercy, let alone giving them quarter.

The attack was remarkably effective at focusing the attention of the Council, and construction of a spaceport in Hope orbit was rapidly approved and funds allocated, with work crews and materials being boosted into orbit within the week. The following year of construction passed with tense anticipation as the question of whether the pirates would return before the space port was completed, the military was expanded should another landing raid occur but those concerns proved unfounded as no sign of the hostile warships was seen. Studies of the images taken of the battle the pirates fought near the the system primary had caused the military significant concern, the ships appeared to rely on kinetic weapons, something against which the Alliance had no defense nor was anything capable of doing so in development. Even as the space port was being built, designs of new ships were being developed; ships to explore the Haven system as well as to protect it. The Odyssey class exploration vessel was the first to begin production, with construction beginning even before the space port itself was completed, indeed, the ASV Odyssey and ASV Voyager left the slips before the final finishing touches were added to the station and it was declared officially open. Once the Hope Space Port was completed four Onager class warships, so named for their near total focus on missiles as their main armament, were laid down. However, shortly after, an alien freighter jumped into the Haven system near Hope causing the Alliance military to go into a state of high alert. The precaution proved unnecessary though, as the newcomer broadcast messages requesting docking and trade: although the military wasn't entirely convinced, their largely unarmed ship did not seem to pose too great a threat, and the trader was allowed to dock. The traders were unwilling to reveal the secrets of their FTL drive, but they were carrying a number of useful trade-goods and were willing to trade in kind for products Hope had in excess.

Apparently word about Haven spread quickly because the system was soon inundated with independent traders, this caused considerable concern among the Alliance government and military and, despite the wailing and gnashing of teeth of those in charge of the budget, a further four Onager class destroyers were ordered. Taking advantage of the flood of newcomers, the Alliance's intelligence agency sent one of their agents on a mission to acquire technologies from the pirates, booking passage on a freighter information suggested had dealings with that group. Some months later the agent returned having successfully gained access to designs of the pirates assault shuttles, combined with a local project based on captured wreckage left behind after the raid, this gave the Alliance a fully functional boarding craft. Having determined that, given the disparity in technology, the energy weapon system installed on the star port would likely not remain intact long enough to actually engage any attacker, it was decided to strip out half of that system and instead install facilities for the new assault craft.

2102.04.14NCC would be a day etched in the memories of the people of the Haven Alliance for decades to come; for that was the day Hope's skies burned. Three raider ships had jumped into close proximity to the Alliance's homeworld and there was little doubt as to their intentions as they transmitted horrifying images of their past exploits. It is unknown whether the raiders had performed prior recon of the system or whether the relative positions of their ships and those of the Alliance fleet were the result of a plan or navigation error. Whatever the case was, one of the raiders was isolated from its two compatriots by Hope itself, having arrived within range of the 1st and the majority of the as yet incomplete 2nd Destroyer Squadrons. The positions of the raiders arrival offered the Alliance an incredible opportunity, but taking it would come at an incredible cost. Because focusing the fleet on the lone raider meant leaving the Space Port virtually undefended from the other two raiders, which had jumped into an area largely bereft of a fleet presence. Nevertheless, this was the choice made by the commander of the squadrons, and six of the seven Onager class destroyers completed thus far focused their fire on the isolated raider while the lone ASV Crossbow moved to engage the pair of raiders in a desperate holding action. It was at this point that the raiders revealed two more pieces of technology in a horrifyingly unwelcome surprise to the defenders, as strange energy beams reached out from the attackers to pull the defending ships into range of their devastating kinetic weaponry, completely negating their advantages in speed and range. Not only were the Onagers unable to remain at standoff ranges, but the enemy ships appeared to have some sort of energy shield which significantly reduced damage received from the opening missile barrages. ASV Crossbow never stood a chance as it was pulled in and torn apart by the raider pair, the few missile salvos it launched splashing harmlessly against their shields before they turned their attention to their real target of the raider attack: the Hope Space Port.

On the other side of Hope the situation was better, if only because of overwhelming numbers, and the lone raider soon had its shields battered to ineffectiveness, though not before hauling in and severely damaging ASV Arbalest. The boarding shuttles of the Space Port raced out to the damaged raider even as fire from the other two ships sped towards the station itself. The shuttles focused on taking the largely undamaged engineering section of the raider, latching on and successfully taking that area before any sabotage could be done to the FTL system. But the rest of the fight to take the ship degenerated into brutal compartment by compartment close quarter combat where guns were used as clubs as often as they were for shooting. Even as that battle raged, the five Onagers that remained combat capable desperately turned their attention to the other two raiders which were dealing savage blows to the station with every round from their kinetic weapons. Already the ASV Arquebus, which had been nearing completion in the slips, had been smashed into wreckage and the Space Port didn't seem that far behind; its weapons silenced, its boarding shuttles naught but fragments spreading through Hope's orbit. Heedless of their own lives the desperate crews of the fleet dove towards the raiders, missile salvos racing out to kill their hated enemy. But even this was not enough, their enemy was too bloodthirsty, too desperate, or perhaps just too damn high on drugs to care about the missiles pummeling their ships as they stubbornly rained fire upon the Space Port with every weapon that could come to bear. In an heroic attempt to save the station the captains of the ASV Trebuchet and ASV Scorpion used their own ships to shield Hope Space Port from further damage, selling their lives to buy time for their comrades attacks to destroy the enemy.

Ultimately the battle was won, but the cost went beyond appalling. Hope Space Port had been saved, though barely. With gallows humor one engineer was heard to say that the station was held together more by gravitational attraction than by structural integrity. The fleet was largely wreckage as well, only ASV Longbow had come through unscathed, and of the other three remaining warships only ASV Catapult was capable of movement with ASV Onager and ASV Arbalest left drifting in Hope orbit, their surviving crew having abandoned ship following the battle. However the Alliance fleet now had a new ship to call its own, formerly the Devastation, and now rechristened the ASV Prize, the capture of the raider ship is a spectacular coup for the Alliance. Nonetheless there is little call for jubilation, hundreds of naval personnel are dead, as are hundreds more civilians who had been on the station when it was attacked. The people of Hope enter a state of mourning even as plans are drawn up to repair the damage. It is eventually estimated that the station would take almost as long to repair as it would take to build a new one, and there are thoughts of scrapping the station and starting anew are seriously considered. But there is a stubbornness to the Alliance's people, a will to defy those who would strike them down, and scrapping the Space Port seems too much like doing the enemy's job for them.

As repair efforts commence the various races of the Alliance look to the sky with both concern and determination: Wondering what will come next and vowing to meet it head-on regardless.

[elitewurmonline]

Very interesting and entertaining read.

Would be great to see more of the story