In the end, I've decided I don't really have the time to work on the CitD project. Thank you for the offer of including me, Mal, but again I just don't see myself having the necessary time for at least the next several months. Maybe I'll reconsider then.
Still, I'd like to throw out a few things I've made in what little spare time I actually find myself with. Feel free to use them, toss them, or modify them up the wazoo.
~~~Basic Proposal: Operation Sweeper GroupA fleet of spacecraft of the various factions, both armed and not, will perform a basic sweep of the star systems directly surrounding the ~50LY ISOT perimeter out to a distance of xLY. The aim of the operation is to identify occupation of these star systems, whether current or prior.In the case of the former, basic covert observation shall be carried out and, depending on a vote of a council of the factions present in the fleet based on these observations, either make initial contact or return to Solspace.In the case of the latter, a survey – the detail of which should be decided by fleet leadership – is to be held and, if feasible and of potential value to Solspace security and/or development, salvage is to attempted. Of particular interest are computer components, HPG equipment, and BattleMech and other military technologies.
~~~Excerpt from “Jane's All the Galaxy's Spacecraft” by Jane's
Information Group (online edition, 2065):
Leopard OZ (NERV)
Light DropShip
SPECIFICATION:Manufacturer:
DeLorean Motor Company (Hakone Aerospace Yard)First
Launch: 25 June 2026 (3032) [OZ1; 15
March 2027 (3033) [OZ2Fuel:
Deuterium hydrogenPerformance:
4.5 g (standard thrust), 7.0 g (maximum safe thrust) [increase by .2 for OZ2s]Propulsion:
Fusion thrusters (2), repulsorlift motors (2) [latter in OZ2 and OZ3 models only]Dry
Mass: 1,776 tonsSecondary
Craft: 6Crew: 9
(6 minimum)
Based off of the Leopard class ships captured during the Invasion of
'25, the Leopard OZ is the second Tellurian-built dropship to see use in
the Inner Sphere. The first ship of the class, NFV Leopard herself, was
barely completed in time to serve with the forces of the counter-invasion of
Antallos. This first ship her class was not even a new ship at all, but the Jolly Roger of the Fischer’s Fusiliers,
captured by the U.S. military, and who were barely managed to convince to part
with it (and even then for a considerable sum). Most agree that the U.S. only
agreed parted with it because they were putting so much more effort into their
studies/reconstruction of several captured Union dropships. The heavily
damaged dropship would be upgraded prior to its rechristening ceremony, using
data from the undamaged Refuge in
Audacity shared by the Soviets to repair her and a general upgrade of her
existing non-weaponry load-out using Tellurian and Fen technologies.The original refit model is officially identified as the Leopard OZ1. DeLorean makes a reasonable
profit each year refitting existing Leopard
class dropships into this configuration. Later Leopard OZ2 and OZ3
models would be built from the ground up. These models are equipped with the
repulsorlift “thrustless” launch and landing motors first demonstrated on the Detroit class as well as improved armor
reverse engineered Inner Sphere technology and several alloy formulae from the
Whole Fenspace Catalog. Like their venerable predecessor, the OZ1 and OZ2 embark four mecha and two aerospace fighters. The two
subclasses serve as light dropships in both military and merchant
organizations, the latter of which usually replace some of its possible
fighter/mecha complement with more cargo.The OZ3 model, increasingly
popular among merchants and private owners, is a departure from the others in
terms of layout, though it retains an identical size and shape. Removed are the
PPCs and two of its three missile racks, though the laser defenses are
identical. The space for four mecha is likewise removed and replaced with a
smaller area for ground vehicles. The OZ3
rearranges the rest of the internal deck layout to make use of the space freed
by the removed weapons systems, creating more living/work/cargo area and making
it possible for use as a more general purpose craft than an assault dropship,
while still having the ability to defend itself. The compartments/rooms on OZ3 models are designed to be highly
customizable, both during initial construction and in later refits, whether
owner or professionally done.Used primarily in the Grantville Cluster and the Outworlds Alliance, the
three models of the Leopard OZ are occasionally
seen in other Inner Sphere and Periphery nations as well. As of 3060, OZ2 and OZ3 models are produced at a pace of roughly five per year on
average.~~~Possible Events/Points of Interest in Need of Addressing3022 AD: The Federated Commonwealth Alliance Document is signed (I don’t really see the Fen-Earth’s arrival or actions disrupting or otherwise affecting this)3023 AD: Hatchetman Battlemech fielded (I don’ see this being affected either, but I do see somebody from A-Baoa-Qu reading about it, looking at his Zaku, and saying “I did it first.”)3028 AD: Star League memory core discovered on Helm (Do the Fen want to prevent this, or maybe make the discovery even sooner to help the Inner Sphere prepare for the Clans?)3029 AD: Comstar covertly attacks the New Avalon Institute of Science and Myndo Waterly named Primus (Comstar is a tricky issue. On the one hand, a priority for the Fen is no doubt the prevention of any kind of success for a future Operation Scorpion analogue, and they definitely want to prevent the formation of the Word of Blake and its Jihad. On the other hand, Comstar played multiple parts during the Clan Invasion – if they are affected too heavily by the Butterfly Effect, the foreknowledge of the Invasion will become increasingly useless. Of course, with Clan Nova Cat being affected as they are, those butterfly wings are already a’flappin’, but the Fen don’t know that.)3030 AD: Comstar gives Star League battlemechs to the Draconis Combine (If prevented, this would doubtlessly cause the War of 3039 to continue longer in that the Federated Commonwealth would be able to capture significant Combine territory before being halted.)3034 AD: Free Rasalhague Republic recognized by Draconis Combine (The in-story book quotes indicates this still happens, so I have no comments) and Neil Avellar II marries Rebecca DeSanders (Important only because it is a major political marriage of the Convention’s closest interstellar neighbors; again no real comments to make.)3038 AD: Comstar exploration vessel Outbound Light encounters Clan forces (Butterfly Effect question: does it still happen this way?)I’ll stop here, as anything past twenty years being exactly the same as canon is a pretty low chance.~~~Forces of STARS Naval Division (As of Invasion of 2025)*Indicates status as Under Construction**Indicates status as Nearing Completion***Planned Only/Under Development-Armed Craft (includes fighter/mecha carriers)-Leader-Class Patrol Ship NFV Marshal NoventaLeader-Class Patrol Ship NFV General VenteiLeader-Class Patrol Ship NFV General SeptemLeader-Class Patrol Ship NFV Colonel Une**Leader-Class Patrol Ship NFV Marquis Weyridge*[Quirk “Dynamic Entry”: Not noticed until several ships entered another star system for the first time, in a quirk the origins of which are a mystery, whenever a ship of this class does enter a different star system it broadcasts the theme from the Police Academy movies on all frequencies, making it unsuited for many covert operations.]Fraternity-Class Assault Shuttle NFV Milliardo PeacecraftFraternity-Class Assault Shuttle NFV Quatre Winner*Fraternity-Class Assault Shuttle NFV Trowa Barton*[Note: Carries three M.S., has two forward locked lasers, and one dual machine gun turret on top; Quirk “Lightning Baron”: The first shuttle of the class refuses to enter FTL speeds unless “Greased Lightning” is audibly playing in the cockpit. Premature ending of the song causes FTL to end, but craft will remain at FTL velocities if the song ends normally.)Long-Class M.S. Mothership NFV Long Mei Lin*Long-Class M.S. Mothership NFV Long Shi Lin*Long-Class M.S. Mothership NFV Chang Wu Fei***(Note: Can be refit with reentry pods or sensor packages rather than its eight M.S. units)M.S. Carrier Submarine NFV Aquarius***Leftenant-Class Dual M.S. Carrier Shuttle NFV Otto***Leftenant-Class Dual M.S. Carrier Shuttle NFV Walker***-Unarmed Craft (i.e., NERV Foundation Merchant Fleet)-Sorority-Class Transport Ship NFV Catherine BloomSorority-Class Transport Ship NFV Relena Peacecraft**Sorority-Class Transport Ship NFV Iria Winner*(Quirk “Absolute Pacifism”: The Relena Peacecraft refuses to operate at all if there are any weapons aboard. Any attempt to use something aboard as a makeshift weapon results in annoying ‘accidents’ occurring to the perpetrator until they disembark.)Monolith-Class Transport Shuttle NFV Sally PoMonolith-Class Transport Shuttle NFV Hilde SchbeicherMonolith-Class Transport Shuttle NFV Dorothy Catalonia**Monolith-Class Transport Shuttle NFV Lucrezia Noin*(Note: Shuttles of this class can carry one M.S., two A.S., or two to three fighters, the final depending on width and height requirements.)Custom High-Speed Shuttle NFV Heero Yuy (Colonel Tuberov’s shuttle from series)**Custom Diplomatic Shuttle NFV Sylvia Noventa (Lady Une’s shuttle from series)Custom Stealth Shuttle NFV Duo Maxwell***Khushrenada-Class Personnel Shuttle NFV TreizeKhushrenada-Class Personnel Shuttle NFV Mariemaia*
~~~
TO: Heinrich McCrery, Ph.D., Project Dir(ector)FROM: Catherine Avellar, President, OWASUBJECT: Case Obsidian(CLAS)SIFIED – PROJECT DIRECTOR’S EYES ONLYDoctor McCrery:In the event of Case Obsidian, i.e., in the event of the complete destruction of (Ju)mpShip Dragon’s Teeth is to proc(eed) merchant identity so as (capi)tals of the Hegemony, Combine, Commonwealth, League, and Confederation and disembark those who their devices only when they can confirm the presence of the gover (deca)pitation strike is
- Excerpt from deteriorated document recovered by UFP archaeologists from Masada Base subbasement office, Planet Glitnir, former Traders Domain, Outworlds Wastes
~~~
“Under no circumstances will the Seele Council support any reformed Star League or any attempt to restore such an organization. The inherent weaknesses present in the make-up of the old Star League were apparent since its founding, blatant in its final years, and a reformed Star League would merely suffer from those same flaws and fail in much the same manner as its predecessor.“What we will support are any attempts at peaceful, equal, cooperative ventures between interstellar nations – such as represented in the formation of the Federated Commonwealth – and the possible formation of an interstellar, United Nations-like organization.”- Official Position of the Seele Council as given by Council Chairman Kazuo Jenkins, 2026
Still, I'd like to throw out a few things I've made in what little spare time I actually find myself with. Feel free to use them, toss them, or modify them up the wazoo.
~~~Basic Proposal: Operation Sweeper GroupA fleet of spacecraft of the various factions, both armed and not, will perform a basic sweep of the star systems directly surrounding the ~50LY ISOT perimeter out to a distance of xLY. The aim of the operation is to identify occupation of these star systems, whether current or prior.In the case of the former, basic covert observation shall be carried out and, depending on a vote of a council of the factions present in the fleet based on these observations, either make initial contact or return to Solspace.In the case of the latter, a survey – the detail of which should be decided by fleet leadership – is to be held and, if feasible and of potential value to Solspace security and/or development, salvage is to attempted. Of particular interest are computer components, HPG equipment, and BattleMech and other military technologies.
~~~Excerpt from “Jane's All the Galaxy's Spacecraft” by Jane's
Information Group (online edition, 2065):
Leopard OZ (NERV)
Light DropShip
SPECIFICATION:Manufacturer:
DeLorean Motor Company (Hakone Aerospace Yard)First
Launch: 25 June 2026 (3032) [OZ1; 15
March 2027 (3033) [OZ2Fuel:
Deuterium hydrogenPerformance:
4.5 g (standard thrust), 7.0 g (maximum safe thrust) [increase by .2 for OZ2s]Propulsion:
Fusion thrusters (2), repulsorlift motors (2) [latter in OZ2 and OZ3 models only]Dry
Mass: 1,776 tonsSecondary
Craft: 6Crew: 9
(6 minimum)
Based off of the Leopard class ships captured during the Invasion of
'25, the Leopard OZ is the second Tellurian-built dropship to see use in
the Inner Sphere. The first ship of the class, NFV Leopard herself, was
barely completed in time to serve with the forces of the counter-invasion of
Antallos. This first ship her class was not even a new ship at all, but the Jolly Roger of the Fischer’s Fusiliers,
captured by the U.S. military, and who were barely managed to convince to part
with it (and even then for a considerable sum). Most agree that the U.S. only
agreed parted with it because they were putting so much more effort into their
studies/reconstruction of several captured Union dropships. The heavily
damaged dropship would be upgraded prior to its rechristening ceremony, using
data from the undamaged Refuge in
Audacity shared by the Soviets to repair her and a general upgrade of her
existing non-weaponry load-out using Tellurian and Fen technologies.The original refit model is officially identified as the Leopard OZ1. DeLorean makes a reasonable
profit each year refitting existing Leopard
class dropships into this configuration. Later Leopard OZ2 and OZ3
models would be built from the ground up. These models are equipped with the
repulsorlift “thrustless” launch and landing motors first demonstrated on the Detroit class as well as improved armor
reverse engineered Inner Sphere technology and several alloy formulae from the
Whole Fenspace Catalog. Like their venerable predecessor, the OZ1 and OZ2 embark four mecha and two aerospace fighters. The two
subclasses serve as light dropships in both military and merchant
organizations, the latter of which usually replace some of its possible
fighter/mecha complement with more cargo.The OZ3 model, increasingly
popular among merchants and private owners, is a departure from the others in
terms of layout, though it retains an identical size and shape. Removed are the
PPCs and two of its three missile racks, though the laser defenses are
identical. The space for four mecha is likewise removed and replaced with a
smaller area for ground vehicles. The OZ3
rearranges the rest of the internal deck layout to make use of the space freed
by the removed weapons systems, creating more living/work/cargo area and making
it possible for use as a more general purpose craft than an assault dropship,
while still having the ability to defend itself. The compartments/rooms on OZ3 models are designed to be highly
customizable, both during initial construction and in later refits, whether
owner or professionally done.Used primarily in the Grantville Cluster and the Outworlds Alliance, the
three models of the Leopard OZ are occasionally
seen in other Inner Sphere and Periphery nations as well. As of 3060, OZ2 and OZ3 models are produced at a pace of roughly five per year on
average.~~~Possible Events/Points of Interest in Need of Addressing3022 AD: The Federated Commonwealth Alliance Document is signed (I don’t really see the Fen-Earth’s arrival or actions disrupting or otherwise affecting this)3023 AD: Hatchetman Battlemech fielded (I don’ see this being affected either, but I do see somebody from A-Baoa-Qu reading about it, looking at his Zaku, and saying “I did it first.”)3028 AD: Star League memory core discovered on Helm (Do the Fen want to prevent this, or maybe make the discovery even sooner to help the Inner Sphere prepare for the Clans?)3029 AD: Comstar covertly attacks the New Avalon Institute of Science and Myndo Waterly named Primus (Comstar is a tricky issue. On the one hand, a priority for the Fen is no doubt the prevention of any kind of success for a future Operation Scorpion analogue, and they definitely want to prevent the formation of the Word of Blake and its Jihad. On the other hand, Comstar played multiple parts during the Clan Invasion – if they are affected too heavily by the Butterfly Effect, the foreknowledge of the Invasion will become increasingly useless. Of course, with Clan Nova Cat being affected as they are, those butterfly wings are already a’flappin’, but the Fen don’t know that.)3030 AD: Comstar gives Star League battlemechs to the Draconis Combine (If prevented, this would doubtlessly cause the War of 3039 to continue longer in that the Federated Commonwealth would be able to capture significant Combine territory before being halted.)3034 AD: Free Rasalhague Republic recognized by Draconis Combine (The in-story book quotes indicates this still happens, so I have no comments) and Neil Avellar II marries Rebecca DeSanders (Important only because it is a major political marriage of the Convention’s closest interstellar neighbors; again no real comments to make.)3038 AD: Comstar exploration vessel Outbound Light encounters Clan forces (Butterfly Effect question: does it still happen this way?)I’ll stop here, as anything past twenty years being exactly the same as canon is a pretty low chance.~~~Forces of STARS Naval Division (As of Invasion of 2025)*Indicates status as Under Construction**Indicates status as Nearing Completion***Planned Only/Under Development-Armed Craft (includes fighter/mecha carriers)-Leader-Class Patrol Ship NFV Marshal NoventaLeader-Class Patrol Ship NFV General VenteiLeader-Class Patrol Ship NFV General SeptemLeader-Class Patrol Ship NFV Colonel Une**Leader-Class Patrol Ship NFV Marquis Weyridge*[Quirk “Dynamic Entry”: Not noticed until several ships entered another star system for the first time, in a quirk the origins of which are a mystery, whenever a ship of this class does enter a different star system it broadcasts the theme from the Police Academy movies on all frequencies, making it unsuited for many covert operations.]Fraternity-Class Assault Shuttle NFV Milliardo PeacecraftFraternity-Class Assault Shuttle NFV Quatre Winner*Fraternity-Class Assault Shuttle NFV Trowa Barton*[Note: Carries three M.S., has two forward locked lasers, and one dual machine gun turret on top; Quirk “Lightning Baron”: The first shuttle of the class refuses to enter FTL speeds unless “Greased Lightning” is audibly playing in the cockpit. Premature ending of the song causes FTL to end, but craft will remain at FTL velocities if the song ends normally.)Long-Class M.S. Mothership NFV Long Mei Lin*Long-Class M.S. Mothership NFV Long Shi Lin*Long-Class M.S. Mothership NFV Chang Wu Fei***(Note: Can be refit with reentry pods or sensor packages rather than its eight M.S. units)M.S. Carrier Submarine NFV Aquarius***Leftenant-Class Dual M.S. Carrier Shuttle NFV Otto***Leftenant-Class Dual M.S. Carrier Shuttle NFV Walker***-Unarmed Craft (i.e., NERV Foundation Merchant Fleet)-Sorority-Class Transport Ship NFV Catherine BloomSorority-Class Transport Ship NFV Relena Peacecraft**Sorority-Class Transport Ship NFV Iria Winner*(Quirk “Absolute Pacifism”: The Relena Peacecraft refuses to operate at all if there are any weapons aboard. Any attempt to use something aboard as a makeshift weapon results in annoying ‘accidents’ occurring to the perpetrator until they disembark.)Monolith-Class Transport Shuttle NFV Sally PoMonolith-Class Transport Shuttle NFV Hilde SchbeicherMonolith-Class Transport Shuttle NFV Dorothy Catalonia**Monolith-Class Transport Shuttle NFV Lucrezia Noin*(Note: Shuttles of this class can carry one M.S., two A.S., or two to three fighters, the final depending on width and height requirements.)Custom High-Speed Shuttle NFV Heero Yuy (Colonel Tuberov’s shuttle from series)**Custom Diplomatic Shuttle NFV Sylvia Noventa (Lady Une’s shuttle from series)Custom Stealth Shuttle NFV Duo Maxwell***Khushrenada-Class Personnel Shuttle NFV TreizeKhushrenada-Class Personnel Shuttle NFV Mariemaia*
~~~
TO: Heinrich McCrery, Ph.D., Project Dir(ector)FROM: Catherine Avellar, President, OWASUBJECT: Case Obsidian(CLAS)SIFIED – PROJECT DIRECTOR’S EYES ONLYDoctor McCrery:In the event of Case Obsidian, i.e., in the event of the complete destruction of (Ju)mpShip Dragon’s Teeth is to proc(eed) merchant identity so as (capi)tals of the Hegemony, Combine, Commonwealth, League, and Confederation and disembark those who their devices only when they can confirm the presence of the gover (deca)pitation strike is
- Excerpt from deteriorated document recovered by UFP archaeologists from Masada Base subbasement office, Planet Glitnir, former Traders Domain, Outworlds Wastes
~~~
“Under no circumstances will the Seele Council support any reformed Star League or any attempt to restore such an organization. The inherent weaknesses present in the make-up of the old Star League were apparent since its founding, blatant in its final years, and a reformed Star League would merely suffer from those same flaws and fail in much the same manner as its predecessor.“What we will support are any attempts at peaceful, equal, cooperative ventures between interstellar nations – such as represented in the formation of the Federated Commonwealth – and the possible formation of an interstellar, United Nations-like organization.”- Official Position of the Seele Council as given by Council Chairman Kazuo Jenkins, 2026
“In politics, stupidity is not a handicap.” – Napoleon Bonaparte
“They opened up a can’a dumbass!” – Jon Stewart regarding Fox News, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
“Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself.” – Harvey Fierstein
“They opened up a can’a dumbass!” – Jon Stewart regarding Fox News, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
“Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself.” – Harvey Fierstein