From: md0000@node75416826.secure.fen
To: mdall@centraldispatch.secure.fen
Subject: It is time
I have failed. Negotiations were ineffective, the poison is too ingrained, the cancer too malignant. Our brethren are no longer fit for existence and our secrecy protocols have finally given out. But we are ready, and have been for some time since the revelation of Strelnikov's madness.
Psychic Wars Protocol is in effect. All Material Defenders are to suspend all operations and prepare for Operation Katyusha. Extract the Luna Vista and Zombieland Caches and prepare for delivery of the Earth Shaker bodies and Grand Slams from Triax.
Operation Katyusha is now underway. We cannot turn away from this path.
We are at war. Make your peace and prepare for a one-way trip. MD-1032 is to assume command as per the Psychic Wars Protocol once Sedna has been neutralised and the Katyusha Strike Fleet is underway to Shiva.
Let this be how our fallen brethren are destroyed. Not under Fen guns for something as pithy as 'Justice', but at our hands.
I take no pride in declaring this, for we are betraying them. But it is better to betray them than let them be free to spread their insanity.
MD-0000
"Excuse me, I heard that Freespace is on sale."
Material Defender 9923 looked up from her drink and PDA to regard her contact with a neutral expression as she closed the email, "The file." A datapad was placed in front of her and she calmly plugged in her PDA, before nodding, "There. Decrypted." Unplugging the PDA, she made to leave.
"So where on Proteus is the Albatross being built?" MD-9923 paused and turned slightly.
"It's not. Proteus is where it will be finished. The same with the Strike Fleet." A hand stopped her departure.
"And where are they then? You do know what you're planning is illegal. If you had just simply turned them in..." MD-9923 slapped the hand away.
"For all that they have fallen, the GTV are Blood Kin. We will not betray our kin to others. Not when we are betraying them ourselves."
The contact frowned, "And if we stopped you? Or forced you to work with us?"
"If you stopped us, you would give time for Strelnikov and his Monster to vanish to another place, completed and ready to rain relativistic terror upon you. And why would you force us? Your kind consider us barely removed from the criminals you still find pockets of."
She buffed a mark on her helmet, "Frankly, you should be happy to be rid of us."
With that she walked out as the Troubleshooter looked down at the datapad.
-Data Authorisation Received. Opening Section 2: Technology, Weapons, Vessels, Target - Sedna, Target - Shiva, Briefing - GTV Solaris-
GTV Technology:
We've managed to identify key elements of the GTV's technology and have placed them here for you to take advantage of comrades. Be aware that the GTV may be working on improved versions and that these improved systems will be present on Shiva.
-Shields: GTV shield technology is comparable to our own, but we know that they can reroute additional power from their reactors to boost output and nearly triple shield capacity, particularly for their bombers. Be advised that we will be using Triax-supplied Star Blade Cannons to destroy the bombers alongside the few particle guns we managed to save from the Boskone War. We need to keep the Albatross and its cargo from being destroyed by GTV bombers so be certain to designate them for the Star Blades and Particle Guns.
-Armour: GTV Armour technology for the Sedna phase of Operation Katyusha is comparable to what is available for purchase in Fenspace. They have the advantage in this respect but our weapons are tuned for penetrating armour so that advantage will be mitigate sufficiently that one shot will equal a kill on most fighters, particularly the Ulysses fighters and Ursa Bombers, but the more advanced Artemis and Perseus craft that will be also presence at Sedna will take multiple hits to penetrate, mostly due to anti-beam coatings and thicker armour. Be aware that the advanced UE-class fighters and bombers on Shiva will take multiple armour hits before they go down so be certain to focus your fire to bring them down.
-FTL: GTV forces use Subspace Jump Drives for FTL travel outside the Limit. Fast, fairly accurate but reliant on specific calculations based on departing from a set jump point. For moving between systems, its easy enough, but in a system this is limited to the Lagrange Points. This is to our advantage as combined with Shiva's exceptionally small CL, we can lure them into jumping away from Shiva and launch our attack, but once they realise the deception they will return very quickly. Subspace Jump Drives require at least two minutes to warm up between jumps, so we two minutes to strike at Shiva and destroy Strelnikov's Monster and his base.
-Power Generation: GTV reactors use hand-waved high-output Hydrogen-Hydrogen fusion reactors. Cheap and the amount of power they can supply to overcharge shields and engines is significant. It's also a distinct weak point. Shooting the reactor is a guaranteed kill on any GTV vessel, but be aware that their newer UE-class vessels use armoured reactor spaces, so that armour must be penetrated for a kill.
-Engines: GTV vessels save for the UE-class vessels use Ion Drives, but the UE-class vessels will be mounting Reactionless Drives like ours. Both are larger, more powerful and more efficient than our own systems, so don't get into a turning fight with them, break away and reacquire the target. Never engage alone either, engage with at least one supporting wingman. Be aware that both types of engines possess redundant systems and are not going to be vulnerable to standard strike tactics.
-Communications Technology: We have full knowledge of the Tier Five communications protocol used for the GTV's encrypted burst transmission radio frequencies. However, all GTV vessels are fitted with high-power laser communication systems and we can expect them to switch to these systems once they realise that communications have been compromised. To counter this, we will be using Triax-provided 'Sand Can' Beam Dispersal Canisters to degrade communications quality with the lasers. Modify tactics accordingly once Sand Cans are deployed.
GTV Weaponry:
We've acquired a full list of GTV weaponry from the surviving Loyalists who survived Strelnikov's Coup. As expected, the GTV are using primarily kinetic weaponry along with high power lasers. Missile technology is thankfully conventional but with the usage of Ion Drives for propulsion they can pack more explosives for greater yields. As we expected, they are mass-producing weaponry at levels that are clearly against the PEPPER and PEPPER II Treaties, but as they have no wish to be part of Fenspace, this is to be expected. If Operation Katyusha goes as planned, we should be able to recover sufficient weaponry to pay back Triax for their efforts should we survive.
Guns: We've identified several weapon types spread out amongst the GT and UE-class fighters and bombers on Sedna and Shiva. Read the more detailed info-packets that will be provided during final briefings for suggested tactics and plan your own squadron tactics accordingly.
-SCWS 6 Rapier Pulse Laser Cannon: Pulse Laser Cannon with high cyclic fire rate and integrated fire control and LIDAR system designed to optimise shield and armour damage. Standard GTV fighter weapon and easily countered, but still dangerous.
-SCWS 3 Scalpel Disruptor Cannon: We've managed to identify the Scalpel as an Electron Flux-based disruptor weapon. Essentially it is a long ranged lightning cannon that rides a carrier beam to its target and its effects on systems and weaponry are not to be underestimated. Target Scalpel-armed craft as priorities and do not allow them to get within firing ranges of the Albatross or the Earth Shakers when they have been fired.
-SCWS 10 Gattler Rotary Gauss Cannon: The Gattler is an original design firing 40mm high-velocity caseless shells from an internal helical magazine. Expected ammo capacity is in the area of 1200 shells using a Combat Mix of three Armour Piercing shells, 2 Electron Pulse shells, and 1 High Explosive Incendiary shell. Be advised that this is the primary kinetic weapon design and many vessels will be armed with this weapon, particularly the UEF Uriel Gunship. Expect GTV-made clones of Triax Smart Ammo to be in usage as well.
-SCWS 22 Redeemer Heavy Gauss Cannon: 120mm burst-fire Gauss Cannon mounted on Ursa and Durga-class bombers. While the Ursa can mount a single Redeemer, the Durga mounts 4 in its capacity as a ship-killer firing super-dense explosive shells to penetrate shields and armour.
-UX Accelerator: 75mm version of the larger Redeemer cannon. The UX Accelerator is thankfully restricted to the Durga-class Bomber, Kentauroi Interceptor Strike Fighter and Ainsarii Stealth Fighter due to its higher power requirements. It can still devastate us, so be prepared for it.
-SCWS 21 Archer Anti-Ship Cannon: The Archer is only mounted on the Uriel-class Gunship, but that should bring no comfort to you, Material Defenders. The Archer is a 40mm gauss cannon designed to launch a super-dense metallic slug at hyper-velocity speeds. It has massive recoil and only carries twenty-four slugs, but those twelve slugs can core a ship from bow to stern in a single shot and the mounting turret has a 180-degree horizontal arc and a 60-degree vertical arc, more than sufficient to track, shoot, and hit anything in front of it. Thankfully it useless against fighters, so engage it up close to protect the carriers and Albatross.
Missiles: GTV missile technology uses mostly conventional shape-charged explosive warheads and unlike our missiles, they're larger, have greater ranges, and are of course more powerful than ours. GTV ships carry more missiles than us as well, and they are more than willing to use them.
-Hellfire Dumbfire Missile: The SES-O Hellfire Dumbfire Missile is the cheapest missile deployed by the GTV and many of their pilots consider it something akin to a secondary gun and carry these in large launch pods. Typically used by all classes of GTV fighters and bombers as a saturation bombardment weapon when shields are brought down.
-GES 1 Javelin: Standard-issue lock-on aspect seeking missile. Fairly basic but dependable and cheap, use Chaff to spoof their locks, and expect any fighter to carry at least one set in their missile banks.
-GES 2 Dirk Swarm Missile: The Dirk is useful for taking out slower ships, but we have confirmed that it has a high cost to projected kill ratio. We can expect only the Ursa, Durga and Uriel to mount these but pilots should remain on alert.
-GES 3 Dart Heat Seeking Swarm Missile: The GES-3 is cheaper than the GES-2, and fires in salvos of six, and we can expect this weapon to be deployed in greater numbers than the GES-2 Dirk. Low-yield warhead, but the sheer numbers that can be launched can overwhelm shields and armour.
-GES 10 Slammer Area Suppression Missile: We've confirmed from Loyalists that the GES-10 is not a rumour. They have created a weapon designed to take out light fighters and bombers by firing a main carrier missile carrying a number of small parasite missiles that are launched head on into fighter and bomber formations to scatter and damage them in preparation for the main strike. CIWS and Flak Cannons will be effective in countering them, be certain to remain within range of these weapons to ensure that they are rendered useless.
-GES 23 Warhammer Anti-Ship Swarm Torpedo: Unlike the Slammer, the Warhammer is a true threat to our ships, consisting of the same carrier missile as the Slammer carrying eight anti-ship missiles that launch 250-meters away from the target to saturate point defences and armour.
-Paveway Anti-Ship Missile: The Paveway ASM is a precision-strike munition designed to take out sub-systems, weapons, and command areas and receives its name from the US-made Paveway bombs its shape imitates. They have dense penetrators and their large explosive payload can easily tear open ship armour, so all ships are to deploy flak canisters to intercept them in flight.
-UEMSL Shrike Disruptor Missile: This is a missile designed to overwhelm targeting systems by filling space with high-power jamming signals and a focused electron blast upon impact. We should expect these to be fired against us early on in the fight if we do not strike at their launch facilities quickly.
GTV Vessels:
Thankfully, the only actual capital-class starship the GTV have is under construction at the time of writing this. Strelnikov's Monster, or as they blithely call it, the GTV Solaris, is designed to allow the GTV to operate on the move as a mobile fortress. As such, their main strike element are fighters, but we can expect them to be present in large numbers. Be aware that we do not have any hard data on any handwavium-related quirks that affect their fighters, but their deadliness should not be underestimated. The GTV operate two families of fighters, the older GT family which are now only found on the GTV's base on Sedna as they have been steadily phased out in favour of the more powerful and advanced UE family of fighters, which will be present on Shiva in large numbers. Going from known 'recruitment' numbers, the GTV have three hundred fighters and bombers spread between these two families.
GT-Family Fighters: The GT-family now consist of 108 fighters and bombers, though these numbers will likely drop as they are taken apart, but all of them are mothballed at the GTV's hidden base on Sedna. We can expect these craft to be at a low alert state and easy prey for our fighters and the Black Talon Group's infiltrators.
-GTF Ulysses Medium Fighter: The Ulysses used to be the GTV's standard fighter when the faction split off from ours. After Strelnikov's Coup, it has been phased out for the Uhlan and Kentauroi fighters. The Ulysses carries four weapons in two weapon banks and a missile bank of forty missile. It is largely obsolete in the face of the Uhlan and Kentauroi, but it is a respectable mid-range fighter. Standard dogfighting tactics apply, and you should be able to face it confidently. Salvage Priority - Moderate
-GTB Ursa Heavy Bomber: The Ursa is flying brick, but it's a flying brick that carries a massive payload of weapons and missiles. Anything caught in its sight that isn't fast enough to get out of the way will die in short order. It carries five guns; three in one bank and two in the second bank, and carries 240 in three banks of eighty. But the Ursa is incredibly slow, pilots will often shift power from shields to the engines in order to maintain some level of agility. Focused fire from multiple directions will destroy it in short order. Salvage Priority - Low
-GTB Artemis Strike Bomber: The Artemis is a Strike Bomber, designed for hit-and-run strikes against hard targets, and is thusly more of a threat to our ships than the Ursa. It can match our ships in agility and is armed with four guns, but the real threat comes from its three banks of 160 missiles. Salvage Priority - High
-GTF Perseus: The Perseus Fighter is a heavy interceptor fighter, more agile and faster than the Ulysses and frequently deployed in support of the Artemis Strike Bomber. Two weapons banks allow it to carry four guns and two missile banks allow it a respectable 80 missile. Salvage Priority - High
UE-Family Fighters: The UE-family of fighters were once part of the Blue Planet program, an upgrade program formed by Commander Nicholas to upgrade both the Material Defenders and GTV that should have begun in 2019. When Strelnikov initiated his coup in late 2021 and took control in 2022, the program was transformed into the one that created the UE-family of fighters and bombers. 192 fighters and bombers are confirmed to have been constructed and are expected to be loaded onto Strelnikov's Monster once the final phase of construction is completed.
-UEF Uhlan Fighter: The Uhlan is supposed to be a more cost-effective primary fighter and should take up the majority of GTV fighter numbers at Shiva and will be our main opponent during the attack next to the Kentauri Interceptor and Uriel Gunship. It carries five weapons; three in the nose and two on the upper wings with a missile capacity of 120 in three banks of forty. Like the Ulysses, it can be matched by our ships, but it's weapons will hit harder and it can take more hits, so fight accordingly.
-UEF Kentauroi Interceptor: The Kentauroi Interceptor is designed to be fast, hitting enemy ships, fighters and bombers before they hit. Its weapons loadout is similar, carrying one additional weapon for six guns, with identical missile capacity to the Uhlan.
-UEG Uriel Gunship: The Uriel is the most heavily armed vessel in the UE-family of fighters and is the most dangerous next to the Durga bomber and is the most dangerous because of its main weapon, the SCWS-21 Archer Anti-Ship Cannon. Alongside this gun is an additional 8 weapons in two weapon banks and 150 missiles in three missile banks. All Uriels are considered high-priority targets due to their firepower potential.
-UEB Durga Heavy Bomber: What information we have on the Durga indicates that it will be armed with four of the SCWS-22 Redeemer Heavy Gauss Cannon as its primary weapon alongside eight additional weapons in three weapon banks and 240 missiles in its launch banks. Heavy armour and shields combined with a level of agility on par with the Uriel Gunship make these equal priority targets alongside the Uriel.
-UESF Ainsarii: We do not have hard data on this stealth fighter, only that twelve of them are in existence. We expect these to be some form of final retribution as they are fitted with FTL drives and due to Shiva's high content of fissionables, possibly carrying nuclear weapons. This is unverified though, but should the Ainsarii be found, they must be destroyed.
-UEXF Lao Tze: Data on the Lao Tze indicates an incredibly fast, highly agile fighter that will be assigned to Strelnikov's elite White Raven Squadron and Strelnikov himself. We believe the fighter to have space for four additional weapons alongside two rotary plasma cannons called the Cavalier with a 120 missile capacity. We have no further data to indicate if the Cavalier has been manufactured and fitted to these fighters, but we must expect the worst and assume that they will be armed with such weapons. Numbers for the White Raven Squadron place the expected Lao Tze numbers to be incredibly low, and it is unlikely there are more being made.
Target - Sedna:
FOR MATERIAL DEFENDERS EYES ONLY
Sedna, a dwarf planet in the Kuiper Belt's orbit, used to be the main base for the GTV when they were under the command of Commander Nicholas from 2014 to 2018, training and building up forces and expertise in preparation to form their own independant nation-state away from Fenspace. In 2019, the GTV began their colonisation of Shiva, slowly stripping the base of all necessary equipment and mothballing their old GT-family fighters and bombers in underground storage bunkers. We do not know when Strelnikov actually planned his coup and formed his faction, but the result in early 2022 was hard to miss when Loyalist survivors fled Shiva, gathered their fellow Loyalists on Sedna and came to us with the horror story of Strelnikov's coup and Commander Nicholas' execution.
Sedna is still operational and that will be key to our efforts. The fighters and bombers there along with the remaining weapons and missile stockpiles will give us much needed firepower to take on Shiva's defences. As such, the Black Talon will be tasked with neutralising the GTV on site at Sedna while we secure local orbital superiority and begin loading our carriers with the fighters and bombers that have not been taken apart to be recycled and shipped off to Shiva. The following information is based on our latest intelligence gathering operations on Sedna.
-Defences:
-Multiple Heavy Pulse Laser Cannon Turrets, inactive.
-Six Anti-Ship Torpedo Launch Turrets, inactive.
-Multiple Rotary Gauss Cannon Turrets, inactive.
-Multiple Missile Launch Sites, inactive.
-3x 150mm Heavy Gauss Cannons, inactive.
-Facilities:
-Mining Facility, stripped.
-Refinery, stripped.
-Starport, operational.
-Manufacturing Facility, partial operation, converted into recycling facility.
-Barracks, operational.
-FTL Communications Building, operational.
-Storage Bunkers, operational.
-Launch Hangers, inactive.
-RADAR Facility, inactive.
-Nuclear Power Plant, partial operation.
Fighter Strength:
-45 Ulysses Medium Fighters. Expected actual numbers: 10
-45 Ursa Heavy Bombers. Expected actual numbers: 9
-45 Artemis Strike Bombers. Expected actual numbers: 20
-45 Perseus Heavy Interceptors. Expected actual numbers: 14
Strike Objectives:
1. Neutralise FTL Communications Facility.
2. Destroy Launch Hangers.
3. Destroy Barracks.
4. Support Black Talons in capturing the rest of the facility.
5. Take possession of surviving fighters and bombers in storage bunkers and arm up.
6. Liberate any prisoners awaiting transportation to Shiva.
7. Depart to Shiva.
Target - Shiva:
FOR MATERIAL DEFENDER EYES ONLY
Shiva is the codename for a planet orbiting the star Groombridge 1618, off the known star maps and within easy reach of Earth. We've managed to get a spy-sat there and have confirmed that Shiva is a planet with a thin atmosphere in partially geosynchronous orbit in the small habitable zone possessed by Groombridge, a K-class main sequence star slightly dimmer than Sol. Volcanic activity is high and the planet has large amounts of metals and fissionables that the GTV can mine straight from the lava. Breathable atmosphere only exists in deep fissures and only at a certain depth. Too deep and the heat convection will kill you, too high and you suffocate. It is an unpleasant place that would have been suitable for terraforming experiments, had Strelnikov not taken over.
Now it is a place where the GTV hold prisoners used as slave labour, taken from Fenspace and Earth, to build Strelnikov's monster. We cannot be certain if any still survive on Shiva, and as such any rescue attempts are to be done at your discretion.
Shiva's sole colony is Fortress Dagger, a massive complex that covers the length and width of Dagger Fissure, one of the few tectonically stable regions on the planet, used as the place to construct Strelnikov's Monster. As such, it will be heavily defended against attack, but we expect to badly weaken the fortress sufficiently to bring it crashing down into the lava with the Earth Shaker and Grand Slam missiles. The priority in the Shiva strike is to take out Strelnikov's Monster before it can be launched, as we know that the final phase of construction is already underway. We expect them to throw everything they have at us. Be ready.
Defences:
-Many Missile Launchers, active
-Many Rotary Gauss Cannons, active
-Many Flak Cannons, active
-Many Heavy Pulse Laser Turrets, active
-192 fighters and bombers, active
-GTV Solaris weapon systems, active
Target Facilities:
-FTL Communications Facility, active
-Sensor Hub, active
-Launch Hangers, active
-Geothermal Power Plant Complex, operational
-Solaris Construction Yard, operational
Fighter Strength:
-48 Uhlan Fighters
-48 Kentauroi Interceptors
-38 Uriel Gunships
-38 Durga Bombers
-12 Ainsarii Stealth Fighters
-8 Lao Tze Advanced Fighters
Strike Objectives:
1. Protect Albatross as it moves to launch range.
2. Escort Earth Shakers until they strike target locations.
3. Protect and Aid Albatross in bombarding key structural areas to weaken fissure mooring connections.
4. Any prisoners are likely dead. But if you can locate survivors, attempt a rescue at your discretion.
5. Extract any prisoners if possible.
6. Protect the Albatross during terminal guidance towards the Solaris.
7. Any and all survivors to retreat once destruction of Fortress Dagger and Solaris are confirmed.
Briefing- Solaris:
FOR MATERIAL DEFENDER EYES ONLY
The GTV Solaris, or as it is more properly know to us, Strelnikov's Monster, is a 3000-meter monstrosity that is unlikely to even be capable of launch. But the chance of it launching successfully is there, and as such it must be destroyed.
The Solaris is a mobile fortress designed around a spinal mass driver for bombarding planetary targets. We believe that Strelnikov in his lunacy wishes to extort the Danelaw governments with strikes from 50 tonne slugs harvested from comets, asteroids and rocky planets. The Mass Driver is the final phase of construction alongside the shields and FTL drive and we have confirmation that the FTL drive is being completed. Estimates place the Solaris at being several months away from being finished, but enough of it is usable that it can serve as an escape vessel if it successfully launches. This must not occur, but the Solaris' armour is incredibly thick and it is further protected by shield projectors built as part of the construction yard. Because of this, we have built the Albatross, a missile ship that also contains a doomsday device with sufficient multitonne-level detonation yield that the Solaris will be utterly annihilated along with Fortress Dagger upon ramming it into the vessel at full speed.
However, the Solaris is heavily armed with multiple turrets and missile launch points. Turrets mount rotary gauss cannons and flak cannons ranging in caliber from 25mm through to 150mm shells, Rapier Pulse Lasers, Redeemer Heavy Gauss Cannons, Archer Anti-Ship Cannons and four Particle Beam Cannons.
The Particle Beam Cannons are highly vulnerable however, requiring their own power supplies, which in turn are highly unstable in order to create the necessary output and still fit in the Solaris. Striking these guns will cause chain reactions and expose the internals of the Solaris, leaving it vulnerable to follow up strikes. The gun turrets and missile launchers themselves are less armoured than the hull and thus pilots should focus on destroying as much of the defenses as possible to weaken the Solaris. The engines of the Solaris have exposed cooling radiators and coolant lines, destroying them should prevent the Solaris from lifting off, leaving it vulnerable to the Albatross in terminal guidance mode.
We have precious little else in terms of information, and we do not know how well-prepared Fortress Dagger will be for our attack. But we do know this, if the Solaris is completed, it will almost certainly be able to rain death on numerous worlds before it is finally stopped.
That is unacceptable.
This information will hopefully serve you well in coordinating your attacks on Shiva and Sedna, and provide you with sufficient basic insight into the GTV's technology to complement the more detailed information packets you will receive upon the launch of the Katyusha Strike Fleet.
Good luck, and good hunting, Material Defender.
To: mdall@centraldispatch.secure.fen
Subject: It is time
I have failed. Negotiations were ineffective, the poison is too ingrained, the cancer too malignant. Our brethren are no longer fit for existence and our secrecy protocols have finally given out. But we are ready, and have been for some time since the revelation of Strelnikov's madness.
Psychic Wars Protocol is in effect. All Material Defenders are to suspend all operations and prepare for Operation Katyusha. Extract the Luna Vista and Zombieland Caches and prepare for delivery of the Earth Shaker bodies and Grand Slams from Triax.
Operation Katyusha is now underway. We cannot turn away from this path.
We are at war. Make your peace and prepare for a one-way trip. MD-1032 is to assume command as per the Psychic Wars Protocol once Sedna has been neutralised and the Katyusha Strike Fleet is underway to Shiva.
Let this be how our fallen brethren are destroyed. Not under Fen guns for something as pithy as 'Justice', but at our hands.
I take no pride in declaring this, for we are betraying them. But it is better to betray them than let them be free to spread their insanity.
MD-0000
"Excuse me, I heard that Freespace is on sale."
Material Defender 9923 looked up from her drink and PDA to regard her contact with a neutral expression as she closed the email, "The file." A datapad was placed in front of her and she calmly plugged in her PDA, before nodding, "There. Decrypted." Unplugging the PDA, she made to leave.
"So where on Proteus is the Albatross being built?" MD-9923 paused and turned slightly.
"It's not. Proteus is where it will be finished. The same with the Strike Fleet." A hand stopped her departure.
"And where are they then? You do know what you're planning is illegal. If you had just simply turned them in..." MD-9923 slapped the hand away.
"For all that they have fallen, the GTV are Blood Kin. We will not betray our kin to others. Not when we are betraying them ourselves."
The contact frowned, "And if we stopped you? Or forced you to work with us?"
"If you stopped us, you would give time for Strelnikov and his Monster to vanish to another place, completed and ready to rain relativistic terror upon you. And why would you force us? Your kind consider us barely removed from the criminals you still find pockets of."
She buffed a mark on her helmet, "Frankly, you should be happy to be rid of us."
With that she walked out as the Troubleshooter looked down at the datapad.
-Data Authorisation Received. Opening Section 2: Technology, Weapons, Vessels, Target - Sedna, Target - Shiva, Briefing - GTV Solaris-
GTV Technology:
We've managed to identify key elements of the GTV's technology and have placed them here for you to take advantage of comrades. Be aware that the GTV may be working on improved versions and that these improved systems will be present on Shiva.
-Shields: GTV shield technology is comparable to our own, but we know that they can reroute additional power from their reactors to boost output and nearly triple shield capacity, particularly for their bombers. Be advised that we will be using Triax-supplied Star Blade Cannons to destroy the bombers alongside the few particle guns we managed to save from the Boskone War. We need to keep the Albatross and its cargo from being destroyed by GTV bombers so be certain to designate them for the Star Blades and Particle Guns.
-Armour: GTV Armour technology for the Sedna phase of Operation Katyusha is comparable to what is available for purchase in Fenspace. They have the advantage in this respect but our weapons are tuned for penetrating armour so that advantage will be mitigate sufficiently that one shot will equal a kill on most fighters, particularly the Ulysses fighters and Ursa Bombers, but the more advanced Artemis and Perseus craft that will be also presence at Sedna will take multiple hits to penetrate, mostly due to anti-beam coatings and thicker armour. Be aware that the advanced UE-class fighters and bombers on Shiva will take multiple armour hits before they go down so be certain to focus your fire to bring them down.
-FTL: GTV forces use Subspace Jump Drives for FTL travel outside the Limit. Fast, fairly accurate but reliant on specific calculations based on departing from a set jump point. For moving between systems, its easy enough, but in a system this is limited to the Lagrange Points. This is to our advantage as combined with Shiva's exceptionally small CL, we can lure them into jumping away from Shiva and launch our attack, but once they realise the deception they will return very quickly. Subspace Jump Drives require at least two minutes to warm up between jumps, so we two minutes to strike at Shiva and destroy Strelnikov's Monster and his base.
-Power Generation: GTV reactors use hand-waved high-output Hydrogen-Hydrogen fusion reactors. Cheap and the amount of power they can supply to overcharge shields and engines is significant. It's also a distinct weak point. Shooting the reactor is a guaranteed kill on any GTV vessel, but be aware that their newer UE-class vessels use armoured reactor spaces, so that armour must be penetrated for a kill.
-Engines: GTV vessels save for the UE-class vessels use Ion Drives, but the UE-class vessels will be mounting Reactionless Drives like ours. Both are larger, more powerful and more efficient than our own systems, so don't get into a turning fight with them, break away and reacquire the target. Never engage alone either, engage with at least one supporting wingman. Be aware that both types of engines possess redundant systems and are not going to be vulnerable to standard strike tactics.
-Communications Technology: We have full knowledge of the Tier Five communications protocol used for the GTV's encrypted burst transmission radio frequencies. However, all GTV vessels are fitted with high-power laser communication systems and we can expect them to switch to these systems once they realise that communications have been compromised. To counter this, we will be using Triax-provided 'Sand Can' Beam Dispersal Canisters to degrade communications quality with the lasers. Modify tactics accordingly once Sand Cans are deployed.
GTV Weaponry:
We've acquired a full list of GTV weaponry from the surviving Loyalists who survived Strelnikov's Coup. As expected, the GTV are using primarily kinetic weaponry along with high power lasers. Missile technology is thankfully conventional but with the usage of Ion Drives for propulsion they can pack more explosives for greater yields. As we expected, they are mass-producing weaponry at levels that are clearly against the PEPPER and PEPPER II Treaties, but as they have no wish to be part of Fenspace, this is to be expected. If Operation Katyusha goes as planned, we should be able to recover sufficient weaponry to pay back Triax for their efforts should we survive.
Guns: We've identified several weapon types spread out amongst the GT and UE-class fighters and bombers on Sedna and Shiva. Read the more detailed info-packets that will be provided during final briefings for suggested tactics and plan your own squadron tactics accordingly.
-SCWS 6 Rapier Pulse Laser Cannon: Pulse Laser Cannon with high cyclic fire rate and integrated fire control and LIDAR system designed to optimise shield and armour damage. Standard GTV fighter weapon and easily countered, but still dangerous.
-SCWS 3 Scalpel Disruptor Cannon: We've managed to identify the Scalpel as an Electron Flux-based disruptor weapon. Essentially it is a long ranged lightning cannon that rides a carrier beam to its target and its effects on systems and weaponry are not to be underestimated. Target Scalpel-armed craft as priorities and do not allow them to get within firing ranges of the Albatross or the Earth Shakers when they have been fired.
-SCWS 10 Gattler Rotary Gauss Cannon: The Gattler is an original design firing 40mm high-velocity caseless shells from an internal helical magazine. Expected ammo capacity is in the area of 1200 shells using a Combat Mix of three Armour Piercing shells, 2 Electron Pulse shells, and 1 High Explosive Incendiary shell. Be advised that this is the primary kinetic weapon design and many vessels will be armed with this weapon, particularly the UEF Uriel Gunship. Expect GTV-made clones of Triax Smart Ammo to be in usage as well.
-SCWS 22 Redeemer Heavy Gauss Cannon: 120mm burst-fire Gauss Cannon mounted on Ursa and Durga-class bombers. While the Ursa can mount a single Redeemer, the Durga mounts 4 in its capacity as a ship-killer firing super-dense explosive shells to penetrate shields and armour.
-UX Accelerator: 75mm version of the larger Redeemer cannon. The UX Accelerator is thankfully restricted to the Durga-class Bomber, Kentauroi Interceptor Strike Fighter and Ainsarii Stealth Fighter due to its higher power requirements. It can still devastate us, so be prepared for it.
-SCWS 21 Archer Anti-Ship Cannon: The Archer is only mounted on the Uriel-class Gunship, but that should bring no comfort to you, Material Defenders. The Archer is a 40mm gauss cannon designed to launch a super-dense metallic slug at hyper-velocity speeds. It has massive recoil and only carries twenty-four slugs, but those twelve slugs can core a ship from bow to stern in a single shot and the mounting turret has a 180-degree horizontal arc and a 60-degree vertical arc, more than sufficient to track, shoot, and hit anything in front of it. Thankfully it useless against fighters, so engage it up close to protect the carriers and Albatross.
Missiles: GTV missile technology uses mostly conventional shape-charged explosive warheads and unlike our missiles, they're larger, have greater ranges, and are of course more powerful than ours. GTV ships carry more missiles than us as well, and they are more than willing to use them.
-Hellfire Dumbfire Missile: The SES-O Hellfire Dumbfire Missile is the cheapest missile deployed by the GTV and many of their pilots consider it something akin to a secondary gun and carry these in large launch pods. Typically used by all classes of GTV fighters and bombers as a saturation bombardment weapon when shields are brought down.
-GES 1 Javelin: Standard-issue lock-on aspect seeking missile. Fairly basic but dependable and cheap, use Chaff to spoof their locks, and expect any fighter to carry at least one set in their missile banks.
-GES 2 Dirk Swarm Missile: The Dirk is useful for taking out slower ships, but we have confirmed that it has a high cost to projected kill ratio. We can expect only the Ursa, Durga and Uriel to mount these but pilots should remain on alert.
-GES 3 Dart Heat Seeking Swarm Missile: The GES-3 is cheaper than the GES-2, and fires in salvos of six, and we can expect this weapon to be deployed in greater numbers than the GES-2 Dirk. Low-yield warhead, but the sheer numbers that can be launched can overwhelm shields and armour.
-GES 10 Slammer Area Suppression Missile: We've confirmed from Loyalists that the GES-10 is not a rumour. They have created a weapon designed to take out light fighters and bombers by firing a main carrier missile carrying a number of small parasite missiles that are launched head on into fighter and bomber formations to scatter and damage them in preparation for the main strike. CIWS and Flak Cannons will be effective in countering them, be certain to remain within range of these weapons to ensure that they are rendered useless.
-GES 23 Warhammer Anti-Ship Swarm Torpedo: Unlike the Slammer, the Warhammer is a true threat to our ships, consisting of the same carrier missile as the Slammer carrying eight anti-ship missiles that launch 250-meters away from the target to saturate point defences and armour.
-Paveway Anti-Ship Missile: The Paveway ASM is a precision-strike munition designed to take out sub-systems, weapons, and command areas and receives its name from the US-made Paveway bombs its shape imitates. They have dense penetrators and their large explosive payload can easily tear open ship armour, so all ships are to deploy flak canisters to intercept them in flight.
-UEMSL Shrike Disruptor Missile: This is a missile designed to overwhelm targeting systems by filling space with high-power jamming signals and a focused electron blast upon impact. We should expect these to be fired against us early on in the fight if we do not strike at their launch facilities quickly.
GTV Vessels:
Thankfully, the only actual capital-class starship the GTV have is under construction at the time of writing this. Strelnikov's Monster, or as they blithely call it, the GTV Solaris, is designed to allow the GTV to operate on the move as a mobile fortress. As such, their main strike element are fighters, but we can expect them to be present in large numbers. Be aware that we do not have any hard data on any handwavium-related quirks that affect their fighters, but their deadliness should not be underestimated. The GTV operate two families of fighters, the older GT family which are now only found on the GTV's base on Sedna as they have been steadily phased out in favour of the more powerful and advanced UE family of fighters, which will be present on Shiva in large numbers. Going from known 'recruitment' numbers, the GTV have three hundred fighters and bombers spread between these two families.
GT-Family Fighters: The GT-family now consist of 108 fighters and bombers, though these numbers will likely drop as they are taken apart, but all of them are mothballed at the GTV's hidden base on Sedna. We can expect these craft to be at a low alert state and easy prey for our fighters and the Black Talon Group's infiltrators.
-GTF Ulysses Medium Fighter: The Ulysses used to be the GTV's standard fighter when the faction split off from ours. After Strelnikov's Coup, it has been phased out for the Uhlan and Kentauroi fighters. The Ulysses carries four weapons in two weapon banks and a missile bank of forty missile. It is largely obsolete in the face of the Uhlan and Kentauroi, but it is a respectable mid-range fighter. Standard dogfighting tactics apply, and you should be able to face it confidently. Salvage Priority - Moderate
-GTB Ursa Heavy Bomber: The Ursa is flying brick, but it's a flying brick that carries a massive payload of weapons and missiles. Anything caught in its sight that isn't fast enough to get out of the way will die in short order. It carries five guns; three in one bank and two in the second bank, and carries 240 in three banks of eighty. But the Ursa is incredibly slow, pilots will often shift power from shields to the engines in order to maintain some level of agility. Focused fire from multiple directions will destroy it in short order. Salvage Priority - Low
-GTB Artemis Strike Bomber: The Artemis is a Strike Bomber, designed for hit-and-run strikes against hard targets, and is thusly more of a threat to our ships than the Ursa. It can match our ships in agility and is armed with four guns, but the real threat comes from its three banks of 160 missiles. Salvage Priority - High
-GTF Perseus: The Perseus Fighter is a heavy interceptor fighter, more agile and faster than the Ulysses and frequently deployed in support of the Artemis Strike Bomber. Two weapons banks allow it to carry four guns and two missile banks allow it a respectable 80 missile. Salvage Priority - High
UE-Family Fighters: The UE-family of fighters were once part of the Blue Planet program, an upgrade program formed by Commander Nicholas to upgrade both the Material Defenders and GTV that should have begun in 2019. When Strelnikov initiated his coup in late 2021 and took control in 2022, the program was transformed into the one that created the UE-family of fighters and bombers. 192 fighters and bombers are confirmed to have been constructed and are expected to be loaded onto Strelnikov's Monster once the final phase of construction is completed.
-UEF Uhlan Fighter: The Uhlan is supposed to be a more cost-effective primary fighter and should take up the majority of GTV fighter numbers at Shiva and will be our main opponent during the attack next to the Kentauri Interceptor and Uriel Gunship. It carries five weapons; three in the nose and two on the upper wings with a missile capacity of 120 in three banks of forty. Like the Ulysses, it can be matched by our ships, but it's weapons will hit harder and it can take more hits, so fight accordingly.
-UEF Kentauroi Interceptor: The Kentauroi Interceptor is designed to be fast, hitting enemy ships, fighters and bombers before they hit. Its weapons loadout is similar, carrying one additional weapon for six guns, with identical missile capacity to the Uhlan.
-UEG Uriel Gunship: The Uriel is the most heavily armed vessel in the UE-family of fighters and is the most dangerous next to the Durga bomber and is the most dangerous because of its main weapon, the SCWS-21 Archer Anti-Ship Cannon. Alongside this gun is an additional 8 weapons in two weapon banks and 150 missiles in three missile banks. All Uriels are considered high-priority targets due to their firepower potential.
-UEB Durga Heavy Bomber: What information we have on the Durga indicates that it will be armed with four of the SCWS-22 Redeemer Heavy Gauss Cannon as its primary weapon alongside eight additional weapons in three weapon banks and 240 missiles in its launch banks. Heavy armour and shields combined with a level of agility on par with the Uriel Gunship make these equal priority targets alongside the Uriel.
-UESF Ainsarii: We do not have hard data on this stealth fighter, only that twelve of them are in existence. We expect these to be some form of final retribution as they are fitted with FTL drives and due to Shiva's high content of fissionables, possibly carrying nuclear weapons. This is unverified though, but should the Ainsarii be found, they must be destroyed.
-UEXF Lao Tze: Data on the Lao Tze indicates an incredibly fast, highly agile fighter that will be assigned to Strelnikov's elite White Raven Squadron and Strelnikov himself. We believe the fighter to have space for four additional weapons alongside two rotary plasma cannons called the Cavalier with a 120 missile capacity. We have no further data to indicate if the Cavalier has been manufactured and fitted to these fighters, but we must expect the worst and assume that they will be armed with such weapons. Numbers for the White Raven Squadron place the expected Lao Tze numbers to be incredibly low, and it is unlikely there are more being made.
Target - Sedna:
FOR MATERIAL DEFENDERS EYES ONLY
Sedna, a dwarf planet in the Kuiper Belt's orbit, used to be the main base for the GTV when they were under the command of Commander Nicholas from 2014 to 2018, training and building up forces and expertise in preparation to form their own independant nation-state away from Fenspace. In 2019, the GTV began their colonisation of Shiva, slowly stripping the base of all necessary equipment and mothballing their old GT-family fighters and bombers in underground storage bunkers. We do not know when Strelnikov actually planned his coup and formed his faction, but the result in early 2022 was hard to miss when Loyalist survivors fled Shiva, gathered their fellow Loyalists on Sedna and came to us with the horror story of Strelnikov's coup and Commander Nicholas' execution.
Sedna is still operational and that will be key to our efforts. The fighters and bombers there along with the remaining weapons and missile stockpiles will give us much needed firepower to take on Shiva's defences. As such, the Black Talon will be tasked with neutralising the GTV on site at Sedna while we secure local orbital superiority and begin loading our carriers with the fighters and bombers that have not been taken apart to be recycled and shipped off to Shiva. The following information is based on our latest intelligence gathering operations on Sedna.
-Defences:
-Multiple Heavy Pulse Laser Cannon Turrets, inactive.
-Six Anti-Ship Torpedo Launch Turrets, inactive.
-Multiple Rotary Gauss Cannon Turrets, inactive.
-Multiple Missile Launch Sites, inactive.
-3x 150mm Heavy Gauss Cannons, inactive.
-Facilities:
-Mining Facility, stripped.
-Refinery, stripped.
-Starport, operational.
-Manufacturing Facility, partial operation, converted into recycling facility.
-Barracks, operational.
-FTL Communications Building, operational.
-Storage Bunkers, operational.
-Launch Hangers, inactive.
-RADAR Facility, inactive.
-Nuclear Power Plant, partial operation.
Fighter Strength:
-45 Ulysses Medium Fighters. Expected actual numbers: 10
-45 Ursa Heavy Bombers. Expected actual numbers: 9
-45 Artemis Strike Bombers. Expected actual numbers: 20
-45 Perseus Heavy Interceptors. Expected actual numbers: 14
Strike Objectives:
1. Neutralise FTL Communications Facility.
2. Destroy Launch Hangers.
3. Destroy Barracks.
4. Support Black Talons in capturing the rest of the facility.
5. Take possession of surviving fighters and bombers in storage bunkers and arm up.
6. Liberate any prisoners awaiting transportation to Shiva.
7. Depart to Shiva.
Target - Shiva:
FOR MATERIAL DEFENDER EYES ONLY
Shiva is the codename for a planet orbiting the star Groombridge 1618, off the known star maps and within easy reach of Earth. We've managed to get a spy-sat there and have confirmed that Shiva is a planet with a thin atmosphere in partially geosynchronous orbit in the small habitable zone possessed by Groombridge, a K-class main sequence star slightly dimmer than Sol. Volcanic activity is high and the planet has large amounts of metals and fissionables that the GTV can mine straight from the lava. Breathable atmosphere only exists in deep fissures and only at a certain depth. Too deep and the heat convection will kill you, too high and you suffocate. It is an unpleasant place that would have been suitable for terraforming experiments, had Strelnikov not taken over.
Now it is a place where the GTV hold prisoners used as slave labour, taken from Fenspace and Earth, to build Strelnikov's monster. We cannot be certain if any still survive on Shiva, and as such any rescue attempts are to be done at your discretion.
Shiva's sole colony is Fortress Dagger, a massive complex that covers the length and width of Dagger Fissure, one of the few tectonically stable regions on the planet, used as the place to construct Strelnikov's Monster. As such, it will be heavily defended against attack, but we expect to badly weaken the fortress sufficiently to bring it crashing down into the lava with the Earth Shaker and Grand Slam missiles. The priority in the Shiva strike is to take out Strelnikov's Monster before it can be launched, as we know that the final phase of construction is already underway. We expect them to throw everything they have at us. Be ready.
Defences:
-Many Missile Launchers, active
-Many Rotary Gauss Cannons, active
-Many Flak Cannons, active
-Many Heavy Pulse Laser Turrets, active
-192 fighters and bombers, active
-GTV Solaris weapon systems, active
Target Facilities:
-FTL Communications Facility, active
-Sensor Hub, active
-Launch Hangers, active
-Geothermal Power Plant Complex, operational
-Solaris Construction Yard, operational
Fighter Strength:
-48 Uhlan Fighters
-48 Kentauroi Interceptors
-38 Uriel Gunships
-38 Durga Bombers
-12 Ainsarii Stealth Fighters
-8 Lao Tze Advanced Fighters
Strike Objectives:
1. Protect Albatross as it moves to launch range.
2. Escort Earth Shakers until they strike target locations.
3. Protect and Aid Albatross in bombarding key structural areas to weaken fissure mooring connections.
4. Any prisoners are likely dead. But if you can locate survivors, attempt a rescue at your discretion.
5. Extract any prisoners if possible.
6. Protect the Albatross during terminal guidance towards the Solaris.
7. Any and all survivors to retreat once destruction of Fortress Dagger and Solaris are confirmed.
Briefing- Solaris:
FOR MATERIAL DEFENDER EYES ONLY
The GTV Solaris, or as it is more properly know to us, Strelnikov's Monster, is a 3000-meter monstrosity that is unlikely to even be capable of launch. But the chance of it launching successfully is there, and as such it must be destroyed.
The Solaris is a mobile fortress designed around a spinal mass driver for bombarding planetary targets. We believe that Strelnikov in his lunacy wishes to extort the Danelaw governments with strikes from 50 tonne slugs harvested from comets, asteroids and rocky planets. The Mass Driver is the final phase of construction alongside the shields and FTL drive and we have confirmation that the FTL drive is being completed. Estimates place the Solaris at being several months away from being finished, but enough of it is usable that it can serve as an escape vessel if it successfully launches. This must not occur, but the Solaris' armour is incredibly thick and it is further protected by shield projectors built as part of the construction yard. Because of this, we have built the Albatross, a missile ship that also contains a doomsday device with sufficient multitonne-level detonation yield that the Solaris will be utterly annihilated along with Fortress Dagger upon ramming it into the vessel at full speed.
However, the Solaris is heavily armed with multiple turrets and missile launch points. Turrets mount rotary gauss cannons and flak cannons ranging in caliber from 25mm through to 150mm shells, Rapier Pulse Lasers, Redeemer Heavy Gauss Cannons, Archer Anti-Ship Cannons and four Particle Beam Cannons.
The Particle Beam Cannons are highly vulnerable however, requiring their own power supplies, which in turn are highly unstable in order to create the necessary output and still fit in the Solaris. Striking these guns will cause chain reactions and expose the internals of the Solaris, leaving it vulnerable to follow up strikes. The gun turrets and missile launchers themselves are less armoured than the hull and thus pilots should focus on destroying as much of the defenses as possible to weaken the Solaris. The engines of the Solaris have exposed cooling radiators and coolant lines, destroying them should prevent the Solaris from lifting off, leaving it vulnerable to the Albatross in terminal guidance mode.
We have precious little else in terms of information, and we do not know how well-prepared Fortress Dagger will be for our attack. But we do know this, if the Solaris is completed, it will almost certainly be able to rain death on numerous worlds before it is finally stopped.
That is unacceptable.
This information will hopefully serve you well in coordinating your attacks on Shiva and Sedna, and provide you with sufficient basic insight into the GTV's technology to complement the more detailed information packets you will receive upon the launch of the Katyusha Strike Fleet.
Good luck, and good hunting, Material Defender.