Awakening - GP Archive: When Hulls Collapse

[Harry Krishna]

Crusaders Hit Lacerta; 2 DoW Killed

Eight Crusaders ships have reportedly ventured into the Lacerta galaxy and laid waste to the planetary defenses of three planets there. The planets were owned by the Dogs of War alliance and were rated between level 19 and 33 by the Federal Planetary Defense Commission. The maximum rating that the FPDC gives planet defenses is a level 70.
The first planet to be attacked by the invaders was located in sector 3485. Then the Crusaders fleet moved to the planet in sector 3489. Once the planet's defenses were removed, two Dogs of War ships landed on the surface were also destroyed. The third and final planet was located in sector 3494.

Some political analysts theorize that this may be a retaliatory strike by Crusaders, since the DoW have destroyed some single Crusaders' ships in recent days. Others see this as a training mission to get Crusaders pilots ready for a strike against other, more powerful targets. Crusaders leader Harry Krishna was unavailable for comment.




Death Control Finds New Target

The Awakening universe has been relatively quiet in recent days, with only a few planets changing hands in battles and with only minor casualties. Rumors have abounded of a push by Faded Image to attack Death Control, and these have been substantiated by minor mine-clearing operations in DC territory. However, earlier today it was Death Control who once again went on the offensive, but it was not FI who were the targets.
A DC fleet of 10 warships moved into the Crusaders controlled galaxy Hydra and initially targetted the planet in 3463. The planet fell quickly to the heavily armed fleet, and the attackers proceeded to clear a path to the more secluded planet in sector 3460, picking off 2 Crusaders warships that strayed into their path in the process.

The invaders proceeded to systematically break down the planetary defenses, but were confronted by a fleet of 13 Crusaders ships launching from the planet when the defenses were breached. The DC ships retreated from the sector, but not before the defenders were able to target and destroy 4 of their warships. The remaining DC ships restocked and proceeded to make hit and run raids into sector 3460 despite supply line problems and being outgunned and out numbered by the defenders. The attackers finally managed to call in reinforcements to make a total of 13 DC ships involved in the operation, and made a final successful push into the disputed sector with 12 warships.

The final death toll from the day's carnage was the loss of 12 Death Control warships and the Crusaders losing 17 ships and the 3463 planet. This defeat of a major defensive fleet is being described as a significant tactical victory for DC, but experts are pointing out that the Crusaders still hold the disputed 3460 planet. What little information our analysts have available suggests that the damaged DC ships did not have either the fuel or the military supplies necessary to complete the planet conquest.

These two major alliances have seemed unwilling to directly engage each other until now, and it is unknown what will come of this new turn in the Awakening hostilities.




Crusaders and Dogs of War Skirmish in Lacerta

Recent days have seen fighting among two top alliances in the Lacerta galaxy. Reports are coming in of planetary attacks by fleets of ships from both Crusaders and the Dogs of War. It seems these two alliances are vying for territory in the upper reaches of the Awakening universe.
Residents in Lacerta are fleeing the area as they feel their homeworlds are not safe from attack. Weapons shop owner Bebe McKinza says that Salvene EM Flux Cannons are flying out the door as pilot after pilot comes to his place of business to outfit their ships. "Never thought I'd run out of Nijarin Ion Phaser Beams, but there you go..."

Witnesses report the rubble of several ships bearing insignia from both alliances floating in space. Local authorities are appealing to the Federation for assistance in keeping the peace, but so far help has not been forthcoming.




Nijarin Declare Peace with Everyone!

In a sudden and strange turn of events that has led to widespread pandemonium across the universe, the Nijarin council has overridden the wishes of it's president, it's people, and it's own sense of common decency, and declared Peace with every known race.
One former president of the Nijarin council was disgusted by the move. "I've been working all game at keeping Nijarin weapons out of the hands of the top alliances by vetoing every Peace proposal that came up (several a day). I was getting a couple in-game msgs a day from members of the top alliances asking that we float a Peace proposal...now THIS!!!"

The fact that this has come so suddenly and unlooked for has led some conspiracy theorists to conclude that a cabal between the heads of the major alliances and the Nijarin weapons dealers has pushed this political agenda along. While there is no direct proof of any such underhanded dealings, it fails to silence the murmured rumors in local taverns across the galaxies.

Political observers note that peace with the Nijarin race is usually the precursor to a wave of violence. One pundit declared, "Nijarin weapons are some of the most powerful in the known universe. The average joe on the space lanes has no idea how to handle that kind of power. But the well trained war fleets of the larger alliances have been waiting for something like this to happen. God only knows what mayhem may ensue!"

The final impact of this peace is difficult to foresee, but most experts expect the number of attacks on planets and ports to increase in the days to come.




Awakening's Most Dangerous:
Sector 3485

Federal safety officials are warning pilots in the area of the Lacerta galaxy to steer clear of sector 3485. That sector has been the site of 106 fatalities to date, which is as much as in the #2 -#5 most dangerous sectors combined.
Why is 3485 so dangerous? To get to the bottom of this mystery, the Galactic Post asked safety expert Amil Zerterog of the Federal Space Traffic Safety Board to analyze the situation. Mr. Zerterog had no doubt as to the cause. "What we have here is a major galaxy, Qirekin, which joins into the racial circle of galaxies but which is itself the hub by which you are able to reach the outer galaxies of Leo, Lacerta, and from there Hydra, Canis Minor, and Kthxbai. So you have a heavy traffic pattern created."

Zerterog points out that the Qirekin galaxy is the site of Federally protected space and some very profitable ports. Also, the Holy Hand Grenade is only available at a shop in Qirekin. The warp in Lacerta at 3485 which joins to Qirekin, is the key throughput to access the upper reaches of the Awakening universe. Add to that the fact that a well developed planet lies in 3485 itself, plus several top alliances are agressively competing for territory in that area.

"All of these factors are creating the kind of statistical phenomenon that we are seeing," says Zerterog.




Combo Fleet
Tosses D-Day Dud

There were many chunks of ship debris to pick up after an attack on the vaunted Death Control galaxy of Taurus. The oddity of the day is that none of the ships belonged to Death Control.
A coalition alliance comprised of DoW, TO, and FI ships was spotted flying in formation near the Yedric/Taurus warp point. The alliance was dubbed Teh Anti-DC by the founder, Lotus of the Dogs of War infamy. This reporter saw at one point 17 Teh Anti-DC ships gather outside the Taurus warp just before the attack began. After losing 4 ships clearing mines, mostly to guns of the legendary cloaker Anxiety, Teh Anti-DC focused it's greedy guns on the first planet they spotted. The planet attacked was Buccaneers Den, owned by Travdan's Multi (aka CaptainSteiv), a pirate known for his personal war on Dogs of War.

The good captain let the planet do the talking for him, as the planetary guns and drones destroyed six ships before the real carnage started. A swift fleet led by lame duck DC leader Sterling attacked the ships not unoing, a classic maneuver executed in a manner that would make Deke Fentle smile. Six Teh Anti-DC attackers lost their lives in the counter-strike, and with pressures mounting, the leader of the attacking fleet disbanded the operation. It's members retreated to federally protected space or to the surface of relatively protected planets and witnesses say it was clear to see that the morale of the attackers was low.

However, this reporter was in attendance and enjoying some vodka from the Ik'Thorne galaxy during an impromptu bash held in honor of Sterling's and Death Control's victory over it's attackers. The final tally of ships destroyed on either side was Teh Anti-DC 16, DC zero.