In DSN-8619, the first defensive test of the mass missles with laser warheads had started. Volley after volley smashed into the Confederate fleet, obliterating a score of ships. The Confederate fleet was the right size to go up against a fleet with just the old mass and cluster missles, but the new standoff missle and newer, more powerful warheads did far more damage than they had allowed for. When the Confederate fleet closed into their own missle range, the Ion Miniguns began shooting down missles and torpedoes, the point defence mode working perfectly.
Then, for once, just as the Confederate fleet was getting close enough to use its primary weapons, the Galactica fleet changed heading, straight for the Confederate fleet. The Antimatter Railgun Batteries pounded the Alliance ships, and then the Confederates where within range. Massive damage was done to the Galactica fleet, but then a new weapon was introduced to the Allaince, in the first real battle since its test. The Laser Frigate opened fire with its gunports. All of them. Right in the middle of the Confederate fleet. It didnt help them much that Galactica had several of them. The combined fire of them pierced multiple shield grids, blasting through armour, blowing up scores of ships. The Confederate fleet was in dissaray. Its formation had been shattered. The Galactica missle ships pulled away, while the Laser Frigates showed what happens when an antimatter fueled laser beam hits at point blank range.
The Laser Frigates stayed with the Confederate fleet, their fast speed meaning the Confederates couldnt escape with their more powerful ships. The crew in the command modules watched their shields steadily fall from return fire, and waited to eject. The explosion of a destroyed Laser Frigate would come as an even nastier surprise than its weapons.
With countless ships in the Confederate fleet shieldless, standoff missles began kinetic strikes, their gravitational warheads activating as they punched throguh armour, destroying whole ships. The Confederates fleet was a poor sight, while the Galactica fleet had only lost 30 ships.
At that point, a Laser Frigate lost shields. The command module shot off, and seconds later the ship exploded, taking down the ships which had killed it. The shockwave damaged the other ships in the Confederate fleet, along with the other Laser Frigates, but that just made it easier for the Laser Frigates to break through enemy shields, killing their engines. Their primary target was enemy engines, so they couldnt move. Since they where right in the middle of the enemy fleet though, porcupine mode was engaged, hitting every ship surrounding them.
Galacticas fleet hadnt been damaged since its initial pass through the enemy fleet, and it now badly outnumbered the Confederate fleet. The Alliances superiority at close range had been annihilated, and ship after ship was being destroyed from long range. Only Reinforcements could save them, but more galactcia ships where on the way.
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In Smott, the battle wasnt going as well for the Federation. Heavily outnumbered, the fleet had fled as quickly as possible, while the Laser Frigates hihad d in one of the many ECm drone clumps littered about the system. The Confederate fleet had gone straight for the Galactica ships, as per normal, to get into close weapons range. It then found itself being torn into from behind by a number of Laser Frigates, all focusing their lasers on engines only, crippling many of the ships in space. Its priamry mission this time would be to ensure not too many ships could go after the main fleet. It dove into the Confederate fleet, ready to die, and take the enemy down. Its main targets where the Flagships, to cripple their engines. Any target would do though, and the Laser Frigates shook with the power exploding inside them, lancing into the enemy. 2 Laser Frigates went after each Flagship, and then they where in range. The Flagships couldn't outrun the Frigates, and then they opened fire on the Flagships.
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Reinforcements sped for the trouble systems. The Alliance would not be allowed to get away with this attack.
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In Eta Cassiopea, Galactica began a survey of the systems newly allocated to it, and new colony bases where brought in, ready.
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Retuning Gravity devices:ETA 2 posts
The messing about with gravity well generators has shown a new promise. The ability to create a gyroscope that can change direction instantly, with no movement penalties is exceptional interesting. The only problem is that the sudden direction change is too sudden for normal lifeforms. As such, it has been decided to update the mass missle even further. The new Gyroscope missle will make it impossible to dodge, as well as giving a slightly longer range due to gravitational effects. ETA:10 posts
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With recent defections from Galactica, security at all facilities is increased, and all security passes are being reviewed.
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A note to those on the Laser Frigates effectiveness. I talked to esponer about it, and he said he didnt mind. Add the fact the Alliance has always done its best to close to a position where its weapons can do the most good. Also add in the fact the Laser Frigate does several factors more damage than any other primary weapon.
Also, Carno, remember, when a Laser Frigate explodes, it explodes big time. Have fun with your flagships, since they cant outrun one, and they've already closed from behind.
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(This message has been edited by RMA (edited 11-25-2001).)
(This message has been edited by RMA (edited 11-25-2001).)
