STARFIRE NEXUS MAGAZINE Fiction and Scenario, for New Empires by Robert Armstrong S Taerol'hazuum re-examined the combat computer readouts, hoping to find an op: tion which might have escaped his previ- ‘ous five or six readings, But the readouts remained the same, and that only heighten- ed the sense of peril on board. The Great Claw could feel the slow deterioration of his crew's confidence, and it angered him. Gone from the bridge was the feeling of exhilaration first felt with the capture of the enemy vessel. No longer did the crew view itas a prize, but rather as a wounded haunch, slowing their flight. ‘Taerol cursed the enemy ship they had in tow, cursed himself for heeding Least Claw Ketahl’samek’s advice to capture it, cursed his damaged instruments for being damaged, Had they not been destroyed in the scuffle of capturing the enemy ship, the trap certainly would have been discov ered and sprung empty Never had any Orion explorer been box: ed in as Taerol now found himself, Never since the Wars of Shame had the Khan been so contested. The important fact, though, was that the Khan had been chal: Jenged’ and that an Orion exploration squadron was boxed in, precedents or no. ‘Accepting the situation, Tacrol immedi: ately began searching for ways to deal with it, All of his training, from earliest days, told him that there had to be a solu- tion to every problem, even though the solution might be costly. His time as a Least Claw had taught him to find the solution that cost him the least and his ‘opponent the most, These lessons he ap- plied now, uying to find the least costly solution t0 a serious problem, ‘More was at stake here than a swatch of fur; the fate of four Orion exploration war- ships lay in Taerol’s paw. He flexed his claws and tumed to Cub of the Khan Raf- facn*bozokkil, who had replaced the injur- ed communications officer. Fear lay under the cub's outer guise, invisible, but taint ing the recycled air with its cold scent “Cub Raffaen, still your fear and raise Least Claw Ketahl, if he dares answer your hail.” Taerol glared at the motion. {ess officer, then roared “Move, or I shall flay you from gullet to tal!” ‘The cub saluted silently and attended to his station with new-found inspiration. Alone, Taerol would not have chastened the young officer, but there were others on the bridge who had smelled Raffaen’s fear and would not have allowed it, had they been commanding, And with many baitle scars to prove it, Taerol’s experi- ence told him how essential it was 10 solve such problems at once. The now- steady voice of Raffaen recalled Taerol's attention to matters at hand. “Least Claw Ketahl, sit, from the bridge of the Brasov. He says that the bat- tHe damaged his communications and he has no visual pickup.” The Cub opened the channel and switched it 10 Tacrol’s command station, Even without visual feed from the Brasov, Taerol could sce Ketahl pacing the bridge of the destroyer. 6 Ketahl’s deep, smooth voice issu from the speaker: the voice which had a gued the Survey Board into sending the cx ploration ships; the voice which argued long and loud (although discrete against Tacrol commanding the squadron; the cursed voice which had urged the cap: ture of the enemy frigate “Excellency, our instruments show the first enemy squadron holding their sland at the warp point. The second squadron, however, has accelerated and continues it’s intercept course. Latest data puls contact just over two hours away.” Tacrol bared a fang at the smug tone of Ketahl's voice. The spiteful calmness of the destroyers commander galled the very notions of honor and loyalty towards a su- perior. When we arrive back at base, Tae- rol thought, I shall answer Khetahl’'s goat ing in the ducting square and ‘pull his, throat out between his yellowing fangs. The Great Claw was silent as he thought, and Ketahl asked if his transmis- sionhadbeenreceived.Paerolacknowl ed curtly and ordered the transmission of the information to his combat crews for analysis. Ketahl argued that he had person- ally analyzed the dataand prepared the esti mates. Taerol railed at the viewscreen, “Is it no longer Orion custom to obey orders? You will send the information to my computers without delay! T still com ‘mand this expedition and its members. If you are displeased about that, you have bbeen trained in the use of an airlock. Ibe. lieve Son of the Khan Merrk’lekkun can command the Brasov after your demise...” The receipt indicator went off; Ketahl had broken off communications, “That pale-furred misfit! Replay the combat sequence at half scale. Operations! Edit known enemy positions into the combat tape for origin probability. If there are any other squadrons out there, 1 ‘want to see them coming, ‘Taerol crouched forward, waiting forkis orders to be carried out. Perhaps with the new data he could determine how the ene- iy ships had slipped into position ‘There were many planets in this sys- tem, but during their preliminary survey pass, none of them appeared to be inhabit ed. So the enemy had probably not hidden within the system, but had entered during of after the first conflict which had strip. ped Taerol of his long ranged science instruments. The reinforcements appeared on the science instruments of his destroy- ers, but far too close to flee without be- ing engaged. With the Solat fr tow, the fleet could not outrun a ficig! Tet alone a squadron of heavy warships.NEXUS MAGAZINE ARFIRE Tacrol hoped the combat tapes might contain a clue 0 provide the inspiration he needed. “The main viewscreen displayed a tactic- al grid, yellow marks in planetary posi- tions giving condensed information about density and mass of the planets. Five red slivers emerged from the yellow sphere of the warp point: the light cruiser Khelmae and her four attendant destroyers. The rest of the grid remained gray unti, just as the Orions neared the terrestrial planet, ships suddenly appeared from the far side of it, Four light green dots repre- sented the unknown ships. Soon their drive signatures identified them as frigate class, race unknown, The Orion ships spread out into standard battle formation, the heaviest ship taking point with sup- port ships in a rear arc. At that point, the combat tape changed from tac-tical to a plot of ship trajectories. Taerol wished for the seventh time that he had tacticals at this point in the tape, but he had requested path plots, and the computer had tracked and recorded only what had appeared on the main plot du ing the approach. To log all the input dur- ing a battle would overwhelm even the ‘most advanced Orion computers, even if they wore dedicated solely to the task. The computers on board Khelmae were not the most advanced, and they had 10 serve ‘many other functions as well as combat ‘The red trajectories ended with the usual precision, After all, this was time-tested classic combat approach. The four green paths, however, diverged, a tactic which ied insane to Tacrol at the time: even raw Cubs of the Khan knew the princi- ples of space combat, ard one of the most important, repeated’ throughout. service training, was to concentrate firepower — always. Dispersing a squadron was un- heard of; but the green paths split up in total disregard of traditional tactics. ‘Once the battle computers had estimat- dan interception point, the view returned to tactical. The enemy ships moved clos- er, along the path projected by the com- puter, right up to the interception point. ‘Then, without slowing, the alien ships opened fire with their lasers. Two beams rocked the Khelmae; the ‘ovo destroyers behind her each took a hit. The enemy ships launched missiles at the two damaged destroyers and passed into the blind rear arc of the Orion squadron. The red slivers swung about, but the swifter enemy ships arced around and rac- ed through the gauntlet of the damaged de- stroyers before the surprised Orion squad- ron had enough time to power their weap- on systems. Between the ruptured vessels, the enemy lasers fired again, along with their guns. The destroyer Braemel was struck squarely, and its sliver winked out. In retrospect, Taerol saw the logic of the enemy's attack. By evading his fire on their first pass, they could cripple two ships and effectively split his squadron in- to two parts along the divided path of the damaged destroyers. If Taerol were then to concentrate his fire on a single ship, the other three could wreak havoe; if he were to strike evenly, all four enemy. ships could hold out and do damage longer. Faced with this problem, Taerol naturally followed his training and ordered all ships to fire on the lead encmy frigate. ‘The tactical grid swarmed with firing are probabilities and responses, and one by one the green dots winked out, leaving only a weaponless frigate on the grid. ‘The cost had been heavy: none of the Orion ships escaped unscathed. One was destroyed, and the larger Khelmae took heavy damage. The ship with the least damage was the destroyer Brasov, for Ke- tahl had remained at the outside are posi- tion rather than closing in support ‘The combat sequence shut off before the evaluation; the only use of the comparative ranking was in training. The evaluation had, however, ranked the Bras- ov most highly due to her good damage/ firing ratio — though Taerol intended to call the full sequence to the promotion board’s attention, rather than sending, in the simple evaluation as was customary. What the normal evaluation couldn’t show, Taerol thought, was that the ratio \was in this case a badge of cowardice. ‘The screen came alive again, this time with a trajectory plot based on the new data from the Brasov. The Orion paths were simple arcs around the system from the warp point, then into the ellipse of or- bit around the large planet. The enemy tracks came from nowhere, as if the ships had materialized from cosmic dust rather than a planetary shipyard. Alter the battle, the Orions noticed two more groups of ships, presumably of the same origin as the acquired frigate, One was near the warp point the Orions used to enter the system, But the currently approaching paths were what held Taerol’s attention, ‘The ion wakes of the engines marked the presence of the pursuing ships, but said nothing at this distance about the number or sizes of the pursuers. With a crippled ship and depleted squadron, Tac- rol had no disire for another battle. If they were moving at maximum speed, they were as fast as the Orion ves- A sels without the drag of their captive. If Taerol released the Solat frigate..1F the ‘warp point guards remained in place...If the Khan had no fur he would be bald, Tacrol slapped his haunch, driving such ‘weary thoughts from his mind, He could not release the frigate; the enemy vessel had to be returned for inspection. The as- trogation information it carried would be priceless in countering this new enemy He could not evade both the pursuing ships and adequately defend the squadron from the warp point guards. He could not break for the warp point and present his blind rear to the pursuers. Too many solutions which cost him more than his ‘opponent, Too many wrong answers. “Sir, may I present a theory as to the origin of the new enemy squadrons?" Cub Raffaen stood before Taerol with a com bat readout. The Great Claw nodded. “Sir, T worked in the training dens as assistant to Small Fang Khalarae...” “The Khan's chief researcher?” “The same, sir. He has hypothesized several new departures in technology, al- though they currently lie beyond our capa- bilities. One is the possible existence of electronic. systems considerably in ad- vance of ours — systems which could op- erate to hide the presence of an enemy ves- sel. He has also been able to locate virtu- ally undetectable warp points which were at one time unknown, Either of those ‘would explain the situation, sir. Either they came through an undetected warp point, in which case they simply were not here, or they were here, but were elee- tronically hidden.” “Perhaps, Cub Raffaen,” Tacrol grunt ed.""Or perhaps we simply haven't located all the system's normal warp points yet and they took up their positions while we ‘were exploring other paris of the system. Or perhaps they were simply on one of the other planets and. stayed there, until after our instruments were damaged.” “Yes, sir.” The cub saluted, deposited the chips, and left the command station Taerol watched him go, considering his ideas, There was probably some relatively simple explanation for the situation, but Rafiaen’s thoughts were certainly novel. He would have to keep an eye on the cub, and groom him for quick promotion ifthe youngster’s nerve grew to match the quickness of his mind. And the notions he had suggested rather pleased Taerol; he ‘would bear no blame in either of these cases, and the frigate towed home might prove of even greater worth. ‘A chill tickled his spine: the possible presence of advanced technology raised aSTARFIRE NEXUS MAGAZINE ‘grim spectre: advanced weaponry. The ships they faced could be heavier than the earlier ones, and the carly ones had done ‘tremendous damage by themselves. There was now only one option, for Taerol could not permit his squadron to face destruction. They must press for the ‘warp point without delay; the pursuers drew nearer each second, their weapons closing in as he debated his escape. He ordered new equations to be trajec- tory plotted, alerted all weapon crews, and contacted the three remaining destroyers. The Khelmae lifted out of orbit first, with the Brasov next, followed by the Braena and Baenzev. ‘The powerful ion drives were just setling into their rhy- thm, moving the Khelmae with her prize frigate in tow, when the plots were displayed on the main screen, ‘The red and green bands were clear. The squadron would reach the warp point and its guards less than ten minutes before the ‘enemy. The warp point defenders must be defeated rapidly to avoid the destruction of the Orion exploratory squadron, Tacrol considered his options. He might order the craven Ketahl to lag be- hind and delay the hunters. That brought a warm growl of approval from his throat; but he would need the lightly damaged Brasov in the warp point battle. He could attempt the enemy's tactic of dividing fire- Power to break the warp point blockade. In any event, that tactic could not be used to surprise him again, How to make the situation the most costly for his enemies? he thought, He ‘was interrupted by the voice of his com- bat assistant, Least Claw Rethurr'zzishar. “Sir, now within extreme firing range of the warp point. The enemy destroyers, all have open missile ports.” He looked at ‘Taerol levelly. “Your orders, sir?” BACKGROUND: 2299 ‘While on a routine survey mission in unexplored space, the 26th Survey Squad- ron, KON, was attacked by an unidentifi- ed alien force In the ensuing battle, the Orions lost cone destroyer, but managed to snare an alien vessel.’ Taking refuge in orbit around a planet, the Orion commander noted the approach of another alien force. Faced with little alternative, the Orion force boosted out of orbit and began a Jong dash to the warp point through which it had entered the system. Solat Defense Forces: Group A: DDI-DD3: 2) SSSSAAQCYDWWDOP. DOLNC (6) Group B: CLI-CL2: 4) SSSSAAAAQADHTEKe (i) PD aiyancapLnaiy 6) FGL-FG3: (2) SSAAQHW(DLMDDLA 06 Orion 26th Survey Squadron: CLI Khelmae: (3) SSSSAAAHXE() QWFUDLTDAIX:LNCAL 6) DDI Brasov: (2) SSSAAQXWE()LD() MLADO (5) DD2 Braena: (2) SSSAAQXWFODLD() (MLA (5) cee DD3 Baenzev: (2) SSSAAQXWF(DLD MOLKD 6) FGI Solat: “2)SSAAQMWOL)A) @Lb() 6) Note: The undamaged ship designs are given. The systems in bold type on the Orion and Solat ships denote destroyed systems. The FG in the Orion Squadron is being tractored by the Khelmae. STRATEGIC SET UP: System:Solat "WP LM/Delta From: Primary:Orange 1 = 4284 Orion Space 2 2 ? No. Name Type Orbit Moons 1 T 2ui= 2 G 482 3 3 ee 4 1 2765-2 SPECIAL RULES: 1. Both players secretly decide where to place their ships. The Orion player's forces orbit planet “T 24.” The Solat play- er must begin Group A in the same hex as WPI. Group B must begin at “G 48," 2. The Solat FG in the Orion squadron is tactored, but has not surrendered. At present, it is towed by the Khelmae. The Khelmae slows 10 a speed of '3" and a tum mode of "4" while towing the FG. Neither the Orion nor the Solat player ‘may fire at the FG. Once itis free of the tractor beam, though, it functions as a normal Solat vessel (under the control of the Solat player). For this scenario, trac- toring through warp points is allowed, 3. On any tum in which the Orion DD Brasov takes more than four points of damage, roll one die: if the result is a one, the Orion player must immediately begin moving the Brasov on a. straight course to the warp point. The Brasov is commanded by a coward who will disen- {gage as soon as he deems it necessary, 4. Players simply move one counter which represents all of the ships in a giv- cn squadron, Neither player has to tell the other what ships are in the squadron until scanner conact is made. 8 TACTICAL SET UP: For those players who don’t have ac- cess to a New Empires map, of who mere- ly wish to play out the tactical battle, use this set up with the black Starfire map, Warp Point: 0927 SPECIAL RUI 1. The Orion player enters the map at hex O101 at the beginning of tum one, facing direction C. The Solat player may begin Group A no more than five hexes from the warp point. Group B will enter hhex 4201 facing direction E at the begin: ig of tun 12. 2-4, These rules are the same as for the strategic st up. VICTORY CONDITIONS: The Orion player wins if he exits the ‘map through the warp point with a Solat ship. The Solat player wins if all Orion vessels are destroyed belore leaving the system, Any other result is a draw. Q Starfall Continued number of ships that may be linked to- gether in the same delivery matrix. All data-linked groupsmust be designat- ed before a battle, and may not be reorgan- ized during combat. Ships may drop out of the matrix at any time, but may not re- enter it during battle. Also, different Tevels of x) may be used together Examples: If a player had six ships with (25) in a data-linked group and two of them dropped out of the matrix, he would then have one group of four data- linked ships and two lone ‘ships. He would not have one group of four skips and another group of two ships: A (ZA) ship may be in the same group as (26) ships; however, the maximum size of the group would be four ships be- cause of the limits of the (ZA) system. ‘Advanced Data Link is High-Tech Lev- el VI, takes up no hull spaces and must be positioned as the first system inside the armor (as normal Data Link). The cost for Advanced Data Link is: (Z3) = 40 MgC; (ZA) = 55 MgC; each level above that ‘costs an additional 15 MgC. Development costs for (Zx) are similar to costs for multiplex tracking (100 MgC times the per unit cost of the desired level of sophistication). 1 would like to thank the following people for their questions and suggestions which appear in this article: Melvin Krehbiel, Wendell Martin, Scott Rose, William L. Banks, Richard F, Way, Peter C. Gumeau, and James Gassaway. | Q