2256: Earth has moved out into space making use of mathematical ‘Tramlines’ between stars that facilitate near instantaneous ‘jumps’ along the tramlines. Mankind has colonised a few dozen worlds and is slowly expanding outwards.
Many worlds have been colonised by particular earth-bound nations capable of interstellar travel. USA, Russia, China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the UK and European Unions all have successful and thriving colonies, many other nations have combined their resources to create worlds for the African Federation and the Unified Islamic Nations.
Of course, mankind has a habit of turning on itself and there have been many interstellar conflicts and squabbles. Most major powers have their own fleets of ships. Carriers, Cruisers, frigates and escorts as well as advanced Starfighters and bombers.
In the early years of 2256 contact was lost with the colonies of Caledonia and Jerusalem. Snatches of transmission hinted at ships of unknown configuration. The first tentative battles with alien forces resulted in sudden and catastrophic loss of life for the ships involved. The aliens had access to powerful beam weapons which modern ships were not equipped to cope with.
The nations of earth hurriedly put aside personal conflicts to form a coalition of spacefaring nations. Pooling resources to form a Unified Defence Force. This united fleet will form the tip of the spear to any defence that Earth and its colonies might be able to put in the field.
Enter the HMS Vengeance. The last of a breed. Huge, heavily armoured and built for a war that never happened. Many saw the ‘Old Lady’ as a ‘has been’, a weapon that was never needed, her commander little more than a caretaker to a floating museum. But her armour is thicker and stronger than anything else in space.
Suddenly, the Vengeance was at the head of any requisition list. She was outfitted with the best weapons mankind has to offer: Powerful railguns capable of flinging solid projectiles at incredible speeds, missiles and nuclear armaments and, for defence a point defence network of smaller projectile cannons and high intensity laser turrets. Within six weeks, The vengeance became the most formidable weapon mankind had at its disposal.
She is slow, but she can take a pounding and keep going. Equipped to hold six squadrons of Starfighters, she may just be Mankind’s best shot at hitting back. Pilots, crew and engineers are drawn from across the globe. The latest fighters, bombers and recon scouts brought in. Now the time has come to head a unified fleet to seek out the aliens and give them a bloody nose. Perhaps if we can show them we are not to be attacked lightly, it will slow their offensive and give us time to build more ships.
You are the pilots recruited to Vengeance’s number 1 squadron; if you can pass the advanced training, that is. Each of you has skills to bring into play, and you will play a hugely important role in the battles to come.
Time to saddle up and face your destiny.
Inspirations
Battlestar Galactica, Babylon 5, The Lost Fleet, The Last ship. Ark Royal, Honor Harrington, Wing Commander computer games, Space Above and Beyond, Star Wars.
Hosted by:
Pyjama
Narrated by:
Ben Ravensdale (Koralk)
Started 05/21/17.
Scenes played: 2
License: Community License
