[Trekfire campaign] turn 59 pt2
Klingon Empire
The Battle of Great Hunt (as the Domwaltz system is known by to the
Klingons) was seen initially as a debacle. What was supposed to be a fast
strike against a lightly defended system turned into the loss of a whole
fleet for little gain. So great was the Emperors rage at this outcome that
he instantly ordered the Battle fleet under General Morg to destroy the
Federation vessels currently in the Dekoven home system of Desolation.
When this ploy also failed (due to the Federation refusing to offer battle),
it fell upon General Angolin to once more make sense of the situation and
try to cool the Emperors blood.
Great Hunt had been another hard learned lesson, but it did give Angolin
some valuable insights. First, While the Klingons had the numerical
superiority, technology and tonnage was on the side of the Federation.
Seeing the Federation heavy units in action only went to reinforce the
Generals ideal that bigger was better as far as main battle units were
concerned. Fortunately the new D7 cruisers already in production at the
Klinzashi yards should prove a match for the Federation heavy cruisers. In
fact had even a single D7 been present in the order of battle at Great Hunt,
the outcome may have been very different.
Secondly, the technology used by the Federation was not unknown and Angolin
now had real time data (albeit from his own forces being on the recieving
end) of the effectiveness of the data-group electronics and advanced anti
missile systems currently being deployed in the D7 class and in the B refits
for the older units.
Thirdly, the general learned of the relative effectiveness of the various
fleet units on an individual level. The valiant last stand of the Hunter
(the original class ship of the F5 Bird of Prey ships) and its ability to
savage larger vessels at close quarters was an eye opener. By far the
deciding factor in this had been the ships speed and manoeuvrability, and as
such the class was well endorsed as a skirmishing unit.
On the minus side however, the E4 class had proved to be far to fragile for
a gun line unit. As a consequence, the order was given that the B refit was
cancelled for E4 units (deemed as being too expensive on a hull that could
not withstand punishment) and all existing E4a vessels would be replaced by
new F5bs on a one for one basis. Replaced E4s would be returned to Klinshai
for mothballing. Only the existing E4bs of the home fleet would be retained
on active duty.
The final piece of information was gleaned in conjunction with the aborted
action at Desolation. Analysis of the effectiveness of the Federation fire
at Great Hunt showed that those elements using the most advanced technology
appeared to have less experienced crews than the units which were on a par
with the Klingons. Couple that with the fact that these units had arrived
within a month of the Klingons discovering the system could only mean that a
major fleet base and/or production facility was close at hand. The fact that
The Klingons had little in the way of reinforcements that could attempt a
follow up assault within a two month time frame meant that Great hunt was
going to be crawling with defenders.
On the other hand the ships at desolation had not even attempted a single
datalink volley in order to slow down the Klingon advance. It was therefore
likely that Desolation was more removed from the Federation core systems,
harder to defend and less likely to be defended than Great Hunt was. Throw
in the fact that Desolation lead to the Pursuit system, it meant that By
attacking from this direction the Klingons would be fighting a war on only
one front with the ability to draw units back and forth between the Hydran
and Federation theatres.
So the die had been cast. The Dekoven, now a junior partner in the Klingon
Empire would provide the forward base for the invasion of Federation space.
The 4th exploration fleet was reassigned to give a full warp point survey of
Desolation.
Kzinti / Hydran Alliance
As trade and military allies of the Federation, the Kzinti have been
informed of the war that has now broken out with the Klingons. It is time
for the Alliance to launch their strike.
So far any attack has been delayed on account of the Hydrans. Still strapped
for cash, they have not had the opportunity to refit any of their existing
ships, let alone increase their fleet size. It is only with the impending
cash influx that will result from next month’s amalgamation of the Spidron
into the Kingdoms that the Royal houses have managed to break into the
Kingdom piggy bank.
Every available frigate in the Hydran mothball fleet has been reactivated
and will take defensive positions in Hydra. The joint fleets will make a two
pronged attack.
The first attack will be through the Hydra – Pursuit warp point. Hydran
elements will consist of Hunter and Lancer close assault units. The Kzinti
are providing newer technology FF+ and destroyers. It is expected to be a
close range battle at the warp point.
The second attack is far different. Attacking through a closed warp poiint
into the Klingon held Newcastle system, the fleets are attempting to cause
maximum economic disruption. Long range Hydran Crusaders and Knights will be
backed by Kzinti destroyers and missile bombardment frigates. The hope is to
engage the Klingons in a deep space engagement or pull them into defence of
their outposts in the system.
The joint fleets move to the respective assembly points. All that remains is
for the Hydran refurbishment to complete, and the war will be on…
(
geocities.com/mwadwell)