THE GRAW PROJECT
Link to the Graw Project

The Graw Project is my attempt to follow in the footsteps of the Master Force behind the Omega Sector, Bruce Graw. The Goal is to create a New Galaxy that uses the same Design Paradigm as the Omega Sector. The idea is not to Clone or Duplicate the Omega Sector, but rather, to create something Brand New.

The Design Paradigm to be used for the Graw Project will be:
• Warp 26 Cruisers to Start
• Avoidance of Mass Drones and Mass Fighters on the Tabletop (which slow games down)
• Varied Phaser Development from the Alpha Sector or the Omega Sector
• Varied Range Brackets
• Varied Overload Ranges
• Cool, Interesting, (Mostly) Non-Humanoid Species for each Empire and their Background
• In General, a Lagging Behind of Technological Development when compared to the Alpha Sector
• Constant Chaotic Wars with Ever Changing Borders
• Rise and Fall of Empires, Disappearance/Appearance of some Empires over Time
• Weapons and Technology that promote New Tactics and Strategies on the Battlefield
• Simple, Easy to Use Technology that can be Understood with one One Read Through
• Some Type of “Void” that prevents contact with Outside Galaxies
• First Dreadnoughts and Carriers are Early Dreadnoughts and Carriers
• First Fighters are Simple Craft with Little to No Seeking Weapons (No Advanced Fighter Technology)
• Multi-Role Escorts that only Partially serve as Carrier Escorts (they serve other functions too)
• Commonplace Dreadnoughts commanding Large Fleets appear Later in the Timeline
• Small Logistical Bases are employed due to the Constant Ever Changing Borders
• Base Stations and Starbases exist, but are much further behind the Changing Borders
• In General, Cruisers for Most Empires will feature One Unique Heavy Weapon, One or Two Varied Phasers, and One Special Device or Supplementary Heavy Weapon

The Varied Phasers have already been worked out for the Graw Project. To start, they will be Proton Phasers, Neutron Phasers, Electron Phasers, Meson Phasers, Subspace Phasers, Graviton Phasers, and Dark Matter Phasers. There will be Other Phasers in the Future, but these Starting Phasers will form the Foundation for the Graw Project.

The First Cruiser for the First Empire in the Graw Project has also been completed. This vessel should feel like an Omega Cruiser and yet be Completely Different. This First Cruiser sets the Stage for the Graw Project, much like the Federation CA set the stage for the Alpha Sector, and the Maesron CA set the stage for the Omega Sector.

By Norman Dizon (Ichaborn) on Thursday, February 18, 2021 - 03:15 pm: Edit

WARRIOR POET HEAVY CRUISER SSD
Link to the Warrior Poet Heavy Cruiser SSD

THE GRAW PROJECT

WARRIOR POET SHIPS
(GPR1.1) HEAVY CRUISER (CA):

The Warrior Poets are Enlightened Beings from Beyond the Galaxy. They seek to bring Peace, Knowledge, Unity, and Prosperity to All Planets and Species throughout the Graw Project. Typically, one Warrior Poet will act as Captain for a Diverse and Multicultural Crew on a Starship.

The Warrior Poet Heavy Cruiser is the mainstay of the Warrior Poet Fleet. Spread throughout the Graw Project, they spend their time forming treaties, creating alliances, seeking out new members for the Warrior Poets, conducting diplomacy, repulsing aggressive threats, teaching knowledge, and performing medical rescues. Warrior Poet Heavy Cruisers oversee and coordinate many of the Minor Empire Starships that are part of the Warrior Poet Fleet.

Warrior Poet Heavy Cruisers are strong combatants, both offensively and defensively. Warp Rockets and Mini Plasmas form the crux of their offense, supplemented by Proton Phasers and Graviton Phasers. Shield Magnifiers strengthen the defense of the Warrior Poet Heavy Cruiser, further protecting it from harm. The Warrior Poet Heavy Cruiser possesses an ample supply of Laboratories, Shuttles, and Hull. Strong, equal Shields surround most of the vessel, with the exception of the Rear Shield.

DESIGNER NOTES:

The Warrior Poet Heavy Cruiser provides a glimpse of what Future Cruisers in the Graw Project will look like. This Cruiser possesses One New Heavy Weapon, One Supplementary Heavy Weapon, Two Types of Varied Phasers, and One Special Device. It comes with 26 Warp, 4 Batteries, and Strong Shields.

The Key to the Warrior Poet Heavy Cruiser was not only the Creation of New Weapons and Technology from Scratch, but also to make sure those Elements fit together in a way that promotes New Tactics and Strategies. Careful attention has been paid to All of the New Varied Phasers to make sure that none of them are Overpowered or Gamebreaking. Tactically, the Warrior Poet Heavy Cruiser provides some Interesting New Possibilities due to its One or Two Turn Arming Warp Rockets, Rapid Firing Mini Plasmas, and Preplanned Use of its Shield Magnifiers.

I believe this First Cruiser fulfills all of the Design Paradigm Requirements listed for the Graw Project.

By Norman Dizon (Ichaborn) on Thursday, February 25, 2021 - 04:50 pm: Edit

KELPIE BLOOM JELLY SSD
Link to the Kelpie Bloom Jelly SSD

THE GRAW PROJECT

KELPIE SHIPS
(GPR2.1)BLOOM JELLY (BJ):

The Kelpie Bloom Jelly was a Strange Adversary. Slow moving and often Hidden, this Living Space Jellyfish was more than capable of defending itself. Possessing countless Eyes which could emit Phaser Energy, Swarm Drones on its Tentacles, a Subspace Mouth, and Deadly Plasma Stingers, the Kelpie Bloom Jelly was ferocious up close. The Space Faring Organism had excellent Drone and Plasma Defense thanks to its Bioluminescence Field. The Intelligent Algae within the Bloom Jelly formed a Symbiotic Relationship with the Space Creature, each side benefiting from the other. Interestingly, the Kelpie are more interested in exploring space and meeting new civilizations than aggressively attacking the empires that neighbor their space.

DESIGNER NOTES:

The Kelpie Bloom Jelly is one of the most exotic and ambitious empires created for the Graw Project. Clearly inspired by the Alunda, the Kelpie feature Intelligent Algae riding inside of a Giant Genetically Modified Space Jellyfish.

These Space Jellyfish have Numerous Abilities (some of which have been Genetically Modified), from Bioluminescence Fields to Natural Cloaks to Regenerating Membranes to Multiple Eyes that shoot Phasers and More. The key here is not just to create a Bunch of Cool Monster Stuff, but to create something that Integrates into a Starship with Unique Tactics. This is Difficult. I’m not sure if I succeeded. Only Time and Playtesting will Tell.

The Kelpie Bloom Jelly is a Slow Moving Starship with Limited Power. It has an Abundance of Systems, but not enough Power to use them All at Once. Swarm Drones act as a type of Modular Drone, which allows the player to customize how much he wants to build the Drone up to. Eye Beams are Numerous, but lack Power and Range. The Kelpie Bloom Jelly is excellent at Seeking Weapon Defense, both because of its Bioluminescence Field and its Natural Cloak. Its main drawback is its Slow Movement. If Speed is Life in Star Fleet Battles, the Kelpie Bloom Jelly will have a difficult time staying alive. Ironically, two of its best weapons, the Subspace Mouth and the Plasma Stingers are both short ranged weapons. Which means the Kelpie Bloom Jelly must close on its opponent to be successful. But with its slow speed, this will not be easy. On a closed map, it can be done methodically. The Natural Cloak will help to protect the Kelpie Bloom Jelly as it closes in on its enemy. Swarm Drones are not powerful enough to seriously damage an enemy ship, but they can control the battlefield, as well as force the opponent to expend valuable Phaser fire. Planula serve as Tiny Fighters, each one little more than a nuisance on its own, but more of a viable threat when flown together as a group. The Regenerating Membrane can make a difference over a long game, but is unlikely to stop a close-range alpha strike.

By Norman Dizon (Ichaborn) on Monday, March 01, 2021 - 08:51 pm: Edit

ZEN – STARDATE 03.01.21
Link to previous Zen Logs

Captain Siddhartha floated in mid-air in a seated position. His eyes were closed. His mind was clear. His soul was at peace. There was only emptiness.

Captain Siddhartha could sense his Crew’s stress and anxiety. Their fear was increasing with each passing moment. Something must be happening on the Bridge.

A Connection existed between Captain Siddhartha and his Brethren. No matter the distance. Each of them was tending to their own affairs. Each one trying to make a difference in all that lives within the Graw Project. They were all at peace. They were One with Siddhartha. Warrior Poets ALL.

Someone was approaching. Someone unsettled. Someone full of uncontrolled emotions. She was full of fear. It was Captain Siddhartha’s First Officer. He opened the door before she asked for entrance to his chamber.

A beautiful Ghost-like Figure stood in the open doorway. Her body was transparent, including her flowing white hair. There was a sad expression constantly molded onto her lovely face.

“Omen. Be at Peace. What news do you bring to your Captain?”

“It’s the Centi again, Sir,” Omen replied in a haunting voice. Her light blue eyes settled on Captain Siddhartha. “Those bug fiends are about to attack Shambhala once more. Shall we move to intercept?”

Captain Siddhartha gently floated to the ground. He was clothed only in a simple pure white robe. He slowly moved to his First Officer and closed his eyes.

“Be at Peace, Omen. You are greatly unsettled. Rest your soul. Whatever is about to happen was written in the Book of Life long before either of us. We simply have to play out our roles.”

Omen nodded at her Captain. She sighed and took a deep breath. Her ghostly form relaxed.

“Yes, move the Zen into intercept position. Go to Red Alert. We will try to communicate with the Centi to avoid violence and loss of life.”

“And if the Bugs refuse to listen, like they normally do?”

Captain Siddhartha gazed at Omen with eyes full of love.

“Then, my loyal First Officer, the Warrior Poets will do as we have always done.”

“PROTECT LIFE AT ALL COSTS.”

By Norman Dizon (Ichaborn) on Saturday, March 06, 2021 - 04:12 pm: Edit

CENTI WINCHESTER HEAVY CRUISER SSD
Link to the Centi Winchester Heavy Cruiser SSD

THE GRAW PROJECT

CENTI SHIPS
(GPR3.1) WINCHESTER HEAVY CRUISER (CA):

The Centi, who are Humanoid Centipedes, fielded mass quantities of Winchester Heavy Cruisers in an attempt to overwhelm their neighbors with sheer numbers. The ship was a sleek, fast, and agile vessel which often danced around its opponents at range. Armed with Neutron Bullets, Neutron Phasers, and Space Mud, the Centi Winchester Heavy Cruiser was designed for combat. The Centi were feared throughout the Graw Project for their Neutron Bullets which could rip through a shield like an armor-piercing round, causing instant internal damage.

DESIGNER NOTES:

The Centi, which are based on the Vari, are a warlike species that crave organic flesh to feast upon. As such, they often play the role of antagonists in the Graw Project.

I wanted to make the Particle Beam more Lethal. So I designed the Neutron Bullet with the Limited Ability to Bypass Shields. While the Neutron Bullet is deadly in its aspect of Scoring Internals, it lacks Crunch Power, a Vulnerability that can be exploited by any Seasoned Captain.

Instead of Particle Probes or Particle Splitter Torpedoes, the Centi needed a Device which was more Tactically Useful. This took the form of Space Mud. Like the Spore Caster and Web, Space Mud is a Type of Terrain that has Tactical Applications. Clearly, Space Mud provides excellent Seeking Weapon Defense, although it can also be used to Trap and Pin Enemy Starships so the Centi can use Sniper Fire from a distance with their Neutron Bullets. There are numerous possibilities in the future for Space Mud Advancements.

Neutron Phasers take the place of Particle Phasers. While the Damage Range is not as extreme as Particle Phasers, Neutron Phasers are definitely more potent than Proton Phasers, which are the Standard in the Graw Project. Note that the Centi Winchester Heavy Cruiser does not possess any Neutron Phaser-3’s or Graviton Phasers.

With its Armaments, the Centi Winchester Heavy Cruiser is best suited to Saber Dance with the Enemy, rather than closing for a Single Potent Alpha Strike. Its versatile Turn Mode helps it to be proficient in this type of Mid-Long Range Fighting. Space Mud helps to deter the Enemy and protect the Centi Winchester Heavy Cruiser against Seeking Weapons.

The Centi Winchester Heavy Cruiser is the perfect example of a Heavy Cruiser that fits the Design Paradigm for the Graw Project. With 26 Warp, One Unique Heavy Weapon, One Varied Phaser, One Special Device, and No Seeking Weapons, the Centi Winchester Heavy Cruiser has few rules and they are easy to learn. This empire could have easily fit in the Original Omega Sector without any difficulty.

By Norman Dizon (Ichaborn) on Monday, March 08, 2021 - 12:39 pm: Edit

ZEN – STARDATE 03.08.21
Link to previous Zen Logs

“Captain, there are no responses to our hails.”

Captain Siddhartha formed a slight frown on his face. Why must it always come to this? Displays of Power, Capturing Territory, Taking Resources, Exerting Dominance, Destroying your Enemy to become the Victor. And for What? The Cycle continues Over and Over without End. When will Living Beings realize there is So Much More to Life than these Petty Things? A Higher State of Being. A Level of…Enlightenment.

“The Centi Heavy Cruiser is on an attack vector. 200,000 kilometers and closing.”

“Launch a Mini Plasma,” Captain Siddhartha ordered in a calm voice. “That should discourage them from getting too close. Keep our Second Shield facing toward them. Have you identified the markings?”

“Yes Sir. It’s the King Crawler.”

The King Crawler? Again? How many times have we faced them in combat? We are now a Married Couple, each one familiar with the other’s behaviors, motivations, and patterns. Each one able to predict the movements of the other. Yet despite the aggression, there was a Strange Tie between the Two…

At the sight of the approaching Mini Plasma, the King Crawler hovered at about 150,000 kilometers. It tilted to its starboard side, shifting at an angle to the Zen. Then the Centi Vessel unleashed Four Neutron Bullets. One of the Neutron Bullets hit the Zen’s Second Shield. It dug deep, but did not reach the Zen’s hull.

Seated next to Captain Siddhartha was Omen, the Zen’s First Officer. The beautiful Geist Ghost was staring down at a tactical display showing both ships. The Captain leaned over and asked, “Omen, your recommendations?”

“If we stay here, we’ll be eventually be shredded to pieces. The Centi know that our Warp Rockets are not as effective as their Neutron Bullets at 150,000 kilometers. They will continue to dance along that edge, taunting us and taking pot shots at every opportunity. We cannot afford that since their Neutron Bullets can bypass our Shields. If we are to win this engagement, we must close. Yes, their Neutron Phasers will have an edge over our Proton Phasers at that range, but it is a price we have to pay. We must launch Heavy Warp Rockets at close range.”

Captain Siddhartha was quiet as he contemplated Omen’s plan. His First Officer was bright and full of promise. If only she could bring her strong emotions under control. Deducing how to win a fight was one thing. But not getting into the fight in the first place was another lesson entirely…

“You heard Omen. Proceed with her plan. Maximum Warp toward the King Crawler. Continue to launch Mini Plasmas as we close. Keep hailing the King Crawler on All Frequencies in case they change their mind and want to talk. Prepare for Internal Damage. Sickbay, stand ready to receive Casualties.”

The Zen burst into activity. All along its hallways, crewmen ran this way and that to complete their duties. A bright red triangle flashed again and again. The mood on the Bridge of the Zen was intense.

The Zen charged forward like a Shining Knight with its Lance extended. Periodically, the Warrior Poet starship would launch a Mini Plasma , hoping that the small seeking weapons would somehow distract the Centi Heavy Cruiser.

In response, the King Crawler laid Space Mud behind it. Space Mud were Disruptions in the Fabric of Space which caused objects to drop out of Warp and stall. Fortunately, the area that could be affected by Space Mud was limited. Still, more than one Mini Plasma got caught in the Space Mud, effectively trapping it like a Fly in a Spider’s Web.

Four Neutron Bullets tore through the Zen’s Forward Shield, causing explosions in its Hull, Laboratories, Shuttle Bay, and the Bridge. A console exploded on the Bridge, seriously injuring the Navigator.

Captain Siddhartha jumped out of his seat to get to the Navigator. He placed both hands on the Navigator’s burnt body and closed his eyes. The Navigator’s pain and suffering entered Captain Siddhartha while the Warrior Poet’s Life Energy flowed into the wounded Navigator’s Body. In moments, the Navigator sat up, fully healed. Captain Siddhartha smiled and returned to his Captain’s Chair.

Neutron Phasers pummeled the Zen’s Forward Shield, nearly bringing it down. The Zen gritted its teeth and took the pain, waiting for the opportunity to launch its own counter offensive. Finally, that moment came at 20,000 kilometers away from the King Crawler.

Heavy Warp Rockets sped out of the Zen, along with a full barrage of Proton Phasers. The Alpha Strike punched straight through the King Crawler’s Third Shield, causing massive damage to the structure underneath. Half of the King Crawler’s lights went dark. The Humanoid Centipedes on board screamed and tried to deal with the fire and smoke that resulted from the powerful assault. They cursed the Warrior Poets in their own unique clicking language.

Captain Siddhartha closed his eyes. He could sense the suffering and death aboard the King Crawler. How he wished this had not come to pass. But they left the Zen no choice. They would not listen and continued their aggressive behavior. Morally, the Zen was justified in its response. Still, Captain Siddhartha prayed for all the wounded and dying on board the King Crawler.

Slowly, the King Crawler turned and limped back to its own territory. The Peaceful Planet known as Shambhala was safe once more.

“Stand down Red Alert. Continue Damage Control throughout the Ship. Well done, everyone. I will be making Special Mention of your Brilliant Tactical Analysis in my Report to the Warrior Poets, Omen. Your insight saved many lives aboard the Zen. You have my Personal Thanks.”

Captain Siddhartha walked back to his Chamber. The Crew of the Zen was calming down. The heat of the moment was fading away. They had faced Death once more and survived. Captain Siddhartha let out a light sigh.

BUT WHY SHOULD ONE FEAR DEATH AT ALL? IT WAS BUT A DOORWAY TO ANOTHER BEGINNING.

By Norman Dizon (Ichaborn) on Wednesday, March 10, 2021 - 09:44 pm: Edit

ZEN – STARDATE 03.10.21
Link to previous Zen Logs

Omen strolled through the beautiful and serene Zen Garden at a snail’s pace. Beside her flew a Small White Dove.

“Tell me your Tale again, Omen,” the Zen’s Counselor said in a chirping, bird-like voice.

“You already know it,” Omen answered to protect herself. She did not want to tread those harmful and dangerous memories again. “I’ve told it to you several times, Amour.”

“I know,” Amour replied innocently. “But I wish to hear it again. Your perspective on the Tale means everything, because it shows how you perceive the events. Please…indulge me, Number One.”

Omen sighed. The beautiful ghost let her mind slip, allowing ancient memories to surface once again. Memories she did not want to revisit. But she had to…in order to find Meaning.

“When I was a young woman, all I wanted was to Fall in Love, to get Married, and to have a Family. I thought I found that when I met Tregan. He was so gallant, so charming, so thoughtful. I fell head over heels for him. There was nothing else I could think about in life. Later, we got Married. My Dreams were becoming Reality.”

Omen paused. Her voice started to quake. Tears streamed down her cheeks. Amour landed on her shoulder and caressed her head with her wing for support.

“Then my Dreams turned to Nightmares. I came home early one day to find Tregan cheating on me. He was in bed with another woman. I was devastated. My heart cracked open. I ran out of the house. Tregan tried to catch me in order to explain, but I lost him in the woods behind our home. I ran and ran and ran…until I came to the Cliffs overlooking the Ocean. Distraught, Betrayed, and Without Hope, I threw myself from the Cliff, Ending my Life.”

Omen let out a huge sigh. She clearly remembered Dying. She remembered not wanting to Live any Longer. She remembered her Intense Hatred for Tregan. Amour rubbed her soft white feathers against Omen’s head. The Sad Ghost was sometimes Corporeal, if she wished to be.

“Later, I awoke as part of the Geist Haunthood. They had taken me in as one of their own. My Tragic Tale gave me Immortality. I was Reborn as a Living Ghost.”

Omen looked at her own Transparent Hands. They were no longer flesh and blood.

“But with the Geist Haunthood, I lost my Way. Their strange plans for the Graw Project did not sit well with me. I realized that I did not belong with them, even though they were my Brothers and Sisters. So I left and discovered the Warrior Poets. “

Omen stared at the Zen Garden. She looked at the different size stones, each with ripples of sand emanating from them. Could this Dry Landscape be Symbolic for the Events of her own Strange Existence?

“I was intrigued by the Warrior Poet’s Path of Enlightenment. Their Higher Calling to Life really touched something inside of me. So I joined their organization and studied hard, until I became the First Officer aboard the Zen.”

“Which brings us to this moment, the Present,” Amour stated while taking flight once more. She hovered next to Omen. Together, the two admired the Zen Garden’s tranquility.

“Yes, now I am unsure of my Future,” Omen said in a tone of uncertainty. “I want to become a Captain someday. But I’m not sure if I’m ready. I am full of such intense emotions, mostly because of my origins, and they are hard to control. If I become Captain one day, I fear they would put my Crew at risk.”

“And Captain Siddhartha?”

Omen looked at a Statue of Buddha that sat in the middle of the Zen Garden.

“I am Honored and Thankful to Serve under Captain Siddhartha. There is so much I have to Learn from him. He is a Magnificent Warrior Poet. But there are times when…”

“When you can’t Connect with Him?” Amour interjected.

“Yes,” Omen admitted. “He is so far down the Path of Spirituality and Enlightenment, sometimes I can’t even Relate to Him. I try, but it’s so Difficult. It’s like this Zen Garden. See those Ripples? Well, my Ripples just won’t reach far enough to touch Captain Siddhartha’s Rock. It’s like it’s just too far away.”

Amour landed and folded her wings over her body. The beautiful Dove looked up at Omen.

“We All feel that way, Omen. The Warrior Poets are Different Beings, Far Beyond Any of Us. That is Why they are Here. To Show us the Way. To Show us the Possibilities. To Show us what we would Never have Seen by Ourselves.”

Omen nodded her head in agreement. She knew that Amour spoke the Truth.

“Give yourself Time,” Amour said to Omen in a reassuring voice. “Your Destiny will Reveal Itself when it is Ready. You can’t Force it to Happen. Omen, you’ve come a Long Way. You’ve endured Unimaginable Hardship. But it has only made you Stronger. Now, you can use that Inner Strength to aid everyone on the Zen. That’s why you’re Here in this Moment of Time. You will Grow into Something Else, but you have to let it happen Naturally and Organically. Be at Peace with your Current Self, my Friend.”

Omen nodded again in agreement. She willed her hand to become Corporeal and reached down to pet Amour. She lovingly stroked her feathered head and body.

“Thank you Amour. I am grateful to have you to consult with. You are an invaluable Friend. I Treasure what we have Together.”

Amour flew up and landed on Omen’s shoulder.

AND TOGETHER, THE TWO SAT IN SILENCE, STARING AT THE ZEN GARDEN FOR HOURS. THEY DIDN’T DEMAND THAT THE FUTURE REVEAL ITSELF. INSTEAD, THEY JUST APPRECIATED THE GIFTS THAT THE PRESENT GAVE TO THEM.

By Norman Dizon (Ichaborn) on Saturday, April 10, 2021 - 11:24 pm: Edit

COLUMBIAD – STARDATE 04.10.21
Link to previous Columbiad Logs

Captain Adeena Dounia prostrated herself on the floor of her Quarters. She knelt on a finely decorated rug full of ancient symbols. On a wall, a bare altar held only a single burning incense candle.

After saying her Prayers, Captain Dounia stood up and stared out of her window at the stars outside. She pulled her red and yellow scarf around her head so that only her face was showing. Her Uniform was also red and yellow.

The Columbiad will be the First Starship to ever leave Terra Reserve. The World is depending on us. My Crew is depending on me. There is so much at stake. So many possibilities. So many opportunities. So much to be gained. And so much to be lost.

I only pray that I will bring Honor to my Family. That I will bring Honor to Terra Reserve. That I will bring Honor to my Crew. And that I will bring Honor to the Most High. Please grant me the Strength, Wisdom, Patience, and Compassion to make these things a Reality. Alone, I am Weak. But with You, Anything is Possible.

Captain Dounia let out a soft whistle. A huge, spotted Great Dane came and sat next to her. Its sharp, pointed ears were sticking straight up. She reached out and pet its head, which was as tall as her chest.

She sat in silence with her dog beside her for a long period of time. The two were bonded together, inseparable unless by choice.

Then, as Captain Dounia prepared to leave her Quarters for the Bridge, she gave Thanks for all she had in this Life. Afterward, she closed her eyes and said,

“PRAISE BE TO ALLAH.”

By Norman Dizon (Ichaborn) on Sunday, April 11, 2021 - 08:25 pm: Edit

COLUMBIAD – STARDATE 04.11.21
Link to previous Columbiad Logs


Having just transported aboard the Columbiad, Walker Wallabig and Mea’ai Funefe’ai walked along the metal corridors heading to their quarters. They each carried luggage and suitcases containing their personal effects.

Walker was a young, handsome man from Australia with blonde hair and a muscular body. A yellow mustache sat above his mouth like a caterpillar. Mea’ai was a large Samoan with an oversized belly. He towered over Walker, not just in height, but also in width.

“We’re finally here, Mate!” Walker exclaimed with joy. He walked with confidence beside Mea’ai. Walker was smiling widely. “I can’t wait tah get tah know the women oin this ship!”

“I too am glad to be here,” Mea’ai replied in a soft tone. The large man was thinking of his ingredients and what he was going to prepare for tonight. “It’s going to be a real challenge feeding this entire ship.”

“How can yah think aboit food with all thah pretty ladies aboard?” Walker joked as he patted Mea’ai on the back.

“It’s my Duty as Chef of the Columbiad,” Mea’ai said with a smile. “Your Nutrition is, literally, my Responsibility.”

“Ah can’t thoink o food with mah loins burstin for activity, if yah know what ah mean!” Walker stated as if he was a slave to his passions. “Did yah see the Art Officer in thah Briefings? Be still mah Heart! An what bout thah Counselor? Ah bit cold, but exoitically beautiful. Thah Zoology Officer was stunnin too. An that’s not oiven mentionin thah four Crewmen ah saw who caught mah oiye!”

Mea’ai seemed unconcerned with his friend’s preoccupation with women. “I suggest you curb your romantic tendencies for awhile. At least until we get into deep space. We have a job to do. Mine is to Cook. And yours is to Navigate.”

“Ah know, ah know,” Walker blurted out clearly annoyed. However, his eyes lit up when a pretty crewman passed by him in the hallway. He tilted his head, smiled, and said, “G’Day.” The crewman smiled back, but said nothing.

Walker and Mea’ai came to a stop at a junction. Mea’ai looked left while Walker stared straight ahead.

“This is where we part,” Mea’ai said in a relaxed tone. “The Galley is this way. I’m eager to see it. You go on to your room. I’ll see you in the Galley for Dinner tonight.”

“Alrighty, Mate,” Walker agreed. “Hey, what do yah think oi thah Robot they brought oin board? It’s supposed tah help us with our mission. Thah thing can outdo anythin ah Human can do, but it’s ah bit slow wid human behavior. Supposed tah be learnin as it goes, though.”

Mea’ai shook his head. “I prefer organic things, like fruits and vegetables. And Robots don’t eat. But it’s not my decision to make. If Terra Command believes the Robot is necessary, then it must be.”

“You’re right, Mate,” Walker confirmed. “Who cares bout some Robot when there ah all thoise beautiful women oin board??”

Walker let out a laugh and began to walk straight ahead. Mea’ai prepared to head left toward the Galley. But then Walker called out one last time.

“Oh, an Mate?” Walker yelled as he winked with one eye.

“DOIN’T DO ANYTHIN AH WOULDN’T DO!”

By Norman Dizon (Ichaborn) on Monday, April 12, 2021 - 03:14 pm: Edit

COLUMBIAD – STARDATE 04.12.21
Link to the previous Columbiad Logs


Con Trung turned on the lights in her new quarters. She was a petite Vietnamese woman with oversized glasses. Behind her, four crewmen carried cages, aquariums, tanks, containers, and vessels. They stumbled into the room, clearly overburdened.

“Uh…where do you want these, ma’am?” the crewman blurted out strained from the weight.

“Over there, and there, and over here,” Con instructed in a light voice. She was already planning how to arrange everything once the crewmen left.

The four crewmen dropped all the items off in the locations that Officer Trung indicated. They wiped their brows.

“If I may ask, ma’am?” one crewman said as the other three crewmen left the room to complete other duties. “What is all this for? We don’t need bugs in outer space, right? So why bring them along? What was it you studied again? Enzy…Entor…Entolo…”

“Entomology,” Con answered quickly, finishing the crewman’s thoughts. “I study Insects. You know insects are fascinating creatures. They have been around longer than the Dinosaurs. Bees provide valuable pollination for plants. Earthworms improve the soil wherever they go. A Cockroach can hold its breath for 40 minutes. The Bombardier Beetle is a master of chemical warfare. Aphids absorb solar energy. The Bark Spider’s web is 25 times stronger than steel. The Fishing Spider can literally run across water. The Dung Beetle can pull 1000 times its own weight. It takes a drill to pierce the dense armor of an Ironclad Beetle. And Fleas can jump 1000 times their own body length. We can learn so much from insects, if we just take the time to study them. You know, so many modern inventions have been patterned after insects, from medicine to flying to camouflage to eyesight to locomotion to armor to weapons and more!”

Con Trung was clearly excited. Her eyes bulged, which, when magnified by her large glasses, seemed 4 times larger than normal.

The crewman was speechless. He didn’t know what to say. Insects were annoying things to be squashed at every opportunity.

“That’s all well and good, ma’am, but what use is any of that in outer space?”

Con Trung sighed. She could see the lack of understanding in the crewman’s eyes.

“Well, imagine what we might find on new worlds. Imagine the strange and wondrous insect populations we might come across! Think of what we could learn from how they have evolved and adapted to their native environment. It’s going to take someone familiar with insects in order to recognize these subtle clues and patterns.”

“Ah…I see. Very good, ma’am. So glad to have you aboard! Let us know if you need anything else.”

The crewman rushed out of Con Trung’s quarters.

“It’s alright, my Babies. Momma’s here now. Everything’s going to be fine. I’m going to take care of you. I know all your needs. Just be good, ok? I need you all to behave. We’ll eat something later. For now, rest and go to sleep.”

Con Trung began to arrange all of her insects in a precise manner. She hummed lightly as she did so, checking to make sure all of her pets were healthy and vibrant.

It wasn’t long before Con Trung, the Entomology Officer aboard the Columbiad, would be given an Unofficial Title by the rest of her crew mates. It wasn’t something she wanted, or enjoyed, but she tolerated it nonetheless. They called her…

THE BUG LADY.

By Norman Dizon (Ichaborn) on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 - 03:57 am: Edit

COLUMBIAD – STARDATE 04.14.21
Link to previous Columbiad Logs


Captain Dounia entered Engineering aboard the Columbiad. There she saw Argus, the Chief Engineer, working busily on the Warp Core as usual. The Warp Core was kept behind a large, red fence in order to protect it.

Argus was an old Greek man with a bald head and a white beard. His blue eyes immediately conveyed a sense of trust and honesty to anyone who gazed at them. Although aged, Argus still had a stocky body, along with a small pot belly. Argus was well known to love a good drink of wine.

“Hello Argus.”

Argus jumped at attention, standing straight up. “Captain! I wasn’t expecting you.”

“At ease, my friend,” Captain Dounia said in a soft voice. Her gaze wandered through Engineering like a butterfly before finally landing on the Warp Core. She stared at it for a moment, looking for imperfections.

“How are things going? Are we ready to set sail for deep space?”

Captain Dounia smiled partially.

“Anytime, ma’am,” Argus replied proudly. “She’s humming like a cat on its back being rubbed.” Argus chuckled quietly to himself. “I’ve got the mixture just perfect, completed several diagnostic tests, and she’s up to specs in every way. We can leave Terra Reserve any time you want.”

Captain Dounia nodded. “That is reassuring to hear, Argus. You know, as well as I, that the Warp Core is the Beating Heart of a Starship. From the Warp Core, vital energy flows to the rest of the ship, like blood flowing through a living body. The Warp Core moves the ship, without it, we would be stuck at Impulse, taking forever to get from place to place.”

“Yes, ma’am. I completely agree. My team and I know how important the Warp Core is to the Columbiad. We’ll be sure to watch over her like a Newborn Baby.”

Captain Dounia had great confidence in Argus. Not only did he have years of experience, but he was trustworthy, honest, hard working, and full of integrity. She smiled warmly.

“I know you will. Argus, I want you to know that you have my full support. Whatever you need, just contact me on the Bridge and let me know. If you have any issues, even personal matters, please come to my Quarters any time to discuss things. My door is always open to you, my friend. Together, we will Succeed.”

“Yes, ma’am. Will do. You can count on me, Captain. Together, we will Succeed.”

Argus bowed slightly.

Captain Dounia turned and left Engineering. She slowly headed back to the Bridge, checking the corridors, crew, and departments as she went. Adeena knew that she, and the Columbiad, would be heavily reliant on Argus in the times to come. She believed that Argus was like the solid roots of an ancient oak tree…strong , firm, and unyielding. She supposed that was why, long before Argus came aboard the Columbiad, he was given the Nickname at Terra Command of…

THE MIRACLE WORKER.

By Norman Dizon (Ichaborn) on Thursday, April 15, 2021 - 03:08 am: Edit

COLUMBIAD – STARDATE 04.15.21
Link to previous Columbiad Logs


In the Shuttle Bay of the Columbiad, Crewman Hawthorne and Crewman Montgomery were working hard on maintaining one of the Shuttles. It wasn’t long before they saw three new crew members being given a tour of the Shuttle Bay. These weren’t normal crew members, for they were a Reptilian Man, a Humanoid Ant, and a Bird Woman.

Crewman Hawthorne looked at them from afar with disgust. He whispered to Crewman Montgomery, “Look what they let onto the ship! Three Animal Freaks! Now we have to deal with their Kind.”

“You shouldn’t talk like that,” Montgomery replied softly. He kept on working without staring at the new crew members. “It’s against regulations.”

“So what!” Hawthorne barked out, raising his voice. There was anger and resentment in his tone. “Why should I be prevented from speaking the Truth? We all know that Humans are Better than Animals. That’s just how Nature designed us. So what if those Freaks walk on two legs! They are nothing but Mutants, Rejects, Abominations! I can’t even stand the sight of them. Hopefully we’ll get into a space fight and take internal damage, and those Freaks will accidentally Die!”

Montgomery looked at the new crew members and said nothing. They seemed very dignified, confident, and well mannered. Of course their appearance was much different than that of a Human.

Hawthorne continued. “What makes them Better than Us anyway? Terra Command makes them Special Ops, just because they came out of Inner Terra prior to the Columbiad getting ready to embark? Who cares where they came from? I don’t! They’re nothing but Freaks that we can’t trust. We’re better off without them!”

Montgomery wondered what Inner Terra was like. There had always been Legends and Myths, but never any solid confirmation. What Cities lay beneath the Surface? What Technology did they employ? How long have they lived down there? Why come out now, just because the Columbiad is ready to leave? Perhaps I would be able to talk to them at some point…

“Those Freaks didn’t earn their position through hard work and sweat like we did. They don’t even deserve their positions! I bet you they can’t even talk proper English! Can you imagine what they Eat? What they Smell like? How they have Sex? It’s Disgusting!!”

Montgomery turned to his friend. “Just let it go, Hawthorne. There’s nothing we can do about it. If Terra Command thinks they should be on board as Special Ops, then they must have a good reason for it. Remember, we’re just Crewmen. We don’t get to make Command Decisions. Our job is just to Follow Orders. Besides, they seem nice enough. There’s nothing threatening about them. Let’s just finish up here and then head on to Engineering.”

Hawthorne went quiet. But his Mind seethed with Malice, Frustration, Anger, Hatred, and Resentment. He hoped that the day would come when he could even with those Animal Freaks, in whatever form or way that he could. I wouldn’t hesitate to do something awful to them, that’s for sure. That would teach those Abominations who is Superior in Life!

AND OF COURSE, IT’S HUMANITY.

By Norman Dizon (Ichaborn) on Saturday, April 17, 2021 - 04:33 am: Edit

COLUMBIAD – STARDATE 04.17.21
Link to previous Columbiad Logs

Captain Dounia entered the Armory. Here, crewmen rushed back and forth going about their duties with an almost military structure. They were like the Greek Ants transformed into Myrmidons. Leading them all was a stern African Woman with a scar across one cheek.

Captain Dounia approached her Master Gunner. “Makeba Impi, what is the status of the Photon Torpedoes?”

“Ready for use anytime, Captain,” Makeba answered while standing in a stiff posture. She was a muscular, well-built woman who was slender enough to be quick and agile during hand to hand combat. “Just give the word. They are powerful. Each one can hold its destructive force far further than our Phasers. And each warhead equals the destructive force of our Phasers at point blank range. It’s incredible! The Engineers at Terra Command have really outdone themselves.”

Captain Dounia nodded with approval. “And what of the tests they were running to Overload the Photons? Were they successful?”

Makeba frowned. “Negative, Captain. Each time Terra Command tried to Overload the Photons, they blew up in their face! The theory is sound, but they seem to be missing something, some vital component. Perhaps in the future, they will succeed. When they do, the Photon Torpedo will be a weapon to be feared throughout the galaxy!”

Captain Dounia said nothing for a moment. She was speaking with her Creator. “We don’t want to be feared, Makeba Impi. On the contrary, we want to be peace to the galaxy. But if we get pushed by aggressive bullies, I want to know for certain that we can defend ourselves.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

“How are our Phasers?”

“Up to Specs, Captain. The New Capacitor is going to be a big help. We can store enough energy in them to fire each Phaser once. That means we have free shots to fire upfront. But when the New Capacitor runs dry, we will have to recharge it. I’ve been performing accuracy tests with each Phaser to confirm its precision.”

“Well done, Makeba. Carry on with your tests. Our Phasers must be reliable at all times. How is the Wide Cannon?”

“Recently installed, ma’ma! Working like a dream. The Wide Cannon can rotate much further than the Phasers, giving it a 360 degree firing arc. The destructive output of the Wide Cannon is on par with one of our Phasers. I believe it is going to be a very useful weapon in combat, when used in conjunction with our Photons and Phasers.”

Captain Dounia went quiet once more. Again she spoke with her Creator, praying she wouldn’t have to use these destructive weapons. Makeba Impi, who was used to the silent pauses, waited patiently.

“Makeba. I want you to know that I am confident in your abilities. I hand picked you myself for this position out of several candidates. The defensive capabilities of the Columbiad are literally in your hands. Countless lives depend on you performing your duty when the time comes. If you need anything from me, anything at all, feel free to come to me anytime. I am always here for you, Makeba. Is that understood?”

“Yes, ma’am!”

“Together, we will Succeed.”

“Together, we will Succeed.”

“Was there anything else, Master Gunner?”

“Yes, Captain. I submitted a report to you on using Shuttlecraft in combat to supplement our Firepower. I would appreciate your thoughts on it.”

“And you shall it. Keep up the good work, Master Gunner. I want regular reports from you.”

“You will get them, Captain. You can count on me!”

Captain Dounia smiled.

“I KNOW I CAN, MAKEBA…I KNOW I CAN.”

By Norman Dizon (Ichaborn) on Sunday, April 18, 2021 - 04:39 am: Edit

COLUMBIAD – STARDATE 04.18.21
Link to previous Columbiad Logs


Captain Dounia sat across the desk from her First Officer, who was also her Science Officer. His name was Mister Octo. Mister Octo was the product of Advanced Cloning and Evolutionary Acceleration. Basically, if you take an Octopus and look into its future a Billion Years from now, Mister Octo is the result. He was truly one of a kind. It was immediately clear to Terra Command that Mister Octo was superior to humanity.

“Welcome to the Columbiad,” Captain Dounia said with a smile on her face. “I’m excited to have you here. I know that, should anything happen to me while we are on our mission of exploration, you will take good care of the ship and the crew. I’m interested to know what you think of the Columbiad so far. I know that you have sharp attention to detail.”

Mister Octo said nothing for several moments. He only stared at Captain Dounia with his strange, alien eyes without blinking. Finally, he said in a gurgling voice, “Permission to speak freely, Captain?”

Adeena was taken aback by Mister Octo’s request. Still, she wanted each member of her Crew, including Mister Octo, to feel a sense of trust and open honesty with their Captain. As much as possible, she didn’t want them to hide things from her. The environment she wanted to create aboard the Columbiad was one where there was Freedom of Speech.

“Of course, Mister Octo. Please do.”

“While you and Terra Command may be proud of the armaments on this new vessel, they are woefully inadequate. Imagine facing a foe that has 10x more powerful weapons than our own. We would certainly be destroyed. Now imagine 100x. Now 1000x. By my calculations, these foes absolutely exist in deep space. It is only a matter of time before we encounter them. You might say that we are a simple goldfish entering a huge lake full of sharks.”

Captain Dounia understood the point that Mister Octo was making. She nodded. “Continue.”

“Our top speed is also deficient. Not only will we be unable to escape adversaries that are pursing us, but we will also be unable to effectively close on an enemy vessel from a distance. It will simply take far too long. To put it simply, Captain, we need more speed.”

A strange thing to say when referring to Warp Drive, Adeena thought to herself. “Continue.”

“While faith in a higher power can often be a source of strength, your faith, Captain, can be a detriment to this mission. It clouds your judgment and keeps you from being objective. Instead of seeing the universe as it is, you see it as you wish it to be. Instead of approaching situations from a rational, scientific viewpoint, you approach it from a religious perspective. This is extremely dangerous, especially in a Captain that leads a Crew on a Starship.”

Adeena could see that Mister Octo had no problem speaking his mind. She would be counting on that in the future. Every First Officer must be able to speak their mind, especially when those thoughts contradict the thoughts and actions of their Captain. “Continue.”

“While your Crew is full of specialists, they lack cohesion and unity. It takes time and shared experience for people to bond together and become one. As the Columbiad is first setting out, this hasn’t happened yet. This separated condition is dangerous for our mission. There is a high probability that there are those who resent having to take orders from you, who hate our Special Ops members, who hate me, who dislike Robots, and who believe that life owes them something. These negative crew members, as I call them, are like a poison slowly killing a healthy body. We do not know the true intentions of the Special Ops crew members from Inner Terra. While it is unlikely they would betray us, they most certainly may have their own agenda and reasons for being on board the Columbiad. This is something we must keep in mind at all times. Finally, stating that, Together we will Succeed, as you and Terra Command so often like to do, is therefore Hypocritical, since your Crew is most certainly not Together.”

Captain Dounia had failed to consider some of these things. “Continue.”

“That is all, Captain, although I may add more at a future date. I appreciate your willingness to allow me to speak freely.”

“Always, Mister Octo. I assume that you have remedies for each of these…areas of concern?”

“Indeed I do, Captain. You already have my full and detailed reports, along with analyses and projections, on your computer. I would appreciate a prompt response so we can begin implementation right away.”

“Already have on my computer…?”

Mister Octo’s otherworldly eyes squinted sharply. The seven foot tall humanoid Octopus moved all of his tentacles in a coordinated, singular pattern.

“I ANTICIPATED OUR CONVERSATION TWO DAYS AGO, SO I SENT YOU MY REPORTS YESTERDAY.”

By Norman Dizon (Ichaborn) on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 - 05:30 pm: Edit

COLUMBIAD – STARDATE 04.20.21
Link to previous Columbiad Logs


Counselor Akemi Kinoshita smiled at Crewman Laila Littleton. She offered her a soothing cup of tea which Laila gladly accepted. Counselor Kinoshita crossed her legs and prepared to begin writing on her clipboard. Akemi was a beautiful Japanese woman with straight, long, black hair and slender glasses.

“Your supervisor tells me that you have been making repeated errors while on duty. He also says that you have been late for three shifts.”

Laila looked down embarrassed. She shook her head, accepting the words, but not approving of them. “Yes…that is all correct. The Captain thought I should speak with you. She said you could…Help.”

“Indeed, I can, Laila. That is why we are here. To attempt to help you. We can do it Together. But you have to be open and honest with me, alright? Lying and leaving out important details is only going to hurt what we are trying to achieve. Everything you say to me is completely confidential, I assure you.”

Laila nodded her head, indicating she understood. “Yes, Counselor.”

“You mentioned to me previously that you were having trouble sleeping. Why is that?”

Laila’s brow furrowed. “I keep having the same nightmare. I am caught in a Plasma Leak. My body is slowly incinerated. I wake up screaming each time.”

Counselor Kinoshita jotted down some notes. She was quiet for a few moments.

“I see. That is horrible. When you think of your nightmares, does it remind you of anything? Perhaps something from your childhood?”

Crewman Littleton thought about the question for a minute. She hadn’t considered it all. She was so caught up in the excitement and pain of the nightmare, she didn’t stop to think about it.

“Actually, something does come to mind. When I was a young girl, I almost set the house on fire by accidentally leaving the stove on. My father was enraged. He told me, ‘You’re so stupid! You’ll never amount to anything in life!’”

“Hmmmm,” Counselor Kinoshita mumbled as she rapidly jotted down notes on her clipboard. “And did you believe him?”

Laila was confused by the question. “Believe him? What do you mean, Counselor?”

“When he said that you were stupid. And that you wouldn’t amount to anything in life. Did you believe your Father?”

Crewman Littleton thought about the question. She had to really look within to find the answer.

“Yes…I suppose I did. But I was just a little girl. What else was I supposed to think?”

Akemi removed her glasses, revealing her unique emerald eyes. She took Crewman Littleton’s hand into her own.

“Laila, this old memory is the source of your current troubles. And your reoccurring nightmare. It is a poison that you didn’t even know existed since you were a little girl. It has affected you your whole life. You believed what your father said to you and those negative beliefs have become incorporated into your character. Now, it is time to break free of those chains.”

Laila couldn’t believe it. But deep down, she knew that Counselor Kinoshita was right.

“What…what do I have to do, Counselor?”

“We will face this together, alright? It will take multiple sessions over a long period of time, but this challenge can be overcome. We simply have to be aware every time it surfaces. When your nightmares occur, we are going to face them and defeat them. Your nightmares have a negative association with your Father and the stove accident. We have to change that association. We also have to promote positive reinforcement in your job performance and growth. We will track it carefully. I will communicate with your supervisor so we can both help you. I have no doubt that you have great potential within you, Laila.”

Laila smiled. She was beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. And that tunnel had been dark indeed.

“I’m willing to do whatever it takes, Counselor. Just tell me what to do.”

Counselor Kinoshita helped Crewman Littleton to her feet. She walked with her to the door.

“For now, just get some rest. Think about what I’ve said. We will overcome your nightmares together. Your life is turning around, Laila, starting right NOW.”

“Thank you, Counselor. I will see you next session.”

Counselor Kinoshita watched as Crewman Littleton left and walked down the corridor.

The Human Psyche is an Interesting Thing. We all walk around like everything is fine, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. We all have our own mental and psychological scars. We have all been shaped by the circumstances and trials of our childhood.

BUT HOW MANY OF US HAVE FACED OUR INNER DEMONS AND SUCCESSFULLY OVERCOME THEM?

By Garth L. Getgen (Sgt_G) on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 - 11:37 pm: Edit

Oh, that's just flipping outstanding, Norman.

I have a couple characters in my head I intend to write about that match your Laila Littleton.

Funny thing ... in my world, the Littleton clan is fourth-generation Star Fleet, with so many in uniform you have to ask "Which Commander Littleton do you mean, Donald or Susan?"


Garth L. Getgen

By Norman Dizon (Ichaborn) on Thursday, April 22, 2021 - 02:46 am: Edit

That sounds Awesome, Garth. I can't wait to read about it when you finish it.

Send me a link so I can check it out once you are done.

Thanks!

By Garth L. Getgen (Sgt_G) on Sunday, April 25, 2021 - 11:58 am: Edit

Norman, here's an excerpt from one of my stories:

And that was just one of many, many stories attributed to the Littleton clan. There were four brothers named Littleton -- James, Peter, Anthony and Richard -- in the Pathfinders that surveyed much of what is now the Federation under the banner of the United Earth Space Agency. Their exploits were legendary. As was the number of children they sired, most of whom (along with children from three Littleton sisters and a few cousins) found their way into Star Fleet or one of the other services. And so did their children’s children.

All totaled, there were thirty-six second-generation Littletons that made it to Chief Petty Officer or higher, and well over a hundred third-generation Littletons were now moving up through the officer ranks, and now the next generation was old enough to enter the service, too. The running joke was that if the Littletons should stay so prolific, they’ll take over Star Fleet in a few more generations. With a family history like that to live up to, it’s no wonder the Captain went by her mother’s maiden name when she was an Ensign and a Lieutenant. No young officer could truly make a career for herself under that shadow without undue influence, or even the appearance thereof. There would always be someone who questioned whether a promotion or choice assignment was earned on merit, or simply due to nepotism.

By Norman Dizon (Ichaborn) on Sunday, April 25, 2021 - 07:35 pm: Edit

Great Writing, Garth!

Thanks!

By Norman Dizon (Ichaborn) on Saturday, May 08, 2021 - 06:54 am: Edit

THE PRIME SECTOR
DESIGNER NOTES
Link to the Prime Sector

The Prime Sector will gather All Existing Published Technology and Express It in New and Different Ways. Additionally, the Prime Sector will introduce a Plethora of New Technology, many of which will compliment Published Technology, some of which will replace Published Technology. The Prime Sector will feature an Immense Number of New Empires, not just the typical 20-30 Empires per Galaxy.

To explain the New Technology, the Prime Sector will be geographically built upon Ancient Empires that destroyed themselves eons ago in Bitter All-Out War. The Current New Empires of the Prime Sector are constantly finding Ancient Technology from these Old Empires and either Reverse-Engineering the Technology or using it as a Basis for Inspiration for their own New Technology. Prime Sector Research and Development is constantly ongoing for All Empires.

There will also be the Introduction of New Rules in the Prime Sector, particularly in regards to Shuttles.

The New Empires of the Prime Sector should be reminiscent of the Alpha Sector, but at the same time, feel like something new and different. The same holds true for the Omega Sector and Other Published Galaxies. The Prime Sector will remind you of them, but will differ from them in critical and subtle ways.

Heavy Cruisers in the Prime Sector, which set the stage for all other Ship Classes, will be smaller than the Typical Heavy Cruiser. This is for several reasons:

1) To make Heavy Cruisers different than the Alpha Sector
2) To make Combat Faster Overall
3) Smaller Vessels still require the same Level of Captain Skill that Larger Ships require
4) Smaller SSD’s are Easier and Faster to Create
5) To leave Room for Growth for Future SSD Designs

Prime Sector Heavy Cruisers will feature 3 Heavy Weapons, 1 Device, 1 Secondary Heavy Weapon, 4-5 PH-1’s, 24 Warp, 4 Impulse, 2 APR, 26 Shield #1. There will be Variations and Exceptions, of course. The Other Ship Classes will be built off of the Heavy Cruiser, with Destroyers having 2 Heavy Weapons and Less of Everything Else, Frigates having 1 Heavy Weapon and Less of Everything Else, Dreadnoughts having 4 Heavy Weapons and More of Everything Else, and Battleships having 6 Heavy Weapons and More of Everything Else.

Each New Empire in the Prime Sector will be Carefully Balanced against One Another. This is in Stark Contrast to the Intergalactic Assemblage of Systems, which includes Hundreds of Thousands of New Empires which are Not Balanced against One Another.

If there was an Old Definition for the Prime Sector, it is now Superseded by this New Definition. I honestly can’t remember if there was one.

I intend to put a lot of Time and Effort into developing the Prime Sector, not just in terms of SSD’s, but also in terms of History, Scenarios, Maps, R-Sections, and More. Ongoing Thorough Playtesting will also be conducted on the Prime Sector.

To summarize, the Prime Sector will take the Sum of Published Technology and Focus it into New Designs. This Legion of New Empires will also feature Tons of Brand New Technology, much of which was drawn from Old Empires that Destroyed Themselves. Prime Sector Heavy Cruisers will start out smaller than the Standard Heavy Cruiser for various reasons. The Prime Sector will be Developed and Playtested to a High Degree. Lastly, the Prime Sector will feel familiar due to its Alpha and Omega Origins, but will ultimately Branch off in Brand New Directions with the intent of generating New Tactics and Strategies on the Tabletop.

By Norman Dizon (Ichaborn) on Saturday, May 08, 2021 - 06:58 am: Edit

ALLIANCE OF LORDS HEAVY CRUISER SSD
Link to the Alliance of Lords Heavy Cruiser SSD

THE PRIME SECTOR

ALLIANCE OF LORDS SHIPS
(PMR1.1) HEAVY CRUISER (CA):

The Alliance of Lords Heavy Cruiser is the workhorse of the Alliance Fleet. Able to perform a variety of duties, the Alliance of Lords Heavy Cruiser was also a capable combatant. Armed with Three Photon Torpedoes, Four Offensive Phasers, Two Defense Phasers, Two Short Range Cannons, and One Ultra-Warp Missile Rack, the Alliance of Lords Heavy Cruiser would typically close on an enemy vessel after weakening their defenses from afar with Ultra-Warp Missiles. Plenty of Power made it possible to Overload the Photon Torpedoes while moving at a slow speed. The Alliance of Lords Heavy Cruiser surprised many opponents with its swift maneuverability, which many assumed to be cumbersome, to their everlasting regret.

DESIGNER NOTES:

The Alliance of Lords Heavy Cruiser sets the stage for all future Prime Sector Heavy Cruisers. The Design is clearly based on the Federation, but with some differences. Short Range Cannons have been added for Drone/Fighter Defense (and limited Ship to Ship Damage). I needed a Seeking Weapon, but didn’t want to use Drones like the Federation. The decision was made to use Ultra-Warp Missiles. These Speed 128 Seeking Weapons only score 2 points of damage upon impact. However, variations of the Standard Missile are available and can be substituted for the Standard Frame. There is also the Future Possibility of loading Ultra-Warp Missiles into a Scatterpack, a Partial Scatterpack, or some Variation of a Scatterpack. Ultimately, the combination of Photon Torpedoes, Short Range Cannons, and Ultra-Warp Missiles leads to a New Empire which embraces Brand New Tactics.

With 24 Warp, Limited Internals, and Limited Firing Arcs, this Base Design leaves a lot of room for Variations, Growth, Upgrades, and Refits.

By Norman Dizon (Ichaborn) on Sunday, May 09, 2021 - 01:03 pm: Edit

GUARDIAN KNIGHTS HEAVY CRUISER SSD
Link to the Guardian Knights Heavy Cruiser SSD

THE PRIME SECTOR

GUARDIAN KNIGHTS SHIPS
(PMR2.1) HEAVY CRUISER (CA):

The Guardian Knights Heavy Cruiser is a streamlined vessel with flexible armaments and defenses. The Guardian Knights seek Justice and Protect the Innocent throughout the Prime Sector. The Guardian Knights Heavy Cruiser is outfitted with Three Energy Shotguns, Four Offensive Phasers, Two Defense Phasers, Three Particle Fields, and One Graviton Torpedo Launcher. During battle, the Defensive Particle Fields would be rotated to protect the Guardian Knights Heavy Cruiser as it sought to bring its powerful Energy Shotguns to bear. Graviton Torpedoes were often launched to keep the opponent away at a distance or to absorb the enemy’s Phaser fire. Curiously, the Offensive Phasers on the Guardian Knights Heavy Cruiser enjoyed a much wider firing arc than on the Alliance of Lords Heavy Cruiser, a little known fact that the Guardian Knights fully exploited during combat.

DESIGNER NOTES:

The Guardian Knights Heavy Cruiser is based on the Helgardian Design by Francois Angers. However, in order for the Design to be properly converted into the Prime Sector, various modifications, deletions, and additions had to be made.

First of all, the Graviton Beams had to be discarded in favor of Phaser-1’s and Phaser 3’s. This is due to the imbalancing multi-fire abilities of the Graviton Beams and also to bring the range and damage ratios in line with other Prime Sector Empires. It was the easiest and simplest solution for this very important area of SFB combat.

Next, I had to take a good look at the Particle Shotgun, which became the Energy Shotgun for the Guardian Knights. I always felt there was something off about the Particle Shotgun’s To-Hit Chances, Energy Requirements, and Damage Output. Starting with the Photon Torpedo Chart, I rebuilt the Particle Shotgun from the ground up. Part of the intent here was Simplicity and Gameplay. The Energy Shotgun has a Standard Feature and an Overload Feature. To-Hit Chances are now more in-line with a Disruptor, actually a bit better. Damage is on par with a Photon Torpedo (8 standard damage, 16 overload damage), with a Standard Energy Shotgun able to score at most 12 points of damage (averaging 8-10 damage at mid-range), and an Overload Energy Shotgun capable of scoring at most 15 points of damage (averaging 9-12 damage at mid-range). Lastly, I made sure the Damage/Energy Ratio matched the standard 2:1 Ratio.

However, there was one feature that I thought the Particle Shotgun should have always had. If separate shots are hitting at the same time (the “Shotgun” effect), then there should be some kind of Mizia Effect if Internals were scored. This attribute has now been defined and added to the Energy Shotgun.

Ultimately, I was pleased with how the Energy Shotgun turned out. It has elements of the Disruptor combined with the Photon Torpedo. Damage and Energy are now balanced. And the Mizia Effect is something unique to the Energy Shotgun that makes sense.

Looking at the Rotary (Rotating) Shields of the Helgardian, I had to be careful about Balance. The regenerating aspect of the device was problematic during Playtesting. Still, due to the nature of the device, it made “Sense” for the shield to “regrow” every turn if damaged.

First of all, in order to simplify use and gameplay, I discarded the Reinforced Option of the Rotary (Rotating) Shields. There is now only One Mode for the newly renamed Particle Fields, you either pay the energy to activate it or you don’t. Secondly, I reduced the amount of boxes of protection for each Particle Field to make sure the additional shield reinforcement was not imbalancing. Then, using the idea that Damage Control requires 4 energy to regenerate 2 shield boxes as a basis, I calculated an appropriate amount of energy to raise each Particle Field each turn. The idea here is that the energy/additional shield boxes should be in-line with Damage Control, but slightly better since the Particle Field is a Unique Device developed specifically for protection purposes. Lastly, I had to make sure that even with all Three Particle Fields activated, the Guardian Knights Heavy Cruiser was not Overly Protected on any shield arc. At maximum, the Guardian Knights Heavy Cruiser can have a 29 point #1 Shield which compares nicely to the Alliance of Lords Heavy Cruiser which has a 26 point #1 Shield without any Particle Fields. The additional 3 boxes is not too overpowered since the Guardian Knights developed this device specifically to boost their defenses. It was also important to compare Particle Fields to Specific and General Reinforcement to make sure they were competitive and worth it to use in the first place. And, of course, the Particle Fields have the advantage of being moved around to different arcs during the battle (which requires a bit more bookkeeping, but is ultimately worth it.)

The final piece of Guardian Knights technology is a bit of an oddity. Looking at the ship design tactically, it was clear that you have a direct-fire ship similar to the Federation. What was lacking, in terms of tactical abilities during gameplay, was a seeking weapon. I wanted to give the Guardian Knights a Seeking Plasma Weapon, but a weak one (since it was only a Supplementary Weapon to the Energy Shotgun.). This took the form of the Graviton Torpedo (whose name, like the Particle Field, hints back at Francois’ Original Designs). The Graviton Torpedo is a flexible seeking weapon that can be armed over 1, 2, or 3 turns. Its damage output is less than a standard Plasma Torpedo. Most importantly, Graviton Torpedoes are damaged at a 1:1 Ratio by Phasers. So in the end, you have a Flexible Plasma Weapon that is easily destroyed, but is still a threat that can be used on the Tabletop to compliment tactics with the Energy Shotgun. Graviton Torpedoes can easily be expanded in the future, adding additional features as the Guardian Knights develop them.

The Final Step to the Guardian Knights Design was to make sure that all Internals, Power Curve, Shuttles, and Shields were in-line with the Alliance of Lords Heavy Cruiser. Everything matches, with some differences to make the Guardian Knights Heavy Cruiser unique.

So the Guardian Knights Heavy Cruiser enters the Prime Sector as an Able Combatant which is superior to the Alliance of Lords in some respects and deficient to it in other ways. It has flexibility when it comes to Shield Protection and Seeking Weapon Launching. The Energy Shotgun is a powerful direct-fire weapon that is similar to a Disruptor and Photon Torpedo, but possesses a Mizia Feature which can quickly strip a target of its Heavy Weapons, Drones, and Power. I believe the Guardian Knights Heavy Cruiser is a worthy tribute to Francois Anger’s Wonderful Original Design, which provided the Inspiration and Basis for this Prime Sector starship.

By Norman Dizon (Ichaborn) on Tuesday, May 11, 2021 - 12:32 am: Edit

BLACK CATAPHRACT BATTLECRUISER SSD
Link to the Black Cataphract Battlecruiser SSD

THE PRIME SECTOR

BLACK CATAPHRACT SHIPS
(PMR3.1) BATTLECRUISER (BC):

The Black Cataphract Battlecruiser was feared for its destructive close range firepower. Armed with Two Heavy Dark Plasma Bolts, One Light Dark Plasma Bolt, Two Offensive Phasers, Six Defense Phasers, and one Dark Plasma Drone Rack the Black Cataphract Battlecruiser was a dangerous adversary. This heavily armed Battlecruiser was also lined with Charged Armor, a special type of defensive system that was highly efficient at energy distribution and absorption. To make matters worse, Dark Plasma Drones were more devastating than any other type of Drone ever seen before in the Prime Sector, especially when charged with Dark Plasma Energy. Ultimately, those who encountered the Black Cataphract Battlecruiser were faced with a grim battle of life and death.

DESIGNER NOTES:

The Black Cataphract Battlecruiser started with the idea of a Plasma Bolt that scored Full Damage instead of being Halved. From this idea, the concept of Dark Plasma evolved, a unique technology whose secrets were carefully guarded by the Black Cataphract. The weapon, dubbed the Dark Plasma Bolt, was split into a Light and Heavy Version for Balance Reasons.

The idea of a Heavy Armored Ship charging straight at you to get close enough to hit with its Deadly Plasma Bolts then came to mind. From this idea sprang the idea of Charged Armor. Charged Armor acts as Shields when charged, but acts as Standard Directional Armor when not charged. The cost to charge the armor is minimal, but there is an added benefit: any energy applied as Reinforcement to the Charged Armor is treated as General Reinforcement, not Specific. So there is a great savings in energy cost with a tactical bonus as well.

To facilitate the charging motion, the Black Cataphract Battlecruiser was given more warp than the standard Prime Sector Heavy Cruiser, making it a faster ship overall. But a key advantage was given to the Black Cataphract Battlecruiser in the form of a Warp Reserve Matrix. This dedicated source of Reserve Power can only be used for Warp. During the turn, the Warp Reserve Matrix can provide additional energy on the fly to accelerate and change speeds mid-turn. However, in order to fully take advantage of the benefits of the Warp Reserve Matrix, Experienced Captains had to plan ahead, wisely charging the Warp Reserve Matrix ahead of time, so that the energy would be available on future turns for use.

Lastly, a Supplemental Weapon was given to the Black Cataphract Battlecruiser so that it would not rely solely on closing on the enemy as its only tactic. This Supplemental Weapon was the Dark Plasma Drone: a Large, Deadly Drone that could be charged with Dark Plasma Energy. This fearsome seeking weapon is hard to kill and devastating if it scores a hit. The Black Cataphract Battlecruiser starts with a Standard Rack that can just launch one Dark Plasma Drone at a time, but in the future, Advanced Racks may be able to launch more than one Dark Plasma Drone and there may even be the possibility for something like a Scatterpack to be developed.

In order to balance the awesome firepower of the Dark Plasma Bolts, the number of PH-1’s were reduced and the number of PH-3’s increased. Again, this reinforces the tactic of closing with the enemy to ravage them with PH-3’s, similar to Kzinti Tactics. The lack of PH-1’s means the Black Cataphract Battlecruiser will be deficient at fighting at mid-range to long range. This will force the Black Cataphract player to become creative, utilizing its Dark Plasma Drones from afar to setup the perfect opportunity to close and deliver the Alpha Dark Plasma Bolt Strike.

By Norman Dizon (Ichaborn) on Tuesday, May 11, 2021 - 12:35 am: Edit

PRIME SECTOR HISTORY
Link to the Prime Sector History

Y30 – The Alliance of Lords makes friendly contact with the Guardian Knights. The two empires sense that they have mutual goals and values. An agreement is forged between the Alliance of Lords and the Guardian Knights facilitating joint operations and the sharing of knowledge. While the Guardian Knights are invited to join the Alliance of Lords, they respectfully decline.

By Norman Dizon (Ichaborn) on Tuesday, May 11, 2021 - 03:29 pm: Edit

THE PRE-HISTORY YEARS
DESIGNER NOTES
Link to the Pre-History Years

The Pre-History Years is an Alternate Version of the Sublight Game. In order for the game to be tactically challenging with faster gameplay, the ships needed to be able to move several hexes at a time at warp. However, they had to be less in terms of speed and firepower when compared to the Early Years.

The first challenge was deciding on the main type of Phaser for the Pre-History Years. As the General War utilized the Phaser-1, the Early Years employed the Phaser-2, the answer seemed to be clear. The Pre-History Years would have to employ the Phaser-3 as its primary Phaser. I didn’t want to go down the route of using Lasers. With the Pre-History Years Starships armed mainly with Phaser-3’s, combat would take place mostly from 0-3 Hexes away from each other.

The second hurdle was deciding on the scale of Heavy Weapons. The General War used Heavy Weapons that could be Overloaded, while the Early Years could only be fired in Standard Mode. Again, the answer seemed clear for the Pre-History Years. I needed something that was Half of Standard Mode. Without wanting to use something like the Mini (Light) Photon from Module P6 (which could be Overloaded), I came up with Heavy Weapons that would cause Half Standard Damage. I dubbed them “Pocket” Weapons to differentiate them from all the other Light and Mini Designations given to various existing weapons.

From there it was a matter of reducing each starship down to a smaller size that would still be tactically playable on the tabletop. Combining elements of Cadet ships, Destroyers, PF’s, and Frigates, I settled upon what Pre-History Starships should look like. It was very important that they be different than Early Years ships in terms of SSD Design. They had to be something less, but not quite as fragile or small as a Sublight Ship. They had to be something In-Between.

Lastly, I had to look at the Rules to be used for the Pre-History Years. Obviously, the Rules for the General Wars would not work or be appropriate for the low-tech era of the Pre-History Years. However, much of the Early Years Rules applied and worked from a Gameplay Perspective on the Tabletop. So the Pre-History Years uses a good portion of the Rules from the Early Years in terms of Transporters, Tractor Beams, Shuttles, Drones, and More.

It was vital for me to make sure that the Pre-History Years was different, not just from the Early Years, but also from other similar Regenesis Galaxies such as Project-X, Pangaea, Mitosis, and Project-Y. Fortunately, the Design Paradigm for the Pre-History Years makes it Unique and Different from all these other Galaxies (which are similar, but not exactly the same).

In conclusion, the Pre-History Years offers a different sort of Tactical Game for the Patient and Strategic Star Fleet Battles Player. Starshps move faster than one hex at a time, but slower than the Early Years. With the Phaser-3 as the primary Phaser, combat mainly takes places at 3 Hexes or less. Pocket Heavy Weapons score Half the Amount of Standard Heavy Weapons. Starships are small, but still require every bit of Tactical Command and Foresight as a larger Starship. Due to their small size, Pre-History Starships have an intriguing and alluring charm, which, in combination with Brand New Empires, provides something New and Different for the Star Fleet Battles Enthusiast.

In reference to Regenesis Galaxies Fiction, the Columbiad is a Pre-History Heavy Cruiser.

** PRELIMINARY PRE-HISTORY RULES **
• Pre-History Labs work as (YG4.0) Labs in Early Years
• Pre-History Probes work as (YG5.0) Probes in Early Years.
• Pre-History Tractors work as (YG7.63) Tractor-Y’s from Early Years.
• Pre-History Transporters work as (YG8.14) Transporters with 1 Hex Range from Early Years
• Pre-History Shuttles work as (YJ2.0) and (YJ2.2211), but (YJ2.13) is omitted. Pre-History Wild Weasels function as (YJ3.0). (YJ4.0)-(YJ13.0) are omitted.
• All other Pre-History Rules not referenced above generally work like Early Year Rules, except that they must be examined on a case-by-case basis to make sure they fit in with the Pre-History Years Design Paradigm.