The time has once again come to take stock of all of the galaxies and areas of StarFleetBattlesTheGenesisProject.com. This will help me to focus my limited time and energy on key areas. Writing Fiction is one thing, but Creating SSD's, New Rules, Weapons Tables, Backgrounds, and R-Sections is something completely different (and more time consuming).

The forthcoming Summaries will not be exhaustive reports about the details of each galaxy, but rather short summaries which range from one to three paragraphs highlighting important points and what needs to be done next. Also included will be information about Unpublished Galaxies and Brand New Galaxies to come.

This will be done little by little as there is far too much information to fit into a single post.

By Norman Dizon (Ichaborn) on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 - 06:57 pm: Edit

THE GOLDEN AGE
SHORT SUMMARY AS OF 10/17/23
Link to the Golden Age

The Golden Age is the New Galaxy that Ichaborn finds himself in after the Third Conflagration. The Design Paradigm for the Golden Age has been fully detailed, but it has not been formally posted. There are hints and clues in the Wolf Cub Fiction about what the Golden Age consists of. These small tidbits will continue until it is time to post the official Design Paradigm for the Golden Age.

The first major empire in the Golden Age, as described in the Wolf Cub Fiction, is the benevolent, spacefaring organization known as the Order of the Griffin. When the Design Paradigm for the Golden Age is posted, the Heavy Cruiser SSD for the Order of the Griffin will also be posted, which will be somewhat similar and yet different to the Federation CA. The Golden Age has the potential for as much or more tactical depth than the Alpha Sector, because its roots and foundation come from the Alpha Sector itself.

By Norman Dizon (Ichaborn) on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 - 01:44 am: Edit

WOLF CUB
STARDATE 10.18.23
THE GOLDEN AGE
Link to previous Wolf Cub entries

"This is not fair, Ichaborn!"

Captain Ichaborn went quiet. He hated fighting with Doctor Melia, the love of his life. It hurt inside and it disturbed him. The two had enjoyed a delicious meal inside of her quarters when he decided to inform her about his decision about her joining the Landing Party going down to Planet Lamech. To say that she did not take it well was an understatement.

"My love, please try to understand," Ichaborn pleaded with Doctor Melia in a soft voice. "This goes beyond a mere dangerous situation. If the Lamechians are as evil as I said, then they might do horrible things to the Landing Party if our identity is discovered. I simply cannot allow that to happen to you."

"And yet you have no problem bringing Valkyrie along with you," Melia countered in an accusatory tone. Her beautiful blue eyes were large and excited, pulsating with emotion.

"That's different," Captain Ichaborn explained. "She's my Tactical Officer. Not only that, but due to Valkyrie's unique background, she is more suited to dangerous and volatile situations. I've told you about Valkyrie's past. If things go badly on the surface of Planet Lamech, her skills could be life saving for the Landing Party."

"And having your Chief Medical Officer with you won't be? That doesn't make any sense, Ichaborn. My skills will be invaluable in keeping the Landing Party alive if anyone becomes injured. Valkyrie hurts other people; I heal them. You need me on this mission."

"I'm sorry, my love, but you cannot join us. If anything happens to you, I could not bear it. It would be my fault for authorizing you to join the Landing Party in the first place."

Doctor Melia stopped talking. She sensed that this decision was eating up Ichaborn inside. She calmly walked over to the couch he was sitting on and sat beside him. She adjusted her long, blonde hair with red streaks, tucking it behind her pointed ears. Melia took Ichaborn's bone white, right hand into her own and clasped it tightly with both of her beige hands.

"Ichaborn, I know how strong your feelings are for me. And I have the same feelings for you, my love. But this relationship we have is only going to work if you allow me to do my job, just as I allow you to do yours. How many dangerous situations do you put yourself in? Do I ever object and refuse to allow you to go? Don't you think I worry terribly about what may happen to you? Don't you think I worry that you may not come back at all? Of course, I do, my love. But I never allow those feelings to get in the way of your Duty. You must do the same with me. Allow me to do my Duty. This is why I joined the Order of the Griffin. I fully accept the risks and the dangers, they come with the uniform. Please understand, Ichaborn, by safeguarding me and relieving your innermost fears about something happening to me, you are limiting me as a person, restricting my potential, making me less than I am. I assure you, that will slowly destroy me inside. You HAVE to let me come with you."

Ichaborn sensed truth in Doctor Melia's words. He stared into her blue eyes with his blood red eyes. As difficult as the decision was, the right thing to do was to authorize Doctor Melia to join the Landing Party. Not many of the Senior Officers could be cosmetically altered to look like the Lamechians. Doctor Melia happened to be one of them. And having the Chief Medical Officer with them was invaluable to preserving their lives. But should anything happen to his love...

"Doctor Melia, you are authorized to join the Landing Party going down to Planet Lamech."

Doctor Melia smiled. She kissed Captain Ichaborn passionately and then hugged him tightly. She rose from the couch and walked into an adjacent room.

Captain Ichaborn's blood red eyes followed her as she disappeared from view. He imagined her being hurt and a terrible pain grew in his stomach, as if someone had driven a spear through his abdomen. Ichaborn gritted his teeth.

AND HEAVEN HELP THOSE WHO WOULD SEEK TO DO YOU HARM.

By Norman Dizon (Ichaborn) on Sunday, October 22, 2023 - 11:31 pm: Edit

Z-TECHNOLOGY/HIGH GUARD/INTERGALACTIC ASSEMBLAGE OF SYSTEMS
SHORT SUMMARY AS OF 10/22/23
Link to Z-Technology
Link to the High Guard
Link to the Intergalactic Assemblage of Systems

Z-Technology is an Alternate Version of X2 Technology. It makes sure to answer all of the common questions and presumptions about X2 (the list is long), using a fusion of many different existing technologies to do so. Z-Technology, while exotic and unconventional in form, is meant to be both functional and playable. It is not a chaotic mess of disjointed pieces welded together haphazardly. The elements are meant to flow together in a meaningful and precise manner. Obviously, this strange way of approaching X2 is not the same as the Official X2 that ADB will publish in the future. To make the distinction even more clear, this highly advanced technology was dubbed Z-Technology, so that there would be no confusion between it and official X2 tech.

The High Guard utilizes Z-Technology to act as a type of police force which oversees and protects the Intergalactic Assemblage of Systems. The Intergalactic Assemblage of Systems is massive, over a thousand times larger than the Federation, and is comprised of empires from many different systems that use Early Years, General War, and X(1)-Technology. While the High Guard is powerful, due to the highly advanced technology employed by their starships, they ar not a standing army. Rather, their starships are spread throughout the cosmos, each one completing its assigned task before moving on to the next. In order for High Guard starships to come together to form a single fleet, there must a threat of immense magnitude.

* TASKS TO COMPLETE FOR Z-TECH/HIGH GUARD/INTERGALACTIC ASSEMBLAGE OF SYSTEMS:
1) Create SSD's for more High Guard starships (Variants of the Heavy Cruiser and other High Guard Ship Classes) *HIGH PRIORITY*
2) Create SSD's for Other Empires that utilize Z-Technology *HIGH PRIORITY*
3) Playtest High Guard Ships and Z-Technology *HIGH PRIORITY*
3) Write Scenarios involving the High Guard *MEDIUM PRIORITY*
4) Create SSD's for Empires within the Intergalactic Assemblage of Systems *LOW PRIORITY*

The Fiction which supports the High Guard and Z-Technology is the White Wolf (one of its incarnations) featuring Ichaborn (before the Wolf Cub) and Lupa (as the Artificial Intelligence embedded in the White Wolf starship).

Note that my own group has playtested a few preliminary battles with the High Guard. Much more in-depth and thorough playtesting needs to be competed to ensure Z-Technology works on the tabletop as designed.

By Norman Dizon (Ichaborn) on Sunday, October 22, 2023 - 11:45 pm: Edit

Tweeted about the Z-Technology/High Guard Short Summary and the Golden Age Short Summary.

Twitter(X): Star Fleet Battles The Genesis Project

By Norman Dizon (Ichaborn) on Saturday, October 28, 2023 - 06:22 pm: Edit

THE PROTO SECTOR
SHORT SUMMARY AS OF 10/28/23
Link to the Proto Sector
Link to the Romanus (Imperator) Heavy Cruiser SSD
Link to the Newtling Heavy Cruiser SSD

The Proto Sector takes Omega Sector designs and seeks to balance them to Alpha Sector standards. This is done in many ways, including switching all Omega Phasers to Alpha Sector Phasers, adjusting Shield Strengths, examining Warp Power and Total Available Power, Revising Heavy Weapon Range Brackets so they match Alpha Sector Range Brackets, Revising Heavy Weapons so their Energy, Accuracy, and Damage Output match Alpha Sector Heavy Weapons, making sure Total Internals are comparable to Alpha Sector Total Internals, and more. These New, Balanced Empires in the Proto Sector should retain the Flavor and Essence of the Omega Sector.

The Proto Sector takes place 1000 years before the Omega Sector. In that time period, there was a Balance of Power between empires not unlike the Alpha Sector. There were clearly established borders and an ever escalating arms race. Balance in the Proto Sector, therefore, goes beyond mere ship to ship balance. Over the course of 1000 years, the Balance of the Proto Sector eventually gave way to the chaotic, constant wars and ever changing borders of the Omega Sector.

So far, there are only two empires posted for the Proto Sector: the Romanus, soon to be renamed the Imperator, and the Newtling. The Imperator use Revised Tachyon Guns, Alpha Sector Phasers, and Tachyon Rockets. The Newtling use Fire and Surge Torpedoes, in addition to Alpha Sector Phasers.

* TASKS TO COMPLETE FOR THE PROTO SECTOR:
1) Change the empire name on the Romanus Heavy Cruiser SSD to Imperator *HIGH PRIORITY*
2) Create SSDs for more New Empires in the Proto Sector *HIGH PRIORITY*
3) Create SSDs for Variants of the Imperator and Newtling Heavy Cruisers *MEDIUM PRIORITY*
4) Create other Ship Classes for the Imperator and the Newtling *LOW PRIORITY*
5) Write Scenarios for the Proto Sector *LOW PRIORITY*
6) Playtest Proto Sector Heavy Cruisers against Alpha Sector Heavy Cruisers and other Proto Sector Heavy Cruisers *HIGH PRIORITY*

By Norman Dizon (Ichaborn) on Sunday, November 05, 2023 - 05:12 am: Edit

WOLF CUB
STARDATE 11.05.23
THE GOLDEN AGE
Link to previous Wolf Cub entries

Captain Ichaborn, Doctor Melia, Valkyrie, and Security Officers Harris, Myers, and Chamberlain appeared on the surface of Planet Lamech. Their features were cosmetically altered so that each one of them resembled a typical Lamechian. Wrinkles fells down their cheeks like scratch marks, round rings hung from their noses, and their hair was long and pulled back into a series of knots. Contacts covered Ichaborn's blood red eyes and Valkyrie's solid black eyes. Long robes flowed over cloth undergarments. Each of them bore a walking staff. Within sight, in the distance, was a large Lamechian settlement that sat nestled in the hills.

Captain Ichaborn gave strict instructions to bring no advanced technology down to the surface, so all Phasers, Communicators, and Tricorders were left aboard the Wolf Cub. However, Emergency Transporter Chips were implanted subcutaneously into everyone's forearm. With a touch, a person could activate the Chip and be instantly transported back to the Wolf Cub. Additionally, the Wolf Cub was monitoring the Landing Party's position from orbit. They would be able to detect if anything went wrong based on their movements.

It didn't take the Landing Party long to reach the settlement. Dome shaped houses made of brick, clay, and straw stretched throughout the streets. Men and women went about their business while children played with each other. A marketplace held a large gathering of people, all of whom seemed to be bartering and trading with one another. In the distance, a huge Ziggurat loomed over the settlement, most likely as a place of worship.

Ichaborn carefully studied the inhabitants of the Lamechian settlement. There was no sign of the "great evil" that I had spoken of. These people seemed like normal residents simply living their lives. Certainly not worthy of having their lives ended by a massive deluge. Perhaps Ichaborn was missing something...

Valkyrie's eyes darted left and right as she kept track of the people that wandered close to the Landing Party. One of her hands rested on the hilt of a dagger hidden underneath her robe, one of many weapons she carried with her out of sight. In a split second, the blade could be drawn, ready to cut flesh at Valkyrie's command.

It didn't take long before the Landing Party was noticed due to their foreign nature. Word spread and soon, a delegation composed of one elderly woman and two older men approached Captain Ichaborn. They stopped, held their arms upward while looking at the sky, and said loudly, "Hail to the Sun, the life source, the giver of heat, the morning star. Peace be with you, strangers. What brings you to the humble settlement of Domso?"

Captain Ichaborn and the Landing Party bowed before the delegation. "We are travelers from far to the west. Tired from our long journey, we seek shelter, rest, food, and drink. I am known as Ichaborn. Would Domso be able to take us in for a short time before we continue on to the next settlement?"

"Of course!" the elderly woman said with a smile. She held out her arms in a welcoming gesture. "I am Arutha, the leader of these gentle people. With me is Freyo and Poshin, two respected members of the community. Please come, follow me. We have food and drink and spare bed chambers in the Ruling Manor. Domso is ever ready to help those in need!"

The Landing Party trailed behind the trio of elders as they slowly led them through the streets of Domso toward the Ruling Manor.

"Well, these people seem very kind and considerate," Doctor Melia whispered to Ichaborn. "I must have been mistaken. These folk are hardly evil."

"Yes, my love. They are kind indeed..." Ichaborn whispered back.

He glanced at Valkyrie who returned the look with a sly, silent stare.

...ALMOST TOO KIND.

By Norman Dizon (Ichaborn) on Monday, November 13, 2023 - 01:38 am: Edit

SECTOR 50
SHORT SUMMARY AS OF 11/13/23
Link to Sector 50
Link to the Europa Heavy Cruiser SSD

The foundation for Sector 50 is taking existing starships and cutting their designs in half. During this process, decisions need to be made and the goal is to make these halved starships balanced versus one another. The result is the base Heavy Cruiser for each New Empire.

Once the Heavy Cruiser has been created, the New Empire is now free to develop and expand in countless ways. It does not necessarily have to follow the design path that the Original Empire it was based on took. The New Empire might develop its own unique technology or may acquire different technology from neighboring empires or explore brand new Ship Classes.

It should be noted that, even if I feel that an existing weapon or device is Unbalanced, I will not Revise the weapon/device for Sector 50. Sector 50 utilizes existing technology as is, without changes.

Since the Heavy Cruisers for Sector 50 Empires are naturally small, it follows that other Ship Classes would be affected by this. Destroyers and Frigates would be even smaller, while Dreadnoughts and Battleships would be larger. Because the ships are smaller and simpler to begin with, fleet engagements take on a different form, with each small ship fulfilling more of a specialized role during combat.

Currently, there are 9 SSD's completed for Sector 50, but only 1 of them has been uploaded to StarFleetBattlesTheGenesisProject.Com. They are:

1) Europa Heavy Cruiser (Uploaded to StarFleetBattlesTheGenesisProject.Com)
2) Babylon Battlecruiser (To Be Uploaded to StarFleetBattlesTheGenesisProject.Com)
3) Roman Heavy Cruiser (To Be Uploaded to StarFleetBattlesTheGenesisProject.Com)
4) Krakenfish Heavy Cruiser (To Be Uploaded to StarFleetBattlesTheGenesisProject.Com)
5) Dragonflian Heavy Cruiser (To Be Uploaded to StarFleetBattlesTheGenesisProject.Com)
6) Black Flock Heavy Cruiser (To Be Uploaded to StarFleetBattlesTheGenesisProject.Com)
7) Pyrian Battlecruiser (To Be Uploaded to StarFleetBattlesTheGenesisProject.Com)
8) Odrium Heavy Cruiser (To Be Uploaded to StarFleetBattlesTheGenesisProject.Com)
9) Orsian Heavy Cruiser (To Be Uploaded to StarFleetBattlesTheGenesisProject.Com)

Sector 50 is supported by the Old Guard Fiction.

* TASKS TO COMPLETE FOR SECTOR 50:
1) Upload the remaining Completed SSD's to StarFleetBattlesTheGenesisProject.Com *HIGH PRIORITY*
2) Create New SSD's for Other New Empires in Sector 50 *HIGH PRIORITY*
3) Create Other Ship Classes for Existing Empires in Sector 50 *MEDIUM PRIORITY*
4) Write Scenarios for Sector 50 *MEDIUM PRIORITY*
5) Create Heavy Cruiser Variants for Existing Empires in Sector 50 *LOW PRIORITY*

By Norman Dizon (Ichaborn) on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 - 09:21 am: Edit

WOLF CUB
STARDATE 11.15.23
THE GOLDEN AGE
Link to previous Wolf Cub entries

In the Dining Hall of the Ruling Manor, Captain Ichaborn, Doctor Melia, Valkyrie, and Security Officers Harris, Myers, and Chamberlain enjoyed delicious, freshly cooked food with wine. The food was unlike anything they had ever tasted before, an exotic cuisine accented by unknown spices. Their hosts, the elders known as Arutha, Freyo, and Poshin, sat across the table from them while a large group of servants brought in new food, took away old food, refilled the wine, and cleaned up dirty dishes.

Arutha engaged Doctor Melia in conversation as everyone consumed their food.

"So you are a Doctor then? That is exciting news to hear, especially because we have many ill citizens within Domso who we are unable to cure. Perhaps, after we eat, you can..."

Suddenly, the Landing Party heard the loud sounds of battle just outside the Ruling Manor. The cries of those who were being cut down by swords and pierced with arrows filled the air. There was a loud crash as if the front door was being knocked down. Soldiers yelled phrases and commands in an unknown language that the Landing Party didn't understand.

Arutha, Freyo, and Poshin tried to stand up quickly, but their old bodies could not move quickly. They trembled with fear. Their servants huddled around them as they attempted to help them.

"Morrogah Raiders!!!" Arutha yelled in terror. She looked desperately at Ichaborn. "Please help us if you can!"

Captain Ichaborn and the rest of the Landing Party were already on their feet. "Form a protective line around the elders!" Ichaborn commanded, his eyes focused on the doorway leading into the Dining Hall.

The doorway crashed open with a loud bang. Three marauders wearing leather armor and wielding swords and spears charged into the room. They moved toward Ichaborn and the Landing Party to engage them in combat. The elders and the servants screamed in terror.

The next thing Ichaborn knew, he was being strangled by a garrotte from behind. He struggled to breathe, confused by what was happening. His eyes glanced at the rest of the Landing Party and the same thing was happening to them. Then he felt a barrage of poisoned darts pierce his flesh. The last thing he saw before blacking out was Arutha standing over him with a wicked smile.

"Well done, Marius," Arutha said to the lead marauder. "Your staged attack was even more convincing than the last time. You and your men are becoming quite the actors. And you will be rewarded for it."

She turned to her servants who were putting away their blowguns. "Take these six visitors deep into our Subterranean Dungeons. There, they will never again see the light of day. They will soon wish they had never came to visit the settlement of Domso."

Arutha cackled loudly like a witch. She thought of all the despicable pleasure that awaited her in the future. Her mouth watered with saliva.

She stared down at Ichaborn's motionless body.

"YOU NAIVE FOOL...DON'T YOU KNOW THAT DECEPTION AND LIES HAVE EVER BEEN THE BEST WEAPONS OF THE DARK AGAINST THE LIGHT?"

By Norman Dizon (Ichaborn) on Sunday, November 26, 2023 - 05:54 am: Edit

MITOSIS/MEIOSIS
SHORT SUMMARY AS OF 11/26/23
Link to Mitosis
Link to Meiosis

The Design Paradigm for Mitosis, which was created back in 2016, includes War Destroyer sized Heavy Cruisers (at the start of the Timeline), PH-1's as the standard offensive Phaser (not PH-2's), and FX/RX Heavy Weapons (including Drones/Plasmas) that cannot Overload (at the start of the Timeline). This means Mitosis Heavy Cruisers will have a 1/2 Movement Cost, Less Internals, and Less Shields.

The concept behind Mitosis is simpler ships which play faster (similar to Omega Design Philosophy), but that require tactics that are focused on firing to the Sides, rather than to the Front. Obviously, this is an extension and expansion upon the design idea originally presented by the Frax, but without the limitations of that particular Simulator Empire. As the Mitosis Timeline progresses, the empires of Mitosis will develop Overloads for their Heavy Weapons, New Technology/Weapons, and build Larger (slower) Ships.

As I reviewed the Mitosis SSD's, I noticed an inconsistency with the number of Warp Engines each Heavy Cruiser has. Some have 16 Warp (32 Movement) and some have 12 Warp (24 Movement). This is incorrect. All the Mitosis Heavy Cruisers should have 16 Warp (32 Movement) to start for balance reasons, in order to have enough energy for weapons/shields/etc., and for movement. I believe the original idea was to have some empires as "major forces" and some empires as "minor forces." This idea will be discarded. The first task for Mitosis is to level out the playing field and give all starting Heavy Cruisers 16 Warp (32 Movement).

These are the SSD's currently uploaded to StarFleetBattlesTheGenesisProject.Com:

1) Brittani Heavy Cruiser SSD (Photons FX/RX)
2) Brittani Heavy Cruiser II SSD (Photons FX/RX, New Phaser Arcs)
3) Gallia Heavy Cruiser SSD (PL-F FP/RP)
4) Germania Heavy Cruiser SSD (Drones FH/RH)
5) Hispania Heavy Cruiser SSD (Disruptors FX/RX)
6) Thrace Heavy Cruiser SSD (ESGs)
7) Visigoth Heavy Cruiser SSD (Displacement Device-Self Only)

Meiosis utilizes the same Design Paradigm as Mitosis, except with Omega Technology. To date, there is only one SSD for Meiosis:

1) Jomon Heavy Cruiser SSD (Tachyon Guns)

There is currently no Fiction to support Mitosis/Meiosis, but there certainly will be in the future.

* TASKS TO COMPLETE FOR MITOSIS/MEIOSIS:

1) Correct all Mitosis Heavy Cruiser SSD's so they have 16 Warp *HIGH PRIORITY*
2) Create SSD's for New Mitosis Empires *HIGH PRIORITY*
3) Create SSD's for New Meiosis Empires *HIGH PRIORITY*
4) Playtest existing Mitosis/Meiosis SSD's *MEDIUM PRIORITY*
5) Write Scenarios for Mitosis *MEDIUM PRIORITY*
6) Create Map for Mitosis *MEDIUM PRIORITY*
7) Create Heavy Cruiser Variants for existing Mitosis Empires *LOW PRIORITY*
8) Create other Ship Classes for existing Mitosis Empires *LOW PRIORITY*

By Norman Dizon (Ichaborn) on Friday, December 01, 2023 - 03:30 pm: Edit

WOLF CUB
STARDATE 12.01.23
THE GOLDEN AGE
Link to previous Wolf Cub entries

Captain Ichaborn strained with all his might against the chains that were restraining him. It was no use. He was not strong enough to break the metal links. Like a caged wolf, he growled menacingly.

Ichaborn, Doctor Melia, Valkyrie, and Security Officers Harris, Myers, and Chamberlain were in a huge underground cavern. Ichaborn wasn't sure how far underground they were, but he knew their Emergency Subcutaneous Transporters were not working. If the Landing Party was going to escape this dire situation, they would have to do it without the help of the Wolf Cub.

Before them stood Arutha, Freyo, and Poshin, each one dressed in black robes and wearing masks that resembled bloody, dead animals. Arutha had her mask lifted, exposing her face, so that she might speak freely. Behind her was gathered what looked like the entire population of Domso. They too were wearing frightening masks, each one of their own design. Far in the background sat an enormous Giant upon a Throne. The Giant was flanked by two more Giants, one to his left and one to his right.

Security Officer Harris cried out in pain as loudly as he could. His eyes were bulging so wide they nearly popped out of their sockets. He begged for his life. He was chained inside of a huge metal cauldron that was filled with water. Underneath the cauldron was a fire that growing hotter and hotter. Harris was being boiled alive.

Arutha stared at Ichaborn with eyes full of wickedness. "Yes, Ichaborn, we are going to eat him. But not until the water gets so hot that the flesh melts off of his bones. Everyone here is going to partake in the feast."

The citizens of Domso cheered loudly behind Arutha and then fell silent once more.

Arutha pointed at Security Officer Myers. "This one will be severely whipped every day. When his back is streaked in red and he loses consciousness, he will be allowed to heal...for a time. Then his torment will begin again. He will not be allowed to die."

She looked at Chamberlain next. "This one will be hung. Then drowned. Then burnt alive. Each time his suffering will stop right before death. Thus shall his torment continue over and over endlessly."

Arutha gazed at Valkyrie, who met her stare with cold eyes. "This one is like us. Kindred spirits recognize their own. She will be forced to wear rocks upon her back of increasing weight, until finally, one day, her back breaks from the strain. Thus will her fighting spirit be crushed...literally."

Arutha looked at Doctor Melia. "We hate your kind. Doctors save lives and relieve suffering. We thrive on the opposite. And you have been gifted with great beauty, which we hate as well. You will become the whore of Dosmo, fulfilling the desires of all the men in the settlement, whenever they wish. Your hands will be cut off, so that you may never practice medicine again or resist your assailants. You will be treated as the lowest animal, and if you refuse to eat, attempting to kill yourself, you will be force fed. Your torment will never end, Doctor."

Arutha approached Ichaborn and grabbed him by his chin. She stared into his eyes. "You are the leader of this group. Know that you will be forever responsible for the fate of your companions, for you led them to us. Ichaborn, your tongue shall be cut out of your mouth, so that you may never command or speak to anyone ever again. You have the special privilege of being fed to the Dragon, who will devour not only your flesh, but your soul as well. This rare ceremony will be performed in front of all of Domso, so that they may worship the God they serve as he feeds."

Hatred is too forgiving a description for the feeling that Ichaborn felt. He could not allow these things to happen. He would not allow them to. Ichaborn had led his team, including the woman he loved more than life itself, into a Den of Vipers. Now, they were all going to pay a horrible, terrible price for his decision to come down to the surface of Planet Lamech.

In that moment, Ichaborn thought of only one thing.

I HAD BEEN RIGHT ALL ALONG. NONE OF THESE PEOPLE DESERVE TO LIVE.

By Norman Dizon (Ichaborn) on Sunday, December 03, 2023 - 10:30 am: Edit

AQUITANI HEAVY CRUISER SSD
Link to the Aquitani Heavy Cruiser SSD

MITOSIS

AQUITANI SHIPS
(MR7.1) AQUITANI HEAVY CRUISER (CA)

The Aquitani Heavy Cruiser was a maneuverable starship that bore the brunt of the Aquitani workload. Armed with Eight Offensive Phasers and Four Web Casters, the Aquitani was avoided because of its unusual Web Tactics. Opponents would find the Aquitani well fortified behind their Webs, firing a multitude of their Offensive Phasers at them while they could not return fire. Still others faced aggressive Aquitani fleet actions, where their Web Casters were used to break up enemy formations and isolate key enemy ships. But only the Aquitani themselves were aware of the some of the hidden built-in advantages of their Heavy Cruiser, such as their additional Reserve Power, their numerous Shuttles, and their increased Damage Control.

DESIGNER NOTES

The Aquitani is the first New Empire for Mitosis since 2016.

Adding an empire to Mitosis that employed Web Casters was not an easy task. Comparatively speaking, the Brittani CA is able to bring 4 Non-Overloaded Photon Torpedoes (FX/RX) to bear to its Right and Left. The Web Caster's Web Fist scores damage roughly proportionate to a Non-Overloaded Photon Torpedo, so that would seem to suggest that the Aquitani should possess 4 Web Casters which can concentrate their fire to the Right and Left as well.

However, the ability to cast and generate Web must not be underestimated. This powerful ability, which can be used both for offense and defense, gives the Aquitani a tactical and strategic advantage which cannot be measured simply in terms of direct fire damage. Therefore, the decision was made to not only allow only two Web Casters to concentrate their fire to the Right and Left, but also to limit their Firing Arcs to only Right and Left (not forward or backward) as well. This gives the Aquitani roughly half the Heavy Weapon Damage of the Brittani, but also forces them to plan their Web Laying to the sides, rather than the front or rear. This fits nicely with the Design Paradigm of Mitosis, where heavy weapons are focused to the sides and not forward.

Because the Aquitani lack the Disruptor Bolts that the Tholians carry, they were given more PH-1's than any other Mitosis empire to date. This will force the Aquitani to rely on their Phasers in conjuction with Web Tactics. The PH-1's were also given strict Right and Left Firing Arcs, which was a tough decision to make, given that nearly all other Mitosis empires have Phasers that can fire forward and to the rear.

All in all, the Aquitani make a fine addition to Mitosis. They possess the powerful Web Caster, but it is limited in Number and Firing Arc. The Aquitani are at a fighting disadvantage to the front and rear, but possess the ability to lay Web, the tactical significance of which cannot be quantified solely by damage. Lastly, the Aquitani are their own unique empire, much different than the Tholians upon whom they draw their technology from.

On a side note, early concept designs for the Aquitani included both a Web Caster and a Web Generator/Snare, but given the capabilities of the Web Caster, this was later considered redundant.

By Norman Dizon (Ichaborn) on Thursday, December 07, 2023 - 07:06 am: Edit

V-TECHNOLOGY/YOUNG KINGDOMS
SHORT SUMMARY AS OF 12/7/23
Link to V-Technology
Link to the Young Kingdoms
Link to the Atlantean Light Cruiser SSD

V-Technology (or Variable Technology) is an alternate version of X-Technology. As such, its capabilities should never exceed X(1)-Technology or be the equivalent of X2-Technology. V-Technology affects the same weapon or device differently, so that you may have multiple advanced versions of that same weapon/device on different empires. It all depends on what research pathway each empire has decided to focus on. V-Technology affects not just singular weapons and devices, but all the systems on the ship. V-Technology ships are always built from the ground up, never upgraded.

The Young Kingdoms is the New Galaxy that utilizes V-Technology. Their starships are no bigger than heavy cruisers, with light cruisers fulfilling the majority of work roles. These are brand new empires, still exploring the galaxy, still forging alliances, and still creating enemies. Some of these Young Kingdoms will be eliminated at points in the Timeline; others will prevail to the end. Each Young Kingdom will have their own unique way of employing V-Technology on their starships.

To date, there is only one SSD for V-Technology/Young Kingdoms:

1) Atlantean Light Cruiser SSD (V-Technology focused on Accuracy)

I noticed on the Atlantean Light Cruiser SSD that some Labels need to be revised. For example, Variable Phasers have the Label: PV-1. However, the way that Atlanteans employs Variable Technology with Phasers will be different from how another Young Kingdoms Empire utilizes Variable Technology on their Phasers (resulting in different tables, etc.). Therefore, PV-1 cannot be used as a ubiquitous Label. Each Young Kingdoms Empire will have to have their own Labels for their own specialized weaponry/devices/systems which are affected by V-Technology.

There is currently no fiction to support V-Technology/Young Kindoms, but there will be in the future.

*TASKS TO COMPLETE FOR V-TECHNOLOGY/YOUNG KINGDOMS:

1) Correct Atlantean Light Cruiser SSD with Revised Labels *HIGH PRIORITY*
2) Create SSD's for other New Empires in the Young Kingdoms *HIGH PRIORITY*
3) Playtest Current SSD's versus one another *HIGH PRIORITY*
4) Create Other Ship Classes for Existing Empires in the Young Kingdoms *MEDIUM PRIORITY*
5) Write Scenarios for V-Technology/Young Kingdoms *MEDIUM PRIORIITY*
6) Create Map of the Young Kingdoms (with Unexplored Areas) *MEDIUM PRIORITY*
7) Create Variants of Current SSD's in the Young Kingdoms *LOW PRIORITY*

By Norman Dizon (Ichaborn) on Saturday, December 09, 2023 - 08:46 am: Edit

WOLF CUB
STARDATE 12.09.23
THE GOLDEN AGE
Link to previous Wolf Cub entries

Valkyrie sat in her jail cell awaiting her punishment to be carried out. She was surrounded by rock walls. A door made of metal bars prevented her escape. Manacles bound her wrists, but her legs were free to move. A middle aged guard stood outside of the metal door to make sure Valkyrie did not attempt to escape.

Valkyrie ripped open her blouse, revealing most of her bosom. Her long skirt had torn earlier during the scuffle, so her legs were already bare for all to see. Although dirty, Valkyrie was still a stunning vision, with raven colored hair, a tall and slender body, and a beautiful face. Contacts made her eyes appear green, although underneath they were actually black.

She walked over to the guard, leaned against the metal bars so that her hair dangled through them, and whispered to him in a sultry voice.

"Before i am forced to carry more rocks than my back can bear...take me one last time...so that I may remember...what passion feels like. Do you not wish...to love me? Allow your lust...to run free. No one need...know. It won't take...long. Please...I beg you...show me this last mercy...let me feel your strength inside of mine...so that I may face death with no regrets."

The guard turned and looked at Valkyrie with enlarged eyes. His blood grew hotter and hotter.

Valkyrie was weak with fatigue from recent events. She slowly fell to the floor. Like an animal in heat, she crawled on the floor in her jail cell, lightly moaning. She turned and looked up at the guard, her long, black hair covering half of her face. Her green eyes pleaded with him.

The guard could take it no more. He took out his keys, unlocked the cell door, and passed through. He closed the door quietly and left it unlocked. After putting away his keys, he dropped his pants and opened his shirt. He knelt down and proceeded to take advantage of Valkyrie's position.

As the guard kissed Valkyrie's neck, she reached down and grabbed his crotch. With a pull and a twist, Valkyrie yanked so hard his genitals nearly tore off. Valkyrie did not let go. At the same time, she bit into his neck and tore a piece of flesh off. It was not a fatal wound, but it was large enough for blood to slowly gush out. It was only a matter of time before he bled to death.

Valkyrie popped off her contacts revealing her solid black eyes. She stared into the guard's eyes as he lay dying. She had complete control over him because of her hold on his genitals. Valkyrie spoke to the guard in a low voice, his blood dripping from her mouth.

"Now then...my lustful guard...tell me what I want to know and I will give you a swift death. Refuse and you will die slowly...ever so slowly...and in terrible agony."

"You will tell me the way out of this underground labyrinth. You will tell me exactly where each of my companions are being held. And you will tell me what kind of armed resistance I will encounter in this cavernous dungeon."

"Then you will die, either quickly or slowly. It is your choice."

"EITHER WAY, I WILL CLAIM YOUR SOUL AS MY OWN."

By Norman Dizon (Ichaborn) on Monday, December 11, 2023 - 08:23 pm: Edit

HYPERBOREAN LIGHT CRUISER SSD
Link to the Hyperborean Light Cruiser SSD

THE YOUNG KINGDOMS

HYPERBOREAN SHIPS
(YKR2.1) LIGHT CRUISER (CL):

Like most Hyperborean vessels, the Hyperborean Light Cruiser was feared and greatly respected on the battlefield. Bristling with weapons, the Hyperborean Light Cruiser was armed with four Photon Torpedoes and seven Phasers, six of which could fire forward and one which fired to the rear. A single Plasma-F Torpedo supplemented the awesome firepower of the Photon Torpedoes. All of these weapons were enhanced by special Hyperborean V-Technology, making them far more deadly and lethal.
The Hyperborean Light Cruiser was also known for having ample power, thanks to its V-Technology, as well as specialized Tractor Beams and strong Shields.

DESIGNER NOTES:

The Hyperboreans are the second empire utilizing V-Technology in the Young Kingdoms.
Whereas the Atlanteans focused their V-Technology development on increased accuracy, the Hyperboreans focused their V-Technology development on increased damage. The result is extremely powerful and deadly warships, perhaps the most powerful out of all the Young Kingdoms.
For Heavy Weapons, the Hyperboreans utilize Photon Torpedoes supplemented by a Plasma-F Torpedo. Both of these weapons have been enhanced by V-Technology.
In order to power their weapons of war, the Hyberboreans used V-Technology to increase the power output of their APR's. They also modified their Tractor Beams with V-Technology in the event they achieved an Anchor or if they themselves were Anchored by an enemy.
All Hyperborean starships possess strong Shields.
The main concern with developing the Hyperboreans was whether the increased damage generated by their weapons was too much. Special attention was also paid to the cost of each weapon, with the standard 2:1 damage/energy ratio always in mind. In the end, Hyperborean weaponry was extremely energy efficient for the amount of damage generated.
Comparisons were also made to X-Technology and the rules in Module X-1. None of the Hyperborean weaponry exceeds the tactical potential of X-Weapons, although the two behave very differently in terms of functionality.
All in all, the Hyperboreans represent an extremely formidable empire in the Young Kingdoms. Defeating them in battle will not be an easy task and charging them head-on is akin to suicide.

By Norman Dizon (Ichaborn) on Saturday, December 16, 2023 - 03:31 am: Edit

THE BURNSIDE TERRITORIES
SHORT SUMMARY AS OF 12/16/23
Link to the Burnside Territories

The Burnside Territories takes Magellanic Cloud Designs and converts them into New Empires that conform to the Alpha Sector Design Paradigm. This is no simple or easy task. The end goal is to have a balanced Alpha Sector-type Starship which has the flavor of the Magellanic Cloud.

The first thing that must be done is to discard the Magellanic Cloud elements that, in my opinion, make the Magellanic Cloud foreign and strange to the Alpha Sector. They are:

1) The Inner / Outer Shields
2) The Sensors / Scanners
3) The Volley Reduction Factor
4) The Warp Tuned Lasers
5) The BANK System
6) Strange Species that are Difficult to Relate To (based on Familiarity with Species from TOS)
7) The History and Geographic Layout of the LMC (meaning the Map)
8) The Different Range Brackets employed by Empires of the LMC

The next task is to perform an in-depth study, examination, and analysis of each Magellanic Cloud technology that will be used in the Burnside Territories. Careful attention must be paid to the 2:1 Damage/Energy Ratio that governs the Alpha Sector. Range Brackets need to be restructured to fit Alpha Sector Range Brackets (including Overload Ranges). Turns required to arm weapons and devices must match Alpha Sector arming requirements. Tactical Implications need to be reviewed. Every piece of Magellanic Cloud technology to be used in the Burnside Territories must be compared against similar Alpha Sector technology for Play Balance.

Here is the Magellanic Cloud technology to be used in the Burnside Territories:

1) Mass Driver Missiles
2) Plasma-E Torpedoes
3) Distortion Generators
4) Charged Particle Accelerators
5) Variable Focus Neutron Beams
6) Tachyon Beams
7) Positron Lancets
8) Boson Drills

Lastly, starships for the New Empire need to be constructed. The Redesigned Magellanic technology needs to be incorporated, along with Alpha Sector Phasers, Shields, and Systems such that the resulting starship is balanced and comparable to equivalent Alpha Sector starships. Tactics and Strategy play a big role during the starship construction phase, for the vessel is not just thrown together with some Magellanic components, but carefully designed so that specific tactics will allow it to be victorious against other Alpha Setor-type starships on the battlefield.

It is possible to add New Weapons/Devices to the Burnide Territories later in the Timeline, but they must make developmental sense for that particular empire and they must have tactical benefits on the tabletop.

To date, there is only one New Empire for the Burnside Territories. The Owlian Parliament employs Revised Neutron Beams, Mass Drivers, PH-1's, PH-2's, and PH-3's.

Owlian Heavy Cruiser SSD Version 2.0
Original and Revised Neutron Beam Analysis

There is currently no fiction to support the Burnside Territories, but there will be in the future.

* TASKS TO COMPLETE IN THE BURNSIDE TERRITORIES:

1) Create SSD's for other New Empires in the Burnside Territories *HIGH PRIORITY*
2) Playtest Current Burnside Territories SSD's versus equivalent Alpha Sector SSD's and other Burnside Territories SSD's *HIGH PRIORITY*
3) Create Other Ship Classes for Existing Empires in the Burnside Territories *MEDIUM PRIORITY*
4) Write Scenarios for the Burnside Territories *MEDIUM PRIORITY*
5) Create Map of the Burnside Territories *MEDIUM PRIORITY*
6) Create Variants of Current SSD's in the Burnside Territories *LOW PRIORITY*
7) Create Timeline for the Burnside Territories *LOW PRIORITY*

By Norman Dizon (Ichaborn) on Sunday, December 17, 2023 - 04:56 am: Edit

WOLF CUB
STARDATE 12.17.23
THE GOLDEN AGE
Link to previous Wolf Cub entries

Lupa sat behind the desk in Ichaborn's Ready Room. The Windling First Officer stared at the officers sitting opposite to her with her light grey eyes. Attending the meeting was Miss Echo, Iris, and Black Eyes.

"Still no sign of Captain Ichaborn and the Landing Party?" Lupa asked. In Captain Ichaborn's absence, she was in command of the Wolf Cub.

"Negative," Miss Echo answered. A large caterpillar-like sac extended out of the back of her head. This unique fleshy outgrowth housed her five brains. Her eyes shifted from brown to yellow as her voice changed from one to another.

"We tracked the Landing Party as they entered the settlement of Domso," Komorkis continued. "They were last detected in the Dining Hall of the Ruling Manor. Chaos erupted suddenly, in what can only be described as an attack on the Ruling Manor by Marauders. Who the Marauders were or where they came from is unknown. Sensors indicate mass confusion as a large battle took place on multiple levels of the Ruling Manor. The Marauders made it up to the Dining Area where they attacked the Landing Party. Another conflict took place, with many individuals overlapping and changing positions. Survivors seem to have left the Dining Area after that, but we cannot be certain if any of them were the Landing Party. They dispersed in a multitude of directions. It is possible that members of the Landing Party were slain or knocked unconscious."

Lupa was clearly unsettled. She tried to hide her anxiety by taking a moment to adjust her long, silver hair.

"And their Subcutaneous Transporters?" Lupa said, searching for a ray of hope.

"Still functioning as far as instrumentation is concerned," Iris replied. The short, full bodied Cyclopean had her black hair down, which was unusual since it was typically tied in a ponytail. "The Landing Party may not have had a chance to activate them if they were killed or knocked out. I have been scanning the surface searching for them. Nothing so far. There are numerous rocky formations which could be blocking our sensors. They also may have been taken underground. I recommend we send another Landing Party down to try to determine what happened to them. We need to know if they are dead and buried somewhere."

Lupa shook her head. "The Captain was extremely specific with his orders prior to departing. If contact is lost with the Landing Party, the Wolf Cub is not to send anyone else down to the surface. We are to wait seventy two hours for contact to be reestablished between the Landing Party and the Wolf Cub. If, after three days, there is still no contact with the Landing Party, the Wolf Cub is to leave orbit and continue their ongoing mission. The Monitoring Satellite is to be left in orbit around Planet Lamech. Griffin Command is to be notified of the situation. All members of the Landing Party are to be considered lost."

There was silence in the Ready Room.

Miss Echo's eyes and voice shifted to another of her five, distinct personalities. Hippolyta spoke. "The question we are facing is whether we should follow those orders. Sometimes, doing what is right is not the same as doing what you are ordered to do. We all know the consequences for disobeying a direct order. But these are our friends, companions, fellow crew members, and our Captain. We cannot just abandon them."

Lupa considered the thought in her mind. "A second Landing Party might meet the same fate. The Wolf Cub would lose even more crew members. I will not risk more lives."

Iris thought of one of the newest members of the Wolf Cub. She has been working with him, upgrading him, teaching him, and running diagnostics. "What about sending J.U.G. down to the surface? He would be virtually invulnerable to their weaponry and might be able to collect useful information from the residents of Domso. We wouldn't have to worry about his welfare."

Miss Echo turned to look at Iris. Her eyes turned white. "Not recommended," Yaoji said. "The inhabitants of Domso are sure to react with fear and panic at the sight of an alien, mechanical entity. Though they cannot hurt J.U.G. with their primitive weaponry, they might trap him in a deep pit, push him off a cliff, or drag him into the ocean. Remember, these people are reported to be extremely immoral and sadistic."

Black Eyes had been listening to the conversation while remaining silent the entire time. Finally, the Chief of Security spoke. "I could go down to the surface to investigate. My small size and powers of darkness would enable me to remain unseen. And I am an expert at looking for clues and tracking individuals. I am the best chance of determining what happened to the Landing Party."

Lupa stared at the three-foot tall spidery creature sitting before her. Black eyes stared back with his many multiple eyes.

"Your brave willingness to go down the surface of Planet Lamech alone will be noted in my log, Black Eyes," Lupa declared. "But the Wolf Cub cannot lose their Chief of Security. Even the best of us can make a fatal mistake when we have no one else to rely on. Your request is denied."

Lupa looked into the eyes of everyone present. "Thank you all for your insight and suggestions. Know that I am just as concerned about the Landing Party as you are. But, as Acting Captain, I have to consider the safety of the Wolf Cub Crew as my paramount concern."

"WE WILL WAIT SEVENTY-TWO HOURS AS ORDERED. IF WE DO NOT HEAR FROM THE LANDING PARTY, WE WILL LEAVE ORBIT AND OUR FRIENDS WILL BE DECLARED...LOST."

By Norman Dizon (Ichaborn) on Tuesday, January 23, 2024 - 05:12 am: Edit

WOLF CUB
STARDATE 01.23.24
THE GOLDEN AGE
Link to previous Wolf Cub entries

Doctor Melia had never been beaten so severely before. A right fist slammed into her face, followed by a left fist. Her broken nose, now distorted out of shape, barely hung in place. A vicious elbow came crashing down on top of her head, slamming her into the ground. Though her hands were chained together, she struggled to get to her feet. Sadly, her body was incapable of such a feat. A fierce kick cracked her ribs while she was on all fours, followed by four more kicks. Doctor Melia rolled onto her side, blood pouring out her mouth. Both of her eyes were unrecognizably swollen and her twisted hair was stained with blood.

"Arutha said to beat you like your worst patient," a Guard said in a gruff voice. "Then, when you can't take any more, we're going to cut off your hands, Doctor. You will never touch or heal anyone ever again. You can beg us to stop if you like, but we won't hear a word." The guard bellowed with laughter and then delivered another swift kick to Doctor Melia's face.

Melia found herself back in the Grove where she was born. Tall, ancient trees surrounded her. Sunlight shined brightly onto the patch of grass where she was standing. Melia breathed in the fresh air. She had no wounds.

Humanoid figures slowly emerged from the trees. They stood around Melia, staring at her judgementally. A beautiful, elderly woman with bright orange hair was the last to appear. She stepped slowly forward until she stood directly in front of Doctor Melia.

"Mother," Melia whispered as she bowed her head in respect.

"My daughter, why have you returned to the home that you have forsaken?"

Melia's mother had the exact same blue eyes as Melia. The two locked gazes with one another.

"I never forsook my birthplace," Melia explained. She looked at all the women around her, pleading with each one of them. "My curiosity about the flesh people, my need to become one of them, to experience their world, was overwhelming. You must understand how young I was. I needed to leave the safety of the Grove in order to see what lay outside."

"And now you have," Melia's mother replied coldly. "You are where you belong. Why come back here?"

Melia looked down at the ground, ashamed. "Because Mother, I have to come to a really bad place. I need your help in order to survive. If you do not help me to reactivate my true essence, I will surely die. Is that what you want, Mother? A dead Daughter?"

Melia's mother went quiet. Although she was silent, her heart went out to Melia. She looked at each of the women surrounding her daughter, as if seeking their agreement. Finally, Melia's mother returned her gaze to the Daughter standing in front of her.

"You must swear, Melia, to honor our traditions, to protect our Grove, and to make the survival of the Grove your highest concern in life. Do you so swear?"

"I swear it."

"Your powers have always laid dormant within you. They just need to be awakened. Now that you have remembered your True Self, they will be there for you."

"Thank you Mother." Melia looked around at all the women around her. A look of gratefulness sat fixed on her face. "Thank you all. I won't fail you. You have my word."

The women walked back to their trees and melted away into them. Melia's Mother was the last to depart, but not before giving her daughter a kiss on the forehead. Sadness poured into Melia's soul like poison. She missed her mother with all her heart.

The Grove faded away.

The Guard launched another punishing kick at his prisoner, but his foot rebounded with a loud thud. It felt like he had just kicked a wooden battering ram. Holding his foot, the Guard hopped in place, struggling to maintain his balance. Meanwhile, the two Guards behind him couldn't believe their eyes.

Melia's restraints snapped into half. Her blonde hair with red streaks turned into orange and red fall leaves. Her beige skin turned into solid wood. Her pointed ears turned into branches. She grew so large she towered above the three Guards, barely fitting in the cavernous dungeon room.

Furious blue eyes framed in a wooden face stared down at the three Guards. A blazing fire burned within each of them.

"PREPARE TO JOIN YOUR ANCESTORS IN ETERNAL DARKNESS, YOU WHO HATE WHAT IS GOOD!"

"YOUR WICKED LIVES END...HERE AND NOW!!"

By Norman Dizon (Ichaborn) on Monday, February 05, 2024 - 12:29 pm: Edit

DROM CRUISER SSD
Link to the Drom Cruiser SSD

INTERGALACTIC ASSEMBLAGE OF SYSTEMS

DROM SHIPS
(IASR1.1) DROM CRUISER (CR)

The Drom is one of thousands of empires that make up the ntergalactic Assemblage of Systems. The Drom Cruiser was built as a response to Drom Cargo Vessels being regularly assaulted by hostile enemies. Not a true heavy cruiser nor a light cruiser, the Drom Cruiser falls somewhere in-between. Outfitted with one of the Drom's infamous Focused Antimatter Beams along with a vast array of Dual Phasers, the Drom Cruiser was more than capable of driving off lone raiders, pirates, and monsters. The Focused Antimatter Beam was a powerful heavy weapon which required a great length of time to charge. Once armed, the Focused Antimatter Beam could unleash so much destructive energy, it was capable of penetrating the shields on most vessels.

DESIGNER NOTES

The Drom Cruiser is the first starship representing part of the Intergalactic Assemblage of Systems. Its sole purpose, at least initially, is to partake in scenarios involving the High Guard. However, it is possible that, in time, the Drom might grow into their own detailed organization worthy of their own goals and scenarios.

As the Intergalactic Assemblage of Systems includes technology ranging from Early Years to 1X, I was allowed a great deal of creative freedom when it came to designing the Drom. There was no Design Paradigm to conform to, no Balance to maintain, no Prior Starships to compare against, no Neighboring Empires to take into consideration. Anything goes, which is both extremely liberating and yet dangerous for the game.

The Focused Antimatter Beam is a powerful weapon which requires three turns to arm, but which is extremely inefficient. Capable of generating a whopping 40 points of damage at close range, the Focused Antimatter Beam must be armed with 36 total points of energy in order to fire. Comparing against the standard 1:2 energy/damage ratio, it is immediately evident just how inefficient the Focused Antimatter Beam actually is. Fortunately, the Drom have mitigated some of this inefficiency by incorporating their Focused Antimatter Chargers.

I purposely left a lot of room for the Drom to experience Technological Growth. Will the Focused Antimatter Beam's arming cycle be shortened? Can the damage output of the Focused Antimatter Beam be increased? Can the Focused Antimatter Beam's required energy be lowered? Will the Focused Antimatter Chargers be developed further? Will the Dual Phaser delay between shots be shortened? Will the Drom build greater defenses? What Galaxy do the Drom hail from and what are the empires there like?

Only time will tell how these questions are answered.

By Norman Dizon (Ichaborn) on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 - 12:45 am: Edit

DIABOLOS
STARDATE 02.13.24
HIGH GUARD/INTERGALACTIC ASSEMBLAGE OF SYSTEMS
Link to previous Diabolos entries
Link to the High Guard
Link to the Intergalactic Assemblage of Systems

Lady Shiva stood in her Ready Room carefully analyzing a holographic recreation of a recent tactical engagement. Her six blue arms pointed to various starships and then traced their routes throughout the battle. At times, Lady Shiva would pause the recording to take a moment to consider all the tactical implications of that particular moment. This was an important exercise for her. She had lost too many crew members in the last engagement and she was determined to discover ways that those lives could have been saved.

A devilish figure appeared before Lady Shiva. Its red form was that of a classic devil, complete with two horns and a pointed triangular tail. This was the Ship's Avatar aboard the Diabolos.

Lady Shiva pretended to not see the Devil, instead staring continuously at her tactical projection. "Didn't I leave instructions that I was not to be disturbed?" she said harshly.

"My apologies, Captain..." Lady Shiva glared menacingly at the Devil. "...ah...Lady Shiva. But I have received a distress call from a Drom Cruiser in the Tepe System."

Instantly, Lady Shiva made mental calculations to determine if there were any other High Guard starships closer to the Tepe System than the Diabolos. The Aquarius was three days away and the Quilt was a week away.

"What have those haulers gotten themselves into this time? Aren't they supposed to be transporting resources from the Sierra System?"

"That is indeed where they were..." the Devil said sarcastically. "However, it appears they soon discovered an Ancient Anomaly in the nearby Tepe System. Their distress call was brief, but I was able to discern that they had opened a piece of Ancient Machinery in hopes of finding lost technology or knowledge. The Drom Cruiser inadvertently activated the Ancient Machine causing the ongoing creation of what they describe as 'miniature shuttles with built-in weaponry and defenses.' The Drom fought them off with their limited weaponry, but are now in danger of being overwhelmed. They cannot turn the Ancient Machine off."

Lady Shiva cursed loudly. She deactivated her tactical projection. When were the Drom going to learn? This isn't the first time something like this has happened. The Intergalactic Assemblage of Systems needs to impose stricter penalties on the Drom for these kinds of incidents. But that ventured into the realm of politics, an arena that Lady Shiva was smart enough to stay well away from. Lady Shiva considered for a millisecond letting the Ancient Machine run amok in order to make the Drom look even more guilty, but there were populated worlds in the Tepe System. The High Guard was sworn to safeguard every one of those lives.

"Set a course for the Tepe System. Maximum Skip Warp. Charge the Central Capacitor to full. Raise our Seventh Shield. Ready the Defense Field. Prepare for Viral Warfare. If there's a way to infiltrate these 'miniature shuttles' and take over their controls without direct combat, that is preferrable. Bring the Quantum Transporters online. Have six squads of Powered Armor suited up and ready to jump into space on my order. Prepare to lay our Warp Field Distortion Mines, we may need to drop the Ancient Machine into a singularity. Arm the Quantum Torpedoes. I want long range scans completed to determine the exact locations of all the 'miniature shuttles' and the Ancient Machine long before the Diabolos even enters the battlefield. We'll determine our approach based on the tactical positions of the Ancient Machine, the 'miniature shuttles', and the Drom Cruiser."

"It will be done...my Lady," Devil replied slyly before bowing and disappearing in a flash of light.

Lady Shiva's facial expression became as hard as stone.

AND SO ONCE AGAIN, THE HIGH GUARD CHARGE INTO BATTLE TO PROTECT THE INNOCENT AND THOSE TOO WEAK TO DEFEND THEMSELVES.

By Norman Dizon (Ichaborn) on Sunday, February 18, 2024 - 06:22 pm: Edit

BABYLON P3A BATTLECRUISER SSD
Link to the Babylon P3A Battlecruiser SSD
Link to the Sector 50 Short Summary
Link to Sector 50

** UPLOADED THE BABYLON P3A BATTLECRUISER SSD TO STARFLEETBATTLESTHEGENESISPROJECT.COM FOR SECTOR 50. THIS SSD WAS ORIGINALLY CREATED IN 2020 **

(50R.2.0) BABYLON
(50R2.1) P3A BATTLECRUISER (BC):

The standard combat vessel for Babylon. The P3A Battlecruiser was known for its swift maneuvering, tight turn mode, and deadly wing Phasers. Double Disruptor Bolts allowed the P3A Battlecruiser to hammer its opponent relentlessly, without the need for excessive rearming time. Security Stations ensured that slaves did not rebel during combat. While the Phasers on the P3A Battlecruiser were not as powerful as the Phasers employed by the Europa Heavy Cruiser, the P3A Battlecruiser had more Phasers with wider firing arcs.

DESIGNER NOTES:

The Babylon P3A Battlecruiser is exactly Half of the Klingon D7 Battlecruiser. Some decisions had to made about its internal systems, in particular its Drone Racks. Curiously, the Babylon P3A Battlecruiser retains its Security Stations and Wing Firing Arcs.

By Norman Dizon (Ichaborn) on Monday, February 19, 2024 - 02:59 am: Edit

THE OLD GUARD
STARDATE 02.08.22
SECTOR 50
Link to previous Old Guard entries

** UPLOADED TO STARFLEETBATTLESTHEGENESISPROJECT.COM. ORIGINALLY WRITTEN IN FEBRUARY 2022 **

Captain Severick sat in his anti-gravity wheelchair, dreaming of better days. He was a balding, elderly man whose legs had finally given out due to a degenerative disease that he had fought off for years with medication. Now, that medication was no longer effective. The years had finally caught up to Captain Severick. And like any hunter that has finally caught up to its elusive prey, the years were vicious indeed.

But Europa Command refused to allow Captain Severick to retire on a comfortable homeworld. With his countless years of combat experience and knowledge, he was invaluable, even without the use of his legs. Captain Severick was there at all the major battles: the March of the Delta Stars, the Death of the Morning Sun, the Clash of Fifteen Fleets, the Battle of Emperor Ramses, the War of Midnight Dawn, and More. No matter what was happening with Captain Severick's body, it was Captain Severick's mind that Europa Command was interested in, and that they refused to let go of.

But Captain Severick was not the man he used to be. The truth was, his spirit was broken. He remembered his youth, when he was able to do so many things, so effortlessly, so efficiently, so perfectly. He recalled a different time...with different people, with different technology, with different procedures, with different worlds, and with a different fleet. Europa was still young back then, an empire only beginning to explore the stars. Now, Captain Severick barely recognized all the ships around him and all the Captains that commanded them. His time was past. And, although it pained him to accept it, Captain Severick knew it was true.

The harsh bitter truth was that Captain Severick wished he died heroically in one of the battles of old, fighting for a noble cause that was worthy of his life. He desperately did not want to become a burden to anyone, to lack the capability to stay independent and functional, to become a liability to Europa Command instead of an asset. He needed to have meaning, value, and purpose in his life. But how could he possibly do that when he could not even walk? The answer evaded him like an ethereal ghost which haunted his mind with every passing moment.

And now there was this young crew aboard the Old Guard. These brave, new souls who yearned for adventure and the discoveries that deep space held. They yearned for guidance, for tutelage, for mentoring, and it was to Captain Severick that they looked to as the source of these things. He could not fail them. He would not fail them. No, no matter what it took, Captain Severick would impart everything he had learned upon them, making sure they would grow into the best persons they could be once he was gone. Captain Severick would lead them into the dark, mysterious beyond so that they could find their destiny. And if that shadowy realm would claim Captain Severick's soul in the process, so be it. He could finally rest in peace...

"Captain! Two Babylon P3A Battlecruisers on an Attack Run!"

It was Descry Brookside, Captain Severick's First Officer. She would be the one to take command should anything happen to Captain Severick.

Captain Severick dismissed his thoughts and focused on the moment. He turned toward his Navigator.

"Mr. Catharnaigh, distance to the Battlecruisers?"

The young Irish Navigator examined his console. "Five hundred forty thousand kilometers ah'n closing fast, Captain!"

Hmmmm. Two Babylon Battlecruisers against one old Europa Heavy Cruiser? I've been in worse situations...

"Red Alert! Raise Shields. Charge Phaser Capacitor to maximum."

AND ARM THE PHOTON TORPEDOES.

By Norman Dizon (Ichaborn) on Saturday, February 24, 2024 - 06:14 am: Edit

KING ALPHA
SHORT SUMMARY AS OF 2/24/24
Link to King Alpha
Link to King Alpha Designer Notes
Link to the All Seeing Watchers Heavy Cruiser SSD

King Alpha re-presents Alpha Sector Material in new, intriguing, and tactically focused ways. The Base Heavy Cruiser will possess 32 Warp, 5 Batteries, and a 32-Point #1 Shield, but there will be variations of course. However, one of the prime features of King Alpha is the incorporation of 3 Heavy Weapons/Devices, instead of the standard 2 (Photon/Drone, Disruptor/Drone, Plasma/Cloaking Device, etc.).
In King Alpha, the PH-1, PH-2, and PH-3 were never developed in the same fashion as the Alpha Sector. Instead, the Phaser Cannon (PH-C) and the Pulse Phaser (PH-P) became the standard.

To date, there are five SSDs for King Alpha:

1) All Seeing Watchers Heavy Cruiser SSD (Photons/Disruptors/PL-F)
2) All Seeing Watchers Heavy Plasma Prototype SSD (TO BE UPLOADED TO STARFLEETBATTLESTHEGENESISPROJECT.COM)
3) Djinn Heavy Cruiser SSD (TO BE UPLOADED TO STARFLEETBATTLESTHEGENESISPROJECT.COM)
4) Nephilim Battlecruiser SSD (TO BE UPLOADED TO STARFLEETBATTLESTHEGENESISPROJECT.COM)
5) Deva Heavy Cruiser SSD (TO BE UPLOADED TO STARFLEETBATTLESTHEGENESISPROJECT.COM)

King Alpha is supported by REUEL Fiction.

*TASKS TO COMPLETE FOR KING ALPHA:
1) Create SSD's for other New Empires in King Alpha *HIGH PRIORITY*
2) Playtest Current SSD's versus one another *HIGH PRIORITY*
3) Create Other Ship Classes for Existing Empires in King Alpha *MEDIUM PRIORITY*
4) Write Scenarios for King Alpha *LOW PRIORITY*
5) Create Map of King Alpha *LOW PRIORITY*

By Norman Dizon (Ichaborn) on Saturday, February 24, 2024 - 06:16 am: Edit

QUEEN OMEGA
SHORT SUMMARY AS OF 2/24/24
Link to Queen Omega

Queen Omega uses the same Design Paradigm as King Alpha, except Omega Technology is utilized instead of Alpha Technology.

Because King Alpha uses the PH-C and PH-P as its primary Phasers, Queen Omega is going to need special variations of the PH-C and the PH-P which instead incorporates Omega Phasers.

To date, there is only concept work done for the first SSD. The first SSD has not officially been created yet.

There is currently no fiction to support Queen Omega, but there will be at some point in the future.

*TASKS TO COMPLETE FOR QUEEN OMEGA
1) Create SSD's for other New Empires in Queen Omega *HIGH PRIORITY*
2) Playtest Current SSD's versus one another *HIGH PRIORITY*

By Norman Dizon (Ichaborn) on Saturday, February 24, 2024 - 07:11 pm: Edit

EUROPA CA VS BABYLON BC - SECTOR 50
PLAYTEST REPORT 2/20/22
Link to Europa CA SSD
Link to Babylon BC SSD
Link to Playtest Reports

* FOUND THIS OLD PLAYTEST REPORT FOR SECTOR 50 FROM 2 YEARS AGO. LOOKS LIKE WE RAN A BATTLE INVOLVING A EUROPA CA VS A BABYLON BC. THIS IS A GOOD STARTING POINT FOR FURTHER PLAYTEST REPORTS. ALSO FOUND THE COUNTERS I CREATED FOR THE EUROPA CA AND BABYLON BC *

T1 - Europa Speed 10. Babylon Speed 15. Both ships close on each other.

T2 - Europa Speed 8. Babylon Speed 11. Ships are facing each other but off center. Babylon fires 2 Disr at R15. Both hit. Minus reinforcement, Europa takes 4 Dam to Shield#1. Babylon turns toward C to circle around. Europa chases for rest of the turn.

T3 - Europa Speed 8. Babylon Speed 10. Babylon facing D and circling around. Europa closing. Babylon fires 1 OL Disr, 1 Standard Disr, 3 PH-2 at R6. Both Disr hit + PH-2's totals 13 Damage. Minus reinforcement, Europa takes 9 Dam to Shield#1. Europa has 2 left on Shield#1. Europa does not return fire. Babylon turns in to face Europa. Europa turns to protect Shield#1. Reserve Power has been used by both ships. Ships end at R3 from each other. Babylon facing B. Europa facing D.

T4 - Europa Speed 6. Babylon Speed 7. Babylon fires 2 OL Disr, 2 PH-2 at R3. 1 Disr Missed, 1 Disr Hit + PH-2's totals 16 Damage. Europa loses Shield#2 and takes 4 Internals. Europa loses PH-3, 1 Photon, 1 Aft Hull, 1 F Hull. Babylon launches 1 SS. Europa launches 1 SS. Babylon turns toward A, while Europa turns toward E. Babylon fires 2 PH-2 at R2 through Europa's Down Shield#2. Europa suffers 8 more Internals. Europa loses 1 Aft Hull, 1 APR, 2 Shuttles, 1 PH-1, 1 FHull, 1 LWarp, 1 Tractor. Europa fires 1 OL Photon and 2 PH-1's at R2. OL Photon hits + PH-1's totals 25 Damage. Babylon loses Shield#3 and takes 14 Internals. Babylon loses 5 AHull, 4 PH-2, 1 RWarp, 1 Disr, 1 FHull, 1 LWarp, 1 Impulse. Babylon circles around while Europa runs from Suicide Shuttle. T4 ends with Babylon facing D, Europa facing C, 7 Hexes apart. Each Suicide Shuttle is 1 Hex away from each ship.

T5 - Europa Speed 9. Babylon Speed 9. Babylon fires 1 PH-2 at Suicide Shuttle, crippling it (Speed reduced to 3). Europa fires 1 PH-1 at Suicide Shuttle, crippling it (Speed reduced to 3). Babylon fires 1 Disr at R6. Europa takes 3 Damage to Shield#5. T5 ends with Babylon facing B, Europa facing A, 6 Hexes apart.

T6 - Europa Speed 5. Babylon Speed 8. Both Suicide Shuttles trail behind. Babylon closes on Europa while Europa turns to face Babylon. Babylon reaches R2 facing B while Europa faces F. Babylon fires 1 OL Disr at R2 and misses. Europa fires 1 OL Photon and 2 PH-1's at R2. Photon hits + PH-1's totals 25 Damage. Babylon loses Shield#1 and takes 10 Internals.

* BABYLON PLAYER FORFEITS MATCH *

COMMENTS: Sector 50 provides simpler ships and faster combat, while maintaining the tactics utilized by larger starships. The Europa CA and Babylon BC feel evenly matched. It could have gone either way.