I have had a thought for a “different” kind of scenario.

It is inspired by the Berlin Airlift back in the late 1940’s where the (then) USSR forces blockaded the city in an effort to compel its surrender... without having to fire a shot or engage the US or its allies in a shooting war.

The Tyson Star Space Lift (SH00.0) August, year 188. by Jeff Wile

The end of the General war did not resolve all of the tensions between the Federation and the Klingon Empire. The “Resolved Ownership” of the Tyson Star system (see scenario SH134.0 Fire Fight, historical Outcome comments) was reopened when the Federation reconquered the territory occupied by the Klingons after the August year 171 invasion.

When the Federation reached the Tysons star system, they discovered that the original inhabitants were still residing on the planet, and that the Klingons used Tysons III as a refugee relocation site where civilians captured during combat operations could be safely interred.

The resulting population increase changed Tyson III from a agriculture colony that exported food stuffs to a under developed moderately high population center that needed to import foods and manufactured goods and materials to support the higher population. Tyson IV, the Klingon mining colony, was still majority Klingon population and elected to remain with the Empire. Tyson III, being composed of almost all Federation citizens wanted to be Federation. The Organians (when they returned from where ever it was that they had been) had no objection to re starting the “experiment” at Tysons Star.

There is some evidence that the embargo was a definite policy initiative of the Klingon High Command as they had placed significant forces on Tysons I and II in the form of PF, Fighter, heavy fighter and Bomber ground bases. On August 2, year 188 (the anniversary of the Klingon invasion of the Federation) the Klingon military governor announced the embargo of Tyson III to all shipping, military or civilian. the pronouncement stipulated that surrender of Tyson III must be by a delegation traveling to Tyson IV only in shuttle(s).

What the Klingons discovered (again) was how resourceful, energetic and dedicated the United Federation and the personnel of the Star Fleet can be in the face of adversity. The political leadership of the Federation delegated to the Star Fleet the decision to either surrender the planet or find some way to deliver the tons of supplies needed to keep a civilian population alive.

Marshaling resources from all over the Federation, a system of shuttle convoys from a number of unpopulated planets and asteroids outside of the Tyson Star System, but within range of shuttles (with dash pods) worked to supply the needs of Tyson III’s population.
The actual make up of the scenario needs some work... I am guessing that Tyson III will require 100 cargo boxes delivered every month...and that the minimum level of supply is 45 cargo boxes per month. (just using the historical figures from the Berlin airlift, the US Air force officers concluded that Berlin required 4,500 tons a day to support the population, every thing from coal to baby formula.)

for the forces, let the Klinons have 3 PF groups of 6 PF’s (1 leader and 1 scout for every 6), 1 Bomber squadron, 2 heavy fighters squadrons and 3 fighter squadrons... they have to distribute them into 3 “blockading groups” that rotate enforcement of the embargo.

The Federation starts with 1 fighter squadron (F18’s) and some (as yet undetermined) number of shuttles (admin, 2, 3 or 4 space cargo shuttles) personnel shuttles that they use to “run the blockade.

The special rules are that the Klingons and the Federation may not fire upon each other with intent to destroy any fighter, bomber, heavy fighter PF or cargo carrier.

the intent is to “cripple” the target and force it to return to base. (cripple in this case means 1 more hit over 50%).

Another rule, is no unit may launch a standard drone, only ADD, dogfight drones, or Phaser III (and then only in a dogfight)...to cripple targets. this will force all combat to use the dog fight rules...

Third, no Klingon reinforcements beyond the starting force.

Federation will receive significant reinforcements, including possibly Orion Mercenary, Kzinti and Gorn cargo shuttles, (and escorting fighters, PF’s and bombers?!?) as well as large numbers of cargo shuttles.

Campaign ends on any turn the Federation can deliver 200+ cargo points to Tyson III.

note, As the planets Tyson 3 and Tyson 4 only have close approach every 13 years, (yr 169, yr 182 and year 195) the two planets will not be on the same map at any point in this campaign.

Victory is measured only interms of cargo boxes.

Shuttles destroyed by direct combat count as double the number of delivered cargo points (this to discourage the Klingon player form violating the cease fire order.)

Escorts (fighters PF’s etc) destroyed do not count for victory, but as the Klingon receives no reinforcements and the Federation does, it would behoove the Klingon player to avoid head to head combat with the Federation where ever possible so as to keep as many combat units available to “harass” the cargo shuttles.
The Klingons earn victory points for every turn they can maintain the blockade, and if they could ever drop the number of cargo points delivered to below 45 per round (month) they could win it outright.

It should be noted that Fighters may carry cargo pods, and that at the beginning of the game, the Federation may have to use fighters to augment the cargo capacity of the Admin shuttles.

I’m guessing that each month, the federation player could “sortie” any number of times to get to the required number of cargo boxes... (especially important at the beginning if the number of shuttles is low...)

if the Fed player has 12 admin shuttles, he needs each shuttle to make 4 trips carrying 1 cargo box each (and no losses) less what ever cargo can be delivered by F18 ‘s with cargo pods...

By Scott Tenhoff (Scottt) on Wednesday, December 29, 2004 - 04:19 pm: Edit

OK, well I don't know how the Klingons would lose a Heavy Fighter or PF to the Feds if they can only shoot ADDs/ralads or P-3s. The PFL shall tractor anything at risk to get it out of Dodge.

So how do you plan to determine which "intercepting force" gets to the Federation?

With a PF, 1 Bomber/Hvy Fighter, and 1 Fighter Squadron in each 'rotation', a straight-up fight of 3 squadrons vs 1 won't do. Do the Federation roll randomly to see which of the 3 sqds up on the board, then XX turns later group 2 shows up, then XX+5(?) turns later group 3 shows up?

BTW, you better exclude G1K's (anti-fighter version).

By Jeff Wile (Jswile) on Wednesday, December 29, 2004 - 08:22 pm: Edit

The early turns means the Klingons have little to fear (although if the PF's have dash pods...any damage taken could be serious...) while later on, when the Federation has more powerful fighters bombers and (possibly) Kzinti and/or Gorn PF's it will be a more even contest.

Since PF's bombers and fighters have different endurance limits, the PF's could have the most "time on station" fighters the least and bombers some where in the middle.

I would like to consider a random limit on Klingon forces as to how long they can remain on the board before having to return to base (since its across the system) say 1 die 6 for fighters endurance, 2 die 6 for bombers and 3 die 6 for PF's. same limit on Fed types (since they are flying from bases just outside of the star system... but presumably roughly equal ranges to the Klingons.

The klingons are rotating their forces...so while one group is on station, another is enroute home and the third is warming up on the pad waiting for the order to scramble.

I further think that all types (including G1K's) are available... its just that the stores of munitions at the Klingon bases are finite...and if they shoot off the entire supply while engaged in combat, they may not get resupply in time for the next mission.

We need to determine how many turns both sides spend moving to the map.... whether its 100 tactical hexes... or 1,000 tactical hexes... it makes a difference... especially if the Federation bombers that are available are old B52 models instead of the B1 or B2 types.

By David Lang (Dlang) on Thursday, December 30, 2004 - 04:07 am: Edit

sensors are good enough that you don't have to have anything 'on station' you just have to have them 'ready to scramble and intercept'

as such the endurance of the different craft doesn't matter, however the relative speed does, you could have the PF's arrive first, followed a little later by the fighters and bombers, or you could delay the PF's to arrive at the same time

By Jeff Wile (Jswile) on Thursday, December 30, 2004 - 05:22 pm: Edit

David Lang:

OK then.

Perhaps a different approach... the historical example (the Berlin Airlift) had limits as to how many aircraft could be on the ground at one time... and serious planning and air control was in use to maximize the limited resources... down to strict control on spacing of aircraft and cargo unloading at the receiving fields.

What if the "interpretation" of the Klingon embargo and the Organian treaty restricted no more shuttles on planet at any time to those normally assigned to the PDU?

I'll have to look, but I'd guess that each ground base might have no more that 1 or 2 shuttles... (depending on types of ground bases) so there would be 3 to 7 Shuttles on planet...

It would change the situation somewhat as there would be no respite between shuttle convoys... the Klingons would have to intercept all the shuttles for possibly hours or days at a time... and in that context... the number of ADD and dog fight drones onboard the PF's and fighters would become critical.

I guess I was too enthusiastic for this idea...

It may not be workable after all.

By Greg Ernest (Grege) on Thursday, December 30, 2004 - 07:58 pm: Edit

I like the idea of Gorn or Kzinti PFs show up at some point. It adds flavor.

Considering the time period, however, I'm not sure that either of those nations would be able to let any go for awhile. The Kzintis' are or will be fighting a Civil War, and the Gorns are concerned about the encroaching ISC.

But some Orion mercs would be in line... Even a cloaked ship slipping in and landing (like a SAL or VIK) might be cute.

By Bennett Eugene Snyder (Planner) on Thursday, December 30, 2004 - 10:23 pm: Edit

Cloaked Orions sound right. It would be like the commando raids and base resupply missions by submarines by both sides. I don't know. It feels like there should be at least one mission with a carrier, like when the British resupplied Malta with fighters. Launch the shuttles outside the edge of the system and fall back until the mission is over and recover them.

By Jeff Wile (Jswile) on Thursday, December 30, 2004 - 11:29 pm: Edit

By having both sides restricted to crippling damage only, it changes the dynamics of the scenario.

We should be able to devise a way to keep it playable while still maintaining the SFB rules...

I wonder... (just talking here, not formally changing the scenario proposal) instead of starting with a maximum of Klingon at start forces and no reinforcements... what if we go with David Langs suggestion of a phase in of forces... instead of PF's first then bombers then fighters... what if there was just one squadron of fighters... and gradually (in each successive scenario of a campaign) add new forces to both sides...

sort of like Abraham Lincoln proclaiming a blockade of all southern ports & all the time knowing the US Navy was not equipped or able to enforce such a blockade...

That would make more sense, perhaps, than having the Klingon preposition 3 squadrons of PF's and all the rest in what is really an under populated, non industrialized star system...

The problem with using ships (even cloaked Orion ships) is then the Klingons would ( I think) feel justified in using lethal force to stop the Orions.

Limited to shuttles, I can see the Klingons convince themselves that the Federation efforts are doomed to fail...after all, no one in history had been able to support a planetary sized population under seige by using cargo shuttles...
Just the kind of Idealistic challenge that the Federation thrives at.