Ship Overview: Captain Belle's flagship the LFRS Roanoke, formerly the INS Roanoke. Made as a prototype for the Hellfire Legion during its early years of expansion, the INS Roanoke represented the pinnacle of Legionnaire technology. It has had a long service history, participating in large and small battles alike.
Recent changes in both the Legion and Navy leaderships have forced the rebels to retrofit a handful of their ships for reconnaissance tasks, the Roanoke being one of few capital ships used for this effort.
Late 828 brought with it the invasion of Kansas by the Navy and thus the Roanoke returned to her old role once more. Serving in the first line of defense, the battlecruiser was badly damaged and had to be sent back for repairs.
Her latest captain, Virginia Belle, has taken the opportunity presented by the invasion to organize a takeover and subsequent defection to the Xenos in Ontario.
An uncertain future lays ahead, as the aging battlecruiser was badly-damaged in the battle and now lays in the drydocks of Fort Ramsey, awaiting much-needed repairs and refitting.
Starship Details Heavy weaponry: 1x Mortar battery, 2x 'Breaker' battery, 2x Hellfire primary cannons, 2x Pulse cannons Point defense: 6x Hellfire point defense cannons, 2x Flak projectors Special equipment: Cloaking device, Long-range sensors
> New Directive
Source: Captain Virginia Belle To: All senior officers
Because the LFR ranks do not have a robust enough infrastructure to maintain capital ships, you are tasked with developing possible modifications to the ship to reduce our ship's fuel and spare parts consumption without compromising the vessel's combat capability. If a choice between fuel and spare parts must be made, your primary task will be to mitigate the rate of wear and tear and extend the life of the systems being maintained.
Since we also cannot expect LFR to support capital ships, you are tasked with developing the modifications needed to increase the speed and maneuverability of the Roanoke so that firepower and shield strength are not reduced. The armoring of non-critical systems may be sacrificed for this purpose. We must be able to defeat our enemies in the field of firepower or escape them. The existing armor is suitable for fleet vs fleet combat, which will no longer be possible from now on - mobility and firepower will be our main defenses.
> Shield Systems
Source: Lt. Commander Roger Narvik, Chief Engineer. To: Captain Virginia Belle
Shield capacity reduced by 33%: of twenty-one distributed shield emitters, four were removed for repairs of more important vessels during Liberty Insurgency service and three burned out beyond repair. Distributor model: Mark 21 DSAS-BC. Short-term recommendation: Remove burned-out units for negligible weight and volume savings. Long-term recommendation: Obtain undamaged Mark 21 DSAS-BCs or replace the entire system with the more modern and compact Mark 27 DSAS-BC. Due to parameter changes, the entire power distribution system for the shield generators will need to be redesigned - estimated weight savings for the same nominal efficiency: 1.6%.
> Armor Plating
Source: Commander William Holmes, 2nd XO. To: Captain Virginia Belle
Armor plating repairably damaged on 11% of the hull, internal citadel undamaged. Short-term recommendation: Repair or replace damaged panels. Long term recommendation: Replace outer plating with lighter armor to lighten the battlecruiser. Recommended to retain the original heavy armor around the reactor, propulsion and control functions to maintain mobility after a heavy hit. Weight savings of up to 17%, however non-critical parts of the ship will be more vulnerable to heavier firepower.
> Propulsion System
Source: Lt. Commander Roger Narvik, Chief Engineer. To: Captain Virginia Belle
The main reactor and engine are intact after the coup, but show significant signs of wear and tear. To reduce wear and improved fuel efficiency, I recommend experimentally setting the response to 'cooler mode'. To do this, we will need new pulse regulators for the engine that will draw more power from the reactor to maintain the same thrust levels. The reactor will need new fusion valves to control the slower and cooler reaction. Short-term recommendation: Replace the pulse regulators and interface with the reactor according to the new schematic, new reactor fusion valves to control the slower reaction, and reconfigure the ship's powergrid for reduced power consumption. Long term recommendation: Install new capacitor and battery array as soon as there is sufficient internal volume to cover sudden spikes in ship power consumption.
> Weapon Systems
Source: Commander William Holmes, 2nd XO. To: Captain Virginia Belle
Main mortar battery disabled and non-functional after the transition to Liberty Free Republic, Spot 1 and Spot 2 main directors are backup models only and have reduced accuracy at longer ranges. Sky 1, Sky 2, Sky 3 and Sky 4 directors are obsolete Mark 14. Legionnaire weapon systems are not fully compatible with the ship's internal layout. Short-term recommendation: Replace the destroyed automatic rechargeable main battery system, modify existing directors for improved accuracy. Long-term recommendation: Rearm to fully compatible weapon systems to save internal volume, replace directors with newer models. Estimated weight savings: 1.4% and improved ship ergonomics.
> Sensor Systems
Source: Commander Fiona Hayes, 1st XO. To: Captain Virginia Belle
The main sensor system is a secondary sensor system from a decommissioned Arbiter-class heavy battleship. The system is robust and powerful, but also uneconomical and bulky. Short-term recommendation: Disconnect and dismantle ECCM systems to simplify and reduce power consumption. Long-term recommendation: Replace the sensor system with a more compact system truly designed for smaller ships such as battlecruisers at the cost of reduced system robustness and gross power consumption. Weight savings: negligible, but power savings could be up to 8%.
> Cloaking Device
Source: Lt. Commander Nash Malcom, Chief of Ops. To: Captain Virginia Belle
The current experimental cloaking system installed from the Hellfire Legion days is already showing significant signs of wear. The schematic of the system is incomplete and no one on the ship understands it properly. The ship's EM emission suppression has dropped from 97.6% to 83.8% and continues to degrade after each use of the cloaking system. Short term recommendation: Limit the use of the cloaking array as much as possible to avoid unnecessary degradation of the equipment. Long-term recommendation: Repair and stabilize or completely replace the cloaking equipment.
> Crew Status
Source: Commander William Holmes, 2nd XO. To: Captain Virginia Belle
Nominal crew totals 514 men and women - 31 officers and 87 enlisted men and 396 crew members. Of this number, 133 Marines are organized by fire teams of 5, 8 teams per combat unit, complement of three combat units, for a total of 120 combat personnel and 13 command and organizational personnel. When the 49 aviation personnel are subtracted, 332 crew members are directly responsible for the vessel's operation.
However, the transition under the Liberty Free Republic was not easy and the ship lost 18.8% (97) of its crew and another 27.82% (143) chose to stay with their evacuated families and support the Liberty Free Republic as civilians on the planet Erie. Crew numbers dropped 46.62% after the takeover, to 274 crew members. Short-term recommendation: hire new crew members from among Liberty Free Republic volunteers - promote existing crew members to higher positions and give the newcomers the easier tasks. Long-term recommendation: train new crew members to be full-fledged crew members with the necessary professional qualifications. Estimated training time 3 months.
Entries Summary:
26-03-829: Ship shutdown sequence initiated and moored at Fort Ramsey. Initial damage, systems and crew status assesment. New strategy devised.
29-03-829: Reactor's shutdown completed, wear and tear damage assessment and 2 crewmen lost due to suicide. Decision to contact the Order has been made.
31-03-829: New crew recruitment started, some issues with the locals reported.
03-04-829: Ship decontaminated, still waiting for Order's response. Bristol as a new alternative has been found for less complex works.
06-04-829: 13 crewmen, 7 marines and 2 medics recruited, ongoing personal conflicts with locals and discipline issues with the newcomers.
> Reactor Shutdown Complete
Source: Lt. Commander Roger Narvik To: Captain Virginia Belle
Captain, the Roanoke reactor has been successfully shut down and decontamination work is currently underway and shouldn't take us more than a week. However, we're already finding that replacing the fusion valves will be more than necessary. We have seen extensive galvanic corrosion on several of them and I doubt that we had full control over the performance of the reactor before. If we had more of them go, it could threaten to melt down the reactor at a critical time.
I'll keep you posted on further progress, any complications with decontamination.
> Roanoke Vacated & Funeral
Source: Commander Fiona Hayes To: Captain Virginia Belle
Captain, the last permanent crew members have left Roanoke. All crew quarters have been cleared and are ready for storage of materials, components or partial dismantling to make room for any work on the ship.
There is a permanent patrol of twenty Marines on the ship, plus an additional twenty volunteers from Fort Ramsey. This should provide security mainly around the magazines and computer servers, the remaining areas do not require constant surveillance.
At the same time, I also want to break the sad news that two crew members, H. Smith and J. Combs, committed suicide today. Their families were travelling on one of the Xenos freighters from Veracruz and that ship was shot down. I've scheduled the ceremony at 2200 hours.
> Understood
Source: Captain Virginia Belle To: Commander Fiona Hayes, Lt. Commander Roger Narvik
Commander Narvik, I've just tried to contact the Order for technical assistance with the parts we'll need. Although we have other options in reserve, we'll try to get their help first - after all, I think their hands-on experience with the technology means there's a chance of getting the best quality parts and expertise.
Commander Hayes, thank you for preparing the ship for the work and securing the ship itself. I will attend the scheduled funeral.
> Start Crew Recruitment
Source: Captain Virginia Belle To: Commander Fiona Hayes, Commander William Holmes
Commander Hayes, Commander Holmes, start recruiting a new crew, there's no point in waiting for the new uniforms to be finished. In the meantime, just arrange for simple arm bands to identify our ships and let them wear what they want. I don't expect much of a volunteer effort at first.
Also, I'd like you to look for some educated doctor willing to serve as Chief Medical Officer, we've been lacking someone like that since the coup on the ship.
P.S. You can also tell the rest of the crew that Cobra and his people managed to find holes in the naval blockade in Kansas, thus stabilizing the evacuation of civilians from Veracruz to Erie. Let's hope there are no more suicides to come.
> RE: Start Crew Recruitment
Source: Commander Fiona Hayes To: Captain Virginia Belle
Aye, aye, Captain, I'm instructing my men to begin recruiting. Do we have any special requirements for applicants that I should know about?
I'll be in charge of recruiting a new medical officer. Commander Holmes is already overwhelmed.
> RE: Start Crew Recruitment
Source: Commander William Holmes To: Captain Virginia Belle
As you wish, Captain, I'll look for some volunteers, but I've been busy lately with conflicts between our crew and the locals at Fort Ramsey. Do we have any guidance on how to handle this? I'd hate for fisticuffs and verbal altercations to turn into something worse over time.
> RE: RE: Start Crew Recruitment
Source: Captain Virginia Belle To: Commander Fiona Hayes, Commander William Holmes
Commander Hayes, I'd like them to be able to read, write and do maths, and be smart, brave and willing to learn. We can teach them the rest.
Commander Holmes, the rules are simple - don't get provoked. If our men can't do that, we'll set up our own canteen somewhere, but I'd like to prevent that and teach our men to get along with the rest of the LFR without too much trouble. I have full confidence in your ability to make that happen.
> Progress On Repairs
Source: Captain Virginia Belle To: Lt. Commander Roger Narvik
Commander Narvik, I've managed to get a contact to help us repair the ship - the Bristol company, if that tells you anything. They can repair or replace our plating, wiring, life support and data networks. The only complication so far, however, is that Order has not responded to our request for technical expertise, so I don't yet know who will help us make the necessary repairs and modifications to the reactor and propulsion.
Just out of curiosity, how long will it take to reactivate the ship back to operational status after I give you the command?
> RE: Progress On Repairs
Source: Lt. Commander Roger Narvik To: Captain Virginia Belle
Captain Belle, I can get a ship up and running in three days with a basic crew, a full crew in a day. However, I must warn you that with a basic crew, the ship will have limited defensive and damage control capabilities.
I don't know much about Bristol, I know they were allied with the Separatists and were, or still are, clearing wrecks in the Bering system. I'd be wary of them impounding our ship and crew and turning us over to the Insurgency as traitors.
> RE: RE: Progress On Repairs
Source: Captain Virginia Belle To: Lt. Commander Roger Narvik
Thanks for the reply, Commander, those are still good ready times. But don't activate the ship just yet, all the details are not finalized.
I'm aware of the risk of dealing with them, but I think with the kind of sinking ship the Insurgency currently is, the way they've asked us to help evacuate some of their potential employees, and the fact that Admiral Knight herself is more or less cooperating with the LFR, I don't think the risk is great. We have to watch out for the Hellfire Legion fanatics, but that's the way it's always been.
I'll keep you informed of further developments, and especially if the ship needs to be activated. Enjoy your half-leave for now, Narvik.
> Recruitment Issues
Source: Commander Fiona Hayes To: Captain Virginia Belle, Commander William Holmes
Captain Belle, one week into recruitment, I report that recruitment is not going quite as we hoped. In a whole week, we've had only 13 volunteers for crewmembers, 7 applicants for the marines, and 2 medical assistants who are not fully qualified to run an independent practice, let alone serve as chief medical staff on a warship.
I see the main problem as ideological differences between us and the people of Fort Ramsey, most applicants lose interest once we introduce them to the rules and regulations of the ship, and the organizational structure of the command, including the fact that you, me, and Commander Holmes practically decide the life and death of the crew members. Those who have passed through our net are former soldiers, mostly discharged for various reasons, and we may face future discipline issues.
I'm sending a copy of the report to Commander Holmes for completeness.
> Discipline Issues
Source: Commander William Holmes To: Captain Virginia Belle, Commander Fiona Hayes
Captain Belle, I have to agree with Commander Hayes that the discipline and discipline problems here are significant. Although some tell us that organizationally Fort Ramsey is at its best and is very close to military standards, our standards are still quite high, especially in terms of discipline. For example, in this week alone, I have had to deal with eleven incidents and altercations between new recruits and current crew members, mostly Hellfire Legion themed. I point out that our people did not start the physical confrontation and were themselves attacked and insulted before the physical confrontations.
We are in for a rougher time than we anticipated, I am fully occupied with dealing with these issues myself, and as such have entrusted the recruitment process entirely to Commander Hayes.
> Recruitment And Discipline Issues
Source: Captain Virginia Belle To: Commander Fiona Hayes, Commander William Holmes
Commander Hayes, try asking a few of the more talented members of our crew to go undercover in the pubs and bars of Fort Ramsey and see what might attract locals to serve on our ship besides total anarchy. We need to find something, at this rate we'll be training new crew for a year, let alone retraining them for their specialties.
As for the medics, there's an organization that could help us retrain our medics. I'll try to contact them and see how much it costs or how long it takes.
Commander Holmes, I acknowledge your attention to the discipline of our crew. That's your priority now. With your nearly seven feet in height and years of experience among the marines, you're the man to tame these beasts, and Commander Hayes and I will introduce ourselves more closely when you bring them to heel.
Of course, keep me informed if anything unusual happens.
> Prepare For Departure
Source: Captain Virginia Belle To: All Senior Officers
Officers, it has been a trying month for us, but we have made a progress and deals have been made with the Bristol and they are finally ready to repair our ship. Our destination is the Lansdale's orbit in Pennsylvania. Prepare the ship for departure.
Commander Hayes, load all the available crew we have at your disposal. The repairs will take some time and there will be a plenty of opportunity fo maintenance and general drills.
Commander Holmes, don't forget to load all those fighters from the Alliance. We will need those to propect the repair site if anything goes south.
Lt. Commander Malcom, make sure that the cloaking device is operational for two activations at least. We can't afford to be seen in California with all those Rogues and blueshirts swarming around.
Lt. Commander Narvik, prepare all the materials you have at hand when we arrive at our destination. Bristol's engineers and technicians will need as much of our assistance as humanly possible.
You have your orders, ladies and gents, dismissed.
> At Lansdale
Source: Captain Virginia Belle To: All Senior Officers
Officers, we're on the far side of Lansdale. We owe our lives to Commander Malcom for the operational cloaking device which carried us through the dangerous California and Commander Narvik because he kept our engines operational.
Since we're here, I want this ship in full silent mode - no unauthorized flights, no communications. For all intents and purposes, there's no battlecruiser hiding in this icefield.
Commander Narvik, you can start briefing your engineers and technicians. The Bristol shuttle should be arriving within few days to inspect our ship and its technical state.
On the double, officers, we must fix this ol' lady as fast as we can and then get out of here back to safety. Time for vacation'll be later.
> First Stage Completed
Source: Lt. Commander Roger Narvik To: Captain Virginia Belle
Captain, the outer armor layer has been stripped off successfully along with its support structure. Even if we add civilian-grade bulky composite armor back onto it, we will still have some serious weight savings to make our vessel lighter.
As the Bristol now has access to our engines and reactor, we shutdown the vessel completely again and let it cool down for a one day before we let them repair and modify our systems.
> RE: First Stage Completed
Source: Captain Virginia Belle To: Lt. Commander Roger Narvik
Commander, I confirm the shutdown procedure and I've already informed Bristol about it, so they can begin working on the vessel's insides. They'll be also replacing a large portion of our powergrid, so be prepared for that as well.
Team up your men with the Bristol engineers, we need to do this as fast as we can. Their support ship can supply us with power, but it will cost us and the LFR extra.
> RE: RE: First Stage Completed
Source: Lt. Commander Roger Narvik To: Captain Virginia Belle
Captain, powergrid? I have been told that they will be repairing and modifying our reactor and engine at this moment. This will complicate matters for me and my men. We'll have to work on a larger part of the ship than we expected, Captain.
> RE: RE: RE: First Stage Completed
Source: Captain Virginia Belle To: Lt. Commander Roger Narvik
Roger, please, read the memos then I send them. They're kinda important, y'know? It's been in one. Our powergrid needs some work as well and this is a great opportunity as the ship will be shutdown and worked on anyways.
We don’t have any other option now, the work has been ordered already and they’ve all the materials at hand now. It’d be stupid to cancel it now. Proceed with the plan and brief your men about it, please.
> Second Stage Completed
Source: Lt. Commander Roger Narvik To: Captain Virginia Belle
Captain, the reactor and engine modifications are in place and self tests are looking good. We'll fire her up once all hatches has been closed - expect a primary power within few hours and we should be on a full power in less than 24 hours.
We'll have to be careful with the throttle, Captain, as we're not sure how these Bustard engine cores will handle all the stress.
I will keep you informed, Captain, but you'll see once we have all the power for yourself.
> RE: First Stage Completed
Source: Captain Virginia Belle To: Lt. Commander Roger Narvik, Commander Fiona Hayes
Commander Narvik, these are some great news! I can't wait till get back to home. Bristol engineers have sent me some diagnostics too and, according to them, we'll be good to go very soon. Share all the self-test results with them - I want you to be able to figure out all the possible quirks with our new propulsion as you'll be powering it up.
Commander Hayes, signal our crewmen at Fort Ramsey to arrive in here tomorrow so we will have the rest of out crew on our way back. The cloaking device allowed us to sneak in here undetected, but give its quirky state - I wouldn't be relying on it a bit too much. I want all guns manned and ready for combat, if necessary.
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Internal Message: New Directive