The LNS-Ithaca

[Internity]

Ship Information and Construction Details

LNS Ithaca is the most recent Dreadnought-class battleship in Liberty's fleet. The Dreadnought class is
renowned for it's compact profile and advanced defensive capabilities, with armor second to none. Ithaca is the
first Dreadnought to be built by the Baltimore Shipyard of New York. Deep Space Engineering are confident their approach to many functions of the ship as possible will make Ithaca the most cost effective Dreadnought to date.

Although specifics are not being disclosed, Ithaca will use a revolutionary technology to automate all but
the forewardmost turrets, to allow the gunners to focus on operating two pairs of weapons maximum at any given time.
DSE claims this increases crew efficiency and overall accuracy of the defense systems.

Ithaca is scheduled to be deployed in the New York system, to increase security at the Texas jump gate and scan
incoming and outgoing ships due to the increased pirate activity, and act as a staging point for strategic operations in the sector.

Ithaca will be under the command of Captain Mark Dallas, who has served in the Navy for 6 years.

As more and more pirates and terrorists begin to have funding to purchase and training to fly capital ships, the great nation of Liberty must respond in creating more and more Heavy Capital ships to respond to this threat. Then these new ships must be equipped with clever and strategic commanders who will lead fleets against Libertys enemies.

This is what the Ithaca is desinged to do. Its revolutionary design, combined with its commanding officer promise a new horizon for Liberty. As Rhienland continues to infringe upon our territories and perform military tasks in the borderworlds, measures must be taken to help protect against this. The Ithaca is for this purpose.

The LNS Ithaca is ready for duty, and will shortly be performing weapons tests in the Virginia system. Shortly after, she will take up position near the Texas Jump gate, and will do the Navy proud.

Crew:

650 members

Armament:

6 Liberty Battleship Primary Turrets
4 Liberty Battleship Secondary Turrets
2 Liberty Battleship Missile Turrets

Propulsion:

6.4gW Subspace Pulse-drive, using the latest DSE engine technology.

_______________________________________________________________________________

[color=white]**INCOMING TRANSMISSION**

[encryption detected]
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Source: Zone 21, Liberty Dreadnought LNS Ithaca

Re: Mission objectives - FOR HIGH COMMAND ONLY

[message body]

LNS Ithaca primary objectives:

1. Guard and defend Texas jump gate.
   
2. Scan all inbound and outbound vessels and report any supicious activity to onboard fighter wing.
   
3. To provide base of operations for local patrols.
   
4. In extreme situations the LNS Ithaca will be available to provide assistance where needed.
   

Secondary objectives:

1. Protection and Defence of Zone 21.
   
2. Base of operations for LSF and the Liberty Navy for deployment in Z21 and Alaska system.
   

[end of message]

**END TRANSMISSION**

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LNS Ithaca

[Internity]

BIO: Dallas, Mark [ Captain of the LNS Ithaca]

Captain Mark Dallas of the LNS Ithaca was born on Planet Los Angeles.

He wanted to enter the Armed Forces since he was a child, and entered the West Point Military Academy when he was 19 years of age.
He studied Navy ships, in particular the Liberty-built BDR-337 "Defender" Heavy Fighter, which he came to know inside-out.

His mother works for the DSE as a Scientist, his father worked in the Liberty Navy who was known as an experienced officer, who
did Liberty a great service, and is now retired.

Mark passed the required exams and tests at the Academy and was accepted as a escort pilot in the Liberty Navy.
He has managed to survive extremely dangerous missions, and help his comrades survive too. After 4 years of service he was transferred to the classified battle group.

He was escorted to the Zone 21 minefield by a wing of navy fighters, where he started worked on a classified project.
He became good friends with a Cruiser captain, John White, who was tragically killed by an explosion in the Shipyard
while his cruiser was being serviced. Mark took four weeks leave to recover from the loss of his friend.

His first assignment when he returned was a turning point in his career. He started an intensive training program in the year 815 A.S.

Over the years of service he had learned to fly various ships, from Light fighters to Transports. He also learned more about Zone 21, and the threat it protected against.
After he finished the training he met Captain James Rennie, an LSF Captain who he became close friend with.

Soon after the training, at the age of 31, he was assinged with another hard task.

He had to go to California system at the Willard Research Station with a convoy of ten DSE transports that had a classified cargo. He met with a wing of twelve fighters near The Missouri and went to planet Pittsburgh to meet with the transports. On way to planet Pittsburgh they had few enemies that were trying to stop them to reach the destination. All the enemy ships have been captured but one of the Navy pilots lost his weapons and he had to return to Missouri.
At Pittsburgh they met the transports everything was set and ready. They all formed up and proceeded to the tradelane to Fort Bush. After getting to Fort Bush they went to Manhattan and from there to California gate. When they arrived in california all ship systems were showing green and they moved towards planet Mojave. Mark Dallas docked the tradelane to planet Mojave with few navy fighters to secure the area. When they got there everything was very, very quiet. They scanned a bit with their long range scanners and nothing, everything was clear. They decided to tell the DSE transports to proceed to planet Mojave.
When the DSE transports got near Mojave 10 undentified ships just uncloacked in front of them. The navy fighters and Mark were very surprised. They asked them to identify themselfs they received no answer and after few minutes a fight started.
When the fight was over Mark was wounded inside his ship but alive. All the DSE transports were in one piece due to the great shield made for them by the DSE engineers. Only 5 navy fighters survived the fight.
They all started their cruise engines to get to planet California Minor.
At california Minor they repaired their ships and went straight for Willard to deliver the classified cargo.
When they arrived in front of Willard they met with many navy fighters.
The transports docked and delivered the cargo. Meanwhile Mark was talking with his navy friends about the incident near Mojave. Mark was asked about what weapons and ships had the enemies. He told them that they were using some prototype weapons and ships and the only information he got from the scanners was just a name "Rowlett".
After a long talk on station Willard, Mark Dallas went back to Missouri and he told his mission commander that the mission was succesfull. When Mark tried to tell him that they fighted some undentified ships near Mojave the commander already knew about this. He said that the LSF will take care of the problem.


After two weeks Mark received a letter from his commander:
[color=white]"Due to your great heroism and your great missions and deeds for the Liberty Navy your now promoted to captain rank and you will command the LNS-Ithaca."
"Go to Baltimore Shipyard there is the Dreadnought-LNS-Ithaca waiting for you".

After reading the letter, he went to Baltimore shipyard.
Soon after his crew was ready he began the tests with his Dreadnought and he also started to train much more.

---

LNS Ithaca

[Internity]

**INCOMING TRANSMISSION**

Re: Development changes - HIGH COMMAND ONLY

[message body]

Schematics and Captain bio updated.

After talks with DSE, it has been decided that more crew members will be required, as some of the proposed automated solutions are under-performing. As such, these automated systems are not economically viable for this project, and traditional methods will be employed.

[end of message]

**END TRANSMISSION**

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LNS Ithaca

[Internity]

Shortly after Mark Dallas received the LNS Ithaca command.

Captain Mark Dallas entered Baltimore Shipyard to see how beautiful is the ship that will be his "new home".
He never seen such a beautifull ship.
He asked few DSE workers and they told him that the ship is going to be ready for testing soon.
Mark asked the liberty navy and DSE to enter the ship to see how is inside .
He was allowed, and when he entered the ship everything was like a dream.

Everywhere near the command deck were mounted computers and radars also there was a lot of space inside it. After he visited the LNS Ithaca he started to dream every night about it.
When he visited the cargo bay he saw few "Defenders" parked and equipped for battle.
Mark Dallas started to remember how was the first time when he entered a Liberty "Defender".
Next weeks he kept coming to Baltimore and kept looking at the ship.

Mark Dallas met the crew that will work with him and talked with every member.
The trained gunners were happy to have him as a captain.
He met few scientists that will join his crew on the Ithaca. One of the scientists was a mate of his mother.
At the meeting came his old friend who flyed with him while he was a rookie in the West Point Military Academy.

His friend was now very experienced. Both of them had a long discussion about what will happen after the LNS Ithaca will be ready and finished and Mark Dallas decided to ask him to come with him on his ship and help him with the security. Tom, accepted and now the crew had few more people , in total 650 members. Tom has been made a security officer on the LNS Ithaca.

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LNS Ithaca

[Internity]

LNS Ithaca Test Report 1:

After the battleship left Baltimore Shipyard, DSE engineers have decided to make further tests of the ship.
DSE and Liberty Navy decided to tell Captain Mark Dalls and his crew to move the LNS Ithaca to Pittsburgh debris field to
test the weapons. Also the next things that will be tested will be :

- Hull Plating
- Structural Integrity
- Life Support Systems
- Jump Drive Subsystem
- Shield Array
- Cargo scanner
- Long Range Sensor Array

LNS Ithaca - Planet Maine, New York system:

- DSE Engineer Rick Apple: Sir, welcome to the first weapon tests, is your crew prepared to execute the first weapon test?
- Capt. Dallas: Copy that, glad to see you Rick. Primary turrets first.
- Capt. Dallas: *To himself* Okay...
- *Battleship Tannoy*: Prime the forward batteries, prepare to fire!
- Gunner Joe McRae: Powering up weapons, primary turrets online!
- Capt. Dallas: Testing in 5.. 4.. 3.. 2.. 1.. Open fire !
- DSE Engineer Rick Apple: Excellent! After analysing the data from the first test, the weapons performed as planned. The primary turrets penetrated 65% of the test target.
- DSE Engineer Rick Apple: I`ll send over engineers to modify the capacitors and the focus of the lasers, I think there is room for improvement.
- Capt. Dallas: Shall I notify High Command of an extended test period?
- DSE Engineer Rick Apple: Yes, we will need to commence a secondary test to measure the effectiveness of the optimisations.
- Capt. Dallas: Roger that, our docking bay will be ready for the engineers.

---- Shortly after the DSE engineers upgraded the primary turrets----

- Capt. Dallas to the DSE engineers : Everything ready, DSE?
- DSE Planet Pittsburgh: This is Pittsburgh command! We have many bandits on our long range scanners! Requesting assistance!
- Capt. Dallas: Roger that Pittsburgh..
- *Battleship Tannoy*: All crew to battle stations, this is not a drill.
- Capt. Dallas: I'm still showing red lights, the diagnostics have not completed yet!
- *Battleship Tannoy*: Stop the testing, get the shields up, now!
- LNS Ithaca`s computer:"HOSTILE SHIPS APPROACHING."

>

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LNS Ithaca

[Internity]

- LNS Ithaca`s computer:"HOSTILE SHIPS APPROACHING."
- LNS Ithaca`s computer: "Shields online"
- LNS Ithaca`s computer: "HOSTILE SHIPS IN RANGE"
- Capt. Dallas: all gunners fire !!!
- Gunner Joe McRae: Roger that sir !
- Others : Roger ! target locked firing missiles.

--- after a short fight---

-LNS Ithaca`s computer: "Scanner shows no more hostile targets"
-LNS Ithaca`s computer: "Ship status...scanning >>> scanning>>> all systems show green"
-Capt. Dallas : Good ! job crew !!!!
-DSE Planet Pittsburgh: Scanners are clean, Mark good job out there.
-Capt. Dallas: Ok, crew ! lets move ship back into orbit of planet Maine!
-Pilots : Roger that .
-LNS Ithaca`s computer: " WARNING ! enemy detected inside the ship on deck C"
-Capt. Dallas: What ??! how did he enter the ship ?
-Capt. Dallas: Ok , McRae take four security officers with you and check out the ship.

---When they got to deck C they found a rogue---

-Joe McRae: Captain ! we found a rogue here he doesn't want to talk he didn't have any guns on him"
-Capt. Dallas: Copy that Joe, lock him down in a cell we will bring him to LPI Sugarland for interogation soon after we finish the weapon tests.
-Joe McRae: Roger we locked him. I`m coming back.
-DSE Planet Pittsburgh command: Captain Mark Dallas we now have your ship weapons upgraded, as you saw they worked very good against the enemy ships.
-DSE Planet Pittsburgh command: Mark, the weapon tests end here. We will meet again here in few days. Take the prisoner to LPI Sugarland as soon as possible.
-Capt. Dallas: Roger that Pittsburgh. Thank you for upgrading Ithaca`s weapons. I`ll come back soon for further tests.

---

LNS Ithaca

[Internity]

LNS Ithaca Test Report 2:

LNS-Ithaca - Baltimore Shipyard, New York system:

- DSE Engineer Rick Apple: Welcome back sir. What happend since we saw each other last time?
- Capt. Mark Dallas: Hmm not much I had to escort a convoy out of the system using my fighter. Everything worked normal.
- DSE Engineer Rick Apple: Good to hear, is your ship prepared for further tests? Today we will test the hull plating and shield array.
- Capt. Mark Dallas: Yes everything is prepared I have the LNS Ithaca docked at Baltimore as requested.
- DSE Engineer Rick Apple: Great ! then lets start. Tell your crew to be prepared we will test the shields in few minutes.
- Capt. Mark Dallas: Roger I`ll tell my crew.
- *Battleship Tannoy*: This is captain Mark Dallas, prepare to push the shields to the max.
- Crew: Roger that sir we are ready.
- Capt. Mark Dallas : Rick, my crew is ready you may start the program to test the shields.
- DSE Rick Apple: Copy that Mark, initiating shield array tests in 5 , 4 , 3 , 2 ,1...>

---after a while---

-DSE Rick Apple: Shield array test ended succesfully.
-Capt. Mark Dallas: Good . I`m looking forward to see the results.
-DSE Rick Apple: I`m sending you the results via Neural Net.
-Capt. Mark Dallas: Roger I have received them , the results are great ! the shields can resist 89% from all guns.
-DSE Rick Apple: Okay now be ready to tell your crew to disable the shields to test the hull plating.
-Capt. Mark Dallas: Copy that DSE.
-*Battleship Tannoy*: Okay crew ! the first test is over and our great ship succeded ! now disable the shields to proceed to hull plating test.
-Crew : Glad to hear good news sir !
-Crew: Sir , we are ready , shields are down.
-Capt. Mark Dallas: Rick , we are ready.
-DSE Rick Apple: Roger that , starting program...
-Baltimore Shipyard test deck computer: Initiating hull plating tests ..02391101011010102210101>..1.102

--after one hour of testing---

-DSE Rick Apple: Incredible sir ! the hull test succeded too !
-Capt. Mark Dallas: Very good news !
-DSE Rick Apple: I`m sending you the results.
-DSE Rick Apple: We have finished right now , please undock the Ithaca and re-dock it on bay 2 we need this bay empty, a transport is standing by he has to do some tests too.
-Capt.Mark Dallas: Roger that I`ll see you in one week.
-DSE Rick Apple: Only few tests left, untill next time I wish you goodluck Mark.

---

LNS Ithaca

[Internity]

LNS Ithaca Test Report 3:

LNS-Ithaca - Baltimore Shipyard, New York system:

-Baltimore Shipyard command deck computer: "Battleship succesfull docked"
-DSE Rick Apple: Good to see you again Mark !
-Capt. Mark Dallas: I`m happy to see you too. So what tests are we going to do today? I have to tell my crew .
-DSE Rick Aplle: I have received an order from DSE commander to test Ithaca`s long range sensor array and cargo scanner as soon as possible.
-Capt. Mark Dallas: Hmmm okay the ship is ready is docked in bay 2.
-DSE Rick Apple: Yes, I know my computer informed me. Well.. get your crew ready, we are going to test the cargo scanners first.
-Capt. Mark Dallas: Okay , I`ll tell my crew to get on positions.
-Baltimore Shipyard command deck computer: "DANGER HOSTILE TARGETS DETECTED"
-DSE Rick Apple: Mark !! be advised hostiles detected on Baltimore`s long range scanners.
-Capt. Mark Dallas: Oh god not again, first time near Pittsburgh and now here !? what they want from us !
-Capt. Mark Dallas: Roger that Rick.
-*Battleship Tannoy*: All crew to battle stations ! we have hostiles incoming !
-DSE Baltimore Shipyard command: Hostile ships , leave the area at once !
-Rogue wing leader: Negative Baltimore, all wings open fire ! hahahah...*static*.
-DSE Baltimore Shipyard command: To all nearby ships this is Baltimore Shipyard we have six rogue ships attacking us we need assistance, over !
-LPI patrol: This is LPI patrol Zeta 1 we are moving to intercept.
DSE Baltimore Shipyard command: Glad to see you Zeta 1, engage hostile fighters !
-Capt. Mark Dallas: I`m launching two fighters to assist you LPI.
-LPI patrol: Roger that captain Dallas.


----shortly after the battle---


-LPI patrol: Area secured, scanner shows no more targets.
-DSE Baltimore Shipyard command: Roger that LPI our radar is clear too, thanks for your help.
-Capt. Mark Dallas: All fighters return to Ithaca.
-"Defender" fighter pilots: Roger that captain ! docking...
-DSE Rick Apple: All clear for now, lets start the cargo scanner tests we lost enough time.
-DSE Rick Apple: initiating test in 5 , 4 , 3 , 2 , 1 ...program online



-Baltimore Shipyard command deck computer:"Cargo scanner test succeded"
-DSE Rick Apple: Okay Mark we finished testing the cargo scanners, everything worked fine, I was only worried.
-Capt. Mark Dallas: Ahh come on Rick you don't need to worry, this ship is one of the best right now.
-DSE Rick Apple: mmm yea I think your right I was just a bit nervous.
-DSE Rick Apple: Okay now lets test the long range sensor array. Listen, there is an old abandoned depot 10-k from here, some DSE engineers mounted few sensors there, I want you to tell your crew to start the long range sensor array, the sensors mounted on the depot will detect your ship and we will receive the test results in few minutes.
-Capt. Mark Dallas: Roger that Rick, all crew start the long range sensor array !




---after few minutes---


-Baltimore Shipyard command deck computer: "Long range sensor array test succeded"
-DSE Rick Apple: Great news, Mark ! everything worked well. Now I`m urgently needed on Planet Pittsburgh, a "Rhino" freighter has big engine problems and they need me.
-Capt. Mark Dallas: Okay, I`ll keep the Ithaca docked few more minutes, goodluck and goodbye untill next time !

to be continued...

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LNS Ithaca

[Internity]

LNS Ithaca Test Report 4:

LNS-Ithaca - Baltimore Shipyard, New York system:

-Baltimore Shipyard command deck computer:"Dreadnought succesfull docked in bay 1"
-LNS Ithaca`s command deck computer:"Dock succeded opening main door"
-Capt. Mark Dallas: Greetings Rick, didn't see you this week.
-DSE Rick Apple: Yes, I`ve been busy lately.
-DSE Rick Apple : You remember last time when I had to get to Pittsburgh?
-Capt. Mark Dallas: Oh yea, I remember, what happend ? everything ok?
-DSE Rick Apple: Actually everything about that "Rhino" ship was a lie, I got engaged by Liberty Rogues when I got there.
-Capt. Mark Dallas: What ?! that can't be ! how did they managed to enter on DSE frequency ?
-DSE Rick Apple: I think the Lane Hackers gave them a hand to break in our computers. The good part is that we caught them and I
escaped in time. Few of them are now in a cell at LPI Sugarland prison.
-DSE Rick Apple: Oh ! I forgot, your here to make last tests for the Ithaca isn't it ?
-Capt. Mark Dallas: Yes, your right.
-DSE Rick Apple: Let me check what tests we have done untill now.
-DSE Rick Apple: Okay the last ship tests are: structural integrity, life support systems and jump drive subsystem.
-Capt. Mark Dallas: Hmm okay, lets finish those, we have been doing these tests since some time now.
-Capt. Mark Dallas: I`ll go back to my ship now, to prepare my crew.
-DSE Rick Apple: Understood, tell them that we are going to start with the structural integrity test.
-Capt. Mark Dallas: Okay.
-*Battleship Tannoy*: All hands on commanding deck prepare for structural intergrity test !
-Baltimore Shipyard command deck computer: "structural integrity test in progress ..."



-Baltimore Shipyard command deck computer: "test status: passed"
-DSE Rick Apple: First test succeded. Now the last two tests.
-Capt.Mark Dallas: Well done, my crew is ready, as always you can start when your ready Rick.
-DSE Rick Apple : Understood.
-Baltimore Shipyard command deck computer:"life support system test in progress..."



-Baltimore Shipyard command deck computer: "test status: passed"
-DSE Rick Apple: Everything worked as planned. I`m going to proceed to the last test, the jump drive subsystem.
-Capt. Mark Dallas: Roger that, but lets take a small pause.

---after few minutes---

-DSE Rick Apple: Okay lets start ! pause is over !
-Capt. Mark Dallas: Right, I`m ready.
-Baltimore Shipyard command deck computer: "jump drive subsystem test in progress"



-Baltimore Shipyard command deck computer: "test status: passed"
-DSE Rick Apple: Okay we are done for now. Your ship is ready lets see all the results now.



-DSE Rick Apple: Hmmm seems that everything is perfect.
-Capt. Mark Dallas: Thank you for your help Rick. I owe you one.
-DSE Rick Apple: Nah, is okay , come to me next time if you have problems with your ship.
-Capt. Mark Dallas: Okay Rick I have to go now I`m needed in Texas system, goodbye and take care !
-DSE Rick Apple: Goodluck Mark and goodbye.

---

LNS Ithaca

[Internity]

Somewhere near Planet Pittsburgh`s junk field aboard the Ithaca


Mark Dallas the captain of the Ithaca was standing on the command deck thinking, when suddenly one of his crew members came to him to tell him something urgent.

-Michael.Jimm: Sir ! I have important news to tell you ! I saw on the news that the Navy have placed a ban on our ship and crew !
-Captain Mark Dallas: What?! Its not possible are you sure ?
-Michael.Jimm: Yes sir i`m affraid is true, I`m sure, I know what I saw.
-Captain Mark Dallas: I can't beleve this. We all now have to move somewhere else. I know a place where we can moor and meet some old friends of mine. Tell everyone to power up the hyper drive engine we are out of here.
-Michael.Jimm: But sir ! we should stay...
-Captain Mark Dallas: As I said Michael tell the other crew members to prepare the ship for the hyperspace
and don't worry Michael we will come back.

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LNS Ithaca