Database and Lore

Warfare of 24th Century Page 3

After the Rototrein Rebellion, weapons were very balanced and understood by all clan species. Most wars and battles were generally lost or won due to superior numbers or well-coordinated use of biological warfare, sometimes both. The railgun, guided missiles, stealth warfare, lasers, and other weapons were well accepted and documented by all Itrean species and clans. Weapon technological progression and advancements had slowed down dramatically and were almost nonexistent in the last 10,000 years. Much like the “Old Space” era, this time period was a conflict of superior resources, not technology. However, this didn’t mean that there weren’t any new forms of weapons. The particle beam cannon, an advancement of the laser cannon, had been introduced sometime in the last 9,000 years by the reformed Aksren empires. The particle cannon was considered an advanced laser emitter in construction. There they had more versatility in how it could be adjusted. While it wasn’t used any more than the earlier laser cannons, the particle beam would later form a new crucial role much later on in Itrean survival. The Palierans had implemented warship designs that could splinter and operate independently before the time of their eventual supposed extinction. For the Alara’jal, the threat of their existence had brought forth the revival of the ancient super siege dreadnoughts. With the advent of railgun technology, enormous frames were constructed again and mounted with these super weapons. Technically, the Alara’jal super dreadnoughts were vastly expensive to make and made poor warships to attack enemy ships. This severely limited their combat abilities. However, they did occasionally see use in destroying enemy space stations or powerful anti-fleet weapon batteries. A great fear had arisen that the Alara’jal were on a route that would lead to the era of “New Dead Space.” This prompted the Yutilians and other Itrean species to further press their attacks against the Alara’jal and ultimately drive the titanic clan species into extinction. In the recent one hundred years, Itrean weapons technology would be pressed into fighting against the Emphra. The terrifying alien race was liquid in origin and could possess Itrean bodies at will. Their warships reflected that of silver husks, asteroids, and other vessels that they could take. Their entire goal was to spread and devour everything that was in its path. The Emphra would take their ships and ride them into the atmosphere to rain their bodies down to the populations below. For the first third to half of the Emphra War years, the Emphra could only be truly stopped in space. Even then, ground warfare was only resorted by careful use of nuclear explosions to rid it. This would result in enormous civilian casualties and destroyed landscapes just to get rid of a few. The Emphra were almost invulnerable to all weapons of fire, including lasers. However, it was later learned that a laser set to a specific frequency could damage and kill the Emphra in its original state. It would be the particle beam that would be become the Itrean’s saving grace. Aksren warships were the first to implement it as the rest of the Itrean clans followed suit, thanks to technological exchanges. While on the ground, it was an effective tool that resulted in far fewer casualties. In space combat, the tuned weapons weren’t as needed. Nuclear tipped missiles were far safer to use in space and could quickly get the job done. However, with that said, it didn’t stop the Itreans from still incorporating them on spaceships. It was an argument of “Better to have it and not need it, than needing it and not having it.” Spaceships armed with the revolutionary weapons would still use them to weaken Emphra warships or, on a few occasions, carefully destroy the Emphra that collected up on Itrean warships without resorting to nuclear warheads. It also served as an excellent alternative weapon if the Itreans ran out of guided missiles. As the Emphra War was coming to a close, the Itrean clans ensured that any weapons technology was shared and accessible for the other to use. The Shal’rein handed over their specifications for their best railguns and engines. The Yutilians handed over any missile and cloaking technology. The Aksren would hand over particle beam and power generator specifications. The combination would press the Itreans into equilibrium on the basis of hostile alien survival. The T’rintar government was to ensure that Itrean survival was paramount against any further Emphra incursions as the war came to a close. The Emphra War and its aftermath had a dramatic effect on Itrean weapons. Not only were vessels similar looking in design, but they also used the best weapons that the Itreans had to offer. In the last 50 years, the Itreans had the most significant weapon technological boom that hadn’t been seen in the last 2,000 years combined. Human scholars have been able to point out that the Emphra War caused the Itreans to advance in weapons that easily rivaled the UHN. Each of the clan species had to rethink how they conducted warfare, even on themselves. Yutilian vessels began to eventually embrace the usage of railguns as their ships would run out of missiles when fighting the endless amount of the Emphra ships. The Aksren started to adapt to using Yutilian guided missiles. The Shal’rein had learned to set aside the basis of always relying on guns and look into intercept missiles to protect their warships further. Everyone had learned valuable lessons, and the future generations would slowly adapt to these new changes. The Ikra Battleships and Oldra Dreadnoughts easily reflected this recent embrace of changes, even if veterans claimed that completely embracing it was simply not needed. While promising, the weapon technological exchange and progression didn’t really stem the tide in causing the Itrean clans to stop their hatred against the other. If anything, the Itrean clans began to place a considerable emphasis on improving their technology to ensure that they were ahead of the other. The 2330s would see the rise of a new arms race. Vastly improved missiles, railguns, auto guns, and other weapons were all being rushed ahead to fit the mass-produced new warships. It was confirmed that the Itreans were nervous of the Emphra and their destructive capabilities, but that fear had slowly vanished after years of no contact. The need to have a united Itrean government fell apart, and ultimately, a civil war was to follow. The Itrean Civil War, despite the efforts to advance in weapons, mostly remained on an equal playing field. Each of the clan species tried to introduce their own “ideals” on ship design to help differentiate between the other while struggling to have the latest weapons at the same time. Interestingly, many battles were mostly mirror matches. It really came down to strategy, resources, experience, and luck in determining a victory. Ultimately, it would be an Itrean engineered virus that called a temporary halt to the war. Once again, biological warfare had taken its toll. Zilik’s Disease would be considered the worst and most effective disease ever to be constructed. Designed to target the Y- Chromosome, the disease would shut down and erode the organs of the male gender. Even male babies would die in the wombs or be stillborn. It was revealed to be insidious in design. It was believed to be unleashed from New Atrea and radiated outward towards the other worlds over the course of several years. The inactive disease was undetectable in the Itrean bodies and not recognized by the immune system. It was highly contagious and easily carried by both males and females. Within the moment of its activation, every Itrean male died within the first several days. Within two to three weeks, the entire male population was declared dead. Zilik’s Disease is considered to be the most effective and destructive virus ever to be unleashed, wiping out half of the entire population in one single move. It didn’t stop the Itrean Civil War, even with such a catastrophe to unfurl. While it certainly hampered research, production, and other events, weapon advancement still carried on rather well. Both males and females shared roles equally and had no issue adapting to any “male” jobs or professions. Weapons continued to advance in design and abilities. Improved railguns, hybrid railgun and particle beam turrets, improved auto guns, better missiles, and torpedoes would be slowly introduced. Quality warships over quantity began to be prioritized to the now reduced population. The Shal’rein and T’rintar clan would introduce Gatling railgun turrets that could fire a stream of hypervelocity shells. Rumors even began to spread of a super weapon that was being developed by the Aksren clan. It was something that was leftover from the Emphra War and is nearing completion sometime in 2351 or 2352…..   Science of Weapons There is no doubt that each of the weapons has significant abilities and drawbacks according to their type and usage. Whether they were from UHN, Emphra, or Itrean, warships use three primary sets of weapons to conduct basic warfare. This includes Missiles or Torpedoes – An interchangeable name at times. The Itreans actually have differences in typical lingo. Humanity is also guilty of sometimes using the names at the same time. Missiles and Torpedoes are noted for being one of the best weapons in the galaxy. Guided munitions are extensions of a warship by strapping rockets and thrusters to extended frames. These frames will carry a warhead that is capable of causing extensive damage combined with the velocity of the striking object. They also have exceptional ranges and are usually guaranteed to strike a target if no countermeasure is made. Guided missiles can be used to take down small to large targets, carry various types of warheads, or serve basic utility purposes. Usually, the most noted kinds of missiles are those of the anti-ship variety. This can include anti-armor warheads that are designed to punch through armor and carry enough explosives to cause heavy damage to the interior. Nuclear warheads also fulfill the arsenals, although they lack the ability to penetrate armors at times. There are both missiles and torpedoes with the Itreans (Aksren and Yutilian). Missiles are smaller than the typical torpedo. They are launched from vertical launch systems or arrays or classified as VLS launchers. These missiles are smaller than UHN missiles, but they still pack a punch and can still eviscerate UHN warships. Most small missiles have a variety of various utility as well to add to the battlefield. Torpedoes are much larger, and almost the same size as UHN guided munitions. Torpedoes typically carry larger warheads and have various abilities. They can be slower but have other uses. Cluster torpedoes can carry a series of smaller warheads on them that can separate and destroy much smaller targets. It’s also known for the Itreans to use torpedoes that carry bio warheads or cloaking emitters to carry a ballistic warhead. Cloaking cruise torpedoes are dangerous but expensive. The UHN tends to stay with a large missile design. There are four main types of capital ships, and planetary launched guided munitions. These can consist of anti-armor, nuclear, EMP, and general-purpose. EMP missiles can be used to disable criminal vessels. General-purpose missiles are usually the rarest but can be used to seek out enemy missiles and help provide ground fire in a pinch. Planetary bases also employ ground-based launchers that fire large missiles to enter orbit and seek out targets. A tactic that is commonly employed by the Itreans (Aksren and Yutilian) is to use a “Battering Ram Salvo.” This usually consists of several anti- ship or anti-armor missiles and torpedoes. The purpose is to penetrate the armor and open it up. The final missile or torpedo can be that of a nuclear warhead. This usually guarantees a successful kill of an enemy warship. The UHN typically use their nuclear warheads sparingly but have learned a variety of different maneuvers that can be employed with them. Various missiles and torpedoes can also be guided and led into targets from control stations. They can also be deployed as mines if need be. As long as it has fuel, it can travel indefinitely in space. While missiles have significant strengths and advantages, they still suffer from common weaknesses. For one, they can be shot down. Various CIWS and autoguns can target and destroy them before they impact. Various anti-missile missiles can also be utilized to target them as well. Second, countermeasures can be used. Decoys can be used to distract or lure enemy missiles from impacting a ship’s hull.  These decoys are partially effective depending on the class of missiles or torpedoes. Last, various other gadgets and equipment can be used to further lower missiles' effectiveness. While not having enough abilities to destroy a missile, Lasers can theoretically disrupt its sensors if there is a well-concentrated burst. Railguns – Of the second most potent weapons to exist, the railgun has much controversy but effectiveness to various degrees. For some, like the Shal’rein, the railgun is a sacred weapon. It is an extension of their bodies and the ability to strike and kill the enemy with ease and simplicity. For the UHN, T’rintar, and Aksren, the railgun is that of a questionable second option at warfare. The entire concept of the weapon is to fire a hypervelocity round, typically a tungsten round, that can easily punch through most armors with simple ease. The larger the barrel, the more time the round can be expelled to greater and greater speeds. There are numerous advantages and disadvantages of the railgun. For one, the ability to propel a round at such ferocity requires the ship to have a counter-reaction. Without it, the vessel will fire the gun and propel itself in reverse from the firing chamber. Typically, light bursts of vectoring thrusters and main thrusters are used to counter the horrendous recoil that is generated. The power required is immense, and it isn’t a surprise that entire batteries are installed to do it. In worst cases, additional power reactors are needed to fire the gun repeatedly. If the gun is fired too much, it will require time to cool down. Shal’rein railguns are masterfully engineered and considered the best weapons of all the Itrean clans. Their cooling abilities are better designed and can fire much quicker. It is even possible for a “Death Salvo” to occur where the Shal’rein will pour all power and emergency power to unleash a rapid-fire exchange of the railgun turrets until the power depletes or the ship runs out of ammunition. Of course, such a move warrants much risk for the firer as well. Legends even circulate that Shal’rein gunners can hit pin-sized targets from orbit with well-placed shots. Railguns travel in a straight line in space until a large amount of gravity acts upon the shell or eventually strikes something else. It is important to note that railguns are not typically used to destroy vessels unless the shot is large enough to rip the ship apart to begin with. Their main strength is disabling a ship from within. Enough components and equipment can quickly be damaged or destroyed with a simple shot of a railgun. This isn’t including the fact that it is instant death for any crewmember that is in the way when it hits. Their ranges are oddly peculiar in nature. In reality, railguns have infinite ranges. However, it is a matter of hitting the target. A railgun round can be detected upon firing and evaded before it strikes the target, even with superior gunmanship. This means that the vessel must close into “Nonavoidance ranges” in order for the ship to not have the reaction time in evading the shot. For the Shal’rein that solely rely on the railgun, they must get very close to their targets in order for them to do damage. Aksren and T’rintar vessels easily use railguns only as a secondary stopgap measure against advancing Shal’rein, and even then, it is still challenging to stop Shal’rein once they close in. With that said, railguns are excellent at taking down targets that can’t move. Tethered space stations, ground bases, and stationary defense weapons can easily be picked apart by the railgun. The railgun shells move at such speeds that it’s difficult to near impossible to shoot them down. The tungsten shells are generally much easier to make, and more rounds can be stored inside a warship than oversized, expensive missiles. It’s no surprise that everyone uses the railgun when it comes to planetary bombardment. In planetary defenses, invading ships can be easily gunned down if they get too close to the planet. It is the Shal’rein that has the largest assortment of railgun shell types. This can include tungsten shotgun rounds that split apart and hit multiple targets at once. Certain metal blends can be used so the shell fractures and splinters inside of a compartment. The guns can be reduced in power to fire the slower non-hypervelocity rounds that carry nuclear warheads. It is a matter of time before the Shal’rein will eventually introduce a nuclear shell that can be subjected to the enormous near-instant changes in hypervelocity to make one of the most powerful guns that anyone has ever seen. Autoguns and CIWS – Both the UHN and the Itreans utilize anti-missile and basic ship defense weapons to help fight back against enemy-guided munitions. The UHN AIO turrets are capable of firing a spread of flak bursts that explode and spread shrapnel in hopes of taking down a target. This, combined with the laser emitter and intercept missiles, makes the AIO turrets an effective and potent defense against Itrean missiles. On the other side of the spectrum, the Itreans rely on autoguns. These weapons are essentially CIWS batteries but fire a continuous stream of small ballistic shells. The idea is to fire so many rounds into the area that it's bound to hit a small incoming target. Autoguns can be easily used to cripple and destroy shuttles and small fighter craft with ease. Flak guns can also be used in similar conjunction. However, when used against enemy vessels, their effectiveness in taking down larger targets is questionable at best. Armor can easily withstand an enormous amount of punishment. However, a sustained burst of fire is still able to damage specific equipment if the enemy gets too close. Particle Beam – Much as earlier discussed, the Itreans do have particle beams to help assist in warfare. Originally, their implementation was limited as most armors could easily handle the shots. However, with that said, laser beams and particle beams still have certain applications when it comes to combat. Sustained fire can be used to disrupt specific ship systems. Against weaker criminal or pirate ships, the beams have excellent ranges and fry unprotected equipment. Against the Emphra, the particle beam saved the Itreans from being annihilated. It’s no surprise that many Itrean warships still utilize particle beams, including hybridizing them to railgun turrets if necessary. The UHN has been further analyzing particle beams to implement onto assault ships and some warships to carry primary deterrents further if the Emphra were to ever “show up.”