Wars of the Centauri Republic

93 Pages·2005·2.16 MB·English

Wars of the
Centauri Republic
0
INTRODUCTION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. History of the 3. The Orieni
Orieni War Imperium
Introduction...........................................27
Introduction.............................................2
Excerpt from “Warriors...”.......................27
Conditions&OtherPowersofthisAge........2
OrderFromChaos..................................27
Year 2001.................................................3
PeaceThroughStrength.........................27
StatusofRaidersoftheEra.......................3
WalkingthePath....................................28
Map(StartoftheWar)...........................4-5
Truth and Consequences........................28
Year 2002.................................................9
Shadows of War.....................................28
TheFaithfulSearch/SeekerCombo............9
OrieniArmedForces.................................29
Year 2003...............................................10
Bases and Defenses...............................29
Map (2003)...........................................11
Fighters and Shuttles.............................29
Devastated Zones & Extinction................13
Orieni Technology....................................32
Year 2004...............................................13
Other Weapons.......................................33
The Coup..............................................14
OrieniMines............................................34
Year 2005...............................................15
Centauri House Factions.........................15 4. The Centauri
Year 2006...............................................16
Year 2007...............................................17 Republic
TheMagicBug.......................................17
Introduction...........................................35
TheDrakhandHouseTorra.....................18
Excerpt from “Warriors...”.......................35
TheDrakh,GuardiansoftheEmpire?.......18
Centauri Fleets........................................36
TheVision.............................................19
Bases and Defenses...............................40
Year 2008...............................................19
Fighters and Shuttles.............................41
Year 2009...............................................20
Centauri Technology................................41
Map (End of the War).............................21
Centauri Mines........................................42
Year 2010...............................................22
Afterword
2. New Rules and
WhoWeAreandWhyWeDidThis..............43
Systems
ProductCredits........................................44
Unprofessional Squadrons........................23
Poor Crews.............................................24 Control Sheets
Refits.....................................................24
OrieniShips........................................45-61
BlankArmorCircles................................24
Centauri Ships....................................62-88
Blank Sensor Rating...............................24
ReplacementWeapons...........................24
Counter Sheets
Orieni Ships............................................89
Centauri Ships.........................................90
Fighters..................................................91
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Chapter 1: centralizedpuritanswhoruledothersoutofasense
of duty. Both were experienced and capable in
History of the interstellar warfare, both were extremely large and
potent states, both had powerful and skilled fleets
Orieni War of warriors, and both felt victory would inevitably
betheirs.
AftertheEarthyear1863,amajorwarbetween The Centauri combined elements of an Empire,
the Orieni Empire and Centauri Republic was a Republic and an Oligarchy. Though they
inevitable. With the Minbari and the other older considered themselves to be a republic, the
races decreasingly interested in outside franchisewasbasicallylimitedtothepointthatfew
entanglements, and the Vorlons silent behind their outsiders would consider them as such. Power was
closed borders, they were the only active major concentrated in two positions. One was the
powers in the region. Squabbles over zones of Centaurum, the legislative body of the Republic,
control were made worse by their diametrically which was led by the great Houses, who used their
opposed ways of life. The Centauri were power and wealth as they desired. The other was
decentralized hedonists who ruled others because theEmperor,whopossessedmainlyexecutivepower
it was fun and profitable, while the Orieni were and could delegate some of it to others, notably
Conditions of the Other Powers of
relativelynewtospace,havingonlyrecentlyestablisheda
This Age numberofcolonies.However,theTorataweretoofewto
The galaxy surrounding the Centauri Republic in representaseriesthreat.
theyearsleadinguptotheOrieniWarwasoneofsmall Somescholarsbelievethatbothracesonlyescaped
powersandisolationistelderraces.Duringthisperiod, conquestbytheCentauribecausetheancientYoluhad
theCentaurireferredtotheracesthatwouldcometo beendrawnoutoftheircenturiesofisolationbytheVree.
form the core of the modern League as the “Fringe YouhadbeguntravelingwithVreetraders,spreadingthe
Worlds.” At this time, these powered ha no collective traditionoftheMutaiamongtheFringeandCentauriborder
identity,astheLeaguewouldnotbeformedformore worlds,theoriginofthatblood-sport’spopularityamong
thanacentury. themodernLeagueraces.
Conflict between the Fringe Worlds was not ThemilitantDraziwereoneofthefewFringeworlds
unknown, and the only unifying force, apart from thattheCentauriconsideredworthyofspecialattention.
resistanceoftheCentauri,wastheVree,whomaintained Theyhadactivelyexpandedintotheworldsabandonedby
trade ties with almost every race on the Fringe. Vree theirlong-timetradepartners,theHyach,andraidsand
Guildoutposts,precursorstothemodernXeecraTrading borderdisputesbetweentheCentauriandtheDraziwere
Posts,couldbefoundscatteredfromTorattoZhabar. sofrequentthattheoccasionalshortperiodsofpeacewere
Once strong powers, the Hyach and the Markab oftenconsideredmoreworthyofnote.
wereactuallycontractingduringthisera,abandoning OntheSpinwardFringe,theMedushannandNashani
theiroutercoloniesandfocusingtheirattentioninward. viewed their mighty neighbors with increasing alarm.
TheMinbari,whilemaintainingtheirholdings,hadtaken Reluctantlytheyputasidetheirdifferencesandenacteda
littleinterestedintheaffairsof“lessorraces”forcenturies, mutual defense pact. They felt compelled to allow both
maintaining only limited trade ties with the Centauri OrieniandCentauricivilianshippingfreepassagethrough
throughtheProtectorate.theadvancedbutchauvinistic theirspace.TheyalsoturnedablindeyetoOrienimilitary
Lumati refused to participate in interstellar affairs for advisorstransitingtoDrazispace.Inaddition,theyquietly
philosophicalreasons. devotedconsiderableresourcestoexpansionspinwardand
The Vorlons remained silent behind their closed coreward attempting to prepare themselves for the
borders,withonlyunsubstantiatedrumorstyingthem unthinkable.
totheOrieni. Towardstherim,theKilkameshi,contactedbytheOrieni
TheAbbaiactuallyenjoyedaneraofrelativepeace in1987,ferventlyprayedforconflictbetweentheOrieni
and prosperity, maintaining a strong defensive front and the Centauri. They rightly felt that barring such a
against the Centauri and Drazi but enjoying a strong distractionandwithisolationistneighbors,theywouldsoon
economyandstableculture. betargetedforassimilationbytheOrieniEmpire.
The Kor-Lyan kingdoms also enjoyed an era of Caughtbetweenthetwobehemoths,theRogolons
prosperity,activelyexpandingintospaceandenjoying andUsuuthprayedforcontinuedconflictshortofoutright
rapidtechnologicaldevelopment.Theydidsufferfrom war.Fatalismbegantosetinasbothnationsrealizedthat
repeated raids by the aggressive Torata, who were theirdestinywasnolongerundertheircontrols
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chancellors and ministers. Judicial powers were Status of Raiders of the Era
dividedbetweenthetwo.Asaconsequence,strong
Itisworthnotingthattheeraimmediatelyprior
Emperors were often able to reign in the Houses,
to the Orieni was saw a remarkable amount of
whileweakEmperorswerecontrolledbythem.
stabilityandpeacewithintheheartoftheCentauri
During the last couple of decades of the 20th RepublicandtheOrieniImperium.Totheaverage
Century, the Emperor used the Royal Navy to citizen of either nation, the space lanes could not
suppressseveralHousesofgreaterorlesserimport have been considered safer. However, on the
for various activities declared treasonous. Navy/ fringes of these great powers, raider activity was
Houserelationswerethusatalowpointattheworst rampant, and nowhere more so than along the
possible time. Despite resolute action over the Centauri-Draziborder.
previous decades, Emperor Rafani was in decline, Unlike their modern counterparts, these
andHouseinfluenceandprestigewasontherise.
raiders had a much closer, if still generally
The Orieni Empire was also not quite what it unofficial, relationship with their societies.
appeared. There was an Imperial family, but it Centauri raiders were most often composed of
served an almost entirely ceremonial role. One ships and crews associated with one of the minor
historian of the period maintained that the most Centauri Houses, led by the minor sons of that
important task assigned to them was christening House. Denied social advancement through
newwarships. marriage alliances because of the low standing,
Actual power was in the hands of the Blessed, these Centauri pirates sought (and often won)
a telepathic caste of priests who functioned as a sufficient wealth and prestige to better their
theocracy. The Council of Heirophants, the ruling position. The Centauri government tacitly
body of the Church and leadership of the Blessed, condonedtheseactivities.
was the actual ruling body of the nation. It was Drazi raiders are more difficult to classify,
common for this body to be dominated by sinceduringthelate20thandearly21stcenturies,
charismatic and talented leaders, and indeed as the Drazi had no central military forces. Instead,
the war approached was so led by Rrakra Hie, a eachmajorDrazifactionmaintaineditsownsmall
spiritualandruthless,yetnotfanaticalleader. fleetofwarships.ElementsoftheseFactionfleets
The rest of Orieni society was divided into are known to have engaged in regular raiding
functional castes, each with a dedicated place and against the Centauri, or against rival Drazi
role. Unlike the Centauri, who kept assimilated factions. Such raids were done without official
sanctionfromthefactionsleadersbutalsowithout
peoples as thralls, the Orieni felt it was important
notableoppositionorpunishment.
to make their subjects part of society, and as much
as possible, they were integrated into the Empire,
to the point of full equality in the regular military
the Hyach, the Markab and almost everyone else,
forces.TheOrieniwerecomfortablewithlong-term
so the Drazi conflicts never escalated and the
views, which made them concerned about the
Hegemony was able to remain. The Drazi simply
balance of power between the two rival nations.
never managed to cause enough pain or fear to be
considered a serious threat, though not for lack of
Year 2001
trying.
In the 1930’s this began to change. The Orieni
The simmering conflict between these two madecontactswithDrazifactions,intendingtouse
powers came to a head in 2001, with a request by them as a counter-weight, a distraction to keep
House Kasto for Royal Navy aid in dealing with a Centauri forces far away from the Orieni Empire.
persistent raider problem on the Drazi border. No The Drazi, the Orieni hoped, would become an
one anticipated where this routine matter would ally who would join in when the war finally took
lead. place, and then take their destined place as
From their first contact, skirmishes occurred membersoftheEmpire.TheDrazihadasomewhat
between Drazi factions–-some directly, some different view, of course, but accepted the Orieni
through "raider" bands–-and the Centauri. The aid nevertheless. Neither bothered to ask the
Centauri were focused on internal matters and Centauritheirdesires.
disputes with the Orieni, the Minbari, the Abbai,
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MAJOR SYSTEMS AND BOUNDARIES 2000
Ren-kal'ta Ohran'khi Kentil ANDROMAKANDAR COREWTrAeRmDbas LUMATSIelchat ANFRA
TAL-KONA'SHA Horuna
Ettamm
Revkos
Wahant Xochat LUMAT Anasi
Son'Goth Latig Mokafa ANTARES GOLIA
Innata OMELOS Anglos
Tithalis GROMAHK
Deskartalos
Rohric Heptharg
Leshkrev Thenavi
Tirolus DRAZI Mellitra
Utriel ALACAFendamar ZHABAR MELAT Ildra
ABBA Hilak Shambah Corillan Quadrant PJurxime Polgrath Quadrant 12
ABBAI Carridun Quadrant 7 Orillan 17
SHRI-
SHRABA Tirrith
T'llin Kokkar
Roth
Sorith Maroth Zagros Quadra0n8t VINZIN
Yonog
H Tachunq Gamma 4
Ivala AC Ardun Tolonius Marigol
Trang Y
HShra- Comac Promith Trusk Entat
RD Bal Quadrant Alpha 2
PINWA HA Ekalta Binan 14 Alon Rogoth WARD
NTIS IPS BRAKOS Gamma 5 Beta 4 Nakaleen PIN
A Elitria Immolan S
CENTAURI
Gamma 7 PRIME
Quadrant 1 CENTAURI REPUBLIC
IPSHA Gorash Etatta
Gamma 6 Beta 3
Quadrant 6 Cargan
Eklor Coutor
Beta 2
Bentat
Vartas
Alpha 1 Zwiest
Quadrant 9
Batain
Sorrin Beta 9 Eugasht Beta 5 Alpha 3
(Altair) Ventox
Quadrant 15
Tiree
Sh'Lekk'Tha VORLON
Trotaka Drala Toth
PA'RL Belem-Suhm
Troth
(Orion) Valusha
YOLU GARMAK Beta 6 Beta 7
MARKAB Tr'Ess'Na
Nevia KOR-LYA Kitab MARKAB Y(Sritriisus) Baruwon SGoalnta Trigati
Beta 8
Lotna VREETAN VREE Tala Tro'Kact
Alzeral
KOR-LYAN
Landakh
Oleng Quadrant 10 Thessin
Trogoh Ralafa
Gamma 1 Sorpigal
Tulok Vorzal MINBAR
TORATA
Etalc Quadrant 16 Gamma 2 Shengol Tavalan
Camaguas
TORAT Jodan Quadrant 11 Nocalo
(Vega) Pagati Eshar Davala
Zacalth MINBARI FEDERATIOThNan
Farras
Torlig
Coutan Zendamor
DENOVA GIGMOS NORSA Tir
Toura TRIVOR IKLATH
TOKAT Eudu
Quartha TYCHOLA
THRAKALLA
Riat Nochtal
Quadrant 18 RIMWARD Korel MOGA
MINBARI PROTECTORATE
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MAJOR SYSTEMS AND BOUNDARIES 2000
Horuna Anfra Bel-Nar Cestus MEDUSHAAN
Thormast Arasholan Lecto GYNOCRACY
Andat
Anasi
Shtost Garra
Evelin
Ostova
Golia
Conoripax
Antares
Gamma 3
TISIPH
Sivorn
Thenavi
Taltorum
Quadrant 4 Fetslak Rentamn
Quadrant 12 Tuvarn Idellem
Inacha Xothan
Ushtal
Buvarn
Lodira NASHANI
Bethen
Quadrant 2
Kokkar Correntz Lisuria
NASHAN
Quadrant 13
Vinzin
Bukaas Quadrant 3 Bundara D
R
Bin-Tor Mantukas Voshtal WA
Lerrust
Entat Beta 1 Mermas SPIN
Tagarhd Lokim Beta 10 Veil
Essekyre
Dorak
Urzin
Beta 11 Stannart
Gazemer
Kazat Drusa-Kavask
Varantor
Quadrant 5 Darshtentta ROGOLA Phalonak
Lukantha Myttin Dithis
Kroth Prenill
Kannish
Saleh Tanjac Rothir
Zwiest
Djost
Feth Nathshasa
Alpha 1 Krindar
Jaalapent Thrizza Klanama
USUUTHIR
Aura
Ventox VORLON Manipat Otac Addegau Natharn Tashasha
ENCLAVE Ventari
Ar-Choaka
Umur
Valusha Usundikar Gritash Mattren Shinshasa Accas Lunnus
Numarit Juvikos Setteros Shina
Arkada
Quilren
Trigati Dura
Trosagal Dishar Petranaam
Tala D'Grn Thunat Kateneer Peltan Salaki
Tro'Kact
Tizino Seliffe Zemnas
Thessin Exhur
Ralafa Thoras Spiros
Lebsos
Sorpigal Itino
Choranis
Leemeri
Vagthusa Amat Phanos
Tavalan Lishtonos Friddia Tobuno
ORIEN Vultan
Eshar Davala Vamani Nanabas Tanprash Namaros
Than Wereng
MINBARI FEDERATION
Zendamor Golthat Alaba Hownata Hulanok
Mingmer
Tir Lillittu Plutak Morkantost
Olat
Thanur Fosh
TYCHOLA Hallibock Kumenthar
ARNASSIA ORIENI EMPIRE
MINBARI PROTECTORATE KILKAMESHI KILKAMESH Pleddisa
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TheCentaurididnoticetheincreasingpressure Instead of seeking a knock-out blow, the Orieni
on that border. As 2001 began, House Kasto would seek an improvement in the balance of
requestedaidfromtheRoyalNavytocreateenough power. The Eastern half of the Republic would be
ofademonstrationtocowtheDraziandkeepthem taken or devastated, and the Orieni would
on the correct side of the border for a while. An dismembertheRepubliceconomically.Bydestroying
enterprising and lucky Centauri RN Captain, Shaal the Centauri economy, the Orieni would be able to
Jaddo,discoveredthecluethatledtotherealization alter the balance of power over a matter of years,
that the Orieni were instigating the trouble. During so they would eventually grow strong enough
a routine anti-raider operation, the RN contingent relative to the Centauri for conquest. Breaking the
oftheforcecapturedaLooterclassSupportCruiser conquest into phases over a matter of years would
with an Orieni technician aboard, busily installing also allowed the Orieni to incorporate the pieces of
stateoftheartOrienisystems. the Republic at a rate making the task possible, as
Untilthatpoint,theOrienihadbeenrestricting opposed to the theoretical task of occupying the
themselves to subtle assistance, such as improved entire Republic before pacification programs took
computer modeling systems. Drazi arrogance and hold. The resulting damage to Centauri morale
the lack of Centauri response inevitably led to wouldalsomakeoccupationofsubsequentsections
increased demands for more overt Orieni aid, until easier. Perhaps even inspiring other Centauri
a local Drazi leader forced an Orieni technician to neighborstoattacktherumpoftheRepublic.
do his bidding, ordering him to install undeniably The Orieni kept major portions of the Strike
Orienicomponentsintotheship,ordie. Groups and Elite concentrated at Ventari. This was
The Centauri were infuriated. The perfidious understoodbytheCentauriasaplacetokeepthem
Orieni had attempted to create one of the key handytothemajorbattlesites,yetfarenoughaway
Centauri fears: An alliance of nations on their toinhibitCentauriintelligencegatheringandcovert
borders to oppose them. The Centauri, House and strike operations. The Orieni fed the Centauri what
Royal, noble and citizen, core and marcher, all they expected to see, while actually planning to go
agreedthatthiscouldnotbeallowedtostand.The elsewhere.Asthewarbegan,bothsidessentshort
Republic mobilized for war. There would be no orderstothebattlefleetstoactivatetheplans.
mercy. The initial Centauri attack proceeded exactly
Both sides had spent much time and effort astheOrieniexpected.Thereadyfleetwasthe8th
planning for the war they knew would come SuperbFleet,whichmovedintoapreparedkillzone
some day. The Centauri intended a direct assault and died. In this battle, the Centauri learned the
fromKazatintoDjost,tosmashtheOrienidefenses lesson learned by so many, that the characteristics
andmoveonOrien.Theybelievedthelargequantity needed to advance in rank in a peacetime force
of forces available and the fact that they expected aren't necessarily the characteristics needed for that
to set the time of the war would allow the thrust to rank in war. Centauri organization at the squadron
succeed. and fleet level was poor, while the Orieni were well
The Orieniknew theywere on theshort end of drilled and practiced. The fate of the Centauri fleet
the economic stick. It would take a higher degree was sealed by the failure of the screen commander
of risk to set the conditions to win. The Orieni plan toproperlyinterdictthewavesofOrieniHKs(suicide
started, unlike the Centauri, with a realistic fighters that attacked by ramming their targets).
appreciation of the two sides. It was decided that Major fleet elements began to blow up long before
there was no way to succeed in a direct assault. the fleets engaged. Key Centauri leaders failed to
Instead, the neutral Usuuth Coalition would be issue timely orders, or issued orders that failed to
violated. The defenses opposite Usuuthir, in match the situation. Centauri captains began to
Lukantha, were orders of magnitude weaker than work as individual ships, rather than as segments
those in Kazat, and the Republic would be far less ofafleet.
preparedtopreventanattackfromthatdirection. While much of the fleet escaped, losses were
The Orieni felt they were still too weak for an high in command units, electronic warfare ships,
immediate assault on Centauri Prime. Too much carriers and other force multipliers. What returned
force would be left to defend the homeworld and toKazatwasamob,whichwouldtaketimetowhip
it's approaches, so another angle was required. intoafleetagain. TheOrieniwereattheirbestina
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battle with plenty of time for preparations and no assistance, and though great bravery was
surprises, which is exactly what the Centauri gave demonstrated, they accomplished nothing more
them. than the delay of the Orieni spearhead for a few
The combat went much better for the Centauri days.
on the Drazi border. The Drazi were divided among Theinvasionprogressedapace.Theoccupation
themselves to even a worse degree than the ofZwiestwasbasicallyanadministrativeoperation,
Centauri, and the Royal Navy had forged an withnonoticeableCentaurihindrance. Alpha1saw
unusually close relationship with House Kasto, a sharp battle as part of the homeworld defense
despite the disdain of some of the older members network, but once again the Centauri force
oftheHouse.Aprofessionalseriesofstrikesbythe under performed due to command and control
combined force dismembered the pro-Orieni weaknesses which had not been overcome. The
factions, who were decisively discredited. Though Royal Navy began unashamedly sacking any
combat was to continue on a low level until 2008, commander who failed to make the grade, but
for all intents and purposes the war on this front House forces refused to make changes, as each
was over. The Centauri even used it for shakedown felt they were better than those who had been
cruises for new construction. A little combat was humbled so far. At Alpha 1, the Strike Groups held
useful in preparing the ships for the real war. The upandallowedtheregularnavytopassthroughto
Drazi no longer had any chance of being a real maintain the advance. The Strike Groups were
factorintheconflict. allowed to rest, against future need. Replacements
Strike Admiral Ahrish Hakei commanded the were allowed to advance, and were integrated into
Strike Groups. The cream of the Orieni nation, the the force, something not done before to avoid the
Strike Groups and Elite were the arm of decision. processoflearningthetemperamentofnewofficers.
Theywereintendedtospearheadassaults,tobreak The regular navy continued the advance into
enemy defenses, and then pull out to refit while Quadrant5andBeta1,withapowerfulHouseforce
regularforceshandledthelessintensepursuit.While presenttodefendTagarhd.
there are certain weaknesses in this view, the The First Battle of Tagarhd was decisive out of
opening phase of the war shows its strength. The all proportion to its apparent importance. A House
Strike Groups were used exactly as intended by force built around House Varia resolved to fight to
doctrine, for missions planned and rehearsed for defend Tagarhd, the most valuable system in the
years,andeverythingwentexactlyasintended.This House Varia sphere of influence. The House forces
proved to be a good thing, as Admiral Hakei presentweretotallyoutclassedbytheOrieniforces,
showed a marked inability later in the war to deal but on top of that, they managed to set a new
withtheunexpected.Thoughabletocarryouttasks standard for inept performance. Debriefing of the
withgreatefficiency,heprovedunabletodetermine survivors showed an almost total lack of control of
what tasks needed to be accomplished in a timely the Centauri forces. They refused to accept the
manner. The Usuuth defenses reacted quickly, but authority of Admiral Eddo Varia, ignoring targeting
wereunabletoevenslowtheOrieniassault.Bythe priorities,movementinstructionsandanythingelse
end of the first day there were no Usuuth ships left desired, they refused to support each other, and
in operation. The day after, organized resistance even had they perfectly obeyed the admiral, his
ended on the ground and occupation units began decisionswerepoorinanyevent.
toland. TheOrienihardlynoticedthebattle,butitshook
Admiral Hakei turned to the next objective: the Centauri. The Royal Navy had long called for
Lukantha.ThiswasthefirstCentaurisystemhit,and increased influence over the training and
the defenses were at a criminally low level due to procurement of House forces. This battle was
neglect, graft, corruption, incompetence, and lack humiliating enough that the Emperor was able to
of cooperation between the Royal Navy and the ram a decree through the Centaurum requiring
House forces. Nonetheless, the Centauri had a Royal Navy liaison officers to approve and observe
respectable force present, 23rd Standard Fleet. all House training programs, and to force House
Unfortunately,the23rdpiecemealedintotheOrieni procurement to go through a Royal Navy review
and was destroyed one squadron at a time. Each board. Though some Houses observed this more
detachment attacked without coordination or inthebreach,mostwerechastenedenoughtogive
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the programs a chance. A shortage of qualified RN and Orieni fleets met at Tagarhd, and the resulting
officersmeantthatmostassignedtowhatwascalled battle was deemed to have erased the stain on
House-sittingdutywerethosethefleetdidn'twant, House honor. While not a resounding success––
butslowly,noticeableimprovementsinHouseforces indeed it was a Pyrrhic victory––, it was notable in
wereobserved. thatalloftheHouseforces,withtokenRNpersonnel
Meanwhile, the Orieni continued the attack, todothestaff work,didwhattheywere toldtodo,
bypassing Kazat, where the Centauri Admiral Tillo whentheyweretoldtodoit.
Garlan decided that if he stayed on site, he'd be The Royal Navy had a different plan. The best
cut off from the rest of the nation and starved out. place for a war to take place is on somebody else's
Reasoning that Quadrant 5 was held too firmly to land. Royal Navy forces attacked in concert with
take, and knowing the poor showing of Centauri the House fleet towards Usundikar. Alpha 1 was
forces attacking the Orieni so far this war, he taken in a fierce battle, though the RN was
decided to take his mobile units to Lerrust and chagrined to learn the Strike Groups had been
attempt to hold that system. The fixed defenses removed into Orieni space. Seeking battle against
would be left alone, commanded by Vir Torr, but the best the enemy had to offer, the RN led fleet
were powerful enough that this gamble seemed pushedon.
worthwhile. Once again, the Centauri forces were Zwiest fell in a set piece battle, while Lukantha
committed into action in an overly hasty way, and was a battle of maneuver in which little actual
the resulting engagement, while of some concern combat took place, as the Centauri neatly gained
to the Orieni, resulted in another Orieni victory. It superiorityofposition,forcingtheOrienitowithdraw
wasthemostcostlysofar,butstillshortoftheprice orbedestroyed.Usuuthirwasthesiteofthedecisive
they'dexpectedtopaybythispoint. battle of the campaign season, with Orieni regular
With the fall of Lerrust, the fate of Kazan was navy forces and token Strike Group participation in
sealed. The Orieni forces attacked Quadrant 3 but a vicious struggle to keep the Centauri away from
werenoticeablyslowing. Whilefewshipshadbeen Orienispace.
lost, and damaged ships were within expectations, TheRoyalNavyemergedvictorious,butsuffered
the attrition to the HK supplies and the stress on highenoughlossestomaketheattackonUsundikar
key leaders and staff officers was unexpectedly impossible.Insteadofanattempttotakethesystem,
high.TheOrieniforceshadbeguntoactsluggishly, it was raided by light RN forces, who were quickly
and it was decided to go onto a hasty defense and chased out by the Strike Groups. Captain Shaal
allow the Centauri to demonstrate their inability to Jaddo distinguished himself in this operation,
attack while the Orieni worked out procedures to showingthathewasarisingstarintheRoyalNavy.
deal with their weaknesses. The Orieni used this Strike Captain Shrieka Rak also did well in this
time to take Urzin, and the Kazat defenses, under operation, though it is impossible to tell if they
attackfrommultipledirectionswithnomobileforces actuallyfacedeachotherintheraidsonUsundikar.
to maneuver, were destroyed by Orieni HKs and The year ended with both sides reactivating
massdrivers. mothballed reserves and marshaling production to
The Centauri Houses were incensed with the wartime needs. Losses had been far higher than
occupation of Centauri systems, their systems, and production, so neither side was willing to risk
assembled a mighty armada to retake them under everythingonanoperationifnoshipswouldbeleft
LandisSyma.Uncharacteristically,theysatdownand incaseofdisaster.Thenewconstructionandreserve
workedouttheplanandorganization,withaspecial forcesactivatedwerekeptinsafeareasandtrained,
emphasis on chain of command, before going into toemployinmass.
battle.TheHousefleetsknewexactlywhattheOrieni The Centauri began hiring mercenary forces,
weredoing,andresolvedtounhingetheOrieniplan. in some cases Drazi who had fought against them
Dual thrusts were planned, one from Quadrant 2 earlierintheyear.TheEmperoralsoformallynotified
directly into the Orieni bulge, the other from the Houses that the Republic needed their aid, and
Quadrant 13 into the Orieni spearhead. hereceivedpledgesenoughtohaveendedthewar
Surprisingly, both succeeded. Beta 1 was retaken in days. Some of the Houses actually seemed to
in a fierce battle, whereupon Quadrant 3 fell as mean to keep their promises, and certain Houses
forceswerepulledouttofightatBeta1.TheHouse began to cooperate with the Royal Navy with a
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HISTORY OF THE WAR
degree of enthusiasm, or at least, acceptance of The Faithful Search/Seeker
theneed. Combination
The Centauri had identified their lack of a Unlike the Benevolent Scout, the Faithful
central chain of command as their biggest and its Seeker consorts were not designed
weakness, edging out the uneven nature of House to provide electronic warfare support to fleet
forces. This was being hammered out, with some elements. Although reasonably well-armed,
success. While there was still much to learn, the andabletoprovidesupportonthebattlefield,
Centauri were on the way towards vast they were muchtoo valuableto be putto this
improvements. use with any regularity, for their true mission
was vital to the racial mission of the Orieni–-
TheOrienirealizedtheirinstitutionalweakness
bringingOrdertotheuniverse.
in fast moving actions, and began a training
program to correct this weakness. A series of new Built to explore Hyperspace, find and
staffschoolswerecreatedtoexposeasmanyofficers survey new star systems, and build
jumpgates in those systems found suitable,
as possible to improved training programs and
these ships excelled at their tasks. While the
make meeting engagements the center of the
limited ELINT abilities of the Seeker
training.Thisforcedtheremovalofmanygoodand
Corvettes seem, at first glance, to be of
experiencedofficers fromthelinetoprovidecadre,
dubious value, the small recon vessels
showingtheweaknessinherentintheexcellentand
performed two important tasks. First, they
uncompromising Orieni training program: The low
could datalink their sensors with the
outputofpersonnel,eveniftheywereofanexcellent
mothership, forming a long baseline array
standard.
whichgreatlyincreasedtheeffectivenessboth
of their sensors and the motherships' for
Year 2002
hyperspacial and stellar survey. Secondly, if
a star system was deemed interesting, the
TheCentaurifoundtheyhadagreatmanytasks Seekers could perform close exploration,
aheadofthem.Notonlywerenewshipsbeingbuilt while the Faithful remained safely on the
and crewed, but reservists were called up to man outskirts of the system. If the exploration
reactivated,mothballedships.Thesetaskshadbeen team encountered hostile forces, the Seekers
plannedbeforethewarbytheRoyalNavy,andwere were also expected to aid in the defense of
almost working in a rational and professional the Faithful, sacrificing themselves so that
manner. The integration of mercenary forces was a theirmothershipcouldescape,ifneedbe.
triedandtrueprocesswhichwentverysmoothly.
Itwas,ofcourse,theHousefleetswhichwerethe
deliberately severed. No beacons were severed in
major problem. Though they knew they needed
this war, but plenty of new routes were found. The
RoyalNavyhelp,forthemostpart,theyalsobelieved
Orieni Faithful Search/Seeker combination paved
thiswasdemeaning.Thus,outsideaidwas avoided
the way with the discovery of a link from Phalonak
until each House cleaned up its own fleet. All that
to Quadrant 13. While this route was later allowed
would be needed was Royal Navy recognition that
todrop,itwasintegraltothenextOrienioffensive.
no more assistance was needed, and each House
could operate its fleet as required. The Herculean The Offensive in question was a drive on
task of cleaning the stables held up the process Taltorum. A surprise Orieni attack through
long enough that the Orieni were able to assemble Quadrant 13 cut off Mantukas, defended by the
a fleet and launch an offensive first, while the 36thQualityFleet,whichfelltoatwo-prongedattack
Centauriwerestillwrestlingwiththemselves. byEnlightenmentFleetandMissionaryFleet.While
theStrikeGroupsdroveonTaltorumthroughLodira
Unfortunately, it was worse that a simple loss
and Tuvarn, the Regular Navy held the flanks, took
of initiative. The Orieni, like the Centauri,
Lisuria and began to occupy the cut off region
maintained a standing exploration fleet. While
centeredonBeta10,undertheleadershipofNattus
exploration was an important task for each, the
Dannan.
primary goals were naval. Each nation expected its
explorerstofindnewroutesintoenemyterritory,or Vell and Bundara fell easily to Consecrated
rediscover old ones if beacon routes were Fleet. Lokim and Gazemer were defended with skill
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Rev. 1