Spaceship blog 7
Modular ships
Small, modular starships, whose length vary between one and two hundred meters, and are at least fifty meters wide are what Terrans have always produced, and in record numbers to boot.
The first models were developed and used during the early Solar system colonization. Come Earth’s year 2018 and the Mules, as they are called, have spread far and wide. Many aliens who are part of the Terran Kil’ra Star Alliance have purchased some of these nimble and highly adaptable vessels.
The basic premise behind Von Braun’s 1945 famous design was the following – anyone can build and outfit a vessel to better fit whatever purpose they need. What most Terrans required back in these early days was a fast and nimble cargo ship. The Mule provided transport companies and single owners with unparalleled range of modification and upgrade options.
These came with pre-designed modules, fitted with systems, offering extra cargo space, engines, crew quarters, and, of course, weaponry.
If you were traversing the more dangerous parts of the Terran Minarchy borders, just add one or two combat modules to increase your chances of survival. One could always replace those with other modules, if one day their ships happens to prowl calmer waters.
“Fast cargo ships, adequately defended by plenty of guns are what most Terrans craft when they finally get their hands on the coveted Mule.”
Older ships, and especially models built during the 1950’s and 60’s are sought after by many. Spacer clans especially, adore the design and based most, if not all of their more modern design concepts on it.
With some effort and battlefield salvage, Mules can be transformed into vicious, hard-hitting CN frontline vessels. They can even perform quick raids in enemy territory, followed by small carriers and troop transports full of volunteer colonial militia. Such raiding parties are the colonist’s response to Pirate clan and Cartel aggression. The small, nimble and easy to outfit vessels are cheap to maintain, and can be operated by miniscule crews. A squadron of CN Mules is often the last sight slavers and pirates see, before they are mercilessly annihilated by a band of vengeful Terran colonists.
“Fast, hard-hitting and crewed by veterans of many space battles. A smart tactician can achieve much with a fleet of such vessels.”
By the time most Cartel and Clan forces, albeit competently strike back, the CN squadron is... gone. Only to return and strike again later, when the enemy salvage and repair teams are deployed and vulnerable.
CN crews will fly one attack run after the other, sometimes more than ten per hour. They would covertly exit hyperspace, cold launch torps from places which their enemy think safe, and then jump back to attack from yet another direction. Colonists achieve a feat of fortitude like that by having multiple spare crews resting on a troop transports which lay low in hidden staging areas.
These assaults would continue until their enemies have committed more of their force in an effort to contain them. Of course, they then immediately attack another and more important target, which was exactly what their intent in the first place...
“All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when we are able to attack we must seem unable; When using our forces, we must appear inactive; When we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; When far away, we must make them believe we are near.”
“Sun Tzu? Who is this stupid Terran? What an idiotic chain of thought! Those backward Terran barbarians will never win with such antiquated tactics!” - famous last words of Pirate Lord Mahimm before his armada jumped to attack Earth.
Please check @Mister_Brushface and his channel. He gives voice to my words and has recorded many of my spaceship blogs:
Scout Fighters Starfighters Strike Craft Interceptors Space Shuttle Escape Pod Modular Ships Escort ships Corvettes
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Twin Suns Of Carrola - Starshatter book 2
Treads Of Vengeance - Starshatter book 3
Von Braun's Gambit - Starshatter book 4
Secrets Of Lothoria - Starshatter book 5
Final Liberation - Starshatter book 6
Princes Of The Stars - Starshatter book 7
A Mandate Of Sword And Railgun - Starshatter story anthology 1
The Blood Of Tyrants - Starshatter story anthology 2
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