As mentioned before, it was only recently that the Earth Alliance began producing ships of its own design, the Monsoon-Class Gunboat and Arc Royal-Class Carrier being prime examples. Reasons were various, with the fact that humanity was only a newcomer to the galactic scene in need of dependable designs being only one of them.
Having not only the technological specifications of the original Earth Alliance, but also those of the members of the Interstellar Alliance and the specs left by Zor on his ship at its disposal, mankind was in quite a unique situation. Technologies more advanced or just plain different than that of their own were now known to them.
It was thus that EarthGov created a new governmental division. The Corps of Engineers was a joint military and civilian agency with the sole purpose of reverse-engineering alien technologies and incorporating them with that of humans. Many breakthroughs had been made by COE with both ISA technology and Robotechnology
One design, considered to be one of the most advanced used by EarthForce to date, was the Northampton-Class Stealth Cruiser. This 1,010 meter starship is the first, and to date only ship to use a Minbari Stealth Device. Carrying forty-eight VF-11 Thunderbolt fighters and two Hestrel-Class Atmospheric Shuttles in internal hangers, the Stealth Cruiser was designed as a replacement for the aging and increasingly obsolete Hyperion Heavy Cruiser and Icarus Scout Ship.
Along with the Arc Royal, refit Omega and Warlock Destroyers, several other ships, and various space stations, the Northampton was also among the first vessels to possess the newly perfected human version of the tractor beam, itself based on Centauri and Minbari designs, with a few human innovations. This, together with 8 of the 400 mm particle cannon variants used on the Monsoon, 20 plastrons, multiple missile tubes, Mk. VI Shadow nano-armor, and various ‘standard’ armaments makes this warship one of the most powerful in EarthForce. At present, seventy-three Northampton-Class Stealth Cruisers are in service, with many more on the production line in the Trojan Orbiting Shipyards.
As a side note, the ‘EAS Manhattan’ under Commander McLane is scheduled to be scrapped in seven weeks to be replaced by a Northampton of same name. At that time, the Hyperion ’Manhattan’’s crew is to be transferred to the new ship.
Venus - Moon Hephaestus – Venus Jump Gate
Still sitting in orbit of the Venus’ only moon, was the Thuverl-Salan Destroyer G’Pon. Having lost primary power due to Protoculture depletion, it was waiting for new orders from Commander Rygar.
The orders came approximately thirty human minutes later when the Mothership’s temporary Chief Bridge Officer, sensor technician Argama, contacted the G’Pon with an approved proposal from Captain Synapse. Two EarthForce ships would tug the destroyer to the meeting place where, if negotiations proved fruitful, she would be refueled.
At that point, the Venus Jump Gate opened, letting two small (to a Zentraedi) ships to exit. Primarily triangular in shape, the two vessels maneuvered to either side of the G’Pon and hailed the gargantuan warship.
”This is the ’EAS Stargazer' to Zentraedi Destroyer. Are you prepared for tugging?”
On the bridge of the G’Pon, Captain Karita Meln sighed at the thought of his proud craft being tugged away like a derelict. Ah well, he thought. At least it’s only temporary.
”This is the Zentraedi Destroyer G’Pon,” stated the gruff voiced comm. officer, making sure to put emphasis on the ship’s name. “We are ready.”
”Stand by.”
Seconds later, two cones of red energy were emitted from both vessels, which contacted the G’Pon with a slight jolt.
Slowly, the two Northampton-Class cruisers dragged the alien behemoth to ’Little Aruba’, using their powerful sensors to take detailed scans all the while.
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(Posted Tue, 21 Sep 2004 01:25)
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