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“Wide spread public opinion on the events of the fall of Depot Corridor are not entirely correct.”
Morris, Archduke - 1151 before the Regency General
Assembly
Re-Defined History of MT/TNE Corridor Depot
Founded in the 1st century of the Third Imperium as a Vilani colony by H.A. Enders. Later, established as a Naval base and then a Sector Depot System for the Imperium Navy.
1116
Stephon secretly tours the new Depot refitted facilities. It is
now the most advanced Depot in the Imperium and outline for
future Depot
upgrades. Blueprints for using the base for extensive expansion into
Vargr
territories are discussed.
Emperor Stephon
refers to it as “Fortress Enders” while speaking with Depot’s new
defense
system caretaker. He secretly addressed the senior military and
construction staff, "What has been done here has amazed us. Your
toil has turned a system-wide Imperium Naval Base into a Fortress
without compare in the know universe. But more importantly the
blueprint for a new upgrade that shall be implemented on all border
Depots. We are most pleased. "
Dulinor supposedly assassinates Stephon at Capital.
1117 The Third Imperium shatters into Civil war as Lucan
rushes to
establish control. Lucan recalls
the main elements of the Corridor fleet
to
fight Dulinor. Depot finishes the construction of
deep
structures and low berths continue. The mothball fleet
is moved completely underground on Depot
Prime. Efforts to move supplies from outer bases to the two
replicated
facilities begin. Refugees stream
towards
the
Regency or often
Depot Corridor.
1118
1118
Day 102, 500 Vargr ships enter Depot system and being raiding
merchants. Efforts to evacuate
Depot system
collapse from Vargr raids.
Evacuations of Depot sites to Depot Prime and Sefke begin.
The Vargr fleet damages outer bases and finally takes Sefke Depot after
destroying the 3 squadrons of
the 70th Fleet.
When closing on Depot Prime the reduced fleet is pounded by DMG
and
missile defenses
respond
with full force driving off the severely damaged fleet.
Millions are still fleeing for Depot
Prime from surrounding systems, including Strand, and Six Lights.
It is believed that it is the safest location from the raid.
1119 Reestablished Vilani Empire and Domain of Deneb,
following
joint exercises against Vargr
fleets, come to
blows over Corridor Depot. First
and last shots were taken by Depots automated
defense system
that
turned on the fleets as both began salvage operations.
Neither was aware
that the
defense grid was targeting all
vessels as
hostile. Both
retreated assuming the Depot was
severely
damaged in the
confrontation. Deep Meson Guns
throughout the system
opened up on
intruders. Regency forces raid Corridor
Depot’s Gas Giant Station and significant quantities of
materials are
confiscated.
1120
1120
Vargr raids devastate Corridor worlds. Several
attempts to take Depot are beaten
off under the
leadership of Baron James
hault Grivven.
Vargr raiders
created elaborate
stories, of Depot's fall, to bolster morale, claim territories and
continued
attempting to defeat Depot Prime while plundering the rest of the
system.
Raids severely damage Corridor’s Gas Giant Station (GGS).
Continued efforts to recall
materials
from
the base are successful but leave it uninhabitable.
1130 Lucan
releases Virus and brings human civilization to collapse.
Only the Regency survives
Virus. The
Vilani immediately begins shutting down
all systems and re-building. Corridor
Depot
shuts down communications and destroys any unauthorized ship entering
system or orbit.
GGS is
lost to continuous
Virus raids.
1150 10 Regency battle cruisers emerge from jump space in corridor parsec 1511. Approaching the tranquil planet, Enders, each cruiser lights up with a barrage of meson fire. Within 2 minutes the fleet is reduced to one ship that has broken off and moves away quickly. A single message is received “Beware Invader. Depot Corridor Stands!” First Citizen.
Small squadrons leave
Enders for
several worlds in the region. During this discovery period the Ashima
and
Zudagim are discovered and trade begins. Surface cities are
rebuilt and significant population growth is encouraged.
1151
Norris addresses a general assembly on the state
of Corridor
and mentions the dreadful event of the previous year.
"There is no doubt that effort to re-evaluate Corridor Depot
have failed. The War World is active
and does not appear to be under Vargr or Vilani Control”.
Norris announces the commercialization of the Deneb Depot system.
In an effort to revitalize Depot Deneb the Regency Navy welcomes
commercial interests throughout the system.
1152
Formal formation of the Commonwealth
between Ashima,
Enders, Six Lights and Zudagim.
Monitoring stations establish a 15-parsec boundary between Six
Lights
and Enders. King James hault Grivven is
given
leadership over the SC. Enders High Port begins
reconstruction. The Ancient
JumpGate at Depot is repowered. It was shutdown during the Rebellion
but neither side powered it up again hoping to reclaim it. A
point of historic value, Virus is
unable to infect or use the Ancients' technology.
1156
Formation of the Commonwealth Rangers re-utilizing scout service
assets.
1160
A Virus battleship attempts to assault Enders leaving hundreds
dead on the surface. It is quickly dispatched.
Reconstruction of the Gas Giant Station and a defense
perimeter are expanded to include
defenses
for member worlds.
Since, the origiinal station asteroid was in ruins and now unstable a
Tigress
battleship is converted to act as the new GGS and named Lioness.
1172 The Grand Commonwealth expansion begins.
1202
The Commonwealth has 22 member systems in 3 subsectors and
boasts a
significant fleet and several
Navy Bases.
Separate Vilani and Regency couriers
arrive in system on Olive Branch missions
suggesting the inclusion of
this
rumored Commonwealth in their states as members. The offers
are
declined but
the Vilani negotiate a separate purchase
of a minimum of 7 warships every
year.
This offer is accepted.
1203
The Land Rush is in full swing after initial efforts. Both the
Reclaimed Vilani Empire and the
Regency
have established holdings in the Corridor
sector.
1212 The New Era begins.
1116 Depot 1511 A686354-F D AG Hb Lo Ni 123 Im G
1150 Enders A686655-F D No exports/imports Im G
1202 Assumed Depot Stats X686243-9 No Ni Wi G
1212 Depot A686954-G D Ag In HiPop SC G
Definition of a Depot
Naval Depots are huge harboring area for starships, naval
personnel, and supporting services. A depot typically encompasses and
entire star system and has an unlimited capacity for starships.
The Navy provides three distinct services to its ships at depot:
maintenance (...), personnel (...), and training.
Depots stand constantly available to repair and return to service
battle-damaged ships in a minimum time.
--- page 33 Rebellion sourcebook.
Depot Corridor maintained replicated depot bases
on two worlds including high ports, Depot Prime and Sefke. It also
maintained bases in orbit of both gas giants, although the outer gas
giant base was larger to support commercial traffic. It was known as
Gas Giant Station. Depot infrastructure has been constructed over
centuries. Updating occured infrequently based on needs of the Imperium
and importance of the Depot.
Outer Depots received priorities and superior updating because of the
locations.
The smaller starport bases supported their primary
functions (a naval squadron) and secondary functions, such as combat
training in the various conditions, and storage or production of
materials.
Depot System Facility Specifics;
A. 2 Depot facilities: Depot Prime, and
Sefke
(secondary)
B. 3 major class A Starports:
C. 16 B and C Starport bases for sepecific
Fleets or Squadron activities.
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System Defenses:
The new upgrades to Depot Corridor included
central and reserve controls for integrated system defense. These
defenses were controlled by the Depot System Defense Grid (DSDG)
located deep under Depot Prime. The DSMG is a state of the art (TL17)
command and control for system-wide defenses and management. To provide
a face and some mobility Imperium engineers provided DSDG with a War
World class Avatar, an artificially intelligent android named, The
Caretaker.
Never before had command staff been able to control a systems defense
with such detail.
Depot Prime had 100 Deep Meson Gun (DMG)
emplacements,
15 Missile batteries,
and 30 spinal mount defense platforms. Depot Sefke defenses were
still under construction: 25 DMGs were completed, 5 missile batteries
and 10 spinal mount defense platforms. DMGs consisted of
geothermal powerstations, and a 30 degree rotational tilt assembly.
Each remote base, in system, had 4 DMG
emplacements, GGS
also had 250 gun 100t PA bays.
Imperial Corridor Depot Fleet (ICDF):
4 Numbered Fleets located at Corridor Depot (16th, 27th, 41st and 70th fleets)
16th Support Fleet – 3 Squadrons (20ships each)
24th Mothball Fleet - 996 vessels
748 vessels re-fit capable vessels
1024th Cannibalization Squadron – 248 ships
41st Training Fleet - 2 Squadrons (20 ships each)
70th
Security Fleet - 3 Squadrons (25 ships)
16 numbered Subsector Fleets located at naval and scout bases throughout the sector number approximately 1400 in naval strength.
Strand Numbered Fleets: Based on Six Lights but held a secondary facility at Depot.
59th Assault Fleet, 6 squadrons - 20 ships per squadron (120 ships)
2 Batron, 1 CruRons, 2 AssaultRons, 1 TankRon
1059th Reserve Fleet, 6 squadrons - 20 ships per squadron (120 ships)
2 BatRons, 3 CruRons, 1 TankRon
Vargr border fleets had 3 squadrons and Rift fleets had 2 squadrons.
After rebellion
began the Navy’s numbered fleets moved to combat under the flag of
Lucan’s
Loyalty Fleet. Reserve Fleet and Depot
fleets stayed on station to hold the sector together.
The Corridor Reserve Fleet was almost immediately overrun by
incoming Vargr raiders. The 1059th Reserve Fleet moved, with
Navy
families, to support the defense of Depot from invasion as its first
line of
defense. One Imperial Planet Heavy Cruiser, Martian Quest,
survived the nightmare. Engine
malfunctions put her behind the other vessels providing a horrific view
watching the security fleet burning. She was lost later in
defense of Sefkre.
1212 Depot Prime A686954-G Ag In HiPop SC G
Enders Facility Specifics;
1 Depot Naval Facility – on Depot Prime.
3 Class A Starports:
6 smaller Starports with Squadron specific bases:
Defenses:
Depot Prime has 52 Deep Meson Gun emplacements,
and 20
Missile
batteries. Efforts are underway to restore the other 48
DMGs at Depot Prime.
Remote bases in system presently have 1 meson gun
emplacements, GGS
50gun 100t PA bays.
Gas Giant Station, a buffered planetoid orbiting the
primary gas giant, was heavily damaged and is not habitable or
stable. A mothballed Tigress battleship has
been moved into position orbiting the gas giant and has been designated
as the new Gas Giant Station. Her systems have been modified and she's
redesignated as a Lioness class Battle Station.
Commonwealth Fleet:
16th Commonwealth Colonial Fleet – 10 Squadrons (approx. 20ships each) - 204 ships
24th Mothball Fleet - 540 vessels
1024th Cannibalization Squadron – 479 ships
2024th Mothball Squadron – 61 ships
41st Training Fleet - 2 Squadrons (10 ships each)
70th Security Fleet - 2 Squadrons (52 ships)
Numbered Fleets: 200 ships
Strand Subsector:
Six Lights Navy (but holds a secondary facility at Depot)
59th Assault Fleet, 2 squadrons - 2 squadron (40 ships)
1 CruRons, 1 AssaultRons
1059th Reserve Fleet, 6 squadrons - 10 ships per squadron (20 ships)
1 BatRons, 1 CruRons
Ashima Provincial Fleet 10 ships per
squadron (20
ships)
1 BatRon, 1 CruRon, 1 Reserve CruRon
Naadi Subsector:
150th Combat Fleet (Shargishu)- 10 ships per squadron (20 ships)
1 BatRons, 1 CruRons
1150th Reserve Combat Fleet, 6 squadrons - 10 ships per squadron (10 ships)
1 BatRons, 1 CruRons
255th Long Fleet (Farplace) - 10 ships per squadron (20 ships)
1 BatRons, 1 CruRons
1255th Reserve Long Fleet, 6 squadrons - 10 ships per squadron (10 ships)
1 BatRons, 1 CruRons
Atu'l Subsector:
213th Battle Fleet (Atu'l) - 10 ships per squadron (20 ships)
1 BatRons, 1 CruRons
1213th Reserve Battle Fleet, 6 squadrons - 10 ships per squadron (10 ships)
1 BatRons, 1 CruRons
After rebellion
began, the Navy’s numbered fleets moved to combat under the flag of
Lucan’s
Loyalty Fleet. The Reserve Fleets and
Depot
fleets stayed on station to hold the sector together per Lucan's
assurance of safety.
The Corridor Reserve Fleet was almost immediately overrun by
incoming Vargr raiders. The 1059th Reserve Fleet moved from
Six Lights, with
Navy
families, to support the defense of Depot from invasion as its first
line of
defense. One Imperial Planet Heavy Cruiser survived the nightmare.
Engine
malfunctions put her behind the other vessels providing her with a
horrific
view of events as 500 Vargr vessels overran the 70th
Security
fleet, even though it was supported by additional vessels from the
255th.
The 24th Mothballed Fleet, as all mothball fleets,
was intended to leave vessels within 2 weeks of readiness. When
requested less than 5% of the vessels were put back into active duty
immediately. Parts were frequently secured from mothballed
vessels to support urgent, active duty vessels. The refitting of
mothballed ships would need to become a significant manufacturing
effort. Most of the fleet was moved and lowered into deep storage
facilities, at the onset of the Rebellion, within Depot Prime.
Several ships were pressed into service as Deep Meson Gun (DMG)
or Deep Sea Meson Gun (DSMG)
sites. The exact number is not an element of public record.
All references to public opinion (INS, Regency history) are brief and state the same things about the fall of Depot Corridor. It is true that the outer system, gas giant station and bases were heavily plundered and pillaged. Officers, Staff, and Naval Engineers at those facilities were tortured and killed without remorse.
The infamous Regency recovery mission: Rapid Repo
acted on
incorrect data and confused Depot Prime (DP) with the Depot Sefke (DS)
facility. The DS layout was similar and the
amount of war
debris in the inner system has always causes a threat to navigation and
sensors. King James
hault Grivven (formerly
Imperial Baron), First Citizen (formerly the Caretaker), and the Senate
have continuously used
cover
stories while trading with and exploring other worlds. This has
re-enforced the
Fall of Corridor/Depot scenario. The
formation of the Rangers in 1156 supported the "dead world" storyline
through
miss-information with other cultures. In 1202, after the
reconstruction ended and the flegling Commonwealth was stable, these
stories were no longer necessary and the policy was abandoned.