A non-canon white paper on the formation, development, history and
future of the Imperium Depot
by
Scott G White
What is a Depot?
One could consider
them to like castle/ fortresses of the Imperium, establishing control
for a region. Depots will have many of the benefits for the
Navy and weaknesses to higher technology assaults. For example, the
rumored Darrian StarTrigger would've been able to decimate a sectors
asset management and support by destroying a single star. For
this reason and logistics Depot's mutually coordinate activities and
have Naval assets at starport military bases.
The Imperium
Depot is the core and pride of sector defenses and offense. A
location to organize, train, test, store, transition and modify
Imperium Navy assets. The Depot would coordinate research
projects throughout its sector, and in war times contruct vessels of
any type or refit an entire fleet within months.
Traveller canon describes it as such but has also attempted to
display one facility on one planet as the Depot, and describes the
Depot through a UWP which is essentially flawed, since, a Depot is
also defined as a system-wide base with minimal distinction between
internal facilities. The only description sumarizing all of the
Depots was in MT Rebellion sourcebook. This is not a classic timeline
interpetation of the state of the Depot systems but during the
Rebellion.
Each individual Imperium sector asset whether it
be fleet, squadron, divisions has a presence at the sector Depot.
Local representation for decimination of information to system navies
is also common. System Navy personnel can be Imperium trained
at a Depots "System Support" Base. Imperium Fleets
assigned to a Depot and various naval units will usually have a base
presence at the Depot specifically developed to coordinate their
activites. Most depots are managed by the navy, with approval of the
Emperor, in support of a Sector Duke. The system is often a Duke
owned system.
It is not widely know that Depot's do support
commercial traffic. It varies from Depot to Depot but commonly
a particular base, near a fuel source, will be a singular point for
commercial traffic. Deliveries are offloaded and transported to
primary or specific facilities throughout the star system. When
needed in other locations, commercial traffic can be escorted through
the system. Usually their sensors will be masked and a Naval Officer,
System Pilot, will be assigned to guide the commercial ship(s) into
and out of the system along pre-determined traffic paths.
It is
widely known that active scans by a commercial vessel within a Depot
can result in prison time.
Depot's will have several types of
starports, and bases within the system;
The Depot's Commercial Traffic Starport(s), seen in the UPPs, will generally host other activities and can have several functions. These facilities are tightely monitored by naval forces.
Commercial Traffic/ Supplies Logistics
Subcontractor Offices are required by many Navy contracts at this facility.
Controlled Shore Leave - It becomes a popular place for shore leave while in-system. A large entertainment center is almost always within the bounds of the port and allows quick recall of sailors and soldiers.
Resources for non-military personnel operating within system.
Noble housing while in system.
Depot Prime starport contains Sector Headquarters, Naval Intel, Construction, Engineering and Research facilities.
Depot Beta (often named after the world it resides on) is usually believed to be responsible for Mothballed Fleet. It will actually contain a complete secondary depot facility that matches Depot Prime. Depot Beta will be able to emulate the primary base.
The Security Fleet will have a base that coordinates all in-system activities, defenses and monitors actions within a 12 parsec zone of control.
Imperial Scout Service (ISS) base is provided for control of sector ISS bases and resources.
The Imperium Naval Academy maintains one or more Training Base(s). As an element of that the Academy will maintain extensive system training areas ranging from firing ranges in the asteroid belts to ground assault complexes, a portable space station and its own training fleet.
The appropriate sector assigned Fleets, squadrons, and marines will have their own base or facility as required by their missions.
System Support Base is specifically designed to work on system navy activities either as part of a system navy support contract or mutually agreement.
Functions;
Depot re-fueling varies dramatically throughout the Imperium. Generally, ships will be required to refuel at one of two specific locations within the system. All Depot's, some Starports and bases (per Traveller rules) are also capable of providing fuel. Only 3 depots have gas giants and in all 3 cases extensive defenses exist at those locations. Refueling takes time so the three popular defenses include the high orbit meson platforms, mine belts, and attack drones.
Naval Training Academy assets at the Academy's Starport. But it's often common to have smaller facilities throughout the system and at other bases.
Security Forces are all tied into a security grid. An inappropriate incusion into Depot space is quickly tracked and relayed to defense assets. These forces can request the assistance of regular Navy assets, as necessary.
Subcontractor can be working from their in-system corporate office, at a specific base or out-system depending on the contract, their clearance, and job reqiurements.
Building a Depot
Depot construction is a long-term
commitment to naval infrastructure and enormous contracts to
megacorporations and sector businesses. This development stretches
back to the early centuries of the Imperium and the need to build a
commanding naval presence. Projects for Depot upgrades were lucritive
and desired significant resources. In some situations these
contracts turned corporations into megacorporations. In all cases,
they were visible to the Admiralty, Moot, and the Iridium Throne.
The Throne itself could utilize Depots for not only expansion and
defense but also a financial reward to loyal noble houses,
corporations and neigboring worlds. There are 3 types of Depots; 1)
Smaller depots are focused in a well defended sector and have a
support focused mission on ship system replacement and
decommissioning but not ship design or fabrication, 2) Construction
depots are system wide and have the ability not only support but
build fleets with a specified mission to turn around “fleets” for
battle and have unlimited support abilities. 3) a third mission for
depots is the main body of the Imperium Maginol Line Depots (IMLD)
focused on border fleet logistics and communications. These depots
interface communications and awareness along the out sectors to the
Imperium. Intelligence information from exterior sources is also
routed to these locations and spread to further improve
awareness.
The analysis stage for considering the location of
a Depot is more than military implications. It was also necessary to
considering the of impacts on trade routes, regional economics, and
even the systems environment. When the Imperium determines it
will be constructing a Depot, it is planning the development of many
starports, including downports, orbital facilities, mining
operations, bases and test-training regions. It requires 10
years, to construct a starport of any tech level and we could
extrapolate an additional 10 years to change the tech level of a
pre-existing starport, given the tech level is within the reach of
modern science. The architectual effort is not minor, would
cost tens of trillions of credits and keep workers busy for
lifetimes. Some Depots will have significantly different
needs than others, yet they must all achieve their
defensive/offensive objectives. If locations are not readily
available, a Depot could rely heavily on highports and space stations
to fullfill its function and remain semi-mobile. Realistically
this is very difficult to accomplish but was theorized in the design
of two early Depots.
Using a Depot
While other
systems briefly describe Depots, MegaTraveller's Rebellion Sourcebook
details the Imperium Navy and describes the usage of the Depots
during the 1116 Rebellion against and for the Imperium. Essentially,
Depots needed to be responsive to navy needs, very defendable and far
more effective than local bases. Historically, two Depots were
utilized in the 5th Frontier War, Deneb and Corridor, which indicates
that a Depot could impact activities in neighboring sectors or
interact to support a single effort. For Example four Depots,
Solamani Rim, Daibei, Diaspora, and Old Expanses, would've been
utilized in pushing back the Solomani Confederation and dictating the
future of Terra under the 3rd Imperium.
Missions like the
“Maginol line” depots commonly result in Depots have similar
design, procedures and direction. In the case of the Imperium the
historic Maginol Line was successful in detering agressors. However,
Naval planning and Mission Statements are generally not released to
the public so these facilities are not clearly understood.
Capability of a Depot
Although support capacity may vary greatly, during peace or a state of war, the depots maintain basic abilities. At war time they should be able to support an entire fleet, build and crew at minimum 1000 tons of small ships per day, 1,500,000 tons of medium ship and 10,000,000 tons of capital ship per year. Facilities must include a scout base, a marine base, army staging base (for reuse of any planetary forces), at least 3 naval facilities of B or better. Depot's may have missions that alter their primary abilities. For example, extensive ship architect Depots include Core, Corridor, Deneb Alpha, Vland and Diaspora. Maginol Line Depots are oriented to empahasis Border Defense. Unless specifically stated all Depots operate at Tech Level 15 of the Imperium.
Managing a Depots Future
For the Throne,
Depots are an extension of might (comparable to to medieval castles)
and not an item of casual conversation. There have only been several
major upgrades for all Depots in the history of the Imperium and each
impacted political changes, more growth and power for the Imperium.
Most upgrades would be completed individually and the useful changes
eventually rolled out to other Sectors. The more generic the
facility, the cheaper and easier it is to make alterations.
The
Imperium Navy and Iridium Throne would agree to long-term development
projects years in advance unless needed immediately by urgent
situations.
Depots during the Rebellion against the Imperium
The Depot network provided a ready source of military supplies. Any force without one Depot would soon loose all hope of success. Two or more Depots we're pivotal to surviving the engagements, refitting and putting the fleet into production again. Depots have enough resources for crews to work on their own vessels when necessary and frequently that occurred during the Rebellion. Stripping the excess became an easy solution to forifying local navy bases in a Duke's territory.
Virus and the Depots
By the end of the Rebellion and the emergence of Virus (the Aware), the Depot network was virtually in ruin. Some resources survived and be certain that there are treasures buried in the rubble: A replacement part, a shattered hull with wiring and instruments, a weapons cache under a crumbled building. That being said, extracting these treasures is extremenly dangerous from the act of salvage to the perils of jealousy.
New Depots
Antares saw the need for a Depot and developed a portable base prior to the outbreak of war which went into production in 1117. Deneb Alpha was destroyed and rebuilt. A secondary Depot Beta was built as well. The Regency had also planned a third Depot between Regina and Mora. Reemergence of Depot Corridor into the Corridor Commonwealth. The Black Imperium quickly started a rebuild program on the borders of several captured but destroyed Depots. It also started a program to produce a new Depot or two along its Coreward borders (Ushipaale, Uudmi). Vland Depot kept most of the processes and technology replicated in several locations. It was not long before the Depot was rebuilt to a portion of its former self and the Restored Ziru Sirka stretched out to rebuild Gashemege Depot and Lushun Depot. When it reached for Dagusdashaag Depot it was quickly punished by the Black Imperium. Depots are a matter of pride and military might. Even the Aware Lilith, after killing Duke Bzrk, restored and occupied some functionality in the new Antares Depot after replicating a smaller version of herself in the Depot.
New Depots of the post-3rd Imperium should not be directly compared the their well thought out predessessors. After centuries of modifications and building the Imperium Depots we're extremely efficient, well designed and effective fortresses. Only the Corridor Depot Prime remained at reverely reduced efficiency, every other Depot was stripped and flattened. Vland and the Regency we're in the next best situations. They had prepared extensive disaster knowledge about their infrastructure.
Former
Depots
Depots have been in existance since
the first Imperium. Many we're built at the same location of their
earlier versions resulting in the loss of any historic evidence.
Formerly Depots that we're not lost in war we're shutdown and sold to
commercial interests for ship construction as a new location was
developed. On occasion explorers will run across an old bunker. The
storage of large ships in underground facilities with gravitics is
relatively new with the 3rd Imperium. It is a direct
relation to the improved quality of TL15 Gravity Sleds/Tugs. At TL16
mishaps are very, very avoidable and risk is as low as moving a car
with a car carrier.
Additional Archdukes with 2 Rebellion Depots - in the wilds
Lishun was held by the Vland during the Rebellion and used as a forward operations base.
Zanrushagar was held by the Duke of Ilelish during the Rebellion and was used for forward operations.
Enteries are summarized for brevity. Virus entries are MTU not canon. More information in MT Rebellion, TNE Regency sourcebook
List Legend: Depot name “system” (parsec) post-rebellion UPS, pre-rebellion UPS
SPINWARD IMPERIUM (the claw)
Deneb Alpha “ Sika'im” Depot (1613) A100644-G, Na Ni Va
3rd Imperium: Deneb Depot is a mainstay in protecting the Spinward Marches from Invasion. With Vargr, Aslan, and Zhodani neighbors intruding on borders and the distance to the Imperium it has been clear that is is a highly strategic location. Its design is focused on a planetoid group in an asteroid belt. From that location numerous bases dot the system.
Rebellion: It became a primary point for those fleeing Vargr invasions and fleets moving out to “hold the line”. Deneb Depot was overran by Vargr forces briefly but neither side could hold the region.
Virus: Deneb Depot's technology was driven to TL16 after the fall of Virus. Vargr forces quickly submitted to Archduke Norris with immunity. The base emphasised being the fastest ship production depot in the Imperium. It was eventually upgraded to TL16 and renamed to Alpha when a second depot was built in the sector. This identifies one of two approaches to Depot defense. Here the two Depots split their support roles by dividing the sector. Alpha concentrates on Vagr/Virus sectors.
Deneb Beta “Pashus” Depot (1432), A232566-G, Lo Ni Po, RsZeta, Scout base
3rd Imperium and Rebellion: A naval base with significant in system control. The moon base is complimented by a scout base in system and Research Station Zeta.
Virus: The Beta depot was constructed after the first assaults of Virus to protect the Regency. Zeta is rumoured to still be working on advanced travel technologies. Beta focuses it's activities towards the Aslan systems Rimward.
Corridor Depot (1511) A686954-G, A686354-F Lo Ni Gas giant
Historically, Luung during the Rule of Man, Ekluug to the second Imperium.
3rd Imperium: Renamed Enders after the founder it was upgraded to a naval hub, er Depot. A key player in supporting the Marches during the 5th Frontier War. Originally, established to support expansion into the Spinward Marches its role continued to symbolized Imperial might to the Vargr sophontes.
Rebellion: During the rebellion this depot was so pivotal to the fall of the Imperium many maps list it as “Depot”. The Emperor has just completed TL16 upgrades of the Corridor system to a Grand Depot. Essentially, this meant duplicating bases and support throughout the system and improved defenses. It also created a string of support bases in adjacent parsecs. Decimation came at their claws when the Vargr invaded during the Rebellion with a 500 ship grand fleet which caught the newly upgraded entity with minimal support.
Virus: As it violated the worlds of Corridor, Virus failed to penetrate Depot Prime defenses. The rest of the worlds fell before the Vargr and we're easly for Virus to continue damaging. Depot Prime went underground leaving resources equivalent to several Navy Bases and Starports when Virus subsided. However, infrastructure support of the Imperium was gone requiring years of rebuilding. It is now Capital of the Corridor Commonwealth.
CENTRAL IMPERIUM (Vilani Region)
Vland Depot (2728) A594644-F, Rebellion A594677-9, Ag Ni
Originally, established during the 1st Empire this has always been a naval base of some sort with the exception of the Long Night when it held the wealth of Vland knowledge. Vland Depot is not only the most well established of the facilities but also the most efficient naval training center. It is possible that it now maintained the largest Security Fleet as well.
Rebellion: Vland Depot performed to glorious perfection during the Rebellion. The facilities we're expanded.
Virus: Assaulting Vland Depot was easy for Virus. Many of the soft elements had been backed up and protected from destruction at the outbreak of the Rebellion. Rumor has it that the 4th Imperium has found an Ancients Dreadnaught and left it at the restored Depot.
Gushemege Depot (0301) A34054B-E, A3406AB-E Ni, Po, De
History, Established as a naval base during the Ziru Sirka. It was utilized to support control over Illesh, Gusemege, and a trading partner, the Brinn (Corridor 2238) as they built a small confederation. In the Rule of Man, its strength was used to subjugate the Brinn whom the Solomani loathed.
3rd Imperium: This Depot neighboring numerous worlds specifically controlled by the Emperor. In its beginning it was utilized to crush the Brinn expansion. In reality all Depots belong to the Emperor (as commander of the military) in the situation of Gushemege and Core the Emperor is in direct control through Counts versus the sector Dukes and regional Archdukes. These Counts are known as the “Iron Counts” and are normally mentioned in many Imperium speaches, for example “By the Iron Counts, the Imperium will stand.”, the Duke of Illesh upon being granted additional powers.
Rebellion: It held out during the Rebellion with Stephon as his only Depot. Although, it was heavily battered.
Virus: Wiped out by Virus the base was eventually repopulated by the Restored Ziru Sirka as one of 3 Depots. It was preceeded by the Restored Ziru Sirka merging with the Usdiki Trade Federation to form what some call the 4th Imperium in 1207. The Vilani prefer Great Empire, 2nd Ziru Sirka.
Lishun “Dynam” Depot (1219) A786667-E, D788367-7 Lo Ni
3rd Imperium: One of the original 7 “maginol line” Depots along the Coreward access to the Imperium. Intended to assist Antares against Vargr incursions or hold off the 2000 Worlds. This Depot boasted about its defensive capabilities.
Rebellion: During the rebellion Vland maintained some control of the facility. Eventually, it was considered lost and was abandoned after being raided by Vargr and Antares.
Virus: The Restored Ziru Sirka took hold of Vland sector (1212) and quickly pushed into Lishun (1218). This Depot was re-opened as an advanced base against the Black Fleets or Azanti Empire. It is one of 3 rebuilt Depots controlled by Restored Ziru Sirka.
Coreward (Antares)
Depot “Zu” Antares (2021) B544686C, B544556C Dag Ni
3rd Imperium: One of the 7 “maginol line” depots along the trailing access to the Imperium. It is smaller and does not appear on Most maps. More a collection of specific Starports the Antares Depot is unique and completely planned by the Dukedom with support of the Emperor. This base consists of 4 permanently interlocked 10Mdton Mobile Starports. Capable of moving through the starsystem at 1G it normally maintains orbit around the habitable planet. The planet does maintain a Navy and other bases surrounding the starport with additional naval facilities in system. The only Depot built from a spacecity it was an expansion prototype. It's mobility was considered positive if war broke out with the K'kree.
Rebellion: Antares cesseded from the Imperium during the Rebellion. Efforts to hold off Vargr and Lucan invaders failed resulting in looting and colapse. The Depot became headquarters to the Star Legion providing the last line of defense. Regardless of several battles the Depot was not blown to pieces by any of the invaders, all hoping to possess it eventually.
Virus: The seat of Antares military power was swept away at Depot by the Virus fleets. Severely, damaged the Mobile Starport operates at a restored 1% capacity, tech level 12. The formation of the the Azanti Empire of Antares stretches from Depot (Antares 2021) to the sector capital Antares (2421) and Irale (2315). Presently, Azhanti Queen, Onara, has established brutal control over 14 systems (half of the Gimgir subsector) but is pressing for control of 4 subsectors placing the depot in the Middle. She intends on regaining control of most of Antares and moving coreward along the rift, where AE patrol cruisers already scout for opposition. The Azhanti obtained a Virus “mother” strain battleship, Lilith, that sees to their needs. So far the relationship is very effective. The Humaniti and Vargr populations have quickly submitted.
CENTRAL IMPERIUM (the Aware)
Lishun “Ushipaale” Depot (1134) A222488-C, A222264-C
History, A relatively minor naval starport in history.
Virus: The Black Imperium established this world as one of its new coreward Depots. There we're numous high tech resource worlds to exploit within easy reach. This also allows the Black Imperium to start it's first Grand Depot project. Beyond the first few parsecs information does not escape the Curtain of the Black Imperium (1180).
Lishun “Uudmi” Depot (2738) A525588-C, B52545-C
History, A relatively unimportant naval and scout base in Imperial history.
Virus: The Black Imperium began a rebuilding program to establish a gas giant moonbase, a centerpoint to its control over it's coreward territory (1180).
Dagudashaag Depot (0312) A310488-C, A310244-D, Lo Ni
Virus: This depot was the first to come back online during the Virus invasion and although attacked never lost 100% of her operational ability. The shutdown of the facility and use of manually controlled defenses made the difference. Operating at only 20% of her original capacity a conflict with the Black Imperium would decimate it's war capacity. Since, the rebirth it has been instrumental in replicating resources to reestablishing 2 more Depots. Vland Depot is now rumoured to have an Ancients Dreadnaught.
3rd Imperium: A primary support Depot. Most naval vessels traveling Spinward will run through this facility if in need of assistance. A large Depot it has construction abilities but focuses heavily on vessel repairs. It was first to produce the Atlantic class cruiser.
Virus: This Depot is on the edge of the Black Imperium and has been refitted by the Virus as part of its border protection efforts (1160). The Ziru Sirka maked moves to establish it as a border system of their own resulting in a the launching of a Scorched Vland Fleet. After severely damaging the 4th Imperium the remaining ships returned to Dagudashaag Depot.
Core “Uugnii” Depot (1518) AB6A788-E, AB6A422-F, Na Wa
3rd Imperium: Owned by the Emperor it has the largest reserve fleets. Known for having the best of the best. Core depot has extensive testing areas common to the production of new warship designs. An emergency seat of government has been constructed for the Moot and the Emperor, this was never used during the Rebellion. An Iron Count controls the Depot activities for the Emperor.
Virus: After the Virus establishment of the Black Imperium this system was assumed to be the heart of fleet maintenance and activities. Although, most Virus tech took a reduction to E or less, this base is assumed to be relatively undamaged.
Fornast Depot (1811) A878422-C, A878210-A, Lo Ni
3rd Imperium: A smaller hub Depot it provides support for surround depots beyond its normal sector duties. Overflow activities from Core often end up in Fornast.
Rebellion: Controlled by Lucan but raided by Antares and Margaret during the war. Fornast had a large collection of TL13 mothballed ships. Fornast did have extensive deep storage areas, in system, for supplies.
Virus: Virus has established Fornast as a border system to the Black Imperium and is rebuilding the Depot with anti-K'kree intent (1190). Presently, it sends out some scouts into the Gateway Sector but no fleets.
Massilia Depot ( 0301) A78A788-C, B78A777-C, Wa Ri
3rd Imperium: One of the original strategic support depots also referred to as “the hub”. Most naval fleets travelling Spinward will run through the Hub to repair any issues that have occurred along the way. The Hub is heavily focused on maintenance and is a key location for the Scout service.
Rebellion: The Massila Depot quickly moved to support Margaret and was a focused target by Lucan forces. Both sides stripped its resources and it was nuked repeatedly.
Virus: There was very little left when Virus came through this sector. A few ships insystem we're quickly infected but the bases we're vaparized in scorching campaigns. Possibly caches are buried in the rubble following deep storage techniques but getting to them would be very dangerous. Virus has established this as one of its border worlds and is rebuilding to support border patrols (1185).
CENTRAL IMPERIUM (not rebuilt)
Ley Depot (1420) C453000-0, A453532-B Ni
One of the 7 “maginol line” depots along the trailing access to the Imperium. Ley acts as a transfer point for military sales going to Gateway sector governments/ allies.
Rebellion: Margaret did strip this Depot when she realized it was not a location she could sustain.
Virus: Destroyed like the other facilities in a wave of transport ships crashing to the surface. The Back Emperor did consider extending to Ley and rebuilding it. These rumors from captured Virus ships by locals made a mass exodus from the Fornast and Ley sectors between the Black Imperium and this world. They also stated that the Black Emperor has a project he considers more important but they did not have details. Buried under a mountain near the marine base is a Stephon cache. A division of Marine heavy armour, battledress and equipment.
Illeish Depot 12 (2702) B222588-5, B362558-C Ni
3rd Imperium: It A moon-sized planetoid headquarters this Depot has numerous outlying bases. It was substantially underdeveloped never receiving the support of full construction facilities. It was one of several lesser bases intended to do system-level repairs and upgrades to vessels passing through. Illeish depot maintains a particularly excellent marine training center. One could refer to it as a Support Depot with minimal ship construction abilities. It is purely focused on fast repair. In this sector, commercial interests control most naval construction.
Rebellion: Of particular interest is the ability of the Archduke to leverage the Depot in a bid for domination during the Rebellion. Without question the teams fell inline and produced the required resouces to regain the Imperium. Bitterly loyal production levels increased.
Virus: As with everything, Virus was appeared in the Archdukes Cornation Fleet. Failures meant returning to navy bases or the Depot for repair. The Depot collapsed killing staff and sending out suicidal ships. Eventually two Kokirrak starships in orbit raced to see which could hit the Base facilities first. It was a holocaust.
Zanrushagar Depot (1920) A660000-0, A6688CF-F,
3rd Imperium: The heavy weight of the regional depots. Traffic moves through Masilla or Zanrushagar to reach coreward or rimward. Zanrushagar is the larger of the two depots but is clearly in the repair business. Its keeping the naval life line open.
Rebellion: During the rebellion it sided with Illelish which tried to hold onto the depot but it was eventually sacked and abandoned by the Duke with the naval personnel. The event re-inforced Illesh but spelled disaster for the infrastructure of regional economics and any opportunity to rebuild the Imperium.
Virus: Crushed any resistance, and burned the air.
Delphi Depot 1 (0832) X583000-0, A583447-A, Ni
A smaller support depot and one of the 7 “maginol line” depots along the trailing access to the Imperium.
Rebellion: In the rebellion the two Delphi Depots establish the holdings of Margaret. During the rebellion both fell into disrepair.
Virus: Eventually being destroyed by Virus in a scorch campaign against Margaret. The atmosphere can no longer sustain life.
Delphi Depot 2 (1205) A780000-0, A787200-A, Ni, Gasgiant
3rd Imperium: A smaller support depot and one of the 7 “maginol line” depots along the trailing access to the Imperium. It is one of the few “gasgiant” depot systems.
Rebellion: Margaret's 2nd depot utilized to hold off Solomani advances.
Virus: Swept away by Virus as though it we're never there. The planet is a black cinder.
RIMWARD IMPERUM
Daibei Depot (0326) – A000520-X, A9B9520-F Ni, Gasgiant
3rd Imperium: One of the 7 “maginol line” depots along the Spinward access to the Imperium.
Rebellion: During the Rebellion it withstood Solomani agression althought it stood alone. The Duke negotiated peace with the former Imperium peers and directed his attention spinward. Incursions from Aslan became more frequest as new worlds we're available for attack. By the end of the Rebellion, Daibei had essentially fallen to incursion.
Virus: Virus swept away the remaining fleets. This asteroid field Depot was pulverized.
Diaspora Depot (2018) C000765-D, D0007C9-A As Na
3rd Imperium: The smaller “spinward hub” depot centralizes security activities between the 3 primary spinward depots. This particular set of facilities is based in a dense portion of Asteroid field which had been modified to support naval needs in system. The combined system bases had 50 Mdton of capacity.
Rebellion Diaspora was briefly held by Lucan before switching sides several times. At one point an Admiral declared it autonomous and was assassinated within 2 weeks after he had started setting up several cache's in system. Eventually, the bases we're stripped by ships heading for local worlds.
Virus: Suicide Virus strain tore through the primary facilities with vicious, intent leaving rubble. One of the training bases is relatively unharmed but partially stripped. If found, a group could setup a traveller waystation with the ability to establish a stronger base. Several training starships are hidden on the site in a cache but the system is one large ruined battle ground. Beware.
Old Expanses ( 1213) A00000A-X, A00055A-F As Ni
One of the 7 “maginol line” depots along the trailing and spinward access to the Imperium. This depot is in an asteroid field and is focused on possible incursions from Solomani or the K'kree not the Hiver Federation. If fact it doesn't show up on some maps. Its size is often an argued issue since it places regularly undue pressure on the large Solomani Rim Depot. Given that this depot could be expanded quickly through the use of mobile bases.
Rebellion: Captured by the Solomani during the Rebellion it stood alone. The Solomani used it to push the borders to Delphi and the Massila sector. Eventually they started stripping the facility bare. The Aslan considered a push into Solomani occupied territories and some hostilities did occur and Aslan looked for land.
Virus: Rolled over the system crushing anything left. It vaporized the bases and starports. The rubble has starship parts in broken hulls. However, Virus spacecraft now roam the system.
Solomani Rim Depot (1911) A000000D-X, A00066D-F, As Ni La
3rd Imperium: One of the 7 “maginol line” depots along the Spinward access to the Imperium. Not based on a world this depot has numerous planetoids in the belt. It is the busiest Maginol Depot in the Imperium and perhaps the largest.
Rebellion: Captured by the Solomani during the Rebellion they used it to try and push the new border to Massila sector.
Virus: Decimated it.... nuked it into rubble. Rebuilding it has a been a consideration for Terra but presently they have deeper concerns.
Alternate Traveller Universe
The Imperium Grand Depots and an Emperor
With the
stagnant nature of the Imperium in the 1100s, we might assume an
extended peace was Stephon's only plan. But it was clear that an
unstable Vargr Extents would eventually cause problems for the
Imperium. As an Imperium protectorate sector the Vargr Extents
would stabilize and become economic boom. Stephon's Navy determined
that concentrated strength would be required to grow across coreward
sectors. It was determined that a third type of depot, the
Grand Depots, would be the next wave of Depot deployment.
Historically, the logistics of multiple Depot involvement in a
batttlefront were also a problem for the Imperium. But Depots
utilizing extensively replicated facilities, the latest cutting-edge
technologies, heavy defenses and extensive resources could be
utilized to manage other Depots and groups of sectors. These Grand
Depots would eventually have support facilities in Jump 1 surrounding
systems. Such Grand Depots could support multiple fleets and
even command incursions into neighboring Empires with greater
ease.
The next question is "When a Depot has unlimited
construction abilities, what makes a Grand Depot so great?"
Grand Depots expand their defensive and offensive rolls dramatically
improving the survivability of the facilities, recovery during
wartime, and improved efficiency. A Grand Depot could easily support
construction or restoration of multiple fleets.
Development Phase I - Grand Depots increase the defense capabilility of the star system.
Grand Depot Defense Systems and Fleets will coordinate under the guidance of a central AI and mobile Avatar. These features have the highest level of network and physical security. Initially, intended for defense against nanotech incursions at Corridor, it later worked perfectly as a defense against Virus. The AI can match Virus performance and has constant health checks to remove components that are compromised.
Depot facilities require a planet bound structure that treats a planet as a defended planetoid.
Facilities are doubled/duplicated at minimum. This cycle can be improved as required. tripled, quadrupled, etc.
Underground bunkers driven deep for additional survivability. In fact, Corridor Depot's deep bunker could survive a Nova assuming the planet is pushed out of orbit as its atmosphere vaporizes.
The construction goal improves performance "refit” a fleet in one month or less. Manage multiple fleets simultaneously.
The system is populated with extensive asteroid belts. Buried in asteroids, expanded meson platforms and DMGs throughout the system will end in a costly effort to take the system.
Fleet defense is expanded to numerous defense anchorages including mining and dormant missile launchers.
Development Phase 2 – Expand the reach of depot security and strength.
Extend naval support facilities onto other worlds in local J1-2 systems to assure alternate logistic, overflow options, and the storage of additional supplies in cache bunkers.
Sensors and early warning systems are spread across a multi-parsec area to provide delayed but effective combat information.
Fast Strike BatRons are assigned to a standalone facility in system.
Neighboring gas giants have significant defenses (mining, orbital artillery, squadrons).
An Alternate Rebellion History IMTU
Stephon was
not on Capital during the Rebellion asassination of 1116, nor was he
reviewing activities at Core Depot as was suggested by Arrival
Vengeance. Had he been at Core Depot it would've been easy to return
to Capital with the firepower to retake the homeworld from Dulinor or
Lucan. Stephon had just finished reviewing the first set of
upgrades to Corridor Depot, with Duke Criston Rehman, creating the
first stage of the Imperium's First Grand Depot. Deneb Depot
would soon begin the upgrades and would become the 2nd Grand Depot.
With these upgraded military sites, the Imperium would work with
Vargr allies on incursions into the balkanized Vargr Extents and
extensions of 5-Sisters for the Rim.
It was soon discovered,
at the Moot level, that Illelish and the inner sectors were not
slated for this significant update. That 6 Depots would become Grand
Depots (Corridor, Deneb, Core, Lishun, Solomani Rim and Ley) and
change the military dynamic of the Imperium. This provided excessive
motive in attempting to seize the Throne and why the non-allied Vargr
states would risk unifying the Imperium factions in a bloody war
re-directed at them.
Initially it was useful for the Emperor
to “continue the Core Depot review” story to save Corridor for
future efforts. But the tales the Arrival Vengeance tells of
the Emperor being at Gushemege. This underlying theme supports the
believe that no-changes had occured at Corridor and it was rumor at
best. The Emperor believed the Vargr had utterly destroyed Corridor
Depot before the completion of the extended facility...the rest was
history.
References
Atlas of the Imperium - Joe Fugate
MT Rebellion Sourcebook – Mark W. Miller
Regency Sourcebook – Dave Nilsen
The Diaspora Sector – Charles Gannon
Arrival Vengeance
1248 Out of the Darkness