Thanx!!
F_W, I was going to name her Enterprise, but, it just seemed really cheesy.
Also, I've had Paladin running through my head for some time...also, I thought it sounded like a fitting name.
Here's a little of the story...a rough outline:
In 2043, while on a joint US/UK/JAPAN/INDIA survey mission to the Sol asteroid belt, a derelict alien vessel is discovered. Thus, finally having proof that we are not alone, Earth unites to form the Earth Republic. 13 yrs later, engineers were finally able to access the alien computer system and, using the latest language translation algorithyms, begin to understand the alien technology. In short order, scientists and engineers were able to reproduce some elements of the alien tech., including it's weapons/defense systems and drive system. Adapting an existing system explorer to utilize the FTL/Hyperdrive system, the first manned extra-solar mission was planned for early 2060. In the meantime, scientists and engineers were able to determine that the alien vessel was was approximately 400-600 years old, the race were known as the Brujand they were at war with a race known as the Quirs'an. The ships log indicated that the vessel was disabled and abandoned after a Quirs'an ambush disabled their power systems. The Bruj were able to escape by "jumping" out of the fight minutes before total power failure. According to the vessels computer system, the attack took place in a star system X light years away.(Still need to do a little astronomy research
) The computer system also listed a closer system that had a habitable planet, but without any intelligent life. With that information as a guide, it was decided to go there for the 1st mission. Adapting a shield system from the alien vessel to the explorer, the mission launched in Feb. 2060. 3 months later, having left the Sol system under sub-light drive, the FTL/Hyperdrive was programmed and activated...as the sequence ended the ship was severely rocked...they were under attack. Immediately sending a message back to Earth (re-engineered communications tech.) the explorer, being unarmed, began programming to jump out of the attack...they never made it.
When Earth recieved the message, they immediately began preparing for attack. The 1st Earth space warship was due to be completed in 6 months. Increasing the number of crews building her and moving to 16 hour shifts, the Earth Star Ship (ESS) Paladin was completed 3 1/2 months ahead of schedule. 2 weeks later, she was commisioned and, fully armed, began patrolling the system. Earth was also building 2 sister ships, but they would not be completed for another year, even with the shipyard working around the clock. Thus, the 1st battle was to be fought by Paladin alone. In July 2061, while patrolling near Neptune, Paladin encountered, and was attacked by a ship resembling the Quirs'an ships listed in the Bruj computer. In a battle that lasted 7 hours, Paladin traded blow for blow with the enemy, until, nearing the 8 hour mark she was able to deliver a crippling blow...the Quirs'an ship escaped by jumping out of the system. With more than 60% of her systems offline, Paladin limped back to Mars for repairs.
Thus, Earths 1st spacebattle ended in a draw...but, the end was far from sight.
Well, that's good for ya to get the idea. I have a whole fleet of Earth ships in my head, and starting to work out some alien ones. Whatcha think?
Topic: A design sketch...sorta (Read 1554 times)