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I think a better way of saying that is, "I know who's going to be the Hautevilles' first targets."
'Sup, sub.
Thus far a good read, though I am interested to know the "starting point" of your ships, fleets, leaders and armies. *expectant jitter*
Also, boo for Fallen Empires.
Thus far a good read, though I am interested to know the "starting point" of your ships, fleets, leaders and armies. *expectant jitter*
Also, boo for Fallen Empires.
Normans can Play Nice
Normans can Play Nice
The Prince
The Prince
Langalibalele Msibi-Hauteville held the obviously old book in her hands. Carefully, without damaging it, she turned the pages, scanning them as she browsed. Rest of the crew of Marco Polo were behind her, curiously peeking, but not even daring to breathe. The script was definitely alien and there were beautiful illustrations. It looked unique and expensive, it’s pages covered with gold and the book cover encrusted with jewels. It also looked kind of familiar. The drawings of creatures had quite distinguished look to them. Langalibalele just couldn’t put her finger on it, until one of the crew pointed out: “Hey, they look like Vivisandians!”. After that, it was obvious. They had discovered something... totally unexpected.
Wonder what do we have here.
Marco Polo was the fourth science vessel the Normans had and Langalibalele Msibi-Hauteville was doing her first assignments beyond the Vool space. It was an odd chance to even stumble upon the container, orbiting one of the largest asteroids in the system. Few centuries, and the orbit of the container would have brought it crashing on one of the asteroids, so the Normans got totally lucky to get it.
Langalibalele closed the book, sighed and sent it to Earth. There, it was translated. It was indeed Vivisandian, and something they have lost. They knew the existence of the book by references in other books, but the original was long lost. How it got to space is a different question, but anyway, the Normans decided to give it back.
Have one book, please!
Few month later, Human ambassador Julia Medici-Hauteville entered the magnificent home of Commissary-General Ash Maple. It was so different from human architecture, looking more a greenhouse then traditional home. Rooms with varying kind of soil instead of floors. Carefully tended gardens in what could be called living rooms. Roofs totally removable if the owner for instance wanted to enjoy the rain. And of course, the sprinklers everywhere, giving the owner just the right mix of water and fertilizers if needed. But the basics were the same- Vivisandians wanted comfort and luxury in their homes. Just, their standards were totally different.
Her fast shuttle had jumped from Nagoya, escorted by half of the Fleet from Earth. Special demand from Vivisandians. The Human fleet was even allowed to jump to Vivis. Then, the Vivisandian Fleet took over the escort duty. All of their Fleet. Julia had never felt much more safer then now. For the entire two-month journey, the Fleet safeguarded Julia, making sure not a pirate or civilian vessel would dare to approach the human and her cargo.
They look really happy, right?
Plants are usually hard to read. When it comes to emotions, their bark doesn’t react the same way as the human face does. Subtle changes in colors, slight change of smell, all that. Usually it was even beyond human sensors to pick up. Not now, though. Ash Maple was like Julia’s daughter when she got him a puppy for her birthday. As Julia carefully handed him the container, you could almost see a tear in the old tree’s eye. Well, eyes. Well, some sort of sensors providing vision. The tree carefully opened the container and took out the book. He opened it, browsed it for a few seconds, then beckoned his minions who put it into much bigger container, made of glass.
The tree turned to Julia, barely able to speak. “You are truly the richest soil in the universe. We cannot thank you enough, fellow spacefarers.”
Normans can play nice.
Science Gets Done
Vitality boosters were discovered, giving entire Norman and alien populace an average lifespan of extra 10 years, were discovered in 2234. Who doesn’t want to live a long, fulfilling life? Or at least, a full long life?
In 2236, the Normans discovered theoretical substance called Engos Vapor. In theory, using it would make the planets more habitable. I say in theory, for there was none of that substance around the Hauteville space and if there was any in the galaxy, Normans knew naught where to find it.
In 2237, it was time for deep core mining- to get the resources hidden away inside the planet’s crust and near the core. Also, the bureaucracy got lessened even more, so the Normans can effectively hold one more world. And there were Xeno Zoos discovered. Two could be built- in Tuscany and in Kyoto.
That is a lot of techs
More Traditions
In 2237, the Normans adopted the Harmony traditions, giving the Empire a bit of much-needed happiness.
Everything is Awesome! At least with harmony adopted.
Nagoya
In 2237, the Normans were ready to expand their borders even further. Colony ship named Crystal Palace departed from the Earth. Emma and Bohemond said their good-bye and sent them off to the edge of Vivisandia League, where fresh new continental world was discovered. The new colony was named Nagoya.
With this, Vivisandia becomes close neighbours
New Ships
In 2234, Normans found a way to shoot down these pesky missiles. It was good thing, for the Galoctra were using the missiles and having some means of protection against enemy warheads was something the Normans could really use if they were to be successful.
Most importantly though, Normans got better guns. Railguns, in 2235. The prototypes showed much improvement over the old- meaning that the destructive power of the Normans grows even faster.
Add subspace sensors to the mix- to improve the tracking and see enemy before they see you.
And of course, the Fleet Academy. Proper training of ship's crew can give you that little edge in battle that you need. One was constructed in spaceport of Earth right away.
Finally, there were new, proper shields in 2236. Instead of early deflectors, the Normans got brand new shiny shields that engulf the entire ship. Partially from technology gained from Ganvius wrecks, but hey, you don’t look a good shield in the mouth.
This resulted in complete redesign of Norman fleet. All the ships were now equipped with the new gear, giving the ships better punch and also, better survival.
New military techs
Rollo-class corvettes, once the mainstay of the fleet, were still the most numerous, but by 2236, they have been more of a support role for the Norman destroyers. Still, there was plenty of them and together, they were like an angry fleet of wasps, harassing and swarming the enemy.
Ye olde boring corvette, with better guns
Then, there were Robert Guiscard-class destroyers. Three variations of them. First, there was standard Robert Guiscard, meant to be corvette-killer. Equipped with one medium and four small railguns, the enemy corvettes soon learned to fear the Norman destroyers.
These are for making corvettes hurt. A lot.
Robert Guiscard BG or Big Gun variation carried one large railgun and one medium. It’s task was to stay out of range, soften the enemy before they even got to the range and also, to make most of the damage to enemy space installations.
This makes things go boom!
Finally, there was Robert Guiscard PD or Point Defence variation. Some of the guns were replaced with Point Defence weapons and their task was to defend the corvettes and other destroyers from missile fire. Seeing though that the range of the point defence guns wasn’t so great and the speed of destroyers is what it is, it wasn’t super effective. Unfortunately, the technological limitations didn’t allow the Normans to use the point defence on corvettes.
Hitting 'em pesky missiles type of ship
By 2239, the Norman fleet was more or less ready. 14 destroyers, 20 corvettes. Standing in jump range in Tortuga, the Normas were about to clear the space near Earth of enemies and replace them with loyal subjects.
Norman fleet in the outskirts of Tortuga, waiting for a chance to jump
There was an event i haven't seen before 
And it's pretty cool, though i think it would have been even more cooler the other way around- if Vivisandians had discovered "The Prince" and handed it to Normans. But works this way too...
Glad to hear it! Thaks!
Since neither of them are luckily xenophobic bastards, the proper way would be "around them"
Yep, definitely not them. Last targets?
Well, here is something about ships and stuff. Armies. Heh, armies are just 12 armies and that's that. They are armies, they are insignificant. Plus of course, whole lot of defensive ones in the occupied worlds.
And at least, when i want a challenge, i don't have to look too far!
And it's pretty cool, though i think it would have been even more cooler the other way around- if Vivisandians had discovered "The Prince" and handed it to Normans. But works this way too...Glad to hear it! Thaks!
Since neither of them are luckily xenophobic bastards, the proper way would be "around them"
Yep, definitely not them. Last targets?
Well, here is something about ships and stuff. Armies. Heh, armies are just 12 armies and that's that. They are armies, they are insignificant. Plus of course, whole lot of defensive ones in the occupied worlds.
And at least, when i want a challenge, i don't have to look too far!
I hope you don't turn on those delightful trees. Would be a pity to squander their gratitude.
Aw, that was a nice scene with the Vivisandians. Fingers crossed for some continued friendly relations.
Somehow I am sure lots of intelligence was gathered during that visit to return the "book" is all I can say.
I was half expecting you to just invade them right after returning the book. Good to know the Hautevilles prioritize invading primitive civilizations that can't put up a good challenge.
But of course! The best kind of victory is one with no casualties! And who's easier to blow up than people who haven't discovered how to get off their own planet, much less send armies across star systems!I was half expecting you to just invade them right after returning the book. Good to know the Hautevilles prioritize invading primitive civilizations that can't put up a good challenge.
But what kind of challenge is that if your enemy doesn't even know how to fight you? That's just a dishonorable slaughter! A true war is against an enemy that is your equal, so that you must fight for your victory!
No, I am just making sure that the Hautevilles don't grow too arrogant in their conquests. Then they will never underestimate their enemies!
It will be much easier if the only war experience they ever had was fighting a few primitives. Case in point, the British Army in World War I, which until then only had experience using machine guns on African tribes, not getting machine guns used against it.
But the British Empire doesn't thrive on war the way the Hautevilles do, just beating up the Chinese for their tea.
Hautevilles conquer primitives for their resources. British conquer African tribes for their resources. I think there's enough similarities there, but let's move back to discussing the Hautevilles themselves. My point is, if the Hautevilles don't fight an enemy they are roughly even with, they won't be prepared for when the fallen empires and crises come knocking.
But conversely if they expend the large amounts of resources necessary to wage a fair fight they may not have the infrastructure to combat the very threats the war would prepare them for.
But then if they never do wage a fair fight they will never even have an infrastructure to fight those threats to begin with.