u/CrEwPoSt

January 1st, 2319

Competition is integral to the improvement of both parties, but the humans take it to another level.

Out of the top five destroyer squadrons in the Orion Treaty, four are human, and the last one - Destroyer Division Six of the Antarean Republican Navy, is 5th place.

The sailors, marines, and ships of the four top squadrons are the most highly trained destroyer crews in the Orion Treaty - and they all viciously compete with each other for the top spot.

This isn't solely because they want to be top dog, but rather out of spite - they can't stand any of the other three in the top spot.

And they're willing to do absolutely anything to claim that spot, and the privileges associated with it, for themselves.

This includes priority access to luxury rations such as coffee and ice cream, and a fund for some recreational activities when a vessel is on a sortie.

And the squadrons in question...?

Let's just say that said rivalry translates very well into actual combat...

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*the squadrons in question*

Destroyer Squadron 24 "The Little Beavers"

UNS Burke (DD-601)

UNS Ausburne (DD-597)

UNS Thatcher (DD-602)

UNS Aulick (DD-606)

Currently the best squadron by battle readiness, training, and tactics. They prefer charging in and delivering mass torpedo salvoes, while firing as much as they can whilst in the thick of it. Hesitation does not exist among this squadron.

Destroyer Squadron 19 "The Black Cats"

UNS Fubuki (DD-463)

UNS Ayanami (DD-464)

UNS Akatsuki (DD-539)

UNS Akizuki (DD-612)

Currently second best, but only by a hair's length - they'll beat the Beavers any day now. They're more reserved, firing railguns at medium range, and closing in for hit and run torpedo attacks.

Destroyer Squadron 11 "Siberian Storm"

UNS Gnevny (DD-573)

UNS Udaloy (DD-576)

UNS Bezzavetnyy (DD-580)

UNS Zadornyy (DD-581)

The third-best squadron. These ships and their crews prefer engaging targets with their guns as opposed to their torpedoes. Accuracy by volume is their motto, and it works well enough.

Destroyer Squadron 13 "Lucky 13"

UNS Javelin (DD-577)

UNS Fearless (DD-541)

UNS Icarus (DD-593)

UNS Gallant (DD-567)

The fourth-best squadron. Very well-trained - their gunnery is some of the best in the Orion Treaty. They prefer to save their torpedoes for high-value targets, and safely eliminate the smaller vessels at long range.

“Let’s see how these humans fight without the help of Mother Nature!”

Black Skulls Piracy Organization Captain's Manual 2314 Edition

Everything a new pirate captain needs to know!

Reading this before embarking on your first raid is optional, but is strongly recommended.

Chapter 6a: Threats to your looting - United Nations Stellar Guard

The United Nations, or UN for short, is one of the major nations in the galaxy, with trade between the Republic of Antares, Federal Chfrsian Republic, Kyntari Republic, the Republic of K'sella, and the Phelani Regency being frequent, with each merchant vessel worth a fortune.

With the largest navy in the known galaxy following the UN-Antarean War, the humans have already spread their reach wide, and in their territory or out of it, there is one truth.

Any ship sailing the flag of Humanity is under their protection - and attacking them carries quite a few risks.

Firstly, the United Nations Navy along with their auxiliaries in the United Nations Stellar Guard frequently send destroyers and cutters to patrol their space, and any mayday message is sure to get a response from the closest one.

In addition, the UN has some of the most lenient restrictions on firearms and ship-based weapons ownership in the galaxy, and many freighter crews are armed to the teeth, just waiting for someone to try.

However, we'll focus on the main threat to smaller pirates, that being the United Nations Stellar Guard.

After all, not everyone can afford a brand new, shiny battleship, and railguns aren't the best things to be hit by.

______

The United Nations Stellar Guard, or UNSG for short, is dedicated to three main things.

1: Search and Rescue

2: Protecting the UN's Borders

3: Enforcing Galactic Law

In short, they're the UN's policing arm in space, and are very well-equipped compared to their compatriots in the Federal Chfrsian Stellar Guard (FCSG) and the Antarean Republican Stellar Guard (ARSG).

But what exactly are they equpped with, per se?

The UNSG is equipped with what the United Nations Navy discards or puts in reserve.

Primarily, these are older Hatsukaze-class destroyers which were put in reserve following the UN-Antarean War, lots of Patrol Torpedo (PT) boats which were discarded after the war in favor of more destroyers, and strangely, multiple Coral Sea-class fleet carriers dedicated to maritime patrol.

In short, you're going up against the UN Navy's older warships.

However, do not underestimate them a single bit - almost all are modernized for current use and many smaller pirate vessels will get shredded by autocannon fire and railgun slugs.

While they are not as well-armed as the Antarean Republican Stellar Guard post-CLDA (Commercial Lane Defense Act), or as well-trained as the Navy proper, they're still one of the most major threats to any pirate crew, due to their pervasive presence anywhere in a UN star system.

When a merchant vessel is attacked, the UNSG is the first line of defense, summoned by a distress call from the stricken vessel.

Once that distress call is sent, your looting time is now numbered, as every UNSG cutter and Navy warship less than 12 hours away will have already started steaming full speed ahead towards your position.

Simply put - on average, you'll have roughly three hours to loot what you can before a cutter shows up.

Use that time wisely.

Next, evade the cutters, and return back to your base with your bounty.

Unless you're raiding with a battleship at your disposal, it's best to evade the cutters as opposed to fighting them, as they're only a prelude of what's about to come.

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In conclusion, while the UN is a very rich target - and many of their ships do travel alone, and thus make easier targets, remember that their ability to travel alone is backed by the the might of both the United Nations Navy and the United Nations Stellar Guard. Due to these factors, attacking one brings great risk to you, your crew, and your ship.

However, if you can do it right, you can extract untold amounts of riches from the cargo holds of the ships you attack...

May 27th, 2310

ARS Akaria (C24)

You've plundered one-too many Antarean vessels, and the Antarean Republican Navy's finally taken you captive to answer for your crimes, and they're announcing your capture across all forms of media.

Your penalty under Antarean law is death by firing squad, and there's almost no hope of escape.

Your run might be over... or is it?

After all, birds of a feather flock together - and you've gained a good reputation among the best pirates in the galaxy... many would be very inclined to rescue you.

Or, you may have some tricks of your own.

What do you do/say, human..?