Dark Expanse© Fleet Operations

Fleet Operations Overview

Combat is accomplished through assigning the whole fleet or just a portion to an individual mission. The two different mission interfaces can be accessed through the main menu, or once a fleet exists, by way of the Fleet Orders page. The Fleet Orders page not only provides a summary of fleet activities, it allows the commander to select which fleet is shown on the Out System Ops and In System Ops pages. More detailed information about each fleet can be found using the Fleet Details link. The Fleet Details link is fleet # or fleet name on the Fleet Orders page and the fleet # or name at the top of either the ship selection interface for both the Out System Ops and In System Ops pages. These are also the two mission assignment pages. Each interface allows for the selection of specific in-system and out-system operations. The operational interfaces are discussed below.

This page allows for fleet operations between star systems.

Astrogation System Selection

The Astrogation System selection allows the current fleet to use either the current commander's or a federation member's Astrogation systems. Selecting the Update Star Chart button is required to render the new star chart.

Change View Selection

This perspective selection allows the star chart to be drawn along any two Cartesian axes. Selecting the Update Star Chart button is required to render the new star chart.

Destination Selection

The destination star can be selected one of two ways. Selection is by either clicking on a navigable star on the star map or by pulling down the list of destination stars.

Fleet Selection

Because more than one fleet may reside within a star system, it may be necessary to select the fleet from which the ships will be drawn. To add ships to the out-going fleet, just enter a number into the field next to each ship you want sent. Or you can use the slider bar underneath to enter the number desired.

Mission Selection

Recon Fleets – A reconnaissance mission that identifies any fleets and ship types within that solar system. While any ship type can perform a reconnaissance, Recon ships have the best chance of escaping detection. The recon fleet will return to it's original starting position upon completion of the mission.

Recon Planets – A reconnaissance mission that will scout out a solar system's planetary infrastructure and defenses. While any ship type can perform a reconnaissance, Recon ships have the best chance of escaping detection. The recon fleet will return to it's original starting position upon completion of the mission.

Expedition – A fleet will arrive at star system, and merge with an existing fleet, then engage in fleet versus fleet combat with any hostile forces. Should the fleet receive damage beyond it's commitment level, it will retreat to it's original starting position.

Commitment Selection

Commitment only applies to fleets in motion. All stationary fleets, which are considered defenders, are automatically set to Total Commitment. Future enhancements may include a retreat option for defending fleets.

Light – The attacking fleet will continue the assault until the attacking fleet reaches more than 25% damage∕casualties and then retreat.

Medium – The attacking fleet will continue the assault until the attacking fleet reaches more than 50% damage∕casualties and then retreat.

Heavy – The attacking fleet will continue the assault until the attacking fleet reaches more than 75% damage∕casualties and then retreat.

Total – The attacking fleet will continue the assault until either the defending or the attacking fleets are destroyed. If the attacking fleet survives, it will then remain on-station.

These two check boxes allow for specialized configuration of a fleet. By designating a fleet as a Detached Command, upon arrival the fleet will not merge with other fleets at the same location. As long as the fleet is not assigned another mission, the fleet will remain separate from all other fleets. However, once the fleet is sent on a new mission, it will merge into another fleet, unless the Detached Command is checked each time.

By designating a fleet as a Task Group, the fleet's arrival time can be extended and (future enhancement) other federation member fleets can be joined to the lead fleet for a combined attack. To extend a Task Group's arrival time, once the mission has been executed, go to the Main Menu∕Federation∕Federation Task Group page. On this page, select the Extend Time button. (Future Enhancement) If a commander has a fleet(s) that can join a Task Group, the fleet(s) will be listed on this page as well. All fleets joined to the lead fleet in the Task Group will follow the commitment level of the lead fleet. The mission results will be dispatched to the entire federation.

Executing the Mission

Once you have chosen the destination star, the mission type, the commitment level and which ships are to be sent, select the Execute Operation button to execute the mission. There is a ten minute window in which the fleet can be recalled. Canceling a fleet operation can be done on the Fleet Orders page. However, once a fleet is in transit, all communications are lost until the fleet arrives at it's destination.

This page allows for fleet operations within a star system.

Target Jump Gate Selection

The target jump gate is only used with the Traverse Gate mission. The only gates available for selection will be ones owned by the commander or the federation.

Target Planet Selection

The target planet can be selected one of two ways. Selection is by either clicking on a planet graphic within the star system map or by pulling down the list of target planets.

Fleet Selection

Because more than one fleet may reside within a star system, it may be necessary to select the fleet from which the ships will be drawn. Selecting which ship types are to execute the mission is similar to the method used in out system operations.

Mission Selection

Load – The identified amount of cargo will be loaded onto any available space in the fleet.

Unload – The selected cargo will be unloaded on the target planet or jump gate. Cargo in excess of the planet's support maximum will be lost.

Garrison Marines – Marines contained in the fleet will be shuttled to the planet and become part of the defending soldiers. The Marines will take on the Military Training level of their new home world. Any Marine Transport will be cannibalized to construct an operational outpost.

Colonize – Colonists and their supplies can be landed on an empty planet to start a new colony. Or if the planet is owned by the same commander, the colonists will be added to the planetary personnel. Should colonists attempt to land on a planet with hostile forces, there is a chance that the colonists will be able to conquer the native race. In all cases, the Colony Ship will be cannibalized to give the new personnel materials with which to work. Any colonists in excess of the maximum supported population or any supplies that exceed the planetary maximum storage will be lost.

Reinforce Planet – The fleet will arrive in planetary orbit, fight any enemy fleets and planetary defenses, and upon success take up a planetary defensive position.

Reinforce Star – The fleet will take up a solar system defensive posture and upon arrival attack any enemy fleets. Once in position, any hostile fleet entering the star system, that is detected, will engage this fleet in combat.

Raid – The fleet will arrive in planetary orbit and engage in combat with any enemy fleets and attack the planetary defenses while attempting to capture resources. Cargo ships are required, as part of the raiding force, for the loot to be loaded. Afterwards the fleet will return to it's point of origin. Frigate are made for raiding and provide a bonus to the amount of resources captured.

Bombardment – A fleet in space will bombard an enemy planet seeking to destroy the planetary infrastructure. Bombardments from the planetary defense position will engage the target planet's defensive systems and be more effective. Bombardments from outside the target planet's vicinity will have a reduced effectiveness and will not engage the planetary defenses. Battleship are designed for and add a bonus to the bombardment results.

Invasion – The fleet will arrive in planetary orbit, engage any enemy fleets, engage any enemy planetary defense, and if successful the fleet marines will land to fight against the planet's defending soldiers. Once the soldiers have been defeated, the attacker takes ownership of the planet. The marines that survive combat will be used to garrison the planet. Any marines in excess of the maximum supported armies will be lost. Because the planet is occupied, the costs of all items, and the time to build them, will be increased. Should the planet be abandoned by the invader, it will revert to the previous owner. Heavy Cruiser will add a bonus to the invasion results.

Genocide – Similar to Invasion, the fleet will arrive in planetary orbit, engage any enemy fleets, engage any enemy planetary defense, and if successful the fleet marines will land to fight against the planet's defending soldiers. Once the soldiers have been defeated, the attacker takes ownership of the planet. However, the original population will be killed off with all infrastructure and technologies becoming severely damaged. Therefore, colony ships will be needed to populate the planet. The marines that survive combat will be used to garrison the planet. Any marines in excess of the maximum supported armies will be lost. Light Cruiser will add a bonus to the genocide results.

EspionageBlack Ops Ship are used to inserted a team onto the planet. The team will continue to make daily reports regarding the planet's technologies until they are caught. The Black Ops Ship(s) are consumed during this one way mission. If sent in without other ship types there is a better chance of a successful team insertion.

SabotageBlack Ops Ship are used to inserted a team onto the planet. The team will continue to make daily assaults on the planet's technologies until they are caught. The Black Ops Ship are consumed during this one way mission. If sent in without other ship types there is a better chance of a successful team insertion.

SeditionBlack Ops Ship are used to inserted a team onto the planet. The team will continue to make daily assaults on the planet's social standing until they are caught. The Black Ops Ship are consumed during this one way mission. If sent in without other ship types there is a better chance of a successful team insertion.

TerrorismBlack Ops Ship are used to inserted a team onto the planet. The team will continue to make daily assaults on the planet's infrastructure until they are caught. The Black Ops Ship are consumed during this one way mission. If sent in without other ship types there is a better chance of a successful team insertion.

Traverse Gate – The fleet will utilize the targeted Jump Gate for wormhole travel to the commander's or another federation member's Jump Gate. The fleet travel time is dependent on the level of the gate, the distance between the gates and the fleet speed.

Salvage, Solar and PlanetarySalvage Ship are used to collect debris that is scattered around the solar system and the planets. The debris is created after combat occurs and remains until salvaged. In addition to salvage operations, Salvage Ship can double as cargo ships.

Archaeology – Artifacts can be found on any planet, friendly, hostile or neutral by running the Archaeology mission. Artifacts are retrieved by using Salvage Ship. These ships specialize in the handling of hazardous materials and excel at collecting alien artifacts. Due to their special nature, only a maximum of 8 artifacts can be loaded at any one time.

Traverse Wormhole – Wormholes are found only at black holes. Black hole stars are designated on the out system ops map with orange rings around them. To complete a Traverse Wormhole mission, a fleet needs to travel to one of those black hole stars. From there, the fleet can traverse the wormhole to another black hole star within the galaxy. A rare few wormholes to not have another opening.

Commitment Selection

Selecting the commitment level is similar to the method used by Out System Operations.

Detached Command and Task Group

Selecting either the Detached Command or Task Group is similar to the method used by Out System Operations.

Executing the Mission

Once you have chosen the target planet, the fleet being used, the mission type, the commitment level and which ships are to be sent, select the Execute Operation button to execute the mission. There is a ten minute window in which the fleet can be recalled. Canceling a fleet operation can be done on the Fleet Orders page. However, once a fleet is in transit, all communications are lost until the fleet arrives at it's destination.

Copyright 2000-2024 by Deorc Enterprise