FreeSpace Wiki - User contributions [en]

Blue Planet

2012-08-10T16:17:07Z

Cobra: /* Project Staff */

[[File:BP-Banner.png|center|From our odyssey into Hell, we return with a gift...]]
'''Blue Planet''' is the overall name of a series of campaigns set 18 years after the events of FS2.

The Blue Planet project focuses on storytelling first and foremost, detailing a possible explanation for the events in Descent: FreeSpace and FreeSpace 2, and then following it to a logical conclusion.

Blue Planet is very widely known throughout the Hard Light Productions (HLP) community as being one of the best user-made campaign projects of all-time, excelling in story concept, mission design, cutscene use and music selection.

==Story==
It is 2385, fifty years after the appearance of the [[Shivans]] at [[Ross 128]] and the beginning of the [[Great War]] and eighteen years following the [[Capella]] supernova and conclusion of the [[Second Shivan Incursion]]. Using [[Knossos]]-derived technology, the [[GTVA]] have finally completed the construction of a subspace portal, stabilising the subspace corridor linking [[Delta Serpentis]] to [[Sol]], the birthplace of the Terrans. After sending numerous probes through the portal, the GTVA decides that the node had indeed stabilised, and proceeds to send in the real ambassadors.

[[Blue Planet: Age of Aquarius]] (AoA), released in 2007, introduces the universe, and describes the struggles and adventures of the GTVA's 14th Battlegroup, an elite force of ships sent on a mission to re-establish contact with Earth. As they take a detour through a parallel reality where the Lucifer succeeded in wiping out Earth during the events of the original FreeSpace, one officer gains insight into the greater forces at work in the fabric of the multiverse.

The first part of [[Blue Planet: War in Heaven]] (WiH), released in August 2010, details the final weeks of a civil war between the government of Earth and the GTVA after contact was re-established. It focuses on the journey of a young woman torn between the ideals of her upbringing, and the necessities of fighting a war for the survival of the human race.

==Missions==
===Age of Aquarius===
* One 22-mission campaign

===War in Heaven===
* One 30-mission campaign (estimated)
* One 1-mission campaign
* Two single missions

==Factions==
===Galactic Terran-Vasudan Alliance===
[[Image:Atreus.png|thumb|right|480px|The GTVA's most powerful vessel since the [[GTVA Colossus|''Colossus'']]—the GTD ''Raynor''.]]
[[Image:Gtfatalanta.jpg|thumb|right|480px|The Alliance's next-generation space superiority fighter—the GTF ''Atalanta''.]]
====Summary====
The Blue Planet continuity begins in 2385, only 18 years after the [[NTF Rebellion]] and [[Second Shivan Incursion]]. Following the GTVA's production doctrine employed between the Great War of 2335 and the NTF Rebellion of 2367, a number of FS2-era ships are still used, although most FS1-era ships, by contrast, have been phased out. Ships in active production are determined by their age, popularity among pilots, practicality and irreplaceableness. At the same time, in response to the massive losses sustained as a result of the [[Second Shivan Incursion]], the Alliance pushed forward the Threat Exigency Initiative, an extensive upgrading and redeployment project that spans the Terran arm of the GTVA. Lessons learned from the lack of proper logistical support in remote locations also prompted the introduction of a new "Logistics" class, non-combatant ships designed to serve as mobile installations.

The Threat Exigency Initiative, conceived as a more proper deterrent to the threat of future invasions, ushered in an age of new warships and battle doctrines inspired, ironically, by the [[Shivans]], fighters that can operate more independently, and weapons designed to be as versatile as possible. Products of the Threat Exigency Initiative include the [[GTD Raynor|GTD ''Raynor'']], a three-kilometre destroyer mounting [[HBlue|a powerful forward beam cannon]], warship-mounted heavy torpedo launchers, fast-firing pulse weapons that serve as secondary and tertiary warship armaments, the [[GTF Aurora|''Aurora'' heavy reconnaissance fighter]], and the [[Balor]], a rapid-firing, energy-efficient fighter-mounted particle blaster.

====Warships====
While many Capella-era warships remain in active production, most of the Great War-era warships have been phased out. The only remaining class of warship from the Great War that is still servicing the front lines is the [[GTD Orion|GTD ''Orion'']]. With the addition of the GTD ''Raynor'' into the ranks of the Terran fleet, the ''Orion'''s lengthy service to the Alliance has at last reached its final stages. Only a few ''Orion''-class destroyers remain in active service. The Capella-era warships are supplemented by warships designed and pushed into production as a result of the post-Capella Threat Exigency Initiative.

Virtually all Capella-era warships remain in active service, although some warship classes have been sorted into different sub-classes. For instance, the [[GTD Hecate|''Hecate''-class]], first commissioned as a destroyer during the [[NTF Rebellion]], has since been sub-classified as a carrier following a mediocre performance in the anti-warship field during the [[Second Shivan Incursion]]. The effectiveness of the [[GTC Aeolus|''Aeolus'' cruiser]] during the Second Shivan Incursion, combined with cheaper manufacturing techniques, meant that the Alliance resumed production for a cruiser class that originally had production lines cut after only twenty-four vessels were commissioned. Although still officially classified as a cruiser, the deployment of the ''Aeolus'' in the modern era is much closer to a tactical gunboat and warship escort. The [[GTCv Deimos|''Deimos''-class corvette]] now forms the core of Alliance corvette battlegroups, serving as an all-round warship.

The Threat Exigency Initiative ushered in a new generation of warships that are generally faster and more agile than their Capella-era counterparts and are equipped with better-placed anti-fighter defenses, as well as secondary and tertiary anti-warship armaments such as anti-warship torpedoes and pulse cannons. The most powerful warship brought into service as a result of this project is the [[GTD Raynor|GTD ''Raynor'']], a three-kilometre destroyer capable of projecting at least 50% of its armaments in virtually any direction. Other warships pushed into production include the [[GTD Titan|GTD ''Titan'']], a destroyer sporting a devastating frontal array of three [[BBlue|''Ice Queen'' heavy beam cannons]] and cavernous hangar, the [[GTCv Diomedes|GTCv ''Diomedes'']], a strike corvette mounting several [[TerSlashBlue|''Bull Frost'' tactical slashing beams]], and the [[GTL Anemoi|GTL ''Anemoi'']], a massive logistics vessel that can resupply and repair any ship ranging from fighter to destroyer and carry enough supplies and equipment to sustain a small fleet for months.

====Spacecraft====
Nearly all Great War-era spacecraft have been pulled from active service and sold off to third parties or used as training targets. The only two exceptions to this fate are the [[GTF Ulysses|''Ulysses'' fighter]] and [[GTB Ursa|''Ursa'' assault bomber]]. Of these two, the ''Ulysses'' remains in limited production and is no longer used in front-line operations, while the ''Ursa'', despite its incredibly lethargic speed and sluggish manoeuvrability, still retains its original role in the Alliance fleet, although no plans have been drawn up to create a new class of bombers taking after the design philosophies of the ''Ursa''.

By sharp contrast to the current deployment of all Capella-era warships, a number of Capella-era spacecraft have been slated to be pulled from active service. The two most prominent ship classes befalling this fate are the [[GTF Myrmidon|GTF ''Myrmidon'']], cited as being a powerful but excessively large fighter by many former Rebel pilots who have flown it, as well as the [[GTF Erinyes|GTF ''Erinyes'']], deemed to be too complicated to improve upon. At the opposite end of the spectrum are ship classes such as the [[GTB Artemis|GTB ''Artemis'']] and [[GTF Perseus|GTF ''Perseus'']], the former now mass-produced as the Alliance's main strike bomber, and the latter now reclassified and deployed as the Alliance's main space superiority fighter.

Four fighter classes and one bomber class have been brought into service as a result of the Threat Exigency Initiative: the [[GTF Aurora|''Aurora'' heavy reconnaissance fighter]], sporting enhanced sensors that can navigate the thickest nebula and detect stealth ships, all packaged in a decently armoured spaceframe; the [[GTF Draco|''Draco'' interceptor]], with an insanely high velocity rating allowing it to escort several warships at once; the [[GTF Atalanta|''Atalanta'' advanced space superiority fighter]], with its high speed and agility as well as excellent weapons compatibility; the [[GTF Nyx|GTF ''Nyx'']], a heavy fighter that blends the firepower of eight gun banks with a level of agility comparable to the ''Perseus''; and the [[GTB Rhea|GTB ''Rhea'']], a strike bomber with an asymmetrical weapons configuration that has been regarded as a statistical success among bomber squadrons.

====Weaponry====
Lessons learned during the [[Second Shivan Incursion]], at the cost of thousands of lives, prompted the GTVA to begin upgrading several warships in service after the Capella supernova, as well as to phase out older weapons that have been used for the past five decades and replace them with more modern weaponry. One of the Threat Exigency Initiative's primary goals is to produce better warship armaments and it has, to date, produced three different types of anti-warship weaponry. At the forefront of this are the range of new beam cannons installed on the GTVA's newest line of warships, such as the [[HBlue|''Winter King'' heavy beam]] mounted at the bow of the ''Raynor'' destroyer, and the [[TerSlashBlue|''Bull Frost'' tactical slashing beam]] mounted on the ''Diomedes'' corvette. The second type of anti-warship weapons developed are anti-warship torpedoes, serving as secondary weapons on the ''Raynor'' and ''Titan'' destroyers as well as friendly artillery. The third and final type of anti-warship weapons are pulse cannons, serving as battery weapons on heavier ships. Both the [[TerPulse|''Hellstar'']] and [[STerPulse|''Riptide'']] pulse cannons are recent developments of [[Morgan Technologies]], and have yet to be fully integrated into GTVA battle doctrine.

Much of the GTVA's fighter-mounted weaponry remains the same, although the [[Balor|Balor rapid-fire particle blaster]], so far the only fighter-mounted primary cannon developed by the Threat Exigency Initiative, adds a much-needed and fearsome complement to the standard-issue [[GTW Subach HL-7]]. The Balor was designed to serve and destroy everything short of a light cruiser, and it was designed to be far more versatile than nearly every other fighter-compatible primary gun in the GTVA arsenal. At the time of the Sol Gate's completion, the Balor was brand-new, and GTVA battle doctrine did not fully integrate it. By the time of the UEF-GTVA war, however, the Balor has seen widespread use in nearly every stage of the conflict.

While the [[GTM Trebuchet]] is now commonly used as a long-range heavy missile for destroying slower, heavier ships, the Alliance have also pushed a new missile into production lines—the [[GTM TAG-C]]. This, the third and final iteration of the Target Acquisition and Guidance line of missiles, not only retains the painting beacon of the [[GTM TAG-A]] and aspect-seeking technology of the [[GTM TAG-B]], but combines both with a highly sophisticated targeting beacon that will, on impact, transmit authorisation codes to a local friendly warship. Any large vessel unlucky enough to be hit by a TAG-C will have to deal with the barrage of anti-warship torpedoes that emerge from subspace. The TAG-C enables even fighters to deliver the same warship-shattering punch as an assault bomber.

===United Earth Federation===
[[Image:UEDSolaris.png|thumb|right|480px|The be-all and end-all of the UEF's military might—the UED ''Solaris''.]]
[[Image:Uefkentauroi.jpg|thumb|right|480px|The fastest ship in the UEF fleet on afterburners—the UEF ''Kentauroi''.]]
====Summary====
In the fifty years following the collapse of the Sol-Delta Serpentis jump node, the [[Galactic Terran Alliance]] was reorganised into the [[United Earth Federation]], or UEF, headed by the Global Ubuntu Party.

The Ubuntu Party placed emphasis on economic recovery and political stability, rather than military strength. What was left of the old GTA military was scrapped and slimmed down to suit the need of only being able to maintain order throughout much of an entire star system. Standard military doctrine in the UEF places emphasis on frigates that can serve as mobile carriers and operate in remote locations for lengthy periods, as well as versatile fighters that can be reassigned to numerous roles in a single operation. The main base of operations for each of the UEF's three fleets is a [[UED Solaris|''Solaris''-class destroyer]], a formidable carrier and command vessel that is never deployed on the front lines unless absolutely necessary.

====Warships====
The UEF only has three destroyers in active service, all of them [[UED Solaris|''Solaris''-class destroyers]]. Each of these destroyers serve as a base of operations to the Federation's three fleets, as well as their commanding officers. Originally considered to be "a solution to a non-existent problem", the ''Solaris'', ''Toutatis'' and ''Eris'' now serve at the very centre of the UEF's battle doctrine and, despite being designed to effectively neutralise an attack from any direction, are rarely seen on the front-lines. Instead, most military operations are carried out either by the fighter squadrons within these fleets or by smaller, faster frigates and cruisers assigned to each fleet.

Frigates and cruisers make up the Federation's primary attacking force. The two frigate classes currently in active service, the [[UEFg Karuna|''Karuna'']] and [[UEFg Narayana|''Narayana'']], both sport a hangar capable of housing a small fighter squadron, and the sole cruiser class, the corvette-sized [[UEC Sanctus|''Sanctus'']], is used in almost the same manner as the GTVA deploys the ''Deimos''. Although every frigate and cruiser in the Federation is assigned to one of the three fleets, they are often deployed on their own, away from the ''Solaris''-class destroyer that serves as their fleet's home base.

====Spacecraft====
The Federation makes heavy use of high-performance spacecraft that are generally much more agile and versatile than their GTVA counterparts. Almost every fighter class is capable of reverse thrust, as well as reverse afterburn, adding to their overall versatility on the field. The Federation's main space superiority fighter is the [[UEF Uhlan|UEF ''Uhlan'']], an all-round ship capable of fulfilling any fighter role as the situation demands. Other common ships include the [[UEF Kentauroi|UEF ''Kentauroi'']], the Federation's cross between the GTVA's ''Nyx'' and ''Perseus'' fighters, the [[UEF Uriel|UEF ''Uriel'']], a heavy assault fighter sporting a long-range gauss cannon, and the [[UEB Durga|UEB ''Durga'']], an assault bomber with the firepower to level entire cities. The Federation also produces an additional class of spacecraft, the [[UEF Lao Tze|UEF ''Lao Tze'']], an extremely powerful but difficult to fly heavy fighter used primarily by the elite [[Knights of the White Brotherhood]].

====Weaponry====
While the GTVA have spent decades developing beam and energy-based weaponry, Federation anti-warship armaments, on the other hand, follow a more traditional kinetic-based principle. The primary stopping power of the UEF's two frigate classes, the ''Karuna'' and ''Narayana'', are a pair of powerful bow-mounted heavy mass drivers that are complemented by their own targeting system, allowing them to incapacitate crucial enemy subsystems or turrets at will. The ''Solaris'' destroyer's primary weapons, however, come in the form of twelve heavy torpedo launchers that can easily decimate anything short of a superdestroyer in a matter of minutes. Secondary armament on all ships are made up of a mixture of anti-fighter tracers, flak guns and smaller anti-subsystem torpedo launchers.

The technology that powers Federation fighter-mounted weaponry, although crude and slightly dated as compared to the much greater level of sophistication seen in Alliance weaponry, is nonetheless just as effective, if not more so. The standard-issue [[Vulcan|SCWS-1 Vulcan]] is a rapid-firing plasma cannon that can easily track torpedoes and even the fastest ships produced by the Alliance, while the slightly heavier [[Maul|SCWS-2 Maul]] sacrifices refire rate for even more damage per shot. In the many decades since the [[Great War]], the legendary [[GTW Prometheus]] has been remade into the [[Rapier|SCWS-6 Rapier]], the most powerful fighter-compatible plasma weapon available to the standard Federation pilot, capable of Swiss-cheesing even the heaviest fighters in the Alliance with a few shots. Federation gunships such as the ''Uriel''-class mount a third weapon: a long-range ammo-based mass driver, such as the [[Archer]] or [[Vajra]], designed to obliterate turrets and subsystems from beyond regular retaliation range.

The UEF sports a slightly wider variety of secondary weapons compared to the GTVA. In addition to the regular [[Hellfire Missile|Hellfire dumbfire missile]], [[Javelin|Javelin aspect-seeking dogfight missile]], [[Grimler|Grimler heavy missile]] and [[Paveway|Paveway anti-subsystem missile]], as well as three anti-warship torpedoes, the Federation also produces two fire-and-forget swarm missiles, called the [[Dirk]] and [[Dart]], as well as the dreaded [[Slammer|Slammer suppression missile]], an aspect-seeking cluster missile containing heat-seeking explosive charges. While the Dirk and Dart provide Federation pilots with a third tier of dogfight missiles to choose from, the Slammer, on the other hand, has gained a reputation among the GTVA for being a fighter- and bomber-killer, capable of destroying entire wings with one hit, and is the most feared weapon in the UEF's arsenal of missiles.

===Vishnans===
[[Image:Vishnanpreserver.jpg|thumb|right|480px|The embodiment of Vishnu—the Vishnan Preserver.]]
[[Image:Vishnanmissionary.jpg|thumb|right|480px|The first known Vishnan ship ever encountered—the Vishnan Missionary.]]
:''See also: [[Vishnans]]''
====Summary====
The [[Vishnans]] are a new species introduced in Blue Planet. They describe themselves as Great Preservers and counterparts of the [[Shivans]], though initial contact with their species was possibly violent. What little is known about the Vishnans is sketchy and fairly inaccurate at best. The full capabilities of the Vishnans are, like the Shivans, unknown to the Terrans or Vasudans. What ''is'' established is that the Vishnans are arguably the only race capable of matching the Shivans.

All Vishnan ships are unmanned, piloted by instanced sub-sets of the species' superordinate consciousness nested in a hierarchical dependency of cognitive structure. They have not been encountered in the same universe as the GTVA and UEF, although it is hinted that they do exist.

====Warships====
Only four classes of Vishnan warships have been encountered so far, the largest simply designated the [[Vishnan Preserver]]. The Preserver appears to be a superjuggernaut with enormous tactical and strategic capabilities, including the modification of jump nodes. It may be unique.

The Vishnans' main warship is a massive squid-like vessel designated the [[Vishnan Sacred Keeper]]. While classified as a destroyer, the Keeper is able to go toe-to-toe with a Shivan [[SJ Sathanas|''Sathanas''-class juggernaut]], and its hull rating is well within superdestroyer levels. With a large beam emitter built into its underside, the Keeper is usually heavily guarded by a number of cruiser-class [[Vishnan Arbiter]]s and gunship-class [[Vishnan Protector]]s. The Keeper is the core of its entire fleet and is integral to their ability to communicate with their superconsciousness.

The Keeper's escorts, the Arbiter and Protector, are smaller, faster vessels armed with lighter beam cannons. They do not usually undertake and complete tasks on their own, but instead provide fire support for Vishnan strikecraft and, in return, require escort from enemy fighters and bombers on occasion due to their sub-par defences.

====Spacecraft====
To date, the Vishnans are known to possess two fighter classes and two bomber classes. Vishnan spacecraft vastly outperform their Shivan equivalents, with their fighters capable of flying circles around even the extremely agile Shivan [[SF Dragon|''Dragon''-class fighter]], and their bombers manoeuvrable enough to defend themselves and not compromise on secondary weapons. All Vishnan spacecraft are made of a crystalline compound that repairs itself over time. On the downside, Vishnan spacecraft number a lot less than their Shivan counterparts. Most Vishnan wings hardly ever exceed three ships, while Shivan ships by contrast are usually deployed in wings exceeding four ships.

The most commonly seen Vishnan spacecraft is designated the [[Vishnan Missionary]]. Agile and fast, the Missionary is an interceptor, reconnaissance vessel and space superiority fighter all in one. It was the first known Vishnan spacecraft ever encountered by the Alliance. The other Vishnan fighter, the [[Vishnan Preacher]], sacrifices speed and secondary weapon capacity for additional durability and an impressive combined primary firepower of ten guns.

The Vishnans' main bomber, designated the [[Vishnan Seeker]], is a medium strike bomber that can carry approximately the same amount of ordnance as the [[GTB Ursa|GTB ''Ursa'']]. The other bomber class is the massive [[Vishnan Inquisitor]], capable of carrying torpedoes that can easily level anything smaller than a superdestroyer with a few hits.

====Weaponry====
:''See also: [[Vishnan Beam Weapons]]''
The Vishnans are the second species ever encountered by the Terrans and Vasudans to already demonstrate beam capability. The two most powerful of these beams are mounted only on the Preserver and Sacred Keeper, while the lighter, smaller beams are mounted onto the Arbiters and Protectors. Vishnan beam weapons out-range and out-damage Shivan beams by a significant margin, but do not recharge as quickly.

Fighter-mounted Vishnan weaponry lack diversity as compared to Terran, Vasudan and even Shivan weaponry. Only one kind of primary weapon is used across all Vishnan fighters and bombers to date. The [[Vishnan Primary]] is a medium-firing heavy cannon that can double up as an anti-subsystem weapon.

Three classes of Vishnan secondary weapons are known to date. The [[Vishnan Missile]] is an aspect-seeking missile that can also be used as a light anti-subsystem missile, while the [[Vishnan Megabomb]] is used in the same manner as the GTVA's [[GTM Cyclops|''Cyclops'' torpedo]], although it is far more powerful. The third class of Vishnan missile, the [[Vishnan Ultrabomb]], is a torpedo containing a subspace device that, on impact, transfers a devastating warhead from within a nearby Keeper onto the target.

==Development==
===Original Concept===
:"Wow." 
::''—excerpt of Reply #60 of the original Age of Aquarius release thread, by Jeff Vader'' [http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=49876.msg1009465#msg1009465]

Blue Planet started off as a one-man project by Darius, much akin to how [[The Procyon Insurgency]] was created. When Age of Aquarius was released, several members of the community pointed out numerous errors and problems with the campaign, including crashes, missing effects, and empty tech room descriptions. As a consolation, these members also added praise to the portions of Age of Aquarius that did play out as planned, adding special mention to the harder missions, such as [[Keepers of Hell]], and the music used in other missions, such as [[Forced Entry]]. The numerous errors, glitches and issues prompted Darius to release a patch only two days after it was first released. Almost immediately after the patch was released, comments on the campaign shifted from its issues and praise to praise only. Much of the initial praise was targeted at three aspects of the campaign:

* mission design and difficulty;
* background music; and
* storyline.

Age of Aquarius also came in for special praise as it made extensive use of FS2_Open's cutscene feature, which was relatively new and unused at the time.

===The Team===
:"Very funny, Goob." 
::''—the first post on the Blue Planet board, by NGTM-1R'' [http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=55706.msg1125921#msg1125921]

Blue Planet as a project team, however, did not take off until about ten months later, when Age of Aquarius began to be relayed to newcomers as a recommended FS2_Open campaign, alongside stalwarts such as [[Derelict]] and [[Warzone]]. The formation of the Blue Planet board on the Hard Light Productions Forum's Hosted Projects section—reserved only for the most active hosted projects on HLP—was initially viewed as a joke, but ultimately became the catalyst needed for the formation of the project team as it is today. Over the course of the next few months, the size of the Blue Planet team grew rapidly. Initially comprising only Darius, as of August 2010, the Blue Planet team is made up of sixteen core members and six beta-testers.

===War in Heaven===
Not too long after the release of Age of Aquarius, Darius had finished conceiving a storyline for War in Heaven. However, he chose to wait until enough positive feedback was received from members of HLP before attempting to work on it. The development cycle of WiH was accelerated by rapid expansion of the project team from 2009 to early 2010, as well as the use of subversion, enabling all members of the team to work on the same version of the project.

==Releases==
''Age of Aquarius'' was first released on October 3, 2007, and the first patch for it was released two days later on October 5. In February 2010, AoA was rereleased with voice acting, reorganized modpack, and new assets.

The first part of ''War in Heaven'', consisting of the first two acts (15 missions) was released on August 7, 2010.

==Developers==
===Project Staff===
*'''Darius''' — ''Project lead''

*'''Axem''' — ''Just another FREDder''
*'''Belisarius''' — ''Music composer''
*'''blowfish''' — ''Modeller''
*'''Daddy Warhol''' — ''Music composer''
*'''Dilmah G''' — ''Mission designer, Military advisor''
*'''Dragon''' — ''Texture artist''
*'''Esarai''' — ''Modeller''
*'''Fury''' — ''Tabler, AI lead''
*'''General Battuta''' — ''Writer, Mission designer''
*'''HerraTohtori''' — ''Skybox artist''
*'''Cobra''' — ''Voice acting management assistance''
*'''Nighteyes''' — ''Effects artist''
*'''Rian''' — ''Script content redundancy axe-man, Character writer''
*'''Steve O''' — ''Model contributor, Paternal figure''
*'''The E''' — ''Codework, Mission work, Model work, Writer''
*'''Wanderer''' — ''Effects artist''
*'''Zacam''' — ''Testing, Mod pack management, SVN manager''

===Beta Testers===
* [[User:Androgeos Exeunt|Androgeos]] [[User_talk:Androgeos_Exeunt|Exeunt]]
* Cobra
* MatthTheGeek
* QuantumDelta
* Snail
* Spoon
* ubiquitous

==See Also==
* [[Blue Planet: Age of Aquarius]]
* [[Blue Planet: Age of Aquarius Campaign Walkthrough]]
* [[Blue Planet: War in Heaven]]
* [[Blue Planet ship database]]
* [[:Category:Blue Planet]]

==Related Links==
*[http://blueplanet.hard-light.net Blue Planet Website | Hard-Light Productions.net]
*[http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/board,169.0.html Blue Planet board | Hard-Light Productions.net]
*[http://www.moddb.com/mods/blue-planet-war-in-heaven Blue Planet at ModDB]

[[Category:User-made_Campaigns]]
[[Category:Blue Planet|*]]

GTF Apollo

2012-06-29T12:58:29Z

Cobra:

{{FS12_Ships}}{{shipimage|image=[[Image:apollo320x240.jpg]]|caption=The GTF Apollo}}

The '''GTF ''Apollo''''' was the mainstay Terran fighter used during the [[Great War]]. It was the easiest fighter to use, so novice pilots found themselves first in the seat of the Apollo. After the development of the [[GTF Ulysses|GTF ''Ulysses'']], the Apollo was destined to "collect dust" ([[FreeSpace Reference Bible]]).

==Description:==

===FS1 Tech Room Description===

The '''GTF Apollo''' is the most common GTA fighter. It is highly versatile and can perform multiple roles, including space superiority, interception and assault.

===Developer Notes===

''Original space superiority of the GTA fleet. Highly versatile, often doubles as assault type. Low weapon compatibility.''

The FS Reference Bible and opening cutscene of FS1 swap the hardpoint locations of the primary and secondary weapons, and classify it as a two-person bomber.

<gallery>
Image:concept_gtf_apollo_1.jpg|This is the actual concept that the in-game model seems to be based off of, but all three are supposedly other concepts made for the Apollo.
Image:concept_gtf_apollo_2.jpg
Image:concept_gtf_apollo_3.jpg
</gallery>

==Performance:==
===Statistics===
{{ship_box
|name =GTF Apollo
|type =Space Superiority
|manufacturer =Han-Ronald Corp.
|maneuverability =High (Fair)
|max_velocity =60 - 82
|max_ab_velocity =140
|max_ab_duration =
|armor =Light (Medium)
|hitpoints =240
|shields =350
|length =21
|gun_bank_1 =2
|gun_bank_2 =2
|missile_bank_1 =40
|missile_bank_2 =40
|countermeasures =25
}}
===Armaments===

*'''[[Technical_Terms_and_Definitions#Gun Mounts|Gun Mounts]]'''
{{Pbank_box
|setting =FreeSpace 1
|pbank_1_guns =2
|pbank_1_default =[[GTW Avenger|Avenger]]
|pbank_2_guns =2
|pbank_2_default =[[GTW ML-16|ML-16 Laser]]
|allowed_loadout =[[GTW ML-16|ML-16 Laser]], [[GTW Disruptor|Disruptor]], [[GTW Avenger|Avenger]], [[GTW Flail|Flail]], [[GTW Prometheus|Prometheus]], [[GTW Leech Cannon|Leech Cannon]], [[GTW Shield Breaker|S-Breaker]]
}}
*'''[[Technical_Terms_and_Definitions#Missile Banks|Missile Banks]]'''
{{Sbank_box
|setting =FreeSpace 1
|sbank_1_capacity =40
|sbank_1_default =[[GTM MX-50|MX-50]]
|sbank_2_capacity =40
|sbank_2_default =[[GTM MX-50|MX-50]]
|allowed_loadout =[[GTM MX-50|MX-50]], [[GTM D-Missile|D-Missile]], [[GTM Fury|Fury]], [[GTM Hornet|Hornet]], [[GTM Interceptor|Interceptor]], [[GTM EM Pulse|EM Pulse]]
}}

===Veteran Comments===
{{Comment|
''This ship is vastly underrated. There is a general consensus among the FS2 community that the Apollo is worthless once you meet the Shivans. That's not true. It is highly maneuverable, in fact more agile than the later [[GTF Myrmidon]], and although it is on the slow side, it is relatively durable and its guns are very well-placed. It can't carry the Phoenix V or Banshee, but it does carry the Prometheus, so weapons compatibility isn't as bad as many people think. The Apollo is best when you need a jack-of-all trades: it has better missile capacity and armor than the Valkyrie and Ulysses and more maneuverability and speed than a Herc. It's tied with the Herc as my favorite ship.'' 
 
''The Apollo is truly the jack of all trades. Anything a [[GTF Hercules|Hercules]], [[GTF Valkyrie|Valkyrie]], or [[GTF Ulysses|Ulysses]] can do, an Apollo can do, though probably not as competently. The adaptability of the Apollo is its most potent weapon, and it performs far better in rapidly changing tactical situations than any of its more specialized brethren. It also fills the gaps between more specialized ships. If the mission calls for heavy firepower but the Hercules isn't quick enough, dogfighting but the Ulysses isn't tough enough, or interception but the Valkyrie doesn't pack enough ordnance, then the Apollo will take over the task and serve well.''

''Its secondary banks are badly placed for the use of Furies except at very short range.''

''If you look at the tables, you can also see that the Apollo turns faster than the Valkyrie, it does do barrel rolls at a slower rate.

}}
[[Category:Ship]]

GTF Chaos

2011-10-31T01:35:54Z

Cobra: Replaced dead or pointless links with FSMods link.

{{User-made Ships|''GTF '''Chaos Mk2'''''}}

{{shipimage|image=[[Image:gtfchaos.jpg]]|caption=GTF Chaos Mk2}}

==Description:==

===Nukemod Tech Room Description===
The SOF Chaos is based upon a design for an NTF heavy assault fighter. The designs were recovered by an SOC operative working undecover aboard the NTF Icene. A prototype was also captured by an elite SOC squadron. It was later redesigned by the SOC Technologies Division and is now the primary assault fighter of the SOC. The SOC model is a vast improvement over the captured prototype. New engines and lighter armor bring the max speed up by 15 m/s and afterburner capacity is doubled. Shield capacity is also doubled to compensate for less armor. Weapons compatability and capacity was vastly improved by adding a third bank of missiles and an extra gun.

===Credits List===
*Model by '''Nuke'''

==Performance:==
===Statistics===
{|
|-
| style="width:200px" | '''[[Technical_Terms_and_Definitions#Type|Type]]'''
| style="width:200px" | Heavy Assault
|-
| '''[[Technical_Terms_and_Definitions#Manufacturer|Manufacturer]]'''
| FatFos Inc.
|-
| '''[[Technical_Terms_and_Definitions#Maneuverablity|Maneuverability]]'''
| Fair
|-
| '''[[Technical_Terms_and_Definitions#Max Velocity|Max Velocity]]'''
| 75.0 - 95.0 mps
|-
| '''[[Technical_Terms_and_Definitions#Max Afterburner Velocity|Max Afterburner Velocity]]'''
| 125.0 mps
|-
| '''[[Technical_Terms_and_Definitions#Armor|Armor]]'''
| Very Heavy
|-
| [[Technical_Terms_and_Definitions#Hitpoints|Hitpoints]]
| 1000
|-
| [[Technical_Terms_and_Definitions#Shields|Shields]]
| 400
|-
| '''[[Technical_Terms_and_Definitions#Length|Length]]'''
| 34 m
|}

===Armaments===

*'''[[Technical_Terms_and_Definitions#Gun Mounts|Gun Mounts]]'''
{| border=1 cellpadding=4 style="border-collapse: collapse"
|- align="center"
| colspan=4 style="background:#351515;"| '''Default Statistics'''
|- align="center"
| style="width:40px" |Bank
| style="width:60px" |Guns
| style="width:60px" |Capacity
| style="width:160px" |Standard Loadout
|- align="center"
| 1st
| 6
| 540
| Automerc
|- align="center"
| 2nd
| 5
| 450
| Hypacs
|- align="center"
| 3rd
| 4
| 200
| [[Maxim]]
|- align="center"
| colspan=4| Compatible Primaries
|-
| colspan=4| Hellion, [[GTW Subach HL-7|Subach HL-7]], Phalanx, Buckshot, Thrasher, Nova, Automerc, Hypacs, [[GTW Akheton SDG|Akheton SDG]], [[GTW Morning Star|Morning Star]], [[GTW UD-8 Kayser|UD-8 Kayser]], [[GTW Prometheus S|Prometheus S]], [[GTW Lamprey|Lamprey]], [[GTW Maxim|Maxim]]
|}

*'''[[Technical_Terms_and_Definitions#Missile Banks|Missile Banks]]'''
{| border=1 cellpadding=4 style="border-collapse: collapse"
|- align="center"
| colspan=3 style="background:#351515;"| '''Default Statistics'''
|- align="center"
| style="width:40px" |Bank
| style="width:60px" |Capacity
| style="width:160px" |Standard Loadout
|- align="center"
| 1st
| 60
| Shark
|- align="center"
| 2nd
| 80
| Little Boy
|- align="center"
| 3rd
| 80
| [[GTM Tempest|Tempest]]
|- align="center"
| colspan=3| Compatible Secondaries
|-
| colspan=3| Shark, Stinger, Apparition, [[GTM MX-64 Rockey|MX-64 Rockeye]], [[GTM Tempest|Tempest]], [[GTM Harpoon|Harpoon]], [[GTM Tornado|Tornado]], [[GTM Trebuchet|Trebuchet]], [[GTM Stiletto II|Stiletto II]], [[GTM Infyrno|Infyrno]], Little Boy, [[GTM Emp. Adv|Emp. Adv]], [[GTM TAG-A|TAG-A]], [[GTM TAG-B|TAG-B]], [[GTM Helios|Helios]]
|}

===Veteran Comments===
{{comment|}}

==Download link:==
*NukeMod: http://www.freespacemods.net/download.php?view.186

203rd Scorpions

2008-03-05T07:32:52Z

Cobra:

==General info==
Squadron type: Various 
Craft used the most: [[GVF Serapis|GVF ''Serapis'']] 
Stationed on-board: [[GVD Psamtik|GVD ''Psamtik'']] 
Squadron leader: Commander Habu 

==Actions==
The NTF was defeated. Because of this, the [[Galactic Terran-Vasudan Alliance|GTVA]] focused on searching the nebula for Shivan targets. In a mission to destroy [[SSG Rahu|Shivan gas miners]] the GVCv ''Tatenen'' came under attack by a ''[[SJ Sathanas|Sathanas]]''-class vessel which easily destroyed the [[GVCv Sobek|Vasudan corvette]]. The [[GVD Psamtik|GVD ''Psamtik'']] was quick to retreat back to [[Gamma Draconis]] and on order, the Scorpions oversaw the demolition of the [[Knossos]] subspace portal to prevent the ''Sathanas'' from entering Teran-Vasudan space. The 203rd Scorpions took major part in the fight against the ''Sathanas''. For more information, see [[SJ Sathanas]] and [[GTVA Colossus]].

After the victory over the Shivan juggernaut, the Scorpions received the task to find Aken Bosch and the [[NTF Iceni|NTF ''Iceni'']] inside the nebula. They did find the ''Iceni'', but the Admiral had probably been taken by the Shivans. In that mission, the [[Galactic Terran-Vasudan Alliance|GTVA]] attempted to retrieve the specifications of the [[ETAK]] device by rescuing the crew of the ''Iceni''. It barely succeeded before the self-destruct system came online.

The Scorpions were present when the second [[SJ Sathanas|Sathanas juggernaut]] destroyed the [[GVD Psamtik|GVD ''Psamtik'']]. After the destruction of their former command vessel, they got reassigned to the GVD ''Memphis'', where they finished their duties by helping the ''[[GTD Aquitaine|Aquitaine]]'' escape the nebula.

==See also==
[[GVD Psamtik]]

[[Category:Squadrons]]

Shivan Super Laser

2008-02-25T22:55:18Z

Cobra: /* Veteran Comments */

The '''Shivan Super Laser''' is a primary weapon used in turrets of the large vessels.

{{FS12_Weapons}}
==Description==
Weapon used to represent the beam weapons of the [[SD Lucifer]] in FS1

==Performance==
===Statistics===
{{Primary|30 000|0.1|1 000|15 000|Full|15 000|Full|15 000|Full|15 000}}

==Notes==

===Veteran Comments===
{{Comment|Capable of taking down anything in its path in one or two hits, this is what made the [[SD Lucifer|Lucifer]] so dangerous. This is described as a "Flux Cannon" in the [[SD Lucifer|Lucifer's]] tech description.

THE gun, the meanest, most destructive weapon in FreeSpace, period. The incredibly rapid refire rate, designed so its hacked trails would look beamlike, means that it outdamages anything and everything.

The FreeSpace Port made this into a beam weapon, but in retail FS1/2 it's actually a turret munition with an invisible head and a very long tail. In other words, it's a laser shot hacked to look like a beam.

This is one of those uber-weapons you just HAVE to cheat to use. It kills anything below a cruiser in one shot, anything above cruiser in three. It also has absolutely INSANE kinetic power, because whenever you shoot a fighter or bomber with it, the destroyed ship is propelled by 200 m/s before exploding, and its debris goes even faster.}}

[[Category:Weapon]]

SF Dragon

2008-02-25T22:46:57Z

Cobra:

{{FS12_Ships}}
{{shipimage|image=[[Image:dragon320x240.jpg]]|caption=The SF Dragon}}

The '''SF ''Dragon''''' is one of the most rarely seen of Shivan fighters. The Dragon is armed with five primary cannons, as well as a low-capacity secondary bank. Despite the small number of missiles it can carry it is very fast and maneuverable, as well as small, making it a very powerful adversary of any GTVA fighter. However the Shivans make limited use of the Dragon, deploying them in small numbers in most cases. But even one wing can cause serious trouble for any GTVA force.

The first Shivan fighter to have ever been captured by the Terrans and the Vasudans was a Dragon class designated [[Arjuna 1]]. Through the capture of this Shivan fighter, the joint Terran-Vasudan forces learned much about Shivan technology, especially fighter systems. Arjuna 1 was later used in a high-risk reconnaissance mission, shortly before the [[Destruction of Vasuda Prime]].

==Description:==
===FS1 Tech Room Description===
The Shivan Dragon is easily the most impressive fightercraft we have yet seen. Its maneuverability is unmatched, and it has quite a few other advantages, including a good top speed, powerful afterburners, and strong shields. It is the only Shivan fighter we have been able to study up close, and we have learned a great deal about Shivan engineering from it.
It seems that the Shivan shield systems are extremely strong, but their hulls are far weaker than our own. They also rely on primary weapons far more then secondaries, as evidenced by the Dragon's small capacity. 
The GTA considers the Dragon as a Class A threat.

===FS2 Tech Room Description===
The Shivan fighter class SF Dragon is a fast, extremely agile craft. Its twin lasers pack a deadly punch. The Dragon's weakness seems to be a thin hull. The trouble is that their speed and maneuverability make them extremely difficult to hit.

===Developer Notes===
None

===Name origin===
The Dragon's name derives from the mythical reptilian creature depicted in tales throughout the world.

==Performance:==
===Statistics===
{|
|-
| style="width:200px" | '''[[Technical_Terms_and_Definitions#Type|Type]]'''
| style="width:200px" | Space Superiority (?)
|-
| '''[[Technical_Terms_and_Definitions#Manufacturer|Manufacturer]]'''
| Unknown
|-
| '''[[Technical_Terms_and_Definitions#Maneuverablity|Maneuverability]]'''
| N/A
|-
| '''[[Technical_Terms_and_Definitions#Max Velocity|Max Velocity]]'''
| 75.0 - 90.0 mps
|-
| '''[[Technical_Terms_and_Definitions#Max Afterburner Velocity|Max Afterburner Velocity]]'''
| 150.0 mps
|-
| '''[[Technical_Terms_and_Definitions#Armor|Armor]]'''
| N/A
|-
| [[Technical_Terms_and_Definitions#Hitpoints|Hitpoints]]
| 100
|-
| [[Technical_Terms_and_Definitions#Shields|Shields]]
| 700
|-
| '''[[Technical_Terms_and_Definitions#Length|Length]]'''
| 16 m
|}

===Armaments===

*'''[[Technical_Terms_and_Definitions#Gun Mounts|Gun Mounts]]'''
{| border=1 cellpadding=4 style="border-collapse: collapse"
|- align="center"
| colspan=3 style="background:#351515;"| '''Freespace 1'''
| style="background:#300505;"| '''Freespace 2'''
|- align="center"
| style="width:40px" |Bank
| style="width:60px" |Guns
| style="width:160px" |Standard Loadout
| style="width:240px" |Standard Loadout
|- align="center"
| 1st
| 2
| [[Shivan Heavy Laser]]
| [[Shivan Heavy Laser]]
|- align="center"
| 2nd
| 3
| [[Shivan Heavy Laser]]
| [[Shivan Heavy Laser]]
|}
*'''[[Technical_Terms_and_Definitions#Missile Banks|Missile Banks]]'''
{| border=1 cellpadding=4 style="border-collapse: collapse"
|- align="center"
| colspan=3 style="background:#351515;"| '''Freespace 1'''
| style="background:#300505;"| '''Freespace 2'''
|- align="center"
| style="width:40px" |Bank
| style="width:60px" |Capacity
| style="width:160px" |Standard Loadout
| style="width:240px" |Standard Loadout
|- align="center"
| 1st
| 20
| [[GTM Interceptor|Interceptor]]
| [[GTM Harpoon|Harpoon]]
|}

===Veteran Comments===
{{comment|''The Dragon is widely considered the best Shivan fighter ever (though my personal opinion leans towards the Mara in that regard). It is small, well-armed with lasers though deficent in secondary weaponry, quick, and insanely maneuverable. On higher difficulty levels the Dragon borders on unkillable, and even on lower ones it can be a surprisingly nasty opponent. If at all possible, destroy Dragons at range with missiles rather then getting into a dogfight.''

''It is to be noted that the version of the Dragon you fly in FS1's Playing Judas is much, much weaker then the genuine article.''

''Hell in space. A wing of them show up in the last mission of the main FS2 campaign. If you're flying an Ares, you're screwed.''

''A nasty piece of work, to be sure, that'll rip you to ribbons if you're not careful. Best policy? Harpoon 'em at range and try and keep your distance(!) as much as possible. Once in close contact, do not succumb to target fixation; the Dragon can keep you distracted from other dangers. The only real way to take one down at close range is to make exactly the right counter-turn at exactly the right time, then open fire. Try and get all your wingmates on one at a time; isolate and obliterate.''

''Extremely maneuverable. Target profile is extremely small and speed is rather high as well. Gunpoints for the second primary bank are oddly placed, but still manages to hit the target with little adjustment. The only real flaws are that Shivan primaries suck and that the sole secondary bank is miniscule.''

''There is no other fighter that I dread encountering more than the Dragon. It's fast, agile, and packs a rather nasty punch for a fighter that moves as quickly as it does. Unfortunately, the one you get to pilot in FS1 is not anything like the ones you have to fight, which is a pity, considering how much effort you put into capturing it.''

''The Dragon is, to be completely honest, that hard-to-reach itch. In a [[GTF Hercules Mark II|Herc II]] on Very Easy difficulty, even a single Dragon can be insanely difficult to hit. The Dragon would be pretty much like what the tech description of the [[GTF Loki|Loki]] says; very little firepower, but with immense speed and maneuverability to dissuade pursuers. You could get all your wingmen to try and destroy it, but that would be impossible unless they're flying ships with very good maneuverability and speed like the [[GVF Horus|Horus]] or [[GVF Serapis|Serapis]].''

''And this itch is best scratched by a friendly capship, such as a Deimos in the final mission and you are flying an Ares. Even if you are in a more maneuverable fighter like the Perseus, it can still be somewhat a waste of time to do so (even if you can kill it) so it may not be a bad idea to stay near the Lemnos''

Given that it is one of the few ships you fight that carries Heavy Lasers, I would hardly describe these as an "itch". Unless it's one of those really, really painful itches that feel like something sharp and hot is pinching your skin. . .

The SF Dragon is the fighter that would have ended the war the minute it started had the Shivans deployed it from the start. It has strong shields, yet it has relatively weak armor. The Dragon makes up for this by being crazy hard to hit and infuriating to disable in [[Enter the Dragon]]. I've always dealt with Dragons by hanging back and shooting them with Interceptors or Phoenix Vs.}}

[[Category:Ship]]

SF Dragon

2008-02-25T22:46:35Z

Cobra: /* Veteran Comments */

Transcend

2006-11-21T01:18:14Z

Cobra: /* General Info */

==General Info==
'''Released:''' 26th July 2005 
'''Author:''' Ransom Arceihn 
'''Missions:''' 44 
'''Mods included:''' 
Raa's Kelpie 
Cobra's GTSC Plato 
Nico's Legion 
 
'''SCP Required'''

==Story==
Only a few short months after the end of the Second Shivan Incursion, amongst the chaos of Capellan refugees and ever-heightening levels of piracy, mysterious things have begun happening on the edge of GTVA space. Unexplained disappearances, strange rumours...

You are Lieutenant Sunder Marcel, recently transferred to the 103rd Shadow Guardians. Your squadron has been charged with uncovering the cause of these disturbances, to venture out into the unknown and return with an answer.

But something's strange about this case. The clues have no meaning, and reality is beginning to slip...

''Everyone has a limit...''

==Author's Notes==
''Transcend'' has been criticised by some for having a confusing or downright incomprehensible story. This was unavoidable. From the beginning of the project I wanted to make a campaign that showed rather than told the story to the player and force them to work things out for themselves, in contrast to ''[[Sync]]'''s - which had a few missions which were little more than one of the characters spouting exposition for the player's benefit. This meant that Transcend would definitely not be to everyone's taste, and to be honest it was received far better than I was expecting. It also meant there would be some ambiguity surrounding certain aspects of the plot, which was another motivation for me to attempt this kind of storytelling as some people presented their own theories on the story, which I found very interesting to read. (A couple of people got extremely close to my version of events, incidentally.)

Another thing it's been criticised for is repetitive missions. I don't really have anything to say about that other than it's completely true and I'm not sure what I was thinking with some of those missions, which is particularly embarassing as Sync suffered from the same problem.

One misconception I'd like to clear up is that ''Transcend'' is not a sequel to ''Sync''. It does have connections to the story, but it was designed so people who hadn't played my earlier campaign could play it as well.

===References===
I included a few references to a bunch of pretty much random things throughout the campaign. There's actually probably a few more things I forgot to mention here as well. Most of them are ridiculously vague to the point where they might not even be considered references, but whatever.
 
 
'''GTD Voran''' - Agratis Voran is a demo character in the MMORPG ''Clan Lord''. (All demo characters have the first name 'Agratis'.) 
'''GTD Brax''' - Another demo character from the same game. 
'''GTC Tanner''' - Tanner Mirabel is a character in Alastair Reynold's ''Chasm City''. 
'''GTT Incontrovertible''' - A friend of mine wrote a fanfiction for David Brin's ''Uplift'' series which involved a ship by this name. I don't know if he made it up or if it's actually in Uplift, I've never read it. 
'''GTC Brice''' - Name of a character from the film ''Below''. 

===Delays===
''Transcend'' was actually complete in late March. However due to a slew of problems, specifically Raa's Kelpie being unplayable (the game crashed when you shot at it) and SCP bugs, it was delayed for four more months until everything was fixed and the campaign was released.

==Related Links==
[http://game-warden.com/transcend/ Project Site] provided by [http://game-warden.com Game Warden] 
[http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,34098.0.html Release Thread] 
[http://mods.moddb.com/4385/ ModDB Profile]

[[Category:User-made_Campaigns]]