Cantilever Station - Revision history

Siddharth1: /* Space-Farer, Inc. */

2025-09-08T19:26:22Z

Space-Farer, Inc.

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:26, 8 September 2025
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	===Space-Farer, Inc.===		===Space-Farer, Inc.===
	In 5203, Lina Arturo, the daughter of Sasha Arturo, founded Space-Farer Incorporated, which offered "space cruises" to the discerning individual. Using Cantilever as home-port, tourists could board a cruise ship for a exotic journey into the inner solar system. Initially the cruise ships were owned by third-part companies, but the offerings were in high enough demand for Space-Farer to purchase its own fleet.		In 5203, Lina Arturo, the daughter of Sasha Arturo, founded Space-Farer Incorporated, which offered "space cruises" to the discerning individual. Using Cantilever as home-port, tourists could board a cruise ship for an exotic journey into the inner solar system. Initially the cruise ships were owned by third-part companies, but the offerings were in high enough demand for Space-Farer to purchase its own fleet.

	While "space cruises" were a commonplace if fairly niche-industry, Space-Farer offered its customers a very unique experience. Trading on the romanticism and 'danger' of space exploration, it created packages catering towards the type of passengers who really wanted to see things. Tours stayed at sub-light speeds, and the captains were given a high degree of freedom with regards to charting courses. The Mabach System was large and quite dynamic; tours could visit frozen moons, massive gas giants, and even comets. Eventually, one of the moons of Mabach 9 was terraformed, and this became another major destination.		While "space cruises" were a commonplace if fairly niche-industry, Space-Farer offered its customers a very unique experience. Trading on the romanticism and 'danger' of space exploration, it created packages catering towards the type of passengers who really wanted to see things. Tours stayed at sub-light speeds, and the captains were given a high degree of freedom with regards to charting courses. The Mabach System was large and quite dynamic; tours could visit frozen moons, massive gas giants, and even comets. Eventually, one of the moons of Mabach 9 was terraformed, and this became another major destination.

Siddharth1: /* Final Abandonment */

2025-09-08T19:24:58Z

Final Abandonment

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:24, 8 September 2025
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	Eventually, maintaining the hastily-built "station within a station" became too costly, and the final 52 permanent residents were forced to move into a semi-derelict spaceship permanently docked at the station, in A.Y. 5113. This number further dwindled down to 36, and finally 20 in 5130. The spacecraft had been modified such that it could largely support them indefinitely, and revenue from tourism still provided for the tiny cooperative. However, they were now wholly reliant on consumables shipped in from the inner solar system, and maintained only a small demonstration garden and water reclamation system. The station itself was now entirely uninhabitable, and tourists had to don space suits in order to enter it.		Eventually, maintaining the hastily-built "station within a station" became too costly, and the final 52 permanent residents were forced to move into a semi-derelict spaceship permanently docked at the station, in A.Y. 5113. This number further dwindled down to 36, and finally 20 in 5130. The spacecraft had been modified such that it could largely support them indefinitely, and revenue from tourism still provided for the tiny cooperative. However, they were now wholly reliant on consumables shipped in from the inner solar system, and maintained only a small demonstration garden and water reclamation system. The station itself was now entirely uninhabitable, and tourists had to don space suits in order to enter it.

	In 5135, the sole remaining inhabitants were 14 members of the Arturo Family, who filed suit against illegal salvage operations on the space station. When the authorities failed to respond in a timely enough manner, they attempted to chase ~~them~~ off themselves, and 12 members of the family were killed. Thirteen-year-old Ray Arturo, and his infant sister Sasha were found sixteen days later in the family's starship-home. Though in good health and with ample food, the pair were described as "distraught". They were taken off the station, and for the first time since its completion, it was now fully abandoned.		In 5135, the sole remaining inhabitants were 14 members of the Arturo Family, who filed suit against illegal salvage operations on the space station. When the authorities failed to respond in a timely enough manner, they attempted to chase the scavengers off themselves, and 12 members of the family were killed. Thirteen-year-old Ray Arturo, and his infant sister Sasha were found sixteen days later in the family's starship-home. Though in good health and with ample food, the pair were described as "distraught". They were taken off the station, and for the first time since its completion, it was now fully abandoned.

	==Resurgence==		==Resurgence==

Siddharth1: /* Construction */

2025-09-08T19:21:53Z

Construction

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:21, 8 September 2025
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	==Construction==		==Construction==
	Cantilever Station began as a simple economic necessity. The [[Mabach Consortium]] had gained total control of the planet [[Mabach Prime]] as well as the bulk of the [[Mabach System]](only [[Miristead]], the second planet in the system, had a civilian-controlled government). The station was first conceived as a cargo and transit hub. The corporations had always seen the economic advantage of using artificial space stations(the use of selective anti-gravity fields made moving cargo much easier) and had been building them in huge numbers.		Cantilever Station began as a simple economic necessity. The [[Mabach Consortium]] had gained total control of the planet [[Mabach Prime]] as well as the bulk of the [[Mabach System]] (only [[Miristead]], the second planet in the system, had a civilian-controlled government). The station was first conceived as a cargo and transit hub. The corporations had always seen the economic advantage of using artificial space stations (the use of selective anti-gravity fields made moving cargo much easier) and had been building them in huge numbers.

	Initially, Cantilever was conceived as another in a long time of such stations, initial plans indicated a larger scale. However, then CEO [[Derrick Paxton]] felt that Mabach needed a more dramatic show of ~~it's~~ wealth and capabilities. Paxton had risen to power within the Roello Sub Corp., a division of Mabach that had a long history of space station construction. He decided to give his engineers a real challenge, and declared that Catilever would be full self-sufficient with a record-breaking one hundred million full-time residents. Everyone onboard would drink filtered water, breath recycled air, and live off food grown on the station.		Initially, Cantilever was conceived as another in a long time of such stations, initial plans indicated a larger scale. However, then-CEO [[Derrick Paxton]] felt that Mabach needed a more dramatic show of its wealth and capabilities. Paxton had risen to power within the Roello Sub Corp., a division of Mabach that had a long history of space station construction. He decided to give his engineers a real challenge, and declared that Catilever would be full self-sufficient with a record-breaking one hundred million full-time residents. Everyone onboard would drink filtered water, breath recycled air, and live off food grown on the station.

	There were economic factors as well. With trade projected to skyrocket throughout the region, the Mabach System was staged to become the most important hub of commerce for thousands of light years. It would need to be big. Bigger than projected. Bigger than imagined.		There were economic factors as well. With trade projected to skyrocket throughout the region, the Mabach System was staged to become the most important hub of commerce for thousands of light years. It would need to be big. Bigger than projected. Bigger than imagined.

	It could not, however, house a hundred million people in anything approaching relative comfort. As Paxton's engineers soon explained to him, it was an issue of atmospheric loss. Even the best-sealed space habitats still suffer some leakage; and a space station covered in airlocks and hangers would loose a lot more. To keep enough air on hand for that many people, on a station of that size, they would need either an inexhaustible local source or constant and extremely costly imports. Thus, Cantilever was quietly scaled back to a more reasonable(but still record-shattering) ten million, with capacity for a total of twelve.		It could not, however, house a hundred million people in anything approaching relative comfort. As Paxton's engineers soon explained to him, it was an issue of atmospheric loss. Even the best-sealed space habitats still suffer some leakage; and a space station covered in airlocks and hangers would loose a lot more. To keep enough air on hand for that many people, on a station of that size, they would need either an inexhaustible local source or constant and extremely costly imports. Thus, Cantilever was quietly scaled back to a more reasonable (but still record-shattering) ten million, with capacity for a total of twelve.

	Construction began in A.Y. 4109, with am ambitious deadline of ten years to completion. This was not remotely reached, but parts of the station were fit for habitation, and by 4119 it did have 4,000 non-constructor residents.		Construction began in A.Y. 4109, with am ambitious deadline of ten years to completion. This was not remotely reached, but parts of the station were fit for habitation, and by 4119 it did have 4,000 non-constructor residents.

	===Design Elements===		===Design Elements===
	Building very large space stations had always presented a serious challenge. The previous record holder, [[Cobblestone#History\|Station FUS-944]](built in a system which had no habitable planets) had been an abject failure. Miles-long spacecraft were plenty common; so any station would need to be tens of miles long. Building such a station to the same heavy tolerances as ships would in		Building very large space stations had always presented a serious challenge. The previous record holder, [[Cobblestone#History\|Station FUS-944]] (built in a system which had no habitable planets) had been an abject failure. Miles-long spacecraft were plenty common; so any station would need to be tens of miles long. Building such a station to the same heavy tolerances as ships would in

	==Battle of Cantilever Station==		==Battle of Cantilever Station==

Siddharth1: /* Resurgence */

2023-05-28T21:51:14Z

Resurgence

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:51, 28 May 2023
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	==Resurgence==		==Resurgence==
	The salvagers who had killed the Arturo ~~of the~~ family were brought to justice by the [[Alliance]], but the case raised an important question about the ownership of the station. It had originally belonged to the now long-dissolved Mabach Consortium, whose assets had been seized by the Alliance or sold to the Foundation. However, in the aftermath of the [[Corporate Wars]], Cantilever had been declared a sovereign state. An old copy of Cantilever's constitution was found, and studied by legal experts. Then, in a very shocking turn of events, the Foundation applied a contractor's lien on the station, claiming (correctly) that they had never been paid for moving it over four centuries earlier. As the Foundation had the strongest claim, their legal team was given final say on how the station's constitution would be interpreted. According to their experts, the station was, quote "the collectively-owned property of all citizens of the state of Cantilever", meaning, in turn, it now belonged to Ray and Sasha Arturo.		The salvagers who had killed the Arturo family were brought to justice by the [[Alliance]], but the case raised an important question about the ownership of the station. It had originally belonged to the now long-dissolved Mabach Consortium, whose assets had been seized by the Alliance or sold to the Foundation. However, in the aftermath of the [[Corporate Wars]], Cantilever had been declared a sovereign state. An old copy of Cantilever's constitution was found, and studied by legal experts. Then, in a very shocking turn of events, the Foundation applied a contractor's lien on the station, claiming (correctly) that they had never been paid for moving it over four centuries earlier. As the Foundation had the strongest claim, their legal team was given final say on how the station's constitution would be interpreted. According to their experts, the station was, quote "the collectively-owned property of all citizens of the state of Cantilever", meaning, in turn, it now belonged to Ray and Sasha Arturo.

	Ray, then 15 and living in foster-care was shocked by the declaration. As he was not yet a legal adult, the station was placed in trust, but this did not stop negotiations for its sale. As legitimate salvage it was worth quite a lot; there was also interest in developing it as a tourist attraction. Ray said in his memoirs, on the one hand, he felt his family was part of an important legacy, and did not wish to end it. On the other, he felt bad that he had been separated from his sister, and was very unhappy in the foster care system.		Ray, then 15 and living in foster-care was shocked by the declaration. As he was not yet a legal adult, the station was placed in trust, but this did not stop negotiations for its sale. As legitimate salvage it was worth quite a lot; there was also interest in developing it as a tourist attraction. Ray said in his memoirs, on the one hand, he felt his family was part of an important legacy, and did not wish to end it. On the other, he felt bad that he had been separated from his sister, and was very unhappy in the foster care system.

Siddharth1: /* Resurgence */

2023-05-28T21:50:49Z

Resurgence

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:50, 28 May 2023
Line 79:		Line 79:

	==Resurgence==		==Resurgence==
	The salvagers who had killed the Arturo of the family were brought to justice by the [[Alliance]], but the case raised an important question about the ownership of the station. It had originally belonged to the now long-dissolved Mabach [Consortium]], whose assets had been seized by the Alliance or sold to the Foundation. However, in the aftermath of the [[Corporate Wars]], Cantilever had been declared a sovereign state. An old copy of Cantilever's constitution was found, and studied by legal experts. Then, in a very shocking turn of events, the Foundation applied a contractor's lien on the station, claiming (correctly) that they had never been paid for moving it over four centuries earlier. As the Foundation had the strongest claim, their legal team was given final say on how the station's constitution would be interpreted. According to their experts, the station was, quote "the collectively-owned property of all citizens of the state of Cantilever", meaning, in turn, it now belonged to Ray and Sasha Arturo.		The salvagers who had killed the Arturo of the family were brought to justice by the [[Alliance]], but the case raised an important question about the ownership of the station. It had originally belonged to the now long-dissolved Mabach Consortium, whose assets had been seized by the Alliance or sold to the Foundation. However, in the aftermath of the [[Corporate Wars]], Cantilever had been declared a sovereign state. An old copy of Cantilever's constitution was found, and studied by legal experts. Then, in a very shocking turn of events, the Foundation applied a contractor's lien on the station, claiming (correctly) that they had never been paid for moving it over four centuries earlier. As the Foundation had the strongest claim, their legal team was given final say on how the station's constitution would be interpreted. According to their experts, the station was, quote "the collectively-owned property of all citizens of the state of Cantilever", meaning, in turn, it now belonged to Ray and Sasha Arturo.

	Ray, then 15 and living in foster-care was shocked by the declaration. As he was not yet a legal adult, the station was placed in trust, but this did not stop negotiations for its sale. As legitimate salvage it was worth quite a lot; there was also interest in developing it as a tourist attraction. Ray said in his memoirs, on the one hand, he felt his family was part of an important legacy, and did not wish to end it. On the other, he felt bad that he had been separated from his sister, and was very unhappy in the foster care system.		Ray, then 15 and living in foster-care was shocked by the declaration. As he was not yet a legal adult, the station was placed in trust, but this did not stop negotiations for its sale. As legitimate salvage it was worth quite a lot; there was also interest in developing it as a tourist attraction. Ray said in his memoirs, on the one hand, he felt his family was part of an important legacy, and did not wish to end it. On the other, he felt bad that he had been separated from his sister, and was very unhappy in the foster care system.

Siddharth1: /* Later Years */

2023-05-28T21:50:08Z

Later Years

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:50, 28 May 2023
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	Cantilever had never been fully evacuated, and in fact had about 400,000 residents onboard during the hasty move. It was visited by ships from the subsequent relief fleets, and Foundation-supplied experts managed to get most of the major systems back up and running. The remaining inhabitants established a free and democratic government, and Cantilever was declared a sovereign state.		Cantilever had never been fully evacuated, and in fact had about 400,000 residents onboard during the hasty move. It was visited by ships from the subsequent relief fleets, and Foundation-supplied experts managed to get most of the major systems back up and running. The remaining inhabitants established a free and democratic government, and Cantilever was declared a sovereign state.

	The new orbit, however, coupled with battle damage, had made the station much more difficult to maintain. Within a year of the end of the corporate wars, the population dropped by half. As trade resumed, the inhabitants were eager to resume their place as a central hub, but soon discovered it was not to be. Most trade was still going through the inner solar system. Cantilever's role as a trade hub was ~~suplanted~~ by smaller, more efficient space stations that operated based on rotating crews from the planets as opposed to full-time residents. Additionally, containerization (which had been rare among the mega-corps but was standard for the Foundation) made the use of space docks less important.		The new orbit, however, coupled with battle damage, had made the station much more difficult to maintain. Within a year of the end of the corporate wars, the population dropped by half. As trade resumed, the inhabitants were eager to resume their place as a central hub, but soon discovered it was not to be. Most trade was still going through the inner solar system. Cantilever's role as a trade hub was supplanted by smaller, more efficient space stations that operated based on rotating crews from the planets as opposed to full-time residents. Additionally, containerization (which had been rare among the mega-corps but was standard for the Foundation) made the use of space docks less important.

	By the end of the 7th century, Cantilever had become a sort of space-slum. It had only 15,000 residents, and while it did function as a port of call, very little trade came through it. Most of the remaining occupants made a living salvaging pieces of the station for resale. By [[A.Y.]] 4804, most of the remaining air and water had been expended. Though attempts existed to recycle, the station had too many holes in it. The cost of importing gases was simply too high for the cash-strapped civilization.		By the end of the 7th century, Cantilever had become a sort of space-slum. It had only 15,000 residents, and while it did function as a port of call, very little trade came through it. Most of the remaining occupants made a living salvaging pieces of the station for resale. By [[A.Y.]] 4804, most of the remaining air and water had been expended. Though attempts existed to recycle, the station had too many holes in it. The cost of importing gases was simply too high for the cash-strapped civilization.

Siddharth1: /* Battle of Cantilever Station */

2023-05-28T21:49:37Z

Battle of Cantilever Station

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:49, 28 May 2023
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	===Battle Begins===		===Battle Begins===
	Mabach had anticipated KPMM's ~~attach~~ down to the hour. The gravity tractor operation on the space station was set to last seventy-two hours, the final twelve of which were the most important. Since the dates and times for this event were public knowledge, Mabach rightfully reasoned that KPMM would launch its offensive at the beginning of that twelve-hour window. As speculated, H-hour began within minutes of the reasoned time. The first wave of ships dropped out of FTL directly into a minefield. Drop coordinates for a dozen of the battle groups had been gained through espionage, and allowed the ships to be destroyed immediately upon arrival with no chance to raise shields or warn the ships behind them.		Mabach had anticipated KPMM's attack down to the hour. The gravity tractor operation on the space station was set to last seventy-two hours, the final twelve of which were the most important. Since the dates and times for this event were public knowledge, Mabach rightfully reasoned that KPMM would launch its offensive at the beginning of that twelve-hour window. As speculated, H-hour began within minutes of the reasoned time. The first wave of ships dropped out of FTL directly into a minefield. Drop coordinates for a dozen of the battle groups had been gained through espionage, and allowed the ships to be destroyed immediately upon arrival with no chance to raise shields or warn the ships behind them.

	However, KPMM had anticipated a strong defense, and had ~~commmited~~ the bulk of its fleet--especially its nearly invincible capitol fleet--to a direct assault. The much larger, slower battle ships left FTL well outside Mabach's defensive rings, and despite heavy resistance, were able to push forward. At H+5 hours, KPMM ships breached the second defensive line and attached the sixth planet.		However, KPMM had anticipated a strong defense, and had commmitted the bulk of its fleet--especially its nearly invincible capitol fleet--to a direct assault. The much larger, slower battle ships left FTL well outside Mabach's defensive rings, and despite heavy resistance, were able to push forward. At H+5 hours, KPMM ships breached the second defensive line and attached the sixth planet.

	At H+6 hours, the Beaver Collective arrived, from the opposite end of the solar system. Mabach's lines were weakest here, the Beavers easily broke through and began dropping dirty bombs (containing depleted radioactive elements) on the heavily populated second planet (then on the far side of the sun from the Mabach Prime). The second planet, called [[Miristead]], was not actually owned by the corporations, and had been an independent government before the war began, though was under de-facto corporate rule by then. Five hundred million civilians died in or the in the immediate aftermath of the assault.		At H+6 hours, the Beaver Collective arrived, from the opposite end of the solar system. Mabach's lines were weakest here, the Beavers easily broke through and began dropping dirty bombs (containing depleted radioactive elements) on the heavily populated second planet (then on the far side of the sun from the Mabach Prime). The second planet, called [[Miristead]], was not actually owned by the corporations, and had been an independent government before the war began, though was under de-facto corporate rule by then. Five hundred million civilians died in or the in the immediate aftermath of the assault.
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	===Peace Keepers Arrive===		===Peace Keepers Arrive===
	At H+11 hours, with 1 hour remaining on the tractor operation, both ~~side~~'s high commands detected a new group of signals dropping out of FTL. The fleet that arrived was comprised principally of [[Crimson Blade]] warships, but was accompanied by Alliance regulars, [[Runarin]]s, and vessels from over a hundred Alliance member worlds. The [[MK'Haren]]s also contributed six battle groups, but despite revisionist claims, none engaged directly in combat.		At H+11 hours, with 1 hour remaining on the tractor operation, both sides' high commands detected a new group of signals dropping out of FTL. The fleet that arrived was comprised principally of [[Crimson Blade]] warships, but was accompanied by Alliance regulars, [[Runarin]]s, and vessels from over a hundred Alliance member worlds. The [[MK'Haren]]s also contributed six battle groups, but despite revisionist claims, none engaged directly in combat.

	The Crimson Blade warships immediately took up a position between advancing KPMM forces and the tractor operations. The Alliance, meanwhile, was spread through much of the field. Along with the ships were an inordinate number of communication and control vessels, which began broadcasting stand-down orders on all frequencies. The message was simple: any corporate ship that did not immediately power down its weapons would be subject to the full force of the Alliance. While the Alliance ships themselves were not on their own a serious threat, the presence of Foundation-built super-capitols gave the words significant strength.		The Crimson Blade warships immediately took up a position between advancing KPMM forces and the tractor operations. The Alliance, meanwhile, was spread through much of the field. Along with the ships were an inordinate number of communication and control vessels, which began broadcasting stand-down orders on all frequencies. The message was simple: any corporate ship that did not immediately power down its weapons would be subject to the full force of the Alliance. While the Alliance ships themselves were not on their own a serious threat, the presence of Foundation-built super-capitols gave the words significant strength.
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	===Collision Eminent===		===Collision Eminent===
	With the gravity tractor operation interrupted, Cantilever Station was left on a collision course with Mabach Prime. Some ships broke off to attempt rescue of civilians, others ~~attaked~~ KPMM ships in retribution, and some even turned their weapons directly on the Crimson Blade. The blade fought off any attackers and began broadcasting clearance orders, even using their super-capitols as "tacklers" to knock ornery ships out of the way.		With the gravity tractor operation interrupted, Cantilever Station was left on a collision course with Mabach Prime. Some ships broke off to attempt rescue of civilians, others attacked KPMM ships in retribution, and some even turned their weapons directly on the Crimson Blade. The blade fought off any attackers and began broadcasting clearance orders, even using their super-capitols as "tacklers" to knock ornery ships out of the way.

	At H+13 hours, the Bladers completed clearing a swath of the battlefield in time for the arrival of a [[Terraforming#WorldCraft Terraforming Firm\|WorldCraft Terraforming ship]]. Larger than the station itself, the ship set a tractor beam and towed Cantilever into the outer solar system. The station was set on a fast, eccentric orbit, ensuring it would not again become a danger to the inhabited inner planets.		At H+13 hours, the Bladers completed clearing a swath of the battlefield in time for the arrival of a [[Terraforming#WorldCraft Terraforming Firm\|WorldCraft Terraforming ship]]. Larger than the station itself, the ship set a tractor beam and towed Cantilever into the outer solar system. The station was set on a fast, eccentric orbit, ensuring it would not again become a danger to the inhabited inner planets.

CourseDirector at 01:38, 16 June 2020

2020-06-16T01:38:20Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:38, 16 June 2020
Line 2:		Line 2:

	==Construction==		==Construction==
			Cantilever Station began as a simple economic necessity. The [[Mabach Consortium]] had gained total control of the planet [[Mabach Prime]] as well as the bulk of the [[Mabach System]](only [[Miristead]], the second planet in the system, had a civilian-controlled government). The station was first conceived as a cargo and transit hub. The corporations had always seen the economic advantage of using artificial space stations(the use of selective anti-gravity fields made moving cargo much easier) and had been building them in huge numbers.

			Initially, Cantilever was conceived as another in a long time of such stations, initial plans indicated a larger scale. However, then CEO [[Derrick Paxton]] felt that Mabach needed a more dramatic show of it's wealth and capabilities. Paxton had risen to power within the Roello Sub Corp., a division of Mabach that had a long history of space station construction. He decided to give his engineers a real challenge, and declared that Catilever would be full self-sufficient with a record-breaking one hundred million full-time residents. Everyone onboard would drink filtered water, breath recycled air, and live off food grown on the station.

	10,~~000~~,000 ~~full~~-~~time~~ residents.		There were economic factors as well. With trade projected to skyrocket throughout the region, the Mabach System was staged to become the most important hub of commerce for thousands of light years. It would need to be big. Bigger than projected. Bigger than imagined.

			It could not, however, house a hundred million people in anything approaching relative comfort. As Paxton's engineers soon explained to him, it was an issue of atmospheric loss. Even the best-sealed space habitats still suffer some leakage; and a space station covered in airlocks and hangers would loose a lot more. To keep enough air on hand for that many people, on a station of that size, they would need either an inexhaustible local source or constant and extremely costly imports. Thus, Cantilever was quietly scaled back to a more reasonable(but still record-shattering) ten million, with capacity for a total of twelve.

			Construction began in A.Y. 4109, with am ambitious deadline of ten years to completion. This was not remotely reached, but parts of the station were fit for habitation, and by 4119 it did have 4,000 non-constructor residents.

			===Design Elements===
			Building very large space stations had always presented a serious challenge. The previous record holder, [[Cobblestone#History\|Station FUS-944]](built in a system which had no habitable planets) had been an abject failure. Miles-long spacecraft were plenty common; so any station would need to be tens of miles long. Building such a station to the same heavy tolerances as ships would in

	==Battle of Cantilever Station==		==Battle of Cantilever Station==

Siddharth1 at 19:41, 13 June 2020

2020-06-13T19:41:08Z

Show changes

CourseDirector: /* Battle Begins */

2020-06-12T23:22:42Z

Battle Begins

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:22, 12 June 2020
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	===Battle Begins===		===Battle Begins===
	Mabach had anticipated KPMM's attach down to the hour. The gravity tractor operation on the space station was set to last seventy-two hours, the final twelve of which were the most important. Since the dates and times for this event were public knowledge, Mabach rightfully reasoned that KPMM would launch it's offensive at the beginning of that twelve-hour window. As speculated, H-hour began within minutes of the reasoned time.		Mabach had anticipated KPMM's attach down to the hour. The gravity tractor operation on the space station was set to last seventy-two hours, the final twelve of which were the most important. Since the dates and times for this event were public knowledge, Mabach rightfully reasoned that KPMM would launch it's offensive at the beginning of that twelve-hour window. As speculated, H-hour began within minutes of the reasoned time. The first wave of ships dropped out of FTL directly into a minefield. Drop coordinates for a dozen of the battle groups had been gained through espionage, and allowed the ships to be destroyed immediately upon arrival with no chance to raise shields or warn the ships behind them.

	~~and the~~ first wave of ships dropped out of FTL directly into a minefield. Drop coordinates for a dozen of the battle groups had been gained through espionage, and allowed the ships to be destroyed immediately upon arrival with no chance to raise shields or warn the ships behind them.

	However, KPMM had anticipated a strong defense, and had no commited the bulk of it's fleet--especially its nearly invincible capitol fleet--to a direct assault. The much larger, slower battle ships left FTL well outside Mabach's defensive rings, and despite heavy resistance, were able to push forward. At H+5 hours, KPMM ships breached the second defensive line and attached the sixth planet.		However, KPMM had anticipated a strong defense, and had no commited the bulk of it's fleet--especially its nearly invincible capitol fleet--to a direct assault. The much larger, slower battle ships left FTL well outside Mabach's defensive rings, and despite heavy resistance, were able to push forward. At H+5 hours, KPMM ships breached the second defensive line and attached the sixth planet.
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	With the Miristead attach, Mabach was forced to pull ships off the line for a desperate defense, which in turn allowed KPMM to break through the lines and clear a path for the assault on the tractor operation. While most of Mabach's warships were involved in this, any disruption in the operation(such as ships breaking off to fight) would lead to the destruction of Mabach Prime.		With the Miristead attach, Mabach was forced to pull ships off the line for a desperate defense, which in turn allowed KPMM to break through the lines and clear a path for the assault on the tractor operation. While most of Mabach's warships were involved in this, any disruption in the operation(such as ships breaking off to fight) would lead to the destruction of Mabach Prime.

	It was at H+11 hours when the the first tractor ships were forced to break off and mount a defense. The operation was still four hours from completion, so the line only had to be held for so long. Mabach's CEO(who directed the defense) would later comment that ''"A mire sixty minutes stood between us and the largest mass-death in history"''.		It was at H+11 hours when the the first tractor ships were forced to break off and mount a defense. The operation was still four hours from completion, so the line only had to be held for so long. Mabach's CEO [[John Powers]](who directed the defense) would later comment that ''"A mire sixty minutes stood between us and the largest mass-death in history"''.

	===Peace Keepers Arrive===		===Peace Keepers Arrive===