Status of Forces: The Imperial 208th Fleet, Five Sisters subsector

THE 208th IMPERIAL FLEET (credit to wassailtraveller with edits for game setting and campaign plot)

The history of the 208th Imperial Fleet has been a relatively short one when compared to the service records of many of its sister fleets posted to the Spinward Marches. Not only has its history of service been short, its battle honors are very few in comparison for the 208th Imperial Fleet has seen little action in the conflicts that have shaped the Spinward Marches. Yet for all of this the 208th Imperial Fleet has served the Imperium faithfully, meeting an operational task load that conflicts with its scant history.

In addition to enforcing Imperial Naval control over the Five Sisters Subsector, the 208th Imperial Fleet has maintained one of the longest running interdiction of a group of worlds in the history of the Imperium. As well the Fleet must routinely carry the Imperial banner proudly to the capitals of Imperial friendly polities, while standing watch over the encroachment of the Zhodani Consulate along the Imperial border in the Foreven Sector and monitoring the ambitions of nearby hostile governments within the Sword Worlds. Then when all is said and done the 208th Imperial Fleet is responsible for maintaining anti-piracy patrols throughout not only the Five Sisters Subsector but into neighboring subsectors such as Urnian, Menorial, and parts of District 268. Not only has the 208th Imperial Fleet done this work, it has completed these tasks as an under-strengthened formation with a minimum of three of its squadrons permanently seconded to fixed operational tasks.

A Brief History
The 208th Imperial Fleet has called the Five Sisters home since the outbreak of the Psionic Suppression War in 800. Responding to the urgency implied by the Imperial Edict, the Imperial Navy ordered the creation of a task force that could move immediately into the Five Sisters Subsector with the intent of establishing Imperial authority over the local governments and population.

The 208th Imperial Fleet was a hastily organized formation raised from reserve vessels stationed within the Depot (Corridor 1511) system. After a hurried commissioning the newly created fleet was dispatched to the Five Sisters Subsector under the command of Admiral Sir Akusekiikhe Idimkukikned. The original fleet consisted of 32 vessels of all classes distributed amongst the 145th Imperial BatRon, the 833rd Imperial Light CruRon, and the 993rd Imperial DesRon. Its operational capabilities was augmented and enhanced by the 1st Battalion, 778th Imperial Marine Jump Regiment.

The 208th Imperial Fleet reached Iderati (Spinward Marches 0732) on 290-801. Upon entering the system Admiral Idimkukikned declared his authority and claimed the allegiance of the citizens of Iderati in the name of the Empress. Taken by surprise and with little hope of successfully resisting the Imperial Task Force, the local government opened their arms and welcomed Admiral Idimkukikned as the de facto Imperial authority in the region. Admiral Idimkukikned immediately established his headquarters in Regency City, the capital of Iderati and then after detaching a small security force, set to work to fulfill his orders.

The principal role of the 208th Imperial Fleet during the Psionic Suppression War was the defense of Imperial assets within the subsector, the implementation of the Imperial suppression order and the eventual forceful annexation of key non-aligned or client state systems within the subsector into the Third Imperium. The first phase of operations included establishing forward naval stations at Karin (Spinward Marches 0534), Jone (Spinward Marches 0434), and Mirriam (Spinward Marches 0333). This enabled the Imperial Navy to dominate the populations of three of the most populated worlds within the subsector, to monitor trade and ship traffic through the region, and position its principal assets so that it could move to complete phase two and three of its orders.

Admiral Idimkukikned took his time before moving forward with phase two of his orders, preferring to develop a solid support base before he implemented his Imperial instructions. However, as time moved on and the effects of the Psionic Suppression War began to be felt throughout the Spinward Marches, vocal opposition increased amongst the citizens of the Five Sisters. Thus Admiral Sir Akusekiikhe Idimkukikned was forced into accelerating the Imperial government's policy of suppression.

The end result was a long, protracted conflict as the population of the Five Sisters Subsector dug in their heels against what they viewed as a violation of their local authority and planetary rights. While Admiral Idimkukikned commenced implementing the suppression orders in 803, the annexation of the key worlds of the Five Sisters only started in 810. The conflict continued for the next three decades eventually ending in 840.

The 208th Imperial Fleet has served within the Five Sisters Subsector since that time relegated to the status of a patrol group, meeting the day-to-day needs of the Imperium by keeping the space lanes free and safe, and keeping the worlds of the Five Sisters under Naval authority.

Frontier Wars
The 208th Imperial Fleet saw limited action in both the Third and Fourth Frontier Wars. During these conflicts the majority of the fleet was dispersed throughout the subsector, restricted to patrol and anti-piracy duties. Only occasionally was an individual ship or flotilla called upon to deal with an incursion by enemy forces into the subsector.

Interdiction Squadron
The 147th Imperial BatRon is an independent naval squadron that serves as the permanent interdiction squadron of the Five Sisters. The squadron is on permanent station within the Andor (Spinward Marches 0236) and Candory (Spinward Marches 0336) systems. The squadron is comprised of four flotillas with each flotilla consisting of one battleship, a fleet courier, and four escort vessels. At all times there is one flotilla from the BatRon within each of the interdicted systems.

The 147th Imperial BatRon presently calls the Imperial Naval Base Karin (Spinward Marches 0534) its administrative headquarters. One flotilla is normally in the Karin (Spinward Marches 0534) system at any time, involved in maintenance, training and shore leave. The remaining flotilla of the BatRon is normally in transit between Karin and one of the two interdicted worlds. Flotillas rotate once every 90 standard days.

The Imperial Interstellar Scout Service officially interdicted Andor in 802 IY upon determining that it represented the possible home world to the Droyne race. Inhabited by large populations of native Droyne the Imperium ordered an immediate restriction on all non-Droyne attempting to travel to either worlds.

The Imperial Interstellar Scout Service maintained the interdiction throughout the Psionic Suppression War and the decades that followed while the subsector was slowly integrated into the Imperium.

As of 845 IY responsibility for control over the interdiction of Andor was transferred to the 208th Imperial Fleet. Between 845 IY and today several Imperial squadrons have served as Interdiction Squadron within the Five Sisters. The current squadron was formed at the end of the Fourth Frontier War, and is centered on four surplus Tigress-class Battleships and a down-rated Dreadnought.

At the end of the Forth Frontier War, a virulent plague broke out on Candory, the main inhabited planet in the Candory system. In order to quarantine the planet, 147th Imperial BatRon also took over its interdiction. The down-rated Dreadnaught, the "Emperor Eliador" was stationed in the system as a permanent interdiction platform. Careful monitoring by the IISS has revealed that the majority of the original population of Candory has perished, while a few survivors remain ravaged by the plague. The planet is under strict quarantine until this day.

Composition
The 147th Imperial BatRon is an under-strength squadron consisting of one down-rated Dreadnought, four Tigress-class Battleships, sixteen Ocean-class Fleet Destroyers, and four Hermes-class Fleet Couriers. This squadron operates independently from the remainder of the 208th Imperial Fleet. The squadron is supported in its operations by several vessels of the IISS.

The 147th Imperial Squadron is presently commanded by Commodore Sir Gildemar Ivanov Adair.

The Urnian Squadron
The Urnian Squadron, formerly the 256th Imperial CruRon, is a reinforced Imperial Cruiser Squadron consisting of four Gionetti Armored Cruisers, twelve Chrysanthemum Fleet Destroyers, two Caen-class drop-ships and 24 Fiery-class Gun Escorts. The Squadron also contains 12 S-Type Scouts attached from the Imperial Interstellar Scout Service (IISS) for courier, detached duty and diplomatic services.

Officially a squadron of the 208th Imperial Fleet, which is currently stationed in the Five Sisters Subsector of the Spinward Marches, the Urnian Squadron, has been permanently detached for diplomatic and economic reasons to the Urnian Subsector of the Foreven Sector.

Commanded by Rear Admiral Dame Alexandra Marceau, an experienced line officer and veteran of the Fourth Frontier War, the Urnian Squadron enjoys a significant degree of independence comparative to most Imperial Naval formations.

The Imperial Naval Headquarters on Mora (Spinward Marches 3124) has granted exceptional authority to Rear Admiral Marceau in the command, deployment and operation of the squadron under her control. This allows the Admiral to employ squadron assets as she sees fit, and as the local situation might dictate.

Still, the squadron ultimately falls under the authority of the 208th Imperial Fleet and the Imperial Naval Authority headquartered on Iderati who maintain constant communications between Fleet Headquarters on Iderati and Rear Admiral Marceau.

Squadron Responsibilities
Headquartered in the Gap system of the Urnian subsector in Foreven, the squadron is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the various trade routes leading from the Five Sisters through the Imperial Colonies in Foreven. It is also responsible for showing the "flag" in the face of continued Zhodani expansion within the Foreven Sector.
 
Rear Admiral Marceau maintains her cruisers and drop-ships as a centralized striking force, positioned to either defend the trade route to the Five Sisters, or as a first strike tool against any potential threat to Imperial interests in the region. Rarely will the Admiral dispatch any of her capital vessels unless directed by the Imperial Navy through senior diplomatic representatives.

One regiment of Imperial Marines, the 778th Imperial Marine Jump Regiment, supports the squadron, also stationed on Gap.

The motto of the squadron "Point Guard" reflects the forward position of this Imperial Naval unit and the responsibilities assigned to the squadron.

The Flammarion Squadron
Since the earliest times of Imperial involvement in the Five Sisters subsector, the Imperial government has realized that their investment was a hazardous one. Situated beyond the borders of the Imperium, the Five Sisters was only accessible through a tenuous jump route through the Sword Worlds.

As any traveler knows, the Sword Worlds are not on the best of terms with the government of the Third Imperium. The history between the two governments is a dark and violent one. Even at the best of times, the Sword Worlds government would prefer to see the Five Sisters fail.

So the Imperium established a major naval base in the Sword Worlds with the express purpose of keeping lines of communications open between the Five Sisters and the remainder of the Imperium.

To support this base and to deter any attempt to seize the star system for the interests of the Sword World government, the Imperial government permanently stationed the Flammarion Squadron in the Flammarion (Spinward Marches 0930) system.

Autonomy
The Flammarion Squadron has been given extreme latitude from the Imperial Naval Headquarters on Mora (Spinward Marches 3124). Unofficially the squadron is an independent strike group committed solely to the defense of the Flammarion star system and to ensuring that the jump route between the Five Sisters and the remainder of the Spinward Marches remained open. This autonomy has been guaranteed to the squadron commander through an Imperial Warrant originally issued by the Empress Paula II during the height of the Psionic Suppression War. That warrant has been reconfirmed with the ascension of each new Imperial ruler since that time.

This warrant prevents the redeployment of the Flammarion Squadron during both times of peace and conflict, thereby ensuring that the squadrons primary mission, the defense of the jump route would never be interfered with by ambitious Admirals or tight-fisted bean counters.

Mission
As stated previously, the primary mission of the Flammarion Squadron is to ensure that the jump route from the remainder of the Spinward Marches to the Five Sisters subsector remains open and secure, both during peace time and during conflicts.

To accomplish this mission the squadron mounts patrols along the jump route, much to the annoyance of the Sword Worlds governments. Routine large flotillas consisting of usually a heavy cruiser and several fleet destroyers traverse the route, showing the Imperial Flag, acting as convoy escort when necessary and challenging any vessel that appears to be intercepting Imperial shipping.

The secondary mission of the Flammarion Squadron is to tie down as much Sword World fleet assets as possible. As a potential striking force located in their backyard, the Sword Worlds is hesitant to leave the squadron unchallenged. The Sword World maintained a squadron of heavy cruisers in the adjacent systems of Narsil and Enos.

Organization
The current Flammarion Squadron is more than a typical Imperial squadron. In fact the squadron is more like two squadrons combined. This major task force currently consists of 6 Penarua Class Cruisers, 20 Crysanthamum class Fleet Destroyers, 4 Hero class Fleet Couriers, and 8 S-Type Scouts. All vessels and equipment under the Flammarion Squadron is Imperial standard technologically.

Additionally to the actual squadron assets, four flotillas of heavy System Defense Boats and eight squadrons of heavy fighters support the Imperial Naval base and are available to support squadron operations in the defense of the Flammarion (Spinward Marches 0930) system.

Finally Flammarion (Spinward Marches 0930) is also home to a IISS base. This facility maintains three squadrons of S-Type Scouts, one flotilla of Survey vessels that are employed as intelligence monitors, one flotilla of Alexander-class Fast Traders, one squadron of X-Boats and four X-Boat Tenders.

Command
Current operational command of the Flammarion Squadron rests upon Commodore Sir Rupert Delaney. Commodore Delaney is a seasoned veteran of the Imperial Navy having served actively during the 4th Frontier War as a flotilla commander. Earning a MCG for his part in the defense of Lanth (Spinward Marches 1719) against the invading Sword Worlders, the Commodore later participated in the invasion of the Sword Worlds.

Commodore Delaney's immediate superior is Vice-Admiral Lord Alexander Twinning, the commander of the Imperial Naval Base within the Flammarion (Spinward Marches 0930) system. Vice-Admiral Twinning is a senior naval officer who has held several ship and squadron commands. He has also seen service during the 4th Frontier War where he was honored several times for bravery under fire.

Overall command of both the naval base and the squadron rests with the commander of the 208th Imperial Fleet, Admiral Baron Mordeci Chen. This officer is again an experienced naval officer, familiar with frontier naval operations and has been seasoned operationally during the 4th Frontier War.

It should be noted that while naval policy and Imperial edict has designated the Flammarion Squadron an independent unit operationally, in practice the squadron falls under the 208th Imperial Fleet administratively. Logistical and maintenance support is provided by the 208th Imperial Fleet, including the training of squadron personnel at Imperial naval training facilities within the Five Sisters.

Take a good look at the capabilities of this fleet, guys. It will probably be the final boss battle when the time comes.