Dreams of a Better Future - Tales of the Roccan Resistance

[Nikolai]

Hi there everyone! Welcome to my latest AAR, which will follow the Roccan Resistance in their quest to be free and secure. The story is based on an ironman game (unfortunate for AAR purposes...) that got an interesting turn ca 30 years in. I plan to write about that particular incident, possibly further on. Might be short, might be long. I have a real wish to continue though, so I need to write the planned chapters fast, so I don't miss the important details.

Due to the ironman situation, I cannot go back and make the necessary screenshots, so I plan to try and use AI images where needed, and ingame images where I can. It is a narrative this time, in the vein of my old Ersh na-Filvan story.

First chapter about to be posted!

 

[Nikolai]

Chief Gahuda carefully studied the pad in front of him. The latest intel on the Republic of Havensky. Not much of a report, really. It had been too little time since they got their first real asset within the alien republic.

He sighed.

He really wanted to be friends with the Havensky republic. His beloved Roccan Resistance had not been independent of the MSI for long, having fought them off not too long ago, all considered. He had no need for war.

But it seemed like it might come anyways. Just a week ago, the Havensky had claimed a border system. Roccan system. It did not bode well.

The Republic of Havensky is led by these charming beings.

Gahuda scratched his beak.

He had ordered a major buildup of the Roccan forces. Soon he would command two navies of Roccan ships, comprised of a majority of frigates, with some corvettes. They were strong. But were they strong enough to counter the Havensky armadas? He knew nothing of their strength. It might be half of Roccan’s. Or twice. There were no way to know for sure. The chances were they were equal, but chances were a bad thing to stake your future on.

He leaned back.

He commanded three planets. It seemed the Havensky republic had eight. There were few suitable planets around. If he were to strike, he better do it soon. Or not at all. He had tried to butter them up. Sent his best man to improve relations. The Havensky did everything to damage them.

And now this. A claim. A sure sign war was coming.

He had two navies, one full strength, one half, being built up. One shipyard. No way to know for sure how many the enemy had. It was a gamble, but it might be needed to be done.

Soon.

His gaze moved. The Panurian Raiders. On his borders, in the opposite direction. Close to all his home planets. At least the economy was booming. He could afford to pay them off. Which he had just done. The border was secure.

Panurian Raiders territory.

Probably.

And then it was the MSI and their debt collectors. He dared not refuse. But 5000 credits every 15 years and a payment plan of over 29 thousand years? At some point, that would have to end.

But not today. Today, they paid.

 

[Macavity116]

The Roccan Resistance! It's the Avian freedom fighters from that awesome trailer for Stellaris First Contact.

Oh, this is going to be fun. Subbed!

 

[Nikolai]

The Roccan Resistance! It's the Avian freedom fighters from that awesome trailer for Stellaris First Contact.

Oh, this is going to be fun. Subbed!

Welcome! I hope to make it a fun ride. I do btw not have all the recent DLC, but I don't think that is needed for a fun run anyways.

 

[The Kingmaker]

A new Stellaris AAR by @Nikolai? I must be dreaming! Of course I'm onboard.

 

[Nikolai]

A new Stellaris AAR by @Nikolai? I must be dreaming! Of course I'm onboard.

You are very welcome aboard!

 

[StrategyGameEnthusiast]

This Roccan resistance doesn't seem like it will last very long sadly, the Havensky republic seems to be too strong.

 

[Nikolai]

This Roccan resistance doesn't seem like it will last very long sadly, the Havensky republic seems to be too strong.

We better build up and build fast, then!

 

[Nikolai]

Who knew making AI images with only one bird person on, with no other, primitive birds flying around, would be so hard. I've tried ten times now!

 

[Cora Giantkiller]

Can't wait to see what happens.

 

[Nikolai]

Can't wait to see what happens.

Wait no longer!

 

[Nikolai]

Cheif Gahuda looked at the reports from the border. Peaceful. No incursions, no crossings. It all seemed…peaceful.

He knew it was a lie. The Republic of Havensky were intent on war, and he knew it. But it seemed the war might not be something they could afford.

He opened the report from the government agent placed in the Havensky bureaucracy. Turmoil on the far ends of their empire. Conquered species, wanting freedom. Promising. He might have peace after all.

Of course, he would still go on with the naval buildup. He even had ordered an army to be built, in case of war. Then he would need boots on the ground.

He looked at another report. Voidglint. If it came to war, that planet would need to be secured. His new army would have to go in, after the fleet. A weak station, should not be a problem.

«Interesting» he said out loud. Signs of turmoil there, too. That would make over half the Havensky empire unstable. Perhaps it was still a possibility of this going nowhere.

A knock.

He looked up. He had told his secretary to not be disturbed. Must be important, he decided.

«Come in.»

Plume of Olive in all his might. (Made with Copilot)

In came Plume of Olive, his Minister of State.

«Sir, I have an urgent message from within Havensky space.»

Chief Gahuda cocked his head.

«Havensky? What do they want? A non-aggression pact, I hope?»

Plume of Olive shook his head, and gently stroked his right wing.

«No, sir. Not the government. Rebels. There has been an uprising in the far end of their empire. Conquered species, trying to break free. They…»

He trailed off.

«Yes?»

«They offer us their allegiance, if we promise them our protection against the Havensky government.»

The Chief nodded, stroked his chin.

«Really.»

Plume of Olive hesitated a moment.

«Sir, it’s two planets and seven star systems. It even contains two shipyards. Fiftyeight billion souls, willing to place their fate in our hands.»

He paused.

«But it would mean war, if the Havensky government fought back. They might not, sir.»

Chief Gahuda nodded silently.

«But it might.» he said.

He looked at the star map.

«The territory would be inaccessible to us without going through Havensky space.»

He tapped his desk with his wing.

«Assemble the Council.»

The Council with Chief Gahuda at the helm.

 

[Macavity116]

He looked at the star map.

«The territory would be inaccessible to us without going through Havensky space.»

He tapped his desk with his wing.

«Assemble the Council.»

Ah, that wrinkle alone will force a lot of decisions.

 

[StrategyGameEnthusiast]

This Havensky rebellion may lead to the quick destruction of the Roccan Resistance...

 

[Nikolai]

Ah, that wrinkle alone will force a lot of decisions.

The next update will deal with the fallout of those decisions.

This Havensky rebellion may lead to the quick destruction of the Roccan Resistance...

Well, we go into this unprepared intelligence wise and against an in production capacity superior enemy, although they just lost two shipyards.

 

[CBR JGWRR]

Yeah, the Payback Origin is harder than Broken Shackles, but this is definitely off to a sub-optimal start...

Anyone else available to ally with?

 

[Nikolai]

Yeah, the Payback Origin is harder than Broken Shackles, but this is definitely off to a sub-optimal start...

Anyone else available to ally with?

None. Met raiders, space whales and about to get contact with someone. It's a lonely galaxy...

 

[The Kingmaker]

Well, that’s a lot of multi-eyes birds. I like your anthropoid avian race but the extra eyes are not my jam. Looking forward to more!

 

[Nikolai]

Well, that’s a lot of multi-eyes birds. I like your anthropoid avian race but the extra eyes are not my jam. Looking forward to more!

Can't do much about that, I'm afraid.

 

[Nikolai]

Feathers of Ebony, Minister of Defense and top commander of the assembled fleets of the Roccan Resistance, looked at the fleet in front of him. The Havensky host had invaded the Offe’ei system, bordering their homelands. His Offe’ei system, his homeland, and – in this time and space – his responsibility to protect.

He looked at the numbers. His fleet consisted of three naval units. One at full strength, one at a quarter at best. And the salved cruiser class ship rescued from that gas giant not too long ago. He would have preferred one unit, one fleet, but he could not command them all under one banner with the current technology. It was a too gigantuant ask. And the salvaged ship was too different technologically to be a part of one of the other fleets, he was told.

He scoffed. No matter, he would see victory. He was sure of it.

He looked at the other numbers. The enemy fleet. It was virtually the same size as his host, but it also had to deal with the Offe’ei star base, which had been – wisely – stuffed with guns and armaments the years preceding the start of the war. A war that was mere months old, and now would see its first major battle.

He bit his beak tightly together.

«First Officer, ready the guns.»

«Affirmative, sir! Ready in 3…2…1… Ready! At your orders!»

Feather of Ebony nodded.

«Target their rear, the smallest ship closest to the star base’s plasma guns.»

The First Officer tapped some keys.

«Target ready in 3…2…1… Ready, sir!»

The fight was hard, but within hours half the enemy fleet were killed off. The damages to the Roccan fleets were minimal. Feather of Ebony was proud of his men. He would see to telling them. After the battle. A celebration was in order.

«Sir!» his First Officer bellowed.

He turned.

«Sir! The enemy is attempting emergency FTL! We have won!»

Feather of Ebony smiled weakly.

«We have won this battle, young man. We still need to win the war.»

He paused.

«Target them until they are gone. Then open the comms to Nogg, it is time to tell Chief Gahuda the good news.»

He furrowed his brow.

«And then, we take the fight to their home turf.»