Tajara Space Capability

Space Flight

At the time of their discovery, the Tajara thought of spaceflight the same as we might think of cold fusion. However, with human first contact, these mental barriers were not dismantled but rather blown apart. All at once, apathy, shock, joy, and existential dread resonated through the entirety of Adhomai. Many were overjoyed; beings from outer space had come to usher in a new age of enlightenment and knowledge. They were swiftly corrected. Now, forty years later space flight had become somewhat mundane. All three governments have implemented strict spacing laws, materials are frequently carried in and space exports are made on a daily schedule. Still, the Tajara people remain the most divided in their opinions of space flight. Many see it as the beginning of the hard times, others recognize it as a simple business and a few more know it’s their only way off of this planet.

History of Space Flight

Shortly after the first contact, multiple offers were made by the royal houses to purchase human vessels, however, all were rejected. While no records of negotiations have survived to this day, it is assumed this was done to lessen the impact of Tajara on galactic politics. The first space port on Adhomai itself was established on Crevus. It was almost as lax as it is today, with human and skrell smugglers making regular use of it even after the establishment of the Republic.

After the first revolution and the establishment of the new federal government, President Rhagrrhuzau Hadii put much effort into ensuring the PRA would be provided with a vessel and trained personnel. Eventually, after months of negotiations, the new PRA was provided the Freighter "Ruka" alongside 20 trained human astronauts, and blueprints of the ship. The Ruka would be the vessel that the first Tajara astronauts were trained on. After achieving this deal President Hadii’s isolationist rhetoric began to surface. Historians argue over whether this was already on its way or if securing a Tajara space program motivated the President to switch his public views.

With these new materials, the first Tajara satellites were launched into space. The rapid advancement of technology ensured that eventually, a Tajara would reach space without the assistance of a human vessel. After the first trip to space, next came visits to other planets, Raskara was first on the list, and while many religious folks protested against it the mission was successfully completed. After all of these successes, the pinnacle of Tajara engineering was completed and launched into space: an advanced (for the time) orbital platform known as The People’s Space Station, crewed only by Tajara.

That was the official process for the Republican effort. In Crevus’ speakeasies, black markets, and the spaceport a very different process began. Tajara signed illegally onto smuggling crews and independent space vessels for many reasons. Some wished to see space, some were drawn to the credits, and some needed a place to escape Crevus' burgeoning crime families. Nonetheless, these Tajara were among the first of the species’ spacers. They worked harsh jobs aboard those vessels and over time began to ascend in the hierarchy of the crews. Some would go on to become ship captains in their own right through labor, trickery, or murder. These Tajara who gained their own vessels went on to use them as part of Adhomai’s growing black market. Thus, they began the other Tajara space tradition of smuggling.

The Republican “space high” wore off rather quickly after the assassination. The few trained space captains and their vessels remained loyal to the PRA, being high-ranking party members themselves. However, their crews were of a different opinion, and after a myriad of mutinies and sabotage, practically the whole fleet was unusable for the first half of the war. Eventually, PRA managed to manufacture its first fully militarized ship, the PNA Retaliation as well as restore their civilian crafts. Soon, many more decommissioned and outdated human ships would be purchased, and alongside the PNA Retaliation, they'd spend the rest of the war attempting to cut off smuggling supply lines of the DPRA and NKA.

Following the creation of the New Kingdom's merchant navy and the Democratic People's Republic space navy, the Hadiist supremacy over S'rand'marr is being challenged. The Tajaran factions are now involved in a race to develop their space forces and claim as much space as possible.

Civilian Ships and Installations

Civilian and foreign ships are a common sight around the resource-rich Adhomai. The SCC, CoC, Elyra, and independent contractors frequently fly in and out of Adhomai to trade or mine resources. The Federation has also been a more frequent sight due to their recent, relatively positive, interactions with the PRA.

In the past, ships owned by Tajara who were not citizens of the PRA would be confiscated by the state and the owner arrested. Alien-owned ships that lacked official permits designating them as working for a megacorporation or for the PRA would share the same fate, albeit with their non-Tajara crew deported. Now in times of peace, it is only PRA citizens who are not permitted to privately own a space vessel, however, they can function as government contractors and be lent a ship, provided they're a loyal party member. This doesn't mean NKA and DPRA Tajara have it easy, due to PRA's dominant supremacy all NKA and DPRA ships are searched if caught, any illegal goods they find are then immediately confiscated and sent to the PRA. The two other governments find it difficult to protect their citizens in this matter, their recommendation is to simply not get caught or become a government contractor, as PRA ships won't touch those out of fear of provoking war.

Freighter

Tajaran designed freighters are similar in design to any other freighter, with the exception of added crudeness and a certain amateurish touch. There is one specialty, which is the emergency ejection system. Most Tajara freighters are capable of ditching their entire cargo load within seconds; leaving the goods for the pirates while the ship itself survives another day. Few captains use this system to make quick drops into hostile territories. This tactic is unpopular as very little cargo, or those supposed to receive said cargo, survive the impact.

Database Freighters

Made from adapted designs of the first freighter Tajara ever worked upon, Database freighters are PRA vessels made specially for gathering information on star systems and what passes through them. They are equipped with several portholes that open to extend far-reaching antennae that can pick up signals from ships or launch radio waves to track moving objects in space. The fleets of the Kosmostrelki usually have a few and some remain in orbit in the S’rend’marr and Hro’zamal systems. One vessel attempted to defect to the ALA during the war and was swiftly turned to scrap by an Orbital Navy destroyer. With the creation of the Tajani satellite, it is unknown if Database Freighters will be superseded by the new devices. The designs of the Database Freighters were leaked during the war and both the DPRA and NKA are hoping to field their own in the future.

Transport

Civilian transports of Tajara design are a rare sight, but they do exist. Built for survival in dangerous space, these ships boast both extremely thick plating and large, powerful engines. Making them some of the safest ships in the Badlands. This of course comes at the cost of comfort, the plating and engines leave little room for effective heat dispersal and during long and intense chases, passengers can even "cook alive" inside their cabins if they're close to the engines.

Mining Jacks

A skipjack would usually be seen in the hands of smugglers but Tajara have developed an ingenious way of mining. Instead of using a large ship to land on an asteroid and deploying a mining crew, these small, one-pilot Jacks simply cut away a part of an asteroid and take it back to a mining station. There it is processed while the skipjack flies off to the asteroid again. This also means that the crews are on their own, and if anything goes wrong they'll end up stranded and without any immediate help.

Scrapper

A frequent sight in Tajaran space are Scrappers. Crewed by three or five Tajara, these horseshoe-shaped ships use their electromagnets to latch onto other ships, after which they either two the ship into a nearby spaceyard or offer repairs on the spot. This service is free for PRA ships and used frequently, while foreigners often prepare to repair their own ships. Scrappers also frequently engage in "debris cleanup", towing unsalvagable ships or satellites into spaceyards to be scrapped and re-used. An urban legend persists that certain Scrappers tow healthy ships into scrap, hoping to steal other ships' contents after they are dismantled alongside the crew.

Helping Hand

Larger shuttles were eventually made to construct the People’s Station. The Helping Hand was what came forth. Bristling with robotic arms, loaded with various lathes, and large holds to hold many resources and engineers, the Helping Hands have been a great tool in rapidly building installations for the PRA to use. Their robotic hands are controlled through consoles used by technicians to move materials and assist in-space engineers in constructing whatever is needed for the PRA’s spacers. These can also be used in ship repairs in a pinch. Any important PRA space installation will have at least one Helping Hand. The DPRA and the NKA have noticed the usefulness of this design and have swiftly created their own. The DPRA’s Helping Hands are presently being used to expand and modify the Free Gakal’zaal Station.

Smugglers

From the first revolution to the most recent Gakal’zaal uprising, smuggling has always played a large part in Tajara history. The DPRA in particular harbors very good relations with smugglers, keeping them more as a permanent asset rather than a quick hire. While the PRA would love to get rid of these smugglers, many arrive at Adhomai under legitimate corporate interests or at least masking as such. This gives them an uninterrupted way in and out.

People's Republic of Adhomai

Realizing that ship-combat is utterly different from naval or ground combat, the PRA developed a unique doctrine titled “The Blizzard”. It is defined by quick hit-and-run attacks of smaller interceptors while larger ships stand back as fire support. This has led to the Tajara fleets being very effective in eliminating pirates, but rather fragile in any other sustained combat. The PRA's Orbital Navy is led by an appointed Chief Naval Commander.

Organization of the PRA space forces.

Hadiist Ship Models

Fang

Fangs are piloted interceptors with low shielding, light armour, unguided rockets, and ballistic cannons. Their design is based on outdated alliance corvettes, and they're designed to fit in large quantities into carriers and corvettes. The early years of the Orbital Fleet had largely poorly trained pilots flying Fangs. After the Armistice the Fangs received actual shield systems along with a VR training program for the pilots. Pilots have a much higher rate of survival now but still face high fatality rates, a fact that makes them dour and negative.

Claw

A new adaptation of the Fang design, Claws are larger two person fighters made to improve the combat capabilities of the Orbital Navy’s rockets. Meant to operate at the very forefront of space battles, they have the capability to transpond locational data back to a mother ship. This way the guided rockets that said mother ship fires have a better idea of where their target is and unguided rockets can be better aimed at the enemy. While designed for mobility with better engines and a strong shielding system, piloting a Claw is even more dangerous than a Fang. Pilots believe that being assigned to a Claw is a death sentence and a sign that you angered your superiors.

Snowstorm

The most advanced addition to the Tajaran fleet, the Snowstorm is a skipjack operated by a pilot and a hacker. They employ a wide range of signal disruptors, hacking tools, and scramblers. Capable of disabling even a large destroyer, they're sent out alongside the smaller Fangs who serve as a distraction with the Snowstorm tries to get as close to the enemy vessel as possible and disable their systems. While provided special jumpsuits, the hackers on these ships are required to frequently shave their fur to prevent any short-circuiting of their sensitive equipment, thus they're often lovingly called "Smooths".

Icelance

Perfection of the PRA doctrine, these ships function as space artillery. Magnetic accelerators along the whole length of the ship fire titanium rods at supersonic speeds. Being impossible to shoot down by gunners due to their thin profile, and undetectable by conventional point-defense make these firing mechanisms a perfect fit. However, they are very slow and are only capable of firing a few shots before their battery runs dry, giving them a low rate of fire. Thus it is a rare sight to see an Icelance without a supporting Headmaster or Sentinel.

Icelance GC-2 (Glacial Worm Type 2 variant)

The main difference between the regular Icelance and the GC-2 is the main weapon. With the perfection of cryonics, PRA scientists have equipped this ship with a "particle retarded", commonly known as a "Freeze Ray". Used most often against shielded opponents or ships the PRA desires to apprehend rather than destroy, this design sees frequent use at security checkpoints and borders. The nature of the weapon also means it strains the battery much less, providing it with a higher rate of fire and life expectancy.

Headmaster

The second heaviest ship created by the People's Republic of Adhomai. As of now, it's the lightest heavy ship ever designed, barely staying above the classification of a cruiser. This makes the Headmaster both fast enough to keep up with the rest of the fleet, while being able to survive anything common pirates can field. However, they're incapable of standing up against any other ship in their size category and are not employed in the same way as other cruisers. Recent bigger designs have been entering the testing phase, possibly opening the Tajara to larger-scale galactic operations.

Sentinel

A carrier ship, designed to ferry Fangs and Snowstorms, as well as assisting and providing support for the Icelance. It is the largest and bulkiest ship in the Tajara fleet and so it was assumed that the Sentinel would be the primary target of enemy fire. As a precaution, the government spared no expense on these ships. Boasting high armor, impressive shielding, point-defense, and even Bluespace Disruptors purchased from Epsilon Eridani, piloting this kind of ship is an honor of the highest degree. Only the most skilled and loyal captains are permitted to command these behemoths into battle. They are also hard to maintain and supply and so they are deployed sparingly.

Hadiist Space Forces

Kosmostrelki

People's Republic of Adhomai propaganda poster for the recruitment of the Kosmostrelki.

The PRA has always been known for substituting quality with quantity. However, this sentiment had to be tweaked for space combat as their ships, cheap as they are, are still hard and expensive to replace for the government. This makes the Kosmostrelki some of the best-trained troops in the PRA roster. The Kosmostrelki are usually trained in the martial art of Baghrar, both to instill discipline and help with their balance. They are also capable sharpshooters, understand advanced first aid, and are drilled in the repair and upkeep of the spaceships they inhabit. While there are specialized medics and engineers, all Kosmostrelki are expected to know how to improvise their way out of any emergency. This includes mandatory language classes so that they understand and speak Tau Ceti Basic.

The process of becoming a Kosmostrelki starts with a Republican Army member filing a request to become one. If they are accepted after a review they are interviewed by a small committee before being allowed to enter training. Training itself happens at the People’s Space Station, with all classes in engineering, medical, zero gravity and low gravity space combat. Once that is completed the Kosmostrelki graduate with a ceremony featuring a recording of President Hadii congratulating them on their fight to keep the Tajara among the stars. It is expected that a Kosmostrelki would serve for at least 3 years unless discharged for grievous injuries. As the Orbital Fleet began in 2457, the earliest a Kosmostrelki could have served their full term and left would be 2460.

Daily Kosmostrelki life is not too dissimilar from that of a Republican Army soldier. The day usually begins with an inspection by the vessel commissar before the Kosmostrelki go out to do their duties on the ship. The arduous process needed to become a Kosmostrelki means they are trusted by the government more than any other branch of the armed forces. As such Kosmostrelki are usually much more relaxed and camaraderie among each other is high. Commissars still keep their distance however and maintain friendly relations only with similar rank or higher ranking officers. A Kosmostrelki who commits any offense is arrested and held on an on-ship brig until they can be taken to the People’s Space Station. Trials there are fast and broadcasted to the rest of the fleet to serve as examples.

There is a rumor among other troops that the Kosmostrelki have a high amount of deserters due to how easy it would be to run away into space. However, these claims are unsupported.

Republican Defensive Robots

Most heavy Republican ships carry a detachment of very outdated combat robots brought from Solarian military surplus. They are equipped with forward-facing shielding, a power-saw, and various ballistic armaments. These robots operate with a team of 4 Kosmostrelki who are responsible for its continued operation and are only deployed in boarding actions where no hostages are expected. These robots have a rudimentary AI and can perform only the most simple tasks outside of combat.

The People's Republic was once unable to manufacture the defensive robots, relying solely on maintenance to make them sustainable. This changed in 2463 with the opening of the first Hadiist self-sufficient robotics factory. The PRA can now produce these automatons without external help.

Hadiist Space Installations

People’s Space Station

Built in the interwar period, the People's Space Station bears the prestige of being the first space installation designed, constructed, and manned by Tajara. Its importance in PRA propaganda was immense for the time. Initially designed to be a small habitat for scientists and researchers it was swiftly converted into a training ground for future Republican space troops. As such, in 2458, it became the mustering grounds for the Kosmostrelki troops. The space station boasts several wings for educating the astronauts and Kosmostrelki of the PRA. Zero gravity chambers for practicing combat, firing ranges, and limited VR systems exist to help trainees through the grueling training. Once a symbol of collective Tajara unity and prosperity to the stars, now the People’s Space Station is an icon of PRA supremacy reaching into space itself.

Okon 001

The first observation post built on the moon, initially constructed by the Nralakk Federation and named Site B2134. Its original purpose was to observe the Tajara people, but after their rapid ascension to space-age technology, the observation post was abandoned and sold to the PRA for a suspiciously low price. It was subsequently renamed to Okon 001, which translates to "Eye" in Siik'maas.

Afterward, it remained unused for several years due to a lack of trained Tajara scientists to operate it, leading to its disrepair. During the second revolution, it was manned by forty crewmembers, finally getting some much-needed maintenance. During this time it was used to spy on enemy activity and report possible pirate and smuggling activity. This is the longest-known official Tajara space deployment, lasting from the beginning of the second war until the end. Afterward, all forty-one crewmembers were inspected, and outside of the expected bone elongations, slight muscle atrophy, and audio-visual hallucinations all were declared perfectly healthy.

Okon 001 is still in use, manned by much smaller crews of five who are rotated out every month and have varying skill levels depending on the mission they’re carrying out. Janitors, engineers, doctors, scientists, and even common miners have been part of Okon crew. Regardless, all Okon's crews modify their suits with lights, each wearing a different color to recognize each other without using the radio. Many choose to keep them afterward.

Democratic People's Republic of Adhomai

Al'mariist spaceships are all civilian models repurposed for military purposes. However, the DPRA was able to reverse-engineer most of the Hephaestus Industries technology left behind by the Unathi in Gakal'zaal. This breakthrough allows the Democratic People's Republic to equip its ships with more advanced engines and weapons than what the general public has access to. Projects to create unique designs are currently underway.

Al'mariist Ship Models

Hailstorm

The Hailstorm is a skipjack armed with multiple mass-driver weapons designed for patrolling and brief engagements. Since its weaponry must be manually loaded, the ship's turrets are notoriously cramped. During combat, these crafts are usually deployed in large numbers alongside bigger ships. When used for patrols, the Hailstorm is loaded with supplies to last weeks on its own; its crew is specifically trained to be as frugal as possible while aboard.

Fusilier

Created from Freighters models, the Fusilier is a ship focused on offering support to the Hailstorms. These crafts are armed with long-range ballistic and laser weapons; they also carry engineering and medical crews. However, their most notable feature is a compact torpedo launcher.

Hauler

The Hauler is a cargo ship meant to ferry supplies to the Hailstorm ships during patrol and engagements. These crafts usually spent most of their time docked at Fusiliers or stations, waiting to deploy. Since most of the ships' interior is occupied by a cargo hold, its only defense is its thick hull and shields. Hauler's crews are usually drafted from among smugglers.

Wasp Torpedo

The Wasp Torpedo is the first space torpedo developed by the Democratic People's Republic. It is deployed by the Fusilier and the Free Gakal'zaal Station. Since the Spacer Militia lacks the technology to create the sophisticated tracking systems adapted to space combat, these missiles are known to be unreliable. However, they are known to carry a large explosive load; Liberation Army researchers are currently developing models capable of carrying nuclear warheads. Another notable feature is the fact that the Wasp Torpedo can be piloted. Because of manpower concerns, this tactic is reserved only for decisive engagements or as a last resort. Most pilots jump off from the missile before it reaches its target; they later return to their ships using jetpacks or wait for rescue.

Al'mariist Space Forces

People's Volunteer Spacer Militia

Having only recently claimed a space-positioned base alongside Gaka'zaal, the DPRA lacks any sort of trained force when it comes to orbital defense. Not wanting to rely purely on mercenaries due to the expenses and their scant loyalty, a militia was organized. Members of the Spacer Militia come from a variety of backgrounds: some coming back after being employed by mega-corporations; others from asteroid belts; some soldiers from Adhomai; and more from the Free Gakal'Zaal Station itself, having worked on it as maintenance.

The PVSM is poorly equipped, their training varies and they're prone to bribery, but they are strong enough to fend off the pirates whose incursions have increased ever since the Unathi were chased off. Usually, they deploy in groups of six, with five volunteers and a single experienced Liberation Army advisor. Still, this army is only temporary, as the Democratic People's Republic government is hoping to train proper space capable soldiers to rival the PRA Kosmostrelki. The Al'mariist space doctrine is still under development.

Most members of the PVSM coming from diverse backgrounds has helped with decision solving, but has also created clear issues within the ships. Advisors and captains have to act heavy-handedly in order to solve crew tensions with typically harsh punishments. The threat of marooning or being airlocked for causing internal trouble keeps PVSM fighters in line for the most part. The presence of certain bad faith actors such as ALA members only wanting to plunder has created its own problems with the aforementioned bribery and sudden cargo seizures on those who happen to cross a PVSM captain. If the Space Militia is to ever be reformed into a professional force it may be an uphill climb to turn the motley collection of fighters into a force to stand against the Kosmostrelki.

Al'mariist Installations

Free Gakal'zaal Station

Gakal'zaal station has been a very recent addition to the DPRA space capability. This addition has been heralded as a stepping stone to the first DPRA fleet, with its spaceyard capable of manufacturing up to medium-sized ships. The Free Gakal'zaal Station, originally known as Makar Castle, is an orbital station floating around the planet. The facility was built by the Unathi to serve as their seat of power; it was abandoned after the planet joined the Democratic People’s Republic. The facility was taken over by the Tajara and turned into a spaceport. It has also become a smuggler's haven, as thanks to them, the large-scale transports of men and materials were possible. Now they enjoy a degree of immunity from the authorities, creating a large black market on the station.

Sani'Orios Asteroid Outposts

Built on the moons and asteroids of Sani'Orios' ring, these bases are used for resupplying Spacer Militia ships and defenses. Due to manpower concerns, they are currently maintained by a skeleton crew. Besides the long-range ballistics and missiles, they are equipped with automated turrets that can be used for defense against meteors and enemies. Since the planet's ring is poorly mapped by the other Tajaran factions, the location of these outposts is unknown to the enemies of the DPRA.

New Kingdom of Adhomai

The New Kingdom of Adhomai has the weakest grasp on space of all Adhomian factions. The Kingdom has made some progress in amending this issue by purchasing civilian ships from megacorporations.

Her Majesty's Mercantile Flotilla

Established in 2463, the Her Majesty's Mercantile Flotilla is a conglomerate of Royalist companies involved in intergalactic trade. Since the end of the Armistice, the New Kingdom has been purchasing civilian ships from NanoTrasen and Hephaestus Industries. These spacecraft were then sold to the Kingdom's national companies, under the condition that they would join a trading company under the government's supervision.

While the Mercantile Flotilla may bring wealth to the New Kingdom, it has further increased the economy's dependence on Megacorporations. Due to the lack of a proper space military force, the fleet's defense is entirely dependent on protection contracts signed with extranational entities - such as the SCC. The New Kingdom is also unable to build ships; the Mercantile Flotilla relies solely on foreign corporations for repairs and acquiring new spacecraft.

Besides on-vessel PMCG security teams the staffing of these ships is typically entirely Tajara. The long hours and dangerous working conditions are a problem for many of these swiftly trained and swiftly hired workers to adapt to. But the pay makes it all the more worth it. The Mercantile Space Flotilla is, currently, the most lucrative company a Tajara can work for in the New Kingdom. Payment in credits, despite being quite low, still goes far in the Kingdom’s economy. Workers typically are common peasants and landless nobles. Their bunkers are notably separated by race and gender, and captains are usually nobles with a history in the national company that owns the vessel. There are no limits to how long a member is expected to work on the Space Flotilla. Criminal acts are generally handled by the PMCG which takes the criminal to stand trial on Adhomai.