Beyond The Frontier

Chapter 3 (Rewrite)

Mission Time/Day 2 00:00

"Captain, we're approach the egress point of our jump. Estimating 25 lightyears beyond the frontier."

"Good. Once we drop out, give me a head count of our fleet and perform a deep space scan. Search for any points of interest or if we're possibly being followed."

"Aye Captain. Influx in 3...2...1."

The USS Freedom Star appeared in space where no human ship has gone before. Now drifting through unknown space where there was no help to call from if they need it. It was only a moment later when more ships started dropping out of warp and appearing behind the super carrier.

The entire fleet had successfully jump.

"Captain we're reading all vessels assigned under your command. However several are reporting emergency status. USS Arleigh Burke and USS Ticonderoga have suffered external hull damage."

"Initiate a deep space scan. Tell the commanders they have 30 minutes to repair whatever they can before we're moving on." Captain Alder ordered. "The Chinese likely have a head start against us, so we can't waste much time staying idle."

"Aye Captain."

The damaged destroyer and cruiser of the group initiated self repairs as crewmen, assisted by EVA drones, began replacing the armor plates across the hulls. The damage was minimal enough that simple patchwork would do the job. In the event the ship needed extensive repairs they still had the chance of repairing it with assistance from one of their auxiliary ships.

Specifications
-Class: San Diego auxiliary ship
-Length: 557 meters
-Width: 82 meters
-Height: 72 meters
-Displacement: 200,000 tons
-Top jet speed: 240,000 km/h
-Delta-v: 40 km/s
-FTL speed: 3 lightyears/hour
-Reactor output: 60 Gigawatts
-Security force: 110 marines
-Dropships: 2x UV-44 Ospreys
Armament
-2x M71 20mm rotary cannons
-2x RIM-300 launchers
-4x HELIOS III LaWS
Sensors and processing systems
-AN/SPY-20 Multi-function radar
-AN/SPY-21 Volume search radar
-DRADIS tracking and navigation system
Armor
-Hull thickness: 412mm
-Reactive armor: 88mm (Over Vital Spaces)
Propulsion
-Main propulsion: 6x Solid fuel boosters
-Maneuvering: Numerous RCS thrusters
-Atmospheric flight: 9x VTOL thrusters
-FTL: Mk 4 IWD (Interstellar Warp Drive)
Additional Facilities and Modules
-Command bridge
-External landing platform
-Small hangar bay
-2x Station/Ship docking ports
-8x Cargo bays/Modular bays
-4x Repair bays
-2x Mess bays
-Sick bay
-Marine barracks and armory

The ship used the same hull as a cruiser, but refitted for service as a modular support ship to fit any role needed. At present the fleet sailed with 2 standard resupply variants able to stock up extensively on ammo, spare parts, and fuel to resupply other warships. It could also assist allied vessels with extensive repairs using it's fleet of repair UAVs. The other variants were used in mining and farming.

The mining/processing variant was used to not only mine ore found in space, but to also process it into usable material and fuel. The ship came with 4 mining bays and 2 refinery plants that fed into multiple fabrication and assembly lines onboard.

The farming variant swapped it's cargo bay space for an entire aeroponics farm, with a much larger variety then the Freedom Star's own farm. This vessel served as a vital lifeline as it provided the entire fleet with a continuous source of food should their initial reserves run dry. Studies of the anomaly showed a trip to and from would take and estimate of 270 days. However that could be extended due to numerous factors. With no point of resupply, the ship was the fleet's main lifeline regarding food.

Another pair of ships added to the fleet were two frigates. The smallest of Capital ship class and usually assigned for patrol across the frontiers of American space. They were quick and boasted respectable firepower, but were literally glass cannons.