Most will think me strange for this path I've chosen.. but I've always preffered to mod/create ships, characters, items, etc for any game that already exists around the universe/world it already exists in. Over the years I've played many games, some that allowed a certain level of player creativity, and some that didn't. In some instances, the entire game was replaced with a newly created mod for it, where I took part in helping to design ships, skins, etc for it. This is no different for me. At the moment, I'm not into any sci-fi or other creative designs, and so the ships I choose to invest my time into, design and offer to the community, are done for The BSF Universe in general, and will not have any custom weapons/stats unless appropriate. It is my personal pleasure to design them is in the hopes to hear constructive criticism, and may be suggestions on how to improve them better. The greatest hope I may have with designing them, is that they will somehow be used/incorporated into the game itself by the game designers. One can only hope though
. I've always been very meticulous about ships designs, and things being in the right place, so if you notice anything off-point with any of the designs, most likely it was left that way intentionally, so feel free to criticize if you disagree. 
And now without further ado.. I present Starbase 12 - A Struggle against all odds.
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Starbase 12.. one of the farthest points of known space. It was here that Fleet Command chose to place one of their most distant outposts to date. It was constructed in a binary star system, in the orbit of a barely habitable world, yet one rich with dense metal ores. Exactly the kinds needed for starship hull construction. It's location lands it directly in the path of passing asteroids, and the non-stop asteroid showers that occur, place a great deal of strain on the station crew and enlisted staff. It is here, that the keel of Artemis, and subsequently Nemesis hulls was first laid out. Being so far away from the main front of the war, Starbase 12 has served as a refuge to battle weary commanders, who bring their half beaten hulks here for repairs, and some much needed R&R.
When the Hecate Hull was designed and placed in production, the ship designers and engineers at Starbase 12, all part of the “GearX” or most commonly known GX staff, were outraged at the statistical loss of firepower such a design entailed of itself. Even though it is able to fight on 3 sides simultaneously, the loss of concentrated firepower on a single given target, means Hecate is vulnerable to attacks from larger, more powerful ships. The GX staff continued working on newer designs, protypes, and suggestions on how to improve current ships.. meanwhile the war progressed on, and the Aliens brought forth more powerful ships one after another. Aegis technology was introduced, and the GX staff saw the launch of a bran new generation of vessels based on captured alien technology, under the codename Moira X.
As the war raged on, Arcturus shipyards released their newest and most powerful vessel, based on the Hecate Hull, the majestic Athena. By this time, the GX staff on SB12 had been split into three groups, each meticulously working on their own ideas and projects. First was working on a redesign of a Hecate Hull since the day it rolled off the shipyards. It was this group that immediately leaped at the opportunity to implement their design, unrealized for so long.. the Athena and its Aegis deflectors were the salvation they were looking for. Without having an actual working prototype of the Athena, they copied its weaponry via electronic blueprints request from HQ, and installed with a pair of salvaged Aegis deflectors onto the Hecate Hull. The result was a drastic redesign in weapons layout, with all weapons facing forward. It was an increase in concentrated damage output of 140%. Protected by Aegis deflectors, the Pallas Athena was born.
The second group was working on a way to increase Hecate's firepower by regrouping the wapons in a way as to cause maximum damage in a direct frontal assault, but to be able to simultaneously boost the weapons at the same time. They requested special approval from HQ to modify an existing Hecate hull to their specifications. First the outer-middle plates were removed, then enormous but lightweight side plates were added. This wing shape made the Hecate look as big as the Alien dreadnoughts, though not anywhere as strong. The second problem, was the selection of weapons. This is where the launch of Athena coincided with their decision. Working off a copy of the electronic Athena blueprints provided by the first group, they completely ignored its Aegis technology, and were instead more interested in the large number of rail guns at its disposal. Implementing the power reworking to make rail guns have sufficient power to fire, they were able to use the boosters to successfully boost their potential firing rate at the same time. The result was astonishing... Artemis comes to life, with its Golden Bow, ready to strke.
The launch of Artemis coincided with the launch of Pallas Athena. Though officially, the first prototype was finished at least three days prior to that of the group working on Pallas, SB12 Commanders chose to postpone its launch to make grandeur celebrations in the honor of the simultaneous launch of two new vessels. Rather then wait, and do it one by one. Both prototypes rolled out of the dock on the same day, parading around the station as forward firing platforms. Both have been visible from the station windows for days now, and due to its new and unique shape, Artemis was getting the most attention, while any attention the Pallas was getting was mainly directed at its brightly lit forward sections that were protected by Aegis deflectors. After all, no one had yet seen an Athena in these parts yet.. as it was barely a month since the first ones launched at Arcturus.
Fleet HQ was only too happy to receive two new designs, especially so soon since the last one.. so they were eager to test them out in battle. Each ship was tested against a variety of alien targets, as there were so many of them.. cheap and en mass... all over. Both ships performed admirably, as noted by the logs, taking only minor damage against wave after wave of lower enemy targets. The first observations were made and it became clear that while the Pallas is at the top of its game, there could be further improvements to the Artemis yet. Mainly, its lack of any kind of deflectors, made it an easy target for alien ships looking to tackle a lone dreadnought in groups. This time, both GearX groups that had worked on the original Pallas and Artemis projects came together to improve an already existing hull, with half the staff going over to join the third group and the third and final project that was yet to be unveiled.
“Happiness an Celebration befall us on this day”... those were the opening words of the SB12 Commander as he was standing on a platform overlooking outside space, with an already familiar shape of the Artemis in the background. Alas, this was a different day, and a new Artemis. Refitted with Beamers, Shock Beamers, and Scatter beams, as well as a Flux Projector.. it was clear that the combined teams had borrowed a thing or two from the already existing Cronus. While having nowhere near the Hull strength, nor the maneuverability of the Cronus, none-the-less, this new Artemis was able to cause more devastation then any warship created by humanity in the past. It was meant to go in close, use its full range of beams, activate the Flux, and pound away the opposition, all the while staying intact and in one piece. Though some wanted to name the project Artemis II, others.. Artemis Alpha, Gamma, Delta, etc.. seeing how there would be a lot of speculation still about which ship is truly superior.. a befitting name was chosen. On this day, Diana appears in all her glory.
A long time has passed since that faithful day, but to this day, some critics still insist that the move to beams was a faulty one, and the ship overall is better as a rail gun platform. Only time will tell if they're right. Currently both types of Artemis are in active service, under their individual names of Artemis and Diana.
After the completion of the Diana project, the entire of GX1/GX2 teams moved over to GX3, to supplement and assist them in any way they can in brining the third and final project to life. What the third team did, unknown to everyone.. rather then concentrate on statistical probabilities, and chances of fighting between larger ships against the aliens, they actually ordered that all the active battle footage available from HQ, be delivered to them, so they can witness first hand what the strengths and weaknesses of the alien ships are. What especially concerned them was the different variety of weapons and types of weaponry available to the aliens. Over a dozen times they would start working on refitting a Hull, only to have everything taken off it the next day, because they had found a flaw or a weakness in their design via computer simulations. They knew that with them, rested the responsibility to bring something truly awe inspiring and powerful to the fleet, as they had the most resources and staff allocated to them, as well as the most time alloted. Finally, a design was finalized, and an enclosed ship hangar array was chosen to begin building their prototype. Once again, permission was given to modify the Hecate Hull from HQ, but this time, the modifications would take place knowing the greatest weaknesses of their own ships, and the greatest strengths of the alien armada.
“What came out of darkness, shall shine brighter then Day” That was the inscription plaque placed on the bridge of this brand new prototype vessel. The day it was going to be presented to everyone, was supposed to be a day of celebration, as it was truly a battlestar of vengeance, a vessel that was able to engage enemy dreadnoughts and take them down. All the previous ships couldn't even dream of taking down an alien dreadnought alone. Hecate, Athena, Artemis, Diana, all were created to be powerful ships of the line, truly the dreadnoughts of the Terran Federation Fleet, yet none of them had sufficient firepower to take down the capital alien ships, and would merely stay back and support with their long range weapons, as smaller ships circled around, taking down the alien Aegis generators, so they would become vulnerable to normal fire. This new prototype was supposed to be able to do just the opposite. Enhanced with captured alien technology and weapons, Nemesis steps forth to bring divine retribution to all who oppose it.
The day of launch didn't go as planned. In the early hours, as celebrations were under way, the Nemesis was presented, and speeches were given.. a message came through. A distress call from Fleet HQ requesting that all vessels in the immediate vicinity immediately divert their course to help defend Fleet HQ against an alien Armada. A live feed of what's happening was immediately established by the local news sources, transmitting in all directions. Everyone on Starbase 12 watched in disbelief as wave after wave of alien ships engaged Fleet HQ. As the main defenders of TFHQ were destroyed one by one, as an Admiral and his fleet jumped in to help, joined shortly by a much older ship, and the remnants of Task Force 16. As Nagaya, the leader of Pirates turned alien traitor, destroyed TFHQ with his new and super powerful vessel. This was more then anyone could handle, as this was real live battle footage of the Terran Fleet being destroyed, along with its HQ. The SB12 commander immediately ordered the Nemesis to be crewed and ready to launch.. No one knew what the future would hold, but they all suspected it would be a battle test like no other.. perhaps against an entire fleet or even against that new alien monstrosity of a ship.. What ever was to come, this new generation of vessels, under the name of Nemesis would have to face and be ready to overcome.
Reference Link to Ship Images and Downloads:
http://www.wyrdysm.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2777