Ages of the Federation is a new total conversion mod for Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion. This mod takes place in the Enterprise and Original series eras, focusing on the conflict between the early Federation and Klingon Empire. A resurgent Romulan Star Empire, angry and still licking its wounds after their defeat to Earth and her allies waits in the shadows, ready to take advantage of any of misstep by either the warring powers. The Xindi, new to the galactic stage are also eager to forge their own path.
USS Hephaestus battles the pirates of Orion.
Starfleet encountered many wonders in its early years - Fascinating, unique lifeforms. Previously unknown civilisations, both primitive and advanced. Spatial anomalies that defied the laws of physics. Vast nebulae of rare elements. Not since wooden ships had sailed across Earth's oceans had humans witnessed such an age of exploration.
The galaxy, however, turned out to be as perilous as it was wondrous, not least of all becase of the dangerous denizens that prowled the stars in search of easy prey. Pirates of many species stalked the shipping lanes between worlds, seizing supplies, valuable items and personnel alike, and the most organised and effective of these raiders were the legendary pirates of Orion.
A muscular, green-skinned humanoid race native to the Orion Colonies, the Orions were known far and wide as adventurers, explorers, merchants and warriors, with a deep appreciation for beauty and a penchant for hedonistic indulgence. Their pursuits of pleasure, adventure and treasure (in varying order of priority, depending on the individual) had carried the Orions well beyond the confines of known space, to the extent that a popular saying claimed that, "If an Orion hasn't seen it, it doesn't exist."
Their skills as spacefarers made the Orions particularly dangerous pirates. Where other bandits, such as Nausicaan freebooters or Klingon privateers, were aggressive and brutal, Orion pirates were disciplined, cunning and precise. Their raids succeeded, on average, far more often than those of their competitors.
The formation of the Federation at first did little to phase these pirates. The farther reaches of space remained lawless and unsafe. It took Starfleet many years before incidents of piracy began to decline. Nevertheless, piracy remained an accepted way of life for many Orions, who, even at their most civilised, refused to live by any rules but their own, unbound by conventional laws or morality.
Wish we can play as Orions.Pull some strings O'Slaver,will ya
Captain's Log, Stardate 0021.8
I used to think Jonathon was kidding when he told me about his run-ins with the Orions. Now I wonder just how much he left out of his official reports to Starfleet.
The Hephaestus has been running convoy duty for the past two weeks, and I must confess that it has been more "interesting" than I thought it would be. We've rescued about a dozen slaves bound for the market on Verex III, impounded an Orion barge, and even saved a Klingon mining ship. Heck, in between them threatening to destroy us and calling us petaQs, whatever that means, I think they were thanking us.
Speaking of our grateful Klingon friends, we have taken the pirates who attacked them into custody. They should be in the brig, but since we only have one working nacelle thanks to them, I've ordered Chief Rivers to give them some noncritical repairs to make while his team realigns our starboard nacelle. I almost feel sorry for them. River's has them cleaning the waste extractors and purging the coolant tanks. Manually.
Remind me never to damage any piece of equipment on this ship. Forget the woman scorned, Hell hath no fury like a Chief Engineer.
Love it.
Keep 'em coming Mr. Wilkinson