Earth One-class defense ship

The Earth One-class were the first military spacecraft of the United Nations and served each of the UN's space agencies in turn: the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), the United Nations Space Authority (UNSA), and finally the United Nations Space Command (UNSC). Classified by the UNSA as "defense ships" in 2105, the class began entering service in 2073 during the colonization of the Sol system. 
==History==
===Development and construction===
*Stalwart Dawn-IV battleship design 
===Service===
*UNOOSA service and initial operations
**Four defense ships for Earth, two for Mars, three for Jupiter, and three for patrolling the belt. 
*2080 UNSA transfer and the great renaming
*Arrival of the new moon defense ships Apollo (2085, Luna), Sentinel of Phobos (2109, Phobos), and Drake of Deimos (2116, Deimos)
*Upgrades 
*Jovian Crisis of 2160
**Action of 2 March 2160: Watchguard fires in anger 
*Vesta, the Inner System Crisis, and the arrival of the Hazard
===November 2163 controversy===
Following the assassination of Frieden leader Nadja Mielke on November 3, 2163, the UN and UEG were forced to reconcile with an escalating crisis. With no claim of responsibility made and the potential reactions of the Frieden movement unknown, UEG and UN leadership assumed the worst and anticipated an immediate attack on Earth. In an effort to safeguard against this eventuality, the battleship of the mobile squadron and the lion's share of cruisers and destroyers were stripped from the belt and ordered to Earth to reinforce the Home Fleet. This decision was to have both immediate and long-term consequences. 
Firstly, the departure of the battleships and most cruisers effectively ceded control of the Jovian Trojans to the Frieden movement. The region was already only barely being contested from total Frieden occupation by the presence of UNSA warships and their removal was swiftly followed by any remaining UNSA assets as government forces quietly withdrew. This evacuation allowed the Frieden movement to fully occupy the Trojans and fortify the colonies against any attempt by UN forces to return; control of the Jovian Trojans would only be reestablished following the massive Trojan Offensive in January 2170. 
Secondly, with the capital ships and cruisers of the belt reassigned to Earth, the way was clear for Frieden space forces to move against Mars. In the only major penetration of the Inner System of the war, two Frieden flotillas sortied from each camp of the Trojans and were joined by additional ships from Jovian Space and the Belt until they arrived in Martian Space. 
With the bulk of the fleet at Earth, the UNSA was badly wrongfooted on December 7. Both the Drake of Deimos and the Sentinel of Phobos were ordered to assist in a limited evacuation of the Martian Moons while the Aries and Olympus were ordered to keep a considerable distance from either colony and to make no aggressive moves towards either flotilla. Constrained by UEG instructions and UN stipulations and compounded by a lack of available assets, the UNSA was forced to stand aside as the Frieden movement occupied Deimos and Phobos and began coordinating operations with Frieden troops already present on the Martian surface. This lack of action was considered to be greatly damaging to the reputation of both the Authority and its battleships and would only be assuaged by the subsequent assault on Mars in late December and the bloody Battle of the Martian Moons in March 2164. 
===Interplanetary War===
*Martian Moons
*The Belt
*Jovian Action
*Europa Whirlwind
*Trojan sorties
*Siege of Ceres
*Trojan Offensive
===Postwar===
==Design==
The Earth One defense ships measured 860 meters in length and featured heavy armor plate. Each battleship featured sixty missile pods, originally configured to carry M1 Defender anti-ship missiles, though these would later be replaced with variants of the Aggressor anti-ship missile. The first warships to mount naval coilguns, the Earth One battleships featured five turrets of twin 450mm Mark I Goliath naval coilguns, with four forward and one aft, supported by eight twin turrets of 220mm M2 Inhibitor naval autocannons. The battleships rounded out their armaments with twenty-six 30mm M1 Interceptor point defense guns. 
Major engine upgrades in the 2130s and 2150s provided the Earth One defense ships with impressive speed and good maneuverability. Each defense ship was built around a reinforced superstructure and was clad in thick armor plating that was peerless until the commissioning of the battleship UNSC Deep Tranquility in 2164 and remained a rarity until the late 2200s. 
===Armament===
As previously stated, each battleship featured sixty missile silos, five twin 450mm Mark I Goliath coilgun turrets, eight twin 220mm M2 Inhibitor autocannons, and twenty-six 30mm M1 Interceptor point defense guns. The Earth One-class was fitted with M1 Defender anti-ship missile silos until 2092, when each battleship was refitted to carry Aggressor anti-ship missiles and initially carried sixty of the M3 standard. These would be swapped out for M5 Aggressors in 2120, M5A1 Aggressors in 2156, and M5A5 Aggressors in 2165, and finally M12 Aggressors in the 2200s. 
In 2156, a pair of M1 Interceptor point defense turrets were removed, and a quartet of M7 Vanguard missile pods were installed, providing each battleship with an additional twenty-four anti-ship missiles. These would be temporarily replaced in December 2169 with the M7A3 long-range variant of the Vanguard, a change that lasted the duration of the Trojan Offensive. 
The Mark I Goliath naval coilgun remained the primary non-missile armament of the class throughout their service. While the system received minor adjustments and upgrades, the turrets themselves remained standard on all Earth One battleships. Likewise, the 220mm M2 Inhibitor was retained as standard. 
The battleship class originally utilized the Interceptor Perimeter System for point defense, consisting of twenty-six quadruple 30mm M1 Interceptor point defense guns. In 2101, twelve of these turrets were replaced with 50mm M6 Hailstorm point defense guns. 
==Ships in class==
Battleship 	Commission	Struck 	Details
Earth One 	2073 	2306 	The UNSC Earth One was commissioned in 2073. The Earth One survived the war and was decommissioned in 2306 and donated for preservation.
Defender(ex-Earth Two) 	2073 	2292 	The UNSC Defender was commissioned in 2073 as the UNOOSA Earth Two. Renamed in the 2080s, the Defender survived the war and was decommissioned in 2292.
Guardian(ex-Earth Three) 	2074 	2291 	The UNSC Guardian was commissioned in 2074 as the UNOOSA Earth Three. Renamed in the 2080s, the Guardian survived the war and was decommissioned in 2291.
Protector(ex-Earth Four) 	2074 	2295 	The UNSC Protector was commissioned in 2074 as the UNOOSA Earth Four. Renamed in the 2080s, the Protector survived the war and was decommissioned in 2295 and placed in reserve.
Olympus(ex-Mars One) 	2075 	2171 	The UNSC Olympus was commissioned in 2075 as the UNOOSA Mars One. Renamed in the 2080s, the Olympus was badly damaged by Frieden forces in January 2170 during the Trojan Offensive and was ultimately declared irreparable and sold for scrap in 2171.
Aries(ex-Mars Two) 	2075 	2296 	The UNSC Aries was commissioned in 2075 as the UNOOSA Mars Two. Renamed in the 2080s, the Aries survived the war and was decommissioned in 2296 and placed in reserve.
Watchtower(ex-Jupiter One) 	2076 	2293 	The UNSC Watchtower was commissioned in 2076 as the UNOOSA Jupiter One. Renamed in the 2080s, the Watchtower survived the war and was decommissioned in 2293.
Watchguard(ex-Jupiter Two) 	2076 	2291 	The UNSC Watchguard was commissioned in 2076 as the UNOOSA Jupiter Two. Renamed in the 2080s, the Watchguard survived the war and was decommissioned in 2291.
Watchkeeper(ex-Jupiter Three) 	2077 	2294 	The UNSC Watchkeeper was commissioned in 2077 as the UNOOSA Jupiter Three. Renamed in the 2080s, the Watchkeeper survived the war and was decommissioned in 2294.
Fortress of Sol(ex-Mobile One) 	20772551 	23292553	The UNSC Fortress of Sol was commissioned in 2077 as the UNOOSA Mobile One. Renamed in the 2080s, the Fortress of Sol received unique modifications prior to and during the Interplanetary War. The defense ship survived the war and was decommissioned in 2329 and placed in reserve. The Fortress of Sol was reactivated in 2551 and participated in the Sol Campaign in 2552.
Celestial Citadel(ex-Mobile Two)	2078 	2291 	The UNSC Celestial Citadel was commissioned in 2078 as the UNOOSA Mobile Two. Renamed in the 2080s, the Celestial Citadel survived the war and was decommissioned in 2291.
Star Castle(ex-Mobile Three) 	2078 	2299 	The UNSC Star Castle was commissioned in 2078 as the UNOOSA Mobile Three. Renamed in the 2080s, the Star Castle survived the war and was decommissioned in 2299 and placed in reserve.
===UNSC Earth One===
The UNSC Earth One was commissioned in 2073. The defense ship retained its name during its transfer to the UNSA in 2080. The Earth One was an active element of the Earth Force during its UNSA service and was the Earth Fleet flagship until 2124 when that role went to the new cruiser Sentinel. In 2165, the UNSC reassigned the Home Fleet defense ships to the belt and beyond. The Earth One distinguished itself in several actions and took part in the Trojan Offensive in January 2170. The defense ship was retired with tremendous fanfare in 2306 and was donated for preservation as a museum ship. 
===UNSC Defender===
The UNSC Defender was commissioned in 2073 as the UNOOSA Earth Two. The defense ship was renamed Defender following its transfer to the UNSA in 2080. The Defender was an active element of the Earth Force for the duration of its service with the UNSA. In 2165, the UNSC reassigned the Home Fleet defense ships to the belt and beyond. The Defender was decommissioned in 2292 as part of the Naval Compromise of 2290 and was sold for scrap. 
===UNSC Guardian===
The UNSC Guardian was commissioned in 2074 as the UNOOSA Earth Three. The defense ship was renamed Guardian following its transfer to the UNSA in 2080. The Guardian remained with Earth Force for most of its UNSA career, though the defense ship was occasionally assigned to the Lunar Patrol whenever the Protector required maintenance. In 2165, the UNSC reassigned the Home Fleet defense ships to the belt and beyond. The Guardian was decommissioned in 2291 as part of the Naval Compromise of 2290 and was sold for scrap. 
===UNSC Protector===
The UNSC Protector was commissioned in 2074 as the UNOOSA Earth Four. The defense ship was renamed Protector following its transfer to the UNSA in 2080. The Protector was assigned to the Lunar Patrol for the duration of its UNSA service. In 2165, the UNSC reassigned the defense ship to the belt initially as a heavy escort for fleet convoys. The Protector soon gained the nickname "Inhibitor" as its presence was sufficient to deter practically any Frieden attack. Starting in 2168, the Protector took part in forays against the Frieden-held Jovian Trojans, culminating in the January 2170 Trojan Offensive. The Protector was decommissioned in 2295 as part of the Naval Compromise of 2290 and was placed in reserve. 
===UNSC Olympus===
The UNSC Olympus was commissioned in 2075 as the UNOOSA Mars One. The defense ship was renamed Olympus following its transfer to the UNSA in 2080, in honor of Olympus Mons. The Olympus was an active element of the Mars Fleet for the duration of its UNSA service. The Aries and Olympus were controversially ordered not to attempt to intercept the Frieden fleets that moved against Deimos and Phobos in late November 2163; both defense ships joined the Mars Expeditionary Fleet that arrived from Earth shortly thereafter. The Olympus took part in the Battle of the Martian Moons in March 2164 and survived undamaged; the defense ship was reassigned to the Belt in late 2165. While taking part in the January 2170 Trojan Offensive, the Olympus was severely mauled during a slugfest with Frieden forces. The battleship survived the encounter but was withdrawn from frontline service for the last months of the war. Ultimately declared irreparably damaged, the Olympus was decommissioned in 2171 and scrapped. Elements of the damaged battleship were selected for preservation and found their way to naval museums across the system. 
===UNSC Aries===
The UNSC Aries was commissioned in 2075 and the UNOOSA Mars Two. The defense ship was reamed Aries following its transfer to the UNSA in 2080. The Aries remained an active element of the Mars Fleet for the duration of its UNSA service. The Aries and the Olympus were controversially ordered not to attempt to intercept the Frieden fleets that moved against Deimos and Phobos in late November 2163; both defense ships joined the Mars Expeditionary Fleet that arrived from Earth shortly thereafter. The Aries took part in the Battle of the Martian Moons in March 2164 and suffered moderate damage. Following an extensive refit, the defense ship was assigned to the Belt in early 2166 and took part in the Battle of 3 Juno in 2167 and the Siege of Ceres in 2168. In 2170, the Aries was deployed to the Jovian Trojans and joined the Protector in patrolling the Trojans for eight years. The Aries was decommissioned in 2296 as part of the Naval Compromise of 2290 and was placed in reserve. 
===UNSC Watchtower===
The UNSC Watchtower was commissioned in 2076 as the UNOOSA Jupiter One. The defense ship was renamed Watchtower following its transfer to the UNSA in 2080. The defense ship spent practically its entire career in Jovian Space. The Watchtower was decommissioned in 2293 as part of the Naval Compromise of 2290 and was sold for scrap. 
===UNSC Watchguard===
The UNSC Watchguard was commissioned in 2076 as the UNOOSA Jupiter Two. The defense ship was renamed Watchguard following its transfer to the UNSA in 2080, although it continued using J2 on its badge. The Watchguard remained in Jovian Space for most of its career. The Watchguard was involved in one of the first space engagements of the Jovian Moons Campaign on March 2, 2160, driving off several would-be raiders as they attempted to prey on Jovian commercial traffic; the aggressive action of the Watchguard was credited with saving at least five cargo ships and two passenger liners from damage or destruction, and earned its captain and crew considerable commendations. The defense ship survived the Interplanetary War but was repeatedly damaged by enemy forces. The Watchguard was decommissioned in 2291 as part of the Naval Compromise of 2290 and was sold for scrap and for partial preservation. 
In 2164, Ian Ayers completed the painting Action! Intervention of the Watchguard, which depicted the defense ship charging Frieden raiding ships, firing a dozen missiles and training its guns on the enemy. While Ayers took artistic liberties, the painting quickly joined the ranks of war artworks and received general acclaim. The painting was reproduced in several UNSC recruiting drives during the war and the original painting was purchased and displayed on the grounds of UNSC High Command. 
===UNSC Watchkeeper===
The UNSC Watchkeeper was commissioned in 2077 as the UNOOSA Jupiter Three. The defense ship was renamed Watchkeeper following its transfer to the UNSA in 2080. The Watchkeeper remained in Jovian Space for its entire career. While the defense ship took part in multiple actions during the Jovian Moons Campaign, it never distinguished itself in the same manner as the Watchguard. During the 2167 Europa Whirlwind when Frieden elements from the Trojans launched hundreds of attacks on UNSC space forces, the Watchkeeper participated in dozens of engagements; the defense ship successfully destroyed a Frieden battlecruiser in a duel. The Watchkeeper was decommissioned in 2294 as part of the Naval Compromise of 2290 and was sold for scrap. 
===UNSC Fortress of Sol===
The UNSC Fortress of Sol was commissioned in 2077 as the UNOOSA Mobile One. The defense ship was renamed following its transfer to the UNSA in 2080. Like the rest of the Mobile Squadron, the Fortress of Sol spent most of its early career patrolling the belt and occasionally serving as a heavy escort for convoys. As the de facto flagship of the Mobile Squadron, the defense ship received several unique modifications in the 2140s and 2150s that improved the warship's communications, sensors, engines, and reactors. Following the assassination of Nadja Mielke on November 3, 2163, the Fortress of Sol and the rest of the Mobile Squadron's battleships were controversially ordered to redeploy to Earth, a move the effectively ceded the Jovian Trojans to Frieden forces and cleared the way for Frieden space assets to advance against Mars. 
The battleships of the Mobile Squadron were assigned to the Mars Expeditionary Fleet and were present for the assault on the red planet in December 2163. The Fortress of Sol participated in the bloody Battle of the Martian Moons in March 2164 before returning to the belt in July. Taking part in the Fleet action of 2165, the Europa Whirlwind, the Trojan Offensive, and dozens of other battles, the Fortress of Sol achieved one of the lengthiest battle records in the fleet. The battleship was present above Callisto for the official end of the war on March 7, 2170. The Fortress of Sol was fiercely protected during the Naval Compromise of 2290 and remained in active service until 2329 when the ship was at last decommissioned with enormous ceremony and placed in reserve. 
In 2551, the Fortress of Sol was reactivated and modernized for service as an element of the UNSC Home Fleet. The old battleship subsequently took part in the Sol Campaign in late 2552. 
===UNSC Celestial Citadel===
The UNSC Celestial Citadel was commissioned in 2078 as the UNOOSA Mobile Two. The defense ship was renamed following its transfer to the UNSA in 2080. The Celestial Citadel spent most of its career patrolling the belt and was present for several major engagements there during the Interplanetary Conflict. The Celestial Citadel was decommissioned in 2291 as part of the Naval Compromise of 2290 and was sold for scrap. 
===UNSC Star Castle===
The UNSC Star Castle was commissioned in 2078 as the UNOOSA Mobile Three. The defense ship was renamed following its transfer to the UNSA in 2080. The Star Castle spend most of its career patrolling the belt and was present for several major engagements there during the Interplanetary Conflict. The Star Castle joined the Jupiter Expeditionary Fleet on its voyage into Jovian Space in 2165 and took part in the [[Fleet action of 2165]|Jovian Action]] in August. The Star Castle was decommissioned in 2299 as part of the Naval Compromise of 2290 and was placed in reserve. 
Category:Battleship classes