Task Force Manticore

> **"The price of an Akula Class Corvette is worth more then eight-thousand men's entire lifetime generated wealth, the price of a Battleship like the Poniatowski is exactly two hundred times that.**
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>    **- Exonet website and blog on the economics of Manticore and why it makes no sense to build 'Task Force Archon', by the sites own 'Sham Commander.' -**
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Task Force Manticore is the primary wartime fleet and the main offensive body utilised by the Ortus Council of Nations, and then by its successor state, the Commonwealth. It comprises over 150 void-bound warships when completely mobilised, at the year of **2350**. Overall, it is the strongest fleet of the Galactic Entente, and rivals not only the Eternal Empire’s Royal Sovereign Armadas, but other anomalous threats such as the Unbidden, the Wraith of Fulaz and even the Light. The force was established in the early days of space exploration - During the Second Era - as a piracy hunting squadron, but quickly grew to incorporate other roles under the OCN’s naval command. Whilst the Phalanx Protocol functions as the main defensive screen of the Commonwealth at the mere suspicion of dangers, it is Task Force Manticore that sweeps in, attacks the foe, and claims victory for the Commonwealth.

The force is mainly led and composed of humans, although Queptillian, Aramathi, Kithri, Jir and even some Till'Lynesi also serve in mammalian or unique vessels that compose Manticore. Most notably, the Queptillian branch of the fleet is numerous, durable and famous for its capacity to generate competent officers that often surpass the abilities of  cadets found in the remaining branches of the force. Ironically enough, however, it is that very diversity which has proven time and again the Commonwealth’s capacity to adapt to different threats, translating into very few defeats for the fleet and a myriad of experimental vessels that were designed firstly and exclusively for Manticore’s use during wartime. Some warships worth mention are: Nautilus, the Phantom Spectral Wraith, CSV Dark Wanderer, a precursor frigate incorporated into the fleet, CSV Archon, the galaxy’s first Heavy Dreadnought, CSV Luna and CSV Mercury, the galaxy’s first Titan warships, and CSV Terra, Task Force Manticore’s own flagship vessel.

Overall, the fleet has birthed several commanders of excellency that matured to assume important roles in the Commonwealth’s Armed Forces or even the government itself. Shu Lin, Satayesh Ibrahim, Iron Bark and Fronds of Purple are merely the most famous known by the public, yet there are many other Commodores, Captains and Commanders worthy of that same recognition that remain in service with the Task Force to this day. Fostered by the Ortus Naval Academy, most of the new cadets emerge fresh from training and ready for any danger the universe might throw against the Entente.

## **Leadership**

Command of the fleet began with the appointment of Shu Lin, in 2202. Back then, Task Force Manticore could hardly even be considered a flotilla, let alone an armada, and so many of the decisions taken by the admiral turned out to be crucial for the task force’s upbringing and survival against foreign threats. Under her leadership, the OCN experienced its first battles and wars - And Task Force Manticore functioned as the tip of the phalanx. In 2251, after Admiral Lin’s departure for the chancellorship of the Commonwealth, the fleet remained without command until the outbreak of the Great Southeastern War, prompting the promotion of Satayesh Ibrahim, the *Ice Queen*, for the command of the task force.

Ever since then, Task Force Manticore remains under the leadership of Ibrahim. Undertaking in battles such as the ones in Tyntregal, Arvo, Voice, Ebucrosie, Aasha, New Earth and Vanniko, the fleet and its admiral has since earned a legendary status within the Commonwealth and its foes from all across the cluster. At present time, Admiral Ibrahim remains the best officer within the nation’s Admiralty, being one of the few commanders who managed to outwit the Unbidden during the troubles, and the one commanding the force responsible for the closing of the last extradimensional gateway to the cluster. Ice Queen’s near perfect track-record has saved many lives and no doubt prevented many crises from spiralling out of control throughout the Commonwealth, and, for the foreseeable future, her command of the force will remain unmatched from any possible replacements fresh from the academy.

## **Fleet Strength & Composition**

Task Force Manticore, when assembled completely, composes 162 vessels. The navy has been rebuilt since the Unbidden Emergency, and although it retains the same strength as it did during the war against the extradimensional invaders, the fleet has suffered little alterations or upgrades to its designs and numbers in these last 15 years. Unlike during wartime production, Task Force Manticore has capped its total composition, and so no warships are currently under construction in the year 2350. There are, however, quite a large number of different vessels and classes found within the task force's ranks, providing the fleet with flexibility and enough firepower to deal with any type of threat that might surge in the cluster as a frontline unit.

These warships, as listed below, provide not only screening protection to the civilian fleets amidst times of peace, but also act as the pickets of the Galactic Entente in the event of any major hostile forces threatening the sovereignty of federal space. In 2350, Task Force Manticore once again assembled and faced off against Imperial forces during the Galactic Standoff, amidst tensions surrounding the Forsaken Coven. And, as combat was avoided between both armadas, the task force is currently returning from its mobilisation to once again become part of the reserve - Its smaller vessels designated for Phalanx patrols once home.

## **Fleet History**

The following is a collection of events and battles involving Task Force Manticore up to current times. Note that designs, upgrades and/or introductions to individual ship designs or classes are not included, and can be instead found in the ship's respective articles. For the sake of brevity, this list includes major events, such as foundation, commander changes, historical events directly linked to Task Force Manticore, and battles involving the task force, may they be as small as skirmishes or full-blown battles.