Albion Guard

## JANES INTERSTELLAR FIGHT FORCES MONTHLY

Regular readers know that we regularly cover the mainstream military forces such as the KDF, Romulan Republic Navy, Starfleet etc. in our publication.  In this months special edition however we are focusing on some of the Alpha and Beta quadrents lesser known fighting forces.  We start with a review of the planetary defense force known as the Albion Guard.

### THE ALBION GUARD

The Albion Guard (known more simply as 'the Guard' locally) are a voluntary planetary militia recruited from and based on the Federation colony world of Albion.  They can trace their founding back to the original settlement of the colony itself (pre-dating the Founding of the Federation) making them one of the oldest military organisations outside of forces from species homeworlds such as Earth, Vulcan and Andoria.

In its earliest itteration, the Guard was made up of military personnel from the 4 founding Earth nations who accompanied the original colonisation effort.  The Guard was maintained as a relative small force focusing primarily on internal/planetary security for much of its history, however, as the colony has grown and expanded over time its remit has also expanded to include protecting the immediate local system.

Sinces its creation the Guard has earned a repuation for professionalism, resliance and adaptability, especially  amongst Starfleet personnel who (after the founding of the Federation) have been assigned to the colony.  The Guard have proven their capabilities in several conflcts, of note the most recent being the last Federation/Klingon war, the Iconian war and the Hur'q Crisis.  Largely due to these and other emerging threats, the Guards active and reserve numbers have been drastically increased in recent years making it one of the largest planetary militias in the Federation.

In relation to equipment, the Guard relies almost exclusively upon Federation standard items donated from Starfleet. For example, items such as the older model type 2 and type 3 phaser's were donated en-mass to the Guard as they were phased out of service.  However the ever adaptable Guard gratefully received these and over time have locally modified and upgraded them to keep them in service.  This practice also extends to vehicles in service with the Guard.

More recently, as Albion's industrial and technological base has matured and grown in capability, the Guard has started receiving supplies of locally produced material.  At present this is centred on non-offensive support equipment, but as of the publication of this article the colony is more than capable of producing their own small arms and weapon platforms should the need arise.

### Small Arms & Equipment

All small arms in use by the Guard are surplus items donated by Starfleet.  As such, the Guards small arms inventory includes a wide variety of phaser pistols and rifles ranging from models in service from the 23rd Century through to more recently introduced models.  Despite the age of these items, they are maintained in perfect working order, and in many cases upgraded and modified to ensure they remain effective on a modern battlefield.  A full list of the exact models in use is not practical to supply within this summary, however the main types of small arms in use are noted below along with how they are deployed;

#### *Type 2 Phaser (sidearm)*

During the latter part of the 2200's through to the mid 2300's Albion recieved several large consignment of Type 2 phasers from Starfleet as they themselves brought newer models into service.  The Guard, who at the time were still using sidearms of early 2200's design, gladly received these items and largely replaced the older models which were in service.  Such was the size of the consignments received, many units were placed into storage providing the Guard with a plentifuly supply of replacements and parts well into the future. While largely phased out of service now in favour of more recent models, several units, especially those veterans of the more recent Klingon-Federation war still favour using upgraded and modified versions of this sidearm citing superior reliability and robustness in the field.

From the 2300's through to today, the Guard has continued to recieve a steady supply of newer models of the type 2 phaser.  These models, which moved away from the traditional pistol style configuration, are by far the most common type of type 2 (hand) phaser in service with the Guard today.  Of these, the model most famous for its use during the Dominion War is the most common type to see in use with the Guard today.

A very small number of the Federations latest Type 2 phaser was recently supplied for exclusive use by the Guards elite RRF unit.  Exact numbers are not known, but it is thought the size of the consignment was enough to equip a platoon or small company only.

#### *Type 3 Phaser (rifle)*

Following the conclusion of the Dominion War the Guard recieved large quantities of the type 3 phaser rifle in service at the time.  As such these became the standard rifle supplied to Guard units and are still a common site today in use by reserve and rear eschalon units.  throughout the late 2300's and into the 2400's the Guard was supplied with a variety of type 3 phasers ranging from the experimental compression phaser rifle, the type 3 in service circa 2381 and laterly the type 3 in service during the early 2400's (more akin to a carbine than a full rifle).  The most common rifle in service with the Guard is the type 3 circa 2381, however specialised and veteran units prefer the early 2400's model prefering its more compact design, especially in CQB encounters.

As with the type 2 phaser, a similarly small number of the latest type 3 designs have been supplied to the guard again for use by the elite RRF unit.

#### *Sensors*

The primary handheld sensor/detector unit in service with the Guard is a locally produced version of the Federation standard tricorder.  Functionally the same as a Starfleet standard issue tricorder, the Albion varient differs only by its ergonomic design inteded to fit more easily into the standard combat armor and webbing in use by the Guard.

#### *Personal Armour*

While well known for their bright scarlet tunics worn during ceremonial parades and duties, the Guards uniform of choice for combat and general duty is far more practical.  More akin to militaries from Earths history, their standard combat/work uniform consists primarily of a camoflaged jumpsuit heavily based upon and resembling that used by United Earth MACO's.  Guards are also equiped as standard with a armored vest, designed to provide protection against shrapnel, sharp objects and most low level energy weapons.

Understanding that visual camoflague alone is not enough on a modern battlefield, the Guard's standard combat uniform is interwoven with a locally produced (and classified) material which passively deflects sensor scans.  While not 100% effective alone, this nevertheless aids Guards forces in the field.

While the Guard in general are largely focused on planetside operations, they are equiped with standard Federation EVA suits and train regularly for operations in orbit.  Specialist units of the Guard assigned to orbital and shipboard postings receive additional training for operating in such environments.  The Guard does not have access to any specific amored suits (such as that employed by MACO forces), however the standard Guard personal armour vest can be adapted to fit over a standard Federation EVA suit thus providing at least some measure of armour protection.

### Ground Vehicles

A variety of wheeled, tracked and hover type vehicles have been, and continue to be produced on Albion.  The Guard has made use of militarised versions of these vehicles since their inception for routine patrolling, logistics and other standard operations.  As the use of shuttlecraft and other flight capable craft became more common throughout the colony, ground based vehicles were relegated to more reserve roles, however a large number do still remain service and are used regularly by Guard forces across the colony.

Most wheeled based Guard vehicles are itterations of the locally produced Sherpa platform.  Ranging from 4 wheeled short wheelbase 'scouts' to larger 10 wheeled long wheelbase transport units, the ubiquitous Sherpa is a common sight across Albion in both civilian and Guard use.  The Guard versions of the Sherpa features improved transmissions, all terrain capability and passive/active defense systems including (but not limited to) armor plating.  While not armed as stardard, Sherpa's do have capacity for mounting crew served medium and heavy weapons.

Supplimenting the Sherpa's in the logistic support role, the Guard also maintains a small fleet of atmospheric hover craft.  Based upon various marks of the Warne civilian craft, these large vehicles are exclusivlely assigned to logistic support roles.  They are almost indistinguishable to their civilian counterparts, save for internal systems designed to integrate with the Guards wider systems and networks.

Despite their extreme rarity on the modern battlefield, the Guard do still maintain a very small number of heavily armoured and armed tracked vehicles.  Somewhat resembling a tank from old Earth history the Atlas is a direct evolution of the original tracked APC's the settlers brought with them from Earth.  Current versions of the Atlas incorporate modern power systems with heavy armour plating and shields.  Offensively weapons include heavy phaser mounts and a micro torpedo launcher (sourced from shuttlecraft).

### Air/Space Vehicles

The Guard operates and maintains a small fleet of space craft which work alongside Starfleet in the defense of the system as well as providing direct support to ground and orbital based Guard units.  While seemingly outdated in direct comparison to current Starfleet standards, the vessels operated by the Guard are never the less maintained in excellent working condition.  It is understood that witht the growth of the colony plans are being discussed to expand the Guard's space based presence including facilities to locally upgrade their existing fleet including the eventual manufacture of craft of their own.

The flagship of the Albion fleet is the AGS Victory, a Constellation class cruiser which formerly served with Stafleet as the USS Victory.  Following the end of the last Federation / Klingon war, the colony urgently requested additional resources to defend not only the colony itself, but the wider system.  Part of Starfleets response to this request was to assign a previously decomissioned Miranda class ship to the Guard.  This allocation was changed to the former USS Victory, officially because of immediate availability of the ship, but rumors persist the historical link to the HMS Victory also played its part.  Prior to its hand over to the guard the Victory's primary systems were restored, but not fully upgraded to current Starfleet standards.  Accordingly the Victory is armed with type VIII phasers and photon torpedo launchers.  The Victory's primary mission is to defend the colony and the surrounding system, undertake routine patrols and participate in interdiction exercises alongside local Starfleet forces.

In addition to the AGS Victory, the Guard employs system defense cutters, examples of which include the AGS Stingray and AGS Barracuda.  These system defense cutters are based upon and outwardly resemble the Oberth scout/science class in service within Starfleet, however they have been heavily retrofitted and modified to serve as system defense vessels.  Armed with type IV phasers and a single torpedo launcher, the Stingray and Barracuda are primarily used for system patrols, custom interdictions and search & rescue.

Suplimenting the AGS Victory, Stingray and Barracuda, the Guard also operates a small fleet of shuttle craft which, as with the rest of their primary equipment, have been donated by Starfleet over the years.    Their number is primarily made up of a mixture of type 6, 7, 8 and 14 shuttles largely dedicated to logisitic and ground support roles.  In addition the Guard also maintains a small number of Chaffee Type shuttlepods which have been outfitted as light interceptors.  In addition to shuttlecraft, the Guard also operates a small number of the venerable Danube class runabouts which have been heavily modified and upgraded since their donation to the Guard. The older type shuttle craft are slowly being phased out of service by new locally produced shuttles.

Supporting their space fleet, the Guard operate a small number of orbital installations ranging from unmanned sensor and relay platforms to ship maintenance facilites and the main starbase in orbit above the colony known locally as 'New Portsmouth Station' (which they jointly operate with Starfleet).  New Portsmouth Station is a refit Watchtower Class starbase formerly in Starfleet service.  While of an older design, New Portsmouth Station was fully refitted and brought up to current service standards following its installation after the last Federation/Klingon war. working jointly with Starfleet, the Guard maintain New Portsmouth Station in line with modern starbases of similar class and design.  Presently, the station, along with its various ancilliary orbital stations and facilities, are capable of hosting, servicing and repairing all ships in current Starfleet service.  In addition, they maintain groundside support facilities for their Runabouts and Shuttlecraft as part of the Guard HQ complex on Port Nelson island.

### Maritime Vehicles

Maritime pursuits, as well as scientific exploration of the seas, are widespread throuhout the colony, accordingly the Guard maintains a relatively small, yet highly trained and dedicated force focused on maritime search and rescue.  The primary maritime SAR craft in service at present is a modified version of the SD-103 orbital transport.  The SD-103 sacrifices warp capability for enhanced sub-sea operational capabilites as well as additional onboard SAR and medical facilities.  Supplimenting the SD-103's, a small number of adapted type 6 shuttlecraft are also operated.  The Maritime SAR force are based at key groudside locations around the colony.