Ark Fleet (Spacers)

The Ark Fleet is the largest single fleet of the Spacer clans. This fleet consists of hundreds of ships that border into the thousands of FTL capable vessels. They range large and small with some very outdated and some modern or even state of the art starships. Everything from warships to cargo ships to sewage treatment ships work together to keep the Fleet in working order. Most of the modern Spacers are no longer afflicted by the gravity induced diseases that their ancestors suffered from microgravity though a handful of the elderly still suffer this fate.

As they spend most of their time in space, almost every Spacer knows how to fly, maintain or fight on a ship out of necessity. Those who cannot are often forcibly removed from the Spacer fleets and cast out into any society that they happen to be near. Most of these outcasts eventually become pirates, raiders or mercenaries out of necessity though a small handful manage to make a living as other professions. Those who leave the fleet by choice often become shipwrights or Marines in various militaries. A good portion of the people that leave by choice do so to become pilots for the USC Navy, however.

AKS Manning is the largest ship in the Ark Fleet and also its flagship. Found by the Spacers as a derelict USC battleship, the Manning is fully equipped with over twenty antiship cannons on its dorsal and spinal areas which makes it very formidable against pirate attacks. Additionally, it comes equipped with torpedoes, enough point defense to cover most of the fleet by itself, and many upgraded systems bought with the fleet's money. For pirates to attack the Manning directly is paramount to suicide. The ship is often escorted by a multitude of carriers which deploy fighter screens regularly while the ship is not in FTL as well as a handful of picket ships to further deter missile and torpedo attacks.

## Holidays and Events

### Fleet Day (2177)

Fleet Day celebrates the unification of the Ark Fleet which was originally established on Earth during the Liberation war. Bit by bit this fleet linked up with other wayward starships and traversed the galaxy, unknowing where their ancestral homeworld was or what status it was in. Some of these fleets fought with one another though it was rare compared to the number of fleets that preferred to work together or to trade. Through diplomacy and sometimes subterfuge, these fleets eventually merged into a single entity that, while it took more resources to upkeep, was far more effective in fending off pirates, alien enemies and using resources cooperatively. Celebrated on March 1st of each solar year in the Sol system, this fleet engages in mock battles for the view of its citizens, dispenses copious amounts of alcohol and throws a number of festivals. Though nutrient paste is a staple in the Fleet's diet, there are often fruits of many kinds included in their dishes alongside the meat of alien creatures that they have domesticated, and vegetables grown that have mutated from what was once on Earth. On this particular festival, the arrival of a Leviathan is considered to bring good fortune to everyone in the fleet and those present or to be a foreshadowing event of great suffering as the Leviathan comes to harbor the souls of those who will be lost. Seers of the fleet are incorporated into this festival for this purpose.

## Military Structure and Doctrine

The military of the Ark Fleet is similar to that of the Virginian Empire; every citizen is a soldier. Admittedly, this is by necessity rather than a political maneuver as when a vessel was borded by pirates in the past they tended to shoot indiscriminately to cause as much damage as possible. Those who cannot fight are often incorporated into the battle as medics, engineers or similar roles and are still expected to carry weapons in the event that Marine forces cannot reach them in time. Their military in general focuses on their Navy rather than soldiers and the pilots of the Ark Fleet are among the best in the galaxy. Many of these pilots, after retirement or discharge, will keep weaponry on their ships if they intend to stay with the Ark Fleet.

Though the Ark Fleet has no borders of their own, being nomadic, they are often skirmishing with pirates on the fringes of human civilization. Their presence does dissuade lesser pirates from the major shipping lanes that they frequent and thus the USC (as well as almost all its affiliated members) do not generally mind when an Ark Fleet shows up in their system unannounced to trade or mine for resources. Instead, they typically levy a tax on any goods that the Fleet uses while in their system. Most of the time, the system will also send a large number of trading vessels contracted through the government or in direct control of such in order to do business.

### Marine Corps

The Marine Corps of the Ark Fleet is nothing to scoff at despite their usual need to focus on their Navy. Individuals in the Fleet's Marine Corps are often of stocky build, well suited to close quarters engagements and decently armored. A number of them, however, are simple tradesmen and farmers pressed into service as a reserve unit. Service is mandatory though relatively few of the citizens choose to stay in the military and instead prefer to return to relatively quiet lives as crafters.