Stand at Arcturus (SL246)

## Stand at Arcturus

Having pursued the second Juggernaut for several days, Captain Shanna Williams of the Fast Cruiser Eagle came to the point she knew she would reach, the final defense line for Arcturus, a Federation member world with billions of citizens.

Her plan was to drive the Juggernaut into a trap formed by the Arcturan defense (with two groups of drone launchers and the photon-armed auxiliaries) and destroy it.

## Aftermath

The arrival, depredations, and final destruction of Juggernaut Beta tested to the limit Star Fleet’s ability to react to such a threat. Star Fleet rose to the challenge, ably assisted by the Federation Police and the Federation National Guard. The cost was high, with four ships (Akerlon, Auchinlek, Cedar Falls, Simms) destroyed and three more (Eagle, Kearsarge, Majors) suffering major damage. In addition, eight mining stations, one relay station, one trading post, six freighters, and a mining support ship were also destroyed.

Akerlon: An Early Years destroyer refitted for National Guard use and assigned to the Rigellians. Joined pursuit forces after the First Battle of Juggernaut Beta; destroyed in the Second.

Arcturan Defenses: Civilian base station, ground based weapons, auxiliary guard ship (drone-armed), six police skiffs, two F-4 squadrons; none damaged.

Arcturian: An Early Years frigate refitted for National Guard duty and assigned to the Arcturans. Took part in the Second and then in the Final Battle of Juggernaut Beta.

Auchinlek: Star Fleet Frigate. Commanding Officer: Commander Sheffield. First Star Fleet warship to contact Juggernaut Beta. Severely damaged in the First Battle of Juggernaut Beta, surrendered to the Juggernaut and was paroled.

Babek: Federation Police Ship; full name Lieutenant Oleg Babek. Undamaged in the First Battle of Juggernaut Beta. Under orders, the ship dropped out of the pursuit force to rescue the crew of the USS Auchinlek.

Bon Homme Richard: Star Fleet Command Cruiser. Commanding officer, Commodore Sornak, part of 7th Fleet. Arrived at Arcturus after the Final Battle of Juggernaut Beta.

Cedar Falls: Armed Priority Transport. Commanding Officer: Lieutenant Commander Thomas Jackson Crawford, Star Fleet Reserve. Destroyed by Juggernaut Beta. Crawford and three other crew members were apparently taken prisoner by Juggernaut Beta but transported to the USS Eagle by some unknown technology in the Final Battle of Juggernaut Beta.

Dien Bien Phu: Star Fleet planetary defense monitor. Scored a photon hit at extreme range during the Second Battle of Juggernaut Beta, this being one of the key hits that snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. The ship scored major damage on the target during the Final Battle of Juggernaut Beta.

Dorado: Orion National Police Destroyer. Scored a hit on Juggernaut engine in the Second Battle of Juggernaut Beta. Scored several hits during the Final Battle of Juggernaut Beta.

Eagle: Star Fleet Fast cruiser, launched in late Y168, on shakedown cruise during December Y168 to January Y169. Commanding Officer: Captain Shanna Williams. In overall command during (and damaged in) all three Battles of Juggernaut Beta.

Freighter 921854, Freighter 994159, Freighter 1001454 (unmanned decoy), Freighter 1034024, Freighter 1075216, Freighter 1195144 (unmanned decoy); Mining support ship 31427; all destroyed by Juggernaut Beta.

Garza, armed priority transport, took part in the Second Battle of Juggernaut Beta (Phase-1) and the Final Battle of Juggernaut Beta, both times as part of the Second (Missile) Squadron.

James, Jerry. A free trader used by Star Fleet as an auxiliary. Armed only with phasers, it was detached from the pursuit force to rescue miners near Arcturus.

Kearsarge: Star Fleet, Prototype of the New Light Cruiser. Launched in late Y168, on shakedown cruise during December Y168 to January Y169. Commanding Officer: Commander Strakhorn. Damaged in the First Battle of Juggernaut Beta and severely damaged in the Second Battle of Juggernaut Beta. The ship is being rebuilt.

Majors, Federation Police Cutter. Evacuated mining stations 2715MRL and 2715MBC. Took part in the Second Battle of Juggernaut Beta, where it was disabled by a seeking weapon of an unknown type.

Mining Station 2715MBC, Mining station 2715MEF, Mining station 2715MPN, Mining Station 2715MPT, Mining Station 2715MRL, Mining station 2715RUQ, Mining station 2715XNG; Subspace Relay station 2715FR, Trading Post 2715TPG; all destroyed by Juggernaut Beta.

Nystel: Star Fleet Q-ship usually used for anti-piracy work. Armed with photons, it took part in the Second Battle of Juggernaut Beta (Phase-1) where it scored no photon hits, and in the Final Battle of Juggernaut Beta, where it scored several.

Osterhout: Federation Police Cutter. Permanently based at Arcturus and manned by Arcturans. Took part in the Second Battle of Juggernaut Beta (scoring one of the three critical engine hits) and in the Final Battle of Juggernaut Beta.

Simms: Federation Police Cutter, full name Captain Richard Simms. Evacuated Mining station 2715MPT. Destroyed in the Second Battle of Juggernaut Beta.

## References

1. ↑ Various (19 June 2006). *Captain's Log #33*. Edited by Stephen V. Cole. (Amarillo Design Bureau, Inc.), p. 4. ISBN 1-58564-073-5.