The Union Assault Takes Shape

This thread traces the Union’s deception at Promise from a seemingly ordinary signal to a large coordinated attack and a contested withdrawal.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

A Convoy in Disguise

Deception in the Gulf A False Appearance Union forces disguise a military approach as civilian traffic fleeing another battle. Their electronic warfare efforts conceal the fleet’s true size and direction, turning ordinary reports into instruments of surprise. A Defensive Response Henri Marcell recognizes the suspiciously uniform formation and alerts the defenders. The warning narrows the enemy’s advantage, but the Tharcian ships still face an attack prepared to strike before they can fully organize.

The Gulf Fleet Breaks

Surprise Becomes Battle Capital Ships Revealed Union battlecarriers and heavy ships emerge behind the apparent screen. The attack overwhelms the Tharcian formation, and Impervious is destroyed after its missile magazines detonate. A Defense in Pieces The loss of major ships and communications isolates smaller defenders. The Union’s assault craft move toward the colonies, revealing that the offensive aims not merely to defeat the fleet but to seize settlements intact.

An Attack Reversed

The Initiative Shifts Resistance from Concealment Marcell’s force uses the shoal zone, mines, and misleading transmissions to slow the Union search. The Union’s advantage in numbers remains formidable, but its ships must react to an opponent it cannot clearly locate. Relief Arrives The Danubia and a larger Tharcian force enter the fighting and break the Union’s assault. The change does not end the war, but it turns a near-collapse into a costly Union withdrawal.

Late afternoon on 2 November 2135 near Fredrick

Evening on 2 November 2135 during the main battle

Morning on 3 November 2135 in the lower shoal zone