Earth Alliance Alpha Class Battleship (EAS Alpha pictured) Alpha Class History The Alpha class of battleships was President Santiago's final gift to the forces of Babylon 5 during the Earth Civil war. Produced in secret, for fear that the League of Non-Alligned Worlds would see a new EA Battleship as a threat, the Alpha Class is was one of EarthForce's greatest weapons until the commisioning of the Warlock Class Destroyer. Unlike the rather public Perseus Project, which produced the Omega Class Destroyer and Poseidon Class Supercarrier, the Argos Project was highly-classified. Based at a "research" Station near the Rim, far from normal shipping routes, the Argos project was begun in 2257, soon after President Santiago's re-election. Supplied by the Explorer Class ships that were always passing through on thier way towards the Rim, Argos station became a moderately defended shipyard producing some of the most powerful ships in the EA arsenal. The technological advances in power distibution at the station made possible starship designs that were never even dreamed of before. In addition to the Alpha Class Battleships, Argos Station designed and built the prototypes for the Astro Class Attack Cruiser, Liberator Class Assault Cruiser, and Mars Class Battlecruiser. The station personnel were chosen because not only were they loyal to the Earth Alliance, but also directly to Santiago's government. When President Clark took over, the decision was made to not make the new President fully aware of the facility or its projects until it was deemed time. With the rise of Nightwatch, the insitution of Isolationism, and finally the enacting of Martial Law, those in charge of Argos did not regret hiding what the they actually did. When Babylon 5 openly declared itself independant, Argos Station began to tool up to defend itself should it have to declare independance to an armed task force that President Clark would surely be sending thier way. On 23 April, 2261, an Earth Alliance Battlegroup consisting of three Omega Destroyers (two Alphas, one Beta), two Hyperion Heavy Cruisers (One Theta, one Epsilon), and a Nova Class Dreadnought (Beta) arrived through the local Jumpgate. Argos Station, an Orion class Starbase, launched all fighters to intercept. The Alpha class Battleships Alpha, Genesis, Exodus, and Revelation moved from behind the planet to intercept the intruders. The resulting battle caught the EA loyalists off-guard and lost them the battle. Only one Omega and the Nova jumped out, though all were heavily damaged. Argos Station dispatched recovery crews and with the addition of the now captured EA ships, had thier defensive fleet turn into an offensive fleet. The battleship Dueteronomy, along with the captured Hyperions, made their way to Babylon 5 to join the liberation fleet. Class Specifics The Alpha Class Battleship resembles an elongated Omega with two additional "Wings" added to the rotating section. Forward firing weapons include four Heavy Lasers, six Heavy Pulse Cannons, and eight Standard Particle Beams. Aft Weapons include two Heavy Pulse Cannons, four Medium Pulse Cannons, and another eight Standard Particle Beams. The rotating section prevents the forward SPBs firing aft, and the aft ones firing forward. Capable of carrying thirty-six Thunderbolts, the ship can almost take on any opponent and suvive. Thanks to Kreig601 for the new "Beta" version which I have. He was generous enough with his time, and suprised me one day with six SCS's, with his interpretation of some of my ships. He's pretty darn good at making SCS's. I'm making his the Beta version because the Alpha SCS is the first SCS I've ever done, and it was a pain to complete. But it's my baby and it stays. I know, it's the "Argos station" Alpha Class. Once the EA was reunified, the Alpha production was transferred to regular shipyards where the shipbuilders had some ideas on how to make the ship easier to build and somewhat more effective in combat. The Beta model was born and became a popular ship with its crews. Alpha Class (Alpha Model) SCS Alpha Class (Beta Model) SCS