Belt Alliance Light Cruiser (Internal Project 128) Class History Much of what is known about the Belt Alliance Light Cruisers is openly available to any within the Earth Alliance that are interested, as the Belt Alliance is a civilian operated organization. There are, however, a few internal secrets that the Belt Alliance does not want anyone to find out about, as it would result in the revoking of all liscenes within the Earth Alliance for BA operations. Project 128 was an attempt to build a large, jump capable ship meant to operate as a defensive element and sector headquarters in areas where the Belt Alliance had mining rigths, but did not have access to an operational jump gate. Project 128 provided a solution that was acceptable to the Earth Alliance. This project was almost not allowed, but after the Dilgar War, it was deemed acceptable that the BA be allowed to build a few larger escorts for thier prospecting operations in far away systems. The four ships of this type were armed with a single Heavy Blast Cannon, as well as numerous medium and light Blast cannons, six SPB's and a flight of figthers, usually Starfoxes. Project 128 concluded after only four ships. At least the public part of it was. Project 128A was built to address certain deficiencies in the original design. The two ships of the 128A type were built to never operate within the Earth Alliance, as it would be a violation of the BA Charter. They were armed with two Heavy Blast Cannons, and numerous smaller weapons. These ships operated in unoccupied systems toward the Rim, where Deneth Raiders were often seen. The sole Project 128B type ship was built during the Earth Civil War. The BA was already ordered to stand down by President Clarke, and some of upper management, when they left office, took the last incomplete 128A and refit it while on the run into the 128B. It was could actually be considered the first warship built by the Belt Alliance because of its four Heavy Blast Cannons. It does, however, suffer from the same armor deficiency and sluggish maneuverability of the other two Proj. 128 types. After the war, this type of ship operated in the remnants of the Omelos system. Its armaments, while known to certain members of EarthForce, was never reported to EarthDome after the war. Due to the almost identical appearance of all types of this vessel, they are considered harmless and almost never scanned. The 128A's and 128B all operate with at least one of the standard 128 type. In order for the BA to keep the ships secret, at least three ships of this class are always in Hyperspace, as to not arrouse suspicians if more than four are reported in normal space at any given time. Project 128 SCS Project 128A SCS Project 128B SCS