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SE:Outlands | CDF DD-Aventine "Cutlass" --memoriam

The CDF Cutlass, hull designation DD-14, is a Destroyer serving in the Civilian Defense Force within the 1st Fleet System. Being part of the Dauntless-squadron, the Cutlass is usually seen in formation with the CDFs flagship, but was reported to patrol and operate in other groups as well.

The Aventine-class Destroyer is a multi-role warship designed by Valkyrja - Maintenance & Engineering in the 1st Fleet System, initially designated V.M.E S.ML-DD-1ST-01

In early year -4 EA, V.M.E entered into a licensing agreement with the newly formed Civilian Defence Force whereby several private shipyards would take over production and distribution of the warship. It was then known as the Aventine-class Destroyer.


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Length: 120 m
Width: 47,5 m
Height: 30 m

Displacement: 5,667,536 tons

Armament:
1x Casemate single-barrel 400 mm coaxial cannon
4x 150 mm Light Artillery Turret
2x 220 mm Dumbfire Missile Battery
5x 43 mm Rotary Autocannon
2x 20 mm Rotary Point-Defense Cannon


Rolled out as part of the first wave, the Cutlass was deployed into the CDF Fleet Assessment Program. Over the course of two years, the Cutlass and her sister-ships visited most hotspots of the system, proved themselves in trails and first engagements with pirate vessels.

As the CDF increased its influence on the borders of the 1st fleet system, their forces slowly but steady outmatched the representing 1st fleet deployment, which eventually retreated from the outskirts. The Cutlass' squadron was dispatched to take over patrol routes and responded to growing reports of a new fleet of ships, attacking civilian assets around the border. It didn't take long until the CDF clashed with Rhodors Riders.

Responding to the new threat, the Cutlass was part of the three squadrons deployed to the outskirts and forming up with the Dauntless, commanded by CDF Admiral Mallard.

Enroute to the Wild Cantina, the estimated headquarters of the Rider forces, the squadron detected weapons-fire and multiple transponder-signals known to be Rider vessels. A squadron, led by the Dauntless and accompanied by the Cutlass was dispatched to respond to the potential pirate raid. But instead of a helpless merchant-vessel, they encountered something far different.

Successfully driving of the Rider-presence and making first contact with the EFN Eternity's Advent, the Cutlass was deployed to QRF Condor, to keep an eye on the newcomers movement.

With the 1st fleet on retreat, one of the last observation forces was the 1st Cerberus-class Cruiser "Alysium", which eventually caught the Attention of the Riders and the Eternity.
Aventine-class Destroyer "Condor" and "Cutlass" intercepted and engaged the Rider vessels "Outlander" and the Cruiser "Sigil of War", while both Rider- and EFN-Forces boarded the Alysium.
The Cutlass received heavy damage during the assault, but together, both CDF vessels were able to force the Rider-ships to retreat. CDF forces, led by Admiral Mallard, prepared for boarding the Alysium, but were forced into a stand-off with the Eternitys crew.
After some tough negotiations, Admiral Mallard agreed to assist the Eternity in their mission, to re-establish contact with earth. In return, the Eternity would join forces with the CDF to once and for all take out the Riders headquarters.
The Sigil of War initiated further hit-and-run attacks on the Alysium. In response the CDF Cutlass docked with the Alysium, took over engine control and initiated a jump out of the AO.

Despite having received heavy damage, the Cutlass joined forces with the Eternity to siege the Wild Cantina. But when Eternity abandoned the Mission, the CDF dispatch suddenly found themselves alone, facing the full force of Rhodors Riders, spearheaded by the Battleship Ravager. The CDF quickly lost their frigate escort and eventually the Missile Destroyer Viminal to the overwhelming opposing firepower. Admiral Mallard on the Dauntless ordered the retreat which the Cutlass followed after evacuating their Fighter-deployment.

Having received heavy damage from both encounters, the Cutlass was called back into dock, while the conflict with the Riders went hot.
Despite having its critical systems repaired or replaced and also receiving a facelift for the main hull, the Destroyer rolled out again without having all cosmetic fixes concluded. The Cutlass became known to wear its scars with pride and returned to the frontline.

Meanwhile reports were coming in from the Eternity being engaged into multiple controversial actions - which was just the excuse the influential corporations, funding the CDF needed to demand seizing the vessel and get their hand on earths superior tech.
Despite the questionable motives of his superiors, Captain Taidyr was more than eager to chase the Eternity and protect the systems independence from the Earthers influence.
While the CDF publicly condemned the EFNs actions and demanded Captain Brock to hand over its vessel, Captain Taidyr rallied up Bellerophon Squadron in Sector 2C to seize and confiscate the Eternity.

Of course, Captain Brock was not willing to just hand his ship over to the CDF, so the EFN Eternity and CDF Bellerophon Squadron met in combat.

The Cutlass engaged Eternity in CQB after the battleship had managed to drive of the first wave of attackers. And while the Destroyer was able to enter the earth vessels blind spot, its crew managed to adapt quickly and landed a broadside on the Cutlass.
Still not having her early battle damage completely repaired, Eternitys guns breached the hull and cut fuel-supply to most of the Destroyers lateral thrusters, significantly compromising the Cutlass' mobility. As the vessel was trying to fall back out of secondary weapon range, the Eternity was able to re-align towards the Destroyer and landed multiple direct hits with the 400mm battery and main cannon on the Cutlass, breaching both the command- and engineering-deck.
Loosing connection to the bridge and all main thrust and power, the Cutlass was left dead in the water while additional impacts from Eternitys secondary armament stripped her of remaining weaponry.

While the Eternity disengaged and turned to the rest of the CDF Squadron, the wreckage of the Cutlass drifted away from the AO. After inflicting significant damage to Bellerophon’s remaining ships, the earth battleship eventually moved away from the AO, allowing the CDF forces to rally a rescue-operation.

Despite reporting heavy casualties, half the Cutlass' crew, including the command staff could be recovered from the wreck with light to major injuries. The Cutlass however was to heavily damaged and the superstructure to unstable to consider it for salvage. Captain Taidyr ordered to abandon the remains of the vessel and handed the Cutlass over to the void.