A SD (Strategic Defense) Platform, or Space Defense Platform, was an armed space station in the service of the ISA Alpha Centauri. At least one platform was constructed as part of Vekta's SD Defense Network.
Overview[]
SD Orbital Defense Platform model
The SD Platform was only part of ISA Alpha Centauri's SD Defense Network that surrounded Vekta's orbit; this network was made up of several satellite facilities that linked up to one another via computer networks. By the time of the Second Extrasolar War, only a single SD Platform was functional while a second was being built.
The platform was a large satellite structure with a solar sail, which powered a rotary device that housed several high-power lasers, which can cut through the hull of a UCA cruiser. Though intended to defend Vektan from an orbital attack, the lasers were capable of making pinpoint strikes on Vekta's surface.
History[]
The first SD Platform was constructed during the construction of Vekta's defense network in 2304. By 2356, the ISA began construction of an additional orbital defense platform in response of Helghan's remilitarization.[1] During this year, ISA General Stuart Adams was appointed the military commander of the defense network and operated from the SD Platform.[1]
The SD Platform was the primary target of the Helghan Empire's invasion of Vekta during the Second Extrasolar War. General Adams, who was a Helghast collaborator, plotted to sabotage the defense network before turning control of the network to the Helghast to negate retaliation from a UCA reinforcement fleet.[1] When the Helghast Third Army began their invasion of Vekta, the defense network was shut down, and the Helghast were able to make successful landings on Vekta's surface. The platform eventually fell under control of the Helghast after Adams took over the defense network, and its weapons were turned on Vekta's surface, obliterating any Vektan settlement that resisted the Helghast.[2]
After the UCA fleet arrived, the SD Platform attacked the fleet. Adams nearly succeeded in destroying the fleet, but his plan was foiled by the actions of Captain Jan Templar, Sergeant Rico Velasquez, Colonel Gregor Hakha, and Shadow Marshal Luger. This small squad successfully infiltrated and shut down the platform and the defense network, and giving the UCA fleet the time they needed to destroy the SD Platform. The UCA fleet lost several cruisers in this assault, but would have surely lost more if not for the actions of Templar's squad.[3]
As a result of the Helghast capture of the platform, the construction of the second platform was cancelled.[1]