Goddard (star system)
| Goddard | |
|---|---|
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| |
| Sector | Epsilon Sector |
| Quadrant | Deneb Quadrant |
| Locations | Goddard I, Goddard II |
| Jump Links | Gateway, Morpheus, Epsilon Prime, Ross 94F, Border Zone |
Goddard is a star system in the Epsilon Sector. It was a colony of the Terran Confederation that hosted at least two major planets, including Goddard I and Goddard II. It was named for the American scientist who invented the first liquid-fuel rocket in 1926, Robert H. Goddard.
Goddard II hosted 250,000 Terran colonists prior to the year 2654, and was likely the largest colony in the system. It hosted several major cities and was relatively peaceful during the Terran-Kilrathi War prior to the 2650s. Goddard I is not known to have been populated.
In 2654, mere weeks after the conclusion of the Vega Sector Campaign, Goddard was attacked by a massive Kilrathi fleet wielding a new superweapon, later identified as the Graviton Gun. The colony sent a distress call to the Confederation Space Navy before contact with the colony was lost. The TCS Tiger's Claw and all nearby vessels raced to Goddard's defense, only to discover that it was too late. Goddard I was totally destroyed, with all 250,000 colonists and all visible signs of life eradicated. Also, the Kilrathi fleet managed to escape back to Imperial airspace. Confed sent marines to search for survivors, but there were none to be found.
The disaster at Goddard prompted the Confederation to retaliate by sending the Tiger's Claw to hunt down and destroy the Kilrathi fleet and its new superweapon, initiating Operation: Thor's Hammer. It was later discovered that Goddard was the test site for the Graviton Gun, which was meant to be used to blast the Kilrathi's way through to Earth. The plan failed as the Claw eventually tracked down and destroyed the Kilrathi fleet and the Graviton Gun.
The fallout resulting from the Goddard Disaster would not be realized for years to come. Among the victims of the disaster was the brother of Terran pilot Zachary Colson. Colson firmly believed that the colony would have survived if the Claw hadn't detoured to attack a Kilrathi troopship, so he betrayed Confed and helped the Kilrathi to destroy the Claw in 2656. His campaign of terror would last ten years before he was finally silenced by Christopher Blair in 2668.
Notable Residents
- Mechanic Zach Siegler, cousin to Shotglass (Deceased)
- Shuttle Pilot Trisha Siegler (Deceased)
