Colossus

The Colossus represents the most terrifying and destructive weapon ever conceived by the United Federation of Nations. A hybrid of a space station and a warship, the Colossus-class vessel is capable of wiping out entire planets, either through total destruction or mass sterilization. The very idea of being able to annihilate a world at the push of a button has captivated military planners and futurists for centuries. While contemporary empires long considered such technology outside the realm of possibility, the fallen civilizations of the galaxy mastered it thousands of years ago. One such ancient weapon is believed to exist within the fleet of the enigmatic Saathid Remnant. UFN Federal Intelligence Ministry analysts suspect that the colossal Reaper-class vessel, owned by the Saathid, may in fact be a Colossus. This theory arises from its sheer scale, dwarfing all other Saathid ships at an estimated 100 kilometers in length, and its lack of visible conventional weapon systems. However, since the Reaper-class has never been observed outside of the Saathid home system, its true purpose remains unknown.
In recent decades, the UFN has successfully developed its own Colossus-class vessels, marking a new chapter in the Federation's military history. However, due to their immense destructive power and ethical implications, the use of these warships is highly restricted. Currently, the UFN maintains four active Colossi, each belonging to a different class, each designed with a unique means of planetary engagement.

Role of the Colossus in the UFN

The Colossus is not a frontline warship nor a tactical asset for traditional fleet engagements. Instead, it is a strategic deterrent and a weapon of absolute last resort. Its sheer presence in a system can end conflicts before they begin, as the threat of planetary annihilation forces adversaries to reconsider their position. However, the Colossus is rarely deployed, as its use carries extreme political, ethical, and military ramifications.
While most warships can engage in conventional naval warfare, the Colossus is designed exclusively for planetary-scale operations. Whether the goal is total destruction, mass sterilization, or indefinite isolation, each Colossus-class ship fulfills a different role in UFN strategy. Given the grave consequences of their deployment, these warships are subject to the highest levels of government oversight and cannot be used without unanimous approval from key UFN leadership.

Colossus Classes and Their Capabilities

The Harbinger-class Colossus is equipped with a World Cracker Laser, the most destructive weapon in UFN history. This weapon requires two weeks to fully charge, drawing upon vast amounts of energy to prepare for firing. Once primed, the laser unleashes a focused, high-energy beam capable of cracking the surface of a planet, shattering it into debris and rendering it completely uninhabitable. In the case of habitable megastructures, the beam destabilizes their structural integrity, reducing them to spaceborne wreckage. The Harbinger-class is used only in the most extreme of circumstances, when no other military option remains viable.
The Kingmaker-class Colossus is a more restrained, yet equally terrifying weapon, deploying the Global Pacifier system. This device encases an entire planet or colony within an unbreakable energy barrier, cutting it off from the rest of the galaxy. The only thing that can penetrate the shield is sunlight, allowing ecosystems to survive but leaving the inhabitants permanently trapped. The shield can be reversed, theoretically restoring access to the planet, but the technology behind the pacifier is so advanced that only the UFN possesses the means to deactivate it. The Kingmaker-class is employed in cases where destruction is deemed unnecessary, but the UFN wishes to permanently neutralize a world’s influence.
The Zeus-class Colossus wields a Neutron Ray, a weapon designed to sweep an entire planet with neutron bombardment, eliminating all biological life while leaving infrastructure intact. The result is a ghost world, devoid of life but still functional for future settlement. The Zeus-class is considered the most pragmatic Colossus configuration, as it allows for the reclamation of planetary assets while removing hostile populations. However, its use remains highly controversial, as it is considered a form of mass sterilization.

Authorization and Deployment

The use of a Colossus is one of the most heavily restricted decisions within the UFN government, requiring the approval of multiple high-ranking officials. Before a Colossus can fire its weapon, authorization must be granted by the Supreme Chancellor, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Defense, the Minister of Science, the Grand Admiral of the Navy, the High Marshal of the Army, the Sky Marshal of the Air Force, and the Minister of Intelligence. Without unanimous approval from this council, a Colossus cannot be deployed for planetary operations.
Due to the immense consequences of its use, deploying a Colossus is considered a political and military decision of unprecedented weight, carrying both internal and external ramifications. Even the threat of a Colossus deployment can shift the balance of power in galactic politics, forcing adversaries into submission or triggering preemptive alliances against the UFN.
The Colossus is the ultimate symbol of power, destruction, and deterrence in the UFN’s arsenal. Whether annihilating worlds, sterilizing entire populations, or isolating planets indefinitely, these warships represent the Federation’s ability to impose its will on an unparalleled scale. However, their use remains a last resort, subject to the most stringent oversight imaginable. While modern Colossi may not rival the apocalyptic weapons of the fallen empires, they nonetheless stand as a chilling reminder of the destructive potential that advanced civilizations wield. As warfare and politics evolve, the UFN continues to balance the burden of possessing such power, ensuring that the line between deterrence and devastation is never crossed without absolute necessity.

Owning Organization

Armed Forces of the United Federation of Nations