Disaster for HCS as fleet destroyed by Xenon

Reports are coming in that an entire HCS fleet has been destroyed by the Xenon. The fleet, said by some to number 28 ships and including some of the best ships* in the HCS including the first MTM, had been sent into Xenon space as a show of strength and to either pressure the Xenon into backing down or force a military solution.

What actually happened is still unclear, it has been reported that the fleet was caught in a supernova but it is unknown why they were so close to a star that was so unstable.

* A HCS update blog is reporting the fleet consisted of 6 Soulaki, 6 Molentic Tuul A, 1 Molentic Tuul M, 11 Cosmos S and 4 Cosmos A.

The Battle Of Dog 31143
The HCS head into battle with the Xenon...

The Orchid launches campaign to become DDS Commander

The Orchid, returning from Raegris space, has announced she will stand in the election to succeed Windscorpion next year. This will no doubt annoy Sea Urchin who loathes The Orchid and it was notable he did not appoint her as his deputy when in terms of seniority she was the obvious choice.

"It is time for change. The DDS has prospered in recent years but needs a new direction to better meet the challenges of the next decade. The Orchid is likely to continue the policies of Rotarios of whom she was a supporter, this would give her the backing of the likes of Action Painting, Redjec and The Hoods. The powerful Windy Massive bloc however will be key to the election and she is unlikely to get their support. However a rival candidate who does not scoop up all of their support could mean the WM vote is split and this could leave The Orchid in pole position.

No one else has yet announced they will stand.

Galactic leaders react to Windy resignation

Windy's shock resignation has reverberated around the galaxy. Consul Cruggson of the Dino Republic said he congratulated Windy for his achievements and hoped to continue Dino co-operation with his successor. Senator Ronald said he was surprised by the decision and said he looked forward to going bowling with Windy.

Emperor Oojok of the Clone Star Empire said that the resignation was a surprise but did not comment further. Ayatollah Clone XE hailed the "collapse of the degenerate regime of the anti-Oojok".

Starbotian leader S101 said "hewmons were chaotic and unpredictable" and then went on a 5 hour long fascistic rant about why machines are superior to biological life forms.

Sea Urchin gives speech to DDS

Interim Commander Sea Urchin earlier gave this speech to the DDS :

"Fellow DDSers i know we are all in shock this morning. Yesterday Windscorpion decided he had had enough and resigned with immediate effect. I know that is a shock to all of us but the DDS still exists and indeed Windscorpion himself still exists. No one has died. Life carries on.

"I am asking you the DDS to stand fast, hold firm and get on with your jobs. The DDS has a bright future. The fleet is stronger than ever before with ships at the cutting edge and further advances in technology on the way. A powerful and flexible new army is also being developed. The DDS has a network of allies they can rely on and a strategic infrastructure that forms the backbone of the DDS.

"The next few months may have some difficulties but i am confident the professionalism of the DDS will win through. I am not anticipating any major changes in DDS policy on my watch. An election for the post of DDS Commander will be held next year at the earliest convenience."

Sea Urchin also announced that Firefly would take up the role of City Commander of the DDS (in other words be in charge of GHQ), Action Painting would take up command of the 1st Fleet. No Deputy Commander has yet been announced.

Windy resigns as DDS Commander!

Windscorpion has shocked the Central Committee of the DDS and the DDS itself by announcing his resignation! Windy said he had had enough of "saving the galaxy" and thought it was time he stood down and got on with other things in his life. Windy named Sea Urchin the interim DDS Commander and then left GHQ taking a Coril shuttle up to SS Stoke City.

What Windy will do now is unknown. What Sea Urchin will do now is also unknown. Elections may be held next year though at the moment there is little appetite for an election campaign. One problem is a dearth of potential commanders. Sea Urchin and The Orchid are the only likely candidates, Firefly has already ruled himself out.

Furvert
Windy shocks the DDS...

Object Blue A project concludes

Object Blue A, a project involving the research ship X111 Isometric operating as an unmanned ship, has successfully concluded following a seventh and final unmanned superluminal test. In the test Isometric travelled up to 400c accompanied by X901 Cleon for 20 hours on a pre-planned trip. It then was presented with a simulated "emergency" situation and successfully changed course. The DDS have not said what the emergency was but it may have been a comet in Isometric's path.

Isometric has now returned to Solaris for a refit and an upgrade of the unmanned systems. It will be carrying out some other research duties for the first part of 2110 before beginning the second stage of superluminal unmanned tests Object Blue B. These tests will involve mock combat though at this stage Isometric will only be able to try and evade enemy ships not fight back.

Analysts say these tests prove that the DDS have caught the Clones up dramatically and although the HCS will field a superluminal UCV in service first (Nybble) the DDS will be able to follow suit fairly soon if they wish. At the moment though there are no firm plans for a production superluminal UCV.

Tethys Ocean begins testing

The first Tethys Ocean 65A amphibious support carrier has begun trials ahead of it's expected entry into service early next year. The Tethys Ocean is a SUP design and has extensive docking facilities able to handle Feeders, Corils and Falcons to support amphibious operations.

The ships (3 are planned) will also act as casualty receiving stations. Triage and emergency treatment will be carried out on casualties before they are sent on to hospital ships or other establishments.

DDS open new nuclear weapons plant

The DDS have opened a new nuclear weapons plant on Solaris which will replace the existing facility on Proxima 7 which has had various problems due to ageing equipment. The new plant is larger and can ramp up production to 500% of the current rate though in normal usage will maintain the same production rate as at present.

A second plant will be built on Remedia Prime as part of DDS efforts to disperse their strategic assets and to duplicate vital industrial facilities. The second plant will be smaller and used mainly as a research and development base for warhead design though will also be able to provide a second source of warheads in the event of a war. This second plant is due to completed in 2112.