Joint NS/DTA intelligence report concludes Bolitic heading for collapse

A previously top secret joint intelligence mission by New Sparta (represented by the Raegris) and DTA (represented by the Dinos) has reported back on the state of the Bolitic Confederacy and it does not make for pleasant reading if you are Bolitic. The report concludes that the Bolitic are unable to recover from their heavy loss in the ABBO-Bolitic War followed by the civil war after the death of Borca. The Bolitic Confederacy is virtually bankrupt and Emperor Melson is finding it increasingly difficult to keep a lid on discontent (and keep himself in one piece).

The reasons for the Bolitic inability to bounce back from defeat as they have in the past were also explored by the report. Unlike in previous conflicts the Bolitic were unable to swell their coffers with loot. They have also fallen behind peer opponents in many areas though the Utrek partnership has helped stem the gap somewhat (though this help has dried up as the Utrek face a renewed Mantae threat). A key problem the Bolitic face is the loss of so many senior Barons and veteran soldiers in the war and civil conflict. The cream of the Bolitic military machine was lost. Finally the report explores the decentralisation of the empire with the rival power base of Erinthorn which has diluted Bolitic power.

The report says that the Bolitic are in danger of becoming a third rate power though stubbornly refuse to accept it even though their shipyards remain idle due to lack of funds. If Melson is deposed then a radical new Emperor may decide the Bolitic need to go out in a blaze of glory and attack their enemies. Both the NS and DTA should maintain strong defences along the Bolitic border and monitor closely events on Castarian.

2110 Bolitic-ABBO War Final Scoreboard

2110 Bolitic-ABBO War Loss Scoreboard* - final update 11/02/11
DDS	59
Dinos	297
Other DDS Allies	50
Bolitic Confederacy	292
ABBOs	2213
Other Axis	66

* Axis totals combat ships only

 

Commander election set for March 1st

AP has set the DDS Commander election for March 1st, the shortest possible time. AP also announced he would be standing in the election in a campaign to be run by The Shiner. Other candidates have just until Tuesday to announce they will also be standing.

AP explained his reasoning for a short campaign in that there was much work that needed to be done and a long campaign would detract from that. "We need a new commander in place immediately whomever that may be."

As for his own campaign AP said that he would build on the successes of The Orchid, and his own control of the DDS since her death. AP said the New DDS Project would be rejuvenated and repurposed for the changing geo-political spacescape.

• The DDS will run both the Atomic Fist and Ground Shock exercises this year as well as a "full schedule" of smaller exercises. One of the first exercises due for late April is thought to be a joint exercise with the Porquatians to help integrate them into the DDS system.
• DDS Engineering estimate it will take around 6 months to get the fleet back to "normal". Scheduled maintenance had to be abandoned for a more ad-hoc approach due to the war and it would take a while to restore these and the logistical trails. A lot of ships were in urgent need of proper repair too.
• War time production rates of TPM and MRM would be maintained for the "near future" according to Sea Urchin. "Our stocks are pretty well dwindled and it will take a while to get our stockpiles back to acceptable levels." One weapon that is on the way out though is the TPM-1 of which production has now ended, non-Canister TPM versions of the missile are now said to number "just over 300".

Pulsar final months revealed

The Pulsar 12A cruiser fleet will be withdrawn by July according to the DDS. Only 4 ships remain from what was once the principle fighting ship in the DDS fleet (and maybe the known galaxy). However in latter years the Pulsar has become a rather unreliable and expensive to operate ship. Still powerful but its ageing technology means it is almost twice as expensive to run than a Quasar 15A ILU cruiser.

One Pulsar will be withdrawn immediately, the ship chosen will be the one with the worst condition following an inspection to be undertaken this week. This ship will then be used for spares for the other 3 which will form the 1st Attack Squadron of the DDS. It is expected these ships will have their final deployment on the Atomic Fist exercise planned for the late Spring. The ships will be finally withdrawn in the Summer and this will bring to an end the era of the 2nd generation of DDS warships in the front line (though the Starsystems remain as training ships of course).

• The DDS have said that all 7 nuclear power and reprocessing stations on Malau had been rigged with explosives by the ABBOs. If the DDS had landed troops on the planet it is thought the ABBOs would have detonated the explosives. The radiological release could well have destroyed the Malau biosphere. Bomb disposal teams are now removing the explosives.
• The DDS have been analysing the hundreds of captured ABBO warships. There was a hope from some quarters that some ships could be reused (even if as unmanned assets) but a DDS Engineering team has reported that the computer systems of the ships has fused totally. That plus the totally alien technology would make trying to reuse the ABBO ships more trouble than it would be worth. The DDS will instead recycle them for reuseable materials.
• The research ship SS Isometric will tomorrow depart on a reconnaissance of ABBO territory. The ship is fitted with worm drive already and has extensive scanning systems because of recent trials of new equipment.

The war is over!

The war against the ABBOs has been bought to an unexpectedly swift and almost bloodless (for the DDS) end after Windy arrived in his ship SS Carboniferous just before the final battle with the ABBOs to launch 2 captured Tarbotian EMP missiles. The missiles destroyed the circuits of the ABBO troops and ships around Malau. It is thought there are only a handful of surviving ABBOs now in the areaand these are being hunted down by the DDS.

Unfortunately SS Carboniferous was pushed past its safe limits and had to be evacuated before it suffered a reactor core breach which destroyed the ship. Windy is said to be very disappointed in losing his flagship. DDS troops have now landed on Malau but their mission is disaster recovery. Thousands of civilians were butchered by the ABBOs in the days before.

AP called this a great victory for professionalism. "This has been the greatest and costliest war for the DDS since the 1st Clone War. We have prevailed. Now we must repair our shattered fleet, lands and forces. The DDS will also prevail in this as it prevailed in the fight. The future geo-political situation may be uncertain but we have the tools to succeed. As we are the DDS."

It is thought that the ABBOs have virtually ceased to exist after the Tarbotians destroyed their lands and planetary bases. A DDS ship is expected to be sent to investigate in a few days.

• When asked about the DDS and the shattered Windy Massive (which has almost been wiped out due to the fighting and the loss of the ship SS Mryia) Windy did not comment but just said he wanted to go on holiday.
• The Shiner, ex-Commander and current Finance Officer of the DDS, has unexpectedly been bought into AP's inner circle in the new role of "Deputy Commander" though in ranking he will be below Redjec the City Commander. AP said The Shiner would bring his many years of experience to the table. It is rumoured The Shiner may also be going to manage AP's election campaign.

AP gives speech to DDS

As the DDS fleet approaches Malau for what is likely to be the final battle in the ABBO war Acting Commander AP has warned the DDS that the battle will be very difficult. "The ABBOs are not going to run away, they are likely to stand and fight until the end. Not only do we have to destroy a fleet of other 350 ABBO warships we also have to land on Malau and defeat an army of thousands of ABBO troops.

"I will not lie to you, the DDS, by saying it will be easy. But we will prevail as we are professionals. In our souls are the drive to succeed, the hunger for self-actualisation. In the ABBOs' souls is what? Nothing. They are souless creatures. Machines driven on by cold logic and subroutines of death. They cannot win as to them success or failure is meaningless. We have a goal. We have a plan. We will win!"

• There are reports that Windscorpion's ship SS Carboniferous may be returning to the DDS though communication attempts with the ship have so far failed, thought to be due to technical problems and the extreme distances involved. DDS Engineering confirmed they picked up the Isometric ship's telemetry again after a period where it was out of range.

ABBOs preparing for final battle

The DDS fleet is currently making its way to Malau where the ABBOs seem to have lessened their massacre of civilians. This is thought to be mainly because the thousands of civilians assembled in camps have already been killed and it would take up too much resource to hunt down the rest of the scattered population. It is estimated that around 200,000 civilians have been butchered in cold blood by the ABBOs.

The DDS are now aiming to be ready to fight the ABBOs by the "weekend" according to some sources to allow time for the amphibious landing forces of the DDS time to catch up with the rest of the fleet. The DDS are aiming to neutralise the ABBO fleet as soon as they can then land the New DDS Army on the planet.

The ABBOs have recalled all patrols and are amassing their ground forces at key positions on the planet in preparation for what is likely to be the final battle.

• A Fulcrum 85A special forces transport, A603 Forefront, has been destroyed after it delivered a Prowler unit to Malau. The DDS say its cloak was not working at 100% which allowed the ABBOs to detect and destroy it.

DDS fleet departs for "final battle"

A powerful DDS fleet departed from Liberation earlier today bound for Malau and what is likely to be the final battle of the war against the ABBOs. The remainder of the ABBO fleet has been concentrated there and ABBO troops are killing the Malau civilian population en masse. DDS Prowler units are said to be already on Malau and trying their best to stop ABBO units but their efforts are so far unable to stem the massacres. One Prowler unit is known to have been killed in a heavy battle with the ABBOs.

AP has told the DDS to "steel" itself for heavy losses. "I won't lie and say the coming battle will be easy but it is necessary. The ABBOs must be stopped now. The war must be bought to a conclusion." The DDS fleet is thought to be likely to be ready to attack when it links up with the Starbotian fleet near Malau on late Wednesday.

• SS Commander Gibson has suggested that other DTA members also set up their own SS for internal security and military policing. He has said there could be a"franchise" system of SS forces on other DTA member planets which are independant but could regularly meet to co-ordinate practice and equipment. Sirikwan and New Arit are known to be interested.

ABBOs begin killing Malau population

Reports are coming in that the ABBOs have begun executing Malau civilians whom they have gathered at various camps. Hundreds have already been butchered in cold blood. ABBO units are also attacking human settlements.

The UNP have demanded the DDS attack the ABBOs immediately and the DDS are preparing to send their assembled fleet at Liberation to Malau. AP is understood to have told the DDS the time to end the war is now. However even if the DDS fleet departs now they will not get to Malau for around 3 days. Thousands of Malau civilians are likely to die in that time even if the ABBOs can be stopped quickly.

The ABBOs have around 370 ships at Malau, the DDS will be sending a large battle fleet comprising most of their first line and a good proportion of second-line units with Starbotian, Raegris and Porquatian elements.

Victory on Delta 9

Earlier today the final ABBO stronghold was attacked by DDSAF bombers and sensor sweeps now confirm that no operational ABBO soldiers remain on Delta 9. The DDS have declared victory but it has been costly with over 6000 DDS soldiers dying in the fighting since the ABBO invasion plus 1000s of Deltan civilians. Environmental damage to the planet has also been severe with parts of Delta likely to remain irradiated wastelands for decades to come.

Now the attention is turning to Malau, a much tougher proposition but one which must be tackled. The population of the planet is being herded into dozens of "safety camps" on the planet and there is the fear the ABBOs may be planning to "cleanse" the planet or at least begin to in order to force the DDS' hand.

DDS begin build-up for Malau attack?

AP has ordered the DDS South and Starbotian fleets to be put on full readiness (the so-called "24 hours alert") and has ordered 9 ships from DDS Central to re-inforce the fleet at Liberation. The DDS Amphibious Force has also been put on full alert. DDS bloggers think that an attack on the ABBO positions on Malau will occur within days of the final victory on Delta 9 which is thought to be days away now (the remaining ABBO forces are now surrounded at a stronghold near Illaton).

DDS expert Professor King-Meiouf thinks that the battle of Malau will begin by mid-February. "The cost will be very high but the DDS cannot delay it any longer. If the war rumbles on into the Spring then the ABBOs will have chance to regenerate their forces and the DDS will also be running low on cash reserves."

• The first 4 second-generation SROPS have been delivered following a delay in certification. The 76B has improvements to its docking bay, Canister TPM support and a number of other updates. 25 SROPS 76Bs are on order.

HCS Army angry about defence spending slow down?

The HCS Army (which the HCS confusingly refer to as - the HCS) has responded angrily to reports of a slow down in military spending and the delay or trimming of most current procurement projects. The Army say that they have endured lean years over the last few years as money was spent on the other services and they had been promised a big injection in money once projects like the re-born HCS Navy and CSM were up and running.

Instead the Army is likely to see several brigades withdrawn and the production rate of T-89s, T-55Zs and TRV-5s slowed. One major project the Army is keen to get started is a much delayed replacement for their massive fleet of ageing wheeled transports, many of which date from the first Clone War! A HCS blogger has estimated that to replace the oldest and most unreliable trucks and other transports could cost over 9 billion zarks.

• DDS Engineering teams have now managed to erect force fields around the partially demolished nuclear power station on Delta 9. A specialist UNP nuclear accidents recovery team has been bought in to assist.
• The A-84 Bombardier has been declared operational by the DDSAF, 100 ex-HCSAF attack aircraft were bought last year. The first 40 were delivered a few months ago and the first unit has now achieved combat operational readiness. It is thought they will not be sent to Delta 9 however as that battle is almost over. The DDS have ordered another 30 A-85 COIN aircraft from the HCS Reserve, they have been heavily used on Delta 9.

ABBOs begin rounding up Malau population

In a sinister move the ABBOs have begun rounding up the civilian population of Malau and are forcing them into what the ABBOs have called "Safety Camps". The population have been told they will be safer in the camps though if they refuse to go then the ABBOs have been ruthless in their enforcement of their orders. Dozens of civilians have already been killed by the ABBOs.

ABBO units have also been sent to all 7 of Malau's nuclear power stations and a nuclear waste treatment centre. The fear is the ABBOs will unleash a catastrophic radiological disaster if the DDS attack.

• The HCS Navy have accepted into service their 6th Mariner class operational support ship.

DDS consider bumper ship building programme for 2111/12

The DDS are putting together an ambitious ship building programme for the next financial year starting in April. Under the provisional plan submitted to CENFAC yesterday the DDS will aim to build or buy 5 carriers, 7 destroyers, 7 frigates and smaller patrol craft, 4 amphibious warfare vessels, 4 transports and 1 electronic warfare ship next year.

Sea Urchin, who was been given a role in facilitating this ambitious plan, said that the DDS would have to work hard over the next few years to regenerate its fleet badly damaged by the ABBO war. He also said that an extra effort was being made to build up the amphibious and transport fleets as building of combat ships had predominated over during the latter half of the current plan.

• Contact has been lost with SS Carboniferous which is on an unspecified long-range mission, rumoured to be in ABBO space. However the long range of the mission means that losing a hyperlaser link is not that unusual.
• The WCV-15 Hippo wheeled armoured vehicle has been finally withdrawn from service. The Hippo was a wheeled version of the HCSTapir intended for internal security but was not built in large numbers with the later WCV-10 White Tapir preferred instead.

Delta 9 situation "out of control"

The DDS have admitted that the ecological damage to Delta 9 is now out of control with a badly damaged nuclear power station still spewing radiation into the atmosphere and radiological waste now spread across a significant area of the Deltan surface. DDS Engineering teams are battling to erect containment fields around the power station but the proximity of the front line means the ABBOs are doing all they can to prevent their operation.

The DDS are now looking at Malau with increasing alarm as it is suspected the ABBOs are testing their tactics for what would be the final battle on Malau, and the scale of disaster there could be many times bigger. In another worrying development the ABBOs have begun rounding up Malau UNP citizens for "accounting" purposes.

• The second LLFX F-47 has made its first flight. A full flight test programme is to begin next month with the HCSAF keen to get the cheap fighter into service by the end of next year.

HCS unveil space fleet "5 year plan"

The HCS have unveiled a vision for their space fleet for the next 5 years which will see a large number of Cosmos, Kelsans and Sharks added.

Under the plans by 2116 the HCS aim to have a first-line combat fleet consisting of 30 Soulaki, 120 Cosmos, 21 Molentic Tuul and 40 Kelsan. Existing orders for Cosmos CG and Kelsan KS will have to be greatly increased to reach these numbers though no extra orders have been unveiled yet until the plan is ratified by the Clone government. (At least half of the Cosmos fleet are allocated to second-line duties but are included in this total for clarity).

The second-line fleet will consist of 30 Kalahati Tuul S, 80 Sharks and 30 Nybble UCVs. The Thresher ST is now seen as a dead project which will be replaced by an uprated Shark known as the SKS model. The plan is expected to be debated early next month.

• The ABBOs have deliberatly blown open the top of a civilian nuclear power station on Delta 9 releasing vast quantities of radiation into the atmosphere. As they pulled back they blew further holes in the reactor casing causing a total meltdown. Radiological waste is also being sprayed at DDS Engineering teams trying to get to the scene. The DDS are calling the situation very serious.

DDS order 2 more Missileer 21Bs

The DDS have placed an order for 2 more Missileer 21Bs production of which is to begin immediately. The 2 ships are replacements for war losses and will give an eventual fleet of 11 Missileers (assuming no more war losses) to which the DDS will also have at least 6 Olympus 23A support carriers.

Following the war the fleet will be undergoing an upgrade, the earlier 21A ships will be upgraded to 21B standard which includes a more powerful engine and MRM support. All ships will receive communications, point-defence and databus upgrades.

• RQ-12N NBC reconnaissance drones are now operating over Delta 9 to monitor the level and spread of the radiological waste being released by the ABBOs. The DDS say that current quiet weather conditions are helping to contain the toxic damage.
• Starbot have taken delivery of a Provider-E transport which they have named I-19 Compass. They have also confirmed the order of a second though have now yet agreed a delivery date. In Starbotian service the Provider will be also used in the survey role and can be fitted with an equipment module for this.

Aritans to build XTs for the DTA

The Aritans have secured a licence to build Dinomark XTs for both themselves and other DTA nations. Their line will be the third line behind the Dinos' own and the forthcoming Sirikwan line. The Aritans hope to have their first XT produced by the Summer of 2112.

It is thought the Aritans plan a fleet of at least 12 XTs which will be partly funded by export profits. In the long run XT production on Sirikwan and New Arit may allow the Dinos to reduce their own production to a minimum and allow more resources to be allocated to PT production.

• Ground based NBC reconnaissance teams have confirmed that the ABBOs are releasing radiological waste into the Deltan atmosphere as they retreat from their positions. Hundreds of DDS troops have been hospitalised with radiation poisoning though all troops are now equipped with full NBC suits.
• The AH-75 air superiority helicopter has been withdrawn by the HCSAF. A relic of the Clone Wars the AH-75 was designed for the air-to-air role but did not really have a role in the HCS anymore though had been used in latter years in the combat training role.

Barrage Barge destroyed in heavy fighting

The Barrage Barge, the hacked together bombardment weapon the DDS put together to attack ABBO positions on Delta 9, has been destroyed during heavy fighting on the planet. A suicide attack by 2 ABBO fighters destroyed the barge, which is unmanned. No other DDS ships were damaged.

Fighting on the planet itself is said to be very heavy with "considerable casualties" reported by the DDS. It is thought the ABBOs are releasing radiological agents into the Deltan atmosphere. Two RQ-12N NBC reconnaissance drones are being rushed to the planet to check. Dozens of Deltan civilians are known to have been butchered by the retreating ABBO forces.

• New DTA minister GBH is to visit all DTA members over the next month. He will also set up the DTA Command Forum which will be a committee representing all DTA members which will formulate DTA policy.
• The T-76 next generation basic trainer for the HCSAF has been cleared for service. It is based on the A-85NT platform and is a much more refined aircraft than the ageing (and rather dangerous) T-75. The first T-76s are expected to enter service in a few months.

ABBOs adopting scorched earth policy?

Fighting has been raging for several hours in the latest offensive by the DDS on Delta 9. The DDS are hoping to wrap up the ABBO forces on the planet in this attack which was begun following a bombardment by the Barrage Barge, a Rome flotilla, air power and ground based artillery. 4 brigades of the DDS army attacked ABBO positions, breaking through the lines.

The ABBOs are said to be mounting a fighting retreat and are destroying everything they can in their wake, adopting a scorched earth policy. Civilians, who have been left alone by the ABBOs up until now, are now being attacked on sight. The DDS have broadcast warnings to all civilians behind ABBO lines to keep hidden for the time being.

• Helinox, a member of the Free Eritran States and a DDS customer, has surprisingly opened negotiations with the Dinos about a "relationship" with the DTA. The Helinox say they do not want to join the DTA but would be interested in co-operation between the DTA and the Eritrans. Other Eritran states are behind this initiative Helinox claim.