Character of the week : Dougson

Dougson is the Chief Scientific Officer of the Dinos. He is an unconventional character, rather odd looking and eccentric (he fits the stereotype of a mad scientist perfectly) but he is also a bona fide genius inventing Dino tech such as the teleporter and universal translator.

He has been linked to Ronald since the days before Ronald became emperor. Dougson was a late bloomer and didn't stand out in the science field at first. He was assigned to Ronald's team as the ship science officer but as time went on he soon made a name for himself as being very inventive. He created the first Dino teleporter in his spare time and it had a vital role in the defeat of the usurper Telavason.

When Ronald became Emperor Dougson was promoted to Chief Science Officer and has remained in that post ever since. His current major project is the wormhole space travel which looks set to revolutionalise space travel.

Leaked image reported to show Panther

An image leaked to Jane's DDS Weapons by an anonymous source is said to show the forthcoming Panther destroyer (DX). The design, if true, shows a more compact form than the older artist impressions leaked earlier in the year. The design has a belly mounted cannon thought to be the Zip though its likely the Zip will not be available for the Panther at launch.

First refurbished F-10 reaches DDS service

The first refurbished F-10A Shark, now known as the F-10A2, has entered service with the 1st DDS Air Defence Regiment stationed at DDS GHQ. The F-10A2 has new avionics with an improved night mode, uprated engines, better ECM and aerodynamic improvements. The entire fleet of 57 will be refurbished to A2 standard by the end of 2108.

Meanwhile it's long-term successor, the F-10S Shark 2100 has completed it's phase 1 development after the prototype began testing last february. Four pre-production aircraft have now commenced phase 2. The pre-production aircraft include some minor changes from the prototype and a full avionics suite. The first production example is scheduled to enter service by the end of 2107.

The DDS refused to confirm or deny reports that they are developing an attack version of the F-10S. Janes DDS Weekly has said the type is a two-seat all-weather attack aircraft called the A-12 Hammerhead.

Character of the week : Fuzzy

Legate Fuzzy is the current Dino Liaison Officer to the DDS, a historic post with a history of danger and sore bottoms. However Fuzzy is a savvy operator and is understood to be keeping well away from Windscorpion... Fuzzy's career has been one of ups and downs. Promoted for valour in battle and then demoted for dallying with senior officer's wives and daughters. Fuzzy is also a Terranophile, understood to have a great love of human culture. He also is said to have a "human bird" though this bi-species mixture is confusing many Dinos.

Because of his interest in Terra, and the fact he had been punished long enough for sleeping with a Praetor's wife (six months on bum transport duties) Ronald appointed Fuzzy as liaison officer. Fuzzy was glad for the promotion but the experience of Gibson has caused Fuzzy to worry. Though he is a friend of Windy (indeed Windy only dislikes Fuzzy instead of intensely loathing as he usually does with Dinos) Fuzzy still thinks Windy may try to use him like he did Gibson...

Attempt made on life of Ronald's daughter

Details are still sketchy but it appears ex-HCS agent Megara infiltrated the Royal Palace on Dino Land in order to kill Crystal, the baby daughter of Ronald. Megara and his assistant Dick Nose were both killed before they could carry out their deadly mission. Empress Holisai, Senator Smellyson and two SS guards received stuns but received no lasting injuries.

The appearance of Megara is confusing as Ronald had already beheaded the infamous agent a month ago! An unconfirmed report says this new Megara was female indicating that the unknown "Future Guy" (as the unknown foe from the future has been called) resurrected Megara from an alternative universe. There is the possibility therefore that more Megaras might attack in future. Ronald has had his family taken to a secure safe house.

DDS detail SUP Update

The DDS have announced a 440 million zark for it's fleet of SUP based transports and EW ships, the Provider, Extender and Marconi classes. The DDS said the SUP Update 2107 will improve the effectiveness and flexibility of the vital support strategic asset. SUP Update 2107 will include a roll-up of all software updates, a new engine management module (increasing cruise time by 22%), improved internal security (in response to an incident earlier this year when Zones stole a shipment of firearms from a Provider) and added Open Architecture (OA).

Providers will also receive improvements to their cargo handling equipment. The Extender oiler fleet will receive improvements to the refuelling system and improved safety (in response to the accident earlier this year). The update will begin in H2 2107. All new SUP based ships by next march will be built to this new standard.