NS demand answers from Clones over lost bomber

Viceroy Caratore has contacted the Clones and demanded information on the Kelsan KS bomber that has gone missing. No trace of the bomber has been found despite intensive search parties, the Kelsan was carrying a number of nuclear armed CSM-S missiles.

It is thought the warheads cannot be activated without a fractal encrypted key from Clone Defence Forces HQ though the CDF have never confirmed that this level of protection with their strategic weapons is in place or not. However, the nuclear material could pose a considerable risk.

Clones admit loss of nuclear armed bomber

The Clone Defence Forces have reported they have lost contact with a Kelsan KS bomber near Paragon. The ship was part of a fleet rotation between the two halves of the Clone Star Empire and was armed with six nuclear tipped missiles.

It is not known what has happened to the Kelsan. Dozens of Clone ships are now combing the area. The area of space the bomber disappeared is in a "dead zone" for most communications and datalinks meaning that the loss of the ship was not noted for several hours.

Clones raise alert status to second highest

The Clone Defence Forces has raised it's alert status to 4, the second highest (5 is actual war). The status change means all CDF units are expected to enter full readiness within 36 hours. Cloneworld will also be put under a partial lockdown. It is rumoured that Oojok and other senior personnel will be evacuated to secure locations.

Why the status change is unknown. The CDF have not given any details. Ships have been diverted to the region of space between the two halves of the empire, near Paragon, where extra patrols have begun.

Von Kane returns to NS as new head of Space Forces

Former NS office Von Kane, who joined MBO after fleeing NS captivity, has formally returned to New Sparta as the new Head of NS Space Forces. This is a new position which puts him in charge of all NS fleet operations and organisation. His role will be between the head of MBO-NS Armed Forces Zeppelin and MBO-NS Space Fleet Commander Akbar.

Some wondered why Von Kane did not rejoin NS immediately when MBO took over. A reason given by the MBO is that Von Kane had duties with the MBO fleet which needed to be completed first. It is thought he has been involved in the technology transfer from NS to MBO and helping rebuild the MBO fleet after the war. 

Zip cannon will replace TPM as key NS weapon

NS have said that the TPM, while an important part of the armoury, will no longer be the key weapon and focus of development. The Z Inter Phase cannon (or Zip) is seen as having more room for growth and development.

TPM-5 is said to have been cancelled with development only continuing of the next generation TPM-4 and TPM-3 families. The Zip cannon will receive an upgrade within the next couple of years.

Operation New Start

Operation New Start is the first exercise of the year and the first proper deployment of NS warships since the war. The exercise was ordered by Viceroy Caratore to demonstrate the NS fleet has now recovered from it's war losses and is fully operational and integrated into the Mutre Bee Organisation. As the exercises will take place near Starbot, some analysts think the real purpose of the exercises is to intimidate the Starbotians.

The exercises will include some mock combats, drone operations and special forces operations. The exercises will begin next week and last around ten days. The ships involved are:

36-102 Midas (flag)

35-501 Lynx

35-203 Invincible

51-112 Citadel

41-102 Silurian

52-104 Nimrod

165-001 Arcadia

161-103 Insciber

73-107 Tristar