Utrekian super weapon? / Attack planned?

A Utrek defector who fled to the Dinos some months ago is reported to have told the Dinos that the Utrek are developing a new kind of weapon for which there is no known defence! The weapon has been called a sub-atomic disruptor by the Dinos and the beam rips apart the atoms of anything it meets at a sub-atomic weapon. This includes the atoms that make up shielding. The weapon will be the primary armament on the new Reptoli Tuul cruiser and be retro-fitted to late-model Molentic Tuul it is thought.

A further worrying aspect of this is that Dino and DDS intellignce officers think the Utrek are planning a mass attack on the Central Powers in 2 years. They cite the fact that in around 22 months the first squadron of Reptoli Tuul will be in service and also spies have obtained Utrek scheduled maintenance lists for it's fleet. The Utrek are due to perform all needed heavy maintenance over the next year and should have over 90% of it's 1100+ strong fleet available in around 20-22 months time. Its thought the Utrek might field an invading force of around 500 ships, spearheaded by the Reptoli Tuul and an estimated 30-40 Molentic Tuul equipped with the new weapon.

Character of the week : The Shiner

When The Shiner became the DDS Commander in 2094 no one suspected he would become the most successful and longest-lasting DDS Commander in history! Indeed he lasted until 2103 when he was deposed by Lord Rotarios's supporters. Under The Shiner's rule the DDS managed to end the war against the HCS, defeat The Tarbotians and Utrek and assemble a large and powerful fleet. The key to The Shiner's rule, however, was Windscorpion. He functioned as the DDS Protector, taking the lead in combat operations and strategy whilst The Shiner handled everything else. When Windy was killed The Shiner's DDS nearly collapsed, Windy was resurrected in time before final defeat and was stabilised but the damage was probably done then.

After he was deposed (officially he resigned but only after extreme pressure by the Hoods) he became the Financial Officer of the DDS and quietly gets on with his business. The Shiner is a craven coward of course, an insecure little man who surrounds himself with yes-men and is little respected by heroes like Windy. But The Shiner is good at his job and his reign should not derided.

The Friar coming under pressure from other Triumvirs

The death of Colonel Volinsoy, pushed off a hotel balcony in the city of Celona in Eastern Ailier by SOT terrorists may seem just one of dozens of attacks by SOT but this has put The Friar under massive pressure from his fellow Triumvirs as Volinsoy was Captain Clone's half-brother. Captain Clone is said to have travelled immediately to Cloneworld once news broke of the death last week and after attending Volinsoy's funeral he headed for The Friar's palace where he furiously told The Friar to end the SOT attacks or face the consequences.

Those consequences are quite obvious. Within hours of Captain Clone departing Cloneworld back to his HQ on Aquaworld the powerful 3rd Space Fleet moved from it's usual location near Sandworld to a position in the Epsilon Eridani system, that system containing Cloneworld of course. The 1st and 7th Legions, the best units in Captain Clone's HCS have also been mobilised and put on short-notice for embarking aboard assault transports.

Benito Clone has also put the pressure on The Friar, saying that the SOT must be crushed by the end of the year or he and Captain Clone would hold talks on The Friar's replacement...

DDS shipbuilding at breaking point

A senior DDS Fleet officer has warned that the DDS' shipbuilding resources are at breaking point with production capacity at a maximum and staffing proving a problem, due to the high demand.

The DDS produces ships at large production rigs in three locations : Solaris Prime, Proxima 5 and 7. A rig may be bought into operation around Rathun's World in future too. Currently the DDS has :

Solaris

• The former Quasar rig is now retooled for the Quasar ILU programme
• A large new rig for Panther production
• A rig for SUP production
• The former Isometric rig now producing Terran Sea
• A small rig producing Velocity
• A small rig fitting out Extender oilers from SUPs

Proxima 7

• A large rig finishing off Pentekonter (Rome to be built from next year)
• A large rig fitting out Provider, Marconi and future SUP based classes
• The former second Isometric rig now modified for Rhombus rebuilds
• A large new rig for fitting out Intruder-Es

Proxima 5

• A small rig for fitting out Providers from SUPs
• A small rig for minor updates, currently being used for Pulsar updates

As well as these the DDS are looking for capacity for their next generation transport the Feeder class. The DDS want (and need) production sped up of some types but all rigs are running at capacity. Staffing is a problem at some sites as the amount of available personnel is finite. The Terran Sea rig has even banned vacations for it's staff because they don't have enough slack in staff numbers to cope with absenses. This has caused staff retention to drop of course.

The DDS said they are working with Consolidated Spacecraft to try and ease the strain on DDS facilities.

Ronald addresses Dino Elders

Ronald has addressed the Dino Elders and outlined their role in the planned republic. He said the Dino Elders would have a greater role than as present. He said as well as choosing a shortlist of potential Senators the Elders would also interview potential Consuls and advise the Senate on the suitability of the candidates. The Elders would also assign names to Dino Army brigades and bestow special awards and medals.

The Dino Elders are expected to vote on the republic within the next few weeks. Ronald is hoping to start the new year as a Consul not an Emperor.

Faulty power conduit caused Extender accident

A faulty power conduit has been blamed for the explosion aboard Extender class oiler 7202 Stratotanker that caused a nuclear leak. Three crewmen died in the explosion and two more have died since of injuries and radiation poisoning. DDS Accident Investigators at Solaris have analysed the ship now at the DDS Nuclear Processing & Research Facility (DDS-NPRF) and said cracks in the conduit wall caused a power feedback across 2 circuits which resulted in the explosion.

Metallurgical analysis of the rest of the Extender fleet has revealed no cracks and the DDS think this was just a freak accident. The ship will be repaired and decontaminated and should be back in service in a few weeks. Meanwhile Pulsar cruiser 1012 Africa which had been in the middle of being refuelled when the accident happened has now had it's refuelling completed by another Extender oiler.

A DDS spokesman later said that all Extenders will receive regular scans of power conduits in refuelling areas and extra plate protection will be applied when the Extenders receive a planned minor update next year.