Wayne King-Meiouf : What can the DDS do?

Professor Wayne King-Meiouf of the University of Proxima

The link up between the Clones and Rectoids has a lot of people worried. The Rectoids are pretty much on a par with the DDS technology wise and if they can transfer that technology to the Clones it would put the old enemy right back in front with their existing numerical advantages and full-spectrum capabilities.

But what can the DDS do about that? One UNP politician has called upon the DDS to attack the Rectoids now, so what if that happened? Below is a "what-if" scenario...

Operation Broken Shaft

The DDS and Eritrans announced their large joint exercise early in 2114. Broken Shaft would involve virtually the entire FES fleet and a sizeable chunk of DDS hardware in a series of mock combats and exercises. In June the ships assembled near Molab and the exercises began with a mock combat near the Clone-Eritran border.

Naturally the Clones were interested. A Kelsan Sigint ship was detected early on, it was allowed to monitor the first exercise then chased away. So far so normal. Then the galaxy changed.

On day 2 of Broken Shaft the two fleets suddenly diverged. The FES fleet (a powerful fleet comprising pretty much everything they had) broke into two and crossed the Clone border. A day later the Clones were attacked at Austini 55 and Woloron 12. Sixteen CDF ships were destroyed along with serious damage being done to key orbital facilities. Three FES ships didn't make it back.

The DDS fleet meanwhile charged over into Rectoid space and launched an all-out attack on the Rectoid homeworld Recta. A Quasar attack squadron launched a nuclear strike on key orbital facilities and 14 Rectoid ships were destroyed, 3 more were destroyed in a later engagement as the DDS returned to Eritran space. Four DDS ships were destroyed but it was judged a price worth paying, the Rectoids had been knocked out of the game militarily for a good few years.

The Clone response

Oojok was furious at the attack on the CSE-E by the Eritrans and on the Rectoids by the DDS. However faced with strong DDS and allied forces along the CSE-W border he resisted calls from his generals for a full war with the DDS. Instead he gave the green light to Marcus to strike back against the Eritrans.

The CSE-E had 7 Kelsan KS bombers operational (all but 1 of their allocation had avoided destruction). These headed off from Austini 55 and cloaked once they passed Woloron 12. Meanwhile a fleet of 23 warships departed Austini 55 and headed for the border. They were intercepted by a combined FES fleet and a stand-off ensued.

Distracted by this fleet the Kelsans had left Clone space unnoticed. They were not noticed again until 5 days later when they briefly decloaked to launch 12 CSM-S missiles against Molab.

Molab's population are tightly clustered about one continent on the planet. This meant the ensuing nuclear attack killed millions. Eleven of the missiles struck the planet hitting military targets though the proximity of population centres meant the civilian death toll was catastrophic.

At the border news of the attack sent the FES into a panic. Molab elements (the majority) were torn between attacking the Clone ships waiting for them or returning home to help. Discipline broke and 6 Molab ships crossed the border, only 1 managed to get back to the rest of the FES fleet.

War is declared

As per the Tier 1 agreement an attack on an allied homeworld is treated as an attack on the DDS. The DDS declared war on the Clone Star Empire. But the threat of nuclear attack loomed large. The Clones leaked details of their CSM silos being made ready for launch and the 20 Kelsan bombers in CSE-W space were dispersed to secret staging points.

Firefly met with his general staff, his message was simple. If the DDS attacked the Clones then they had to take out the CSM threat first. Unfortunately Knobhead and the other fleet strategists conceded that even the entire strategic attack force could not guarantee a total wipe out of CSM and Kelsan (and it was unlikely much of the DDS force would get back out alive). Knobhead's answer to his commander was blunt, DDS GHQ and other key DDS and UNP bases and cities would get nuked.

For several days an uneasy quiet reigned as the fully operational DDS and CDF war machines waited for the spark to begin fighting. Then Firefly blinked.

The humbling of the DDS

Firefly ended the war with the Clones, then resigned. A humanitarian convoy was instead sent to Molab. The DDS entered a period of soul searching, the Porquatians seriously considering leaving their alliance though the pragmatism of Firefly's decision in the end was accepted. The DDS went all out to develop its own strategic weapon and LRM was bought into service 2 years early in 2117.

The DDS remained strong (stronger than ever) but had lost face. The Rectoids sped up their technology transfer to the Clones (who assisted their new allies in the aftermath of the DDS attack) and at the end of the decade were undisputedly top dog...

So thats a possible scenario, its based on many assumptions of course. The Clones may have restricted their nukes to orbital targets, Firefly may have decided to accept the inevitable destruction. But it shows there is no easy answer to the problem of the Clone-Rectoid alliance. Its there and just has to be factored into future strategy i.e. get a hurry up with LRM!

As 2113 comes to an end...

Story #1985

A Peace Of The Action
Can the DDS get back behind their own lines? (Operation Pudding P2)

Dino Senate reshuffles

The return of Ronald and GBH from the Long Shot mission means they of course now return to the Dino Senate. Jimmy took over as Head of the Senate in Ronald's absence and Razorback was made a Senator as a temporary assignment. The return of the 2 icons has meant there has been a senate reshuffle.

Ronald has now resumed his role with Jimmy having Cruggson's Interior Ministry job. Cruggson has said he wanted to return to his engineering and technical roots and has taken up the new role as Minister of Science, Technology & Research. Razorback's rank of Senator has been made permanent though GBH has resumed the post of Minister of the DTA. Instead Razorback is now in the new role of Minister of Social Services, taking over part of his party colleague Spikeson's job who admitted he was only interested in the health part of his portfolio (more nurses).

Dinomark returns home

Operation Long Shot is over, escorted by the entire 6th Legion's space wing, Ronald's ship Dinomark has returned to Dino-Land after its year long mission of discovery. Ronald then visited the Dino Senate (officially resuming his role of the Head of the Senate) and addressed the Senate in an open session televised across the Dino Republic and beyond.

As for the crew of the Long Shot mission of course two died (Jau and Lingson) and both will be given military burials with full honours in the new year. Ronald has already issued promotions and reassignments to the other crew members though and these were as follows:

• Tribune Oeirkan has been promoted to Legate and will be the 6th Legion's new commanding officer.
• Centurion Galaxian will command the 1st Century of the 6th Legion.
• Centurion Bite has been promoted to Tribune and will be Oeikan's deputy.
• Decurion Krusty has been promoted to Centurion and will be Dinomark's new captain.
• Decurion Adamson will be Krusty's deputy on Dinomark.
• Legionary Jerry has been promoted to Centurion and will head the Dino scientific analysis into the new planets explored on the mission.
• Legionary Brunt is to look into reorganising underwater and marine portions of the 6th Legion.
• Charltonson and Verute, ex-Dino Army agents and fugitives who were found on a remote planet, have been pardoned by the Anointed One.

DDS ship shot at near Cloneworld

Reports are coming in of a DDS warship (said to be a Panther 35A) decloaking in orbit around Cloneworld. The strong orbital defences of the Clone homeworld immediately sprang into operation and began firing on the DDS ship which fled. Its not known why the DDS ship was there though both sides operate in each others' territories on spy missions.

The reason the DDS ship decloaked is unknown. The DDS refused to comment.

The DDS Christmas Quiz 2014

How much notice have you taken of the DDS this year? Take this quiz to find out if you are a SS Singles centrefold or the Apogee of Man.

1) Who is Emperor Melson's chief rival in the Bolitic Confederacy?
a) Erinthorn
b) Joshi
c) Ronald

2) Who did SFX have sex with much to Windy's disgust?
a) A woman
b) A Dino SS stormtrooper
c) Quarz

3) Which advanced Saurian faction destroyed a Tarbotian fleet?
a) Malanas Assembly
b) Sirikwan
c) Bolitic Confederacy

4) Which ex-Dino agent did Ronald find on a remote planet?
a) Megara
b) Bife
c) Gibson

5) Which major Clone figure died earlier in the year?
a) Sleeze
b) Herr Clone
c) Benito Clone

6) What is the name of the shadowy ancient cult which has menaced the Dinos and now the DDS?
a) The Green
b) The Bolitic
c) Acheron

7) Which Rim World planet came under the attention of the Tarbotians?
a) Charlotte
b) Melaris 12
c) Porquat 640

8) What was most notable about the Dino encounter with the IKA?
a) The IKA were powerful
b) The IKA did not show themselves being masters of illusion
c) The IKA were weaker than thought

9) What happened to the son of the UNP President which required DDS intervention?
a) He was captured by the Bolitic
b) He was caught in bed with Gibson
c) He was a Utrek spy

10) What was the code name of Ronald's year-long mission of exploration?
a) Slim Chance
b) Long Shot
c) No Hope

11) What planet were Team Quarz sent to to investigate "strange goings on"?
a) Dino-Land
b) Charlotte 6
c) Melaris 12

12) What did Ronald encounter on Omega Tau 61B?
a) The Bolitic
b) Space worms
c) Gibson naked

13) Who helped Terin with his plot to kill Benito?
a) The Dragon
b) Wolkapi
c) Megara

14) Which old enemy did Ronald encounter near the end of his mission?
a) The Bolitic
b) The Nazis
c) The Terrasaurs

15) What year were Megara and Dick Nose sent to by Future Guy in their final mission?
a) 2126
b) 3000
c) 2067

16) How did Windy fake his death?
a) Teleport accident
b) Explosion
c) Buried alive

17) What did the Repicans try to sell to the Utrek?
a) DDS military secrets
b) An abandoned secret Bolitic weapon
c) Gibson

18) Why did the Berkivs want to kill Ronald and his crew?
a) They don't like Dinos
b) Orders from the Bolitic
c) Jerry accidentally committed sacrilege

19) What did Acheron mind control make Salamander do?
a) Have a girlfriend
b) Shoot Windscorpion
c) Go to B&Q

20) How did Megara die?
a) Shot by Dick Nose
b) Nuclear explosion
c) Poisoned by chips

How did you do? All the answers can be found in this year's DDS comic stories or they are given below but no peeking please! Now what is your score, how do you rate?

0-5 - You will be spending 2014 oiled up and naked with a python doing photoshoots for SS Singles
6-10 - Henry will be using you as his training punchbag
11-16 - To the Arctic assault course with you, naked if your score was below 14
17-19 - MBH and his crew will take you for a beer later, you are paying. Warning, Real Doll drinks a LOT!
20 - Well hello there, are you either the Apogee of Man or the Anointed One?

Answers
1a 2b 3a 4b 5c 6c 7b 8b 9a 10b 11b 12b 13a 14c 15a 16a 17b 18c 19b 20b

Ronald addresses the Dinos

Dinomark is now close enough (just) for full asynchronous video communications. Ronald gave a short address to the Dinos which was watched by billions (though many watched it because the SS threatened a "fate worse than death" if they caught anyone watching Celebrity Bellydancing instead).

Ronald said that the Long Shot mission had been mixed, the Dinos know knew the reason for the lost colonies like the Bolitic and why many of them hate the Dinos but Ronald had been unable to make any new allies, though he said the ultra advanced Malanas Assembly could be friends one day. Ronald said a full debrief could wait until he returned to Dino-Land.

Ronald said there had been two fatalities on the mission. Legionary Lingson and SS-D Legionary Jau had both died in the line of duty and would be receiving full military honours. Two Dinos also joined the crew Ronald added, Ronald did not elaborate.

Dinomark is expected to reach Voth in a couple of days.

Story #1984

I'm The Champion
Captain Akbar is handed a secret mission deep into Clone space (Operation Pudding P1)

Ronald is returning!

The Voth are reporting that they have received a signal from Ronald's ship Dinomark which is returning from its year long exploration mission termed Operation Long Shot. Ronald's ship should reach Voth space by the end of the week and then reach Dino-Land by the end of the year. Full asynchronous communications should be available by the 24th.

In a short datagram Ronald said that there had been a couple of fatalities among the crew though 2 new crew members (Dinos discovered in uncharted space) had joined too. Ronald did not say anymore and that a full debrief will wait until he is on Dino-Land.

Ronald's son Smellyson and wife Meika are travelling to Voth to rendezvous with Dinomark.

First Walrus SSBN laid down

With the first Sealion nuclear attack submarine for the Clone Navy currently undergoing trials ahead of an entry into service next year the first nuclear ballistic missile submarine has been laid down. The Walrus is strategically the most important weapon currently under development by the Clones. It will eventually launch a development of CSM and, hidden in Cloneworld's vast oceans, will be the ultimate strike-back weapon against an aggressor.

Walrus is based on Sealion and will be able to carry 12 SLBMs, it is thought 6 will be CSM and the other SeaGale nuclear missiles able to strike back against an invading force. Walrus is not expected to enter service until 2117 at least. The CN will build 6. In other submarine developments the Clone Navy has also ordered a further 3 Seawolf conventional submarines to add to the 5 already in service.

CAF retire two long-serving transports

The Clone Air Force has withdrawn two transport types which have served with the CAF for years. The K86 Cargomaster (known through most of its career as the C-486) dates from the Clone Wars. A transonic transport capable of Mach 1.2 it fulfilled a useful role in rapid logistics though has always been rather expensive to run. The final 2 have now been retired and will go to museums.

The K37V (VC-370) Skybus VIP transport has also been withdrawn. It too has served the CAF well over a couple of decades. A third type is also due for withdrawal soon being the K20 Cargoster but the final 2 examples are now expected to remain in service until the Spring of 2114.

The replacement for the K37V and K20 is the K38 Skyshuttle, the CAF have added another 4 to their outstanding order for the type.

Story #1983

Final Long Shot
Can the Dinos escape the Terrasaurs and Terib-Kan? (Terra P8)

Story #1982

Time To Go Extreme
Ronald battles to survive (Terra P7)

DDS ship chased out of Clone space

A DDS warship, reported to be an Isometric 41A, has been chased out of Clone space after it crossed the border and headed towards Lomar. Two Cosmos CK cruisers intercepted the DDS ship and after firing warning shots the DDS ship then changed course and was escorted out of Clone space.

The Clones have protested the incursion and say they will strengthen their patrols along the border between the Clone Star Empire and DDS.

DDS announce breakthrough in cloak technology

Everyone knows there are (using DDS classifications at least) three types of cloaking device. The basic Level 1 Cloak masks a ship's emissions but still leaves a ship detectable by active scans. A Level 2 Cloak also defeats active scans, and a Level 3 Cloak allows for phasing through solid matter (though this is rather specialist and only available on a few ships).

All DDS warships have Level 2 Cloaks, they work great (some nations' cloaks are vulnerable to neutrino scatter but not the DDS') but the problem is they need a lot of power. A Panther 35A for example will need to use around 46% of its total power output to maintain such a cloak (a Level 1 would be much less, around 19%). This means not as much power is available for weapons and shields of course.

DDS Research however have just announced a breakthrough which they term the Level 2B Cloak. Stealth is as good as, if not better than, before but power consumption is said to be around 30% less. This is due to active particle detection and more efficient algorithms. Dr Forbidden said at a media conference, "The Level 2B is intelligent about how strong the cloak is and when, when there is no active detection agent nearby it reduces the cloak field and vice versa. This saves on power consumption."

The reduced power consumption also will also allow for these cloaks to operate for longer before they need to be re-calibrated. An Indy 35B is said to be field testing a prototype cloak now and it is hoped production models can be fitted from late next year.

Mira to be restored as Starsystems take bigger role

SS Mira is to be returned to service after being mothballed in 2111 as the Starsystem 91X fleet takes up a more active role in the DDS. DDS Commander Firefly is said to want a larger fleet and a larger presence on the DDS' borders but with the Terran Sea ILU programme and the delay in starting the Corkscrew 51A programme the DDS fleet will not increase notably until 2116 at least.

As a stop gap the Starsystem fleet is to be redesigned as the Starsystem 91B Medium Combat Ship (Training). The ships will remain primarily training ships but will also be available for combat patrols, mostly on less important patrol circuits, to release other ships like the Isometrics to more urgent duties. The ships have been renumbered but will not receive any equipment changes as they have been kept up to date and are still very potent warships. SS Mira is expected to be returned to service by the middle of next year.

• The Panther 35A Fleet Combat Ship is to receive a new mission module. The Panther, like all 4th generation warships, has the ability to extend its capability with mission modules though up until now only a tactical reconnaissance module has been developed. The Panther now also has a sigint/comint module. The Panther would use this when performing signal intelligence in hostile territory which the Marconi fleet cannot safely operate in, and also where a rapid response is needed. Three modules have been built by the DDS though none are thought to have been used yet.

Story #1981

White Out
Ronald escapes but the hunt is on! (Terra P6)

Fleet News (16/12/13)

• Two ships have been completed before the Christmas shutdown, the first is the final Olympus 23A carrier S230 Tharsis Tholus.
• The second ship is the latest Zephyr 76A oiler A185 Zodiac.
• The DDS have also begun to name its forthcoming Corkscrew 51A MCS though these will not come until 2115 at the earliest.
• An extra Friendship 75A has been ordered as the UNP governance contract has been extended.

Clones already working on mid-life K45C/K refresh

With the K45K just entering service and the first K45Cs for the Clone Air Force now in production attention is turning to "what next". The Clones have not said what their next generation of fighter will be though they have said that a mid-life production refresh of the type is planned for 2118-9.

The K45CE and K45KE (the E presumably for Enhanced) will be a further improvement of this already pretty unsurpassable fighter. The upgrade will include an augmented reality canopy, further enhancements to the active inertial dampening (which allows the plane to undertake manoeuvres that normally would kill the pilot) and an improved ECM sub-system.

The upgrade could also include "slave UAS", these are micro air vehicles (MAVs) launched and controlled automatically by the K45 to enhance its mission. Its not clear yet if the MAVs will be ready for the upgrade or may arrive later in the 2120s.

Clones denounce DDS intimidation

The Clones have denounced the DDS' aggressive response to the visit by the Rectoids as "toothless intimidation" and says it will not change any of the itinerary of the Rectoid visit. The Clones also said that maybe the DDS shouldn't be continuing to buy Clone built warships and aircraft if they are so against the Clones.

That point has also been picked up on by some UNP commentators though the truth is the DDS have already paid the bulk of their contracts with the Clones for landing ships and aircraft and stopping deliveries would just be a waste of money.

Wayne King-Meiouf : Is there substance behind the DDS rhetoric?

Professor Wayne King-Meiouf of the University of Proxima

The Rectoids are visiting their new best chums the Clones and Firefly is not happy. Considering the cost of the DDS-Rectoid War in the mid-2100s which saw millions of deaths on the DDS side and billions on the Rectoid this is not surprising. A Rectoid squadron in Clone space has the same resonance as a Utrek or Tarbot one would have.

But is there any substance behind the DDS rhetoric? Firefly has ordered ships to the border but if the Rectoids do not withdraw (and this looks unlikely) what then? Will he order an attack on the Clones? This is highly unlikely though some might say the time to attack would be now before the Clones could be augmented by Rectoid technology and numbers.

However the DDS is not in a position to launch into a major war just like that. The DDS is still officially rebuilding after the ABBO-Bolitic War though the strength of the DDS fleet has fully recovered. It would still take weeks to get the fleet ready for a sustained offensive and months to gear up for a major conflict.

So no an attack is unlikely, though the DDS need to try and get the Clones and Rectoids to think it is. How to do that? Thats the tricky one, and a test of Firefly's leadership. After the conclusion of the war, the increased Tarbot threat and the Windy death spiral Firefly was probably hoping for a quiet Christmas...

DDS ramp up the rhetoric

DDS Commander Firefly has threatened "serious consequences" if the Rectoids remain in Clone space. A squadron of Rectoid ships is visiting the Clone homeland and is expected to stay until the new year. However the DDS say this is unacceptable. "We still regard the Rectoids as a hostile state, having their ships within 10 light years of Proxima Centauri is against our security policies."

Firefly has ordered more ships bought to readiness, including a squadron of Quasar 15A strike bombers.

• Firefly has ordered the DDS alert status raised again, it now stands at AMBER.
• The Clone Navy say they will begin carrier operations with the K45K fighter next year (i.e. next month). The first squadron has gone operational with 8 of the planes (about half full strength) and 6 successful carrier take-offs and landings have now taken place with a full programme of tests continuing until the end of the year. CNSS Cloneworld will begin a cruise in late January with 4 of the planes embarked along with 8 K85NTKs.

DDS call on Rectoids to return to their own space

DDS Commander Firefly has ordered the DDS alert status to be increased one level to GREEN and has called upon the Rectoid squadron visiting Cloneworld to return to Rectoid space. Two Indy 35B warships have been diverted from the Rim Worlds sector to the DDS-Clone Star Empire border.

A Rectoid spokesrectoid on Cloneworld has said the presence of the Rectoid is "none of the DDS business" and that they would continue their mission as agreed with the Clones. Though later the Rectoids and Clones later made a joint announcement that the visit would be extended until the new year.

• The first of 4 intelligence gathering ships for the Clone Navy has entered service a few months early. The ship is one of a group of medium sized cargo vessels purchased by the CN earlier in the year. The ships (all of the same type, they were purchased cheaply from a bankrupt transport company) are 9,500 ton freighters which have been fitted out with intelligence gathering equipment, analysis rooms, a mainframe computer and a comprehensive communications suite. The ships have been fitted with a SA-N-6A battery and 2 20mm guns for self-defence. They have also been fitted with a helipad though have no hangar facilities and will not normally carry their own helicopter. The ships are to be known as the Albatross class. Much of the Albatross class is remaining classified, including their appearance, which is said to have not changed greatly from their commercial role - much of the new equipment and weapons being hidden by panels. 

Rectoid squadron visits Cloneworld

A squadron of Rectoid "mushroom" warships has visited Cloneworld as part of the growing ties between the Rectoids and the Clone Star Empire. The 5 ships will take part in exercises with Clone Space Navy warships and also there will be a chance for CSN officers to have tours of the Rectoid ships.

Interestingly the name of these iconic warships which caused the DDS so much trouble in the mid-2100s has been revealed finally by a Clone Defence Forces magazine. They were referred to as Mekit 5Bs.

197/7

The Passion
Do the Dinos have a new ally? Meanwhile Ronald reaches the end. (Terra P5)

Sirikwan order new ships, upgrades

Sirikwan have ordered an extra 2 Pentekonters (they have 5 on order already as well as 5 already in service). The new ships (and outstanding ships) will all be to the current Pentekonter Protecter 350 standard, the 5 existing ships will also be upgraded to bring the fleet up to a unified standard. The Sirikwanese will do this work themselves using kits and assistance provided by the DDS.

The long-delayed upgrade of Sirikwan's 6 Helwins will also begin next month. The upgrade to be performed by the DDS, dubbed Helwin ILU, will see the veteran ships given a full refurbishment and life extension to make they suitable for service until the late 2120s. They will also gain TPM launchers, receive other weapon and system upgrades and will have improved docking bays. The total cost of the new orders and upgrades contract is said to be worth about 2.7 billion zarks to the DDS.

Jimmy selected as Liberal candidate for next Consul election

Jimmy has been selected by the Liberal Party to be their candidate in next year's Consul election. With El Diablo currently in place the Liberals are keen to keep their hold on the top post in the Dino Republic (though in reality the Consul only shares power in a troika with Ronald and MBH).

The Health Minister Spikeson was the other Liberal possibility but he has decided to stay as a senator for now. Imperial Order will select their candidate when Ronald returns from his mission, though Cruggson is the only likely candidate.

DDS issue TPM advisory

DDS investigators on the damaged SS Foresight say the weapon bay explosion may have been due to a TPM activating before it had reached the firing position in the ship's launcher. The Freedom 41B MCS had been conducting combat exercises at the time of the explosion. Its DDS practice to push the firing rate of the TPM launcher to "beyond the maximum" in combat situations where every fraction of a second counts, missiles active microseconds early before the round reaches the launch rail so it can fire instantly it arrives on the rail.

It may be the missile that exploded on Foresight was activated a few microseconds too early so was not on the launch rail exactly when the motor ignited. DDS Engineering have issued an advisory to the fleet to not conduct any launches at this extreme firing rate until further investigations take place.

Dinos change policy on upgrades

Traditionally the Dinos have not undertaken major upgrades of the Dinomark XT fleet. Although ships do receive in-service upgrades major rebuilding projects like the DDS ILUs are unknown. XTs gradually become less up-to-date and get relegated to second-line roles, then support roles, then are sold on to the civilian reserve fleet (and eventually when they are too ancient leave even that).

Consul El Diablo has signalled a change in policy. 80 older XTs will be upgraded to a new Dinomark XT/122M standard from next year. The Mark 122M will be similar to the current new-build Mark 120 and will have W2B worm drive, the latest Solarburst revision engine and full weapon and sensor updates. El Diablo said this would be far more cost-effective than simply replacing with new build (which will continue, likely at a slower rate) and would increase the number of worm-drive equipped ships in the fleet. The Consul said he wants the whole Dinomark fleet to be worm-drive equipped by 2118.

Foresight towed to Raegris Central District

The stricken DDS warship M123 Foresight is being towed to a repair facility in the Raegris Central District following an assessment by a DDS Engineering team who arrived at the ship earlier today. The bodies of the 3 crew who died in the explosion in the weapons bay and 5 of the 6 injured are being taken to DDS City on Proxima 7.

SS Foresight is said to not be in a safe condition to reinitialise main power due to the damage caused to the ship's power grid by the explosion. The large hole in the hull also will need to be repaired before it can return to the DDS under its own power. DDS Engineering plan to patch Foresight up and then complete the repairs at Solaris.

The cause of the accident is still being investigated. DDS Engineering are looking into the possibility of a TPM being accidentally fired while still in the weapons bay. SS Foresight had been running combat drills at the time of the accident.

Freedom ship suffers fatal accident

The DDS are reporting that the Freedom 41B MCS M123 Foresight has suffered an accident in which 3 crewmen were killed and 6 others injured. The DDS are not reporting what happened but a Raegris source says there was an explosion in Foresight's weapons bay. A large hole has been blown in the ship's hull (2 of the deaths are said to be from being ejected into space).

The DDS say Foresight instigated a CODE 4G PURPLE emergency response procedure which involves a full reactor shut down and non-essential crew sent to escape pods for immediate ejection. However following emergency recovery work the immediate danger to the ship has passed and a CODE 7H RED procedure has begun instead, in this crew are bought back from the pods and the ship is put on secure lockdown pending assistance. A Raegris ship is reported to have arrived on scene (thus Foresight may have been patrolling near Raegris space). Two DDS ships are also en route and are expected to arrive soon.

DDS Terrestrial Forces to form "space marines"

Following on from ISSF's creation of 3 space combat orientated Prowler units (which will become operational early next year) DDS Terrestrial Forces is to also have troops trained in space combat. The 1st Infantry Brigade will have a Space Reconnaissance Company from late 2114 or early 2115.

The SRC will work with the ISSF's Space Prowlers (an unofficial name but one which seems to be sticking) in providing shipboard protection, supporting counter-terrorism and guarding DDS spaceports. The eventual aim is for there to be a separate "Space Infantry Brigade" though this is unlikely before the end of the decade.

197/6

On The Hunt
Ronald battles for his life against Rumble (Terra P4)

197/5

Death Toll
Ronald is taken to Terrasauria (Terra P3)

Clones detail warship upgrades

The Clones have published some details of their forthcoming Soulaki SLM unified standard battlecruiser and its new-built Molentic Tuul MTM2 cruisers. The Soulaki SLM will bring the whole fleet up to SLBK standard though with the latest versions of some components and systems so will be improved overall. All ships will also receive refurbishment and strengthening to enable their operation until the late 2130s at least. It is thought that more extensive Soulaki upgrades will wait until Rectoid technology can be integrated into them.

The Molentic Tuul MTM2 will be enhanced however over the existing MTM. Its cannons will be upgraded to triple-phase (based on the Soulaki weapons) and it will have a modest fuselage plug and internal reorganisation to allow for a much greater missile load. It will be able to carry CSM-S on wing pylons and also internally. The earlier MTMs are likely to bought up to MTM2 standard at a later date.

Clones announce ambitious "Plan 2120Space"

The Clone Space Navy has announced an ambitious plan (dubbed Plan 2120Space) to upgrade its fleet for the 2120s. The plan, intended to invest heavily in the space fleet could cost over 25 billion zarks in total though that will be spread out over 8-10 years. The plan includes new ships and upgrades to existing ships in the front line, support and transport fleets.

The plan includes the following, some details are yet to have been finalised :

• Upgrade of the 18 Soulaki SL to a new standard based on the SLBK, SLBs will also be upgraded. All ships will receive some form of upgrade as the fleet is standardised to the SLM standard.
• As previously rumoured 20 new reverse-engineered Molentic Tuuls will be built to the upgraded MTM2 standard. Details TBA.
• An extra 15 Cosmos CG added to the existing order.
• The Cosmos CK and Kalahati Tuul KTS fleets to receive an upgrade, again details TBA. All remaining Cosmos CA (about 20 ships) will also receive the CK rebuild.
• 6 more Loader TYC transports ordered.
• Shark production will be increased though the existing order will not be increased at this stage.
• Some orbital bases and stations will receive defence and communication upgrades.
• A new research base will be set up on the Rectoid home world to help integrate Rectoid technology into Clone systems (this base is already under construction on Recta).
• A space combat version of CSM-S will be developed, details of this are scant but it is thought it will be a nuclear weapon designed to attack orbital stations or fleet concentrations.

Other Fleet News (02/12/13)

• The Dinos have built a Dinomark PT and XT for their own fleet. 
• The Bolitic are reported to have built 2 Meltinans.
• Putri 500 have received their first Olympus Mons UCV carrier, the first export Olympus delivered.
• After a barren period the Clone Space Navy has received 2 new Cosmos CG cruisers and 2 new Freighter TYA transports, a Nerval TYB has also been withdrawn.
• Porquat 640 have received an Extender 120 oiler.

DDS announce 350 million zarks in contracts for GHQ

The DDS has signed off on about 350 million zarks worth of contracts to cover the next year's building up of the new GHQ on Helnikan Island. Among the projects funded for 2114 are a second runway at Central Air Base and metro extensions to the ISSF HQ and Henkly Point. Work on a heliport at Yendal is also expected to begin for completion in 2115.

Improved roads from Ren's Bay to the air base and to the Quentin Hills are also planned. GHQ's TPM-G sites will also receive an upgrade for the forthcoming TPM-ABM.

"DDS Airlines" begins operations

A regular shuttle service between the main spaceport on Proxima 5 (Camacote Spaceport) and DDS GHQ has begun, what has been dubbed by the media as "DDS Airlines". The shuttle runs every 2 hours during the day and every 3 hours at night, flights operated by the C-380 regional airliner. As the DDS only have 3 of 10 on order some flights are also operated by chartered civilian airlines.

Although much work remains to be done the new GHQ on Helnikan Island is already a hive of activity. ISSF have now moved all of their HQ functions there from DDS City.

Clones reverse engineering Molentic Tuul

The Clones are reported to be building their own Molentic Tuul space cruisers, reverse engineering the Utrek type as they did with the Kalahati Tuul. Its not thought if they will try and update the design of their own built ships (as they did with the Kalahati Tuul 2). One source states funding has been agreed for 20 of these new ships.

The Clones are working with the Rectoids and may try and incorporate Rectoid technology or at least experience in their design (the Rectoids have experience fighting the Utrek). The Utrek reaction is unknown but if the experience of the Kalahati Tuul is any guide they do not seem to be bothered about this sort of thing.

DDS releases very different star map

The DDS have released version 4.0 of their star map which shows star systems in local space covering a span of around 400 light years from left to right. This new map is radically different however as it does not attempt to accurately portray the astral position of stars but instead uses a schematic system to show the distribution of systems belonging to the various factions.

The map links systems using major space lanes (or an approximation of). The DDS say the old map was becoming increasingly cluttered and unwieldly, this new map is said to be much clearer and future proof and will include supplementary information in later updates.

197/4

Old Fiends
GBH has to fight for his life (Terra P2)

197/3

Demons Of The Past
Ronald encounters an old enemy (Terra P1)

Operation Winter Candle 2113

Operation Winter Candle 2113 is both the last DDS exercise of the year and the last under the current monthly schedule, next year the DDS will concentrate on 4 larger exercises. The last Winter Candle is a special forces orientated exercise and will include simulated ship boardings by Prowler units (on one of the DDS' ex-Bolitic Helwins) and a counter-terrorism event.

DDS Territorial Forces observers will be on-hand to feed in ideas for the DDS' new Space Marine force which is currently under development. The ships to be deployed in Winter Candle are:

A303E Braun (flag)
H161 Solaris
M164 Sea Of Fertility
X131T Alpha Centauri
A184 Zealous

• DDS Commander Firefly has agreed to a request from the DDS Logistical Corps for a further increase in the size of the transport fleet to match an ever increasing need for capacity. Three more Provider 71As will be built by the Raegris for the DDS, the first has been added to the current Ship Building Plan (so will be built early next year, one of the ships on the jig will likely be reallocated to the DDS) and the other 2 will be added to next year's plan.

Wayne King-Meiouf : The new DDS/Clone battleground

Professor Wayne King-Meiouf of the University of Proxima

So we know then what the new battleground between the DDS and the Clone Star Empire will be for the next decade and beyond. It will be a battle between interstellar missiles and missile defences. Its a high-stakes battle too.

A few years ago the Clones had a "Eureka" moment. They knew they were too far behind the DDS in space technology to catch any time soon and their massive land and air weapon advantage was largely irrelevant. The DDS could sweep their fleet aside and then attack Cloneworld from orbit.

The Clones therefore needed the means of fighting back, a new weapon that could give them a vital advantage and deter DDS aggression (as they see it, the DDS are unlikely to ever attack the Clones to be honest but of course decades of religious indoctrination has made the majority of Clones fear they are going to be personally sexually assaulted by Windscorpion at any time). The Clone Space Missile was that new weapon.

It was a brilliant idea, a missile that can be launched from Cloneworld, can travel through space under cloak, and then hit DDS targets with nuclear warheads. You can tell its a brilliant idea as both the DDS and DTA are working on their own equivalents.

The Clones are putting a huge effort into enhancing CSM's survivability, accuracy and flexibility. The missiles will soon use the cloaking device built into the space stage during the rocket stage. At the moment this is pretty pointless because of the large IR signature of the hot rocket exhaust but the Clone cold rocket technology, plus aerodynamic enhancements to minimise wake will make the missile very hard to detect during its boost stage, and thats really when its at its most vulnerable.

The next version of CSM will also be launchable from submarines and (we think) road mobile launchers. The Clones will make it almost impossible to stop a CSM counterattack even if the DDS have destroyed the Clone fleet and much of the military infrastructure on Cloneworld.

So now the attention is being focussed on intercepting the missiles when they are on their final attack runs to the targets. TPM-ABM is just the first of an enhanced layered space defence of key DDS positions. The fighter launched TPM-A will also have upgrades to help intercept incoming warheads and the DDS are also working on other more advanced technologies too (which are very secret right now).

Here is where the focus is though, a struggle of wits between Clone missiles and DDS defences, expect a lot of work, time and zarks spent on this over the years to come.

TPM-G upgrades to combat CSM

The DDS have announced a series of upgrades to its ground-launched TPM variant, the TPM-G. The missile will be receiving a new booster, enhanced data linking capabilities and an improved seeker. The upgrades are known as TPM-ABM and are intended to act as a last line of defence against incoming missiles launched from "space or another terrestrial body". In other words CSM.

TPM-ABM rounds will be compatible with existing TPM-G launchers and it is expected, when the missile is rolled out from next year, defensive positions at key points of the DDS such as DDS GHQ and DDS City will operate the missile as part of their defence mix.

Cruggson intends to stand for Consul next year

Senator Cruggson has said he will stand as Imperial Order's candidate in next year's Consul election for the 2115-6 period of office. He said it had already been agreed with Ronald, the party leader, before the Anointed One went off on his year long expedition.

"Its time Imperial Order returned to the top table." Cruggson told a meeting of party members in Baeou. The popular Cruggson is sure to be a strong candidate though most observers regard the Dino Republic Consul as only part of a ruling troika which also includes Ronald and MBH.

CAF give go-ahead for K3 Pterodactyl

The Clone Air Force have given the go-ahead to CAC to develop and build 5 prototypes of a new advanced trainer to prepare pilots for the K45C. The K3 Pterodactyl (as it will apparently be named) could be developed fairly quickly as CAC have already conducted design studies into trainers of its type (LIFT).

A CAF source says that 120 K3s could be ordered, the fleet shared with the Clone Naval Air Service. An entry into service of 2116 is being pencilled in.

• Another new CAF type, the proposed light close-support attack aircraft has been allocated the type code K58. This does not mean it will definitely be built but having a type code assists with admin and planning.

197/2

The End Of The Future
Future Guy is unmasked at last, can he be stopped? (Echoes P4)

197/1

Unholy Alliance
Megara joins forces with 74Solar (Echoes P3)

Infinity has EA-X 2.0

Yesterday the singleton test ship SS Infinity (also a highly capable Fleet Combat Ship of course) joined the fleet. The ship is already notable by being the first Type 35 fitted with a Z7 Zip cannon but DDS Research are also reporting that the ship is fitted with a prototype version of EA-X 2.0.

EA-X is an energy absorbent layer applied to a ship hull which can absorb a surprising amount of energy fired at it from directed energy weapons. Version 2.0 of this technology can recycle the absorbed energy back into the ship's power grid. Capacitor banks fitted throughout the ship store the energy which can then be used by the ship's weapon systems like the Z7. "Enemies will find their own weapon energies fired back at them!" a DDS Research spokesman said.

EA-X 2.0 will be evaluated over the next year and is hoped to begin rolling out to the rest of the fleet by the end of 2114.

Fleet News (18/11/13)

• H131X Infinity has joined the fleet as the sole Infinity 35X trials ship, though will also be available as a regular Fleet Combat Ship too. Initially the Infinity will help develop technology for the Kinetic 45C class before moving onto the Panther ILU at the end of the decade. The Infinity's baseline is that of the Indy 35B though it has extra test and sensor equipment fitted.
• A565F Jennifer has been withdrawn bringing to an end the service of the original Coril in the DDS fleet after 20 years, the type has served since the DDS' earliest days though lives on with the reverse engineered Coril 86Bs. Like the other last few Corils SS Jennifer has been preserved.
• SS Arafura Sea and SS Solomon Sea have completed their upgrade and conversion to the unified Mediterranean Sea 43G standard. These are the first of the Arafura Sea 43C ships to undergo the conversion.

DDS to concentrate on just 4 exercises next year

The DDS are to stop having monthly training exercises and instead concentrate on 4 larger exercises next year. The 4 exercises will have a more "multi-spectrum" approach with as many parts of the DDS included as possible. For example Atomic Fist 2114 will, as well as the core strategic attack mission, include mock combats, cyber warfare, special forces and minesweeping missions.

The schedule for 2114 is therefore (primary mission objective given) :

• Ground Shock 2114 (March) - ground attack, amphibious
• Atomic Fist 2114 (June) - strategic attack
• Civilian Partnership 2114 (September) - relief, humanitarian
• Northern Project 2114 (December) - full-spectrum mock "war"

The special forces exercise Winter Candle 2113 will take place as scheduled next month but then from January 1st the DDS will switch to the new schedule a DDS spokeswoman said.

SS-10 also uses cold flame

A Clone Army source has confirmed that the new SS-10 IRBM also uses the new "cold flame" rocket technology announced yesterday as used by the SS-11 SRBM. The innovative technology reduces IR signature by 80% and the Clones hope further developments will reduce it further. One unnamed source says that the Clones are also working on cold plasma cycles for parts of the rocket frame to cover kinetic hot spots too.

This is to help the development of the Clone Space Missile, version 2 of the missile (which will be introduced with the sea-launched version atop SeaGale) is designed to be highly stealthy to help the missile evade interception during its launch phase.

The Gale-III SS-5 ICBM is to also receive the cold flame rocket (it is the basis of the launch phase of CSM in any case). A source says Gale-IIIB SS-5B missiles could enter service around 2118.

Clones introduce another new missile

Following on from their new IRBM the SS-10 the Clone Army has also introduced into service a new short range ballistic missile (SRBM) the SS-11. The missile has a range of about 1100km and is fully road-mobile. Like the SS-10 it can carry conventional and nuclear warheads and may also use the same MAV guidance data link capability. The Clones are not commenting on this but the missile uses the same guidance and communication module of the SS-10 so it seems likely.

The SS-11 is solid fuelled and uses a highly innovative "cold flame" rocket technology. The chemical composition of the fuel is a special formula that can produce a low-heat chemical jet reaction. The infra red signature of the missile is 80% less than a conventionally fuelled one. This technology is being developed as part of the stealth suite for developments of CSM and SS-11 is likely to be helping develop the technology.

Wayne King-Meiouf : The numbers game

Professor Wayne King-Meiouf of the University of Proxima

Its been some time since we have analysed the DDS combat fleet so i thought it would be interesting to see where the DDS is now with its 5 types of combat ship, where numbers are projected to be with current production up to 2120 and where they could be at the end of the following decade.

Type	2113	2116	2120	2130?
Bomber	8	14	20	20
Carrier	19	20	20	20
FCS	46*	43*	51	60
MCS	48	53	70	106
Patrol/MCM	46	47	47	47

* Includes the Remedian Perimpaz 39A ships which are listed as Fleet Combat Ships for political reasons though will be replaced by Corkscrew 51A Medium Combat Ships

As can be seen the bomber and carrier fleets are expected to reach equilibrium by the end of the decade with combat ships of the fleet and medium types expected to increase, the latter greatly thanks to Corkscrew. Although no ships are expected at the moment after the Kinetic FCS is built later in the decade i am sure the DDS will want to increase their larger combatants.

The Patrol and MCM fleet is an interesting question, the DDS will need more minesweepers at some stage so i suspect they may convert some of their Rome 46As into MCM ships. We could see more bombers in the next decade though this is quite a niche role that can be supported by other types like the Indy 35B so a fleet of more than 20 may be considered excessive.

More carriers are a possibility though the DDS may achieve this through a gradual increase in their amphibious assets which can also serve in this role.

The trend for the DDS is the great increase in the number of MCS, this already is the workhorse of the DDS fleet and the Corkscrew will be a very flexible asset that can serve in a large number of roles and situations.

DDS receive new tanks

The DDS have received the first of their new standard tank developed and built by their in-house land weapons manufacturer Sanger Municipal Arms (SMA). Ten T-62Ys have been delivered to a DDS Terrestrial Forces trials unit and the type is expected to enter service next year. SMA will build 250 of the tanks to supplement the ex-HCS tanks currently in service. Further tank orders are expected to allow the DDS to move to a standard fleet in the 2120s.

The Free Eritran States are also eyeing the tank as they seek to build their land forces, a Molabite team has joined the Terrestrial Forces unit to observe the tank being put through its paces.

• The Clone Navy has placed an order for 2 landing ships to assist with anti-piracy operations. The 12,000 ton LSDs are expected to enter service in early 2115.

Clones considering new "cheap" close-support aircraft

The Clone Air Force is reported to be considering a new close-support aircraft to fill the gap between the K84 Bombardier, a large tactical bomber, and the K85 Browning COIN aircraft. Currently this gap can be filled by the K40 and K45 fighters but the CAF wants a dedicated aircraft that can provide tactical ground support in the same vein as the DDS NDAA or the Dino K-18.

The as-yet unnamed aircraft would be developed using low-risk and established technology and off-the-shelf components like the recent K47 light fighter. It would be designed to be cheap to build and maintain and allow the CAF to withdraw more of its ageing K84s which are highly capable but also rather expensive to run and overkill in many circumstances.

• The DDS has received the first of a planned 6 RP-30 Canada Goose seaplanes. They will be part of the maritime patrol around DDS GHQ on Helnikan Island. Their main role will be reconnaissance and patrol though will also have basic anti-shipping as well as air-sea rescue as part of their portfolio. The type is expected to enter full service early next year.
• The lead ship of the new Warrior 16A bomber fleet has now been completed and has begun extended trials. It is expected to enter service in mid-2114.

Main tower at DDS City named Windy Tower

The largest building at DDS City on Proxima 7, which used to house the DDS Politburo and other command functions before GHQ moved to Proxima 5, has been renamed Windy Tower in honour of the former legend who died recently. The building is suitably in the fashional "phallic" style and is said to have loomed over the rest of the massive base like a "huge phallus".

DDS Commander Firefly said he could think of nothing more suitable to commemorate his brother. Windy Tower houses the DDS City command functions, a back-up DDS GHQ facility and core communications suites.

• The first of an expected 10 K48T Vulture multi-engined trainers has entered service with the Clone Air Force. The K48T is a modified and refurbished version of old K48 Cargolifter  transports and will be used to train pilots in flying larger and multi-engined aircraft.

196/6

One Hour
Megara goes off-script (Echoes P2)

196/5

Take Me Down
Megara and Dick-Nose are sent into the future (Echoes P1)

DDS to have fewer, larger exercises

DDS Commander Firefly has ordered the DDS to cease the practice of a monthly military exercise and instead concentrate resources for 4 quarterly exercises. The reason being he feels the exercises are often too specialised and the DDS needs to learn how to use specialist skills together in conjunction instead of developing them in a vacuum.

To that end an amended schedule for 2114 will be published soon, the three big exercises of the current calendar will survive (Ground Shock, Atomic Fist and Civilian Partnership) and be joined by a new exercise that involves as much of the DDS capability spectrum as possible (Northern Project could be used as the template).

Operation Northern Project 2113

The 2113 edition of the DDS' main joint-exercise with the Raegris has just begun. It will include mock-combat, tactical reconnaissance, mine warfare and special forces scenarios. Most of the action will take place near Nemoska in Raegris space. The DDS ships involved are :

S203 Musketeer (flag)
H101 Panther
H129 Impregnable
M171 Mediterranean Sea
M125 Forward
M113 Precambian (MCM flag)
K201M Thucydides
K205M Pindar
K212M Xerxes
A203E Morse (SF flag)
A111 Forwarder
A161 Alkane
A226 Elbe

Extender ILU to begin

The Provider ILU has now been completed with all of the DDS' core transport ships fitted with a number of upgrades and improvements including TPM-VLS. The 28 strong Extender oiler / transport fleet will now undergo a similar upgrade and refurbishment programme.

As well as TPM-VLS the Extenders will be fitted with the engine evolution, a HS-740B-JX, as fitted to the Providers. Top speed will increase also to 575c. Tactical and security systems will be enhanced and cargo handling equipment will be improved. Refuelling systems naturally will also be upgraded.

The ships will also undergo a full "health check" and refurbishment which should give the ships 7-8 years more service until the next major upgrade. Each ILU should take 2-3 weeks per ship and will be undergone over the next 12 months as part of the normal maintenance cycle.

CDF View : What this tells us about the Rectoids

Keith Remadra, former chief advisor to the UNP Security Council on Clone affairs 

The massive arms deal between the Clones and the Rectoids has risen many eyebrows (not that Clones have eyebrows) but one thing struck me as i analysed the details of the sale.

Not about the Clones, who will benefit from such a huge injection of cash and work, but from the Rectoids. First of all lets recap what we know about the order, it was for Kelsan KS bombers, Nybble NL drones and CSM (both the space and land launched versions). There are some other minor items included in the same but the bulk of the sale involves these systems.

To me it screams that the Rectoids are short of people. Most of the weapons are either drones or missiles. The losses of the DDS war of course ran into the billions so it is likely that the Rectoids are short of manpower for their military hence the need to force multiply in this way. When it comes to a conflict involving the Rectoids this needs to be taken into account. How many further losses can the Rectoids take right now?

Wayne King-Meiouf : Could the Eritrans do something rash?

Professor Wayne King-Meiouf of the University of Proxima

News of the defence pact and arms sales between the Clones and the Rectoids are a nightmare for the Free Eritran States. Their military strategy has been to build up forces to defend again Clone incursions (and even one day liberate the former Eritran Trade Federation worlds which now forms the bulk of the CSE-E - not that anyone will say that openly of course!)

Although the Utrek are a looming threat too the FES have chosen to largely ignore this, and wisely in my view as an attack from the Utrek would be unstoppable for a force as big as the FES so there is not much point in wasting resources in that direction apart from a few token patrols and surveillance stations.

Now however the FES face a threat from their other flank, they are the filling in a Clone-Rectoid sandwich. The FES could ignore the Rectoids too of course but it is likely the Clones will place some of their forces there too.

Faced with this strategic nightmare i understand there are genuine worries in the DDS that the FES may decide waiting will just make their situation worse and they should strike the Clones now. They probably have enough forces to punch through the relatively weak CSE-E line actually. Contrary to some rumours (mostly of Clone propaganda origin) the DDS can't "turn off" the TPMs and other goodies they have given the FES though they may stop sharing information.

There isn't a huge amount the DDS could do to stop the FES if they decided to embark on such an adventure, the best they could do is advise the Eritrans against it. While the FES possess the forces to storm into CSE-E space what then? The FES possess little ground attack weaponry and no amphibious capability (and not much of a land force in any case). The Clones could simply wait it out for the FES to run low on supplies or reinforcements from CSE-W came. Indeed the Clones would be best off letting the FES through into their space unopposed and relying on static defence of their orbital facilities (which are pretty strong).

Logically attacking the Clones is totally wrong but of course desperate people can lose track of logic. The DDS need to do something to reassure the Eritrans and fast before that desperation runs out of control.

Oojok and Rectoid leader meet

Oojok and the Rectoid leader, President-Facilitator Yoko982, have met on Petric a planet in the mid-point between the two halves of the Clone Star Empire. The meeting took place yesterday but had only been reported now due to the high level of security.

As expected Oojok and Yoko982 signed a mutual defence pact, a diplomatic agreement and a huge arms deal. The pact will see both the CSE and Rectoids grant full refuelling and repair rights to the other's ships at any of their facilities. Both sides will also able to establish two ground based stations somewhere in the other's territory. One Rectoid station is expected to be on Randalf 74, its purpose is unknown but it is likely to be an intelligence gathering station.

The arms deal is huge. The Rectoids have bought 35 Kelsan KS bombers, 250 CSM-S missiles, 60 CSM ground based missiles and full specifications to establish their own CSM and CSM-S manufacturing capabilities. The value of this order is said to be about 18 billion zarks though about 2.3 billion of this will be offset by Rectoid technology transfer to the Clones including particle weapons and phasic shielding. The Rectoids will also be getting some other Clone weapons including Nybble NL drones but no breakdowns of these are available.

Oojok has hailed the deal and the pact as being vital to the future security of the CSE, and it is hard to argue with that.

196/4

Obvious To All Dudes
Can civil war in the Bolitic Confederacy be averted? (Betrayal P4)

Clones planning to build CSM silos on Lomar

In an about-face to recent policy to only locate the CSM interstellar strategic weapon on Cloneworld Oojok has agreed a 340 million zark project to survey, locate and prepare for a number of silos on Lomar. No CSM silos will be built as yet but all the preparatory work will be done a CDF source has said.

CSMs based on Lomar would be able to target the core DDS/UNP worlds as well as New Jakarta which is just out of range of Cloneworld based missiles. No other targets are viable though which indicates the Lomar CSMs are being considered as insurance. A DDS source said he was not concerned by the move, "We know they have done this on some other planets already, its prudent for them to have options."

The DDS' own LRM-100 system is not due to enter service until 2120.

Other Fleet News (01/11/13)

• The Dinos have completed a Dinomark PT and Provider MX for their own fleet and built a Dinomark XT for Sirikwan.
• The Bolitic are reported to have lost 2 Snarls in some kind of internal conflict though a new Meltinan has been built, one report states 2 old Helwins and 2 old Meltinans have been found and bought into the imperial fleet though they will need updating.
• Molab have received 2 Pentekonter ME minesweepers, which are operated as the FES MCM Pool.

Ronald nears home

The Dinos have said they have received a hyperlaser message from Ronald's "Long Shot" exploration. Dinomark is now returning to home space and is expected to reach the edge of the DTA in a few weeks.

The Dinos reported that there have been a couple of casualties on the voyage though the crew has been filled out by 2 Dinos who were found hundreds of light years away.

New Clone MAV said to work with SS-10

DDS sources are reporting a top-secret new Micro Air Vehicle (MAV) is being fielded by the Clones as part of the SS-10 IRBM weapon system. The name of the MAV is unknown but is it highly advanced. It is said to be the size of a large insect and made mostly from transparent plastic. That plus a near silent duct fan propulsion means it is virtually undetectable.

The MAV operates after being launched near a future target of the SS-10 missile, such as a tank column or even an individual vehicle. The MAV is "tagged" with the target and then can stay within close proximity of the target (using a random flightpath to aid stealth) for up to 96 hours using a combination of a micro-plutonium powerpack and solar cells.

When a SS-10 missile approaches the target (within 100km) it emits a signal which the MAV detects, the MAV then begins transmitting course correcting data to the missile allowing the already highly accurate missile to hit even a fast moving target.

How the MAV is initially activated and delivered near the target is unknown but it could be done by special forces or even another larger drone which acts as a mothership.

Clone Army to field new generation of IRBMs

The Clone Army has accepted into service a new IRBM, the SS-10. The missile is an evolution of the SS-4 Gale-II strategic weapon (which was replaced by the current SS-5 Gale-III a few years ago) but also includes elements from the Clone Navy's long range missile the SS-N-9. Its range is not being revealed by the Clones but it is thought to be around 3500km.

SS-10 is fully road mobile (the vehicle known as the J110) and is part of the Clone Defence Forces' "fight back" philosophy. In the event of an invasion of Cloneworld SS-10 units would be dispersed and heavily camouflaged and used to strike back against enemy positions. A range of warheads can be carried including nuclear. The Clone Army will operate 500 SS-10 launcher vehicles and hold a stockpile of 750 missiles with deliveries beginning before the end of the year.

DDS refuse to comment on Clone-Rectoids

DDS Commander Firefly refused to be drawn on questions about the looming Clone-Rectoid alliance at his latest media briefing. Later on Knobhead tweeted that "who the Clones get into bed with is up to them" and the DDS are trying to portray an air of indifference. However the DDS Politburo is rumoured to be meeting in a couple of days to discuss it.

Firefly has reduced the DDS alert status to CYAN and stood down the DDS Territorial Forces from its increased level of preparation. This is in response to an easing of tensions with the Dinos.

196/3

Off Balance
Dodek launches a rescue mission for his master (Betrayal  P3)

Wayne King-Meiouf : Rectoid Roundtable

Professor Wayne King-Meiouf of the University of Proxima

The news of the link up between the Clones and Rectoids is one of the biggest news stories of the year so i decided i would bring together my fellow analysts on this site, Keith Remadra (Clones) and Dralson (Dinos) to discuss it.

Wayne King-Meiouf : Now be honest, neither of you could have predicted this in your wildest dreams.

Keith Remadra : Indeed so as i said in my comment piece, its extra ordinary.

Dralson : Yes i agree, though i did think the Clones would have to do something bold because of the looming Eritran threat.

WKM : Yes the pressure was starting to mount on the Clones, i had heard rumblings in the army that the Eritrans had to be faced down. Oojok was starting to feel the need to act though we all thought it would just be a re-militarisation of the weak CSE-E.

KR : No one considered the Rectoids, they are a voice of the past it seemed. Although we're only talking 8-10 years ago of course, it seems like an eternity since they were battling the DDS.

DR : Is this about the DDS more than the Clones do you think, is this the first step in an eventual Rectoid strategy to fight back against the DDS. The Rectoids have a lot to avenge of course, the near extinction of their home planet!

KR : Ironically though if some sources are to be believed Megara was responsible for the billions of deaths on Recta and he was a HCS agent, although by 2105 his allegiances are vague.

DR : Yes there have been rumours about the ODS being his handlers by then, and behind him being on the DDS mission into Rectoid space. However he acted on his own bat in the end.

WKM : I suspect the name Megara will not be mentioned at the summit between Oojok and the Rectoid leader [laughter]. I'm not sure its 100% about the DDS but the Rectoids likely do want to get involved in local space again. Could this bring the other 7 Sa Sao into the Clone orbit too? Keith?

Rectoid ships

KR : Thats the billion zark question. Of course up until now the only Clone dealings with the 7SS was their war against the Xenon. I understand the Xenon are a rather fringe faction in the 7SS whom even the other factions do not like that much. The Argon could be interested, they have had their beef with the DDS before too.

DR : This must be the nightmare scenario for the DDS. They've begun gearing up for a war with the Tarbotians, the only likely enemy they thought in the short to medium term and now the Rectoids and maybe other 7 Sa Sao have entered the mix. Will this change the DDS focus Wayne?

WKM : Possibly but not for awhile, the DDS are investing heavily in defences against the Tarbotians. Multi-billion zark projects can't be stopped and moved just like that. I think they will consider this new threat but will risk it being more a medium term issue.

KR : I think it is a medium term issue, the Rectoids from what i can gather are still rebuilding after the DDS war. They won't be in any position to threaten the DDS militarily for a good 5-8 years yet. However our data of the Rectoids is often scant and based on fifth or sixth or more parties. Maybe they are stronger than we think, its hard to know. Ironically a link up with the Clones will help open up the Rectoids, i'm sure the DDS and Dino intelligence services are already dusting off all of their Clone contacts and targets.

WKM : Finally how much should the DDS be concerned by a Clone-Rectoid alliance?

Rectoid

DR : The Eritrans must be the most concerned though the DDS too. You know when i left the Dino Army in 2101 a friend of mine told me i really should visit the UNP and gave me a list of things to see, one of them was the Sulphur Range on New Britannia...

KR : Yes, though the destruction of New Britannia was probably something that was going to happen sooner or later because of the geological flaws in the planet which the Rectoids exploited. That is another example of their danger though, no one knew about the planet's flaws, not even the millions who lived on it. The Rectoids are a danger and their proximity to the DDS will be a looming strategic threat. Not one the DDS has to lose too much sleep at the moment but it is definitely one that will feature heavily in the late 2110s and into the next decade.

DR : I should add, the Dinos need to be concerned too. The Rectoids got involved with the mysterious Cabal on Dino-Land in the last decade and tried to detonate nuclear weapons under major Dino cities. We've all got something new to worry about!

WKM : Thank you my friends, i think that is something everyone can agree with.

CDF View : This changes everything

Keith Remadra, former chief advisor to the UNP Security Council on Clone affairs 

In a galaxy thats increasingly porous secrets and intelligence wise the news of talks and diplomatic relations between the Clones and Rectoids came as a genuine shock to everyone. There were not even any rumours of rumours of such talks taking place. This indicates the vital importance Oojok places on the link-up with the Rectoids, he likely only involved enough people that you could count on a frostbitten hand.

What i am hearing now is that a mutual defence pact and arms sales to the Rectoids are in the bag and will be formally announced when Oojok meets the Rectoid leader (time and place total secret at the moment). The arms sales will be juicy, one contact told me it could be in the tens of billions. What the Rectoids are buying is unknown but the operators of the factory that makes CSM and CSM-S has just put up a lot of job vacancies...

The mutual defence pact is the key aspect though, the Rectoids will be a very important ally for the Clones on a flank of their empire that looks the weakest. The Eritrans will now face a potential enemy on their other flank which will mean they will have to allocate forces away from the Clone flank. CDF ships and troops may also use Rectoid space for basing, that could be very useful indeed against the Eritrans.

For the Rectoids it also means they have a new way into the Local Group. While a new war with the DDS is not likely to be top of their list at the moment you can imagine the long term planning starts at getting a foothold close to DDS territory.

It all changes now, it cannot be overemphasised how massive the announcement made the Clone diplomatic service was this morning.

Clones open official diplomatic relations with the Rectoids

Talks have been ongoing in secret for over 7 months according to sources and now the Clones have officially established diplomatic relations with the Rectoids. The Rectoids are a 7 Sa Sao related faction (its still not clear if they are part of the 7 Sa Sao chapters or an ethnically related faction) who the DDS engaged in a war with in the mid-2100s.

The war was brutal at times, the UNP colony New Britannia utterly destroyed in one Rectoid attack. The war ended when Recta, the home planet, being devastated by bio-genic weapons which killed billions thanks to the war criminal Megara. Much of the Rectoid fleet committed mass suicide out of sheer shock. Since then the Rectoids have been quiet apart from the odd attack on the DDS by rogue elements. It is thought they have been slowly rebuilding their fleet and repopulating their home planet from Rectoids on other planets in their space.

The Rectoids becoming a Clone ally (and if rumours are to be believed entering a military defence pact too) then this has serious strategic implications for the DDS and Eritrans. The Free Eritran States lie in-between CSE-E and Rectoid space indeed.

Emperor Oojok said he will meet the Rectoid leadership soon and "sign a number of deals". One rumour has it that the Rectoids could be buying Clone warships and weapons.

Dino View : The next Bolitic warship

Legate Dralson, ex-Dino Army and Security Council

The Bolitic like to style themselves as the masters of war but the Bolitic war machine is facing its biggest challenge yet and is having to completely rethink their warship design.

Lets go back a bit. The Bolitic are renowned for their large lumbering battlecruisers. The Yeksaleu, Barra (both now withdrawn), Helwin and now the Snarl have dominated the Bolitic fleet for generations. Large powerful ships that can take masses of punishment and live to fight another day. I remember when i fought the Bolitic years ago a Helwin was able to withstand a sustained attack from 4 Dinomarks and get away.

Then the Dinos got their hands on TPMs and everything changed. Now the Dinos can blow up a squadron of Snarls with a few salvos of TPMs. The Bolitic have countered with zonal shielding and spoofing but the Dinos have such an advantage now the Bolitic are always going to play catchup keeping the Snarl relevant.

So the Bolitic have gone back to the drawing board. I understand they are looking at the Meltinan as the basis of their next major warship, trying to incorporate Utrek technology to build a smaller nimble ship with the same firepower potential of a Snarl. If the Bolitic can pull that off then they will be onto a winner.

196/2

Work To Do
Melson dispatches his fleet (Betrayal P3)