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)

Bolitic ships engaged in battle?

The Voth have reported that one of their Kalahati Tuuls patrolling at the Voth-Bolitic border has detected signs of space battles some light years into Bolitic space. The Voth say they detected radiation from weapons fire and at least 1 ship exploding.

The Dinos say they have not detected any increased military activity on Castarian so this may not be a civil war but an isolated incident between 2 rival houses. The Dinos have increased their border patrols as a precaution.

Eritrans place orders for amphibious warfare capability

The Free Eritran States have come together to co-fund an amphibious warfare capability using the model of the FES' mine warfare squadron. This was co-funded by all the states to varying degrees but is operated as part of the Molab fleet, with the other states providing help with crewing. Helinox will operate the amphibious ships to be bought as part of its fleet though the other states will contribute money and manpower.

The successful Consolidated SX-98, which is used by the Dinos and the DDS as the Oceania 63A, has been chosen as the Eritrans' landing ships. Three have been ordered. Two more Provider 110 transports have also been ordered from the DDS.

196/1

Total Def
Joshi is attacked en-route to a meeting with Erinthorn (Betrayal P1)

DDS set withdrawal date for F-10A

The DDS will withdraw its legacy F-10ASE Shark fighters between 2116 and 2118 when the 48 remaining planes are replaced by a similar number of F-10SNGs.

The SNG is the third wave of the Shark 2100, which was a complete redesign of the original Clone Wars era F-10A. It is likely to have a lengthened fuselage allowing for a larger weapon load, more fuel, it will have uprated engines and avionics.

It is thought the DDS have now officially terminated the F-10X future fighter for the late 2120s and beyond and instead will look at "clean sheet" manned and unmanned options for its eventual replacement of the F-10S from 2130.

Marcus warns against Eritran militarisation

The head of the CSE-E, Marcus Totallyuseless, has warned against the Eritrans continued military build-up destabilising the region. "They have the right to arm themselves for protection." he said at a meeting of CSE-E governors, "But that ability to defend could easily become the ability to threaten us and that is not something the Clones are prepared to take lying down."

Marcus said that he had recently held talks with Oojok and that the Clone Defence Forces would be strengthened in the CSE-E if needs be. He also said that the shelved CSM deployment to Austini 55 could be put back on the table if the Eritrans were seen as a threat.

• The Voth are reporting increased military activity in Bolitic space near their border. It is not thought the Bolitic are planning an attack but that there could be some internal strife taking place, possibly between Baron Erinthorn the leader of the League of the Crystal Sword, a league of Bolitic houses seeking greater independence from Castarian, and Emperor Melson.

Molab bullish about Eritran military power

Leading Free Eritran States member Molab has said it will be investing in more warships soon and is also in talks with the other EFS members about creating a joint amphibious warfare force. Such a force would operate like the shared EFS mine warfare squadron which is operated by Molab but saw funding contributions from the other EFS members who also contribute crew.

A statement by the Molabite government said that the EFS military sought to become a "full-spectrum" arm with a powerful multi-function space fleet and a potent land force.

Molab also welcomed Unatel Gamma 504 and Kontai, recently freed from Clone control, into the EFS as full members. Neither was yet in a position to purchase their own ships but would contribute in other ways including crew and financial support.

CDF View : The Clones are starting to fear the Eritrans

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

(I wrote the bulk of this piece before the news that broke today of yet another sale of powerful warships to an Eritran fleet, it helps underline what i am writing below).

The Eastern chunk of the Clone Star Empire has for a long time been the "red-headed step child" of the empire. Isolated from the rest of the empire and led by Benito, a Clone despised by Oojok and his cabal. Now Benito has gone Oojok can no longer treat the CSE-E as "over there, out of care" (to use a Clone expression).

The problem for Oojok is that there is a looming threat on CSE-E's border, not from the Utrek but from the Free Eritran States. These Eritrans led by Molab have not disguised their desire to kick the Clones out of the CSE-E which was built on the old Eritran Trade Federation which the Clones invaded and crushed in the late 2090s.

The Free Eritran States were then isolated Eritran colonies with no military power or influence but over the years they have built their economies and bought heavily in military potential and recently have become major DDS allies with access to the latest weapon technologies.

If we look at the near future (mid-2115 say) then the Free Eritran States could field a formidable fleet headed by 2 Yel'Temas, 6 Isometrics and 18 Pentekonters backed up by over 20 updated Kalahati Tuuls. Such a fleet would take some stopping especially as the CSE-E has tended to be where CDF cuts have been felt first and hardest.

Now the Eritran amphibious and land forces have lagged behind somewhat so they would be unlikely to beat the Clones even if they swept the fleet away. The Clones would be able to hold out until reinforcements came but the Eritran fleet is now powerful enough that many consider it superior to the CSE-E fleet it is up against.

Will the Eritrans attack? I think they want to, but not before 2120. They have virtually no ground attack or amphibious capability plus their TPMs depend on DDS codes which would likely be withdrawn if the Eritrans launched a surprise attack. The problem for the Clones is that they will now forced to strengthen their fleet and defences in CSE-E and at a time of fragile Clone economic growth and defence budget pressures that is not something they want to have to do right now.

DDS make first Yel'Tema sale

Earlier in the year the DDS added the Raegris Yel'Tema cruiser to its export portfolio, replacing the Velocity-E as the heavy combat ship. Helinox have just agreed a 2.4 billion zark deal for 3 Yel'Tema YT-110s for delivery from 2114.

The ships have been bought by Helinox alone, who teamed up with Sear N7 for their Isometric purchases a couple of years ago. Since then Helinox has developed its mineral sector and that is helping to fuel an expansion in their military which operates as part of the Free Eritran States unified command. The YT-110s will be equipped with Z5 cannons and TPM launchers.

The deal also covers an upgrade of Helinox's 3 Pentekonters which will be fitted out to the latest Pentekonter Protector 350 standard including TPM-VLS and an Z5m turret. Upgrades will take place next year. Helinox is considering buying more Pentekonters and is also looking at the Corkscrew but this will be a separate deal.

Metro opens to Ren's Bay

The DDS GHQ Metro has now opened through from GHQ to Ren's Bay, the naval port on Helnikan Island. This is one of the most important parts of the system built to date as it will allow for the faster flow of cargo and personnel from the bay which is the most usual entry point to the island.

The next part of the line to be completed in 2114 is said to be the bay's own shuttle service which will operate between the west and east quays to transfer personnel to the main line. Direct freight services will also operate from the quays.

• The Dinos have agreed a 335 million zark contract with the DDS for the supply of laser dazzle systems for its growing fleet of tanks. The system confuse EO and IR sensors on enemy weapons and can affect enemy troops too. The DDS will supply around 3000 kits which the Dinos will install themselves on their T-88, T-89 and T-55ZDM tanks.

Z7 finally makes debut

With the latest 2 Mediterranean Sea 43G upgrades the DDS has quietly accepted the long awaited Z7 cannon into service. The Z7 is the third generation Z Cannon (if one accepts that the Z6 was a stop gap "generation 2.5" weapon) though in reality is completely new due to its unique interphase technology.

The Z7 (which was originally called the Zip of Z InterPhase) can defeat shields and defences by changing the phase of the beam until it reaches the target. Its a similar concept to the TPM family though has to be exactly targeted in order to get the phase correct. Tests of the Z7 in the Summer shows its potential. A target which required 6 sustained bursts from a Z6 to batter down the shields and then destroy the target just took the 1 shot when correctly targeted. The DDS say the Z7 is another game changer and helps keep the DDS at the cutting edge of military technology.

• Following talks held between ISSF Commander Torus and Senator MBH (via video-link) the DDS alert status has been reduced to GREEN. The SS are said to be placated by the deaths of Windy and SFX and will not be seeking revenge (though there have been some unsavoury incidents on Dino-Land where human males unfortunately got too close to SS bases...) Both the DDS and Dinos are now keen to move on.

Fleet News (16/10/13)

• M201 Corkscrew is the first of what will be many Corkscrew 51A Medium Combat Ships.
• SS Beta was destroyed days before it was commissioned into the Alpha 121A Nano Fighting Ship class. A replacement ship has now been ordered for 2114.
• SS Barents Sea and SS Arabian Sea have completed their upgrade to Mediterranean Sea 43G. They have also become the first ships in the DDS fitted with the Z7 cannon.
• Two special forces ships have been withdrawn, the Fulcrum class A603F Vanguard and the Coril A563F Sharon.

SFX killed in battle with DDS

The DDS have reported that SFX died in a suicide attack on a DDS warship as he attempted to enter Dino space. He murdered the Dino SS liaison officer at DDS City and then fled in his personal shuttle. He headed towards Dino space where it is thought he intended to kill himself in a suicide attack and take as many Dinos with him as possible.

After the recent treaty the DDS-Dino border is not routinely patrolled thus no DDS ships were able to intercept, however the second Alpha 121A Nano Fighting Ship, SS Beta, was on a test trip commanded by Director of Operations Knobhead in the area. He managed to reach SFX just short of Dino space and demanded SFX stand down and return to the DDS.

However SFX refused to do so and launched his shuttle at Beta, the two ships collided. The commercial cruiser of SFX lacked much in the way of shielding and was destroyed. SS Beta was badly damaged and Knobhead was forced to eject before Beta too exploded. He was later picked up by a DDS warship.

DDS Commander Firefly said this bought to an end a sad chapter in DDS history, "SFX we understand  suffered in an abusive sexual relationship with an older Dino male in the SS and this, plus the death of his father Windscorpion, pushed an already fragile SFX over the edge."

SS officer killed at DDS City, SFX to blame?

The SS representative at the Dino liaison office at DDS City has been found dead in his apartment. Several Dinos have been beaten up in the team but this is the first fatality and the DDS have raised their alert status back to ORANGE. The Dinos have not commented on the death though some SS elements have already demanded an attack on the DDS (this is not likely).

It is rumoured that SFX may have been to blame though the ISSF are not commenting at the moment. It is understood SFX did leave DDS City in a hurry and his personal ship was seen leaving the Proxima Centauri system.

DDS places order for 200 more TPM-G launchers

The DDS has placed an order for 200 TPM-G launchers with its supplier Total Defence Solutions. The launchers will be a mixture of permanently situated defence positions and a new road-mobile version. The upgraded launchers will also be cleared for zero-G and zero-atmospheric use which will mean they could be sited on moons and asteroids.

The order is part of the DDS push into improving static defence, one of its strands of preparation for any future Tarbotian attack. The DDS will also increase TPM-2 production so every launcher can have at least 10 rounds ready for use.

Corkscrew joins the fleet

The official unveiling was delayed because of the Windy memorial but today the first of the Corkscrew 51A Medium Combat Ships has become a DDS ship. The ship has already (under a temporary designation) taken part in a DDS exercise but now M201 Corkscrew is officially a DDS ship.

Although 59 Corkscrews are planned she will not be joined by any other DDS Corkscrews until 2115, the next 5 to be built in 2114 and early 2115 will be for the Remedian fleet. Production for the DDS is expected to continue until the end of the decade at least.

The Corkscrew finally replaces the Isometric platform as the basis of medium sized DDS warships for the next few decades. It is a modern and modular design able to reach 750c or 4900ec. The ship has a fully customisable equipment fit and will typically carry 48 TPM-2s in 2 VLS cells, a Z7 cannon (Z6 is fitted for the time being) and auxiliary weapons.

UV195 : End?

• Faith Of A Fart - Ronald battles The Acheron (Options P2)
• A Dozen Shots - MBH confronts Terence (Options P3)
• Agents Of Oppression - Relations between Windy and the DDS break down (In The Dock P1)
• Dove Is Different - Has Windy gone out of control? (In The Dock P2)
• The Job Is... - Windy is lost... or is he? (In The Dock P3)
• Alone, Vulnerable - SFX struggles to come to terms with the horror on Jeloka (Aftershock P1)
• On Da Runs - SFX heads to the Dinos to avenge his disgrace (Aftershock P2)

195/7

On Da Runs
SFX heads to the Dinos to avenge his disgrace (Aftershock P2)

Windy memorial passes without (much) incident

The Windscorpion memorial has passed at DDS City without too much incident. There were 3 small riots at DDS City and the nearby Hexian City. Sixteen people (all young males) were reported to be savagely beaten and there were 14 rapes, which were less than the ISSF estimated beforehand.

Firefly led the service in the main hall at DDS City and there were also statements from Salamander, Truman, Sea Urchin and Knobhead. In one potentially dangerous incident Consul El Diablo of the Dino Republic was loudly booed and jeered when he appeared on large screens outside the hall to convey the service to the thousands assembled outside. However ISSF and DDS Territorial Force troops maintained order.

Firefly has said that the period of mourning will continue tomorrow but that the DDS should return to normal by the weekend. The alert level has been reduced to AMBER, which is still fairly high but the DDS do not think any major incidents are now likely.

Dino View : How do you solve a problem like Dr Slow?

Legate Dralson, ex-Dino Army and Security Council

I've noticed the DDS have begun preparations for war against the Tarbotians one day (hopefully that day is a long way off) but no one seems to be talking about how the Dinos and DTA can address the looming Tarbotian threat.

Until now, earlier this week the Dino Army and representatives from all the other DTA member state militaries met on Yeng and discussed the "Tarbotian Problem". Not a great deal was addressed in the meeting (i was present as an observer). Mostly the DDS' responses to date were discussed, such as static defence points and listening stations.

It was felt that the DDS' approach is a sound one and should be the starting point for the DTA's own response. The Dino Army is going to look into how the DTA's borders can be strengthened.

One thing that was discussed was deterrence and here the future Dino interstellar missile is key although if we are to be honest even missiles (with a likely range of 20-50 light years) placed at the extreme borders of DTA space will struggle to reach important Tarbotian strategic points. I understand the Dinos are going to look into a mobile version of the missile that can be sited on asteroids and other bodies closer to Tarbot space at short notice.

The consensus was that a Tarbotian attack is unlikely within the next 10 years, and maybe 20 years is also pushing it. Lets just hope thats the case because we (and the DDS for that matter) are not ready.

DDS in lock-down ahead of Windy memorial tomorrow

All major DDS installations are on the highest security alert with major portions of DDS City on lock-down ahead of tomorrow's Windscorpion memorial service. The ISSF have sealed off the VIP areas and other key areas of the massive DDS base. No less than 12 warships are in orbit over DDS City and TPM-A equipped F-10S fighters are maintaining a CAP.

Visitors include the Dino Consul El Diablo, Lord Argrox of the Remedians and the Raegris military leader Legate-III Yensau as well as other high-level representatives of the UNP and other DDS allies.

• An unconfirmed report states the Dinos have successfully tested the rocket stage and space flight stage (albeit on a subluminal level) of their equivalent to the Clone Space Missile / DDS LRM. The interstellar ballistic missile system, which has yet to be named by the Dinos, could enter limited service by 2118.

Triple Megan picks up more tanks cheap

Now the J88 has finally left Clone Army service there are literally 1000s of the tank lying in various storage areas across the empire (in various condition). Triple Megan, who already have about 600 J88s as well as a growing number of J55ZDM-Ms, have ordered 300 more J88s which will be taken from a storage area on Austini 55.

The tanks are in average condition and it is thought the Meganites will mostly use them for spares. Of the 600 J88s they have already its thought about 100 are not usable and these are already being cannibalized. The Meganites aim to have a force of 500 J88s and 350 J55s, this would be a formidable tank force.

• The CAF is to upgrade 120 K85NT COIN aircraft to NIK standard. This includes a probe for inflight refuelling from the tanker version of the Carnival light transport, the K39K, which has just begun production. The K85NIK also has improvements to its navigational computer, an enhanced IR suppressor on the engine exhaust and an integrated IFF/ECM module which saves space and weight over the previous separate systems. 
• The Cloneworld fleet of the Clone Navy will upgrade it's Mariner general support ships next year after concerns they are underarmed. The ships will be fitted with the standard SA-N-6A short range air defence missile system. The ships will also gain 2 more 20mm cannons. Damage control equipment will also be enhanced. The ships will also gain a radar upgrade. Austini 55's Mariner will not be changed. A 7th ship is currently under construction for Cloneworld, this will be fitted out to the new standard and will enter service next year.
• In other Clone Navy news the first Sealion SSN has been launched and has begun trials ahead of its expected entry into service next year.

Wayne King-Meiouf : Remember

Professor Wayne King-Meiouf of the University of Proxima

How can you replace the irreplaceable?

The death of Windscorpion has sent shock-waves through the DDS, UNP and beyond. He liked to style himself the Apogee of Man and in many ways he was. The focus of resistance against alien conquest. The icon of mankind's courage. The lord of DDS warfare.

But now he is dead. Of course everyone dies one day but no one expected Windy to go the way he did, seemingly out of control, reckless beyond measure, virtually committing suicide. But apparently he had been in decline for some time, since he had left the DDS according to reports. Despite setting up iP Services he struggled to find a role for himself. There are rumours of heavy drinking and increasingly erratic behaviour, screaming rows with Firefly and many many sex crimes.

The word is he finally pushed his luck too far and paid the ultimate price. Well thats not the Windy we should remember. We should instead remember...

• The Windy who led the DDS war on Randalf 74 that cost the Clones a million dead. Although the Clones were ultimately triumphant they have never again mounted a mass operation like that.
• The Windy who commanded the DDS fleet, heavily outnumbered, that destroyed the Clone fleet that attacked in an attempt to end the war once and for all.
• The Windy that led the DDS to triumph against the Tarbotians, Utrek (twice!) and the ABBOs.
• The Windy that finally ended the evil of Rotarios and AP's depraved New DDS regime.
• The Windy whom millions admire as the Apogee of Man.

Remember him on Thursday, we'll never see his like again...

195/6

Alone, Vulnerable
SFX struggles to come to terms with the horror on Jeloka (Aftershock P1)

El Diablo will attend the Windy memorial

Consul El Diablo has said he will attend the Windscorpion memorial to be held on Thursday. However the events that surrounded the death of the Apogee of man (he was being chased by the Dino SS after killing one of their officers) means that a number of DDS are angry against the Dinos. A Dino working in the liaison office at DDS City was attacked on his way back to his apartment last night by a masked mob, it is reported he was savagely beaten and sexually assaulted by the mob who chanted "Windy! Windy!"

Security will be tight at DDS City for the memorial in any case. The ISSF will be out in force and have already begun cordoning off the route of the memorial procession and VIP areas.

The Raegris, Porquatians and Remedians will be in attendance. The memorial is at too short a notice for any high-ranked members of the Starbotian or Eritran governments to attend (even with worm drive they wouldn't be able to get to Proxima Centauri in time) but their UNP ambassadors will be there.

Firefly declares week of mourning for Windy

The DDS will observe a week of mourning for Windscorpion, who was lost in a teleport accident at the DDS-Dino border. DDS Commander Firefly said that the DDS owed its existence and survival to his brother. "In the DDS' darkest hours it was Windy who showed us the light. When the DDS looked at oblivion it was Windy who changed our course to one of hope." he said in a brief media conference at GHQ.

A memorial will be held at DDS City on Proxima 7 on Thursday. Various heads of state are expected to attend. The UNP will also mark a day of mourning on Monday. The DDS alert status is being kept on its highest non-conflict level for the time being.

• iP Services has suspended operations for the time being, SFX is the official heir to Windy in charge of the organisation but he is recovering from severe injuries to his lower abdomen (cause unknown). Until he is fit to resume duties it has been thought best to suspend operations.

Windscorpion lost, declared dead

Reports are coming in of the death of Windscorpion. The DDS has gone into full lock-down and raised its alert status to ORANGE in the light of news from the DDS/Dino border. According to reports Windy was being chased by 2 Dino SS Dinomarks after he is alleged to have killed an SS officer on Jeloka.

SS Independence commanded by Knobhead was on a training mission nearby and managed to intercept. It is thought Knobhead was trying to persuade Windy to surrender to the SS, his safety assured by MBH, when he lost his mind and tried to teleport onto the Independence. The Indy 35B ship has just come out of a worm hole jump and it's hull was still saturated by subspace radiation. Teleporting through this radiation is very dangerous and is forbidden normally. Unfortunately Windy did not listen to the warnings. His teleport beam was scattered by the radiation and the signature and data stream scrambled.

There was no chance to return him to his ship. He has been declared dead by the DDS Commander Firefly despite the lack of a corpse. Experts say his atoms would have been spread over a wide area and ionised. "Windscorpion is dead." a tearful Dr Forbidden confirmed to reporters.

Despite Windy no longer being an official member of the DDS having left to form iP Services some years before he will be given a full DDS military memorial next week.

195/5

The Job Is...
Windy is lost... or is he? (In The Dock P3)

New Factions (3) : Malanas Assembly

Thousands of years ago the Dinos first reached for the starts, dozens of colonies were formed by this early semi-mythical civilisation. Then came the psy-war when the Acheron-backed Chosen tried to conquer their less psychic-power equipped brethren. The war devastated Dino-Land and its colonies hurling them all back to a pre-technological age... all except one.

Malanas professor

The Malanas at Taurus Sigma 605 were the most distant colony, over 400 light years from Dino-Land. They avoided the devastation of the war and were able to retain the basics of their civilisation. Now the Malanas Assembly is several 1000 years ahead technology wise than the galactic mean. As the Tarbotians found out to their cost when a single Malanas ship destroyed an entire Tarbotian fleet with ease.

The Malanas are isolationist, perhaps a by-product of their vigilance over the Chosen. They devote themselves to pure science and exploration, they have kept tabs on the Dinos but have not revealed themselves until they had to when Ronald's expedition discovered the Assembly. 

Its not known if the Malanas have a military, the only encounters have been with ships from the Science Commission led by Chief Professor Xox. 

Malanas Assembly Science Commission Spaceship

Prosecutor in Windscorpion trial kidnapped?

The prosecutor in the Windscorpion sex crimes trials has gone missing after leaving court in Hexian City, Proxima 7. Witnesses say he was grabbed and drugged by masked men before being bundled into a van and driven away. Proximan Police say CCTV in the area was taken out beforehand by an info-weapon and they have no idea where the prosecutor is.

One rumour is he has been captured by iP Services, the organisation controlled by Windscorpion. Sources at DDS GHQ report that relations between Windy and his brother Firefly, the DDS Commander, have become very difficult lately.

Other Fleet News (01/10/13)

• The Dinos have built 2 Dinomark XTs, both have gone to their own fleet though an old XT has been withdrawn and will be sold to a civilian buyer (but remain in the military reserve).
• The Bolitic are reported to have built a Snarl and received a Reptoli Tuul from the Utrek.
• In a busy month for export deliveries Haylei have received an Isometric E217H, Molab has received an Extender-E and the Clone Space Navy has received 2 Coril-E shuttles.

195/4

Dove Is Different
Has Windy gone out of control? (In The Dock P2)