New Sparta is said to be becoming "concerned" about the drop off in export orders over the last year. Although order books still have a decent backlogs they are being drawn down and new orders are becoming harder to win. Although income is still steady (though at about eight billion zarks this year still way below the twelve billion zark yearly target) without new orders soon it will start dropping noticeably next year.
A lot of hope is now resting on the big NS export portfolio "reboot" planned for September however there are worries that even an improved product line will not improve matters that much. "NS have been highly successful in selling ships like the Pentekonter over the last few years." said an analyst, "But there are signs the market has become saturated. Even new improved ships may struggle to find buyers. NS really needs to get going on ship upgrades, the installed base means there is huge potential there."
26.7.18
Windy thinking of presidential run
To celebrate his fiftieth birthday a short while ago Windy gave a wide ranging interview to the NS News Network. He mostly touched on his "incredible career" and being the 'Apogee of Man" but he also spoke about his future.
He said that he had resigned from being DDS Commander before due to fatigue and disillusionment with the role in the long term. However he said the two-year limit on terms of office for the NS President is of interest to him and he will consider running in future.
He also said he is onboard with the Epiphany Project and cheekily said that being the first Epiphany President was appealing (meaning he will run next year?)
He said that he had resigned from being DDS Commander before due to fatigue and disillusionment with the role in the long term. However he said the two-year limit on terms of office for the NS President is of interest to him and he will consider running in future.
He also said he is onboard with the Epiphany Project and cheekily said that being the first Epiphany President was appealing (meaning he will run next year?)
24.7.18
Clones begin planning replacement of Kalahati Tuul
Once the Kalahati Tuul was the backbone of the Clone space fleet, over two hundred being built. Now only thirty seven remain of the upgraded Kalahati Tuul KTS type and the Clones have begun plans to replace this final fleet. The Kalahati Tuul KTS were rebuilds of life expired earlier models given around ten to fifteen years extra service life. That will begin to run out in the early 2120s though some should be able to reach the mid part of the decade.
Under current plans the Clones will begin building a replacement by 2120 with the aim of replacing all ships by around 2124. That will truly mark the end of the era when the last Kalahati Tuul leaves Clone service.
Either a version of the Cosmos or Shark will replace the KTS. A multi-role version of the Cosmos called the CM is in development officially to replace older Cosmos CA but they could replace the KTS too.
Under current plans the Clones will begin building a replacement by 2120 with the aim of replacing all ships by around 2124. That will truly mark the end of the era when the last Kalahati Tuul leaves Clone service.
Either a version of the Cosmos or Shark will replace the KTS. A multi-role version of the Cosmos called the CM is in development officially to replace older Cosmos CA but they could replace the KTS too.
23.7.18
Caratore drops opposition to Epiphany
VP Operations Caratore has dropped his opposition to the NS-UNP merger (Project Epiphany) following a three day conference of NS senior staff at a secret location. It is thought some contentious issues involving Epiphany and the influence the UNP would have over day to day operations were discussed and some compromises decided upon.
Chief concern was who would run Epiphany, the elected president or a UNP appointed official. President Sea Urchin said that his successors would continue to run the organisation largely as before. It is speculated that Caratore's concerns are due to his own ambitions to be president, though he has said he has not thought about it. Not that many believe that.
Chief concern was who would run Epiphany, the elected president or a UNP appointed official. President Sea Urchin said that his successors would continue to run the organisation largely as before. It is speculated that Caratore's concerns are due to his own ambitions to be president, though he has said he has not thought about it. Not that many believe that.
19.7.18
NS receive new VIP helicopters
The first three Honeywell VH-35 Helix VIP helicopters have been received by the New Sparta Air Corps. The other three should be delivered next year. The type is new to NS and a general transport version could also be bought if the Helix proves successful.
NS are also considering buying more Cherrybee CBH-90 patrol and utility helicopters. It is thought NS want to move away from Clone built weapons.
NS are also considering buying more Cherrybee CBH-90 patrol and utility helicopters. It is thought NS want to move away from Clone built weapons.
18.7.18
Operation Atomic Fist 2118
Atomic Fist is the annual NS strategic attack exercise, this year's edition will take place near Liberation. After a series of mock bomber raids and defence suppression exercises NS will then conduct a live nuclear attack on an asteroid in deep space.
What is notable about this year's exercise is that it will include the now (finally) operational strategic missile the LRM-20. A coordinated attack with bombers will be attempted. NS units will also try and "intercept" the LRM when it is en route.
The ships involved are:
015-102 Photon (flag)
015-105 Graviton
015-108 Tachyon
035-110 Royal Tiger
037-102 Polaris
041-116 Devonian
043-113 Sea of Fertility
051-111 Carnage
073-113 Propane
071-119 Freightliner
What is notable about this year's exercise is that it will include the now (finally) operational strategic missile the LRM-20. A coordinated attack with bombers will be attempted. NS units will also try and "intercept" the LRM when it is en route.
The ships involved are:
015-102 Photon (flag)
015-105 Graviton
015-108 Tachyon
035-110 Royal Tiger
037-102 Polaris
041-116 Devonian
043-113 Sea of Fertility
051-111 Carnage
073-113 Propane
071-119 Freightliner
17.7.18
Ecological disaster reported on Molentic
Utrek sources are reporting that a planet wide ecological disaster has occurred on Molentic, the capital planet of one of the Utrek successor states. It is thought a large nuclear power station may have exploded due to poor maintenance irradiating the main agricultural area of the planet.
The power station disaster is reported to have been contained but Molentic's main problem is that most of it's agricultural lands are now useless and the harvest unusable. The Molentic authorities are desperately trying to find emergency foot supplies off-world.
16.7.18
Bolitic to form Council of Arbitration
Emperor Melson has formed the Council of Arbitration to handle disputes between Bolitic houses. In the past houses would go to war on a designated war planet like Smolask. Thousands of slave soldiers would be butchered in endless fighting until one side got bored.
Melson has said these days need to stop, the empire being too depleted to continue the "old ways". He said that the Bolitic was now a second-rate power and would drop further if the blood letting continued. Houses in dispute would have to use the Council of Arbitration or face consequences.
Although many Bolitic dislike it there is little they can do. Since the disastrous ABBO-Bolitic War Melson has made sure the most powerful units including the Reptoli Tuul fleet are operated by his House and the imperial bodyguard the Chosen Men or his closest ally Joshi.
Melson has said these days need to stop, the empire being too depleted to continue the "old ways". He said that the Bolitic was now a second-rate power and would drop further if the blood letting continued. Houses in dispute would have to use the Council of Arbitration or face consequences.
Although many Bolitic dislike it there is little they can do. Since the disastrous ABBO-Bolitic War Melson has made sure the most powerful units including the Reptoli Tuul fleet are operated by his House and the imperial bodyguard the Chosen Men or his closest ally Joshi.
13.7.18
Melson wants changes to Bolitic Confederacy
Emperor Melson has said that the Bolitic Confederacy needs to change. Recent war losses have depleted the empire he said, and the old culture of endless war was no longer viable. He said that conflicts between houses needed to be sorted out by diplomacy and not mass slaughter of slave armies on a war planet like Smolask.
This has not gone down well in some quarters. One Bolitic Baron is said to have remarked, "He wants to turn us into the Dinos, in helmets."
This has not gone down well in some quarters. One Bolitic Baron is said to have remarked, "He wants to turn us into the Dinos, in helmets."
10.7.18
Terrorist incident at Proxima Space Museum
NSIS has reported an attempted terrorist incident at the Proxima Space Museum has been foiled. Two Clones were shot while trying to destroy the iconic former DDS cruiser SS Pulsar. A museum worker was shot by the Clones and is in a serious but stable condition. NSIS say the incident is not linked to other recent terror attacks.
An NSIS spokeswoman said it was thought the Clones were former HCS officers with a grudge. A Zone employed by the museum was arrested by NSIS while trying to escape the space station and is currently being questioned.
An NSIS spokeswoman said it was thought the Clones were former HCS officers with a grudge. A Zone employed by the museum was arrested by NSIS while trying to escape the space station and is currently being questioned.
9.7.18
UV250 : Endless Superwar
- I'm Not The Only One - Lord Thelm seeks to overthrow the Bolitic Emperor.
- Giving Them Big - Joshi's spy in Thelm's camp is uncovered.
- Unleashed - Can Joshi avoid a Bolitic civil war?
- Stay In It! - The HCS fleet prepares to attack the DDS in an attempt to win the Clone Wars.
- The Guns Of Summer - The Pulsar massacres the HCS fleet.
- Last Sixteen - Two Clones seek vengeance the Pulsar.
However some things have not changed. The first UV included a story on a plot to kill Oojok, GBH taking recruits for some training and a story involving Bolitic intrigue.
Here is to the future of the universe. Maybe there will be 250 more UVs, maybe not. You'll just have to wait and see....
3.7.18
Fleet News
Two new warships have joined the fleet this month. The first is the latest Olympus Balista 23M 023-210 Nephthys. This marks the half-way point of the Type 23M programme. The next batch from next year are expected to have some improvments. Also joining the fleet is the latest Corkscrew 51A 051-111 Carnage.
The first production Protector 57A Light Patrol Ship is reported to be extended proving trials now. All being well that should enter service next month.
The first production Protector 57A Light Patrol Ship is reported to be extended proving trials now. All being well that should enter service next month.
1.7.18
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