31.8.18

UNP citizens moved to Argon orbital base

Around two hundred UNP citizens, being held by the Starbotians, are being reported as being moved to the Argon orbital base that is under construction and is the threatened target of a New Sparta attack. Conditions are said to be barely habitable including little radiation shielding. An analyst said that if they didn't die in any attack they'll die of radiation poisoning in a few weeks anyway.

President Sea Urchin has condemned the action. He said it would not affect NS plans though an emergency NS Politburo meeting has been called.

28.8.18

K-2 says UNP citizens are being held for their own safety

Starbotian Commander K-2 has told the galactic media that the thousands of UNP citizens now being held in camps are "guests" and that they are being held for their own safety. However independent sources indicate the UNP citizens, mostly human, are being held in terrible conditions with numerous fatalities.

K-2 said that the fate of the UNP citizens was in the hands of New Sparta. "It is New Sparta which has launched this aggression, it is New Sparta which has endangered these humans with their interference in our sovereign actions."

27.8.18

S101 resigns and calls upon K-2 to stand down

Starbot's ambassador to the Dino Republic S101 has resigned and called upon Starbotian Commander K-2 to do the same. He said K-2 was leading Starbot to disaster. He also condemned the rounding up of thousands of UNP citizens on Starbot. Reports indicate the citizens are being held in terrible conditions and there have been dozens of fatalities already.

S101 said K-2 should not be waging war on innocent civilians. He said such actions would disgrace Starbot. Ronald has also condemned the action. He said the Dinos would transport UNP citizens off Starbot if both sides agreed.

26.8.18

Starbot rounding up UNP citizens

Hundreds of UNP citizens, mostly human, have been rounded up by Starbotian security forces and forced to holding camps. Some are reported to have been killed in the action which was ruthless and led by the fascist K-Series Guard who support K-2. More round-ups are reported to be continuing.

Ronald has arrived on Liberation for talks with Sea Urchin. He said the Dinos would act as an intermediary if both sides wished to talk. He also condemned the rounding up of UNP citizens.

25.8.18

NS moves to ORANGE alert as Starbot reuses to stop Argon base

President Sea Urchin has ordered New Sparta to ORANGE alert, the highest alert in a non-war situation. Earlier today Starbotian Commander K-2 refuses to bow to NS demands to stop work on an Argon orbital base saying New Sparta should stay out of Starbotian affairs.

Sea Urchin said that the Argon base would be stopped "no matter the cost". Unconfirmed reports state that NS bombers have been training near Malau for attacks on an orbital target.

23.8.18

Dinos warn citizens on Starbot

Long time Starbotian ally the Dino Republic has warned it's citizens on the planet (estimated at over three hundred thousand) to be careful if the crisis with New Sparta descends into conflict. They however also called on the Argon orbital base to be halted saying it would risk destablising the region.

Senator GBH said the Dinos are monitoring the situation, there are no plans to evacuate citizens though has advised them to leave if they can and they don't feel safe. GBH also said that he hoped New Sparta and Starbot could resolve their differences peacefully.

22.8.18

Starbot to fully mobilise

In a sign the Starbotians won't stand down and dismantle the Argon base Commander K-2 has ordered the Starbot armed forces to full readiness. All ships in the fleet have been recalled to the home system and will be bought to full alert status.

The Starbotian fleet is small but pretty powerful, at it's heart four Type 35 destroyers (two Panthers and two Indys). The Starbotians are estimated to have around sixty TPMs left in stock though are TPM-1s. They also have three Freedom 41B frigates and a number of other home grown warships.

This potent fleet will make any NS military action much harder especially if Caratore's favoured option, to mission kill the Starbot fleet is the one employed.

20.8.18

NS issue ultimatum to Starbot

Vice-President Caratore has set up a forward base on Liberation to deal with the Argon-Starbot crisis. Under the authority of the President he has issued a formal ultimatum to Starbot to cease the construction of the orbital Argon base by September 1st. All work on the base must be stopped and a plan published for the dismantling of the under construction orbital facility, which will be observed and verified by an (as yet) unspecified third party.

Caratore said that the consequences will be severe if work on the base continues. Caratore said that NS and the UNP could now allow an Argon base so close to UNP space and "appropriate action" would be taken to stop it's construction. As the elite strike squadron of the NS fleet is currently en route to a forward base near Starbot this is taken to mean military action. Starbot have yet to respond.

17.8.18

Sea Urchin warns UNP citizens to leave Starbot

President Sea Urchin has warned the estimated thirty thousand UNP citizens who live on Starbot that they should consider leaving the planet. He did this after again vowing that New Sparta would not allow an Argon base built so close to the UNP border. He also raised the NS alert status to AMBER.

A NS Politburo meeting will be held early next week. It is thought Sea Urchin may issue an ultimatum to the Starbotians to halt the base.

16.8.18

K-1 resigns as head of Starbotian military

The head of the Starbotian military K-1 has resigned in protest at the granting of basing rights to the Argon. Although K-1 was largely a figurehead his resignation will still be a blow to Starbotian Commander K-2. K-1 said that he could not continue in government while Starbot was on a collision course with New Sparta.

K-2 did not address K-1's resignation in a speech to supporters but he said that Starbot was a sovereign state able to choose it's own friends and alliances. "We will not be bowed by the humans. We said the Argon could have bases here and they shall have bases here."

15.8.18

NS sends elite strike squadron to Malau

President Sea Urchin has ordered 02 Strike Squadron, considered the elite of New Sparta's strategic strike assets, to Malau. This is the planet nearest to Starbot and the Quasar bombers in the squadron would be just eighteen hours away.

Starbot is allowing the 7 Sa Sao Argon to built military bases in orbit and on the surface. New Sparta has demanded the building of these bases be stopped. An unnamed NS source says that the orbital base, which could host a powerful Argon fleet, will not be allowed and Sea Urchin is prepared to order a military strike.

14.8.18

NS condemns Starbot/Argon plans

Emerging from an emergency session of the NS Politburo President Sea Urchin has called upon Starbot to stop it's plans to allow Argon warships and soldiers to be based there. "We cannot allow the Argon to be able to base military forces so close to our space." he said.

Sea Urchin added that Starbotian Commander K-2 was being economic with the truth when he said only nine Argon warships would be allowed in Starbotian orbit. "The plans for the orbital facility clearly have no less than forty-eight berths. The ground base will also not be just for a few mechanics as K-2 claims. The plans we have seen could host over two hundred thousands soldiers and much equipment."

Sea Urchin said that the Argon would not be allowed to build these bases, New Sparta would use "any means necessary" to stop it.

13.8.18

Starbot to host Argon military base

Starbotian Commander K-2 has shocked the local galaxy by announcing he was allowing the 7 Sa Sao Argon Faction to have a military base on Starbot and to station up to nine warships in Starbotian orbit. Since Starbot left the UNP and New Sparta they have forged close relations with the Argon including refuelling and emergency maintenance rights for Argon ships but allowing a military base is a major step.

K-2 said the Argon would be able to assist Starbot with training and patrols. He said it was unlikely the full allowed force would be allocated to Starbot and that the surface base would be mainly security and maintenance teams.

Starbot Ambassador to the DTA (and K-2 rival) S101 has criticised the move saying that Starbot was making a mistake allying itself with the Argon. K-2 later replied that S101 was on Dino-Land so should not speak on matters he could not be fully informed about.

12.8.18

New infantry brigade formed on Liberation

The newest infantry brigade of NS Terrestrial Forces has been formed on Liberation. X04 Combat Brigade East will be the core of NS land forces in the "Eastern" part of UNP space. The brigade consists of four existing infantry regiments transferred from X03 Reserve Brigade and relocated to Liberation, though some companies will also be placed on the other planets in that sector like Saeou.

Three new regiments are now forming in X03. It is thought NS might create another combat brigade (presumably X05) in the early 2120s.

11.8.18

First F-10SNG enter service

The first five of an eventual fifty F-10SNG Shark 2100 multi-role fighters have entered service with the NS Air Corps. This is the latest development of the F-10S and will enable the withdrawal of the ageing Clone Wars era F-10ASE Sharks.

The F-10SNG has a new tactical system, it will primarily be used for anti-LEO operations carrying TPM-As though can also be used in general interception and ground attack roles. The F-10SNG also has 3D vector thrust and a new ECM system.

10.8.18

Final Avenger tanks leave NS service

The Avenger tank, a design from the height of the Clone Wars, has finally been withdrawn from NS Terrestrial Force service. Sufficient new-build SMA T-62Ys have now been delivered to allow for the conversion of the final Avenger company which was part of A02 Armoured Regiment, X02 Combat Brigade.

The next step is now to replace the T-55Z however this is not expected to be completed by the early 2120s. NS Terrestrial Force will then just have a single tank type.

8.8.18

Operation Top Performance 2118

The second running of Top Performance takes place in the Solar System with Pluto Outpost the operational headquarters. As with the first edition Top Performance is mock combat practice for ships whose primary role is non-combat (but of course in a war situation may well be called upon to defend themselves). A number of transports and minesweepers will take part in the operation.

015-101 Quasar (flag)
051-109 Cygnet
044-101 Thucydides
044-111 Cleon
044-107 Herodotus
071-104 Cargomaster
131-103 Spruce Goose
073-120 Alkane

"Enemy" force

036-107 Magnolia ("enemy" flag)
093-101 Alpha Centauri
093-102 Luyten 726
095-101 Isometric

5.8.18

Piracy flares up near Liberation

Three UNP and one DTA registered civil transports have been hit by pirates in space near Liberation. There was also an attempted attack near Saeou 6 on a UNP freighter which is thought was called off by the pirates after a malfunction in their weapon system.

Vice-President (Operations) Caratore has arrived at Liberation to talk to local commanders and formulate a response. Three extra ships may be sent to the Liberation and Saeou flotilla to help with patrols.

4.8.18

Clones to double size of Red Lizard elite force

The Red Lizard Brigade is the elite forces of the Clone Army and have a good reputation. Emperor Oojok has said that the Clones need more elite forces including troops who specialise in space combat. He has therefore ordered the doubling of the Red Lizard to division size.

Four new regiments will be formed, one will specialise in space combat including raiding of enemy vessels and operations in zero-gravity/atmosphere. The new regiments could be operational by 2121.

3.8.18

Fleet News 03/08/18

The NS is celebrating the entry into service of the first of forty Protector 57A patrol ships which will largely replace the rapidly ageing legacy light patrol fleet. 057-101 Protector has passed it's final new type trial and has been assigned with a crew. It will begin patrols by September following working up training.

This wasn't the only new patrol ship, two Okra 86L have also been completed. These are Coril shuttles modified for local patrol duties. 086-301 Okra and 086-302 Oregano will also begin patrol duties soon.

As a sign of the urgency Deterrence 53A 053-109 Marsworth has been withdrawn following serious cracks found in it's main load bearers.

Finally 076-109 Zachery is the latest Zephyr 76A oiler to join the fleet.

2.8.18

DTA holds huge exercise

The DTA has held a full-spectrum six day exercise including thousands of troops from every DTA member and ships from the Dino, Sirikwan and Aritan fleets. Sirikwanese naval assets (their navy being the strongest in the DTA) were also employed as part of the exercise which took place on Yeng.

As well as important for integration and training the exercise was also a show of strength for rival powers. The Dinos have one of the most powerful armed forces in the Local Group and with the added strength of the other DTA members it makes the DTA a formidable force.