RP fighters raid arms depot

Admiral Anderson has ordered a full enquiry into base security across Cloneworld after a group of RP fighters raided an arms depot near Beyond Micom. The small contingent of guards were easily overwhelmed after being tricked into opening the gate, the guards were mercilessly butchered by the RP. Several tons of small arms, explosives and ammunition were stolen by the RP, who filled their van with equipment. They set the depot on fire before leaving.

The Junta is understood to be enraged at how easily the depot was penetrated by the RP fighters. One source said that this needed to be a wake-up call about CDF security and it's recent laxness.

Armstrong wants space ship production to resume by the end of the year

The head of the Clone Space Navy, and member of the ruling Junta, Admiral Armstrong has said that space ship production would resume by the end of the year (or earlier) and would then remain steady for the foreseeable future rather than the stop and start (and mostly stop) that has plagued the industry over the last ten years.

The Junta have said they have seized four hundred million zarks from the now disbanded Church of Oojok which will be used for the ship building budget. Hundreds of church and Religious Police sites will be sold off to also raise funds for the military, the Junta said.

Meanwhile, the RP attack on the northern port has said to have been ended by Clone Navy forces. Over one hundred RP terrorists (as the Junta call them) are thought to have been killed as their unarmoured vehicles were struck by CNAS fighters and helicopters, and subsequent follow-up by Clone Navy Defence Brigade troops.

NS warn that RP is still a threat

As fighting continues near a naval base in northern Ailier, NS analysts have said that the Religious Police remains a threat to the success of the military coup and stability in the Clone Star Empire. Around three thousand RP members are thought to be extant, though the number who are combat trained and even want to continue the struggle is unknown. There will also be fanatical Clones who will seek to join the RP forces.

The key to success in the coup was how the military led by Admiral Anderson cut the RP off from Clone Defence Forces communications. However, it is thought the RP remnants have created their own rudimentary communication network using commercial links and services and even couriers. This is helping the remaining RP forces to regroup.

However, the analysts say the RP forces are greatly outnumbered by the CDF, and only have personal weapons. Any armoured vehicles the RP had were quickly destroyed or captured by the CDF. The column which approached the naval base consisted of light vehicles, even stolen vans and cars. The RP will not be able to face the CDF in an open conflict though the fact they have tried this already indicates fanaticism and naivety is clouding their thinking. Unless they quickly switch to a covert insurgency the RP's success will be very limited.

A final point the analysts made was that the abdication of Oojok and the death of Ayatollah Clone XE has had little effect on the most fanatical members of the RP who regard both as false propaganda. It is likely the RP will continue to be a thorn in the Clone Star Empire's side for some time.

Couldn't believe it! (3136)

Windy has a plan.

Please come back (3135)

Real DDS discover a secret MBO base.

Wow! (3134)

Real DDS begin a new mission to hit back against the MBO.

Blood and ice (3133)

The MBO attack fails.

Leading edge slats (3132)

The MBO attack on SS Medical Research HQ begins.

No idea who (3131)

The MBO begin their mission to kill Dr Forbidden.

RP column detected heading towards SSBN base, attacked by CNAS fighters

There are reports of explosions in the northern province of Kajier on Cloneworld. According to an unverified source, a column of around thirty vehicles, operated by the now outlawed Religious Police, was detected heading towards Port Renstahl naval base, the home of the Clone Navy's ballistic missile submarine force and SLBM maintenance facility!

Clone Naval Air Service fighters are reported to have attacked the RP column. Troops from the Clone Navy Defence Brigade are also engaging RP fighters in a forest south of the port. The port has been put on full lockdown. It is not thought a loaded Walrus SSBN is at the base though there will be nuclear materials present.

Ayatollah Clone XE found dead

The Clone authorities are reporting that the body of Ayatollah Clone XE has been found in a remote area of Ailier near to the border with the West Clone Republic. He, and two others - Ayatollah Clone XM and a senior officer in the Religious Police - were found dead in the road next to a vehicle. They had been shot. Who shot them is unknown. The Clones are suggesting that it may have been a falling out between members of the now banned RP and Church of Oojok.

Admiral Anderson did not refer to the discovery of XE, instead he has announced that all members of the Clone Defence Forces and parliamentarians will swear a new oath of allegiance. This will replace the old oath and of course has no mention of Oojok in it. Not swearing the new oath will not be an option.

Oojok renounces claim to CSE throne, announces retirement

Speaking from an undisclosed location on Dino-Land, Oojok has said his political career is over and that he and Sleeze will now enjoy retirement! He has renounced any claims to power in the Clone Star Empire and indeed offered support to the military Junta which launched a successful coup.

His speech was short and is listed in full below. Some sources say the speech was written by the Junta and Oojok said it in return for the CSE not pursuing him or Sleeze in future. This has not been confirmed or denied by the Junta though Admiral Anderson later said he wished Oojok and Sleeze a happy retirement!

"My dear Clones in the Clone Star Empire. This week the old order was swept aside as the military led by Admiral Anderson took power. I was shocked at first but now i realise that the time has come for the Clones to be led by the Clones. For reason to replace superstition, for progress to replace regression.

"Sleeze and I are now on Dino-Land, guests of the Dino Empire. We are of course Dinos and it is time for us to retire to the land of our birth. We wish the CSE all success as it strives forward in a bright future. I ask all Clones to renounce the old ways and to give the military your support.

"The Church of Oojok is over. Now the Clone Star Empire stands ready for it's next chapter. Clones are great!"

NS sign deals worth 9.3 billion zarks

Viceroy Caratore is returning from his visit to the Free Eritran States with 9.3 billion zarks worth of export orders in the bag, this is the biggest export success for NS for some time. The FES have spent heavily, no doubt the coup just over their border was a timely reminder they need to keep their forces strong and up-to-date! The deal includes new ships, other weapons, upgrades and refurbishments.

The exports include:

Molab are buying 6 Pentekonter Protector 481Ms, they are returning 3 259Ms which are to be refurbished and modified for Oxsaxa as the 259OX.

Molab have also bought 10 TPM-G launchers and 750 TPM missiles for them. New radar systems to support the LEO defence weapon have also been ordered and improved C3 data links.

Helinox are buying 4 Depender 765H multi-role ships and 4 Coril-SX8H shuttles. They have also agreed a multi-year support and maintenance programme.

Sear N7 are buying 2 more Pentekonter Protector 358N7s, all 5 ships will be unified in a higher specification standard. Sear N7 has also agreed a five year maintenance programme with NS.

Unatel Gamma 540 has created a space force, it's initial equipment will be 3 Coril-SXG5 shuttles and assistance in building a military space dock and training programme.

In a combined FES sale, 250000 DAR-L1 laser rifles and support equipment have been ordered. Included in the order will be support for establishing local production of replacement lenses and powerpacks.

Clones demand return of Oojok

The Dinos have confirmed that Oojok and Sleeze are on Dino-Land as "guests" of the Dino Empire. They were rescued from Remedia Prime by Dino special forces after an apparent assassination attempt by their bodyguards which started the coup which has now taken over the Clone Star Empire.

Admiral Anderson has said that Oojok and Sleeze must be returned to the empire to face trial. However, it is thought the Junta will accept them remaining in exile as long as Oojok makes a public proclamation supporting the coup and renouncing his claims to the empire.

Junta proclaims coup complete as Oojok reported to be on Dino-Land

The Junta behind the coup, Admirals Anderson and Armstrong and CSE-E Leader Marcus, have made an appearance on the steps of the Cloneworld parliament building. Marcus said that the coup was now considered complete though there are reports of sporadic fighting across the planet as Religious Police units resist the Clone military.

Oojok and Ayatollah Clone XE remain at large though Oojok has been reported to be on Dino-Land though this is unconfirmed.

Anderson said the old corrupt ways were gone for good. Cloneworld would only be ruled by Clones, the Church of Oojok was to be disbanded, the Religious Police banned. The empire would be renewed and would become strong again.

UNP and Dinos call for calm as fighting continues across CSE

The UNP and Dino Empire have issued calls for calm, and to advise their citizens to stay safe, after the coup announced yesterday by the Clone Defence Forces. Fighting between the CDF and Religious Police is continuing across the empire, mostly on Cloneworld but also on Lomar and Geulis.

CSE-E leader Marcus has now arrived on Cloneworld, troops from the 2nd Armoured Division which he commands personally are reported to have taken the lead in the initial coup move, after being secretly bought to Cloneworld.

Admiral Anderson has called for all RP troops to stand down. An unconfirmed message from Ayatollah Clone XE has called for an uprising against the "infidels" though as yet the vast majority of the population is keeping their heads down and mutinies in the military are few and far between. The location of Oojok is still unknown.

Admiral Anderson announces coup

The head of the Clone Defence Forces, Admiral Anderson, has made a broadcast to the Clone Star Empire as explosions and fighting continues at dozens of locations across Cloneworld and other locations in the empire. Anderson said that the military had seized power due to the corruption and decadence of the "old order".

The head of the Clone Space Force, Admiral Armstrong and the head of the CSE-E, Marcus have also made broadcasts. It is thought these three have formed a Junta which intends to rule the empire.

Oojok and Sleeze were off-world when the coup began. Their location is currently unknown. Ayatollah Clone XE is still at large though narrowly escaped being killed during an air strike on his residence.

Reports of explosions across Cloneworld

There are reports of explosions at dozens of locations across Cloneworld in what Dino sources are calling a possible military coup. Media sources across the Clone Star Empire have been closed down by Clone Army troups. All commercial travel has also been restricted by the military.

The Religious Police HQ near Ailier City is reported to have been hit by air strikes as have two RP barracks near the capital. The head of CSE-E, Marcus, is reported to have been seen on Petric, the half way point between the two halves of the empire.

Retro story (2314) : Gate of death!

LORD Gibson's empire of Hell is revealed. Caution: ADULT themes!

Scandal of senior Clone Empire figures taking billions in state cash erupts

Bank details which allege that senior figures in the Clone Star Empire have been trousering huge amounts of state cash which has been withheld from the Clone Defence Forces and other state functions. The bank details were released online by conspiracy theory broadcaster Goodson and Clone cable TV channels. If true they point to a massive corruption scandal where figures like Ayatollah Clone XE and Sleeze have received billions of zarks from the Clone treasury.

A spokesclone for Ayatollah Clone XE said the allegations were completely false. A treasury official has also denied the secret funds. However, senior CDF figures have condemned it saying the defence forces have been starved of funds while people like XE fund their lavish and decadent life styles.

Sleeze has not commented, he is on route to Remedia Prime with Oojok to retrieve the body of Oojok's son Wolkapi who died yesterday.

Wolkapi killed in car accident on Remedia Prime

Oojok's son Wolkapi, the CSE Ambassador to the Remedian Belt, is reported to have been killed in a car accident on Remedia Prime. The circumstances behind his accident are currently unreported though it is being investigated by the Remedian National Police as a matter of course.

Oojok is preparing to travel to Remedia Prime to bring his son home. Censor Ronald has offered Oojok his condolences.

NS conduct successful test of LRM-20T

NS have conducted a successful test of the LRM-20T, a tactical version of the Long Range Missile strategic weapon system. The LRM-20T is a variant of the LRM-20 with a conventional warhead, it is operated from mobile launchers mostly based on Proxima 7.

In the test five missiles were launched from Proxima 7 and two from Proxima 5. Six targets were struck at a range on Liberation. One missile is reported to have suffered a failure in it's boost mode and was destroyed. An NS spokesman said the test was considered successful. It is not known how many LRM-20Ts have been built as they are an expensive option for tactical attacks though Viceroy Caratore is said to want the option.

Senior CDF officers call for disbanding of RP

A group of senior Clone Defence Forces officers including Admiral Armstrong, the head of the Clone Space Navy and Asis, the head of the Clone Air Force (East) have issued a joint communication calling for the disbanding of the Religious Police. The officers said the RP has grown out of control and is now in direct conflict with the military.

It is thought that the governor of the Clone Star Empire - East Marcus and maybe even the overall head of the military Admiral Anderson also support the communication. Ayatollah Clone XE has condemned it.

Caratore departs for FES hoping for 9 billion zarks in orders

Viceroy Caratore has departed GHQ in his ship SS Jurassic and will visit the Free Eritran States (FES). He will meet with the leaders of Molab, Helinox and Sear N7 as well as the Combined FES Military Command. Caratore is hoping to complete a number of orders for NS ships and weapons which could be worth up to 9 billion zarks!

Molab is said to be interested in ordering six of the new spec Pentekonter Protectors, as part of the order they will sell back three older Protectors which NS will then refurbish and sell to Oxsaxa. Helinox are interested in the Depender and more Coril shuttles. Sear N7 could also buy some more Protectors, they are also interested in upgrade options.

All FES militaries want to improve their personal weapons, a huge order for DAR-L1 laser rifles could be made with local production. Molab are said to be interested in the TPM-G system as well.

Caratore relaunches NS Politburo

Viceroy Caratore has relaunched the NS Politburo to assist him with running MBO-New Sparta. The Politburo was originally disbanded by Torus when she took over NS. The new Politburo will not be able to vote for NS leaders as the old one did, plus it will not have members from outside New Sparta.

The members of the Politburo are:

Caratore - Viceroy of MBO-New Sparta

Gomber - Deputy to Caratore

Boxman - Head of NS Facilities

Zeppelin - Head of Terrestrial Forces

Parallax - Head of Space Fleet

NS to conduct review into amphibious fleet

NS has begun a review into it's amphibious warfare fleet. This was greatly built up in the 2110s. The fleet is designed to deploy and support a large raiding force and includes landing ships and support carriers. However, despite the impressive capabilities there is a feeling amongst some in the NS hierarchy that the fleet is unneeded and is a waste of money.

NS already want to withdraw it's three Clone built Triumph 66B support carriers. Getting spares to keep the ships in service is proving difficult. This is also an issue with the Pangaea 62A assault ships though these have a lot more NS sourced equipment.

NS makes u-turn on destroyer development

NS has changed it's mind about a next generation destroyer platform after ceasing any development work last year, including the third phase of the Type 51, in favour of the Black Triangle programme. NS has now decided it will need conventional destroyers in future decades after all. The Isometric will finally reach the end of it's life in the mid-2130s, with the Mediterranean Sea, Freedom and Proxima Centauri fleets following later in the decade. All in all that is nearly fifty ships which will need to be replaced.

NS has begun the Destroyer Third Generation (D3G) design study (presumably the Starsystem and Isometrics are counted as being the same generation) which will feed into a design programme for a future destroyer by the end of the decade. NS has ruled out the new ships being a future development of the Type 51 due to the time gap.