Dinos place huge order for "CIN Standard Tank"

In what is of course not a sweetener before the Clone-FES peace talks next week (of course), the Dinos have finalised a huge order for three thousand J55ZDM3-C tanks with the Clones. These tanks will supply the armies of Sirikwan, Yeng, Voth, New Vosun and New Arit as they standardise their armour, the ZDM3-C being a customised version of the ZDM3 tank which is being built for the Dino Army.

The Clones will build the chassis and bodies of the tanks, the Dinos will supply the ZDM3 turrets. Factories on Sirikwan, Voth and New Arit will complete the tanks with localised equipment and customised final fits. The first tanks are set to be delivered before the end of the year.

The tank is officially known as the DTA Standard Tank though as the DTA will change it's name within the next few days, it's name will change to CIN Standard Tank. It is thought Sirikwan and New Arit will have around a thousand each of the tanks, Voth around six hundred, Yeng and New Vosun will have two hundred each and the rest will be kept in a reserve.

K85QA returns to service in revised form

The K85QA has returned to service after work on solving the overheating issues with the electric motor. The K85QA1 revision has a modified cowl from the NT which allows for more air cooling. Performance is said to be slightly reduced though some software modifications to the power management system and an improved battery infrastructure have remedied that to a large extent.

The time out of service has also allowed the Clone Air Force to rework the sensor integration and tactical data linking which have also been an issue with the QA. Production of the QA has resumed, the sixty aircraft already built will be retrofitted with the modifications to QA1 standard.

Caratore growing frustrated at MBO control

Viceroy Caratore is said to be growing increasingly frustrated at MBO control over New Sparta policy, though some UNP analysts have said (anonymously) that it is a bit late to worry about that now. Caretore is seeing the Free Eritran States disappear as NS allies, as Starbot did, and joining the Dino's orbit. He has been unable to counter the Dino overtures to the Eritrans, he even had to fight the MBO to get a relief column sent. That column is still two weeks away from reaching the FES. The Dinos have been on the ground in the FES now for weeks.

NS has not been included in the peace talks to be held in a few days on Starbot between the Clones and FES. They have not even been invited to attend as observers. 

According to sources, the MBO consider the FES as an irrelevance and are not bothered if they change allegiance. 

Krusty returns to Cloneworld, summit set up for Starbot next week

Senator Krusty is returning to Cloneworld to meet with Admiral Anderson again after reaching an agreement with the Free Eritran States to ending the war with the Clone Star Empire. Anderson is also said to be largely in agreement with it though there are a few sticking points especially with respect to the future trade agreement with the DTA.

A summit will be held next week on Starbot where it is hoped the agreement will be signed by representatives of both the CSE and FES. Censor Ronald will host the summit, he is due to arrive on Starbot soon.

Before Ronald left Dino-Land, the Dino Assembly agreed to rename the Dino Trade Association to the Commonwealth of Interstellar Nations (CIN). This will need to be ratified by all DTA members however before it can be made permanent.

Dinos donate XTs to Clones and Eritrans

As a gesture of good will while peace talks are ongoing, the Dinos are to donate surplus Dinomark XTs to both the Clones and the Free Eritran States. The Clones are to be given two Dinomark XT/77w, which are underwater capable, they will join the Clone Navy's existing fleet of six XTs. Delivery is expected in the Spring.

Molab are to receive no less than ten Dinomark XTs, which will form a shared FES pool. They currently operate three XTs which are officially NS owned but on extended load. These will also be delivered within the next few months.

Helinox and Sear N7 have been sounded out to see if they also want some XTs for their fleets.

First two Black Triangles enter service

126-001 Indigo One and 126-002 Indigo Two have entered service with the NS space fleet, the first of the new Black Triangle type to enter service. The two Black Triangles will be used for combat training, subsequent ships will be organised into squadrons of four which will be supported by a Rainbow 166A tender. The two Indigo call sign ships will be used for training and also reserve.

The first Rainbow, 166-001 Black Viper has also joined the fleet and will train with the two Indigo ships. The four Black call-sign ships will join their tender later this year.

Dinos unveil Eritran peace plan including semi-independent planets in CSE-E

The Dinos have unveiled a peace plan which has already been presented to the Clones and Eritrans. The plan is hoped to solve the problems which have led to the Clone-FES war. The Eritran majority planets in the CSE-E (Miliaris, Laalande 21649 and Rendrial 4) would become self-governing though remain part of the Clone Star Empire. The planets would have their own territorial air and land forces with a minimal CDF presence. Orbital defence would remain part of the Clone Space Navy's domain.

As a sweetener, the Dinos say they would donate 5 billion zarks for the setting up of the territorial forces and other infrastructure. This would help save the Clones the set-up costs. The Dinos will also pay several billion each to the Clones and FES to help with reconstruction. The Dinos will also offer DTA tariff free trade to the Clones which would be very valuable to the struggling Clone economy. The FES now look likely to join the DTA.

Admiral Anderson is said to be largely in agreement with the peace plan. Some senior CSE figures have warned against the CSE becoming a client state of the DTA.

Dinomark squadron arrives at Starbot to police Clone-FES ceasefire

Twelve Dinomarks have arrived at Starbot. They will police a Clone-FES ceasefire alongside other DTA member ships including Starbot. Two Sirikwanese ships are understood to also be en route, the Bolitic (not DTA members but aligned to the Dinos) may also send a detechment.

As per the peace proposals being sponsored by the DTA, a neutral zone between the Clone Star Empire and Free Eritran States will be established, about three light years wide. It will be monitored by DTA ships, CSE and FES warships will not be permitted to enter it. The FES also want all planets in the CSE-E except Austini 55 to be "de-nuclearised" (no CSM batteries installed). The Clones have not yet agreed to this, CSM on Austini 55 will not be able to reach the FES, though as proved in the war their bomber launched CSM-S cruise missiles will still be in range.

A second relief convoy has also reached both Molab and Helinox, including Starbotian crews to assist with reconstruction. An NS convoy is still a couple of weeks away though a ship despatched from Aldebra has reached Molab with anti-nuclear medication.

K58AD Raptor enters field testing

The K58AD Raptor is a light fighter version of the K58 COIN aircraft, itself a version of the K3 advanced trainer. The aircraft has a hybrid engine combining a turbofan with an electrically operated ducted fan. This allows the aircraft to loiter and cruise at low speed for extended periods. This capability has proven highly effective with the COIN version in training, though the type has not been used in combat.

The K58AD will replace the K47 as the light fighter for second line squadrons and territorial air forces in the Clone Star Empire. Although the type is subsonic it is highly agile (the K3 prepares pilots for the K45 after all).

If field tests this year are successful it is expected that up to five hundred will be built.

FES apply to join DTA

Following a meeting of the Free Eritran States on Sear N7, the FES have said they wish to join the Dino Trade Association. Senator Krusty is due to meet with the FES in a few days and is likely to be presented with the official application.

It is likely the application will be successful. In a debate in the Dino Assembly, Censor Ronald said that the DTA should expand to include the FES if they wanted to join. He also said that the DTA should consider changing it's name to reflect that more non-Saurian nations want to join. He suggested the new name Commonwealth of Interstellar Nations.

Krusty meets Anderson on Cloneworld

Senator Krusty, the Dino Minister of the Intelligence Services and a key ally of Censor Ronald, has met with Admiral Anderson, the leader of the Clone Star Empire. They discussed the terms of a ceasefire between the CSE and Free Eritran States.

Krusty said that the FES wanted cast iron guarantees they would not be attacked as the Clones did during earlier "peace" talks. Krusty said the DTA would guarantee the safety of both sides by monitoring and patrolling a neutral zone between the CSE and FES. Anderson is said to have agreed in principle to this. The FES also want nuclear weapons withdrawn from border worlds in the CSE, Anderson said this could happen if the FES also gave up theirs.

Krusty will travel to Sear N7 next to consult with the FES.

NS scrambling to catch up DTA in fear they may lose FES as allies

Viceroy Caratore has ordered a relief convoy to depart for the Free Eritran States as soon as possible. Yesterday, the DTA (Dinos and Starbot) reached Helinox and Molab and are assisting after the nuclear attacks on the two planets. It is rumoured the FES are considering requesting the DTA to join it as part of it's security guarantee in return for ending the war with the Clones.

The FES are officially allies of NS though this relationship has cooled on both sides after the MBO take over of NS. Caratore is concerned that NS has dragged it's heels too much when the Eritrans needed assistance.

The problem is, even if the convoy left tomorrow (and it is unlikely to be ready to leave until next week), the ships would take a couple of weeks to reach the FES. A second and larger DTA relief fleet is due to arrive in the FES within the next few days.

Dinos and Starbotians reach FES nuclear hit planets

A group of Dino ships has reached Molab with emergency medical supplies including anti-radiation medicine as well as a team of specialists from the SS NBC Warfare Brigade who will assist with measures to contain the radioactive damage to the Molabite environment. Ten more ships with more supplies are on the way and will reach Molab next week.

The death toll on Molab is now estimated at being near 100,000 though is likely to rise as more rubble is cleared.

A Starbotian fleet has reached Helinox to also assist. They have bought a mini-plant to manufacture anti-radiation medicine. More supplies from Dino-Land will reach Helinox next week. 

FES will only end war if they get guarantees

The Free Eritran State leaders (minus the leader of Helinox who was killed in the Clone attack, his deputy attended) have met on Sear N7. They agreed in principle to the Dino-NS ceasefire. However, they say they cannot trust the Clones, who launched a nuclear attack on Helinox and Molab, while "peace talks" were on-going on Yeng.

They want cast-iron guarantees that the Clones will not launch any more attacks. They want a demilitarised zone between the CSE and FES, with no nuclear missiles on the planets within range of the FES. This to be monitored by the DTA and New Sparta.

The Dinos have already said a squadron of Dinomarks will be moved to Starbot, which can monitor any demilitarised and non-nuclear zones.

The Clones have largely agreed to end hostilities, if the FES fully withdraw and stop funding and supplying insurgencies. They have yet to respond to the other FES demands.

Senator Krusty will visit Cloneworld next week, to discuss issues with Admiral Anderson.

NS and Dinos issue joint demand to end the Clone-FES War

Viceroy Caratore and Emperor MBH have issued a joint demand to the Clones and FES to end their war immediately. They called on the war to end and for the FES to withdraw from the Clone Star Empire. They said that humanitarian and financial aid would be available to the FES who suffered a deadly nuclear attack earlier in the week.

Communications have now been restored to Helinox and Molab, the attacks on both were not quite as bad as earlier feared. Only military targets including the military HQs of both planets were targeted though these were close to the planetary capitals and there was some damage to outlying suburbs but the centres of the capitals were not hit. The death toll is still expected to be in the thousands. Orbital facilities were also hit and largely destroyed.

Caratore and MBH said that further nuclear attacks by both sides must not take place. Neither the Clones or FES have yet to respond though an emergency meeting of the FES is to be held on Sear N7 as soon as possible.

Admiral Anderson calls upon the FES to surrender

After the horrific nuclear attack on the capitals of Helinox and Molab, death toll is currently unknown but will be in the many thousands, the ceasefire talks between the Clone Star Empire and Free Eritran States have been cancelled.

The CSE leader Admiral Anderson addressed the CSE earlier today, this is what he said:

"Fellow Clones, earlier today our brave Kelsan bomber crews launched a deadly attack on our enemies, the capitals of Helinox and Molab have been devastated. Now some might say our attack was unjustified but let us remember that it was the Eritans who opened the nuclear Pandora's box, now they have paid the price for their actions.

"I am demanding their immediate surrender and withdrawal from the Clone Star Empire. I am also calling on illegal insurgency groups to cease operations at once. The Clone Star Empire will no longer meekly tolerate these attempts to weaken us, the Clone Star Empire will robustly respond to all aggressions.

"We will not make further attacks on the Eritrans unless they ignore my call to surrender and withdraw. They can end the war, which they started, quickly and painlessly. Otherwise, we will end the war and cause the Eritrans much pain and sorrow. The choice is theirs."

Multiple nuclear strikes reported on Molab and Helinox

Even while the Clone-FES talks took place on Yeng it appears the Clones had a terrible plan to devastate the Free Eritran States. Sear N7 is reporting that Helinox and Molab have been struck by multiple nuclear missiles. The capitals of both planets have been hit, the death toll is expected to be in the millions.

Key military infrastructure on both planets was hit as well. Both planets are currently cut off from the FES communications network. 

The FES have withdrawn from the talks and condemned the Clones for the attack. There are also reports that the Clone fleet which had been withdrawn is now heading towards Miliaris again.

Clone-FES talks begin on Yeng

Peace talks between the Clone Star Empire and the Free Eritran States have begun on Yeng in the DTA, with NS as observers. The FES want full Clone withdrawal from CSE-E, the former Eritran Trade Federation, obviously the Clones want to keep the planets and for the FES to withdraw.

A compromise promoted by the Dinos is for the Clones to keep Austini 55 and Woloron 12 but withdraw from the other planets which would become independent (and free to join the FES if they wish). The Clones are said to be interested in this though want a five lightyear wide demilitarised zone between the CSE and FES held territory.

Pentekonter ILU has begun this year at last

NS is to give it's Pentekonter minesweeping and training fleet of ships it's first major overhaul starting this year. Pentekonter Intermediate Life Update 2125 will include updates which were planned for way back in 2120 but never took place due to the war and other upheavals. Ships did receive heavy overhaul however, to remove worn components and check for fatigue.

The upgrade will include re-engining the fleet with a Proton RM-01 e-Core engine (as is used in export Pentekonters and the patrol developments), the legacy SPECNES minesweeping suite will be removed, it has already been replaced by the newer DMS system though the older system has not yet been taken out of the ships. The space saved, and electrical bandwidth released, will allow for an eight cell TPM-VLS system to be fitted.

The first two ships have already begun their upgrades and are expected to be completed by March, the whole fleet will take the rest of the year at least.

Anderson says the 2nd Legion will become the Clone Republic Guard

Admiral Anderson, now the sole ruler of the Clone Star Empire, has said the 2nd Legion will become the core of the new Clone Republic Guard. Anderson said the CRG will be the vanguard of the empire, responsible for protecting the republic (not that the empire is yet a republic).

The 2nd Legion was Benito Clone's old command, later they were led by Marcus. After the death of Marcus, Anderson has called on them to become the bulwark against those who want to bring the empire down.

The 2nd Legion will be relocated to Cloneworld from Austini 55 later this year.

Clone Navy to build larger SSBN

The order for the Walrus ballistic missile submarine has been reduced to four, with a ship currently under construction. Production will switch to a follow-on class known as the Walrus II. This is very similar to the current class but longer with the missile complement increased from twelve to sixteen. The larger hull will also mean the submarine can stay on patrol for longer.

It is not known how many Walrus II will be built though the Clone Navy did intend to build seven Walrus submarines. The first Walrus II could be in service by the end of the decade.

Swordfish to begin flight testing next week

The prototype Swordfish DTA patrol ship has been unveiled by Krok Industries and will begin flight testing next week. The Swordfish is a competitor to the Pentekonter and export Shark frigates and is intended for the DTA to replace older ships like the Kalahati Tuul and also export customers. The Swordfish is based on the Dinomark GL which was the losing competitor to the LM (indeed the Swordfish prototype is largely a rebuild of the GL prototype).

Twenty six Swordfish are on order for DTA customers, there has also been interest from other potential customers. The first production Swordfish are expected to enter service next year.

Anderson will rule alone, will form Clone Republican Guard

Admiral Anderson has returned to the Clone government HQ in Ailier City. He addressed the Clone Star Empire saying that the immediate danger from rebel elements had passed though there may be further incidents in future, Anderson said that all Clones needed to be vigilant.

Anderson mourned Marcus and Armstrong but said they would not be replaced in the Junta. From now on he, Anderson, would rule the Clone Star Empire alone. He said that the empire would evolve into a republic with a President as head of state, though he did not say exactly when that would be.

Anderson also said he was forming an elite force of loyalists to help protect the integrity of the new republic, he called it the Clone Republican Guard (CRG) though did not give any other details.

He also did not address the war with the FES or the upcoming peace talks on Yeng.