NS sending task force to Aldebra sector in anti-Argon operation

NS has despatched a task force to reinforce Aldebra and also to guard against a possible Argon incursion in that area of UNP space. This is following the loss of the Nectar destroyer SS Nigeria due to an attack by the Argon.

Viceroy Caratore said that if the Argon had forces in the area they would be engaged with and repulsed with full force.

NS concede Argon 7 Sa Sao behind destruction of ship

Following analysis of telemetry provided by the Starbotians, as well as a material analysis of the remains of SS Nigeria, New Sparta has conceded that it was the Argon faction of the 7 Sa Sao which destroyed their ship not the Starbotians.

Starbotian leader S101 said that the Argon tried to steal their new ship which was on trials. The Argon disabled I-1A but S101 said they were able to restore power while the Argon were fighting the NS ship and then was able to damage and chase off the Argon ship.

Caratore has called a meeting of senior officials, more ships may be sent to reinforce NS at Aldebra.

NS admit contact lost with Corkscrew

Following on from the loss of SS Braun, NS has admitted that contact has been lost with SS Corkscrew which is commanded by Tiger. However, NS said the Corkscrew was on a very long range secret mission beyond the range of NS communications and therefore the loss of contact was not unexpected.

Privately though NS are said to be concerned as the ship has been sent to investigate space in the direction of the Mutre Bee Organisation's territory. However, this means the ship has had to pass between 7 Sa Sao factions space, which explains the difficulty in communications. 

Fighting continuing on Starbot as K-2 hunted by special forces

New Sparta has reported on the attack on the Argon orbital base. The first action was to rescue to UNP hostages held at the base, an Emerald unmanned transport outfitted with industrial level teleporters was sent into Starbotian orbit posing as a Starbotian transport (hence the lack of any organic crew). The UNP citizens were rescued thanks to confusion caused by numerous cyber attacks.

Then the 1st Attack Squadron made a run at the Argon base, a Starbotian Isometric was destroyed and other Starbotian assets moved in to intercept. However this attack was a diversion, another attack squadron then decloaked and attacked the Argon base with MRMs. The base was destroyed but one Warrior (016-108 Walrus) bomber was caught by ground fire and destroyed. An Indy (035-207 Invicta) was also destroyed while protecting Quasar bombers. The final act was to launch an attack on Starbotian Military HQ on the surface, it was heavily damaged though K-2 is reported to have survived.

The Starbotian fleet has been badly damaged, one of their Type 35s and two Isometrics have been destroyed and other ships knocked out of action. New Sparta has control of Starbotian orbit and have deployed special forces to the surface. President Sea Urchin said K-2 would be hunted down and would face justice.

New Sparta attack Argon orbital base

Following thirty hours of cyber attacks the attack on the Argon orbital base in construction over Starbot has finally come. First however New Sparta had to solve the problem of the UNP citizens being held as "guests" in orbital habitats right in the firing line. NS say they managed to beam the citizens out before the attack took place.

The attack was carried out by NS bombers firing MRMs. NS are reporting the base has been destroyed though not without cost. Two NS ships are reported to have been destroyed and a number of others damaged. Numerous Starbotian ships have also been destroyed or damaged. The operation is said to be ongoing though NS are not giving any details. It is being speculated that phase two of the attack is to remove K-2 as Starbotian Commander though NS are being silent about specifics.

All a NS spokeswoman would say was to confirm NS had gone to RED alert (war status).

Deadline passes as Sea Urchin issues final warning

New Sparta gave the 1st of September as a deadline for the Starbotians to stop construction of the Argon orbital base. That has now passed and a New Sparta media briefing held on Liberation today presented evidence from long-range sensors that work continues on the base.

President Sea Urchin issued a final warning to Starbot, stop the base now or New Sparta will do so.

The President was asked about the hundreds of UNP citizens now known to be held in orbital habitats at the base, conditions being barely habitable. It is rumoured that many have died and the Starbotians are not even removing the corpses. Sea Urchin said the crimes of the K-2 regime were known to the galaxy and had repulsed everyone. He noted that Oojok had joined the chorus calling on K-2 to stop his use of civilians as shields. He said it was a factor in the planning but would not halt any action.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

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.

Argon open new embassy on Starbot

The Argon faction of the 7 Sa Sao have opened an embassy on Starbot. This is just part of the growing relationship between Starbot and the Argon which is welcomed by Starbotian Commander K-2 though some Starbotians have expressed confusion at how such a recent enemy can now be their friend.

K-2 is said to be going to meet the Argon leader Kira this year. A joint military exercise of Starbotian and Argon ships could be held soon.

NS issues warning to Starbot

New Sparta has warned Starbot about its peace deal with the Argon. Deputy Commander Torus said that it would be a mistake to trust the Argon and allowing Argon ships in Starbotian space was a potential security risk for NS. "Freighters can easily be a cover for intelligence gathering or even staging posts for special forces missions." she said.

"NS will be increasing its patrols near Starbotian space and keeping an eye on what enters its space." she added.

Starbot and Argon announce peace deal

Starbotian Commander K-2 has announced a peace deal with the Argon faction of the 7 Sa Sao. The Argon were in battle with Starbot only last year so the move has surprised many. K-2 said the time for enmity was over and Starbot needed new allies now it was no longer part of the DDS system.

Argon freighters will be allowed to enter Starbot space under the peace deal with similar rights for Starbot ships in Argon territory. Argon will also open an embassy on Starbot. Further discussions on closer ties will be held in the new year.

Third generation Ferret to enter production / Lavender announced

The third generation DDS unmanned combat fighter, the Ferret 101C, will enter production later this year following successful proving trials. The Ferret C will have a number of improvements including an upgraded Z88 engine, a new data architecture, improved AI and the ability to carry a third missile in lieu of a laser gun.

Attention is now switching to 2 other unmanned designs, one is a fourth generation Ferret (Ferret-X) which can travel faster than light with an optional booster pack. The other is a revival of the Stoat UCV concept which was an unmanned combat optimised version of the Panther platform. A new UCV called the Lavender 105A is in development as an ultra long range patrol ship. The Lavender will be able to operate for up to 5 years between refuelling and maintenance and patrol vast areas of space. The DDS have given the green light to the type as such a craft is thought to be needed to patrol the large areas of space forbidden to the Argon near Aldebra. However its unlikely anything will be in service mch before the end of the decade.

• The ageing K40 Ford fleet of the Clone Air Force has dropped below the symbolic 2000 barrier as withdrawals of life expired aircraft continues. The oldest examples in service now are a few dozen of K40Ls which are likely to be withdrawn in the next few months. These are the last Clone War era K40s still in service though its not thought any saw any action against the DDS.

K-2 announces peace deal with VC faction

The war has cost the Starbotians most of their army but now the new leader K-2 has agreed a peace deal with the rebel VC faction. They will be granted autonomy over their province on Starbot though will be left in isolation. Despite the fact the VC had Argon help to kill thousands of Starbotian soldiers there is almost zero appetite to continue the conflict and the peace deal was greeted with relief by the Starbotians.

K-2 said however that the VC would not be allowed to spread outside of their territory, saying that if they wanted isolation they had it. Of course at the moment there is little Starbot could do to prevent the VC trespassing but the VC themselves seem content to stay where they are.

K-2 also announced that K-1, a former deputy of S101 and one of his oldest friends, will be the new defence chief. K-1 said the priority was to rebuild the army and complete the separation from the DDS. Oil Stop Boss has been named the Interior Minister. S101 is said to be not angry at his friends joining his rival saying that he did not expect them to sacrifice their careers for him. B-B has joined S101 in retirement.