DTA becomes the Commonwealth of Interstellar Nations

Following the final ratification by Starbot, the name change of the Dino Trade Association to the Commonwealth of Interstellar Nations or CIN has been finalised. Senator Woodhead, the Minister of the DTA said his job title has now changed as well though it will take a few weeks to complete the change in name across the ex-DTA.

However, the name change is just the start. Censor Ronald wants the CIN to evolve into something more than a trade bloc. Efforts are ongoing to harmonise the militaries of the CIN members, including the recent order for a standard CIN tank. Ronald also wants other nations to join the CIN as well as the Free Eritran States who will soon join. Triple Megan is rumoured to be in talks, this would be a blow to the Clones as Triple Megan are one of their dwindling number of allies.

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 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.

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.

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 PT (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.

NS say they should be involved in Clone-FES peace talks

MBO-New Sparta say they should be invited to attend the forthcoming peace talks between the Free Eritran States and the Clone Star Empire which will be hosted by the DTA on Yeng. The FES are long-term NS allies, indeed most of the FES military has been provided by NS.

Molab said NS were welcome to attend but interestingly did not appear too enthusiastic. Some analysts say the FES are looking beyond NS as an ally, as since the MBO takeover of NS the alliance has cooled greatly. Some FES members want greater ties with, or even joining, the DTA.

Later, the Dinos said that NS could send an observer.

FES agree to ceasefire with Clones, peace talks to be held on Yeng

The Free Eritran States have agreed to a ceasefire in their war with the Clone Star Empire - East. Both sides will now suspend combat operations and maintain their current positions. Representatives of the Clones and the FES will meet at Yeng in the DTA next week. Worm drive equipped Dinomarks have been sent by Ronald to bring the Clones and FES to the talks.

The FES are demanding that all planets in the CSE-E, the former Eritran Federation, be surrendered back to Eritran control. The Clones are thought to be happy to give back most planets (which they consider pretty worthless) though want to keep Austini 55 and Woloron 12 and have a number of security guarantees. The Dinos are hosting the talks and say they will aim to bring about a compromise.

NS accuse Starbot of destroying ship

The Nectar destroyer SS Nigeria has been confirmed to have been destroyed after wreckage was found in deep space near to Aldebra. Viceroy Caratore has said there is evidence the Starbotians were involved as Nigeria had been following I-1A when contact had been lost with it.

Caratore has demanded an explanation from Starbot and has threatened them with "revenge". However, the DTA were quick to warn MBO-New Sparta that an attack on Starbot would be an attack on the DTA and would have very serious circumstances.

Swordfish / Dinomark RA details revealed

The Swordfish patrol ship is expected to become the standard patrol and light combatant ship of the DTA, replacing a number of older types. It has been given the Dinomark code RA though the Dino Army have not yet said if they will field the type.

Krok Industries say they will unveil the Swordfish next year with an entry into service in 2126. Krok Industries say the Swordfish is based on the prototype Dinomark GL (which was not taken up by the Dino Army) and is a compact ship like the Dinomark PT. The Swordfish will have a high power-to-mass ratio which will give it very high agility. It will also have a high degree of mission flexibility.

Another Dinomark lost in "Far West"

The Dinos are reporting the loss of a third Dinomark in a distant region of space known as the "Far West". This is a barely charted region of space beyond the border of the Voth and DTA space. Over the last few years the Dinos have run regular long-range patrols in the region. DM205 is now the third ship that has been reported lost.

The Dinos are considering sending a powerful expedition into the region to investigate what has caused these losses.

Sirikwan and NS to meet over DTA minesweeping order

A few years ago NS scored a huge export success when the DTA selected the Pentekonter Protector-ME for it's DTA Standard Minesweeper. Twenty five 284Ms have been ordered, they would be crewed and maintained by Sirikwan but serve in the mine counter measure role with all DTA members including the Dinos.

However, the tensions between the Dinos and NS have put this huge order in doubt. Both NS and the DTA are keen for the order to go ahead and have emphasised that the order if for the DTA not the Dino Empire. A NS delegation will meet with the Sirikwan military next week to discuss the deal. The first 284M is thought to be under construction.

Starbot joins DTA!

Starbot has made the shock decision to join the Dino Trade Association, they have also severed ties with NS having been a tier 1 ally. Starbot had been approached by the DTA a number of years ago but had remained in the NS orbit despite their misgivings with the Mutre Bee. Following the MBO raid on a Dino base (though MBO-New Sparta say it was a rogue unit) Starbot has decided they can no longer remain an NS ally.

Starbot will leave the NS military co-operation system with immediate effect. Starbot is also looking to cancel it's order for ten Shark SKS frigates which have been delayed again by the Clones. Starbot may look to join the Dino Swordfish programme. Starbot has a few NS built ships on order, it is not known what will happen to these orders.

The Dinos say they will integrate Starbot into the DTA military command by the end of the year. A number of Dinomarks are thought to be already en route to visit the new DTA ally.

Dinos consider building competitor to the Pentekonter and Shark

Krok Industries, the manufacturer of most Dino spaceships including the Dinomark XT, are considering building a ship primarily aimed at the export market, especially the other DTA members. New Arit are looking at around 12 ships to replace it's aging Kalahati Tuuls, Sirikwan are also becoming frustrated with the Clones for the delays in it's second batch of Shark frigates. Krok Industries are said to be looking at a type to satisfy both New Arit's and Sirikwan's needs. Voth are also looking into replacing their Kalahati Tuuls.

Krok Industries are dusting off the Dinomark GL concept which lost out to the PT for the Dino Army Medium Combat Ship. An updated Dinomark GL design could be produced pretty quickly. New Arit is said to be very interested.

Dinos in talks over Pentekonter-MD order

The Dinos are in talks with MBO-New Sparta over their order for Pentekonter-MD minesweepers (to be known as the Dinomark KX in Dino service). With relations between MBO-New Sparta and the Dino Empire currently strained the status of the order is in question, the first ships are said to be already under early construction.

It is likely the order will go ahead, the minesweeper order is for a number of DTA members and is very lucrative for NS. 

DTA and Clone Star Empire to discuss economic ties

The Dino Trade Association and the Clone Star Empire will begin talks later this month on an economic pact. The Clones are in desperate need of economic help after the deepest recession the empire has suffered in it's history. 

Whilst the DTA are unlikely to offer financial assistance to the CSE, they are in need of raw materials. Some DTA members may also be interested in Clone built weapons.

Ronald offers DTA membership to Starbot

Censor Ronald has paid a surprise trip to Starbot where he met the senior leadership. It is understood that he has offered Starbot membership of the Dino Trade Association if it leaves or is kicked out of the MBO-New Sparta ally network.

It is not known if this is official Dino or DTA policy though coming from Ronald it will most likely become so. Starbot is thought to be taking the idea seriously though this could cause serious astral-political ramifications.

DTA offer safe harbour to Real DDS

Censor Ronald has confirmed that the so-called Real DDS rebel faction led by Windscorpion can have safe harbour in DTA space, though as yet Real DDS have not taken advantage of this. Ronald said the Dinos have no beef with Real DDS and will not take sides.

Viceroy Caratore is said to be furious.