Eritran demilitarised zone established

The Clone Star Empire is withdrawing from most planets in the CSE-East, a process due to take the next few years. As part of the agreement signed by the Clones, Free Eritran States (FES), Commonwealth of Interstellar Nations (CIN) and the United Nations of Planets (UNP), a demilitarised zone has been set up along the border between the CSE-E and FES.

This area of space is five lightyears across. No CSE or FES ships are to enter the zone. No military equipment is also to be transported in the zone. The zone will be monitored by UNDF and CIN ships. Three UNDF ships in a task force has arrived at Aldebra which will act as the support base for UNDF patrol operations. Two more ships are en route, one is SS Jurassic - the ship of former NS Commander Caratore - who has been made head of the patrol force (Demilitarised Zone Patrol Force - DZPF).

The Dinos have also sent six ships, two Sirikwanese ships will also join their patrol, as will the Bolitic. They will be based out of Starbot. The zone is expected to maintained until the final withdrawal from the CSE-E by the end of the decade. After that a new zone between the new border of the CSE and the former CSE-E may be set up, though talks are still ongoing.

MBH visits CIN East and Starbot

Emperor MBH has begun an extended visit of the former Free Eritran States, now known as the eastern states (not that directions mean much in space) of the Commonwealth of Interstellar Nations and Starbot. MBH has met the leader of Molab and will also see the leaders of Helinox and Sear N7. He will later chair a meeting of the leaders of the CIN East members on Starbot.

Sear N7 has requested information on the Swordfish patrol ship. Starbot are also said to be interested in it.

FES complete withdrawal from Clone space

The Free Eritran States have completed their withdrawal from Clone space as part of the peace deal between themselves and the Clone Star Empire. The demilitarised zone between the two sides is now being surveyed by Dino and Starbotian ships. Patrols are expected to begin in a few weeks though the Dinos are looking into the possibility of making use of automated sentry posts to lessen the need for crewed patrolling.

CIN teams have arrived on Miliaris, Rendrial 4 and Laalande 21649 to assess the planets' before funding is released for the setting up of institutions as the planets begin their new eras as self-governing.

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.

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.

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 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 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.

Contact lost with NS ship

Contact has been lost with the Nectar destroyer SS Nigeria. It was on patrol near to Aldebra and is reported to have encountered a Starbotian ship. No other details have been revealed, an unnamed source said that the status of the destroyer is unknown.

NS have despatched two other ships from Aldebra to investigate.

Senator Krusty visits NS GHQ

The Dino Minister of Intelligence Services Krusty has visited NS GHQ on Proxima 5. He met with Viceroy Caratore and various recent matters were discussed. Krusty is understood to have accepted Caratore's assertion that the MBO attack on an SS facility on Dino-Land was not sanctioned by New Sparta and may have been a rogue MBO unit.

However, Caratore said that the Dino Empire was making a big mistake by allowing the rebel Real DDS to operate from their territory. Krusty said that Real DDS had been offered a sanctuary though were not getting material assistance from the Dinos.

Although the talks did not end in any resolution it is thought they did help ease the tensions between MBO-New Sparta and the Dino Empire. Krusty is understood to be now travelling to Starbot.

NS Logistics Command wants new transports by 2127

NS Logistics Command has said it wants new transports based on the next generation Modular Logistics Platform (MLP) by 2127. The reason for this is the current stretched status of the NS transport and oiler fleet which is struggling to fulfil all NS commitments. Later this decade NS will need to begin a MULE programme for it's Provider and Extender fleets if they are to serve into the next 2130s. Obviously a ship having a rebuild and upgrade cannot be in service at the same time!

The problem for NS is that they have yet to finalise the MLP or do any final design work for ships based on MLP. Designing, building, testing and commissioning new transports and oilers by 2127 may be difficult. One option NS is said to be looking at is to buy back ships built for export customers. NS has sounded out Starbot if it is interested in selling it's Providers and Extenders to NS, or at the very least leasing them out.

NS scrambles to adjust to loss of Starbot

MBO-New Sparta has been forced to adjust it's force structure and systems due to the loss of Starbot as a tier 1 ally. Updated security protocols were rolled out overnight to the entire MBO-New Sparta removing Starbot from access to NS data and secure communications. Starbot Commander S101 has given NS a month to remove their military facilities and personnel from Starbot, though this should not take that long. An NS transport is en route to facilitate the removal.

The loss of Starbot as a refuelling and marshalling point is where NS will feel this change the most though nearby Aldebra will be a suitable replacement. Facilities chief Boxman said the orbital facilities at Aldebra would be upgraded this year.

NS has not officially commented on Starbot's decision to join the DTA. Viceroy Caratore is privately said to be furious.

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.

Starbot considers leaving NS alliance network

S101 has said that Starbot's time as an NS ally may be coming to an end. He said that Starbot had long been Dino Empire allies as well, for decades before any alliance with the DDS/NS. Now that the Dinos and MBO-New Sparta were at loggerheads and could be entering a Cold War, Starbot could be forced to choose which side it was on. S101 did not say which side they would choose.

Starbot is also very distrustful of the Mutre Bee, who for a time was Starbotian leader. This is a time the Starbotians do not remember fondly. 

Mutre Bee visits Starbot

Mutre Bee has paid an unannounced visit to Starbot. The NS ally has remained in the MBO-NS orbit though has been hesitant about staying and has even been courted by the DTA. For the moment S101 has said Starbot remains an MBO-New Sparta ally. The Starbotians have been enemies of the Mutre Bee for decades.

Mutre Bee met with S101, B-B and K-1. He offered them a greater role in the future of MBO-NS, specifically making them the regional hub for UNP planets such as Saeou and Malau. He also offered them to join the Black Triangle 126A future space warfare project. It is not known what the Starbotian response is.

Starbotians unveil new ship type

The Starbotians have unveiled a new ship called I-51. The ship is fully autonomous instead of being crewed by Starbotians, indeed the ship can be considered a Starbotian which has been converted into a ship. The ship can also be crewed though only has minimal space inside.

I-51 is said to be highly agile though it's primary role will be scouting. A prototype ship (I-50) is rumoured to have been lost in trials though an unconfirmed report says it was stolen by Real DDS!

Starbotian military chief K-1 said that if I-51 was successful then the Starbotians will build a whole fleet of similar ships.

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.

Caratore sanctions Starbot

Starbot has been removed from various intelligence and technology sharing groups by Viceroy Caratore as punishment for perceived assistance by Starbot to the so-called Real DDS rebel faction. Whilst Starbot is not officially helping the Real DDS there is now proof (according to NSIS) that senior Starbotian officials are assisting Real DDS with the full knowledge of the Starbotian leadership.

Starbot will not be allowed to take part in NS exercises and will be downgraded to Tier 2 status if the assistance continues Caratore said. Starbotian Commander S101 has repeated that Starbot is not assisting Real DDS.