Vosun-Voth buy Clone warships

The Vosun-Voth Star Empire, rather misnamed these days seeing as the Voth have split to gain freedom and the rest is a virtual vassal state of the Bolitic Confederacy, have bought 4 Shark SK-E frigates as part of their fleet rebuilding efforts.

As well as indigenous warships the VVSE has also a collection of old Bolitic and Tarbot ships but the Sharks will be their most modern. They will be integrated into the joint VVSE-Bolitic Military Command by the Bolitic who will also perform some upgrades including info-weapons. It is understood that the VVSE (and Bolitic) are part paying for the ships with a transfer of info-warfare technology to the Clones.

New Vosun becomes full DTA member

New Vosun, an ethnically Vosunite planet though opposed to the former Vosun-Voth Star Empire, has finally become a full DTA member after several years of provisional membership and talks. The Voth have opposed New Vosun joining because of their history with their former Vosunite overlords however Dino led cultural exchanges and some economic sweeteners have softened the Voth stance and they voted along with the other DTA members to grant New Vosun full membership.

New Vosun is a poor planet which has suffered from separatist insurgencies (thought to be Tarbotian backed) for a number of years though the DTA have helped the New Vosun Army break the back of the insurgency. New Vosun's economy is starting to grow and will be greatly helped by full membership. New Vosun say they want to be full DTA members and have a space fleet, though this may be restricted to some donated second-hand Dinomark XTs for the time being.

Bolitic link up with Repicans

The Repicans, a merchantist faction of Saurians, have been Bolitic allies for some time and also joined in during the ABBO-Bolitic War (though they did not do that well). The Repicans however have now signed a defence treaty with the Bolitic that will allow the Repicans access to Bolitic ports (and vice versa) as well as shared intelligence.

Coming hot on the heels of the Vosun-Voth integration Dino observers are warning of a change in Bolitic strategic direction. Emperor Melson has managed to put down the rivalry of Erinthorn and his fellow imperial houses that lie away from Castarian. Erinthorn has pledged his loyalty to Melson and the Bolitic armed forces are restoring their abilities after their disastrous losses in the ABBO-Bolitic War.

Melson is thought to want to create a Bolitic led rival to the Dino Trade Association, some wags in the Dino media said it probably wouldn't be called the BTA though!

Bolitic integrate Vosun-Voth into their military command

The Bolitic Confederacy have further integrated their Vosun-Voth Star Empire "allies" (in reality little more than vassals) into their military command. The Vosun-Voth now use the same communications and encryption protocols as the Bolitic, have access to the same info-weapons, and will take a full role in Bolitic exercises.

The Bolitic have also donated 4 worn-out Helwins from their strategic reserve to the Vosun-Voth who will refurbish and restore to service the ships themselves. Currently the Vosun-Voth has a fleet of 16 indigenous warships and 4 ex-Tarbotian Vortis class corvettes.

Tarbotians behind New Vosun attacks?

Recently New Vosun was shattered by devastating terrorist attacks which were originally blamed on separatists who did not want New Vosun to join the DTA. However a joint SS-D/ISSF operation has revealed Tarbotian involvement in the attacks.

Although details are scarce it is thought the Tarbotian secret service Vodan Reis hired mercenaries and equipped them with heavy weapons even including surplus HCS aircraft. A Tarbotian ship was also lying cloaked in orbit and attacked a DDS ship supporting the ISSF team. The mercenary base was attacked by SS-D and a Prowler unit led by SFX and the Tarbotian ship chased away. Documents found in the base reveal the Vodan Reis involvement.

The DTA is now helping the New Vosun government recover from the attacks. It is expected that the ex-Vosun-Voth Star Empire planet will apply to join the DTA later in the year.

DTA to send aid to New Vosun

The DTA is to send urgent aid to New Vosun which suffered a massive terrorist attack a few days ago in which it is estimated over 2000 people died. Critical infrastructure in many parts of New Vosun including the capital has been badly hit and the aid being sent will help with that.

The aid includes emergency food and medical supplies, generators and recovery equipment. Three transports will leave Dino-Town later today while another has already left Sirikwan. DTA Minister Razorback is now on the planet.

New Vosun calls in DTA help

New Vosun has been rocked by dozens of powerful explosions in its largest cities which have left hundreds dead and critical infrastructure in a state of collapse. Separatists who are opposed to New Vosun joining the DTA are thought to be behind the attacks though at the moment the New Vosun government are concentrating on holding the planet together.

They have sent an urgent request to the DTA to send humanitarian assistance such as medical supplies, rescue teams, generators and other emergency equipment. El Diablo has ordered a fleet be prepared at once though some supplies are being sent from Sirikwan later today. The minister of the DTA Razorback has already been sent off to New Vosun to assess the situation.

Massive explosions rock New Vosun

The ex-Vosun Voth Star Empire member New Vosun, a colony rather out on the limb on the edge of DTA space, has been rocked by massive explosions across 4 cities Dino media has reported. The cause of the explosions are unknown though there has been a terrorist movement operating on the planet for some months trying to stop government moves to join the DTA.

The group want New Vosun to either re-establish its link to the remaining Vosun Empire or become a neutral non-aligned planet.

UNP President and AP to visit Raegris

The UNP President Arkness and DDS Commander AP will be visiting the Raegris later in the month. Although the Raegris are among the DDS' closest allies these days (producing most of the DDS' export ships for example) the separation of space between themselves and the rest of the DDS often gives the Raegris the image of being a bit isolated.

AP is keen to integrate the Raegris tighter into the DDS system, he also wishes to discuss the astral-political situation viz a viz the Vosun Star Empire. The vassals of the Bolitic have recently seen an attempted coup and some DDS insiders wonder if the DDS should try and support dissidents and try with the hope the new regime wishes for better DDS relations, maybe even joining the DDS in future.

• The Rome 46A Light Combat Ship has been calibrated for worm drive. Only the flagship P101F Cicero is scheduled to receive a worm-drive however. This work will be carried out while AP visits the Raegris (see above). While his ship is being modified he will transfer his flag to an Indy 35B.

Melson warns Vosun rebels of "consequences"

Emperor Melson has warned the Vosun rebel troops who have launched a coup on Vosun that there will be "consequences" unless they immediately stand down and allow themselves to be arrested by troops loyal to the (puppet) government of the Vosun Star Empire.

Bolitic forces in the VSE are currently small as so many Bolitic were away with the war of succession so at the moment all Melson can do is make a threat. It is also thought he would rather not have to send forces to the Bolitic as he would rather retain his core loyalist troops at Castarian in case there is are any challenges to his new regime.

• The explosion aboard HCS Navy submarine CNSS Warhammer was caused by a manufacturing flaw in an oxygen tank according to an early accident assessment. The navy have ordered all submarine operations halted until all similar tanks aboard the navy's submarine fleet can be checked for similar flaws.
• After a period of inactivity (thanks to brutal crackdowns after the murder of Captain Clone) Lornaca Melnig insurgents have launched a series of attacks across the CSE planet. Three HCS soldiers are reported killed and a number injured, a number of civilian workers have also been killed and injured.

Military coup on Vosun

Elements of the Vosun military opposed to the "alliance" of the Vosun Star Empire with the Bolitic Confederacy (which in reality is Vosun being a virtual slave state) have launched a military coup against the Bolitic imposed leadership. The 2nd Space Division attacked the capital from space and landed troops which have occupied parts of the city but failed to capture the parliament building.

The rebels want to pull the Vosun Star Empire out of the Bolitic orbit. A spokesman said "The Vosun are slaves to the Bolitic. While the Bolitic are busy with their own political fighting we should break free and re-establish ourselves as an independent power!" An independent Vosun politician has however refused to join the rebels, "Their sense of timing is rotton." he told state media, "The Bolitic civil war is over. We simply do not have the forces to stand against the Bolitic." The neighbouring Raegris have raised their alert status.

DDSAF withdraw A-84s

The DDSAF have put the 40 A-84 attack aircraft they purchased second-hand off the Clones for war service last year. The aircraft had officially reached operational status though had not seen much use with the DDS now the war is over. The DDSAF have decided to withdraw them to save costs and because a ground attack upgrade for the F-10S is due soon. The aircraft have been put in storage though will likely be sold. The aircraft were bought cheaply with not a great deal of life left in any event.

Other Clone built aircraft are coming into service however, the first 2 C-485s have become the latest transport type to enter service.

• The Vosun Star Empire has reaffirmed its committment to the Bolitic Confederacy despite the ongoing War of Succession (which seems to be kicking off again) and a series of terrorism attacks across the capital city. The Bolitic Governor has told the Vosun government to crush this dissent or the Bolitic may have to intervene. As the Bolitic have been known to use chemical weapons for crowd control this is no idle threat.

DDS begin trials of anti-matter weapons

Some years ago the DDS got their hands on Vosun-Voth anti-matter weapon technology. Although the explosive yields are not any higher than existing DDS transplasic warheads (and indeed a bit less) anti-matter weapons (which actually use a pseudo-anti-matter compound known as kelerium) have a much higher spread of impact which can overload an area of a ship's shields and also cause sensor overloads.

Two Panther 35A destroyers have been fitted out with an experimental anti-matter cannon, known as the AA Spray. It is hoped that if the trial is successful then the cannons will be rolled out to the rest of the fleet over the next couple of years. An anti-matter warhead for the TPM-2 and MRM is also in development.

• The HCS are beefing up their military presence on the border world of Paragon (which up until now has been mostly known as a stopping point for ships travelling between the two halves of the empire). Its not known why the Clones are building a new army base and upgrading the orbital facilities. The nearest non-empire planet to Paragon is Vega but no one sane would want to invade the Vegans.

Bolitic complete annexation of Vosun

The Bolitic have completed their annexation of the Vosun Star Empire which now remains in just name. Some loyalist Vosun troops are understood to have made a stand on Melsan 90510 but were ruthlessly crushed by Bolitic forces. It is thought the Bolitic will maintain garrisons and ship deployments on Vosun and Melsan.

A new puppet leader of the Vosun has been installed, a former Vosun army general. He has announced the construction of 10 new warships and a rejuvenated army that will fight "alongside our Bolitic allies".

Bolitic install puppet government on Vosun

The Bolitic have installed a puppet government on Vosun which appears to going to be run as a client state of the Bolitic Confederacy with independent domestic policy but a foreign policy that serves the Bolitic's ends. The Vosun will be allowed to rebuild their fleet to up to 20 warships but these will operate as part of the Bolitic fleet. Some analysts think the Bolitic intend to use the Vosun as their proxy when politically it is awkward for them to use their own forces.

Although the old Vosun state machine collapsed without a fight an insurgency has begun on Vosun and some of the other planets in the Vosun Voth Star Empire though at a fairly low level. A Bolitic liaison officer was pelted with rotten fruit at a market in the capital in one of the recorded incidents.

As Bolitic arrive in orbit Vosun government flees

Bolitic ships have begun to arrive in orbit but have found there is no Vosun to surrender to them (or otherwise). Seemingly overnight much of the Vosun government and military command have melted away fearful of reprisals under Bolitic rule. Indeed a fairly minor government official was left to surrender his empire to the Bolitic ambassador on the planet.

Some Vosun leaders may be planning to fight an insurgency against the Bolitic however as a quantity of military equipment has also gone missing. The remaining ships in the Vosun fleet have surrendered however. The ancient Vosun-Voth Star Empire, a political entity that began reaching out to the stars while mankind and Dino kind were still fighting with spears appears to have finally died after centuries of decline with a whimper.

Bolitic tell Vosun they will become part of Confederacy

With a Bolitic fleet now approaching the capital planet Vosun the Bolitic government have told their Vosun counterparts to surrender and accept becoming part of the Bolitic Confederacy. Emperor Borca said "The time of the Vosun Voth Star Empire has gone, now the Vosun can become part of the Bolitic Confederacy as it regains strength and takes its rightful place as one of the major powers in the galaxy."

Borca said the Vosun would be allowed autonomy but would pay tribute to the Bolitic and if they built new ships they would operate under the Bolitic fleet.

Bolitic fleet enters Vosun space

A fleet of around 20 Bolitic warships has entered their former allies Vosun's space and is now approaching the capital planet Vosun (which is unfortunately close to the border following the annexation of VVSE space some years back by the Bolitic Confederacy). The Vosun fleet now consists of just 3 warships and a number of smaller craft and it is unknown if the Vosun will put up a fight. They have requested help from neighbouring powers but it is unlikely to come, even if it did it would not come in time to prevent the Bolitic reaching Vosun.

It is possible the Vosun government could flee to another planet such as Melsan 90510 however some observers say this would be futile. Vosun ships are slower than Bolitic ships and it is unlikely a Vosun ship would be able to reach another planet before being intercepted by the Bolitic.

Bolitic preparing to withdraw from Dino war?

There are signs the Bolitic may be preparing to end the Dino war. Ship deployments in Dino territory are being withdrawn and ships intended to resupply the Pulsin bridgehead are being prepared to return to Castarian. However the Bolitic are not thought to be intending to end hostilities but rather attack the Vosun Star Empire instead.

Despite huge cost the Bolitic are unlikely to get anything tangible out of the war and Emperor Borca is now searching for a honour saving victory (which will not save his life but at least might make his certain assassination less painful). The Vosun were Bolitic allies but left their alliance after their fleet was shattered in a war with the Raegris. Conquering the Vosun would be fairly straight forward for the Bolitic who could crush the remaining Vosun ships fairly quickly though getting enough troops landed might prove more tricky with much of the Bolitic merchant and amphibious fleets destroyed by the Dinos. It may be the Bolitic will destroy the Vosun fleet and then force the Vosun to surrender else suffer an orbital bombardment.

In the fast shifting geopolitical situation in that part of space the Vosun are desperatly trying to get some allies, obviously it is too soon for the DDS (who have other concerns right now) however one potential ally could be the Utrek whose relations with the Bolitic have now hit rock bottom. However it may be too late for the Vosun to get any real help even if the Utrek wanted to.

Vosun ask DDS for help

The provisional Vosun government has asked the DDS for help against the Bolitic after their former allies threatened to attack the planet if they did not help the Bolitic in their war. The Bolitic have already seized most of Vosun's merchant fleet and want the Vosun to provide 10,000 troops to help with the fighting on Pulsin.

Of course a short while ago the Vosun were fighting the Raegris and are enemies of the Voth but the Vosun have pointed out that these policies were those of the former military dictatorship. The democratic Vosun do not want to fight anymore. The problem for the Vosun is that the DDS cannot spare any ships from their fight with the ABBOs and the Raegris will refuse to help them. Whether the Remedians will step in is another matter. Although their relations with the Vosun are fairly neutral they are unlikely to want to enter a fight with the Bolitic Confederacy.