1st Fleet reach position of the SS Hydra

The 1st Fleet, commanded by Windscorpion, has reached the position in unclaimed space that the SS Hydra was criminally attacked by the off-message Tarbotians. As yet the DDS have not detected any Tarbotian activity in the area but full scans continue. More news as we get it.

Character of the week : Sleeze

For a long time now Sleeze has been Oojok's closest ally. The pair grew up together on the tough streets of the poor East Lamarwai district of Dino-Town. As with many young men with poor education and poorer prospects they fell into a life of crime. They made a minor name for themselves in the gang turf wars in Dino-Town before leaving the planet to try on the new human colonies. Oojok's gang became big news with Sleeze taking a leading role.

When Oojok became the leader of the clones he named Sleeze, the only man he really trusts, as his deputy. This has not gone down too well with the clones who would prefer a clone to be deputy. Sleeze is Oojok's backup, he runs the ODS and other secret organisations that maintain Oojok's grip on power and keep an eye on the clergy and army.

Sleeze's importance to Oojok cannot be overstated. Without him Oojok would probably not now be the man he is. Sleeze is a cool and calculating individual, only to his blood-brother Oojok does he have friendship. Everyone else is a potential enemy.

DDS Training School opened by Lord Rotarios

Lord Rotarios, oh our Lord we are so unworthy to be trod on by thee!, has opened the new state-of-the-art training school on Solaris. The new DDS Training School will instruct the next generation of professionals in the true path to professional joy, Effort Not Entertainment. The new school also includes the new Hood Training Academy where recruits to the Holy Order will be instructed in the strict, brutal, spartan life of an acolyte of professionalism!

Lord Rotarios said, "Send your young to me and I will make them into Men, and Women of course. Their old corrupt weaknesses shall be erased and replaced by focussed professional zeal!"

Austini 55 "under control"

The HCS is reporting that the situation on Austini 55 is "under control" with rebel forces surrounded in the capital city. Heavy fighting has been going on on the far-flung planet for some weeks now between rebel HCS units (thought to be under the command of Benito) and loyal HCS units under the control of Governor Fortran.

Although the rebels did have the upper hand at the start the arrival of loyalist re-inforcements a few weeks ago (according to Dino News) has turned the tide of the battle. The HCS refuse to give any more information though the DDS News Agency (DNA) is reporting at least 2,000 fatalities on the loyalist side alone to date.

Character of the week : The Orchid

The Orchid, the highest ranking female officer in the DDS, is one of the 3 "Junior Triad" with Sea Urchin and Horsehead who have dominated the DDS for some time. As head of the 2nd Fleet which defends the central planets of the UNP The Orchid has a central role in the defense of the DDS, which is why Lord Rotarios, hail to thee!, was very keen to make Orchid a loyalist.

And indeed The Orchid has become on-message, finding true joy in the professionalism and structure of the New DDS which stands for cleaner speed cameras, asylum centre discipline and targetting realisation. "Tough on anti-professionalism, tough on the causes of anti-professionalism!" is The Orchid's motto as her House is the undisputed champion of the DDS, winning all but 1 of the monthly House competitions to date.

The Orchid is a tough operator, with a great skill at command and resource management. The New DDS is sure that she has a bright future in our organisation.

Quasar ILU details announced / Sale of ships

One of the big upgrade programmes planned to start in 2107 is the Quasar ILU which will keep these cruisers state-of-the-art into the next decade. Although the upgrade is still some way away the DDS have announced some details of what is planned. ILU is a major rebuild and upgrade and most systems on the ships will be replaced and improved. Wireless control systems and a new 1024-bit databus will be fitted as well as improved targetting systems allowing the Quasar to handle 100 simultaneous targets. Next year 1211 Positron will undergo testing of various equipments that will be used in the ILU programme.

In other news the sale of several surplus Quasars is to go ahead after negotiations with the Raegris. The deal, which includes spares, training and maintenance equipment is expected to be worth around 6.7 billion zarks.