NS to switch production to Protector Spec B, Violet 57B

Following the completion of 57-120 Pavonia in a few weeks, NS will switch production of the Protector 57A to a "Spec B". The last planned Protector of the current ship building plan will be the first to this new standard and this should be the standard used for the remaining nineteen ships to be built. The Spec B ships will have names which begin with V (some planned names which begin with P have been changed).

The Spec B Protector has a number of changes which reflect experience with operating the earlier ships. The main change is a larger docking bay. This has been increased in size by 20%, achieved by merging two cargo holds and reallocating some of the space (cargo capacity has only been cut by 9%). The Spec B also has a larger brig, improved ship board security measures and will be the first NS ship to deploy automated DNA scanning technology to reduce the load on the DSA.

The Spec B will also be able to carry a single MRM externally and it's TPM VLS cell will be compatible with the new TPM-3 Sigma 3 variant. It is thought NS also planned to update the engine but this will not be ready for the first Spec B Protector and may be carried out later this year or early next. The Spec B will officially be known as the Violet 57B.

Starbotians report Mantae intelligence

S101 and B-B are returning from deep space where they have been on a secret mission for NS to investigate the Mantae and assess how much of a threat this mysterious power, which destroyed the Utrek Federation, is.

S101 has contacted NS via a long-range hyperlink, their ship will not return to Starbot for another month. NS have released a summary of some of the intelligence gathered, basically the Mantae threat is now considered to have receded for the short to medium term. The Mantae have entered a vicious civil and religious war over the purity of their anti-carbon ideology. S101 said that the Mantae have already been reduced to over 30% of their original population by the various wars and the civil war looks likely to cripple the Mantae as a military power for the next few decades.

Windscorpion will hold an NS Politburo meeting when he returns from his holiday next month. Although it is likely the reconnaissance mission will need to be followed up the removal of the Mantae from the list of immediate threats is likely to be welcomed.

Judder Man (2774)

Xoizz's dreadful plan is revealed.

Deeper Than Night (2773)

S101 and B-B reach the Mantae homeworld.

Clones hold major amphibious warfare exercise

The Clones have given a demonstration of their very impressive amphibious warfare capabilities with a five day exercise which was held on Daggaddon. Three armoured brigades were landed from a large fleet in orbit. This was many more troops than the HCS landed to invade Daggaddon during the First Clone War!

Fifty Clone warships were deployed in the exercise which was overseen by new Emperor Terin. The exercise is thought to have been a demonstration of Terin's power to an internal and external audience.

Terin said that the forces deployed would "soon" by used to expand the Clone Star Empire. This kind of rhetoric is quite common from Terin and other senior CSE leaders though it is feared very possible Terin will want a military triumph to cement his rule.

SS to be renamed Dino Security Service (DSS), Voth setting up own SS

The SS (Security Service) is to be renamed Dino Security Service (DSS) to differentiate it from other SS organisations which will be set up in the DTA. The Voth have renamed it's internal security force and merged it with counter-espionage and diplomatic protection teams to form the Voth Security Service (VSS).

Sirikwan and Yeng are also considering setting up their own SS. The DSS will take leadership of security issues across the DTA.