NS make improvements to e-Core engine technology

NS have announced a second generation of it's more efficient e-Core engine technology which is gradually being applied to powerplants of NS ships and for export. Officially known as e-Core2 the improvements are said to reduce fuel burn by up to 6%. While this may not sound like much it could save NS over a million zarks in fuel per ship in a year of operation.

e-Core2 also includes some improvements to aid maintainability and reliability. The first ship expected to use an e-Core2 engine is one of the Protector 57As currently in final build and expected to enter service before the end of the year. The engine will be known as Proton RM-01B e-Core.

The coming crunch for the NS patrol fleet

A few years ago NS took over the UNP Space Patrol and it's ageing fleet of small patrol craft. NS placed a huge order for Protector patrol ships to replace the legacy fleet, much of which is now life expired, plus smaller fleets of Mariners and Okras. The problem for NS is that the new ships are not arriving fast enough with the legacy ships leaving service.

NS has plugged the gaps with Romes, Pentekonters and other ships reassigned from other duties (a Provider transport has even spent the odd week on patrol) however NS will soon have a problem with this. The roll-out of Fractal Encrypted Communications (FEC) is due to begin in earnest next year and will require NS's fleet of departmental Pentekonters for calibration and testing of the new communications network. Six Romes will also be dedicated to assist in this effort. All of these ships have up until now been helping out with patrol duties.

If that isn't enough there are three more patrol circuits due to be added to the roster early in 2121! NS say that more Protectors will arrive before the end of the year and early next year. However without some reassignments from other duties NS will be unable to match need especially if some more legacy ships become unusable within the next year.

Ayatollah Clone XE forms Clone Youth

Ayatollah Clone XE has formed a new organisation aimed at young Clones known as Clone Youth. Young Clones will be encouraged to further their studies in the Clone religion, worship of Oojok and obedience of Clone law. Ayatollah Clone XE wants every young Clone to eventually join the voluntary organisation but has set an initial target of a million members by 2122.

Membership of Clone Youth will be a fast track into higher religious orders. It is thought Ayatollah Clone XE also wants to recreate the Religious Police Armed Wing which used to fight alongside the HCS during the Clone Wars. 

NS to upgrade Nano Fighting Ships

NS is to upgrade it's fleet of Alpha 121A Nano Fighting Ships to improve their warfighting capabilities especially in unmanned mode. The ships will receive Alpha Combat Update 2120 over the next couple of months which will include vector thrust and modifications to the M6502 engine to improve acceleration.

The ships will also receive tactical system and sensor updates as well as fractal communications.

Oojok to step down as Emperor, become "Supreme Leader"

Oojok is reported to be stepping down as Emperor of the Clone Star Empire in favour of his son Terin (who runs the Eastern half of the CSE). Oojok will remain the overall head of the CSE though will not take much part in day to day affairs. He will become the Supreme Leader & Cosmic Eternal Master of the Clone Star Empire, luckily this will usually be shortened to Supreme Leader.

Terin will chair a triumvirate of himself, Ayatollah Clone XE and Admiral Anderson to run the empire. Oojok, it is understood, will restrict himself to ceremonial and religious affairs though is understood to still have a veto on any decisions made by the triumvirate.

The changes will be put in place by the end of the year. Marcus Totallyuseless will take over as head of the CSE-E (Sleeze will remain head of CSE-W). Neither position will be known as Deputy Emperor however.

Rectoids want to buy CSM2

The Rectoids have put in a request to buy the new Clone Space Missile Mark 2. This interstellar missile has a range of up to twenty light years which puts most of the Free Eritran States in range. Naturally the FES have already said that the Clones must not sell CSM2 to the Rectoids.

Molab have said the FES will strike against the Rectoids if they purchase CSM2. The FES has a powerful fleet so would likely be able to strike against the still re-building Rectoids. However, there is the real threat the Clones could be drawn into the fight.