Aurora 4x

Fiction => Steve's Fiction => Aurora => Colonial Wars => Topic started by: Steve Walmsley on August 30, 2015, 10:48:38 AM

Title: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on August 30, 2015, 10:48:38 AM
Argentina - August 5th 2103

Colonies
Earth: 111m
Dias de Solis (Alpha Centauri): 9.5m
Procyon III: 0.1m

Since January 2100 Argentina has explored a total of twelve new systems in the American and Centauri Arms, almost doubled the size of the Diaz de Solis colony in Alpha Centauri and established a new colony in Procyon, five jumps from Sol. Argentina's strategic goal is to find a resource-rich area of space that is not under the control of the major powers and can therefore be colonised in relative peace. In recent months Argentine survey ships have explored along a warp chain originating at Procyon (see map below) and discovered three new systems. American survey ships explored as far as Gamma Leporis but were recalled as US efforts are now concentrated on the DX Cancri chain, leaving Argentina as the only nation to reach the small brown dwarf system of WISE 0627-1114. Argentina has high hopes that potential colony worlds will be found further out.

Argentina has not expanded its military or survey forces but has constructed a third colony ship and a third Comodoro Rivadavia freighter, as well as building three new types: a troop transport, a tanker and a jump capable freighter. The last type, the Comodoro Rivadavia-J, is the key to the colony expeditions that will move down the Procyon chain.

Her two major constraints at the moment are a lack of fuel and a financial crisis. Shipbuilding and construction have been curtailed and one third of Argentina's research facilities are dormant. There are three Argentine shipping lines in operation and Argentina currently has the second largest civilian shipping fleet in terms of tonnage so in the medium term the civilian sector may provide enough tax revenue to ease the crisis. However, the civilian ships have nuclear pulse drives so they will generate less revenue than an ion-powered fleet of comparable size. The two Argentine fuel harvesters in orbit of Uranus and the fuel refineries on Earth should at least provide enough fuel for the colony expeditions.

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/ArgentinaAugust.PNG)
Title: Re: National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on August 30, 2015, 11:14:50 AM
Australia - 5th August 2103

Colonies
Earth: 109m
Avalon: 14.5m
Pendragon: 6m

Australia has only recently researched jump point theory so has operated almost entirely within what was known space in January 2100. The one exception was the discovery of Gliese 694, which lay beyond a UK-built jump gate in Kuiper 79. The main achievement for Australia in this period was the negotiation of a tripartite agreement with the United Kingdom and Canada, giving each nation trade access to the others and allowing Australia and Canada to establish non-mining colonies on the ideal world of Avalon, until that point a world settled only by the United Kingdom, in exchange for assistance if the planet should come under attack. The non-mining clause was included because the UK was concerned about the early exhaustion of the minerals on Avalon. The new treaty provided a significant boost to Australian colonization, as the existing colony on Pendragon, a world shared with the UK, was restricted by the need for infrastructure. Both Australian and UK terraformers are at work on Pendragon but it will be several years before the planet will be fully habitable. In addition to the populated colonies, Australia operates eighteen automated mines on an asteroid in Struve 2398, the same system as the Pendragon colony. The single Australian geological survey ship has surveyed a number of systems within the jump gate network looking for potential future mining sites.

Since January 2100 Australia has constructed two colony ships and three freighters and has doubled the capacity of her commercial shipyards from 80,000 to 160,000 tons. A third Melbourne class destroyer is under construction but has been delayed several times due to resource shortages. Australia has recently encountered similar financial problems to Argentina and is investing in economic research before the problem becomes any worse. Australia has only one shipping line, the Leonard Container Group, but that has eight ships with a combined tonnage of almost 300,000 tons. In addition, an Australian civilian mining colony has been established on a comet. The combination of research, civilian shipping, civilian mining and a growing population should make Australia's path out of recession easier than Argentina's.
Title: Re: National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on August 30, 2015, 12:49:50 PM
Brazil - 14th August 2103

Colonies
Earth: 323m
Novo Rio: 20.3m
V1581 Cygni-B I: 0.22m

Brazil has only recently developed jump point theory and is currently retooling a shipyard to build a jump-capable freighter. Over the last three years, Brazil has carried out geological surveys of every system within the jump gate network and has discovered two new systems by observing UK ships entering previously unknown jump points and following them through jump gates.

The population of Novo Rio has been increased by a third and a small colony has been established in the V1581 Cygni-B system. The new colony is on the innermost planet of V1581 Cygni-B, which has good mineral deposits and an atmosphere that is close to breathable, with 0.076 atm of oxygen. The main disadvantage of the new colony is distance. V1581 Cygni is five transits from Sol and the B component is five billion kilometres from the jump point. There are no Lagrange points.

Due to Gallicite shortages, Brazil has established a colony with forty automated mines on the comet Wolf. The Caliphate, Canada and Germany also have automated mines on Wolf. A Brazilian civilian mining colony has been set up on a second comet. Brazil has one civilian shipping line, Branco Marine, with four ships totalling 220,000 tons.

V1581 Cygni-B I Survey Results
Duranium 81,817,630; Acc: 0.7
Neutronium 39,917,120; Acc: 0.6
Corbomite 608,400; Acc: 0.1
Tritanium 16,451,140; Acc: 0.1
Boronide 2,683,044; Acc: 0.1
Vendarite 57,244,360; Acc: 0.1
Uridium 37,015,060; Acc: 1
Gallicite 50,381,600; Acc: 0.1

Brazil has built a seventh Almirante Sabóia class Kinetic Frigate and an eighth is under construction. New commercial construction includes four freighters and two colony ships. Brazilian shipyards have seen considerable expansion since January 2100, with naval capacity increased from 32,000 to 42,000 and commercial capacity increased from 220.000 to 355,000. There are still no Brazilian fuel harvesters, primarily because Brazil lacks any construction/production experts and the Sorium Harvester technology has not yet been researched. Brazilian finances are in good shape with a slightly negative trend but a substantial reserve.

Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Kurt on August 30, 2015, 06:05:15 PM
You are crazy Steve!  It will be interesting to see how far down the road you'll get on this one.   

Kurt
Title: Re: National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on August 30, 2015, 06:26:01 PM
The Caliphate - 28th August 2103

Colonies
Earth: 415m
Medina-A II: 37.3m

The Caliphate has not yet developed jump point theory and has not discovered any additional systems since January 2100. During the last three years, the Caliphate has concentrated its efforts on building up its economy and military forces. The population of Medina II has increased by twelve million while the population on Earth has increased by fifteen million. Three automated mining colonies are in operation, two in Medina and the third on the comet Wolf, with seventy-four automated mines between them. Naval shipyard capacity has grown twenty-seven percent to 61,000 tons, giving the Caliphate the fourth largest naval shipbuilding capacity after Japan, the USA and the UK, and commercial shipyard capacity is 340,000 tons, up from 270,000 tons. Caliphate shipyards have been busy; additional naval forces since January 2100 are as follows:

4x Mersin class FAC Transport
6x Ashdod class FAC
6x Matrah class FAC
1x Abadan class Ammunition Transport
1x Shiraz class Terraformer
4x Beirut class Freighter
2x Jiddah class Colony Ship

Despite resources shortages affecting other powers, the Caliphate shipyards continue to work at close to full capacity. Currently under construction are two more FAC Transports, twelve FACs, three colony ships, a terraformer and the first two Caliphate fuel harvesters.

Even though the Caliphate has not expanded its territory, it has been monitoring the naval activity of other powers. German ships in particular have been passing through Medina with increasing frequency to systems beyond Medina's innermost jump point. Germany does not posses jump gate construction technology however and relies on jump-capable ships so the Caliphate ships cannot follow their German counterparts. Once the Caliphate has its own technology, its leaders plan to determine exactly what the Germans have found so interesting. As the innermost jump point is only two hundred and fifty million kilometres from the colony on Medina-A II, the Caliphate also see the constant German traffic as a threat and views Germany as a potential adversary, especially as two German colonies lie beyond Medina's second jump point. The United States also showed some initial interest in the area but has now diverted its resources elsewhere. France is the only other power with colonies in the American Arm and no French ships have passed through Medina in several years.
 
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on August 30, 2015, 06:28:52 PM
You are crazy Steve!  It will be interesting to see how far down the road you'll get on this one.   

Kurt

I thought this thread was locked :)

This campaign has been consuming all my free time for several weeks. It really does have the feel of 2300 AD and similar genres. I don't have any fixed ideas about who might come into conflict with who but there are some obvious tensions building and different nations are starting to find things they won't want to share :). Plus I will throw some aliens into the mix at some point.
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on August 31, 2015, 06:04:45 AM
Canada - 17th September 2103

Colonies
Earth: 125m
Avalon: 19.7m
Acadia: 9.1m
Manchu-B I: 0.17m

Canada has continued to send colonists to Acadia, a colony in Kuiper 75, two jumps from Sol via Barnard's Star. Due to Acadia's lack of atmosphere and the presence of only one terraforming installation, this colonization has been relatively slow due to the need to provide suitable infrastructure. Even so, Acadia's extensive deposits of accessible Duranium, Gallicite and Mercassium still make this an important long-term project for Canada. The Walton Kirby Shipyard is retooling to build Canada's first terraformers, which will speed up the process, although actual construction may be delayed due to an ongoing financial crisis. To ensure continued Canadian expansion into space in the meantime, Canada agreed a tripartite pact with Australia and the United Kingdom that provides trade links between the three nations and access to the ideal habitable world of Avalon in Barnard's Star. Canada has transported almost twenty million colonists to Avalon in a little under three years, mostly from neutral nations. The tax revenue from these colonists will provide a much needed boost to her economic base. A small colony was established on Manchu-B I during the period between the realization that new colony sites had to be found and the signing of the Avalon treaty. Canada has also set up a mining colony with twenty-two automated mines on the comet Wolf.

Canada launched a fourth Halifax class destroyer in June 2103 and has constructed two Mackenzie class colony ships. Her naval shipyards have been slightly increased in capacity to 24,000 tons and while the two commercial shipyards have grown to 202,000 tons capacity. One shipyard has been retooled to build the Saint-Laurent class Fuel Harvester but construction has yet to start as both slipways are occupied by partially-built Annapolis class freighters. Shortages of Gallicite and the financial crisis have delayed their completion. Canada has a single civilian shipping company, Donnelly Lines, which operates nine ships with a combined tonnage of 350,000.

Canada was the first nation to face a financial crash as a result of the rapid expansion into space and is taking steps to correct the problem. Half her research facilities lie dormant to avoid making the situation worse while the others concentrate on economic research. All construction and ordnance factories have stood down and shipbuilding has ceased except for work on the two Annapolis class freighters. These measure have halted any further descent into debt. As the population of Avalon grows, Donnelly Lines builds more ships and the economic research progresses, the financial pressure should ease and allow Canadian industry to increase production once again.
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on August 31, 2015, 07:48:44 AM
Centauri Federation = 20th September 2103

Colonies
Asgard: 174m
Vanaheim: 141m
Midgard: 36.2m
Delta Pavonis-A I: 0.12m

The Centauri Federation has concentrated on building up its population and infrastructure since January 2100, which has included transporting colonists from the neutral nations on Earth. Due to the wealth of minerals and potential colony sites within the system, there is less pressure to expand compared to the Solarian powers. Three major factors have boosted the value of Alpha Centauri over the last three years. Firstly, Midgard has been terraformed into an ideal habitable world, the third within Alpha Centauri. Secondly, the language and symbology of the alien ruins on Asgard have been deciphered and fifty-six alien installations have been identified as recoverable, although the first construction brigades are not yet available to begin that operation. Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, a geological survey team revisited the original survey of Asgard and found previously undetected vast accessible deposits of Duranium, Neutronium, Mercassium and Corundium, ensuring the plentiful supply of these minerals for generations to come.

Asgard Geological Team Survey - new discoveries in italics
Duranium 85,857,410  Acc: 1
Neutronium 9,659,664  Acc: 0.7
Corbomite 106,744  Acc: 0.6
Tritanium 54,325  Acc: 0.8
Boronide 65,125  Acc: 0.8
Mercassium 54,641,660  Acc: 0.4
Vendarite 79,444  Acc: 0.6
Sorium 89,975  Acc: 0.8
Uridium 210,306  Acc: 1
Corundium 57,153,600  Acc: 0.4
Gallicite 70,006  Acc: 1

The Centauri Survey Command, comprising six Saga class science vessels, has concentrated on expanding astrographic knowledge of the Centauri Arm. Since January 2100 eighteen new systems have been discovered, all of which lie beyond the primary Japanese colony system of Edo. A single small colony of 120,000 has been established on Delta Pavonis-A I, selected because it was a good terraforming candidate. A Japanese colony is in place on the same planet, which may be a source of potential tension in the future. A number of other colony cost 2.0 worlds have been discovered, including five in a single system in the case of Gliese 667, but none have any significant mineral resources. Given that the Federation is suffering from severe fuel shortages, none of the possible colony worlds have been deemed worthy of the necessary expenditure of resources needed to create a new settlement.

Since January 2100, the Centauri Federation has built a fifth Grendel class Cruiser, three colony ships, three Loki class terraformers and the first two Gungnir class Fuel Harvesters. Centauri shipyards have been expanded steadily and now have a capacity of 38,000 naval and 370,000 commercial. Two civilian shipping lines are in operation with eight ships totalling 350,000 tons. Five civilian mining colonies have been established in the Alpha Centauri system, giving the Federation the largest civilian mining sector in known space.

The primary challenge facing the Centauri Federation is a lack of fuel. Insufficient refineries are available to provide for the needs of the Federation Navy and fuel harvesting technology has only recently become available. Two Fuel Harvesters have been constructed but are now faced with a lack of good fuel harvesting sites. In the short term they will be deployed in orbit of Alpha Centaur-B V, a super Jovian with 76,000 tons of accessibility 0.7 Sorium. That will not last long however and the only other source of gas giant Sorium in Alpha Centauri is at 0.4 accessibility. There are few good options beyond that. Edo has an excellent site with accessibility 1.0 Sorium but given the tensions with Japan that is not a safe location. Other known sites are in systems such as Barnard's Star, EZ Aquarii, WX Ursae Majoris and DX Cancri, all of which are firmly within the influence of other major powers, or in systems that lie further out along the Centaur Arm, beyond Japanese warships in Edo. The least worst option appears to be Uranus in the Sol system. While this is also close to the fleets of major powers, it is at least a system claimed by none of them.

The major problems with Uranus will be getting there in the first place and protecting the harvesters once they are in place. Both stars of Alpha Centauri are at least seven billion kilometres from Uranus, via the Sol jump point, which is a long way for ships moving at 528 km/s, so any deployment will be delayed until a Centauri tug is available. The second problem was addressed several months ago with a treaty between the Centauri Federation and the Martian Union. Mars needed a colony site if it was to expand into space so the Federation allowed the creation of a Martian colony on a continent of Vanaheim, in exchange for Martian protection of Centauri fuel harvesters in Sol. Given the similarities in their past dealings with Earthbound powers, both sides hope this will be the beginning of a longer-term alliance.

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/CentauriSept2103.PNG)
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on August 31, 2015, 11:53:34 AM
France - 3rd October 2103

Colonies
Earth: 218m
New France-A II: 6.3m
Astoria (WX Ursae Majoris-A II): 3.8m
New Quebec I: 1.6m

French exploration since January 2103 has concentrated exclusively on the area beyond New France, resulting in the discovery of seven new systems. The most important discovery by far was New Quebec, a system of seven planets orbiting a yellow G7-V class star. The innermost planet is an ideal habitable world, providing a huge boost for future French colonization. New Quebec II has a breathable atmosphere, although it requires terraforming due to the surface temperature of -86C. While New Quebec I itself has low accessibility deposits of all eleven minerals totalling almost one hundred million tons, the inner moon of the second planet is a perfect mining site with large accessible deposits of nine minerals. The moon is colony cost 3.42 and could be terraformed to allow manned mining complexes. New Quebec III is a gas giant with almost fifteen million tons of accessibility 1.0 Sorium and the system has five hundred asteroids, most of which have yet to be surveyed. All in all, New Quebec is an ideal system and likely to be the focus of French colonization efforts for many years. The main disadvantage is distance as New Quebec is seven transits and nineteen billion kilometres from Earth.

New Quebec-A II - Moon 1 Survey Report
Duranium 368,082  Acc: 1
Neutronium 48,400  Acc: 0.7
Boronide 1,115,136  Acc: 0.6
Mercassium 774,400  Acc: 0.7
Vendarite 958,441  Acc: 0.7
Sorium 774,400  Acc: 0.9
Uridium 527,076  Acc: 0.5
Corundium 543,169  Acc: 0.9
Gallicite 465,124  Acc: 1

New France itself, the first French colony, is also proving valuable. French scientists have learned the secrets of the alien ruins on the surface and identified one hundred and thirteen installations for potential recovery. France has constructed two troop transports, trained six construction brigades and deployed them to New France. So far a number of automated mines, construction factories and infrastructure have been recovered, along with some minerals, ECM systems and shield generators. Ninety-two installations have yet to be recovered. Terraforming of the planet continues and oxygen pressure has been raised to 0.062 atm. The surface temperature is 60C. French terraforming capacity is limited however so it will be some time before New France is an ideal habitable world. In late 2100, French and German colonies were established on Astoria, previously an American only colony world, in WX Ursae Majoris. The planet provides a way point colony within the jump gate network for both nations that is accessible by civilian shipping lines. So far there has been little tension between the French and German colonists who are on different continents. New France and New Quebec are several jumps outside the network and so far can only be reached by government-owned vessels. France has two automated mining colonies, one on the Stephan-Oterma comet in Sol, which is shared by several different nations, and the second in Gl 452.1, a system on the route between WX Ursae Majoris and New France

French shipbuilding has been relatively limited with the construction of two Richelieu class freighters, two Bisson class jump-capable colony ships and two Duguay-Trouins class troop transports. Two Clemenceau class missile cruisers and a Dunkerque class frigate have been under construction for some time, with frequent pauses in work due to resource shortages, primarily Duranium and Gallicite. Commercial vessels have been given priority during these periods. Increases in shipyard capacity have been focused mainly on commercial yards, with naval capacity increasing from 34,000 to 37,000 tons while commercial capacity has risen from 170,000 to 254,000 tons. France has one of the smallest civilian sectors - a single shipping line with five vessels - which is mainly due to a lack of colonies close to Earth.

The French economy is in reasonable shape as resource shortages have eased and the budget deficit is relatively small. Unlike other nations, France is not suffering a fuel shortage as it invested in fuel efficient commercial designs before the end of the 21st century, mainly due to the distance of New France from Sol. France has not been involved in any tension with other nations and is content to concentrate its efforts on the colonization of New France and New Quebec without disturbing anyone else. French ships pass through Lalande 21185, the location of the main American colony, en route to New France but the United States has not raised any objections.

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/FranceOctober2103.PNG)
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on August 31, 2015, 03:21:57 PM
Germany - 14th October 2103

Colonies
Earth: 256m
Neu Brandenburg (was Groombridge 1618) II: 14.6m
Neu Bayern (was FL Virginis) II: 9.1m
Astoria (WX Ursae Majoris): 4.9m
GJ-1230-A II: 0.23m

Germany has been among the most active nations in terms of exploration, discovering twenty new systems since January 2100. All but one of these systems are located beyond Medina's innermost jump point, leading to the WISE 1506+7027 brown dwarf system. As of 2103, no other nations are exploring in this area; the Caliphate does not yet have jump technology and both France and the United States are concentrating their efforts in other branches of the American Arm. The two most significant discoveries so far have been a ruined alien settlement on the second planet of GJ-1230 and an ideal habitable world in V547 Cassiopeiae. A small colony has been established on the former. The latter was discovered in June 2103 and plans are still being formulated for a settlement on that world. This is not straightforward as V547 Cassiopeiae is nine transits and nineteen billion kilometres from Earth and the ideal habitable world, V547 Cassiopeiae-C I, is twelve billion kilometres from the primary. The current German colony ship design, the Von Roeder class, has a range of thirty-two billion kilometres and would need a complete refuelling before it could return. A final decision will be taken once a geological survey of the planet is completed. Two other planets have been identified as potential colony sites, in the Groombridge 34 and GJ-1227 systems, both of which have substantial accessible Duranium deposits. Germany operates two automated mining colonies. One on the comet Wolf, with thirty mines, and a second with ten mines in Neu Bayern. The systems of Neu Brandenburg and Neu Bayern were recently renamed from Groombridge 1618 and FL Virginis respectively.

Since January 2100 Germany has built a third Bayern class gravitational survey vessel, four freighters and three colony ships. Currently under construction are a Scharnhorst class battlecruiser, another Bayern class, a troop transport and the first two jump gate construction ships. Naval shipyard capacity has not been expanded in the last three years and remains at 36,000 tons. Commercial capacity has been increased by almost fifty percent to 350,000 tons. Germany has a single shipping line which operates seven ships with a combined tonnage of 360,000. A colony was established on Astoria in the WX Ursae Majoris system to support the civilian shipping business as no other German colonies are within the jump gate network. That will change once the two construction ships are in service.

The German economy is in reasonable shape. There are no immediate shortages of minerals or fuel and there is a reasonable reserve that can sustain the current budget deficit for some time. On the diplomatic front there are no significant issues with other powers, although there is concern among the German leadership that the German area of exploration cannot be accessed without travelling through Medina. The reason for the recent decision to build a fourth Scharnhorst was to increase deterrence against a blockade or some other form of action by the Caliphate.

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/GermanyOctober2103.PNG)
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on August 31, 2015, 05:30:04 PM
Japanese Empire - 20th October 2103

Colonies
Earth: 498m
Edo II: 85m
Kyoto-A I: 14.5m
Delta Pavonis-A I: 0.28m
Nara-A II: 0.16m

The Imperial Japanese Navy has conducted extensive explorations of the Centauri Arm, discovering thirty-two new systems since January 2100. All of the new systems lie beyond Edo, the system containing the primary Japanese colony. Despite the vast territories explored so far, Japan has not found any alien ruins and has only established two small colonies, one in Delta Pavonis and the other in Nara (originally GJ 1123). The former was chosen as a colony site due to the relative ease of terraforming the planet into an ideal habitable world, while Nara II has ten million tons of accessibility 0.9 Duranium. Delta Pavonis-A I is also home to a small colony of the Centauri Federation, a point of potential conflict in the view of the Japanese High Command. The recently discovered system of Gamma Pavonis is also of considerable interest, even though no colony has been established so far. An airless moon of the innermost planet has substantial and accessible quantities of nine different minerals, Gravity and temperature are acceptable so this is a colony cost 2.0 world, making it suitable for manned mines. Gamma Pavonis II, a Venusian world, has all eleven minerals, most of which are low accessibility but include thirty-two million tons of accessibility 0.9 Gallicite and a similar quantity of accessibility 0.7 Mercassium. Gamma Pavonis III (colony cost 3.71) has twenty-five million tons of accessibility 1.0 Duranium while two moons of the seventh planet both has large accessible quantities of several minerals (see below). Once the Japanese Empire can exploit this system to its full potential, it should serve as the mining centre of the entire Empire. At the moment Japan operates two automated mining sites with forty-eight mines on the comet Stephan-Oterma and thirty-eight mines on an asteroid in Kyoto.

Gamma Pavonis-A I - Moon 5 Geological Survey
Duranium 845,000  Acc: 0.8
Neutronium 211,600  Acc: 0.6
Corbomite 25,600  Acc: 0.8
Tritanium 624,100  Acc: 0.9
Boronide 32,400  Acc: 0.8
Mercassium 44,100  Acc: 0.7
Sorium 115,600  Acc: 0.5
Uridium 384,400  Acc: 0.9
Corundium 324,900  Acc: 1

Gamma Pavonis-A VII - Moon 2 Geological Survey
Duranium 911,250  Acc: 1
Corbomite 39,204  Acc: 0.7
Tritanium 72,900  Acc: 0.6
Boronide 63,504  Acc: 0.8
Sorium 81  Acc: 0.6
Corundium 715,716  Acc: 0.8
Gallicite 15,876  Acc: 1

Gamma Pavonis-A VII - Moon 3 Geological Survey
Duranium 272,322  Acc: 0.9
Neutronium 492,804  Acc: 0.6
Boronide 82,944  Acc: 0.9
Mercassium 104,976  Acc: 0.8
Sorium 186,624  Acc: 1
Uridium 254,016  Acc: 0.9

Although Japan has only established two small new colonies in the last three years, its existing colonies have grown considerably as Japanese Awazisan Maru class colony ships, ten of which are now in service, have transported new settlers from the neutral countries of Earth. Edo II has grown from sixty to eighty-five million and Kyoto has grown by almost five million. The total Japanese population is now almost six hundred million. The Japanese High Command is growing increasingly frustrated with the movement of Centauri Federation ships through the heart of the Edo system and concerned that any Japanese discoveries in the Centauri chain may be exploited first by the Centauri. However, with most of Japanese industry and all seven shipyards in Sol, they are vulnerable to attack by other Solarian powers should they side with the Centauri. With this in mind, a program of moving research facilities to Edo has just begun and plans are in motion to build a tug and tow shipyards to the colony. Japanese fuel harvesters are already safely in the Edo system, extracting accessibility 1.0 Sorium from the innermost planet. Edo can be defended against the rest of known space at a single jump point.

The Japanese shipyards have been very busy since January 2100; naval shipyard capacity has increased from 68,000 to 90,000 while commercial capacity has increased from 510,000 to 700,000, giving Japan the greatest shipbuilding capability in known space. The rapidly expanding shipyard complexes have completed twenty-two new ships (see list below) over the last three years or so and are still operating at a high tempo. Japan has two shipping lines, Mutsu Logistics and the Karamorita Transport Line, which have twelve ships between them totalling 650,000 tons.

Japanese Ship Construction
1x Akagi class Missile Cruiser 
1x Kongo class Escort Cruiser
2x Kagero class Destroyer
4x Seisho Maru class Freighter
5x Awazisan Maru class Colony Ship
9x Hyuga class Fuel Harvester

The Japanese economy is in reasonable shape. Mineral supplies are low due to the high rate of shipbuilding and a fuel crisis occurred in the recent past. However, wealth reserves are good despite high expenditure, mines and refineries are being produced and fourteen fuel harvesters are now in operation with three more under construction. The main focus for the future is to continue expanding the population and moving key industry to Edo. No action will be taken against the Centauri Federation for the moment, although if the Centauri attempt to establish themselves in any valuable systems, such as Gamma Pavonis, that position could be re-evaluated.

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/JapanOctober2103.PNG)
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on September 01, 2015, 08:26:49 AM
Manchuria - 21st November 2103

Colonies
Earth: 424m
Manchu-A I: 33.5m
Tau Ceti: 0.13m

Manchuria has discovered twenty-five new systems since January 2100, mainly in the Russo-Manchurian Arm but a few in the Avalon Arm as well. In exploration terms, the past four years have been relatively uneventful. No ruins have been discovered and no systems of high value. A small colony has been established at Tau Ceti-A II, which is also home to a small Russian settlement, mainly because the oxygen content is 0.09 atm and it will be relatively easy to make the atmosphere breathable. The surface temperature is 71C so there will still be additional terraforming required. There are nine million tons of accessibility 0.3 Duranium and six other minerals at minimum accessibility. The most promising mining site is a moon in the YZ Ceti system (see below). The terraforming of the main Manchurian colony on Manchu system-A I continues and the colony cost is now 0.97. The population has increased by thirteen million since January 2100. Manchuria operates two automated mining colonies; thirty installations on the comet Stephan-Oterma in Sol and fourteen installations on the innermost planet of TZ Arietis.

YZ Ceti-A VIII - Moon 2 Survey Report
Duranium 2,635,808  Acc: 0.9
Neutronium 1,920,996  Acc: 0.6
Tritanium 56,644  Acc: 0.4
Boronide 828,100  Acc: 1
Vendarite 164,836  Acc: 0.8
Uridium 122,500  Acc: 0.9
Corundium 268,324  Acc: 0.7
Gallicite 1,695,204  Acc: 0.4

Manchuria is exploring the same general area of space as Russia, although the two nations have both discovered systems that remain unknown to the other. Both also have to pass through the primary colony system of the other to send ships deeper into the Russo-Manchurian Arm, with Manchu two transits from Sol and Novaya Rodina one jump further out. Concerned about the size of the Russian Navy and new Russian warship production and the associated implications for the security of future colonies, Manchuria has concentrated a greater percentage of her shipbuilding effort on warships than most other nations. Two Jiangwei class destroyers and two Jianghu class destroyers have been completed since January 2100 and a further two of each class are under construction. In addition Manchuria has built two Yinchuan class science vessels, three freighters and three colony ships. In line with the concentration on warship production, Manchurian naval shipyard capacity has increased from 41,000 tons to 60,000 tons. Commercial capacity has also seen a large increase, rising from 196,000 tons to 357,000 tons. In addition to the four destroyers, four colony ships and two survey ships are also under construction. Two of the seven Manchurian shipyards are retooling to build additional Xining class terraformers and the first Manchurian construction ships.

Relations with Russia over the past years have remained generally neutral, with no efforts made by either side to interfere with the shipping traffic of the other. However, in September 2103 Russia declared the planetless Epsilon Eridani to be a military exercise zone and warned other nations not to enter. As only Russia and Manchuria have discovered the system and no one else is even exploring the Russo-Manchuria Arm, the rest of the major powers have shown little interest in the declaration. The Manchurian leadership was understandably curious about what the Russians were hiding but as Epsilon Eridani was six jumps from Sol and did not block access to anywhere, they decided not to press the issue, at least for the moment. There were still more avenues of exploration available to Manchuria than survey ships and the cost of a war with Russia would be very high. The Yinchuan class science vessel Shenyang made a token approach to the Teegarden's Star - Epsilon Eridani jump point and found it guarded by a Russian cruiser and two destroyers. The Russians were plainly serious so Shenyang headed through the YZ Ceti jump point instead.

The Manchurian economy is in good shape with no mineral shortages, reasonable fuel reserves and a good reserve of wealth to support the budget deficit. Manchuria has the smallest civilian shipping sector with just three ships totalling 57,000 tons.

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/ManchuriaNovember2103.PNG)
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on September 01, 2015, 03:38:31 PM
Martian Union - 6th December 2103

Colonies
Mars: 286m
Vanaheim: 1.8m
Alpha Centauri-A II - Moon 17: 1.5m

The Martian Union is one of the lower tech nations and has not yet researched jump point theory. Since January 2100 the two Martian Cingulum class geological survey ships have surveyed several systems within the jump gate network but Mars has made no serious effort to explore. In 2101, a small colony was established on a moon in the Alpha Centauri system in order to encourage the civilian sector. Several months later, the Centauri Federation agreed to a trade treaty and a Martian non-mining colony on the ideal world of Vanaheim in exchange for future Martin protection of Centauri fuel harvesters, if they were deployed in Sol, and reports on what was happening in the Sol system. The Vanaheim colony has now passed the original colony in population. Mars has a single mining colony with fifty automated mines on the comet Stephan-Oterma

Mars has continued to build up its forces, constructing two Spiculum class missile bases and four Trident class patrol ships since January 2100. With future colonization in mind, the Union has also built five colony ships and five freighters. Naval shipyard capacity is unchanged at 48,000 tons while commercial capacity has increased from 225,000 to 290,000 tons. However, Mars is suffering from a critical fuel shortage which has greatly hindered the colonization effort in Alpha Centauri. The first three Decius class fuel harvesters are under construction, the number of fuel refineries has been increased and research is taking place into both fuel production and fuel efficiency technologies. Mineral supplies are also a problem and Duranium shortages have halted production several times.The financial situation is better with a reasonable reserve of wealth and the civilian shipping sector is expanding due to the colonies in Alpha Centauri and the trade treaty with the Centauri Federation. The two Martian shipping lines, the Volensus Shipping Company and the Fraucus Company operate a total of nine ships with a combined tonnage of 435,000 tons.

In diplomatic terms, there has been no tension with any of the Earth-based powers, although the Martian Union still regards them with deep distrust. The relationship with the Centauri Federation continues to improve.
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on September 02, 2015, 03:03:15 PM
Russian Federation - 23rd January 2104

Colonies
Earth 413m
Novaya Rodina: 45m
Novaya Zemlya (EZ Aquarii): 13.7m
Tau Ceti: 0.05m

Over the last four years the Russian Federation has discovered thirty-one new systems. Until recently, that exploration had not resulted in any major discoveries; no ruins had been found and no particularly valuable systems. That changed in mid-2103 when Russian survey ships explored the area beyond the planetless Epsilon Eridani system (see map below). The first system further out was Kazan, an unremarkable red dwarf system with eight planets. Kazan had three further jump points, two of which led to the systems of St. Petersburg and St. Ekaterina. The latter system had only a single planet, a large rocky world with a nitrogen atmosphere of 0.24 atm and a colony cost of 2.00. On the surface was an abandoned but partially intact alien colony, the most valuable archaeological discovery in known space. A Russian xenology team made remarkable progress in understanding the alien language and identified two hundred and eighty-two installations for possible recovery.

St Petersburg, perhaps the most valuable system discovered by any human survey ship, was a quaternary with two F-class stars, two G-class stars, fifteen planets and eighty moons. Seven of the system bodies had colony costs between 2.00 and 3.00, four more had colony costs lower than 5.00 and a further eleven had sufficient gravity to support a colony. St Petersburg-D II was home to another partially intact alien colony, an alien research facility that would almost double the output of research facilities working on construction or production technologies and six million tons of accessibility 0.7 Duranium, along with nine other minerals at low accessibility. The temperature was 43C and the atmosphere was 1.25 atm of nitrogen and CO2, which meant the addition of sufficient oxygen plus a small temperature reduction would make this an ideal habitable world. In addition, St Petersburg-B II had a breathable atmosphere, although with a temperature of -70C and St Petersburg-C IV was also a good terraforming candidate which actually had too much oxygen in the atmosphere. The system was also a mineral treasure house, with large quantities of all mineral types at high accessibilities. In addition to the planets and moons shown below, there were a large number of asteroids and several comets with high quality deposits. The only disadvantage for St Petersburg was that the B and D components were fifteen billion kilometres from the primary and there were no Lagrange points in the system.

St Petersburg-C VI - Moon 6  Mineral Survey - CC5.45
Duranium 415,872  Acc: 0.8
Corbomite 608,400  Acc: 0.9
Vendarite 646,416  Acc: 0.8
Uridium 1,354,896  Acc: 0.7
Gallicite 501,264  Acc: 1

St Petersburg-D IV - Moon 3 Mineral Survey - AM only
Duranium 472,392  Acc: 1
Tritanium 5,184  Acc: 0.8
Boronide 9,801  Acc: 0.7
Sorium 431,649  Acc: 0.9
Uridium 142,884  Acc: 0.8
Corundium 272,484  Acc: 0.6

St Petersburg-C II Mineral Survey - CC3.97
Duranium 2,298,368  Acc: 1
Neutronium 1,638,400  Acc: 0.8
Boronide 147,456  Acc: 0.6
Mercassium 409,600  Acc: 1

St Petersburg-A II Mineral Survey - CC4.55
Duranium 3,612,672  Acc: 0.7
Boronide 1,695,204  Acc: 1
Gallicite 1,285,956  Acc: 0.7

While Russia's leaders were celebrating this discovery, a survey ship entered a jump point in St Ekaterina and discovered Kapteyn's Star. The second planet was home to a ruined alien city and another alien research installation, this time dedicated to missile and kinetic technology. The planet had an nitrogen-oxygen atmosphere of 0.18 and a temperature of 78C, making it a reasonable terraforming candidate. As the three systems containing alien ruins, alien installations and several planets ideal for terraforming were within a chain of just four systems in total, this area immediately became the focal point for future Russian expansion. The immediate concern though was how to prevent this valuable territory from being exploited by other nations. Manchuria was the only urgent problem as the other twelve powers did not appear to have any serious interest in the Russo-Manchurian Arm, apart from a small Canadian colony in Manchu. Various options were considered, including a direct strike at the main Manchurian colony as a prelude to seizing the entire Arm and and the less aggressive but still incendiary option of refusing to allow Manchurian traffic to pass through Novaya Rodina. Both those options though entailed considerable risk to Russian industrial capacity on Earth and in Earth orbit. Even if Russia won a war against Manchuria, the cost could be high and leave a weakened Russia open to attack from a third power. Eventually, it was decided to declare the planetless Epsilon Eridani system, the only way to reach the St Petersburg area, a Russian military exercise zone and to warn other nations not to enter. A cruiser and two destroyers were dispatched to guard the jump point from Teegarden's Star. A Manchurian survey ship attempted to approach the jump point but left without serious complaint when warned off by the Russian warships. The other powers raised no objections at all.

The situation also made the Russian Navy aware that it could not mount any operation in Epsilon Eridani or beyond due to a lack of jump-capable warships. If a ship of another power did enter Epsilon Eridani, there was nothing the Russian Navy could do to stop them until jump gates were constructed. As a result, a design for the Project 1214 Berkut-J class Cruiser was created. This new class was a Project 1201 with some of the weapons removed to allow space for a jump drive. Two ships, Admiral Isakov and Admiral Nakhimov, were laid down and will be available in early 2105.

Project 1214 Berkut-J class Cruiser    12,000 tons     300 Crew     1738.4 BP      TCS 240  TH 972  EM 0
4050 km/s    JR 3-50     Armour 4-46     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/6/0/0     Damage Control Rating 7     PPV 30.75
Maint Life 2.03 Years     MSP 634    AFR 164%    IFR 2.3%    1YR 205    5YR 3068    Max Repair 266 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months    Spare Berths 1   
Magazine 125   

MJD-12000     Max Ship Size 12000 tons    Distance 50k km     Squadron Size 3
NPO Energomash R-324 Ion Engine (3)    Power 324    Fuel Use 58.4%    Signature 324    Exp 10%
Fuel Capacity 770,000 Litres    Range 19.8 billion km   (56 days at full power)

100mm/L3 Railgun (4x4)    Range 30,000km     TS: 4050 km/s     Power 3-3     RM 3    ROF 5        1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Railgun Fire Control (2)    Max Range: 192,000 km   TS: 4000 km/s     95 90 84 79 74 69 64 58 53 48
Medium Gas-Cooled Fast Reactor (1)     Total Power Output 3.15    Armour 0    Exp 5%
Gas-Cooled Fast Reactor (2)     Total Power Output 9    Armour 0    Exp 5%

SSM Box Launcher (25)    Missile Size 5    Hangar Reload 37.5 minutes    MF Reload 6.2 hours
Volna-600 Missile Fire Control (1)     Range 63.1m km    Resolution 120
SS-N-1 Scarab (25)  Speed: 20,200 km/s   End: 68.8m    Range: 83.4m km   WH: 9    Size: 5    TH: 67/40/20

Voshkod MR-4 Missile Detection (1)     GPS 64     Range 3.8m km    MCR 418k km    Resolution 1
Voshkod MR-600 (1)     GPS 11520     Range 63.1m km    Resolution 120
EM-12 Passive Sensor (1)     Sensitivity 6     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  6m km

Russian naval shipyard capacity has grown from 50,000 to 59,000 tons since January 2100, while commercial capacity has risen from 160,000 to 300,000 tons. During that time the shipyards constructed a Project 1201 Berkut class cruiser, four Project 1202 Sarych class Destroyers, a single gravitational survey ship, five colony ships, four freighters and a fuel harvester. In addition to the jump-capable cruisers mentioned above, the shipyards are currently building two more destroyers, a survey ship, three colony ships, a fuel harvester and first two Project 1211 full size construction ships. Russia is the only nation currently operating a construction ship with a small construction module.

The Russian Federation has three shipping lines operating eleven ships between them with a combined tonnage of 587,000. The Russian economy is in fair condition; mineral shortages are becoming an issue but the reserve of wealth is reasonable and there are no immediate issues with fuel. The strategic objective for Russian now is to exploit the St Petersburg area as soon as possible while preventing any other nations from emulating the Russian discoveries.

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/RussiaJanuary2104.PNG)
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on September 03, 2015, 06:42:12 AM
United Kingdom - 1st February 2104

Colonies
Avalon: 412m
Earth: 91m
Pendragon: 25.3m
Barnard's Star III: 20.3m
61 Cygni-A III: 0.4m
Tintagel III: 0.24m
Vega III: 0.15m
Gawain I: 0.14m
Merlin II: 0.13m
Kuiper 79-B II: 0.11m

Since January 2100, the United Kingdom has discovered twenty-seven new systems, all of which are within the Avalon Arm. The UK has established more colonies than any other power with a total of ten including Earth and Avalon, although six of them only have very small populations. The colony in 61 Cygni was created as a way station to the rest of the Avalon Arm but the UK also plans to place tracking stations on the planet to monitor traffic entering 61 Cygni from the main Manchurian and Brazilian colonies, which are located in adjacent systems. The Kuiper colony was originally intended as a reception point for potential mining operations in the system, although better mining sites have now been found. Tintagel III is an ideal habitable world, Vega III is home to a ruined alien city, Merlin II is a good mining location (see below) and a good terraforming candidate and Gawain I requires minimal terraforming to become an ideal habitable world. While the United Kingdom has not made the same startling discoveries as the Russian Federation, the number of good colony sites bodes well for future expansion, particularly as the UK has a large civilian sector.  Unlike every other nation, the population on Earth has actually shrunk during this period due to the large merchant marine transporting settlers from Earth to Avalon and the other colonies.

Merlin-A II Mineral Survey
Duranium 2,032,128  Acc: 0.7
Neutronium 11,209,100  Acc: 0.5
Corbomite 3,370,896  Acc: 0.1
Tritanium 4,359,744  Acc: 0.1
Boronide 1,166,400  Acc: 0.8
Mercassium 156,816  Acc: 0.1
Vendarite 3,920,400  Acc: 0.1
Uridium 5,184  Acc: 0.5
Corundium 2,178,576  Acc: 0.6
Gallicite 2,509,056  Acc: 0.5

The population on Avalon has grown by more than one hundred million in four years as British colony ships transport settlers from the neutral nations. That huge flow of immigrants has eased lately due to a fuel shortage and the UK is considering designing more fuel efficient freighters and colony ships in the future. The remaining UK population on Earth is becoming less relevant as industry moves off planet. A Hercules class Tug has recently completed the transfer of shipyards from Earth to Avalon and Atlas class freighters have been moving construction factories. Only forty-two remain on Earth. Earth still contains 90% of the UK's research facilities though, along with ninety mines. Those are likely to stay in place for the foreseeable future but the long-term aim of the UK is move all valuable installations out of the Sol system. There are only two routes into the Avalon Arm, though the Sol - Barnard's Star and Manchu - 61 Cygni jump points, which makes defending UK assets in the Avalon Arm much easier than defending assets located on Earth.

The Royal Navy in January 2100 was relatively weak compared to its major rivals so the UK has invested in additional warships during the last four years, constructing two Dreadnought class battlecruisers, two Agincourt class escort cruisers and four Tribal class destroyers. New commercial shipping includes five freighters, five colony ships, seven fuel harvesters and one tug. The United Kingdom has also invested heavily in expanding its shipyards. Naval shipyard capacity has increased from 54,000 to 81,000 tons while commercial shipyard capacity has increased from 330,000 to 466,000 tons. The major success story though for the United Kingdom has been the growth of its civilian shipping sector. The United Kingdom began the 22nd century with three shipping lines. That has now increasing to five shipping lines operating a total of sixty ships with a combined tonnage of 2,600,000 tons, making the UK civilian sector more than three times the size of it's nearest rival, Argentina (currently 726,000 tons). The danger for the UK is that during a war it would struggle to protect such a large number of civilian ships against commerce raiders.

The UK economy is in good shape. The large civilian sector accounts for a third of tax revenue, helping the UK to maintain a healthy wealth reserve even though it is running a slight deficit, and mineral stocks are reasonable, The only real issue is fuel. Fuel shortages have stopped the regular colony run to Earth and the transfer of installations to Avalon. Fuel harvesters are being built and research facilities have recently been dedicated to fuel-related technologies, such as production and efficiency. Further UK expansion will be slow until the fuel crisis is resolved.

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/UKFebruary2104.PNG)
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on September 03, 2015, 08:33:05 AM
United States - 15th February 2104

Colonies

Earth: 611m
Columbia (Lalande 21185): 73m
Astoria (WX Ursae Majoris): 13.2m
Oregon-B II: 0.53m
Gateway II: 0.17m

In the last four years the United States has discovered thirty-three new systems, including one with a unique distinction. Initially, exploration was spread out across the American Arm but since mid-2101 American efforts have concentrated entirely on the area beyond DX Cancri. A small colony was established in the Gateway system, the first junction in the DX Cancri chain, as a forward base. A second colony was established on Oregon-B II, a world similar to Earth except for a lower temperature that gave it a colony cost of 0.28. American terraforming ships recently arrived and are adding greenhouse gas to the atmosphere. The planet has fourteen million tons of accessibility 0.7 Duranium and nine other minerals at minimal accessibility plus an advanced alien research installation that will double the output of any research facilities dedicated to energy weapon technologies. Several other planets are of interest. The second planet of Gliese 205 has a breathable atmosphere, an alien installation that will boost construction and production research by 80% and all eleven minerals, including 320,000 tons of accessibility 1.0 Duranium. Colony cost is 2.01 due to the temperature. Eta Cassiopeiae-B II has a small alien ruin, an almost breathable atmosphere and another alien research installation, this time dedicated to biology and genetics. The most interesting discovery of all was on Eta Cassiopeiae-A III, home to an intelligent alien race known as the Confederation of Ebensburg.

The alien population of the planet is around two hundred and seventy-five million and they are at a medieval stage of development. Communications have been established. The Eben are humanoid, with elongated heads protected by bony armour plate and have natural colouration similar to terrestrial Zebras. As far as the American contact team can establish, they seem to be descended from herd animals that graze the planet's vast savannah. They are peaceful and welcoming despite their obvious shock at visitors from another world. Eta Cassiopeiae-A III is close to an ideal habitable world for humans, with acceptable gravity, a surface temperature of 26C and a nitrogen-oxygen atmosphere of 0.45 atm. The oxygen pressure is slightly too low at 0.081 atm but minimal terraforming could raise that to 0.1 atm and make this a perfect world for human colonization. The planet also has significant and accessible mineral resources and would be the ideal location for American manned mining complexes once the deposits on Earth begin to run low. Plans are in place to establish a US colony on the planet and a brigade of mobile infantry is already en route on the first Saratoga class troop transport to ensure the safety of those colonists.

Eta Cassiopeiae-A III Mineral Survey
Duranium 378,600  Acc: 1
Neutronium 80,600  Acc: 0.6
Corbomite 156,600  Acc: 0.9
Tritanium 62,700  Acc: 0.8
Boronide 96,500  Acc: 0.9
Mercassium 53,100  Acc: 0.9
Vendarite 188,700  Acc: 0.4
Sorium 251,700  Acc: 0.7
Uridium 84,500  Acc: 0.7
Corundium 108,600  Acc: 0.9
Gallicite 76,700  Acc: 0.4

In addition to its populated colonies, the United States has three mining colonies with a total of one hundred and twenty-six automated mines, significantly more than other other nation. Four civilian mining colonies have also been established, three in Sol and one in WX Ursae Majoris. Since January 2100, the United States has expanded its naval shipyard capacity from 60,000 to 78,000 tons and its commercial shipyards from 380,000 to 630,000 tons, giving the US the second largest shipyard capacity after Japan. New construction during the last four years includes two Shiloh class cruisers, a Ticonderoga class escort cruiser, three Spruance class destroyers, five freighters, five colony ships, two Knox class jump freighters, nine fuel harvesters, a Saratoga class troop transport and a Pegasus class tug.

The US economy is strong, with a good reserve of wealth, no major fuel problems and reasonable mineral supplies. The United States has a single civilian shipping company, the Panzer Shipping Line, with eleven ships totalling almost 500,000 tons. The civilian sector, including the shipping line and the mining colonies, provides seventeen percent of US tax revenue. Total US population has increased by one hundred million to seven hundred million in the last four years due to a combination of population growth and immigration from neutral countries. Japan has the second highest population at six hundred million. As with the UK and Japan, plans are motion to transfer shipyards and industry out of Sol to Columbia or one of the new colonies. The recently constructed Pegasus class tug is currently towing the first shipyard to Columbia. On Columbia itself, the small alien ruin has been surveyed and twenty-six installations have been identified for recovery.

Three other nations, France, Germany and the Caliphate, send ships through the major US colony system of Lalande 21185 and the US has made no objection to their passage. For the moment, US relations with other nations are good and no points of contention exist. Since the effective annexation of Epsilon Eridani and any systems that lie beyond it by the Russian Federation, the United States is considering a similar course of action for the DX Cancri chain. All the major US discoveries are within that area and the American fuel harvesters are all in DX Cancri itself.

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/USAFebruary2104.PNG)
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on September 03, 2015, 08:39:19 AM
Overall Comparison - 15th February 2104

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/Feb2104Comparison.PNG)
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on September 17, 2015, 02:24:34 PM
Argentina - 5th January 2106

Colonies
Earth: 122.3m
Dias de Solis (Alpha Centauri): 11.9m
Sancti Spiritu (Procyon): 0.26m
Rio de la Plata (Gl 231.2): 0.16m

Argentina has continued its explorations beyond Procyon, following its strategic goal of finding a resource-rich area of space that is not under the control of any major power. The distances involved are proving challenging. Partly because fuel use is high but mainly because the jump gate network extends only to Wolf 358 and Argentina has only a single jump-capable commercial vessel. Expeditions comprising several freighters and colony ships are being sent as a single group to make full use of the Comodoro Rivadavia - J class Jump Freighter. Argentina's sole geological survey vessel is not jump-capable and requires transit assistance from one of the three San Luis class gravitational survey vessels. Even so, Argentina is gradually expanding known space.

A new colony, named Rio de la Plata, has been established in the Gl 231.2 system, nine jumps from Sol. The Dias de Solis colony in Alpha Centauri and the Sancti Spiritu colony in Procyon have both been expanded during the last two years. Argentina has found an ideal habitable world during its explorations but unfortunately it is orbiting the secondary star twenty-five billion kilometres from the primary and there are no Lagrange points in the system, making it economically infeasible to colonize.

Since August 2103 Argentina has built a fourth freighter and a fourth colony ship. A fuel harvester and a second troop transport are under construction. Argentina has one of the largest civilian shipping sectors at 913,000 tons, similar in size to both the United States (918,000 tons) and Japan (914,000 tons). Only the United Kingdom has a substantially larger civilian sector. Argentina has four shipyards with a total capacity of 28,000 naval and 170,000 commercial.

The major issues facing Argentina are a financial crisis and limited fuel production. The latter will be eased by the ongoing construction of a third fuel harvester while the former has been eased a little by a trade treaty with Japan. In exchange for access to Japanese markets, Argentina has agreed to provide intelligence on Centauri operations in the Alpha Centauri system.

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/ArgentinaJan06.PNG)

Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on September 17, 2015, 04:38:56 PM
Australia - 19th January 2106

Colonies
Earth: 114.4m
Avalon: 38.9m
Pendragon: 6.7m

In recent years, Australia has concentrated its efforts on expanding the colony on Avalon and improving its fuel production capabilities in order to maintain the colonization program. The Avalon colony has close to forty million inhabitants, making it one of the larger human colonies although still small compared to the huge UK population on the same world. Even though the colony on Pendragon was established earlier, it has seen only modest growth since 2103 due to the concentration on Avalon. Joint terraforming efforts with the United Kingdom have made the atmosphere of Pendragon breathable, making it more attractive for future colonists. Australian and UK terraformers are now concentrating on adding greenhouse gas to raise the temperature from its current level of -50C.

Australia does not yet have any jump capable ships so has not expanded its knowledge of known space, except for a couple of systems accessible through UK-built jump gates. Australian scientists are conducting additional research into jump drive efficiency before designing the first jump drives. Australian shipyards have not lain idle however and since August 2103 they have constructed three fuel harvesters (taking the total to five) and a third Melbourne class destroyer. Two further Collins class Fuel Harvesters are under construction. The new fuel harvesters have been deployed in orbit of Bernard's Star VIII, along with fuel harvesters from Canada and the United Kingdom. The existing fuel harvesters have been moved from Pendragon to the same location.

Australia has suffered fuel shortages and a financial crisis in the recent past. The fuel problems have now eased due to the expansion of Australian fuel production capacity and an improvement in production technology. The financial situation has also improved due to trade treaty with Canada and the United Kingdom so Australian research facilities are operating at full capacity once again. The Australian civilian sector comprises a single shipping line with fourteen ships, totalling 650,000 tons, plus a mining colony in the Sol system.

Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on September 20, 2015, 10:11:00 AM
Brazil - 3rd February 2106

Colonies
Earth: 350m
Novo Rio: 25m
V1581 Cygni-B I: 0.22m

Brazil has not expanded its explored territory in recent years due to a lack of gravitational survey ships. However, it has developed jump drives and a series of jump-capable designs are being constructed. A pair of Amapa-J class jump freighters are already in service and one of those will be used to transit known but unexplored jump points. Two Tridente class jump frigates (see below) are 80% and 65% complete and the same shipyard, Sampaio International Shipbuilding, has already been retooled to build Rio de Janeiro class gravitational survey vessels once the Tridentes are launched. Brazil has forty automated mines on the comet Wolf, mainly due to the high accessibility Duranium and Gallicite. The Gallicite deposits on Wolf are close to exhaustion though with only 1600 tons remaining so Brazil and the other nations with mines on the comet will soon have to find an alternate location.

**************************************************************************************

Tridente class Jump Frigate    6,000 tons     174 Crew     879.6 BP      TCS 120  TH 528  EM 0
4400 km/s    JR 3-50     Armour 4-29     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 4     PPV 12
Maint Life 3.2 Years     MSP 366    AFR 72%    IFR 1%    1YR 54    5YR 807    Max Repair 132 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months    Spare Berths 0   

J60 Military Jump Drive     Max Ship Size 6000 tons    Distance 50k km     Squadron Size 3
Vieira-Bastos VB-264 Ion Drive (2)    Power 264    Fuel Use 81.22%    Signature 264    Exp 11%
Fuel Capacity 390,000 Litres    Range 14.4 billion km   (37 days at full power)

15cm Railgun V3/C3 (2x4)    Range 90,000km     TS: 4400 km/s     Power 9-3     RM 3    ROF 15        3 3 3 2 1 1 1 1 1 0
Medrano-Carneiro MC-96 Beam Fire Control (1)    Max Range: 256,000 km   TS: 4000 km/s     96 92 88 84 80 77 73 69 65 61
Small Gas-Cooled Fast Reactor (1)     Total Power Output 1.8    Armour 0    Exp 5%
Gas-Cooled Fast Reactor (1)     Total Power Output 4.5    Armour 0    Exp 5%

Agra-Barreiros  AB-2M Active Search Sensor (1)     GPS 32     Range 1.9m km    MCR 209k km    Resolution 1
Agra-Barreiros AB-30 Active Search Sensor (1)     GPS 5760     Range 31.5m km    Resolution 120

**************************************************************************************

Rio de Janeiro class Gravitational Survey Vessel    6,000 tons     147 Crew     827.2 BP      TCS 120  TH 336  EM 0
2800 km/s    JR 3-50     Armour 1-29     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/12/3/0     Damage Control Rating 6     PPV 0
Maint Life 6.08 Years     MSP 517    AFR 48%    IFR 0.7%    1YR 24    5YR 360    Max Repair 100 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 60 months    Spare Berths 1   

J60 Military Jump Drive     Max Ship Size 6000 tons    Distance 50k km     Squadron Size 3
Vieira-Bastos VB-168E Ion Drive (2)    Power 168    Fuel Use 26.24%    Signature 168    Exp 7%
Fuel Capacity 750,000 Litres    Range 85.7 billion km   (354 days at full power)

Navigation Sensor (1)     GPS 1920     Range 10.5m km    Resolution 120
EM-12 Passive Sensor (1)     Sensitivity 12     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  12m km
Gravitational Survey Sensors (3)   3 Survey Points Per Hour

**************************************************************************************

Brazilian shipbuilding has been relatively restrained over the last thirty months with only an Almirante Saboia class kinetic frigate being constructed in addition to the two jump freighters. A military buildup is underway though with a Sao Paulo class kinetic cruiser, two Tridente class jump frigates, the first Brazilian troop transport and a new Antares class kinetic battlecruiser under construction. The Antares is an up-scaled version of the Sao Paulo, with four twin gauss cannon turrets and six 15cm railguns. As with other Brazilian warships, the Antares is designed to use its superior speed to close on hostile targets while fending off missile attack with a barrage of kinetic-based point defence. With Brazilian colonization preceding relatively slowly and a lack of colonization sites that are not already home to the colonies of other powers, the Brazilian leadership is concerned that Brazil is falling behind in the race into space. However, the Brazilian Navy has six cruisers and eight frigates with additional warships and a troop transport under construction so the leadership is considering other options, including taking the colonies of other nations by force.

The current Brazilian colonies are in the Avalon Arm, where the major power is the United Kingdom. Unfortunately, the Royal Navy is also an energy-based fleet and has longer-ranged weapons so it would be a difficult opponent. Australia and Canada also have colonies in the Avalon Arm but the Brazilian leadership is concerned that the Royal Navy would intervene as the three Anglo powers have very good relations. An ideal opponent would be one with a missile-only fleet and no energy combatants. This currently applies to Argentina, the Centauri Federation, France, Germany and Manchuria. Argentina is a terrestrial rival of Brazil but has no major colonies while most of the French and German colonies are outside the jump gate network. The primary Manchurian colony is a possibility but the planet on which it is based has virtually no mineral deposits, plus Manchuria might be able to damage the Brazilian shipyards in Earth orbit. Which leaves the Centauri Federation; a moderately powerful nation with colonies on three habitable worlds, two of which have substantial mineral deposits. Combined with the Federation's lack of energy combatants and lack of military forces deployed in Sol, this makes the Centauri a very tempting target. The leadership decides to wait until the new construction is available and then, if the Brazilian situation has not improved, launch an attack against the Centauri. They will also consider if any of the other powers could be persuaded to join the assault for a share of the spoils.

**************************************************************************************

Antares class Kinetic Battlecruiser    15,000 tons     396 Crew     2234.2 BP      TCS 300  TH 1320  EM 0
4400 km/s     Armour 5-54     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/12/0/0     Damage Control Rating 7     PPV 102.24
Maint Life 2.01 Years     MSP 652    AFR 257%    IFR 3.6%    1YR 214    5YR 3215    Max Repair 132 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months    Spare Berths 1   

Vieira-Bastos VB-264 Ion Drive (5)    Power 264    Fuel Use 81.22%    Signature 264    Exp 11%
Fuel Capacity 1,000,000 Litres    Range 14.8 billion km   (38 days at full power)

Twin Gauss Cannon R3-100 Turret (4x6)    Range 30,000km     TS: 16000 km/s     Power 0-0     RM 3    ROF 5        1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
15cm Railgun V3/C3 (6x4)    Range 90,000km     TS: 4400 km/s     Power 9-3     RM 3    ROF 15        3 3 3 2 1 1 1 1 1 0
Medrano-Carneiro MC-96 Beam Fire Control (1)    Max Range: 256,000 km   TS: 4000 km/s     96 92 88 84 80 77 73 69 65 61
Medrano-Carneiro MC-16 Beam Fire Control (2)    Max Range: 64,000 km   TS: 16000 km/s     84 69 53 38 22 6 0 0 0 0
Gas-Cooled Fast Reactor (4)     Total Power Output 18    Armour 0    Exp 5%

Agra-Barreiros  AB-2M Active Search Sensor (1)     GPS 32     Range 1.9m km    MCR 209k km    Resolution 1
Agra-Barreiros AB-30 Active Search Sensor (1)     GPS 5760     Range 31.5m km    Resolution 120
EM-12 Passive Sensor (1)     Sensitivity 12     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  12m km

**************************************************************************************

A second Brazilian shipping line, Sacadura Carrier Lines, has recently been formed. In total the civilian sector has ten ships with a combined tonnage of 465,000.
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on September 20, 2015, 01:15:23 PM
The Caliphate - 15th February 2106

Colonies
Earth: 443m
Medina-A II: 47m

Like Brazil, the Caliphate has not discovered any new systems due to its late development of jump point theory, although it has expanded its geological survey knowledge by surveying systems as they are added to the jump gate network. The Caliphate is still early in the process of developing jump drives and is currently researching the first jump drive efficiency technology. Also like Brazil, the Caliphate has been expanding its military infrastructure and in this regard is far ahead. In fact, the Caliphate has the fourth largest naval shipping tonnage at 268,000 tons and the fourth largest naval shipyard capacity at 70,000 tons. The Caliphate economy is in good shape with adequate mineral supplies, an excellent fuel reserve and a good reserve of wealth. However, it still only has a single off-world colony, albeit with a population of forty-seven million.

Since August 2103, the Caliphate has built four Mersin class FAC Carriers, thirty FACs, three colony ships, a terraformer and the first four fuel harvesters. A further two FAC carriers, twelve FACs, two colony ships, two fuel harvesters and a troop transport are under construction. This expansion of military capability had led the Caliph and his advisers to consider using the Caliphate navy to expand the number of Caliphate colonies, rather than waiting for the development of jump drives. The obvious target is Germany, as the Neu Brandenburg and Astoria colonies are adjacent to Medina and Neu Bayern is two jumps away, plus German ships are exploring the territory beyond Medina. There a couple of potential problems however. While Germany has recently added Neu Brandenburg to the jump gate network, Neu Bayern is still inaccessible to Caliphate ships. In addition, unless all German warships can be eliminated in a first strike the survivors might retaliate against Caliphate industry on Earth or the shipyards in Earth orbit.

An alternative strategy suggested by the Brazilian ambassador during a recent audience with the Caliph has several advantages over an attack on Germany. Brazil is considering moving against the Centauri Federation and is looking for potential allies. The Caliphate was one of the originally colonising nations in Alpha Centauri and lost that investment when the Federation was formed, so there is a casus belli the Caliph's advisers believe would serve for both internal and external propaganda. In addition, three habitable worlds and a wealth of resources would make a huge difference to the Caliphate even if shared with Brazil. The target colonies would be a single jump away, within the jump gate network, and it would be far more difficult for the Centauri, compared to Germany, to retaliate against Earth. The Caliphate is still building up its forces and in particular needs troop transports but the Caliph accepts the proposed strategy in principle. The Brazilian ambassador is notified and a secret Brazil - Caliphate alliance is agreed. Due to slow construction rates, the first Caliphate troop transport will not be available until March 2107, so that is the earliest point at which an assault against Alpha Centauri could take place.

On the civilian front, the Caliphate has two shipping lines with thirteen ships totalling 637,000 tons. A civilian mining colony has been setup in the Medina system to complement the existing civilian colony in Sol.
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on September 21, 2015, 12:53:48 PM
Canada - 25th March 2106

Colonies
Earth: 124.8m
Avalon: 38.9m
Acadia: 9.5m
Manchu-B I: 0.17m
Kuiper 79 IV: 0.1m

Since September 2103 Canada has concentrated on three strategic priorities; transporting colonists to Avalon, building an effective fuel production infrastructure and developing a terraforming capability. The Avalon colony has grown to almost forty million, giving Canada a significant presence outside of the Sol system. The original colony of Acadia, still valuable due to its deposits of Duranium, Mercassium and Gallicite, has grown only slightly. The first pair of Canadian terraformers were launched in October 2105 and a third was launched in March 2106. They have begun the daunting task of creating an atmosphere for Acadia. This will be a very long process and additional terraformers are under construction. Canada recently created its fourth colony on Kuiper 79-A IV after a Canadian survey team discovered huge quantities of Duranium and Neutronium that the orbital survey failed to detect. The United Kingdom has also established a colony on the same world after learning of the Canadian survey results.

Kuiper 79-A IV Survey Report
Duranium 13,312,800  Acc: 0.7
Neutronium 7,338,681  Acc: 0.9
Corbomite 3,261,636  Acc: 0.1
Tritanium 12,737,760  Acc: 0.6
Boronide 4,999,696  Acc: 0.5
Mercassium 8,549,776  Acc: 0.1
Sorium 1,893,376  Acc: 0.1
Uridium 15,992,000  Acc: 0.1
Corundium 8,054,244  Acc: 0.1

Canada suffered a fuel crisis in the early 22nd century and has devoted significant efforts toward ensuring that does not happen in the future. Two Saint Laurent class Fuel Harvesters are now in service and two more are under construction. While fuel is still in short supply, the negative effects on Canadian operations are diminishing. The fuel harvesters are in orbit of Bernard's Star VIII, the same location as UK and Australian fuel harvesters. Without any formal defence treaty in place, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom are cooperating militarily to protect their interests in Bernard’s Star and Pendragon. In several cases their colonies are on the same worlds, their fuel harvesters orbit the same gas giant and, in the case of Australia and the UK, they are terraforming the same planet. Canada has not added any new warships in recent years due to ongoing financial issues but still operates seven capable destroyers.

In addition to the three terraformers and two fuel harvesters constructed in the last two years, Canada has also built two Annapolis freighters, taking the total numbers of units in the class to five. The main limitation on shipbuilding is a financial crisis that has lasted for several years. The situation is easing a little due to tax revenues from the Avalon colony and a growing civilian shipping sector. Two Canadian shipping lines operate eighteen ships with a combined tonnage of 875,000, giving Canada the fifth largest civilian sector in terms of shipping tonnage. Canadian research labs are operating at 85% of maximum capacity and this has been improving steadily. Two terraformers and two fuel harvesters are under construction. Canadian factories still lie idle but as the economy recovers they will return to operation.
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on September 21, 2015, 03:12:57 PM
Centauri Federation = 2nd April 2106

Colonies
Asgard: 193m
Vanaheim: 147m
Midgard: 51m
Delta Pavonis-A I: 0.77m

During the last thirty months, the Centauri Federation has discovered ten new systems and six systems have been surveyed. The only new planet of note is Gliese 588 II (see below), seven jumps from Alpha Centauri, which has substantial mineral deposits and is a good terraforming candidate. Centauri construction ships are building a chain of jump gates to provide access for Centauri commercial shipping. The Centauri survey force, which comprises six Saga class science vessels, has not yet discovered any alien ruins. The ruins on Asgard have been fully exploited and a number of mines and factories were recovered. The most significant discovery was a cache of 45,000 tons of Duranium. The Centauri Federation now has substantial stocks of all minerals, including 55,000 tons of Duranium and 10,000 tons of Gallicite.

Gliese 588-A II Mineral Survey
Duranium 414,050  Acc: 0.9
Neutronium 3,312,400  Acc: 0.9
Corbomite 3,841,600  Acc: 0.7
Tritanium 2,160,900  Acc: 0.4
Boronide 354,025  Acc: 0.5
Mercassium 122,500  Acc: 0.4
Vendarite 4,708,900  Acc: 0.1
Sorium 10,595,030  Acc: 0.1
Uridium 3,441,025  Acc: 0.8
Corundium 893,025  Acc: 0.5
Gallicite 1,225  Acc: 0.9

In mid-2103, the Federation was facing a serious fuel crisis that was severely hampering operations, including the transport of new colonists from neutral nations on Earth. Two fuel harvesters had been launched in March 2103 but they had yet to make an impact. Since then the situation has improved considerably. The Federation has launched a further seven Gungnir class fuel harvesters and a fuel stockpile of ten million litres has been built up. A long-term issue remains however. The nine Centauri fuel harvesters are deployed in orbit of Alpha Centauri-B V which has only 71,000 tons of accessibility 0.7 Sorium. There are no good nearby options for an alternative harvesting site and Uranus in the Sol system is probably the best available. An agreement is in place with the Martian Union to protect any Centauri harvesters in Sol in exchange for a Martian colony on Vanaheim, which has now reached a population of seven million. Even so, Mars can only provide a tripwire response and is unlikely to be able to defend against any serious attack using its small patrol craft. The Federation has suggested that Mars could tow one or more of its defensive bases to Uranus, as the Martian Union has recently built a tug. However, the Union is very defensive minded and does not want to weaken the defences of Mars. In addition, Mars has a shortage of Duranium and financial issues that prevent it from building additional defensive bases. The Centauri are considering sending surplus Duranium to Mars in exchange for the Union building defensive bases specifically intended for deployment at Uranus. The Martians are deploying their own fuel harvesters at Uranus so this would benefit both nations.

Since September 2103, the Centauri Federation has constructed seven fuel harvesters, the first Centauri tanker, the first Heimdall class troop transport and two terraformers. The Centauri Federation now operates ten Loki class terraformers, each with two terraforming modules, which are currently creating an atmosphere for a moon of Alpha Centauri-A II. A small Martian colony is already in place on the moon and the Centauri intend to create a colony of their own at some point in the future. No military vessels have been constructed or even laid down since February 2103 and the Centauri Navy currently comprises five Grendel class cruisers, four Tyr class escort cruisers and two unarmed Asgard class jump cruisers, all of which are 10,200 tons.

The lack of military construction is primarily due to a lengthy financial crisis. The economic situation of the Federation is starting to improve however and they have an abundance of minerals to support additional construction. All research facilities are in operation, missile stockpiles are being increased and a military academy is being constructed to alleviate a shortage of key personnel, particularly in the research and development area. Shipbuilding is still limited however and in the last few years has been devoted to economically beneficial ships. The Centauri civilian sector is playing a key part in the recovery. The Federation has the largest civilian mining operation of any power, with eighteen civilian mining complexes across five different sites, while the two Centauri shipping lines operate eighteen vessels with a combined tonnage of 707,000.

The Federation government is aware that the Alpha Centauri system is a valuable prize and that the potential threat from the Solarian powers still remains. As the economic situation is stabilising, they intend to give more weight to military construction in the future.

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/CentauriMarch2106.PNG)
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on September 21, 2015, 05:07:53 PM
France - 9th April 2106

Colonies
Earth: 233m
New France-A II: 10.4m
Astoria (WX Ursae Majoris-A II): 9.5m
New Quebec I: 2.4m

France is continuing to explore the area around New France and has little interaction with the other powers, except for the French colony on Astoria in WX Ursae Majoris which shares the planet with German and American settlements. The ruins on New France have been fully exploited, resulting in the recovery of three research facilities, two ground force training facilities, a substantial amount of infrastructure, many mines and factories and thirty million litres of fuel. Technical data was discovered that increased French knowledge of shields and thermal sensors plus over eighty shield generators were recovered, the disassembly of which further increased French shield technology. France has developed a Delta shield generator and created an updated design of their Clemenceau class missile cruiser. A single Clemenceau-S is under construction and is scheduled for completion in May 2107.

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Clemenceau-S class Missile Cruiser    12,000 tons     311 Crew     1892.4 BP      TCS 240  TH 1200  EM 1500
5000 km/s     Armour 3-46     Shields 50-300     Sensors 1/18/0/0     Damage Control Rating 7     PPV 40
Maint Life 2.69 Years     MSP 690    AFR 164%    IFR 2.3%    1YR 136    5YR 2036    Max Repair 200 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 18 months    Spare Berths 1   
Magazine 520   

Chenault-Allaire CA-400 Magneto-plasma Drive (3)    Power 400    Fuel Use 45%    Signature 400    Exp 10%
Fuel Capacity 750,000 Litres    Range 25.0 billion km   (57 days at full power)
Delta Shield Generator (20)   Total Fuel Cost  300 Litres per hour  (7,200 per day)

Sylver-4 Missile Launch System (10)    Missile Size 4    Rate of Fire 60
Favre-Rivard Orbital Systems FROS-100M Missile Fire Control (2)     Range 100.4m km    Resolution 135
MM400 Exocet Anti-ship Missile (130)  Speed: 32,000 km/s   End: 65.3m    Range: 125.3m km   WH: 6    Size: 4    TH: 106/64/32

Favre-Rivard Orbital Systems FROS-100 Active Sensor (1)     GPS 19440     Range 100.4m km    Resolution 135
EM-18 Detection Sensor (1)     Sensitivity 18     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  18m km

**************************************************************************************

Terraforming of New France continues and the oxygen content has been raised to 0.08 atm. Progress is still relatively slow but the atmosphere should become breathable in a little over two years. The surface temperature is 60C so even after that point there will significant effort required before it is an ideal habitable world. New Quebec-A I, two jumps beyond New France, is already an ideal habitable world and colony expeditions have increased its population to 2.4 million. Six mines recovered from the ruins on New France have been moved to New Quebec and twenty-two automated mines have been moved to the inner moon of New Quebec II, a very valuable mining site. France has only two survey ships, both of which have recently finished long overhauls, so the number of systems being explored and surveyed by France is comparatively small in relation to the other jump-capable powers. Even so, the French government is content with their progress so far and the existing colony sites will serve France well for many years.

Since October 2103 France has constructed a third Clemenceau class missile cruiser, a fourth Dunkerque class frigate, a freighter, a colony ship and the first French Tug. Currently under construction are a Clemenceau, a Clemenceau-S, a Dunkerque and a colony ship. One shipyard is retooling to build the first French jump gate construction ships. Unlike the major colonies of most powers, New France lies outside the jump gate network. The single French shipping line, Breze Container Services, has ten ships totalling 363,000 tons. The location and distance of the main French colonies has precluded an active civilian shipping sector; only the Astoria colony is accessible to civilians and the lack of an atmosphere slows down the colonization effort.

The French economy is in deficit spending but recovery of wealth from the ruins on New France has postponed any financial crisis for the moment. France will have to take action though within the next few months to prevent its wealth reserves being exhausted and overall production being affected. The fuel situation is excellent with a stockpile of over thirty million litres while mineral supplies are in reasonable shape; only Duranium is a cause for concern.

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/FranceApril2106.PNG)
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on September 22, 2015, 03:00:58 PM
Germany - 1st May 2106

Colonies
Earth: 272m
Neu Brandenburg II: 16.6m
Astoria (WX Ursae Majoris): 11.4m
Neu Bayern II: 9.5m
GJ-1230-A II: 0.25m

Germany has continued its energetic exploration program during the last thirty months, discovering thirteen new systems and completing gravitational surveys in eight. The speed of expansion has been aided by the construction of two new Bayern class gravitational survey vessels, taking the total numbers of Bayerns to five. While several promising new colony and mining sites have been identified, the main benefit of the survey program has been the discovery of three new alien ruins, one of which is a partially intact colony, giving Germany a total of five ruin sites to investigate. The existing ruins on Neu Bayern and GJ 1230-A II have both been fully surveyed, resulting in the identification of fifty-five and twenty-five recoverable installations respectively. A German troop transport is now in service so two construction brigades have been deployed to New Bayern and a third to GJ 1230-A II. The partially intact colony, located on GJ 1235-A III, has also been surveyed revealing a startling two hundred and fifty-four recoverable installations. The other alien sites, a ruined settlement on NN 3928-A IV and a ruined outpost on Gliese 69-A III, have yet to be surveyed. The German government is considering more mnemonic names for these key systems.

The other major development in Germany's expansion program has been the launching of two Scheer class jump gate construction ships. Until recently, the German colonies of Neu Brandenburg and New Bayern lay outside the jump gate network. While the two Emden class jump freighters could escort government-owned commercial traffic if required, it was not ideal due to the other demands on their time, and civilian traffic was excluded entirely. A gate has now been built from Wolf 358 to Neu Brandenburg, linking it to the network, and work has already commenced on a gate from Neu Brandenburg to New Bayern. The second construction ship has begun extending the jump gate network from Medina into German-explored space. While this potentially opens up the area to the Caliphate, the risk is relatively low as the Caliphate will have to survey for the jump points, although it could possibly monitor German traffic to discover them. In any event, it would be difficult for Germany to make full use of the numerous ruin sites without an extensive jump gate network to support commercial traffic.

In addition to the two Bayerns, a troop transport and the two construction ships, German shipyards have built a fuel harvester, two colony ships and a Scharnhorst class battlecruiser, the fourth ship in its class, since October 2103. The construction of the Scharnhorst was due to a growing concern about the Caliphate. Germany has concentrated its exploration efforts on an area of space that can only be reached via the Medina system, the sole colony of the Caliphate. Medina is also one jump from the Neu Brandenburg and Astoria colonies and two jumps from Neu Bayern, although for the moment there are no gates at the jump point from Medina to Neu Brandenburg. German naval intelligence believes the Caliphate does not yet have jump technology so there is no competition in terms of exploration. However that is a temporary situation at best and a lack of jump capability does not prevent on attack on existing German colonies. With that in mind, Germany has designed its first energy combatant, the laser-armed Prinz Eugen class frigate. The Prinz Eugen will provide a close-range jump point defence capability as well as adding flexibility in a fleet action. Two units are under construction and are scheduled for completion in July and August 2107.

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Prinz Eugen class Frigate    6,000 tons     192 Crew     959.6 BP      TCS 120  TH 480  EM 0
4000 km/s     Armour 4-29     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 4     PPV 32
Maint Life 2.79 Years     MSP 400    AFR 72%    IFR 1%    1YR 75    5YR 1119    Max Repair 240 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months    Spare Berths 0   

Anschütz-Radetzky Engines Limited AREL-480 Ion Drive (1)    Power 480    Fuel Use 48%    Signature 480    Exp 10%
Fuel Capacity 300,000 Litres    Range 18.8 billion km   (54 days at full power)

15cm C3 Near Ultraviolet Laser (8)    Range 180,000km     TS: 4000 km/s     Power 6-3     RM 3    ROF 10        6 6 6 4 3 3 2 2 2 1
Fischer Heavy Industries FCL-128 (1)    Max Range: 256,000 km   TS: 4000 km/s     96 92 88 84 80 77 73 69 65 61
Small Gas-Cooled Fast Reactor (1)     Total Power Output 1.8    Armour 0    Exp 5%
Gas-Cooled Fast Reactor (5)     Total Power Output 22.5    Armour 0    Exp 5%

Liebermann Warning & Control LWC-60 Funkmessgerät (1)     GPS 11040     Range 61.8m km    Resolution 115

**************************************************************************************

The German economy has suffered from recent intensive production requirements and wealth reserves have been exhausted. The budget has been stabilised but the negative wealth situation is affecting productivity. German research facilities are operating at 70% while factory production has been temporarily shut down. The German government has been prepared to accept the financial consequences of recent expansion because they believe the potential returns from ruins will help the economy recover. The fuel and mineral stockpile situation is healthier. The German civilian sector comprises a single shipping line, Lubke Marine, with thirteen ships totalling 717,000 tons plus a civilian mining colony on a Kuiper Belt object in the Sol system.
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on September 22, 2015, 05:13:10 PM
Japanese Empire - 5th May 2106

Colonies
Earth: 525m
Edo II: 106m
Kyoto-A I: 18.4m
Delta Pavonis-A I: 0.31m
Nara-A II: 0.21m
Gamma Pavonis-A I: 0.22m
Gamma Pavonis-A III: 0.07m

Japan has continued its extensive explorations of the Centauri Arm, finding seventeen new systems since October 2103, and now has knowledge of more than one hundred systems in total. Several notable discoveries have taken place in the last thirty months. A ruined alien city was discovered on GJ 1075-A I, at the edge of known space. A xenological survey revealed one hundred and thirty-eight potentially recoverable installations. Four construction brigades are already in place and the jump gate network has been extended to the system. Four colony ships are en route to establish a new Japanese settlement on the planet. Japan discovered a near-habitable world in HIP 107705 with a colony cost of 0.72 and substantial accessible deposits of several different minerals. Duranium is unfortunately at 0.1 accessibility but a geological survey team may be able to locate more accessible deposits.

Perhaps the most significant discovery was astrographic in nature rather than planetary-based. In May 2105, the gravitational survey ship Isuzu transited a newly discovered jump point in Kyokai, nine transits from Sol, and emerged in Tau Ceti, a system with a yellow G8-V primary and three planets. The second planet had a breathable atmosphere and a colony cost of 1.37 so the system was given a high priority for a geological survey. Isuzu returned to Kyokai to continue her gravitational survey of that system. Five months later the geological survey ship Sakawa arrived in Tau Ceti and detected the transponder of a Manchurian civilian colony ship heading out-system from the second planet. No gravitational survey had been conducted in Tau Ceti but that also become a high priority. On October 21st 2105 Sakawa detected small Manchurian and Russian populations on the second planet. The two colonies both detected Sakawa and hailed the ship. Sakawa's commander, Chusa Morioka Yumako, acknowledged the hails but restricted the conversation to an exchange of pleasantries.

A month later, while the geological survey was still underway, Sakawa detected a Manchurian ship transiting a previously unknown jump point. As soon as her survey mission was complete she investigated and transited into the known system of Teegarden's Star, located five jumps from Sol via Proxima, Manchu, Novaya Rodina and TZ Arietis. This newly discovered jump point created a link between the Russo-Manchurian and Centauri Arms. Japan had previously surveyed Teegarden's Star in the late 21st century but had never explored its jump points. The two remaining unexplored jump point locations were in Sakawa's astrographic charts so Chusa Morioka decided to investigate. The first led to YZ Ceti, a red dwarf system with nine planets, one of which was of marginal interest. The second was guarded by a Russian cruiser and two escorting destroyers which warned the Japanese survey ship not to attempt a transit. Teegarden's Star was on the jump gate network so Morioka notified Japanese High Command then decided discretion was the better part of valour and headed back into Tau Ceti. Russia and Japan discussed the situation at the highest level and came to an agreement. Japan would not attempt to enter the jump point, which Russia revealed led to the planetless Epsilon Eridani system, and in return Russia would not attempt to explore beyond the Kyokai system, which led into the Centauri Arm. Both nations had plenty to occupy them within their own space and neither could see any advantage in increased tensions with the other. Manchuria was less inclined to negotiate, due to its past history with Japan, and no formal agreement over spheres of influence could be reached.

The population of Japan's primary colony, Edo II, has reached one hundred and six million and the colony is becoming an industrial hub. One hundred and twenty factories, seventy-seven mines and fifteen research facilities are already in operation on the planet. Maintenance facilities are under construction and will soon support Japan's survey ships and its Kagero class destroyers. The planet is also intended as the long-term home of Japanese shipyards. In recent years, Japanese High Command became very nervous about the vulnerability of Japanese shipyards so they decided to relocate them from Earth to Edo. Unfortunately, even though the tractor beam had been developed, no shipyard was available to retool to build a tug. Therefore, the High Command decided on an interim solution that involved adding a tractor beam to the Kaiyo Maru class troop transports, giving them a secondary role as a tug. The main disadvantage of this solution was the very slow progress of the transports with an attached shipyard. Even so, the High Command gave the go-ahead and the transfer of the shipyards began. Two smaller shipyards have already arrived at Edo, three more are in transit and three remain in Earth orbit. Two of those in transit are very large commercial yards with multiple slipways, resulting in speeds of 235 km/s and 153 km/s. The latter yard is one third of the way through a 450-day journey. The extreme vulnerability of the in-transit shipyards is likely to constrain any potential Japanese military action until the process is completed.

In addition to expanding its existing colonies, Japan has recently established two small colonies in Gamma Pavonis. The system is a mineral treasure house and Japan is likely to invest considerable resources in building up colonies in the system once other priorities have been addressed. Japan has been relocating some of its automated mines from two planets in the LHS 292 system to an asteroid in Kyoto. There are now thirty-eight mines on the asteroid plus a further sixty on the comet Stephan-Oterma in the Sol system. Japan has also been active on the diplomatic front, signing a trade agreement with Argentina. While the actual trading activity is likely to be of greater benefit to Argentina, the treaty included an understanding that Argentina would pass on intelligence information on the Centauri Federation. Argentina has a colony in Alpha Centauri, which gives it a much better view of Centauri activity compared to Japanese ships passing through. The High Command also believes it might complicate the situation for the Federation in any future conflict if the Centauri are unsure as to what action Argentina might take in support of Japan.

In the last thirty months Japan has constructed a Kongo class escort cruiser, two Kagero class destroyers, two troop transports, three freighters, two colony ships, two terraformers and six fuel harvesters. Construction has been limited in recent months due to the transfer of the shipyards to Edo and there will be a delay before it can start again. The civilian shipping sector comprises nineteen ships in two shipping lines with a combined tonnage of 947,000. Japan has a single civilian mining colony on Io with seven civilian mining complexes. The Japanese economy is in reasonable shape. The wealth reserves can support deficit spending for some time, there are no immediate mineral shortages and fuel production is keeping pace with demand. Japan still has the second largest economy in terms of production capacity after the United States.

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/JapanMay2106.PNG)
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on September 26, 2015, 06:28:25 AM
Manchuria - 30th May 2106

Colonies
Earth: 453m
Manchu-A I: 45m
Tau Ceti: 0.24m

Manchuria has continued its relatively incident-free exploration of space, discovering eleven new systems since November 2103. No alien ruins have been discovered. The terraforming of Manchu-A I has continued and the colony cost is down to 0.63. With the lower colony cost, the planet has more than enough infrastructure for long-term colonization. Unlike some other major powers, Manchuria has made no significant effort to move shipyards or industry to its primary colony. However it has moved its fuel harvesters from the EZ Aquarii system, which is on the far side of Novaya Rodina, into the Manchu system. While there has been no tension with Russia, apart from the Epsilon Eridani incident, the Manchurian leadership decided that it was more important to provide security for the harvesters than to have the highest possible accessibility of Sorium. Manchu III has two million tons of accessibility 0.7 Sorium.

The only incident of note was the appearance of a Japanese survey ship in Tau Ceti, home to small Manchurian and Russian colonies, in October 2105. The Japanese attempted to negotiate some form of border agreement with Manchuria but this was very difficult given the history between the two nations. Japan is believed to be an inherently hostile power by many Manchurians, including a large portion of the current leadership, as it is still occupying half of what was once the People's Republic of China. With strong evidence of a link between the Centauri and Russo-Manchurian Arms, the Manchurians believe that understanding the astrography of the link is vital to their future security. Manchurian science vessels are already probing the systems beyond the Japanese entry point of Gliese 832 (known to the Japanese as Kyokai), trying to find a route to one of the known Centauri Arm systems.

Since November 2103, Manchuria has built two Jiangwei class destroyers (8 in class), two Jianghu class destroyers (8 in class), two Yinchuan class science vessels, a troop transport, four colony ships, two fuel harvesters, three terraformers and the first pair of jump gate construction ships. Two destroyers, four terraformers and two troop transports are under construction. One construction ship has added YZ Ceti to the jump gate network, as Manchuria plans to establish a mining colony on a moon in that system, while the other is extending the network beyond EZ Aquarii. Manchuria is continuing to build destroyers to boost its military capability. This was originally because Manchuria has to move through Novaya Rodina to expand along the Russo-Manchurian Arm and therefore has to be able to prevent any blockade, unlikely as that may be. However, the appearance of the Japanese in the Russo-Manchurian Arm has increased tensions and the Manchurians want to ensure they can guard against any new Japanese aggression.

Due to the small number of potential colony sites in the Russo-Manchurian Arm, Manchuria has begun research into genetic engineering. The long-term plan is to create colonists who can survive on planets or moons that would be unsuitable for normal humans, giving Manchuria access to a greater variety of colony sites while avoiding any competition from the other powers for those colonies. The basic genome sequence research is complete and research into a genome that would allow colonists to survive in lower gravity is underway.

The Manchurian economy is in reasonable condition. Wealth and fuel stockpiles are stable, although relatively small, and the only mineral shortage is Gallicite, although that is causing some issues in ship production. Manchuria has the smallest civilian shipping sector of all fourteen powers, with just four ships totalling 88,000 tons.

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/ManchuriaMay2106.PNG)
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on September 26, 2015, 08:21:34 AM
Martian Union - 9th June 2106

Colonies
Mars: 311m
Vanaheim: 7.3m
Colonia Antium (Alpha Centauri-A II - Moon 17): 3.4m

Since the end of 2103, the Martian Union has concentrated on two main objectives; establishing a significant fuel harvesting capability and expanding its colonies in Alpha Centauri. The former objective has been achieved with the construction of nine 54,000 ton Decius class fuel harvesters, each with eighteen harvesting modules. All nine have been deployed to Uranus with two patrol ships as escort. An agreement is in place with the Centauri Federation that any of their fuel harvesters deployed to Uranus would also be protected by the Martian ships. The patrol ships are only small energy combatants and could not defeat any serious attack on the Martian fuel harvesters. They are on station primarily as a deterrent. Some consideration has been given to moving one or more orbital bases from Mars to provide a much more formidable defence for the harvesters. To avoid weakening the Martian home world defence any bases moved to Uranus would have to be replaced. However, due to a shortage of Duranium and an ongoing financial crisis, the Martian Union is not in a position to build additional bases. Negotiations have taken place with the Centauri regarding a supply of Duranium from Asgard in exchange for the deployment of a base to Uranus. While this is a welcome proposal by the Centauri Federation, it does not solve the wealth issue so any new bases remain on hold for the moment.

In the last thirty months, the Martian colonies in Alpha Centauri have grown significantly. The population of Colonia Antium, on the seventeenth moon of Alpha Centauri-A II, has increased from 1.5m to 3.4m while the colony on the Centauri world of Vanaheim has increased from 1.8m to 7.3m. The new fuel harvesters are producing enough fuel for continuous operation of the Martian colony ships, so the colonies will continue to grow. A single patrol ship is deployed in orbit of Colonia Antium, providing a small but symbolic Martian military presence in Alpha Centauri. The Martian Union and Centauri Federation are developing a close relationship and tentative discussions have begun regarding a more formal defensive alliance. Mars also operates a mining colony with fifty automated mines on the comet Stephan-Oterma.

As Martian industry has been concentrating on the creation of the Decius class fuel harvesters, the only other ship produced since 2103 is a single Fabius class tug. As mentioned earlier, the Martian Union is facing a financial crisis so new production is limited. The only ships under construction are the first Pyrrhus class tanker and a patrol ship. Martian research facilities are operating at full capacity and concentrating on economic research. The Calvinus Shipyard is retooling to build the Lancea class orbital weapon platform, which is an anti-missile armed defensive base. While funds and materials are not yet available, the shipyard is being retooled in anticipation that they will be in the future. Mars has two shipping lines. Between them they have fourteen ships with a combined tonnage of 650,000.
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on September 26, 2015, 02:41:43 PM
Russian Federation - 3rd July 2106

Colonies
Earth 441m
Novaya Rodina: 56m
Novaya Zemlya (EZ Aquarii): 16.7m
St Petersburg-V III: 0.1m
St Petersburg-V IV: 0.1m
Tau Ceti: 0.07m

In 2103 the Russian Federation discovered three valuable alien ruin sites within a group of four systems just beyond Epsilon Eridani. All the ruin surveys, on St Petersburg-D II, St Ekaterina I and Kaptyen's Star II, are now complete and a total of five hundred and eighty-one installations have been designated for potential recovery. Russian survey activity is now concentrated in the area beyond Epsilon Eridani, where a total of fifteen systems has been discovered, while a Russian task group guards the jump point into Epsilon Eridani from Teegarden's Star. In effect, the Russian Federation has claimed a group of systems and used the threat of force to cut them off from the rest of known space. The only other powers active in the area are Japan and Manchuria. Russia has come to an agreement with Japan that they will not attempt to enter Epsilon Eridani and in return Russia will not pass beyond the Gliese 832 system that links the Russo-Manchurian Arm with the Centauri Arm. There is no agreement with Manchuria but so far the Manchurians have made no attempt to run the Russian blockade. Two small colonies have been established in St Petersburg, although not on the world that is home to a partially intact alien colony.

No recovery efforts have been made in the three alien ruin sites because of the need to address a major problem; the Russian Federation lacks construction brigades and troop transports. The necessary technology has been acquired as a result of a crash research program, three Project 1215 Ropucha class Troop Transports are under construction and five construction brigades are being trained. The Project 1216s will be available in September, November and December 2106 and the first pair of construction brigades should be ready for deployment by the end of November. After that point, the Russian leadership believes they will begin to develop a decisive edge over the other powers as more installations and technology are recovered.

Russia is the only power operating a jump gate construction ship with a small construction module. That single Sverdlov class has now been joined by three new Project 1211 Moskva class construction ships with full size modules. Those four ships are extending the jump gate network into the systems beyond Epsilon Eridani. Since the start of 2104 Russia has also constructed two Project 1214 Berkut-J class jump-capable cruisers, two Project 1202 Sarych class destroyers, two gravitational survey ships, three colony ships and three fuel harvesters. The Russian economy is in difficulty due to the large amount of research and production needed to exploit the new ruin sites, which is placing constraints on further ship construction. Even so, Russian shipyards are currently building three troop transports, two new larger terraformers and a fifth construction ship. The Russian leadership is counting on the future recovery operation in the alien ruins to ease their economic difficulties.

Russia has no immediate political or diplomatic issues and is currently trying to avoid any confrontations beyond those required to maintain the security of the Epsilon Eridani chain. The Russian leadership sees no point in any conflict until the full potential of the alien ruins can be exploited. Russia is also researching tractor beam technology with the intention to follow the example of Japan, the UK and the United States in moving shipyards out of the Sol system to protect them in the case of future conflict. Although the economy is struggling due to the financial problems, the Russian fuel supply is adequate and mineral reserves are good. Russia's civilian shipping sector comprises sixteen ships from three shipping lines with a combined tonnage of 760,000.

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/RussiaJune2106.PNG)
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on September 27, 2015, 06:51:01 AM
United Kingdom – 3rd August 2106

Colonies
Avalon: 524m
Earth: 74.7m
Pendragon: 28.5m
Barnard's Star III: 27m
Tintagel III: 0.82m
61 Cygni-A III: 0.42m
Bedivere-A II: 0.33m
Kuiper 79-A IV: 0.24m
Vega III: 0.22m
Gawain I: 0.19m
Merlin II: 0.11m
Kuiper 79-B II: 0.11m

The United Kingdom has discovered twenty-one new systems since February 2104, pushing out the boundaries of known space. New discoveries made by UK survey ships include an ideal habitable world in the Bedivere system, two jumps out from Tintagel and nine from Sol, and a ruined colony in the Rivalen system, also two transits beyond Tintagel.  Rivalen-B II, home to the alien ruins, is a colony cost 2.00 world with terraforming potential and has deposits of all eleven minerals, several of which are at medium accessibilities. The ideal world in Bedivere has four million tons of accessibility 1.0 Duranium and several other mineral deposits at minimal accessibility. The UK is facing some logistical challenges in taking full advantage of its new discoveries due to the distances involved. Bedivere II is twenty billion kilometers from Avalon, Rivalen-B II is at twenty-seven billion due to the layout of the system and the ruined city on Vega III requires a twenty-four billion kilometre journey.

Rivalen-B II Mineral Survey
Duranium 1,325,192  Acc: 0.6
Neutronium 4,447,881  Acc: 0.6
Corbomite 5,476  Acc: 0.4
Tritanium 9,205,156  Acc: 0.1
Boronide 67,081  Acc: 0.1
Mercassium 11,088,900  Acc: 0.1
Vendarite 925,444  Acc: 0.5
Sorium 443,556  Acc: 0.1
Uridium 12,616,700  Acc: 0.1
Corundium 1,151,329  Acc: 0.8
Gallicite 8,982,009  Acc: 0.6

The ruins on Vega III were discovered in 2102. Since then a survey has been carried out that revealed one hundred and thirty-six recoverable installations. Six construction brigades have been transported to the planet and eighteen installations have been recovered so far, although many of them were beyond repair. The ruins on Avalon have been fully exploited, yielding a number of factories and mines plus two research facilities, one of which contained data that enhanced the UK’s research efforts into fuel production.

The United Kingdom has established two new colonies since the start of 2104; the first on Bedivere II and the second on Kuiper 79-A IV. A UK colony was already in place in Kuiper 79, on the second planet of the companion star, but a Canadian survey team located substantial mineral deposits on the fourth planet of the primary, leading to both the UK and Canada settling the planet. Kuiper 79-A IV is colony cost 3.00 due to the presence of fluorine in the atmosphere. Even if that is removed the temperature of -78C means it will be colony cost 2.90, so this is a long-term terraforming prospect. The United Kingdom now has a total of twelve colonies, including the original population on Earth, which is more than any other power. In addition, the total UK population has passed Japan (656m vs 654m) , giving it the second largest population after the United States (785m). The UK production capacity is still some way behind Japan however. The gain in population is due to the relatively short journey from the neutral nations on Earth to Avalon in the adjacent Bernard’s Star system. In comparison, Japan is transporting neutral colonists through Alpha Centauri and Luhman 16 to Edo.

The UK population on Earth continues to fall, due to the civilian shipping lines moving settlers to Avalon and the other colonies. Since February 2104 it has fallen from ninety-one million to seventy-five million. The United Kingdom has continued its policy of moving industry from Earth to Avalon and the process is almost complete. All UK shipyards are now in Avalon orbit and all factories have been transported to the surface. Remaining on Earth are ninety mining complexes, six research facilities, nineteen financial centres, four deep space tracking station and a military academy. The mines will remain for the foreseeable future while the research facilities will be moved once they complete their current assignment. Terraforming is continuing on Pendragon, home to the UKs third largest population. The atmosphere is now breathable so UK and Australian terraformers are adding a safe greenhouse gas to increase the temperature.

In January 2106, the prime minister of the United Kingdom was contacted by the American ambassador who informed him the United States had found a route from the American Arm into the Avalon Arm. The link was from Eta Cassiopeiae, a system previously unknown to the UK, to EV Lacerte, a system three jumps from Avalon via Pendragon and 61 Cygni that was believed to be a cul-de-sac. The ambassador stated that the United States had a colony in Eta Cassiopeiae that was closer to Sol via UK space than through US space. Rather than begin sending convoys and survey ships through UK space for no apparent reason, the United States had decided to inform the UK of the situation. He also suggested that as EV Lacerte was uninhabited it could be used as a border system, perhaps even with a small colony of both powers on EV Lacerte II, a world with a colony cost of 2.58 that was of no value except for its location. After some debate and consolation with Australia and Canada, the United Kingdom government agreed to allow non-military US traffic to transit through Bernard’s Star, Pendragon and 61 Cygni and to make EV Lacerte a neutral border system. What the United States didn’t mention was the alien race inhabiting Eta Cassiopeiae-A III or the ruined alien outpost on Eta Cassiopeiae-B II. However, as the alien race was preindustrial and posed no threat to UK space, the United States government decided there was no need to share that information.

In the last thirty months, the United Kingdom has constructed a sixth Dreadnought class battlecruiser, two Agincourt class escort cruisers (seven in class), five Tribal class destroyers (fifteen in class), four troop transports, six fuel harvesters, two tugs, a terraformer, two Mayflower class colony ships and four Mayflower-E class colony ships. The Mayflower-E has less powerful but far more fuel efficient engines. It has a maximum speed of 1834 km/s, compared to 3026 km/s for the Mayflower, but uses only 28% of the fuel when covering the same distance. Given the long distances involved between Avalon and the outer colonies and the amount of fuel required, the Royal Navy decided it was better to have a slower but more efficient colony ship. The Mayflower-E has a fuel capacity of just 250,000 litres yet a range of sixty-six billion kilometers.

The shipping lines of the United Kingdom continue to dominate commercial activity in known space, with a sixth UK shipping line being formed in January  2105. In total, the six UK shipping lines have eighty-nine vessels with a combined tonnage of just over four million. In comparison, the second largest shipping sectors, the United States and Japan, each comprise over a little over a million tons of civilian shipping. The tax revenue on UK civilian shipping accounts for about 25% of total UK income, which means the UK is one of the more financially secure powers. The fuel situation for the United Kingdom has improved considerably in recent years due to improved technology and a fleet of eighteen Ambrosia class harvesters. Although the Royal Navy still has to be careful about monitoring fuel supply vs demand and avoiding any profligate use, the Royal Navy should not face any fuel shortages in the near future. The only economic issue facing the UK is a shortage of Duranium, which is hampering both factory production and ship construction. This will have to be addressed in the immediate future.

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/UKAugust2106.PNG)
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on September 27, 2015, 04:10:30 PM
United States - 2nd September 2106

Colonies

Earth: 645m
Columbia (Lalande 21185): 122m
Astoria (WX Ursae Majoris): 18.9m
Oregon-B II: 0.86m
Gateway II: 0.55m
Eta Cassiopeiae-A III: 0.37m
Gliese 205-A II: 0.34m

The United States remains the largest power in terms of population and industrial capacity, although it is eclipsed by Japan in terms of technology. Over the last two and a half years, the primary strategic goal of the United States has been to protect that industry by moving it to the Columbia colony in Lalande 21185. The process is well underway as all nine US shipyards are now in orbit of Columbia and a large number of installations are in operation on the ground, including twelve research facilities and one hundred and twenty-nine construction factories. In fact, the movement of industry has been so successful that Columbia is now unable to effectively man all installations, despite being the largest colony apart from Avalon and the Centauri home worlds. The number of available workers in the manufacturing sector has slowed down the transfer of industry for the moment. A second problem for the Columbia colony is that the mineral deposits on the planet are low accessibility so the vast majority of mineral resources needed for production have to be shipped in from off-world, mainly from the Sol system.

Since February 2104 American survey ships have added only four systems to US charts. This is partially due to a concentration on surveying existing systems but mainly because most of the survey ships have been undergoing overhauls. As described in the UK update, the United States has discovered a link between the American and Avalon Arms originating in the Eta Cassiopeiae system and connecting to EV Lacerte, four jumps from Sol via Bernard's Star, Pendragon and 61 Cygni. An agreement has been reached with the UK to allow non-military traffic to use this route to Eta Cassiopeiae. Eta Cassiopeiae has been added to the jump gate network of the American Arm. Work is now underway to extend that network through EV Lacerte to link with the jump gate network in the Avalon Arm.

Eta Cassiopeiae-A III is home to a preindustrial race, the Confederation of Ebensburg. A ruined alien outpost was discovered in the same system on the second planet of the companion star. A small American enclave has been established on the alien home world, which requires infrastructure to support it as the oxygen content of the atmosphere is too low for human tolerances. Relations with the Eben are generally good, although they seem disconcerted at the size of the US colony, which has reached 370,000; small in human terms but very large by the standard of Eben cities. While the Eben only have a technological level equal to Renaissance Earth, they are very intelligent and some of their scientific knowledge is more advanced. They have noted the two terraforming installations emplaced within the American colony and their primitive telescopes have observed the five 70,000 Gaia class terraformers in low orbit. An Eben delegation has contacted the leaders of the US enclave and asked why oxygen is being added to their atmosphere. As the actual answer is that the United States wishes to create a large colony on the Eben home world and exploit its resources, the enclave leaders have been reluctant to provide too many details, which is creating some tension with the Eben. Ten mobile infantry battalions are already in place on Eta Cassiopeiae-A III in case relations with the indigenous population deteriorate.

Before their arrival in Eta Cassiopeiae, the US terraformers visited the adjacent Oregon system and added a sufficient quantity of a safe greenhouse gas to Oregon-B II to transform it into an ideal habitable world. Oregon-B II is home to an alien research installation that will double the output of any research facilities decided to energy weapon technology. The United States has also established a colony on Gliese 205-A II, located in a system two jumps from Oregon via a brown dwarf system. Gliese 205-A II has a breathable atmosphere and a temperature of -58C giving it a colony cost of 2.02. It has deposits of all eleven minerals, albeit at minimal accessibilities with the exception of Duranium, and an alien installation dedicated to construction research.

In the last thirty months US shipyards have completed two Shiloh class cruisers, a Ticonderoga class escort cruiser, three Spruance class destroyers , two troop transports, four fuel harvesters, a jump freighter and two Pegasus class tugs. Ship construction had been interrupted by the movement of the shipyards to Columbia but is now ramping up once again. The US economy is in good shape with a substantial wealth reserve, adequate minerals supplies and a significant fuel production capability. The United States has a single shipping line that operates twenty-three ships totalling over a million tons.

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/USAAugust2106.PNG)
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on September 27, 2015, 04:25:00 PM
Overall Comparison - 3rd September 2106

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/Sept2106Comparison.PNG)
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on October 17, 2015, 09:39:10 AM
United Nations = 10th May 2107

Scientists from several countries reported anomalous readings from the Sun during April 2107. The UN formed an international panel to investigate and they delivered their findings on the 10th of May 2107. The Sun has entered a period of heightened activity and its luminosity is steadily increasing at a rate of approximately 2% per year. While this will have no immediate effect, in the longer term it will result in rising planetary temperatures across the Sol system, including on Earth and Mars. If the luminosity continues to grow for several years at its present rate the temperature on Earth could rise from its current 14 Celsius beyond the upper range of human tolerance - around 38 Celsius. Mars would also be affected, albeit to a lesser degree as its average surface temperature is only 8C.

If that situation arises, Earth would no longer be an ideal habitable world and special infrastructure would have to be constructed to prevent millions of deaths, with an increasing amount needed as the temperature increased. The current global population is seven point six billion, around half of which is in neutral nations that lack trans-Newtonian technology (see below). While the trans-Newtonian nations have the capability to build the required infrastructure or transport their populations to off-world colonies, those options are beyond the abilities of the less-developed nations. The latter would face the full force of the looming catastrophe. Therefore the United Nations has requested assistance from the more advanced Solarian powers. So far that assistance has not been forthcoming.

United Nations: 3713m
United States: 655m
Japan: 533m
Manchuria: 464m
Caliphate:    459m
Russia: 450m
Brazil: 365m
Germany:   279m
France: 239m
Argentina: 129m
Canada: 126m
Australia: 119m
United Kingdom: 72m
Total: 7602m

Note: The disaster option in Aurora is now fixed (would only increase, not decrease) and I have added 2% increase / decrease options
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on October 24, 2015, 10:28:47 AM
Argentina - 7th January 2108

Colonies
Earth: 131.8m
Dias de Solis (Alpha Centauri): 14.9m
Sancti Spiritu (Procyon): 0.3m
Tucuman (Tau-6 Eridani): 0.22m
Rio de la Plata (Gl 231.2): 0.19m

Mining Colonies
Alpha Centauri-B V - Moon 5: 3x Automated Mine

Argentina continues to expand known space in the area beyond Procyon, although the logistics are becoming ever more challenging given the distances involved, limited fuel production and the lack of a jump-capable tanker. Even so, a new Argentine colony has been established in the recently discovered system of Tau-6 Eridani, ten transits and almost thirty billion kilometres from Sol. The Tucuman colony is located on the fourth planet of the yellow-white F3-V star, a world with a breathable atmosphere but an average surface temperature of -28C, making it colony cost 0.74. 220,000 colonists have already been landed on the planet, along with enough infrastructure to support three times that number. Each colony expedition is mounted by a single group of ships, comprising five freighters, one of which is jump-capable, and four colony ships.

Although Argentina has three San Luis class jump-capable gravitational survey ships, the single, smaller geological survey ship Rio Quequen is not jump-capable and cannot move beyond the jump gate network without assistance from a San Luis. As the network doesn't even reach Procyon and the gravitational survey ships are usually far beyond that point, the Rio Quequen has been unable to survey more than a few systems. The colonies of Rio de la Plata and Tucuman are both on worlds that have yet to be surveyed. Since the current survey ships were designed and constructed, Argentina has developed ion engines and improved fuel efficiency technology. Therefore the San Martin class, a very long-range, jump-capable geological survey ship, has been developed and the first ship of three planned was launched from the Vasquez Navy Yard on December 17th 2107. The Argentine Navy believes it has the best geological survey ship in known space. The San Martin has crew accommodations and engineering systems intended for deployments of up to eight years, while sufficient fuel is carried to allow the highly efficient engines to run at full power for almost four and a half years, giving the ship a range of two hundred and eighty billion kilometres.

**************************************************************************************

San Martin class Geological Survey Vessel    6,000 tons     142 Crew     728.4 BP      TCS 120  TH 240  EM 0
2000 km/s    JR 3-50     Armour 1-29     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/2     Damage Control Rating 9     PPV 0
Maint Life 8.77 Years     MSP 683    AFR 31%    IFR 0.4%    1YR 16    5YR 239    Max Repair 100 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 96 months    Spare Berths 1   

Caballero Drive Systems CDS-60 Military Jump Drive     Max Ship Size 6000 tons    Distance 50k km     Squadron Size 3
Vaca-Casillas VC-240C Commercial Ion Drive (1)    Power 240    Fuel Use 8.49%    Signature 240    Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 800,000 Litres    Range 282.7 billion km   (1635 days at full power)

Medina-Casárez MC25 Active Search Sensor (1)     GPS 4800     Range 23.5m km    Resolution 150
Geological Survey Sensors (2)   2 Survey Points Per Hour

**************************************************************************************

Since the start of 2106, Argentina has built the first San Martin, a second Cormoran class troop transport, two fuel harvesters and a colony ship, Currently under construction are two more San Martin class geological survey ships, a fuel harvester, the first ion-engined colony ship and the first ion engined destroyer of the Capayan II class. Argentina has more than a million tons of civilian shipping, making it the fifth largest civilian shipping sector. Due to economic constraints, Argentina has not expanded its shipyards in recent years and still has four shipyards with a total capacity of 28,000 naval and 170,000 commercial. The financial crisis continues, despite the trade treaty with Japan, so Argentina has closed down most of its research facilities. Mineral supplies are adequate, although fuel is a problem. Argentina's four fuel harvesters and forty-one refineries are struggling to keep pace with demand. The current strategy continues though with Argentina concentrating on establishing small colonies far from the other powers. This may not be viable in the long-term given the increased solar output affecting Earth and Argentina may have to find a colony location closer to Sol if evacuation becomes necessary.

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/ArgentinaDec07.PNG)
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on October 24, 2015, 03:59:05 PM
Australia - 5th February 2108

Colonies
Earth: 121.8m
Avalon: 60.1m
Pendragon: 9.0m

Mining Colonies
Pendragon Asteroid #27: 18x AM
Tempel-Tuttle (Sol): 3x CMC

Australia's two primary goals over the last few years have been to expand the colony on Avalon and to expand fuel production capacity. To support this goal two fuel harvesters and two colony ships have been constructed since January 2106. The colony on Avalon has grown to sixty million, gaining more than twenty million in the last two years. Seven fuel harvesters are now in operations, extracting gaseous Sorium from the atmosphere of Bernard's Star VII, and the fuel situation has improved considerably. A stockpile of eight million litres has been built up on Earth, even with the seven Australian colony ships operating non-stop to transport Australian colonists to Avalon. Joint terraforming efforts with the United Kingdom continue on Pendragon. The temperature has risen to -42C, giving the planet a colony cost of 1.32.

A secondary objective was the development of jump technology. This objective has now been met with the design and imminent completion of two Adelaide class geological survey ships, which are scheduled for launch in late February 2108. The Adelaides are capable ships, with three geological survey sensors, a five year endurance and a range in excess of one hundred and ten billion kilometres. While this is significantly less than the new Argentine survey ship, the Adelaide is fifty percent faster and intended to operate closer to its base. A gravitational survey equivalent, the Warramunga, is also planned.

**************************************************************************************

Adelaide class Geological Survey Vessel    6,000 tons     152 Crew     865.6 BP      TCS 120  TH 360  EM 0
3000 km/s    JR 3-50     Armour 1-29     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/3     Damage Control Rating 7     PPV 0
Maint Life 5.73 Years     MSP 631    AFR 41%    IFR 0.6%    1YR 33    5YR 489    Max Repair 135 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 60 months    Spare Berths 1   

J60 Military Jump Drive     Max Ship Size 6000 tons    Distance 50k km     Squadron Size 3
Nelson-Hutchinson NH-360E Ion Drive (1)    Power 360    Fuel Use 20.46%    Signature 360    Exp 7%
Fuel Capacity 760,000 Litres    Range 111.4 billion km   (429 days at full power)

Ryan-Blackburn RB-20A Active Sensor (1)     GPS 3840     Range 21.0m km    Resolution 120
Geological Survey Sensors (3)   3 Survey Points Per Hour

**************************************************************************************

In the middle of 2107, Australia's economy was struggling due to a lack of Gallicite. The remaining deposits on Earth had fallen to 0.34 accessibility and Australia had a limited number of automated mines. There were no suitable sites for manned mines within the Avalon Arm so the Australian prime minister contacted his British counterpart and requested that the restriction on moving Australia manned mines to Avalon be lifted. He emphasised that the matter had become more urgent due to the growing problems with Sol. It was likely that in the long-term Australia's main population centre would not be on Earth. As more mining sites had been found deeper within the Avalon Arm, beyond the reach of Australia's non-jump-capable survey ship, and UK mines were likely to move to them eventually anyway, the United Kingdom acceded to the Australian request. Furthermore, as the UK and Australia were effectively going to be sharing the same planets, Avalon and Pendragon, the British Prime Minister proposed a formal military alliance. Australia accepted and both parties agreed to invite Canada and also to allow Canadian mines on Avalon in exchange for mining rights on the Canadian colony of Acadia. Canada quickly accepted as well, completing the tripartite alliance. The three English-speaking countries were drawing closer and closer together.

As Avalon would be the primary source of minerals for Australia for the foreseeable future, it made sense to also make Avalon the location of the four Australian shipyards. Unfortunately, Australia had not yet developed the tractor beam. Therefore, in the spirit of the new alliance, Australia requested the loan of one of the United Kingdom's three Hercules class tugs. All three were idle so the request was granted. As of February 2108, two shipyards have been moved to Avalon and two remain in Earth orbit.

The EV Lacerte system was added to the jump gate network in 2107 in order to facilitate the movement of US commercial traffic from Sol to Eta Cassiopeiae. As this also opened up the system to Australian ships, the lone Australian geosurvey ship Darwin entered EV Lacerte to search for new sources of minerals. In July 2107, a small colony ship of the Panzer Shipping Line, an American company, traversed EV Lacerte and entered Eta Cassiopeiae. As the freighter's transponder was active, per international treaty, the transit was detected by two geological survey ships in EV Lacerte; Darwin and a Dubai class survey ship of the Caliphate, which was also not jump-capable. Australia was aware that Eta Cassiopeiae lay beyond EV Lacerte as the UK consulted it before agreeing to US commercial traffic passing through the Avalon Arm, although no astrographic information was made available. Even so, it was possible the jump point led somewhere else. As a jump gate was in place, Darwin transited and confirmed that she system in which she arrived was Eta Cassiopeiae, Under the agreement with the United States, Australia, Canada and the UK would not survey Eta Cassiopeiae or attempt to explore beyond it and in return the United States would not explore the Avalon Arm or establish colonies within it. As per that agreement, Darwin transited back into EV Lacerte to continue her survey.

Australia's economy is improving. The fuel shortage is effectively over and mining production will increase as manned mines are moved from Earth to Avalon. Wealth is a concern, as the reserve is very small. Even so, all research facilities are at full capacity so it would be possible to reduce research and invest in other areas, such as shipbuilding. The size of the Australian civilian sector has increased by fifty percent over the last two years and has become the sixth largest, with twenty-one ships totalling close to a million tons. Australia's strategic goal is now to move as much of its population and industry to Avalon as possible and to begin to explore the Avalon Arm.
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on October 25, 2015, 10:13:02 AM
Brazil - 22nd February 2108

Colonies
Earth: 374m
Novo Rio (Kruger 60): 29.4m
V1581 Cygni-B I: 0.27m

Mining Colonies
Stephen-Oterma (Sol): 32x AM
Kruger 60-B VII: 8x AM
GJ-1253-A II: 8x AM
Kruger 60-A III: 4x CMC
Herschel-Rigollet (Sol): 3x CMC

In the last two years Brazil has not significantly expanded its colonies, with less than five million settlers being added to the colonial population. Focus has now shifted to the military option as the primary method of increasing the Brazilian colonial domain. Since February 2106 Brazil has launched two 15,000 ton Antares class kinetic battlecruisers, the largest warships in known space except for the equally-sized Japanese Akagi class missile cruisers, a 9000 ton São Paulo class kinetic cruiser, two 6000-ton Tridente jump frigates and the first Guaporé class troop transport. A third Antares and two more troop transports are under construction. The commercial sector was a lower priority, with three colony ships and a single freighter completed. While Brazil plans on taking the colonies of other nations by force, it still plans to send its own colonists to any captured worlds, hence the three additional colony ships.

The target of Brazilian aggression is the Centauri Federation, partly because of the substantial amount of valuable real estate in Alpha Centauri and partly because the Brazilian navy with its massed point defence would fare best against a missile-only opponent. No action is planned though until the additional troop transports ships are available. There would be little point in devastating the very worlds that Brazil intends to conquer so a sufficient ground force is required to win the battle on the surface and sufficient transport capacity is required to land as many troops as possible, as quickly as possible. To improve the chance of success, negotiations were conducted with the Caliphate, resulting in an agreement to launch a combined assault on the Centauri. With three habitable planets in Alpha Centauri there are sufficient spoils to share. A side-effect of these negotiations was a trade treaty intended to boost the economies of both nations. In recent weeks, however, the Caliphate appears to be delaying further discussions on the final operational plan. The Brazilian military liaison officers involved believe than some unknown event has distracted the attention of the senior Caliphate leadership.

In addition to the ships listed above, Brazil has also launched a pair of Rio de Janeiro class Gravitational Survey Vessels. These 6000 ton ships have already begun surveying the systems around the Brazilian colonies. Brazil is finally becoming a serious jump-capable power, with frigates, survey ships and freighters all capable of jump point transits. In Sol, Brazil has moved all forty of its automated mines from the comet Wolf, as Gallicite deposits on the comet were exhausted, and emplaced most of them on the comet Stephan-Oterma. Eight mines were relocated to the second planet of the GJ-1253 system, discovered after a non-jump-capable Brazilian survey vessel followed a UK freighter through a gated jump point in Chi Draconis. More automated mines would have been moved to GJ-1253 but Brazil is facing a fuel crisis due to being one of the few nations with no fuel harvesters. The technology has finally been developed though and the first Brazilian harvester is under construction.

GJ 1253-A II Survey Report
Duranium 1,089,146  Acc: 0.7
Neutronium 2,073,539  Acc: 0.3
Corbomite 2,232,002  Acc: 0.2
Tritanium 3,048,309  Acc: 1
Vendarite 544,501  Acc: 0.7
Sorium 1,052,615  Acc: 0.3
Gallicite 3,111,515  Acc: 0.9

The Brazilian economy has two major problems; a shortage of fuel and a shortage of Gallicite. The fuel stockpile is less than one million litres while the Gallicite stockpile is less than 500 tons and shrinking. The former problem can be eased through building fuel harvesters, one of which, as noted above, is under construction, but the latter is not so easily solved. Gallicite deposits on Earth are running out and the accessibility of the remaining deposits continues to fall. Brazil needs a new location for its manned mining complexes or it need to convert them to automated mines. The Brazilian leadership is pinning its hopes on the planned invasion of Alpha Centauri to solve both problems for the foreseeable future.
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on October 25, 2015, 01:43:39 PM
The Caliphate - 7th March 2108

Colonies
Earth: 469m
Medina-A II: 60m
Eta Cassiopeiae-A III: 0.66m

Mining Colonies
Faye (Sol): 38x AM
Medina-A V - Moon 10: 20x AM
Medina-A VII - Moon 7: 16x AM
Hesperia (Sol): 2x CMC
Medina-A V - Moon 4: 1x CMC

The Caliphate does not yet have any jump-capable ships, although the technology is currently being researched, so the increase in its astrographic knowledge during the past two years has been relatively small. However, that small increase is of great significance. In July 2107 a Dubai class survey ship was conducting a geological survey in EV Lacerte, a system that had recently been added to the jump gate network, when it detected a civilian colony ship of the United States entering a previously unknown gated jump point. The Caliphate survey ship completed the survey of EV Lacerte before investigating the new jump point and discovering Eta Cassiopeiae, a binary system with a yellow G0-V primary and an orange K7-V companion star. A total of eleven planets orbited the two stars, including an ideal habitable world, a planet with an almost breathable atmosphere and two other colony cost 2.0 worlds. The Dubai headed in-system to begin a geological survey.

On October 12th 2107 the Dubai class survey ship detected an alien population on the ideal habitable world. As it closed in, the ship also detected a small US population on the same planet. The Dubai could not detect any alien or American ships, although there were three US troop transports and a tanker in the system en route from the alien ruin on Eta Cassiopeiae-B II to the Oregon jump point. On learning of the discovery the Caliphate leadership decided this was a huge opportunity. The aliens appeared to be low tech and could be conquered easily, while the system itself might yield valuable mineral discoveries. Although the United States had already discovered the aliens and established a small colony, they did not have an obvious military presence. Two Mersin class FAC transports, carrying twelve FACs, were dispatched to Eta Cassiopeiae, along with a Mosul class FAC tender, an ammunition transport and the first Ankara class troop transport with six battalions of Janissaries. Once the Caliphate colony fleet returned to Earth from its mission to Medina, it would also be dispatched to Eta Cassiopeiae with the first Caliphate colonists.

The United States woke up to presence of the Caliphate survey ship when ten Liberty class freighters arrived in orbit on October 24th carrying automated mines. The Caliphate ship also detected the freighters, starting a race to move forces into the system. First to arrive was a US task group comprising the cruiser Shiloh, the escort cruiser Valley Forge and the destroyers John Rogers and Kinkaid. The United States had sent the ships through the American Arm to comply with the agreement with Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom, although that route would also avoid any other nations wondering why an American task group was heading up the Avalon Arm. The US ships arrived on December 21st 2107. On January 7th 2108 the Caliphate troop transport arrived to unload the Janissaries and that was followed by the FAC carriers and the ammunition transport on January 17th and by the FAC tender on February 3rd. Two American troop transports entered orbit on February 5th, substantially increasing the US ground forces to fifteen mobile infantry battalions, four headquarters units and a replacement battalion. The Caliphate colony fleet unloaded 660,000 settlers on February 21st. By this point the Caliphate survey of the planet was completed, revealing significant and accessible deposits of all eleven minerals.

Eta Cassiopeiae-A III Survey Report
Duranium 378,279  Acc: 1
Neutronium 80,408  Acc: 0.6
Corbomite 156,311  Acc: 0.9
Tritanium 62,443  Acc: 0.8
Boronide 96,211  Acc: 0.9
Mercassium 52,811  Acc: 0.9
Vendarite 188,572  Acc: 0.4
Sorium 251,476  Acc: 0.7
Uridium 84,275  Acc: 0.7
Corundium 108,311  Acc: 0.9
Gallicite 76,572  Acc: 0.4

Neither side was making any aggressive moves toward the other but both were ready to respond to any threat. The Caliphate was not ready to take action until more troops were in place while the political leadership of the United States was still debating what course of action to take. It was already agreed however that the Caliphate could not be permitted to conquer the Eben. That was not through any altruistic intent but rather to avoid a situation where the Caliphate had a large workforce to mine the planet. The first discussions began regarding a pre-emptive ground offensive against the Eben to protect them from the Caliphate.

The Caliphate was also active in the German area of the American Arm. Three German jump gate construction ships were at work, which was opening up previous inaccessible systems for geosurvey. The German colony systems of Neu Brandenburg and Neu Bayern were connected to the jump gate network so Dubai class survey ships entered both systems, ignoring German diplomatic protests. The Caliphate terraforming fleets moved through new German jump gates connecting Medina to Sigma Draconis via WISE 1506-7027 and began terraforming the second planet in preparation for a new Caliphate colony.

The situation in Eta Cassiopeiae has complicated the Caliphate agreement with Brazil to launch an attack on the Centauri Federation. Until the last few months, the Centauri attack was seen as the best option for the future of the Caliphate. Now, another possibility has arisen, especially if a successful conquest of the alien homeworld can be carried out without American interference. While Alpha Centauri does have substantial resources that could be exploited in the event of a successful attack, it is also equally attractive to all the other nations, particularly Japan. Possession of the Alpha Centauri system might invite a counter-attack from a third party, plus there is the uncertainty of what action the Martian Union might take. While the United States is certainly a powerful opponent, it is just one nation. A successful first strike against US forces in both Eta Cassiopeiae and Sol might prove decisive in securing the Eta Cassiopeiae system and preventing any US counterattack. Recent construction, including  two Mersin class FAC carriers, twenty-four Ashdod class FACs and six Matrah class FACs, has increased Caliphate strength to the point where the total tonnage of Caliphate naval forces is now the greatest in known space. With the above in mind, negotiations with Brazil on the final details of the attack plan have been delayed until a final decision on the future strategy of the Caliphate is reached.

In the last two years, Caliphate shipyards have also completed two colony ships, three fuel harvesters and the first Caliphate troop transport. Currently under construction are three more troop transports, three harvesters, two terraformers and the first Mersin II, a new 24,000 ton FAC carrier design capable of carrying twelve fast attack craft. The Caliphate economy is in good shape in terms of mineral supplies and fuel, although the recent high spending has eliminated the last of the Caliphate wealth reserve. There are two Caliphate shipping lines, comprising seventeen ships with a total tonnage of 770,000.
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on October 25, 2015, 04:11:24 PM
Canada - 14th March 2108

Colonies
Earth: 127.5m
Avalon: 48.6m
Acadia: 12.65m
Manchu-B I: 0.99m
Kuiper 79 IV: 0.57m

Mining Colonies
Pendragon Asteroid #68: 19x AM
Stephan-Oterma (Sol): 4x AM

Over the last two years Canada has continued with the same strategic priorities; transporting colonists to Avalon, building an effective fuel production infrastructure and expanding its terraforming capability. Because of the steadily increasing output of Sol and the diminishing deposits of minerals on Earth, those priorities have now been modified to include moving industry and shipyards to Avalon as well as population. An agreement was reached with the United Kingdom that Canadian mines could be emplaced on Avalon in return for allowing the UK to establish a mining colony on Acadia in the future. As part of the same diplomatic process, a formal tripartite military alliance was agreed with the United Kingdom and Australia.

Canada has not yet developed jump point theory, mainly because there are no Canadian propulsion specialists. However, Canada does operate four Kingston class geological survey ships which have surveyed a large number of systems within the jump gate network. Several new jump points have been located by detecting the transits of foreign ship, primarily from the United Kingdom. Five systems have been explored in the Avalon Arm over the last few years using this method, the most recent of which was Vega, home to a UK colony and an alien ruin. However, due to the fuel problems that have plagued Canada for years, the survey ship had to return home without a full geological survey so the ruin remained undetected. All four Kingstons are now in Earth orbit, where they will remain until the fuel situation improves.

Since March 2106 Canada has constructed two terraformers and three fuel harvesters. All four Canadian terraformers are in orbit of Acadia, continuing the long task of creating a breathable atmosphere and bringing the temperature up from the current level of -60C. Five Saint Laurent class fuel harvesters are in orbit of Bernard’s Star VIII, along with their UK and Australian counterparts. The harvesters were beginning to ease the Canadian fuel crisis but the agreement with the United Kingdom regarding mining right on Avalon has substantially increased consumption due to the constant use of the five Annapolis class freighters.

Australia secured the loan of a Hercules class tug from the United Kingdom to move its shipyards to Avalon. Seeing the benefits of such a move, Canada also requested the use of a Hercules and has moved three shipyards to Avalon, including a newly built commercial yard. Two shipyards remain in Earth orbit while they complete their current tasks, constructing a terraformer and a Halifax class destroyer.

The Canadian economy is still fragile. Fuel continues to be an issue, there are no wealth reserves and supplies of Boronide, needed for both fuel harvesters and terraformers, are extremely limited. One upside though is the continuing development of the Canadian civilian shipping sector. A third shipping line, Reynolds Container Limited, has recently been formed and has launched its first two ships. In total there are twenty-eight Canadian civilian ships totalling 1,275,000 tons, giving Canada the third largest civilian sector, slightly ahead of the United States and only 11,000 tons behind Japan. The growth in this area bodes well for the financial future of Canada.
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on October 29, 2015, 04:40:58 PM
Centauri Federation = 7th April 2108

Colonies
Asgard: 214m
Vanaheim: 152m
Midgard: 64m
Delta Pavonis-A I: 1.45m

Mining Colonies
Alpha Centauri-A II – Moon 24: 44x AM
Alpha Centauri-A Asteroid #159: 6x CMC
Alpha Centauri-B V – Moon 18: 5x CMC
Alpha Centauri-B V – Moon 9: 4x CMC
Alpha Centauri-A Asteroid #97: 4x CMC
Alpha Centauri-A Asteroid #421: 2x CMC
Alpha Centauri-A Asteroid #318: 2x CMC

During the last two years the Centauri Federation has concentrated its efforts within Alpha Centauri rather than establishing colonies in other systems. With the exception of fuel harvesting, Alpha Centauri may be the one system in known space that is self-sufficient over the long-term. In addition to three ideal habitable worlds, there are six colony cost 2.00 moons and seven other planets or moons with colony costs ranging from 5.55 to 7.05. The system has huge, accessible quantities of all minerals, including eighty-five million tons of accessibility 1.0 Duranium on Asgard. The Centauri have deployed forty-four automated mines to a moon of Alpha Centauri-A II and six civilian mining colonies have been established within the system. Outside Alpha Centauri, Federation science vessels continue to expand the boundaries of known space. The six Saga class vessels have discovered sixteen new systems in the last two years.

The lack of gaseous Sorium is the one significant problem for the Centauri. Only two gas giants within Alpha Centauri have any deposits; the best option is Alpha Centauri-B V with 66,000 tons at accessibility 0.7, the current location of ten Gungnir class harvesters, and the alternative is Alpha Centauri-A II, which has five million tons of Sorium but with an accessibility of 0.4. An agreement is in place with the Martian Union to protect any Centauri fuel harvesters deployed to Uranus in the Sol system, which has one point eight million tons at accessibility 0.9. For the moment the Martians could only protect the Centauri harvesters with the small patrol ships that are protecting their own harvesters. However, additional Lancea class AMM bases are under construction in Martian shipyards, which would provide significant protection if they were deployed to Uranus.

Since April 2106 the Centauri Federation has constructed two Grendel class missile cruisers, two terraformers, a fuel harvester and a colony ship. There are now seven Grendels and a further two have recently been laid down. Due to a prolonged financial crisis the Federation neglected military development which, given the huge resources of the Alpha Centauri system, was an invitation for the Solarian powers to take advantage of that situation. In recent years the Centauri invested heavily in technological development to boost their economy which, combined with almost thirty percent growth in both civilian mining  and civilian shipping during the last two years, has turned the situation around. The mining and shipping sectors now each contribute approximately fourteen percent to the overall economy, with tax revenue from the three major colonies providing the other seventy-two percent. The much improved economy is able to fund a program of warship construction.

In addition to the new Grendels, the Centauri Federation is retooling a shipyard to build a new design; the Valhalla class destroyer. The Valhalla is a basic design intended to provide an energy combatant for escort and jump point defence duties. Although the Federation’s energy weapon technology is still less advanced than its missile technology, it was deemed more important to have a less capable ship available sooner than to wait until technology had improved.

**************************************************************************************

Valhalla class Destroyer    8,000 tons     254 Crew     1166.4 BP      TCS 160  TH 648  EM 0
4050 km/s     Armour 4-35     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 4     PPV 45
Maint Life 2.79 Years     MSP 364    AFR 128%    IFR 1.8%    1YR 68    5YR 1019    Max Repair 108 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 15 months    Spare Berths 1   

Bóndison-Arnmundarson BA-216 Main Drive (3)    Power 216    Fuel Use 57.4%    Signature 216    Exp 10%
Fuel Capacity 500,000 Litres    Range 19.6 billion km   (56 days at full power)

12cm Railgun V2/C3 (9x4)    Range 40,000km     TS: 4050 km/s     Power 6-3     RM 2    ROF 10
Nyström-Sjögren NSB-96 Beam Fire Control (3)    Max Range: 192,000 km   TS: 4000 km/s
Gas-Cooled Fast Reactor (6)     Total Power Output 27    Armour 0    Exp 5%

Nyström-Sjögren NS-20A Target Acquisition System (1)     GPS 3840     Range 21.0m km    Resolution 120
Nyström-Sjögren NS-3M Missile Acquisition System (1)     GPS 48     Range 2.9m km    MCR 314k km    Resolution 1

**************************************************************************************

The Federation economy is now in good shape, with a budget surplus, substantial stocks of all minerals and a growing supply of fuel, although the latter may become an issue in the medium term. The current Centauri priorities are to continue the improvement in military preparedness and to invest in economic expansion within the Alpha Centauri system.

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/CentauriMarch2108.PNG)
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on October 31, 2015, 11:57:09 AM
France - 22nd April 2108

Colonies
Earth: 243m
Astoria (WX Ursae Majoris-A II): 17.1m
New France-A II: 16.1m
New Quebec I: 2.9m

Mining Colonies
New Quebec-A II - Moon 1: 37x AM
Stephan-Oterma (Sol): 13x AM

France is continuing its efforts to develop New France and New Quebec and to explore the nearby systems. New France is receiving a small but steady stream of colonists while French cargo ships are moving automated mines from the comet mining colony in Sol to a moon in New Quebec. Terraforming of New France is progressing well with the atmosphere projected to be breathable within a few weeks. However, the temperature is 61C so there will still be significant terraforming required after that point. The New France system has four jump points and the two Rubis class survey ships have been exploring down the three jump chains leading away from Sol. After four systems in a row, the chain beyond the outermost jump point, which contains New Quebec, has been confirmed as a dead-end. Both survey ships are now concentrating on the chain beyond the second jump point.

As a result of technology and components discovered in the ruins on New France, France developed Delta-level shield generators and designed an upgraded version of the Clemenceau class missile cruiser with strength-50 shields and strength-3 armour. One new Clemenceau-S was completed in November 2107, along with the fourth of the original Clemenceau class in January 2017. Two of the original Clemenceaus have already been refitted to the S model with a third expected to complete its refit by mid-May 2108. The new technology is providing France with a small but very modern fleet.

In December 2107, the first Surcouf class jump gate construction ship was launched from the Delafuente Shipyard. Unlike every other major power, France's primary colony is outside the jump gate network. From Earth, French ships must pass through Lalande 21185, WX Ursae Majoris, Gl 452.1 and NN 3667 before arriving in New France. Only the first two systems are connected to the network, due to American-built jump gates, so jump-capable freighters and colony ships are needed to escort their non-jump capable counterparts. There is also no way for French civilian traffic to visit New France or New Quebec. The first Surcouf has begun work on a gate from WX Ursae Majoris to Gl 452.1 and will soon by supported by a second Surcouf, currently under construction.

France is plagued by financial problems, partly because of the restrictions on civilian traffic and partly because France has a relatively small population compared to some other powers so tax revenue is lower. This was alleviated for a while by the recovery of wealth from the ruins on New France but the ruins are now fully exploited so the underlying weakness of the French economy can no longer be offset. Despite having substantial fuel supplies and plentiful minerals, the French expansion is being held back by a lack of a wealth. Due to this issue, France decided to seek out a trade partner in order to boost revenues from the civilian sector. An agreement was reached with Manchuria in April 2107. The two nations are expanding in opposite directions and have no competing strategic interests. As a result of the trade treaty, the single shipping line, Breze Container Services, has increased in size by sixty percent since April 2106 and now has sixteen ships totalling 620,000 tons.

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/FranceApril2108.PNG)
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on November 01, 2015, 03:29:58 PM
Germany - 12th May 2108

Colonies
Earth: 286m
Astoria (WX Ursae Majoris): 19.8m
Neu Brandenburg II: 17.1m
Neu Bayern II: 11.3m
GJ-1230-A II: 0.41m

Mining Colonies
Neu Bayern-B III - Moon 12: 58x AM
Wolf (Sol): 1x AM
2004 TY364: 5x CMC

In contrast to its European rival France, Germany is among the nations most dedicated to exploration. In the last two years, Germany has added twelve systems to known space, including 15 Sagittae, which has an colony cost 1.26 world with a breathable atmosphere, and Neu Westfalen, which has a colony cost 1.05 world and three colony cost 2.0 worlds, including one that requires only minimal terraforming to become an ideal habitable world. Germany has also found a ruined colony on Woolley 9242. The existing ruins on Neu Bayern and GJ-1230 II have both been fully exploited. Even so, the discovery of the new ruin increases the total number of known ruins to four, including a partially intact colony on GJ-1235-A III with more than two hundred and fifty installations. The fortunes of German survey commanders are beginning to rival those of their Russian counterparts.

Germany has three Scheer class construction ships in operation. Over the last two years they have extended the jump gate network into the German colony systems of Neu Brandenburg and Neu Bayern, through Sigma Draconis into GJ-1230 and are partway through extending the network to the partially intact alien colony in GJ-1235. Germany is fast making up for its previous lack of construction ships. The Caliphate has taken advantage of the new jump gates by sending a terraforming fleet into Sigma Draconis to prepare the second planet for a Caliphate colony.

Since May 2106, Germany has completed two troop transports, three fuel harvesters, a jump gate construction ship and the first pair of Prinz Eugen class frigates. The Prinz Eugens, armed with eight 15cm lasers, complement Germanys existing missile combatants, the Scharnhorst class battlecruisers and Deutschland class frigates, making the Deutsche Marine one of the few navies with a full spectrum of capabilities. Until recently, Germany was suffering a financial crisis. Discoveries of wealth in the ruins on New Bayern have ended that crisis so Germany is taking full advantage of its secure financial situation by building two Scharnhorst class battlecruisers, to add to the four existing ships, plus two more Prinz Eugens. Two fuel harvesters and the first pair of German tugs are also under construction.

The German economy is in reasonable shape with adequate fuel and mineral supplies to support its financial position. The only cause for concern is the supply of Gallicite. As with several other powers, Germany is finding the rapidly diminishing Gallicite deposits on Earth have the potential to became a major problem. A moon in the Neu Bayern system has a large deposit of accessible Gallicite but requires automated mines. Therefore, Germany has begun a program of converting manned mines to automated. The single German shipping line has twenty ships totalling 927,000 tons.

Neu Bayern-B III - Moon 12 Survey Report
Duranium 257,225  Acc: 0.9
Neutronium 30,864  Acc: 0.7
Corbomite 121,184  Acc: 0.6
Boronide 670,425  Acc: 0.9
Vendarite 370,565  Acc: 0.7
Sorium 258,125  Acc: 0.9
Uridium 135,584  Acc: 0.6
Corundium 420,526  Acc: 0.9
Gallicite 357,806  Acc: 1

Germany's strategic priorities are to exploit the various ruin sites and begin moving industry to the colonies, particularly shipyards. That program will begin in earnest when the first tug is launched in early 2109. For the moment, Germany has no serious issues with any other power, although low-level tension continues with the Caliphate, due to the need for German ships to pass through the main Caliphate colony system of Medina. The Caliphate is also beginning to use the German-built jump gate network in the American Arm, which creates the potential for future confrontation.

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/GermanyMay2108.PNG)
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on November 02, 2015, 06:08:57 PM
Japanese Empire - 19th May 2108

Colonies
Earth: 540m
Edo II: 125m
Kyoto-A I: 22.1m
Daikoku I: 0.96m
Delta Pavonis-A I: 0.67m
Nara-A II: 0.36m
Gamma Pavonis-A I: 0.29m
Gamma Pavonis-A III: 0.09m
Ginruku II: 0.28m

Mining Colonies
Stephan-Oterma (Sol): 60x AM
Kyoto Asteroid #167: 38x AM
Io (Sol): 7x CMC

In January 2108, Japan completed its multi-year program of towing its eight shipyard complexes from Earth to the primary Japanese colony of Edo-A II. During this period Japan was very restricted in taking any action that might increase tensions with other powers due to the extreme vulnerability of the in-transit shipyards. With the shipyards now relatively safe in Edo, Japan's freedom of action has been restored. Significant industry has also been moved to Edo and maintenance facilities are under construction, enough of which are already in place to support Japan's survey ships and Kagero class destroyers. Further transportation of industry is on hold however as the colony's one hundred and twenty-five million population is insufficient to support all the current shipyards and installations.

Japan continues to explore and has discovered eight new systems in the last two years. Two new colonies have been set up; the first on the innermost planet of Daikoku (previously GJ 1075), a terrestrial world with a thin nitrogen-oxygen atmosphere that is home to a ruined alien city, and the second on a dwarf planet in the Ginriku system (previously Gliese 86), which is colony cost 2.00 and has substantial, accessible mineral deposits. A dozen construction brigades are at work on Daikoku I and only twenty-eight alien installations remain. Among the installations and other items recovered so far are three research facilities, three terraforming installations, a ground forces training centre, numerous mines and factories and almost fifty million litres of fuel. The Japanese Empire will not have to worry about fuel supplies for the foreseeable future. However, a lack of cargo capacity is preventing Japan from making full use of the other installations so a shipyard has been retooled to resume production of Seisho Maru class freighters, eleven of which are currently in service.

Ginriku-A II Mineral Survey
Duranium 1,080,404  Acc: 0.9
Neutronium 244,994  Acc: 0.6
Corbomite 1,071,203  Acc: 0.4
Tritanium 837,189  Acc: 0.7
Boronide 342,184  Acc: 0.8
Sorium 119,004  Acc: 0.4
Uridium 216,210  Acc: 0.3
Corundium 189,189  Acc: 0.7
Gallicite 27,194  Acc: 0.6

Despite the interruptions and delays caused by the movement of the shipyards, Japan has completed an Akagi class missile cruiser, three Kagero class destroyers, three terraformers, three colony ships and a troop transport during the last two years. The Kagero class now totals fifteen ships with a further three under construction. Japan is also working on a seventh Akagi, two fuel harvesters, two terraformers, two freighters and a colony ship. Japan's civilian sector has been boosted by a trade agreement with Russia in April 2107 and by the creation of a third shipping line. It now comprises twenty-eight ships with a combined tonnage of 1,354,000, second only to the United Kingdom.

The overall Japanese economy is in good shape, with extensive fuel supplies, a healthy reserve of wealth and reasonable mineral stockpiles, although occasional logistical problems are caused when minerals from Earth and Kyoto are late arriving in Edo. Japan still has the best technology, the second most productive economy and the third highest population. The main strategic priority for Japan is to transport sufficient colonists to Edo to provide a workforce for the factories, shipyards and research facilities in that system. Also under consideration is the potential for action against the Centauri Federation, now that the shipyards are out of harm's way. The Centauri continue to send survey ships into areas that Japan regards as within its sphere of influence, their home system lies astride the primary route from Sol to Edo and the Federation home worlds would provide both resources and Japanese colony locations close to Sol. The latter benefit has assumed much greater importance since the problems with Sol became apparent in May 2107.

A much more short-term issue has Japan’s immediate attention though. A large portion of the Brazilian Navy has broken orbit and is en route to the Alpha Centauri jump point, the gateway to the Centauri Arm and Japanese space. The substantial force includes both of the formidable Antares class battlecruisers, six heavy cruisers, a pair of frigates and a 42,000 ton troop transport. Three additional Brazilian frigates departed several days ago, heading deep into the outer Sol system on a course away from any known jump point. The only Brazilian ships remaining in Earth orbit are a heavy cruiser, two jump frigates and two kinetic frigates, plus a collection of commercial vessels. The Kagero class destroyer Arashi is shadowing the Brazilian force, along with destroyers from Russia, Canada and the United States.

Six Kagero class destroyers are based in Edo and these ships have been ordered to take up position at the Luhman 16 jump point to guard against any potential Brazilian strike at the main Japanese colony (via Alpha Centauri and Luhman 16). A reinforcement group consisting of the missile cruisers Akagi and Kaga and the escort cruiser Kongo was already en route to Edo when the Brazilians broke orbit so these ships will rendezvous with the Edo squadron. A further reinforcement group comprising the missile cruiser Hiryu, the escort cruiser Fuso and the destroyers Amatsukaze and Hagikaze will follow the Brazilian task group but cannot reach Edo if the Brazilians leave the troop transport behind first due to the speed advantage of the Brazilian designs. Japanese Naval Intelligence believes the Brazilians are far more likely to be mounting some type of operations against the Centauri but the commander of the Combined Fleet, Kaigun Taisho Tagawa Masamura, is not taking any chances.

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/JapanMay2108.PNG)
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on November 04, 2015, 06:08:18 PM
Manchuria - 19th May 2108

Colonies
Earth: 476m
Manchu-A I: 60m
Tau Ceti: 0.32m

Mining Colonies
Stephen-Oterma (Sol): 40x AM
Faye (Sol): 20x AM
TZ Arietis-A I: 14x AM

Manchuria's eight Yinchuan class Science Vessels continue to explore the systems of the Russo-Manchurian Arm. Eight new systems have been discovered during the last two years, none of which was particularly remarkable. Manchurian survey efforts have been less rewarded than those of most other nations and Manchuria has still to locate any alien ruins. A Russian claim on Epsilon Eridani restricted one potential avenue of exploration but that was not seen as a major problem given the multitude of other options. However, those options have now been reduced once again.

In January 2108, the survey ship Shenyang transited into TZ Arietis, adjacent to Novaya Rodina, from the brown dwarf system of WISE 0254-0223 to find a Russian squadron sitting on the jump point. The Russian commander announced that no further traffic would be permitted to enter the brown dwarf system. Manchuria ships had explored seven systems beyond WISE 0254-0223  and carried out geo surveys in all but one. There were some potential colony sites but nothing worth fighting over and none of the systems were part of the jump gate network. The Manchurian leadership could not understand why Russia would try to restrict access to the area. A protest was registered but no further action was taken as there were still many systems in the Russo-Manchurian Arm without gravitational surveys. Even so, this second territorial claim created the first significant tension between Russia and Manchuria  nations. Two other Manchurian ships were in the claimed area at the time but there was no way to contact them. One has now left and the other is running low on fuel so is likely to return home soon.

The rise in tension has increased the urgency for Manchuria to move its shipyards from their vulnerable position in Earth orbit. Two tugs are under construction and will begin moving the shipyards to the Manchu system, two transits from Sol via Proxima, as soon as they are completed. However, Manchu I, the primary colony of Manchuria, has no significant mineral resources so a long-term problem for Manchuria is to secure good mining sites. Gallicite in particular is becoming a serious problem as Earth’s deposits run out. The few current options are not ideal and all require automated mines so Manchuria is beginning to convert its manned mines. Even so, that is a long and expensive process so Manchurian scientists are continuing their research into genetic engineering in order to create colonists that can survive on lower gravity worlds, increasing the options for colonies with manned mining complexes.

During the last two years Manchuria has completed a Jianghu class destroyer, a Jiangwei class destroyer, two troop transports, three fuel harvesters and six Xining class terraformers. The new terraformers have speeded up the terraforming of Manchu I and the planet now has a colony cost of 0.24. Given the problem with the growing output of Sol, the entire Manchurian population on Earth will eventually have to be relocated to the planet. A further two destroyers, two terraformers and two Houxin class tugs are under construction.

The Manchurian economy is in a tolerable condition. Wealth reserves are low but the budget deficit is small because of a slowdown in ship construction due to the Gallicite shortage.  Although adequate fuel is being produced for current needs, no significant stockpile has been established. Any serious increase in demand, such as for combat operations, would quickly exhaust the available supplies. With the exception of Gallicite, mineral stockpiles are ample for anticipated future needs. In order to boost tax revenues from civilian shipping, Manchuria has signed a trade treaty with France. While Manchuria still has the smallest civilian shipping sector of any power, the new treaty should produce faster growth than in the past.

Manchurian sensors have been tracking the Brazilian task group, the two smaller Japanese forces and the single destroyers from other nationalities heading for the Alpha Centauri jump point. While some in the Manchurian government have raised the possibility that Japan and Brazil could jointly be moving through the Centauri Arm and into the Russo-Manchurian Arm through the connection in Gliese 832 in order to attack Manchu, this is deemed to be highly unlikely. There is no reason for the Japanese and any allies not to attack straight through Proxima. In fact, using the longer route would involve sending a large military force through Novaya Rodina, which would certainly provoke a strong reaction from the Russia Federation. The conclusion is that Brazil and possibly Japan are moving to attack the Centauri Federation.

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/ManchuriaMay2108.PNG)
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on November 08, 2015, 09:02:33 AM
Martian Union - 23rd May 2108

Colonies
Mars: 331m
Vanaheim: 16.4m
Colonia Antium (Alpha Centauri-A II - Moon 17): 5.1m

Mining Colonies
Stephan-Oterma (Sol): 50x AM

The general state of the Martian Union has improved over the last two years. The financial crisis, fuel shortage and Duranium shortage that were plaguing the Martian economy have now eased. Nine fuel Decius class fuel harvesters are in orbit of Uranus and a Pyrrhus class tanker has been built to ferry the fuel to Mars. Three hundred thousand tons of civilian shipping has been added since June 2106 and, due to a period with very limited ship construction, the Duranium stockpile has increased to three thousand tons. Every other mineral has a stockpile of more than ten thousand tons. The Martian Union has continued to expand its colonies in Alpha Centauri, transporting almost ten million settlers to Vanaheim during the last two years. Colonia Antium, on the seventeenth moon of Alpha Centauri-A II, has grown by fifty percent to more than five million.

In addition to the Pyrrhus, the only recent ship construction was a pair of Trident class patrol ships, taking the total for the class to fourteen. Eleven are in Mars orbit, two are guarding the fuel harvesters and one is in orbit of Colonia Antium. However, due to the improvement in the Martian economy, a more substantial shipbuilding program is now underway. Three AMM-armed Lancea class orbital weapon platforms are under construction, along with two fuel harvesters and a colony ship. The first Lancea will be completed by mid-July 2108, at which point it will be towed to Uranus to guard the Martian fuel harvesters, plus any Centauri harvesters that may be deployed in Sol in the future.

The vulnerability of the fuel harvesters becomes apparent when three Brazilian Almirante Saboia class kinetic frigates move into orbit of Ferdinand, the outermost moon of Uranus. The appearance of the three frigates, which departed Earth orbit ten days ago, is especially concerning given that a powerful Brazilian task group is heading for the Sol - Alpha Centauri jump point. Brazil has no fuel harvesters so there is no defensive reason for the frigates to be anywhere near Uranus. For the moment, the Brazilian frigates make no offensive moves but their presence is enough to cause a strong reaction from several of the nations with harvesters in Uranus orbit. In addition to the nine Martian harvesters there are six from Argentina, three each from Canada and the United Kingdom, two from Germany and one from the Caliphate. Apart from the Martian harvesters and four of those from Argentina, all are civilian ships. The Martian Union dispatches a further four patrol ships to reinforce the two on station, the United Kingdom sends a task group from Avalon comprising an escort cruiser and three destroyers while Argentina sends a Capayan class destroyer and an Esperanza class destroyer escort.

The suspicion on Mars is that the Brazilian frigates are a warning to the Martian Union that any Martian interference in the mission of the main Brazilian task group, whatever that may be, will result in the destruction of the vital Decius class fuel harvesters. For now, the hope is that the additional patrol ships will arrive before any overt action to support the Centauri is required. If not, the two patrol ships already on station will have to defend the harvesters against the superior Brazilian force. The Martian leadership has already decided that if the Centauri call for aid then Mars will provide it, regardless of the immediate cost. The long-term survival of the Union may depend on the reciprocal support of the Centauri Federation.
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on November 08, 2015, 12:36:04 PM
Russian Federation – 29th May 2108

Colonies
Earth 462m
Novaya Rodina: 64m
Novaya Zemlya (EZ Aquarii): 19.3m
St Ekaterina I: 0.55m
St Petersburg-V III: 0.12m
St Petersburg-V IV: 0.12m
Tau Ceti-A II: 0.08m

Mining Colonies
Stephan-Oterma (Sol): 73x AM
EZ Aquarii-B III - Moon 29: 13x AM
TZ Arietis-A I: 3x AM
TW Piscis Austrini-A Asteroid #7: 1x AM
Venus (Sol): 2x CMC

The Russian Federation is finally beginning to benefit from its discovery of three major alien ruin sites. The first Russian troop transport was completed on September 26th 2106 and the first construction brigade disembarked on St Ekaterina-A I on November 25th. Eleven brigades are now on the surface and have recovered fifty installations so far, including four research facilities and a variety of factories and mines. Two of the research facilities contained sufficient technical data for Russia to gain knowledge of more advanced missile agility technology plus compressed fuel storage technology. The latter is a brand new area of research unknown to the other human powers that allows fifty percent more fuel to be stored in the same volume. More than five hundred installations remain to be recovered from St Ekaterina and the other two sites.

Russia’s survey forces, comprising four Project 1205 Vishnaya-E class Geological Survey Vessels and six Project 1205 Vishnaya-R class Gravitational Survey Vessels, have discovered fourteen new systems since July 2106. In addition to the new systems, two links were found from systems within the Russia-claimed territory beyond Epsilon Eridani to systems within the remainder of the Russo-Manchurian Arm. The first connected EP Eridani to Gliese 87 while the second linked Luyten 1305-10 system to NN 3146. The second connection was more worrying as Luyten 1305-10 was only two jumps from the vital St Petersburg system. Both of the systems now connected to Russian-claimed territory were part of the same jump chain, extending from the innermost jump point of TZ Arietis through WISE 0254-0223 to five other systems. TZ Arietis also connected to Novaya Rodina, the main Russian colony system, and Teegarden’s Star, where a Russian squadron guarded the jump point to Epsilon Eridani, the gateway to Russian-claimed territory.

The Russian leadership felt they were left with little choice but to picket the TZ Arietis - WISE 0254-0223 jump point and to claim the systems beyond. That would block both of the new connections to the area containing the major ruin sites. When this decision was made, in August 2107, it was not known whether any Manchurian survey ships were already in the chain. Ultimately, the best way to eliminate the potential threat from Manchuria was to eliminate any Manchuria presence in the Russo-Manchurian Arm. However, that course involved considerable risk, especially with all Russian shipyards still in Earth orbit, while delaying any action would only improve the balance of power in Russia’s favour due to the likely gains from the ruins. Therefore a full confrontation with Manchuria was viewed as a last resort, at least in the short and medium term.

In January 2108 a Manchurian science vessel transited the jump point from the WISE 0254-0223 side, entering TZ Arietis and finding a Russian squadron in close proximity. The Manchurian commander was made aware of the Russian claim on the territory beyond the jump point and informed he would not be able to re-enter the brown dwarf system beyond. Once informed of the incident, the Russian ambassador passed on the same message to the Manchurian government. Following an icy diplomatic exchange between the two nations, the Manchurians informed the Russians they would order their ships not to enter the TZ Arietis - WISE 0254-0223 jump point. They also explained two other Manchurian ships were in the jump point chain beyond but due to a lack of jump gates in the area, they were out of contact. They would return as their fuel ran low. Despite the Manchurian acceptance of the new Russian claim, the tension between the two powers has risen considerably.

The Russian leadership is determined to ensure Russian industry will be safe if future tensions reach breaking point. Most of the Russian research facilities are already on Novaya Rodina and two tugs, currently under construction, will eventually tow the Russian shipyards from Earth to the same location. Even the movement of industry to Novaya Rodina is only the first stage of a longer-term strategy with the eventual destination being the systems in the Russian-claimed territory. As part of the same strategy, the Russian fuel harvesters are currently on a one-year journey from EZ Aquarii to Kazan, the first system beyond Epsilon Eridani and the crossroads of the new territories.

Since July 2106 the Russian Federation has built five troop transports, two fuel harvesters, a jump gate construction ship and two Project 1216 Fyodorov-B class terraformers. The Fyodorov-B is a new 64,5000 ton design intended to support the four existing 36,300 ton Fyodorov-As. Russian terraforming efforts are currently concentrating on St Ekaterina-A I, one of the major alien ruin sites.

The Russian economy is in reasonable  condition. The budget is running with a very slight deficit and a small wealth reserve but there are no immediate problems. Mineral stockpiles are adequate for future needs. The main issue is a lack of fuel, primarily due to the fuel harvesters being offline during their journey to Kazan. Once they arrive the situation should ease and may even be resolved sooner if any fuel caches are recovered from the alien ruins. Russia operates three civilian shipping lines, comprising twenty ships with a combined tonnage of 900,000. Tax revenues from civilian shipping should soon improve due to a recent trade treaty with Japan. The two nations have no competing interests and are establishing trust due to their border agreement in the Kyokai system, which keeps the ships of each nation within their own Arm.

A Russian destroyer is shadowing the Brazilian task group crossing Alpha Centauri at a distance of five million kilometers. So far, the Brazilian warships are on course for the Luhman 16 jump point at 2142 km/s, restricted by the speed of the accompanying troop transport, and are preceded by two Japanese task groups. As Luhman 16 is the direct route to Edo, the Japanese are no doubt becoming very nervous. However, the Luhman 16 jump point is much closer to the centre of the Alpha Centauri system than the Sol jump point so it is equally likely the Brazilians are simply disguising their approach to one of the major Centauri colonies.

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/RussiaJune2108.PNG)
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on November 08, 2015, 07:44:22 PM
United Kingdom - 4th June 2108

Colonies
Avalon: 595m
Earth: 70.4m
Pendragon: 33.1m
Barnard's Star III: 32.8m
Vega III: 1.81m
61 Cygni-A III: 1.75m
Tintagel III: 1.72m
Bedivere-A II: 1.03m
Caerleon-A I: 0.62m
Kuiper 79-A IV: 0.51m
Kuiper 79-B II: 0.50m
Gawain I: 0.4m
Merlin II: 0.24m

Mining Colonies
Pendragon-B Asteroid #27: 43x AM
Pendragon-B Asteroid #36: 20x AM
Pendragon-B Asteroid #70: 10x AM
Caerleon-B Asteroid #7: 25x AM
Tempel 1 (Sol): 7x CMC
Bernard's Star-A I: 3x CMC

The speed at which the United Kingdom is expanding the boundaries of the Avalon Arm has been significantly reduced since August 2106. Only three new systems have been discovered in that time. This is due partly to the distance to the frontiers and partly because several systems have proven to be cul-de-sacs or, in two cases, because new jump points connected to existing systems. Two new colonies have been established, both in the Caerleon system one jump out beyond Vega. The first is a settlement of six hundred thousand colonists on a colony cost 2.02 world with a thin nitrogen-oxygen atmosphere and deposits of all eleven minerals, including twelve million tons of accessibility 0.9 Duranium. The second is an asteroid mining colony with twenty-five automated mines, all of which were recovered from the alien ruin on Vega III. The survey reports for both colonies are shown below. The Vega ruins were fully exploited in April 2108 so attention is now turning to Rivalen-B II where a recent xenology survey identified forty-one installations for potential recovery.

Caerleon-A Asteroid #7 Mineral Survey
Duranium 273,657  Acc: 1
Neutronium 59,910  Acc: 0.8
Corbomite 43,957  Acc: 1
Tritanium 220,785  Acc: 0.8
Mercassium 140,482  Acc: 1
Sorium 193,485  Acc: 0.8
Corundium 25,485  Acc: 0.8
Gallicite 159,885  Acc: 0.8

Caerleon-A I Mineral Survey
Duranium 12,700,800  Acc: 0.9
Neutronium 4,120,900  Acc: 0.1
Corbomite 9,060,100  Acc: 0.1
Tritanium 8,037,225  Acc: 0.1
Boronide 765,621  Acc: 0.3
Mercassium 4,410,000  Acc: 0.2
Vendarite 7,452,900  Acc: 0.5
Sorium 8,850,625  Acc: 0.1
Uridium 122,499  Acc: 0.1
Corundium 5,499,025  Acc: 0.1
Gallicite 1,030,217  Acc: 0.5

The existing colonies of the United Kingdom continue to grow, with a recent emphasis put on increasing the populations of the more distant colonies. Vega III, 61 Cygni-A III, Tintagel III and Bedivere II all passed the million mark within the last two years. The original fifteen Mayflower class colony ships are all making the regular run between Earth and Avalon but the slower, more efficient Mayflower-Es, eight of which are in service, are now dedicated to transporting settlers to the outer colonies. Four more of the E-model will be produced before the Osbourne Shipyard changes production to the new Mayflower II. In contrast, the UK population of Earth is still shrinking and now stands at seventy million.

Since August 2106 the United Kingdom has completed one Dreadnought class battlecruiser, one Agincourt class escort cruiser, three Tribal class destroyers, four Mayflower-E class colony ships, three fuel harvesters, two terraformers and two Phoenix class salvage ships. The first Phoenix travelled to the Rivalen system with a pair of accompanying freighters and salvaged four alien wrecks in that system, recovering a worthwhile quantity of minerals plus technical data to aid the United Kingdom's ongoing research project into Magneto-plasma drives. A second mission was undertaken to salvage a pair of wrecks in Gliese 1, located five transits along the Russo-Manchurian Arm via Manchu and Novaya Rodina. Neither Russia nor Manchuria objected to the passage of the three British commercial vessels. Although another pair of alien wrecks is in orbit of Asgard, the United Kingdom has left them alone to avoid causing any tensions with the Centauri Federation.

The data found by the Phoenix accelerated the progress of the UK's propulsion research project and the breakthrough into Magneto-plasma technology was made in mid-2107. Development of new engines was delayed for several months due to a follow-up project to increase fuel efficiency by almost fifteen percent so the first Magneto-plasma engines were not designed and developed until April 2108. The first priority for UK shipwrights was to upgrade the Royal Navy's existing warships to use the newer engines. Therefore, several shipyards are currently being retooled to allow that process to take place. For the Dreadnought, Agincourt and Tribal classes, in order to carry out the fleet refit as quickly as possible, the upgrade is a straightforward engine replacement with no other changes. For commercial vessels, there will be no refits and the shipyards are being retooled to build completely new ships.

In June 2107, The Australian prime minister approached his British counterpart and requested that the restriction on Australia establishing mines on Avalon be lifted. Australia was struggling due to a lack of Gallicite and had insufficient automated mines to offset the continuing fall in Gallicite accessibility on Earth. As there were no suitable known habitable mining sites for Australia within the Avalon Arm, the alternatives for Australia were to accept a serious reduction in expansion while mines were converted to automation, or ask another power for assistance. Given the excellent relations and the large Australia colony on Avalon, the UK seemed the obvious choice. As the United Kingdom had found a number of habitable mining sites with very good potential deeper within the Avalon Arm and the mines on Avalon would have to be moved eventually, granting the Australian request just sped up that process.

As the agreement would essentially leave the Australians and British sharing the planets of Avalon and Pendragon as their two main colonies and using the same gas giant for Sorium harvesting, the United Kingdom proposed formalising a military alliance. The Australians quickly accepted and the two nations invited Canada to join the alliance, with the proviso that Canada could also place mines on Avalon in return for opening up the Acadia colony for mining as well. The alliance was cemented further by the United Kingdom lending Hercules class tugs to Australia and Canada so they could move their shipyards from Earth to Avalon.

The United Kingdom's diplomatic activity also included signing a trade treaty with the United States. The two nations had good relations historically and the issue of the border at EV Lacerte was settled amicably. With no competing interests, it was to the advantage of both nations to open their markets and ensure their civilian shipping did not lie idle. The United Kingdom has by far the largest civilian shipping sector. In total, six shipping lines operate one hundred and sixteen vessels with a combined mass of more than five million tons. The US-UK trade relationship was extended further in early 2108 with an agreement to exchange 3000 tons of UK Gallicite for 3000 tons of US Duranium.

The UK economy is in good shape with plentiful fuel and a large wealth reserve. Mineral supplies are good in general, with a stockpile comprising more than ten thousand tons of every mineral except Duranium. Duranium supplies had fallen to a few hundred tons when the mineral exchange was agreed with the United States. The US was in the reverse situation with more than ten thousand tons of Duranium but only a few hundred tons of Gallicite. The United Kingdom intends to continue with its strategy of diverse colonization and trade yet is steadily building up the Royal Navy to protect its holdings. The United Kingdom does lack missile combatants however, so now the propulsion projects have delivered their objectives, the emphasis of the UK's research establishment will change to missile warfare.

The United Kingdom has been monitoring the situation in Alpha Centauri via reports from a Canadian destroyer shadowing the advancing Brazilian task group, which has covered two-thirds of the distance from the Sol jump point to the Luhman 16 jump point. The UK has no vital interests at stake in Alpha Centauri and no points of contention with any of the involved parties. For the moment, the United Kingdom intends to remain neutral and observe. However, there are two Brazilian colonies within the Avalon Arm so if events do not go in Brazil's favour, the UK would perhaps reconsider its options.

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/UKJune2108.PNG)
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on November 10, 2015, 02:08:25 PM
United States - 8th June 2108

Colonies
Earth: 669m
Columbia (Lalande 21185): 159m
Astoria (WX Ursae Majoris): 23.5m
Oregon-B II: 1.31m
Eta Cassiopeiae-A III: 1.27m
Gateway II: 1.13m
Gliese 205-A II: 0.75m

Mining Colonies
Stephan-Oterma (Sol): 82x AM
Lalande 21185-A II: 12x AM
WX Ursae Majoris-A Asteroid #40: 7x CMC
Luna (Sol): 5x CMC
Wolf (Sol): 4x CMC
Reinmuth (Sol): 3x CMC

Since September 2106, the United States has discovered eleven new systems within the American Arm. In addition, a link was found from Gliese 257, a system nine jumps out from Sol and two beyond the outermost American colony, to Gamma Leporis, a known system at the end of a jump chain that included Procyon and Sirius. American survey ships had visited Gamma Leporis as early as May 2101 but it was a considerable distance from Sol and further survey was abandoned in favour of the DX Cancri chain. With a connection to the DX Cancri chain the area is of interest once again and US survey ships have spread into the surrounding systems. Unbeknown to the United States, Argentina is also exploring the same area of space.

The Columbia colony has grown by almost forty million in the last twenty-one months and has recently solved the problem of under-manning. Even so, there are very few available workers due to the industry already in place, including one hundred and fifty construction factories, thirteen research facilities, sufficient maintenance facilities to support all existing US warships and all nine American shipyards. While the US population on Earth still has a larger industrial base due to the substantial number of factories, mines and refineries, Columbia now has almost forty percent of US workers in the manufacturing sector. Columbia still has the problem that it lacks accessible mineral deposits so resources have to be shipped in from Earth and the other colonies. The new colony on Eta Cassiopeiae-A III is helping, with thirty-two automated mines in place and a small population that can support perhaps ten manned mining complexes. Recent terraforming activities have brought atmospheric oxygen up to the level where it breathable by humans so Eta Cassiopeiae-A III is now an ideal habitable world. Even so, it will take some time before the colony can support a large number of manned mines so conversion of US mines to the automated variety is underway.

Unfortunately, the situation in Eta Cassiopeiae has become considerably more complex in recent months. On October 24th 2107, a convoy of US freighters delivering automated mines to Eta Cassiopeiae-A III detected a Caliphate geosurvey ship in orbit of the planet. Presumably the survey ship had been surveying along the Avalon Arm and followed an American ship through the EV Lacerte - Eta Cassiopeiae jump point. The US President was briefed that the Caliphate would now be aware of the alien race on the surface and might show less restraint than the United States given the mineral wealth on the planet. He agreed to a recommendation from the Joint Chiefs that the United States send military forces to prevent such an eventuality. Since the Second Mexican-American war, all US Presidents have traditionally responded favourably to any such recommendations from their senior military commanders.

On December 21st 2107, a US Navy task group comprising the heavy cruiser Shiloh, the escort cruiser Valley Forge and the destroyers John Rogers and Kinkaid entered orbit of Eta Cassiopeiae-A III. Two weeks later, the first sign of a Caliphate build-up began with the arrival of a troop transport that unloaded Caliphate ground forces in a remote area of the planet then headed back toward the EV Lacerte jump point. On January 17th 2108 two Caliphate FAC carriers, known to carry six fast attack craft each, and an ammunition transport moved into orbit. Neither side made any offensive moves as both were well aware of the potential consequences of a serious armed clash between the two powerful nations. Even so, the build-up continued and tensions rose accordingly. The United States made a formal protest to the Caliphate, stating that the planet was a US colony and Caliphate forces should withdraw immediately. The Caliphate responded that the US had no jurisdiction over an alien planet and that it would be establishing its own colony.

Next to arrive were US troop transports that substantially reinforced the existing US Army forces. The US ground combat element now comprised the entire First Mobile Infantry Division, with fifteen mobile infantry battalions, four headquarter units and a replacement battalion. They stood ready to counter any move by the Caliphate against the US colony or the alien population and a pre-emptive move to protect the alien population by moving US forces into their cities was considered. Six hundred thousand Caliphate colonists landed on February 21st and additional American colonists arrived in April. Another escort cruiser arrived to support the existing US Navy Squadron in March but that was followed by a report from the United Kingdom that tracking stations on the UK colony of Avalon had detected two more Caliphate FAC carriers and two troop transports moving up the Avalon Arm toward Eta Cassiopeiae.

US Naval Intelligence believes that some form of armed confrontation over Eta Cassiopeiae-A III is only a matter of time. Both sides are continuing to send additional forces to the system and if any attempt is made to subdue the alien population, it will almost certainly erupt into open conflict. Even without that danger, the strategic value of the minerals on the planet is considerable and the United States would be disadvantaged if it was forced to share them with the Caliphate. Finally, Eta Cassiopeiae-A III could provide a base for the Caliphate to venture further into the American Arm. If a battle does erupt, Naval Intelligence believes that it is unlikely to be confined to the Eta Cassiopeiae system. The American populations on Earth, Columbia and the other colonies would all be vulnerable, especially as the US sensor and fire control systems are designed to engage much larger targets than the small Caliphate fast attack craft. It is entirely possible that United States forces could be facing missile attack from an enemy they cannot even detect.

Therefore, after several weeks of research and analysis, Naval Intelligence recommends that a first strike against the Caliphate is the only reasonable option. To wait is to invite a similar, potentially crippling strike from a massed wave of Caliphate fast attack craft. The proposed strike would have to be against all Caliphate forces, not just those in Eta Cassiopeiae, as any survivors could inflict considerable damage on US assets. There are four known groups of Caliphate warships; in Earth orbit, in orbit of Medina, in orbit of Eta Cassiopeiae and the two FAC carriers reported by the UK in the Avalon Arm. US Navy forces are already in place at Earth and Eta Cassiopeiae, while the in-transit FAC carriers could be tracked down later as they are not an immediate threat. Medina could be attacked by forces moving from Columbia, although those forces would be detected on their approach. Naval Intelligence has proposed three options to deal with this problem; attack from Columbia anyway after the strikes at Earth and Eta Cassiopeiae, blockade the jump point between WX Ursae Majoris and Medina to wait them out or invite Germany to launch its own attack. The last option would probably be appealing to Germany as Medina stands astride their only route to their area of exploration. The Joint Chiefs accept the analysis and the President accedes to their request to execute the attack as soon as practicable.

The most immediate action is to order three troop transports and a jump freighter in Earth orbit to proceed to Columbia. The US colony fleet is already en route to Columbia and will remain in orbit once it arrives. The only US ships remaining in Earth orbit are four Shiloh class cruisers, three Ticonderoga class escort cruisers and five Spruance class destroyers. They face nine 12,000 ton Mersin class FAC carriers, each with six FACs on board, plus twenty-seven Matrah class FACs, ten Mecca class FACs, ten Ashdod class FACs, one Hebron class FAC, four Abadan class ammunition transports and one Mosul class FAC tender. Including the FACs on the carriers, that gives the Caliphate a strength of more than one hundred fast attack craft. A lengthy battle would involve significant casualties on the US side so the first strike will have to be decisive.

The German ambassador is informed of a potential US conflict with the Caliphate and a proposal is made that Germany ally itself with the United States in return for complete freedom to secure the Medina colony. Medina has a population of sixty million and is adjacent to two German colonies, although it doesn’t possess any accessible mineral deposits. The German government responds within twenty-four hours, agreeing to the American proposal and requesting a few days to make preparations. Within hours a Scharnhorst class battlecruiser and two German frigates break orbit heading for the Lalande jump point. Two battlecruisers and two frigates remain in Earth orbit. Their firepower will be added to that of the US Navy warships when the time comes.

Given the imminent war with the Caliphate, the events in Alpha Centauri are of secondary importance. Even so, the US destroyer Comte de Grasse is shadowing the Brazilian task group, which is now less than one hundred million kilometres from the Luhman 16 jump point. Whether the Brazilians transit the jump point or change course toward one of the Centauri home worlds will have major implications for the future of known space, rivalling those of the assault on the Caliphate.

Recent construction from United States shipyards includes a Ticonderoga class escort cruiser, three colony ships, three fuel harvesters, three terraformers and two freighters of a new class with fuel efficient engines. US civilian shipping comprises twenty-nine ships with a combined tonnage of 1,350,000. A second US shipping line has recently been formed but has yet to launch any ships. The United States economy is in good condition with reasonable stockpiles of fuel and minerals, boosted by three thousand tons of Gallicite from a recent trade deal with the United Kingdom, and a healthy wealth reserve. The future state of the US economy could be dramatically affected by the events of the forthcoming days and weeks.

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/USAJune2108.PNG)
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on November 10, 2015, 02:27:09 PM
United Nations = 8th June 2108

Since the report on solar warming in May 2106, the average surface temperature of the Earth has risen by one point six degrees to 15.6C. This unprecedented increase has happened in just thirteen months. With that rate of change, scientists have estimated that the temperature will pass beyond the point at which humans can survive without a protective environment in less than fifteen years. The non-TN nations are therefore grateful to those powers that are transporting their citizens to new colonies. However, there is considerable concern that the current rate of transport will be insufficient in the available time frame.
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on November 10, 2015, 03:52:07 PM
Orders of Battle: Part 1- June 8th 2108

Argentina
4x Capayan class Destroyer (6400 tons): Capayan, Salta, San Juan, Santa Cruz
2x Esperanza class Destroyer Escort (6400 tons): Esperanza, Rosales

3x San Luis class Gravitational Survey Vessel
1x San Martin class Geological Survey Vessel
1x Rio Quequen class Geological Survey Vessel

2x Cormoran class Troop Transport
1x Espora class Tanker 
4x Comodoro Rivadavia class Freighter 
1x Comodoro Rivadavia - J class Jump Freighter
4x Gomez Roca class Colony Ship
1x Almorante Brown class Terraformer
4x Dorado class Fuel Harvester


Australia
1x Sydney class Destroyer Leader (7800 tons): Sydney
3x Melbourne class Destroyer (7800 tons): Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth
1x Darwin class Scout (6000 tons): Darwin

2x Adelaide class Geological Survey Vessel   

1x Amphion class Tanker
7x Botany Bay class Colony Ship
6x Success class Freighter
7x Collins class Fuel Harvester
2x Perry class Terraformer 


Brazil
2x Antares class Kinetic Battlecruiser (15,000 tons): Antares, Almirante Maximiano
7x São Paulo class Kinetic Cruiser  (9000 tons): São Paulo, Brasil, Constituição, Independência, União, Júlio de Noronha, Jaceguai
8x Almirante Sabóia class Kinetic Frigate (6000 tons): Almirante Sabóia, Almirante Guilhem, Anhatomirim, Aratu, Atalaia, Araçatuba, Albardão, Abrolhos
2x Tridente class Jump Frigate  (6000 tons): Tridente, Tritão

2x Rio de Janeiro class Gravitational Survey Vessel 
5x Liberal class Geological Survey Vessel   

2x Guaporé class Troop Transport 
2x Comandante Varella class Tanker
9x Defensora class Colony Ship
9x Amapá class Freighter   
2x Amapá-J class Freighter


The Caliphate
14x Mersin class FAC Transport (12,000 tons): Al Riyadh, Makkah, Dammam, Al Madinah, Hofouf, Abha, Taif, Al-Yarmook, Badr, Hitteen, Tabuk, Al-Farouq, Abdul-Aziz, Khalid
6x Hebron class FAC Leader
72x Ashdod class Fast Attack Craft
36x Matrah class Fast Attack Craft
18x Mecca class Fast Attack Craft

6x Dubai class Geological Survey Vessel

4x Mosul class FAC Tender 
3x Ankara class Troop Transport
5x Abadan class Ammunition Transport 
11x Jiddah class Colony Ship
8x Beirut class Freighter
7x Muara class Fuel Harvester 
6x Shiraz class Terraformer


Canada
4x Halifax class Destroyer  (8100 tons): Halifax, Vancouver, Ville de Québec, Toronto
3x Protecteur class Destroyer (8100 tons): Protecteur, Calgary, Montréal
4x Kingston class Scout (5100 tons): Kingston, Edmonton, Yellowknife, Saskatoon

1x Restigouche class Tanker 
4x Mackenzie class Colony Ship 
5x Annapolis class Freighter
5x Saint Laurent class Fuel Harvester
4x Prestonian class Terraformer


Centauri Federation
2x Asgard class Jump Cruiser (10,200 tons): Asgard, Vanaheim
7x Grendel class Cruiser (10,200 tons): Beowulf, Grendel, Heorot, Hrothgar, Sceadugenga, Wealhtheow, Unferth
4x Tyr class Cruiser  (10,200 tons): Lokasenna, Sigrdrífa, Sigurðr, Tyr

6x Saga class Science Vessel (6000 tons): Biskupa Sogur, Hákonar Saga, Hungrvaka, Islendingabók, Kristni Saga, Landnámabók

1x Heimdall class Troop Transport
2x Garm class Tanker 
8x Kolga class Colony Ship
4x Galdsheim class Freighter
10x Gungnir class Fuel Harvester
12x Loki class Terraformer   
2x Norn class Construction Ship


France
1x Le Redoutable class Jump Cruiser (12,000 tons): Le Redoutable
4x Clemenceau-S class Missile Cruiser (12,000 tons): Clemenceau, Charles de Gaulle, La Fayette, Montcalm
1x Clemenceau class Missile Cruiser (12,000 tons): Jean de Vienne
4x Dunkerque class Frigate (6000 tons): Dunkerque, Casabianca, Aquitaine, Provence

2x Rubis class Science Vessel (8000 tons): Rubis, Saphir

2x Duguay-Trouins class Troop Transport
2x La Fantasque class Tanker
1x Normandie class Jump Freighter
5x Richelieu class Freighter 
3x Bisson class Jump Colony Ship
4x Suffren class Colony Ship 
3x Courbet class Terraformer
3x La Galissonniere class Fuel Harvester
1x Surcouf class Construction Ship 
1x Chacal class Tug


Germany
2x Konigsberg class Jump Cruiser (12,000 tons): Konigsberg, Nürnberg
4x Scharnhorst class Battlecruiser (12,000 tons): Scharnhorst, Gneisenau, Derfflinger, Lützow
4x Deutschland class Frigate (6000 tons): Deutschland, Hannover, Orion, Schleswig-Holstein
2x Prinz Eugen class Frigate (6000 tons): Prinz Eugen, Blücher

5x Bayern class Scout (6000 tons): Baden, Bayern, Westfalen, Saschen, Wurttenburg
4x Rheinland class Geological Survey Vessel (6000 tons): Rheinland, Posen, Niedersachsen, Hessen

2x Bremse class Tanker 
3x Barbe class Troop Transport   
9x Von Roeder class Colony Ship
2x Emden class Jump Freighter
8x Nassau class Freighter
7x Koln class Fuel Harvester 
3x Scheer class Construction Ship
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on November 11, 2015, 01:36:22 PM
Orders of Battle: Part 2- June 8th 2108

Japan
6x Akagi class Missile Cruiser (15,000 tons): Akagi, Kaga, Hosho, Ryujo, Soryu, Hiryu
6x Kongo class Escort Cruiser (11,250 tons): Fuso, Haruna, Hiei, Kirishima, Kongo, Yamashiro
15x Kagero class Destroyer (7,500 tons): Akigumo, Amatsukaze, Arashi, Hagukaze, Hamakaze, Hatsukaze, Hayashio, Isokaze, Kagero, Kuroshio, Maikaze, Natsushio, Oyashio, Tokitsukaze, Yuikikaze

4x Nagara class Gravitational Survey Vessel (7,500 tons): Isuzu, Nagaro, Natori, Yura
4x Sakawa class Geological Survey Vessel  (7,500 tons): Agano, Noshiro, Sakawam Yahagi

4x Kaiyo Maru class Troop Transport
3x Hayasui class Tanker
1x Kuma class Jump Freighter   
11x Seisho Maru class Freighter
15x Awazisan Maru class Colony Ship
10x Henkan Maru class Terraformer
20x Hyuga class Fuel Harvester 
2x Kochiku Maru class Construction Ship


Manchuria
4x Xian class Destroyer Leader (9000 tons): Ganzhou, Xian, Xiangtan, Yangzhou
9x Jianghu class Destroyer (9000 tons): Cangzhou, Dandong, Jianghu, Jinhua, Qingdao, Shantou, Shaoguan, Taizhou, Zhaotong, Zunyi
9x Jiangwei class Destroyer (9000 tons): Jiangwei, Jiaxing, Lianyungang, Mianyang, Putian, Xiangyang, Yichangm Huludao, Zhanjiang, Zhuhai

8x Yinchuan class Science Vessel (5000 tons): Haikou, Heifei, Kinming, Lanzhou, Shenyang, Shijiazhuang, Xinhui, Yinchuan

3x Changsha class Troop Transport
2x Huangwen class Tanker
2x Jinan class Jump Freighter 
7x Hegu class Freighter
10x Hainan class Colony Ship
10x Kaifeng class Fuel Harvester
14x Xining class Terraformer 
2x Dalian class Construction Ship


Martian Union
4x Lancea class Orbital Weapon Platform (10,000 tons): Dominus Astra, Justus Dominus, Vae Victis, Vigilanti Eternas
6x Spiculum class Orbital Weapon Platform (10,000 tons): Audacia, Carniflex, Exidium, Impavidus, Incepteris, Sanquinarius
4x Verutum class Orbital Weapon Platform (10,000 tons): Dies Irae, Ex Cathedra, Ferrum Aeternum, Gladius Martis
14x Trident class Patrol Ship (4650 tons): Aquila, Aries, Corvus, Cygnus, Delphinus, Draco, Leonis, Lupus, Monoceros, Orcus, Scorpii, Squalus, Ursus, Volantis

2x Cingulum class Geological Survey Vessel

1x Pyrrhus class Tanker
10x Gladius class Colony Ship
10x Martiobarbulus class Freighter 
9x Decius class Fuel Harvester 
1x Fabius class Tug 


Russian Federation
2x Project 1200 Atlant class Cruiser (12,000 tons): Chervona Ukrayina, Slava
5x Project 1201 Berkut class Cruiser (12,000 tons): Admiral Zozulya, Kronstadt, Sevastopol, Vize-Admiral Drozd, Vladivostok
2x Project 1214 Berkut-J class Cruiser (12,000 tons): Admiral Isakov, Admiral Nakhimov
12x Project 1202 Sarych class Destroyer (8,000 tons): Admiral Ushakov, Bespokoynyy, Bezuprechnyy, Boyevoy, Burnyy, Gremyashchiy, Otchayannyy, Rastoropnyy, Sovremennyy, Stoykiy, Vazhnyy, Veduschiy
8x Project 1203 Molniya class Destroyer (8,000 tons): Bditelnyy, Bodryy, Dostoynyy, Druzhnyy, Razumnyy, Razyashchiy, Storozhevoy, Svirepyy

6x Project 1205 Vishnaya-R class Gravitational Survey Vessel (4000 tons): Akademik A. Karpinsky, Akademik Aleksandr Nesmeyanov, Akademik Aleksandr Sidorenko, Akademik Boris Petrov, Akademik Fersman, Akademik Sergey Vavilov
4x Project 1205 Vishnaya-E class Geological Survey Vessel (4,000 tons): Akademik Fyodorov, Akademik Korolyov, Akademik Kurchatov, Akademik Lazarev

5x Project 1215 Ropucha class Troop Transport
2x Project 1210 Lebedev class Tanker
11x Project 1206 Chirikov class Colony Ship
7x Project 1207 Antonov class Freighter
15x Project 1208 Olekma class Fuel Harvester
4x Project 1209 Fyodorov class Terraformer
2x Project 1216 Fyodorov - B class Terraformer
4x Project 1211 Moskva class Construction Ship
1x Project 1212 Sverdlov class Construction Ship


United Kingdom
2x Resolution class Jump Cruiser (12,000 tons): Resolution, Temeraire
6x Dreadnought class Battlecruiser (12,000 tons): Bellerophon, Collingwood, Colossus, Dreadnought, St Vincent, Vanguard
8x Agincourt class Escort Cruiser  (9000 tons): Agincourt, Balaclava, Blenheim, Quebec, Quiberon Bay, Salamanca, Trafalgar, Waterloo
18x Tribal class Destroyer (6,000 tons): Afridi, Amazon, Apache, Ashanti, Comanche, Cossack, Eskimo, Gurkha, Maori, Matabele, Mohawk, Nubian, Punjabi, Saracen, Sukh, Tartar, Viking, Zulu

4x Galileo class Gravitational Survey Vessel (6,000 tons): Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, Tycho Brae
3x Darwin class Geological Survey Vessel (6000 tons): Attenborough, Bellamy, Brunel

4x Audacious class Troop Transport
2x Flower class Tanker
10x Atlas class Freighter
15x Mayflower class Colony Ship 
8x Mayflower - E class Colony Ship
21x Ambrosia class Fuel Harvester 
8x Avalon class Terraformer   
2x Phoenix class Salvager
2x Hephaestus class Construction Ship
2x River class Mobile Jump Gate
3x Hercules class Tug


United States
7x Shiloh class Heavy Cruiser (12,000 tons): Antietam, Appomattox, Chancellorsville, Chickamauga, Gettysburg, Shiloh, Vicksburg
6x Ticonderoga class Escort Cruiser (9000 tons): Bunker Hill, Lexington, Ticonderoga, Valley Forge, White Plains, Yorktown
12x Spruance class Destroyer (6000 tons): Comte de Grasse, Cushing, Fletcher, John Rodgers, John Young, Kinkaid, Merrill, Moosbrugger, Nicholson, Oldendorf, Peterson, Spruance

4x Nautilus class Gravitational Survey Vessel (6,000 tons): Barracuda, Dolphin, Narwhal, Nautilus
3x Skipjack class Geological Survey Vessel (6000 tons): Skipjack, Stingray, Sturgeon

3x Saratoga class Troop Transport
2x Ohio class Tanker
3x Knox class Jump Freighter
10x Liberty class Freighter
2x Liberty-E class Freighter
13x Roanoke class Colony Ship
22x Caldwell class Fuel Harvester
9x Gaia class Terraformer
2x Gateway class Construction Ship
3x Pegasus class Tug
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on November 11, 2015, 02:10:42 PM
Overall Comparison - 9th June 2108

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/June2108Comparison.PNG)
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on November 18, 2015, 04:55:06 PM
The First Colonial War

9th June 2108
A Brazilian task group, comprising two Antares class kinetic battlecruisers, six Sao Paulo class kinetic cruisers, two Almirante Saboia class kinetic frigates and one Guapora class troop transport, arrives at the Luhman jump point. Instead of transiting, it immediately sets a new course for Vanaheim, the third planet of Alpha Centauri-A and home to the second largest Centauri population and a Martian colony. As the Brazilians have already attempted misdirection to disguise their true destination, it is possible that is still the case and the task group will at some point divert to the Lagrange point of Alpha Centauri II and jump to the Alpha Centauri-B system. The Centauri Federation demands the Brazilian ships state their intentions and warns them not to approach Alpha Centauri-A. The Brazilians do not respond.

10th June 2108
The heavy cruiser Chancellorsville and the destroyer Oldendorf depart Colombia en route to Earth to reinforce the US Navy task group in orbit, leaving a heavy cruiser, an escort cruiser and two destroyers at Columbia.

11th June 2108
A large Japanese task group has assembled in Edo. Both reinforcement groups have arrived from Earth and joined the destroyers already in the system. The combined force comprises three Akagi class missile cruisers, two Kongo class escort cruisers and eight Kagero class destroyers. As the Brazilian task group is still on its heading for Vanaheim and the threat to Edo is receding, three destroyers are detached to guard Edo while the rest of the task group heads back to Alpha Centauri via Luhman in case Japan can gain any advantage from the apparently imminent combat between Brazil and the Centauri Federation. The task group is fully fuelled after a rendezvous with a Japanese tanker.

In Alpha Centauri, a Tyr class escort cruiser and an Asgard class jump cruiser remain in orbit of Asgard while the rest of the Centauri Fleet, comprising one Asgard, three Tyrs and seven Grendel class cruisers, heads for the Alpha Centauri-B V Lagrange point to jump to the Alpha Centauri-A system and confront the approaching Brazilians.

12th June 2108
Based on the estimated time of travel since the recent UK sighting, two Caliphate FAC carriers and two troop transports will now be somewhere in the Eta Cassiopeiae system, although they are not on US sensors. Concerned that they may launch FACs strikes if alerted, the United States decides to wait until they are in orbit of Eta Cassiopeiae-A III before launching any attack.  The delay also gives Germany more time to moves forces into place. A Scharnhorst class battlecruiser that was already in Neu Brandenburg has moved to the Medina jump point. A second Scharnhorst and two frigates are en route from Sol and will arrive in Medina via the WX Ursae Majoris jump point

14th June 2108 00:10
The Brazilian task group is passing through Alpha Centauri-As outer asteroid belt seven hundred and fifty million kilometers from Vanaheim. The Centauri Fleet is moving to meet them from the direction of the Alpha Centauri-A II Lagrange point. The Centauri issue a demand that the Brazilians withdraw their ships from Alpha Centaur immediately or they will open fire. The Brazilians ignore the demands and continue onwards.

07:30
Chancellorsville and Oldendorf arrive at Earth.

12:00
With the Brazilians six hundred and fifty million kilometres from Vanaheim, the Centauri give a final warning before launching a full salvo of seventy Thor anti-ship missiles from the seven Grendel class cruisers at a distance of ninety-two million kilometres. Their target is the kinetic cruiser Júlio de Noronha. A second salvo follows forty seconds later targeting the cruiser União. The Centauri cease fire to observe the results of the first two salvos.

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/FirstColonialWar01.PNG)

The Thor is a modern, fast anti-ship missile with a strength-6 warhead, speed of 24,000 km/s and a range of over one hundred million kilometers. One hour after launch the first salvo reaches its target. The Centauri are horrified when the powerful salvo melts like snow in the face of massed point defence fire from gauss cannon and railguns. Not a single missile survives. The second salvo of seventy missiles is equally ineffective. The Centauri also have three Tyr class cruisers in their force, each of which is armed with fifteen launchers for short-range anti-missile missiles. However the AMMs have a speed of 33,600 km/s so they cannot be launched in a combined salvo with the Thor missiles. The Centauri Fleet withdraws toward Vanaheim and the fourth Tyr, currently in Asgard orbit, is ordered to join them. A Martian patrol ship in orbit of Colonia Antium, a moon of Alpha Centauri-A II, also sets course for Vanaheim. Fortunately, the Brazilian fleet is moving relatively slowly due to the presence of the troop transport so the 400 km/s speed advantage of their warships is not in play. The ineffectiveness of missiles against massed point defence is observed by the ships of several other nations in the system, including Japan, Russia, Canada and the United States.

Halfway to Vanaheim, the commander of the Centauri fleet, Ulfhednar Moritz Bergstrasser, realises there is a way to get past the devastating Brazilian point defence. Any point defence system requires sufficient time to detect, track and engage incoming missiles. If the Centauri ships can launch close enough to the Brazilians, their point defence systems will not have time to shoot down the missiles. Therefore he orders his ships, designed to launch attacks from one hundred million kilometers, to close to just one hundred thousand kilometers from the approaching Brazilian task group. The disadvantage of this course of action is that the Brazilian’s own weapons may be able to engage the Centauri ships at that range, plus the Brazilians have a 400 km/s speed advantage if they choose to close the range further. However, to do that they would have to leave behind the troop transport, which would then be an easy target for Centauri missiles.

15th June: 10:00
The Japanese task group of three missile cruisers, two escort cruiser and five destroyers arrives in Alpha Centauri. A sixth Japanese destroyer has been in the system throughout and is shadowing the Brazilians at a distance of five million kilometres.

16:30
Conscious that some of his crews are inexperienced, Ulfhednar Bergstrasser gives the order to open fire when the Centauri Fleet moves within 200,000 kilometres of the Brazilian task group, reasoning that wasting missiles against the enemy point defence is less important than waiting too long to fire. Besides, the AMMs of the Tyrs are fast enough that launching within 150,000 kilometers should be sufficient to avoid the enemy point defence. As the Grendels only fire every forty seconds, Bergstrasser is concerned about wasting missiles through overkill. Therefore three Grendels target each of the Antares class battlecruisers with the seventh targeting the troop transport. All three Tyr class escort cruisers target the cruiser Brasil. The fourth Tyr, sent as a reinforcement, has only just arrived in the Alpha Centauri-A system and is four hundred million kilometres away

The Brazilian task group is commanded by Contra-Almirante Rafaela Ferreira, the senior office of the Brazilian Navy. As the Centauri close in without firing, she realises their intention. Unfortunately the maximum range of her ships’ railguns is 90,000 kilometers and she is well aware that the Centauri missiles are fast enough for them to be fired outside that range. Her task group is restricted to 2142 km/s due to the presence of the Guaporé class troop transport so it is unable to close the range if the Centauri decide to keep it open. Before departing Earth she warned the Brazilian civilian leadership that bringing the troop transport was too restrictive and that the Centauri defences should be eliminated before such a vulnerable vessel entered Alpha Centauri. She was overruled because the government wanted to launch an invasion as soon as possible after Brazilian intentions were revealed, to achieve maximum surprise. Faced with the destruction of her task group, Contra-Almirante Ferreira has little choice but to detach the Guaporé and its precious cargo of five thousand Brazilian troops so that her warships can achieve their maximum speed of 4400 km/s and charge the approaching Centauri. All the Brazilian ships lock their railgun fire controls on a Tyr class escort cruiser and wait for the range to fall.

At 153,000 kilometers, the Centauri launch forty Thor anti-ship missiles and fifteen Magni AMMs. The range closes fast enough that the Brazilian do not have time to track and engage the inbounds. With the two forces just 111,000 kilometres apart Almirante Maximiano, an Antares class battlecruiser, suffers eighteen strength-6 hits, penetrating her armour in two places and damaging engineering and fuel storage. Antares is struck nine times, suffering damage to twenty percent of her armour. The cruiser Brasil is struck by all 15 Magnis, causing relatively minor armour damage.

Due to their inexperience, the Centauri are a few seconds late in reversing course to maintain their distance. With the high closing speed, they suddenly find themselves just 69,000 kilometers from an opposing force designed to fight at close range. Tyr is struck by a barrage of railgun fire that penetrates her armour, destroying one of her missile launchers. All three Centauri escort cruisers launch a simultaneous salvo. Three of the Grendels have yet to launch their first missiles and it will be thirty seconds before the other four launch again. The ships yet to fire are all recent construction and their crews are still green. If he survives, Ulfhednar Bergstrasser intends to create an extensive training program for the Federation Navy.

The Centauri perform their course reversal but the damage has been done. The range falls to 67,000 kilometers as the 400 km/s speed advantage of the Brazilians start to tell. The Brazilian railguns have a fifteen second cycle time and the Brazilian warships are firing in sequence are so the Centauri are facing a continuous hail of kinetic projectiles. Many hits penetrate Tyr’s armour, striking one of Bóndison-Arnmundarson BA-400 Main Drives. The destruction of the engine triggers a strength-85 secondary explosion that rips the 10,200 ton escort cruiser to pieces. The kinetic cruiser Brasil is hit by forty-five AMM. Although her armour suffers substantial damage, nothing penetrates to the interior of the ship. The Grendel class cruiser Hrothgar finally joins the battle, launching a salvo of ten missiles against Almirante Maximiano. Six hit, causing extensive armour damage and destroying a reactor.

Sigurðr is the next Centauri ship to be hit by railgun fire. Her armour is holed in several places and remarkably unlucky internal damage takes out her active sensor and all three fire controls. She is out of the fight unless she can effect repairs. More AMMs hit the Brazilian cruiser Brasil, destroying one of her two gauss cannon turrets and her active sensor. Six Thor missiles from Unferth strike Antares, also destroying a gauss cannon turret. The Antares class has four turrets in total compared to two on the São Paulo class. Thor missiles from Wealhtheow pass the Brazilian force heading for the Guaporé class troop transport in its wake. All ten missiles strike their helpless target, killing forty percent of the troops on board and disabling one of its six engines. Given it has only strength-1 armour, it is surprising the transport survived at all.

With the range at 61,000 km/s, Sigurðr is hit again. Her armour absorbs most of the damage but she still loses three launchers and part of her fuel storage capacity. The Brazilians are concentrating on the fast-firing escort cruisers first as they launch every ten seconds compared to forty seconds for the Grendels. The cruiser Brasil is hit by missiles from Sigrdrífa, the last Tyr still in action, which damage one of her fire controls. Despite her damage, Brasil is still fighting at offensive capacity.

Sigurðr explodes with the two sides 57,000 kilometres apart. The Centauri are running for Vanaheim while the Brazilians pursue. Beowulf, Grendel, Heorot and Sceadugenga fire for the second time, sending forty Thor missiles toward the two Antares class battlecruisers. Antares is struck by six missiles that blast two large holes in her armour and destroy a second gauss cannon turret. Almirante Maximiano is devastated by twenty-five detonations that destroy most of her armour, three gauss cannon turrets, two railguns, two fire control systems and one of her engines. Most importantly, all four fuel storage bunkers are opened to space, leaving the battlecruiser with four intact engines but no fuel. She is left dead in space and rapidly falls behind the battle.

Brazilian targeting changes to Sigrdrífa, the last of the three Tyr class escort cruisers. A barrage of railgun fire from the six São Paulo class cruisers inflicts considerable damage and she loses several magazines, all of her fire control systems and one of her engines. Sigrdrífa’s last salvo, fired just before the loss of her fire control, hits Brasil and disables one of the cruiser’s three engines. Brasil’s speed falls to 2933 km/s and she begins to fall astern of the Brazilian main body. As the range falls to 49,000 kilometres, Antares and the two Brazilian frigates fire their railguns and Sigrdrífa is blown apart by a secondary magazine explosion. Due to Sigrdrífa’s reduced speed Brazilian railguns were within the range where they caused strength-2 hits, effectively doubling the firepower of the Brazilian warships.

Thor missiles from Hrothgar and Unferth score thirteen hits on Antares while a volley from Wealhtheow streaks past the Brazilians warships en route to the Guaporé class troop transport. Antares has several gaping holes in her armour, which allows one of the Centauri missiles to take out one of her five Vieira-Bastos VB-264 Ion Drives. The battlecruiser’s speed drops to 3520 km/s and the range begins to the remaining Centauri ships begins to open.

The new target of the Brazilian railguns is the Grendel class cruiser Beowulf. The first salvo from the five São Paulos still in range causes significant armour damage but does not penetrate. A follow-up shot from the frigates inflicts several strength-2 hits and knocks out three missile launchers. Now the entire Centauri fleet is within the range at which the Brazilian railguns double in effectiveness. The salvo from Wealhtheow reaches the Brazilian troop transport, destroying another thirty percent of its troop capacity. Only the fact that the transport’s engines are proving incredibly resistant to damage has prevented it from being destroyed entirely.

Beowulf, Grendel, Heorot and Sceadugenga launch thirty-seven missiles against the cruiser Constituição. The missiles arrive just as the São Paulos fire again. Beowulf is hit by sixty-three strength-2 railguns hits and is blown to pieces by two secondary magazine explosions. Constituição is destroyed simultaneously after being hit by thirty-two Thor missiles. Four São Paulo class cruisers and two frigates are now 37,000 kilometers from six Grendels and an unarmed Asgard class jump cruiser. Antares is falling astern but still just within weapon range. Brasil is out of railgun range and has reversed course to protect the troop transport as best she can.

Grendel begins to take railgun hits. The first volley is from the frigates and fails to penetrate. The follow-up five seconds later from the cruisers causes massive damage and she falls out of formation. Missiles are launched by Hrothgar, Unferth and Wealhtheow against União but only thirteen hit out of thirty and none penetrate the cruiser’s armour. Antares scores several strength-1 hits from long range that destroy Grendel’s remaining engine, leaving her dead in space. The frigates Aratu and Atalaia deliver the coup de grace. Five Grendels remain.

The range is 27,000 km/s and the Brazilian railguns strike Heorot with a devastating barrage of strength-3 hits, leaving her burning and dead in space. The defensive gauss cannon on the cruisers are also in range. Despite their limited power, they have a high rate of fire and begin blasting away at Hrothgar’s armour. Aratu and Atalaia destroy the crippled Heorot. Sceadugenga sends a single volley in response that damages an engine on União and causes the cruiser to fall out of formation. Another volley of railgun fire and Hrothgar explodes. Ulfhednar Bergstrasser, on board the jump cruiser Vanaheim, realises the battle is lost so he orders his three surviving cruisers to target the damaged troop transport. Even if the Brazilians win the battle, they cannot land on Vanaheim or Asgard without troops. He also orders the Centauri freighters, colony ships, terraformers and fuel harvesters to leave Asgard orbit and head for the Sol jump point directly, without jumping to Alpha Centauri-A. If they survive the trip they are to head for Mars.

Sceadugenga is next to die. Simultaneously Unferth and Wealhtheow launch a salvo of twenty Thor missiles at the Guaporé. Ulfhednar Bergstrasser gives his last three ships, including his own, the order to scatter, hoping the division of enemy forces will allow one of the Grendels to survive long enough to launch another salvo. While the scatter does cause some momentary confusion among the Brazilian forces, they split up and chase the Grendels, sending a single frigate after Vanaheim. Meanwhile the Centauri missiles arrive at the Brazilian troop transport, scoring nineteen hits. Amazingly the transport survives once again, although it is as good as destroyed. All the troop transport bays are wrecked, along with the fuel bunkers and all but one engine. The Brazilians will not be landing any ground forces on Centauri territory in the near future.

Both Grendels are quickly run down and destroyed. Unferth manages to launch five missiles but they lose tracking after her destruction. Vanaheim lasts a little longer but cannot escape and has no armament. Ulfhednar Bergstrasser refuses to surrender his ship and the Brazilians are forced to destroy it. He escapes in a life pod with sixty-five others from the crew. The Federation Navy now comprises the Tyr class escort cruiser Lokasenna and the jump cruiser Asgard. Lokasenna is recalled to protect the primary Centauri colony of Asgard, although she has little chance against the remaining Brazilian ships.

The Brazilian task group has only lost the cruiser Constituição but several other ships have serious damage, including both battlecruisers. The cruisers Independência, Júlio de Noronha and São Paulo and the frigates Aratu and Atalaia are all undamaged. The cruisers União and Brasil both have massive armour damage. The former has lost an engine while the latter has suffered significant internal damage. Almirante Maximiano has virtually no armour at all, serious internal damage and no fuel storage capacity, so she is currently dead in space. Antares has perhaps forty percent of her armour remaining and has lost all four gauss cannon turrets, two railguns, a fire control system and an engine. Contra-Almirante Rafaela Ferreira reorganises her force, deciding to send all the damaged ships home. While they can repair some of their damaged systems from their own resources, the armour damage requires a shipyard. The damaged ships are ordered to form a single squadron and to concentrate on repairing engines to speed their voyage home. Almirante Maximiano will need to repair her fuel storage first so that fuel can be transferred from another ship. The squadron will also pick up the life pods before leaving the battle area. The Guaporé class troop transport is dead in space and does not have sufficient engineering capability to repair an engine so the ship will have to be abandoned until such time as the Brazilian Navy has a tug that can tow the transport to a shipyard.

Contra-Almirante Ferreira transfers her flag from Almirante Maximiano to Independência and forms a second squadron with the five undamaged ships. Although she can no longer land ground troops, she has a sufficient force to cause havoc within the virtually undefended Alpha Centauri system. Her orders are not to target civilian shipping or commercial vessels, such as colony ships or fuel harvesters, unless absolutely necessary. Before her task group departed Earth, the intention of the Brazilian government was to eventually force a Centauri surrender and capture as much shipping as possible. Due to a shortage of ground forces the plan was to secure Vanaheim first and use that as a base to build up for an attack on Asgard. The ten infantry battalions lost on board the Guaporé represented the only available striking force. Only six garrison battalions remain on Earth to guard Brazilian territory. Four more infantry battalions are in training and should be available within three months. With no prospect of any offensive ground operations for at least three months, Brazil is faced with the prospect of a long war. Therefore, Contra-Almirante Ferreira seeks permission to destroy the naval shipyards in orbit of Asgard and to hunt down the any surviving Centauri warships. After some debate in the higher echelons of the Brazilian government, permission is granted.

The Centauri Federation is in a very difficult situation and requests assistance from the Martian Union. Mars has a single patrol ship in Alpha Centauri which is currently moving to protect Vanaheim, although her commander suspects it is a forlorn hope. Six patrol ships are guarding the Martian fuel harvesters against a squadron of three Brazilian frigates lurking in the moons of Uranus. The remaining seven patrol ships depart Mars orbit on course for the Alpha Centauri jump point. Mars has powerful orbital defences so the planet is safe against attack. Six of the fourteen orbital weapon platforms are Spiculum class, armed with the Apollo anti-ship missile, which has a range of two hundred and twenty million kilometres and is intended for interplanetary bombardment. Earth and Mars are on opposite sides of the Sun and currently three hundred and seventy-five million kilometers apart so any direct Martian retribution for the attack on the Centauri will not be possible for several months.

Twenty minutes after the battle, an offer of help arrives from a very unexpected source. The Japanese ambassador requests an urgent audience with the Centauri. He offers Japanese military assistance in exchange for two concessions. Firstly, permission for a Japanese colony on Vanaheim with full mining rights and no restrictions on military forces. Secondly, an agreement from the Centauri to withdraw from the rest of the Centauri chain, leaving it solely to the Japanese. The Centauri have only a single small colony outside of Alpha Centauri, on the inner planet of Delta Pavonis, so the Japanese offer that the colony can remain and may be visited by civilian traffic but no additional colony ships may visit. The Centauri are faced with the option of seeing their shipyards destroyed and having no ability to rebuild while the Brazilians conduct an eventual ground invasion or even carry out an orbital bombardment. In contrast, the Japanese terms are harsh but they preserve the Centauri Federation as a functioning state, along with its full industrial capacity and an ability to rebuild its military forces. The Alpha Centauri system is capable of sustaining the Federation for many years with no need for extra-system colonies so the restriction on exploration will affect the Centauri much less than the Earth-based nations. Therefore, despite considerable suspicion of the long-term motives of the Japanese, the Centauri agree to their terms.

The Japanese have a task group stationed at the Alpha Centauri – Luhman jump point, comprising three Akagi class missile cruisers, two Kongo class escort cruisers and five Kagero class destroyers. A sixth destroyer, Arashi, has been following the battle from relatively close range and is seven million kilometres from the damaged Brazilian ships. In Earth orbit are three more Akagis, three Kongos and four Kageros. A small Brazilian task group comprising a cruiser, two frigates and two jump frigates is also in Earth orbit. The problem for the Japanese is that the five intact Brazilian ships can reach both Vanaheim and Asgard long before any Japanese ships can intervene. The commander of the Combined Fleet, Kaigun Taisho Tagawa Masamura, decides the only way to prevent the Brazilian ships reaching their targets is to give them something more important to think about. He orders Arashi to close to within 200,000 kilometres of the damaged Japanese ships, which are spreading out to pick up life pods, and he puts the ships in Earth orbit on standby for a point-blank strike against the Brazilian task group. For now, the task group on the Luhman jump point remains in place to avoid giving any warning of Japanese intentions.

The damaged Brazilian ships have repairs underway. Almirante Maximiano has restored the integrity of one of her fuel bunkers and is mobile once again. As Arashi closes in Almirante Maximianorepairs her damaged engine, giving her a top speed of 4400 km/s. compared to 4000 km/s for the Japanese destroyer. The Japanese destroyer has an armament of four 15cm railguns and six 10cm railguns and her main armament has the same range as her larger Brazilian opponents. Arashi does have intact armour but that may no longer be sufficient if the Brazilians can choose the engagement range. Therefore Kaigun Taisho Tagawa orders her to back off but to keep the Brazilians on active sensors until reinforcements arrive. The Brazilians complete their rescue operation and the four damaged ships, Almirante Maximiano, Antares, União and Brasil, set course for the Sol jump point at 2933 km/s, the maximum speed of the latter three ships, with Arashi shadowing from a million kilometres. A Russian destroyer is a few million kilometers further away. The five intact ships, Independência, Júlio de Noronha, São Paulo, Aratu and Atalaia, are on course for the Alpha Centauri-A II Lagrange point.

Kaigun Taisho Tagawa waits eight hours to give the Brazilian more time to divide their forces. At 01:15 on June 16th 2108 he gives the order for his Earth-based task group to eliminate the Brazilian task group in orbit. All Japanese ships wait until every ship is ready to fire simultaneously to ensure maximum impact. Hosho, Ryujo and Soryu launch a total of forty-five Katana anti-ship missiles at the cruiser Jaceguai, Haruna, Hiei and Yamashiro launch sixty Wakazashi anti-missile missiles at the frigate Albardão while Hayashio, Isokaze, Maikaze and Natsushio open fire with railguns against the frigate Araçatuba. Two Tridente class jump frigates are not targeted by the first salvo as they are seen by the Japanese as the least effective Brazilian ships.

Araçatuba disintegrates under a hail of 15cm, and 10cm railgun fire from the four Japanese destroyers, which change their targeting to the Tridentes. The Brazilians desperately try to return fire as the first wave of missiles arrives. Albardão suffers significant armour damage from AMMs and loses one of her railguns. Jaceguai is simply obliterated by the heavy Japanese anti-ship missiles. The jump frigates Tridente and Tritão both take armour damage from 10cm railgun fire. Another wave of AMMs inflicts massive internal damage on Albardão, leaving the frigate with a single functioning railgun, then the Japanese destroyer recycle their 15cm railguns and both Tridente are blown to pieces. The destroyers’ secondary armament turns on Albardão and suddenly Earth’s skies are clear of Brazilian warships. Not a single shot was fired against the Japanese task group. Brazilian colony ships, freighters and tankers all break orbit, heading for the Bernard’s Star jump point. Japan issues an ultimatum to Brazil. Withdraw immediately from Alpha Centauri and cease all combat operations against the Centauri Federation and the Japanese Empire, or Japan will destroy all the Brazilian shipyards and commercial vessels.

The grand plans of the Brazilian government are suddenly in tatters. There is still no way for the Japanese to prevent the ships in Alpha Centauri from destroying the Centauri shipyards but that will not help Brazil if its own shipyards are destroyed and it has no way to invade Centauri territory. Plus the Japanese Navy is in a position to blockade the Sol – Alpha Centauri jump point and inflict huge losses on any Brazilian warships re-entering Sol. There is no choice but to accept the Japanese terms and find a way to exact revenge in the future. All Brazilian ships in Alpha Centauri are ordered to set course for the Sol jump point. The three Brazilian frigates threatening fuel harvesters at Uranus also head for home.

Japan has achieved a great victory with no loss of life and even appears to be a peacemaker rather than an aggressor. The problem of a rival for the Centauri Arm has been resolved, a colony closer to Earth can be created to speed up transportation of colonists and the mineral resources of Vanaheim will prove very useful. The Centauri Federation has been reduced to almost a client state of Japan and will be no threat in the short or medium term. The prime minister of Japan issues a statement on behalf of the Emperor, complimenting the Imperial Japanese Navy on its efforts to end war between human nations and highlighting that no further action has been taken against Brazil, beyond preventing its aggression against a peaceful neighbour.

Stunned by the swift destruction of the Brazilian squadron by the Japanese, the US Joint Chiefs of Staff become very concerned that, given the tension between the United States and the Caliphate, the Caliphate may disperse its forces to avoid a similar attack. Therefore, they abandon their planned timetable and order the task groups in orbit of Earth and Eta Cassiopeiae to begin combat operations immediately. This hasty attack causes a number of problems for the US-German alliance. Half the Caliphate forces in Eta Cassiopeiae are still en route to the planet and not in sensor range of the US task group in orbit of Eta Cassiopeiae-A III. Therefore the strike can only target the Caliphate ships already at the planet. Germany does not yet have its forces in place to move against Medina, although it can contribute to the battle in Earth orbit.

In Earth orbit five Shiloh class heavy cruisers, Antietam, Appomattox, Chancellorsville, Chickamauga and Vicksburg, each target a Mersin class FAC carrier. The Shilohs are armed with ten launchers for RGM-1 Sabre anti-ship missiles, each one of which has a strength-9 warhead. Given what is known of the Mersins they are unlikely to have more than minimal armour. Three more Mersins are each targeted by a pair of Spruance class destroyers while the three Ticonderoga class escort cruisers, Bunker Hill, Lexington and Yorktown, all target the ninth Mersin. Almost fifty independent fast attack craft are not targeted in the first salvo. They will be engaged as soon as the primary targets are eliminated. German ships will also begin firing as soon as possible after the initial US strike. As it would be difficult to coordinate the exact timing of multi-nation attack, the plan is for the far more powerful US Navy task group to fire first rather than risk a smaller German attack alerting the Caliphate.

The Spruance class destroyers fire first, destroying the FAC carriers Abdul-Aziz and Al-Farouq and crippling Khalid, with the latter’s FACs destroyed in their hangar bays. Moments later the first American missiles arrive, destroying Badr and Al-Yarmook and inflicting massive damage on Abha, Hitteen, Tabuk and Taif. Only five Ashdod class FAC make it out from the wreckage of their hangar bays. All US Navy ships begin targeting the independent FACs, ignoring the unarmed carriers. In Earth orbit the Caliphate has fifteen Ashdod class FACs armed with Scimitar anti-ship missiles, twenty-seven Matrah class with twin 10cm meson cannon and ten Mecca class with a single 15cm meson cannon. Most of the FACs destroyed in the hangar bays of the nine Mersin class carriers were Ashdods.

The Spruance class destroyers only have a single fire control system, so their powerful broadside of eight 15cm lasers can only be directed against a single target. Against FACs that represents massive overkill. Ten seconds after their attack on the carrier the destroyers annihilate six Ashdod class FACs. The Caliphate is already starting to respond. Four Meccas open fire on Oldendorf, scoring three hits. Three fail to cause damage but the fourth disables a laser. Three Ashdods launch a total of forty-eight missiles. Fletcher takes ten hits from the 10cm meson cannon of the Matrahs and loses her fire control system and one of her lasers. The fragility of the single fire control means the destroyer is out of the fight. The senior US commander, Rear Admiral Napoleon Pilsner, orders the destroyer to head for Lalande then orders the rest of his command to follow, trying to open the range against the deadly meson-armed FACs. The US crews are inexperienced and the orders will take some time to put into effect.

The destroyer Spruance suffers fourteen strength-4 hits from Caliphate missiles, which punch through her armour and take out her fire control and a laser. Two US destroyers are now out of the fight after suffering relatively minor damage. The lone fire control is proving to be a serious design flaw. Fletcher is hit again, losing half of her lasers. AMMs from the Ticonderogas destroy two Ashdods and cripple a third. The four combat capable destroyers fire again and four more Ashdods die. Oldendorf takes four hits from mesons and becomes the third destroyer to lose its fire control. American laser firepower is down by half since the start of the battle. Realising that Fletcher and Oldendorf have ceased firing, the Caliphate FACs choose new targets. RIM-2A Stiletto missiles from Bunker Hill, Lexington and Yorktown damage three Matrah class FACs. The five Shiloh class cruiser have a fifty second reload time and are still only halfway through that cycle. The destroyer Moosbrugger is hit several times by Mecca class FACs and loses a laser and her active sensor. Her sister ship Nicholson is battered by a large number of Matrah class FACs that disable an engine, a laser, three reactors and her active sensor. Despite the initial success, the battle is not going well for the US Navy with over thirty meson-armed FACs still in action. The Matrah in particular is proving to be a deadly opponent with twin 10cm meson cannon firing every five seconds.

Germany finally makes an entrance thirty seconds after start of the battle. The battlecruisers Derfflinger and Scharnhorst launch a total of twenty-four anti-ship missiles at four Matrah class FACs. The frigate Hannover launches ten AMMs while the lightly-armed jump cruisers Konigsberg and Nurnberg launch a further four missiles between them. Prinz Eugen, a laser armed frigate, is a new ship with an inexperienced crew and has yet to join the battle. The German attack destroys five Matrahs and cripples a sixth. The last Ashdod and another Matrah are destroyed by Moosbrugger and Peterson. The Ashdod launched before it was destroyed and Spruance suffers another twelve missile hits. Her armour is mostly destroyed and she loses two more lasers. Nicholson takes crippling damage from heavy meson fire and is left dead in space, her engines destroyed and her two lasers unable to fire due to lack of fire control. Moosbrugger also takes damage, losing an engine and another laser but she is still in the fight. Peterson is the only undamaged US destroyer.

The Ticonderogas launch another volley, destroying two Matrahs and damaging a third. The Matrahs return fire against Peterson, inflicting massive damage including five lasers and her fire control. Moosbrugger takes further damage and she too has her fire control knocked out. All six of the US destroyers are now out of the fight with varying degrees of damage. Fifteen Matrah class FACs and ten Meccas are still intact with several more damaged. The greatest problem for the USA and Germany is that their major warships are slow-firing and are now facing rapid-firing FACs at very close range.

The German frigate Hannover destroys a Matrah with a salvo of Adler anti-missile missiles. Peterson and Moosbrugger take further damage. As all the US destroyers seemed to have ceased fire, the remaining Matrahs target Bunker Hill and the Meccas target Hannover. Bunker Hill takes damage to an engine, a missile launcher, three magazines and her active sensor but she is still combat capable. Hannover suffers only minor damage. Return fire from the Ticonderogas damages three Matrahs. The German frigate Prinz Eugen finally joins the battle, eviscerating a Matrah with eight 15cm lasers.

The US and German ships suddenly pull away from Earth and the Caliphate FACs are slow to respond due to their own inexperienced crews, even though the Caliphate commander, Vizier Abdul-Mujid Amin, has already ordered his ships to follow any US ships moving away from the planet. A volley of missiles from Hannover destroys another Matrah. Hannover is struck by return fire, taking six hits from Mecca class FACs,. The last of the six triggers a secondary magazine explosion which itself causes two further magazine explosions. Hannover vanishes in a ball of flame. The sudden departure of the allied force takes it outside the 30,000 kilometre range of the Matrahs so Bunker Hill takes no further damage.

The five Shiloh class cruisers complete their reload cycle and prepare to open fire, each one targeting two of the remaining Matrahs. Unfortunately, in the confusion of battle, only those launchers assigned to the primary fire controls are activated, leaving half the missiles still in their launchers. The twenty-five Sabres that do launch are accompanied by the latest salvo of forty-four AMMs from the Ticonderogas. Seeing the allied forces pull away and the incoming wave of missiles, Vizier Amin orders his surviving ships to target whatever enemy ships are within range. Seven Matrahs are blown to pieces by the US missiles and an eighth damaged. Prinz Eugen picks off another. The Caliphate meson cannon strike the slow-moving Peterson, destroying the ship, and inflict further damage on Moosbrugger.

Antietam and Chancellorsville sort out their fire control issues and two more Matrahs die. The other three heavy cruisers still have fifteen ready launchers between them but in their haste to sort out the problem they have caused their fire controls to reset causing further delays. Three Mecca class FACs are hit by AMMs from the Ticonderogas but survive. Scharnhorst and Derfflinger reload and send a new wave of twenty-four Astra Anti-ship missiles toward the FACs now pursuing the allied force, killing three Meccas and damaging a fourth. The jump cruisers Konigsberg and Nurnberg pick off the sole Hebron class FAC – assumed to be some form of sensor platform. Moosbrugger is hit again as she is slower than the chasing FACs and is left dead in space with all engines destroyed.

Appomattox and Chickamauga launch their missiles and destroy a Mecca and a Matrah. Bunker Hill cripples the last mobile Matrah. Six crippled Matrah remain but they are out of range of all allied ships except Moosbrugger, which is unable to move further from Earth and continues to take sporadic fire. One Mecca is still underway and four more are crippled. Two Ashdod are intact but have launched their missiles. The damaged carriers and four ammunition transports are heading away from Earth at their best speed. The battle has been vicious and bloody but is now reaching its conclusion. Vicksburg is the last US cruiser to resolve its fire control problems and takes out the mobile Mecca.

The Shiloh class heavy cruisers and the German battlecruisers cease fire to assess the situation. Bunker Hill, Lexington, Yorktown and Prinz Eugen continue firing, picking off the remaining crippled FACs with AMMs and lasers. Less than a minute after the cruisers cease fire, there are no Caliphate FACs left in the Sol system. Two US heavy cruisers and the two German battlecruisers resume fire, targeting the ammunition transports which blow up spectacularly from a single salvo each. The Ticonderogas target the Mersins while Prinz Eugen moves in to eliminate a FAC Tender still in Earth orbit. Within a few minutes every combat-related Caliphate vessel has been destroyed. A large number of wrecks, including those from the Japan – Brazil engagement, are floating in Earth orbit or scattered across nearby space. Allied losses include the German frigate Hannover and the American destroyer Peterson. The escort cruiser Bunker Hill and the five surviving Spruance class all have varying degrees of damage.

Simultaneously with the action in Sol, the US Navy task group in Eta Cassiopeiae engages the Caliphate forces in that system. The American task group in orbit of Eta Cassiopeiae-A III includes the heavy cruiser Shiloh, the escort cruisers Valley Forge and White Plains and the destroyers John Rogers and Kinkaid. The Caliphate has two Mersin class FAC carriers in orbit, along with a Mosul class FAC tender and an ammunition transport. Both Mersins are destroyed by the opening US salvo without any chance to launch their fast attack craft. The three US missile combatants cease fire while John Rogers and Kinkaid target and destroy the FAC tender and the transport.

The Caliphate has several other ships in Eta Cassiopeiae. Two Mersin class FAC carriers, Al-Medinah and Dammam, transporting nine Ashdod, one Hebron, one Matrah and one Mecca, are one point two billion kilometres from Eta Cassiopeiae-A III. Two hundred and fifty million kilometres further in-system is a troop transport with six battalions of Janissaries while in the opposite direction, heading toward the EV Lacerte jump point, are eight freighters that have recently unloaded mines at the Caliphate colony in the system. Two Dubai class geological survey ships are also in Eta Cassiopeiae, one surveying the planets of the B component and one midway between the two stars. The troop transport immediately reverses its heading and sets course for the jump point to EV Lacerte. One of the survey ships does the same. The other is ordered to investigate an unexplored jump point in Eta Cassiopeiae, which was detected by observing a US transit. The FAC carriers engage their active sensors, which have a limited range of sixty million kilometres, to check for any nearby hostile ships. Detecting nothing, they launch their FACs toward the planet, then disengage sensors and set an evasive course. A single deep space tracking station deployed by the United States on Eta Cassiopeiae-A III, detects the short burst of sensor activity but the US squadron cannot leave the planet without endangering the US colony on the surface. Instead, they prepare for a Caliphate counterattack.

In Medina, the Caliphate has the FAC carrier Hofouf with one Hebron and five Ashdod embarked plus a FAC Tender in orbit of the Caliphate colony. Eleven colony ships are heading to the planet from the WX Ursae Majoris jump point. Seven fuel harvesters and another FAC Tender are in WX Ursae Majoris. After hearing the news from Sol they set course for the Medina jump point to seek protection from one of the few Caliphate military forces remaining, as do the terraformers in Sigma Draconis two jumps from Medina. Two troop transports en route to Eta Cassiopeiae are in the 61 Cygni system. They change course for the Manchu jump point, intending to head back to Sol via Proxima rather than Barnard’s Star.

In Sol, the United States and Germany have eliminated all opposition. They demand the immediate unconditional surrender of the Caliphate. The Caliph and his advisors are well aware the situation is grim. Not only has the bulk of their navy been destroyed, but they have committed almost all their ground forces to the operation in Eta Cassiopeiae. Seventeen battalions of Janissaries are still on troop transports and would make a significant difference if they could return to Earth. There is no way that can happen though with US and German warships in orbit. However, there are still active naval forces in Eta Cassiopeiae and Medina, despite being of limited capability, and there is still the possibility of assistance from other nations. The Caliph ignores the demand to surrender and begins to contact the leaders of the other major powers. The German frigate Prinz Eugen begins to systematically destroy the Caliphate shipyards.

Although the other major powers are not allies of the Caliphate, nor do they even have particularly friendly relations, some are concerned about a possible shift in the balance of power if the United States and Germany gain the total assets of the Caliphate. Russia, and Japan in particular are concerned about the United States while France does not want to see a major improvement in the fortunes of her long-time rival Germany. A joint communique is sent from those three governments to Washington and Berlin stating their concern about any major ground assault on Caliphate territory on Earth and requesting a cease-fire to allow negotiations. As Prinz Eugen has now completed the destruction of the Caliphate shipyards and there is nothing in space left to shoot at, Germany and United States agree to a ceasefire in Sol only.

Within twenty-four hours a peace conference is convened that includes representatives of every major nation and is hosted by the United Kingdom as a relatively neutral observer. The debate is complicated by the Caliphate releasing details of the alien race on Eta Cassiopeiae-A III, something of which even Germany was unaware. Although Russia and Japan both demand access to the aliens, the only known access route is through the Avalon Arm and the United Kingdom has announced that due to the recent widespread combat in Sol, Alpha Centauri and Eta Cassiopeiae, which represents a clear and present danger to its colonies and those of Australia and Canada, the Commonwealth nations are claiming the Avalon Arm and will no longer permit the forces of other nations to enter, with the exception of US commercial vessels due to an existing agreement. As the route through US territory to Eta Cassiopeiae is only known to the United States, this effectively cuts off the Eben from all other human powers, unless they want to fight their way through the Commonwealth naval forces and the United States Navy. Brazil is particularly incensed as it has two colonies within the Avalon Arm. The conference representative from the UK points out that Brazil is guilty of unprovoked aggression against the Centauri Federation and therefore it cannot be permitted to threaten Commonwealth colonies. The United Kingdom plans to annex the Brazilian colony on Novo Rio at the earliest convenient time.

The peace conference is fractious to say the least, with the representatives from the United States and Germany stating that they are content to eliminate the Caliphate industry by orbital bombardment if other nations are concerned about the balance of power. Russia, Japan and France are not entirely sure if the allies are serious but are much less interested in fighting to prevent the destruction of Caliphate assets rather than fighting to prevent them falling into US and German hands. Even so, they would prefer to avoid the environmental impact if possible. The Caliphate itself becomes rather more amenable to a peaceful resolution once it becomes obvious Russia, Japan and France are reluctant to support them in such circumstances. Eventually, a compromise is reached that allows the Caliphate to continue as a functioning state, albeit with significantly reduced power, gives the United States and Germany sufficient reward for their dominating position and does not alter the balance of power to the point where other nations feel it would be in their long-term interests to intervene. The main points of the settlement as are follows:

1)   The Caliphate population on Earth will be left intact and can rebuild its shipyards
2)   The remaining Caliphate military forces, troop transports and survey vessels may return to Earth by the shortest route possible. A troop transport may be sent to recover the Janissaries on Eta Cassiopeiae. The Commonwealth nations will permit this movement through their territory.
3)   All civilian shipping and the civilian mining complex on Hesperia in the Sol system will remain with the Caliphate.
4)   All Caliphate assets in Eta Cassiopeiae, the mining colony on the comet Faye in Sol and the fuel harvesters in WX Ursae Majoris will pass to the United States
5)   All Caliphate assets in Medina or anywhere within German-controlled territory will pass to Germany. Germany will transport an occupying forces to the Caliphate colony.

In essence, this means the Caliphate will retain 90% of its population, all its research facilities, ordnance factories and fuel refineries and almost all its manned mining complexes. The main losses are in automated mines, construction factories and commercial shipping. Thirty-eight automated mines are on Faye and a total of thirty-six more are deployed on two moons in Medina. One hundred and five construction factories are on Medina, leaving two hundred and thirty-one on Earth.

The United States has achieved its primary war aim of securing the Eta Cassiopeiae system and removed the Caliphate as a potential competing power in the American Arm. In addition, it has gained eight Beirut class freighters, seven Muara class fuel harvesters and thirty-eight automated mines. Troops will occupy the small Caliphate colony on Eta Cassiopeiae-A III. In many ways, Germany has perhaps gained the most from the brief conflict. The occupation of Medina-A II will remove the most immediate threat to the established German colonies in WX Ursae Majoris, Neu Brandenburg and Neu Bayern and will remove the threat standing astride the gateway to explored German territories beyond. In time, if the colony can be assimilated,  Germany will add sixty million citizens to its population. While the colony planet lacks mineral resources, there are thirty-six automated mines in the Medina system that can be moved to the German mining colony on the twelfth moon of Neu Bayern-B III, two transits away. Germany also gains six Shiraz class terraformers and eleven Jiddah class colony ships, which will speed up its colonization efforts considerably. The hundred construction factories on Medina will be useful in the long-term but it will take some time to transport them to locations that have a sufficient manufacturing population.

Another after-effect of the First Colonial War is that several nations follow the example of Russia and the Commonwealth powers in claiming areas of space as sovereign territory. The United States claims DX Cancri and all systems beyond, although this leaves its primary colony of Columbia in neutral space. This is unavoidable as Germany, France and Argentina all have to pass through the Lalande system. Japan claims all systems of the Centauri Arm beyond Alpha Centauri, which creates borders at the Alpha Centauri – Luhman, Proxima – Gliese 682 and Kyokai – WISE 0811-8051 jump points. The Proxima – Gliese 682 connection is to protect Kyoto, which is a cul-de-sac system adjacent to Gliese 682. Gliese 682 connect to Luhman, another border system, which in turn connects to the primary Japanese colony in Edo. The third border connection is between the Centauri and Russo-Manchurian Arms. So far this has been respected by Russia but not by Manchuria. Whether Japan will take issue with any further Manchurian traffic through this system remains to be seen. Finally, Germany claims all territory beyond Medina and Neu Brandenburg. These systems are connected to each other and to the adjacent neutral systems of WX Ursae Majoris and Wolf 358 systems respectively. The four systems form the corners of an interlinked square.

Other powers are more wary. Manchuria cannot claim the area of space that contains its primary colony as that would cut off Russia from its colonies, with predictable results. Based on a lack of traffic from other nations near its colonies, France does not believe such a move is necessary while Argentina is not yet in a position to defend any claimed territory. Brazil, the Caliphate and the Centauri Federation effectively have no colonies outside their home system, although Brazil is still disputing the recent UK statement regarding Novo Rio and the small colony in V1581 Cygni. The Martian Union is content to remain on the defensive.

One of the major long-term ramifications of the war is the reaction to the revelations regarding the Eben, a sentient, contemporary alien race, albeit at a relatively low tech level. Alien ruins, drifting wrecks and ancient jump gates heralded the presence of aliens in the distant past and changed mankind’s view of its place in the universe. Live aliens in the here and now present a completely different situation; one that includes the potential for higher tech, aggressive aliens attacking human colonies. All nations begin to think in terms of rivals or enemies beyond the current bounds of known space.
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on December 13, 2015, 10:08:14 AM
First Colonial War - Lessons

Several nations observed the battle in Alpha Centauri and almost all nations witnessed the battles in Earth orbit. Analysis from the military intelligence agencies of each nation produced several similar conclusions. Most importantly, in a situation where one force surprises another at close range, the side that fires first has a huge, almost overwhelming advantage. Unfortunately, the obvious strategy derived from that conclusion was to always fire first, which only increased tensions in Earth orbit. In an effort to avoid a situation where they would be forced to attack any nation that posed even a possible threat, several powers made plans to base the bulk of their naval forces away from Earth, either at a major colony or elsewhere in the Sol system.

A second lesson was that taking lightly armoured and slow troop transports into harm’s way was dangerous for the transport and placed significant restrictions on the flexibility of the warships responsible for protecting the transport. With that mind, shipwrights of different nationalities began to consider designs for well-protected and fast planetary assault vessels. The Centauri attack on the Brazilian fleet gave a startling example of the effectiveness of massed energy-based point defence, even against an opponent with a strong offensive missile capability, while the subsequent close-range missile attack showed that such point defence could be circumvented by missile combatants willing to close to energy ranges. A further lesson from the engagement was that energy-armed fleets needed weapons with sufficient range to prevent a missile fleet taking advantage of a zone outside their energy weapon range, yet within the range at which missiles could strike without being engaged by point defence. Finally, several mistakes were during the engagements by ships with inexperienced crews. The value of fleet training exercises became apparent.
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on December 13, 2015, 10:54:21 AM
Argentina - 14th July 2109

Colonies
Earth: 139.1m
Díaz de Solís (Alpha Centauri): 18.4m
Sancti Spiritu (Procyon): 0.31m
Tucumán (Tau-6 Eridani): 0.25m
Rio de la Plata (Gl 231.2): 0.22m

Mining Colonies
Alpha Centauri-B V - Moon 5: 11x Automated Mine

Since the end of the First Colonial War, Argentina has adopted a more cautious attitude to colonization, concentrating on expanding the Díaz de Solís colony in Alpha Centauri rather than mounting further expeditions along the Procyon chain. The first ion-engined Argentine colony ship, the Gomez Roca II, was completed in April 2109. At 39,650 tons it was one third larger than the four units of the original Gomez Roca class and its 80,000 cryogenic berths increased Argentina’s total colonist transport capacity by forty percent. In the past, Díaz de Solís was seen as only a stop-gap due to the potential threat from the Centauri Federation, which resented the presence of the Argentine colonists. With the virtual destruction of the Federation Navy and a strong Japanese presence in Alpha Centauri, the colony became a better prospect. In fact, the Centauri-Argentine relationship is improving significantly as Brazil was the aggressor in the recent conflict and Argentina remains a long-term rival of Brazil.

In March 2109 Argentina launched Guerrico, the first member of the ion-engined Capayan II destroyer class. The ship is essentially a Capayan I with the four Vaca-Casillas VC-80 Nuclear Pulse Engines replaced by a pair of Vaca-Casillas VC-240 Ion Drives. Guerrico is equipped with a new anti-ship missile, the Vega-2, which also uses ion-technology. Compared to the older ships Guerrico has a fifty percent speed advantage, although due to the more expensive components the expected maintenance life has fallen to a little under one point five years. One of the existing Capayans is undergoing a refit to the new design.

**************************************************************************************

Capayan II class Destroyer    6,400 tons     163 Crew     890.52 BP      TCS 128  TH 480  EM 0
3750 km/s     Armour 3-30     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/12/0/0     Damage Control Rating 2     PPV 24
Maint Life 1.44 Years     MSP 174    AFR 163%    IFR 2.3%    1YR 92    5YR 1381    Max Repair 120 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 5 months    Spare Berths 0   
Magazine 312   

Vaca-Casillas VC-240 Ion Drive (2)    Power 240    Fuel Use 64%    Signature 240    Exp 10%
Fuel Capacity 500,000 Litres    Range 22.0 billion km   (67 days at full power)

Vega Engineering Company M3 Missile Launcher (8)    Missile Size 3    Rate of Fire 30
Medina-Casárez MC-70F Missile Fire Control (2)     Range 70.5m km    Resolution 150
Vega-2 Anti-ship Missile (104)  Speed: 21,000 km/s   End: 93.2m    Range: 117.5m km   WH: 4    Size: 3    TH: 70/42/21

Medina-Casárez MC70 Active Search Sensor (1)     GPS 14400     Range 70.5m km    Resolution 150
Medina-Casárez EM-12 Passive Detection Sensor (1)     Sensitivity 12     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  12m km

**************************************************************************************

In addition to the ships mentioned above Argentina has launched a fifth fuel harvester and two more of the very capable San Martin class geological survey ships, both of which are surveying in the Procyon chain. The first two units of the Rio Negro class, a gravitational survey equivalent of the San Martin, are under construction. Argentina maintains a healthy civilian shipping sector with twenty-six vessels totalling one point three million tons.

Argentina’s main challenges are economic. Fuel continues to be an issue, even with five fuel harvesters in orbit of Uranus, while falling mineral accessibilities on Earth (including Duranium 0.76, Gallicite 0.26) are limiting production. Deposits of Uridium have been completely exhausted. Eleven automated mines have been moved to a moon of Alpha Centauri-B V and further conversion of mines to automation is planned. Wealth is still a problem and debts are affecting Argentine productivity, The priority for the coming months and years is to stabilize the economy and to continue moving colonists off-world to avoid the growing environmental problems on Earth.
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on December 13, 2015, 12:04:23 PM
Australia – 19th July 2109

Colonies
Earth: 125.4m
Avalon: 82.1m
Pendragon: 10.8m

Mining Colonies
Pendragon Asteroid #27: 18x AM
Tempel-Tuttle (Sol): 3x CMC

In the year following the First Colonial War Australia concentrated all its efforts on moving important assets to the rapidly growing colony on Avalon. The Hercules class tug on loan from the United Kingdom completed the transfer of all Australian shipyards to Avalon in July 2108 and returned to UK service. Australian freighters continually shuttled between Earth and Avalon and by mid-2109 every manned mining complex, construction factory, fuel refinery and maintenance facility had been moved to Avalon, which became the primary Australian naval base. Two research facilities were transported to Avalon but the rest remained on Earth, along with ordnance factories and ground force training facilities. The colony on Pendragon has passed the ten million mark and an Australian warship is now permanently stationed in orbit.

The outbreak of hostilities in Sol, Alpha Centauri and other systems involving six different powers (seven if Martian intentions could have been transformed into action) made the dangers of retaining key assets on Earth obvious to all. While Australia and Canada were already moving settlers and mining complexes to Avalon before the war, the conflict speeded up the process and expanded its scope. The war also pushed the three Commonwealth nations even closer together than before, leading them to close the borders of the Avalon Arm and to carry out a trilateral technology exchange.

The United Kingdom provided technical details of magneto-plasma drives and stellarator reactors in exchange for a range of railgun-related technologies. Australia passed on jump drive technology, gravitational sensors and engine modifications to Canada and in return received various missile-based technologies. The most immediate use of the new technologies was to develop a commercial magneto-plasma drive for a new generation of colony ships. A new engine for the Melbourne class destroyers, the fourth unit of which was launched in July 2108, is under development. Other new Australian construction includes a fuel harvester and the first two Kanimbla class troop transports.

The initial impetus for an Australian colony on Avalon was a struggling economy and a lack of Gallicite. Those problems are now largely solved. Although the economy is still in debt, there is a budget surplus and Australian wealth will soon be back in positive territory. Fuel, which was a significant problem for several years, is now relatively plentiful. Eight Collins class fuel harvesters are in orbit of Barnard’s Star VIII and forty refineries are in operation on Avalon. Mineral stockpiles are still small but growing with seventy-seven manned mines on Avalon, eight more on the Pendragon colony and eighteen automated mines on an asteroid in the Pendragon system.

The strategic priority now for Australia is to move all remaining assets to Avalon where they will be safe from any future outbreaks of violence in Sol. While expansion beyond Avalon will not happen in the immediate future, two jump-capable Adelaide class geosurvey vessels are active in the Avalon Arm and will soon by joined by a third sister ship and the first Australian gravitational survey vessel. Relations with Canada and the United Kingdom are excellent and the foreign and domestic policies of the Commonwealth nations are closely aligned. A military alliance is in place and further technology exchanges are very likely. Given that the major colonies of the three nations are generally on the same planets, the first discussions are underway regarding a more permanent structure at the Commonwealth level.
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on December 13, 2015, 07:11:57 PM
Brazil – 27th July 2109

Colonies
Earth: 390m
Astoria (WX Ursae Majoris): 1m
YZ Ceti-A II: 0.59m

Mining Colonies
Stephen-Oterma (Sol): 32x AM
Herschel-Rigollet (Sol): 3x CMC

Despite the great success of the Brazilian Navy against the Centauri Federation in the Battle of Alpha Centauri, the overall campaign to expand the Brazilian colonial empire ended in disastrous defeat. Japanese warships launched a surprise attack in Earth orbit that resulted in the destruction of a São Paulo class cruiser, two Almirante Sabóia frigates and both Tridente class jump frigates, adding to the loss of the cruiser Constituição in Alpha Centauri. With their shipyards helpless under Japanese guns, the victorious Brazilian warships had no option but to accede to Japanese blackmail and return home without completing their mission. To make matters worse, many major units of the Brazilian ground forces were lost in the destruction of the troop transport accompanying the main battle fleet, leaving only a small force to guard Brazilian possessions on Earth.

The first post-war priority for Brazil was to consolidate its forces and ensure the safety of its industrial base. Three Almirante Sabóia class frigates had been dispatched to Uranus to provide a threat against Martian fuel harvesters intended to prevent any Martian intervention. Those were the first ships to return home, arriving on June 23rd 2108. Six days later the battle fleet returned from Alpha Centauri, although several ships were damaged, including both battlecruisers. Repairs were finally completed in mid-September 2108, giving the Brazilian Navy in Sol a strength of two Antares class battlecruisers, five cruisers and five frigates.

The subsequent actions of the United Kingdom added new indignities to Brazil. A pair of UK salvage ships completed the salvage of Caliphate wrecks that resulted from the brief war between the Caliphate and the United States then moved on to the Brazilian wrecks in Earth orbit. Brazil protested but did not have the technology or ships to complete the salvage and was in no position to fight the Royal Navy and its Commonwealth allies. Ultimately, Brazil could do nothing but watch as its ships were pulled apart in the search for intact components and technological data.

The Commonwealth nations also claimed the Avalon Arm following the First Colonial War and announced they would not allow ships from any other power to enter, with the exception of US commercial traffic, and would eventually annex the Brazilian colonies within the Arm. As those colonies were relatively minor and Brazil was considered guilty of unprovoked aggression, no other power was prepared to support it against the Commonwealth. On October 16th 2108 four Tribal class destroyers entered the Kruger 60 system and confronted a Brazilian frigate at the Novo Rio colony. The frigate was ordered to leave immediately and proceed back down the Avalon Arm to Sol. With no chance of prevailing against the four Royal Navy warships, the frigate commander complied and headed home. United Kingdom ground forces arrived on November 4th to secure the colony. No Brazilian ground units were in place on Novo Rio so the takeover was swift and casualty-free. The colony had a population of thirty million plus nineteen construction factories. Eleven Brazilian civilian freighters in orbit of Novo Rio also surrendered and were taken as prizes by the United Kingdom. Subsequent United Kingdom ground operations secured eight automated mines on the sixth moon of Kruger 60-B VII, eight more on GJ-1253 II, a civilian mining complex on Kruger 60-A III and a small colony of 240,000 in the V1581 Cygni system. A garrison unit on the civilian mining colony refused to surrender and it took UK ground forces three weeks to subdue the resistance. By the end of January 2109 there was no longer any Brazilian presence in the Avalon Arm.

With the litany of disasters apparently at an end, Brazil began to look outwards once again, seeking new colony sites. However due to a series of territorial claims by several powers, the choices were becoming increasingly limited. The Commonwealth claimed the entire Avalon Arm while Japan claimed the Centauri Arm beyond the Alpha Centauri system. In the American Arm, the United States claimed everything beyond the Lalande – DX Cancri jump point, Germany claimed all territory beyond the WX Ursae Majoris – Medina and Wolf 358 – Neu Brandenburg jump points and France, while not explicitly claiming territory, would obviously not welcome a Brazilian presence in New France or the systems further out. That still left a chain of systems that led to Procyon, where Argentina was known to have a colony. Brazil had not explored beyond Procyon but that remained a possibility.

In the Russo-Manchurian Arm, Russia claimed territory beyond the TZ Arietis – WISE 0254+0223 and Teegarden’s Star – Epsilon Eridani jump points while in January 2109 Manchuria announced a claim on Gliese 1 and all systems beyond. A chain of unclaimed systems remained running through the centre of the Russo-Manchurian Arm from Sol via Proxima, Manchu, Novaya Rodina, TZ Arietis and Teegarden’s Star. Although one jump point in Teegarden’s Star led to Russian-claimed territory the other two outward jump points connected to Tau Ceti and YZ Ceti, the former with a colony cost 1.37 world and the latter with a colony cost 2.56 world plus some potential mineral sites. The Brazilian leadership decided to avoid placing all its eggs in one basket and established small colonies in both YZ Ceti and on Astoria, a planet in WX Ursae Majoris that was already home to colonies from France, German and the United States. No nation had ever laid claim to Astoria as the planet lacked an atmosphere and had no mineral deposits. It did provide a convenient waypoint for further exploration and expansion. Brazilian survey ships concentrated on the Russo-Manchurian Arm.

Even with its losses the Brazilian Navy remained a capable force. That capability was boosted by the launch of the third Antares class battlecruiser on June 2nd 2109, restoring some of the combat power lost against the Japanese and Centauri. Brazil would be in difficulty against the major powers, unless it could achieve some form of strategic and tactical surprise, but would still be capable of defeating several of the smaller powers. Despite the failure of their last endeavour, some within the Brazilian leadership still believe that Brazil can attain its goals through military power. For now though, they are prepared to bide their time. In addition to the Antares, since the end of the war Brazilian shipyards have built a Rio de Janeiro class gravitational survey vessel, a colony ship and the first two Brazilian fuel harvesters.

The Brazilian economy remains weak due to a lack of fuel and Gallicite. The new fuel harvesters will begin to address the former but the latter needs new sources of minerals or additional automated mines. Unfortunately the Brazilian construction factories are still producing maintenance facilities to cope with the 15,000 ton Antares class battlecruisers. That process is likely to be completed in October 2109. Wealth is also an issue with the overall economy still in debt and affecting productivity, plus the crippling of the civilian sector due to the ships surrendered at Novo Rio. Only six civilian ships are in service. Fixing the economy and building up new colonies are the short-term priorities. Increasing military strength is still important though and a fourth Antares has recently been laid down.

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/Brazil_July2109.PNG)
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on December 20, 2015, 05:12:04 PM
The Caliphate - 16th August 2109

Colonies
Earth: 487m

Mining Colonies
Hesperia (Sol): 2x CMC

Of all the nations involved in the First Colonial War, the Caliphate suffered the greatest losses. The surprise attack by the United States and Germany destroyed all Sol-based military forces and all Caliphate shipyards. Germany captured the Caliphate’s primary colony on Medina-A II, along with a hundred construction factories, plus two mining colonies in the same system with a total of thirty-six automated mines. The United States captured the small Caliphate colony in Eta Cassiopeiae, ending any chances of the Caliphate conquering the pre-industrial alien race on the same planet, and the mining colony on the comet Faye in the Sol system. Every colony ship, freighter, fuel harvester or terraformer was captured by either Germany or the United States. Essentially, the Caliphate was reduced to its possessions on the surface of Earth, plus what military and commercial shipping could be salvaged from the disaster.

As part of the peace treaty with Germany and the United States, those naval and ground forces still in Eta Cassiopeiae and Medina were allowed to return to Earth as the core of a new, greatly-reduced Caliphate military. On August 3rd 2108 the Caliphate established a base on Icarus, a near-Earth asteroid. As Icarus took twelve percent longer than Earth to orbit the Sun, this created a fleet base that was safe from the type of surprise attack that devastated the Caliphate navy. By September 12th, the three surviving Mersin class FAC carriers, Al-Medinah, Dammam and Hofouf, were at Icarus, along with eighteen FACs comprising one Matrah, one Mecca, two Hebron and fourteen Ashdods. All Caliphate ground forces were back on Earth by February 10th 2109, making the Earth-based holdings relatively safe from a ground invasion as long as any attacking force did not use planetary bombardment against the defenders. Other surviving forces included three troop transports and the six Dubai class survey ships, all of which were recalled to Earth.

With their position weakened but consolidated, the Caliphate leadership began to plan for the future once again. An immediate requirement was new shipyards, the first of which was constructed in early April 2109. Even so, building up shipyard capacity  to any reasonable size would require several years. With that in mind, the Caliphate began research into orbital habitats. These could be built using construction factories rather than shipyards and then towed to their destination. A tug would be a high priority once the first new commercial shipyard reached a reasonable size. The availability of orbital habitats would also solve the problem of finding suitable new colony sites, as they could be used to provide living space for colonists in orbit of planets which were useless to other nations. Although colony ships would still be needed to found such colonists, the habitats could be built while shipyards were being expanded. However, with all its original colony ships and freighters captured by its enemies, the Caliphate would still not be able to found any new colonies for some time.

The two Caliphate shipping lines were still fairly intact. Although some ships were captured during the loss of the Caliphate colonies, sixteen ships remained with a total tonnage of 800,000. Unfortunately, all but one ship was in Kruger 60, which was home to the Brazilian colony of Novo Rio until it was captured by the United Kingdom. Those ships refused to return home unless their safety could be guaranteed. Given the scale of destruction in Sol and the state of the Caliphate navy, it would be some time before any such guarantee could be provided. The Caliphate economy was in reasonable shape, partly because the lack of production capacity reduced the amount of wealth and minerals that could be expended. Fuel was an issue in terms of production and total stockpile but not in practical terms given the small number of ships that required it.
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on December 21, 2015, 03:00:01 PM
Canada – 24th August 2109

Colonies
Earth: 128.9m
Avalon: 60.2m
Acadia: 15.6m
Manchu-B I: 2.1m
Kuiper 79 IV: 1.1m

Mining Colonies
Pendragon Asteroid #68: 21x AM
Stephan-Oterma (Sol): 2x AM

Since the end of the First Colonial War, Canada has concentrated all of its efforts on moving population and industry to Avalon. The Avalon population of sixty million is approaching fifty percent of Canada’s Earth-based population. As of August 2109, all Canadian shipyards are in Avalon orbit and all Canadian manned mining complex are on the surface, along with half the Canadian fuel refineries and thirty percent of the Canadian construction factories. With its task completed, the Hercules class tug on loan from the United Kingdom has been returned. The current priority for Canada is to move all maintenance facilities from Earth to Avalon with the aim of basing the Canadian fleet in Bernard’s Star rather than Sol.

As a result of the war, the warm relations with Australia and the United Kingdom became even closer. The three nations agreed to close the borders of the Avalon Arm to all non-Commonwealth traffic, with an exception for commercial traffic from the United States. In addition, the military alliance was expanded to include a major exchange of technology. Canada provided engine power and missile technologies to the United Kingdom in exchange for technical details of stellarator reactors and magneto-plasma drives. Australia provided a range of jump drive-related technology, gravitational sensors and some engine technology in exchange for missile technologies and improved shipbuilding. Canada is currently developing new engines based on the transferred technology.

Since June 2108, Canada has constructed a fifth Halifax class destroyer, a terraformer and a fuel harvester. With seven harvesters in operation, the fuel problems that plagued Canada in the past are now starting to ease. The Canadian economy in general is improving, with wealth reserves in positive territory and a small budget surplus. Mineral supplies are adequate for the current shipbuilding program, which includes two destroyers and a fuel harvester. Additional ships are on hold until the new engines are available. Canada’s civilian shipping sector is still the third largest with thirty-five ships totalling one point five million tons.

As Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom have based the bulk of their industry on Avalon, or will be in that situation in the near future, and share several other colony planets, the interests of the three nations are very closely aligned. Discussions have begun on a supra-national organization beyond the current military arrangements, using the existing Commonwealth structure as a base. All three nations already have the same head of state and have similar governmental systems; the United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy while Australia and Canada both have federal constitutional monarchies. Given the significant number of colonies, a federal model along the lines of the Australian or Canadian system is the obvious choice for a Commonwealth-level organization. Under the proposal being discussed, the current national colonies on planets such as Avalon, Pendragon or Kuiper 79-A IV would be amalgamated to form a single planetary government with combined population and industry. The various planetary governments, including on Earth, would be represented in a bicameral Commonwealth government with a ‘House of Commons’ based on population and a Senate based on equal planetary representation once a certain threshold of population is achieved, most probably ten million. There is considerable public support for the proposal so the creation of the Commonwealth-level government may not be far away.
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on December 24, 2015, 10:32:47 AM
Centauri Federation - 13th September 2109

Colonies
Asgard: 231m
Vanaheim: 156m
Midgard: 74m

Mining Colonies
Alpha Centauri-A II – Moon 24: 44x AM
Alpha Centauri-A Asteroid #159: 6x CMC
Alpha Centauri-A Asteroid #97: 6x CMC
Alpha Centauri-B V – Moon 18: 5x CMC
Alpha Centauri-B V – Moon 9: 4x CMC
Alpha Centauri-A Asteroid #421: 2x CMC
Alpha Centauri-A Asteroid #318: 2x CMC

During the First Colonial War, the Centauri Federation suffered a catastrophic tactical defeat in a battle against an attacking Brazilian task group, losing almost its entire naval force. Only a single warship remained, plus an unarmed command ship. The defending Centauri forces managed to destroy the troop transport accompanying the Brazilian force, which prevented an immediate ground invasion of the Centauri home worlds, but left the Centauri shipyards and planetary industry completely open to attack. With the survival of the Federation at stake, the Centauri were simultaneously stunned and relieved by an offer of help from the Japanese Empire. In previous years the Centauri and Japanese had been rivals and Japan had been considered more of a threat than a potential saviour. However, the Japanese assistance came at a heavy price. Firstly, under the terms of the temporary alliance, the Centauri Federation had to agree to a Japanese colony on Vanaheim with full mining rights and no restriction on military forces. Secondly, the Federation had to withdraw entirely from the Centauri Arm beyond the Alpha Centauri system.

The terms would have been viewed as harsh and rejected out of hand if the situation had been less desperate. Given the difficulties in which the Centauri Federation found itself, they were relatively easy to accept. Alpha Centauri was one of the few systems that could sustain a high tech civilization for many years without the need for outside resources, so being prevented from accessing the rest of the Arm would not hinder Centauri industrial development in the short and medium term. Even then, there were other options beside the Centauri Arm. For now though the Centauri Federation would use the reprieve to rebuild its military forces and ensure any future invasion would face much stiffer opposition. With a Japanese colony and naval base on Vanaheim, that task would be difficult but critical to the future survival of the Federation. The Centauri had only one colony outside Alpha Centauri, a settlement of one point eight million in Delta Pavonis. After discussions, the Japanese accepted that civilian traffic could visit but no further Federation colony ships. That proved to be an unnecessary concession as the colony declared independence in July 2109, becoming the Republic of Pavonia.

With Vanaheim facing the much greater potential threat due to the presence of the Japanese and Midgard still relatively undeveloped, the Centauri concentrated their colonization and industrial efforts on Asgard. Key industries were transferred from Vanaheim to Asgard as the manufacturing sector grew. All Centauri shipyards were already in Asgard orbit. New construction in the year following the war included three colony ships, three terraformers and two fuel harvesters. The priority was warships though, with two Grendel class cruisers and the first pair of Valhalla class destroyers under construction and both naval shipyards working on additional slipways. In the meantime, inactive shipping was gathered at Asgard. As each Centauri science vessel or construction ship entered a system on the jump gate network, allowing them to contact Alpha Centauri, it was ordered to return home. By March 2109, the only ships on active operations were colony ships, fuel harvesters and terraformers.

In July 2108, three Martian patrol ships arrived in Asgard orbit to boost its defences while the Centauri rebuilt their military. On September 28th, a Martian tug delivered a Lancea class orbital weapon platform, equipped with thirty anti-missile launchers, to Asgard. The Lancea was transferred into Centauri service in exchange for four thousand tons of Duranium from the vast Centauri stockpile of almost sixty thousand tons. Although the base was provided with a full load of fourteen hundred Martian Janus AMMs, these will eventually be replaced by the higher performance Centauri Magni AMM.

In September 2109, the Centauri Federation signed a trade deal with Manchuria, allowing the shipping lines of both nations to access new markets. This not only boosted the Centauri economy but gave Manchuria, a long-term rival of Japan, an interest in the Alpha Centauri system. Overall, the Federation economy is in reasonable shape, with large mineral stockpiles, adequate fuel for the current needs, a small wealth reserve and a healthy civilian sector. The civilian mining operation in Alpha Centauri is particularly large, with twenty-five civilian mining complexes spread across two moons and four asteroids. Taxes on civilian mining account for fourteen percent of all Federation revenues. The current Centauri priorities are to rebuild their military and to invest in expansion within the Alpha Centauri system.
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on December 24, 2015, 01:53:02 PM
France – 23rd September 2109

Colonies
Earth: 249m
Astoria (WX Ursae Majoris-A II): 26.2m
New France-A II: 20.1m
New Quebec I: 3.4m

Mining Colonies
New Quebec-A II – Moon 1: 37x AM
Stephan-Oterma (Sol): 8x AM

Generally, France is content to build up its colonies in New France and New Quebec and ignore the squabbles between the other powers. That isolationist policy was interrupted during the First Colonial War when France formed a temporary alliance of convenience with Russia and Japan to prevent the complete collapse of the Caliphate. France’s primary motivation was to avoid any significant increase in the power of her long-time rival Germany. That attempt was only partially successful. Although Germany and its ally, the United States, did not gain any of the Caliphate’s Earth-based assets, Germany did gain control over the Caliphate colonies in the Medina system, increasing its long-term population and industrial base. France and Germany both have to pass through Lalande and WX Ursae Majoris to reach their extra-solar territories and both have colonies on Astoria in the latter system. French concern is growing that a more powerful Germany with expansion in mind might see the French territories as conveniently located for future annexation.

French construction ships recently completed a path of jump gates to New France, finally connecting the colony to the jump gate network. Given the potential for future tension with Germany, the French President decided to follow the example of several other countries and to begin moving key industries to more defensible locations. The single Chacal class tug towed the Maurice-Malet shipyard to New France and is currently returning to Earth. The French fuel harvesters are also heading for the main French colony systems, after abandoning their previous harvesting site in WX Ursae Majoris. The New France colony itself took an important step toward future expansion in July 2108 when the atmosphere became breathable. French terraformers are now removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to bring the temperature down into the tolerable range. As of September 2109, the colony cost of New France has been reduced to 0.49.

The French fleet is among the most modern in known space, with magneto-plasma engines and access to Delta-level shield technology due to discoveries in the ruins on New France. Four of the Clemenceau class missile cruisers are now equipped with the new shields and the fifth is undergoing a refit. In the year since the end of the war, a fifth Dunkerque class frigate has also joined the Marine Nationale, along with a colony ship and a third construction ship. Three colony ships are currently under construction but no more ships will be laid down in Sol. Shipbuilding will be disrupted for some time due to the planned movement of all shipyards to New France.

The financial problems that have affected France in the past have eased a little, although they are still restricting French productivity. Minerals stockpiles are reasonable and the fuel situation is good, at least for the moment. France gained a large stockpile of fuel from discoveries in ruins but the French fuel production infrastructure was neglected as a result and those large stockpiles are slowly diminishing. The single French shipping line, Breze Container Services, has only launched a single ship since the war and now has seventeen ships totalling 660,000 tons. However, it has built up a reserve of five thousand wealth so is expected to add new ships in the near future, which should improve the French financial situation.

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/FranceSeptember2109.PNG)
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on December 26, 2015, 08:49:25 AM
Germany – 6th October 2109

Colonies
Earth: 295m
Medina-A II (occupied ex-Caliphate): 66m
Astoria (WX Ursae Majoris): 24.1m
Neu Brandenburg II: 17.1m
Neu Bayern II: 13.2m
Medina-A II (New German colony): 9.5m
GJ-1230-A II: 0.8m

Mining Colonies
Neu Bayern-B III – Moon 12: 92x AM
Medina-A VII – Moon 7: 16x AM
Medina-A V – Moon 10: 3x AM
2004 TY364: 5x CMC

Germany was one of the main beneficiaries of the First Colonial War. In exchange for the loss of the frigate Hannover in combat against the Caliphate and the expenditure of some ordnance, Germany gained a colony of sixty million on Medina-A II with a hundred construction factories, thirty-six automated mines on two colonies in the same system, six terraformers and eleven colony ships. The Medina-A II colony will likely take several years to assimilate and the construction factories will be of little use unless transported somewhere else. Even so, they will provide a significant boost to Germany’s economy in the medium term. Unfortunately, Germany is currently crippled by a severe lack of fuel so the new colony ships remain in orbit of Medina-A II. In addition to the immediate material benefits, Germany also removed a significant obstacle to its future expansion, as all German traffic to its outer colonies and ruin sites had to pass through Medina. In fact, the system was so ideally placed to support German expansion that it became the new focus of colonization efforts.

Almost ten million German colonists are now in place on Medina-A II, which is an ideal habitable world. Four German shipyards are in orbit after being towed from Earth by a pair of Hamburg class tugs that were launched in January 2109. Two more shipyards are en route to Medina and only one remains in Earth orbit. The construction factories remain at the ex-Caliphate colony as there are not enough German workers to support them. Half of the ex-Caliphate automated mines in Medina have been moved to the German mining colony on the twelfth moon of Neu Bayern-B III, two jumps away via Neu Brandenburg. Additional automated mines have been transported from Sol and the colony now supports ninety-two in total, making it the primary extra-solar source of minerals for Germany.

Germany has transported ten construction brigades to the partially intact alien colony on Alteruine-A III (formerly GJ-1235-A III) and a number of installations have already been recovered, including a research facility. The construction troops also found a pair of 25cm Far Ultraviolet Lasers, which are significantly more advanced than the current German lasers. Rather than disassembling them for technical data, German shipwrights are considering building a one-off modified version of the Prinz Eugen class frigate that would mount both weapons. More than two hundred alien installations remain. German construction ships have recently completed a chain of jump gates to the system, which is six transits beyond Medina, allowing access without the need for slow-moving Emden class jump freighters. A construction ship has also connected Medina to Neu Brandenburg, making travel between the various German colonies much easier.

The Deutsche Marine has increased its striking power since the end of war by completing the Scharnhorst class battlecruisers Hindenburg and Seydlitz and the Prinz Eugen class frigates Admiral Graf Spee and Admiral Hipper, The warship strength of the Deutsche Marine now comprises six Scharnhorst class battlecruisers, two Konigsberg class jump cruisers, four Prinz Eugen class frigates and three Deutschland class frigates. While still not in the same league as the larger powers, Germany is creating a very respectable fleet. In addition to the warships, recent construction includes two Hamburg class tugs, two fuel harvesters and the first three Nassau-E class freighters, a more fuel efficient version of the existing German freighter design.

Despite Germany’s recent successes, its expansion has come to a sudden halt due to a serious fuel crisis. In May 2109, almost all commercial vessel activity stalled and the situation has not improved since. A lack of Sorium has halted refinery production leaving the eight 60,000 ton Koln class fuel harvesters in Neu Brandenburg as the sole source of fuel for Germany. With current fuel production technology they produce less than eight million litres per year. The priority for the available fuel is the troop transports taking construction brigades to Alteruine, followed by colony ships bringing settlers to Medina and freighters taking automated mines to Neu Bayern. Even those tasks are intermittent. Many ships have been drained of fuel to support essential traffic, exacerbating the long-term problem. The construction brigades on Alteruine-A III are desperately searching for fuel supplies in the ruins but have had no luck thus far. German scientists have recently completed work into Stellarator Reactors and were about to begin research into magneto-plasma drives. That has now been postponed in favour of fuel production research.

In addition to the fuel shortages, the German economy is suffering shortages of Duranium, Sorium and Gallicite, all of which can be extracted by the mining colony in Neu Bayern. Therefore the priority for German construction is to convert manned mines into automated mining complexes and boost production from the colony. The wealth situation is much more healthy, although this is partly due to resource shortages restricting shipbuilding and construction. The German civilian shipping line has twenty-six ships totalling one point one million tons.

Germany’s strategic priorities are to end the fuel crisis, exploit the various ruin sites within its territories, increase the number of automated mines in Neu Bayern, assimilate the captured colony and complete the transfer of shipyards and other important industry to Medina. Accomplishing numerous important tasks in the midst of a resource shortage will be a challenge for Germany and leaves no time for any further foreign adventures. Relations with the Caliphate remain tense due to the German occupation of Medina, although the military imbalance and the destruction of the Caliphate shipyards means there is very little the Caliphate can do about the situation. Relations with France have never been good but German diplomats believe they are deteriorating due to a French fear of German expansion in the direction of their colonies. Reassurances from Germany have so far proven ineffective in halting the rise in tension.

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/GermanyOctober2109-2.PNG)
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on December 26, 2015, 09:08:51 AM
Japanese Empire - 17th October 2109

Colonies
Earth: 555m
Edo II: 134m
Kyoto-A I: 25m
Vanaheim: 11.3m
Daikoku I: 1.1m
Delta Pavonis-A I: 0.83m
Nara-A II: 0.58m
Ginriku II: 0.32m
Gamma Pavonis-A I: 0.3m
Gamma Pavonis-A III: 0.1m
Zeta(1) Reticuli-A IV: 0.07m

Mining Colonies
Stephan-Oterma (Sol): 60x AM
Kyoto Asteroid #167: 38x AM
Ginriku-A IV – Moon 1: 6x AM
Io (Sol): 7x CMC
Kyoto-A V – Moon 16: 2x CMC

Japan’s brief participation in the First Colonial War yielded considerable rewards. The commander of the Combined Fleet, Kaigun Taisho Tagawa Masamura, was initially concerned that Brazil might be moving against Edo and took steps to protect Japan’s primary extra-solar colony. Once the threat receded he was gratified to see two potential rivals about to weaken each other. However, after Brazil destroyed the Centauri fleet with relatively minor losses, Japan was faced with the possibility than Brazil would win a decisive victory and become a major power in the Centauri Arm, combining its own industry and resources with those of the Centauri Federation. Kaigun Taisho Tagawa realised the potential crisis also provided an opportunity. The Centauri were in desperate straits so he offered military assistance in return for a Centauri withdrawal from the Centauri Arm beyond Alpha Centauri and for Centauri acceptance of a Japanese colony and naval base on Vanaheim. The former demand ensured Japanese control of the entire Centauri Arm with its myriad resources and potential colony sites while the latter gave Japan access to an ideal habitable world with significant mineral deposits only one jump from Sol. Furthermore, the Centauri did not have to give up any of their current industry or resources, which made their acceptance much easier.

Brazil was far less likely to accede to any Japanese demand to halt their attack, especially as no Japanese warships were in position to intercept the Brazilian fleet before it could attack the Centauri home worlds. Therefore Tagawa decided on an alternative strategy. Japanese warships launched a surprise attack on a Brazilian task group in Earth orbit. A kinetic cruiser, two kinetic frigates and two jump frigates were destroyed in less than a minute without even returning fire. With the Brazilian shipyards and industry now hostage to Japanese guns, the Brazil leadership had no option but to accept the Japanese demand to withdraw from Alpha Centauri. Tagawa issued no other demands beyond the cessation of hostilities, enabling Japan to grow in strength and simultaneously position itself as an international peacekeeper.

One item that required further negotiation with the Centauri was the status of the Federation colony of one point eight million settlers in Delta Pavonis, the only Centauri colony outside their home system and five transits beyond Alpha Centauri. According to the terms under which military assistance was provided, the Centauri could not send any ships into the rest of the Centauri Arm. However, given their own history, the Centauri did not want to abandon their colony. Kaigun Taisho Tagawa agreed to allow Centauri civilian traffic to travel between Alpha Centauri and Delta Pavonis. While not in favour of any Centauri presence beyond Alpha Centauri, Tagawa was prepared to accept this condition in order to gain Centauri acceptance of the overall agreement. Several months after the war, Japanese negotiators offered the leadership of the Delta Pavonis colony a sum equal to four times the colony’s annual wealth if they would declare independence. The Republic of Pavonia was formed in July 2109.

Japan quickly took advantage of the opportunity offered by a colony on Vanaheim, landing the first colonists within weeks of the agreement. As of October 2109, eleven million Japanese settlers are in place, along with sixty-eight manned mines. A squadron of warships comprising a missile cruiser, an escort cruiser and three destroyers is in orbit while twenty battalions of mobile and assault infantry are on the surface. Kaigun Taisho Tagawa believes that eventually Japan will move against the Centauri Federation and wants to ensure all the necessary assets will be in place. In that event, the task of the large ground force contingent will be to conquer the Federation’s Vanaheim colony of one hundred and fifty-six million and possibly the Martian Vanaheim colony of twenty-four million. There are Centauri ground forces on Vanaheim but none from Mars. In the meantime, Vanaheim will provide a valuable source of minerals for the Japanese economy.

Vanaheim Mineral Survey
Duranium 221,685  Acc: 0.9
Neutronium 45,785  Acc: 0.9
Corbomite 124,785  Acc: 0.9
Tritanium 91,490  Acc: 0.6
Boronide 79,893  Acc: 0.4
Mercassium 106,190  Acc: 0.6
Vendarite 178,592  Acc: 0.5
Sorium 143,983  Acc: 1
Uridium 155,988  Acc: 0.7
Corundium 68,057,690  Acc: 0.8
Gallicite 128,892  Acc: 0.5

Since the end of the First Colonial War, the Imperial Japanese Navy has been boosted by the completion of Kaiyo, the seventh Akagi class missile cruiser, and the Kagero class destroyers Tanikaze and Yugumo. Additional construction includes a colony ship, two freighters, two terraformers and six fuel harvesters. Japan has a total of twenty-six 80,000 ton fuel harvesters in service, all of which are in orbit of the innermost planet of Edo. Five new civilian ships have been launched since mid-2108 and Japan’s civilian sector comprises thirty-three ships with a combined tonnage of one point five million tons, fourth in size behind the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada.

On November 12th 2108 Japan completed its recovery operations on the ruins on Daikoku I. During the excavation a significant number of installations were recovered, including three research facilities. Most still remain on the planet due to its distance from Edo and the other demands on Japanese lift capacity. There are no longer any unexploited alien ruins in Japanese territory.

The overall Japanese economy is in reasonable shape. Fuel is plentiful and the fuel production infrastructure capable of dealing with future demands. There are large stockpiles of all minerals except Gallicite and Boronide, the latter shortage caused by the significant Japanese investment in fuel harvesters and terraformers. These shortages should ease once the colony in Vanaheim reaches its full potential. Due to the spread of extraction and production facilities across the Japanese colonies, the main resource-related challenge is logistical; ensuring the necessary resources are in the right place to meet demand. Wealth is more of an issue. Although a reserve remains, it is diminishing rapidly and Japan may soon face a financial crisis.

Japan remains the most technologically advanced nation and has the second highest production capacity after the United States. The main strategic priority for Japan is to build up its colony on Vanaheim colony and exploit the planet’s mineral resources. Unfortunately, the concentration on Vanaheim has left Edo with insufficient population to provide workers for all its active industry. As a result production efficiency is down by fifteen percent. The only solution is to move more colonists and with that in mind Japan is expanding its shipyard dedicated to colony ship production.

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/JapanOctober2109.PNG)
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on December 27, 2015, 10:55:30 AM
Manchuria – 9th November 2109

Colonies
Earth: 492m
Earth (Di Zhongxin): 0.13m
Manchu-A I: 70m
CC Eridani-A III: 0.53m
Tau Ceti: 0.34m

Mining Colonies
Stephen-Oterma (Sol): 48x AM
Manchu-B Asteroid #10: 27x AM
Faye (Sol): 20x AM

Manchuria did not participate in the First Colonial War. Instead, it continued its efforts to find new colony sites and sources of minerals in the Russo-Manchurian Arm. On December 6th 2108 a Manchurian science vessel explored a new jump point in 82 Eridani, four jumps out beyond Novaya Rodina via EZ Aquarii, Gliese 1 and WISE 0350-5658. The jump point led to Khitan (also known as CC Eridani), a system with an orange K7-V primary and ten planets, one of which was a virtual twin for Earth. Khitan-A III had a gravity of 1.02G, a temperature of 15.9C, oceans covering 69% of the surface and an atmosphere of 1.04 arm, comprised of 77% nitrogen and 23% oxygen. Two other planets were terraforming candidates, one of which had a ruined alien outpost. A survey was completed in August 2109, revealing fourteen installations with the potential for recovery. The Khitan system was the first prize of any significance found by Manchurian survey forces during the 22nd century.

Manchuria made its first territorial claim in early January 2109, informing all the other powers that Gliese 1 (which would henceforth be known as Rùkou), and all systems beyond were now Manchurian territory. A group of four destroyers was stationed at the jump point to EZ Aquarii to reinforce the claim. Russia was the main cause for concern as there was a Russian colony of twenty million in EZ Aquarii. Even so, within a few days the Russian ambassador informed Manchuria that his nation would accept the Manchurian claim. The jump gate network already extended to WISE 0350-5658 and construction of the gates between that system and 82 Eridani were completed within a few weeks of the discovery of Khitan. Khitan was finally linked to the network in October 2109.

The first pair Manchurian of tugs were launched in March 2109 and immediately began moving shipyards to Manchu. As of November 2109, three are already in orbit of Manchu-A I and two more are in transit. Two shipyards remain in Earth orbit but are inactive and will be moved as soon as the tugs complete their current tasks.

Since the end of the First Colonial War Manchuria has constructed a Jianghu class destroyer, a Jiangwei class destroyers, two Houxin class tugs, two fuel harvesters and a terraformer. It is worth noting that despite the designation of the Jianghu and Jiangwei as destroyers, at 9000 tons they are as large as some ships designated as cruisers by other nations. Manchuria has the fifth largest fleet in terms of naval tonnage behind Russia, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. Her civilian shipping sector remains the smallest, except for the newly formed Republic of Pavonia which has no ships of any type,

Manchuria has dedicated a significant amount of research efforts into genetic modification technology and has constructed a Genetic Modification Centre on Earth to carry out the modifications on ‘volunteers’. The research was used as the basis to create a new variant of the human species, known to the Manchurians as the Di Zhongxin, which have a gravitational tolerance thirty percent lower than normal humans. They will be able to live on moons or even large asteroids with a gravity as low as 0.07G. In Sol, this brings Neptune’s largest moon Triton and the dwarf planet Eris into the potentially habitable range, although due to the extreme low temperature both have a colony cost in excess of 10.00. This will change as the Sun’s output rises but not for many years. The usefulness of the Di Zhongxin is more apparent in other systems. For example, the number of colony cost 2.00 system bodies in Alpha Centauri increases by five for the Di Zhongxin, including four moons, one of which has several accessible mineral deposits, and a large asteroid. So far the population of Di Zhongxin on Earth is one hundred and forty thousand. The Genetic Modification Centre will increase that by a quarter of a million per year.

Alpha Centauri-A II - Moon 24 Survey Report (gravity 0.09G)
Duranium 14,908  Acc: 1
Neutronium 5,927  Acc: 0.8
Corbomite 110,508  Acc: 1
Tritanium 1,217  Acc: 0.45
Vendarite 14,508  Acc: 1
Sorium 35,418  Acc: 0.9
Uridium 225,309  Acc: 1

The Manchurian economy is in reasonable condition. Wealth reserves are sufficient for the moment and have been rising in recent months, mainly due to a reduction in ship construction resulting from the relocation of Manchurian shipyards. Mineral reserves are adequate except for Sorium, although the minerals are on Earth, the shipyards are in Manchu and the seven Manchurian freighters are nine jumps out from Sol on a mission to collect a small number of alien installations recovered from a destroyed alien outpost in NN 3106. Fuel is a problem, as reserves of Sorium are low and the refineries on Earth have been shut down. All Manchurian fuel production is now dependent on the ten 49,000 ton fuel harvesters in Manchu. Two more harvesters have been constructed and are en route from Earth to join them. Manchurian priorities are to resolve the fuel crisis, to colonise the ideal habitable world in the Khitan system and to continue the advances in genetic modifications that are opening up new worlds to Manchurian settlers.

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/ManchuriaNovember2109-2.PNG)
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on December 27, 2015, 04:28:44 PM
Martian Union – 21st November 2109

Colonies
Mars: 346m
Vanaheim: 24.3m
Colonia Antium (Alpha Centauri-A II - Moon 17): 6.5m

Mining Colonies
Stephan-Oterma (Sol): 50x AM

Although the Martian Union was not involved in active combat during the First Colonial War, it did attempt to provide assistance to the Centauri Federation during its brief conflict with Brazil. A patrol ship in orbit of Colonia Antium was sent to Vanaheim to intercept the expected Brazilian attack. Seven more patrol ships were dispatched from Mars to Alpha Centauri  when the attack began, even though they would almost certainly be too late, while the six remaining patrol ships were in orbit of Uranus defending the Martian fuel harvesters against attack from three nearby Brazilian frigates. Mars was also prepared to launch missile attacks direct from Mars against Brazilian targets on Earth but Brazil had chosen to attack while Mars was at the opposite side of the Sun and Earth was out of missile range. Before any Martian ship could engage any Brazilian target, Japan intervened and ended the war. Despite the lack of actual combat between the two nations, Mars and Brazil were both aware that was due to circumstance rather than intent. Suspicions remain high.

Mars continued its support of the Centauri Federation after the end of the war. Three patrol ships are stationed in orbit of Asgard to boost its defences while the Centauri Navy is being rebuilt and in September 2108 a Lancea class orbital weapon platform was delivered to Asgard in exchange for four thousand tons of Duranium. Another Lancea has been deployed in orbit of Uranus to guard Martian fuel harvesters and any Centauri harvesters that are deployed in Sol. Since the war, Mars has built the two Lanceas that were subsequently deployed to Asgard and Uranus plus a colony ship and two fuel harvesters.

There are two Martian two colonies in Alpha Centauri, on Colonia Antium and on Vanaheim. With a Japanese colony established on Vanaheim, protection of the Martian settlers has become a priority. Unfortunately, a Lancea deployed in orbit would be much less effective as any Japanese ships based at Vanaheim would be able to deliver a surprise attack from point blank range. Ground troops would be a better option as Japan is unlikely to bombard an inhabited planet but Mars has yet to develop troop transport bays. Therefore, the load of the Centauri Federation’s Heimdall class transport is requested. The Centauri are happy to oblige and Martian garrison troops will soon be en route to Alpha Centauri.

The Martian economy benefits from plentiful minerals and a good stockpile of fuel, due to the eleven Decius class fuel harvesters in orbit of Uranus. Wealth is an issue though, with expenditures considerably exceeding revenues in recent months. The Martian Union will have to drastically reduce spending or face a financial crisis. The economic problems lead Martian leaders to propose an exchange of technology with the Centauri Federation. Given the very close relations between the two powers and the benefits to both, the exchange is soon agreed. Mars provides technical data on lasers, missile warheads, fuel and mining production and tractor beams. In return, the Centauri deliver information on construction, shipbuilding, economic improvements, troop transport bays and shields.

The first priority for the Martian Union as always is to ensure its own survival. Martian suspicions, bordering on paranoia, that the Earth based powers will inevitably attack Mars at some point in the future have only grown in the wake of the Brazilian attack on Alpha Centauri and the threatening behaviour towards its own fuel harvesters. The two lessons learned from the war were that Mars lacked the ability to project power to protect its only ally and that the deterrence provided by the Martian capability to strike against Earth was severely diminished because Martian missiles lacked the range to strike Earth for a good portion of the year. The Union intends to correct those two flaws in its military preparedness. The second priority for Mars is to fix its economic problems as without a strong economy Mars cannot build the military forces it needs.
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on December 28, 2015, 12:12:07 PM
Russian Federation – 6th December 2109

Colonies
Earth 479m
Novaya Rodina: 74m
Novaya Zemlya (EZ Aquarii): 21.6m
St Ekaterina I: 0.65m
St Petersburg-V IV: 0.14m
St Petersburg-V III: 0.13m
Kazan II 0.1m
Kapteyn’s Star II: 0.1m
Tau Ceti-A II: 0.1m

Mining Colonies
Stephan-Oterma (Sol): 83x AM
EZ Aquarii-B III - Moon 29: 13x AM
TZ Arietis-A I: 3x AM
TW Piscis Austrini-A Asteroid #7: 19x AM
Venus (Sol): 3x CMC

Russia’s high level strategy is to exploit all the valuable ruin sites in its territory and increase its strength relative to the other powers, while avoiding any confrontations beyond those necessary to protect the ruin sites. In accordance with that strategy, Russia stayed out of the First Colonial War until the United States and Germany decisively defeated the main Caliphate fleet. Faced with a situation where the two victorious powers could capture all the Caliphate holdings on Earth and dramatically increase their strength, the Russian leadership decided intervention was necessary. There would be little point in gaining an advantage from the alien ruins if it was negated by the division of Caliphate industry between two other powers. A temporary alliance was formed with Japan and France and it was made it clear to Germany and the United States that a major shift in the balance of power would not be tolerated. Germany and the US made it equally clear that, if prevented from conducting a ground invasion, they would destroy the Caliphate holdings on Earth by orbital bombardment, regardless of the environmental consequences. Eventually, a compromise was reached where the victorious powers claimed the Caliphate’s extra-solar holdings and refrained from any further action within Sol. Not ideal from Russia’s perspective, especially since the closure of the Commonwealth borders gave the United States sole access to a pre-industrial alien race, but far better than the alternative.

The exploitation of the aforementioned ruins continues apace, with twenty-five construction brigades active on St Ekaterina. As of December 2109 more than half the alien installations have been excavated, including seven research facilities, four ground force training facilities, thirty maintenance facilities and a plethora of mines and factories. Perhaps more importantly, almost twenty thousand wealth and twenty million litres of fuel have ensured a strong economy and an end to the fuel crisis, at least for the moment. Recent technical data recovered from the ruins includes improved mining technology, the combat drop module and the maintenance module. The new challenge for Russia is its very limited freighter lift capacity, with only seven Project 1207 Antonov class freighters in service. It may prove easier to build up the population on St Ekaterina than to move all the recovered installations elsewhere.

On September 20th 2108 Russia launched two Project 1217 Zhdanov class tugs and began moving shipyards to Novaya Rodina. Four shipyards are now in place, with a fifth en route. Three more shipyards remain in Earth orbit completing their current tasks before leaving. Even though the population of Novaya Rodina is almost seventy-four million, that may not be sufficient to man all the shipyards due to the presence of twenty-one research facilities. One option being considered is to move some of the research facilities to the adjacent Novaya Zemlya system, which has sufficient population to man nine of them. However, that is not well protected and lies adjacent to an area of space recently claimed by Manchuria. A better option would be to move the research facilities and even the shipyards into the Russian territories around St Petersburg and St Ekaterina. The restriction is once again freighter lift capacity and to a lesser degree the available colony ships. Russia must now concentrate its efforts on increasing the size of its commercial fleet.

In early January 2109 Manchuria claimed Gliese 1 (which it renamed as Rùk?u) and all systems beyond. Four Manchurian destroyers were deployed at the EZ Aquarii – Rùk?u jump point to enforce the claim. The Russian Federation has a colony of twenty-two million in EZ Aquarii but has explored only one jump beyond Rùk?u, finding nothing of interest. The Rùk?u system itself has a colony class two world with a methane-nitrogen atmosphere and no mineral deposits. It is obvious to Russian strategists that Manchuria has found something worth claiming somewhere beyond Russian-explored space. Even so, the Russian leadership has decided to accept the Manchurian claim for several reasons. Firstly, Russia has already claimed territory beyond two jump points in the Russo-Manchurian Arm so not accepting the Manchurian claim would almost certainly lead to conflict. Secondly, if the Manchurians have found something on which to focus their efforts, there would be less chance of them interfering with Russian activity, Finally, when it finally comes to a showdown in the Russo-Manchurian Arm, it would be best for tensions to be as low as possible. If there is something of value beyond Rùk?u, it will be found once Manchuria is no longer in a position to intervene.

Since the end of the First Colonial War the Russian Federation has built two Project 1202 Sarych class destroyers, taking the total units in the class to fourteen, two colony ships, two fuel harvesters, three terraformers and two tugs. The terraforming efforts are concentrated on St Ekaterina while the fuel harvesters are all based in the adjacent Kazan system. Five civilian ships have also been constructed, increasing the total tonnage for the civilian shipping sector to 1,070,000. A fourth Russian shipping line, Grigorovich Interstellar Shipping, has recently been formed but has yet to build any ships.

The Russian economy is very healthy. Wealth reserves are substantial, mineral reserves are plentiful and the fuel crisis has been ended, at least in the short term. The improvement in the economy since the war is primarily due to discoveries in the St Ekaterina ruins. New colonies have been established in Kazan, a key crossroads system in Russian territory linking Epsilon Eridani to St Petersburg and St Ekaterina, and on Kapteyn’s Star II, one jump beyond St Ekaterina and home to a ruined alien city. The priorities for Russia are to continue the successful exploitation of the alien ruin sites, avoid any unnecessary conflicts and, once the required shipyards are in Novaya Rodina, to increase the number of freighters and colony ships.

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/RussiaDecember2109.PNG)
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on December 29, 2015, 08:21:04 AM
United Kingdom – 21st December 2109

Colonies
Avalon: 672m
Earth: 67m
Pendragon: 37.3m
Novo Rio (Kruger 60): 33.5m
Barnard's Star III: 26.0m
61 Cygni-A III: 6.75m
Vega III: 3.05m
Tintagel III: 2.28m
Bedivere-A II: 1.51m
Kuiper 79-B II: 0.99m
Caerleon-A I: 0.98m
Kuiper 79-A IV: 0.93m
Gawain I: 0.70m
Merlin II: 0.61m
V1581 Cygni-B I: 0.35m
Rivalen-B II: 0.26m
Excalibur-A II: 0.13m

Mining Colonies
Pendragon-B Asteroid #27: 44x AM
Caerleon-B Asteroid #7: 25x AM
Pendragon-B Asteroid #36: 20x AM
Pendragon-B Asteroid #70: 10x AM
Kruger 60-B VII – Moon 6: 8x AM
GJ 1253-A II: 8x AM
Tempel 1 (Sol): 8x CMC
Kruger 60-A III: 5x CMC
Bernard’s Star-A I: 3x CMC

The United Kingdom and its Commonwealth allies remained neutral during the First Colonial War and the UK hosted the peace conference that ended the conflict between the Caliphate, United States and Germany. As a result of the destruction and chaos caused by the war, the three Commonwealth nations decided the best option to protect themselves from a similar attack was to annex the Avalon Arm and close all borders with the rest of known space. Those borders comprised the Avalon – Sol, 61 Cygni – Manchu and EV Lacerte – Eta Cassiopeiae jump points. All non-Commonwealth shipping within the Avalon Arm was advised to leave by the shortest possible route. As part of the peace settlement, the remaining Caliphate forces in Eta Cassiopeiae were permitted to travel through Commonwealth territory and a Caliphate troop transport was allowed to travel from Earth to collect Caliphate ground forces from the same system. The revelation regarding a pre-industrial alien race in Eta Cassiopeiae caused some temporary difficulties in relations between the United States and the Commonwealth nations, although these were resolved fairly quickly. Both sides knew that the Commonwealth would have acted similarly if the circumstances were reversed. The existing agreement to allow US commercial vessels to travel through Commonwealth territory was the only permanent exception to the closing of the Commonwealth borders.

With the borders closed, Brazil was cut-off from its colonies in Kruger 60 and V1581 Cygni. The United Kingdom announced its intention to annex those colonies to ensure the Avalon Arm contained only Commonwealth populations. Brazil protested vehemently and attempted to gain the support of other powers, citing the international intervention to save the Caliphate. There was little sympathy for Brazil as it was the aggressor in its conflict with the Centauri Federation and its colonies in the Avalon Arm were relatively small. No other power was prepared to risk conflict with the Commonwealth over a issue that had little or no impact on their own national interests. The Brazilian fleet, while still relatively intact, was no match for the Royal Navy, especially as the Royal Navy ship designs were ideally suited to energy-range combat.

On October 16th, four Tribal class destroyers arrived in Kruger 60 and confronted a lone kinetic frigate in orbit of the Novo Rio colony, ordering it to leave the system and head for Sol. With no chance against four larger ships, the Brazilian commander complied and was escorted out of Commonwealth territory. Three weeks later UK ground forces landed on Novo Rio, which was undefended, and secured the colony of thirty million. The only installations on the colony were nineteen construction factories. Eleven civilian ships in orbit also surrendered. Once again the Brazilians protested but took no action. In mid-November the UK ground forces landed on Kruger 60-A III to capture a civilian mining colony. A garrison unit resisted for three weeks before finally giving up the colony. Further landings were made on a mining colony with eight automated mines in the same system and at a small settlement of 250,000 in the adjacent V1581 Cygni system. There was no further resistance and the Brazilian presence in the Avalon Arm ended on January 29th 2109.

One final indignity was visited upon Brazil by the United Kingdom. A pair of Royal Navy Phoenix class salvage vessels and four accompanying freighters arrived in Earth orbit in June 2108 and began salvaging the Caliphate wrecks. The Caliphate had virtually no military forces and did not even bother to protest. No other nation had salvage capabilities and were therefore not in competition with the UK. Once finished with the Caliphate wrecks the Phoenixes began salvaging the five Brazilian wrecks, watched over by a squadron of Royal Navy warships orbiting Earth at one million kilometres. Brazil summoned the British ambassador and complained about the flagrant disregard for Brazilian sovereignty over the wrecks. The ambassador agreed to pass on the matter to his superiors and promised a reply within a few weeks. Brazil decided once again not to force the issue but their enmity for the United Kingdom was now matched only by their enmity for Japan. The Brazilian leadership resolved to exact revenge once the circumstances were more favourable.

On July 12th 2108 the United Kingdom launched the first asteroid mining ships in known space. The three Rhodes class Asteroid Miners each had the same mining capacity as ten automated mining complexes and would be deployed in the asteroid belt of the Pendragon system, adjacent to Avalon. Three Rhodes II class asteroid miners, identical to the original except for the replacement of the single engine with a magneto-plasma version, were launched in November 2109. Five more are under construction as an additional shipyard with two slipways has also been retooled to build further Rhodes II class ships. The United Kingdom has several systems with mineral-rich asteroid belts and sees the Rhodes class as a way to exploit that without the need to build and transport large quantities of automated mines. The existing automated mines will still be needed for planets and moons as the Rhodes can only carry out its orbital mining operations on asteroids and comets.

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Rhodes class Asteroid Miner    54,700 tons     535 Crew     1638 BP      TCS 1094  TH 300  EM 0
274 km/s     Armour 1-128     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 1     PPV 0
MSP 19    Max Repair 120 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months    Spare Berths 2   
Asteroid Miner: 10 module(s) producing 140 tons per mineral per annum

Rolls-Royce Commercial Ion Drive (1)    Power 300    Fuel Use 6.19%    Signature 300    Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 500,000 Litres    Range 26.6 billion km   (1121 days at full power)

**************************************************************************************

As described in the entries for Australia and Canada, the Commonwealth nations carried out an exchange of technologies in early 2109. The United Kingdom provided fourth generation engine technology to both nations and received a wide variety of technical information in return. In particular, this included railgun technology from Australia and missile-related technology from Canada. The United Kingdom used the Canadian missile technology to design and develop its first anti-ship missile, known as the Perseus. As the Royal Navy did not possess any missile combatants, the intention was to build up a stockpile of missiles in readiness for future warships designs. Further research into missile technology and the disassembly of box launchers recovered from Caliphate wrecks led to the United Kingdom developing its own box launchers in October 2109.

In the meantime, the United Kingdom decided to refit its existing warships with magneto-plasma engines before embarking on the design of new classes. The upgrades to the Dreadnought class battlecruisers, Agincourt class escort cruisers and Tribal destroyers were straightforward engine replacements with no other changes and were known as the M-refits, mainly because the upgraded class designations were noted by an ‘-M’ suffix. By the end of 2109, two Dreadnoughts, two Agincourts  and six Tribals had been refitted. In the same period, the United Kingdom completed the construction of four Atlas II class freighters, four Mayflower-E class colony ships, a Mayflower II class colony ship, two terraformers, six asteroid miners (as noted above) and six fuel harvesters. Those classes designated with as ‘II’ are powered by fuel efficient magneto-plasma drives. For example, the Atlas II freighter has a range of sixty-five billion kilometres at a speed of 2057 km/s using only 250,000 litres of fuel.

The civilian shipping sector of the United Kingdom continues to dominate known space. A seventh shipping line, the Barry Freight Group, was formed in May 2109 and has already launched four ships. In total, the UK civilian sector has one hundred and forty-two ships massing six point four million tons. The largest UK shipping line, Noble Interstellar Colony Limited, has two million tons of shipping, making it larger than the total civilian shipping sector of any other nation. When the formation of the Commonwealth takes place (see below), Australian and Canadian civilian shipping sectors, currently the sixth and third largest respectively, will contribute a further three million tons.

The United Kingdom economy is in very good condition. Although expenditure exceeds revenue by a significant margin, there are sufficient wealth reserves for that situation to be sustainable for some time. Fuel is plentiful, with the main challenge being distribution. Mineral production is maintaining pace with production, except for Gallicite stockpiles which are being drained by the number of engine-related refits underway. Small colonies have been established in Rivalen, site of an alien ruin that has been fully exploited, and in the adjacent system of Excalibur where the second planet has substantial deposits of Duranium and Gallicite. With the last installations now recovered from Rivalen-B II, the United Kingdom no longer has any exploitable alien ruins within its territory.

Excalibur-A II Survey Report
Duranium 11,985,410  Acc: 0.6
Corbomite 291,592  Acc: 0.7
Tritanium 3,779,126  Acc: 0.9
Boronide 4,210,690  Acc: 0.7
Mercassium 2,509,049  Acc: 0.5
Vendarite 467,850  Acc: 0.5
Sorium 186,619  Acc: 0.4
Uridium 5,308,416  Acc: 0.1
Corundium 11,696,400  Acc: 0.1
Gallicite 3,920,392  Acc: 0.8

After six months of discussion and negotiation, the framework for a common government covering the Commonwealth nations of Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom has been agreed. While the formal documents will not be signed until 2110, the first steps are already in motion. Colonies on the same world will be amalgamated into a single entity as soon as is practicable. This may take many months on worlds such as Avalon or Earth as national factories, shipyards, ground force training facilities, research facilities, etc. will finish their current assignments before being assigned to the Commonwealth government. The three national navies will be formed into the new Royal Commonwealth Navy as soon as any outstanding refits are completed, while the ground forces will become the Commonwealth Army. Technology from all nations will be provided to the Commonwealth and the current replication of research will be avoided in the future. There will be some disadvantages to the amalgamation. Current trading opportunities between nations may diminish once they all become part of a greater whole and the service sectors on larger populations will grow as a proportion of the total population, leaving fewer workers in the manufacturing sector. However, despite any difficulties that may be encountered, the formation of the Commonwealth is expected to be completed in late 2110, or early 2111.

On November 1st 2109, the Royal Navy geological survey ship Attenborough was surveying a sparse asteroid belt orbiting Zeta Herculis-B, eleven transits from Sol, when it detected what appeared to be a transponder signal from an alien ship. Zeta Herculis is at the end of a chain of five systems which branches away from the jump gate network in the system known as ‘The Moat’. The first three systems after The Moat are unremarkable, with two of those lacking any planets. The third also has two other systems branching off but both are dead ends. The fourth system is Olympus, centred on a colossal O8 star with twenty-five times the mass of Sol. The innermost planet of Olympus is at twenty-eight billion kilometres while the outermost of ten planets is a superjovian orbiting at thirty-eight trillion kilometers, by far the most distant planet in known space. As gravitational survey locations are dependent on the mass of the system primary, the outermost ring is at thirty billion kilometres, which makes the system very challenging to survey. The initial survey covered just three locations from the inner ring before the gravitational survey ship had to return home and revealed two jump points, one of which led to Zeta Herculis and the second to a planetless system. Two jump points discovered from just ten percent of locations surveyed suggests the system may have a large number of jump points in total. The Zeta Herculis jump point was briefly probed in May 2108 but the survey ship involved left after a few minutes.

Attenborough arrived in Zeta Herculis in October 2109 to begin a geological survey. The primary, an F9-IV sub-giant, is orbited by a superjovian with forty Trojan asteroids and a gas giant. The companion star, a yellow G7-V, has five planets and a small asteroid belt. Zeta Herculis-B III us an Earth-sized world with a nitrogen-oxygen atmosphere of 0.54 atm and a surface temperature of 2C. With oxygen pressure of 0.08 atm, this is an ideal terraforming candidate and would require minimal effort to transform into an ideal habitable world. Attenborough had already surveyed a few asteroids in the belt that lay outside the orbit of the fifth planet when she detected the alien ship. She was not equipped with active sensors and had only minimal EM and thermal passives so could determine nothing about the ship except that the transponder was moving toward Zeta Herculis-B III at 1258 km/s. Commander Cameron Fleming, captain of the Attenborough, set an immediate course for the jump point to Olympus. His intention was to travel all the way back to The Moat from where he could inform the Admiralty that high tech aliens had been discovered.

A week later Attenborough drew close to the jump point and detected active emissions from three alien ships waiting ahead of him. Not only were these aliens capable of space travel, they obviously were also aware of jump points, which presented a serious threat to the United Kingdom and its Commonwealth allies. There was nowhere to go but forward so Commander Fleming gave the order to transit and hoped the aliens were not immediately hostile. A hail was received, although completely unintelligible, and Attenborough responded. Communication attempts were continuing when Attenborough transited. All three alien ships jumped through to Olympus as a squadron and were close enough for Attenborough’s limited thermal sensors to detect they each had a thermal signature of strength-384, similar to Attenborough’s own signature of strength-360. Commander Fleming ordered his ship to head for the next jump point, leading to the planetless NN 3991 system. The alien ships immediately matched the survey ship’s maximum speed of 3000 km/s. Concerned about leading the aliens to Commonwealth territory home and unable to outrun them, Fleming decided to halt and continue communication attempts for a few days. A week after communications began, a fourth alien ship arrived and took up station near Attenborough. The other three pulled back to the Zeta Herculis jump point.

On December 9th, full communications were established and the aliens identified themselves as the Osmanli Devleti. Both sides were very reticent to provide much information beyond a desire to avoid conflict. Commander Fleming could see little point in spending any more time in Olympus. The Admiralty had to be informed of the existence of the Osmanli and if they followed him home, that was unfortunate but unavoidable. So far they had not shown any hostility, although admittedly that could be to encourage the very course of action he was about to undertake. Besides, it was ten billion kilometres back to The Moat so it was possible the alien ships might not have the range to follow all the way. Even if they reached The Moat it was a planetless system that contained nothing of value except as a route to the outer colonies of Tintagel, Bedivere, Rivalen and Excalibur. Once Attenborough raised the alarm the Royal Navy would ensure no alien ship moved beyond The Moat. A single alien ship shadowed Attenborough as she headed for the NN 3991 jump point.

The main priority for the United Kingdom, as yet unaware of the events in Zeta Herculis and Olympus, is to expedite the formation of the Commonwealth and to assist in bringing together the assets and knowledge of all three nations. That priority may change once the United Kingdom becomes aware of the presence of a high-tech alien race on its borders.

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/UKDecember2109.PNG)
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on December 30, 2015, 11:29:02 AM
United States – 27th December 2109

Colonies
Earth: 690m
Columbia (Lalande 21185): 201m
Astoria (WX Ursae Majoris): 28m
Eta Cassiopeiae-A III: 2.71m
Gateway II: 1.97m
Oregon-B II: 1.74m
Midway-A II: 1.11m

Mining Colonies
Stephan-Oterma (Sol): 114x AM
Faye (Sol): 50x AM
Lalande 21185-A II: 4x AM
WX Ursae Majoris-A Asteroid #40: 7x CMC
Luna (Sol): 5x CMC
Wolf (Sol): 5x CMC
Reinmuth (Sol): 4x CMC

The United States emerged as one of the victors of the First Colonial War, fulfilling its primary war aim of removing all Caliphate influence from the Eta Cassiopeiae system and the rest of the American Arm. In addition, the US gained eight Beirut class freighters, seven Muara class fuel harvesters and thirty-eight automated mines on the comet Faye in the Sol system. The fuel harvesters were relocated to DX Cancri to join the existing US harvester fleet while the Beirut class freighters were used to move mines to the American colony on Eta Cassiopeiae-A III.

Due to growing mineral shortages caused by serious drops in the accessibility of mineral deposits on Earth, in late 2108 the Joint Chiefs decided that United States needed to transfer large numbers of manned mining complexes from Earth to a more suitable location. The civilian leadership, deferring more and more to the military, accepted the recommendation without reservation. While some planets had large and accessible Duranium stockpiles, such as the ideal habitable world of Oregon-B II or the partially habitable world of Midway II (was Gliese 205), the other minerals on those planets were mostly at minimal accessibility. The best destination by far for the manned mines was Eta Cassiopeiae-A III, homeworld of the Eben. The US colony on the planet was capable of supporting only thirty-five manned mining complexes, thirty of which were already in place. Earth had more than four hundred so, given the twenty-four billion kilometre round trip, it would be many years before sufficient colonists could be transported to support such a large number of mines. Besides, all US colony ships were dedicated to increasing the population on Columbia. The Joint Chiefs noted there was already an abundant workforce on the Eben homeworld but some persuasion would be needed before they agreed to man the American mining complexes.

Earth Mineral Survey December 2109
Duranium 235,411  Acc: 0.73
Neutronium 8,704  Acc: 0.16
Corbomite 28,324  Acc: 0.21
Tritanium 26,610  Acc: 0.24
Boronide 15,586  Acc: 0.16
Mercassium 937  Acc: 0.11
Vendarite 4,313  Acc: 0.12
Sorium 26,610  Acc: 0.24
Corundium 193,585  Acc: 0.49
Gallicite 48,428  Acc: 0.25

Eta Cassiopeiae-A III Mineral Survey December 2109
Duranium 376,594  Acc: 1
Neutronium 79,397  Acc: 0.6
Corbomite 154,795  Acc: 0.9
Tritanium 61,095  Acc: 0.8
Boronide 94,695  Acc: 0.9
Mercassium 51,295  Acc: 0.9
Vendarite 187,898  Acc: 0.4
Sorium 250,296  Acc: 0.7
Uridium 83,096  Acc: 0.7
Corundium 106,795  Acc: 0.9
Gallicite 75,898  Acc: 0.4

The civilian leadership was less certain about invading a low-tech alien race with the intention of using them as workers to extract resources from the planet. Some unfortunate historical parallels came to mind. Therefore, the President used his dwindling influence over the military to secure an agreement that the ultimate objective should be to bring the Eben into the United States as full citizens, even if this could take years to accomplish. The invasion was launched on November 4th 2108. In a reversal of many science-fiction novels, the humans were the high-tech invaders and the aliens were the low-tech indigenous species being swept aside. Sixteen battalions of mobile infantry, supported by four headquarters units and a replacement battalion, moved out of the US colony and headed for the largest Eben cites. Considering their best weapons were primitive cannon, the Eben put up surprising resistance. Even so, the war lasted only five weeks before they were forced to surrender.

The intent of the invasion was to secure a substantial number of workers for future mining operations and this was achieved as the Eben population in December 2108 was three hundred and fifteen million. An unexpected bonus was the huge amount of wealth recovered by the occupying force. In the past the Eben home world had extensive mines for gold and precious jewels and the products of those mines were now available to the conquerors. Fifty thousand wealth was added to the United States reserves. The Eben were a peaceful people and began to adapt relatively quickly to the new situation. A year after the invasion the commander of the occupying forces, Major-General Solomon Trageser, reported that all signs of resistance to the occupation had ceased and in his view the population was completely subjugated. While their productivity was perhaps only sixty percent of what could eventually be expected, that was still enough to begin shipping additional mines to the planet. The next task would be to bring the Eben fully into the United States, first as a territory and then as one or more States. There was also a small Caliphate colony of less than one million on Eta Cassiopeiae-A III. This was occupied in March 2109 with no resistance.

In recent years, US scientists have been concentrating on the necessary technologies to build a carrier-based strike force. This has led to neglect in other area, particularly in the development of engines. While other powers are developing or, in some cases, deploying magneto-plasma drives, the United States has not even begun the necessary research. This is partly because the US has no propulsion specialists. Germany has developed stellarator reactors and has just begun work on magneto-plasma drives so some form of technology exchange between the two allies may be possible in the future. In the meantime, the US military academy is being expanded to increase the chance of identifying suitable scientists for propulsion research.

On June 13th 2109 the long-delayed carrier Kennedy was finally launched from the Bennett-Scolaro Shipyard. The 24,000 ton ship can carry a strike group of up twenty-six F-40 Starfuries and has sufficient magazine space to provide two full reloads for the entire strikegroup plus a third reload for half the strikegroup. The Starfury itself can launch three full-size ship missiles. For the moment these will be the RGM-1 Sabre missiles carried by the Shiloh class cruisers, although a fighter-specific missile may be developed. Using the same missile for both platforms makes logistics easier but wastes most of the Sabres range when used by the fighters. A variant of the Sabre with less fuel and a larger engine was considered but the extra speed was not considered useful enough to sacrifice the tactical advantages of fighters and cruisers being able to launch a joint salvo. The first pair of Starfuries landed on Kennedy on August 16th 2109. As of December 2109 the strikegroup is ten Starfuries and growing as more are produced by the fighter factories on Columbia. Due to a Gallicite shortage, no additional carriers have been laid down.

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Kennedy class Carrier    24,000 tons     402 Crew     2879.8 BP      TCS 480  TH 1920  EM 0
4000 km/s     Armour 2-74     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 13     PPV 0
Maint Life 2.07 Years     MSP 975    AFR 354%    IFR 4.9%    1YR 305    5YR 4576    Max Repair 120 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months    Flight Crew Berths 67   
Hangar Deck Capacity 8000 tons     Magazine 960   

Pratt & Whiteny F240 Ion Drive (8)    Power 240    Fuel Use 64%    Signature 240    Exp 10%
Fuel Capacity 1,600,000 Litres    Range 18.8 billion km   (54 days at full power)

Adelson-Vasko SPS-1 Active Search Sensor - MSR8413 (1)     GPS 11520     Range 84.1m km    Resolution 120
RGM-1 Sabre (192)  Speed: 22,700 km/s   End: 94.7m    Range: 129m km   WH: 9    Size: 5    TH: 75/45/22

Strike Group
26x F-40 Starfury Fighter   Speed: 7011 km/s    Size: 5.99

**************************************************************************************

F-40 Starfury class Fighter    300 tons     2 Crew     53.4 BP      TCS 5.99  TH 42  EM 0
7011 km/s     Armour 1-3     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 0     PPV 2.25
Maint Life 0 Years     MSP 0    AFR 59%    IFR 0.8%    1YR 3    5YR 43    Max Repair 13 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 0.5 months    Spare Berths 0   
Magazine 15   

Pratt & Whitney F21-B Ion Drive (2)    Power 21    Fuel Use 320.86%    Signature 21    Exp 17%
Fuel Capacity 20,000 Litres    Range 3.7 billion km   (6 days at full power)

Mk 3 Box Launcher (3)    Missile Size 5    Hangar Reload 37.5 minutes    MF Reload 6.2 hours
Adelson-Vasko APG-8 Missile Fire Control (1)     Range 33.6m km    Resolution 120
RGM-1 Sabre (3)  Speed: 22,700 km/s   End: 94.7m    Range: 129m km   WH: 9    Size: 5    TH: 75/45/22

**************************************************************************************

A side effect of the launch of Kennedy was the need to provide sufficient maintenance facilities for such a large ship. As both Columbia and Earth were capable of supporting ships up to 12,000 tons, the simplest solution was to combine them. It made more sense for the main US Navy base to be away from Earth orbit so the Earth-based maintenance facilities were moved to Columbia. This placed a great strain on the workers on Columbia, even though the population had reached two hundred million, making it the third largest human population in known space, after Avalon and Asgard, and the largest secondary population for any power. Columbia is also home to all US shipyards, one hundred and fifty construction factories, seventy-two fighter factories and sixteen research facilities. As of December 2109, Columbia’s manufacturing efficiency is at 92%.

By mid-2109, the United States was suffering from a serious Gallicite shortage that was greatly hindering ship construction and missile production. In the past, that issue was solved by trading US Duranium for UK Gallicite but the UK no longer had surplus Gallicite. Earth’s Gallicite deposits were running out and what remained was at low accessibility. The major source of Gallicite in Sol was from the automated mines on the comet Stephan-Oterma and from the captured Caliphate mines on the comet Faye. However, only five thousand tons remained in the deposit on Stephen-Oterma and that was being mined by several different powers. Those powers, including the United States, were already in the process of moving the automated mines to Faye, which still had eighteen thousand tons. Gallicite production would be improved to some degree by the movement of mines to Eta Cassiopeiae-A III but even that deposit was limited and relatively low accessibility. Ultimately, the United States has to find a new source of Gallicite and that will require automated mines. On that basis, the Earth-based construction factories are using their full capacity to convert manned mines to automated mines.

In the longer-term, the best option for automated mines appears to be Gamma Leporis-B III, a dwarf planet with a gravity just below human tolerance. Gamma Leporis is ten transits from Sol via the jump gate network. There is a shorter route in terms of transits via Procyon and Sirius but that is longer in terms of distance. The main disadvantage is that the Procyon route is neutral space and so far the United States has not announced the link to its own space. Argentina has a known colony in Procyon and US Naval Intelligence believes Argentina has likely explored to Gamma Leporis and beyond. Other Argentine colonies may be in the area so annexing Gamma Leporis could cause conflict with Argentina and inform other nations that a back door into US space exists. Argentina would be no match for the US Navy but a second aggressive action could unite other powers against the United States out of a perceived need for self-defence. For now, the Gallicite mining effort will concentrate on the remaining deposits in Sol and the Gamma Leporis situation will be addressed if no other choice presents itself in the meantime.

Gamma Leporis-B III Mineral Survey
Duranium 636,192  Acc: 1
Neutronium 66,564  Acc: 1
Corbomite 138,384  Acc: 1
Tritanium 278,784  Acc: 0.9
Boronide 11,664  Acc: 1
Vendarite 7,056  Acc: 0.7
Sorium 318,096  Acc: 0.8
Uridium 72,900  Acc: 0.9
Corundium 144  Acc: 0.8
Gallicite 152,100  Acc: 0.9

Since the end of the First Colonial War the United States has completed the carrier Kennedy, ten F-40 Starfuries, two Spruance class destroyers, a troop transport, four terraformers, two colony ships, two fuel harvesters and six Liberty-E class freighters. The United States has the second-largest civilian shipping sector with thirty-nine ships totalling one point seven-five million tons. In terms of wealth and fuel the US economy is healthy and mineral stockpiles are reasonable with the exception of Gallicite. Duranium stockpiles have been falling but there is no immediate problem and the transportation of mines to Eta-Cassiopeia should solve that problem in the longer term. The strategic priorities for the United States are to resolve the Gallicite shortage, move sufficient workers to Columbia for current and future manufacturing requirements and assimilate the Eben into the United States.

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/USADecember2109F.png)
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on December 30, 2015, 07:27:43 PM
Overall Comparison - January 1st 2110

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/Jan2110Comparison.PNG)
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on January 30, 2016, 01:42:00 PM
Argentina – 8th June 2111

Colonies
Earth: 127.5m
Díaz de Solís (Alpha Centauri): 25.4m
Magellan (Luna): 19.6m
Sancti Spiritu (Procyon): 0.32m
Tucumán (Tau-6 Eridani): 0.3m
Rio de la Plata (Gl 231.2): 0.25m

Mining Colonies
Alpha Centauri-B V - Moon 5: 21x Automated Mine

During the first few years of the twenty-second century Argentina concentrated its colonization efforts on the Procyon chain, establishing the colonies of Sancti Spiritu, Tucumán and Rio de la Plata in distant systems. Since the First Colonial War ended in June 2108, that policy has been reversed and Argentina has focused on the Díaz de Solís colony in Alpha Centauri, increasing the population by seven million since mid-2109, and on a new lunar colony. The change in direction has been driven by resource shortages, especially Gallicite and fuel, and a realization that Earth could be engulfed in a major war at any time. While there is considerable tension in Alpha Centauri, with Centauri, Martian and Japanese colonies sharing Vanaheim, the Argentine leadership hopes any future conflict between the larger powers will not involve Díaz de Solís. Argentina’s relations with the Centauri have improved since the war, primarily because Argentina is a long-term rival of Brazil and Brazil was responsible for the destruction of almost the entire Federation Navy.

In Sol, the rapidly diminishing mineral deposits on Earth have created a situation where the Duranium and Gallicite deposits on Luna are now more accessible than their Earthbound equivalents. As the two minerals are both key to Argentine industry, the lunar colony of Magellan was established to support manned mining operations. Thirty-two mining complexes are at the Magellan colony compared to thirty-eight on Earth. The automated Argentine mining colony in Alpha Centauri has been expanded to twenty-one installations. Due to the rapid movement of colonists from Earth to Magellan, the Argentine population on Earth has dropped by almost ten million since its highest point.

Luna Survey Report
Duranium 1,690,034  Acc: 0.8
Neutronium 453,278  Acc: 0.9
Gallicite 1,233,954  Acc: 0.3

Earth Survey Report
Duranium 202,611  Acc: 0.64
Neutronium 2,267  Acc: 0.11
Corbomite 19,003  Acc: 0.18
Tritanium 16,362  Acc: 0.19
Boronide 8,489  Acc: 0.13
Sorium 16,362  Acc: 0.19
Corundium 171,283  Acc: 0.44
Gallicite 37,473  Acc: 0.21

Even though further colonization expeditions into the Procyon chain have ended for the moment, Argentina continues to conduct survey operations along the chain, mainly searching for a shortcut back to the core systems of humanity so its colonies will be more accessible. Two Rio Negro class Gravitational Survey Vessel have been constructed to join the three San Martin class geosurvey ships and all five are carrying out survey operations far from Earth. In total, Argentina now has knowledge of eighty-two systems.

**************************************************************************************

Rio Negro class Gravitational Survey Vessel    6,000 tons     142 Crew     728.4 BP      TCS 120  TH 240  EM 0
2000 km/s    JR 3-50     Armour 1-29     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/2/0     Damage Control Rating 9     PPV 0
Maint Life 8.77 Years     MSP 683    AFR 31%    IFR 0.4%    1YR 16    5YR 239    Max Repair 100 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 96 months    Spare Berths 1   

Caballero Drive Systems CDS-60 Military Jump Drive     Max Ship Size 6000 tons    Distance 50k km     Squadron Size 3
Vaca-Casillas VC-240C Commercial Ion Drive (1)    Power 240    Fuel Use 8.49%    Signature 240    Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 800,000 Litres    Range 282.7 billion km   (1635 days at full power)

Medina-Casárez MC25 Active Search Sensor (1)     GPS 4800     Range 23.5m km    Resolution 150
Gravitational Survey Sensors (2)   2 Survey Points Per Hour

**************************************************************************************

Three of the four Capayan class destroyers have been refitted to the new ion-engined Capayan II class and the fourth is currently undergoing the same refit. The fifth destroyer in service was constructed as a Capayan II. A second ion-engine colony ship has been launched and is making runs between Earth and Díaz de Solís. The creation of the Magellan colony has boosted Argentina’s civilian sector and it is now the third largest, after the Commonwealth and the United States. Thirty-eight ships totalling almost one point seven million tons are operated by three different shipping lines.

Fuel continues to be the main problem for Argentina. Earth’s small remaining deposit of Sorium is at 0.19 accessibility, which is not enough to support Argentina’s fuel refineries, so the only source of fuel is five Dorado class harvesters in orbit of Saturn. A sixth is under construction. The harvesters produce less than four million tons per year, which is hampering colonization and survey operations. In terms of minerals, Gallicite is the greatest concern, followed by Sorium and Duranium. Gallicite is present on the mining colony in Alpha Centauri and, at much lower accessibility, on Luna, so there is a small but steady supply. Wealth is much less of an issue than in the past due to lower production rates and a booming civilian sector. Argentina’s main priorities are to improve the fuel supply situation, increase mining capacity and build up the colony in Alpha Centauri as insurance against the consequences of a major war on Earth.

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/ArgentinaJune2111.PNG)
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on January 30, 2016, 07:25:18 PM
Brazil – 6th July 2111

Colonies
Earth: 410m
Astoria (WX Ursae Majoris): 3.8m
YZ Ceti-A II: 0.48m

Mining Colonies
Stephen-Oterma (Sol): 23x AM
Faye (Sol): 9x AM
Herschel-Rigollet (Sol): 3x CMC

Brazil is still recovering from the disastrous First Colonial War. As a result of the war and its aftermath, Brazil lost all of its extra-solar possessions, along with several valuable warships and a large amount of commercial shipping. In addition, Brazil was viewed as an aggressor by the other powers who displayed little sympathy when the Commonwealth annexed several of its colonies. Therefore, Brazil has been keeping a relatively low profile while it rebuilds its economy, searches for new colony sites and prepares for the right moment to regain what was lost.

With the construction of its fourth 6000 ton Rio de Janeiro class gravitational survey vessel, Brazil has become a major exploring power for the first time. All four ships, along with several Liberal class geosurvey ships, are exploring along the Russo-Manchurian Arm, while avoiding any areas claimed by Manchuria or Russia. A small colony was established in YZ Ceti more than two years ago and a second colony will soon be created in Tau Ceti. Recently, Brazilian survey ships have discovered the Beta Hydri system at the edge of known space, which has four worlds of colony cost 2.0 and a fifth at colony cost 2.40. A pair of Liberal class geosurvey ships are heading for the system, although they will have to be escorted by a Rio de Janeiro due to their lack of a jump drive. There is some concern about the origin of the jump gate linking Beta Hydri to an adjacent brown dwarf system, although the general consensus is that it is one of the occasional ancient jump gates that have been discovered during human exploration.

Three new fuel harvesters have been constructed during the last two years, taking the total number of Brazilian harvesters to five. Ironically, those harvesters are deployed at Uranus, working alongside the Martian harvesters that were threatened by Brazilian warships during the war. While Brazil still has serious fuel shortages and cannot use its ground-based refineries due to a shortage of Sorium, the harvester construction program should ease that over time.

Brazil has not forgotten its military, nor has it lost the appetite for conquest. If anything, the reverses of the First Colonial War have only made the Brazilian leadership even more determined to achieve through force what the limits of their economic power prevent them from achieving through peaceful development. A fourth Antares class battlecruiser will be completed in July 2111 and a fifth Antares has been laid down. The senior Brazilian naval officers are confident of their fleet’s ability to withstand heavy missile attack, as demonstrated in 2108 in Alpha Centauri, and will not be caught passively in orbit by any further surprise attacks. The targets for future operations have not yet been finalised, although Argentina and Mars are both being considered.

Argentina has a fairly small fleet that would be easy for the Brazilian navy to overcome and could be attacked directly on land. While one of the smaller powers, the addition of Argentina’s industry and population would be a significant boost for Brazil, plus there would be great satisfaction involved in crushing a long-term rival. The Argentina operation would rely heavily on ground forces and Brazilian ground forces were severely weakened because of the loss of a fully loaded troop transport during the war. Even so, Brazilian ground force training facilities have been operating at full capacity to create new Assault Battalions. Eight are already in service and four more are in training. Four mobile infantry battalions are also available, along with six Garrison battalions that could serve as part of any occupation force. Mars would be a much tougher proposition but the rewards would be proportionately greater, plus Mars has a fleet of nine Decius class fuel harvesters that would prove very useful given the fuel shortages plaguing Brazil. The main concern for the Brazilian Navy is whether even its own formidable defences would be enough to withstand the likely hail of AMM fire when approaching Mars.

A third option under consideration is a raid on a much smaller scale. The experience of the Brazilian Navy during the First Colonial War was that slow and vulnerable troop transports place severe tactical constraints on fleet operations and cannot survive the combat environment. With that in mind, Brazilian scientists have developed the combat drop module, which will be used to land a battalion of assault infantry on an enemy population or to board a hostile ship. The drop module is much smaller than the troop transport bay, allowing it to be mounted on a smaller, faster ships, and deploys its troops almost instantly. The main problem for the basic drop module is that the reduced space results in very cramped conditions so the troops cannot be held on board for more than a few days without suffering severe hardships. A further refinement, the cryo-drop module, which combines the benefits of the drop module with the long-term storage capabilities of cryogenic transport modules. is being researched. Once this is available, combat troops can be kept in cryogenic suspension until needed. An alternative is some form of dropship carrier that allows the troops to be housed in troop transport bays until they need to board the drop ships.

Once the Brazilian Navy has this capability, it would allow a large scale raid on Martian or Argentine fuel harvesters at Uranus, aiming to capture those ships by boarding them. This would considerably boost Brazilian refining capacity while denying it to those other powers and it would be difficult for Argentina or Mars to strike back at Brazil in these circumstances, given the limited mobile Martian fleet and the disparity between the Argentine and Brazilian naval forces. The main obstacle would be the Martian Lancea class AMM base deployed at Uranus to protect the Martian fuel harvesters, although that too could be susceptible to boarding. A further advantage of this strategy is that it would not significantly change the balance of power in Sol and therefore would be less likely to provoke a reaction from other major powers. In any event, it will be some time before this technology is available and even longer before drop ships can be deployed. In the meantime Brazil will continue to build up its forces.

Brazilian industrial development in general has been delayed due to the need to build sufficient maintenance facilities to support the Antares class battlecruisers. That process was finally completed in November 2109. Since that point the economic situation has improved, with the notable exception of fuel production. Stockpiles of all minerals are reasonable except for Gallicite and Sorium and even in those cases there is no immediate crisis. That may change over time though, given Earth’s rapidly depleting deposits, unless Brazil can find a suitable alternative location for mining. Brazilian wealth reserves are back in positive territory and fairly stable. Brazil’s three shipping lines were hit heavily by the war and, although recovering a little, still only have nine ships between them, totalling three hundred thousand tons. Fuel remains the main problem and will be the driving force behind Brazilian strategy, both economic and military.

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/Brazil_July2111.PNG)
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on January 31, 2016, 10:16:19 AM
The Caliphate – 23rd July 2111

Colonies
Earth: 509m

Mining Colonies
Hesperia (Sol): 3x CMC

Because of the catastrophic losses suffered in the First Colonial War, the Caliphate is still in the early stages of the recovery process. No colony ships are in service and all previous Caliphate off-world holdings, except the civilian mining colony on Hesperia, were lost during the war. An outpost has been established on the near-Earth asteroid Icarus to serve as a fleet anchorage but for the moment this is purely a military base and has no population.

Since mid-2109, two commercial shipyards have been constructed and their single slipways are being expanded. One is intended for colony ships and the second for freighters, although the latter will be used initially to construct a pair of large fleet tugs. The military shipyard completed in the year following the war has been expanded to three slipways of 1000 ton capacity and a fourth slipway will be added in November 2111. It is currently building Ashdod class fast attack craft, six of which have been constructed in the last two years, taking the total number of Ashdods in service to twenty.

The combination of a lack of shipyard capacity and the dearth of unclaimed potential colony locations within easy reach of Sol has forced the Caliphate to adopt a significantly different strategy for colonization, compared to the other powers. The first Sidon class Orbital Habitat was completed in May 2111. The Sidon was built entirely by construction factories rather than shipyards and provides habitation for up to one million colonists. As the Sidon provides all the environmental needs for those colonists, the colony cost of the body around which it orbits is not a factor and all the population housed within the habitat can be devoted to the manufacturing and service sectors. As such, the location of the habitat can be selected based on availability of resources and strategic position, rather than suitable environmental conditions, allowing considerably more flexibility than normal colonial infrastructure. As the Sidon cannot move under its own power, it will remain in Earth orbit until the first Caliphate tug is available. Further Sidons are planned.

**************************************************************************************

Sidon class Orbital Habitat    1,253,000 tons     162 Crew     1134.8 BP      TCS 25060  TH 0  EM 0
1 km/s     No Armour     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 1     PPV 0
MSP 1    Max Repair 16 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months    Spare Berths 0   
Habitation Capacity 1,000,000   

Abdulah-Mansoor AM-10 Navigation Sensor (1)     GPS 1920     Range 10.5m km    Resolution 120

**************************************************************************************

The lack of shipyards has actually improved the Caliphate economy, due to much lower production. Mineral stockpiles are in reasonable shape with more than 5000 tons each of Duranium and Gallicite. Sorium is the major concern with only a thousand tons on hand. Wealth reserves are low but stable. Fuel has the potential to become a major issue. Although seven million litres are available and very little is currently being used, there are no Caliphate fuel harvesters and the Earth-based fuel refineries are inactive due to a shortage of Sorium. As the Caliphate economy recovers, fuel is likely to be the greatest constraint on expansion.

The sixteen ships of the two Caliphate shipping lines that survived the war have still not returned to the Sol system due to the concern of further violence. As the Caliphate Navy builds more FACs and memories of the destruction fade, that should change and the Caliphate will have an active civilian sector once again.
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on February 06, 2016, 07:23:07 AM
The Rise of the Commonwealth – October 2111

The Commonwealth was officially formed in January 2110, although the process of amalgamating the civilian population, industry and military forces of Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom required almost two years from that point onwards. The Royal Commonwealth Navy began absorbing all the various warships and commercial vessels fairly early in the process. Isolated colonies, such as the Canadian colony of Acadia, were also simple to transfer to Commonwealth governance. On those planets with colonies from two of the powers, such as the Australian and British populations on Pendragon, or even all three, such as Earth and Avalon, the complexities of amalgamation were far more difficult to manage. Eventually, the method chosen was for each national colony to complete all its shipbuilding, installation construction and ground force training tasks before becoming part of the Commonwealth administration.

The first real test for the new Commonwealth would come in the Olympus chain. The survey ship Attenborough had contacted an alien race in the Zeta Herculis system in October 2109 and was followed through the jump point by three alien ships when she returned to Olympus, a vast system centred on a colossal O8 class star. Attenborough held position for several weeks and managed to establish full communications with the aliens, which referred to themselves as the Osmanli Devleti, in early December. As nothing further could be accomplished in Olympus, she retreated along three more systems in the Olympus Chain (NN3991, WISE 1741-2553, HIP 80346) until she reached The Moat, the closest system on the jump gate network on January 12th 2110. One alien ship followed her from Olympus into NN3991, but then held position on the Olympus jump point.

The Commonwealth Admiralty, a new organization created to command the Royal Commonwealth Navy, received the news of a space-faring alien race with both concern and a determination to ensure the safety of Commonwealth citizens. A task group was speedily organized using ships constructed by all three founding nations and given orders to investigate the area around Zeta Herculis and to determine the level of potential threat. The orders specifically included instructions to press as far as possible and attempt to scan Zeta Herculis-B III, which was deemed likely to be the alien homeworld, or possibly a colony. If the aliens resisted the attempt, force could be used if the task group commander believed it would be successful. As the task group would be operating outside communication range of the Admiralty, the orders allowed wide discretion from the senior office present.

The task group comprised the jump cruiser Resolution, the Dreadnought-M class battlecruisers Collingwood and Colossus, the Agincourt-M class escort cruisers Agincourt and Quebec, the Tribal-M class destroyers Comanche, Matabele, Mohawk and Nubian, the Canadian-built Halifax class destroyers Fredericton and Winnipeg, the Australian-built Melbourne class destroyer Canberra and the Australia-built destroyer leader Sydney. Sydney was equipped with Ryan-Blackburn RB-210A Active Search Sensor, which had by far the longest sensor range in the task group at two hundred and ten million kilometers, while Fredericton and Winnipeg were the only missile-armed warships and carried UK-built Perseus anti-ship missiles.

On April 2nd 2110, after a long journey, the task group arrived within two hundred and ten million kilometres of the NN3991 – Olympus jump point and detected an Osmanli ship, designated as Iskenderun class. This was positively identified as the ship that followed Attenborough for part of the survey ship’s homeward journey and was therefore known to be jump-capable. The Commonwealth commander, Commodore Edward Cook, was concerned that the entire task group approaching would be taken as a hostile act, assuming that had not already been detected, and for the moment he preferred to act with caution. With no jump gates between The Moat and Zeta Hercules,  that meant sending forward the only jump-capable ship, the Resolution class jump cruiser, either alone or with a small escort. Commodore Cook deemed that too great a risk. Therefore, he requested the assistance of the Australian-built Adelaide class geological survey ships. As well as being larger than their UK and Canadian equivalents, the Adelaides had active sensors and a jump drive large enough to escort Tribal-M class destroyers through a jump point. Attenborough was on hand to serve as a runner so she moved back to The Moat and relayed the request. The closest Adelaide was forty days away so the task group held position and waited.

The survey ship Adelaide arrived at the task group on May 14th 2110. Escorted by the Tribal-Ms Mohawk and Nubian, she set course for the Olympus jump point. As they approached, the Osmanli Iskenderun, a 6400 ton ship, exchanged hails and warned the Commonwealth ships not to transit the next jump point in the chain, which led from Olympus to Zeta Herculis. There was still no sign that the Iskenderun was aware of the large Commonwealth task group two hundred million kilometres away. The Adelaide and the two Tribals transited into Olympus and moved across the system to the Zeta Herculis jump point. At thirty million kilometers they detected four more Osmanli ships; an Iskenderun, two designated as Aydin class and a sole Kemer class, all of which were 6400 tons. As previously agreed with Commodore Cook, the small task group waited for another Adelaide to arrive and act as a communication relay on the jump point back to NN3991.

Newcastle, the second Adelaide, escorted by the Tribal-M Matabele, transited into Olympus on June 3rd and held position on the NN3991 jump point. They too were warned by the Iskenderun not to proceed beyond Olympus. With Newcastle now able to relay messages from the most forward task group back to the main body, Adelaide, Mohawk and Nubian began closing on the four Osmanli ships. Their mission was to enter Zeta Herculis and scan the third planet of the B component. At fifteen million kilometres they were hailed by the alien ships and warned not to approach. Commodore Leon Mitchell, commanding the small squadron, ordered his ships to halt and sent a report via Newcastle asking for instructions. Commodore Cook, ordered them to proceed. Under his own orders to assess the level of threat, Cook wanted to see both the alien reaction to the small three-ship force and to assesses their capabilities if they choose to follow up their warnings with force. Adelaide, Mohawk and Nubian resumed their approach.

A single missile suddenly struck Adelaide, disabling one of her gravitational sensors. Ten small thermal signatures were detected seconds before the impact, although the size and speed of the inbounds could not be confirmed as the three Commonwealth ships were not equipped with sensors capable of detecting missiles. Whether the alien missiles had poor performance or the other nine were merely a warning was unknown. There was no follow-up salvo. The Osmanli commander, Captain Cihan Agar, contacted the Commonwealth ships and repeated his demand that they halt their approach. Once informed, Commodore Cook ordered them to withdraw to twenty-five million kilometres and await instructions, then dispatched Attenborough back through the two intervening systems to the Moat to inform the Admiralty of the situation. Cook requested permission to advance his main force, eliminate the alien picket on N3991 – Olympus JP and the alien squadron on the Olympus - Zeta Herculis JP before advancing into the latter system. He stated his belief that the alien missiles were low-tech given their poor hit rate and that the Commonwealth should strike while it had a significant tech advantage. He also requested additional support, particularly anti-missile units, and ground forces. Unknown to him, the forces need to fulfil some of those requests were already in motion. On June 21st a River class Mobile Jump Gate was towed into position at the jump point from The Moat to HIP 80346. Two tankers and a troop transport moved into the latter system and took up station at the WISE 1741-2553 jump point.

Seven days later Attenborough returned to NN3991 with permission from the Admiralty to destroy the alien ships and to determine the strength of the alien forces in Zeta Herculis. The main Commonwealth task group closed in on the lone Iskenderun stationed on the jump point to Olympus. At sixty million kilometres the Halifax class DDs Fredericton and Winnipeg launched two salvos of twelve Perseus anti-ship missiles. One missile from the first wave was shot down by energy-based point defence. The other eleven all struck their target, penetrating the armour in three locations (based on atmospheric streaming). The second salvo was equally successful and inflicted massive internal damage. The Iskenderun made no attempt to transit or move away from the jump point after the attack, probably due to engine damage. Commodore Cook ordered a third salvo, concerned the ship might repair its jump drive before the Commonwealth ships could close in. A single missile was hit by point defence but the target was destroyed. Fifty-eight very angry and hostile alien survivors were picked up by Attenborough.

As there was no jump gate on the NN3991 – Olympus jump point, it seemed likely that four ships at the Olympus – Zeta Herculis jump point were unaware of the loss of their sister ship. Commodore Cook wasted no time in moving across Olympus and into range of the alien squadron. By July 11th the two forces were fifty million kilometers apart. At least one of the alien ships was known to be missile-armed, based on the salvo fired at Adelaide, but there was no way to determine which one. The assumption was that as ten missiles was a large salvo for a 6400 ton ship, the likely candidates were the two Aydins, although all four could be missile-armed. As the missile firepower of the Commonwealth was relatively light and the enemy task group was stationed on a jump point, the key to maintaining strategic surprise would be eliminating any jump-capable ships. Commodore Cook wanted to retain some ordnance to deal with hostile missile combatants so, based on the events in the previous system, he ordered two salvos fired at the Iskenderun. A third salvo would probably ensure destruction of the ship but would also likely be wasted if the Osmanli ship retained its jump drive after the first two salvos and disappeared into Zeta Herculis. One missile from the first salvo and three from the second were hit by point defence. All the remaining missiles struck their target and eight penetrated the armour. The four enemy ships remained in Olympus so the quick consensus among the Commonwealth tactical officers was that the jump drive on the Iskenderun was disabled.

Fredericton and Winnipeg launched six more salvos, exhausting their magazines. One was targeted on the damaged Iskenderun, two each at the two Aydins on the basis they were the most probable missile ships and one at the Kemer. In total, thirteen missiles were hit by close-range point defence and a total of fifty hits were scored on the four alien ships. The Iskenderun was destroyed, Aydin 001 suffered ten internals and two small secondary magazine explosions, eight missiles penetrated the armour of Aydin 002 and the Kemer received a single internal hit. With no missiles remaining, the Commonwealth task group closed for an energy-range engagement.

Eleven million kilometres from the jump point nine inbound missiles were detected travelling at 13,200 km/s. The task group had formidable point defence and the alien missiles were easily shot down, as were two follow-up salvos. After a break of twenty minutes, nine more salvos arrived and were similarly dispatched. The alien ships remained on the jump point, presumably hoping for assistance, although they had no way to summon help without the ability to jump. The Commonwealth task group halted at 200,000 kilometres and Commodore Cook demanded the surrender of the three damaged alien ships. The Kemer tried to approach but its maximum speed was 3000 km/s and the Commonwealth ships could easily avoid it. Finally, the Dreadnought class battlecruiser Collingwood opened fire with six 20cm lasers and a 25cm spinal laser, damaging the Kemer and demonstrating the Commonwealth task group could destroy its opponents with impunity. With no other option that did not involve suicide, the Osmanli surrendered their ships.

Prize crews boarded the alien vessels and examined their systems. The two Aydin class and lone Kemer used nuclear pulse era technology and were obviously no match for the Commonwealth warships. The missiles of the Aydin were obsolete and would be unlikely to damage any ship with rudimentary point defence. While the Kemer could theoretically cause damage with its railguns, that would only be possible if a Commonwealth ship allowed it into range; unlikely in open space but possible in a jump point assault. Given the low technology of the alien ships encountered so far, Commodore Cook was tempted to press ahead and assault the jump point anyway. However, as the second Resolution class jump cruiser, Temeraire, and two Canadian-built Protecteur class AMM escorts had entered N3991, according to a message relayed by Attenborough, he decided to await the reinforcements just in case a large number of Kemers were waiting on the Zeta Herculis side of the jump point. Meanwhile, a Hercules class tug was towing a mobile jump gate to each jump point in the chain in order to move two tankers and a troop transport towards Olympus. Once the tankers and transports were through a jump point, the tug used the mobile jump gate to transit, the mobile jump gate followed and then the tug towed it to the next jump point in the chain.

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Aydin class Destroyer    6,400 tons     146 Crew     705.8 BP      TCS 128  TH 384  EM 0
3000 km/s     Armour 4-30     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 3     PPV 20
Maint Life 2.25 Years     MSP 207    AFR 109%    IFR 1.5%    1YR 55    5YR 825    Max Repair 96 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 11 months    Spare Berths 0   
Magazine 300   

Zana-Suphi ZS-192M Nuclear Pulse Engine (2)    Power 192    Fuel Use 68.4%    Signature 192    Exp 10%
Fuel Capacity 250,000 Litres    Range 10.3 billion km   (39 days at full power)

Size 4 Missile Launcher (5)    Missile Size 4    Rate of Fire 60
Keresteciyan Design Bureau KDB-20M Missile Fire Control (1)     Range 19.7m km    Resolution 120
Melara Anti-ship Missile (75)  Speed: 13,200 km/s   End: 82.5m    Range: 65.3m km   WH: 5    Size: 4    TH: 44/26/13

Keresteciyan Design Bureau KDB-20 Active Sensor (1)     GPS 4320     Range 19.7m km    Resolution 120

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Kemer class Destroyer    6,400 tons     196 Crew     701.2 BP      TCS 128  TH 384  EM 0
3000 km/s     Armour 4-30     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 3     PPV 30
Maint Life 2.29 Years     MSP 205    AFR 109%    IFR 1.5%    1YR 53    5YR 796    Max Repair 96 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 12 months    Spare Berths 0   

Zana-Suphi ZS-192M Nuclear Pulse Engine (2)    Power 192    Fuel Use 68.4%    Signature 192    Exp 10%
Fuel Capacity 350,000 Litres    Range 14.4 billion km   (55 days at full power)

12cm Railgun V2/C2 (6x4)    Range 40,000km     TS: 3000 km/s     Power 6-2     RM 2    ROF 15       
Zorlu Electronics Industries ZEI-48 Beam Fire Control (2)    Max Range: 96,000 km   TS: 3000 km/s     
Pebble Bed Reactor  (4)     Total Power Output 12    Armour 0    Exp 5%

Missile Detection Sensor (1)     GPS 36     Range 1.8m km    MCR 196k km    Resolution 1
Keresteciyan Design Bureau KDB-20 Active Sensor (1)     GPS 4320     Range 19.7m km    Resolution 120

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On July 22nd the Commonwealth launched a squadron transit attack into Zeta Herculis. Resolution escorted both battlecruisers, Temeraire escorted the two Protecteur class escorts and the two Adelaides each escorted a pair of Tribal class destroyers. There was no resistance. In fact, no sign of any Osmanli ships at all, except for transponder signals from two freighters in the solar system of the B component. Temeraire returned to Olympus and brought through the rest of the task group in a more leisurely standard transit. A volley of abuse soon arrived from the Osmanli homeworld demanding to know the fate of the five ships deployed on the far side of the jump point and the intention of the Commonwealth force. Now committed to aggressive action, Commodore Cook ignored the Osmanli and decided to wait for the tankers before proceeding further.

The Canadian-built tanker Restigouche refuelled the task group on August 3rd. After detaching the two Adelaides and two Tribals to monitor the jump point, the task group moved toward the semi-habitable (for humans) Zeta Herculis-B III. The two transponders detected earlier began running away from the planet in the opposite direction. Six days later a population was detected on the planet with an EM signature strength of 24,000, a little less than half that of Avalon.  This was either a fairly small homeworld population or a very large colony. As the task group closed in, an orbital shipyard contact of 400,000 was detected but there was still no sign of alien warships. Commodore Cook demanded the surrender of the Osmanli Devleti for the attack on Adelaide. The Osmanli refused and condemned the Commonwealth’s unprovoked aggression.

On August 10th the task group halted one million kilometres from the planet. There were still no hostile warships on sensors or any other ships except the two retreating transponders. Puzzled by the lack of opposition, Commodore Cook demanded the surrender of the planet one more time before ordered his two battlecruisers to destroy the alien shipyards. While the formation of the Commonwealth was still underway, it would eventually possess the combined shipyard capacity of Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom so additional shipyards were not really necessary and Cook did not want to take the chance of alien warships being launched. The destruction required less than a minute.

With nothing to shoot at the task group had to await ground forces. Ten mobile infantry battalions were already in Olympus en route to the Zeta Herculis jump point but their transport could not jump without the presence of the mobile jump gate, which was heading back to The Moat to await two more troop transports. After a day in orbit of Zeta Herculis-B III, the main body of the task group headed back to the Olympus jump point to await the transports, leaving the escort cruiser Agincourt, the destroyer escort Calgary and the destroyers Comanche and Nubian to watch over the Osmanli population.

Already stationed on the jump point were the two Adelaide class geological survey vessels and two Tribal-M class destroyers. On August 16th their active sensors detected an Osmanli task group, comprising an Iskenderun, a missile-armed Aydin and five railgun-armed Kemers, inbound at a distance of thirty million kilometres. The main body was still three hundred million kilometers away and could not intervene. Commodore Cook realised the Osmanli had probably decided they couldn’t defeat the large inbound fleet so they sent their small force around it in an attempted to secure the jump point and cut the Commonwealth supply lines. As the Adelaides were unarmed, the defence of the jump point was down to the two Tribal-Ms Matabele and Mohawk. They were slightly smaller than the Osmanli ships and outnumbered 7-2 but they were faster and had superior technology. On the far side of the jump point were the tanker Restigouche, a Flower class tanker and an Audacious class troop transport carrying ten battalions of mobile infantry, plus the recently captured Osmanli ships, comprising two Aydin with no missiles, one of which was immobile, and a single Kemer. Adelaide jumped through to warn the unarmed ships to move away from the jump point.

The Tribals could also transit and outrun the Osmanli ships but the Osmanli would then run down the Flower and troop transport. Restigouche had a maximum speed of 3200 km/s and would be able to evade. Once in Olympus the Kemer class railgun combatants would be able to mount a jump point defence against the main Commonwealth task group and potentially cause significant casualties, plus they would sever supply until they were eliminated. Therefore the Tribals decided to defend the jump point. They were faster and outranged the Kemers but to get into range they would have had to withstand the missiles of the single Aydin and they had no sensors capable of detecting those inbound missiles. The alternative was to stand on the defensive on the Olympus side of the jump point and risk being caught at short range by the five Kemers. Even so, that was a better option as they could also engage the missile ship at close range and all the enemy ships would be suffering from jump shock. Matabele, Mohawk and Newcastle transited into Olympus and took up position 200,000 kilometres from the jump point. The unarmed Commonwealth Aydin moved away while the crippled Aydin remained on the jump point, along with the damaged Kemer, which had repaired its internal systems but possessed virtually no armour. The Commonwealth ships transferred supplies to the crippled Aydin so the prize crew could attempt to repair its damage.

At 07:30 on August 16th, the Iskenderun, a Kemer and the Aydin used a squadron transit into Olympus, arriving 192,000 kilometres from the Tribals. Presumably the choice of a squadron transit with fewer ships was to avoid the much longer period of jump shock following a standard transit. The Commonwealth-controlled Kemer and Aydin were close to the jump point. The commander of the small Commonwealth squadron, Commodore Leon Mitchell, ordered his ships to follow the Aydin but to target the Kemer. Mitchell made this distinction because he believed the missile-armed Aydin was key to the engagement but the Kemer would interpose itself and would be dangerous at close range). Mohawk, which had a very experienced crew, fired instantly and scored a pair of strength-2 hits on the Kemer, without penetrating. Unfortunately, Matabele had a green crew and Mohawk was forced to wait for her sister ship to respond to the order to close the range.

Fifteen seconds after transit Mohawk fired her 20cm lasers again and was joined by Matabele. Only one strength-2 hit on the Kemer was achieved. A follow-up shot from Mohawk’s spinal 25cm also missed. Thirty seconds after transit, the Iskenderun fired on the Commonwealth-crewed Kemer, scoring eight strength-2 railgun hits and demonstrating the jump-capable ship was also armed. With the Kemer armour already in shreds, seven of the railgun rounds penetrated, disabling her fire control and destroying an engine and two railgun mounts. Neither side had ships underway. The Osmanli Kemer fired on its one-time sister ship at close-range, inflicting massive internal damage. The Commonwealth Kemer was crippled and unable to respond. Both Tribals fired their 20cm lasers and the Osmanli Kemer received a single strength-2 hit.

Forty seconds after transit, the Commonwealth-crewed Kemer was destroyed by a follow-up salvo from the Iskenderun and Matabele was struck by three strength-5 warheads. The Aydin was obviously in the fight. In response, Mohawk scored a strength-3 hit with her spinal 25cm. Five seconds later the Tribals combined to strike the Kemer four times, still without penetrating its armour. The Kemer turned its railguns on the crippled Commonwealth-crewed Aydin and blew it to pieces. Finally, the Commonwealth ships began moving toward the alien squadron, closing the range to 165,000 kilometres. Commodore Mitchell detached Newcastle, which was acting as a decoy, so his Tribal-Ms could accelerate to their maximum speed of 5333 km/s.

The Osmanli ships split up, with the Kemer heading for the approaching Tribals, the Aydin moving away in the opposite direction and the Iskenderun heading for the jump point, presumably planning to transit and return with a pair of Kemers. Before the Tribals could react, the Iskenderun vanished into Zeta Herculis. Instead, they fired a devastating barrage into the approaching Kemer, inflicting a strength-12 hit from a spinal laser and eight strength-7 hits from the smaller 20cm mounts. The Kemer was plainly badly damaged but returned fire at 27,000 kilometres, scoring five strength-1 hits on Matabele that opened up a hole in the Tribal’s armour.

The Tribals passed the crippled Kemer in pursuit of the Aydin and fired again at point blank range. The Kemer exploded. Targeting changed to the Aydin, now at 89,000 kilometres. Based on the previous engagement in Olympus, the recycle time of the Aydin’s launchers was approximately sixty seconds, giving the Tribals time to fire another volley before facing more missiles. As they closed, the Aydin was struck by a strength-8 from a spinal laser and eight strength-7 hits from the destroyers main batteries. Matabele suffered a single strength-5 hit from the expected missile salvo, which didn’t penetrate. The end was nigh for the Aydin. Both Tribals closed to point blank range, not bothering to demand surrender. Two strength-16 hits and eight strength-10 hits obliterated the already wounded ship. The Tribals moved to 140,000 kilometers from the jump point and awaited the return of the Iskenderun.

Hours passed with no further transit. In Zeta Herculis the main body of the Commonwealth force approached the Olympus jump point. At one hundred million kilometers from the jump point Sydney detected the Iskenderun and four Kemers one hundred and ten million kilometers beyond the jump point and heading out-system. The battlecruisers Collingwood and Colossus, plus the Sydney, were detached to pursue while the rest of the task group moved to the jump point. The assumption among the Commonwealth tactical officers was that the Osmanli commander believed he had taken too long to organize a second squadron transit, especially with the Tribals waiting for him, and decided to run instead in an attempt to preserve his force, not realising the full sensor range of the Sydney.

On August 18th the battlecruisers moved within range, firing a single volley at the Iskenderun and demanded the surrender of the five alien ships. Although the Kemers made desperate attempts to engage the Commonwealth warships, they were slower and had shorter-ranged weapons. Facing complete destruction with no way to even fight back, the Osmanli commander decided to accept the demand from Commodore Cook in order to save his crews. With Commonwealth prize crews aboard, the Osmanli ships headed to the Olympus JP. All known Osmanli warships were now destroyed or captured and the Osmanli shipyards had been destroyed. Apart from the Commonwealth squadron in orbit of the home world of the Osmanli Devleti, all the Commonwealth ships gathered at Olympus JP to await the arrival of additional troop transports. The captured ships were dispatched on the long journey to Avalon.

Meanwhile, life in the rest of the Commonwealth continued. The Rebecca Nicholls geology team completed a survey of an asteroid in the Caerleon system that was already the site of a Commonwealth mining colony. The team discovered an hundred thousand tons of additional Duranium plus deposits of Uridium and Vendarite. The mining colony, founded as the nearest suitable location to emplace automated mines recovered from the Vega ruins, was now one of the best mining locations in the Commonwealth.

Caerleon-A Asteroid #7 Mineral Survey
Duranium 369,800  Acc: 1
Neutronium 59,173  Acc: 0.8
Corbomite 43,035  Acc: 1
Tritanium 220,048  Acc: 0.8
Vendarite 115,600  Acc: 0.8
Mercassium 139,560  Acc: 1
Sorium 192,748  Acc: 0.8
Uridium 211,600  Acc: 0.8
Corundium 24,748  Acc: 0.8
Gallicite 159,148  Acc: 0.8

In Zeta Herculis, the survey ship Newcastle completed a survey of the Osmanli home world on September 20th 2110. Another ideal mining location, although this would be far harder to secure than the asteroid in Caerleon.

Zeta Herculis-B III Mineral Survey
Duranium 472,662  Acc: 0.9
Neutronium 72,308  Acc: 0.6
Corbomite 95,011  Acc: 0.8
Tritanium 67,413  Acc: 1
Boronide 149,511  Acc: 0.8
Mercassium 264,908  Acc: 0.6
Vendarite 77,108  Acc: 0.6
Sorium 103,763  Acc: 1
Uridium 58,259  Acc: 0.7
Corundium 126,505  Acc: 0.4
Gallicite 85,205  Acc: 0.4

On the 22nd of October, a small Osmanli geosurvey ship was intercepted and captured in Olympus, apparently having been on a mission to survey the innermost planet, located twenty-eight billion kilometres from the massive O8-V primary. The Atilay class was very similar in technological terms to the other captured Osmanli ships, although a commercial rather than military vessel. A prize crew boarded the ship and set course for Avalon.

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Atilay class Geological Survey Vessel    6,500 tons     73 Crew     610.2 BP      TCS 130  TH 200  EM 0
1538 km/s    JR 1-25(C)     Armour 1-31     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/3     Damage Control Rating 1     PPV 0
MSP 59    Max Repair 100 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 96 months    Spare Berths 0   

Akbulut Dynamics JC7K Commercial Jump Drive     Max Ship Size 7000 tons    Distance 25k km     Squadron Size 1
Zana-Suphi ZS-200 Commercial Drive (1)    Power 200    Fuel Use 7.96%    Signature 200    Exp 5%
Fuel Capacity 1,000,000 Litres    Range 347.8 billion km   (2617 days at full power)

Navigation Sensor (1)     GPS 1200     Range 6.0m km    Resolution 100
Geological Survey Sensors (3)   3 Survey Points Per Hour

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Four days later and twelve transits from Olympus, the Commonwealth gravitational survey ship Tycho Brae discovered the system of 36 Ophiuchi. Although the borders of the Commonwealth were expanded on a regular basis, this was a system of some note. A trinary with three orange K-class stars, 36 Ophiuchi included two colony cost 2.00 worlds, two more worlds at colony cost 2.16, a fifth world at colony cost 2.69 and two additional planets with colony costs of 3.23 and 4.35 respectively. Three of the best four worlds lacked an atmosphere so would require considerable terraforming while the other had an atmosphere with double the safe level of oxygen. Even so, it was a potentially valuable find should the system prove to be mineral-rich.

On November 3rd 2110 two more transports arrived in Zeta Herculis with twenty additional battalions of mobile infantry, making thirty in all. A River class mobile jump gate was in place on the Olympus – Zeta Herculis jump point and both jump gate construction ships were moving toward the Olympus chain to link the systems leading to Zeta Herculis to the rest of the jump gate network. The three troop transports headed for planet accompanied by the escort cruiser Quebec, the destroyer escort Protecteur and the Melbourne class destroyer Canberra. All the troops were safely on the ground by November 13th and the ground assault on the Osmanli Devleti was launched three days later.

The Commonwealth troops advanced confidently, expecting the ground war to be as straightforward as the war in space. That confidence dissolved when the lead column ran into a well-organized ambush that inflicted heavy casualties on four Commonwealth battalions before the defenders withdrew without loss. The Commonwealth forces reorganized and began a more cautious advance. For the next two months the Commonwealth gradually pushed back the Osmanli in a war of attrition, inflicting casualties at roughly at 2-1 rate. The exception was an unexpected counteroffensive by the Osmanli in late December that pushed back the Commonwealth lines and caused disproportionate casualties for ten days before it was finally halted. By mid-January the Commonwealth had regained the upper hand but civilian casualties were considerable. Commonwealth Naval Intelligence estimated almost 400,000 Osmanli civilians had been killed in the fighting and collateral industrial damage included a research facility, five  mining complexes, a fuel refinery and two construction factories.

On January 13th the Osmanli Devleti completed the construction of a planetary defence centre, built into a mountain. The task group in orbit comprised the escort cruiser Agincourt, armed with 10cm laser turrets, Calgary, a Protecteur class destroyer escort armed with a mixture of 10cm lasers and AMM launchers, the Melbourne class destroyer Canberra, armed with railguns, and the Tribal class destroyers Comanche and Nubian, armed with 20cm and 25cm lasers. Those ships with laser weapons would be able to fire through the atmosphere at reduced effect, due to the atmospheric pressure of 0.54 atm, as would the 20cm railguns on the Canberra. However, the Australian-built destroyer’s secondary armament of 10cm railguns would be ineffective. The 7450 ton PDC was an immediate threat and at such close range the Commonwealth ships could not detect missiles between launch and interception so the squadron commander, Commodore Morgan Nixon, ordered the task group to retreat to one million kilometres and ordered Calgary to fire on the PDC with her Huron AMMs. Her magazines held three hundred and forty-six missiles. Commonwealth ground forces would be in serious trouble if the Osmanli were prepared to use nuclear-armed missiles against targets on their own planet.

Twenty-five seconds after the PDC was detected, with the task group still in orbit and preparing to get underway, Agincourt was hit by a single strength-5 warhead. As the damage from the opening enemy salvo was minor, Nixon decided to countermand his initial orders and remain in orbit. He ordered all ships to fire on the PDC, accepting the damage from the enemy missiles in order to avoid causing further collateral damage to the planet by using missiles. 10cm lasers and 20cm railguns were limited to strength-1 hits while 20cm lasers inflicted strength-4 and the damage from 25cm lasers was strength-7. Although the PDC had very tough armour, the volume of fire from orbit was considerable and began blasting away the mountain in which the planetary defence centre was constructed. Fifty seconds after the start of the engagement a small secondary magazine explosion was the first sign of internal damage. At sixty seconds, which was  apparently the reload rate of the PDC, Agincourt suffered one more hit. Five seconds later the planetary defence exploded as the mountain was torn apart by secondary explosions. Agincourt had a large hole in her armour but no internal damage and remained on station.

After the brief excitement, the slogging match on the ground began again. As before, the Commonwealth slowly pushed back the Osmanli defenders, inflicting casualties at roughly a 2-1 ratio. Town after town fell to the remorseless advance, causing more civilian casualties and destruction of installations. Two newly trained Osmanli battalions entered the fight in early February, causing a brief surge in Commonwealth losses, but the cohesion of the existing forces was breaking. In a key battle for a major city lasting several days, three Osmanli Devleti battalions were surrounded and wiped out with three more taking significant casualties. Although four Commonwealth battalions were also mauled in the action and 150,000 civilians died, it was the key battle of the war. After that point the Osmanli were in full retreat and the outcome was never in doubt. By the end of March, a further eight Osmanli units had been destroyed. The landing of ten more Commonwealth battalions from a newly arrived Audacious class troop transport was the last straw, The Osmanli Devleti surrendered on April 2nd 2111. In total, between the destruction of the PDC and the surrender, more than half a million civilians had been killed and the industrial damage included five manned mining complexes, an automated mining complex, five construction factories, an ordnance factory, a deep space tracking station and a maintenance facility.

The population of the Osmanli Devleti home world was approximately three hundred and sixty million. Although some installations were destroyed in the fighting the majority were intact and taken into the possession of the Commonwealth. These included nine research facilities, three hundred factories of various types, one hundred and ninety mines, thirty-nine automated mines, almost a hundred fuel refineries, fifty-five maintenance facilities, two ground force training facilities and two deep space tracking stations. Captured consumables comprised sixteen million litres of fuel, twenty-two thousand maintenance supplies and around 50,000 tons of minerals, including two thousand each of Gallicite and Duranium. The planetary treasury added seventeen thousand wealth to Commonwealth reserves. Despite their generally lower technological level, investigation of the Osmanli databases revealed a few areas where they had greater technical knowledge than the Commonwealth. As a result of absorbing this knowledge the Commonwealth gained hangar bays, company-sized combat drop modules and more efficient jump drives. Because the population was still very hostile to the Commonwealth and Zeta Herculis was a great distance from Avalon, it would be a long time before any significant benefit would be gained from the war.

The appearance of the Osmanli species was nightmarish from a human perspective and their physical characteristics made them fearsome in hand to hand combat, which the Commonwealth ground combat forces strove to avoid during the conquest. Even the average Osmanli was seven feet tall, covered in short black fur, with an elongated, wolf-like head, long facial horns and six-clawed hands, with each claw six inches long and razor sharp. Despite the considerable strength of the Commonwealth ground forces, no one was looking forward to pacifying the population, which was understandably hostile to the occupation. To ensure there was no thought of revolt, a task group was stationed in orbit, comprising an Agincourt-M, all four Tribal-Ms, Sydney, Melbourne and the two Protecteur class destroyer escorts. The remaining ships, including both Dreadnought class battlecruisers, the two Resolution class jump cruisers, an Agincourt-M and both Halifax class destroyers headed back to Avalon for an overhaul. Nubian left orbit to run down the two civilian colony ships that had been holding some distance from the planet during the ground war.

While combat was raging in Zeta Herculis, the last of the six Dreadnought class battlecruisers was refitted with magneto-plasma engines. Similar refits were also underway for the Agincourt and Tribal class ships and new engines had been designed for the Halifax and Melbourne class ships. The intention of the Admiralty was to update most of the existing warships before designing any new ships. The M-refits were purely engine replacements with all other components left in place.

On April 11th, operations begin to clear other Osmanli colonies in the Zeta Herculis system. Geosurvey ships had noted very small population signatures on several bodies so troop transports were dispatched accordingly. Five mobile infantry battalions were landed on the fourth planet of Zeta Herculis-B, an airless world with a colony cost of 2.54, and five more on an asteroid in the sparse belt around the star. On the former there was no resistance and a population of 370,000 was secured. On the latter, a civilian mining colony, a defending battalion was present so combat operations began. The two captured colony ships were used to transfer the newly conquered population to the Osmanli home world. Another landing was made on April 21st on the thirteenth moon of Zeta Herculis-B V where a second civilian mining colony was located. A ground assault was required before the colony surrendered.

On April 22nd 2111 the Commonwealth agreed a deal with the Centauri Federation to sell seven captured Osmanli ships, comprising a jump-capable Iskenderun, a missile-armed Aydin, four railgun-armed Kemers and a gravitational survey ship, in exchange for six thousand tons of Duranium. The Centauri were so short of warships following the First Colonial War that even lower tech ships were useful and six thousand tons of Duranium was little more than ten percent of their total stockpile. From the Commonwealth perspective, the Duranium was far more useful than obsolete warships and helping the Centauri Federation provided a small counterbalance to the growing strength of the Japanese Empire. The Commonwealth did not provide details of the origin of the Osmanli ships, except to assure the Centauri that there was no chance the original owner would be searching for them. Their passage through the Sol system did raise many questions among the intelligence communities of the other powers. The seven ships arrived at Asgard on June 10th 2111.

In early June, an ideal habitable world was discovered in Struve 2173, four jumps beyond Altair in what had become known as the Novo Rio chain, named because the chain of more than a dozen systems was connected to the rest of the Commonwealth via the system of Kruger 60, home of the Novo Rio colony that was founded by Brazil but occupied by the Commonwealth. The system was nine transits and more than thirty-six billion kilometers from Avalon so, while a welcome discovery, it was not high priority given the recent Osmanli conquest and the huge amount of logistical and organization work involved in setting up the Commonwealth in its early days.

The chain between Altair and Struve 2173 comprised the systems of Gliese 748, NN4065 and NN4056. A month after the discovery of Struve 2173, the gravitational survey ship Kepler transited a newly discovered jump point in the centre system, NN4065, and entered the system of GJ-1235, where she immediately detected the transponder of a German civilian colony ship. Relations between Germany and the Commonwealth were cordial so the survey ship hailed the colony ship and made its presence known. A reply was soon received from a German colony on the third planet, a freezing world with a breathable atmosphere. The matter was quickly escalated to the respective governments which were keen to avoid any tension. Discussions revealed that Germany had previously explored NN4065, the system from which Kepler had entered GJ-1235 and the two systems on either side, Gliese 748 and NN4056.

Examinations of the respective survey records demonstrated that the Commonwealth reached Gliese 748 first but German survey ships were the first to enter NN4065 and NN4056. Ownership was agreed on that basis, with the Gliese 748 - NN4065 jump point becoming the first common border between Germany and the Commonwealth. However, the Commonwealth had explored beyond NN4056 and found the ideal habitable world in Struve 2173, a system of which the Germans were apparently unaware. Unfortunately, Struve 2173 could not reached without passing through what was now German space. As Struve 2173 was a long way from Avalon the Admiralty did not believe a single habitable world was worth conflict with Germany and probably its ally, the United States, unless it possessed particularly valuable mineral deposits or perhaps an alien ruin. As there was already a Commonwealth geosurvey ship in the system that question would be answered before the Commonwealth pulled back. Germany informed the Commonwealth that two its survey ships were already in what was agreed to be Commonwealth space and they would withdraw as soon as contact was made.

On July 30th investigation of the ideal world in Struve 2173 by the geological survey ship Brunel revealed a ruined settlement and an alien research installation that would double the effectiveness of biological research on the planet. Suddenly, the planet had far more value. Given the vastness of space and the low chance of discovery, the Admiralty decided to attempt to establish a colony in Struve 2173 before the Germans discovered it and then claim it was colonised from a different direction. This would involve moving ships through the German systems of NN4065 and NN4056. Given the vastness of space and low likelihood of detection, this was deemed an acceptable risk compared to the potential rewards. Both gravitational survey ships in the Novo Rio chain were ordered to move to Struve 2173 immediately and search for another route back to Commonwealth space. The creation of a colony was far more problematic. One of the two mobile jump gates in the Olympus chain was recalled to provide a way to move colonists beyond Altair, the last system on the jump gate network. Unfortunately, the mobile jump gate was fourteen transits and almost fifty billion kilometers away, so it would take a Hercules class tug a long time to move it at the maximum towing speed of 1870 km/s. In the meantime, a colony expedition was organised using the four Canadian-built Mackenzie class colony ships, troop transports departed Avalon carrying construction brigades and two tankers were sent to Altair to provide a refuelling stop for all the ships involved.

What remained unknown to the Commonwealth was that the German colony on a moon of the third planet of GJ-1235, known to Germany as Alteruine, was located at a large and valuable ruin suite and the moon possessed an alien research installation that almost doubled power and propulsion research. The proximity of Commonwealth space to one of their most valuable systems was causing some concern among the German leadership.

With the growth in number of colonies in the Commonwealth, a new level of government between the individual planets and the national level was agreed by the House of Commons and the Senate. The first ‘Sector Command’ was established on Avalon and included all colonies in Sol, Barnard's Star, Pendragon and Acadia, the latter having recently been renamed from Kuiper 75 to match the Canadian-founded colony on the second planet of the B component.

In late July, the first Phoebe class maintenance vessel was constructed by fighter factories on Earth. With plans in motion to establish a naval base in 61 Cygni, two jumps from Avalon, the Commonwealth needed a way to move maintenance supplies around without using shipping needed for higher priority tasks. While two different classes of large replenishment vessels were being considered to support battle fleets and survey forces, a small, more flexible craft was required for general duties. The result was the Phoebe, a shuttle-sized vessel that could transfer relatively small amounts of supplies between colonies. As there was a large supply stockpile on Earth, the first Phoebe began a regular run to move the supplies to 61 Cygni.

**************************************************************************************

Phoebe class Maintenance Vessel    435 tons     4 Crew     48 BP      TCS 8.7  TH 32  EM 0
3678 km/s     Armour 1-5     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 0     PPV 0
Maint Life 17.48 Years     MSP 1000    AFR 87%    IFR 1.2%    1YR 6    5YR 93    Max Repair 10 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months    Spare Berths 2   

Shuttle Engine (2)    Power 16    Fuel Use 59.4%    Signature 16    Exp 10%
Fuel Capacity 50,000 Litres    Range 34.8 billion km   (109 days at full power)

**************************************************************************************

With the combining of the Australian, Canadian and United Kingdom populations, the Commonwealth became the largest of the Solarian powers, although in truth the Commonwealth was no longer a Sol-based power and the Earth was more of a colony with the real capital at Avalon. The amalgamation brought many benefits but one of the disadvantages was less diversity in trading opportunities. With this in mind, the Commonwealth began a program of building up its colonial populations with the aim of maximising trade. By September 2111, both Acadia and 61 Cygni-A III had passed twenty million, Pendragon’s population was already in excess of fifty million and the occupied colony on Novo Rio was at thirty-five million. Attention began to turn to the outer colonies and the emphasis on transporting new settlers from Earth to Avalon started to wane.

On September 8th the gravitational survey ship Warramunga explored a jump point in GL609, the first system found beyond Zeta Herculis, and discovered Lambda Serpentis, a yellow G0-V star with two planets. The second planet, a gas giant, had seventeen moons and remarkably seven of those moons were colony cost 2.00, including the ninth moon which would require minimal terraforming to become an ideal habitable world. It would be some time before a colony could be established as Zeta Herculis was not yet connected to the jump gate network, although both Commonwealth construction ships were engaged in that task.

A naval base was formally established at the colony on 61 Cygni-A III on September 9th 2111. In celebration of the new base the system was renamed Scapa Flow. Sufficient maintenance facilities were in place to handle ships of up to 9000 tons, which included all Commonwealth warships and survey vessels with the exception of the six Dreadnought class battlecruisers. Supplies and fuel were already on site and a squadron of five ships arrived to take up residence, comprising the Agincourt-M class escort cruiser Quiberon Bay, the Halifax-M class destroyers Halifax and Regina and the Tribal-M class destroyers Apache and Ashanti. Scapa Flow is a key crosswords systems for the Commonwealth, linking to:
1)   Pendragon, which connects to Avalon
2)   Manchu, the primary Manchurian colony system,
3)   EV Lacerte, which connects to the United States system of Eta Cassiopeiae and the occupied Eben population.
4)   Kruger 60, home to the Novo Rio colony and the starting system of the Novo Rio chain.
5)   The Junction, which is the major fork in the Avalon Arm.

By October 2111, the Commonwealth was fully formed, with all colonies and ships from the three constituent powers under the Commonwealth government. The last colony to formerly join the Commonwealth was the Australian colony on Avalon in late September, although much of the industry and population had already transferred to the Commonwealth in previous months. The last ship to be built by the Australian shipyards before the transfer of ownership was the Melbourne class destroyer Hobart, the sixth of her class.

In total, between January 2110 and October 2111, the Commonwealth and its three constituent powers constructed two Halifax class destroyers, two Melbourne class destroyers, a Warramunga class gravitational survey vessel, an Adelaide class geological survey vessel, eight Atlas II class freighters, seven Mayflower II class colony ships, three Ambrosia class fuel harvesters, two Avalon II class terraformers, two Rhodes class asteroid miners, five Rhodes II class asteroid miners and two Phoebe class maintenance vessels. By this point the Commonwealth operated five hundred thousand tons of naval shipping, including survey vessels, nine million tons of commercial shipping and almost ten million tons of civilian shipping. Japan, Russia and the United States each operated naval shipping tonnages between sixty-eight and seventy-three percent of the Commonwealth total. The United States and Japan operated commercial tonnages of seventy-two percent and sixty-one percent of the Commonwealth total respectively. No other power even came close to the Commonwealth in terms of civilian shipping, with the United States being the closest at just two million tons.

Despite the supremacy of the Commonwealth against any single power, it was still vulnerable to an alliance of nations. The combined naval shipping of the United States and Germany for example exceeded that of the Commonwealth while Japan and Russia combined would have a significant advantage. For these reasons, the Commonwealth was keen to conceal its strength as much as possible to avoid and retained the bulk of its warships within the Avalon Arm. Only a small squadron was deployed at Earth. The strategic priorities for the Commonwealth were to weld together the Royal Commonwealth Navy from the melange of different ship designs and combat philosophies of its three founding powers, build up its colonies and associated infrastructure and begin building a defence network to protect the Avalon Arm from the rest of the human powers.

Commonwealth Colonies
Avalon: 948m
Zeta Herculis-B III: 366m
Earth: 300m
Pendragon: 54m
Novo Rio (Kruger 60): 37.8m
Barnard's Star III: 28.5m
Acadia: 22.1m
Scapa Flow-A III: 20m
Vega III: 4.13m
Manchu-B I: 3.90m
Kuiper 79-A IV: 3.45m
Tintagel III: 3.05m
Bedivere-A II: 2.07m
Kuiper 79-B II: 1.39m
Caerleon-A I: 1.48m
Gawain I: 1.11m
Merlin II: 0.93m
Excalibur-A II: 0.85m
V1581 Cygni-B I: 0.69m
Rivalen-B II: 0.63m
Caerleon-B II: 0.23m
EV Lacerte-A II: 0.15m
Caerleon-A II: 0.13m

Mining Colonies (including asteroid miners)
Pendragon-B Asteroid #75: 130x AM
Pendragon-B Asteroid #27: 62x AM
Caerleon-B Asteroid #7: 25x AM
Pendragon-B Asteroid #68: 21x AM
Pendragon-B Asteroid #36: 20x AM
Pendragon-B Asteroid #70: 10x AM
Kruger 60-B VII – Moon 6: 8x AM
GJ 1253-A II: 8x AM
Tempel 1 (Sol): 9x CMC
Kruger 60-A III: 6x CMC
Tempel-Tuttle (Sol): 4x CMC
Bernard’s Star-A I: 4x CMC
Zeta Herculis-B Asteroid #52: 3x CMC
Zeta Herculis-B V – Moon 13: 2x CMC

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/CommonwealthOctober2111.PNG)
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on February 07, 2016, 07:25:41 AM
Centauri Federation = 15th October 2111

Colonies
Asgard: 300m
Vanaheim: 153m
Midgard: 36m
Alpha Centauri-A II – Moon 27: 3.38m
Alpha Centauri-A II – Moon 22: 2.33m
Alpha Centauri-A II – Moon 16: 2.04m
Alpha Centauri-A II – Moon 21: 1.73m
Alpha Centauri-A II – Moon 13: 1.41m

Mining Colonies
Alpha Centauri-A II – Moon 24: 47x AM
Alpha Centauri-A Asteroid #159: 7x CMC
Alpha Centauri-A Asteroid #97: 6x CMC
Alpha Centauri-B V – Moon 18: 5x CMC
Alpha Centauri-B V – Moon 9: 4x CMC
Alpha Centauri-A Asteroid #421: 2x CMC
Alpha Centauri-A Asteroid #318: 2x CMC

The Centauri Federation is continuing to rebuild its defences after the disaster of the First Colonial War. The first new Grendel class cruiser was constructed in September 2109 and has been followed by four sister ships. Three more Grendels are under construction. A pair of Valhalla class destroyers were built in early 2110 and a second pair in 2111. Although not yet at the force level prior to the war, the Federation Navy is recovering its strength rapidly and would already be able to mount significant resistance to any attack. In addition to the new construction, the Federation purchased seven lower tech alien ships from the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth was not forthcoming regarding the origin of the ships, except to reassure the Federation the former owner was no longer a problem. The fact that any alien ships existed at all was a shock to the Centauri. While the alien ships would not be particularly useful in a fleet action, they would be perfectly capable of commerce raiding or defending a jump point. During the last two years, in addition to the warships, the Centauri Federation has constructed three fuel harvesters, four colony ships and a pair of salvagers.

**************************************************************************************

Valhalla class Destroyer    8,000 tons     254 Crew     1166.4 BP      TCS 160  TH 648  EM 0
4050 km/s     Armour 4-35     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 4     PPV 45
Maint Life 2.79 Years     MSP 364    AFR 128%    IFR 1.8%    1YR 68    5YR 1019    Max Repair 108 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 15 months    Spare Berths 1   

Bóndison-Arnmundarson BA-216 Main Drive (3)    Power 216    Fuel Use 57.4%    Signature 216    Exp 10%
Fuel Capacity 500,000 Litres    Range 19.6 billion km   (56 days at full power)

12cm Railgun V2/C3 (9x4)    Range 40,000km     TS: 4050 km/s     Power 6-3     RM 2    ROF 10        2 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nyström-Sjögren NSB-96 Beam Fire Control (3)    Max Range: 192,000 km   TS: 4000 km/s     95 90 84 79 74 69 64 58 53 48
Gas-Cooled Fast Reactor (6)     Total Power Output 27    Armour 0    Exp 5%

Nyström-Sjögren NS-3M Missile Acquisition System (1)     GPS 48     Range 2.9m km    MCR 314k km    Resolution 1
Nyström-Sjögren NS-20A Target Acquisition System (1)     GPS 3840     Range 21.0m km    Resolution 120

**************************************************************************************

With the rebuilding of its navy well underway, the major challenge facing the Centauri Federation is the presence of a Japanese colony on Vanaheim and the constant threat posed by the Imperial Japanese Navy. Despite being saved by Japanese intervention during the First Colonial War, the Centauri leadership is in little doubt that Japan acted entirely in its own interests and not those of the Federation. When Japan judges the moment is right, probably when its industry is secure, the Centauri leadership expects it will strike at Asgard with the intention of annexing the entire Alpha Centauri system. With that in mind, the Federation Navy has begun planning for an operation to eject Japan from Alpha Centauri. One task group will strike directly at the Japanese colony on Vanaheim, eliminating any ships in orbit and covering ground combat operations. Two more task groups will move to the Sol and Luhman jump points to defend against any Japanese forces attempting to intervene. The newly acquired alien ships will serve in one of those task groups. The Federation Navy does not yet has sufficient strength for the operation but its senior officers hope that at current construction rates the day is not far away.

The Martian Union has been a faithful ally to the Centauri Federation and provided protection for Asgard while the Federation Navy was being rebuilt. Mars has sold a Lancea class AMM base to the Federation to provide anti-missile coverage of the Centauri home world and has moved troops to Vanaheim to help counter the Japanese build-up on that world. In return, the Federation has allowed Martian colonies in Alpha Centauri. As the Centauri and the Martians depend on each other for their future survival, the first discussions have taken place regarding some form of joint government in a similar vein to the Commonwealth. In addition, the Martian Union has been informed of the plan to remove Japanese influence from Alpha Centauri and invited to take part, providing a distraction for Japanese forces in Sol. Mars already has plans in motion to boost its ability to strike at long range and informs the Federation that it will be a full partner in any action against Japan.

As it is confined to the Alpha Centauri system, at least for the moment, the Federation has begun establishing new colonies to increase its population growth and internal trading opportunities. Small populations have been created on five different moons of Alpha Centauri-A II. Due to the threat from the Japanese, important installations have been relocated from Vanaheim to Asgard. As this resulted in a shortage of workers, Centauri colony ships have also been involved in a large movement of population from Midgard to Asgard to ease that shortage. As a result, the population of Midgard has fallen by over fifty percent in two years.

The Centauri economy is in fair condition. Mineral stockpiles are extensive while fuel and wealth reserves are both low but reasonably stable. The civilian sector is healthy with thirty-one ships totalling 1.15m tons and twenty-six civilian mining complexes. More than forty percent of all Centauri tax revenues are from civilian sources. Centauri strategic priorities remain unchanged; continue the recovery of their military forces and invest in expansion within Alpha Centauri.
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on February 07, 2016, 10:03:20 AM
France – 23rd October 2111

Colonies
Earth: 255m
Astoria (WX Ursae Majoris-A II): 36.6m
New France-A II: 31.2m
New Quebec I: 4.2m

Mining Colonies
New Quebec-A II – Moon 1: 57x AM
Stephan-Oterma (Sol): 3x AM

During the last two years, France has continued down the isolationist route, building up its colonies at New France and New Quebec. Since September 2109, the population of New France itself has grown by a third to over thirty million and a further twenty automated mines have been moved to the mining colony on a moon of New Quebec-A II. Five of the six French shipyards have been towed from Earth and are now in orbit of New France and the sixth is en route. The location of the New France system, five transits from Sol and connected by a single jump point to the rest of human space, makes its one of the more defendable primary colony locations for any power. The two French survey ships continue to expand the area of known space beyond New France while the three Surcouf class construction ships follow behind linking those systems to the jump gate network. French space now comprises twenty-six systems, seven of which are linked by jump gates, including both New France and New Quebec.

The major problem now facing France is a lack of freighter lift. Only five Richelieu class freighters are in service and the resources in the Sol system are beginning to run out. There are no longer any Mercassium, Vendarite and Uridium deposits on Earth and Neutronium will soon be exhausted. All the other mineral deposits are at medium to low accessibility and falling. France has one hundred and sixty-nine manned mining complexes on Earth that need a new home and the French freighter fleet is too small to move them in any realistic amount of time. A suitable location has been found in the NN 3704 system five jumps beyond New France, which is ten transits and twenty-one billion kilometres from Earth. The second planet has large, accessible deposits of all eleven minerals and a colony cost of 2.26. It would be an ideal location for the Earth-based mines if France had a way to transport them. With this in mind, France is expanding a shipyard to 80,000 ton capacity with the intention of building a class of freighters that can transport two mines at once.

NN 3704-A II Survey Report (colony cost 2.26)
Duranium 924,800  Acc: 1
Neutronium 107,584  Acc: 0.7
Corbomite 57,600  Acc: 0.8
Tritanium 602,176  Acc: 0.6
Boronide 28,224  Acc: 1
Mercassium 61,504  Acc: 0.7
Vendarite 295,936  Acc: 0.7
Sorium 179,776  Acc: 0.8
Uridium 246,016  Acc: 0.8
Corundium 173,056  Acc: 0.9
Gallicite 92,416  Acc: 0.7

The French economy has never been as healthy as some of the larger nations and requires careful management to avoid shortages. However, due to the large amount of fuel found in the ruins on New France in the early 22nd century, fuel usage was regarded as less important and required less oversight. Those huge fuel stockpiles have gradually diminished over time and France is now facing an imminent fuel shortage, Five millions litres are available on New France with three million more on Earth. The refineries on Earth are inactive due to a shortage of Sorium, which leaves just three La Galissonniere class fuel harvesters as the sole source of new fuel. Historically, France did not devote as much effort to harvester construction as the other powers because of its large fuel stockpile. A shipyard has been retooled to build the new Bordelais class fuel harvester, which is twice the size of its predecessor, and the first one is under construction.

**************************************************************************************

Bordelais class Fuel Harvester    88,750 tons     370 Crew     1532.6 BP      TCS 1775  TH 640  EM 0
360 km/s     Armour 1-177     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 1     PPV 0
MSP 11    Max Repair 64 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 3 months    Spare Berths 0   
Fuel Harvester: 32 modules producing 1536000 litres per annum

CMD-320 EP Commercial Magneto-plasma Drive (2)    Power 320    Fuel Use 3.04%    Signature 320    Exp 4%
Fuel Capacity 2,000,000 Litres    Range 133.2 billion km   (4283 days at full power)

**************************************************************************************

In the last two years France has constructed three colony ships and a Chacal class tug and converted the remaining Clemenceau to the newer Clemenceau-S, five of which are now in service. The slow rate of shipbuilding is due to the relocation of the French shipyards from Sol to New France.

France has no wealth reserves but has recently paid back all its debts and is in a stable situation. Mineral reserves are currently acceptable, although unless mining complexes can be relocated that situation will deteriorate. Unfortunately, the lack of fuel only compounds the problem of moving the mines. The civilian sector is at least growing, with six ships built in the last two years and an increase in total tonnage of almost twenty-five percent. If the wealth situation can be improved, the civilian sector may became a solution to the transportation issue as civilian ships can be hired to move the mines to New France and beyond. French priorities remain the expansion of French space, the relocation of valuable installations and maintaining an isolationist foreign policy.

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/FranceOctober2111.PNG)
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on February 08, 2016, 02:24:41 PM
Germany – 21st November 2111

Colonies
Earth: 311m
Medina-A II (occupied ex-Caliphate): 74m
Medina-A II (New German colony): 25.9m
Astoria (WX Ursae Majoris): 25.9m
Neu Brandenburg II: 19.1m
Neu Bayern II: 13.9m
GJ-1230-A II: 1.5m
Alteruine-A III – Moon 8: 0.39m
15 Sagittae-A IV: 0.1m

Mining Colonies
Neu Bayern-B III – Moon 12: 113x AM
Medina-A VII – Moon 7: 12x AM
2004 TY364: 5x CMC
Medina-A V: 3x CMC

Despite benefitting significantly from the First Colonial War, Germany struggled to expand in the aftermath due to severe resource shortages. That situation has now changed. The fuel crisis that was interfering with German expansion has ended, or at least been temporarily averted. A combination of harvester production and several discoveries of fuel supplies in the Alteruine system have enabled Germany to build up a stockpile of fourteen million litres in Medina while operating its original colony ships and those captured from the Caliphate at full capacity. Mineral supplies are not ideal but no longer an immediate issue while wealth reserves are now substantial due to discoveries in Alteruine.

During the last two years, the key German colony on Medina-A II has expanded to a population of twenty-six million while the occupied Caliphate colony on the same planet has reached seventy-four million. Resistance to the occupation on the Caliphate colony has subsided and the population could best be described as subjugated; productivity is equal to perhaps to sixty percent of its maximum. All seven German shipyards have been towed to Medina and are split between the German and ex-Caliphate populations. New colonies have been established at the ruins on the eighth moon of Alteruine-A III and on the near-habitable world in the adjacent system of 15 Sagittae. In terms of mining, the main effort has been to build automated mines and transport them to a moon in the Neu Bayern system, two jumps from Medina. One hundred and thirteen installations are in place and more are planned.

The partially intact alien colony in Alteruine has yielded a wealth of installations, ship components and technology over the last two years. On September 6th, forty-nine Epsilon Shield Generators were recovered. A further eighty-five were already in storage so German scientists disassembled all of them, learning technical data on Gamma, Delta and Epsilon shields, along with matching shield regeneration technology and an improvement in fuel efficiency. On January 18th 2111, a research facility was recovered, one of seven since October 2109, that provided information on Theta-level shields. A German Theta shield generator is now being developed. Due to the high level of German shield technology, technical information from lower levels is leaking into the civilian sector and Delta level shield tech will become generally available for the Earth-based powers. Other recovered research facilities contained technical information on the salvage module, the combat drop module and the 20cm plasma carronade.

In addition to the above, a warehouse was discovered containing forty-seven commercial engines based on internal fusion technology, two generations above the ion technology used in current German designs. Research is already underway into magneto-plasma engines so German scientists plan to complete that research and then, with a greater basic understanding of engine technology, disassemble the alien engines to learn the secrets of internal fusion. If they are successful, German designs could move directly from ion to internal fusion, making them the most advanced in human space.

The Deutsche Marine continued its expansion with the completion of a seventh Scharnhorst class battlecruiser and a pair of laser-armed Prinz Eugen class frigates. Other new construction included three fuel harvesters and a Hamburg class tug. In response to the fuel shortage that existed in 2109 and 2110, seven of the existing Nassau class freighters were converted to the Nassau-E design, which has more fuel efficient engines at the expense of speed. The remaining four Nassaus are currently being refitted to the E-model. With new technology and expanding shipyards, the Deutsche Marine is vying to move into the top tier of naval powers.

In July 2111, a Commonwealth gravitational survey ship transited into the key Alteruine system from the known system of NN4065. The survey ship detected the transponder of a German civilian colony ship and made its presence known. The German colony in Alteruine contacted the Commonwealth vessel to explain the system was already occupied. Negotiations were handled professionally by both sides and the survey ships withdrew. After discussion at the government level, the Commonwealth also withdrew from NN4065, the system from which the survey ship entered Alteruine, and the next system in line, NN4056. Germany had also explored a further four systems beyond NN4065, through a different jump point than the one leading to NN4056, although none were worth the cost of tension with the Commonwealth. One system, Beta Aquilae, contained a planet with a breathable atmosphere but a colony cost of 2.13, while another had an unexplored jump point. However, all four systems had been discovered first by the Commonwealth so they were ceded as part of the border agreement, leaving the closest Commonwealth system as Gliese 748, two jumps from Alteruine. While it was not ideal having a foreign power so close to one of the most important German systems, relations with the Commonwealth were cordial and there was no evidence the Commonwealth realised the value of Alteruine, particularly given the survey ship had revealed its presence. Even so, warships would be assigned to Alteruine, just in case.

Germany’s has several strategic priorities; continue its expansion, assimilate the subjugated Caliphate population, transfer installations from Earth to Medina, build up the mining colony in Neu Bayern and incorporate new technology from Alteruine into new ship designs. This will be easier than in recent years due to the end of the resource shortages that have plagued the German economy. Unless something unforeseen occurs, the immediate future for Germany appears to be very bright.

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/GermanyNovember211.PNG)
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on February 09, 2016, 03:59:37 PM
Japanese Empire - 1st December 2111

Colonies
Earth: 565m
Edo II: 157m
Kyoto-A I: 29m
Vanaheim: 17m
Delta Pavonis-A I: 5.93m
Daikoku I: 1.4m
Nara-A II: 1.15m
Ginriku II: 0.45m
Gamma Pavonis-A I: 0.37m
Gamma Pavonis-A III: 0.11m
Zeta(1) Reticuli-A IV: 0.19m
Kasugai-A II: 0.12m.

Mining Colonies
Kyoto Asteroid #167: 73x AM
Faye (Sol): 49x AM
Ginriku-A IV – Moon 1: 6x AM
Io (Sol): 7x CMC
Kyoto-A V – Moon 16: 2x CMC

Japan has continued to transport installations from Earth to both Edo and Vanaheim in an effort to improve its resource extraction capabilities and reduce its dependence on Earth. One hundred and seventy-five manned mining complexes are in place on Vanaheim. All Japan’s shipyards and eight research facilities are at Edo, along with ninety mines and more than one hundred and twenty construction factories. However, Japanese colonisation efforts have not kept pace with the transfer of installations and Edo, despite a population of one hundred and fifty-seven million, cannot provide enough workers for the manufacturing sector. Therefore, the small colony on Delta Pavonis-A, two transits from Edo, has been expanded with the intention of transforming it into a major research hub. Within the last year, the population has grown from less than one million to almost six million and four research facilities, previously based on Edo, are in place at the colony. Japanese terraformers have made the atmosphere breathable and are reducing the CO2 levels to bring down the temperature to a tolerable level. The colony cost is currently 0.80. The improvement in environmental conditions has also benefitted the Republic of Pavonia, which shares the planet with Japan. The Pavonian population is two point three million.

In technological terms, the biggest breakthrough of the last two years has been the magneto-plasma drive. Japan developed several new engines based on the technology and created upgrade plans for the Akagi class missile cruiser, Kongo class and Kagero classes, based on replacement of the engines with no other changes. This process has been glacially slow due to a crippling lack of Gallicite. Despite the breakthrough occurring in November 2109, only a single Kagero class destroyer has been refitted so far. A single Akagi and two more Kageros are in the shipyards for the refit. Work has not even begun on the six Kongos. The Gallicite shortage is particularly frustrating for Japan as Edo has almost four million tons of accessibility 0.7 Gallicite, along with two point four million tons of accessibility 0.7 Duranium. The problem is not one of available mineral deposits, but of freighter lift, worker allocation and distribution of resources.

Ninety mines are in place on Edo and the planetary governor, Takimoto Tokkikane, is acknowledged as an expert in mining production who is boosting annual yields by twenty percent. Unfortunately, no more mines can be added because there is a shortage of workers on the planet. This should be eased as more research facilities are moved to Delta Pavonis. The one hundred and seventy-five mines on Vanaheim are producing a considerable amount of minerals in general, although the accessibility of Gallicite is at 0.5 and total reserves are 126,000 tons, which will be shared with the Centauri Federation. On Earth, a further one hundred and seventy-four mines are extracting Gallicite with 0.2 accessibility and very little remains. Fifty mines on Kyoto-A I are mining large, accessible deposits of Duranium, Tritanium and Corundium but Gallicite deposits are 0.1 accessibility. Finally, a total of one hundred and twenty-two automated mines, split between an asteroid in Kyoto and the comet Faye in the Sol system are mining Gallicite at 0.9 accessibility but the two bodies have less than twenty thousand tons remaining. The comet Stephan-Oterma was mined out of Gallicite in 2110 and the automated mines transferred to Faye.

In summary, although there are many mining locations, few are ideal for Gallicite and those with higher accessibilities are close to exhausting the deposits or lack workers. Japanese freighters are travelling between the different systems to funnel minerals to the shipyards at Edo to avoid a shortage and the Edo stockpile is commonly running below 500 tons. To make matters worse, Edo is short of maintenance supplies due to a combination of recently becoming the major Japanese fleet base and a large number of simultaneous overhauls, particularly those Akagi class missile cruisers that were deployed to Edo before the capacity of the colony’s maintenance facilities reached 15,000 tons. Gallicite is being consumed to replace the maintenance supplies. Even the mines on Earth have been left in place longer than planned because of the need to use the available freighter lift to move research facilities to Delta Pavonis to make room for the Earth-based mines. In all, something of a logistical perfect storm. Kaigun Taisho Tagawa had planned to wait until the refits were completed before launching any operations in Alpha Centauri. Now he is beginning to consider if he should go ahead with the forces available, although the amount of installations still in Sol would be a serious problems if conflict spread within the Sol system.

Given the logistical problems faced by Japan, its recent shipbuilding priorities have been commercial rather than military. Since October 2109, Japan has constructed a Kagero class destroyer, nine freighters, five colony ships, three terraformers and two asteroid miners. The two asteroid miners are the first ships of that type constructed by Japan and are deployed in the Kyoto system. Four civilian ships have been built in the same period. In December 2111, Japan’s civilian sector comprised thirty-seven ships with a combined tonnage of one point six million tons.

The question of Alpha Centauri remains the greatest challenge for the Imperial Japanese Navy. Kaigun Taisho Tagawa firmly believes the system will eventually fall under Japanese control and he is planning for the right moment to strike. Several factors are influencing his decision. The vulnerability of Japan to a counter-attack by one or more of the other major powers, the rate of recovery of the Centauri Federation Navy, the technological advantages enjoyed by Japan, especially if they can refit with magneto-plasma drives before any engagement, and the strength of Japanese ground forces.

The vulnerability question is the most concerning. All the Japanese shipyards are at Edo while half the Japanese research facilities and the majority of manned mining complexes are outside the Sol system. That still leaves the vast majority of installations on Earth, including three quarters of Japanese construction factories, almost all ordnance factories and fuel refineries, all six ground force training facilities and half the maintenance facilities. Given the other powers would see any Japanese attempt to seize Alpha Centauri as a grave threat to the balance of power, Tagawa would very much prefer to move the majority of those installations off-world before the start of any major conflict. Tagawa is also aware the Federation Navy will be recovering its strength, although Japanese Naval Intelligence is not aware just how quickly. Even so, given the ease with which Brazil defeated the full-strength Federation Navy, that is less of a factor in his plans as he regards any Centauri resistance as a temporary distraction. Because of that assumption and the installations on Earth, he is more inclined to wait for the refits of his major warships, despite the delays. Finally, the Imperial Japanese Army is building up a force of assault infantry battalions, which are twice as effective on the attack as the existing mobile infantry. Only ten have been trained so far and Tagawa would prefer a larger force to resolve the ground war as quickly as possible. For the immediate future, the attack on Alpha Centauri is on hold.

On August 12th 2110, a Japanese survey ship discovered the system of Kasugai (renamed from Gliese 288), a binary of a yellow G0-V primary and M7-V red dwarf companion with a total of nine planets. Kasugai-A II was an ideal habitable world. As the system was eight transits from Edo and eleven from Sol it was not an immediate priority given the logistical constraints of the Empire. Even so, a small colony was established in July 2111.

Apart from the constant Gallicite shortage, the overall Japanese economy is in reasonable shape. Fuel is relatively plentiful, although stockpiles are gradually shrinking due to the increased numbers of commercial vessels. Wealth reserves are above ten thousand, which ensures there will be no problems in the near future. Boronide is a concern due to the need for additional fuel harvesters but there are no immediate issues with two thousand tons in the stockpile and a steady supply from Vanaheim. The priorities for Japan are to resolve its logistical problems and move as many installations out of Sol as possible in preparation for an eventual assault on Alpha Centauri.

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/JapanDecember2111.PNG)
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on February 10, 2016, 04:04:20 PM
Manchuria – 17th December 2111

Colonies
Earth: 513m
Earth (Di Zhongxin): 0.81m
Manchu-A I: 82m
Khitan-A III: 0.77m
Tau Ceti: 0.35m

Mining Colonies
Faye (Sol): 67x AM
Manchu-B Asteroid #10: 34x AM
Stephen-Oterma (Sol): 2x AM
Wild (Sol): 5x CMC
Manchu-A Asteroid #108: 2x CMC

Manchuria has continued its explorations beyond the Rùkou system, in the area around the ideal habitable world of Khitan-A III. Nine new systems have been discovered in the last two years, taking the total number of known systems to one hundred and twelve. A small colony was established in Khitan in 2109 and has now grown to 770,000 settlers. Unfortunately, further colonization has been curtailed due to an ongoing fuel crisis. A lack of Sorium is preventing refinery production so the fifteen Manchurian fuel harvesters, three of which have been constructed within the past year, are providing all the fuel for Manchuria. A further three Kaifeng class harvesters are under construction and Manchurian scientists are concentrating their efforts on improving fuel production technology. Even so, serious fuel shortages are a constant problem. More fuel efficient commercial engines have been developed so the Manchurian colony ships and freighters are being refitted to designs that should use up to seventy percent less fuel.

Sufficient fuel has been available to increase the population of Manchu-A I, the primary Manchurian colony, by twelve million to eighty-two million in the period since November 2109. Unlike several other powers there are no immediate problems with the available manufacturing sector and the colony currently has a surplus of workers. Although all Manchurian shipyards have been towed to Manchu-A I, the number of other installations at the colony is relatively small. Insufficient maintenance facilities are available to cater to the major Manchurian fleet units so the main Manchurian naval base remains at Earth. Earth is still by far the most important planet for Manchuria with every Manchurian research facility, manned mining complex and ordnance factory plus the bulk of all other surface-based installations.

Manchurian automated mining efforts are concentrated on the comet Faye in Sol, with the bulk of the mines relocated from Stephan-Oterma, and on an asteroid in the Manchu system. In terms of minerals, the main problem for Manchuria remains Gallicite. The two locations with automated mines both have accessible Gallicite but less than seventeen thousand tons in deposits between them. There are a few sources of Gallicite available in Manchurian space, but at lower concentrations and without other minerals in relatively short supply, such as Duranium or Sorium. A comet has been identified in the Gliese 95 system, eight transits and twenty-six billion kilometers from Earth, which has one hundred and forty thousand tons of accessibility 0.9 Gallicite and one hundred and twenty thousand tons of accessibility 1.0 Duranium. It is a long-period comet however and heading outward. Given the fuel crisis, it is unlikely to prove useful in the short term. The Gallicite and fuel shortages are both serious issues that are severely hindering Manchurian expansion.

In the last two years, Manchuria has constructed a Jiangwei class destroyer, four freighters and three fuel harvesters. The civilian sector is still very small, although larger than that of Brazil. Economically, Manchuria is in difficulty. Wealth reserves are low and falling, fuel stockpiles have been exhausted on both Manchu-A I and Earth and even the harvesters have less than half a million litres in their tanks. Mineral stockpiles are very low for Gallicite and fairly low for Boronide and Sorium. Unless Manchuria can find a much improved mining site or alien ruins, it will begin to fall behind the other powers. Manchuria’s future may lie in the hands of its survey fleet. If all else fails, Manchuria still has the fifth largest navy in known space and may be forced to act against other powers if the situation becomes desperate.

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/ManchuriaDecember2111.PNG)
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on February 11, 2016, 10:13:35 AM
Martian Union – 6th January 2112

Colonies
Mars: 365m
Vanaheim: 37m
Colonia Antium (Alpha Centauri-A II - Moon 17): 11m

Mining Colonies
Io (Sol): 50x AM

The priority of the Martian Union, as it has always been, is to ensure the safety of Mars from an inevitable future attack from the Earth-based powers. In this regard, Mars has benefitted from its close relationship of the Centauri Federation. In fact, the Martian Union believes the survival of the Centauri Federation is inextricably tied to the future of Mars. Should Alpha Centauri fall, that would place Mars in a very serious position. Therefore, it was of great concern to the Martian leadership that, despite its best efforts, the Union could not provide more assistance to the Federation during the First Colonial War. This was deemed to be the result of two factors; firstly that Earth was out of range of Mars-based missile bases during the period of the war and secondly that the small Martian patrol ships were incapable of projecting power. Two initiatives are underway to resolve these shortcomings, both of which are underpinned by the recent development of ion engine technology.

The first is the Zeus Interplanetary Missile, commonly referred to as the ZIM. This is the first two-stage missile developed by any of the Solarian powers and has a total range of over six hundred million kilometers, easily enough to travel from Mars to Earth regardless of the position of the two planets. For most of that distance, the ZIM moves at a sedate 6600 km/s. Once within ten million kilometres of its target, the ZIM releases an Ares anti-ship missile, capable of 27,600 km/s and carrying a strength-4 warhead. Because the final warhead is relatively small, the ZIM itself is only size-4 and can be launched from the existing Spiculum class missiles bases in orbit of Mars. Five hundred ZIMs have so far been produced. That will remain the total for some time as production is changing to the new Apollo II anti-ship missile. The main restriction on the use of the Zeus missiles is the range of Martian active sensors and fire control systems. The former will be solved in the short term by using a patrol ship, or other vessel, to paint the target with active sensors. The latter will require a new fire control system to be mounted on the Spiculums. The Lupercus-Ancus LA-9 Ultra Long Range Missile Fire Control will have a range of six hundred and thirty million kilometres with a resolution of 120. It is currently awaiting development.

The second new Martian initiative is the creation of a new series of powerful missile cruisers, named the Caesar class. These ships will be 15,000 tons, capable of 4000 km/s, armed with fourteen launchers and carrying one hundred and seventy Apollo II missiles. They are intended to serve as mobile versions of the Spiculum class missile bases. Their design is almost complete and just awaiting the completion of research into a new fire control system. The active sensors and fire controls of the Caesar will have a range of one hundred and sixty-eight million kilometers, which is forty million kilometres less than the current Spiculum design but still a longer range than the major ships of the Earth-based powers. Because the Caesar is intended as a long-range strike design, the armour will be thinner than that of its likely opponents. A shipyard is being expanded to sufficient capacity to build the new ship and should be ready at the same time the design is finalised.

In addition to the above, the fifteen Patrol ships in service, the last of which was constructed in February 2111, are undergoing overhauls to equip them with ion engines. Thus far, six have been refitted to the Trident-R design. In the last two years the Martian Union has also constructed two Lancea class AMM bases, three colony ships, a tanker and five fuel harvesters.

**************************************************************************************

Trident-R class Patrol Ship    4,650 tons     132 Crew     683.4 BP      TCS 93  TH 480  EM 0
5161 km/s     Armour 3-24     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/12/0/0     Damage Control Rating 3     PPV 16
Maint Life 3.4 Years     MSP 276    AFR 57%    IFR 0.8%    1YR 36    5YR 544    Max Repair 120 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 24 months    Spare Berths 1   

Ramirus-Salonius RS-240 Ion Drive (2)    Power 240    Fuel Use 56%    Signature 240    Exp 10%
Fuel Capacity 300,000 Litres    Range 20.7 billion km   (46 days at full power)

Tiberius-Velus 12cm Near Ultraviolet Laser (4)    Range 120,000km     TS: 5161 km/s     Power 4-2     RM 3    ROF 10        4 4 4 3 2 2 1 1 1 1
Ventor Syndicate VS-128 Laser Fire Control (1)    Max Range: 256,000 km   TS: 4000 km/s     96 92 88 84 80 77 73 69 65 61
Pebble Bed Reactor  (3)     Total Power Output 9    Armour 0    Exp 5%

Lupercus-Ancus LA-6 Active Sensor (1)     GPS 5760     Range 31.5m km    Resolution 120
Lupercus-Ancus LA-7 Passive EM Sensor (1)     Sensitivity 12     Detect Sig Strength 1000:  12m km

**************************************************************************************

Beyond the Sol system, the Martian colonies on Vanaheim and Colonia Antium continue to grow. The population of Vanaheim has increased by fifty percent in the last two years and is now at thirty-seven million, more than twice as large as the Japanese colony on the same planet. The Centauri population on Vanaheim is almost one hundred and fifty million. Colonia Antium has increased at an even faster rate and the population recently surpassed ten million. So far, the Martian Union has not conducted any mining operations in Alpha Centauri as Mars still has accessible deposits of all mineral types. Four garrison battalions have been sent to protect Vanaheim, which is more of a gesture of solidarity with the Centauri rather than through any belief those troops could hold back the Japanese for any length of time.

Because of the close relationship with the Centauri, initial discussion have taken place regard a possible amalgamation at some point in the future. From the Martian perspective, given how fiercely the Union defends its independence, this is a daunting prospect. However, there is no doubt that such a union would benefit the citizens of both powers so Mars is continuing the discussions cautiously but optimistically. Of more immediate import is the Centauri plan to drive Japan from Alpha Centauri. As the leadership of the Martian Union also believes Japan will inevitably strike at the Federation and attempt to conquer the Alpha Centauri system, the concept of striking first is very appealing. Mars promises its full backing to the plan and, although none of the planned Caesar class missile cruisers will be available for some time, the Martian leadership offers the use of the Zeus Interplanetary Missiles as a way of surprising Japanese forces in Earth orbit.

The Martian Union offers a further suggestion to enhance the plan; invite Manchuria to strike at Kyoto. Manchuria is a long-time rival of Japan and is still seeking revenge for the attack on China in the 21st century. While neither the Martian Union or the Centauri Federation is keen on a Manchurian presence in Alpha Centauri, beyond the existing trade agreement, Manchuria would benefit from taking Kyoto, which has a near-habitable world with five million tons of accessibility 0.8 Duranium and a number of mineral-rich asteroids. Kyoto is three jumps from both Sol and Manchu via the planetless systems of Proxima and Gliese 682, so it would relatively easy for an undetected fleet to get into position to strike. If Manchuria attacks Kyoto at the same time as Mars attacks Japanese forces in Sol and the Centauri attack Japanese assets in Alpha Centauri, Japan may be overwhelmed trying to respond to so many different threats. The Centauri Federation embraces the proposal, leading to a meeting on Asgard in January 2112 between high level representatives of all three powers, smuggled to the Centauri capital on civilian freighters. The broad outline of a plan is agreed, although all three nations still have a lot of preparation work before that plan can be transformed into action.

In line with several other powers, Mars has moved fifty automated mines from the comet Stephen-Oterma. Unlike the other powers, which have moved their mines to the comet Faye due to its Gallicite deposits or out-system, Mars has emplaced its mines on Io, a moon of Jupiter, which has substantial deposits of accessible Duranium and Tritanium

Io Mineral Survey
Duranium 2,541,595  Acc: 0.8
Tritanium 1,857,486  Acc: 0.8
Sorium 2,447,675  Acc: 0.5

Despite healthy fuel reserves and large mineral stockpiles, with the exception of Duranium which has fallen to 2000 tons, the Martian Union is still plagued by a lack of wealth. There are simply too many projects underway for the available tax revenues to cover. Therefore, Mars has negotiated two trade deals with the United States since 2109, each one involving the transfer of 2500 tons of Gallicite for 5000 wealth. The United States has plentiful wealth reserves due to the conquest of the Eben yet is very short of Gallicite. Conversely, the Martian Union has a large Gallicite stockpile due to accessibility 0.9 Gallicite deposits on Mars and a lack of wealth due to production exceeding revenue. The Martian civilian sector is growing due to the existing trade agreement with the Centauri Federation and a newly agreed trade agreement with Manchuria. Currently, the two Martian shipping lines operate thirty ships with a combined tonnage of almost one point three million.
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on February 14, 2016, 05:21:11 AM
Russian Federation – 1st February 2112

Colonies
Earth 501m
Novaya Rodina: 86m
Novaya Zemlya (EZ Aquarii): 25.3m
St Ekaterina I: 2.18m
Kazan-A II: 1.14m
Tau Ceti-A II: 0.45m
Nevsky (St Petersburg): 0.26m
Alexander (St Petersburg): 0.24m
Kapteyn’s Star II: 0.23m

Mining Colonies
Faye (Sol): 61x AM
Stephan-Oterma (Sol): 59x AM
TW Piscis Austrini-A Asteroid #7: 43x AM
EZ Aquarii-B III - Moon 29: 13x AM
TZ Arietis-A I: 5x AM
Hermitage (St Petersburg): 3x AM
St Petersburg-C VI: 2x AM
Venus (Sol): 4x CMC

Over the last two years Russia has made great strides in recovering installations from the three large alien ruin sites within its territory. The ruins in St Ekaterina and Kapteyn’s Star have been fully exploited and recovery operations are in progress at the ruin on the planet Hermitage in the St Petersburg system. A total of twelve research facilities have been found at the already exhausted sites, including five in the last two years. Technical information on the salvage module was recovered in October 2110 and on improved jump drive efficiency in September 2111. In addition to a large number of factories, mines and other installations, the Russian construction brigades have retrieved large quantities of fuel and wealth plus, in early January 2112, 45,000 tons of Duranium were discovered on Hermitage. As a result, the Russian economy is now in excellent condition and the Russian Federation is working hard to expand further.

With fuel, minerals and wealth no longer an immediate concern, the top Russian priority is now to correct the serious lack of freighter lift capacity. Only seven Project 1207 Antonov class freighters are in service, which is completely inadequate when compared to the vast number of installations that require transportation. A shipyard has been retooled to build an updated freighter, the Project 1220 Antonov-B class, and the first two units are under construction. All the recovered research facilities and most of the other recovered installations are still on St Ekaterina-A I and Kapteyn’s Star-A II, where the relatively tiny populations are insufficient to man even a small proportion of them. Russia will not be able to benefit from the installations unless they can be moved to a larger population or more colonists can be brought to the planets. St Ekaterina is the best option in that regard as the ice caps have recently melted due to Russian terraforming, bringing the temperature within the habitable range. Oxygen levels are rising and within a few months St Ekaterina-A I will become an ideal habitable world.

Russian colony ships are more numerous than freighters, with fourteen in service, but Novaya Rodina is severely short of workers and running at barely eighty percent of maximum efficiency. Although colony ships are striving to bring in more settlers, all of Russia’s shipyards and its original research facilities are located at a colony with a population of eighty-six million. Unfortunately, the demand from Novaya Rodina means only a small number of the total colony ships are moving settlers deeper into Russian space where all the recovered installations are located. Even moving installations from the ruin sites to the major colonies is not possible due to the lack of workers. Earth is the only real option and the Russian leadership wants to move its assets further away from Sol, not towards it. So far, Russia has benefitted greatly from the ruin sites but their maximum potential will not be realised unless Russia can resolve its logistical issues.

To ease the worker shortage, a pair of freighters are gradually moving research facilities from Novaya Rodina to the adjacent Novaya Zemlya system, which has sufficient workers to operate up to ten research faclities. The other five freighters are moving infrastructure and recovered maintenance facilities from St Ekaterina to the adjacent Kazan system, as Russia wants to establish a forward naval base in the centrally located system. Kazan is the gateway to the claimed Russian territory, guarding the only jump point leading back to Epsilon Eridani and connecting to St Ekaterina, St Petersburg and the Gliese 84 system. The Russian fuel harvester fleet is in orbit of Kazan VI. Given the strategic value of the system and the relatively short journey required to move the required infrastructure and other installation, it is an ideal location for a base, especially as Kazan-A II is a colony cost 2.00 world, albeit without an atmosphere. The setting up of the Kazan base is at least a small first step in making full use of the recovered alien installations.

Russia continues to push out the borders of known space, discovering ten new systems within the last two years. On January 16th 2112, a near-habitable world with a colony cost of only 0.33 was discovered in Gliese 201, a system with an orange K7-V primary and seven planets. Gliese 201-A III was the most habitable planet found up to that point within the territory beyond Epsilon Eridani. It will be difficult for Russia to colonise the new world as it is thirteen transits and almost twenty-nine billion kilometres from Sol. Unless large and accessible mineral deposits are discovered, there will be more pressing demands on the limited number of available colony ships and freighters.

Since December 2109 Russia has constructed a Project 1214 Berkut-J class cruiser, two Project 1202 Sarych class destroyers (taking the total units in the class to sixteen), a single Project 1206 Chirikov class colony ship, four Project 1208 Olekma class fuel harvesters, a Project 1216 Fyodorov-B class terraformer and a Project 1217 Zhdanov class tug. Four colony ships have been converted to the Project 1219 Chirikov-B class, which has significantly more fuel-efficient engines. The Russian civilian sector has been expanding rapidly, with a fifth Russian shipping recently formed. In the last two years, sixteen new civilian ships have been constructed, taking total Russian civilian tonnage to almost one point six million. Russia now has the fifth largest civilian fleet and is very close to Japan in fourth place.

Russia is fulfilling its goal of becoming a powerful nation while avoiding conflict in the medium term. The Russian economy is very healthy and only a shortage of civilian shipping is holding it back. Russian shipyards are working to correct that problem. Russian scientists have concentrated their recent efforts on economic enhancements, boosting the Russian research and shipbuilding rates, and on evolutionary advances in ship-based technology. New classes of cruiser and destroyer have recently been designed that feature improved defences and electronic systems and retooling is underway. Over the last few years, Russia has not  invested in propulsion research and is using ion-based engines. Stellarator reactors and magneto-plasma drives are therefore high on the research priority list. The Russian leadership plans to maintain its non-confrontational policy until the ruins on Hermitage have been exploited and most of the recovered installations have been moved to locations where they can be utilised effectively. After that point, Russia will begin to look at other alternatives for advancement.

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/.PNG)
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on February 14, 2016, 12:51:17 PM
United States – 21st February 2112

Colonies
Earth: 717m
Eben Homeworld (Eta Cassiopeiae): 350m (Eben)
Eben Homeworld (Eta Cassiopeiae): 3.65m (Human - US)
Eben Homeworld (Eta Cassiopeiae): 1.66m (Human - Caliphate)
Columbia (Lalande 21185): 278m
Astoria (WX Ursae Majoris): 34m
Gateway II: 3.15m
Oregon-B II: 2.56m
Midway II: 1.55m
Eta Cassiopeiae-B II: 0.27m
HIP 21932 II: 0.24m
Delta Eridani IV: 0.05m

Mining Colonies
Faye (Sol): 202x AM
Midway Asteroid #93: 15x AM
Gamma Leporis-B III: 9x AM
Gliese 686 III: 2x AM
QY Aurigae III: 1x AM
WX Ursae Majoris-A Asteroid #40: 9x CMC
Luna (Sol): 6x CMC
Wolf (Sol): 6x CMC
Reinmuth (Sol): 6x CMC

The United States is pushing out the boundaries of known space searching for mining sites and alien ruins, especially in the areas around Midway and Gamma Leporis. The two systems, three transits apart, are becoming focal points as they each have five jump points and stand as twin gateways to a large area of US space.  Midway II has recently been terraformed into an ideal habitable world, assisted by the melting of its ice caps, and has a colony of one point five million. Gamma Leporis is mineral-rich and Gamma Leporis-B III is a newly established automated mining colony with large and accessible deposits of eight minerals, including over six hundred thousand tons of accessibility 1.0 Duranium and one hundred and fifty thousand tons of accessibility 0.9 Duranium. The two systems are thirteen and fifteen billion kilometers from Sol respectively.

Twelve new systems have been explored in the last two years, taking the total known systems for the United States to one hundred and twenty-two. A notable discovery was Castor, a quadruple star system twelve transits from Earth and five beyond Midway. The primary and B component, both fiercely bright A-class stars, are less than five million kilometers apart and are jointly orbited by three planets and a small asteroid belt. A further two A-class orbit at the same distance, two and a quarter billion kilometers from the primary (between the orbits of Saturn and Uranus in Sol), but are sixty degrees apart. Castor-C has a single planet and an asteroid belt while Castor-D has four planets including an ideal habitable world and a moon with a colony cost of 2.78. The ideal world, Castor-D IV, is a hot, dry planet with small landlocked seas, gravity of 1.05G, a temperature of 28C and an atmosphere of 1.1 atm with 0.2 atm of oxygen. An orbital geological survey revealed a destroyed alien outpost on Castor-D IV, plus twenty-seven million tons of accessibility 0.7 Duranium. Nine other minerals were present at low accessibilities. Five alien wrecks were also discovered in Castor, split into two groups. Whether these are the ancient wrecks sometimes encountered by human explorers or the result of more recent combat is unknown.

In January 2111, the gravitational survey ship Dolphin explored a jump point in QY Aurigae, two transits beyond Midway, and discovered SFT 1321, a binary system with a K7-V primary and an M0-V companion star. The fourth planet of the primary was an ideal habitable world. SFT 1321 was ten transits and twenty-one billion kilometres from Sol. The survey forces of the United States were finding several excellent colony sites but with the frontier moving further and further from home, it would become harder to gain maximum benefit from the discoveries. Dolphin moved back into QY Aurigae to continue her survey.

Three months later, the geological survey ship Sturgeon arrived in SFT 1321. As she was surveying the moons of the sixth planet, she detected an unknown active sensor at a distance of eight point five million kilometres. Sturgeon hailed the unknown ship and received an unintelligible reply. While SFT 1321 was on the frontier, the adjacent system of QY Aurigae was part of the jump gate network so Sturgeon abandoned her survey and headed for the jump at maximum speed to warn the rest of the US Navy. Four million kilometers out from the sixth planet she was struck by four missiles with strength-4 warheads. Her jump drive and survey sensors were both disabled. A second salvo arrived less than a minute later, damaging several more systems and disabling both engines. Frantic damage control got underway and Sturgeon broadcast her surrender. Her message was either ignored or more likely not understood. Fifteen minutes later a third salvo blew the survey ship to pieces. Fifty-six survivors escaped to the life pods and were picked up by an alien ship. As Sturgeon was out of contact, it would be some time before her loss was noticed.

On August 17th, Dolphin returned to SFT 1321 to begin a gravitational survey, after completing her work in QY Aurigae, and detected the wreck of Sturgeon. She immediately jumped back into QY Aurigae and sent a warning to Fleet Headquarters on Columbia via the jump gate network. Within hours a task group task group was dispatched from Columbia comprising the missile cruisers Antietam and Appomattox, the escort cruisers Bunker Hill and Lexington and the destroyers Comte de Grasse, Cushing, Fletcher and Merrill. Faced with a technologically advanced alien race for the first time, the United States Navy found it had a serious weakness. No ship larger than a destroyer would be able to enter SFT 1321 due to a complete lack of jump-capable warships. Even the Spruance class destroyers would only be able to transit because they were small enough to be escorted through by a Nautilus class gravitational survey ship such as Dolphin. US shipwrights created a design for the Indianapolis class jump cruiser in record time, essentially by taking the blueprints of the Shiloh class missile cruiser and removing two thirds of its armament to allow space for a jump drive. For the moment, the task group would have to be employed defensively until either the first Indianapolis was available or a construction ship could build a jump gate on the QY Aurigae – SFT 1321 jump point. In the meantime, Dolphin picketed that same jump point to provide early warning of any alien incursion into US space.

Two days after Dolphin’s brief visit to SFT 1321, a six thousand ton alien ship, designated at Kumari class, transited into QY Aurigae. Dolphin immediately ran for the jump point to WISE 0607+2429, a planetless brown dwarf system that connected QY Aurigae to Midway. As Dolphin fled the alien ship transited back into SFT 1321. Dolphin arrived in WISE 0607+2429 in August 27th and picketed the jump point to QY Aurigae. The US Navy task group arrived in Midway on September 21st and moved to the colony on Midway-A II for shore leave. The fuel stores for the fleet were at forty-five percent so they could not proceed before a tanker arrived. No alien force could move deeper into US territory without passing through Midway so the task group could still provide defensive cover. Three weeks later the task group broke orbit with full fuel tanks, transited through WISE 0607+2429 into QY Aurigae and took up station on the SFT 1321 jump point on November 26th. There was no sign of enemy ships.

Despite the events close to Midway, exploration continued further afield. A destroyed outpost was discovered on the third planet of Gliese 686, a system three transits out through another of Midway’s jump points. A small number of installations were recovered, including two automated mines, a genetic modification centre and a construction factory. In addition, a vault containing three thousand tons of Gallicite was unearthed, which was especially useful given the ongoing Gallicite shortage within the United States. A further five thousand tons of Gallicite was purchased from the Martian Union for ten thousand wealth. The most useful discovery in the ruins was a cache of Epsilon–level shield generators. Once transported back to Earth and disassembled, the information contained within gave the United States the technical detail required to build its own Epsilon Shields, plus increasing US shield regeneration and fuel efficiency technology by two generations.

Apart from the alien race in SFT 1321, the primary concern for the United States in 2112 is a severe Duranium shortage caused by high levels of production. While the Gallicite crisis has not ended, it has been eased by the trade with Mars and the discovery in Gliese 686. Duranium supplies have become the main issue. Earth’s deposits are running out and the accessibility is diminishing. Two hundred automated mines on the comet Faye produce some Duranium but not enough for the voracious demands of the shipyards and industry on Columbia and Earth. Columbia itself has almost eighty million tons of Duranium deposits but only at accessibility 0.3. Sixty automated mines and one hundred and thirteen manned mines have been moved to the Eben homeworld in the Eta Cassiopeiae system, with both humans and Eben providing the manpower. The planet has accessible deposits of all eleven minerals, although Gallicite and Vendarite are only at 0.4 accessibility. More mines will be moved from Earth as freighters become available. In the longer term, the Gamma Leporis system should provide extensive mineral supplies, although automated mines will be required, and a small mining colony has already been established. Both locations are a long way from Columbia though.

Eta Cassiopeiae-A III Mineral Survey
Duranium 372,331  Acc: 1
Neutronium 76,838  Acc: 0.6
Corbomite 150,957  Acc: 0.9
Tritanium 57,684  Acc: 0.8
Boronide 90,857  Acc: 0.9
Mercassium 47,458  Acc: 0.9
Vendarite 186,192  Acc: 0.4
Sorium 247,312  Acc: 0.7
Uridium 80,112  Acc: 0.7
Corundium 102,958  Acc: 0.9
Gallicite 74,192  Acc: 0.4

Gamma Leporis-B III Mineral Survey
Duranium 636,138  Acc: 1
Neutronium 66,510  Acc: 1
Corbomite 138,330  Acc: 1
Tritanium 278,735  Acc: 0.9
Boronide 11,610  Acc: 1
Vendarite 7,018  Acc: 0.7
Sorium 318,053  Acc: 0.8
Uridium 72,851  Acc: 0.9
Corundium 101  Acc: 0.8
Gallicite 152,051  Acc: 0.9

Another problem for Columbia is a lack of workers in the manufacturing sector. Even with a population of almost two hundred and eighty million there are insufficient workers to man all US shipyards, seventeen research facilities, one hundred and fifty construction factories, seventy fighter factories and one hundred and thirty maintenance facilities. One solution to the problem is to relocate the research facilities. Two were temporarily moved to Astoria, which was not ideal as it was an exposed colony through which three other nations moved ships on a regular basis. Eventually, a decision was reached to move the research facilities to Oregon-B II and Midway II. Both planets were ideal habitable worlds and both possessed alien installations that would boost research. The main problem was the size of the facilities compared to the freighter lift capacity. By the end of February 2112 a single research facility will in place on Oregon but the logistics involved have tied up much of the US freighter fleet for a considerable time. It is a good, long-term strategy to move the research facilities deeper into US territory where they would benefit from alien installations and be far more secure from attack. However, it is not a strategy that would resolve the lack of workers on Columbia in the short-term.

Despite the war in which the United States conquered the Eben, relations between the two races have been surprisingly good.  The Eben have benefitted greatly from new technology introduced by the occupiers, with medical advances in particular saving many Eben lives. The period of resentment following the occupation was short and the Eben are now preparing an application to be formally recognised as a number of new states within the Union. Eben productivity is already at eighty percent of the humans on the planet and is expected to match that of the human colony within the next couple of years. Taking into consideration the lack of suitable mining sites close to Columbia, the worker shortage and the excellent relations with the Eben, the Joint Chiefs decided the easiest solution to several problems facing the United States would be to relocate the US shipyards to the Eben homeworld. This would place the shipyards in the same location as available mineral deposits, solve the lack of manufacturing-focused population by using Eben workers, return Columbia to full manufacturing efficiency for its other industries and significantly improve the security of the shipyards by locating them far from any potential attacker, except the Commonwealth. Two shipyards have already left Columbia and are being towed to Eta Cassiopeiae.

In fact, the centre of gravity for the United States is moving away from Columbia and deeper into US territory. The key planets, such as the Eben home world, Oregon and Midway plus recently discovered habitable or near-habitable worlds in Castor, Tau-6 Eridani and Gliese 250 are all far from Earth and Lalande. Ultimately, it makes sense to relocate the US industry and population to these new worlds, closer to mineral supplies and ideal worlds and further from potential threats. Assuming of course that the newly discovered alien race in SFT 1321 does not begin an invasion of those worlds.

Since the beginning of 2110, the United States has constructed a second Kennedy class carrier, Ronald Reagan, forty-two F-40 Starfuries, which completes the strike groups for both John F Kennedy and Ronald Reagan, a Ticonderoga class escort cruiser, three Spruance class destroyers, eleven Liberty-E class freighters, a Roanoke class colony ship, four Roanoke-E class colony ships, four fuel harvesters and the first Walsh class asteroid mining ship. The large number of new ships is one of the main reason for the shortages of Duranium and Gallicite. The civilian sector has forty-eight ships with a total tonnage of almost two million. The volume of construction has placed the United States in second place behind the Commonwealth for commercial and civilian tonnage and in fourth place in terms of naval tonnage. The naval forces of Japan and Russia are seven and six percent respectively larger than the United States, making them virtually equal, and the Joint Chiefs do not believe those two powers would have an effective counter to the US carrier strike groups.

The main US priority is to determine the threat posed by the alien race in SFT 1321 and deal with that threat as quickly as possible. Beyond that, resolving the Duranium shortage is the most important, followed by the movement of shipyards and mines to the Eben homeworld. As freighter lift becomes available, research facilities will be moved to Oregon and Midway and colonies established in Castor and Tau-6 Eridani. If the alien threat can be eliminated, or at least contained, the United States is in a position to build a large and powerful interstellar nation.

(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/USAFebruary2112C.PNG)
(http://www.pentarch.org/steve/Screenshots/USAFebruary2112D.PNG)
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on February 14, 2016, 01:20:32 PM
United Nations = 22nd February 2112

Since the last report on solar warming in June 2108, the average surface temperature of the Earth has risen by five point two degrees to 20.8C. Earth temperatures are now almost seven degrees above normal. While still well within the range of human tolerance and even welcomed by some in higher latitudes due to the much more temperate weather, the situation is serious. Deserts are increasing in size and water shortages are becoming more common. At the rate of increase, the temperature will become intolerable within approximately twelve to thirteen years.

The non-TN nations remain very grateful to those powers that are transporting their citizens to new colonies and are urging the construction of additional colony ships.
Title: Re: #3 National Updates
Post by: Steve Walmsley on February 14, 2016, 02:05:29 PM
General Note

At this point, the game is getting so large that reporting each nation in turn is becoming more difficult, mainly because i have to keep notes of everything and then create summaries. Therefore I am going to change to the more traditional method of reporting chronologically, rather than by nation. I'll still provide national commentary where appropriate.

This is probably a good place to change as by now, to use Churchill's phrase, we have reached the "End of the Beginning". Most nations have developed their own territory, established multiple colonies and had their national policies driven to some degree by outside events. More alien encounters are likely in the next few years and the warming of Earth will become a much more imminent threat.