Hello Everyone! Here is the next years update, all credits to alex_brunius:

Update to Jan 1:st 2048:

Research Breakthroughs:

During 2047 one Breakthrough in Power & Propulsion was achieved by the Pacific Commonwealth of Nations. This leaves a single breakthrough category before all TN technology categories are unlocked. Due to all their previous investments into Power & Propulsion the Pacific Commonwealth of Nations also gained a Research Facility.

• Everyone has unlocked the ‘Sensors and Control Systems’ category.
• All nations except Russia have unlocked the ‘Energy Weapons’ category.
• Everyone has unlocked the ‘Missile / Kinetic Weapons’ category.
• Everyone has unlocked the ‘Power and Propulsion’ category:

Notable Events in the News during 2047:

• 16 January - The first TN artillery formation enters service in the New European Union, shells armed with smart laser warheads.
• 26 January - Space exploration continues as Second Slipways are added to Kiel Shipyards in the New European Union and Surov Duranium works in the Russian Federation. Companies with HQs in the Pacific Commonwealth of Nations establish their 5:th CMC on Comas Sola
• 11 February - Scrapping of the old outdated Survey Fighters takes place in Russia and PCN to make their Geological Survey Sensors available for larger Deep Space models.
• 27 February - The Pacific Commonwealth of Nations completes research for the Powered Armor Infantry for FoN and starts production of them to fulfill their contract.
• 3 March - An international event to celebrate the bravery of the 25 pioneers that gave their life so far to explore the Sol system and push the frontiers of humanity is organized. Notable names of those lost include Daredevil Max Overhausen who died when attempting to be the first to walk on Venus, FoN Officer Julia Silvia who died in a spacewalk accident when repairing a sensor and Robert Raihan Jr, distant cousin to Raihan himself and USAR celerity aboard the 2:nd USAR Jemison class deep exploration ship.
• 22 March - The United Socialist American Republic launches their second Mule Freighter, Leased out to the Russian Federation for the rest of the year to fulfill their ambitious colonization and space exploration plans.
• 29 March - When the Megacorp Akasaka signed the contract of their new R&D and Production complex to Russia the deal seemed too good to be true. 52 Trillion Euro Dollars worth of subsidies. It turned out that it was too good to be true, now the Russian Federation now is running 3 months late with their agreed payment and if they delay paying further it could have a financial impact for the PCN Banks and shareholders. Fortunately after some hard negotiations the Russian Federation agrees to pay half now and half by the end of the year. Economic observers question the health of the Russian state budget.
• 6 April - The first large Colony ship, Daybreak class, is launched by the United Socialist American Republic. Its maiden voyage includes shipping colonists to Luna and after this Mars where infrastructure already exists. Just one week after this event the New European Union launched their Europa Class Colony Ship with a slightly smaller capacity of 70000 cryopods.
• 12 April - The tensions between the Pacific Commonwealth of Nations and the United Socialist American Republic continue to rise as PCN garrison forces join the last warlord militia in fighting against USAR forces in Australia. Skirmishes between them will continue for the rest of the year before all warlord forces have either joined the PCN or yielded to the 2:nd USAR Peacekeeping Armor Regiment.
• 16 April - In wake of skyrocketing financial center construction globally the world's 50 leading economists sign a letter about the threats of Hyperinflation which leads major banks and financial institutions to set aside large security funds for darker times. This fund as well as the more conservative spending amounts to all nations losing 5% of their Financial center wealth gain for 2047. With a trust fund created the leading economists agree the major threat for the Eurodollars stability has been averted for the next 5 years.
• 6 May - The United Socialist American Republic sees their first Commercial Mining Complex start operations on Vesta to extract Gallicite, Tritanium and Corbomite.
• 14 May - A massive convoy consisting of most of the Pacific Commonwealth of Nations water Navy makes its way across the Pacific Ocean towards South America. They are intercepted early on out at sea by an almost as large United Socialist American Republic Navy that hails them and demands they turn around. The PCN ships increase speed and their admiral respond they have firm orders to carry humanitarian aid and peacekeeping forces to South America. USAR ships fire several warning shots across their bow. It's unclear which side fired first, and both sides blame the other but most analysts speculate USAR probably had more reasons to open fire as their politicians have claimed this is a PCN invasion in disguise. What is known is that two full combat fleets of each side was destroyed in the ensuing battle and half the PCN peacekeeping forces and aid carried got sunk or turned around. After being harassed by USAR submarines a half strength PCN APC Company was landed in Australia. PCN Infantry forces does make it into southern Chile where they start a reduced aid and peacekeeping mission. As of now a state of colonial war exists between PCN and USAR
• 15 May - Thousands of Pacific Commonwealth of Nations garrison forces on Luna move against the newly established United Socialist American Republic colony and capture it including all 300000 inhabitants without much resistance. This action appears to have been pre-planned and is condemned by all other nations as an unnecessary escalation of the colonial conflict into Space.
• 23 May - The first civilian spaceship construction is celebrated as Brown Container Limited with HQ in the United Socialist American Republic launches a Civilian Colony Ship with capacity of 50000 cryo berths.
• 23 May - The Pacific Commonwealth of Nations lay down their Kaminari Class Corvette at the Fujinagata Orbital Shipyards. This is the world's first proper Military Spaceship with thick armor and railgun armed. Construction is rushed with highest priority due to the colonial war with USAR. Thanks to prebuilding components including the foreign leased engine designs it's expected to be completed already in October.
• 11 June - As the Federation of Nations votes for Resolution 0159: "Contribution-based voting system" all 5 FoN delegates responsible to deliver the to vote side with USAR & Russia instead ignoring PCN & NEUs higher prestige. The first delegate claims it's a personal statement against the unlawful PCN occupation of Luna colony. The second delegate disappears mysteriously and is found dead naked in a Vegas hotel in USAR surrounded by confused writings of ancient aliens and illuminati conspiracy seeking to kill him. The third delegate is expelled from FoN after having been found guilty of receiving large bribes traced back to PCN Corporations. The fourth delegate appears to have had his vote hacked by a pro-NEU group judging from database traces. The fifth was later publicly assassinated with a MO that connects the assassination to the same group of mercenaries suspected in the Panama incident ( weak connections to Russia ). There are also some suggestions that Indian warlords may have interfered with the voting as a protest to PCN involvement in the area. As FoN Diplomats are working overtime with trying to de-escalate the colonial war the Resolution is put into effect without much deeper investigation and the new voting system the resolution heralds with 100 seats should make any attempts to subvert the democratic will impossible in the future anyways.
• 9 July - Large forces including 3 Tank Regiments from the United Socialist American Republic move into Western South America to stomp out the remaining forces of the Vipers "Confederação Sul-Americana". This time they didn't bring air support, discouraged by the losses inflicted by high quality PCN made Anti Air systems encountered there previously. This time they fare a lot better as the two new USAR Regiments field the same Eurotank IIIs as the warlords but in much larger numbers, either imported, copied or license produced. Warlords forces also start to struggle with finding spare parts and supplies for their tanks. USAR logistics is flawless thanks to their new Minister!
• 17 July - The first phase of the New European Union Icarus Laser Satellite Defense Network is declared complete as it reaches 20 operational satellites in orbit of Earth guarding and watching.
• 19 August - The CS Летающий холодильник Cryo Colony ship is launched by the Russian Federation. Now all four powers have at least one cryo capable Colony ships of their own in operation.
• 22 August - Aid sent to Eastern South America by the United Socialist American Republic is ambushed and attacked full scale on by warlord forces. 8 Trillion Euro Dollars worth of aid is destroyed or captured and the combat devolves into fighting almost as Brutal as in Mexico 2043. Two full Regiment worth of USAR troops is destroyed according to warlord propaganda. Military analysts wonder how long USAR can afford to keep up a two front war with South American warlords on one front and the more modern Pacific Commonwealth of Nations military forces on the other front.
• 9 September - last of the four powers to construct a deep space geological survey ship the New European Union Lay down the Magellanes survey craft in the Navantia orbital shipyards.
• 7 October - The world's first armed spaceship with propulsion, CDS Kaminari is launched by the Pacific Commonwealth of Nations. After a brief railgun weapons test firing close to a USAR port facility in South America it sets an intercept course for a thermal contact of a USAR mule class freighter currently tracked by PCN Naval Command 163 million km away from Earth. Estimated interception time 16 hours and 19 minutes
• 8 October - The CDS Kaminari intercepts the Mule class freighter and hails them, demanding their surrender. The United Socialist American Republics Commander Aidan Howarth responds that they are unarmed but have no intentions to yield the ship to PCN capitalist pigs seeking to rob it from USAR. CDS Kaminari fires several warning shots and follows the ship for a few minutes but there is no further communications. The Kaminaris Captain Masmega Leiko of has her orders from PCN Naval Command and reluctantly she orders to open fire on the unarmed commercial ship hoping to show they are serious and force a surrender, worst case knock out and engine or two. The Kaminari Crew hold their breath and observe as the railgun fire rips through the thin freighters armor and scatters debris, dead USAR crew and ship components in the wake of the unrelenting mule as Aidan presses on with unreal determination to not give up despite hopeless odds. After two of the four Longhaul engines have been knocked out, with dozens of USAR crew dead and wounded, and with the Mule still doing the best they can to keep flying and keep together Leiko breaks down in tears and orders cease fire. The crew of the Kaminari stands behind her decision as they head back to Earth and surrender for court martial for defying a direct order while USARs captain Aidan is rewarded with the first medal of honor for bravery in Space combat as he returns to Earth in defiance with half his crew killed or wounded and the Mule full of holes just barely still in one piece. The Russian Colony ship abiding to Resolution 0142: "Space Assistance and Distress act" is also thanks for having provided assistance and aid to the wounded crew aboard the Mule enroute since Commander Aidan refused the PCN assistance that was offered.
• 14 October - The first two new Eurosoldier Powered Armor Infantry Regiments are completed and they are both moved into the Middle East in a public move from the New European Union leadership as a show of force and warning to both terrorists and other nations what would happen to anyone not respecting their sovereignty or rules. NEU are still abiding to the Peace treaty of a maximum of 20k ton of forces present, but theirs are now state of the art combat suit infantry.
• 24 October - As the Aid and Peacekeeping efforts for this year are tallied up the most wealthy nation Pacific Commonwealth of Nations stands out having sent more than 2/3:ed of all global aid. This amount of aid appears to be far more than their forces can protect with 28 Trillion Eurodollars stolen in India and China as not enough forces were available to guard it, and another 10 Trillion sunk on its way to South America by USAR warships and submarines.
• 29 October - As the USAR unarmed survey ship ARV Jemison is returning to Earth for its first Refueling the engines thermal signal is picked up by the PCN and the Kaminari is ordered to Intercept. Arihyoshi Shoetsu, an uncaring career officer known for following orders without question is now in command of the CDS Kaminari. The Jemison however is just slightly faster, so besides damaging it's armor in a single salvo as the Kaminari and Jemison pass each other no further damage can be done until Jemison is back into the safety of the Earth. The PCN Space Command and Shoetsu notice that while off chasing the returning Jemison the USAR with only 1 million km to spare before interception managed to sneak their Daybreak colony ship as well back into the safety of Earth peace zone.
• 30 October - The PCN and USAR manage to come to an agreement to leave Civilian shipping line ships out of their colonial war for humanitarian reasons. However economic commentators speculate it has more to do with certain powerful PCN Banking institutions wanting to protect their sizable investments into the USAR Brown Container Shipping line. FoN rejoices as this agreement might be the first sign that a ceasefire and peace is possible.
• 6 November - Security personnel from the United Socialist American Republic are forced to act to prevent their much larger civilian population on Ceres from storming and destroying the PCN colony on the same dwarf planet as revenge for the PCN occupation of Luna colony and attacks on commercial USAR shipping. Some are worried the same thing could happen on Mars, but thankfully those colonies are far enough apart for distance to prevent such violence.
• 14 November - The Simonov Container Corporation based in Russian Federation launches their first Civilian Freighter, 1 week later Wall Carrier Company with HQ in London New European Union launches their first, leaving only PCN trailing behind in civilian shipping lines.
• 18 November - The United Socialist American Republic launches 4 new water based combat fleets ( without transport capacity ). As one of the surface fleets moves a bit too far from coastal USAR territorial waters the Pacific Commonwealth of Nations orbiting warship CDS Kaminari opens fire and destroys it. Defense experts argue this event might herald the end of water based navies unless FoN Resolutions are updated. For now submarines appear to be safe as long as they stay submerged.
• 29 November - It's becoming clear that the Pacific Commonwealth of Nations is pulling ahead in Research capacity as they can start to leverage the increasing number of facilities they are gaining control of uncontested in India and China. If Rumors are to be believed they have already completed Composite Armor and some of the FoN Diplomats question how peaceful and democratic the PCNs intentions actually are given their heavy investments into military technology and their eagerness in escalating the recent colonial war with USAR into Space.
• 7 December - The FoN and the world is holding its breath as there is soon only 1 year left for USAR to deliver the nuclear anti asteroid missiles ordered by FoN and deliveries haven't started yet. Some defense experts speculate that USAR could use such missiles to gain revenge and destroy the Kaminari if it moves 5m km away from Earth outside the stipulated "peace zone" for spaceships again…
• 14 December - The Pacific Commonwealth of Nations gains the technology of Nuclear Thermal Engines as Russian Federation researches Nuclear Pulse engine technology ( tech propagation )
• 29 December - The 4:th Star freighter is completed in the Russian Federation. Including the USAR mule they have been leasing for the year with an option to extend the lease they now have 5 Commercial Freighters with a combined tonnage of over 200k in operation.
• 31 December - The 50 Construction Factories are handed back to working for New European Union after the 4 year lease to PCN completes. 1 Research facility each is also handed back into NEU and USAR control after a 1 year lease to the Russian Federation.

Aid and Invasions during 2047:
The Russian Federation:

• As a result of the Dubai Peace Treaty Russia lost 7m pop and 8 CI, as well as 1 prestige for withdrawing some of the Conventional Industry into Russia before the handover

United Socialist American Republic:

• Small amounts of USAR Aid sent to Australia Meeting Resistance ambushed by Militia. 1m pop, 2 CI gained.
• Large amounts of USAR Aid sent Successfully to Mexico. Solid Peacekeeping forces assigned. 6m pop, 10 CI & 1 Research Facility gained. +2 Prestige Zone fully controlled.
• USAR invasion in Western South-America. 4m pop gained, 4m pop fled as refugees. 15 CI gained, 3 lost to collateral damage. 1 Research Facility gained. -2 Prestige
• Large amounts of USAR Aid sent to Eastern South-America with disastrous results, Full scale Militia attack. 3m pop, 6 CI gained. 8 Trillion Eurodollars aid raided

A total of 14m pop, 33 CI & 2 Research Facilities gained by USAR. +1 prestige.


New European Union:

• Large amounts of NEU Aid sent Successfully to the West Africa. Solid Peacekeeping forces assigned. 800 wealth not delivered due to logistics and will be sent next year 16m pop, 8 CI & 2 prestige gained
• As a result of the Dubai Peace Treaty NEU gained 5m pop and 6 CI
• 2m refugees from South American conflicts makes their way to NEU

A total of 23m pop & 14 CI gained by NEU. +2 prestige.

Pacific Commonwealth of Nations:

• Medium amounts of PCN Aid sent Successfully to Australia. 2m pop, 6 CI gained & 1 Research Facility gained. +1 prestige. Zone fully controlled.
• Massive amounts of PCN Aid sent to India locals trusting the good intentions of the PCN. Lack of Peacekeeping forces allow 19 Trillion Eurodollars aid to be stolen. 8m pop, 13 CI & 1 Research Facility gained.
• Massive amounts of PCN Aid sent to China, locals trusting the good intentions of the PCN. Lack of Peacekeeping forces allow 9 Trillion Eurodollars aid to be stolen. 8m pop, 14 CI & 1 Research Facility gained.
• Large amounts of PCN Aid sent to Western South-America, locals trusting the good intentions of the PCN. 10 Trillion Eurodollars aid sunk by USAR in Naval battles. 2m pop & 5 CI gained.
• 2m refugees from South American conflicts makes their way to PCN

A total of 22m pop, 38 CI & 3 Research Facilities gained by PCN. +1 prestige

Economic Comparison:
As it's required by the Resolution 0159: "Contribution-based voting system" that entered into effect during 2047 Nations population and Last year income have now been made public information. This is then used as a basis to determine the Seats for next years Resolution voting as displayed in the same table here. The impact of Resolution 0159 together with Resolution 0153: "Refugee FoN membership tax reliefs" is that the Seats for USAR and PCN is equal at twice of the seats of NEU which pay low FoN contribution and also struggles with the lowest income. Some other interesting things to note is massive reductions in Russian unemployment as well as very high Military and Shipyard spending by Russia, USAR and NEU while PCN Construction still holds a lead.

Note: 1 Trillion Eurodollars = 100 ingame wealth



Voting Results:

Mysteriously FoN choose to vote in favor of USAR and Russia to enact the new voting system. With scattered leads pointing in all directions no explanation can be found.



Nation Comparison:


Updated Trading Prices for 1 Jan 2048:


Trades During 2047:
Multipliers to adjust prices taking into account the large deposits of Tritanium and Sorium found on Titan and Neptune was introduced to the market. It was also decided that should a resource drop below 0.3 Earth accessibility it's low accessibility won't have further impact increasing the price to avoid breaking the laws of math.

• Russia sold 8200 Boronide for 5330wealth
• Russia bought 1400 Vendarite for 5096 wealth
• NEU sold 1500 Gallicite for 3885 wealth
• NEU bought 2100 Corundium for 3822 wealth
• PCN sold 1158 Gallicite for 3000 wealth
• 500 Duranium, 200 Gallicite & 100 Neutronium, Corbomite, Tritanium and Uridium were added to the market by CMC Operations

Market Reaction:

• As all the net trading still points to sale of resources the "Overall Demand Multiplier" was adjusted down slightly as this indicates minerals current valuation is still too high
• Prices of specific minerals were adjusted as well based on recent trading actions
• FoN Added 4000 wealth to the exchange for next year so the market can stock up on resources even more as a large scale shortage of minerals is expected within 5-10 years unless Space Mining can be developed rapidly.

Federation of Nation Registered Minerals Claim Sol:

Note: Claims are not automatically enforced, if anyone wants to ban bodies ( prevent from developing their own CMC or visits by standing orders survey ) it needs to be put into orders. If one nation moves military forces to a body they have highest minerals claim on and orders to enforce their claim by force other nations will avoid it unless ordered otherwise

Placeholder post for secret fiction story about unknown discovery made to be posted in 5 turns ( 2052 update ) unless other events or decisions reveal this earlier.

Placeholder post for secret fiction story following Hans-Ole “Vik” Falkanger to be posted in 5 turns ( 2052 update ) unless other events or decisions reveal this earlier.

Federation of Nations Update



Federation of Nations (FoN) is the 3:ed Intergovernmental organization aiming to be a global forum for peacekeeping and diplomacy established as a result of World War 3. Similar in many ways to the League of Nations lasting from 1920-1946 or the United Nations lasting from 1945-2037 following the first and second world wars.

The first and most important point on the agenda when FoN was established in 2037 was what set it apart and came about as a result of the horrors and massive suffering of nuclear war. The work resulted in "Resolution 0001: Nuclear launch platforms control". This was basically a ban on any nation operating vehicles and platforms capable of launching nuclear weapons, as well as a mandatory transfer of all working nuclear weapons and platforms to FoN for disarming and some of it to be kept as a reserve.

The idea at the time was that retaining some nuclear capabilities shared responsibly between all nations via a neutral organization could turn out vital to our survival in case it would be needed to avert existential threats like that of asteroids or other threats from space not yet realized. This is also why the Resolutions ban was limited to Earth and it's immediate vicinity.

Since then over 100 hundred minor resolutions have been voted on, and since the formation of the security council in 2042 no less than 8 Major resolutions with widespread impact ( many created by the players in the game ) have been ratified.


The 3 main branches of the Federation of Nations are Peace, Protection and Progress.
Resolutions, Voting and Diplomacy all falls into the Peace area so let's look a bit closer into it.


PEACE

Voting:
Every resolution is voted on by all 4 members of the Security Council and the fifth vote in case of a draw is cast by the Federation of Nation Assembly (GM). Nations are expected to add one Resolution proposal to the resolution-queue every year and up to 3 votes are normally held ( all as part of the order submission ). The resolution proposal can be to either add a new Resolution, Modify an existing one or Abolish an existing Resolution entirely. Nations can vote either Yes, No, Abstain or choose to Stall. Stall means using bureaucratic nitpicks, reservations and tricks causing the vote to be pushed to next year.

FoN Resolution/Voting Mechanics:
- Each nation may only stall one Resolution each year
- The same Resolution can’t be stalled multiple times by the same nation and at most two years in total per Resolution.
- In case of existential threats to Humanity priority Resolutions which can’t be stalled may be voted on immediately bypassing the queue.
- Resolutions up for voting next year are locked and cannot be withdrawn or changed.
- The nation that submitted a resolution which isn't yet up for voting can make a maximum of 1 change or withdrawal in total to queued resolutions per year/turn.

Here are the 8 Major resolutions with larger impact that have been ratified (voted into effect) so far by the 4 nations:

Resolution 0131B: "FoN Observers and Space Exploration” [PCN]
Resolution 0132: "Humanitarian Radiation Cleanup Aid Act" [FoN]
Resolution 0137: "Asteroid Defense Shield" [USAR]
Resolution 0139B: "Limitations to Ground Forces" [NEU]
Resolution 0141 "Collaboration with non-profit aid organisations" [PCN]
Resolution 0142: "Space Assistance and Distress act" [PCN]
Resolution 0145: "Mining Quotas on Earth" [NEU]
Resolution 0151: "Commerce Standardization Act" [FoN]

Some of these have quite extensive complete texts so they won't be listed in this summary, although here is an example linked outside of discord for the Pacific Commonwealth of Nations Resolution: Space Assistance and Distress act. For complete texts and debates feel free to join the discord server the game is coordinated on as an observer.


In parallel with the developing crisis between NEU and Russia, the Pacific News let know a new era of diplomatic cooperation and closer ties between the Pacific Commonwealth of Nations and New European Union were being developed.

Written by and full credits to Spacemarine:

12th of October, 2045.

"Welcome back to Pacific Front news, tonight we have news on a state visit planned between the government and the new European union, the scheduled visit is planned to take place in the coming months, it comes at a time of increased tensions in the pacific and an increase in military activity in the middle east with some experts warning of a war coming to eastern or western Africa after the invasion of Egypt by Russian forces which saw the deposing of the state government in the region and a rapid response by the NEU and the Commonwealth." -News Anchor

"The Foreign Minister who will be going to Unity City, the capital of the NEU for the visit had this to say on its purpose." -News Anchor

"This visit has been a long time in planning and part of its purpose is to sure up our intent of peaceful and diplomatic relations in the region especially considering the ensuing crisis in the middle east which we again call on governments to find a diplomatic solution, in this regard the visit will focus on this issue as well as the common democratic ties Europe and the pacific share" -Foreign Minister Takada Mino

"Now we go to talk with former Ambassador to Europe Ishibashi Yukio, as well as our defense analyst here at Pacific Front,  I want to thank you both for joining me today especially former ambassador Yukio. First question former ambassador, how important is this visit for the two nations?" - News Anchor

"Well thank you for having me on, to answer the question I think its very important right now as the government has clearly showed its looking for a diplomatic solution to the recent crisis but it also is likely looking to make a statement against powers who believe they can take over other sovereign nations without justification, which I believe we saw in Egypt from Russia" -Former Ambassador Ishibashi Yukio

"Interesting, so  you think that this is to try and  show the commonwealths support to the NEU? as its primary goal as well as a message to Russia about further incursions?" - News Anchor

"That is the primary reason yes the government is looking to work with the NEU who is a major trading partner and as i said it does want to make a statement against military actions" - Former Ambassador Ishibashi Yukio

"And What do you think about that Takawa, our defense analyst here at pacific front" - News Anchor

"Well I will say that this shows a strong statement of intent to Russia that the time for military action is over and diplomacy is the way forward especially with the recent comments from the foreign minister on the purpose of the planned visit, even with that we did see the movement of our navy to the red sea which is obviously see as a blatant attempt to discourage further action" -Defense Analyst Takawa

"So do you think the PCN is or has been at-least planning for a potential direct conflict with russia in regards to these naval ship movements?" -News Anchor

"Planning? Perhaps, however I do not see the government in any manner wanting to start a conflict with any other nation and this visit as well as the statements from the foreign minister reinforce that  fully, the government wants diplomacy but the navy was put on alert to show they will respond if other nations have intentions that are wholly wrong." -Defense Analyst Takawa

"Well thats all we have time for, thanks for being here. Now we go to our reporter in shanghai currently on the ground with the government aid forces"






After these recent escalations and tensions in the Middle East between the New European Union and Russian Federation the Dubai Peace Summit was organized by FoN and PCN.

Open Invitation
It is our belief that the conflict between The two major parties and other member states, as well as FoN, regarding the increased tension and conflicts in middle east and eastern africa, is no longer something that should be held between closed doors, but open to some public perception. It is important as leaders of this World that we show our citizens our resolve towards peace and solving conflicts via diplomatic means.
We hereby invite you to a Peace Summit in Dubai, starting on January 7th, in FoN chambers and look forward to solving these issues together to ensure peace and prosperity. Preliminary schedule for discussions and logistics will be posted separately.

Prime Minister
Yi-Kwon Joseon

https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vRsDOMLavxGeA2FNiPUtjTyROGgHZBXrFAdU6NH7bm-DrmeuPmLDggQldpYXrBJ2Ukcx9gdlg4UfmLX/pub
( By Opti )



After an invasion in 3 steps previous years had expanded Russian influence through warlord territory all the way down to former Sudan where FoN and NEU forces linked up there was a real risk of major escalation and war between the power blocks ( Red Territory Russian, Blue European and Yellow Federation of Nations ):



The proposal from Yi-Kwon and the FoN diplomats was a compromise withdrawal.


A key point in the debate also was allowing free trade to continue to the Suez Canal which is why it was handed over to FoN control. After much debate and compromises the Dubai Accord was signed and the Russian withdrawal agreed to happen 17 months in the future. It will have the following ingame impact:

As a result of the agreement the following border adjustments based on the map changes will happen end of June 2047:
- 8% of Russian territory in East Africa handed over to NEU ( up to 3mil pop & 7 CI )
- 2% of Russian territory in East Africa handed over to FoN ( up to 1mil pop & 2 CI )
- 6% of Russian territory in East Africa remains in Russian hands
- 5% of Russian territory in Middle East handed over to NEU ( up to 2mil pop & 4 CI )
- 2% of Russian territory in Middle East handed over to FoN ( up to 1mil pop & 2 CI )
- 52% of Russian territory in Middle East remains in Russian hands
Both NEU and Russia may use land connection to move forces through the Middle East into their East & West African territories adjacent to Egypt. FoN will guarantee free and open trade through the Suez Canal.



PROTECTION



The most obvious and notable efforts from the Protection Branch is the FNPC, the FoN Peacekeeping Corps. Through a series of contracts they have acquired high quality Military equipment and now fields a more modern although also much smaller ground force than any of the 4 major powers. The first major contracts was for a total of 150 Eurotanks imported from New European Union for 21 Trillion Eurodollars (2100 wealth). These in combination with a contract for Duranium armored infantry as well as new design of APCs and MG forces provided by private industry means all combat elements of their two first Tank Regiments have reached Duranium levels. A new contract for 600 APCs armed with railguns under construction in Pacific Commonwealth of Nations is expected to soon further upgrade them. This brings the total FoN Ground Force up to 70k ton of frontline forces and an additional 31k in reserve and logistics.



The most important point in the Peacekeeping efforts however is FoN representatives globally on the ground and assisting all the nations aid and radiation cleanup efforts lending legitimacy and a spirit of global cooperation helping out with their success. For the small administrative costs of 15% these FoN aid coordination efforts have proven a great success with over 150 Trillion Eurodollars (15000 wealth) invested during 2046. Current forecasts put global radiation cleanup to be completed in about 2050 which is great news.


The FNOD have not been inactive either. A 45 Trillion Eurodollar (4500 wealth) for Raytheon 'Rockbreaker' Missiles was won by United Socialist American Republic and production have been started under FoN supervision. The FN Orbital Defense Shipyards also launched it's first 1300 ton Shield class platform during 2046 to be equipped with these missiles, the first of many forming the new Asteroid Defense grid. It's inauguration will also allow starting the phase out old equipment such as SSBN submarines and Silo launchers with the more modern satellites capable of targeting space and ground targets. Of course FNOD would require an unanimous Resolution vote to be allowed to launch them against any ground target, and even then just the idea of doing so would probably face enormous internal resistance since the entire reason behind the organization itself is to prevent such a nuclear war. Malfunctioning old equipment can't be allowed to start another tragedy like of Panama which is why FoN makes it a high priority to keep all equipment modern and up to date, there is zero tolerance for mistakes when the weapons are nuclear in nature.




Now on to the least known part of the FoN Protection branch... the mysterious FNIC operating in the shadows.


Select members such as yourself have been given the privilege to view a secret report on the AIM organization.

Written by and full credits to Panopticon:




It is unclear when AIM was first formed, operations using AIM assets are confirmed as early as 2028(See document 87O48-2I – The SpaceY sabotage), but due to the nature of the organization it is difficult to say definitively if this represents their first operation or if earlier actions simply have been lost to time and war or were never discovered.
AIM markets itself as an expediter of sorts, marketing custom software, hardware, and information to anyone they choose who is able to pay their prices. Up until recently this service was limited to smaller organizations like non-FoN countries, mercenaries, or criminal enterprises. AIM broke into the world market offering services to major governments in 2042 and is currently theorized to be in the employ of the PCN, although that government has refused to confirm or deny.

AIM is a decentralized organization in its own words “Crowdsourcing” most resources and actions. Making it very difficult to track down and eliminate, although individuals working for it have been captured and operations disrupted, its command element, if indeed such exists, is so far unidentified.

Since AIM broke onto the world stage in 2042 it has been something of a bogeyman in the intelligence community, blamed by various powers for arms deals, smuggling, aid convoy attacks, research theft, and kidnapping, along with assorted and multifarious cybercrimes. It is unlikely that AIM is responsible for everything it is blamed for, such an organization would more or less rule the world!

It is known that AIM’s reach extends to all nations, with operatives, unwitting moles, and hacks discovered all the time, albeit at relatively low levels of security clearance. Interestingly, according to reports sent to international crime databases, activities in the NEU have dropped off significantly over the past few years. Not to nothing, but to a lower level than is seen in any other polity. Whether this points to an agreement between the organization and nation, or if it is a sign of wariness on the part of AIM for some reason, or if the NEU security is penetrated to the extent AIM can operate with impunity, is unknown.



The following are operations that are strongly suspected to have had AIM involvement, whether that is at the behest of their employer, or their own independent operation is at this point unknown.

The death of Jack Dawson in Las Vegas was almost certainly unintentional, but the escape of Hans-Ole “Vik” Falkanger with the shipyard plans that later turned out a new shipyard in Russia almost certainly was expedited by AIM. Their involvement in the operation is suspected based on some very sophisticated hacking programs loaded onto equipment recovered from the scene, and the ability of Falkanger to disappear after his escape. Notably, this operation doesn’t seem to have benefitted the PCN in any way, suggesting that AIM either runs independent operations or doesn’t work for them at all.
The Panama Incident
The events leading to the loss of three fleets off the shores of Panama are still unclear, official investigation results suggest a series of software errors and high tensions leading to the start of hostilities, but other nations have their own theories. Including the (theorized) deployment of sophisticated jamming systems and independent mercenaries. The motivation remains unclear though, as AIM has never been known to commit terrorist acts and there doesn’t seem to have been any gains made by any nation from the incident.
31 data and AI scientists all over the world went missing over the last couple of years, the lion’s share(19) from the NEU, to date none have been recovered alive or dead. The end of this wave of kidnappings coincided with a sudden draw down of AIM’s public involvement, particularly as previously mentioned, in the NEU.

It is clear that even if we disregard the most outlandish rumors such as the Panama Incident, AIM is a worldwide concern, although the organization doesn’t appear to be interested in destabilizing the major powers of the world, rather it’s overarching goals, if it indeed has any, seem to be to work for and within existing organizations. Making it a very powerful, and dangerous, tool in the hands of anyone who hires it. As an independent entity its power should not be underestimated, and it is the recommendation of this body that disrupting AIM operations and discovering its leadership and organizational principles be the highest priority of international law enforcement agencies for the foreseeable future.



This concludes the update of the Protection branch. Onwards to the 3:ed branch.


PROGRESS



As we know from the news updates FoN have been instrumental in spreading Transnewtonian Knowledge globally. Making sure everyone has access to the latest technology also helps guarantee Peace and Protection as well as it removes any power imbalances. The only minor FoN setback was the reluctance of sharing Power & Propulsion information, but besides that technology in all fields from Sensors to Weapons and others have been propagated with great success as the mysteries of this brand new field of Science is unlocked.

The now legendary USAR Scientist Andrew Wakefield was the one who first theorized the existence of the other parallel universe, or as he preferred to call it "layer". Dubbed the Wakefield layer this is where the TN minerals are initially located, and stabilizing fractions of them through "mining" is an extremely time-, energy- and labor-intensive process. Even so the rewards are immense. Spaceship engines that can burn continuously for years instead of minutes, speeds of hundreds or thousands of km/s instead of single digit numbers. Spacecraft sporting tens of thousands of tons and Shipyards with millions of direct and indirect are put into commission in an every increasing pace allowing amazing discoveries and expansion into space.

Private Industries are reaching for the stars with Commercial Mining Complexes opening operations on several asteroids already, and there are advanced plans for the first Private Civilian Shipping Lines as well and only a matter of time when their first ships will launch.

This is truly a decade of great progress and FoN is right in the middle of it!

Here are two updates on the weapons development programs that will help building the future of the FoN Asteroid Defense Shield and without doubt help out in civilian applications as well down the line!


Written by and full credits to Spacemarine:

22nd of October, 08:00 Hours, Akasaka Experimental Testing Ground.

It had been tireless work around the clock for Imagawa Desu, a junor materials scientist currently working for a state funded research program in Tokyo’s Akasaka Experimental Testing Ground, itself and other such facilities were working on a new weapon system based off the trans-newtonian materials that had now become so common to Imagawa as their application was being used in anything from the microwave to heat things faster to something a little bit hotter… a weapon.

They were tasked with developing a weapon utilizing new Trans-newtonian materials and in some way thanks to Imagawa Desu by the 1st of October the team at Akasaka and other research facilities believed a working version would be ready and an operational one by the end of the year.

The design the team went for was known commonly as the “Railgun”, while past militaries had experimented with railguns these were antiques in comparison as they suffered from massive energy requirements and massive costs for development so they were only considered for use on ships.

These new Railguns used a fraction of the power, had significantly better heat management and they were for experimental technology relatively cheap to develop, it was envisioned such technology could be utilized by Infantry, Tanks, Helicopters and even the coveted space ships which were becoming more and more common.

So when Imagawa Desu came to the observation stand for an early morning test much publicized with many press members on site he was hoping for the best though something wrong could always occur with this experimental level of technology.
The Field was set, multiple targets were set up on a range spanning about 300-500m with the observation stand looking outwards towards the targets, the target themselves were infantry dummies to actual WW3 era tanks that were being decommissioned,  the person firing the weapon would be Captain Tarekado Tomeo a veteran of the last world war and a hero among the people.

Desu watched as Tarekado took to the testing field with a railgun fashioned into that of a rifle, the press watched on in awe as the weapon was carried by a single man in basic military armor, the public relations people told the press that the weapon could be fired 1000s of times without recharge and it could accelerate bolts of duranium at such speeds to kill a tank.

Once at the range Tarekado took the Rifle, checked its system and then put it into a position to fire downrange the first target would be an infantry man, as such he set the primary setting to light to only accelerate the weapon at 2.5-3.5km/s, once set he prepared to fire on the go ahead. The Go ahead was given and the press ready to record this remarkable feat, he fired four rounds in burst, the duranium rounds were accelerated at such a speed the press could barely catch it, the rounds impacted the target and ripped it apart almost immediately as they had been fired out of the rifle.

Imagawa smiled as the press were in shock and began trying to find even more cameras to cover the event, the next target was 6 walls of duranium, Tomeo changed to medium power intensity and then aimed and fired one clean shot it immediately ripped through the duranium walls and impacted the ground on the other end, a startling powerful penetration capability.
The Final test would be against a WW3 tank, Tomeo Changed to the highest setting and prepared to fire a burst of twelve rounds, he fired and massive hits were heard on the tank before the final burst of four rounds came and it seemingly hit a piece of ammo in the tank as the tank exploded into a fireball.

Tomeo After performing his role put the weapon on safety and turned the power off, he then put it on a table and went to go speak to the now ravenous news teams wanting an Interview…

The First Trans-newtonian weapon had just worked in flawless fashion and it clearly showed that a new age of warfare was upon the world.







Written by and full credits to Kane_SPC:

Desert of Almeria, Spain.

Professor David Parkinson and his team are checking a computer of enormous proportions that has been moved in different trailers and installed in a small building, an old farmhouse in the south of the Iberian Peninsula, located on a hill overlooking much of the southwestern desert of Almeria.

Inside it is a pleasant temperature of around 20ºC, which contrasts greatly with the almost 42ºC outside, something very common at this time of the year and in this region of Europe. Only the backlighting of the more than thirty screens provides the light in the room, but it is more than enough to be able to see clearly and work without problems. The scientists review the cascades of data, graphs and live images from a sort of machine mounted a few hundred meters down the hill.

The device is oddly shaped like a cannon, but instead of a traditional muzzle, it has a sort of lens array that glows by refracting midday sunlight. On the other hand, it has no inlet for projectiles, instead there is a cavity full of wiring, switches and printed circuit boards designed to channel the energy that reaches it from a thick titanium tube. This tube leads away in a northerly direction to the electricity generating trucks that the NEU military has installed near the control room.

Suddenly a small siren sounds and all the operators in the vicinity of the "canyon" run away to some structures dug into the ground and covered by concrete from where they can have a privileged view and where they can make more precise measurements with high-capacity sensors.

The siren sounds three times and when silent the cannon seems to emit a reloading sound, as if something is building up inside. For nearly 15 seconds the buzzing increases in intensity until suddenly, with a metallic, hollow sound, the buzzing is silenced and several kilometers away, beyond the visual range of the operators, a papier-mâché structure explodes and begins to burn.

Inside, Dr. Parkinson smiles and nods, the test has been a success.

We have two pieces of fiction written to cover the follow-up of the Panama Incident, and also will visit the Second in Command in USAR, Fords dog Pending.



Written by and full credits to SpaceMarine:

December 14th 2044 - Press room attached to the Diet Building of the PCN

*The Press look towards a podium as they await a delegation of government officials that have announced a statement will be made regarding the recent situation in the Pacific, government officials begin to move into the press room and the press secretary for the PCN stands up to the podium preparing to talk in-front of all in attendance and the televised world*

"Welcome -- Welcome, today we have an important statement to be given regarding the recent situation in the eastern pacific concerning acts of aggression, destruction and unfortunately casualties, we will be taking questions." - Press secretary

"On the 7th of December a European Fleet was in the process of transporting an arms shipment intended for the Commonwealth, according to our information the fleet became engulfed in a storm as Two USAR fleets approached for what they claim was escort duty, just as this happened our data shared with that of the NEU report significant arms fire being exchanged it was reported that the USAR fired upon the NEU ships which were transporting the PCN shipment, it is also believed USAR ships fired upon each other and causalities are reported to be in the thousands with losses on all sides including the PCN shipment"

"The PCN government will be proposing effective immediately an investigation to be launched by the neutral FoN which we will be fully supporting and hope to see other governments do the same, If it is found the USAR or any nation attacked the European fleet including our property then this government god willing will use all available measures to deal with that nation or organization."

"We will now be taking three questions."

*A reporter from the Pacific News Front stands up and asks a question"

"Is the PCN planning a military response either to the region or towards the culprit if found?" - Reporter

"We are currently looking at multiple response options and military is one, we have also stepped up military alertness levels in the pacific and will defend ourselves if this is a start of an opening salvo against our nation" - Press Secretary

*Another reporter stands up*

"Ashley Owens from the Singapore Chronicle here, has the government been in talks with the New European union for action regarding this incident and has the government received any communications from the USAR on what they believe to have happened?" - Reporter

"We are talking closely with our partners across the planet and we will be updating the public on progress that is made through the FoN and our talks, in regards to the USAR we have not yet received information and we are considering our next steps carefully in regards to the americans" - Press secretary

*Another Reporter stands up for the final question*

"Ri Mi-Ok from Korean World News here, given the recent incident and serious combats taking place in south america is the government intending to send naval forces to the eastern pacific as a show of force? if so does the government believe a war is imminent?" - Reporter

"As said we are considering multiple options and that is one of them, our navy is prepared if needed and we discourage all other nations to take any  brazen actions into war and will be pursuing diplomacy through the FoN, however nothing is off the table and it is the policy of this government not to start a war unless it is the last option available." - press secretary


"Thanks for coming, that is all"

*the government officials and the press secretary walk out and the televised coverage ends*





Written by and full credits to ChaoticNeutral:


Panama Incident

As rain falls in heavy droplets on the streets of Los Angeles, a small group of students huddle beneath a cloth awning not far from the UCLA campus. In the center of the group, one individual grips a tablet computer. Light shining from the screen cuts through the darkness and illuminates the band of youths in stark, unflattering blue light. They jostle each other, each jockeying for a better spot to spy the recording of the grim, olive-skinned USAR Commandant facing off against a crowd of reporters from across the globe, having just stepped out of an FoN conference in Dubai following the Panama incident.


"Third Commandant, do you have any comments on the outcome of the Panama incident?" an NEU television personality asks with a deeply concerned expression.

The man halts at the question. A mistake, as the throng of reporters presses tighter around the security detail. "An immense tragedy, and a product of the difficult times we live in. But one that we will work hard to-" he is cut off by the shrill cry of a Commonwealth reporter, "Jean Raihan! Why did the USAR attack the NEU/PCN joint shipment?"

Raihan scowls, "The attack was an unprecedented use of never-before-seen electronic warfare technology. To claim that the USAR-" his voice is drowned out by a sharp increase in volume from the crowd - only to be broken by a sharp bellow of "ONE AT A TIME!" from the Third Commandant, along with a scornful gaze at the several individuals fervent enough to earn a skull-cracking for attempting to push past the barricade.

One of the Commandant's attendants grabs his arm, and says something about a waiting aircar - but they are brushed away by a stormy Jean. Apparently worked up enough to engage with the crowd for a little while longer. He leans in towards a USAR reporter - familiar to the American viewers, and speaks, "The USAR lost thousands of valued soldiers and tens of thousands of tons of world-class naval vessels that night. To insinuate that this was an attack by the American Republic defies all reason."

The USAR reporter takes the opportunity to get in a question of their own, "Do you know who launched the attack?" to which Jean curtly replies, "We have some suspects, and an ongoing investigation. We will get to the bottom of this."

A Russian media team steps forwards, and the spokesman queries with a noticeable accent, "Is it true that South American Warlords are now in the possession of numerous advanced NEU tanks?"

The attendant speaks to Raihan again, more urgently, and Raihan's scowl deepens and he shakes his head as he begins to move towards the waiting vehicle, "No comment." he replies sharply, before steadfastly ignoring the throng of reporters for the remaining duration of the clip.
 

The students share nervous glances as the blare of the speakers fades to the sound of pattering raindrops. "Reckon we did it?" one voice asks hesitantly, earning them a sharp cuff to the ear. "Show some god-damn respect. Geoff's uncle was in the navy." the assailant retorts.

"Hey, just sayin'! Those Russians had a pretty good point - maybe it was just an inspection gone wrong or summat..."

A third voice cuts in, "Russia's full of smeg. The government wouldn't want to risk soured relations with the Union, Commonwealth, and the FoN - for what, a few tanks? Ford doesn't want another World War any more than we do. I'm guessing it was Russia themselves like the NEU say. They're already disliked, and with their ground forces..."

A few heads nod uneasily, but the truth was known to no one. Perhaps not even Anthony Ford himself. But one thing was certain. No matter who was responsible - a foreboding threat of dark times ahead loomed for the USAR.







Second in Command, Fords dog Pending

When he was first promoted to Designated Dog-Watcher, three years ago... Harold Bryn had not been the most enthused about his new post. From commanding an entire brigade of troops on the front lines, to, well, dogsitting. But he couldn't complain too much, he'd have taken most any spot to get out of the line of fire before the fighting started to ramp up. And, on the bright side, it was still a promotion.

Yes, the Designated Dog-Watcher had rank, pay, and benefits equivalent to a frakking Major General. It was, to say the least, colossally absurd.

To say Harold had come to terms with the nature of his post over time would be inaccurate, but he'd at least learned to keep his head down and reap the benefits. It wasn't as if Pending was particularly difficult to watch over. The huge, grey dog was a gentle, placid beast. More keen to follow along of his own accord in hopes of ear-scratches than to wander off. And so, perhaps Harold got a little complacent. A little hungry for action. For the glory he'd left behind for the safety of the American mainland. But nothing he couldn't handle.

...Right?

 
Natalie Chandler races down the halls of the American Socialist Party Headquarters in search of the highest-ranked officer in the building. With Ford in Dubai for the FoN congregation, and Raihan traipsing about the Boei-ahem Raihan Robotics shipyard, that left General Megan Ackers. She hadn't been seen by her secretary for a few hours now, but she should be somewhere in the-

Miss Chandler's eyes widen as she spied across the hall, a familiar grey hound with a distinctive black spot. And his ever-present escort, Designated Dog-Watcher Harold Bryn. Designated Dog-Watcher... That's equivalent to Major General! He can help!

"Sir! Sir! Something urgent has come up! The leader of the Mexican People's Liberation Front is on the line in the First Commandant's office! They want to make a deal, and Sir - you're the only one I can find with the authorization to establish terms on behalf of Commandant Ford!" she exclaims quickly to the shocked Bryn.

Harold's eyes look mournfully between Pending, and Natalie - a second before he makes a decision that would be forever pivotal in the history of the USAR. I abandoned my friends in Mexico when I took this post... But I can help them now. Harold thinks as resolve fills his being. Handing Pending's leash to Natalie, he nods. "I've got this. Look after the Second Commandant while I'm gone." he commands before bounding away.

Natalie looks down in shock at the well-crafted dog lead, and the friendly dog attached to it. Pending butts his head up against Natalie's leg, hoping for ear scratches. She steps back, "No, no, no... I've still got to deliver these files to the Minister of Industry before the biweekly meeting on Transnewtonian mineral mining operations, and talk to the event organizer about striking Taylor from the guest list..." She looks around, but Harold is nowhere to be seen. Nor are any other, less-busy staff members. Only a forlorn storage closet.

"I'll - I'll be right back!"
 

Pending stares mournfully at the door to the storeroom he'd been shut in. It wasn't often that he was left alone for so long. Or at all, really. He didn't mind being left alone, but the dim and dusty storage area had much to be desired.

With a canine sigh, Pending settles down on the wooden floor for a nap, to await his handler's return...

...Only to be woken less than an hour later, by an insidious scent. A delicious scent. Now that Pending thought about it, it was about dinnertime. He wondered what feast had been cooked up for him this time. Rising, and moving towards the smell, Pending found his motion arrested by his lead - wrapped around a metal rack. However, a few delicate pulls with his teeth resolved that particular issue.

Padding his way to his dinner, Pending observes a large, multi-tiered cake of a deep, rich, brown upon a large platter and covered with a semitransparent plastic lid that was slightly askew, allowing for the delicious smell of chocolate to invade the storage space. The color is almost like the spot on my side! It was made for me! Pending exclaims internally, thanking the benevolence of his two-legged watchers as he tugs the cake off the rack, to topple to the floor...

It was the best meal of his life.

And also the last.



This regretful incident "was definitely most certainly not orchestrated by now-Second Commandant Jean Raihan".