Weltenbrand

[Greifenstolz (OP)]

So, hi. I'm new to the forum, but have played Aurora for a few years now.  Long time lurker, if you want. I absolutely love the game.  After reading a few of the fictions/AARs here, especially Steve's "Colonial Wars"-campaign, which inspires this one, I really want to try to write one too.  It's been a while since I last have written an RPG-like AAR, 5 years or so, and english is not my native language. So please show me some leniency if I misspell a word. Some words regarding the setup.  This is a multi-faction conventional start campaign. As such, I have added a few resources to the following celestial bodies: the Moon, Mars, Io, Europa, Ganymede, Callisto and Titan. I tried to keep the amount added reasonable, while giving the nations an incentive to colonize as much of Sol as possible and preparing some story events and potential later on.  With this out of the way. . .

[edit]Is it just me, or is the forum screwing with my formating? It keeps adding space after periods. [/edit]
[edit2]All ok, figured it out, it's absolutely normal. [/edit2]

Prolog & Setup

The 21st Century was supposed to be a time, in which the technology would reach unknown heights, Democracy would be embraced by all and humankind would finally reach for the stars. Unfortunatelly, it wasn't.

In 2020 a series of asteroids hit Earth and devastated the planet. Australia was, miracelously, barely affected, though the saying that "the asteroids had to much fear" is most likely wrong. Europe was hit, but when comparing it to the disasterous situation in Asia it came out with a blue eye, a lost arm and lung punctures. Matters where made worse, however, when the EU was unable to effectively organize the necessery relief efforts.
The rest of the world had not such "luck", with many governments and nations crumbling or on the verge of collapse. The 21st Century was hence dubbed the "Lost Century", as countries and humanity itself struggled with the aftermath, with a lack of resources, civil unrest, famines and rampant diseases defining the next 50 to 60 years of most of the world.

Now, the 22nd Century begins. The world population has reached 1. 5 billion once more. Most of the surviving nations have stabilized, new nations have formed and the world has rebuild as far as it can. Science took a new leap after scientists in CERN discovered in 2097 new elements with fantastic properties. These so called "Transnewtonian Elements" seem to be the answer not only to immediate ressource shortages, but also to a dream thought dead - the return of space flight and the start of colonisation. The six great powers that emerged from the ruins are now set towards the second space race, and a new golden age awaits – or a new time of dread and conflict, as old and new rivalries emerge.

The Great Powers

British Commonwealth

The United Kingdom had just left the European Union when the disaster struck and had, thus, to fend for itself on its own. But never underestimate what a nation can do with a strong leader. The royal family assumed more control, and Britain rebuilt and sought closer ties to the other surviving members of its Commonwealth. Nations like Canada, Australia and Sri Lanka, that survived the onslought. Together they pulled each other out of the pit the world had become during the decades after and finally united in 2077, forming the British Commonwealth. Queen Elizabeth IV. was crowned Empress of the Commonwealth soon after.

Today, the Commonwealth is the second most powerful of the great powers in terms of industry, population and military strength, and has a solid research base in terms of laboratories. It lacks in experienced research leaders, though. If they play their cards right, they might be able to copy the success of their old Empire and once more eclipse all others.

Stats:
Population: 133 Million
Industry: 800 Conventional Factories
Research: 4 Laboratories
Anual Wealth Creation: 2680
Army: 10 Infantry Division, 5 Armour Divisions
Nuclear Capacity: 100 ICBM's


Pacific Federation

The Pacific Federation grew from the remnants of the old ASEAN nations, which like all of Asia where among the hardest hit. It took decades to rebuild somethin that resembled a government in those nations, but hard work and the will to survive enabled those nations to rise again. Over time, more countries joined the Federation, most notably Japan, Korea and a few Chinese nations that formed on the ruins of the People's Republic.

The Federation is at the moment the third most populous of the great power, with 128 million people. It also shares the third place in terms of industrial capacities with the European Union, and is one of the nations with the most research personel. Since the Federation concentrates on improving the living standard of its population and shows no signs of agressive expansion, it enjoys universally cordial relations.

Stats:
Population: 128 Million
Industry: 750 Conventional Factories
Research: 5 Laboratories
Anual Wealth Creation: 2580
Army: 12 Infantry Divisions, 3 Armour Divisions
Nuclear Capacity: 80 ICBM's


European Union

The European Union is only a shadow of its former self. Where it once encompassed most european nations, its inability to organize disaster relief efforts and help its member nations to remain in control of the situation lead to most countries following Britains footsteps. The last nations to leave the EU where Germany and the Netherlands. In the end, only France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium and Italy remained. However, since those nations now where able to support each other to a greater degree, their bond grew. Over time the situation improved greately, and the EU was reformed.

The EU today is a confederation of the five countries, with France in a leadership role. This lead to it being often called Franco-Europe, something the French people quite enjoy. It is the fourth most populous great power and shares the third place in terms of industrial capacities with the Pacific Federation. Its research capabilities are slightly smaller, but the EU employs the most scientific experts of all the nations. It seeks to reunify the entire Union, by force if necessary, and thus has regular diplomatic clashes with Germany and is regarded with suspicion by the Commonwealth.

Stats:
Population: 123 Million
Industry: 750 Conventional Factories
Research: 4 Laboratories
Anual Wealth Creation: 2580
Army: 10 Infantry Divisions, 4 Armour Divisions
Nuclear Capacity: 70 ICBM's


Bundesrepublik Deutschland

Germany is no stranger to catastrophe. Being the toy of other great powers during the late period of the Holy Roman Empire, two world wars and economic crisis were not able to bring it down, and the german people would not be defeated by some space rocks!

Such was the narrative when the Republic did what it does best - rebuild after being brought to its knees. Seeing that the EU had all but failed and with nationalism on the rise, it was one of the last countries to leave the Union and concentrated inwards. Halfway through the century, Austria joined Germany as the 17th Bundesland, since unity was considered as more important than ever before. And the Netherlands, too, choose the Anschluss at the end of the century - if only because Germany was seen as the lesser evil compared to the threat of an EU invasion, and many concessions regarding a special status where made.

While being a great power, Germany is on the weaker end of the spectrum, having the second smallest population and industry. But it has the highest number of research institutes of all nations employs many lead scientists, planing on defeating quantity with quality if necessary. It also has a close relationship with the Nordic League, with both countries ready to defend each other if the EU tries something funny.

Stats:
Population: 97 Million
Industry: 600 Conventional Factories
Research: 6 Laboratories
Anual Wealth Creation: 2156
Army: 7 Infantry Divisions, 3 Armour Divisions
Nuclear Capacity: 40 ICBM's


Nordic League

Sweden, Norway and Finland were among the most lucky nations in terms of damages, but even then the aftermath was scathing. With the slow collapse of the EU, the world economy in shambles and Earth at large being a humanitarian nightmare, these countries decided to find their own path in a changing world. Thus, the Nordic League was born, with formal unification taking place as early as 2053. Over the following decades, Danmark and Iceland followed suit.

Although the League is the smallest of the great powers, it enjoys cordial relations with most others. Only the EU is seen as an imideate threat, and the UK as a potential rival. New treaties with Germany promise security though, and the potential of even deeper future cooperation could offset the current handicaps of both countries.

Stats:
Population: 45 Million
Industry: 350 Conventional Factories
Research: 3 Laboratories
Anual Wealth Creation: 1012
Army: 4 Infantry Divisions, 2 Armour Divisions
Nuclear Capacity: 20 ICBM's


United States of America

The years since the disaster have not been kind to the United States. Not only lost the country vast parts of its population, the civil strife that followed made the situation only oh so worse. The US already had problems with racial tensions, politics of extremes and a rapant violence problem. All that exploded, and the nation was almost brought to the brink of total destruction.

Hence, the US was forced into isolationism, desperately trying to sort itself out. Fortunately, after years of civil war like conditions, the country was able to pull itself together. Now, the US is the most powerful nation on Earth once more. . .  however, its status as the absolute super power is lost. If the States want to have a Pax America again, it has to show that the American Dream was not just a fluke and that it has the potential to lead the world into the future. Those ambitions and claims to superiority strain the new diplomatic relations a bit, though. However, the US takes this in a stride and tries a diplomatic aproach for now.

Stats:
Population: 155 Million
Industry: 850 Conventional Factories
Research: 5 Laboratories
Anual Wealth Creation: 2808
Army: 12 Infantry Divisions, 6 Armour Divisions
Nuclear Capacity: 150 ICBM's


United Nations

While all human nations are part of the UN, it represents mainly the countries that do not have the ressources, knowhow or manpower to develope transnewtonian capacities. The six Great Powers are all permanent members of the security council due to the shift of power during the "Lost Century".

The Headquarters of the UN-Headquarters is today located in Swizerland, which is still perpetually neutral.

Stats:
Population (non-Great Power): 819m
World Population: 1500m

Available minerals on Earth:


Comparission table 2100:

[Greifenstolz (OP)]

Well, a quick search explained why the formatting of my post is off. As long as you have less then 10 posts, it happens in order to break pictures and links. A bit sad, but understandable. I'll just post the updates as it is for now and edit the planned pictures for the comparison and eventual map later in, as well fix the formatting, maybe find a workaround.
For now, I'll use a timeline update system, since not much happens in the beginning. As soon as events get denser and more interesting, I'll most likely switch to national updates.
[edit]I'll also add the comparision pictures as attachments, for those who like tables. [/edit]

Update 2100 – 2104

16th February 2103 - Commonwealth scientists of the university of Cambridge are the first to anounce the developement of Trans-Newtonian Technology. The world is baffled, since the Commonwealth has solid laboratories, but has lacked behind in terms of investments and lead scientists.

27th February 2103 - The House of Commons decides, after a review about the potential benefits and risks, to start the conversion of their industry by signing the Conversion Act 2103. Since the new production techniques and technology promises to increase productivity tenfold, it is considered a priority decision.

28th February 2103 - While still waiting on a success message from their own laboratories, the other Great Powers start to prepare implementation laws of their own in order to catch up as quickly as possible.

15th March 2103 – The Max-Planck Institut, Germany, develops Trans-Newtonian Technology and presents an implementation plan to the government.

16th March 2103 - The Bundestag signs the "Industriekonvertierungsgesetz" (industrial conversion law) that starts the conversion of the German industry. In order to do it as efficiently as possible, Hans-Joachim Schneidermann is appointed as the new Minister for Industrial Developement.

27th November 2103 – The French Research Center CNRS has a breakthrough regarding Trans-Newtonian Technology.

1st Devember 2103 - The European Union begins to retool its Industry and hence joins the Commonwealth and Germany on the path to the future.

2nd December 2103 – Considering a lack of American success so far, Senator Murphey demands an investigation regarding the US scientific department.

19th December 2103 - During a hearing Lead Scientist Dr. Marcia Galbo cites the lack of specialists as the main reason for the delay and questioned the current effectivity of the US education system.

1st January 2104 - The TUS, Pacific Federation, develops Trans-Newtonian Technology. Industrial modernizations start immediatly.

21th February 2104 - Commonwealth company Geotechnical Instruments Ltd. presents a new geological scanner. The Commonwealth commits to future space exploration.

26th February 2104 - US scientists develop Trans-Newtonian Technology. Industry starts to adopt.

1st March 2104 - Not wanting to be given the slip, all other Great Powers anounce the expansion of their space programs throughout the week.

2nd March 2104 - Siemens AG, in cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institut, has developed its own version of a new geological scanner.

18th August 2104 – The Nordic Scientific Council anounces success on Trans-Newtonian Technology research. The League starts subsidies for industrial convertions.

19th August 2104 - EU based company Photonis S. A. S.  developes a geological scanner.

7th November 2104 - Shenzhen Longteng Electronics presents its own geological scanner to the Pacific population.

19th November 2104 - General Electrics followes step and reveals its geological scanner to the public.

31st December 2104 - The convertion of conventional industry in Germany is far ahead of schedule. This success is attributed to the earlier appointment of Schneidermann, as industrial efficiency has risen by 35% since he started his work.


Comparision table 2105


World Population: 1738m

Comment: It is amazing what difference a really good governor can make this early in the game. While in terms of actual factories the Commonwealth is currently number 1, their govenor is way worse than the ones of Germany and the US. As a result, in terms of effective industrial output the US is currently still leader (with 1377 BP), followed by Germany (1201). The Commonwealth comes in third (1199).

[Panopticon]

Good stuff so far, looking forward to the rest. FYI I don't think you have any apologies to make for your language, you seem to have a better grasp of English than at least half of the Americans I know.

[Erik L]

If you put the links in as normal, I or another mod can go in and fix them. Just don't edit it after it's been fixed

[Greifenstolz (OP)]

Good stuff so far, looking forward to the rest. FYI I don't think you have any apologies to make for your language, you seem to have a better grasp of English than at least half of the Americans I know.

Thank you for your kind words. So far, the campaign has been a very interesting experience since it is the first time I tried a conventional multi-faction setup. It really shows the impact of a good governor or scientist in the beginning.

If you put the links in as normal, I or another mod can go in and fix them. Just don't edit it after it's been fixed

Thank you for the offer, I've edited the images in again. I just love tables, they make everything better :-)

[Greifenstolz (OP)]

Just a quick update, since quite a lot happened in those two years. The next update will most likely come next weekend.

Update 2105 - 2106

1st January 2105 - In a new year speech, UN General Secretary Romeo Sánchez calls for closer international research cooperation, as a new space age could and should benefit all of mankind. The Great Powers are reluctant, however, as they don't want to give up any percieved advantage they may or may not have over each other. The less developed nations look at the new and old giants in making with a mixture of wonder, amazement and dread.

14th January 2105 – At a german university, the worlds first prototype for a pressurized water reactor has been build and turned on. ITS Reaktortechnik plans to refine the design for practical usage.

16th July 2105 – Supported by several Universities, the Pacific company PEN finishes building an experimental pressurized water reactor.

23rd July 2105 – Only four days after PEN, Horizon Nuclear Power, Commonwealth, turns its own prototype reactor on.

26th July 2105 – In a suprising turn of events, both the Commonwealth and Germany announce to work on a geological survey probe on the same day, with the survey of the Moon and Mars having highest priority. Later they clarify that this is merely a coincidence, with both nations claiming that they will beat the other one to Mars. The second space race officially beginns.

28th July 2105 – While still lacking some key developements, the other Great Powers once more affirm their will to follow suit and expand their space programs. The potential of off-world colonies is to strong to ignore. The Nordic League, lagging behind due to its size, inquires if Germany would sign a treaty regarding the mutual sharing of geological survey data. The government promises to submit the request to the Bundestag.

16th August 2105 – Germany notifies the international community that the developement of the GEOSO Mark I is finished and the launch of the first two probes is planned for the end of October. When questioned about the speed with which Germany seems to have finished the project, the government driely answered that it never said that it started developement on the day of the anouncement, but that the probe had been developed since February – a not so subtle slap in the face of the Commonwealth, and a signal that German scientific prowess should not be underestimated.

9th September 2105 – After reviewing the Nordic inquiry, the Bundestag decides to agree to a Geo-Survey Treaty with the League, further deepening existent cooperation. Both governments officially sign the treaty two weeks later.

16th October 2105 – Germany launches its first GEOSO probe. Being the closest to Earth the obvious first target is the moon. The probe arrives at the moon merely an hour later, a fraction from the previous three days it took with conventional technology. GEOSO 1, after entering orbit around Earths trabant, starts sending telemetry and first survey data.  It will take time until the survey is complete and is conclusive, but first measurements seem promising enough.

26th October 2105 – The second GEOSO probe is launched towards Mars. Two additional probes are ordered.

28th October 2105 – The Commonwealth has finished developement of its GEOPROB and starts production of five. The humiliation of losing the first step of the space race to the Krauts sits deep, the Royal Family is displeased, and the government reviews the pros and cons of redirecting industrial and financial means towards the establishement of an additional research institute.

14th December 2105 – An experimental pressurized water reactor is finished at MIT.

21st December 2105 – The Pacific Federation has developed their CHIPU series geological probe, but lacks the capacities to start production. Economic Minister Mori Koichi has been called in for a raport.

1st January 2106 – The two additional GEOSO probes are going to be launched towards Mercury and Venus this month.

4th January 2106 – Nordic company Insplorion presents a geologic survey scanner. Although the League most likely wont build any probes, considering the new survey treaty with Germany, it sooner or later will find some use for it anyway.

9th January 2106 – Hensoldt GmbH and the Fraunhofer Institute present a new radar-like sensor that uses gravitational pulses. They dub it Gradar for that reason. The EU Commission orders a new threat level assessment, officially citing "fears over potential future German aggressions".

10th January 2106 – The European Institute for Nuclear Research finished its work on a pressurized water reactor.

14th January 2106 – The Commonwealth launches the first GEOPROB towards the Moon. The rest of the probes, with announced targets being Mars, Venus, Mercury and Jupiter, are planned for February with a 5 day interval between each.

16th January 2106 – The EU announces plans to launch four geological probes, called PGOS, later this year.

14th March 2106 – Germany's probe finished the survey of Luna. As per treaty, the findings are shared with the Nordic League. A minor information leak occured, and while the other nations aren't informed about the amounts, it is clear for them that the Moon has, indeed, resources.

16th March 2106 - In a suprising move, the United States claims the moon, citing the first successful moon landing and the fact they planted their flag there as the reason. This sends ripples through the international community, as it goes against the Outer Space Treaty.

17th March 2106 - Nations around the word express their anger about the US claim.

18th March 2106 - Germany rebukes the US claim, saying that by that logic the Moon would go to France and thus the EU since the flag has since turned white by now. French people were not amused.

20th March 2106 - The UN calls for a meeting with the Great Powers in hopes to sort the situation out before international relations sour even more.

25th March 2106 - Negotiations between the Great Powers and the UN regarding commence.

28th March 2106 - The United States retracts their claim on Luna.

4th April 2106 - NASA orders eight of the new LRGP geological probes and plans to launch them in summer.

3rd May 2106 - Allegheny Technologies Incorporated, US, shows an armor made of Duranium to the US military. The armor is said to be more than twice as resilient as comparitable conventional armor today.

11th May 2106 - ESA launches the first PGOS probe.

12th June 2106 - The Great Powers finish negotiations and agree to sign a new UN treaty. The Sol Accord, which will partially supersede the Outer Space Treaty, regulates as follows:

1.   Earths moon, being the closest companion of our planet, is not to be claimed by any nation, and shall be open for colonization.
2.   No planet or dwarf planet or their moons in the solar system is to be claimed by any nation.  A special exception for the jovian moons and the saturn moons shall be specified in (4). No nation shall have sole access to their resources. As the main bodies of our solar system, colonization shall be open to anyone.
3.   Asteroids may be claimed. The claim beginns with governmental colonization. The claim may be used to stop other nations from governmental colonization. The claim may not be used to stop civillian colonization and mining operations.
4.   The Jupiter moons Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto, as well as Saturn moon Titan, being hypothetical terraforming candidates and of special interest for the Great Powers, will be assigned as follows:
- The Pacific Federation shall have a permanent claim to Io.
- The European Union shall have a permanent claim to Europa.
- The United States of America shall have a permanent claim to Ganymede.
- The Federal Republic of Germany and the Nordic League shall have a permanent shared claim to Callisto.
- The British Commonwealth shall have a permanent claim to Titan. As the additional distance makes logistics harder, and the moon is predicted to be more difficult to terraform, the Commonwealth recieves the privilege to declare additional saturnian moons as "regions of special interest".
- No other jovian or saturnian moon outside the afformentioned claims and privileges may be claimed.
5.   Principles of the Outer Space Treaty not touched by the Sol Accord shall remain active. 

Since noone seems completely happy with the new treaty but accept it, it is called an astounding success.

1st June 2106 - NASA launches the first LRGP.  Besides the obvious destinations, Jupiter and Saturn are each targeted by two probes.

4th June 2106 - The Commonwealth Space Administration (CSA) gains full survey data off the Moon.

22nd June 2106 - Shenzhen Longteng Electronics builds a gradar-prototype.

16th July 2106 - The German Aerospace Center (DLR) recieves the last data-package from their Mercury probe, finishing the survey of the planet.

7th August 2106 - Commonwealth company Plextek finishes an experimental gradar.

24th August 2106 - Mori Koichi is forced to resign after the investigation showed clear signs of mismanagement. New economic minister of the Pacific Federation is Nakadan Ayako. The Federation states it plans to launch a series of six probes mid 2107.

9th September 2106 - The Commonwealth receives the survey report on Mercury.

12th September 2106 - Germany finishes the survey of Mars. Findings are considered "promising". In a press conference later this week the Republic commits itself to the colonization of the red planet, promising a German colony there "within a decade".

6th October 2106 - ESA finishes the survey of the Moon. NASA recieves its survey data three weeks later.

10th November 2106 - The world is in shock as German company Rheinmetall demonstrates its first fully functional railgun model. The "10cm Schienenkanone V1/C1" is said to have a range of up to 10,000 km. The UN is afraid that this may lead to an arms race in space.

12th November 2106 - EU officials anounce plans to increase the size of its armed forces by 3 divisions, citing a "clearly agressive move made by Germany".

13th November 2106 - Germany and the Nordic League say they will increase their armies with 1 additional division each in response to the EU anouncement. Germany further takes a swing, saying that the EU "is not angry because we have a railgun, but jealous because they don't" and clarifies that "no plans about expansion through military means exist".

15th November 2106 - Reactions regarding the "developing european crisis" are mixed, with most UN countries being concerned about a potential world war in the making.

1st December 2106 - The Comonwealth finishes its Mars survey and anounces its own plans on the timely colonisation. Nations around the world grow significantly more curious about the findings.

World Population: 1847m

Comparison:
[img]https://i. imgur. com/d8TLZOM. jpg[ /img]


Luna Survey Report
Duranium 51,030 Acc 0. 9
Neutronium 11,670 Acc 0. 4
Corbomite 9,270 Acc 0. 6
Tritanium 5,160 Acc 0. 9
Boronite 5,700 Acc 1
Mercassium 19,900 Acc 0. 8
Vendarite 22,520 Acc 0. 9
Sorium 7,875 Acc 0. 7
Uridium 5,890 Acc 0. 8
Corundium 47,550 Acc 0. 8
Gallicite 16,570 Acc 0. 9

Mercury Survey Report
Duranium 6,172,693 Acc 0. 4
Neutronium 9,526 Acc 0. 1
Corbomite 72,039 Acc 0. 6
Boronite 938,548 Acc 0. 1
Vendarite 2,381 Acc 0. 1

Mars Survey Report
Duranium 3,976,000 Acc 0. 9
Neutronium 793,000 Acc 0. 8
Corbomite 522,000 Acc 0. 5
Tritanium 973,000 Acc 1
Boronite 905,000 Acc 1
Mercassium 729,000 Acc 0. 5
Vendarite 426,000 Acc 0. 9
Sorium 652,000 Acc 0. 8
Uridium 717,000 Acc 0. 8
Corundium 2,845,000 Acc 0. 9
Gallicite 1,362,000 Acc 0. 4

[Sleepymoon]

12th June 2106 - The Great Powers finish negotiations and agree to sign a new UN treaty. The Sol Accord, which will partially supersede the Outer Space Treaty, regulates as follows:

1.  Earths moon, being the closest companion of our planet, is not to be claimed by any nation, and shall be open for colonization.
2.  No planet or dwarf planet or their moons in the solar system is to be claimed by any nation. A special exception for the jovian moons shall be specified in (4). No nation shall have sole access to their resources. As the main bodies of our solar system, colonization shall be open to anyone.
3.  Asteroids may be claimed. The claim beginns with governmental colonization. The claim may be used to stop other nations from governmental colonization. The claim may not be used to stop civillian colonization and mining operations.
4.  The Jupiter moons Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto, being hypothetical terraforming candidates and of special interest for the Great Powers, will be assigned as follows:
- The Pacific Federation shall have a permanent claim to Io.
- The European Union shall have a permanent claim to Europa.
- The United States of America shall have a permanent claim to Ganymede.
- The Federal Republic of Germany and the Nordic League shall have a permanent shared claim to Callisto.
- No other jovian moon may be claimed.
5.  Principles of the Outer Space Treaty not touched by the Sol Accord shall remain active.

Since noone seems completely happy with the new treaty but accept it, it is called an astounding success.

No moons for the Commonwealth? I guess Theresa May is still in charge of negotiations.

[Greifenstolz (OP)]

12th June 2106 - The Great Powers finish negotiations and agree to sign a new UN treaty. The Sol Accord, which will partially supersede the Outer Space Treaty, regulates as follows:

1.   Earths moon, being the closest companion of our planet, is not to be claimed by any nation, and shall be open for colonization.
2.   No planet or dwarf planet or their moons in the solar system is to be claimed by any nation.  A special exception for the jovian moons shall be specified in (4). No nation shall have sole access to their resources. As the main bodies of our solar system, colonization shall be open to anyone.
3.   Asteroids may be claimed. The claim beginns with governmental colonization. The claim may be used to stop other nations from governmental colonization. The claim may not be used to stop civillian colonization and mining operations.
4.   The Jupiter moons Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto, being hypothetical terraforming candidates and of special interest for the Great Powers, will be assigned as follows:
- The Pacific Federation shall have a permanent claim to Io.
- The European Union shall have a permanent claim to Europa.
- The United States of America shall have a permanent claim to Ganymede.
- The Federal Republic of Germany and the Nordic League shall have a permanent shared claim to Callisto.
- No other jovian moon may be claimed.
5.   Principles of the Outer Space Treaty not touched by the Sol Accord shall remain active.

Since noone seems completely happy with the new treaty but accept it, it is called an astounding success.

No moons for the Commonwealth? I guess Theresa May is still in charge of negotiations.

Oh snap, I totally forgot about them when I wrote that. I have to fix that, since I didn't plan to let them have May at that point. Thanks for pointing that out! :-)

[Greifenstolz (OP)]

Update 2107 - 2109

The race for Mars

3rd January 2107 - ESA recieves the survey data from Mercury.

8th January 2107 - A leaked document indicates that Diehl, a German defence company, may have completed a prototype for a fire control system able to keep up with the range of the rail gun, and should finalize developement for production soon. This does not help with the diplomatic situation between Germany and Franco-Europe.

12th January 2107 - NASA finishes its survey of Mercury.

16th January 2107 - The Pacific Federation launches its first CHIPU probe.

4th February 2107 - At the MIT an experimental energy shield system is tested. While there are still problems regarding recharging, first tests showed promising results.

23rd February 2107 - Photonis S. A. S.  builds a prototype gradar system. EU-officials are pleased and plan to utilize it as soon as possible.

9th March 2107 - The EU coast guard detains a German cargo ship in the Channel for three days, claiming security concerns. The German government protests and advices its maritime shipping companies to reroute traffic through the North Sea.

14th March 2107 - Insploration presents a gradar system to the Nordic public. The government anounces that it stands "fully behind our German allies" and that "EU agressions will not be tolerated".

28th March 2107 - ESA recieves the survey report on Mars. While EU officials anounce, as expected, plans to colonize the red planet, the Franco-European leadership is quite non-commitical about a possible time table, stating that "with the Union threatened, priorities and resources have to be allocated properly". Reactions within the European public are mixed.

11th April 2107 - Economic Report:
The fifth industrial revolution carries on! A recent study suggests that today around 28% of the industrial facilities of the Great Powers have been converted to Trans-Newtonian Technology. While the Commonwealth had a headstart, the United States has by now the same amount of converted facilities, with 252 each. Big winner in relative numbers, however, is Germany, with around 42% of its industry now having implemented the new technology. Experts are already speaking of a new "Wirtschaftswunder".

27th April 2107 - The NASA probe finishes its survey of Mars. A study regarding the viability of a long-term settlement is ordered by President Steven Langley.

1st May 2107 - In a first may speech, EU President Jacque Dansereau urges independent european nations to join the Union again.
"The world is changing faster than ever before. In the past 7 years, technology took leaps like never thought possible, and now the stars themself come within our grasp. And also in the past 7 years, Germany started to show its true colors to the world again, proving that Germans will always be Germans - imperialistic, aggressive and backstabbing. Europe must stand together if we want to reach for space, and contain the Germanic menace. "
Eastern european countries generally seem to reject the notion, still holding a grudge over the past EU relief failure and not wanting to get involved in a possible conflict between the Union and Germany. Greece made a cautious request if this would mean access to Trans-Newtonian technology.

3rd May 2107 - In light of the growing Franco-European antipaty towards Germany, the foreign office issues a travel warning to all of its citizens, advising vacationers to avoid EU holiday destinations.

10th May 2107 - Germany finishes survey of Venus. While apparently rich in ressources, those are hardly accessable, making the planet a rather low priority.

Venus Survey Report
Duranium 5,340,174 Acc 0. 3
Neutronium 29,667,630 Acc 0. 1
Corbomite 3,080,306 Acc 0. 1
Tritanium 3,988,648 Acc 0. 1
Mercassium 7,750,211 Acc 0. 4

2nd June 2107 - The EU and Greece start official negotions about a reentry of Greece into the Union. German officials are "mildly concerned" about the possibility of getting surrounded.

8th June 2107 - After the long delay, the CHIPU probe at Luna finishes its survey. The Pacific Federation celebrates this as the first successful step towards a glorious future. "We may lag behind today, but are ready to tackle this problem with confidence", officials say.

2nd July 2107 - DLR stuns the German public with its anouncement of a conceptual long range shuttle design they are currently working on. While no details where given yet, the "Raumtransporter" is planned to be used in the first manned mission to Mars.

4th July 2107 - The European Union accusses Germany that the alleged shuttle program is in reality a research program for a space fighter. Germany denies this, saying that the program is real and is not related to the space fighter project.

5th July 2107 - Realizing that Germany pretty much anounced a space fighter project to deny a space fighter project, the Internet accuses Germany of just trolling the EU now.

6th July 2107 - The Commonwealth finishes its survey of Venus.

8th July 2107 - NASA is the first to recieve a full survey of Jupiter. The gas giant features a large reserve of Sorium, making it a potential major fuel source in the future.

Jupiter Survey Report
Sorium 25,927,460 Acc 0. 5

20th August 2107 - Saturn is successfully surveyed by the United States and marked as another potential fuel source.

Saturn Survey Report
Sorium 6,425,989 Acc 0. 6

1st September 2107 - The Pacific Federation finishes survey of Mercury.

18th October 2107 - The European Union finishes survey of Venus.

7th November 2107 - Based on the MIT research, Apex Systems presents a fully functional shield prototype. Apex promises that it will revolutionize American defence capabilities.

8th November 2107 - NASA recieves the final survey report on Venus.

10th November 2107 - Mars is surveyed by the Pacific Federation. The government prepares to provide additional funds for the FSA.

1st January 2108 - Greece officially rejoins the EU, bringing with it 15 million people, 2 Army Divisions and 40 conventional industrial facilities. This makes the EU now the second most populated Great Power after the US.

3rd January 2108 - The EU sends a diplomatic team to London, with rumors that the Union wants to secure Commonwealth-support against Germany spreading.  It is uncertain whether or not this could be successful, considering Britain holds no love for either side.

9th January 2108 - ESA finishes its Jupiter survey.

18th January 2108 - General Electrics builds a gradar system. The US plans to utilize it as soon as possible.

4th Februry 2108 - The Commonwealth press inquires about the outcome of discussions regarding an increased science funding. The government admits that at the moment the creation of additional science institutes is not an option, as resources would have to be siphoned from the modernisation of the industry.

9th March 2108 - The EU diplomatic team returns to Paris. While officially the talks were constructive, the Commonwealth seems not too eager to support either side.

17th April 2108 - An US reconnaissance satellite makes pictures of massive building activities on the abandoned airbase at Ramstein, Germany. CIA analysts are sure that a new military base for space capable crafts is being constructed there. Washington is sure it is only a matter of time until Franco-Europe learns of this and orders the retrofitting of the Kennedy Space Center.

20th April 2108 - Researchers at Oxford University report a major breakthrough in cryogenic technologies after succesfully freezing a sheep and reviving it again afterwards. This could allow the mass transport of colonists to other planets in the future.

8th May 2108 - DLR has finished the planing phase for the "Raumtransporter". The launch is planned to be in August 2109.

19th June 2108 - As the US had expected, the EU has learned of Germany's newest military base project and anounces that it will follow in kind soon.

22nd July 2108 - Venus is completely surveyed by the Pacific Federation.

10th August 2108 - Krupp reports a successful test of duranium infused armor plating.

11th August 2108 - According to a UN study, due to Greece joining the EU the Great Powers combined encompass slightly more than 50% of the worlds population today.

8th October 2108 - Panavia presents the first spaceworthy fightercraft to the Bundeswehr. Three are ordered for a viability test of the concept, with the first to be delivered in June 2109.

Code: [Select]

Panavia PA-1 "Sternenjäger" class Fighter    417 tons     3 Crew     20.4 BP      TCS 8.34  TH 1  EM 0
119 km/s     Armour 1-4     Shields 0-0     Sensors 1/1/0/0     Damage Control Rating 0     PPV 3
Maint Life 0 Years     MSP 0    AFR 83%    IFR 1.2%    1YR 2    5YR 28    Max Repair 5 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 0.1 months    Spare Berths 1   

Astrum 0.6 EP Konventionelles Kleintriebwerk (1)    Power 0.6    Fuel Use 97%    Signature 0.6    Exp 10%
Fuel Capacity 10,000 Litres    Range 4.4 billion km   (429 days at full power)

Rheinmetall 10cm Schienenkanone V1/C1 (1x4)    Range 10,000km     TS: 1250 km/s     Power 3-1     RM 1    ROF 15        1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Diehl Kanonenfeuerleitsystem S00.5 10-1250 (JGF) (1)    Max Range: 20,000 km   TS: 5000 km/s     50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
ITS Reaktortechnik Druckwasserreaktor PO-1 (1)     Total Power Output 1    Armour 0    Exp 5%

Hensoldt GRADAR MR0-R5 (1)     GPS 5     Range 110k km    Resolution 5

This design is classed as a Fighter for production, combat and maintenance purposes
15th October 2108 - NASA discloses that works have begun on a new Shuttle-project. The Space Shuttle II is intended to be the American answer to the german shuttle project and expected to be ready for service in mid 2109, a clear signal that the US does not plan on letting the current german lead go unchallanged.

18th October 2108 - The European Union expells all german visitors as well as the german embassy in Paris and announces that it would close its borders to Germany within one week. While not completely suprising, the German minister for foreign affairs Ludwig Achtberger warns the EU that its combatitive stance might "mark the beginning of a new sad chapter in european history" and that bilateral talks should not be dismissed.

31st December 2108 - For the first time in 29 years, Germany ends a fiscal year with a budget deficit. While the Republic has enough reserves at the moment and the deficit is with 1,254 million Mark (~11 International Standard State-Wealth Credits) only minor, the situation will be closely monitored.

1st January 2109 - In a suprise announcement during his new year speech, Pacific President Choi Ji Yoo promises that the Federation would send a mission to Mars this year, stating that "the FSA has recovered from earlier mistakes and is now ready to join the endeavor".

20th January 2109 - A major news outlet in the Commonwealth publishes an article under the headlines "Where is our shuttle?", accusing the government of general incompetence since the space program seems to stagnate. In old revered tradition, the government, in response, blames the EU, claiming it makes everything worse by virtue of existing.  The british public, in general, seems to accept this explanation.

12th March 2109 - DLR announces the launch date of the Mars mission: 21st August 2109.

15th March 2109 - NASA estimates its Mars mission will be ready for launch on 1st September 2109. Reactions to this are mixed, with many Americans fearing that they already lost the race to Mars.

20th March 2109 - FSA states its intend to launch a shuttle to Mars on 11th September 2109. While most likely to late  for the first or even second arrival, the public is impressed with the speed of progress.

6th June 2109 - The first Panavia PA-1 "Sternenjäger" is delivered to the Bundeswehr. If the concept proves itself, star fighters might become a stable in every future space force.

21st August 2109 - DLR has to delay the launch by two days and cites additional safety checks as the main reason.

23rd August 2109 - Under booming applause, the German shuttle "Johann Gottfried Galle" takes off from Ramstein and sets course for Mars. People around the world wonder what the near future will bring.

1st September 2109 - NASA launches the space shuttle "Resolution" from the Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral. Despite the german headstart, the mood is excellent, with many people hailing the launch as the beginning of a new chapter in American history.

11th September 2109 - FSA launches the Shuttle "Menerokai" towards Mars. Festivities take place all around the Federation, celebrating the momentous occasion.

14th September 2109 - The first manned mission to Mars arrives at its destination.

[Garfunkel]

Man, good staff! Always fantastic to see new multi-faction conventional Earth starts.

[Greifenstolz (OP)]

Man, good staff! Always fantastic to see new multi-faction conventional Earth starts.

I'm glad you like it. I absolutely love conventional starts (makes early expansion and combat a bit more about strategic decisions) and multi-faction is just fun. Complex, but fun.

[Garfunkel]

I hope this isn't dead and that you can find the time to post updates!