The Galaxy Awaits ... Choose Your Path!

[Sematary]

I would love to do a bit about my character but I would like some more info about the JP he is at.

[Bryan Swartz (OP)]

Sure thing!  I really like these kind of questions, they give us opportunity to think about where a character is and what they would be thinking about events in/outside of their life.

The Sol-Van Maanen's Star Jump Point is 3.1b km from Sol itself at a bearing of 18, or 'just east of due north' as one looks at a standard system chart/map.  It is the third-closest and was the fifth to be discovered, in July of 2049, just under 23 years ago as of this writing, or when Cmdr. Watters had not yet reached his fourth birthday.  In terms of the jump point itself, it is only 519m km away from the jump to Lalande 21185, a very interesting fact that resulted in both jump points being viewed somewhat as 'twins'.  Lalande of course was found to contain the first evidence of other advanced(to the point of being spacefaring) life when in April of 2055 three wrecks were found in close proximity to it's primary star.  A week later, Van Maanen was explored and no survey activity seriously considered, either now or since.  This was due to two reasons:

1).  Lalande was obviously dangerous, and by virtue of its close proximity, that makes Van Maanen relatively dangerous as well.
2).  It's a relatively sparse system, with only a super-jovian, two dwarf planets, some number of asteroids and no comets.  Only three habitable bodies exist(all of them moons of the first planet, over 2b km from the jump at closest approach), none as welcoming even as Titan(9.85 colony cost or higher). 

So while very little is known about Van Maanen, none of what is known is encouraging.  Sensor duty there could be described as a 'frontier backwater' kind of assignment, though all of the sensor stations have an inherent watchdog importance to them. 

[Bryan Swartz (OP)]

2072 ANNUAL REPORT

Jung Besler is named Chief of the Navy as expected and promoted to Senior Rear Admiral, while the Army names young Col. Cole Callihan(M, 23) as Altschuler's replacement.  By late February, with the appointment of another captain, the navy has enough staff officers for a full complement at both task forces for the first time ever. 

On March 14th, the Research Directorate loses one of it's most senior and more recognizable scientists as Dr. Everette Snuggs retires with the 68-year-old citing poor health.  The most crowded field in SPACE science(Logistics & Ground Combat) can at least shoulder the loss, but it will still hurt as Snuggs was one of three elite members.  He is also one of very few public servants remaining from the agency's founding. 

Early May brings the completion of Luna Base, and the redeployment of construction brigades to Sedna and Triton, with the latter less than half the distance but still quite a journey at an average distance of 4.5b km.  Less than two weeks later, on the 20th, the new pair of Burke-class brigade transports clears the docks and joins the efforts. 

A relatively quiet year gets a jolt exactly at the midway point, as it is announced on July 1st that Yokohama Shipyard has reached the required size for the Brooklyn-class Gunboat.  This leaves Eighmy in a bit of a quandary though.  The Brooklyn is by now obsolete, with better versions of all components now available.  Using that design would be decidedly wasteful:  however, it would be preferred for the current round of sensor research to be completed.  Theoretical active sensor improvements aren't going to be ready until November, and then it would take some time after that to design a new system specifically ... so SPACE has decided to go with what is available now.  The Brooklyn '72 design was put together with the following specifications(numbers from the never-built original design in parentheses)

Brooklyn '72-class Gunboat
Size:  13.45 kt(15.15kt)
Speed:  2379 km/s(2376 km/s)
Crew:  356(415)
Armor Plating:  4 feet of high-density duranium(3 feet of regular duranium armor)
CIWS:  1 battery(same)
Armament:  3 Twin-laser turrets, 1 single-meson turrets(1 fewer of each)
Cost:  1.89 m(1.88m), about 22 months

The new version is smaller, better armored, but has less firepower(though much more accurate) as well.  Speed and cost are virtually identical.   About a year is the expected retooling time, which would put the first one in service for early 2075.

September brings a welcome shift in industrial resources on Earth, as all of the needed Ticonderoga components have been completed, though the construction teams will be busy for some time with larger installations.  Most sectors receive part of the newly available capacity to speed up existing projects. 

On November 5, Dr. Julio Kuchler announces a considerable breakthrough in active grav sensor abilities.  The new developments allow for considerable minituarization and other increased efficiencies.  The new specs are included in the R&D supplement.

The final month of the year brought more news of significance.  The expansion of Earth's massive industrial centers to 500 construction factories is completed, and that will be the new status quo for now with capacity again being redeployed to further other projects for the second time in just a few months.  Then, just two days before the election,  the news came that Earth has finally exhausted its supply of duranium.  Corbomite, vendarite, and tritanium remain, all of which are minor both in use and need at the moment.  Earth has now become virtually irrelevant in the grand scheme of things in terms of mining, the transition to a purely industrial center more and more complete. 


Research & Development

** January 10 -- Harlan Welle completes the latest upgrade of the CIWS defense system, and a new research lab is built.  Welle will pursue improving efficiency of magazines for better missile storage, and the tractor beam project gets a needed second lab as well.

** January 20 -- Near UV Laser completed, Joe Tycho.  Since a larger laser is currently being worked on, Tycho takes over that project from Sabagh:  a new generation of laser cannons will be developed with greater punch and range when it's complete.  Wayne Sabagh moves on to the final piece of the next generation of meson cannons, improved focusing. 

** March 14 -- The SITG Emdar-36 is now ready, and Everette Snuggs retires.  Minh Klausner debuts as a project lead, a young one to be sure as the EW researcher is less than nine months removed from the academy.  Klausner will investigate improved high-powered microwave concepts. 

** November 5 -- While Julio Kuchler completes research into better base active grav technology(sensitivity 16).  It's time for a new round of active sensors ...

The GEI MSS 192 is a little more powerful and 20% smaller than the current MSS 180(military grade missile search sensor).  The next generation of anti-ship sensors does even better, with nearly a 50% size reduction, and 40% smaller on the new anti-ship missile fire control suites.  Kuchler has found a considerable leap in active detection, and new suites for the Forrestal sensor buoys as well as basic commercials will be incorporated in time. 

** November 8 -- Levitated-Pit Implosion Warheads are here(Karabishi Juishao).  Prospects for anti-missile ballistics are improving(estimated interception chances of about 10% on enemy missiles are now possible), but to really be useful better engine technology is required, so no development of anti-missile systems is expected until then.  Juishao moves on to missile agility, and newcomer Elyse Buckler will look into reduced-size launchers. 


Commissioned Officers

Mid-February -- Rosemary Urenda's skill increases to 40%, an important development as she's the second of only two quality power & propulsion researchers.

Late March -- Col. Ignace Tegair is commissioned.
Bonuses:  10% Ground Combat, 30% Espionage
Personality:  Weak

Outlook:  Right now #2 on the waiting list for commands, should get one within a couple of years. 

Mid-April -- Col. Deacon Palmer Jr. commissioned.
Bonuses:  10% Political Reliability, 5% Ground Combat
Personality:  Good Motivator, Observant, Subjective, Tough

Outlook:  Above-average recruit, Palmer will definitely be headed straight down the command career track, no specialized teams for him.  A command is expected before the year is out.

Early May -- Herbert Duling continues to amass favors to call in for the upcoming election(50% political reliability).  With Director Eighmy continuing to basically sit on his arse, it's not looking good for his re-election chances right about now.

Early August -- Serious medical problem for Cmdr. Daniel Watters, which is expected to affect his career permanently. 

Also, Lt. Cmdr. Jay Cin V is commissioned. 
Fleet Combat Initiative:  114
Bonuses:  Political Reliability 20%, Fighter Combat 30%, Fighter Operations 10%
Personality:  Methodical, Wealthy Family

Outlook:  Clearly he advocates a focus on small craft, and Jay knows how to use his family name to get ahead.   These connections place him near the top of LTCs already. 

October 1 -- Col. Ignace Tegair takes command of the recently formed 62nd Garrison Battalion.

November 5 -- Jedidiah Thone makes a new announcement in hopes of a better assignment(20% pop growth).

December 10 -- Lt. Cmdr. Jessica Sattler commissioned.
Fleet Movement Initiative:  107
Training:  25
Other Bonuses:  Factory Production 30%, Logistics 25%, Survey 20%, Operations 10%
Personality:  Imaginitive, Results-oriented, Skilled Orator, Tolerant

Outlook:  Very good at pretty much everything that isn't combat-related.  More than good enough to get a decent command as soon as the this tour is up(possibly before).  Shocked(and pleased) to actually get the very rare Logistics/Operations double!


Earth 

March 8 -- A fourth and for now final slipway has been added at the KSEC Shipyard.

August 5 -- The final(for now) and seventh construction brigade is completed.  With the shuffling around of commands that is required, Col. Deacon Palmer Jr. is given his first command, one of the mobile infantry battalions.

September 17 -- The latest research lab is finished, and Klausner's microwave research gets a needed boost.


Colonial Developments

Corundium has been reported as exhausted on Comas Sola within the past few days.  This would once have been calamitous news, say, a decade ago, but is now merely a footnote as the need is not great right now.  Duranium and sorium remain on the comet along with two more minor minerals, so it remains a moderately important outpost.

Mid-August -- The first construction brigade arrives on Triton, and construction of the military base there is underway. 

[Bryan Swartz (OP)]

STATE OF SPACE, 2073

I.  IMPERIAL HOLDINGS

IA.  Populated Colonies

Earth(1.358b, 500 CF,  50 OF, 10 FF, 75 REF, 35 RL, 3 AC, 3 GFT, 5 DSTS, 15.2k MF, 1 SP, SC, 2x Alaska MB)
Mars(46.82m, Tennessee MB)
Luna(42.14m, Tennessee MB)
Titan(17.02m, 1 DSTS)
Venus(9.58m)
Mercury(7.29m)
Europa(110k)
Io(110k)
Callisto(110k)
Ganymede(110k)

All of the inner-system colonies grew considerably, and while Titan edged up a few hundred thousand, the Jupiter moons have not been invested in at all and remain stagnant.  Callisto's mines remain scandalously undermanned.  The conversion to TN industry is now complete on Earth.

Total population is at 1.481 billion(+9.4%).  About 70% of the growth came from Earth, but the colonial share is still growing.  1 in 12 humans now lives somewhere else, a significant number, but not yet enough to give them a major political voice.  In time, however ...

IB.  Outposts

Sedna(28 CMC, 16 eff, 7.90 kt)
Triton(63 AM, 28 eff, 3.12 kt)
Earth(50 SM, 6.4 eff, 705 t)   
Reinmuth(33.8 AM, 37 eff, 1.84 kt) -- gallicite(7.5)
Stephan-Oterma(28 AM, 40 eff, 1.73 kt) -- neutronium(5.1)
Machholz(27.6 AM, 39 eff, 1.58 kt) -- corundium(0., mercassium(3.6)
Neujmin(25.8 AM, 34 eff, 1.42 kt) -- boronide(5.4)
Titan(25 SM, 6 eff, 331 t)
Faye(25 AM, 48 eff, 1.94 kt) -- tritanium(2.3), uridium(8.3), corundium(9.7)
Comas Sola(25 AM, 36 eff, 1.46 kt) -- sorium(6.0)
Schaumasse(21.8 AM, 36 eff, 1.15 kt)
Crommelin(20.4 AM, 35 eff, 1.21 kt) -- corbomite(5.4)
Borrelly(17.8 AM, 49 eff, 1.28 kt)
Wolf-Harrington(17.8 AM, 50 eff, 1.37 kt) -- corundium(5.3)
Van Biesbroeck(10 AM, 55 eff, 808 t)
Prokne(10 AM, 10 eff, 147 t)
Wild(8 AM, 34 eff, 400 t)
Wolf(8 AM, 26 eff, 306 t)

Total Production:  28.7 kt, 9.3% less than at last report.  This is the first decline in mining production since off-world mining expansion first began way back in the late 30s, over 40 years ago!  Some deposits were exhausted(it can be seen at a glance that most comets are in the mid-30s efficiency when many were once over 60), but just as important is the fact that Eighmy isn't the mining administrator that his predecessor was.  Borrelly, Neujmin, and other locations received some additional mines, but it wasn't enough to prevent a significant decrease. 

IC.  Mineral Stockpiles & Production

Tier A:  Vendarite(50 kt), Corbomite(44 kt), Boronide(40 kt), Gallicite(40 kt)

Tier B:  Uridium(84 kt), Tritanium(40 kt), Sorium(32 kt), Mercassium(27 kt)

A small decline(about 2 kt) in mercassium has resulted in a small amount of concern, particularly considering that a major source(on Machholz) will be drying up soon and production on Triton is starting to dwindle.  Every known major source save one in the system has been tapped(more on that source in the election aftermath), and there is only just under 150kt total in known mineable reserves in Sol.  That's enough to last just under a century at current usage rates.  SPACE projects mercassium to become a more and more vital concern gradually as time goes on. 

Meanwhile, sorium joins Tier B as it continues to be used only minimally for industrial concerns and the fuel on Saturn is expected to last millenia. 

Tier C:  Duranium(17.0 kt), Corundium(15.2 kt)

Duranium has mostly stabilized with the increase in factories on Earth, but it is still slowly increasing.  Corundium appears well on it's way to becoming a minor need with the stockpile of the once-crisis mineral growing rapidly. 

Tier D:   Neutronium(5.93 kt) rose and then declined again with massive shipyard operations and increased ground forces training, both of which will be less needed during the next cycle.  Still, it's a vital need and the dominant factor right now in mining considerations.  With the considerable production from Stephan-Oterma only lasting a few more years, this will continue to be the case. 

ID.  Income

Taxes(population):  35.6 m
Taxes(civ. shipping):  4.25 m
Taxes(civ. tourism): 2.58 m
Taxes(civ. fuel):  142 k

Total:  42.60m(+6.8%).   

Balance:  619 m(+55m) 

Slower growth than the previous cycle, but still a very healthy balance sheet

IE.  Expenses

Research:  8.23m
Mineral Purchases:  7.01m
Installation Construction:  3.98m
Shipyard Operations:  3.97m
PDC Construction:  3.02m
Shipbuilding:  1.47m
GU Maintenance:  384k
Maintenance Facilities:  319k
GU Training:  280k

Total:  28.67m(+30.1%)

Shipbuilding became a significant expense again after a lull with more Burkes and the debut of the Nimitz.  Maintenance of military vessels(mostly the Forrestals) is becoming more expensive, but is still a very minor expense in the grand scheme of things.  Overall, expenses rose sharply but are not yet close to catching up with income. 

II. SHIPYARDS

IIA.  Commercial Yards

Tod & MacGregor(2 slipways, 166 kt capacity)
** Expanding for the next generation of higher-capacity freighters(approx. 175 kt, nearly there)
P&A Group(4, 80.2 kt)
** Idle
Estalerios Navais(2, 45.5 kt)
** Idle
Oregon Shipbuilding(1, 10 kt)
** Idle
Vickers-Armstrong(4, 10 kt)
** Idle

IIB.  Naval Yards

Wartsila(1, 17.6 kt)
** Second Nimitz in production(March 2073)
Baltimore Marine(2, 11.3 kt)
** Expanding Capacity
Yokohama Dock Co.(1, 15.2 kt)
** Retooling for the new Brooklyn 72(Summer 2073)
KSEC(4, 1 kt)
** Idle 

III.  ARMY TRAINING FACILITIES

IIIA.  Earth

** Three active training facilities
** Garrison Battalions(One in February, 2 more in the summer)

IV.  INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY

IVA.  Earth

Research Lab(33%) -- May 2073
Alaska PDC(28%) -- Two more by mid-2075
Prefab Alaska PDC(15%) -- For Titan, Early 2074
Mine Conversions(standard to automated, 10%) -- approx. 7 per year
Mines(8%) -- same rate
Military Academy(5%) -- Fall 2074

V.  ACTIVE RESEARCH PROJECTS

** Jump Drive Efficiency(Santo Makar) -- Mid-January 2073
** Damage Control Module(Edward Groat) -- Summer 2073
** Missile Tracking(Elwood Tousant) -- Early 2074
** Ultra Large Fuel Tanks(Brandon Grimmett) -- Spring 2074
** Larger Laser Cannons(Joe Tycho) -- Spring 2074
** Larger Meson Cannons(Eva Vadnais) -- Spring/Summer 2074
** Jump Squadron Size(Reynaldo Darrington) -- Summer 2074
** Capacitor Recharge Rate(Rosemary Urenda) -- Late 2074
** Jump Gate Module(Deacon Palmer) -- Late 2074/Early 2075
** Ship Tractor Beams(Cedrick Wormack) -- Late 2074/Early 2075
** Improved Microwave Focusing(Minh Klausner) -- 2075
** Beam Fire Control Range(Bessie Wallander) -- 2075
** GEI MSS 192(Julio Kuchler) -- 2075
** Improved Meson Cannon Focusing(Wayne Sabagh) -- Late 2075/Early 2076
** Magazine Feeding Systems(Harlan Welle) -- Late 2075/Early 2076
** GEI SSS 128(Billie Allington) -- Late 2075/Early 2076
** Improved Geological Sensors(Clint Wyche) -- Late 2076/Early 2077
** Reduced-size Launchers(Elyse Buckler) -- Late 2070s
** Missile Agility Improvements(Karabishi Juishao) -- Late 2070s
** Improved Thruster Efficiency(David Gruis) -- Late 2080s

There are a number of prototypes in the pipeline and 20 on-going projects ... a very busy time right now.  A lot of stuff in the '74-'75 time period much like in '71, but not much expected for the coming year, and a few existing projects in need of additional labs as well. 

VI.  ACTIVE NAVAL ASSETS

** Starting with this edition, this is being divided into additional sections that mirror the naval hierarchy.  This will hopefully aid both in understanding where a particular commander's posting ranks in the grand scheme of things, and summarizing what parts of the navy are currently growing/being invested in. 

VI A.  Military Bases

Alaska(2, 59.45 kt, 1020 crew, major missile base)
Tennessee(Lt)(2, 12.1 kt, 214 crew, missile base)
PDC Ticonderoga(4, 3.0kt, 16 crew, sensor base)

Total:  8 installations, 149.1 kt, 2,532 crew

VI B. Combat Ships

MB Nimitz(1, 13.95 kt, 373 crew, 2437 km/s, 1.75m fuel, missile-armed combat ship)

Total:  1 ship, 13.95 kt, 373 crew, 1.75m fuel

VI C.  Military Non-combat Ships

CC Belknap(1, 2 kt, 50 crew, 1250 km/s, 60k fuel, command ship)
MV Cleveland(2, 2.1 kt, 30 crew, 2380 km/s, 100k fuel, supply ship)
GSV Coontz(1, 2.25 kt, 32 crew, 1377 km/s, 130k fuel, gravitational survey)
SB Forrestal IIb(14, 600t, 13 crew, 4k km/s, 50k fuel, sensor buoy)
JSC Pioneer(1, 10 kt, 240 crew, 1000 km/s, 600k fuel, jump scout)
CO Tarawa(2, 6.4 kt, 85 crew, 781 km/s, 250k fuel, supply ship)

Total:  21 ships, 33.25 kt, 681 crew, 2.19m fuel

VI D.  Commercial Vessels

TT Arleigh Burke(4, 17.8 kt, 136 crew, 563 km/s, 350k fuel, brigade troop transport)
GEV Essex II-x(2, 2.2 kt, 35 crew, 1135 km/s, 60k fuel, geological survey)
FT Fletcher IV(2, 36.9 kt, 162 crew, 813 km/s, 650k fuel, freighter)
FT Fletcher IVb(2, 36.9kt, 162 crew, 813 km/s, 650k fuel, freighter)
FT Fletcher IVc(4, 36.9kt, 162 crew, 813 km/s, 650k fuel, freighter )
TK Iowa(2, 9.8 kt, 53 crew, 1.02k km/s, 6m fuel, fuel tanker)
ST Lexingon IIIc(5, 2.0 kt, 28 crew, 2500 km/s, 250k fuel, shuttle transport)
ST Lexington IIId(19, 2.0 kt, 28 crew, 2500 km/s, 250k fuel, shuttle transport)
JS North Carolina(1, 19.2 kt, 133 crew, 520 km/s, 250k fuel, large jump ship)
FH Perry III(21, 20.1 kt, 123 crew, 498 km/s, 350k fuel, fuel harvester)
TT Portland(2, 4.3 kt, 35 crew, 581 km/s, 60k fuel, troop transport)
CS Spruance-b(1, 20 kt, 110 crew, 501 km/s, 250k fuel, colony ship)

Total:  65 vessels, 908 kt, 5,584 crew, 32.7m liters fuel

Grand Total:  95 assets(+18%), 1.10 mt(--), 9.17k crew(+58%), 36.6m liters fuel(+9.3%)

Most of the commercial vessels have been in service for decades in some form or another.  The growth sector is definitely on the military side right now. 

Available Crew:  105k(+8.8%)

VI E.  Fuel Status

Earth -- 17.6m liters
Titan -- 13.3m
Callisto -- 10.7m

Total -- 41.6m liters(+6.9%).  The reserves continue to grow slowly, outpacing the needs of new ships and fueling existing operations.   

VII.  ACTIVE ARMY ASSETS

** Brigade HQs(3)
** Construction Brigades(7)
** Mobile Infantry Battalions(6)
** Garrison Battalion(32)

Total Active-Duty Soldiers:  380k(+93%)

The army has grown almost exponentially for over a decade now, and is starting to come close to current needs.  There is also an issue of finding enough qualified officers to lead(only six colonels are unemployed as of this writing).  One way or another, growth is expected to slow soon. 

VIII.  CIVILIAN SHIPPING CORPORATIONS

Voliva Carrier Company(54 vessels, 3.24m annual income)
Jensrud Transport and Trading(21, 2.61m)
Tolles Transport & Logistics(7, 730k)
Everton Shipping & Logistics(3, 240k)
Ouellet Shipping(3, 220k)
Suter Shipping Services(2, 125k)
Presnar Freight(2, 70k)
Clavette Shipping Line(3, --)
Abair Shipping(1, --)
Forbus Carrier Ltd(1, --)

Total Vessels:  99(+24%)
Total Civilian Income:  7.24m(+10%)

Jensrud increased by about 150%, while Voliva's revenue declined by over 30%.  For the first time in decades they have viable competition, though still possessing the top spot with a  45% market share, a far cry from the 70% they enjoyed just four years ago.  Also making a move is Tolles Transport & Logistics, more than doubling their fleet and nearly quintupling their income to become a credible third firm.  Everybody's favorite underdog last cycle, Ouellet Shipping, saw their brief renaissance crumble. 

Surprisingly, the civilian sector saw only modest increases overall.


IX.  SPACE LEADERSHIP PROSPECTUS

** Naval Officers:  107 of 147 assigned(72.8%), -1.4%
** Ground Forces Officers:  53 of 59(89.8%), +10.6%
** Civilian Administrators:  27 of 29(93.1%), +3.4%
** Scientists:   20 of 33(60.6%), -- +3.9%

Overall:  207 of 268(77.2%), +2.3%

Opportunities are good in all branches, with the army and administrative career paths taking pretty much anyone with a pulse. 

[hunter james]

That recession really killed you in 2053 your civilian income was 6.17 million in relation to that you haven't grown as much as you should have. You have only increased 1.07 million or about 17.3%

[Bryan Swartz (OP)]

I'd agree, that's not much to grow in two decades.  Thankfully money isn't much of an issue as of yet. 

** For reasons that are yet classified(but observant and studious followers of the goings-on at SPACE are not expected to have much trouble guessing), this election is considered the most important in several cycles.  In practical terms, this meant a doubling of the effect of political reliability in determining eligibility and appointment as more favors than usual were called in.  This is only in place for this election cycle, and not a permanent change**

RETIREMENTS

Herbert Robards, Governor of Machholz, faces mandatory retirement this year.  Machholz is the best of several comet-based assignments he's held after emerging from two decades of toiling in beauracratic obscurity to receive his first governor posting in the early 50s.  His talents were mostly in shipbuilding and the financial sector, and they were largely wasted as he did not have enough ability or connections to garner a colonial job.

2073 ELECTIONS

The field was a tad smaller than usual, with six qualifying for the final ballot.  The work put in by Herbert Duling looked certain to pay off, as he was the prohibitive favorite with only Director Eighmy considered capable(and unlikely) to mount a serious challenge.  Fmr. Director India Rakes along with Riley Awad, Jarret Hugh, and Larry Steckel filled out a mostly familiar field as many of them have finished distantly behind the winners before.

On the eve of the election it was clear that both favorites had pushed too hard, age and poor health showing in a number of campaigning mistakes and gaffes which left the door open to the other challengers.  Rakes ran a fairly good campaign, but it was largely unknown Riley Awad, governor of Io, who hardly put a foot wrong despite being last in the field in name recognition, having appeared only sporadically in the past and never in the last several cycles.

All of that potentially made for a rather suspensful and longer than expected night at the polls but the groundwork put in by Duling was thorough and his overwhelming advantadge could not be overcome.  Herbert won his record fifth Directorial election, having spent the last 12 years now out of the office, by the reasonably comfortable margin of 25.9% to Awad's 20.4%.  The rest of the field:

India Rakes -- 17.8%
Alberto Eighmy -- 16.7%
Larry Steckel -- 11.3%
Jarret Hugh -- 7.8%

Hugh, who was just embarassing, and Eighmy, finishing 4th as the incumbent, both were big losers on the night. 

POLICY REVIEW

While making veiled references to the 'defining challenges' of the years ahead, Duling did have a number of changes to put in place as he reoccupied the Director's Office for the first time since leaving in '61 -- before Sector Command had been finished.

** Development of Halley's Comet.  The most famous comet in Sol due to our fascination with it going back to decades before TN physics were even known to be possible, the long-period comet is only a little over 2.5b km from the sun, less than half it's maximum distance, between Saturn and Uranus orbit.  A mass driver and administrator will be sent immediately, along with all automated mines produced for the indefinite future.  Halley contains almost 30% of the mineable mercassium in the system and is the single largest remaining source(38.9kt) along with over 18kt of needed neutronium and minor amounts of four less vital minerals. 

** Acceleration of Academy Expansion.  Adding Halley to the list of developed sites, combined with the retirement of Robards, will leave SPACE once again with zero surplus administrators.  The possibility that a mining might have to be shut down temporarily for lack of a qualified person to lead it is not remote.  More than doubling the investment in the expansion will allow it to be finished this fall, with fewer mines being produced in the interim to compensate.  In the last cycle, only two administrators were found -- recruitment must do better during the next cycle to avoid shutdowns.

** Two new ship class were announced.  The first Long Beach-class fuel harvester, a long-desired upgrade which is now ready.

Long Beach Fuel Harvester
Size:  79.1 kt
Crew:  411
Speed:  379 km/s
Defenses:  5 CIWS Batteries, basic sensors
Sorium Harvest Modules:  26(728k per year harvested under optimal conditions)
Cost:  1.66m(about 15 months)

A Long Beach will produce more than four times the fuel of a third-generation Perry for just over three times the cost and has upgraded sensors and CIWS batteries.  It's slower ... but the trip from Saturn to Titan is only 1.2m km and will take no more than an hour.  Speed is a virtual non-issue for these vessels. The Long Beach is expected to be a permanent solution to increasing fuel capacity and reserves ahead of anticipated future needs as the military wing of the navy grows.  Only minor changes are expected in forseeable plans. 

The P&A Group Shipyard is retooling for the massive new ships, which are more than twice the size of a Fletcher-class freighter, and the existing Perrys will have their equipment repurposed one task group at a time, along with building three more vessels to make all six TGs four harvesters each for a total of 24.  The first wave of refits is set to begin sometime around the end of the summer. 

** The second new class was the South-Carolina class superfreighter, intended for heavy transport for jobs when a Fletcher or two just wasn't enough to get the job done.  They will be most useful for huge transport activities to the outer system.

South Carolina Freighter
Size:  164.6 kt
Crew:  531
Speed:  607 km/s
Fuel load:  2.15m
Defenses:  18 CIWS batteries, basic sensors
Cargo Space:  125 kt(equivalent to 5 Fletcher-class freighters)
Cost:  2.08m(10 months)

The South Carolina will be by far the largest ship in Sol space -- civilian designs have topped out at less than half the size, about 70kt.  The massive engines(10 of them) can be detected 16m km away by even our basic commercial sensors. 

Two are intended to be converted right away, with construction beginning at the end of the summer like the Long Beach. 

** Six new Lexington-class shuttles were ordered to be built, to keep up with the needs of shuttling VIPs around.   This will bring the total to 30. 

[Bryan Swartz (OP)]

CIVILIAN CHARACTER UPDATE

Jedidiah Thone(3) -- Probably the most-improved beauracrat during the last cycle(aside from During's surge), Jedidiah has been rewarded with a promotion from moderately-important Crommelin to Reinmuth, the most crucial comet mining outpost SPACE has and the third 'super-site' after Sedna and Triton due to its massive reserves of neutronium. 
Ricardo Bloise(3) -- Ricardo moves from Faye to Machholz, a minor promotion as he replacing the retiring Herbert Robards.  There've been few signs he is capable of greater things, but he's still only 28 ... there's time. 

Karabishi Juishao(MK 40) -- Her current work on improving missile agility is the necessary precursor to the next generation of Defender-class anti-ship missiles.  The development of that series of weapons seems likely to be Karabishi's most important legacy.  At 59, she's now done most of what she will do, and is wrapping up her career.

Malik Kaine -- still waiting, as both administrators to be appointed in the previous cycle were women. 

[FirstVictor]

Ignace Tegair with 30% espionage? Hmm, me thinks that with his relative "weakness" be that physical, social, or mental, he might not be cut out for the marines, but as a member of BLACKSPACE (undercover group dealing with growing anti Earth political, economic, and rebel parties), He might do just fine figuring out things that others want hidden.  What do you think?

[Bryan Swartz (OP)]

It's been an extremely busy RL week.  Current game date is July 2073, midway through the year.  Not a ton going on so there's a pretty good chance I'll be able to get an update up this weekend. 

[Bryan Swartz (OP)]

2073 ANNUAL REPORT

SPACE noticed one election impact right away:  a significant slowdown in production time for everything, both planetside and orbital ship construction.  Alberto Eighmy was a director with many flaws, but none to occupy the office have had his mind for getting more done in less time.  Add to that new Governor of Earth Riley Awad's very minimal skills in mining and production(he has more of a financial focus, and is also good with the training of new army units) and there was an immediate delay of weeks to months in everything across the board.  With a number of major projects completed under Eighmy's watch, and others set to finish in the next year or two, this is at least a relatively painless time for such a transition to occur.

Less than three weeks into the new year, Santo Makar finished his latest project(jump drive efficiency, see the appropriate appendix for details) and the 69-year-old retired to private life.  Makar's most prominent achievement was the development of jump theory itself, but his legacy goes beyond that.  He laid the groundwork for virtually everything important we know about TN propulsion technology, and the crucial field is expected to suffer considerably in his absence.  Rosemary Urenda(40%) is a third less efficient at leading research teams in the field, and there's nobody else that could even be considered good at it.  In fact, only one other researcher has any aptitude for propulsion science at all(Reynaldo Darrington, 15%).  David Gruis seems to have the gift, but a number of make-work projects have not resulted in the slightest improvement.  At 50 years old, Urenda is no spring chicken either.  A very real potential crisis is brewing in the power & propulsion field, which SPACE considers one of it's most critical research priorities.  Known enemy combat ships(from nearly two decades ago, I might add) travel at a speed that is still nearly three times as fast as the Nimitz and Brooklyn ships, and that's with a huge portion of their mass devoted to engines.  If the academies aren't able to recruit new talent in this area, it will have a huge impact both on research as a whole(as more and more labs will have to be poured into less efficient research) as well as a slowdown in the advancement of propulsion technology specifically.  This is no small concern for Duling's new administration. 

Before the end of the month, there was a small bit of better news as a spare administrator finished the academy and was ready for assignment.  He's horrible, but better than having to face the shutdown of an outpost. 

March brought the completion of a second Nimitz.  Wartsila began a third, with plans to seriously consider a more modern ship after it is completed.  A month later, Halley's Comet officially joined the list of SPACE outposts, as the first automated mine came on-line. 

The summer was pretty quiet, but a modest buzz was generated with the promotion of a second Major General -- Wyatt Pittman(40, M), the first time the army has taken that step.  He'll still remain second in command under Engelhardt.   Also, the first beam warship(Brooklyn '72 class) is begun at Yokohama in mid-July. 

In October, retooling is finished for the Long Beach and South Carolina classes is finished, but for now no construction will commence.  There are fundamental issues being debated within the administration and the navy, and until they are resolved no further activity on these ships will proceed.   One thing is certain, a huge drain on duranium and neutronium reserves has ended for the moment.

The rest of the year was quiet -- overall not that much happened in 2073.  With bases on Sedna and Triton more or less halfway finished, Titan's massive Alaska-class base set to be ready for shipping in the spring, and many other expected developments, next year will likely be more eventful leading up to the 50-year celebrations in 2075. 


RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

** January 17 -- Santo Makar's team finishes improving the efficiency of our basic jump drive technology.  They have effectively reduced the necessary size of jump engines by 25%, which will allow for jump ships to either be smaller and cheaper, or to pack on more equipment. 
The lab space was reassigned to Juishao's missile agility research, which is now funded at the desired level. 

** June 28 -- New research lab completed.  Curtis Gloster takes another of the prototype jobs, the new missile fire controls.  There are still two awaiting space for a project lead to be assigned. 

July 20 -- Edward Groat's team completes blueprints for a Damage Control station, increasing the capabilities of ships to repair themselves away from a colony.  This is not considered important for immediate application, but certainly will be needed for future interstellar excursions at some point.

Groat and little-used but fairly talented Alphonse Lambeth, from the Logistics & Ground Combat branch, will sub as prototype leads for the final two sensor suites currently designated -- Groat takes the Sentinel 400, for use on the next Forrestal upgrade, and Lambeth a new commercial sensor. 


COMMISSIONED OFFICERS

January 28 -- Malik Kaine is finally commissioned, giving SPACE a 'spare' administrator!
Administration:  2
Bonuses:  5% Factory Production, 10% Wealth Creation

Outlook:  Kaine definitely starts at the bottom, among the worst graduates SPACE has seen.  They are dragging the bottom right now to find anyone though, so he'll definitely see opportunities. 

Late February -- Lt. Cmdr. Bandus Meian commissioned, 196 Initiative
Bonuses:  10% pol rel., 10% survey
Personality:  Inflexible, Dogmatic, Rude

Outlook:  Virtually no combat-related aptitude at all.  There may or may not be a place for him in the SPACE navy.  His reputation as a 'problem cadet' in the Academy won't help matters either.  Right now he's about 10 spots below the command cutoff, give or take a couple. 

Early April -- 8 Navy officers are released, a sign that the military feels current numbers are more than sufficient. 

Late May -- A new general is promoted(Jimmie Atteberry).  Command decides it's time for the fourth(and for now, final) combat brigade on earth.  Two new mobile infantry battalions are recruited to complete it. 

Early July -- Light finally dawns in the mind of David Gruis, who is up to 10% in Power & Propulsion.  Still a long way to go, but this cuts the time of his current research by more than four years, and he will now be at least as effective as any general-purpose replacement could hope to be for actually important research. 

Late July -- Cmdr. Daniel Watters has finally learned a little something about improving crew abilities(25 training). 

Mid-August -- A minor improvement for Karabishi Juishao(up to 45%).

Mid-November -- Industrial production increases on Earth as Governor Awad has learned a couple of things in his first year in office there(20% Factory Production). 


EARTH

March 19 -- A second Nimitz-class warship is finished.   

Mid-July -- Retooling is complete at Yokohama, and the first beam-armed warship enters construction there(Brooklyn 72 class).

November 25 -- Military Academy expansion completed on Earth(4 operational now).  A mass driver is ordered up using the freed capacity to replace the one sent to Halley. 


COLONIAL DEVELOPMENTS

April 16 -- Halley's Comet officially joins the list of SPACE outposts, as the first automated mine comes on-line.  Two more would be added by year's end;  a total of 30 are planned. 
 
Late July -- Sedna expands to 29 complexes. 

August 30 -- Corundium deposits on Machholz have been exhausted.  Another quarter-century's worth of neutronium will keep the mines there in place.

[Bryan Swartz (OP)]

The unplanned, month-long hiatus has been due to several factors.  I had a brief lapse in interest(happens with any project from time to time unforunately, though this is the first one I've had with Aurora), a generally difficult job transition, weather and health stuff, and general lack of focus personally.  I'm not sure how things will proceed now but I definitely want to keep the story going as best I can. 

RETIREMENTS

Cmdr. Bennett Cadorette -- Most recently of one of Earth's Alaska-class bases
Lt. Cmdr. Rob Nielsen III -- Spent his two decades mostly on the harvesters with a couple tours on the FT Hercules as well, but was never able to make a leap. 

Cols. Sean Riney, Helen Perales, Dan Yawn, and Jeanne Pont also take early retirement. 

Leadership in the upper echelon of the Army is particularly stable right now, with all of the current generals expected to remain in place into the 80s. 

MILITARY CHARACTER UPDATE

Cmdr. Christopher Blair -- 5th out of 34.  Blair will move up from his Ticonderoga posting on Reinmuth to one of the Tennessee-class missile bases, but other than that little has changed. 
Cmdr. Conor Zavier -- 34th.  A minor demotion from his Cleveland command to babysitting the CS New Beginnings, and there seems little chance Conor will ever achieve much better.
Lt. Cmdr. Oled Mrtav -- 25th out of 100.  With five years left to make promotion or face mandatory retirement, it doesn't look like Oled is going anywhere.  He's fortunate to hang on to his harvester command.   
Cmdr. Daniel Watters -- 22nd.  Another tour at the Van Maanen jump point is upcoming. 
Lt. Cmdr. Richard Blade -- 70th.  Still on the outside looking in, he's tops on the waiting list for new commands now though.    I'd say he's got pretty good shot at getting one and avoiding a cut. 
Cmdr. Jay Cin V -- 21st.  Moving up in the world pretty quickly, Jay will see sensor duty for his first full tour posting. 
Lt. Cmdr. Jessica Sattler -- 23rd, and heading to Saturn for her first full tour. 
Lt. Cmdr. Bandus Meian -- 71st.  2nd on the waiting list for commands at the moment, and probably possessing enough connections and promise to get one eventually. 

Col. Ignace Tegair -- 30th out of 45. 

[Malikane]

No worries, Bryan!  Life happens, and if you need to deal with some stuff then it is important to deal with it properly!  Your story and world built here is still fantastic, so take all the time you need. 

[sonofliberty]

Agreed, life is what happens while we make other plans.

Hopefully LtCmdr Blade will distinguish himself in battle and gain some good experience/traits.

[Bryan Swartz (OP)]

Thanks for the kind words gents.  However, I do intend to try to at least post an update each week(even if it's just well, I didn't have a chance to do much) so that forgiving readers can know what's going on. 

[Bryan Swartz (OP)]

Present gamedate is April 10, 2074 -- we are less than nine game-months from the long-anticipated 'SPACE at 50' celebration.