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A New Age - 2934 AD (RP)


The_Mad_Skylord
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A NEW AGE - LATE 2934 - TURN 2

 

The Asteroid Belt, a long and extensive ring of rock and debris that separates the Inner Rim from the Outer Rim, a ring populated by rock and mineral, the most fantastic source of mineral mining in the Solar System, inhabited by over 10 billion souls overs hundreds of millions of kilometres. The Belt was filled with settlements, from small research outposts to trading bases, to military installations and full blown cities. It was possessed of an economic system reliant only on the Inner Rim market and the fuel refineries of the Outer Rim, mining vast quantities of resources and refining them, to be used at home, abroad or to be exported to the Inner or the Outer Rims.

 

It was through this maze of asteroid settlements and colony cities that the famed Audacieux had hunted for nearly four years of piracy. The light cruiser moved slowly now, scores and dents marking her sides and paint. From the rear fuselage trailed long, thick steel cables, in place to drag the Audacieux's prizes back to port, three chubby little fuel freighters, laden with the precious golden substance.

 

As always, the sheer blackness of the surrounding void created a strange, surreal feeling to those looking from the ship's viewing ports - total inky blackness giving the surrounding rocks and asteroids a strange feeling of pure singularity, as if that asteroid was the only one that existed, until your gaze shifted to the next, and the next, and the next. Starlight trickled through only rarely here, the stars truly invisible in the harsh clutter of the Belt.

 

Luigi Rizzo stared blankly at this eccentric world, idly wondering how man could have made a life in this hellish, barren, empty place, so far from the lush grass, verdant fields and flowing rivers of Earth. He had lived there, once, his idle mind noted, though that past seemed almost like another world now. He missed the mountains and the trees, and still he believed he should have chosen a different path, joined the constabulary or the forest rangers, worn a different kind of uniform, been a different kind of man - but that would have satisfied neither his mother or father, and the dutiful son had obeyed faithfully. It was too late now, he was a man of war now, a man of space.

 

Rizzo sat in a chair, hidden away within his quarters, simply pondering the callous nature of his life that had led him to this point, when the door opened with a hiss, and Javert, his first mate and one of his few friends, stepped into the room. “We are approaching Abaza now, Luigi.” Here, in private, the Frenchman was entitled to liberties, and he took them freely. Rizzo turned and surveyed his guest almost blankly for a moment, observing - as he always did - the handsome heart shaped face, the soft green eyes and the curling black hair that fell down to the Frenchman's shoulders. His voice was gentle, soft as a summer's breeze, and it was easy to see why women threw themselves at this man every time he stood in port.

 

The Italian nodded, rising and fastening his uniform jacket, and lifting his belt and holster from the chair, buckling them around his waist. He stepped promptly through the door, melancholy lifting from his shoulders as the hard pirate captain returned to the fore. He arrived at the bridge, Javert at his shoulder, just as the docking procedures went under way.  “Dock the prizes and begin unloading the cargo - I must meet with the local Bey.”  Men noted silently around the bridge, Rizzo always gave these orders, though his men knew them by rote at this stage. He turned on his heel and strode from the bridge, making his way to the airlock, a number of his heavy men in tow - led by Javert - it was never a good idea to walk the streets of a place such as Abaza without protection, especially when money was involved.

 

By the standards of colonial settlements, the colony-city of Abaza was fairly small, home to some four hundred thousand people, though it was said that of all the Turkish settlements in the Belt, Abaza was the wealthiest, money flowed from Abaza as water flowed from a river's source. A place of filth and blind corruption, it was perhaps the unofficial capital of piracy in the Solar System, pirate vessels docked here and disposed of their illegal goods, usually paying Arik Pasha, the local Bey, a healthy sum for the privilege.

 

Arik was always eager to see Luigi Rizzo and his Audacieux, perhaps the most lucrative source of illegal bribe money that the fat, greedy little man had. Rizzo always brought prizes, and thus always brought money, it was an unwritten rule of life.

 

And that was exactly why Rizzo was confused when he was kept waiting for nearly two hours. Furthermore, he only became more alarmed as the steady stream of officers and officials went to and fro from the office. “Those aren't backwater troops.” Luigi thought, grimly, studying their expensive uniforms and disciplined ways. Finally a man came out. Not the usual secretary, but a haughty wisp of a man with a curling goatee. “Refik Pasha will see you now.” Swiftly and officiously they were ushered into the office, to come face to face with a tall, lean man, hair cut precisely. Moustache trimmed exactly. A hawkish looking man, with an arrogant demeanor and cold, calculating eyes. He sat, reclining ever so slightly in his chair, his fez resting in the table. Rizzo noticed, somewhat absently, the uniform of a vice-admiral.

 

“Luigi Rizzo, formerly Captain Luigi Rizzo of His Majesty Victor Emmanuel VIII's Regia Marina. How interesting to meet the commander of the Audacieux, at long last.” The Pasha's accent was strangely clipped and precise, short and abrupt. His English was good, though he stumbled slightly over the French and the Italian. He didn't rise, he simply motioned for Rizzo the be seated. “Now, dear Arik Pasha is a man famed for his corrupt practices, even in Istanbul, several hundred million kilometres away. I have been sent here, to secure the security of Abaza, which borders Italian territories in the Belt. You follow so far?” The Pasha waited for Luigi to nod, before continuing his monologue. “Mounting tensions between Italy and my own country are causing the Grand Vizier and the Sultan no end of worry, I am told. Both sides have embarked on an arms race, and the Sultan has decided to strengthen the frontier.” Refik paused, as if he had suddenly remembered his manners, and called his secretary over, bearing refreshments. Two tumblers, one of whiskey and one of water, then sat before the two men, though neither made any moves to drink. Refik crossed his hands again, appearing as if to continue talking. “Why are you telling me this, Refik Pasha? I am but a humble pirate “ Rizzo said, somewhat flatly. The Admiral frowned, clearly displeased at being interrupted. “You have a fine crew and a fine ship - it is my duty to prepare for the inevitable conflict that will explode in this sector of space, and you are what I would consider a vital asset.” Rizzo scowled, angry now. “And why should I betray my own country for a Turk?” Refik Pasha looked at him silently, before drawing out a cigar and beginning to smoke. “Because, Captain, you and your men are wanted the length and breadth of the Solar System for murder, theft and piracy - The Ottoman Empire is one of the few places in which you are still welcome - and we are willing to pay you handsomely for your troubles.” Rizzo nodded quietly, seemingly accepting his fate. For a time, Refik Pasha continued to talk at the Captain, before finally he was dismissed from the office.

 

-----

 

Rizzo stormed out of the compound, bodyguards hurrying behind him as he flew along the lower levels of the colony-city, sword rattling at his hip. Suddenly, a scream erupted from down an alley, and Rizzo half turned, as the scream rang out again. Suddenly the pirate was racing down the alley, long sabre leaping into his hand as he rushed towards three men surrounding a woman on the ground, tearing at her clothes. They half turned as Rizzo approached, but by the time he was upon them, it was too late. With three expert sword moves, he carved through them, leaving the three butchered on the ground. He turned to the woman, as she desperately tried to tug her torn clothes back into place. The Italian threw his jacket down to her. “I won’t hurt you, woman.” Behind, the bodyguards finally caught up, looking surprised at the carnage. “Your name? I will personally see you escorted home…” The words were awkward, as if Rizzo were unused to speaking to women. The woman, looked up at him with dark eyes. “You just killed my husband, sir. He intended to sell me, to pay for his… debts.” Rizzo nodded. “Can you cook?” She seemed startled by the question, and simply nodded. “Then you just became my personal steward - hurry, we have to make haste.” And at that, Rizzo turned on his heels and stalked away.

 

THE GREATER GERMAN EMPIRE

-The I.I.S.T trembles beneath the Kaiser’s glare, and quickly conform to standard.

 

-Attempts to search Mars for fresh minds go awry - most of the people are simply uneducated, rendering the limited upper classes the only sources to draw from, and they proved somewhat hesitant to send their children to education, rather than military glory.

 

-The policy works well, and people begin to flock to Elara en masse. The initial colony is well on its way to securing a permanent position of note in the Jupiter system.

 

-German construction goes well in her own limited zones, but she is continuously obstructed by nations jealous of their own territory - a more international approach will have to be attempted.

 

-The “super cruiser” project goes well - German scientists succeed in designing a ship that bears heavy weapons, armour and acceptable speed. However, the ship isn’t cheap and, overall, the French efforts are superior. Ready by Late 2935

 

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

-American colonisation efforts go well, though the President is forced to make guarantees for the safety of American civilians. Fully established colonies are expected by Early 2936. The colonists also petition the President for increased military protection, considering the state of the Solar System.

 

-AI development goes relatively smoothly, though the style of the project necessitates that it will simply take time. Early 2937.

 

-Pirates largely ignoring American shipping, confined largely to the Core side of the Asteroid Belt as it is.

 

THE COMMONWEALTH

-British patrol vessels are continuously constructed, being deployed largely along trade routes - these lightly armed and armoured ships are incapable of combatting anything but the lightest of pirate ships.

 

-The Commonwealth musters 2 million men easily.

 

THE UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS

-Kukov’s campaign fires ruthlessly under way - he swiftly succeeds in crushing piracy in the Inner Rim, and even from certain sections of the Asteroid Belt. His campaign is largely hindered by a lack of far bases to base ships from, but the Russians quickly establish themselves as key players in the anti-piracy front.

 

-Examination of the tactics of the Audacieux and other larger pirate vessels teaches the Soviets much about the idea of quick moving and fast raiding tactics, providing experience they previously lacked in pursuing a trade lane raiding war.

 

-The Balkans eagerly accept Soviet patronage, and open their scattered Asteroid Belt territories to USSR usage, so long as the Soviets agree to also patrol and protect these territories.

 

-USSR football is blossoming under the rule of Popov - in a ruthless series of friendlies before the European cup, he crushes many of his opponents, and he and his star players go so far as to beat the reigning world champions 1-0 in one of the most celebrated examples of football in the century.

 

THE PROTECTORATE OF SATURN

-The common man again celebrates King Otto for his populist actions, and he is much loved in the Colony-cities.

 

-The Upper classes, however, are enraged at his attempts to curb their power, and the Governors of the colonial moons go so far as to petition the Kaiser for justice in this situation. They were German nobility, not the playthings of an upstart!

 

-Saxon crackdowns on piracy are largely successful.

 

THE EMPIRE OF JAPAN

-Military reforms are largely successful.

 

-The German-Japanese engines project goes very well, and modern engines are expected by Late 2935.

 

-Japan, like many others, succeeds in largely purging piracy from her trade lanes.

 

-The Italians and the Ottomans utterly reject this suggestion - why would they give up their territory to international treaty? That’s what they were fighting over in the first place.

 

NATIONALIST CHINA

-Chinese attempts at crushing corruption go fairly well, with the President managing to attain a modicum of power over his bureaucratic and military subordinates.

 

-Research facilities are successfully established.

 

-Chinese military academies are swiftly established, and the first generation of new Chinese officers begin training there.

 

THE 4TH FRENCH EMPIRE

-Extra funding secures the safety and continuity of French colonial projects.

 

-The run of ships is expected to take around 2 years.

 

- The French Navy is led largely on an unproductive chase - the Audacieux is sighted at least a dozen times a day, often in locations on the literal other side of the Solar System from their last sighting. However, the French do at last get a breakthrough, when they hear word of the Audacieux doing work as none other than an Ottoman privateer.

 

-These bureaucrats successfully enforce the Imperial will on the colonies, and Napoleon continues to be beloved of the people.

 

- Pleasure parks and the like serve very well to take the minds of the French People off of their bleak and dull lives, and again the Emperor is praised for his philanthropism.

 

THE OUTER RIM TRADING COMPANY

-ORTC colonial attempts are successful.

 

-1 million men are added to the Trading Company’s forces.

-The work into orbital defense stations goes fairly well, with working prototypes expected by Early 2936.

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T H E  F O U R T H  E M P I R E  O F  T H E  F R E N C H 
LATE 2934: The 1,145th Year of the Revolution


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-  N A P O L E O N  X X I V  -
E M P E R O R   O F  T H E   F R E N C H


“Impossible is a word to be found only in the dictionary of fools.” -Napoleon I

 

Napoleon Joseph-Louise Bonaparte, the twenty-fourth Emperor of the French to bear that immortal name, came to power eighteen months ago with the death of his ailing father, Charles XLI at the humble age of 28. Napoleon assumed leadership of what is now an ancient regime – the Fourth Empire of the French, yet another state which rendered itself in the glorious Napoleon I’s image. The French Revolution, the bedrock of French nationhood, lives on- protected in the magnanimous and lofty personage of the Emperor whose Jupiterian figure floats above the worldy disputes of the classes. The Emperor, backed by the omnipotent power of the people, is charged with their defense at the expense of any who dare to infringe upon their natural rights, as inscribed in full by a grand New Declaration of the Rights of Man. Yet even thousands of years after the rule of the Ancien Regime, the memory of tyrants lives (no Emperor dares assume the title “Louis”)- thus the government is backed by a Constitution which awards limited power to check Imperial prerogative to a titanic, democratic Parliament boasting the world’s most liberal, statistically satisfactory methods of election.

 

It is upon this gilded stage which our protagonist, the young Emperor, takes his place. Napoleon is nothing like his zealous, militaristic father- a more subtle figure lies behind the Imperial garments. Napoleon can easily be mistaken for a somewhat reserved personality- not that he at all shies away from the typical display of excessive patriotism and deific hubris the French so adore-, usually found within the company of books or perhaps wandering upon the rooftop of Fontainebleau on clear nights, his preferred company being himself. Yet those who know him well have come to know a deeply intelligent, calculating young man; just as much a patron of the arts of war as his father and numerous predecessors despite a distaste for the sight of blood, if not greater, an individual who upon any given occasion can remove himself from the complicated equation of politics and power with clarity. Above all- he has a plan, a plan known to only a select few close friends in his government, though none can say for certain his ultimate goal. 

Thus is the maxim that rules the hour: If you want a thing done well, do it yourself.

 

 

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THE GLOIRE-CLASS CRUISERS

A new design of cruiser has been approved for construction by the Emperor. The Glorie-class cruiser represents the system’s most advanced cruiser design; its emphasis lies in its sustainability and long range, able to act independently of refueling bases and other ships for long distances at combat-effective speeds. As a result they are naturally larger, their displacement greater than present French light cruisers. The government plans for the immediate construction of 300 of these ships in prime shipyards as to take advantage of their design.

 

Emperor Napoleon XXIV goes to great lengths to focus the national attention upon this feat of French engineering. The Gloire itself is a symbolic name; for thousands of years many prestigious French warships (such as the first French ironclad frigate) were named as such. A model is shown to the Parliament, images of the vessel lighting up the press from Earth to the outermost colonies.

 

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The aformentioned namesake which has given the name “Gloire” prestige as the representative of French naval innovations. Finding good space art is hard, man.

The cruiser design is a well timed event- for it promises to be the ruin of the pirates who have humiliated the French. It is portrayed as a permanent solution to the issue of piracy. French trade has been especially maimed by these efforts, and the Audacieux’s involvement in disrupting French colonial efforts is a particularly savage, stinging affront to the national pride. He avoids specific mentions of the Audacieux in the Parliamentary session- until specifically asked for his opinion of the intrepid pirate’s exploits by a member of Parliament from Uranus. His curt response garners much amusement:

 

“I am not at all surprised that a French cruiser was capable of such devastation.”
 


THE INTERNATIONAL PIRACY TASK FORCE

 

All chest-beating aside, Napoleon begins a major diplomatic initiative, well aware of the issues of piracy and the attention the country has garnered as a result of the audacity of the Audacieux.

 

Napoleon sends diplomats to all the major powers involved with inter-Belt trade, proposing a common measure to destroy piracy in a clean sweep of the Belt with an international task force. The Coalition’s purpose would be specifically to find and eliminate pirates and the bases from which they operate in a hunter-killer operation. The meeting of an international council on Luna is proposed to discuss the issue.

 

Yet coalition or no, Napoleon sends cruisers detached from various stations to reinforce the region’s escorts. A select few of the newer, most combat-effective ships captained by the most experienced and decorated officers are given their own hunter-killer missions. Privately, priority is placed on the Audacieux- after all it should be the French that destroy the French renegade cruiser.

 

 

COLONIAL EXPANSION CONTINUED

 

The struggling contractors are given a second chance. French warships are dispatched in greater numbers to protect new colonies and their critical supply routes from pirates and additional funds are directed their way. Battlecruisers appear off Jupiter protecting colonization efforts; the lead ship Michel Ney serving as both the flagship of the task force and as an administrative center coordinating the distribution of supplies as they arrive. Ney may very well stay for many years; these new Jupiter outposts could become vital fleet bases for Outer Belt traffic.

 

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The Commonwealth is rumored to have “allowed” French expansion here as a sort of dowry for the marriage of a prestigious member of the Bonaparte Dynasty to Victoria II.

 

Regarding Administration in the Colonies, the Emperor installs bureaucrats reporting directly to the Imperial government in every colonial administration. These bureaucrats represent a new organization - the Comité de Surveillance Constitutionnelle. The CSC is empowered to investigate with unlimited scope potential violations of the New Declaration of the Rights of Man- which now defines Slavery as servitude below a minimum wage without access to healthcare facilities. Not that corporations and governments alike were not violating the rights of their workers beforehand...

 

 

THE “PLEASURE PROJECT”

 

In order to improve the living conditions of the Martian colonies, which are certainly France’s most populous extraterrestrial communities, the Imperial government issues contracts to architects to design within a set budget public spaces and new civic buildings. Naturally, the Emperor’s name finds its way into these constructions. It is the flagship project of what the French press rumors will be a radical expansion of Martian infrastructure.

 

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ACTIONS SUMMARY

1) Colonization efforts are given more naval support and funds.

2) A 300-ship program is launched for the new cruisers.

3) Napoleon offers to organize a grand coalition; a joint cooperation between nations to hunt down pirates on Luna as a permanent anti-piracy task force.

4) Napoleon cheekily says of the Audacieux: “I am not at all surprised that a French cruiser was capable of such devastation.” before directing the navy to dispatch the best French cruisers on missions to seek it out and destroy it.

5) Colonies are sent bureaucrats who report directly to the Imperial government on violations of the French New Declaration of the Rights of Man (bill of rights).

6)  Planners consider refining the Martian colonies with better infrastructure and civic works with a focus on "pleasure": parks and the like. All with the Imperial name thrust upon it

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The Commonwealth

 

Led by her most Britannic  Majesty Queen Victoria II, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Empress of India and of Her other Realms and Territories, Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, Guardian of the Kuiper Belt, Duchess of Neptune and Jupiter, Queen of Pluto

 

The Britannic Empire remerges on the system wide scene! For too long the terrors of the fuel explosion had hampered Commonwealth influence. But now they had regained what was lost, and taken measures to ensure it never happened again. As the Outer Rim Trade Company continues their.... policies, the Inner Rim command ramps up their projects. Queen Victoria and her new Bonaparte husband tour Earth. Everywhere patriotic propaganda is released, volunteers recruited, and patriotism celebrated. A call to restore order and the system routes is mandated.

 

*This will start with the reactivation of the massive Commonwealth fleets. This Audacieux and other brigands like it had run amok. As Guardian of the Kuiper Belt, Queen Victoria took this position very seriously. In the belt itself the many Commonwealth bases and fleets will be dispatched to open the Commonwealth trade lanes again. They will also send heavier battle groups, with flotillas of patrol vessels to flush out pirate nest. On the trade routes abroad, the Commonwealth battle groups and patrol flotillas also set out to yet again open trade.

 

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**To match this re-kindled spirit to keep the Empire stable, a proposal is drafted to Parliament. The PM Ravi and his party sought to reinstate the 2:1 standard across the system. If this passes the Commonwealth will massively expand it’s navy to rival the growing naval threats. Plans to lay down eight new dreadnoughts are the start of this burgeoning policy. The recruitment drive continues for three more months. However in the later three it ends, as training and arming these new men begins.

 

***A British Expeditionary Army and Fleet accompany a Commonwealth settlement flotilla. The Commonwealth officially renounces her claims to Jupiter and Neptune as a whole. This was aimed to alleviate the Ellar council, declaiming the move. However the Commonwealth would make it clear they still meant to operate at full capacity there. Using their seven present colonies, and extra fleets, rudimentary military bases and colonist outpost are to be built on; Adrastea, Themisto, Leda, and Dia. 

 

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****With the massive fuel reserves and trade of the Commonwealth restored, they renter the trade. With the fleets activated, the routes are hopefully soon to be stable. In an effort to compete with the other growing fuel powers, the Commonwealth uses her large reserves and production to lower prices to offer incentive to buy Commonwealth products. Paired with this is Victoria’s newest plan. Using Earth’s refined factories, the Commonwealth will begin to mass produce and sell cheap luxury domestic goods. Tooth brushes, soap, plastic bags, lighters, iron bars, lumber, and sort of low tier good that was hard to come by in the colonies. This new domestic industry was catered to growing small business, and increasing luxury in the colonies.

 

*****Work goes into forming a draft campaign. For football players. Recruiters and scouts go across the massive Commonwealth, looking for up to par recruits.

 

2:1 Plan in full;

 

2:1

 

Actions

 

*Hunt for the Audacieux and regular pirates begins/opening trade routes.

 

** 2:1 Proposal to Parliament, laying down eight dreadnoughts.

 

***Renouncing claims to Jupiter/Neptune. Colonist Actions

 

****Re-Entering Fuel Trade, Increasing Domestic Market

 

*****Football Actions

 

******Work also begins on a new breed of Cruisers! The Commonwealth will seek to emulate their German and French friends design, but do it better of course.

Edited by GrimBeard
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 T H E   F O U R T H   E M P I R E   O F   T H E   F R E N C H 
EARLY 2935: The 1,146th Year of the Revolution

 

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"L i b e r t é,  é g a l i t é,  f r a t e r n i t é" -

 

The Oberon Racehorse

 

The first 50 ships of the Glorie-class cruisers are completed! All across the Empire, from Mars to Uranus, Frenchmen watch one widely-distributed video of one such vessel, L’Unite, and its dramatic launch at Mars which had been attended by Nouterre’s Governor and his staff. The gleaming, freshly-painted warship with is fine lines worthy of the ancient seafaring craft of old fired a brilliant salute from its impressive armament; a missile launched from her highly modern launcher system acting as a firework whose payload displayed the Triclor in brilliant zenon explosions above her.

 

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The frivolous, though entirely necessary pleasantries concluded, L’Unite and the forty-nine other new cruisers are quickly dispatched to perform the numerous duties of light cruisers required for the maintenance of the Empire and her trade. This is especially the case for long-distance trade, which these ships are designed for. More direct routes are opened as a result of their availability.

 

The Navy orders the ships built at Oberon, in the Belt, to reinforce the pirate-hunting squadrons immediately whilst others converge there from close-by shipyards. Belle Poule acts as flagship of one such squadron, this group spread out among the Belt scanning every moving molecule they pass. By a quirk of her engines she appears to be a little faster than her designed speed at the expense of efficiency, and her skipper abuses it to the fullest extent. Appearing frequently around various sectors often traversed by traders, she becomes known to local traffic as the “Oberon Racehorse”- zipping past them with customary zeal, intent upon finding her quarry.

 

 

Saturn Or Bust: Convoy 566-O

 

Intent upon securing the Empire’s influence in the Outer Rim, Napoleon dispatches an Imperial Proclamation at a conference at Luna, laying claim to the following moons of the great ringed planet of Saturn:

 

-Epimetheus

-Atlas

-Daphnis

-Pandora

-Pan

 

Corporate contracts are issued for three of the moons: Epimetheus, Daphnis and Pan in similar fashion as before. Once again, settlers can expect the company of the French Navy with all the benefits of such protection, in addition to substantial supplies and construction subsidies. Atlas and Pandora however, are given to the Navy’s administration to render into naval bases. The dreadnoughts Jean Bart and Ille de Paris in the company of the battlecruiser Vengeur du Peuple, four heavy cruisers, six light cruisers (including two Gloires) and twelve destroyers escort a massive convoy for the purpose. All of the warships are at most ten years old and their skippers set their crews to numerous spacewalks sprucing up their hulls to a naval shine- the occasion demands it. This convoy, 566-O is truly gigantic with nearly 100 ships in total.

 

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The ancient Le Tribun du Peuple reports the following account as the fleet departs Oberon:

 

“I could count one hundred, perhaps one hundred and ten ships in all; at least a quarter made of up warships all gleaming in the brilliant French red chequer. They most handsomely arrayed themselves into a sort of cruising formation; shaped like an egg, the ships firing their thrusters constantly to align themselves as the comms lit up with orders from the flagship scolding those unfortunate lubbers who were not within a .005 of a degree of their assigned heading to “look alive there”. After some anxious  activity on the part of the destroyers, the whole of the fleet was still; motionless as though I was observing a painting. Then the lead ship, which I could discern to be the Ille de Paris of Admiral Treville let fly a round from one of her secondary guns p er the old tradition: a signal to the fleet to begin their burns. Thus the convoy within a half-second, disappeared from all view.”

 

The new colony on Jupiter’s Carpo moon is selected to receive a significant package of construction materials and funding from the convoy for the purpose of constructing an ambitious Naval project: a four-tiered shipyard. The greatest French shipyards in that region can be found on Uranus, and otherwise on Mars and Oberon: now Napoleon orders to render Jupiter able to construct, refit and repair ships of any displacement and disposition.

 

A plan to add another capital ship slipway to Oberon is also approved - this one however, done via contract.

 

 

The Burden of Empire: The 2935 Census

 

France manages a widespread and highly diverse spread of colonies which all require significant support from each other; Uranus is barely self-sufficient whilst the Belt is a foodstuffs desert. Trade solves the problem for civilians, whilst the Navy has devoted perhaps a third of its administration to logistics. The timing of shipments of supplies, the organization, manufacture and stockpiling of such goods and their protection governs the success of such colonial ambitions.

 

Napoleon orders a new kind of Census to be collected for the year: it will not only record population statistics, but collect information on the rate in which colonies consume goods. The goal is simple: provide the Imperial government with a wealth of detailed information on the colonial supply situation. In his palace at Fontainebleau, Napoleon builds himself a “situation room” to study this information. He expands the Imperial Logistics Bureau threefold and places the management of convoy schedules under central government control.


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ACTIONS SUMMARIZED:

-The completed 50 cruisers begin service, including new trade routes. These cruisers begin to operate in the hunt for pirates in the Belt as well.
-France claims and begins the settlement of Jupiter’s ,Epimetheus, Atlas, Daphnis, Pandora and Pan.

-Great shipyards are to be built on Carpo, Jupiter, whilst another slipway is added to Oberon, the Belt.

-Concerns over logistics for the diverse empire produce reform: A highly detailed survey is ordered and Napoleon expands the Logistics Bureau, awarding it greater authority.

 

 

 

 

 

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U  S  S  R

 

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Rearmament

 

In response to the re-arming of other Empires and the claims of the British, the USSR embarks on a programme of National Rearmament. A new class of Cruiser is ordered to be created, to match the new French equivalent. It is to carry and take advantage of those engine and communications improvements that should make it vastly faster than any other ship of its kind, whilst retaining an awesome broadside. The French plan is to construct three hundred of their new class: in what is obviously a direct response, the Soviets plan for the construction of three hundred – and one! This is called the Gregory-Class. Other Soviet ships are also fitted with these new engines or modified, making the Soviet fleet by far the fastest in the Solar System; the new engines, despite their brilliance, are relatively cheap and easy to manufacture, meaning they can be made standard issue without too much hassle. Communications technology is also implemented. 

 

In addition, joint exercises are held with the German Empire’s navy, putting into practice Soviet theory about patrols and independent action. Not only are joint anti-piracy patrols and actions launched in unison, but leaders from both countries’ military-industrial complexes gather at Minsk to discuss a deal that will see needed strategic goods exchanged for the benefit of Germany and the USSR.

 

Finally, the Soviets send two expeditions to attempt to expand their influence to what were previously considered out-of-reach planets. Firstly, a military base and small colony is set up at Halimede, a moon of Neptune. Secondly, Atlas, one of Saturn’s moon is similarly colonised. The Soviets assert their control of these moons, which are fitted with the new communications technology. These bases, although having a small civilian or colonial presence, are meant to be almost entirely defensive in nature. They are massively reinforced. Soviet theorists think that, as the lone presence of Malta as a British island irritated the Axis in the Mediterranean, so a very heavily fortified Soviet presence could act similarly. 

 

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Infiltration!

Religion is the opiate of the people. In a secret meeting in Moscow, Poliorcetes tasks the KGB with undermining the greatest existent religious institution – the Catholic Church. Marxist forms of theology, labelled ‘Liberation Theology’ are sponsored, whilst clerical power is attacked. The Soviets launch a long-term plan to infiltrate the Church with priests, bishops and eventually cardinals – and perhaps a Pope – by getting these priests in on the pretence of ‘modernising the Church.’

 

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ACTIONS

 

-Gregory-Class commissioned. 301 built.

-Engine and communications tech, vastly superior to other empires’, is implemented.

-Joint anti-piracy operations and exercises with the Germans; exchange of strategic resources.

-Two colonies – naval bases – set up.

-KGB attempt to infiltrate the Catholic Church!

Edited by thesmellypocket
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The Outer Rim Trading Company

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Pluto, circa 2935

 


 

It was mid day in the bustling planet of Pluto. Tube-like structures spanned the entire city, covered in spotless glass upon which in the blink of an eye lightening fast monorails zipped inside, carrying thousands of people across the planet in a few minutes. The sun, from pluto, looked like a meer bright star, whilst the planets’ 5 moons were instead the guardians of its horizon, scattered around the sky and zipping around their orbits at high speeds. Commonly seen is the faint outline of several massive ships streaking the sky, the thin atmosphere of Pluto allowing the residents of New Albion to peer into the vasts abyss that is the Plutonian Space Zone.

 

Deep underneath the sea of skyscrapers, factories, ports, shipyards, and other buildings that filled the entire planet of Pluto was a sea of commerce, industrialization, and urban life seen only once or twice throughout the system. Pluto, was the crown jewel of Victoria's Crown. It was the single most important commonwealth possession, boasting more shipyards, ports, and a strategic position for domination of the outer rim not seen in any other settlement. Manning its docks and working its inner workings was a vast collection of commonwealth citizens. Just a stroll down the center street, Victoria Abbey, will grant you a glimpse of what the true meaning of the commonwealth is. Surrounding the pure diamond, gem encrusted statue of the great Oliver Cromwell was a sea of indian, whites, and blacks easily numbering several million people spread over acres of wide open market space. Along the edges of the wide plaza, tall, fancy government shops and buildings lined the plaza, advertising their costly luxury goods complimentary of the Empire. At the north end of the plaza, spanning the entire side, is the hearth of all the wealth of the Outer Rim. It was the Palace of New Carlisle, a massive creation spanning miles and miles on end. It was a massive palace, roughly 80 stories high, and covered in victorian and gothic architectural intricacies. It was a marvelous thing to gaze at, and one could lose themselves in the miles of detail which covers the building. There was masonry depicting legendary events of Britain and her Empire. The Danish invasion, Constantine declaring himself Emperor at York, flattening of Dresden, and the final parliamentary meeting cementing Britain's exit from the EU. This building emulated Britannia in Pluto, and it was the home of the government of the Outer Rim.

 

Inside the palace, through the winding maze of halls, rooms, and offices, there was one which truly mattered. That was the office of the Director of the Outer Rim Trading Company, called the Penthouse for short as it lay at the top of the palace, serving as the crows nest to Pluto. Completely enclosed in glass, some lucky individuals could boast having a view of the Director, Earl Damien Townsend, from their own window, perched at his desk, as he does every day, bearing the responsibility for ensuring the Outer Rim meets its goals and fuel quotas.

 


 

-Company ships, having been confined to the ports as a result of fuel shortages stemming from the crisis on Callisto, begin to take leave their ports and reestablish Commonwealth protection and supremacy over trade lanes and dominance over the Outer Rim.

 

-Colonization efforts are ramped up on the part of the company, who dispatch 4 separate squadrons to colonize 4 different moons on the planet of Neptune. The 4 squadrons set out for the following celestial objects: Nereid, Naiad, Thalassa, and Neso.

 

-On asteroids and other celestial bodies owned by the Commonwealth they attempt to mine them in search for valuable, rare, or useful minerals or metals that could be put to use by the commonwealth.

 

-The Outer Rim Trading company allocates funds and resources to assist in the Admiralty’s naval plan.

 

-Scientists and engineers are ordered to come up with a secure, safe plan regarding the storing of the Empires precious fuel so that a disaster on the magnitude of Callisto is yet to be repeated.



 

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The ‘Republic’ of China

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President Cheng Dao was walking through the gardens of the Presidential Offices. Taking a moment out of his days to be calm and to reflect calmly on several issues rather than being constantly hounded by paperwork and the like. As he walked past one of the trees he noticed the blossom was starting to come on the trees. With the around the garden leaves taking a pink and white colouration. This illicited a small smile from Cheng as he sniffed up the smell of the flower. Savoring the moment as the sweet air of nature entered his nose. 

Then, he frowned as he heard the sound of footsteps rapidly walking over gravel. He had often made explicitly clear that unless the situation was of the utmost importance he was not to be disturbed at this one small spot of free time. When he turned around he saw the minisiter of naval affairs approach him. At his sight Cheng felt his hand twitch. The minister of naval affairs, whilst a somewhat competent official, did grate on his nerves. Especially his personality. The man was, just like Cheng, from the upper class of soceity. Yet in constrast to Cheng the man flaunted his wealth and status whilst Cheng did not. The man was arrogant and vain, yet to appease a few factons in the nation he needed to have this position. And admittedly, he was talented in the management of naval affairs. 

 

Giving the minister a withering glare Cheng spoke softly. “I hope you have an important reason to interrupt me at this time of the day.

As he heard the soft voice, often connected to Cheng being furious the minister rapidly swallowed before speaking. Not wanting to be executed by the man who could do so if he desired. “Sir. I am making a plead for you to listen to my earlier advice. We need to build more cruisers, if we do not it would diminish our status as a great power and will leave us weakened by any attack by the communists” With the Minister spitting out the last word in disdain. Hearing this Cheng let out a sigh.

In that case we shall commision a hundred new cruisers.” He said. Internally sighing as he would prefer to put the resources into other projects. However he needed to please the more Militarist factions. And truthfully the Minister was making a good point.

The minister was surprised by this reaction, though not completely pleased yet.”Thank you president bu....” Whilst he was speaking Cheng sent a glare at the Minister. Quickly making clear that the conversation was over. Knowing he did not want to agitate the President further he made a quick bow for the president before leaving. Coming out the same way he had entered.

 

Cheng let out a final sigh before continuing his walk in the garden for a few minutes. Already thinking of ways how he could make his displeasure more clear through indirect ways.
Actions:

The anti-corruption agency is empowered some more. With them gaining presidential mandate to be more thorough and extreme in their actions. Though not going so far as to enrage the people in the government too much. However, a small number of troops is given to the branch. In order to deal with more violent officials, though mainly to serve as a threat. [MOD]

 

The Internal Security Bureau (ISB) is allocated increased funding. In order to set up a more comprehensive network of spies to secure the internal stability of the nation. Defending it from hostile nations, mainly focusing on communsit sympathisers. [MOD]

 

More military academies are built. Specifically in the colonies. Where they are built around the middle/upper class areas. Specifically making it so that these social group have more accesibility to the academies. Furthermore, each academy has at least one member of the Anti-corruption agency. To make sure that all the candidates are properly screened for corruption and to serve as a reminder to what happens to incompetent or corrupt officials [MOD]

 

In the colonies more universities and high schools are set up for the middle-class of the colony cities. Allowing the nation to gain a larger amount of learned personell. And in the future possibly further integrate the colonies into the nation as a whole. On top of that several more research labs are set up for military reseach. Mainly foucsing on modernizing the navy. [MOD]

 

100 cruisers are commisioned [Mod]

 

The US trade agreement is accepted [Mod]

 

 

Edited by Roberik
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The Empire of Japan

 

Year 13 of the Chikara Era

 

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Colonial Reforms 

With Hiroki’s military and economic reforms now well under way, the Shogun seeks to improve the lives of Japanese workers in the colonies. First Hiroki limits the old 14 hour workday down to 11 hours. He then allows for the establishment of workers guilds who can petition their employers for further rights including health benefits, safety regulations, and time off from work. These guilds also elect representatives who travel to Earth and are given seats in the House of Representatives in doing this it ensures each guild’s own grievances can be heard on a national stage and from here they can petition the Shogun directly on pressing matters affecting the people of the colonies. To help raise the colonists out of poverty, Hiroki introduces a net negative income tax where those who make less than the minimal income of 500,000 yen a year receive half of what they did not make back in order to help them in getting into a more financially stable situation and afford to grow the economy further through economic activity via going on vacation and buying up consumer goods. The same grants and subsidies used to expand Japanese industry are also extended to architectural companies as part of Hiroki’s urban renewal projects on Venus and Mercury hoping to both improve the living conditions of the colonists and encourage more immigration to the colonies.  

 

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Streets of the Japaneses Colony of Atarashi, Venus 

 

Actions

To display the combined might of their militaries to the other great powers, a joint naval exercise is proposed between Japan, Germany, and China scheduled for late next year should the other powers choose to take part.

The Japanese Empire agrees to aid the French Empire in eradicating the scourge of piracy from the major trade routes. Japan will henceforth share intelligence with French naval vessels regarding the location of known pirate activity and expects the French to do the same with their own intelligence.

 

The trade agreement with the United States is accepted as Japan seeks to mend ties with it’s long time rival in the Pacific. Now Hiroki wishes to put aside past discretions and develop a friendly relationship with the American Republic. Hiroki even proposes a state visit to meet with President Huey Long XXV in person, making him the first Shogun to visit the country in centuries.

Edited by PaxZeon
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Early 2935

The United States of America

The Outer Rim Defense Force

Following a Congressional request for naval expansion, and his own worries regarding the safety of American Colonies on Jupiter and Saturn, President Long orders the building of a large Outer Rim Defense Force. Acting upon the Secretary of the Navy’s advice and that of the Grand Admiral, ordering the construction of 2 dreadnoughts, 2 battlecruisers, 10 Cruisers, and 20 light cruisers, along with 200 destroyers to protect the Outer Rim. Furthermore, defensive batteries would be built on Phobos and the other developing moons to defend from potential interstellar fleets.

 

Project Pegasus

With the newly constructed research base on Prometheus beginning operations, Congress would task them with increasing fuel efficiency and capacity of ships, hoping to increase the distance ships would need to go without refueling while also using less fuel overall. Fission powered ships is an idea often toyed with.

 

Foreign Relations

The Shogun is invited into America with open arms, and a parade celebrates his arrival as well as the improving relations between the two countries. Committed to peace and trade with all nations, the United States celebrates this new relationship and hopes it will allow for more like it to grow.

 

The American Commandoes

With a vastly smaller population than most nations, America found itself at a disadvantage during land conflicts. Due to this, the army was to be composed of a smaller force but one which was to be heavily armored and well trained. Looking into doctrines of old and newer ones as well, the Chiefs of Staff would organize a new doctrine to be employed by the army centering an advanced, heavily armed, and well-trained group of individuals. Strict protocols are put into place to ensure officers are of a higher quality than the normal army, and even the army was regulated to ensure soldiers would be dedicated and be able to aid the nation in a potential attack.

 

Actions

The Grand Admiral orders the construction of 2 dreadnoughts, 2 battlecruisers, 10 Cruisers, and 20 light cruisers, along with 200 destroyers to protect the Outer Rim. Furthermore, defensive batteries would be built on Phobos and the other developing moons to defend from potential interstellar fleets.

Congress would task them with increasing fuel efficiency and capacity of ships, hoping to increase the distance ships would need to go without refueling while also using less fuel overall.

 

Fission powered ships are also looked into as a way to reduce fuel costs.

 

The Chiefs of Staff would organize a new doctrine to be employed by the army centering an advanced, heavily armed, and well-trained group of individuals. Strict protocols are put into place to ensure officers are of a higher quality than the normal army, and even the army was regulated to ensure soldiers would be dedicated and be able to aid the nation in a potential attack.

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A NEW AGE - EARLY 2935 - TURN 3

 

THE TURCO-ITALIAN WAR

“Certainly it is a bold plan, Refik Pasha.” Luigi Rizzo intoned hesitantly, looking again at the information he himself had aided in supplying. The Ottoman Vice-Admiral, Refik Pasha, had hired the former French light cruiser Audacieux as a privateer, largely exploiting her over the past few months to act as a hideously overpaid scout, using her Captain Rizzo’s skills as both a pirate and an ex-Italian officer to spy upon the every move of his former colleagues. Refik Pasha’s motive was, largely, the war that was likely to ignite any day now between the Kingdom of Italy and the Ottoman Empire. Refik, despite his hooked nose, oiled moustache and older ways, was a fairly young man - most whispered that he had received this posting as Admiral of the 2nd Fleet - or the Belt squadron - thanks to the favour of his cousin, the Sultan.

 

Luigi Rizzo, on the other hand, had maintained long conversations with the man, and knew him to be brilliant, as he himself was. Rizzo shifted uneasily from foot to foot - he had never expected to once again share the presence of admirals and captains planning for war, and he felt unprepared for what was coming. Refik, for his part, said nothing, eying the doors, waiting for the arrival of the final member of his command staff - his Commander of Marines. Finally the doors burst open, and in strutted a small man wearing a pristine uniform and a chest full of medals - Rizzo started in surprise, this was a man he had never expected to see again.

 

Onder Irevul stopped abruptly, ruddy face twisting into a great grin, and he seemed almost to jump up and down, his fez sitting precariously upon his head. Built like a French bulldog, Irevul was perhaps the most celebrated officer of marines still in active service. “Luigi Rizzo!” The bulldog exclaimed in delight. “Never did I expect to see a man such as you again!” Bounding forwards, Irevul grabbed him in a bear hug, to the shock of the other officers present. Rizzo, though slightly uncomfortable, returned the embrace fondly. “I see you and, eh, General Irevul are already acquainted then, Captain.” Refik said cautiously. Irevul grinned wide, showing yellow teeth, several of which were broken. “Acquainted? Acquainted? Rizzo here is the only man who ever managed to best me in the dueling rings - back in the Championships of “17! What a year that was for dueling!” Rizzo continued to smile, though he glanced at Refik, as if asking to be saved from the fate of a full discourse of the tale.

 

“While I am sure it was a thrilling bout, Irevul Pasha, we have other matters to attend to.” Refik Pasha intoned softly, gesturing to the map. “Can you make this work?” For a while, Irevul stopped his childish messing, studying the maps and proposed actions with a silent precision. “You know, I do believe I can.” He said slowly, looking up into Refik’s eyes, smiling in an almost insidious manner, totally different to his previous demeanour. “Excellent - you may begin planning immediately. I have it on good authority that the Sultan plans war within the very next week….”

 

---

 

“So that, in essence, is why we have to take that ship, Luigi!” called the bombastic voice of Irevul Pasha, echoing across the comms unit embedded in Rizzo’s helmet. He glanced at Irevul, moderately irritated. “I am well aware of why it must be taken, Onder, I simply do not see why I must participate in an action such as this!” Irevul simply shrugged, a toothy grin upon his face. “You’re a pirate these days - this is what you do, steal things!” Rizzo sighed audibly - Irevul was a baboon, but he was a baboon that was remarkably effective in hand to hand combat. The two men were lying on a solid chunk of space-rock, held in place via magnetic pins driven into the stone. Turkish marines surrounded them, in similar holds, their lightweight combat armour glinting dully.

 

The object of their attention sat a short distance away, docked at one of the few Italian Asteroid Belt ports. The Fuoco Ardente was a splendid, modern ship. She sat in her dock berth, unaware of the danger she was now in. Rizzo continued to examine the long, green painted ship carefully, even as Irevul and his men began prepping the winches attached to their vacuum proofed armour. With gentle pops and whooshes of gas, small arrows darted away, striking and digging into stone, and Turkish troops slowly floated across, taking up their new positions, from where they could see straight into the ship. Several hundred men clung to these rocks, like armoured barnacles, malice in their intentions. “This is it gentlemen - commence boarding operations.” Irevul ordered, and immediately men began to move. Using a mixture of winches, tiny alignment thrusters and the push of their legs, they closed the final distance to Fuoco Ardente, landing in dozens of different points along the hull, moving quickly, men unhooked and deployed their breach saws, laying them over slightly exposed or weakened parts of the ship's armour. Irevul Pasha checked his watch, then gave the order. “All companies, you know your objectives - full burn!” With a violent hiss and huge bursts of concentrated fire and sparks, the saws began melting through their chosen breaching points.

 

The steel sagging underneath their feet, Rizzo and Irevul had but moments to wait before the high powered cutting tools could pierce the hull of the Dreadnought, then they were in, clanging to the deck with magnetised boots as the vacuum sucked air from the ship and emergency procedures began to activate. “Hurry! To the armoury and the bridge!” thundered Rizzo, as a squad of hardened Turkish marines leapt into the corridor with the pirate, wielding wicked boarding axes and swords, as well as high calibre revolvers and short, semi-automatic carbines designed to boarding actions.

 

Alarms blazed throughout the ship, as Irevul and Rizzo raced for their goal. The interior began to repressurise, bulkheads sealing breached areas, as the boarders made their way forwards. Rounding a corner, they were confronted by a confused looking Italian marine, who Irevul decapitated with a cruel blow. Still they raced on, seeking the armoury first, located just down the corridor from the bridge. They rounded another corner, and gunfire sparked up around them, killing a Turkish marine. Another hurled a grenade down the corridor and, after the detonation, Irevul and Rizzo led their men forwards, boots thumping along the deck. They rounded another corner, literally colliding with a company of Italian sailors, sporting a mismatched collection of weapons. Most didn't wear combat armour, which was their own mistake. Rizzo howled as he carved into them, splitting a man near in two with the heavy two handed boarding axe, before stabbing another through the side of the skull with the spike on the rear of the blade. Irevul wasn't far behind, slicing violently through ill equipped and surprised soldiers, forced to go toe to toe with hardened marines in full armour. Most were dead in minutes, and the armoury was secure. Rizzo glanced up the corridor, where the bridge's great blast doors had begun the slow process of closing. “Irevul!” he cried, suddenly sprinting away down the hall, axe in hand. He hurled himself down the corridor and slid in through the nearly closed doors, followed by the Turkish General, just behind. They stood alone, on a bridge filled with Italian officers, the doors sealed behind them.

 

Two Italian marines at the doors looked shocked, and Rizzo wasted no time embedding his axe into one of their chests, then jerking his sword out of his scabbard. Beside him, Irevul smashed open the other guard's head with his axe. Silence, and then the scraping of swords coming out of their scabbards.  Suddenly, there was nothing but action. Rizzo ran down the right, and danced into a group of Italian officers, cutting left and right, carving through their midst, slaughtering them as he went, while Irevul bulldozed down the left, cleaving and hacking men to pieces. The slaughter didn't last long. “Generale! Generale! Stop! Stop! We surrender! The ship is yours!” called the 1st Lieutenant, standing over the beheaded body of the Captain, hesitantly holding out his sword to the Turkish intruder. Irevul lowered his axe, and took off his helmet, sweat running in rivulets down his cheeks, a grin splitting his face and his eyes mad from blood lust, his smile widened and he took the sword, and the ship, graciously.

 

EVENTS

-On Mars, in Neu Fredericksburg, events would unfold that would shock the world. From the bowels of the mining city comes a full blown Communist uprising. Over the course of a week, communist rebels seize control of vital points of the city’s defenses and infrastructure, forcibly containing the garrison in isolated positions - the German response is brutal. The Kaiser sends in a full Corps of the Sturmabteilung, under General Ludwig von Trotha. The Sturmabteilung blitzed into the city, where they ruthlessly slaughter the rebels, in what will become known as the Bloody Month. Von Trotha’s reprisals are truly vicious, and murder, torture and rape become common place throughout the fighting, tens of thousands are killed in the fighting, but the rebellion is brutally crushed.

 

-In the depths of the Asteroid Belt, war officially begins between Italy and the Ottoman Empire, with Ottoman troops - aided by Audacieux - successfully cutting out the Italian dreadnought Fuoco Ardente from her berth.

 

- A major disaster strike the gigantic space liner, RMS Fortuna. In process of a journey from Earth to Pluto, the ship founders. This means, essentially, that a hairline crack in the hull ruptures from extreme pressure, which causes a major explosion. The ship is lost with all hands.

 

-Audacieux flees the Asteroid Belt, hunted by Soviet ships, and the elite French 3rd Cruiser division, consisting of three brand new cruisers led by Belle Poule and commanded by Commodore Pierre Archambault.

 

-International focus on piracy has largely rendered the threat non-existent - Audacieux remains the last breath of what is a dying age, her continued existence acts as a single window to the past.

 

-On Pluto, the Statue of Oliver Cromwell is destroyed in an “accident”. An Irishman driving a truck load of high explosives crashes into the statue, and the following blast nearly sends the remnants up to the moon, Charon. Nobody is hurt.

 

THE COMMONWEALTH

-While the Commonwealth fuel industry had fully recovered from the short term blow, the Commonwealth monopoly on fuel has been forever shattered, as German, French and American colonies soon begin mass export of fuel. The Commonwealth economy is again thriving, however, and successfully refocuses on their domestic market.

 

-The Football Association of Earth crack down hard on the Commonwealth recruitment campaign - there are dozens of teams in the Commonwealth, and there are strict criteria for who can play for which team.The English can play for England, the Irish for Ireland, the Scottish for Scotland etc etc - Martians cannot play for any Earth team, without proof of sufficient ethnic heritage.

 

-The British Unicorn-class Cruiser is a truly brilliant example of shipbuilding, and easily surpases the newest German model - she is, however, very expensive to produce. On the other hand, the Vicky-class Light Cruiser is a decent ship, but possesses several faults that will not be apparent until combat.

 

-Colonial attempts are successful.

 

THE FOURTH FRENCH EMPIRE

-While the slipway at Oberon is quickly and easily completed (Late 2935), the building attempts on Carpo take much, much longer. Incompetence in the early design and construction phases renders the project massively over budget and behind schedule - indeed, the Admiralty openly and loudly complains of this to the Emperor, demanding that the project be taken totally from civilian hands and placed into the hands of the Navy. (Late 2938)

 

-Napoleon’s Logisitcs Bureau struggles to find enough competent staff to function at a truly efficient level, but they successfully carry out the 2935 census, presenting the results. Minerals, processed goods, food, munitions and other similar things have a huge abundance in the Inner Belt, but lacks fuel, on the other hand the Outer Belt lacks much of the processing capabilities of the Inner Rim, but provides all of the fuels required to efficiently run industry, along with many minerals.

 

-Colonial attempts are successful.

 

THE UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS

-The Russian cruiser is… lacking. While the ship is extremely fast, it is found to be remarkably flimsy, and prone to mechanical malfunctions - the Bureau of Design recommends the ship not be constructed, and instead sent back for redesign.

 

-The Soviet reconstruction of their fleet is successful, and the Soviet Navy does indeed become the swiftest in the Solar System, much to the pride of the Soviet People - the speed of the People’s Navy becomes a hall mark of Russia, even becoming an every day saying “Be as fast as the Red Armada.”

 

-The Catholic Church is infiltrated easily - corrupt priests and corrupt Soviets have a surprising amount in common.

 

-Colonial attempts are successful.

 

THE OUTER RIM TRADING COMPANY

-Several mineral deposits are discovered, but nothing particularly out of the ordinary.

 

-It is essentially recommended that the central Fuel Reserves be split into a series of lesser fuel reserves - though this presents its own series of strategic difficulties by spreading fuel into several locations, all of which must be defended.

 

-Colonial attempts are successful.

 

NATIONALIST CHINA

-Anti-corruption efforts in China begin to pick up steam. With the ISB and the Anti-Corruption Bureau combining forces, most corrupt officials quickly learn to tow the new party line, trying not to upset the powers that be. However, there are some factions bitterly opposed to the President, and his current course is setting them against him.

 

-Military academies and the universities begin to offer a new standard of education to the Chinese people, and the new education facilities begin to create a generation of well informed and learned people, many of whom find themselves disagreeable to the idea of dictator rule.

 

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

-Research into fission engines is slow and expensive, and the US struggles to make a breakthrough in the project. Scientists agree, however, that staying the course is the best route forwards, and petition the government for more funding. At current pace - Early 2937.

 

-This new US Assault Corps (USAC) is extremely successful. Modelled upon the major successes experienced by the Germans in their Sturmabteilung, the USAC quickly proves to be a powerful and efficient piece of the US Army, and receives praise from all sides, both domestically and internationally.

 

THE GREATER GERMAN EMPIRE

-German naval refits go well, and German gunnery systems quickly become renowned as truly exemplary.

 

- The synthetic fuel refineries are praised as a solution to the fuel issues, but they require a huge amount of development to be efficient. The project trundles along, with Late 2936 being the expected date for the first facilities to be completed.

 

-The new trade lanes function fairly well, and many ships choose to utilise them for safety’s sake.

 

PROTECTORATE OF SATURN

-The Governors are reluctant to treat with Otto von Wettin, but after much urging from the Kaiser himself, they opt to accept his offer of hereditary governorship - they are still not enamoured of continuing centralisation, however.

 

-Public education funding becomes a shambles, disorganisation and huge population render the efforts almost totally pointless. The whole affair costs an inordinate amount of money, and the resulting scandal actually forces the King’s Chancellor to resign his position as Acting Viceroy and return to Earth in shame.

 

-Scholars eagerly accept the additional funding, but few seem to have any great ideas in mind at present; Perhaps things will change in the future, but for now the scientists of the Outer Rim seem unimaginative.

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The Commonwealth

 

Led by her most Britannic  Majesty Queen Victoria II, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Empress of India and of Her other Realms and Territories, Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, Guardian of the Kuiper Belt, Duchess of Neptune and Jupiter, Queen of Pluto

 

*The end of this most auspicious year marks a number of celebrations for the Commonwealth. It is rumored Queen Victoria is pregnant, though no medical exam has been given yet. She has largergly been sticking to the holdings on Earth. There her and her husband do all sorts of royal activities, and tour the cities. Rumors have abounded Victorias has been gearing up to tour the colonies abroad. But this supposed pregnancy might but a slight halt to matters. As the Monarchs carouse, the domestic market booms. Thanks to the more liberal labor party, this domestic shift had transitioned smoothly. The Colonies while representing a massive pit of money, also were people. Service business, general commodities, and luxury good were the road to any true forward progress. The factories begin to churn out product, as local governments are granted subsidies to foster small business.

 

**In more menial matters of state Parliament continues the consolidation policy. The trade routes are cleared of pirates, and now open again. As life returns to normal, the Commonwealth army and navy are now expected to ensure it stays that way. The newly recruited soilders will help a long way in this goal. The recently refortified Commonwealth will now receive reinforcements in critical areas to take stress off key points. Commonwealth naval detachments will also set up, to ensure a constant presence in more sensitive areas. On Mars itself the entrenchment process has only truly just begun. Funding for what was once a system wide policy, is now scaled back to two colonies.

 

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***With shipyards kept ready, work begins on the new line of Commonwealth Cruisers. Work will first begin to ensure the Unicorn class has phased out the Commonwealth’s outdated inventory. Seventy Five of these ships are laid down, and the old ones will gradually be repurposed or sold off to pay for the new. As this enhanced Cruiser project begins, the Vicky Class continues work. A small bath will be produced with leftover space, to test in the field. Whilst further work will progress on the model as a whole. The other ships of the Commonwealth continue construction.

 

****A consolidation campaign begins on the Commonwealth’s fuel and colony investments. While the monopoly has been lost, the Territory and operations of the Commonwealth were still vast. Work begins to get the whole system up and running again. Commonwealth trade will open back up, and the large oil production rekindled. Eager to work with her new partners the Commonwealth broaches to France, and the United States a tri-nation trade lane to shuttle their fuel in large convoys. This would cut cost, and help the three dominate the trade.

 

The Germans are offered condolences by Queen Victoria personally. The Communist uprising was a brutal threat to any proper Nation. Though it was regrettable her German cousin was working with the Soviets, it was ultimately forgivable. In an act of good will Commonwealth toothbrushes, blankets, and water bottles are sent to Neu Friedreichburg to alleviate the colonist ailment. Parliament also received troubling reports. It would seem local English agents had been subdued to the Communist cause. These men are branded traitors to the State, and formally exiled. The Commonwealth promises to formally investigate and crackdown on the Communist cells within their own ranks, which threatened both nations.

 

 

Actions

 

*Rumored pregnancy, Domestic market agenda

 

**Garrisoning crucial areas, continued entrenchment policy on Mars

 

***Continued Naval Plans

 

****Fuel plans [U.S, France]

 

Military/Colony fleet sent to Valetudo to establish an outpost

 

A Royal ‘Melee’ Academy is founded in London proper. Here the higher echelons of the Officer cadres sons and daughters can come to train for fencing, and more uncouth melee types. This shift is an indication of the Commonwealth’s growing policies in the field.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by GrimBeard
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OUTER RIM TRADING COMPANY

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Damien Townsend, Earl of Shrewsbury, was a man with a meticulous routine. He woke up promptly at 8 am GMT, put on his silk robe and bathed in his black-marble shower with natural spring water imported from East Anglia. After he showers, he dresses himself and heads up to the penthouse, where a hot brew of Chamomile tea in his white, ‘GOD SAVE THE QUEEN’ mug with the trademarked symbol of the crown in place of the word Queen awaits him. He would not have his tea right away though, as he would wait normally 16 minutes for the tea to cool down to an adequate temperature, where he would slowly sip it for hours whilst reviewing his agenda, answering messages, and setting his daily plans into motion. This is his routine he has been doing every day for over 13 years, which is how long his tenure as Director of the Outer Rim Trading Company has lasted. His long tenure can only be attributed to the high level of success the company has seen under his stay, and his character. Overall, Townsend was a quiet, but amicable guy, but he had one rule, one rule which no soul ought to break less he wishes to be cast into the farthest corner of the lower levels, don't disturb him until 10:30 am, which is when he finishes drinking his tea and preparing his mind for the strenuous affairs of managing the outer rim. To all new staff that is hired to the palace, they are always given the same message. Don't disturb the director until 10:30, unless its for a dire emergency. So strict was Townsend on this rule, that it is rumored amongst the staff that Townsend once banished 3 custodians ,who lost track of time and knocked on his door accidentally, to the lower levels for life.

 

There was almost a collective heart attack amongst all the staff when a communication from the Empress arrived for the Director, which, according to protocol, has to be delivered by hand by one of 20 people, 20 extreme confidants of Townsend and other high ranking officials. The communication was received at 9:41 am, and the message was marked urgent. A decision had to be made, someone has to take the message up. So, professionally, straws were used to decide who is cursed enough to have to deliver the message, and deliver himself to the depths of poverty and certain torture for the rest of his life. Gasps of sighs and reliefs were collectively let out when the majority of those gathered opened their sweaty palms, revealing a complete white plastic straw. One however, was in utter silence and disbelief. A black man by the name of Edward Ovuve held in his thick hands half of a tea straw, which meant he was chosen, by chance or by god, to deliver the message. He solemnly dropped the stick on the ground, and began balling. The lad had to be consoled by his partners, as they all anticipate the worst consequences for such a  grievous sin. He was given one last call to his wife and 4 children before he was given the transmission, and was pushed and shoved unto the lift, which took him to the 80th floor. Edward had to pass through 100 metres of hallway which seemed like a mile. Lining the walls were paintings of previous directors, his gaze kept jumping back and forth from left to right, left to right, until he finally reached the door, and his vision ended on the last painting, a depiction of the smiling face of Townsend. The oak wooden door taken from the Buckingham palace itself seemed like the gates to hell itself as Edwards shakey knuckles rasped the old wood thrice. The door automatically opened, at which Edward was greeted with the peering eyes of Damien, who, not even removing his gaze from the contents of his desks, simply asked him, “What is it at this ungodly hour?”. He spoke in a posh accent, with a slight midland drawl on certain pronunciations. Edward, still a nervous wreck, said quietly, and half mumbled, “A letter from the Queen, Sir.” Townsends eyes immediately lifted themselves to meet the extended hand of Edward. Townsend reclined himself in his chair after snatching the letter quickly, and opening the seal, his brown eyes darting across the parchment as he reads the letter, leaving the poor Edward looking on, awaiting his punishment. After a couple moments of silence, Townsend sets the letter down, and returns his gaze to Edward, staring him down in his pair of black eyes, until the Earl pronounces, “You can leave lad, and get yourself a cuppa on the way out you look like a wreck.” At this, Edward was taken aback at first. Was that all? Was he not going to sentence me to the lower levels? His thoughts were interrupted by the confused stare of the Director, which causes Edward to quickly realize his mistake and shift his feet out the penthouse, shutting the oak wood doors and virtually running down the hall, his eyes tearing up of joy at the fact that he was spared from the supposed wrath of the Outer Rim Company.

 


 

 

-Officials at New Albion order for the colonization procedures of Neptune to wrap up, sending 4 squadrons to establish colonial settlements at the 4 remaining moons of Hippocamp, Sao, Laomedeia, and Psamethe.

 

-In light of recent terror attacks, a new statue of Oliver Cromwell is commissioned, nearly as large as the statue of liberty herself and made out of pure diamond.

 

-The previous, outdated, Minotaur class cruiser is slowly phased out in light of the newer, and better, Unicorn class. 150 Unicorn class carriers are ordered to be built in the shipyards across the system.

 

-Scientists research a form of telescope that can provide on demand, clear photos of objects out of the system, and inside the system. It is hoped that this telescope is so accurate it can provide us with accurate, clear images of the ground, including infrared images of the ground, from millions of millions of light years away.

 

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The Greater German Empire

“Gott Mit Uns!”

Late 2935


 

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Commonwealth to blame?

Upon hearing of the chaos in Neu Friedrichsburg, the young Kaiser was apparently extremely saddened and even wept for the faithful German citizens caught within the crossfire. But the rebellion gave him no choice, he would send in the Sturmabteilung, weakness was not an option. The fighting within the Colony was fierce, but after several weeks, the hardened veterans of the German Army fought their way through and crushed the rebel defenses.

However, the fighting and loss of life was not the worst of the matter. After fully putting the rebellion to bed, the Imperial Intelligence Agency was put to work to discover the origin of this insurrection, what they found was appalling.

IIA operations in Neu Friedreichburg interrogate rebel leaders, thoroughly pilfering rebel safehouses and intelligence caches. After the fact, It is beyond clear that the Commonwealth have funded the Rebels and perhaps even trained them. All to undermine the German hold on Mars

 

Following this discovery, an extensive and thorough sweep down of the German Leadership and Command is ordered. The Kaiser personally orders the campaign begins, stating “Every last Commonwealth sympathizer, spy, and rat will be expelled from the Empire, they will pay for their hand in this Rebellion”

Though it is unknown if the Commonwealth truly did have a hand in the rebellion, as no Commonwealth personnel or assets were found, cautionary measures are taken anyways.


The Empire under threat

 

With the uncovering the Commonwealth’s supposed plot in Neu Friedrichsburg, It is clear designs on German Mars might be a very real reality. The ‘Breadbasket’ of the Empire, might very well be under threat.

 

Assuming as much, measures to protect the colonies are taken. Garrisons on Mars are to extensively drill and prepare more fortifications. Additionally, the construction massive ground-space batteries across the Mars holdings (including the moon of Deimos) is to begin.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Actions

 

The IIA is to begin a campaign, extensively rooting out foreign influence and intelligence within the Empire, personally ordered by the Kaiser.

Construction of Synthetic Fuel plants across Mars and Deimos are to begin.

 

Information regarding the IIA’s findings from rebel interrogations and supply caches that point towards Commonwealth involvement in the uprising are made public.

 

Construction of defenses and ground to space batteries on Mars and other celestial bodies begins.

Freidrich X begins looking for a suitable bride

 

Edited by Krefarus
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U   S   S   R

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Division of Labour

 

As Poliorcetes’ rule continues, it becomes clear he is not the man he once was. Whilst in Moscow and on Earth his word is supreme, elsewhere in the Solar System and in the Armed Forces it is Kukov’s word that counts. Kukov is the only force that keeps Poliorcetes in check. Droning years of senseless flattery have assailed the General Secretary’s brain, and it turned into a mush of madness. Kukov is the only man with the courage to speak plainly to his Leader: other men would fear reprisal – to be labelled ‘counter-revolutionary’ by the KGB and tossed into a maelstrom of torture and malice. But Kukov knows that his Secretary would never do it to him, so he speaks plainly, and speaks sense to the man nominally his superior. Rumours even emerge in anti-Soviet newspapers that Poliorcetes believes himself to be a God – like the famous Demetrius the Besieger himself. But these rumours are untrue, because Kukov keeps a hold on Poliorcetes’ increasingly tenuous sanity. 

 

Kukov is, in many ways, a normal man. He is intelligent, yes, but not a genius. What he does have is the ability to command respect and loyalty from others, and an ability to delegate, allowing others to realise their full potential. The unhinged and confusing leadership of Poliorcetes, and the ultra-competent and exceptional leadership of Kukov seem to contrast: as the years wear on, the civilian sphere starts to fall behind technologically and doctrinaly, whilst the military sphere seems to be flourishing. Kukov embraces bold new technologies and doctrines, whilst the intelligent are driven toward a military career, instead of the poisoned flattery of the civil service or the ill-funded stupidity of civilian technological research. 

 

Back to the Drawing Board

 

Soviet military scientists attempt to improve their new cruiser by compromising some of the vessel’s extreme speed with reinforced armour. To ensure equipment failures are kept to a minimum, even once the cruisers enter active service, extra field engineers are attached to them, so that they can quickly weed out any flaws that appear post-construction. With this improved design, the 301 cruisers are hoped to begin construction.

 

 

International Propaganda Division(s)!

 

Soviet strategists spy the potential of revolt in undermining a potential enemy. There is only one problem to be found in the Soviets attempting to take advantage of popular upheaval as a weapon...

 

...In the increasingly bipolar world of Soviet Russia, there quickly arise not one, but two ’International Propaganda Divisions.’ The first, based in Moscow and under the firm control of Poliorcetes’ KGB, is called the Division of International Propaganda. Its task is to undermine enemy regimes through the dispersal of pro-Soviet propaganda, or at least anti-imperialist. The second, under the army and Kukov, is called The International Propaganda Division, and has the exact same task. With the way things are in the USSR at the minute, the DIP has control over Earth and Moscow, whilst the IPD commands the power of the Armed Forces and interstellar power.

 

ACTIONS

-Division between Poliorcetes’ circle and Kukov emerges.

-Improved cruiser design.

-TWO efforts at international propaganda.

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The Empire of Japan

 

Year 13 of the Chikara Era

 

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Dealing with Corruption
Hiroki does not take kindly to hearing of the mass corruption hampering the colonial reforms. In response the Shogun sends a contingent of the Gaijin Guard to “educate” and make examples of the officials who have been accused of pocketing money from the reforms. Furthermore Hiroki cuts the colonial bureaucracy in half though increases the pay to the remaining administration as to deter them from taking bribes or stealing from the budget. The Gaijian Guard also sets up a network of spies to monitor the bureaucrats and swiftly deliver punishment should they be caught in the act. Due to their inability to manage the reforms both the Daimyos of Mercury and Venus are stripped of their ranks and forced to commit Seppuku for their failure. In their place Hiroki appoints his brothers-in-law, Sato and Rui Yamamoto as the new Daimyos of the colonies, trusting them to Properly oversee the reforms. Realizing the people are concerned with working less hours Hiroki arranges for the Emperor himself to travel to the colonies so that their worries may be put to rest with the assurances of his Majesty and that he would inform them that the reforms are truly in their best interest.

Actions

As the Empire’s ship building industry begins to approach full modernization, the Shogun lays the groundwork for a major naval arms buildup with the commissioning of a new line of ships for the navy. Construction is to start in late 2935 with the shipyard currently at their disposal and later to include the new ones that are to be completed next year. All ships will be built in collaboration with the German Empire and outfitted with the new efficient engines. The naval buildup is estimated to take at least 4 years though with German aid and advancements in ship building technology Hiroki hopes the project can be completed ahead of schedule.


The ships commissioned include
• Dreadnoughts +4
• Battlecruisers +7
• Cruisers +10
• Light cruisers +20
• Destroyers +100

Edited by PaxZeon
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