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2nd of January 2129. It marks the day the Keerim Imperium strikes. Simultaneously. Everywhere. Four inhabitated systems of the Skellar Kingdom on the East are attacked at the same time within one hour. Alerts, confusion, chaos, panic. Emotions of fear, resignation, anger, hopelessness. Destruction, devastation, ruination and death. Casualties mount in the thousands within minutes, just thirty minutes later, millions. The Skellar fleets are overwhelmed by sheer numbers and force. One hour later, the Kingdom has lost sixty percent of its ships to destruction or capture. The reports that at first come in floods, turn to a slim trickle from the few holdouts, soon to be extinguished too. The Keerim Imperium has according to projections, sent five-thousand ships to subjugate the Skellar and their allies. 3rd of January 2129. Just one day later, the biggest and most relentless offensive of the Corrupter Dominion in history is set on. All along the border worlds and sectors of the Tassaran Republic reports of massive mounted attacks flood in. Even the Confederation of Xaplonius suffers directs attacks on two sectors. The flood appears endless, soon many of the formerly contested planets are in full grasp of the advancing Corrupter fleets. The losses are staggering. United States Of Arcturus Very much at the same time, both systems of the USA are visited by Keerim fleets. Each fleet fields two battleships, five heavy cruisers, five light cruisers, one carrier, two support carriers, ten destroyers and twenty frigates. They are respectively on direct course to the colonies. (Encounter) The result of the search gives indications, that the lost colony ships stranded in the Tjieran Principate, where they were taken up into the nation. They are being treated quite equally it seems, having established a thriving colony in one of the outer sectors of the Principate. The project yields its first results. THE HOLY KINGDOM OF EADN The progress continues. (9/10 to SL 4) United Colonial Initiative With the prototype functional, and the test results confirmed, nothing is in the way of upgrading all ships with the needed warp drive to head out further into the stars. Alike many others. The result of the study is actually positive. Given the ration system that is normally employed, a higher abundance can lead to a more generous ration system, that allows people to have more food and feed more mouths. There are plenty suitable locations for additional city centers, but construction will be slow without any real additional investments from the government. The small freighter on the other hand, leaves port as planned. Aegis They find a suitable alpine world in the sector to the East. It's a small star system, without an asteroid belt or gas giants. The Orbital Space Station is expanded with an additional landing bay and storage hall by the end of the year (Definitely need to know how much you invested in this). Project Olympus proceeds as planned. The People's Agrarian Republic Trade goes as planned, without any particular occurences. Given the central region is at peace, this is expected. Unfortunately though, nobody is selling out any technological standards at this point in time. It appears the Xylorite is either not sufficient or not particularly needed. The combat suit proceeds as planned, and already at the end of this year, the first prototype is available. It will take more time though to prepare it flawlessly with integrated jump pack and ready for production itself. Give it more time. Independent decision making is already based on algorithms, but those can be improved indeed. With more calculating power and a new type of chip, the robots are quicker in making the (supposedly) right choices. It's a minor improvement for now, but it may pay off later down the road. The Solarin Federation Another roadblock opens up as unprecedented instabilities in all experiments make themselves apparent later this year. Some calculations seem off and the time is invested in finding the error instead. No systems are found this time around that appear to hold any other special ores or metals, aside from the usual common elements. They meet a few Grgl freighters passing through one of the solar systems in the sectors, but otherwise nothing special is found. Accessability appears normal, there are no formations that make something... difficult to detect. The ship is finished halfway as planned (2/4 AP). The forging and pressing and weaving of the new combat armor will take a while, perhaps even several years at this rate to have it in proper abundance. Imperial Republic of Mankind As a massive initiative to fill the plates of the people, the now mostly friendly enviroment is soon host to numberless fields of crops, such as wheat, potatoes and corn. A step in the right direction, one would say. A first result is in. Some prepared Itoron and refined Xylorite are traded in from various merchants who visit the colony once in a while. Hephaestus Enterprises 10,000 robots are being transported off this year to the frontlines. Amongst them a 500 of the Alastor type are being placed under command of Rond Trazur who is hard pressed, deploying his robots whereever the biggest fire is burning. At this point, the Tassaran Republic does not even demand permissions for assistance, it just takes everything it can. The third battle for the Tassaran capital takes place and again, the Corrupters are barely beaten back. It's not tropical, but they find an ocean world with beaches as white as marble, a climate that ranges from a mild summer in the north or south to a beautiful and comfortably hot summer at the equator. The planet also appears to only have one season. The flora and fauna is harmless. And there are primitives on this planet. Very bulky bear-like beings inhabit the bigger landmasses. Their societies seem to range from tribal, to early kingdoms like Ancient Egypt. The Sovereign Military Order of Malta The extension of the shipyard goes as planned. (5/6 AP to SL 3) The Han Dominion Both ships are finished as planned and join the growing fleet of the Han. The genetic research picks up old research records of mankind back on Earth. It's a difficult subject, but it should be doable for specific expressions. The first test objects (mice, unfortunately), mostly die from the first series of procedures, as their genetic code has to be cracked first. Later during the same year, another ship shows up at the primary world of the Han. It is civilian, heading toward the colony, sending hails. (Encounter) Silver Knight Corporation The first foundations for mining are laid, storage facilities are being erected, things proceed at a steady pace. Aside from the common metal deposits, the colonized planet shows a few spread out deposits of Dakite here and there. Other systems in the sector show no additional yields. The ships are finished as planned. Free Human Technocracy It is a monument to a first generation of people who have fallen on battlefields other than Earth. Something... that mankind has to keep in mind. Another industrial complex joins the remainder, improving the capacities of the colony. Building the corvette goes as planned, though is there a call to name it after the previous corvette that got destroyed by the Keerim in battle in the past year. ---- Population growth Imperial Republic of Mankind - 253,000 Humans Terran Federation - 422,000 Humans - 14,500 Grgl - 19,000 Tassarans - 5,000 Libellans - 5,000 Human-Tassarans New Sephoria - 300,000 Humans, 5,000 Protorians, 350 Human-Protorians Silver Knight Company - 240,000 Humans, 5,000 Tassareans, 3,000 Backhatta, 5,500 Redons, 2,250 Human-Redons, 2,250 Human-Tassareans, 10,500 Galaron United States of Arcturus - 250,000 Humans, 12,000 Skellar, 2,000 Da'nor, 9,000 Libellans Aurora - 241,500 Humans, 9,000 Tassareans, 8,500 Grgl, 2,250 Protorians, 2,750 Human-Tassareans, 4,500 Galaron Hephaestus Holdings - 224,000 Humans, 17,000 Grgl, 13,500 Tassareans, 7,000 Human-Tassareans, 3,750 Libellans, 3,750 Redons, 3,000 Backhatta, 1,750 Human-Redons, 23,500 Galaron Saga Initiative - 234,000 Humans, 9,000 Da'nor, 1,750 Human-Da'nor The Holy Kingdom of Eadn - 162,000 Humans People's Council of Utopie - 241,500 Humans, 4,000 Protorians, 6,000 Libellans, 10,000 Grgl, 6,000 Tassareans, 3,000 Human-Tassareans, 2,000 Backhatta, 2,000 Skellar, 10,000 Galaron, 200 Human-Protorians Order of Malta - 231,000 Humans, 250 Ganvians, 500 Ceri, 750 Tjierans, 750 Ascardians, 1,000 Da'nor Han Dominion - 215,000 Humans Aegis - 175,000 Humans, 2,000 Skellar, 2,000 Libellan, 1,500 Da'nor, 1,500 Tjierans, 500 Ceri, 1,250 Ascardians, 250 Human-Ascardians, 250 Human-Da'nor, 250 Human-Tjierans United Colonial Initiative - 176,500 Humans ---- Events The people of New Sephoria proclaim they remain independent in matters of politics and governments. Furthermore, given the pressure of the neighbouring Trialition, they decide to leave SATO, leaving other agreements intact. The Karass Dominion's fleets are being sighted in great maneuvers and combat simulations in the south of their territories. The Redon Imperium and the Backhatta Hive sign a treaty of non-aggression. At the same time, the Protorian Council and the Backhatta Hive sign a defensive pact. See top of the post for other happenings. ---- Map update: No map update this turn. ---- Year 2129 by Earth's calendar.

People's Agrarian Republic Designing a power armor that is light weight is something for the later future. First a proper Itoron alloy needs to be found and utilized in order to produce proper combat armor with such. The specifications for the jump pack to be an integral part of this suit should be doable and so the scientists set out to develop something that fulfills parts of the parameters. A Carbon-Itoron weave or an Aluminium-Itoron alloy prove to be promising candidates for a certain level of protection, whilst retaining a lighter weight. Of course, this is no full Itoron-Steel armor plating. A lightweight version of the jumppack which will then be integrated into the to be developed suit will provide additional mobility. The trade of crops goes quite normal, the merchants origin from many different nations, even a Ceri trader buying wheat in bulk to bring it home. The mesh as a layer gives the vehicle some additional sensor resistance it appears, although it appears impossible to make it undetectable with this. the holy kingdom of Eadn 5 ap to SL 4. Free Human Technocracy Of the 500 sent soldiers, only 300 return still living. It was a gruesome encounter on the moon, but in the end, they managed to push through. The expansion goes as planned. With the construction of additional factories and storage facilities, the production efficiency can be increased substantially, if there is enough effort of course. On the other hand, a growing population requires more food, that is a natural way of things. So the addition of new farmlands and greenhouse domes surely proves a boon to the rations of the people. Itoron tipped projectiles offer a significantly higher penetration than regular hardened steel counterparts or tungsten bullets. It is not wrong to utilize Itoron for such a purpose, if it is to bolster the combat strength of the forces. There is not much to be changed in the current ammunition production process, mostly some smelting and forging procedures have to be adjusted to accommodate for the harder material. Hephaestus Enterprises Soon the first Tassaran military freighters are picking up the droids and trainers and pilots for the frontline itself. Given the vast production capacities of Hephaestus, the first 8,000 machines are delivered. It is already quite the substantial production, that will grow over the coming years, as efficiency will begin to set in in the production. A Itoron-50S Alloy (50% Itoron and 50% Steel) proves to be the effectively lightest and hardest material in relativity to the requirements, although higher concentrations of Itoron are harder of course, but heavier. Even after a year of intense research, no results are found. The corrupter cells are incredibly resilient and still turn other cells into more of them, even under influence of the heaviest of chemicals. For the initial order, the Tassaran Republic offers a gigantic military freighter with substantial cargo capacity, if Hephaestus also utilizes it to deliver their droids to the frontline. Otherwise it would be theirs. The venture appears futile and there are no private business owners willing to take up Hephaestus' offers. Land is also unavailable for purchase. They do worry about potential intrusion into their own market. In a surprise visit, unannounced with alerts going off all across the primary colony, a Redon warfleet warps into the system. (Encounter) United States Of Arcturus Bolstering the fleet with another ship is a right move to make. With the continous war, not far from home, it gives fuel to hope and the feeling of protection against the Keerim Imperium. The project continues. United Colonial Initiative It's not quite there yet, but the theory stands flawlessly. Now only the prototyping needs to be done and the first drive needs to be built, in order to allow the ships to travel through the stars, faster than light. With the addition of these military forces, it should certainly assist in the defense of the colony itself. The wargames take place between distinct companies of the ground forces and the three ships up in orbit. They do experiment around and it certainly helps them to get used to their vessels and equipment in these new... circumstances. The Solarin Federation Contrary to the expectations of the scientists and the progress they have made in the previous year, the effort given, yields few results. Quantum mechanics for massive objects are a hard nut to crack, they all agree. The standard issue for combat armor amongst neighbouring nations gives a Itoron-Steel alloy in some cases, sometimes Itoron-Aluminium, other have a Itoron-Carbon weave, and mixtures of two between the three. It is a decision to make, one is heavier, offers the most protection, one is lighter with less protection, and so forth. Whilst grateful for the offer, the Trialition's governments decline the invitation. They have other things to turn their focus on. A decision from the people of New Sephoria will be noted further down. Silver Knight Corporation And they find a very small deposit in a geologically active volcano region in the south of the world. A green metal, in very small concentrations that proves to outdo Itoron in every aspect possible. It clearly appears to be what the Redon was wearing as his suit of armor. Dakite. The two frigates are finished as planned. Imperial Republic of Mankind Mostly with input from records received from the Ganvius nation, they slowly establish a grasp over the highly complex Kalronian language. This will allow full control over the cleaned out base. Repairs are partially necessary, for ventilation systems, combat damage that occured, doors, entrance ways, corridors. The power system is still fine and fully operational as well as the ventilation system itself. Let nature take its way. A national holiday is called out and a statue erected for the brave seven-hundred soldiers who lost their lives on the moon. It is a reminder that the world is still a dark and hostile place. But the success fills the Imperials with... pride. As possessed by the devil, more guns, more suits and more bullets are produced than ever. Another five-hundred suits with sufficient ammunition and weaponry are finished. At long last, they find a system several sectors northeast, that has a very rocky planet with deep ravines that contain Xylorite crystals. The sector is unclaimed and the closest foreign nation is the Karass Dominion. The Han Dominion It's a glorious day for the Han, as not one, but four new worlds are to be in the grasp of their hand. The addition of these ships will surely provide the needed firepower to take down small vessels such as the one that showed up earlier. The technology behind the shield emitters is so advanced, nobody could potentially understand it. The engineers tasked with it are quickly warned off by Chaal herself, that they should not endanger the integrity of the base in such a way, lest certain... defensive mechanisms may activate. Both colonies appear mostly... ignored, but alerts go off once in a while as regular ship traffic appears to pass the systems where the Han have their colonies. Sovereign Order of Malta The fruit appears to grow fantastically on the new world. Well enough, for having a substantial surplus of the fruit itself. It does not take long, before merchants of the Trialition, Grand Alliance and the Ganvius Nation flock to the new colony, bringing their wares in trade for the fruit itself. This bolsters the population growth substantially with the added immigration. The freighter is finished as planned. ---- Population growth Imperial Republic of Mankind - 241,500 Humans Terran Federation - 413,000 Humans - 12,000 Grgl - 17,000 Tassarans - 4,500 Libellans - 4,500 Human-Tassarans New Sephoria - 289,000 Humans, 3,500 Protorians, 250 Human-Protorians Silver Knight Company - 227,500 Humans, 4,500 Tassareans, 2,500 Backhatta, 5,000 Redons, 1,750 Human-Redons, 1,750 Human-Tassareans, 9,500 Galaron United States of Arcturus - 239,000 Humans, 11,500 Skellar, 1,500 Da'nor, 8,500 Libellans Aurora - 230,000 Humans, 7,750 Tassareans, 8,000 Grgl, 2,000 Protorians, 2,500 Human-Tassareans, 4,000 Galaron Hephaestus Holdings - 214,500 Humans, 15,500 Grgl, 12,500 Tassareans, 6,500 Human-Tassareans, 3,500 Libellans, 3,500 Redons, 2,500 Backhatta, 1,500 Human-Redons, 21,500 Galaron Saga Initiative - 224,500 Humans, 8,500 Da'nor, 1,500 Human-Da'nor The Holy Kingdom of Eadn - 126,000 Humans People's Council of Utopie - 230,500 Humans, 3,500 Protorians, 5,250 Libellans, 8,750 Grgl, 5,500 Tassareans, 2,750 Human-Tassareans, 1,750 Backhatta, 1,750 Skellar, 9,000 Galaron, 120 Human-Protorians Order of Malta - 220,000 Humans, 250 Ganvians, 250 Ceri, 500 Tjierans, 500 Ascardians, 750 Da'nor Han Dominion - 193,000 Humans Aegis - 165,000 Humans, 1,750 Skellar, 1,750 Libellan, 1,000 Da'nor, 1,000 Tjierans, 250 Ceri, 250 Ascardians United Colonial Initiative - 165,000 Humans ---- Events Rumors have it, that the Karass Dominion is preparing for a bigger military maneuver. Some outlying systems are being closed down for trade, everything else slowly going into isolation. Trade ebbs down, more manpower is seen on the streets of cities and tradeports. A fully fledged Corrupter offensive is started in the less combat plagued Northern reaches of the Tassaran Republic. Not only that, a first battle takes place in the Tassaran homesystem. Whilst the few ships that reached it were immediately destroyed by concentrated firepower from a multitude of warships, it is a dire signal to the Southern galaxy. The Tassaran Republic announces, that their losses in manpower have reached the one-hundred million mark. The combat between Keerim and the Skellar and their few allies is hard. Very hard. Again, it appears as if the Keerim are playing with them, only extending a finger of their mighty fist toward the smaller nations. ---- Map update ---- Year 2128 by Earth's calendar.

Hephaestus Enterprises Cheap. And the manifestation is the successful first robot of the "Tithonus Mark I" line. It is an easy process of stripping the robots of their essentials and replacing them with remote controls. Basic sensors, only visual, no infrared or night vision, with simple halogen lamps added next to them, a lack of efficient armor plating, simple thin aluminium carbon alloys with a few strengthening steel structures make the body. Able to wield all common Hephaestus weaponry, but able to learn more, depending on requirement, it marches through the testing room. In sync with the other nineteen. Controlled by one single man who gives simple orders over the interface, marking various objects as hostile and telling to engage or not to engage. And just at the same time when it was done, a contract rolls in. A huge contract. Yuuuge. The Tassaran Republic orders two-hundred thousand of these robots with interfacing, along with all necessary weaponry. This order comes in, because apparently one of the scientists has a cousin who is the secretary of the Tassaran chancellor. There is a small note added to the offered contract. Contract open-ended. The Corrupter cells and DNA are remarkable and unseen. Living cells are a continously evolving entity that appears to be resistant against most common forms of bacteria and viruses. They are so powerful, they can actually dissolve cancer cells, HIV, and others and turn them into more copies of themselves. No infections are being recorded, all scientists are safe. It appears that only the specialized cells in the injection gland of the corrupters are aggressively seeking foreign cells to alter them. The Tassaran Republic sends a whole compendium of reports, recordings and statements, analyses of Corrupter combat tactics and behaviour to all participating nations in the combat against them. That also includes Hephaestus. United States Of Arcturus The light cruiser leaves the docks as planned and joins the remainder of the fleet. Fortunately enough, there are no further hostile movements in the sector of the colony. The space station of the Skellar proceeds into the next stage of assembly, with most of the structure done, some of the facilities are already up and running. All other forces get into position as planned. Imperial Republic of Mankind And so a first version of the rifle is finished, a heavy calibre assault rifle, fitted for the combat suit itself. The ammunition is still powder charged, but the penetration power and fire rate are remarkably high. Given the weight of the suit, knockback is low and the weapon turns to be quite accurate when fired in controlled bursts. Whilst the ammunition is finished as planned, only a thousands suits can be finished this year. Production is slow, as these suits are quite a piece of hightech. Meanwhile, on the moon, men prepare positions and fortifications around the entrance as planned. The ships above in orbits are ready to fire at anything that might come out of there. The Solarin Federation At long last, the facility is finished. The Libellan architect has outdone himself, guiding the construction of a state of the art Xylorite refinery such as this. And they continue the expansion of the shipyard, extending the capacities to allow bigger ships to be built later, an asset that should not be underestimated. (6/6 AP. SL 3 now.) Alone comparing the Quantum Anchor Device with the Jump drive gives incredibly high amounts of insight. Many things begin to make sense and fall quite into place. Whilst no particular results are achieved and the scientists are trying to bring things in order, they do state that they are up to something there. Something grand. It was behind the scenes and comes in quite a surprise, but by majority vote, the Remnants have voted to join the Solarin Federation as a nation. (85% for Anschluss, haha.) They bring two frigates along their support cruiser. People's Agrarian Republic Even out of the right Itoron alloy, the mesh does not offer much physical protection and is by no means fully insulated. Regardless though, they manage to make it difficult to detect by most common forms of scanners from long and medium range. The principles of a shield generator are complex. Fortunately enough, some foreign insight helps out. A Protorian scientist leads the team and later on, they manage to at least increase the shield's density to something more practiable, able to withstand most physical objects and energy forms. To various degrees under specific circumstances of course. The improved robots do their work, and they do it astoundingly well. Farmers soon have one or two of the machines, to easen the workload, giving them more free time. The people are happy, productive. United Colonial Initiative Preliminary warp drive technology research begins, utilizing the knowledge from Earth. It feels surprisingly fast, but they are making steady progress. At the current rate they should have a functional warp drive in two years. (The original colony ships/arks have an experimental jump drive, not a warp drive.) The colonial freighter is finished as planned and the loading of supplies and wares begins. The only thing missing is a drive that can SAFELY bring them elsewhere. (4/4 AP.) This metal shows incredibly resilient to most common drills. A diamond tipped drill manages to break some chunks out of it, ruining the drill bit in the process. A laser mining device is hauled up, proving to be the way to go, soon enough there are sufficient samples back in the laboratories of the colony. The Free Human Technocracy The training goes surprisingly well, the soldiers adapting to the new gadgets and tools with surprising efficiency. There may be some critics though of taking too much decision making away from the actual humans and relying on lines of code that can easily err. Intuition is something that makes soldiers, so they state. The ship is constructed as planned, soon flying between the various locations to pick up and drop off required building materials and supplies for the bases and fortifications. That went well. See above. The expansion of industry is surely a good idea and should help out in the coming future. This future looks grim after all. The Sovereign Military Order of Malta The planet yields no remarkable deposits of materials or ores. The soil is incredibly fertile though, so it may well be a supplier for crops and livestock. Only the foundations are laid this year, with trouble of finding an architect with the know-how of constructing such a facility. This will take a while. Define Xylorite power? (+1 AP next round) Such is easily done and soon a whole arsenal of missiles with Xylorite warheads stand ready. Though there are heavy concerns from various citizens about potential reprimands from the bigger nations. And at last, another ship, small, but a ship regardless, leaves the docks, joining the fleet of Malta. The Holy Kingdom of Eadn The upgrades continue and continue. (6/6 AP. SL 3 done. 1/10 AP to SL 4.) Silver Knight Corporation By the end of the year, the requested ships and fighters are finished, bolstering the Silver Knight's forces substantially. The Backhatta inspectors gladly arrive and follow through with the examination. After a week, all details are settled and they happily dismiss themselves from the colony, giving a statement about the details to various nations in the vicinity. The Redon Imperium makes no remarks, the Protorian Council, whilst displeased, accepts the notion, the Karass Dominion accepts the notion. No other statement comes in. And the colony is established on a small arid planet with quite a few rocky cliff formations and deep blue lakes. The Han Dominion A sector further up north, the scouting vessels detect a system with three (!) habitable planets. Two of them are very similar to Earth in terms of size and climate, with the third being more of an arid planet, closer to the sun. The system sports a gas giant with only one singular moon. The moon itself turns out to be habitable as well, an arctic world with very long nights and days. The colonial freighter is finally finished as planned, ready to set foot upon new worlds. There are only about six of them in total, including the farmer who was caught earlier. They appear to be normal individuals, with no outstanding traits. They do all speak of a female being, a godess, they assure, a godess of the moon. Chaal she calls herself, so they claim. According to them, she is kind hearted and willing to listen and help out, whenever they relax and watch the moon. This venture proves to be quite futile. All attempts somehow run into nothingness, no proper records are found on where the drive came from and who invented it. Aegis With these resources poured into the project, a skeletal structure for the space station soon floats afterwards in orbit. Slowly they continue to begin finishing segments and parts of it. This is a massive project though and will take a long time, so the engineers note. The whole population of the races appear to be completely innocent. The Tjierans are pissed, the Ceri take it with a cold efficiency and the Ascardians are mocking it. The nations behind the races though send a wide formal complaint about the mistreatment of their people. ---- Population growth Imperial Republic of Mankind - 230,000 Humans Terran Federation - 196,500 Humans, 5,500 Grgl, 4,500 Tassareans, 2,500 Human-Tassareans, 2,000 Libellans New Sephoria - 271,000 Humans, 2,500 Protorians, 150 Human-Protorians Silver Knight Company - 219,000 Humans, 4,000 Tassareans, 2,250 Backhatta, 4,500 Redons, 1,500 Human-Redons, 1,500 Human-Tassareans, 8,500 Galaron United States of Arcturus - 229,000 Humans, 10,500 Skellar, 1,250 Da'nor, 3,000 Libellans Aurora - 221,500 Humans, 7,000 Tassareans, 7,000 Grgl, 1,500 Protorians, 2,000 Human-Tassareans, 3,250 Galaron Hephaestus Holdings - 206,500 Humans, 14,000 Grgl, 10,000 Tassareans, 6,000 Human-Tassareans, 3,000 Libellans, 3,000 Redons, 2,000 Backhatta, 1,250 Human-Redons, 19,000 Galaron Saga Initiative - 213,000 Humans, 7,000 Da'nor, 1,000 Human-Da'nor The Holy Kingdom of Eadn - 122,000 Humans People's Council of Utopie - 220,000 Humans, 3,000 Protorians, 4,500 Libellans, 8,000 Grgl, 4,500 Tassareans, 2,500 Human-Tassareans, 1,500 Backhatta, 1,500 Skellar, 7,750 Galaron, 100 Human-Protorians Order of Malta - 210,000 Humans (The Remnants - 205,000 Humans, 11,500 Tassareans, 5,000 Grgl, 2,000 Libellans, 1,500 Human-Tassareans - to the Terran Federation) Han Dominion - 179,000 Humans Aegis - 155,500 Humans, 1,500 Skellar, 1,500 Libellan, 750 Da'nor, 750 Tjierans, 250 Ceri, 250 Ascardians United Colonial Initiative - 156,000 Humans ---- Events The Corrupter appear to have withdrawn from any invasions this year. Maybe to catch a breath or perhaps something distracts them? PEACE. The Trialition and the Protorians sign peace. Borders remain where they are. Along with it, the Trialition declares a one-sided truce with the Solarin Federation. The colony of Sephoria is released again after a brief occupation with no detrimental effects for the populace. An Ascardian entourage recommends that the colony of Sephoria should be integrated into the Order of Malta, given their close ideals and ideology. The Keerim invasion continues, though in six battles they fought they manage to only win one. The Skellar and Libellan under command of a Skellar High General appear to outmaneuver and outfight the Keerim currently at every turn. But they fear that the Keerim have only offered them a pinky finger of the fist that could be. ---- Map update ---- Year 2127 by Earth's calendar.

Die Volksrepublik By utilizing a multilayered and woven metal mesh, the scientists manage to develop a camouflage against some long range sensors. What is reflected in terms of signals appears to be background noise or foliage. The scientists elaborate over how to improve the existing design and conclude that their focus should be upon the mechanical finesse of the robots. By the end of the year, the robot has gained a very complex and capable software for its hand movements, whilst still a bit clumsy by times, it is accurate and flexible enough to allow them to draw a string through the hole of a needle. That is quite an accomplishment, given the rest of machines remains practically unchanged. Given the lack of direction, the facilities instead spit out 200 of the hunter variant. The Holy Kingdom of Eadn The expansion of the shipyard goes as planned, but they are only halfway done with it at the end of the year. (3/6 AP to SL 3.) And at last, the final frigate joins its brethren up in the sky. With ten frigates for the colony, it is a formidable force in that sense, giving the citizens below a certain sense of security from what may there be and come. The concept of the communication device is a masterpiece, but utterly confusing and complex. The scientist struggle to understand how it operates without taking it apart completely. A reverse engineering process will precisely require such. Although this may destroy any existing capabilities of contacting others, or specifically the Karass Dominion at this point. Silver Knight Corporation At last the colonial freighter leaves the port, ready to set down elsewhere to be the new home for citizens of this original colony. Designing and creating these torpedoes turns out to be remarkably easy. Given the nature of Xylorite, turning it into a capable warhead should be little of an issue and soon these torpedoes are ready. Along with a formal inquiry of the Backhatta Hive about the intensity of the warhead itself. As soon as the freighter leaves the shipyard, the assembly of a new frigate begins, for it to just leave at the end of the year, another titanium plated machine of war in the endless sea of the stars. The substantial investments are necessary to prepare all potential amenities for the Redon. Because the Redon himself, which is very unusual for a Redon has agreed to pay a visit. In the coming year, the capital dreadnought of the Empire accompanied by a fleet of eighty ships of various purpose will arrive at the colony. The Solarin Federation The Federation academy is finally finished, and soon the first year of students take their lessons in this new school. The results have to be seen later, but it should work out just fine. Rapid progress through the advanced knowledge of the Libellan architect bring the project close to be finished. Another year, so she states, the facility will be fully operational with all necessary security measures and precautions. Given their freedom of speech and choice, there is no unrest occuring on the colony. About the fate of these supporters, that is to be discussed with the corresponding colonies. See for the Silver Knights. And the Federation immediately receives a declaration of war from the three nations. A Tjieran fleet immediately occupies the colony of New Sephoria. The information quarantine that follows shrouds the happenings of the colony in darkness. Imperial Republic of Mankind With the right idea and the suit as the object of orientation, the design goes as planned, but is not finished yet. It will take more time and resources to get a first functional prototype up and running. The freighter leaves the shipyard as planned, ready to assume transport duties of whatever kind required. Whilst the vast industry surely helps, it will be hard to make this suit standard issue from the get go. With all machines in place, only five-hundred suits are finished by the end of the year. It will take a while for it to pickup, but it should be doable. And observation is ready and ongoing. Nothing remarkable can be detected at first, except for a minor war between two of the nations on one of the continent. Their technology level is indeed very far behind and trains dominate the rapid transport, with cars barely invented it seems. Radio communication appears to be nonexistent, though one or the other landline is visible. No yields are found yet. Hephaestus Enterprises After a week of isolation all individuals are cleared of any potential infection. No traces of any living corrupters are found. The corpses of the others are being frozen and the Suites are ready to assume their first research by the end of the year, thanks to the diligence of all participants. The shipyard is halfway improved by the end of the year. (3/6 AP to SL 3.) And the result can show itself. A single chamber xylorite battery, easy to carry in bulk, with enormous amounts of power stored within is developed successfully in the labs. It requires refined Xylorite though, and they are all out now, after the prototype stage. And they find a valley that appears to have a natural resistance against sensors due to rich deposits of Itoron in the steep cliffsides left and right of the valley. Being mostly overgrown by jungle and dense foliage, it offers excellent cover against any potential detection. The fact that the board actually takes precautions relieves the citizens and business soon continues as usual. Almost. Some still show a certain phobia towards foreigners and other races, but there is little unrest resulting from that. Rond Trazur on the other hand is named a hero by the people for so valiantly defeating a foe that seems invincible according to the dire news that wash in from the East. The Han Dominion The shipyard is completed and expanded within the same year as planned. (SL 2 now.) The corvette leaves the port just in time to make room for the start of the colonial freighter. (1/4 AP to Colonial Freighter.) News spread a bit around, as some people report that they hear a silent voice speaking to them whenever they glance up to the moon with the foreign structure upon it. It is calling to them it appears, gently, asking very basic things, how they fare, what they are doing right now and so forth. Later in the same year, a couple of security agents haul in a simple farmer who they have caught letting small objects fly. Witchcraft they say, unbelievably so, but it might actually be important. Despite all this, alerts go off, as a foreign vessel is seen entering the system. After it flies about a bit, it seems to head directly for the colony. (Encounter) United States Of Arcturus The ships and fighters are all finished as planned. On the other hand, the Skellar Kingdom enters the colony with a small fleet of freighters and construction ships, to begin the construction of what appears to be a space fortress in the system. In their statement, they note it should also act as a trade hub and resupply station for their fleets, given that this system has drifted out of the Keerim's focus. No further attacks on either colony of Arcturus take place, but reports still come in of destroyed Skellar and Libellan fleets, pictures underlining it. The invasion is dire and takes a heavy toll on the unprepared nations. The Sovereign Military Order of Malta Platforms with big railguns are erected, bunkers and fortifications are prepared, driven by a sense of madness as if the Keerim were just an hour away, they sprout up like grass. Civilians who were actually doing other things and were off-duty or had holidays, ignored that and visited the construction sites in the hundreds, just to lift that extra bag of concrete or bolt on that steel bar. Using Xylorite for explosive weapons is easily done. Some adjustments in warheads for missiles and torpedoes and off you go. Although this drags in a formal protest from the Protorian Council and the Trialition, stating that over weaponizing Xylorite will draw sanctions from them. The latter even stated that it would end in a full scale invasion if it was to be used for weapons of mass destruction. The colony ship sets foot for the last time on an alien world, lush, rich and unknown. A Ganvius observer who arrived at the new colony site with a destroyer lands with a shuttle later the same year. Seeing a Ganvius for the first time, these tall tree-like beings manifest age and wisdom. He single-handedly hands the colonist a container with very big seeds. Xobalius Rainbow Fruit Tree seeds. These fruit, growing the size of melons with their fist sized seeds, shimmer in all colors of the rainbow and are tasty and rich as it indicates. Very nutritious. They only grow on planets that have enough water and sun though, a very soft and not rocky soil. Free Human Technocracy The light cruiser is finished as planned and soon joined by the two corvettes of the Technocracy, grouping up with the forces of the USA. The Grand Alliance, despite the danger of the Keerim, rejects to offer training to the Technocracies' soldiers and officers. Again, automating the targeting is something barely applicable to a human being. The most they manage to achieve is a detailed assessment of hostiles through the LAS, giving every hostile that has been detected a threat level, giving the choice of what to engage based upon this assessment still to the bearer of the system. Aegis Scared, but willing the preparations for movement begin. In accordance to the survey mission, they do indeed find a world that is almost identical, in a sector near the Karass Dominion and Redon Imperium. Would this be a move to make? United Colonial Initiative Optimizing the mining lasers is the first step, as energy is consistent and does not break down like drills do. Taking the industrial lasers from Earth, the focusing lenses are improved with an additional cooling system that allows for continous mining without overheating and endangering the focusing lenses. With the shipyard being mostly idle otherwise, the workers are glad to get this new task assigned to them. A year later and an almost finished fresh colony ship sits inside. At first the ships find nothing remarkable, until one detects an incredibly dense deposit of a completely foreign metal. Nowhere in the periodic table it finds its matches, and analysis tells that it's heavier and denser than steel. Pitch black it glistens on some of the cliffsides of the planetoid in orbit around the local gas giant. ---- Population growth Imperial Republic of Mankind - 220,500 Humans Terran Federation - 189,500 Humans, 4,750 Grgl, 4,000 Tassareans, 2,000 Human-Tassareans, 1,750 Libellans New Sephoria - 260,000 Humans, 2,250 Protorians, 100 Human-Protorians Silver Knight Company - 210,000 Humans, 3,500 Tassareans, 1,750 Backhatta, 3,750 Redons, 1,250 Human-Redons, 1,250 Human-Tassareans, 7,500 Galaron United States of Arcturus - 219,000 Humans, 4,500 Skellar, 750 Da'nor Aurora - 214,000 Humans, 5,500 Tassareans, 5,500 Grgl, 1,000 Protorians, 1,750 Human-Tassareans, 2,750 Galaron Hephaestus Holdings - 198,000 Humans, 12,500 Grgl, 8,500 Tassareans, 5,500 Human-Tassareans, 2,250 Libellans, 2,250 Redons, 1,250 Backhatta, 1,000 Human-Redons, 17,000 Galaron Saga Initiative - 204,750 Humans, 5,750 Da'nor, 500 Human-Da'nor The Holy Kingdom of Eadn - 118,000 Humans People's Council of Utopie - 209,500 Humans, 2,500 Protorians, 3,750 Libellans, 7,000 Grgl, 4,000 Tassareans, 2,000 Human-Tassareans, 1,250 Backhatta, 1,250 Skellar, 7,000 Galaron, 75 Human-Protorians Order of Malta - 200,000 Humans The Remnants - 200,000 Humans, 10,500 Tassareans, 4,500 Grgl, 1,750 Libellans, 1,250 Human-Tassareans Han Dominion - 165,000 Humans Aegis - 147,500 Humans, 1,250 Skellar, 1,250 Libellan, 500 Da'nor, 500 Tjierans, 250 Ceri, 250 Ascardians United Colonial Initiative - 147,500 Humans ---- Events An entire Tassaran sector falls to the Corrupter incursion. Waves of refugees are felt in various of the human colonies to different degrees. The Skellar Kingdom and Libellan Union manage to hold the line against the massive Keerim invasion for the time being, though nobody knows how long they can withstand the assault of the numerically superior enemy. The Trialition speaks to guaruantee the independence of Aegis, for interest of their citizens living on the colony. The Protorian Council withdraws from another system, after losing another decisive battle. ---- Map update ---- Year 2126 by Earth's calendar.

You are accepted. Your colony will be slightly established already, SL 2, 140,000 people, 2 frigates. I will give you a map location in the next update.

United States Of Arcturus The planned fighter crafts and such are finished as planned. This should supplement the carrier with the required striking force and offer additional coverage for the colonies themselves. Project Infallible enters its first stages. Oddly enough, nobody knows how and why, but an unnamed frigate identical to the other models is reported in one of the dockyards. Nobody knows where it came from. Rumors go about that an old man in a white suit was sighted nearby a few days before its discovery, but there are no recordings of him taken. And the supplement of the fighting forces comes at the right time. A ripple on the outer edges of the solar system and zooming in, foreign vessels enter the space of the colony of Arcturus. Alerts go off. This unknown force clearly consists of warships. Sensors detect two destroyer types, a light cruiser and a support cruiser. Their intent is certainly hostile, as the support carrier is seen scrambling fighters. (Combat Encounter) Hephaestus Holdings Incorporated This year's budget seems to be surprisingly off, but once checked, it really seems there are more resources and money to spare. (+2 AP available this turn) Thanks to the extensive capacities of Hephaestus, these are finished just as planned and delivered shortly after. And they dig. And haul. Smelt. Mine. Desintegrate those fat and rich veins and piles of Itoron ore. An accompanying Redon notes that these riches even compete with the Imperium's major mining system Silj'iir. Facility get their foundations, many private ventures begin to grow like fungi on the surface. Back home, the shipyard reaches completion, now with expanded facilities and capacities to build. (2/2 AP. SL 2 now.) An Earth-sized moon is found in orbit around one of the Gas giants in the system. Surprisingly, it was undetected before, due to being outside of the normal habitable zone, it has a breathable atmosphere and even fauna. It's climate resembles Earth as well. On the other hand, shocking news back on the homeworld. Over the course of two months twenty people went missing. The Hephaestus security proceeded to investigate. After another month and another fifteen people, a security detail manages to isolate the source. A Corrupter cell was discovered, having turned its victims into more of them. The district where their hideout was has been sealed off and combat soon ensued. Under the expertise and excellent leadership of a Redon captain in the force, they manage to kill 36 Corrupters and destroy this infiltration cell completely. Although Corrupters are dangerous beings, costing the lives of fifty Hephaestus Security members. Many are distraught and morale has plummeted substantially, instilling fear into the people. This war that was supposed to be so many light years away, between Corrupters and Tassareans literally showed up on their own doorstep. Investigations into the incident indicate that a brainwashed Tassarean with a sleeping Corrupter cell managed to enter the colony, then evolved completely into a Corrupter and started to bolster his own ranks, by infecting and transforming more people. Imperial Republic of Mankind The heavy investment pays off. A breakthrough in the hydraulic systems make the weight issues not a problem anymore and the first usable, well around protected combat armor is finished. Operating quite independently, even in harsh enviroments (also without atmosphere), it should offer something like heavy infantry a chance. Hearing of the news, the Redon himself sends a surprise shipment of 100 tons of Itoron to his fellow Emperor. How kind! Various attempts are made, showing that whilst the beasts claws and fangs are still able to penetrate the suit, they expect it with great effort. The heavy plating of the suit gives the wearer a fighting chance, whilst not necessarily winning in close quarter melee combat, it should be able to deflect the first deadly blows or two. The beast itself appears to be a unique organism that integrated well with the mechanical parts it had, which by themselves are completely useless though. The trip to the Imperium and the Dominion are due. (Encounters here) Still, even few tiles have a lot of ground. Most systems mostly show minerals and ores of common kind, one actually reveals to have a civilization that appears to be about in Earth's early 20th century. Whilst the area is offered, nobody appears to come. Yet. Whilst the origins of the jump drive are unclear and there are no records anywhere to be found, there are some sparse pictures and recordings of the man in the white suit. But nobody seems to know his name, or where he came from and how he travels around between the locations of sighting. The Terran Federation With a facility like such, experience in civilian areas and culture can be exchanged more easily. There are a substantial amount of volunteers assisting, and small private funding boosts begin to stream in from families of the Federation. This should definitely be a finished project by next year. The resources assigned to this are funneled towards the two major clinics of the primary colony, improving their infrastructure and expanding their capacities. Emergency power systems are also upgraded, prolonging the self sustainability of the facilities. Lead by a Libellan architect and engineer, it should go faster, but will still require substantial investments to allow for the proper refinement of Xylorite. At least this Libellan brings in the know-how of how to refine it as well, so that's a plus. Unfortunately, the deflector emitters are too unwieldy and bulky to be added onto the robots and mechs. The energy consumption of them is too high for the machines' systems to sustain. But the forces sent by the Terran Federation brings some relief to a heavily contested world. Thrown into battle almost like firewood though, smart decision making is required to guaruantee the survival of the majority. (Combat encounter.) And the NAP is signed by all of them. The Confederation of Xaplonius sends a few happy chirps and gurgles as an answer. They appreciate the offer and are grateful for the thoughtfulness, but they see it as a gift. Aegis And it's finished. The drones and the small freighter along with it. (The drones are not warp capable though, the small freighter is and acts as a homebase.) The shipyard finally reaches its new stage of completion, offering additional space and facilities to house bigger ship projects now. (2/2 AP. SL 2 now.) Given the amount of resources assigned, merely a hundred join the colony at the end of the year. The Han Dominion To go where nobody has gone before. The prototype is finished and fieldtested with great success. Flawless journey into the next solar system and back, reporting of a couple of gas giants and a few smaller planets. This should allow for interstellar expansion for the Han, setting their feet onto other worlds in the future. Everything about the genetic code of this rice is... optimized. But, whenever the scientists try to analyze something out of it, it breaks down like a card house. It appears to have an odd fragility when being inspected, almost evasive and in a sense of self-protection. Strangely, more man hours and resources turn up in the annual report as available. Who knows why? (+2 AP available this turn) Silver Knight Corporation And half a colonial freighter sits in the shipyard at the end of the year, awaiting to be finished in the coming year. (2/4 AP to Colonial Freighter.) On the other hand, it turns out this training program is truly needed. Whilst individuals do excel in on role or the other, finding those who really live into these machines of dualistic nature is tough at the start. At the end though, they turn up fifty pilots who truly mastered their rides. The man in the white suit is being sighted in the colony once and recorded on a security camera. (+2 AP available this turn) The Holy Kingdom of Eadn Another two frigates built. That makes nine. I really don't have to note anything remarkable here, do I? Additional facilities for population breeding were... discovered? Oddly enough, nobody knows who built them. Over the course of a week it was just there. Hidden and nestled behind a few other buildings. It clearly is built to Eadn's standard and fully functional. If utilized, it should give an additional two thousand people a year. Also, very remarkable, more resources appear to show up this year, ready to be utilized in any way needed. (+2 AP available this turn) Free Human Technocracy A first stock of several hundred implants are being constructed. Aside from a few firmware updates and bug fixes nothing major can be reported this time around. And that light cruiser is half finished. (3/5 AP.) PAR The two frigates are finished as planned, ready to protect the interests of the PAR, looming above. It gives the people on the surface a certain... feeling of security. One the other hand, whilst they make some progress, as it is surprisingly easy to make a bomb based on raw Xylorite, the rumors leak about again, through the populace. Aggressive remarks and demands of stopping such a project are being received from the Backhatta Hive, the Redon Imperium, the Protorian Council, the Confederation of Xaplonius, the Grand Alliance and the Libellan Union. On the other hand, there was a report that a man in a white suit was lingering about some storage facilities. (+2 AP available this turn) The Sovereign Military Order of Malta The shipyard is upgraded as planned (2/2 AP. SL 2 now.) and the colony ship retrofitted in the new expanded shipyard for its last flight. An urgent report comes in, as a scouting craft has discovered a fully operational but unowned old Xylorite mine with substantial yields on the planet. Nobody knows who has built it, but the facilities appear to be clean and in order, waiting for operators. ---- Population growth Imperial Republic of Mankind - 212,000 Humans Terran Federation - 186,500 Humans, 4,500 Grgl, 3,750 Tassareans, 1,750 Human-Tassareans, 1,500 Libellans New Sephoria - 241,500 Humans, 2,000 Protorians, 75 Human-Protorians Silver Knight Company - 200,500 Humans, 3,000 Tassareans, 1,500 Backhatta, 2,250 Redons, 1,000 Human-Redons, 1,000 Human-Tassareans, 6,750 Galaron United States of Arcturus - 212,000 Humans, 2,500 Skellar, 500 Da'nor Aurora - 205,000 Humans, 3,500 Tassareans, 3,500 Grgl, 750 Protorians, 1,500 Human-Tassareans, 2,250 Galaron Hephaestus Holdings - 190,000 Humans, 11,000 Grgl, 8,000 Tassareans, 5,000 Human-Tassareans, 1,750 Libellans, 1,750 Redons, 1,000 Backhatta, 750 Human-Redons, 14,250 Galaron Saga Initiative - 197,500 Humans, 1,500 Da'nor, 250 Human-Da'nor The Holy Kingdom of Eadn - 114,000 Humans People's Council of Utopie - 200,500 Humans, 2,250 Protorians, 3,250 Libellans, 5,500 Grgl, 3,500 Tassareans, 1,750 Human-Tassareans, 1,000 Backhatta, 1,000 Skellar, 6,000 Galaron, 50 Human-Protorians Order of Malta - 187,000 Humans The Remnants - 186,750 Humans, 2,500 Tassareans, 2,500 Grgl, 1,500 Libellans, 750 Human-Tassareans Han Dominion - 150,000 Humans Aegis - 138,000 Humans, 750 Skellar, 1,000 Libellan, 250 Da'nor, 250 Tjierans, 50 Ceri ---- Events The corrupters pick up their advance, their space directly bordering Tassaran space now, both sides continously locked in heavy battles. A war of attrition, whose economies, manpower and willpower can last longer, one would say. By now the Confederation of Xaplonius has sent the majority of their fleet to assist their Tassaran allies, taking heavy casualties as well. In the south, the Protorians are forced to retreat from a sector completely as the Trialition wins three major battles in succession. But the flames of war have arisen elsewhere. On the East, an unknown invader shows up, proclaiming themselves as the Keerim Imperium, to conquer the galaxy. Widespread surprise attack take place against the Skellar Kingdom. The Libellan Union naturally honors their newly established alliance and sends ships and supplies to assist the Skellar. ---- Map update ---- Year 2125 by Earth's calendar.

Die Volksrepublik The ship is finished and immediately sets out to the destination. Accompanied by the frigates it should safe from any potential dangers and perhaps pirates, although none have been reported in this entire time since the Exodus from Earth. They find a suitable lush jungle planet for colonization, the wildlife being mildly aggressive, but easily deterred by fences and barbed wire. The Terran Federation The ship is finished this year and soon dots the sky along its brethren who were built last year, ready to take orders. With combined effort (6 AP) they manage to repurpose the robots and invent a militarized (whilst crude) and usable robot with the corresponding interfacing. Both versions are ready as planned with the proposed HUD integration. The expedition never returns. The eerie signals cease though. What could that mean? The ship is willingly integrated into the Tassarean fleet. It soon sees combat in two months, turning out to suffer severe damage in some close combat encounters. Whilst surprisingly nobody of the crew dies, many get wounded and it is relieved from its combat performance with all details to it. The ship returns with a more experienced crew that can claim to have two corvettes and one frigate under its belt. Many civilian companies start indirectly trading their goods through third parties, such as the Confederation of Xaplonius or the Backhatta Hive. More often than not, the goods still come into the colonies, when civilians from the SATO nations buy them on those third party markets. Hephaestus Holdings Incorporated By utilizing refined Xylorite they borrowed from a Grgl merchant, the scientists were able to have a much more compact crystal chamber on the cell, making it actually quite handy. The expansion continues. How greedy can the Hephaestus people be. (1/2 AP to SL 2.) And they do exactly that. The whole set of twenty-five scarred and battle-hardened Galaron veterans soon tirelessly train the Humans, Redons, Backhatta, Tassareans and anyone who is part of the security force in all tricks and skills they have attained in their long war against the Karass. Surprisingly, at the same time the level of... routine and general adherence to regulations rises remarkably on the colony. The guards make more of an impression now it seems. The colony ship on the other hand is deployed as planet and soon the logo of Hephaestus dots another surface than the colony and the scarred surface of Earth. The Han Dominion After extensive study and research, a scientist makes a surprising breakthrough in one of the calculations which should allow the construction of a functional prototype by the end of next year. The construction of the shipyard proceeds as planned, with most of the structural integrity done for it. (2/4 AP to SL 1.) Whilst that research fails, as the genes act disruptive in the code of the rice itself, something entirely unexpected happens. During the night, one of the surveillance camera records an old man in a white suit pass through one of the green houses where the rice samples are growing. The responsible security immediately gets up to catch the trespasser, but upon arriving within the minute, he arrives at an empty greenhouse. An hour later, after this person has been searched on great parts of the colony, nowhere to be found, the scientists report back, that the experimental rice has... altered itself. It is now incredibly rich and shows rapid signs of growth. In fact so fast and efficient that it's possible to haul in two to three harvests a year. Even with a worse atmosphere and less water than before, the rice grows incredibly well and is resistant to all kinds of illness. It's debated who that man could have been and what he has done, but it could not have been natural. A name for this rice is still being sought, as it clearly solved all of the colony's grain supply issues in the long run. The Holy Kingdom of Eadn More ships. I can only repeat myself. Seven frigates are now the fleet of Eadn. On the other hand, a ship is seen entering the system. Whilst it first appears to be only surveying a few outer planets, it clearly takes notice of the colony and is now on direct course towards it. (Encounter) Imperial Republic of Mankind Our people are Imperials. The Emperor, so a vast percentage of them proclaim, has nothing but acted in our interest and has protected us. He is OUR Emperor. The election is won with 87% of all given votes by Alexander Varellion. He remains Emperor now and in the future. People demand this new frigate to be named "Emperor's Hand" in regards to the won election by Emperor Varellion. It is a reminder that he is the one protecting them. The first prototype is finished. An exoskeleton, fusion powered for this first one, a hydraulic enhanced suit with a lighter than planned Itoron-Steel alloy as plating proves to be the first type of its kind. A power armor yet to be named and improved upon. Given the suit's nature, the integration of these systems should be possible, but require a lot more resources. The scientist proclaim the suit should be the top priority and finished properly first, before they can integrate specific weapons into it, or make them compatible accordingly. The scouting yields no results this time, but it was a lot for a single corvette to survey. Those are hundreds of solar systems they have been ordered to scout. The Free Human Technocracy Project XYZ is finished. The Sovereign Military Order of Malta The spaceport is finished as planned. It comes just right to refurbish the old colony ship again with the new drive. (4/4 AP to SL 1) The ship is equipped with the Quantum Beacon as planned and syncronized with the Anchor satellite in orbit around the colony. But for it to be used again, more resources have to be assigned to replenish its systems and stores. Aegis The manage to finish a small freighter for the purpose of transport, but that is all they manage to do with the allocated resources. The embassy is established as planned. No need to mention anything in particular here. The expansion of the additional shipyard facilities goes also as planned. But it will take more resources and time to actually finish it and make the shipyard suitable for bigger constructions. (1/2 AP for SL 2) Aurora Whilst the colony is settling in nicely, the planet yields nothing unique in terms of resources thus far. It is a first, but it is done. A real forcefield is created on small scale under high effort with an emitter prototype. It is capable of withstanding smaller arms fire, although bigger projectiles penetrate it to some degree. The first girders for the expanded structure halls are being put in place, but it will take a lot more effort and time for that. (1/6 AP to SL 3). United States Of Arcturus The carrier is finished, and mighty it is. A ship capable of leading a fleet, certainly. The frigates are also delivered against the quite substantial payment in Itoron, but the Skellar claim that as a favor outstanding too and mention they might come back to the United States of Arcturus at some point. The main trade routes flow as follows. The route between Tjieran and Protorian space is blocked due to war. There are no Itoron deposits to be found. Silver Knight Corporation Whilst it is perfected for the different areas of use with the current technological standard, the issues remain that the vehicle is inefficient in one combat form in the other area of combat. The upgrade of the shipyard is finished as plan regardless (2/2 AP to SL 2). ---- Population growth Imperial Republic of Mankind - 202,000 Humans Terran Federation - 177,500 Humans, 4,000 Grgl, 3,250 Tassareans, 1,500 Human-Tassareans, 1,250 Libellans New Sephoria - 230,000 Humans, 1,750 Protorians, 50 Human-Protorians Silver Knight Company - 190,000 Humans, 2,750 Tassareans, 1,250 Backhatta, 2,000 Redons, 750 Human-Redons, 750 Human-Tassareans, 6,000 Galaron United States of Arcturus - 200,000 Humans, 2,000 Skellar, 500 Da'nor Aurora - 195,000 Humans, 3,000 Tassareans, 3,000 Grgl, 500 Protorians, 1,250 Human-Tassareans, 1,750 Galaron Hephaestus Holdings - 181,000 Humans, 10,000 Grgl, 7,500 Tassareans, 4,500 Human-Tassareans, 1,500 Libellans, 1,500 Redons, 750 Backhatta, 500 Human-Redons, 13,500 Galaron Saga Initiative - 197,500 Humans, 1,500 Da'nor, 250 Human-Da'nor The Holy Kingdom of Eadn - 112,000 Humans People's Council of Utopie - 188,500 Humans, 2,000 Protorians, 2,750 Libellans, 4,750 Grgl, 3,000 Tassareans, 1,500 Human-Tassareans, 750 Backhatta, 750 Skellar, 5,500 Galaron, 20 Human-Protorians Order of Malta - 175,750 Humans The Remnants - 178,750 Humans, 2,000 Tassareans, 2,250 Grgl, 1,250 Libellans, 750 Human-Tassareans Han Dominion - 138,000 Humans Aegis - 130,000 Humans, 500 Skellar, 500 Libellan ---- Events The grinding gears of warfare are heard, heavy losses are reported for the Tassaran Republic, who though state they have caused about two times the casualties to the Corrupter Dominion. The Protorian Council comments that they have sustained severe losses against the Trialition of the Tjierans, Ceri and Ascardians. Whilst they were able to prevent the loss of any territory, it appears that it does not go too well, the brute force of the three nation's combined forces and fleets bringing the Protorian colossus to waver. The Kalronian Ystor Rule publicly broadcasts that everyone else is unworthy and should be purged. The Ganvius nation in response announces publicly that the Kalronians won't dare, lest they suffer a war at their hands. It can only be assumed that these two nations have been at an armaments race for centuries. Limited trading with the Karass Dominion goes quite uneventful. They have some regulations, but are normally open for trade. There are no more eerie signals from the East. The Libellan Union and Skellar Kingdom forge an alliance. ---- Map update ---- Year 2124 by Earth's calendar.

Hephaestus Holdings Incorporated The ship is constructed as planned and to be delievered. It may not be much, but a first step is made as they surprisingly quickly manage to figure out a small energy chamber battery that holds a xylorite crystal and utilizes the innard energy by... well, poking it with energy, causing it to react violently and emitting far more than was induced. Issue is, it requires a normal battery to startup this potential battery, but for now, it is a highly powerful energy supply. The cells are getting a bit clunky and heavy though. Quite a few volunteers from the Republic of Galaron flock to the banner of Hephaestus, in hopes to make a difference so they claim, and perhaps free their homes from the grasps of the Karass. The trip to the next sector with the closest star system, immediately proves to have a single planet, incredibly massive in size, but of continental size. Gravity appears to be a rough twenty percent higher, given its size. And it immediately shows to have surface (!) deposits of Itoron ore in the northern hemisphere. In fact, so much, that it is visible from miles away, the rocks and chunky landscape originating from potential meteor impacts. The Sovereign Military Order of Malta It is done. At the end of the year, with a satellite acting as the anchor station and a small vessel with a quantum beacon on it, the connection is established and... under high investments of energy and quite a substantial charging time, the ship instantly jumps into the other system. Half an hour later, it is back home, after doing some smaller flight maneuvers and system checks in the foreign solar system. A little boon at the side is, that with the study of the quantum level, they managed to figure out how to cut communication times and distances to pretty much zero. By just utilizing the same technology, but adapted for radio waves. Huh. Convenient. United States Of Arcturus More time, more work. Nothing else to add to a carrier in that size. (3/8 AP.) On the other hand, the frigate is finished as planned with the remaining capacity and time and joins the fleet. Imperial Republic of Mankind The monstrosity is secured and safely stored. No other signs are seen from the old facility on the moon's surface. With the growth of the plants going well, the shift of the plants is done by the next harvest, as planned. The designs continue without anything particular to note. They finish the designs and schematics for it, the prototypes are to be the next phase this coming year. With the growing population, the teachers certainly appreciate the additional facilities to educate the growing up generations of children who are slowly getting into the right age. Well, that went well. The exploration that is. ;) The Holy Kingdom of Eadn Another two frigates join the other three, bringing the fleet to five frigates (fighters aside). Whilst there appears to be no threat, certainly something is planned or considered to come. Die Volksrepublik The expansion of the shipyard goes entirely as planned. (2/2 AP. SL 2 now.) Aside from the human staff, there are actually a few Galaron veterans willing to give thorough training courses in modern warfare. These veterans just recently arrived with one of the refugee ships coming from Karass space, although there are little coming. With the next capacities, some progress is made, but only some and the ship is far from done. (1/4 AP Colonial freighter.) Silver Knight Corporation Surprisingly, with some new-found input from the Galaron refugees, a first prototype is successfully field tested this year. It is only one, mostly unarmed, and still falls under the prequisite that it is unhandy in space when in mech-mode, but quite usable on the ground in such, and otherwise as a fighter for space and air combat. The Galaron who participated in the project note, that they have utilized such a technology at the start of their war against the Karass, but it has been phased out due to inefficiencies and shortcomings in comparison to the common set of weapons and machines they employed otherwise and the enemies employed. The software system on the other hand gets its first version finished by the end of the year, thanks to the genuine support from the Terran Federation. Interfacing between singular soldiers is a lot easier now and information can be shared quite readily, although it is just that. At least, survivability will be higher. Certainly higher. The Terran Federation One of the planned frigates is finished, the other remaining in the shipyard in construction. (2/2 and 1/2 AP.) Despite the attempts to have refugees arrive at the designated world, no ships make their way there it appears, flocking to other nations and spaceports instead. Aurora Whilst the Helix is disassembled into the new hub for the second colony, the additional resources are instead poured into the shield emitter projects. Despite all efforts, no increase in strength for the deflectors was attained, although energy consumption has been lowered quite a bit. The energy cell research on the other hand yields no particular results upon attempt to improve current designs. Some things were tested, but in sum, it is assumed that this type of energy storage technology is unbeaten. For other energy sources, there is knowledge about Xylorite being a potentially usable source, but nothing substantial is found about it. The Han Dominion With all effort given, the project for a FTL drive leads directly into the old Warp field technologies of mankind before the journey onwards. There is some knowledge, just bringing it into order and expanding upon it is on the agenda this time. The shipyard however slowly takes shape as the first structural girders are being brought up from the surface. (1/4 AP for SL 1.) Of several different strands that were tried, three survived, two of them being toxic to animals and living beings. The third one has a remarkably slower rate of growth, but appears to grow for just a quarter of the required water and fertile ground. Whilst there is this foreign facility on the one moon, no other signs are found of a civilization that has been here. As for the dark metal, the search appears quite fruitless on the second moon. The Free Human Technocracy The first prototype is ready. Aim assistance software appears to be a very complicated task. They try, but the amount of variables, situations and factors really force the programmers to work wonders. Despite all the effort, there is no result to be shown at the end of this year. Aegis With all effort the shipyard is finished and ready to house the production of ships. (4/4 AP for SL 1) ---- Population growth Imperial Republic of Mankind - 191,500 Humans Terran Federation - 170,000 Humans, 3,750 Grgl, 3,000 Tassareans, 1,250 Human-Tassareans, 1,000 Libellans New Sephoria - 220,000 Humans, 1,500 Protorians, 20 Human-Protorians Silver Knight Company - 178,500 Humans, 2,250 Tassareans, 1,000 Backhatta, 1,250 Redons, 500 Human-Redons, 500 Human-Tassareans, 5,500 Galaron United States of Arcturus - 189,750 Humans, 1,750 Skellar, 250 Da'nor Aurora - 186,750 Humans, 2,750 Tassareans, 2,750 Grgl, 500 Protorians, 1,000 Human-Tassareans, 1,500 Galaron Hephaestus Holdings - 172,000 Humans, 9,000 Grgl, 7,000 Tassareans, 4,000 Human-Tassareans, 1,250 Libellans, 1,250 Redons, 750 Backhatta, 250 Human-Redons, 12,500 Galaron Saga Initiative - 185,000 Humans, 1,250 Da'nor The Holy Kingdom of Eadn - 110,000 Humans People's Council of Utopie - 179,500 Humans, 1,750 Protorians, 2,500 Libellans, 4,500 Grgl, 2,500 Tassareans, 1,250 Human-Tassareans, 750 Backhatta, 500 Skellar, 5,000 Galaron Order of Malta - 167,500 Humans The Remnants - 169,500 Humans, 1,750 Tassareans, 1,750 Grgl, 1,000 Libellans, 750 Human-Tassareans Han Dominion - 122,000 Humans Aegis - 123,000 Humans, 250 Skellar, 250 Libellan ---- Galactic Assembly - Founded 2115 - Dissolved 2123 The Galactic Assembly is dissolved upon withdrawal of the Backhatta Hive and the Redon Imperium. With the additional absense of the Republic of Galaron, this venture to have more peace in the southern galaxy failed. ---- Events In a surprise offensive, a combined fleet of Tjierans, Ceri and newly joined Ascardians strikes heavily at the outer sectors of the Protorian Council. The old superpower is reeling from the unsuspected additional invasion and begins to musters ships and forces never seen before by any human visitor. A last wave of refugees flood the Southern galaxy before ebbing out completely. The Karass Dominion appear to have completed their control over their newly acquired sectors. The Kalronian Ystor Rule introduces itself to the Galactic Community. By proclaiming everyone else are all unworthy beings. Any attempt to communicate with them appears futile. Their borders are closed and anyone who approaches their space suffers death. On the other hand, the Ganvius nation introduces itself as well. Whilst they keep their borders closed, they are reachable in terms of communication, although they are not very forthcoming with answers to questions. The corrupters encroach further upon Tassarean space. Another set of eerie signals are being received from the East. ---- Map update ---- Year 2123 by Earth's calendar.

Aurora Soon enough, the Helix leaves its shipyard, looming in orbit above the colony. A bit of a step forward, to a better future, some would say. More hope. It has taken quite a few years, but the result is remarkable. Small, but remarkable. The scientist present a functional (but very energy-consuming) small dish that is capable of slowing and bending the trajectory of bundled energy and solid mass directed towards it. The latter being less affected it appears. A deflector dish, per say. The Sovereign Military Order of Malta A result that can be seen. In a testing enviroment a quantum anchor apparatus manages to force a beaconed testing drone into the quantum level for a fragment of a fragement of a fragment of a nanosecond, just for it to reappear half a centimeter further. Whilst the scale is still miniscule, this is a proof of concept. The AI robotics project on the other hand appears to stumble through some difficult phases. They manage to focus their efforts on first preliminary research and studies upon which parts need substantial improvement and need to be developed properly first to be a foundation for capable robots. With no idea about their origins, this attempt at sending signals is entirely futile. Hephaestus Holdings Incorporated The shipyard is finished and already got a popular name given by the people. The Anvil, to forge Hephaestus future! At least it is a popular suggestion, the naming falls with the CEO, so do the foremans indicate as they report back in, that the shipyard is finished and ready for business. (SL 1 finished.) A couple of shady Backhatta dealers, a few bribed hands and a Redon energy capacitator inside a newly designed prototype, eating 20% more energy than before given the poor energy cells of Hephaestus, BUT giving it about 40% more cutting power. That seems like a fair deal, given that so many company resources were invested in this... acquisition. This information is given by that particular Tassarean researcher in private to the board. He has his sources and had a couple of favors. Why not prove himself to his employers? There is actually a pending trade offer. A Libellan merchant offers information about a nearby solar system with a habitable planet and a useable Libellan colony ship at the same time for only five-hundred tons of raw Xylorite. Aegis As deep sea collectors were one of the paths mankind pursued to satisfy the need for ores and metals in the late 21st century, this pursuit goes surprisingly well, in terms of design, and by the end of the year the requested ten collectors are roaming the seas, silently, "eating" layers upon layers of sediments. The unloading process goes just as fast, as they pour it into the newly constructed docking facility with storage capacities. And the hail is answered. Within two hours after sending the signal, a ship is detected in the system, approaching the colony on a direct course. It appears to be a small exploration vessel (encounter). Imperial Republic of Mankind Another year, another frigate. The Imperial Republic arms up, preparing for the worst. On the other hand, another survey, no special results, aside from common deposits of ore and metal. A few of the planter machines are called back, to be refitted with potato plants. If the ecosphere stabilizes more by the next year, and there is no dark rain, then it should be safe to go and plant them. Designing such a suit is a heavy task, whilst they manage to draft up first rough sketches with most parameters in place, they certainly require more resources to do so. The surveillance on the moon reports that one of the grey monstrosities has been sighted on the surface. One of the frigates in orbit quickly reacted and destroyed it with a well aimed shot. This event, whilst no losses were taken, clearly indicates that this abandoned facility is still active or... "populated". The Terran Federation And the alloys make up the armor for the newly finished frigate. All remaining stages went well, and this new ship becomes part of the Federation's fleet. Altering the laws of gravitation like that is difficult. But pulling objects towards a projecting source is doable. In concept, so this year's results, by directing a gravitational pull from a gravity inducing source towards an object, pulls that object in, as if the gravity was normal. Distance of course weakens this. A casualty reports comes in, from the Tassarean Republic. 250 Humans have lost their lives in recent engagements. The remaining volunteers are sent back for rest and recreation, as another Tassarean unit takes their place. They bring some experience in combat against the Corrupters and are familiar with handling Tassarean equipment. In particular, one mentions that the Republic has lost 165,000 soldiers in this past year alone. Die Volksrepublik So it is. I assume there is not much to explain here. Whilst the idea might be good, the people are skeptical, given that the other races and nations have their respective military academies and are far more versed in terms of combat in space. With no resources assigned, there won't be any progress. Silver Knight Corporation The frigate is finished by the end of the year, bolstering the forces of the Silver Knight Corporation. It is up to the requested standards. It's either, or. Transformed into a mech, the scientists state, that it's very unwieldy and difficult to control when in space and not on a solid surface with gravity. They suggest to leave such a mech mode for real ground operations, whilst it remains in fighter mode, when in air or space. Unfortunately another survey goes without any remarkable findings. The Han Dominion With due diligence, the foundations for this new bio-engineering division were established. An empty and waiting facility building was suitable to be repurposed as a first lab immediately. Whilst the survey of Lenguo yields nothing remarkable, it's quite contrary for Shiguo. As the moon turns towards the sun, in a crater, what was originally seen as ravines from the surface of the planet, turns out to be tiered ring-shaped facility of entirely unknown origin. Closer inspection reveals it to be seemingly inactive, in the center of this foreign facility is a vast circular hatch visible. The material is substantially dark and can not be penetrated by any known sensor devices as of right now. (Encounter at your leisure.) Free Human Technocracy The Project continues. A prototype to be expected next year at current rate. The first (!) state-built school for mankind after the Exodus from Solaris. People are glad about the fact that the government cares for them. United States Of Arcturus It looms, like a giant shadow in the sky. Invisible at night to be mistaken for a cluster of stars, clearly visible at day. The engineers and architects are proud of what they did, nobody of mankind has ever built such a huge entity in space. (SL 4 now.) The Holy Kingdom of Eadn Two more frigates are finished, bolstering the Kingdom's fleet substantially. I hope everyone keeps track of their ships. The warp drives are fully functional. The test jump into the closest neighbouring solar system proves to run flawlessly. Despite the communication outage due to the distance, the frigate returns with new visual data and sensor information about the neighbouring system. It's a red dwarf with a gas giant and an asteroid belt, nothing remarkable about it. The Remnants At last, after all those years, the first shipyard is finished. For building the necessary vessels for expansion and exploration certainly a boon. To be independent, so to speak. (SL 1 now.) Both ships are built without issues, one for simple transport, the other for protection purposes, so one could claim. ---- Population growth Imperial Republic of Mankind - 182,500 Humans Terran Federation - 164,250 Humans, 3,250 Grgl, 2,750 Tassareans, 1,000 Human-Tassareans, 750 Libellans New Sephoria - 210,000 Humans, 1,000 Protorians, 4 Human-Protorians Silver Knight Company - 171,500 Humans, 1,750 Tassareans, 750 Backhatta, 1,000 Redons, 250 Human-Redons, 250 Human-Tassareans, 3,000 Galaron United States of Arcturus - 181,000 Humans, 1,250 Skellar Aurora - 178,500 Humans, 2,250 Tassareans, 2,250 Grgl, 250 Protorians, 750 Human-Tassareans Hephaestus Holdings - 165,500 Humans, 7,500 Grgl, 6,500 Tassareans, 3,250 Human-Tassareans, 1,000 Libellans, 1,000 Redons, 500 Backhatta, 150 Human-Redons, 3,500 Galaron Saga Initiative - 176,500 Humans, 250 Da'nor The Holy Kingdom of Eadn - 108,000 Humans People's Council of Utopie - 172,000 Humans, 1,500 Protorians, 2,250 Libellans, 4,000 Grgl, 2,250 Tassareans, 750 Human-Tassareans, 500 Backhatta, 250 Skellar Order of Malta - 159,500 Humans The Remnants - 161,500 Humans, 1,500 Tassareans, 1,500 Grgl, 750 Libellans, 750 Human-Tassareans Han Dominion - 112,500 Humans Aegis - 115,500 Humans ---- Galactic Assembly - Founded 2115 The Galactic Assembly is founded by the Protorian Council. With ambassadors from following nations, each holding two seats: Backhatta Hive (low) - Confederation of Xaplonius (High) - Redon Imperium - Republic of Galaron - Protorian Council - Human Colonies - Tassaran Republic - Libellan Union. Human Colonies (Bold means, holding a seat): PAR: PAR Terran Federation: Hephaestus Holdings, Auroran Imperium, Silver Knight Company Auroran Imperium: Terran Federation, The Remnants Previous issues: No current issues are being handled. Current issues: No current issues are being handled. ---- Events The conflicts seem to be at a standstill this year. The corrupter front notes nothing noteworthy, them being distracted by something it seems. The heavy losses of the Tassarean Republic forces them to consolidate and use the break for another round. The Karass Dominion opens outlying outposts and systems for trade. They appear to have no specific territorial demands, seeing as their war with Galaron is now settled. The first refugees from Galaron appear. A few eerie signals are being received from the East. The Tjieran Principate and Ceri Collective have halted their offensive for this year. ---- Map update ---- Year 2122 by Earth's calendar.

I apologize for the delay in the modpost. The Sovereign Military Order of Malta This needs a lot of work, given the extent of the field that is being researched. Mankind hasn't had any knowledge about this prior to the exodus from Earth. But it will make progress. The additional facilities constructed will prove useful, most certainly. The groundworks for the shipyard stand, but this will take more time to be finished. (1/4 AP required, SL 1) Whilst all of this is happening, radio transmissions are being caught in fragments from the silent emptiness of space. The origin can't be determined, but they are most certainly artificial, as parts of sentences and words in an unknown language are heard. New Sephoria With the shipyard prepared to take the order and the resources invested being more than sufficient, two new corvettes dot the sky of the New Sephorian homeworld. They are ready to assume duties. The children, with a Protorian mother and a Human father appear well and healthy. There are no discrepancies, with the exception for the golden hue in their skin and their pitchblack eyes with brown irises. They are being baptised as it is normal on the Sephorian homeworld. They do show remarkable growth and are already capable of speaking simple sentences and words by the end of the year. The Protorians on Sephoria state that Protorians grow up quite quickly at first, but then live through a prolonged phase of childhood, compared to humans. They become full adults at about twenty. The Protorian Council congratulates the parents and merely requests medical information about the twins, so that the Archivar may sort it out. After all, this is a first, and it has to be stored. The Terran Federation 4,500 volunteers are being picked up by the Tassaran Republic in order to participate in upcoming combat with the corrupter dominion. The new colony is established as planned and the first farms are ready by the end of the year. Next year is the first harvest of course. Building a ship around a gun should be doable. Although altering the system's size and functionality so it fits together without being a big lump of oddity is difficult. They will need more time for that, assuming the effort remains the same. Hephaestus Holdings Incorporated And then it's halfway done. Floating above the colony, the shipyard in its skeletal form still, but soon to be whole and prepared to house the construction of dozens of different ships. (2/4 AP, SL1) The new hull armor though comes quite... surprisingly quickly. Instead of using the old Steel and Titanium platings, an alloy of steel and so-called Itoron is the way to go. Most spacefaring nations apparently use it, given its incredible density and resilience against impacts and pressure. The Holy Kingdom of Eadn Given the vast amount of resources required to build a fleet of thirteen frigates and how little was given, only one frigate leaves the shipyard by the end of the year. Fortunately enough though, with the planned warp drive on it. Aurora In an act of stubborness the engineers decide to simply expand the shipyard on the ground in which the half-finished colony ship is still awaiting completion. Speaking of completion, they do manage to increase the shipyards capacity substantially. (SL 2 now. 2/4 AP colony ship in waiting) The energy supply is less of an issue, the energy emitters pose the problem. In the principles of a magnetic field, the engineers continue to try figuring out a way of emitting a field that is dense, but non-dangerous on its own (ie temperature, radiation, etc.). So far, all attempts were unsuccessful. United States Of Arcturus Halfway done. An engineers coughs and straightens up as he has bolted the last girder in place. The extended structure for the drydock stands, but it will take another year at least. (5/10 ap to SL 4). Imperial Republic of Mankind The ship fail to return any findings about energy signatures alike the ones of the energy cells. The engineers assume it is possible to make a lesser version of it, given that they managed to understand the basic principles of the energy cell. But the substance inside is what puzzles them. It appears heavy, but somewhat inert. Reacts when it is energized (quite violently so). But getting more of it is impossible as they have not discovered any kind of deposit with a liquid alike it. The atmosphere appears to become better by the year. The past couple of rains appeared to be rather... normal, still a bit muddy, but mostly from dust and not pollution. The grown lichen and moss are covering vast parts of the surface, as the planter robots still work thoroughly and without rest. Die Volksrepublik A frigate bearing the flag of the Republic soon looms above, giving the people below a bit of a sense of security. Certainly a step forward. More houses. More stores. More. Given, if this keeps up, the colony will turn into quite a city. And the consumption of materials comes along. Striking a new valley elsewhere on the planet, they proceed to mine more metals and ores. Whilst the Protorian Council itself declines to send any technology or weapons, it notes that it is willing to accept volunteers in the war, supplying them with equipment and training to fight in the name of the Council. The Remnants Given, there is not much to add, as the Support Carrier is stocked with fighters, with the remainder in defense of the colony itself. The Tassaran Republic notes that it is willing to accept volunteers (ships included) for the upcoming battles with the Corrupter Dominion. A hundred new Sephorian robots are part of the Remnants now. Ready to assume duties they should bolster basic labor well enough. The shipyard continues its construction but is still not finished. (3/4 AP to SL 1). Free Human Technocracy Secret is secret. It makes some steps forward. But it certainly takes much more time than just one year. The development of new alloys works quite well, and soon enough the first Itoron-Steel plates are available for construction. This should improve the durability of all things quite a lot. Alerts go off as an unknown vessel is detected in the initiative's home system. It appears to be a light cruiser and on direct course to the colony itself. (ENCOUNTER). Silver Knight Corporation And they get their two new corvettes. More little ships. A transformable fighter. A new concept, but interesting as it is possible to do given the technologies available. It will not be a small vehicle, but given that a mech suit is tall, it should be possible. And so the design works begin. It will take a little, but they will come along nicely. (I refer you to Starcraft, the Viking.) The Han Dominion Given their starved bodies, it is the best decision to make. By the end of the year, with the rapid expansion of monoculture farms, with rice growing surprisingly well on this new world, the rations can be doubled and people are getting stronger again to tackle the daily tasks better. And, much alike other colonies have discovered at the starts of their journeys, these worlds are abundant in resources. The very ground often just yields riches of metals and ores unfamiliar to those who have lived on a stripped Earth. Aegis Careful fishing and preservation of nature certainly keeps the ecosystem in tact. The ecologists among the populace surely welcome such a notion. It turns out, the sediments are incomparably rich in minerals. Collecting them might yield substantial amounts of useable metals. ---- Population growth Imperial Republic of Mankind - 174,000 Humans Terran Federation - 159,500 Humans, 3,000 Grgl, 2,250 Tassareans, 750 Human-Tassareans, 500 Libellans New Sephoria - 200,000 Humans, 750 Protorians, 2 Human-Protorians Silver Knight Company - 164,000 Humans, 1,500 Tassareans, 500 Backhatta, 500 Redons, 10 Human-Redons, 50 Human-Tassareans United States of Arcturus - 173,500 Humans, 750 Skellar Aurora - 170,500 Humans, 1,750 Tassareans, 2,000 Grgl, 250 Protorians, 500 Human-Tassareans Hephaestus Holdings - 159,500 Humans, 6,500 Grgl, 5,500 Tassareans, 2,750 Human-Tassareans, 750 Libellans, 750 Redons, 250 Backhatta, 20 Human-Redons Saga Initiative - 169,000 Humans The Holy Kingdom of Eadn - 106,000 Humans People's Council of Utopie - 165,500 Humans, 1,250 Protorians, 1,750 Libellans, 3,750 Grgl, 2,000 Tassareans, 500 Human-Tassareans, 250 Backhatta, 150 Skellar Order of Malta - 153,500 Humans The Remnants - 154,000 Humans, 1,250 Tassareans, 1,000 Grgl, 500 Libellans, 500 Human-Tassareans Han Dominion - 103,500 Humans Aegis - 105,000 Humans ---- Galactic Assembly - Founded 2115 The Galactic Assembly is founded by the Protorian Council. With ambassadors from following nations, each holding two seats: Backhatta Hive (low) - Confederation of Xaplonius (High) - Redon Imperium - Republic of Galaron - Protorian Council - Human Colonies - Tassaran Republic - Libellan Union. Human Colonies (Bold means, holding a seat): PAR: PAR Terran Federation: Hephaestus Holdings, Auroran Imperium, Silver Knight Company Auroran Imperium: Terran Federation, The Remnants Previous issues: The Redon Imperium demands cessation of a sector in conflict from the Backhatta Hive. (The Redon Imperium withdraws its demand.) The Backhatta Hive demands cessation of a sector in conflict from the Redon Imperium. (The Backhatta Hive withdraws its demand.) Current issues: No current issues are being handled. ---- Events The Republic of Galaron unconditionally surrenders to the Karass Dominion. The Galactic Assembly lost a member, as the Karass' forces occupy and integrate all Galaron-held systems into their own. The Backhatta and Redons reach an agreement and the Redon Imperium claims the sector. The Tassaran Republic engages the Corrupter Dominion directly for the first time with a fleet of its own. The battles are heavy, casualties high on both sides, but the Republic was able to halt any advances of the Corrupter Dominion for the time being. Communication with the Republic of Xie cuts out as forces of the Karass Dominion annex the colony. ---- Map update ---- Year 2121 by Earth's calendar.

Both accepted. You are in the groupchat, I hope you are active enough. You are already free to post for this year.

Die Volks-Agrarrepublik (PAR) The shipyard is finished as projected. It is ready to assume operations this coming year. Laying groundworks for an additional habitat and commerce district should prove beneficial for the colony itself. In general, the PAR has had an influx of immigrants, so the additional room surely is a welcome addition. The expedition to the Solaris system has already taken place, Auroran, Terran, Hephaestus and Sephorian representatives have been on board. What the opened borders may bring is yet to be seen. Thus far there was little hindrance for potential immigrants, but an official statement might make it more appealing. The Terran Federation A combined effort of the people of the Terran Federation it is, and soon enough yet another ship lifts up to sail the endless ocean of the stars. And of course, the expedition takes place. The Sovereign Military Order of Malta The research comes and goes. Months pass, plans are drafted, calculations are done, thrown overboard again. And then the scientists find something peculiar. So they follow up on this finding and come to the result... Disregarding mankind's warp technology advances, it would be possible to develop a Quantum Anchor system, that allows stations to toss ships into nearby solar systems, without them having much more than a quantum link connecting to the Quantum Anchor station. It's difficult, energy-inefficient at this point, but certainly doable. How much more research and then experiments they require, the scientists don't know. United States Of Arcturus It is yet to be seen if this isolationist stance is beneficial or detrimental to the colony itself. The decision is not welcomed by some nations, but mostly ignored by others. The Skellar Kingdom leaves no comment on it. On the other hand, the two ships are being finished as schedules, two ships ready to defend the interests of the United States of Arcturus. New Sephoria By the end of the year, a new shipyard marks the surface of the planet, Sephorian made, ready to build ships in the name of the same colony. The Protorians are a vast and highly developed civilization. Their home world housing about twenty-five billion Protorians alone. There are gardens lining the streets and roofs of buildings, it's very quiet, foreign birds can be heard on this world of always-summer. Public transportation runs by underground railsystems, or sometimes by a floating transport vessel. Remarkably, on this world, everything is... free. You don't have to pay to get something to eat or drink. There is no poverty, no want, no greed. Harmony and enrichment of one's own life is what drives the Protorian people. Imperial Republic of Mankind And so they do find a planet, most suitable for their endeavours. A warm and dry planet, with light steppes and mostly savannah, with a few denser forests around northern and southern mountain ranges becomes the home for the Imperial Republic. A second foothold in this galaxy. They do manage to carefully dismantle one of the cells, realizing, the most important part of the energy cell is a specific crystalline liquid inside an unknown mechanism that apparently turns it into simple energy to power whatever needs to be powered. Considering the dark stormclouds above, it is a good notion. Whilst the production only gets hampered a little, they manage to reduce the raw CO2 output by fifty percent. The Saga Initiative The colony ship gets its Warpdrive installed and the hull plating finished up at the rear and is ready to go. The two corvettes being finished soon afterwards are tiny compared to the big freighter looming next to them in orbit around the colony. Meanwhile, the search of the sector to the West reveals a habitable arctic world, with little forests spread in some warmer regions. It shows to have no animal life and only plants dominate it. The Holy Kingdom of Eadn Disregarding virtual testing or not, a real ship is a real ship. Soon enough it's a small spot visible from the surface, looming above the colony, a bit like a guardian angel one could say. A small guardian angel, but one regardless. The design is functional. On paper. In virtual space. It just needs to be added onto the ships, then it's ready to go. All projections see a 100% success rate assuming there are no abnormalities. Aurorian Imperium And thus a half finished colony ship stands in the shipyard at the end of the year, waiting to be completed next year. (2/4 AP invested.) Given the lack of room inside the shipyard now though, it would be wiser to expand it first, before continuing its construction. Generating shields without having developed some kind of energy emitter is not doable. So instead, a few preliminary research plans and studies are conducted in order to accommodate for this requirement. Silver Knight Corporation Rounding off the asteroid base, it's fully operational now, ready to defend itself if needed. It was a success, and the responsible teams are glad it's over. A corvette to bolster the fleet of the Silver Knight Corporation leaves the shipyard. It is ready to do the duties that are assigned to it. This is a difficult topic. And impossible. Stealth on a ship that needs to emit a signature in order to be able to move or utilize any of its tools and systems is impossible. All conducted research and studies, the little there were, run into nothingness, yielding no results. The Remnants With the given resources, only 200 fighters are made. It's tedious and repetitive work, but it can't be made any faster. The shipyard on the other hand is halfway done, ready to be finished next year and assume operations (2/4 AP for SL 1). Hephaestus Holdings Incorporated By the end of this year, the order is finished, picked up by Galaron and things proceed as usual. The Republic has seen no issue and did not expect to have all of the wares within a year. The remaining five-hundred tons of raw Xylorite were being delivered, stored safely in one of the many storehouses. Under guard, I do hope. "The Republic of Galaron will conduct potential business in the future." according to a statement of an official. ---- Population growth Republic of Xie - 160,000 Humans Imperial Republic of Mankind - 164,500 Humans Terran Federation - 153,000 Humans, 2,500 Grgl, 1,750 Tassareans, 500 Human-Tassareans, 200 Libellans New Sephoria - 188,000 Humans, 500 Protorians, 2 Human-Protorians Silver Knight Company - 158,500 Humans, 1,000 Tassareans, 250 Backhatta, 250 Redons United States of Arcturus - 165,000 Humans, 250 Skellar Aurora - 165,000 Humans, 1,000 Tassareans, 1,500 Grgl, 100 Protorians, 250 Human-Tassareans Hephaestus Holdings - 153,000 Humans, 6,000 Grgl, 4,750 Tassareans, 2,500 Human-Tassareans, 500 Libellans, 500 Redons, 250 Backhatta Saga Initiative - 159,500 Humans The Holy Kingdom of Eadn - 104,000 Humans People's Council of Utopie - 159,000 Humans, 1,000 Protorians, 1,250 Libellans, 2,500 Grgl, 1,250 Tassareans, 250 Human-Tassareans Order of Malta - 146,000 Humans The Remnants - 147,000 Humans, 750 Tassareans, 500 Grgl, 250 Libellans, 250 Human-Tassareans ---- Galactic Assembly - Founded 2115 The Galactic Assembly is founded by the Protorian Council. With ambassadors from following nations, each holding two seats: Backhatta Hive (low) - Confederation of Xaplonius (High) - Redon Imperium - Republic of Galaron - Protorian Council - Human Colonies - Tassaran Republic - Libellan Union. Human Colonies (Bold means, holding a seat): PAR: PAR Terran Federation: Hephaestus Holdings, Auroran Imperium, Silver Knight Company Auroran Imperium: Terran Federation, The Remnants Previous issues: No issues were discussed last year. Current issues: The Redon Imperium demands cessation of a sector in conflict from the Backhatta Hive. The Backhatta Hive demands cessation of a sector in conflict from the Redon Imperium. ---- Events The conflict between the Republic of Galaron and Karass Dominion takes a dire turn for the former. Another two sectors are lost to a great mounted offensive of the Dominion forces. The Tjieran Principate makes an appearance and immediately opens hostilities with the Protorian Council. Reports indicate that Ceri Collective forces have participated in the first assaults on Protorian border worlds and outposts. Tensions rise between the Backhatta Hive and the Redon Imperium as a border incident over the claim of a sector turns into a small scale skirmish with three lost ships (two on the Hive's side and one on the Redon's side). Corrupter activity is at another peak along the border. The Tassaran Republic reports that they have sighted new outposts being built just two sectors away from their space. The Grand Alliance gets introduced to the galactic community, given a contact through the Redon Imperium. The Ascardian Principate is being introduced as well. None of the newly encountered nations join the Galactic Assembly. A pair of Human-Protorian twins are born on New Sephoria. How will the New Sephorians react to this? ---- Map update ---- Year 2120 by Earth's calendar.

New Sephoria Both shuttles return with no substantial results, mostly revealing to be two moons with mediocre ore deposits and the latter with substantial reserves of water. As the wardens already field these visual sensors, the invested resources are used to construct an additional twenty robots. That should bolster the potential guardforce a bit. The audience is granted by the Protorian Council. The pope is to travel to Proteum Davun, the homeworld of the Protorians. (Encounter) The Sovereign Military Order of Malta And so the House of Malta is finished by the end of the year. An impressive performance that results in an impressive complex to house people and give them a place for their daily lives. Using rudimentary railgun technology in bigger scale, the engineers assume the possibility to install defense platforms on the surface. Shooting up into orbit is quite difficult though, due to drag caused by atmosphere and gravity. The Terran Federation Further examination of the ecosphere of the new world reveals that this could easily classify as some kind of Eden. Rich, calm, the seasons being one continous summer. The only downside is the sheer lack of any valuable resources on the planet. But for agricultural uses the planet is suitable. Although no particularly usable plants have been found. Fortunately, despite their difference in appearance and being, the races who have settled in the Terran Federation appear to integrate quite well. Whilst Grgl and Libellans need to use translation devices for their language, they are eager to please their Human neighbours. The Tassarans on the other hand are not inhibited by any biological barrier and fit into society as they were just humans themselves. Their ways are very similar too. Aurora Trade is already quite freely flowing between the mentioned nations. This should pose no issue. The most they can do with the given resources for such a massive undertaking, is drafting up a plan and concept for it, and nothing more. The scattered focus doesn't suit this well. The Mark I does not even have a finished prototype yet, so instead they manage to construct one by the end of the year. Testing it is something that comes next. Over the span of this year, no outstanding planetary properties or elements are discovered, disregarding the common deposits of ores and other minerals. Hephaestus Holdings Incorporated All combined effort given, about half of the order is being done... and at the same time, when military freighters of the Republic come by to pickup the wares, they leave behind the agreed amount (half of it, of course) of 500 tons of raw Xylorite. The containers are filled to the brim with chunks of those strange rainbow shimmering crystals. The first prototype proves to be functional, but not practical. The field stabilizers they copied did not work as intended and have to be worked on thoroughly. Right now it fluctuates between half a G and two G, which feels a lot like a very stressful rollercoaster ride when standing on top of them. The Confederation acknowledges the report given and no further remarks are being made. Imperial Republic of Mankind The existing shipyard is finally upgraded and expanded, ready to assume bigger orders for ship construction. And it immediately follows. A colonial freighter is prepared and ready to set out, to set down on a new world and give the Imperial Republic another foothold in this galaxy. United States Of Arcturus The shipyard reaches a new proper size, concluding its extention and upgrade works. This should give the United States the ability to build yet more sizeable ships. Utilizing the remainder of the resources, a colonial freighter is prepared and soon ready to go where noone has gone before. For a while until it settles down somewhere, of course. The Saga Initiative It's a surprising success, and it is done. A functional Quantum Communication device has been built, the tests through the solar system verify its capabilities. Nearly flawless transmissions going on instantly, prove the concept. The trick was figuring out the right configuration for the energy state shifter, that translates radio waves into the quantum level itself, precoding a specified exit point for aforementioned waves. Let's just say it's very, VERY complicated. Three quarters of the ship are done by the end of the year. It will require another investment to fully finish it. (3/4 for 1 Colonial Freighter) The Remnants With the warp drive properly in place, the ship gets transported carefully across the lightyears of distance. With the additional assistance from the Federation and their shipyard, they manage to finally complete the restructuring of the old colony ship. It has lost size and weight, but it is fully capable of military actions. (1 Support Carrier now.) PAR Extending some existing farms and housing on the main colony takes place, as it has become quite crowded, and producing locally is still viable as there is enough room in the valley. Three quarters of a first shipyard on a nearby plateau are done by the end of the year. Launchpad is finished, foundations and structure as well. Most of the utilities are installed, but still need to be finished entirely before the new shipyard can assume the construction of a new ship. (3/4 for SL 1) Silver Knight Corporation So a first shipyard is finished, ready to assume orders given. (SL 1) After the year, defensive measures are in place, to deflect and redirect asteroids as needed, protecting the base from them. Active defensive measures are not entirely done, but a few simple railgun turrets are in place. Whilst offices have been established on some worlds across all the known nations of the Galactic Assembly, weapons stores were prohibited in the Confederation of Xaplonius, the Protorian Council and the Libellan Union. On the other hand, in the Redon Imperium, a weapon store was permitted, but only that. The Holy Kingdom of Eadn And so it is finally built. Given the already invested resources, it has turned out a bit bigger than originally expected. Nonetheless, more capacity means more production for bigger vessels. (SL 2) Taking the old warp field theories and research from Earth, they manage to nail down the mathematical part. The engineering comes next, but that's a story for another year. ---- Population growth Republic of Xie - 153,000 Humans Imperial Republic of Mankind - 155,500 Humans Terran Federation - 147,500 Humans, 1,750 Grgl, 1,500 Tassareans, 400 Human-Tassareans, 80 Libellans New Sephoria - 179,500 Humans, 250 Protorians Silver Knight Company - 152,500 Humans, 500 Tassareans, 200 Backhatta, 150 Redons United States of Arcturus - 159,500 Humans, 50 Skellar Aurora - 158,500 Humans, 750 Tassareans, 1000 Grgl, 50 Protorians, 100 Human-Tassareans Hephaestus Holdings - 146,500 Humans, 5,250 Grgl, 4,250 Tassareans, 2,000 Human-Tassareans, 250 Libellans, 250 Redons, 250 Backhatta Saga Initiative - 151,000 Humans The Holy Kingdom of Eadn - 102,000 Humans People's Council of Utopie - 150,000 Humans, 750 Protorians, 500 Libellans, 1,250 Grgl, 750 Tassareans Order of Malta - 137,500 Humans The Remnants - 139,000 Humans, 500 Tassareans, 250 Grgl, 250 Libellans, 50 Human-Tassareans ---- Galactic Assembly - Founded 2115 The Galactic Assembly is founded by the Protorian Council. With ambassadors from following nations, each holding two seats: Backhatta Hive (low) - Confederation of Xaplonius (High) - Redon Imperium - Republic of Galaron - Protorian Council - Human Colonies - Tassaran Republic - Libellan Union. Human Colonies (Bold means, holding a seat): PAR: PAR Terran Federation: Hephaestus Holdings, Auroran Imperium, Silver Knight Company Auroran Imperium: Terran Federation, The Remnants Previous issues: No issues were discussed last year. Current issues: No current issues are being discussed this year. ---- Events Contact is established with the Skellar Kingdom and in turn with the United States of Arcturus. The Skellar Kingdom remains outside of the Galactic Assembly. A colony ship filled with a group of Grgl settles in the PAR. They do like farming it seems. The Protorian Council finally organized the required capacities to accomodate for the vast amount of volunteers. They ready the ships and pickup whoever is participating. (Encounter for a group) The Joint Research: 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 AP makes 8. The whole developement goes smoothly and quickly. With so many resources, different points of view and the input of the various races living amongst the participants, a functional system is developed. Various nations of the Galactic Assembly congratulate mankind on their combined effort and their achievement. The warfront against the Karass has taken a break it appears, no movements or changes are being reported. The Corrupter Dominion appears to have been distracted by something, their fleets and outposts have not advanced any further, according to Tassarean reports. ---- Map update ---- Year 2119 by Earth's calendar.

United States Of Arcturus The expansion of the shipyard goes as planned, the artificial gravity generators giving the workers a solid ground to rest upon, so to say, despite being hundreds of kilometers up from any surface. (I bid you, to tell me your shipyard level and list your invested AP into the shipyard, so I may assess that on the map). At first it's disbelief, but then certainty. A small foreign vessel has been detected in the solar system. It appears to be exploring the system, taking its dear time orbiting around some of the outer planets, doing survey work as it appears. It is not of human origin, so they expect, picking up transmissions fragments from it, in a deep throaty language with clear language and grammar though. (Encounter) The Holy Kingdom of Eadn The lack of a shipyard makes this investment rather obsolete. So instead, the effort is poured into establishing the foundations and structure for a ground based shipyard. (Correct me, if you can show me where you have built a shipyard. Again, list this in your post, so I may add it to the map next post.) The probes being sent out transmit data as planned... when suddenly they go silent upon reaching a certain point. Something seems off, there is no visual confirmation to where they went, nor where they are supposed to be. They just... vanish? The Terran Federation The workers are diligent and things make progress, with an extended assembly hall, additional storage for parts and tools, it should be ready to build bigger ships (SL 2 - 6 AP total) (Again, Shipyard level and list the invested AP into shipyards please. Eases my work.). Utilizing the Quantum Comms on the ship, at around the end of the year, the ship reports it has found a suitable system in the sector with a big continental world. It shows no intelligent beings, and a mild and peaceful enviroment. Using imported drill bits from the Confederation of Xaplonius the Xylorite mining goes well, without any accidents happening this year. The Confederation hints that you should avoid laser mining Xylorite, as it clearly results in devastation. Fortunately you knew that beforehand from your experiments. New Sephoria With the continous growth of New Sephoria's population, the additional farms are a welcome addition. Given, with growing population, there is also a growth of work force, but this growth needs food. Diligent the humble robots assume drilling, hauling and processing operations as instructed by their makers. From the present Protorian group, a couple observe the whole ordeal, taking notes, talking to the human overseers and inquiring with the robots about their purpose and function and technical details. In lieu of this, before they send their reports to Proteum Davun, they check in with the Council of Sephoria, looking for approval to transmit the gathered data. The wardens operate mostly independent, being a viable force, capable of acting as massive barriers for the small humans. They perform exceptionally well, with the first few rounds showing that they are capable of hindering a flag capture by the humans. Then at later points, whereever a formation of them is spread thin, the diversion and hit-and-run tactic works and the humans are capable of breaking through. A group of priests have engaged one of the present Protorians in a theological debate, discussing faith and its meaning. The Protorian shows substantial knowledge and wisdom in the matters, showing the priests where there is proof and where there is theory for the Christian faith. In the end though, he does mention that there is indeed a being that would be... god, seen as it has guided their teachers, the firstborn before. Limited in knowledge about that being though, he suggests the priests should request and audience with the Archivar, the eldest Protorian and the last living being to have contact with the Firstborn. Hephaestus Holdings Incorporated And so the steaming and smoking massive industrial complex is finished at least. That took long. It did. The vessel utilizes gravity plates on the floor, being powered through the ship's systems. This allows the personnel inside and the goods to remain fixed at the ground at a comfortable 1 G. Or 1 Lhl as Grgl call it. The plates can easily be removed from the flooring, though integrating them elsewhere would prove impractical, as these were specifically made for this ship or shiptype. Whilst the Republic of Galaron would prefer soldiers and volunteers amongst their ranks, they do not say no to the cheap weaponry. After assessing their overall performance and quality in a test (which they rate at 4/10 in their standards, their own laser weaponry with the famous Galaron Thrower at 7.5/10), they decide to buy. In bulk. The Republic orders 200,000 rifles, 50,000 pistols and 45,000 scatterguns along with 5 million power cells for the weapons. And they pay in raw Xylorite, about one thousand tons of it. A complaint is being filed by the Confederation of Xaplonius about the unequal treatment of their kind. They have received numerous reports about reprimands towards their peaceful ways and lives and request that the responsible parties cease these unwarranted hostilities immediately. They note that the rights of a being come before economic laws. The humans in the Confederation have received nothing but equality and respect. The Saga Initiative The sector proves to have a habitable system with two oceanic worlds rotating in a comfortable distance from their host star. The atmosphere readings indicate that the composition is similar to that of Earth back then. There are a lot of aquatic life forms on both of the blue pearls, but vastly different from eachother. These data is being received upon return of the vessel. In principle, the quantum level is fickle. Too fickle at this point for physical objects to pass through it. But given the possibility of just sending energy waves through it, radio signals show the potential to be transmitted through it. Given, if you know how to bridge to locations for the purposed Quantum communication, it should be possible to almost instantly transmit information over incredibly vast distances, cutting time delay to zero. Imperial Republic of Mankind Strength in numbers. A slogan that appeals to many. There is work. There is food. The only thing needed are people to fill the positions and eat the food. A population boom has set in in the past year, quite substantial at that, proving the Emperor's call was right and the people listen to their guardian. The facility on the moon remains silent, the door looming ominously in the landscape. It's quiet the entire year, the men and women on the surface guarding day in day out. Aurora Assuming one of the existing factories, this deal is quickly done. The factory is up and running by the end of the year, the machines inside being set up and so the first rifles roll out of it. Not many, as they are expensive and complicated to make, but they are there. By the end of the year, a first version of a robot head is finished, with all sensors and hardware installed inside. Capable of hearing, seeing and communicating it's a big step, but bringing it all together and a robot into sync is a wholly different task. Based upon the commonly used software and systems, a first encrypted program is finished, with the capabilities to connect between the prototype head and a headset. Quite interesting to look at oneself with a headset on. They find an open highland location not far from one of the colonies, which suits the purpose perfectly. Being docile, the worms who have grown accustomed to the present humans appear to have become quite territorial, sticking close to whereever the humans are. A sort of relationship is certainly established, as the humans feed the worms various remains of food or similar, and the worms laying eggs. It goes quite well and the farm is underway. Die Volks-Agrarrepublik (PAR) Another valley being filled slowly with small hamlets and farm land. The Protorians themselves appear to bring materials from their homeworlds, along with quite a few workers, autonomously building very comfy abodes, which show... humility at the same time. As a certain tourist resort, it surely has its appeal. By the end of the year, a few members of other species have moved in too. (Combined point 1 and 2). The pursuit and research into the Xylorite bomb soon reaches the ears of the Protorian Council, which immediately submits a warning and demand to cease research into that matter. The Remnants They manage to repurpose most of the ship's functions by the end of the year, but they are not done yet. Weapons installations and hangar bay construction are still outstanding for the huge ship. It would be far more efficient if they had a shipyard capable of supporting such a change. Speaking of shipyard, the basic shipyard that has been ordered is halfway finished at this point. At the current rate of work, they expect it to be done in two years. The Sovereign Military Order of Malta A smaller factory producing ammunition for the existing weaponry is finished by the end of the year. Any small arms can be supplied from there, given its limited capacity though. As for the House of Malta, so it is indeed halfway finished by the end of the year. It was projected that way and the engineers followed through with it. Someone should give their diligent hands extra rations to hold. Quite disruptive for the daily lives, a foreign vessel gets detected in the system. It appears briefly, just in the size of a destroyer, scouts the system, ignores any hailing calls as it examines the colony briefly from above, just to leave the system without further notice. Who could have been that? The People’s Republic of Xie And the construction is halted, the ships just fitting into no shipyard or assembly hall they have. Such a project should be done when there is the capacity and the room to do so. The advertisement campaign goes horribly wrong, leading to a drop in population growth instead, much to the dismay of the government. Viciously and aggressively promoting something so personal is not always a good idea. Silver Knight Company Ignoring the part about being a defensive station, the engineers finish the construction of the refinery to the base itself first. Of course, they scout out possibilities to add defensive measures to the asteroid belt, but a system to that can be done another time. With a lack of a shipyard capable of building such a ship, the construction of such a facility is started instead, to build the proposed and thankfully already designed gunship/small freighter at a later date. By the end of this year, it's halfway done, so it will take another year to get it up and running. Perhaps the company will rejoice, as the Backhatta Hive dismantles its outpost on the planet and leaves with the ships. Their official statement notes that their observation has concluded and they have noted the Company as a potential partner for the future. Also, so you know, Backhatta are four armed, tall insectoids with buglike faces, but capable of vocal speech that sounds a bit scratchy though. ---- Population growth Republic of Xie - 147,500 Humans Imperial Republic of Mankind - 149,000 Humans Terran Federation - 142,500 Humans, 1,500 Grgl, 1,250 Tassareans, 250 Human-Tassareans, 50 Libellans New Sephoria - 170,000 Humans, 50 Protorians Silver Knight Company - 145,500 Humans, 250 Tassareans, 20 Backhatta, 50 Redons United States of Arcturus - 151,500 Humans Aurora - 154,000 Humans, 500 Tassareans, 500 Grgl, 20 Protorians, 25 Human-Tassareans Hephaestus Holdings - 140,500 Humans, 4,500 Grgl, 3,750 Tassareans, 1,650 Human-Tassareans, 100 Libellans, 50 Redons, 20 Backhatta Saga Initiative - 145,500 Humans The Holy Kingdom of Eadn - 100,000 Humans People's Council of Utopie - 143,500 Humans, 500 Protorians, 250 Libellans, 250 Grgl, 500 Tassareans Order of Malta - 132,000 Humans The Remnants - 132,500 Humans, 250 Tassareans, 50 Grgl, 100 Libellans ---- Galactic Assembly - Founded 2115 The Galactic Assembly is founded by the Protorian Council. With ambassadors from following nations, each holding two seats: Backhatta Hive (low) - Confederation of Xaplonius (High) - Redon Imperium - Republic of Galaron - Protorian Council - Human Colonies - Tassaran Republic - Libellan Union. Human Colonies (Bold means, holding a seat): PAR: PAR Terran Federation: Hephaestus Holdings, Auroran Imperium, Silver Knight Company Auroran Imperium: Terran Federation, The Remnants Previous issues: The Republic of Galaron wishes for action from the members to assist them in their continous war against the Karass Dominion. (Results: 10 to 6 for No. Only the Protorian Council and the Confederation of Xaplonius voted yes (along with Galaron of course).) The Redon Imperium demands acknowledgement of claims towards various nearby sectors. (14 to 2 for No.) The Tassaran Republic proposes a joint effort of the assembly participants to encounter the Corrupter Dominion, by either showing strength to deter them of closing in or by establishing some sort of communication. (8 to 8. The Protorian Council, Human Colonies, Xaplonius and Tassarea voted yes.) The cultural exchange program is being proposed. (12 to 4 for Yes. The Redon Imperium and the Backhatta Hive have voted No.) Current issues: No current issues are being discussed this year. ---- Events Sightings of an aged man in a white suit. (+2 AP for everyone next turn only) The Redon Imperium claims new sectors for themselves. The Republic of Galaron lost ground to the Karass Dominion. The Ceri Collective and Skellar Kingdom make an appearance. ((ALL PLAYERS ARE ASKED TO POST THEIR SHIPYARD LEVELS NEXT TIME FOR THE MAP UPDATE. Thank you ;) )) ---- Map update ---- Year 2118 by Earth's calendar.

Imperial Republic of Mankind It takes only a couple months until the first lichen and moss planting machines begin to roll ahead. Powered by solar power and small fuel cells, these autonomous drones will continue to roam the barren landscape, once in a while to return to refill their spores and seeds. Additional habitats are being built at a suitable location nearby, connected with the remainder of the colony. Room that certainly is necessary, given the colony's growth. The sensor sweep of the moon yields no significant results. The ship's systems appear functional, but a minor interference in one of the craters appears to strike out. Heading into orbit to investigate reveals this spot to be a slightly heightened flat metal door. It's sealed currently. (Encounter, if applicable.) The Sovereign Military Order of Malta The complex and vast house certainly is a task for itself, but certainly not a task too big for the people who are so used to them. By the end of this year, a quarter of the building is done, quicker than originally anticipated. At the current rate, the engineers estimate it to take another three years. The enviromental suits of the colony ships already prove to be quite sufficient, as their modular parts allow the wearers to only equip the breathing equipment or the masks to them. A lighter and less technical version is being designed regardless and in use by quite a few people by the end of the year. Die Volksrepublik (PAR) Expanding into other valleys, new domes and grounds are being prepared for farming work. Given the substantial growth of the crops in the past year, there is more than enough to plant. Given the volatile nature of the crystals, when any kind of energy is induced to them, a concept for an explosive weapon is drafted up. A few testing samples prove to be devastating with already very small amounts of crystal, destroying a good dozen of robots in the process of assembling such a bomb. The Protorian Council sends a set of crops which appear to grow incredibly well in low atmosphere and high altitude regions. Requiring very little water and sunlight, these plants called Ri'taal grow round smooth orange fruit with black flesh. Their nutritional value is reasonable for what little they require. United States Of Arcturus The field tests are concluded by the end of the year. An operational system for the generation of gravitational fields is complete. Whilst anti gravity has not been achieved, the methods of generating artificial gravity without the use of rotation or mass, is going to prove substantial. The scientists and engineers proudly proclaim, the system can be installed anywhere by now, with the force panels to be installed underneath the floors, where intended. New Sephoria Important positions are fortified, shelters prepared, the warden machines are ready, observing the surrounding landscape, slowly patrolling the colony and perimeter. A nervousness about this encounter fulfills the colonists, prayers to god are being heard in the eerie silence as the colony stood still, distantly observing the shuttle flying off in the distance. Peace is what they all hope for. The foreign vessel that had been detected proceeded to head directly for the colony soon after its arrival, clearly having detected the colony. The shuttle approaches the ship as brave as possible for the men and women inside. Soon it's looming in front of them, certainly capable of housing hundreds if not a thousand men. A hangar bay opens, lighted up to guide in the volunteers. As it enters, the hangar closes and darkness follows suit. Earlier, this new batch of robots is finished, with another 100 labor robots ready to fulfill their purposes. Hephaestus Holdings Incorporated Genuine. Building factories to build more factories. Certainly, all this careless expanding and building has proven to be a viable way to expand capacities, but striking a lack of workforces is not very... convenient. Due to the fact that there are so many jobs but no people to fill them, there are no extra factories finished (over the planned ones of course). Rbl Matsh. The name of the shipyard which in the end sells the Arlbgrrrb, a small freighter with artificial gravity generators for its storage and crew compartments, in exchange for a bulk of refined materials and metals. The People’s Republic of Xie Building so many ships with what the Republic has is a surreal task. The Warp drives are constructed, but the engineers can only offer to build one of these proposed colony ships. It would take another two years to even finish the one, given the lack of a big enough production facility to house the thing itself. With the contraceptives locked away and under fine, people, dissatisfied with the freedoms taken away from them, continue to go about their days as usual. No significant changes in births have been recorded this year. The Terran Federation The live tests go successful, no issues have been detected at all. The present Grgl, proud of their engine express their joy with plenty of chirps and gurgles, stating the adapted technology works flawlessly. The crystals on the other hand, when being given a hint by a Tassaran ambassador, turn out to be a source for energy. Utilized in a contained mechanism or storage device with the right setting, it can be used as a power source, either alike a battery, or within a power generator. The Remnants The colony ship, not intended for military purposes, can be redesigned and retrofitted, but it is an extensive process and will take four to five years at the current pace. And then, what would be carried by the ship itself? With this task, the engineers proceed and begin working on the ship, hoping to see it finished in what best way they can. With this remainder of engineers and resources given to the construction team, they manage to lay the foundation for the shipyard in this year. It will take more time to finish this up. Turning the big and crude mining lasers into viable weapons is a difficult task, the scientists arguing where to begin in the first place. By the end of the year, no results have been generated, leaving the colony at step one in that regard. Aurora By the end of the year, the scientists and engineers managed to cut the energy requirements of the rifle by ten percent. Which results in about ten percent more shots per power cell. All they manage to finish with the allocated resources at the end of the year are smaller versions of the motor systems, for joint regions of the robots. They require more resources and time, heads and hands specifically to take care of this task properly. Given that Virtual Reality has been a thing on Earth for quite a while, this task is easily accomplished and a potential interfacing system between robots (if there are any capable of it) and the headsets is finished. The public already has access to these. Hatching one of these giant worms turns out to be successful. These docile plant eating worms wiggle happily throughout the laboratory compound. But given their rate of growth and the size they are (and their eggs), this might actually need a farm ground (quite a big one at that). Silver Knight Company Almost there. With the task almost done, next year they should finish up the remaining tasks, preparing the manufactories for use. The outpost is done and also the ore processing unit is ready. The refinery is the last thing that they engineers have planned to build. Sage Initiative A scout ship is readied up with the new drive, prepared to explore strange new worlds and boldly go where no man has gone before. The year is over and the first model of the personal assistance system is ready. With some tests showing an improvement in combat ability for the troops of about five percent, it surely proves to be a boon to hint the wearer towards various threats and dangers or pull his attention to certain things, giving him vital information about himself and his surroundings. The suggested name is LAS (Logical Assistance System). The Holy Kingdom Eadn At last the goal of traversing the system for an extended amount of time is reached. An incredible feat given the consumption of the drive and the lack of power cells that are able to sustain such a prolonged usage. Respectively, the fighter has gained quite a bit of weight as additional power banks have been installed on it. Not much happens this year, except for two new small mining operations on a nearby moon. The people appear reluctant to leave their solid home and traverse space again. ---- Population growth Republic of Xie - 143,000 Imperial Republic of Mankind - 139,500 Terran Federation - 137,500 Humans, 1,250 Grgl, 1,000 Tassareans, 100 Human-Tassareans New Sephoria - 159,500 Silver Knight Company - 139,000 Humans, 50 Tassareans United States of Arcturus - 145,000 Aurora - 148,500 Humans, 250 Tassareans, 250 Grgl Hephaestus Holdings - 136,000 Humans, 3,500 Grgl, 3,000 Tassareans, 1,250 Human-Tassareans Saga Initiative - 139,500 The Holy Kingdom of Eadn - 98,000 People's Council of Utopie - 136,500 Humans, 250 Protorians Order of Malta - 126,500 The Remnants - 127,000 ---- Galactic Assembly - Founded 2115 The Galactic Assembly is founded by the Protorian Council. With ambassadors from following nations, each holding two seats: Backhatta Hive (low) - Confederation of Xaplonius (High) - Redon Imperium - Republic of Galaron - Protorian Council - Human Colonies - Tassaran Republic - Libellan Union. Human Colonies (Bold means, holding a seat): PAR: PAR Terran Federation: Hephaestus Holdings, Auroran Imperium, Silver Knight Company Auroran Imperium: Terran Federation, The Remnants The Republic of Galaron wishes for action from the members to assist them in their continous war against the Karass Dominion. (VOTE) The Redon Imperium demands acknowledgement of claims towards various nearby sectors. (VOTE) The Tassaran Republic proposes a joint effort of the assembly participants to encounter the Corrupter Dominion, by either showing strength to deter them of closing in or by establishing some sort of communication. (VOTE) ---- Events A spacebattle turns dire for the Republic of Galaron. They have sustained heavy losses. The Tassaran Republic reports a new set of outposts being erected closer to the Tassaran home space. These outposts appear to have military purposes. It's quiet otherwise. ---- Year 2117 by Earth's calendar.

New Sephoria By the end of the year, New Sephoria can celebrate 220 new robotic inhabitants. With 200 Mk. I Labor robots and 20 Wardens, life should be quite a lot easier and safer per say. Not that there were many threats to begin with. The expansion of the mentioned mining facility goes as planned, but no substantial gains are made, given the little resources allocated and how intense in time the construction of the robots were. Sensor arrays and observation stations do strike out, as after years of silence a foreign vessel has been detected, entering the solar system. Appearing to be the size of a battleship, it seems to in a survey mission, as smaller recon crafts can be observed scattering from it throughout the system. It will only be a matter of time until the colony itself is detected. The Holy Kingdom of Eadn At last, the population project is complete. It took plenty of resources, had a couple of setbacks, but in the end it was done. At least no flaws were detected in the "newborn" children, and they would become productive members of society at some point for sure. They have managed to extent the capacities of the energy and fuel reserves substantially, but the intended goal is not reached. At least now, the craft is capable of traversing the whole system within a day and still able to make it back to the colony to land safe and sound. Extended runs are not quite feasible still. United States Of Arcturus Whilst the principles of gravity are understood, the artificial creation of gravity without the utilization of different forces, by generating a field of gravity so to say is a difficult task. Doable, so claim the scientists, as they show overly complex theories, principles and calculations at the end of the year. We are about halfway there. Earth's research was invested in this, as to make it feasible for the colonization of the moon and mars and so forth. Give us more time, a third scientist claims. Time and resources. Aurora Without specific focus on what should be improved this runs into the sand. The engineers murmur about the impossibility of making something cheaper and more powerful and lighter and more efficient at the same time. That just does not work. And also not with the allocated resources. Robotics are not entirely new. Manually controlled robots are about in plenty, some bigger automated machines utilized in farms are also present, humanoid robots with specific levels on independence require a lot of work. Some preliminary designs were set out and drafts were made, but nothing substantial come from it, given the huge task of dealing with motor systems, limb coordination, storage capacity, energy consumption and so forth. Whilst they do not encounter any... hostile fauna, they do find a strange egg-laying worm. Out of curiosity and because one of the guardsmen forgot his rations, they plucked one of the eggs from the nests they have found in those small artificial caves these worms have made and broke it open. The blueish slime inside did not appear poisonous and soon enough they made themselves couple of big pans of fried egg (It's one big egg). The year comes to an end, and the first Corvette of Aurora leaves the shipyard, proceeding to continue up into orbit, ready for further orders. People's Council of Utopie The Protorian Council is not interested in any kind of vassalage. They leave the People's Council in peace so they may prosper on their own terms. The farms are expanded with the excess storage of seeds. Growth appears to be well and rich crops are being harvested this season, enough to almost double the rations for every citizen and still have supplies left. This should definitely give the population a morale boost. The energy appears to hide potential energies within. How to utilize it, might be the question. Much alike their colleagues of Aurora, the task appears to be impossible with the given resources, so many problems ahead, so little time to take care of any of them. Imperial Republic of Mankind Alexander remains in charge, as the populace appears to agree with his course of actions, or at least got used to his rulership. The field tests of the warp drive in the outer system work with great success. The corvette's structural integrity holds together, the ship exceeds all expectations. Morale is high, the people are eager to find new grounds and perhaps find their lost kin out there in the galaxy. They have not given up hope that there may be more humans left alive. Considering that Earth weaponry does work in space quite alright, this task is obsolete. If there is a sufficient energy supply, the engineers note, then it should easily be done, slapping a mining laser onto a spaceship. The corvette might prove to be a bit too small, unless they improve their "laser technology" to fit it onto the small vessels. The first dark clouds are observed in the sky of the colony's planet, as years of straight forward pollution and greenhouse gases have begun to accumulate. And then a bit of rain falls. Water droplets, pitch black from the dirt they carry, fall to the earth, painting it ever so slightly. The Saga Initiative The WARP drive research comes along nicely and by the end of the year, they are prepared to install their first prototype drive into a recon vessel and launch it into the stars. So to speak. The testing shows some success, with improvement rates of about 10% to the old systems. Smaller versions have not been done yet though, that will take more time to give an infantry man his personal assistant. Silver Knight Company The layout for the foundations are complete and the exterior structure is halfway done. More materials and workers are required though to finish up the latter and get to the internal workings and utilities of the facility. Only then they might be ready to start producing the first machines. Two years, the chief engineer mentions. With the candidate chosen, the construction proceeds as planned. Within the coming year they should be done with the first outpost on the rock, more facilities, such as a refinery and ore processing unit planned in later years. The Terran Federation By the end of the year, the small exploration freighter is finished, ready to utilize its newly installed warp drive to travel where no man has gone before. The Confederation of Xaplonius has placed a few observers to the whole task, not interfering, but watching how mankind would take its first steps to the stars, here. The crystals prove to hold huge potential in terms of energy. Harnessing it has to be figured out, but at least we do know, that channeling focused light into it causes violent eruptions and damage. This stored potential energy should be sapped slowly and not released abruptly. Hephaestus Holdings Incorporated More and more of the planet's surface drown under the mass of industrial complexes and factories, as the newest project begins to chew itself through the rather plain landscape. Building an entire district certainly takes time, but the first set of factories are ready to produce. There are various ship producers in both the Confederation and the Tassaran Republic, which, privately owned, do sell smaller civilian ships and freighters. All of the ships come fitted with warp drives, which appears to be the standard for space travel all about. The Grgl and Tassaran drive models work quite similarly at similar prices and quality. The People’s Republic of Xie The vast factory complexes are finished by the end of the year, ready to assume production. Not much else to say here. ---- Population growth Republic of Xie - 135,500 Imperial Republic of Mankind - 131,500 Terran Federation - 131,000 Humans, 1000 Grgl, 750 Tassareans, 50 Human-Tassareans New Sephoria - 150,500 Silver Knight Company - 131,500 United States of Arcturus - 138,500 Aurora - 143,000 Hephaestus Holdings - 129,500 Humans, 3,000 Grgl, 2,000 Tassareans, 750 Human-Tassareans Saga Initiative - 133,000 The Holy Kingdom of Eadn - 96,000 People's Council of Utopie - 129,500 Order of Malta - 120,000 The Remnants - 120,000 ---- Galactic Assembly - Founded 2115 The Galactic Assembly is founded by the Protorian Council. With ambassadors from following nations, each holding two seats: Backhatta Hive (low) - Confederation of Xaplonius (High) - Redon Imperium - Republic of Galaron - Protorian Council - Human Colonies - Tassaran Republic - Libellan Union. The seats for the Human Colonies have to be decided upon by vote through all human colonies. All get one vote for which colony they wish to have representatives from. The first and the second choice get a seat each on the Galactic Assembly. The Protorian Council hopes for participation. ---- Events The Galactic Assembly is founded. The Terran Federation, Aurora, Hephaestus, Xie, the Remnants, Silver Knight Company, Utopie have contact to eachother now, as well as the nations listed above for the Galactic Assembly. A foreign ship is detected the system of New Sephoria. Combat between the Republic of Galaron and the Karass Dominion continues. Neither are making any substantial gains. The Tassaran Republic proclaims its encounter with the so-called Corrupter Dominion. For all matters, they appear hostile. ---- Map update! ---- Year 2116 by Earth's calendar.

Assuming you reply me in Skype welcome aboard. Please hold off posting until I am done with my modpost. You will be added onto the map as well.

Currently, no. And they may remain out of grasp, due to balancing them against the other players. If I was to open up an alien faction, then it's a preset one.

Map update: For everyone interested, applications are open again, feel free to apply again. Previous applications need to be redone.

New Sephoria The housing complexes and facilities begin to grow in the new settlement, as throughout the year new resources and workers are being brought up. It goes along, one would say, but as there is no set goal, it will just continue to grow. With the production facilities finished in terms of design, the installation takes place. This coming year they are ready for production, so the engineers claim. It most certainly is not a bad idea. Expanding farmlands, constructing additional harvesting machines, increasing the raw amount of food produce there is. Assuming the growth keeps on as the younger people of this generation begin to push up and have children of their own, it is a call that had to be made. Fortunately the land is rich, the weather stable and there were no issues with climate or mother nature. The Terran Federation Whilst not directly requested, the government of the Confederation of Xaplonius was kind enough to supply schematics for functional warp drives. The resources invested were being utilized to adapt the technology to human standards and prepare a first prototype for testing. The Confederation has not asked for a favor in return, but who knows. Cybernetic implants and replacements are not entirely new. Earth had a few mediocre but functional designs which were used by people who could afford it back then, replacing an arm, or a leg. Whilst the motion systems certainly still pose a challenge, designing a limb based on the existing knowledge of mankind proves to be quite simple. The artificial arm still looks a bit rudimentary, has a few clunky motions, but it is functional regardless. Aurora Mining proceeds as planned, the overseers and the workers heeding the request of minimizing enviromental effects and introduce by themselves a suitable waste disposal system, also sorting what they can sort for potential recycling. It is not that Earth did not teach the people what is wrong and right, it's just how it's being done and how the knowledge is utilized. Not two years, but one year. With the combined effort there was, the spaceport is finished. Scanning the remainder of the planet proves to be quite uneventful. Plenty of untouched landscapes, forests, rivers, hills, some mountain ranges. The sensors pick up no unusual readings of the sort. Hephaestus Holdings Incorporated A smart move and a lot of effort, some would say. The results speak for themselves. Two months into the campaign, the Tassaran Republic sends a counterpiece depicting well what their people have achieved and who they are. It could be intended to mock Hephaestus a little, but it did actually have a positive effect on the human population. As in their eyes, the Tassaran Republic appears to be very successful and powerful, there are a few who idolize their ideals and effort, trying to achieve the same. That includes having children. United States Of Arcturus A year worth of exploration yields little findings about the origin of the source in the sector east. But, a very suitable candidate for colonization was found amongst the planets of the dozens of stars. The engineers with their foresight have built a very adaptable shipyard. Expanding was an easy task to do, but it of course still required resources. The size is adequate enough for Destroyer sized ships now. Given that bringing fresh ores and metal from the asteroid belt to the facilities in space proves to be a very convenient way of supplying materials, the assembly of the necessary facilities begins. Whilst it's doable, it's an extensive project for it being the first. Three years until the operation is functional and the first supply runs can be made. The People’s Republic of Xie Building many factories requires many resources. And a lot of time. Expansions proposals are being drafted for already existing factories, new foundations are being set up, there is progress regardless of it all. What appears to be quite ominous at the start turns out to be a rather boring experience. The material appears to be an alloy between an unknown metal and steel. The chunks of metal show incredible resilience against common tools, but it's possible to smelt them in a high enough temperature. Reforging should work too, but it still throws up the question where to obtain this material from, as the scientists can not figure out a way how to split the unknown metal from the steel. The probe is swiftly constructed and sent out. With the only issue being that it has no communication devices that are fast enough for instantenous communication over such lengthy distances. As if that was not the worst of it all, a mere week after the probe left the system, it was being brought back, being brought back by one of the foreign ships which have shown up in between, leaving it deactivated floating in orbit around a nearby moon. Disregarding whether it was received or not, a vessel of similar construction, but in the size of a battleship accompanied by an entire fleet of smaller vessels have been detected in the system, approaching the colony. Whether this is peaceful or not has yet to be seen. Let's hope. Imperial Republic of Mankind Whilst the resources assigned do not appear to be sufficient enough to build to, they build one whole. The corvette is placed in orbit, waiting for any further instructions. Instant travel has no lesser variants of itself. As such as infinite speed has no slower versions of itself. The drive itselfs proves to be worthless to investigate in particular. Instead the scientists and engineers pick up Earth's old design and research about warp field technology and begin to investigate further. Half a year later they claim that they have found a way to make it possible, presenting the interim results. The remainder of the year they focus on developing a first prototype, whilst that one still requires fieldtests, if those are successful, they can build a first functional warp drive next year and retrofit the fresh corvette with it. Silver Knight Company The design of assembly lines for the machines are being drafted, given that they should take place on the planet itself. A suitable spot is being surveyed for at the same time. Next year they should be able to begin construction of such a facility, with the exterior parts and the foundation at least. The found ore vein proves to be quite extensive and instead of finding a new deposit, they proceed to exploit and expand upon the current one. It goes very deep it appears, with sufficient supply for a dozen lifetimes perhaps. Calculating the trajectories and orbitals of hundreds and thousands of asteroids is quite the task. But the computer does its work. And the systems and software calculate and work with the final result at the end of the year. They found a couple of suitable candidates, of whom the biggest one shows the promise of never having any collisions for the next hundred years. External factors of influence not heeded of course. The Holy Kingdom of Eadn Again, despite all efforts and the increased amount of resources poured into it, the target amount is not reached and only a part of the planned goal is reached. 14,500 new people are being created that year. Even though the progress of research is slowed, it is not without result. The first design is approved and fusion drives are well installed without altering the workings of the fighter too much. Still, the issue of fuel reserves remains. That is a big task that has to be dealt with. The Saga Initiative Developing a smaller version of the already in use targeting software is doable, although they require a lot of resources (calculating capacity and so forth) to function properly. The concept is being put into its early stages, and developement has only just begun. Field tests can not be expected any time soon. The notion of a heavy and bulky railgun or Gaussrifle deters many officers. They are well in the opinion that railguns should be placed upon tanks, ships and other bigger vehicles, because they do not require the mobility infantry does. Besides that, developing small enough and powerful enough magnetic accelerators will take a good amount of time and effort. At the current standpoint there is little sense to attempt such a thing. It is a jump drive, not a warp drive. But as it was mentioned, the scientists proceed to study the old warp field research from Earth, the mechanics to it, to figure out a proper way how to estabish a warp field and allow for faster than light travel. ---- Population growth Republic of Xie - 129,500 Imperial Republic of Mankind - 124,500 Terran Federation - 126,000 Humans, 750 Grgl, 500 Tassareans, 10 Human-Tassareans New Sephoria - 140,500 Silver Knight Company - 126,000 United States of Arcturus - 133,000 Aurora - 137,500 Hephaestus Holdings - 124,500 Humans, 2,500 Grgl, 1500 Tassareans, 500 Human-Tassareans Saga Initiative - 127,500 The Holy Kingdom of Eadn - 88,000 People's Council of Utopie - 121,500 ---- Events The battleship that visited the People's Council of Utopie turns out to belong to the Protorian Council. Communication was surprisingly quickly established as these gold skinned humanoids introduce themselves in very old French. According to them, they have known mankind for quite a while already and have observed the events that have been going on. Whilst they express relief that the race of the humans has not vanished, they regret not being able to do anything at that point. Regardless of it all, they leave Utopie with the technology of Quantum Communication to allow them to contact them anytime required. The battleship leaves along with the smaller vessels, to explore other systems it appears. A fleet of ships lead by a battleship is approaching the Republic of Xie's colony. (Encounter) A ship shows up in the solar system of the Silver Knight Company. It is on direct course to the colony. It appears to be a light cruiser in size and armament. It's design does not match the design of the other ships that are still present. (Encounter) Rumors about an encounter with a foreign nation further north in the galaxy reach Hephaestus, Aurora and the Terran Federation. The Tassaran Repubic has made contact. The rumors themselves state that the encounter was hostile and the Republic had to report two lost vessels. ---- Year 2115 by Earth's calendar.

http://www.strawpoll.me/12887280 Dropping this little poll. Considering to accept newcomers, if wanted. This will cut down the quality of my posts a bit though. For such, vote here: http://www.strawpoll.me/12887436

New Sephoria More buildings are being erected, housing complexes get their foundations laid out. Naturally it will continue to take time, but it grows. With this year's effort invested into designing machines which automate the progress first, they expect to be ready to produce the first robots at this rate in two years. On the other hand, based upon the existing first prototype and its functional principles they continue to design a variant with enhanced motor capabilities, strengthened structure and bulkier and sturdier appearance as a whole. Though the scientists comment that the robot has significantly slowed down, it can still fulfill a certain guardian duty by protecting civilians utilizing its body and raw strength. The first prototype shows certain promise as it lifts steel crates of equal size and weight with some effort, being able to push or three times its personal weight across a flat smooth surface. Aurora A clanging noise becomes the new trademark of the first set of half-automatic railgun rifles. Showing incredible stopping power, penetrating all known armor with ease, the weapon shows promise. It has a few trade offs. The rifle requires high amounts of energy to power the magnetic accelerators, and the rifles are fragile and expensive to produce. It might not necessarily become the standard issue weapon for the common soldier, but given its punching power and range, recon units or snipers could use them. The engineers focus on their efforts and appear to do a great job at that. Soon enough, a quarter of the station is finished. Give us two years, proclaims one of the engineers. Whilst the notion is understandable, it is rather that the currency of the colony is being assimilated by the two nation's currencies who field a much stronger and deeper economy themselves. That being a given of course, as there are 132 billion Grgl and 78 billion Tassareans. Trade itself though, flows nicely, and both nations offer generous exchange courses for the currency of Aurora. United States Of Arcturus And thus the work on the first child begins. That is what some people state, seeing the exploration vessel as the first descendant of the great Ark which brought them there in the first place. That being a given, there is excitement and eagerness in the ear, effort goes in, workers have high hopes. Twenty-four hours a day in four shifts, all the days through the week, the colonists labor and work, forcing their sheer will unto the project, to finish it as soon as possible, as perfect as possible. By the end of the year, it is done. The ship is built, now all that is missing is a crew and a destination. And supplies. And an initiative. And such things. You know. And so they begin to drill new shafts into the surface, drilling deep and greedily for what may be found. Ores and minerals aplenty. Considering the current festive spirit of the people and the good luck which appears to be present, there is barely anything necessary to... remind the people. It just happens to happen. The People’s Republic of Xie It is strange, but as if it was a necessity, people are being moved up step by step into the space station without further ado or resistance. Relocating someone does not affect them as much as it is right now, given the colonists background. The probe, which turns out to be a simple beacon, given its constant and regular signal, proves to be hard to crack. When they manage to do so, the insides reveal nothing very notable except for the technical system which emits the signal, something they are well capable to build, and a strong power source in form of a peculiar battery. A bar on the side appears to show its charge. Still full, despite fully blasting this signal for this prolonged time already. Whilst there is no "speed" technology to be found at the edge of the "galaxy", no weapon systems or anything still intact of the sort, the remaining hull fragments show a bit of promise. The chunks of metal appear incredibly resistant and the drones can barely take any samples without breaking their drills. Imperial Republic of Mankind The construction is well underway and soon two new domes are added to the barren but slowly foggy region where the colony is located. The plants appear to be growing well, and given the automated harvesting methods from Earth, should feed a good more people, allowing for higher rations. Walls and ceiling, installations and utilities and it's done. The shipyard is finished, ready to consume materials and spit out ships, so to say. With automating the smelting process workers are freed up, bringing relief to sections in mining and other facilities which have urgent need of more workers, given the rapid expansion as per the Emperor's wishes. As a whole, this should result in a more stable raw materials output, with the automated smelters doing the preparation work for further refinement. The Terran Federation Given that all focus and resources of this year are poured into the project, soon enough the facility is done. It's a big one at that, there were no incidents, except for one lost arm, when a crate with concrete containers toppled over, crushing the poor man's arm. The workers suggest to name the facility Emmerson's Arm, after the arm of him. People's Council of Utopie It's becoming quite repetitive, training day in and day out. The growth in talent and skill seems to have flattened out, no remarkable improvements visible. Newcomers still learn, but the Elites and Veterans, they don't. An engineer brings some interesting news. When experimenting on one of the shards, he hooked it up to a transformator in order to push power into it, disregarding it's volatile nature. Instead, before he could turn the apparatus, it showed that it was already powered. Reverse powered so to say. Strangely enough as it was, the energy was rather high, so it might be just an anomaly. And thus they drilled and mined. Whilst mining quite readily what is known in terms of ores and minerals, the workers appear to avoid getting near to any of the crystals, ever since that one explosion caused a lot of damage. At this rate, the expansion of the outposts will take forever. One outpost at a time perhaps, but then the leaders of the outpost argue who should receive the resources first. This should require a solution. The recon vessels have reached the colony, the battleship turning, heading for the colony as well. (This encounter is still open.) The Holy Kingdom of Eadn Whilst there are already current known models for fighters which are well capable of entering orbit and traversing the globe with ease (none built so far), longer distances might require improvements in terms of fuel capacity and fuel efficency. The scientists utilize their given resources and do exactly that. With a set goal of having a fighter with a fusion drive that is capable of traversing the solar system within one day, and having enough fuel to do that five times in a row, whilst not losing any combat abilities... well that takes a while. But that's the offer. Whilst it might have been an eager promise by the biologists at the start, the final result is devastating. They were able to barely make a quarter of the goal. They weren't allocated enough resources to manage the task. The Saga Initiative As promised, the engineers manage to finish the platforms by the end of the year. The crude railguns pointing up, it is nontheless an impressive display. Whilst the engineers muse that it's like pulling out an old bike you haven't ridden for a century, they do as told. By the book, the long history of mankind has shown they have mastered the art of building oil extractors and solar farms. And so they are complete by the end of the year, considering the amount of resources that were put into it. Hephaestus Holdings Incorporated Ready and functional. Easy to assemble, cheap to produce. Whilst it eats through current power cells in about twenty shots, the rifle offers average range and average penetration and heat emission on the point of contact. Stopping power obviously is nil, as it shoots focused light and not solid ballistic bullets. The part system he has developed, allows for pistols and scatterlasers to be assembled as well, using the same parts. The Tassarean appears to be quite satisfied, as if he had just won the first prize in a school contest. There is more ore than a miner can mine. They are drowning. In ore. And metals. Whole swathes of barren land are left barren... wasteland. Well, huh, makes little of a difference, just that the litter from orbit and the scars on the surface look very unappealing. So far, it had no impact on tourism and immigration at least. Silver Knight Company The proposed model is finished and stands ready to be duplicated. A tall lumbering metal giant with two launching systems for missiles. An autoloader allows to replenish the launchers. Naturally at one point they will be out and require replacement. With the remainder of the resources they proceed to construct four more, bringing them up to five of these tall boxes of metal. One the other side of the planet, nothing appears to have changed, the foreign beings still remain unresponsive within and around their base, ships in orbit coming and leaving once in a while, then and when a dropship flying up or down. Nothing particular shows any preparation of the sort or anything. ---- Population growth Republic of Xie - 124,000 Imperial Republic of Mankind - 119,500 Terran Federation - 120,000 Humans, 500 Grgl, 250 Tassareans New Sephoria - 131,000 + A new prototype guardian bot. Slow but sturdy. Silver Knight Company - 120,500 United States of Arcturus - 126,500 Aurora - 122,000 Hephaestus Holdings - 115,500 Humans, 2,250 Grgl, 1000 Tassareans, 250 Human-Tassareans Saga Initiative - 122,000 The Holy Kingdom of Eadn - 73,500 People's Council of Utopie - 117,500 ---- Events A booming year one could say, hm. The battleship is closing in on the colony of the People's Council of Utopie. The recon vessels remain in orbit. (Encounter) The United States of Arcturus receive a signal. (Encounter) A destroyer ship was seen in the system of the Republic of Xie, flying by the battlefield, observing the drones briefly and leaving. In the weeks following, every week at the same time, a destroyer shows up, checking up on the system then vanishing. From where and where to, nobody knows. ---- Year 2114 by Earth's calendar.