UPDATE 13
Aiweh colonists venture to the frontier, expanding their settlements on strange, alien worlds with haste and efficiency. It would seem that the Aiweh luck for exploration has returned, as a fairly fortunate system is located on the "western" frontier, while a system brimming with native sentient life is located on the "eastern" frontier. These natives, though fairly primitive, have seemingly mastered local space travel and settled much of their home system, mining and colonizing and even attempting to terraform worlds (albeit, with few results thus far).
Bako Tellian commanders launch a cautious, and ultimately costly, assault to recapture the Tounis colony. An armada of two fleets, each carrying a contingent of warriors trained in planetary drop tactics, arrived in the system early in the year. Unfortunately for the Tellians, their technological advantage was insignificant to the numerical superiority of the Skul'agran assembled armada. Though a fair amount of damage was done, their numbers were too few to overcome the defending fleets, and the defensive maneuvers of the Skul'agran commanders prevented any mid-battle troop drops. All hands perished in a desperate attempt to at least bolster resistance on the colony, leading to the Tellian government reaching a state of dread. Though new fleets arrive to replace those that were lost, the military situation appears to be drawing toward either stalemate or an all-or-nothing show-down.
Capricocial colonists spread out, settling the remaining uninhabitable, viable systems in their local sector, though otherwise make no further efforts to explore. At the moment, their attention seems to be held by the study of the primitive aliens to their galactic "south" and the newly-contact Myzokan race to their galactic "north" whom they continue to attempt to engage in trade with. While the language barrier remained a problem, significant efforts have been made to bridge this gap, and Capricocial merchant companies have begun making tentative offers of trade to the Myzokan settlers in the Sarford system. A new fleet is constructed, intended to resume Capricocial exploratory efforts, though these efforts are put on hold at the arrival of a new, and far stranger, alien species. A swarm of Kants arrive in the Capricocial home system, disoriented from their journey and apparently quite startled at locating a technologically advanced species. At first, they appear to be attempting to flee, though this action is halted. While the Capriocials know little of what their motives or thought patterns are, they remain curious and seek to analyze Kant communication signals to facilitate contact. Surely, a species capable of traveling in methods that circumvent relativity in mere space suits is worth trading with!
The Distopteran Hive reaches a barren system, seeking mineral and organic resources to fuel the Hive Ship and its population. The Nekopteran colony begins considering methods of space travel again, toying with the idea of contacting the Hive or possibly seeking out other worlds or species in the local galaxy. Though no concrete progress has been made on the aged and neglected propulsion systems of the original colony pods, a breakthrough is nearing quickly.
Geskani attention is solely focused inward, as the Singularity continues to provide resistance to the new way of life, free from government control, the rebel forces have secured all but the remote, wilderness areas where Singularity-loyal forces and machines put up minor resistance. The military forces at the frontier hold fast, unsure of what to do as their loyalties wane. A brief Satellian skirmish arrives at both (H/B-B) and (G/C-T), though seemingly lightly armed and dedicated to electronic interference devices. The Geskani defending forces seem puzzled, allowing the Satellian fleets to withdraw, which they do almost immediately.
Hletho explorers on the
Rhetho have begun making a wide curve back toward home, though first they have encountered a system seeming to be newly settled by a previously unknown alien species. As the system is investigated, the
Rhetho detects numerous large asteroid-vessels departing the system in the direction of Satellian space, followed several weeks later by the arrival of familiar Satellian transport ships. After a brief bout of communication with the Satellian vessels, it is learned that this species is a new trading partner of The Agreement and that contact between them and the Hletho will be happily aided by the local Satellians. Elsewhere, the
Tharaez carries on its exploration of Pohm space, attempting to further understand this aquatic civilization. This time, however, they are intercepted by a Pohm fleet intent on making more direct contact, though the results of this are as yet to be determined.
The military forces centered around the Startraveler
Rhaeda embark to (J/D-L), where contact was made with the Lelinthians, and a race of hostile, chaotic machines were found to be warring with each other with seemingly minimal guidance or direction. The
Rhaeda carried the objective of eradicating this potential threat, and upon arrival in the system, it and its escort vessels prepared for hostilities. Scanning the system, they located no irregularities, no vessels, no facilities. Assuming it was a malfunction, they proceeded to the nearest planet and prepared to engage their mechanical prey. This planet, and upon further inspection, every planet in this system appeared to have been heavily bombarded by atomic and kinetic weapons from orbit. It was then that far-reaching Zir probes detected trace amounts of debris from mechanoid ships, as well as what seemed to be material originating from Lelinthian vessels. After some time of investigation, it is concluded that a fleet of Lelinthian warships must have previously visited the system and done exactly as the
Rhaeda and its accompaniment were intending to do. Sweeps of the widely-scattered debris fields eventually located a fairly large chunk, originally assumed to be a very small asteroid, of what was clearly a Lelinthian vessel. Engineering teams were deployed to investigate.
A largely independent faction of the Hlethan race, originating from the land of Rhetho on Thaej, departed their home world in a colonial flotilla early in the year, seeking out a new home for themselves on the frontiers. Knowing that little exploration had been done in the vicinity of Lelinthian space, the Rhetho colonial flotilla sought out a habitable system in that direction, and by mid-year, located a system containing a fairly viable planet and numerous mineral-rich asteroid belts. Opting to settle immediately, they seem to have completely overlooked the subtle, quiet Lelinthian presence in the system. The Lelinthians are not likely to make a similar omission, though little has arisen from this event just yet.
Another new colony, this one more closely affiliated with the Alliance is settled on the core-ward side of the Hlethan frontier, while another new military-oriented fleet is constructed in the shipyards of Thaej. As a fair amount of resources are channeled into unlocking the mysteries of the ancient alien ruins left behind on Thaej, resources are also directed to the Satellians, who meet this offering with the implementation of numerous construction and engineering technologies, particularly consisting of ship-building and metallurgy knowledge. Lastly, the military Startraveler
Hrkan and its entourage investigate system J/F-T. Everything seems to be fairly routine, until quite abruptly, a few Zir drones appear to have disintegrated without explanation. The
Hrkan itself redirects from elsewhere in the system, ready for hostile action. Patrols sweep about the area in which the Zir drones once existed, but it isn't until one of the larger support ships begins to disintegrate, and then explode, that the fleet commanders are able to recognize the anomaly. A massive space-time distortion exists in this otherwise fairly worthless system, and on its periphery, the object is extremely unstable, leading to the disintegration of matter. Investigation ensues, from a safe distance of course.
A new colony is founded, near to where first contact was made with the Satellians. From there, Iokolu ships load up with material goods, heading for Satellian space, while the Satellians do likewise in return. As the trade route solidifies, so does the mutual understanding between the two races, as each side learns more about the other and the difficulties of communication slowly evaporate.
The Ivking global war is... apparently still going on? No one is exactly sure, including those that are involved in it. Not a lot has been happening, largely due to the massive amounts of damage to world-wide infrastructure and unhealthy doses of radiation floating about in the atmosphere, leading to many being dead or otherwise out of the loop as to what is happening anywhere else on the planet.
The fragments of Kant civilization continue to spread in many directions. The Okum Kant, still attempting to utilize the Red Fleet to draw away one of the pursuing Phleghesh command carriers, stumbles upon the Capricocial home system quite by mistake. At first, they assume it is a Phleghesh colony, though they quickly realize that nothing quite matches Phleghesh designs, signals or behavioral patterns in the least bit. Instead, they realize to their horror, that if the Phleghesh continue to pursue them, they might have spared their colony world, but possibly doomed yet another species to face the horrors of Phleghesh xenophobia. Surely, then, contact must be established in order to warn them of what is to come. They seem too curious and at ease to be prepared for this...
Meanwhile, the Sanctum Kant explore another potentially habitable system, only to locate an alien presence as well. Also assuming it to be the Phleghesh, they prepare for an immediate escape until they notice that nothing matches anything that they are familiar with. This is an entirely new, space-faring species. The Sanctum Kant immediately attempt to decipher the aliens' radio signals in order to make contact. These Kant are of the idea that, perhaps, an ally can be found to aid in reclaiming their home world.
The Parun Kant leave the primitive alien home world behind, not wishing to inflict themselves on yet another species. These Kant are far too familiar with the several dooms they brought upon their namesake, the Parun race. So, they seek out another new home on the edges of the galaxy, though they have yet to find a place where they feel safe enough to settle down.
Lastly, the Shadow Kant have traveled the farthest, bringing with them the ancient alien object unearthed from Sanctum centuries ago. The object, they believe, holds the key to their future and so, with great effort, they secured it for themselves just before the exodus. The Shadow Kant are probably the safest of their people, though they seem to be as yet unwilling to settle down, despite the great distance between themselves and the Phleghesh.
The Kekeji continue to have domestic problems, as malicious forces have managed to smuggle explosives onto one of the exploration ships, resulting in a very deadly explosion and an even higher security alert. Efforts are made to restore order to their civilization yet again, though it has yet to make a difference.
The Lelinthians continue their idle exploration of the galaxy, not really seeming exactly interested in making contact with the several alien species they have met in recent years. The exploration efforts of Kelethletel locates a Geskani colony, and the native defenders seem cautious to even approach the assembly of Lelinthian ships. After several days of study, by chance, a Satellian skirmish/scouting mission arrives for mere minutes, then departs in a hurry after having successfully employed several electronic countermeasures to confuse and misdirect the Geskani and, inadvertently, the Lelinthians before their flight. It isn't long after this that Kelethletel, herself, begins preparations to depart as well, not feeling very interested in the natives. Elsewhere, Lotholitel explores the Nhroaat arm of the galaxy, again disinterested in making contact, and thereby not able to be warned that they might be heading straight into a bizarre space crystal monster. Let's hope they just have a near-miss, at most. Efforts are made with haste to quell the unrest of the Vurdu people, especially once a Satellian exploration crew arrives. Warden Kululuthul politely explains that this system is none of their business, and that they should probably leave if not intent on completing any specific objective.
Myzokan explorers carry on their work of mapping the local galaxy, while diplomatic efforts continue with the newly-contacted Capricocial race. Elsewhere, Myzokan ships have encountered a race of space suit-clad aliens seeming to be quite disoriented and easily startled, though mildly curious in the Myzokan ships. What will come of this is, of course, yet to be determined. Otherwise, the Myzokans have invested quite a bit of their available resources into colonial expansion around the local regions of the galaxy.
Nhroaat SsKraed warships pursue the mysterious space crystal, while another fleet investigates the aftermath of the space crystal's attacks on the Krensht colony. Finding nothing but dead bodies littering the colonies, and fully depleted power sources in the otherwise completely intact facilities, the fleet reports its findings. The government remains uncertain as to how to respond.
The Orindi keep doing their thing.
Phleghesh command carriers continue to pursue the Kant across the galaxy, though morale for this endeavor is wearing thin. With little trace of the Kant remaining, the ruling council begins to consider recalling their ships back home, as new threats have emerged on other frontiers. Having left beacons behind in the formerly Kant-settled systems, the Ulmans Kungs explorers are detected and engaged, resulting in a fairly one-sided battle with the experience and bloodthirsty Phleghesh carrier. Still uncertain as to what should be done about the Raer, the two carriers in (D/I-B) hold their position as the council attempts to make a decision. A new carrier is assembled at the home world, while colonial expedition are sent out to settle the former Kant home world, as well as the home world of the primitive Parun species that seem to have been conquered by the Kant. These two colonies are directed largely toward studying the remains of their foes.
The Pohm nation of Betik assembles a new fleet in reaction to numerous alien contacts, while the Thun fleet is drawn away from the Nurg home world to attempt contact with Hletho explorers investigating system (G/H-T). Scientists achieve several major breakthroughs across the Pohm home world, and the information is quickly spread among the nations and colonies through various trade and espionage interactions. Several smaller nations make simultaneous moves for power, capturing considerable territory and resources from the Toti state. Though not particularly threatening, this news adds to political tensions across Pohm space regardless. Lastly, an alien fleet arrives in system (F/H-R), bringing the total number of alien contacts up to three in the past two years.
Raer explorers investigate system (F/H-R), inadvertently making contact with the Pohm. Other explorers pull away from the dangerous frontier, exploring "north" toward the core, though numerous lesser groups seem rattled by this as the mysterious alien threat to the "west" remains unresolved. To settle this issue, two new fleets of ships are assembled in orbit of the home world, bringing calm back to the masses.
Satellian explorers reach the Iokolu home world, while traders begin to traverse back and forth between the frontier colonies of the two races, bringing increased wealth to both species. Two small expeditions are launched to probe the nearest Geskani colonies, though in finding the two systems still being defended, they withdraw immediately. Nonetheless, the operation proves the viability of the electronic countermeasure systems employed on the two skirmishing fleets, enabling them to escape without incident. Warships shuffle about, as the defensive lines are drawn, though the Geskani attacks seem to have ceased, at least for the time being. One of the new Danger Area Exploration Fleets is sent in the direction of Lelinthian space, encountering a planet seeming to belong to them, though evidence suggests a far more primitive native species inhabiting the bulk of the planet. Regardless, with the insistence of the heavily armed fleet of Lelinthian ships present in the system, the DAE Fleet prepares to withdraw from the system in question. Satellian merchants provide numerous technical insights to the Hletho in return for material resources and increased trade, providing their friends with substantially improved manufacturing and ship-building techniques. Lastly, the Diplomatic Vessel and its accompaniment of support ships arrives at system (I/D-R) to pay a visit to the fast-growing Hlethan trade hub found there.
The Seipas Yag expand their colonies, but otherwise do very little.
The Skul'agra complete their suppression of revolt on the Nu'halas colony, formerly the Bako Tellian world of Tounis; it would seem that the last of the resistance fighters have been weeded out and eradicated. A Tellian mission to recapture the system fails, thanks to the substantial number of defending Skul'agran warships, though a significant amount of damage is done to the defending forces.
Snuddian scientists make further technical breakthroughs, reveling in their mastery of science and technology as their Proxy technology becomes more and more seamless. Permanent Proxies are becoming fairly commonplace, particularly amongst traders and deep-space engineers, and interest in exploration slowly begins to grow. For the most part, however, the Snud seem content to explore vicariously through the efforts of the Hletho and the Satellians.
The Ulmans Kungs lose their exploration fleet to a Phleghesh assault, while the combat fleet continues to make its way toward the frontier, unfortunately too late to save their comrades. Otherwise, colonial expansion continues.
The Undroth do nothing worth mentioning.
