stDarNES1: Stars! -- UPDATE 4
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GALACTIC NEWS ORGANIZATION (NDE 3)
I'm getting too old for this cr... oh, are we on? Ahem. And now, some late-breaking news from the Backwater Region. Mr. Dee, are you there?
<crazzackle... sizz... pop>
Ah, yes, Mr. Grey. I'm here. Sorry about the connection. With all these bipeds running around emitting hundreds of new transmissions, we're having trouble adjusting our filters. It's been a long time since we've had to deal with such old signals, and, quite frankly, my budget isn't large enough to get the right equipment.
Anyway, we're making do, and here's what's going on...
Astral Sojourners
MIG makes the jump away from Phellant to Broder.
CONFLICT! MEG fleet and CF1a make the jump simultaneously to the Enemsi System. Sojourner fighters erupt from the carrier group and engage the Enemsi Pirates. At the same time, dropship pods release from the MEG Transports and begin landing troops at the pirate base. A furious battle ensues, but the Sojourner fighter pilots had been rehearsing a vast multitude of scenarios for the attack, and emerged victorious against the small Pirate Fleet. On the ground, Sojourner soldiers engaged the armed population, facing 4-1 odds, but swiftly laid waste to the defense. CF1a took advantage of the victory and dropped Sojourner colonists into the system, thereby securing the Astra Sojourner claim to Enemsi System.
-->
Astral Sojourners: -7 Fighters, -100 Soldiers .. +1 Confidence
-->
Enemsi Pirates: -1 Carrier, -1 Transport, -60 Fighters, -1,000 Pop
A wave of colonization takes place, as the Sojourners establish colonial bases on Nox, Sabro (a small research station), and Broder.
An exchange of Technology is conducted with Haven (Robotics for Biotech). The resulting technology has created a new population boom on Oncol, doubling the population.
Harpellian Hegemony
The Hegemony launches its first scoutship, sending it to Qomoc (MDP 2). Preliminary scans of the system show that the three bodies large enough to be called 'planets' are wastelands. However, one of the planets is emitting a weak signal that the scoutship decodes as an Old Dominion SOS. Further investigation shows the ruins of an old ship, buried almost a kilometer beneath the surface. Scientific advisors on Harpell are petitioning the Hegemony government to send a scientific team there to study the ruins.
Across the Harpell System, the government is spending massive amounts of money to build up the infrastructure, investing in a multitude of new developments. The Hegemony fleet in Harpell is busy conducting training exercises. During one of the exercises, two squadrons inadvertantly set the same coordinates.
(-20 Fighters)
Haven
A new Carrier Group is constructed (Hive Force). Also, a transport group jumps to Fetarra and establishes Haven's second colony. This wave contains many scientists and their families, to study the System and learn all that can be learned.
On Xanthus Prime, every sort of dignatary, politicion, and financial backer appeared in the Capital to announce the beginning of the University of Mechanical Technology. Although the facilities will take 7 years to build and equip fully, once completed it will be the premier research facility in the faction, specializing in Construction, Energy, and Robotics technologies.
The Byblos Colony Fleet returns to Xanthus Prime. Blue Flame Scout fleet jumps to Broder, witnessing for itself the new Astral Sojourner colony. The Sentinel scoutship begins its 3 year jump to Hr'Tor. Haven scientists have been debating for years the differences in the Hr'Tor jumpgate, and have finally convinced the people to send a scoutship through.
The Silence jumps to Ramidi (MDP: 3), and makes contact with the Star Masons. The initial exchanges are open and friendly.
Also this year, the scientist-colonists on Byblos made contact with a native aquatic population, successfully breaking through the language barrier. The Aquinna are no more than a hunting/gathering society, but have begun helping the colonists with gathering food from the sea. Unfortunately, they Aquinna are carriers of a bacteria that proved initially lethal to humans, and many colonists died before an immunization was found.
(Byblos: -1k colonists)
Miria
The Mirian Military is building up its capabilities, with 100 new fighters and 12 new Cruisers constructed at Hr'Tor. Military scientists have also announced a breakthrough in ship weapons technology.
EF1 jumps to Ramidi, and makes two discoveries at once. They make contact with the Star Masons AND Haven. The Star Masons extend the same hospitality to the crew of EF1 as they did to the Haven Scoutship.
CF2 splits up, with 2 transports continuing on to Venever. An Embassy is established with the Veneverans, facilitating quicker and easier communications. The remained transports in Emey return to Hr'Tor. Other fleets are redesignated and redeployed, resulting in a more streamlined space fleet.
Republic of ZIB
The Midnight Marauders jump from Xanj to Argus (MDP 4) and make contact with a small faction calling themselve the Trinitev Composition. Only limited contact has been made, but it has become known that the Composition has engineered their brains to increase function, and communicate to each other through thought. Speech with them is slow, so communication with them is difficult, to say the least. They do not seem hostile, though. A report back to Zadon from the Captain of the Midnight Marauder says that it is "unnerving to see them just stare at you."
Meanwhile, the Black Skunk Diamond jumps from Ophius to Jaleen and makes contact with yet ANOTHER faction, calling themselves the Olgev Collective. Although greetings communications have been sent, no word has yet been received. The Olgev fleet has created a perimeter around the one colonized planet in the system.
In other news, terrorist activities have been worsening on Zadon. The government has been issuing incentives to would-be colonists, and some in-system factions have taken positions against this. Security remains a concern on Zadon, but so far the populace still feels safe.
Skyjack Conclave
The Skyjack Military has constructed an unprecedented 40 new transports. Economists think the government is preparing for a massive expansion. Upon news of this, the Lambert's Ring stock market took a plunge, leading the Conclave into a mild recession.
Imperial Republic of Trinity
Massive infrastructure development in the Trinity System has encouraged growth. Also, Trinity scientists have unveiled new construction technology allowing for a new class of ships, called Cruisers. The Military has also revealed plans for a Short Jump Attack Craft (SJAC), based upon the new Cruiser hull types, but smaller and built for in-system use only. The Military has not announced when it will begin production of these new SJACs, but pundits predict it will begin in the next year or so.
Scoutship Ra jumps from Tron to Nells (MDP 9), and picks up transmissions from the third planet, a hot jungle world. They make brief contact with an Admiral who claims to be from the legendary Old Dominion 51st Air. Then contact is lost. Scans confirm several grounded ships, which have been converted into a small community. Initial scans peg the population to be around 10,000.
Sypher retreats from Kalekka back to Quostellis. Obelisk jumps from Pr'ator to Holden, and makes contact with the UCCT. Transport Fleets Shalin and Yolin return to Trinity. Exodus jumps to Hari, engaging in a brief visit with the colonists before continuin on to another jumpgate.
On Nolat, there is a surge in Bloodfly activity, but defensive preparations had been made, and only a few colonists were killed.
(negligible loss)
UCCT
A new faction. Here's what I was able to dig up.
For the majority of the cycles since the fall of the old Dominion, the people living in Totalus have been under the tight control of power-hungry corporations, ruled by rich, elite dynasties. These corporate empires clashed constantly, numerous wars spawning between them. These conflicts were fought not with well-trained soldiers nor even with draftees, but with mercenaries financed by the great wealth accumulated by the corporations. Within the last fifty cycles however reforms by the leadership of numerous powerful dynasties allowed the creation of less profit-driven, more socially progressive cooperatives. This brought to the political scene a voice for the people and for a freer society. Since then, three powerful corporations the TCA [Toima Construction Agency], the MRG [Machinery and Robotics Guild], and the CWMG [Combat, Warfare, and Mercenaryship Guild] joined forces with three large, strong cooperates the BMRA [Biological and Medical Research Association], the FRP [Free Republic Party], and the LMRG [Laborer and Merchants Rights Guild] to form the United Corporations and Cooperatives of Totalus.
The UCCJTstands as the ruling body of Totalus, and most other corporations and cooperatives have either capitulated or have joined into the UCCT themselves. Containing the combined economic and political might of their systems organizations, the UCCT has absolutely vast resources at its disposal. However, this alliance is very fragile and requires a relatively precise balance of power lest either the corporations or cooperatives lose control. Totalus could easily fall back into the hands of the feuding corporate dynasties, but it could just as easily see them fall from power permanently and be replaced by a cooperative republic.
Zentraedi
The new Red Fleet jumps to Qomoc, and discovers not only Old Dominion Ruins (see entry for Harpellian Hegemony), but also makes contact with the Harpellian Hegemony.
The Golden Fleet jumps to Sakri'i and discovers more Old Dominion Ruins in the System. Perhaps this area of space was once a central hub for the Old Dominion?
A production mishap causes several Carriers being built to explode. The mishap is currently under investigation
(-4 Carriers)
...And so it goes in the Backwater Region, Mr. Grey. Back to... <crazzipop....> damn!
STORY WINNERS
-Miria: +2 Cruisers
-Trinity: +2 Cruisers
NEW RULES
-Economy: If your economy falls below Stable, it will cost HALF (rounded UP) of your Total Economy to raise it back up one level (Failed -> Bankrupt).
-Population: This will no longer factor into a system's development. Instead, population will add a silent defense bonus if your Star System is being invaded. Also, a higher population could (and probably will) affect your economy. It still is required to send AT LEAST 1,000 population to colonize a Star System.
-Army/Fleet Upgrades: This is now going to be done automatically. I think everyone was mostly assuming this anyway, so that's how it's going to be. As new technology is discovered, over the course of the "year" your troops will be outfitted.
NOTES:
SW - Continuing a project does not cost EP, but you DO need to specify in your orders that you are still working on it. The EP you were going to spend has been banked for the next turn.
Gelion - Since you asked about splitting orders, and didn't send a revision, I took the liberty of purchasing addition carriers and fighters. This won't happen again.
ALL: PLEASE write stories. I don't want to be an Evil Mod. The same people are getting bonuses because no one else is really writing stories. I will be much harsher next time.
I think I'll research Biotech instead and get some GenTroops. (Are those the ones called "Cyborgs" further down in post 2? 
