stDarNES1: Stars!

Dis: I will do that. 0900 EST is 9AM.. 2100 EST is PM. I am using the 24-hour clock designation, for future reference.

You will still be marginally penalized for lack of story, though. Sorry.
 
stDarNES1: Stars! -- UPDATE 4
--------------------

GALACTIC NEWS ORGANIZATION (NDE 3)

GreyNewsCaster.jpg


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?

DinoNewsCaster.jpg


<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 Merchant’s 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 system’s 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!

Spoiler Starmap :

DarNES_turn004.png



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. ;)
 
Cam: You can join if you want. I have room for one more. Either choose a Faction or create your own, and PM the info.
 
Dang too late with my story as well :(

__________________________________
"Madya, why does it always have to be Madya?" Jarlt moaned.

"If by always you mean this month, and once three years ago...well you are obviously using a different definition of always" Ketten replied in that arrogant, Hawking Clan, way of his.

"Point, but why can't it be New Parleon? Or one of the other big Cosmops?"

"Well if you were to pay attention to the briefings then you would know that New Parleon is current under lockdown with that MutiFlu outbreak they have in the port quadrents. And no of the other big rocks are as neutral or acessible - no it has to be a Madya Conurbation or nothing. Besides we are paid to be bodyguards, we go where Elder Hatten4.7 goes, end of story."

"But the gravity! Its such a drag!"

"Make another pun like that and I'll shoot you myself" Ketten turned away, looking out of his viewport. The small lander buckled and swayed as it fell through the thin upper reaches of Madyas atmosphere, the dry and dusty desert below filling half the sky. Jarlt made a face and turned to double check his exoskeleton was fully powered up - like most spaceborn he lacked the musculature to jump around in a full g field like some moronic flatlander, he would rely quite heavily on the powered suit through the two day meeting. He didn't know it, but he was far more lucky than a baseline human from prespace flight days; government programmes in the Dominion, and further augmentation by the Conclave before the Fall, had bequethed him with a suite of genes that maintained his muscles while in zero g and regrown them rapidly on the ground, if not quite fast enough to make his stay bareable. The same programs had ridded the skyjacks of bone wastage in orbital environments. There were rumours that the Dominom had gone much further in these programs, a fact that very interested some of the Conclaves more scientifical inclined corperations.

A quick message from the pilot flashed through their sensoria, indicating that they would be landing in three minutes. This caused the slumbering dignitary between the two heavily armed men to awaken and sit up.

"Well boys" Started Elder Hatten4.7, none of his staff being allowed to use his first name. "This is an important day for everyone. The first swarm is finally rolling complete up in orbit and now comes the feeding frenzy"

"Frenzy, sir?" Asked Ketten respectfully.

"Yes, frenzy. The Scorpelten Corp that built the damn ships doesn't have the manpower to fill them with colonists. So they are going to open bidding on crew and cargo slots. After that incident on Red13 the Grand Conclave stepped in to adminster the auction, rather than risk another negociation turning south."

"Why such heat?"

"Come on Ketten, your smarter than that. Whoever gets to the new systems first will be able to pick out the best spots and bases for their clans and organisations, it would be far more valuble than a solid gold EL Doraldo!*"

"Of course sir"

"Now, I want one of you two to scout out the bars and docks while I'm in the arbitration chambers, find out who is after what and who as money from all the other staff who will undoubtably be doing the same thing."

Jarlt perked up at this; free time, away from the old man! A quick glance at the grubby red sky outside brought him down again, he could see the massive grey radiation sheild of the Greyhome Conurbation in the distance as the lander whipped round to the spaceport. He wasn't sure if listening to Elder bicker would be more or less fun than walk the corridors of the hive like city.

There have got to be better planets than this.
 
Heheh. You should know that pink's my favorite color, so I must thank you. ^_^

Before I post a story or anything, may I ask how I got contact with the Trinity and Harpellians? They're both halfway across the map. It appears that, if I were to have contact with anyone, it would be the Trinetev. The map shows Trinity arriving in a Zentraedi system, also. Unless some kind of super-weird space distortion has occurred, I don't think they've reached Totalus.

I hope if anything this helps you spot any errors you have made. ^_^
 
Darwin420 said:
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. :)
OOC: Thanks :) I didn't account for the time difference and wanted to write orders upon getting home this evening (as I said), but the update was already there. I will try to plan things better next time as well as do stories.Thanks for NPCing me and I think I kind of deserved it with my "additional notes";). I won't count on it agiain though L(
Great update, moving on to part 5....
 
To Haven
From Miria

We approach you as equals, and as such, we do not trust you. We wish for friendly relations and trade to spark between our nations, but be warned no military units, nor Govermental ships (excluding Scoutships) will be allowed to pass.

To Star Masons
From Miria

Greetings we wish that our co-existance will be peacefull.
 
To: Miria
From: Haven

Certainly. Your lack of trust is understandable in this dangerous universe.
 
woot! quick update Darwin. apologies for the lack of quality on my story this last round. I was 90% asleep at the time I wrote it.
next story and orders on the way.

TO Skyjack Conclave
gretting, after reviwing out database, we wonder if you would care to trade your research into Biotecnolagy for Our research in Construction. (lvl2 construction for lvl2 biotech)

To Zentraedi
Welcome to the greater world of Galactic civilization once again. we humbly Invite you to Join Trinity and our Glory. but if you chose not to, we still hope our two nations can enjoy peace a prosperity between us.
 
TerrisH said:
To UCCT
Welcome to the greater world of Galactic civilization once again. we humbly Invite you to Join Trinity and our Glory. but if you chose not to, we still hope our two nations can enjoy peace a prosperity between us.

OOC: Uh, I'm not entirely convinced we have contact with each other. The map says differently, anyway. I'm thinking it was a mistake, so please excuse me if I wait to respond. ^^;
 
Trinetev Composition (Mind Implants, limited speach capacity)
Argus System (1,3)
MDP: 4 : 4/-/-
Pop: 6.6M
Tech: W:S-1, W:T-1, C-1, E-2, R-1, B-2
Defense Bonuses: +3
SpaceStation
Fleet: 50 Fighters
Troops: 5,000 Soldiers

And I'll take the creepy progressives. :)
 
Toteone please do read the rules of a NES before joining. When you do that come back and re-do the template stats.
 
STORY WINNERS
-Miria: +2 Cruisers
-Trinity: +2 Cruisers
<snip>
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.
*cough*

[BEGIN STORY]
All was quiet in the little cabin aboard the military transport vessel. Then an alarm clock was heard.
. . . ping . . . ping . . . ping . . .
Underneath the bedclothes, a figure stirred. It groped for the switch, which was situated just far enough away to not be groped by those still asleep.
After fifteen seconds, the alarm switched over to secondary mode, and began to perfectly imitate the voice of hell's private drill sergeant. "WAKE UP YOU WORTHLESS LITTLE LOUSE! IS THAT A SPOT OF GREASE ON YOUR WEAPON? IF YOU AREN'T SHAVED AND IN FULL UNIFORM BY THE TIME I GET DOWN THERE-"
It took less than two minutes for a fully suited soldier to emerge from the cabin, still firing salutes left and right. Several other figures emerged from the neighbouring cabins at the same time, all in various states of disarray. None of them showed the least sign of unfamiliarity with this procedure, though, and the way they held their weapons exuded confidence.
Spoiler :
Code:
Weapon Specifications for Model H-45

Nickname: "Joshua"
Power source: Alkane-based microengine
Primary output: Sonic blasts, either conical (angle 10' to 40') or unidirectional (radius 3cm)
Secondary output: Fragmentation charges, clip size 2000
Recoil: 2N / 6N
Firing time under continual vacuum: 3 hours
Firing time in common atmosphere: Upwards of 80 hours
Weight: 28kg
Maximal dimensions: 0.86x0.45x0.31
Minimal dimensions: 0.62x0.20x0.25
Expected assembly time: Downwards of 30 seconds
Falling into step as though guided by some inner voice or telepathic form of communication (which, in fact, they were), a hundred men made their way to their transport hangar and formed up outside their transports.
<Broadcast from Rear Admiral Vandergon: "All forces to position! This is not a drill! Repeat, this is not a drill! Insertion in three minutes!">
"Brigadier Stephen here. The civilian transports have entered the system. We have twenty fighters sent out to cover them and thirty to harass the pirates, keeping them occupied while you get down there. Time will be of the essence. One unit in three will have a cyberlord for planetside work. Your job is to land in the pirate base and make your way to whatever AI banks they have there. After that, keep the cyberlord safe long enough to foul up the pirates' ship computers."
"The pirates have no army, so your only resistance should be whatever militia they can muster from the time they see our transports. Good luck. Stephen out."

In the transport hangar, groups of ten and eleven men filed neatly into the egg-shaped transports. There, they equipped vacuum suits, jetpacks, and picked up extra weaponry before strapping themselves onto all surfaces of the cramped interior. Although each transport looked like it could seat twenty men in relative comfort, the ridiculously thick walls made it a cramped for a dozen even when they strapped themselves to the ceiling and walls.
Through his faceplate, one of the men flashed a smile to another, greener recruit. "Your first time?"
"Yes."
"Try not to vomit on us. They don't call it the Elevator Ride from Hell for nothing."

The door closed, and they were left in perfect darkness.

The pod shuddered as a huge claw picked up it up and placed it into a catapult, which fired it planetwards with an acceleration in excess of six standard gravities. On its heels came another, and another, and likewise from the nine transport ships next to this one.
Inside the landing pod, everyone was screaming. Some with exhilaration, some as a form of stress relief, some in shock, and at least one in sheer terror, but all were screaming equally.

Green light cut through the darkness a few minutes later as the same word appeared on each person's wrist, strong enough to shine through the vacuum suit's pale fabric: 1000km
A few minutes later, it was replaced by another.
200km
In a breach of regulations, the cyberlord wriggled his other arm free from the straps and started entering data into his all-meta. The screaming, already somewhat dissipated, ended as he spoke. "Right now, we're a meteor."
There was a pause.
100km
There was an uncomfortable silence.
There was an audible click and a shaking of the pod.
"That was our second hull firing loose. It took with it about half our momentum and it's cannoning into the pirate base. At the speed it's going, it'll blow up like half a ton of plastosives. We'll hit the atmosphere in twenty seconds."
They did.
Atmosphere said every wrist except the cyberlord's, which was counting down. 0:40...0:30...0:26...
Light flooded the pod. The last section of hull folded outwards, turning the lander into a five-petaled flower, which lost even more speed. Everyone stared down towards the asteroid, which now filled their view. They could make out explosions as their previous hull impacted.
0:20...0:10...0:05...
What little was left of the landing pod shattered. No longer restrained by straps, everyone drew their airpistols and flew towards each other from the recoil. Still freefalling, the group's leader passed out handles to the others, which they attached to their backpacks. As individual features on the asteroid became visible, he pulled the cord on his backpack. It blossomed into a huge parachute, from which everyone could dangle in formation.
"Got anything, Steve?" the commander asked the team's scout.
"Welllll... hard to see with the explosions, but both of the nearest teams seem to be heading thataway." He indicated a direction. "Aaaand... big building, flat roof, looks important."
"We're on it." The commander tugged at a few cords and sent the team floating in that direction, then tugged a few more, angling the parachute into a rapid descent.

"Test your jetpacks, everyone."
A dozen bursts of soot were emitted.
"I'm dropping the 'chute."
He did.
"Shoot on sight, sonics only."
Jetpacks roaring, the team touched down, assembled on a dome roof, jumped into an alley, and coaxed military-sounding noises from their weapons.
"Nearest computer center - that way." said the cyberlord, pointing.
One man fell to a sniper, his faceplate punctured. The rest of the team returned fire.
The wounded man moaned into his microphone as the last of his air streamed by. He swallowed a suicide capsule and was gone.
The captain set his Joshua to fragmentation and blew a hole in wall of the huge building. The team stormed in, encountering no resistance. They turned a corner, found a door saying "CENTRAL COMPLEX", and blew it off its hinges.
"Jackpot."
The cyberlord approached the databank, retrieving a dozen connectors, wires and data storage elements as he started to interface with the computer.
"Call in as many others as you can. And get me a line to the fleet."
His fingers danced across the keyboard he had jammed into the first available socket. The team's commander jabbered into his microphone, trying to convince the higher-ups that he was worth listening to. The cyberlord overrode the pirates' security protocols one after the other, trying to feed them as much false information as possible. Unfortunately, the pirate ships' AIs were relatively sequestered from their base's AI. They still received data, though, so he sent them a stream of false threats: Incoming asteroids, solar flares, homing missiles, colliding ships.
"You have broadcast access in five seconds." said the commander.
"Thank you." The cyberlord counted the seconds in his head. "All units, the pirates are now attempting to evade nonexistent threats and override their own computers. They have no ground support. You can receive data on their movements from 199-82-88-112."
The cyberlord grinned as he dusted his hands. "There we are, the pirates are now fighting their own onboard computers, and this databank here-" he patted it- "is sending info about their ships to our fleet. Are we finished now?"
[END STORY]
 
From Astral Sojourners
To Haven

Your ships at Broder are in Astral space. Remove them immediately or it will be considered an act of war. We're sorry to be this harsh, but we can't take any risks with you.

@Darwin: Uh, my stats aren't quite updated, seeing as I appear to have lost no soldiers.
Hmmm... Energy tech, eh? Mustn't research it now, that would be cheating. :p I think I'll research Biotech instead and get some GenTroops. (Are those the ones called "Cyborgs" further down in post 2? :p)
Also, do I know anything about the approximate strength of the Sierra defense system?
 
This is what I get for hurrying through an update. I'll fix it tomorrow.
 
To: Astral Sojourners
From: Haven

You just don't want us to meet the people beyond you. :p

Fine.
 
TerrisH I'm writing a story and will answer the diplo after that. Hope you can wait :)
 
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