TENSEI

[Decamper]

2065 in Review
World Headlines

Columbian Union - Mexican Federation War​

From the Independence Day Invasion to New Year's Day
After increasing tensions throughout the year as increasingly large numbers of Columbian and Mexican army units garrisoned the border, Columbian Forces launched an offensive on the morning of September 17th, the day after Mexico’s Independence Day. The Columbians hoped to catch their opponents off guard and hungover from the day before’s festivities, but the highly disciplined Mexican troops were fresh and ready when the first shots were fired. Nevertheless, a rapid airborne invasion and larger land numbers enabled Union forces to encircle and overwhelm the Mexican border troops in Rio Grande. Mexican army and air units were able to rally before the fall of the entire province, and by September 24th the Columbia offensive was slowed to halt near the Tropic of Cancer, its flanks harassed by ranger and artillery positions in the Sierra Madre Oriental and offshore bombardment from the Mexican Navy.

Plans for a possible counter attack were made impossible due to a Union amphibious landing near Tecolutla. The amphibious attack was meant to become the main push of the Columbian invasion, but in the early hours of the landing, it became clear that Mexican intelligence had predicted the attack. The Mexican Navy had peeled off of the northern coast, swinging around to harass the Columbian flotilla, forcing warships to peel away from those transporting troops, while an air wing also diverted from the frontline tangoed with the Columbian air cover. Four divisions of Union marines landed without air and naval support, and soon found themselves face to face with an equal number of Mexican army divisions. Ambitions to capture the entire Mexican capital region were quickly abandoned, but the ensuing weeks-long battle resulted in heavy destruction to the coastal region.

The troops and air support pulled away from the northern frontline resulted in the Mexican line buckling, but conducting an orderly retreat into the mountains before it could be broken. The Union marines were relieved by the larger invasion force in late October, while the ragged Mexican Navy was chased away, forced to limp into Pacific ports. The following two months saw a relatively static line drawn across the Mexican capital province, with Columbian forces regrouping and reorganising in the occupied eastern plains, while Mexican forces take up defensive positions in the central mountains.

Both sides are still eager to fight, but the tolls of the war have been great. The economies of both polities are buckling under the current levels of militarisation in both polities, and it is entirely possible that the troops will run out of equipment and reinforcements before the end of 2066.
[Mexican Federation: -18 Reserves, +6 Readiness]
[Columbian Union: -20 Reserves, +5 Readiness]

Reactions on the Homefront
Public support in both the Columbian Union and Mexican Federation is very supportive of the war efforts. For the Columbians, it is a preemptive war against a clearly aggressively minded neighbour, and the gains from the war will go towards the great national socialist project that is the Union. Meanwhile, the Mexicans see it as not only an existential war, but one where they can prove themselves superior to their neighbours, and while the war has not gone well for them so far, every small victory is celebrated as if they had conquered the world.
[+3 Cohesion Mexican Federation]
[+3 Cohesion Columbian Union]

Unrest in Occupied Mexican Territories, Condemnation of Indiscriminate Warfare
The Columbians owe a large part of their success to their liberal rules of engagement, which led to the complete levelling of neighbourhoods and towns that obstructed the advance. While many civilians fled conflict zones for safer Mexican territories, those that survived the assault and now live under Columbian occupation are already making clear their opposition. Columbian troops know well not to travel the streets at night, and during the day are constantly harassed by roadside bombs and snipers from insurgents. Many areas are already at risk of falling to insurrections due to the Union’s almost complete lack of forward policing units, and most military forces being required at the frontlines. Military and security advisors urge the Union government to either divert troops from the frontline to police the occupied territories, or to significantly increase security spending to pacify the rebellious areas.

Journalists and activists in Mexico and abroad have also lambasted the Columbian military for its indiscriminate warfare. Images of razed towns and shredded civilian corpses flood international news feeds. Civilian casualty statistics vary wildly from source to source, with Columbian sources report around 50,000 civilian deaths, while Mexican government sources report upwards of 200,000, nearly double that many wounded and maimed, and well over a million displaced. Civilian casualties in Columbia have meanwhile been mostly due to occasional skirmishes and shelling across the Sonora - Texas border, with the latest tally being reported around 5,000 deaths and injuries. The Mexican government is also coming under criticism for its inability to handle its own displaced citizens fleeing the conflict, many of whom are living in makeshift refugee camps that are already regressing into ghettos.
[-1 Cohesion Mexican Federation]
[-2 Cohesion Columbian Union]

Coalition - Caliphate War​

Prologue to War
Leading up to 2065, condemnation of the totalitarian, extremist regime of the Islamic Khilāfa of Afghanistan was common in democratic leaning polities around the world, most evident in the polities of the Global Democratic Trade and Defense Group. Anti-Caliphate rhetoric amped up in GDTDG polities, most notably Saudi Arabia and the Soviet bloc, in the early months of 2065, and eventually culminated in the declaration of war and invasion of the Caliphate by a coalition composed of Saudi Ariabia, the Soviet bloc, the Sanctuary Republics, and the United Nations of North America.

The Western Front
The invasion of the Afghan Caliphate began with a joint Saudi-Sanctuary-American offensive into Fars. A large Saudi land force, backed by air support from the Sanctuary Republic and United Nations of North America, aggressively pushed into Fars, facing a much smaller number of Caliphate forces. With their attention split between the Western and Northern fronts, less than half of the Caliphate’s elite military was present in Fars, resulting in almost complete air superiority in favour of the Coalition. The experience, training and ferocity of the Afghan soldiers could do little against constant and overwhelming bombing, and the remaining dug-in troops were quickly uprooted by the advancing Saudi army. Coalition forces attempted to avoid unnecessary civilian casualties, but the heavy aerial bombardment and deep entrenchment of Afghan forces nevertheless resulted in heavy infrastructure damage, and left an estimated 15-30,000 civilians dead or seriously wounded, and nearly 200,000 displaced. The majority of refugees fled back into the Caliphate heartland, but large numbers also fled west, hoping for better lives outside of the Caliphate. These refugees either tried to move through the Saudi lines into Khuzestan, or through humanitarian corridors in the Caspian Republic to Sanctuary. The occupied Farsi province is currently stable under Saudi security forces, but there is a significant portion of the population that holds resentment towards their occupiers, and advisors have suggested increased security spending to keep the territory under control while the military continues its operations.
[Saudi Arabia: -11 Reserves, +4 Readiness]
[Sanctuary: -2 Reserves, +1 Readiness]
[UNNA: -3 Reserves, +1 Readiness]
[Afghanistan: -13 Reserves, +4 Readiness]
[-1 Cohesion Saudi Arabia]

The Northern Front
Concurrent with the invasion of Fars, the recently unified Soviet bloc Red Army invaded the northern frontier lands of the Afghan Caliphate. Joint Russian and Central Asian forces advanced into Turkestan, while Siberian forces pushed into Aldastan. The Caliphate soldiers were both outnumbered on the ground and the skies, and also had to contend with socialist insurrections in Turkestan. With their airs cover forced out off the front, and facing double the number of land divisions, the elite Afghan troops made a fighting retreat across their vast northern territories, back into the mountains of their heartland provinces. Soviet forces took a significant beating, especially in Turkestan, where they had limited a limited RoE to avoid civilian casualties. The cautious approach did pay off, and along with the popular socialist revolts, the occupation of Turkestan has been relatively peaceful, with destruction to infrastructure and civilian fatalities kept to a minimum, and most of the resentment among the locals focused on the Caliphate. The occupation of Aldastan was less gentle, with heavy damage to civilian infrastructure occurring as the Afghan forces were pursued out of the province. Observers report around 50,000 civilian casualties, with most of them occurring in Aldastan, and around 300,000 displaced, with most refugees falling back to Khorasan or Afghanistan itself. The occupation of the northernmost portion of Afghanistan has been significantly more difficult to hold than Turkestan or Aldastan, with military forces being bogged down in policing duties as insurgents are heavily mixed with civilian populations.
[Russia: -6 Reserves, +2 Readiness]
[Central Asia: -6 Reserves, +2 Readiness]
[Siberia: -7 Reserves, +3 Readiness]
[Afghanistan: -13 Reserves, +4 Readiness]
[-1.5 Cohesion United Soviets of Central Asia]

Reactions on the Homefront
Public demonstrations began even before the war began in the Sanctuary Republics, with government officials also making public denouncements of the mobilising military units. From the outbreak of the war to the end of the year, mass protests were common throughout the Republics, often heavily disrupting transportation in major cities. Negative reactions were also common in the government itself, with numerous lawmakers either resigning, or purposefully obstructing the administration, whenever possible. Protesters have vowed to intensify their activities everyday that the war continues.

Other Coalition members had more encouraging reactions to the war, especially in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Anti-Caliphate rallies were common throughout the year, most frequently in Mecca and Medina, where the Afghan Caliph was in particular denounced as a false prophet and the greatest threat to modern Islam and global liberal democracy. While some peace activists have quietly voiced unease over the situation, a wave of pro-militarism has washed over much of the country, with veneration of the military evident throughout Arabian popular culture. A similar reaction to the war is present in the United Nations of North America, though significantly muted due to the distance from and lesser involvement in the war.

Popular opinion in the Soviet polities is likewise positive. The Afghan Caliphate was seen as one of the two great enemies of the revolution, opposite the northern Nordic Empire. Pro-war and pro-socialist rallies and parades are frequently staged throughout the Soviet polities. While most of the Soviet populace is fully in favour of effort to remove the totalitarian Afghan regime and replace it with Soviets, there has been some slight unease among muslim population, particularly in the United Soviets of Central Asia, of a general trend of rising hostility towards muslims in general, and among far-leftists who fear the Soviets have been dragged into a war that is little more than a globalist imperialist war.

Within the Caliphate itself, the war is seen as an apocalyptic holy war in defense of Islam and the Caliph. At least, that is the word from state-media and the Caliph himself. In the Caliphates heartland provinces, this is indeed the popular opinion, and both civilians and soldiers are fanatically devoted to killing and dying for their Caliphate. In some of the border provinces with less militaristic minded populations, the war is viewed in a more mixed light. Some welcome the Coalition forces as a means to rid themselves of a brutal dictatorship, while others would rather not be bombed, regardless of the justification for said bombs. Overall though, the militaristic nature of the Afghan Caliphate has only been intensified by the invasions, and if anything may only grow fanatical as the war drags on.
[-3 Cohesion Sanctuary Republic]
[+2 Cohesion Kingdom of Saudi Arabia]
[+1 Cohesion United Nations of North America]
[+2 Cohesion Federation of Soviets of Russia]
[+2 Cohesion Siberian Soviet Federation]
[+2 Cohesion United Soviets of Central Asia]
[+4 Cohesion Islamic Khilāfa of Afghanistan]

Regional and Global News​

Military Cooperation and Militarised Borders amid Rising European Tensions
The sight of large numbers of S.U.D.S. forces patrolling alongside German units has become a common sight on the short German - Nordic border. Opposite the French/Spanish and German forces are large numbers of elite Nordic troops, making the Sleswig border the most militarised stretch of land in the world. Local Germans seem to have welcomed their new protectors, as can be seen by French and Spanish language cafes popping up in towns near the border catering to off-duty S.U.D.S. personnel. The Nordic - Soviet border is likewise a tense area, but with far fewer military divisions present, as most Soviet troops have been diverted south to participate in the invasion of the Caliphate. The Nordic-backed New Teutonic Knights borders are likewise being watched carefully by German, Czech, and Ukrainian border guards. Atlantica air units have also been based in English territory, while Oxbridge warships have been patrolling the North Sea. With the signing of the Nordic-Afghan Trade Agreement and the breakout of the Coalition-Caliphate War, tensions are rapidly approaching a breaking point, and Europe is once again bracing itself for war.

Oxbridge’s Growing Sphere of Influence
In terms of controlled territory, the Oxford-Cambridge Directorate is one of the smallest major polities, holding only the pre-war lands of England and Wales. But by having its hooks deep into its client-polities, the Administrative State of Ireland and the Edinburgh-Glasgow Directorate, the whole of the British Isles are effectively under the guidance of Oxbridge. In the last year, Oxbridge has also expanded its directly controlled territory overseas, with the acquisition of numerous overseas islands left unclaimed after the Troubles. Expeditions were sent to Bermuda, St. Helena, Ascension Island, South Georgia, and the Kerguelen Islands. As was expected, South Georgia and the Kerguelen Islands had no surviving civilian populations, while St. Helena and Ascension Island had civilian populations, though in rough shape. Bermuda was worryingly absent of any survivors or human remains. After bringing supplies to the islands with survivors, outposts were set up on each island, and settlers, researchers and soldiers have begun shipping out from the home islands. The last outreach by Oxbridge was to the North, where the Directorate granted [1ep] of economic aid to Svalbard Station. There are murmurs that the Arctic island may formally join the Oxbridge fold as early as next year, and it is widely known that Oxbridge is planning on forming a union with its Irish and Scottish clients. In those territories, both the administrations and local populations view a possible union positively, as both Ireland and Scotland are wealthy territories that would stand strong alongside the Oxbridge core provinces.

UNNA and Columbian Union Sign Treaty of Houston
The Treaty of Houston, confirming a non-aggression pact and establishing a 10km DMZ, was signed early in the year between the United Nations of North America and the Columbian Union. UNNA spokespersons claimed the treaty is a great step forward towards peace on the continent, while Columbian sources call it a necessary agreement to protect the future of the nation. Indeed, Columbian forces greatly benefitted from the agreement, as they did not have to be preoccupied with guarding their north as they invaded Mexico later in the year. The Columbian Union - Mexican Federation War has brought some uncertainty into the future of the agreement, as the treaty’s fourth declaration states ‘If the provinces of Sonora, Rio Grande or any other provinces mention in this are put under the control of a new government, the treaty must be immediately renegotiated or rendered null and void’ as the province of Rio Grande was fully occupied by Columbian Forces in late October, and skirmishes have been regularly breaking out along the Sonora border.

TransLuna Forms Research Commission with Society Scientists
TransLuna has provided generous research grants and facilities to Society researchers in hopes of founding a fully fledged joint research program. While there was little to no official support from the Society, many individual scientists were attracted by the advanced computing and psychology based funds offered. This resulted in a flow of talent out of Society and into TransLuna. TransLuna spokespersons have repeated that they wish for a deep integration of the two polities’ academia, but many in Society have seen the brain drain as a deliberate act of academic sabotage.
[+0.1 Computing, +0.1 Psych Expertise TransLuna]
[-0.1 Computing, -0.1 Psych Expertise Society]

South Africa Supports Zimbabwe Recovery
The Republic of Zimbabwe was the only lucky minor African polity to receive economic aid this year. The funds from its neighbour, the Union of South Africa, were graciously accepted, and put towards local investments and social support programs. The road to recovery for the small polity is still a long one, but assuming it continues to receive support, Zimbabwe could be self-sufficient within a few years.

 

[Decamper]

Domestic News​

Mass Riots in Black Rose Following Extensive Nationalisation of Economy
Quebec City, Montreal, and dozens of other towns saw massive riots after a estimated 15% of the Black Rose economic output was nationalised. Local police were rapidly overwhelmed, and the military had to be called in to assist in quelling the unrest. Due to heavy military budget cuts and the disbanding of nearly the entirety of the polity’s army, it took weeks to restore order. While the riots were huge in numbers, they were fairly tame in terms of property damage. What damage they didn’t do in hard economic value, they made up in societal damage. The sudden move by the government, and the rabid reaction by the populace, has left deep rifts in the polity, shaking its reputation as one of the most stable polities in North America.
[-6 Cohesion]

2065 Great Chinese Tsunami Ravages IBS and RoC East Coasts
In the early hours of September 25th, a massive earthquake in the East China Sea send a massive tsunami crashing into the Chinese coastline. Iron Blood State and Republic of China authorities didn’t have time to warn or evacuate coastal populations, leaving millions to be caught unaware as they were still sleeping. Damage to the region has been catastrophic, and the dead and missing reached over 100,000.
[Damage to Shantung, Nanking, Chekiang]

Clashes Erupt during Columbian Protests over Cutting of Education and Security Programs
To finance the invasion of Mexico, the Columbian Union’s administration made deep cuts into education and security spending. While the majority of Colombians support the war, support for the cuts is a different story. While protests are not common in the Union, and usually dissolved fairly quickly by security forces, protests in major cities across the Union flared up as under-equipped and understaffed police failed to disperse the crowds. Full on riots were averted mostly due to citizen militias and counter protesters either threatening the protesters in submission, or forcefully ending the demonstrations. As the war to the south drags on, security forces are urging the government to reallocate funds to them so as to avoid disruption on the homefront.
[-1 Cohesion]

Mexican Protests Over Increased Taxes Short Lived in Face of Invasion
A significant tax increase by the Mexican government drew criticism from the public, and from within the administration. While in a different year this may have been enough of a scandal to rock the Federation’s tenuous stability, the Columbian invasion more or less dissipated any anger over the increases. Few are thanking the Columbians for the distraction.

Cypriots React Warmly to New Budget, Military and Conservative Economic Advisors Urge Caution
The 2065 budget passed by the Cypriot administration has been passionately embraced by most of the island nation’s population, being praised for its focus on social welfare and education programs, which are particularly helpful to the first or second generation refugees that make up a large portion of the Republic’s 7.6 million citizens. A heavily bolstered security spending is also being used to assuage some of the fears of military advisors, brought about by the heavily decreased military spending. Two full army divisions were disbanded at the outset of the year, while funding is only at a third of the recommended budget. At a time when the island’s eastern neighbours are engaged in bloody full scale war, and only a short few years ago there was the possibility of an African-European war breaking out over Tunisia, a large number of military officers and advisors are voicing concern over the apparent weakness of the current administration. A number of conservative economic advisors have also warned that current budget is running at a deficit, even with the military cuts, leaving little wiggle room in case of unexpected events requiring extra spending. Despite the criticisms, the average Cypriot is pleasantly surprised by the increase in quality of life, education and policing, and have made their satisfaction known.
[+1.5 Cohesion]

Caspian Republic on Road to Recovery
Compared to nearly every other New Third World polity, the Caspian Republic is stabilising. Thanks to generous funding from the Sanctuary Republics, in return for providing safety corridors for refugees from the east, the Caspian Republic has put forward an ambitious budget. While the total budget may seem meagre to those of the First World polities, the wide scale social programs, sufficient education and security systems, and its first regular military division, the small Caspian polity boasts policies far more ambitious than any of the other new polities. That being said, if the polity is unable to secure funding of the same magnitude in the next few years before it becomes self-sufficient, there is the looming risk of going bankrupt and spiralling back into Troubles-era chaos that still strangles much of the New Third World.
[+1 Cohesion]

Cairo Anti-War Demonstrations Shut Down City Centre
The Republic of Egypt’s induction into the GDTDG was originally well received, but opinion quickly did an about face as many members of the GDTDG, including Egypt’s patron polity, the Sanctuary Republics, invaded the Islamic Khilāfa of Afghanistan. Protesters amassed in downtown Cairo around the embassies of the Sanctuary Republics, Soviet Russia, Saudi Arabia and United Nations of North America, effectively shutting down the city centre. Demonstrations slowed later in the year, but are set to ramp up again as Egypt’s trade partners continue their war.
[-1 Cohesion]

Anti-Government Protests Turn Violent in East Indonesia
Protests against widespread poverty and government corruption eventually boiled over into violence across the East Indonesian archipelago, resulting in thousands of deaths as paramilitary and pro-government militias clashed with the protesters. The polity’s weak military and police have proven completely unable to quell the violence, and most of the fighting has been between pro and anti government civilians. Global activists warn that if immediate steps are not taken to stabilise the situation, East Indonesia could descend into civil war in months.
[-2 Cohesion, Damage to all provinces]

United Militias of Central South America Police Brutally Crackdown on Demonstrations
A Christmas day demonstration protesting lack of personal freedom and neglected social programs was brutally suppressed by riot police and pro-government mobs, resulting over a hundred civilian and police casualties. The Christmas Day Massacre has become a rallying cry for opposition groups, but would-be protesters are keeping quiet for fear of being imprisoned or out-right killed by government police or supporters.
[-1 Cohesion]

Global Business and Trade​

Anniversary of TCIS Sees Admittance of Nijima-Haus, Celebrations in Saudi Arabia, Italy
The world’s largest trade group, the Trade Conference of Independent States, announced the admittance of its newest member, the Nijima-Haus Directorate, on the anniversary of the group’s foundation. While the organisation is largely made up of futurist and technocratic polities, the neoliberal Republic of Italy and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia both have greatly benefited from also joining the group. With populations greatly embracing re-globalisation and cosmopolitanism, the anniversary of the TCIS’ founding was celebrated in Rome and Riyadh by both the regular populace, the business elite, and government officials.
[+1 Cohesion Republic of Italy]
[+1 Cohesion Kingdom of Saudi Arabia]

Black Rose - Mexico Trade Agreement First Year Threatened by Columbian War
The North American Black Rose and Mexican polities started the year off hopefully with the signing of the Black Rose - Mexico Trade Agreement (BRMTA). The bilateral trade group, the only one of its kind as of 2065, has limited political influence on the global stage, but has already proved to be highly profitable for the two polities. Though with the outbreak of the Columbian - Mexican Federation War, the future of the BRMTA is uncertain. For the few months the war has been raging, Black Rose merchant ships have been able to continue accessing southern Mexican ports without being harassed by the Columbian Navy, but that trade route could be easily cut off if the Union desired to. Reactions to the both the BRMTA itself and the war within Black Rose have been mixed. While most of the polity accepts the necessity of limited trade, few are eager to risk their taxes and loved ones in defense of Mexico.

Socialist Protests as GDTDG Grows
The Global Democratic Trade and Defence Group (GDTDG) has never been overly popular with the groups socialist members. Anti-globalist and anti-capitalist protests have been common occurrences in Russia the S.U.D.S., and larger protests have followed every enlargement of the group. With the addition of the Republic of Egypt to the organisation, fresh protests have been staged in Paris and Moscow. While socialist groups rail against government greed and exploitation, rallies in Washington, Berlin, and Prague celebrating the spread of liberal and democratic values show the strange dual nature of the GDTDG.
[-1 Cohesion Federation of Soviets of Russia]
[-1.5 Cohesion S.U.D.S.]
[+1 Cohesion Federal Republic of Germany]
[+1 Cohesion Czech Republic]
[+1.5 Cohesion United Nations of North America]

South India Heads Regional Alliance of Mutual Development
The small polities of Tibet and the Indian Ocean League have accepted the invitation of the Federation of South India to form a regional trade group. The new Alliance of Mutual Development has given the minor polities much needed access to economic assistance, and the enlarged regional market has been met with positive reactions by both the public and administration in South India. There was some trepidation in Tibet, but the limited number of members in the group have largely assuaged the fears of isolationists, who are more or less accepting of regional cooperation in exchange for economic aid.
[+1 Cohesion Federation of South India]

East Indonesia, Pacific Islands Form Pacific Accord
The two isolationist Pacific polities have formed the world’s smallest trade group, with a total economic value of less than [1ep]. Both polities are at risk of collapsing back into Troubles-era chaos, and they hope this limited trade agreement will help prop up their flimsy economies without succumbing to the globalist whims of the major polities. Analysts are not hopeful.

Science and Technology​

Society Developed Constructor Swarm Drones Ready for Production
The recently developed series of Constructor Swarm Drones (CSDs) out of the Society are nowhere near top-of-the-line robotics, military or civilian, but they are cheap and effective. Making up for a lack of advanced individual systems, durability and longevity, their cheap production, maintenance and replacement cost make them ideal for widespread civilian use. The multi-limbed drones, equipped with magnetic clamps and gripping claws, as well as an internal chamber that can hold either an internal 3D printing fabricator or other construction supplies, are capable of carrying out relatively simple construction or deconstruction orders with minimal human input required. Trial runs in the great Kanto ruins have yielded impressive results, and while the units did frequently damage themselves, the highly modular design allows for limbs and various parts to be easily and cheaply replaced, keeping individual units in service longer than their otherwise frail forms would indicate. The 2065 model CSDs are now on the market, and analysts expect them to rapidly become the most common automated construction equipment among both high and low income polities thanks to their meager installation costs.

Internet 2.5 Rolled Out Across South India
The Federation of South India has taken the first step to fully standardising its computer networks, using its new Internet 2.5 systems. The war and ensuing Troubles wiped away the old internet and much of its standardised systems, and the global data network, as well as domestic networks, are still in a chaotic state, with infrastructure, standards and protocols varying wildly between polities and regions. Internet 2.5 has brought South India under one standard system, similar to the pre-war internet. Critics have complained that I2.5 has few improvements over the pre-war internet, and could be vulnerable to much of the same dangers that eventually brought down its predecessor. The relative simplicity of I2.5 is said to be an intentional design point by its creators, as it allows for I2.5 to be installed widely and cheaply. Internet 2.5 is publicly available, and its South Indian creators have high hopes for the system, with the ideal goal being global adoption of I2.5, once again linking the world using a single computer network.

Ecosystematics Employed Across Atlantica
Atlantica developed, released and fully integrated Ecosystematics, or Intelligent Design, by the end of the year. Comprised of five overlapping subfields (Ecosystem Algorithmics, Evolutionism, Behaviouralism, Genetics, and Applied Geography), Ecosystematics allows for extensive modification and creation of ecosystems. Intelligent Design is already showing success in the Atlantica-controlled Iberia, where areas ravaged by war and environmental collapse are being rapidly restored. Environmentalists worldwide are keenly interested in the technology and its ability to heal the scars of the war, while more forward thinkers are excited to see how Intelligent Design could be used to create entirely new ecosystems, possibly even in extraterrestrial settings. Unfortunately for other interested polities, Ecosystematics is being closely held by Atlantica and is not available for public adoption.

Joint Intendência Verditas - Gran Colombia Neurocomputer Project Nears Halfway Point
Utilising advanced biologics from Intendência Verditas and expert computing systems from Gran Colombia, and project to create powerful and intelligent neurocomputers has nearly reached the midpoint in its development. While a private project between the neighbouring polities, what public information exists on the tech is being hungrily dissected by experts and hobbyists globally. The neurocomputers are expected to be the most powerful systems in the world in terms of raw computing power, but more importantly, their biological nature has captured imaginations, and worries, worldwide. Their ability to learn is the cornerstone to the tech, and from this ability the neurocomputers are expected to possess the capacity for imagination, ingenuity, and initiative. While artificial intelligence is commonly used around the world in varying degrees of sophistication, a truly cognizant intelligence has yet to be developed. As early as next year, this may no longer be true.

Oxford-Cambridge Set to Release Mass Psychology Modelling Next Year
The 1st Generation Mass Psychology Modelling system being cooked up by Oxbridge researchers will make use of a wide range of data related to public safety, from food and supplies availability to stock prices and polling data, to create relatively accurate risk assessments for policy makers. Ease of use and affordability are central to the development of system, meaning that while it may not make use of the most advanced techniques known in the Directorate, it should be available to even the less affluent polities. The 1st Gen MPM is expected to be publicly released sometime next year.

TransLuna Aggressively Pushes for Lunar Ambitions, Continues Orbit Clearing with Society Assistance
The widespread global efforts to clear space debris in the last decade slowed heavily in 2065, with only TransLuna directly working towards cleaning orbital routes, with financial backing from the Society. While Earth’s orbit may still be heavily clogged with space junk, TransLuna continued to aggressively pursue its namesake, using a huge amount of resources to send nearly a dozen satellites and rovers to the Moon. The exploration and survey efforts have gone a long way to paving the way for a planned permanent station. The cost of transporting materials to the Moon is much more expensive than it should be due to space debris, but as Earth’s orbit is cleared and space infrastructure is expanded, larger scale lunar development is expected to become more common.
[TransLuna lunar province construction started at 10/27ep]

​

Stats

Notes​

- Republic of China, Combined Syndicated States of America, Dominion of India, Republic of Vietnam, Zanzibarland Reclamation Authority, Holy Kingdom of Zion, Iron Blood State, Dunedin, Treaty Organisation, Islamic Khilāfa of Afghanistan, Republic of Italy, Treda Union have been made NPCs. Dropped players are free to reclaim their polities and send orders for this turn. Otherwise, they will act as regular NPCs, and can be interacted with by other players as normal.
(@Shadowbound, @Sonereal, @Zappericus, @Bair_the_Normal, @SouthernKing, @Omega124, @JohannaK, @Daftpanzer, @Shirogane, @christos200, @Double_A)

- Sorry for the delay, had some stuff to deal with. If you have any issues or spot mistakes with the update/stats, or need to ask me questions, I'm best contacted through CFC's conversations. I'll be on Discord every once in a while, but might miss your questions.

- Update 5 will cover January 1st 2066 to New Years Eve, 2066. Orders are due Thursday, August 17th.

 

[Decamper]

NPC Diplomacy

From: New Republic of the Philippines
To: TCIS Group Leader, Oxbridge (@J.K. Stockholme )
CC: All TCIS members
We humbly request admittance into the TCIS, and whatever economic aid may be available.

From: Free Anatolian State
To: GDTDG Leader, UNNA (@NinjaCow64 )
CC: All GDTDG members
We would like to apply to the GDTDG, and pledge that we will uphold the Group’s democratic ideals. We also must also humble ourselves and request economic assistance.

From: People's Democratic Union of North East Africa, Republic of Zimbabwe
To: ATL Leader, South Africa (@jackelgull )
CC: All ATL members
We humbly apply for admissions to the ATL, and also request economic assistance. We wish to uphold African independence against foreign aggressors alongside you.

From: United Militias of Central South America
To: SATA Leader, People's Socialist Republic of Uruguay
CC: All SATA members (@Immaculate @KaiserElectric )
We request admission to the SATA, as well as any possible economic assistance. We pledge to protect the ideals of the SATA against foreign imperialists.

 

[Red_Spy]

Together with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Federation of Soviets of Russia, and the United Nations of North America, the Sanctuary Republics have entered into a state of war with the Islamic Khilāfa of Afghanistan. No doubt some of you might ask, "Why has a nation so founded against the idea of war and violence now engaging in what it most hates?". Indeed, just half a decade ago our leaders had called the idea of war over the Tunisian Crisis a "blight" and a "stain". So the idea that the Sanctuary Republics are now engaging in hypocrisy for conducting war is not without merit. However, we feel as though that idea ignores the history of the Sanctuary Republics.

Decades ago, partially because of foreign occupiers and cowardly despots, a cancer began to spread in the region of the Middle East. This cancer known as Daesh sought to turn back society over a millennium so that they could recreate a so-called golden age. And to do this they waged war upon not only the region but the world itself. They massacred war-weary civilians, committed genocide upon non-believers, and inspired many more cowardly attacks around the globe. Entire families left their homes in search of a better place as the resistance toward this plague fought with all that they could. It was through the blood that Deash and the tyrants forced us to shed, the tears of homeless children wept, and the sweat of the noble resistance perspired that caused the idea of Sanctuary to first sprout in the minds of its founders. A society free from the chaos and violence of this war. Where all may come from around the world to live in peace, to show that humanity is not defined by its basest instincts but the unity it possesses. Unfortunately not all share this ideal.

Despite their claims to the contrary, in truth a state of war has existed because of the Khilāfa and the region since its very founding. For they represent the same sort of cancer than the tyrants and Daesh of old did. Their occupation of the lands of Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Central Asia is founded on the blood of those who oppose them. The ideology of their leader would undo over a millennium of progress that we all have made. All while no doubtably preparing to wage war upon its neighbors. The state itself represents an existential threat to the Sanctuary Republics, for it defies all that we show of what mankind is capable of.

All-encompassing pacifism in the face of this kind of threat is impossible; for someone to claim to be pacifist in all aspects is to say they would be fine in all of the resulting scenarios. It is a privileged position. But the people of the Middle East aren't so privledged, and they know more than almost any other area on this planet the kind of violence that the Khilāfa represents. And we can not force them to undergo that again. That is why Saudi Arabia, Russia, the UN, and Sanctuary have come together to overthrow this warlord who styles himself Caliph.

-----

From: The Sanctuary Republics
To: Free Anatolian State
CC: All GDTDG members

We would gladly back Anatolia's entry into the GDTDG and would be more than willing to assist in its economic development.

 

[gay_Aleks]

What occurs in Anatolia is none of your business, globalists. Keep your paws off sovereign states and go fight Islamists or the Nazis.

 

[Mathalamus]

A number of conservative economic advisors have also warned that current budget is running at a deficit, even with the military cuts, leaving little wiggle room in case of unexpected events requiring extra spending.

the President of Cyprus is wondering where the deficet is coming from, considering we make a profit of 5, not a net loss of 5.

the President also declared neutrality in the ISIS conflict, due to the fact that we signed an NAP with them.

he also noted the hypocrisy of the sanctuary republics, but left it be, figuring that maybe they have a point. just this once.

 

[Sniiperman456]

We denounce Colombian union for their actions against Mexico and the atrocities involved.

 

[jackelgull]

@Cived

From: The Union of South of Africa
To: All ATL members

We would like to call for a discussions of and a vote on the applications of People's Democratic Union of North East Africa and the Republic of Zimbabwe to the African Trade League.

 

[Immaculate]

​

Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of a South American Trade Alliance
from the People's Socialist Republic of Uruguay, Intendência Verditas, Gran Colombia and the Brazilian Democratic Workers' State​

We the nations of South America declare today that we will stand together to protect the well-being of our home and its people. This continent has endured the hardships of exploitation by foreign governments and multinational capitalist ventures during the Third World War and as a new South America which truly answers to the people now rises from the ashes we must work to establish a new order. To this end, our four nations announce the formation of a trade alliance guided by the following core principles:

Social responsibility - ensuring a good quality of life for every South American, to give them the means and opportunity to live a meaningful life on their own terms.

Environmental responsibility - ensuring the health of our shared ecosystem, to protect its unique biodiversity for generations to come.

Sustainability - ensuring that we do not engage in trade practices which may have short-term benefits but adverse long-term effects.

Resistance to capitalism and neocolonialism - ensuring a South America for South Americans, to work for and not against the people who live here.

South American Trade Alliance Evolving

In the spirit of the first of our founding ore principles, the South American Trade Alliance will be reforming into two branches, the existing "South American Trade Alliance" as you know it, and the "Emerging South American Economies Trade Group".

This tiered system arrises out of a need to protect nascent industries in the smaller nations of the trade group. While established industries within the Brazilian Democratic Workers' State were happy to access increased markets across South America, newer industries within that state were having difficulty competing with the more advanced and established industries from the People's Socialist Republic of Uruguay, Intendência Verditas, and Gran Colombia. So, in solidarity with the workers of those industries and in support of our stated principles, we offer the following tiered system:

The South American Trade Alliance shall continue to exist as it does currently but without the membership of the Brazilian Democratic Workers' State.

The Emerging South American Economies Trade Group shall consist of the the Brazilian Democratic Workers' State, and shall provide invitation to the United Socialist Republic of Araucanía and Patagonia, the Municipal Councils of Peru, and the United Militias of Central South America, all of whom have expressed interest in the South American Trade Organization.

As emerging nations develop and gain economic and industrial power, they are welcome to shift from the Emerging to the Established trade groups.

 

[SouthernKing]

I am still in this, sorry for not sending orders

 

[Crezth]

TransLuna will deploy emergency services to support victims of the tsunami disaster in Asia. Natural disasters should, and of a right ought to be, reckoned a thing of the past.

Furthermore we will be pursuing some streamlining of TransLuna operations in order to cut costs and forge ahead with our orbital clearing and lunar exploration policies. As usual, members of the Foundation are encouraged to take an active role in contributing to these endeavors on the understanding that the entire Foundation shall benefit the same. We urge our partners in South India, Zanzibarland, Germany, Sahel, and the Society to continue investing in this enterprise.

 

[Immaculate]

A tiny clot of red in a vast web of thought

Pregnancy was a daunting challenge amongst the Intendência Verditas. The scars of the gene wars were still felt throughout the nation but in particular were felt in the homes, amongst families. The preferential targeting of the meta-corps gene-weaponry to males more effectively than females resulted in a significant gender disparity that permeated all aspects of society. And despite all the best efforts of the Verditas scientists and gene-hackers, seven in ten viable children were still female. Beyond that, most fetuses required very early intervention, often pre-natal, to repair damaged genetic sequences before the fetuses aborted.

Cascatta hadn’t planned on getting pregnant; she certainly didn’t have a longterm partner she could see herself with even if she could find one. And she didn’t relish joining a family commune and sharing a partner and parental duties- at least at this stage in her life. With all that was happening with Rémi and his ilk of ‘biosynthetic sentients’, the Exu, and the Ceghonha and her strange plans, she didn’t want to worry about men.

None-the-less, here she was, laying back on crisp cotton sheets while a smiling young technician smeared goop on her still-flat belly and spoke softly- trying to manage her expectations, “…but if it is a boy, you won’t be able to carry him. Even if you haven’t contacted any parasitic genes yet, the chances are still very high and their effects on the fetus, and through him, on you, are too great to chance. If it’s a girl, you might be able to bring her to term; we’ll see how affected her genetic code is.”

Cascatta, if she was pregnant, and she had only the two hasty at home tests to say she was, was not very far along. She had had a weak period and wouldn’t have thought anything of it except that somehow the Exu Rémi had known and suggested she get tested. He, no it (she had to keep remaindering herself that Rémi was a bundle of synthetic nerves, not a man though it spoke with a man’s voice and appeared in halo-projection as a man) had somehow sensed something and quietly sent her a discreet text gently suggesting she get tested.

The technician moved the wand across her belly and smiled, albeit sadly, “Well, you are pregnant Cascatta,” she started. She moved the wand slightly and pressed a little on her abdomen. She pointed with a goop-smeared glove at a slowly pulsing shadow in the center of the halo that Cascatta wouldn’t have recognized from the greys and greens of the other parts of the halo, “That’s your baby.”

She hadn’t known what to expect. Until this moment, it hadn’t seemed real but now, here she was, only 22 and with a child. She suddenly felt very young herself. She should have brought her mother with her, or her sisters at least. Suddenly she was crying, the first intense tears she had shed in years, sobbing wildly and not sure why, scared, happy, worried. Early pregnancy was common amongst the Intendência Verditas. With so few viable embryos, most families, or family-communes had to try many times before they could have a child even to grow in the vats. And so she was not alone. And yet, she felt desperately alone and forgotten.

The technician took off her glove and pushed a button on the sonograph machine. She gently brushed Cascatta’s hair out of her eyes and pointed at a small shadow on the projection. She smiled, sad again, “That’s a penis. Your child is a boy.”

Two days later Cascatta emerged from anesthesia, lighter by one embryo. Her son, who she had not named yet, would grow to maturity in one of the Intendência Verditas gestation vats, just as she had twenty-two years ago. There he would undergo extensive gene therapy, purging his cells of the parasitic monsters the meta-nationals had left the Verditas as a last parting shot before their tyranny was overcome.

She went to visit him, it, whatever you called an embryo, taking her mom and sisters with her now, glad to have their strength as she struggled with emotions she could not fully comprehend. Cascatta was surprised to see how similar the modern vat they were growing her child in was to the one Dr. Teixera had grown Rémi in- a vertical cylindrical tank of deep blue solution, almost fluorescent. But where the Exu was a vast intricate tangle of fluorescing neuro-filaments stretching from floor to a vaulting 60' ceiling, her son was a tiny clot of red, not even as big as a fly, his tank barely a foot tall. Comparing the two, the spider web of neuronal tissue and the tiny fly-clot, she was again struck by a fear for what the Exu might become and what the future might hold for her tiny son.

 

[Seon]

From the Society
To the Iron Blood State, RoC

Society emergency services are ready to respond and provide aid to the affected disaster areas, should you deem it necessary.

 

[NinjaCow64]

We denounce the Columbian invasion of Mexico and we hope that both parties can come to a peaceful solution.

To: The Combined Syndicated States of America

Our excessive military spending is driving us both to economic ruin. In the interests of ensuring economic and political stability for North America, we would be willing to disband six divisions of infantry this year if you would be willing to promise to disband six divisions of infantry this year as well.

 

[JohannaK]

OOC: I remember everyone that Colombia didnt invade anyone. It was ColUmbia. It is a grave mistake when both nations exist to blame one for the deeds of the other.

 

[Mathalamus]

Cypriot President announces stuff that no one outside Cyprus cares about:

1. the Budget of Cyprus is to be readjusted, slightly increasing both social spending and education, while lightly decreasing the security funding. the president hopes that there wont be any severe riots over this.

2. Cyprus has announced two projects: one, a System of highways that forms a loop around Cyprus, with little or no speed limit. it will improve commute time, and is useful for military purposes. think of it as a ring road system you see in some large cities.

the other project is a fusion reactor, in cooperation with Germany. Cypriot technology and German engineering will create a powerful fusion device that will hopefully either replace the aging coal/oil power plants, or take the pressure off of them. we took care to make it usable only for civilian use.

 

[Immaculate]

​

United South American Relief Force to Evacuate Refugees From War-Torn Mexico To Gran Colombia and Intendência Verditas

The Columbian Union’s attack upon Mexico was without cause and we join our voices with those of the nations who rightfully condemn this needless violence. In particular the Union’s indiscriminate use of force against military and civilian targets without distinction is terrifying and inexcusable.

With that said, the Union is not wholly unsalvageable; we applaud their decision to allow a joint South American relief force access to the refugee camps within occupied Mexico. We also hope that the state of Mexico will similarly provide our relief force access to displaced peoples in their territories.

The South American relief force will be providing an opportunity to displaced peoples who have lost their homes and livelihoods, their friends, and their families to make a new life amongst our people, either temporarily until a peace comes to their homeland, or permanently should they want it.

Relief forces will be clearly indicated with white jerseys marked with a green circle to indicate their non-combatant role and dedication to peaceful support of the suffering peoples of Mexico. Naval vessels operating in conjunction with the relief force will be similarly marked.

Note that a significant South American joint military force will also be dispatched to the Mexican-Gran Colombian border to ensure a safe and orderly movement through that corridor and to ensure that the violence does not spill into Gran Colombian territories.

Nations of the world similarly eager to assist the suffering civilian population of Mexico are invited to join us in supporting the effort through direct donation of relief funds or via logistic support in the form of naval vessels that might be used to transport displaced peoples.

 

[Crezth]

"Another dead village," said the telecom, slightly fuzzy with static. "I've never seen anything so depressing. Villages I had visited only last year are now... gone. Sometimes I can find traces of the inhabitants, other times not. In the morning a dense haze sits over the valleys, and I think it's fog, just like back in Bad Kreuznach, but it's smoke from the fires. I saw forests burned to cinders, farms wrecked and destroyed... unbelievable. Never could I imagine there could be such destruction."

Amari did not reply, or look at the telecom, and sat and stared out the window of the middling jet she had boarded, idle on the runway, preparing for its trajectory to the far east.

"I'm sorry if the reception is bad," said the telecom again. "But - well, comms out here suck a load of dicks."

"I imagine," said Amari, and she looked back at the fuzzy image of her friend, pale-faced and frustrated. "How long do you think before you can return to Hecate I?"

"As soon as I can hike it back to port... but, to be honest, I'm considering heading further inland, even though I do feel a little out of my depth here. The Columbians are... not the type you'd want to cross without an ace up your sleeve. They are committed to their work."

"Right," murmured Amari. "In that case, make sure you be careful. Mark will have a fit if he loses his CSO at the same time war spreads to Europe."

"Ha ha," said the telecom. "Captain Mercia, over and out."

The telecom fizzed off and Amari deposited it in her jacket pocket, to go back to staring out the window at the sunset and the valley. Even though Bern was the official capital, Zuriken had been growing swiftly over the ruins of Old Zuerich, as the local board had opted in to the Refugee & General Immigration Adoption Program. Although it was causing some murmurs of malcontent, the city had grown 40% in 5 years, and observed a developmental improvement factor of 1.07, and had cleared its surplus management at 0.55, and...

She shook her head. Yes, the numbers were good. But now there were slums in Zuriken, and there hadn't been before. Yes, they had gotten their population growth, but at what cost? When Amari ran the numbers with Mark Zhu, the big boss of R&D, he was adamant about it: this is a good thing, he said. There'll be growing pains, but ultimately we'll be better off for it. Easy for Mark to say. He wasn't overseeing the project directly. But Amari supervised the commissioner on this project and couldn't think of three generous words to say about him.

The engines on the plane made a loud clanking noise, and the gentle whir of the launcher thrusters quickly became mere noise. Amari sat back and tried to focus on the next mission: relationship-building in China. New levees, tidal control systems, oceanic exploration - all of it was on the docket. And President Ischyros was so excited when the tsunami happened for all of these reasons and more.

She needed a drink.

 

[Decamper]

From: The Combined Syndicated States of America
To: The World

The CSSA formally declares war on the Mexican Federation. We highly suggest Mexico surrender before more innocent lives are lost.

 

[NinjaCow64]

To: The Combined Syndicated States of America

Our excessive military spending is driving us both to economic ruin. In the interests of ensuring economic and political stability for North America, we would be willing to disband six divisions of infantry this year if you would be willing to promise to disband six divisions of infantry this year as well.

In light of recent events we withdraw this offer. We also denounce the CSSA for needlessly escalating an already pointless conflict.