Turn 4 Report – August 2301

Table of Contents

Introduction	5
Week 1	6
61 Ursae Majoris (Joi)	6
Terrorists Strike Station Joi	6
German Colonial Defense Squadron Re-Assigned	6
Beta Canum Venaticorum (BCV-4)	6
BBC Business News	6
Rumours of Franco-Manchurian talks spread	6
Operation Steel Thunder	7
Beta Comae Berenices (Nous Voila)	7
Hochbaden Survivors Arrive	7
Statement by RSN Press Officer	7
DM+34 2342 (Kimanjano)	7
French Cruiser to Join Azanian Task Force	7
DM+36 2393 (Dunkelheim)	8
Kafers at Dunkelheim?	8
Eta Bootis (Aurore)	8
More Kafer Troops Landed	8
Bassompierre Surprises Kafer Convoy at Theia	8
Hochbaden	9
Franco-German talks underway at Hochbaden	9
Humanity Fortifies Former German Colony	9
Sol (Earth)	10
America Signs Declaration of War Against Kafers	10
French Arm Declared War Zone by Merchant Insurers	10
New Evidence: Manchurian Admiral Masterminds Richelieu Terrorist Raid	10
Ukranian Space Force Announces Promotion of Officer Vinogradov	11
Queen Alice’s Star (Bewulf)	11
Reinforcements I	11
Reinforcements II	12
Statement by RSN Operations staff to Merchant shipping on the French Arm.	12
Week 2	13
61 Ursae Majoris (Joi)	13
Australian Squadron Leaves System	13
Japanese TF Agano Departs	13
Beta Canum Venaticorum	13
The Battle of BCV-8	13
JADBCV Retreats to BCV-4 Orbital Space to Lick Wounds	15
DM+34 2342 (Kimanjano)	15
HMSS Churchill Moves to the Frontier	16
HMSS Victory heads Crater Relief Force	16
Beta Comae Berenices	16
Decaen Leads Relief Convoy to Hochbaden	16
Station Nous Voilà Re-opens Damaged Wing	17
Hochbaden	17
Picket Station Blue Cherry	17
Picket Station Green Apple	17
The Battle for Unity Station	18
Unity Station… True Cooperation Among Old Enemies	21
Unity Station Works Round The Clock to Repair Battle Damage	22
Vogelheim (Alderhorst)	22
Humanitarian Efforts Begin	22
Week 3	23
61 Ursae Majoris (Joi)	23
Manchurian Expeditionary Force Arrives in Elysia	23
Joivan Defense Agreement Talks	23
Beta Canum Venaticorum (BCV-4)	24
Panzerkorps Beta Canum Formed Under Command of General Ernest Fuch	24
DM+36 2393 (Dunkelheim)	24
Dunkelheim Station Falls	24
Henry’s Star (Crater)	24
ACREF Finds System, Spence Station Abandoned	24
Hochbaden	24
Repairs at Unity Station Continue	24
Reinforcements Arrive	25
Kafer Base Assaulted by Anzanian Commandos	25
Tallyrand Leaves for Unknown Destination	25
Neubayern (Nibelungen)	25
Kaptain Wilheim Koner	25
Vogelheim (Alderhorst)	26
Zobel Drops Humanitarian Aid to Newmark Colony	26
Sol (Earth)	26
Executive Order 7899	27
Statement from the 1st Space Lord	27
President Responds to British Government Stance	27
America Proposes Resolution 1966 – Unconditional War Against the Kafers	28
Manchuria Seconds Resolution 1966	28
Ukraine Urges Restraint and Humanism in Response to Resolution 1966	29
Speech Asserts British Resolve to Defeat Resolution 1966	30
Week 4	31
61 Ursae Majoris (Joi)	31
ACREF Returns Victorious	31
Manchurian Ground Troops to Conduct Maneuvers	31
Beta Canum Venaticorum (BCV-4)	31
Squadron of the Damned Reinforced	31
Eta Bootis (Aurore)	31
Station Tigre, 0340 UST	31
French Planetary Defense Unit Forced to Disband in Face of No Supplies	32
Ukrainian Partisans Continue to Harass Kafers in Novoa Kiyev	32
French Ground Forces Suffer Defeat	32
Hochbaden	32
Unity Station Doubles as ASF Deploys Modules	32
Repairs Continue as Captured ASB Brought On-line by Anzanians	33
Reinforcements and Supplies Pour Into Hochbaden	33
Search & Rescue Efforts Fail to Find Survivors	33
Admiral’s Stateroom, ASF Pennsylvania	33
Vogelheim (Alderhorst)	33
ALIMFOR Peacekeepers involved in Humanitarian Aid Efforts	33
French Planetary Defense Force Subordinated to Newmark Militia	33
System Status	35
61 Ursae Majoris (Joi)	36
Ground Troops	36
Colonial Repair Facilities	37
Arcturus	37
Beta Canum Venaticorum (BCV-4)	37
Ground Troops	37
Colonial Repair Facilities	38
Beta Comae Berenices (Nous Voila)	38
Ground Troops	38
Colonial Repair Facilities	39
C1	39
DM+17 2611	39
DM+18 2776	39
DM+34 2342 (Kimanjano)	40
Ground Troops	40
Colonial Repair Facilities	40
DM+35 2436 (Grosshiddenhafen)	40
DM+36 2219 (Sans Souci)	41
Ground Troops	41
Facilities	41
DM+36 2393 (Dunkelheim)	41
Ground Troops	41
Colonial RepairFacilities	41
DM+42 2296	42
DM+45 2014	42
DM+46 1889	42
DM+48 2108 (Freehold)	42
DM+50 1832	42
DM+66 717	43
Eta Bootis (Aurore)	43
Ground Troops	43
Colonial Repair Facilities	44
Henry’s Star (Crater)	44
Ground Troops	44
Colonial Repair Facilities	44
Hochbaden (Hochbaden)	45
Ground Troops	45
Colonial Repair Facilities	45
Neubayern (Nibelungen)	45
Ground Troops	45
Colonial Repair Facilities	46
Queen Alice’s Star (Beowulf)	46
Ground Troops	46
Colonial Repair Facilities	47
Vogelheim (Alderhorst)	47
Ground Troops	47
Colonial Repair Facilities	47
Xi Ursae Majoris (Kie-Yuma)	48
Ground Troops	48
Colonial Repair Facilities	48
Errata	49

Introduction

The fourth turn has taken much longer to complete that the last one. In great part, this has been due to a turbulent time of real life in the part of the referee. Hopefully, that is behind him now and a more reasonable turn around can be expected for future turns. This campaign commenced on July 06, 2001, almost two and a half years ago! With the closure of Ben Levy’s Pi3 / Chi3 Orionis game, that makes this the longest running 2300AD PBEM game. Over the course of the game, we have had very little player turn over; thanks to everyone for hanging in!!!

The rules have been updated a few times since the last turn, standing at version 5.7 with 5.8 on the short horizon. There has been very few major updates since the last turn, indicating that the rules are stabilizing as the game matures.

This turn covered August 2301, the fourth month of the campaign. As in past months, this one was marked by a couple of major battles and a fewer smaller engagements. Thus far, the war can be likened to a pair of juggernauts that strike each other at once, stunning themselves and having to pause before continuing.

The battle for Unity Station in the Hochbaden system provided to be a decisive win for Humanity, despite the losses suffered. By holding this bottleneck system, the Kafers have been essentially forced back to a position at the end of the Arm. Hochbaden has become the major forward logistical center for the war and seems aptly poised as a launching point for forays beyond Arcturus and into Kafer Space.

Week 1

	The first week of August 2301 saw humanity taking stock of the situation on the front. Hochbaden had been retaken during the previous month and the allied forces continued to maintain a strong presence in the astographic choke point. Logistical movements came into play as resupply and rearmament needs came to the forefront. 

61 Ursae Majoris (Joi)

Terrorists Strike Station Joi
	Elysian officials have reported today that one of the repair docks of Station Joi has been temporarily put out of service due to damage sustained in a terrorist attack Tuesday. Despite the presence of troops from Régiment 'Joienne', saboteurs apparently managed to plant several explosive devices amongst the heavy machinery that is used to repair starships at the Verte dock.
	The initial investigation indicates that the terrorists may have landed on the world in the colony of Tosashimizu and utilized ground transportation to enter Elysia and board an interface craft bound for the colonial repair facility.
	Elysia has expelled the ambassador from Tosashimizu and re-doubled security patrols aboard the station.
	Habinsel has offered technical support to Elysia for the duration of the repairs.
	The governor of Tosashimizu has denied any part of the terrorist attack and has countered that pro-Republic forces are to blame.

German Colonial Defense Squadron Re-Assigned
The DSKM confirmed reports today that the destroyers Braunschweig and Passau have left the system on a temporary assignment. While some analysts have commented that this leaves the system vulnerable, others have countered that the deployment of two wings of Udet fighters still leaves the colony defended.

Beta Canum Venaticorum (BCV-4)

BBC Business News
There have been repeated rumors of meetings between representatives of Vickers shipbuilding company and Azanian officers onboard HMS Churchill in Kimanjano to discuss the purchase of an Invincible class Battlecruiser. Neither the company of the Azanian government have commented however a highly placed RSN source at Hochbaden has said "While I canot comment on government or business policies, I can say I would welcome any arrangement which would increase teh combat power of the proud and Brave Azanian navy and their commitment to this war"

-- submitted by Andrew Moreton

Rumours of Franco-Manchurian talks spread
02:46 AM ST Wednesday, July 31, 2301

	Pais Francais - An unnamed source in the USN claimed to have information regarding secret talks held between France and Manchuria on the battleship Pennsylvania late last week.  This lead to speculation that frontline commanders were attempting to put aside national rivalries in the face of the Kafer menace. Officials from MSIF media relations refused to comment, stating that media relations had recieved no official announcement from the command staff at Hochbaden. French government officials denied the rumour stating that they had not given orders for any such talks to take place.  When reached for comment the Manchurian embassy on BCV4 said they did not have any knowledge of talks, but an official who refused to identify themselves stated that they thought "Admiral Lian Xi Shilong capable of anything."  The unnamed US source said that mid-level officials from each fleet met for an afternoon and that periodic yelling could be heard from within the conference room.  The same source stated that all foreign personnel had left the Pennsylvania 4 hours after their arrival.  Analysts said that they would be surprised if such talks would be successful, but quoted the maxim that "desperate times called for desperate measures."
	Jules Voisine for Reuters/Associated Press Newswire (a division of Dow Jones, Inc.)

-- submitted by Keven Jeffery

Operation Steel Thunder
The American 2nd Armored Brigade deployed to New Africa today, performing a combat drop into the northern plains before proceeding to engage 2/The Wellon Armoured Regiment (2 WAR) in a joint Anglo-American exercise. Called Operation Steel Thunder, the two forces will conduct a series of exercises across the British Continent over the coming month.

Beta Comae Berenices (Nous Voila)

Hochbaden Survivors Arrive
A British Task Force, lead by the battlecruiser HMS Invincible, arrived in system this week. Reports from several merchant ships that passed near to the formation noted that all warships displayed noticeable battle damage. Primary escort for the battlecruiser was provided by the cruisers HMS Drake and HMS Rodney. The cruiser HMS Parker was not among the ships of the task force, and is presumed lost at Hochbaden.

Statement by RSN Press Officer
	"The RSN wishes to comment on the recent reports on the arrival of HMS Invincible. The reports seem to imply that the Invincible task force where the survivors of some form of defeat, this is inaccurate. As previous reports have indicated the Allied fleet secured control of the Hochbaden system and destroyed a large number of Kafer capital ships with only the loss of the HMS Parker from RSN forces several other cruisers and the battlecruiser HMS Invincible where damaged and have retired for repairs , they will be replaced by HMS Churchill and her escorts. The reason all ships in TF Invincible are damaged as their undamaged consorts have been transferred to TF Brittania.

-- submitted by Andrew Moreton

DM+34 2342 (Kimanjano)

French Cruiser to Join Azanian Task Force
012:46 AM ST Wednesday, July 31, 2301

	Pais Francais - Rene Levesque of MSIF media relations announced today that an unidentified Suffren-class missile cruiser would be detached from its current assignment to participate in long-term joint operations under Azanian command.  Mr. Levesque stated that this operation would build on a long standing tradition of co-operation between the two nations and was meant to improve communication and set standards for future maneuvers.  France currently has a reciprocal exchange agreement with the Ukraine and French ships also serve under overall British command at Kimanjano.  There are few details regarding these operations due to security concerns, however, analysts were not surprised by the move, calling it routine for the navies of friendly nations to exchange ships and crew.
	By Marcel Park for Reuters/Associated Press Newswire (a division of Dow Jones, Inc.)

-- submitted by Keven Jeffery

DM+36 2393 (Dunkelheim)

Kafers at Dunkelheim?
	The DSKM confirmed the loss of the merchant vessel Wolfsburg today. The Wolfsburg had been pressed into service supporting DSKM activities in the French Arm since the resurgence of the Kafer Conflict. Reports from Dunkelheim Station indicated that a Kafer war fleet had moved into the system in recent days. It is presumed that the Wolfsburg was attacked by scout or picket elements of the enemy fleet. 
	The colonial government has declared martial law in order to prevent any civil unrest, such as was experienced in the wake of the Kafer attacks of Aurore in 2298. Horst Jungfelder, leader of the local branch of the peace group “All Species, Only Peace”, has filed an official protest with the colonial governor. At a local peace rally, Jungfelder spoke to a group of several hundred, stating “How do we know that the Kafers only want war… has anybody asked them?” A solider of the 3 Jaeger who was providing riot control replied off camera, “Funny, I didn’t see any Kafers at the rally… I guess that’s a ‘no’.”

Eta Bootis (Aurore)

More Kafer Troops Landed
	An intelligence briefing held by Corps d' Aurore (14e Corps) revealed that the landings of additional Kafers forced have been confirmed. “We are now facing an enemy equal in strength to our own forces.” Briefing Officers did not indicate whether or not Corps d' Aurore would be reinforced. 
	Independent military analysts based in Tanstaafl have commented that without reinforcement, the French colony is in jeopardy of falling. If that were to happen, Tanstaafl would fall soon afterwards… unable to withstand a combined attack.

Bassompierre Surprises Kafer Convoy at Theia
	The cruiser Bassompierre, supported by the destroyers Kyiv and Dnipropetorvsk, was on patrol in the outer system near the gas giant Theia when sensors detected an unknown force numbering approximately six ships. After sending a tight-beam report back to Contre-Amiral Jean-Paul Bertand aboard the flagship Tallyrand, Capitaine Lise Barqt ordered the Bassompierre to attack speed. The two Ukrainian destroyers moved to maximum speed in standard flanking positions. Passive sensors revealed several Oscar class vessels lying at “all stop” and Capitaine Barqt ordered weapons release for all units. As the warships closed to missile range, a previously undetected Beta battlecruiser came into range, moving out of the sensor shadow of Theia. The Bassompierre moved to intercept, leaving her escorts to wreck havoc with the merchants.
	The cruisers exchanged missile salvoes as they rapidly closed to short range. Radiation from Theia caused extensive signal degradation for the Bassompierre’s sensors hampering target acquisition. The Kafer warship suffered no such issues and succeeded in scoring several hits against the French cruiser. The Ukrainian destroyers suffered similar issues and failed to score any hits. The Dnipropetorvsk received moderate return fire, knocking out its missile battery.
	The cruisers continued to tangle, with the Bassompierre battling an electronics enemy more deadly than the enemy warship before it. The Beta circled the cruiser, firing off numerous broadsides and causing minor hull breaches to develop. Still unable to resolve their targeting issues, the destroyers went to evasive maneuvers, though the Dnipropetorvsk suffered a critical hit, knocking out its screen generator.
	Finally able to conquer the electronic issues, the Bassompierre loosed its own attack, inflicting minor damage to the Kafer ship. Return fire was strong, with the French warship losing the last of its turrets and suffering major hull damage and hits to the engineering decks. The destroyers were also able to score hits, but the armored merchants merely shrugged the blows off. The unlucky Dnipropetorvsk continued to be battered, despite the efforts of her helm to avoid the merchant lasers.
	Forced to half speed due to battle damage, the Bassompierre found herself unable to break off contact and too far from the destroyers to come to her aid. At 1448 hrs, the spine of the French cruiser snapped, taking her crew of 462 with her. Stunned by the destruction of the cruiser and suffering their own battle damage, the two destroyers broke contact and moved to pick up survivors. Only 27 personnel were recovered… Capitaine Lise Barqt was not among them.

Hochbaden

Franco-German talks underway at Hochbaden
09:39 AM ST Wednesday, July 31, 2301

	Pais Francais - The MSIF and the DKSM announced today that high level talks have begun between the commanders of the French and German fleets at Hochbaden.  The talks are being held on an unidentified third party vessel in orbit above the former German colony.  The talks are being aimed at normalizing relations and smoothing military co-operation between France and Germany after a series of disastrous incidents at Vogelheim last month.  An official from the MSIF was quoted as saying that the disagreements between the MSIF and the DKSM seemed less important than they once did in light of the loss of the colony of St. Benoit.  He added that if the Kafer were going to be ultimately defeated humanity would need to act in unity.   A spokesperson from DKSM media relations agreed stating that co-operation between the two nations was necessary to defend all of humanity and hopefully future disagreements could be settled by the politicians on earth.  No details were released regarding agreements reached, however, sources close to the meetings indicated that discussion were centering on co-operative fleet actions to be undertaken in the defense of Hochbaden and other colony worlds.   Military analysts greeted the news with optimism but doubted that any agreements reached would hold when the Kafer threat on the French Arm was eliminated.
	Reuters/Associated Press Newswire (a division of Dow Jones, Inc.)

-- submitted by Keven Jeffery

Humanity Fortifies Former German Colony
	The combined allied fleets have retaken the Hochbaden system and are here to stay! A forward re-supply and repair base, Unity Station, is being constructed. Already the first combatants, a French destroyer, Maréchal Bouvier, and the German battlcruiser, Bismarck, have docked for field repairs. Until Unity Station is fully operational, repairs are being conducted in the existing DSKM base. Having a French destroyer repaired at a German base would have been unheard following the War of German Reunification, but the Kafer onslaught has forced many former enemies to put aside their differences. DSKM spokesmen indicate that the Bismarck will be undergoing repairs for most of this month.

Sol (Earth)

America Signs Declaration of War Against Kafers
	On August 1, 2301, the American government signed into law, a Declaration of War against the Kafer nations. As such, this gives the Joint Chiefs of Staff much broader powers in pursuing the war in the French Arm to its finality.

French Arm Declared War Zone by Merchant Insurers
August 2, 2301

	With the resurgence of the Kafer War on the French Arm, SAM-N (Spacelanes Activity Monitoring Network) has issued a blanket "Extreme Danger" advisory for all points beyond Neubayern.
	"The current flare-up in military operations against the Kafer aliens has made a severe impact on the safety of civilian shipping throughout the French Arm."

---

August 3, 2301

	Following the recent announcement from SAM-N, several major insurance carriers, including Lloyd's of London, Alvarez/Kelly, Financia AG, Merchant's Bank of Maputo and Niyazawa International Bank, have declared the French Arm a "war zone". This has had the immediate effect of increasing insurance premiums ten-fold for all shipping concerns operating in the area.

---

August 4, 2301

	The Interstellar Shipping ORGanisation (ISORG) has publically chastised insurance carriers for their "obscene" rate increases. ISORG is an international legal body formed in the 2200s to provide guidelines and policies relating to the conduct of interstellar shipping of freight and cargo. It gained widespread popularity and notoriety in 2260 when it challenged the actions of the Orbital Quarantine Command over the virus hoax of 2259.

---

August 6, 2301

	The UN has unanimously passed a resolution calling for protection of all civilian shipping in the French Arm for the duration of the advisory set forth by SAM-N. The UN is asking all cobelligerents to provide in-system military escorts for the duration of the current crisis.

New Evidence: Manchurian Admiral Masterminds Richelieu Terrorist Raid
	The Imperial French Navy has announced today that new evidence has surfaced linking the Manchurian Theater Commander (French Arm), Admiral Lian Xi Shilong, to the terrorist raid against the battleship Richelieu while under construction at the Tirane naval shipyard in 2286.
	In a press release earlier today, the senior officer of the Imperial French Navy, Amiral Jean-Claude Lemoyere, announced that intelligence sources had confirmed that then Captain Shilong was the chief orchestrator of the terrorist attack that caused a four year delay in completion of the battleship.
	When asked about the nature of the intelligence and its sources, the Amiral regretted that such information was classified as a matter of Republic security.
	
When asked to comment on the French allegations, a spokesman for the Manchurian Star Navy was quoted to have said: "Admiral Lian Xi Shilong is a decorated flag officer, brilliant tactician, and superb commander. We would not have wasted his talents on such a simple task."

-- based on idea by Christopher Johnston

Ukranian Space Force Announces Promotion of Officer Vinogradov
Aboard CG Konstantine
<classified> system
Admiral Yuri Vasilyvitch Leonov, European Theater Commander

	"...I would like to commend the skill and duty of Captain Petr Vinogradov; when the newly assigned commander of the Odessa, Kontr-Admiral Borodin, was not yet aboard the cruiser to take command of his new assignment, the fleet was preemptively engaged by the Kafer forces of Hochbaden. Commander Vinogradov took command of the fleet when communications was lost with the Frigate carrying Kontr-Admiral Borodin. His actions proved not only his potential for command but  served as an example of the skill and dedication to duty that the Ukraine Space Force is capable of. Commander Vinogradov has been given the field promotion of Kontr-Admiral and will be released from his assignment here to return to the Core and report for his new assignment as TF Commander of the new CG Azov. Contrary to the wild speculation I have heard in the news and in the rumors aboard ship Kontr-Admiral Borodin has not been demoted or punished by my command or my staff, his service and expertise have never been in doubt, nor is his skill or willingness to serve our great nation to the best of his ability."

-- submitted by Stephen Andrews

Queen Alice’s Star (Bewulf)

Reinforcements I
	French traffic control officials were shocked today when a pair of unknown warships entered the system from a Coreward vector. As has been routine since the start of the Kafer War, a wing of fighters was dispatched to investigate. The warships maintained course for the main colony world while the 9e Flottille Aerospatiale closed on intercept course.
	"Control, this is Bonapart Prime."
	"Go ahead."
	"Control, we have made positive contact with unknown warships bearing 134 mark 027. They are Piedrabuena-class frigates."
	Consulting the shipping database, the control station officer quickly finds a listing for the frigates.
	"Bonapart Prime, this is Control."
	"Go ahead."
	"Warships are Argentinian <garbled> in origin. <garbled> Proceed with caution."
	Having moved through the radio shadow of the pair of frigates during the transmission, Lt. Lastille did not clearly hear the entire message from the traffic control officer. Thinking that the ships were from the Argentine military, the 9e Flottille Aerospatiale moved to attack formation and promptly found themselves facing two missile barrages of Ritage-1 missiles.
	Though the Bonaparts were easily able to contend with the missiles, Lt. Lastille found it odd that Argentine warships would be carrying French missiles. He initiated radio contact on a GUARD channel only to be told to "Piss Off" in a thick African accent.
	Paralleling the frigates in an escort formation, he again made contact withthe system control.
	"Bonapart Prime to Control."
	"Go for Control."
	"Have been attacked by missile salvoes from unknown warships. Salvoes neutralized; no damage taken. Missiles were Ritage-1. Suggest frigates are not Argentine. Advise."
	"Bonapart Prime. I say again... Warships are Argentinian in origin only. "

Reinforcements II
	Queen Alice's Star is a natural choke point on the French Arm; through which all units moving to and from the Core worlds must pass. As such, this reporter would think that the military squadrons would, by now, be used to vessels of many nationalities entering and exiting the system. Such was not the case today.
	An arriving French task force, led by the carrier Albatros, entered the system at 0100 hours today. This was followed shortly by a smaller, unknown task force in near proximity. As is common in these times of war, both task forces detached escorts to identify the other. IFF transponder exchange revealed that the smaller task force was flagged to the nation of Elysia and TF Albatros immediately moved to impound the smaller force. The Elsyian squadron began evasive action but found itself out-maneuvered by a faster opponent and forced to all stop. Under a cloud of fighters, the French commander declared the Elysian force terrorists against the Republic and their vessels seized by the Imperial French Navy.
	As this was all occuring, another task force warped into the system and immediately moved into attack formation against the French forces. Rear Admiral Xiao Ying, commander of the TF Tien Shan, demanded to know on what grounds the French were attempting to seize a Manchurian Troop Ship. The situation continued to deteriorate until scores of British Donovan fighters of the newly deployed 804 Wing descended upon the scene. The local British commander, Captain Sarah Richcroft, appealed to both sides to stand down and save the fight for the Kafers. After several minutes, all parties retreated out of combat range. Patrols from 804 Wing maintained position with all forces on "escort".

Statement by RSN Operations staff to Merchant shipping on the French Arm.
	As is customary in times of war dating back to the 18th century the RSN will initiate a convoy system, merchant vessels traveling outside of the convoy's do so at their own risk. Scheduled RSN Convoys information is available from the office of logistics and Merchant shipping registered with any Belligerent nation or shipping to British colonies may accompany any of these convoys provided they are able to match the convoy speed. Due to the exigencies of warfare the RSN cannot provide escorts for non critical merchant traffic outside of it's regular convoys.

-- submitted by Andrew Moreton

Week 2

	The second week of August 2301 was remarkable for containing not one, but two impressive defeats of Kafer forces during the conflict. In a level of coordination not typically seen, the Kafers managed to launch two separate attacks at the same time; the first occurred in the bottle neck system of Hochbaden while the second was launched in the center of the Arm at Beta Canum Venaticorum. Perhaps more remarkable, however, was that both of these attacks were detected by early warning measures that allowed humanity to mass its forces, launch spoiling attacks, and eject the Kafers from the systems. These two battles were seen by some as a turning point, while others, more pessimistic, saw these for what they were… steps on the road to the end, but not the end in themselves. 

61 Ursae Majoris (Joi)

Australian Squadron Leaves System
	System controllers noted that the powerful Australian squadron, centered on the cruiser Victoria and bolstered by the New Canberra, left the system today under communications blackout. While the destination of the Australian force is unknown, military analysts suspect that either San Souci or Crater is likely.

Japanese TF Agano Departs
	Something must be up. Or at least, that is the prevailing thought among colony defense pundits following the departure of the Japanese task force within six hours of the Australian squadron. With two powerful fleets now departed, analysts are favoring a reconnaissance in force into neighboring Henry’s Star.

Beta Canum Venaticorum

The Battle of BCV-8
	On routine in the outer system, the destroyer Superb detected multiple bogeys entering the system in the vicinity of the outermost gas giant, BCV-8. Commander Hugh McGregor immediately made for the inner system as he communicated his discovery to Kommodore Mannheim aboard the Guderian. The Kommodore immediately enabled the JADBCV (Joint Allied Defense Beta Canum Venaticorum) protocols. Commander George Hamilton aboard the cruiser Vian, responded first, placing his system defense squadron under strategic control of the German commander. Capitaine Garneau, aboard the French cruiser Duquesne replied within the hour, pledging the support of his Suffren-class warship as well as two wings of Bonapart fighters based on the planet and three wings of deadly Martel fighters from Station Premiere. The last force to join JADBCV was the newly deployed British 39 Wing. Consisting of some six squadrons of Donovan missile boats also based on the French station, the Donovans would make a powerful strike force that was most welcome by the Kommodore. 
	As the JADBCV force left for the outer system, the colonies began their own preparations for a possible ground attack, dispersing the metropolitan populations to the countryside and finalizing plans for the worst case scenario: cutting the Beanstalk loose.

HMSS Superb
	HMSS Superb was coasting through space, near the eighth body, a gas giant, in the BCV system. A Robust class destroyer, known to enlisted men ironically as Superman. Tin cans were good for two things, escorting or patrolling, and with the flagship HMSS Vian huddling close to the colony, Superman was patrolling the skies. Lieutenant Harroldson, 1st grade, was commanding the bridge and by extension Superman at this early watch, overseeing his continuous move between the least-time arrival points from DM+36 2219 and Henry's Star. Both had a sizeable enemy presence, which still was very hard to fathom for lieutenant Harroldson. The Kafers had penetrated up the western side of the French Arm, almost unopposed, driving what little human forces that where there, before them. The admiralty and news faxes called it a retreat but Harroldson, who had studied a bit of military history, would have called it a rout. Not a single offensive operation had been mounted against the Kafers. So now the French colony of Sans Souci and the British colony of Crater were under Kafer control, threatening Beta Canum and its multi million population from two sides. Harroldson, a native to Tirane, though that the only way to defend the core and humanity was to gather all the human fleets at Queen Alice's Star and wait for the enemy there. All the task forces out here was vulnerable, gathered at QAS they would be strong. From there they could retreat towards the core and if needed reinforced by the home fleets and the OQC. Now that would be a surprise for the Kafers… A small LED started blinking and a sensor console started beeping mutedly. 
	“Detection; Mark 043, 021; Range about 2.5 mks,” a suddenly very alert 2nd lieutenant reported.
	“IFF?” Harroldson asked automatically.
	“No squawk detected, Sir, but at this range it could be minutes before we receive one,” the lieutenant replied.
	The silence stretched while Harroldson thought.
	“Sir, should we wake the commander?” a second 2nd lieutenant, by communications, asked.
	Harroldson looked at her with accusation and question in his eyes.
	“Sir, at this range that detection is too big or too many to be a straggling merchant,” the lieutenant manning the sensor helped.
	“And the approach clearly rules out the possibility of a reinforcing taskforce from either Kimanjano or Dunkelheim,” the lieutenant at communication finished.
	There was only a second of silence before lieutenant Harroldson spoke again.
	“Off course, you are right. Wake commander McGregor.”
	When commander McGregor arrived at the bridge only a few minutes later the sensor trace had been refined. It was clearly multiple bogeys. He wasted no time in turning the Superb around and made the best speed in system. In less than a minute the sensor data with his report was on the way to BG BetaCanum’s commander, Kommodore Mannheim aboard the DSKM Guderian. An alert message was also on the way to all ships in the vicinity of the Superb, so no one was surprised. First when all the SOP details were taken cared of he asked the bridge, “Will someone please get me a cup of coffee?”

-- submitted by Michael Siiger

	At 17:09, HMSS Superb fired the opening shot of the engagement, sending a missile salvo against a Kafer escort that was beginning an attack run against the battlecruiser Guderian. While only scoring minor damage, it was enough to divert the enemy vessel’s attention towards the British destroyer. Numerous fighter wings screamed by the slower JADBCV escorts, fanning out to engage targets of opportunity among the enemy formation. The escort, Lutjens & Rheinland, scored the second damage against another enemy escort, forcing it to turn and deal with the lumbering frigate and abandon its vector on the cruiser Vian. The destroyers Stuttgart and Kolberg moved to engage a Kafer battlecruiser, cutting it off from the rest of the pack. Working together, the two escorts managed to overload the Beta’s point defenses, landing several missiles and inflicting moderate damage. The French cruiser Duquense squared off against another battlecruiser. With the Duquense fresh out of the repair dock, Capitaine Garneau was hoping for a quick kill to bolster the sagging morale of his crew. The British flagship, Vian, found itself up against a Kafer battleship. Wisely staying at long range, the cruiser launched its opening salvo, only to see it swatted aside by the Kafer behemoth. Return fire was dealt with by point defense and a speedy flight of German Gustav fighters, flying the call sign “Thor’s Hammers”.  The two German capital ships, Prinz Eugen and Guderian moved towards a pair of Kafer Alpha’s, launching salvo after salvo at the enemy battleships.

	As the battle entered its second hour, the Donovans of 39 Wing moved towards the enemy battleships, eager to drop their powerful submunition complements against the enemy hulls. Seeing an opening, the six wings moved forward, supported by French Martels. Shielded from detection by EMP residuals from the missile barrages, the fighters sped forward on attack runs. As they neared their target, a squadron of Kafer escorts moved to intercept, blocking the fighters path to their targets. Cursing, the wing commander, ordered all fighters to engage the escorts and blast a hole through to the battleships. Closing to close range, the escort Lutjens & Rheinland continued to pound the enemy escort it had surprised, killing the warship with a combination of beam and missile strikes at 18:01. The Vian continued to tangle with a Kafer Alpha, finding itself forced to close range, but still supported by the Thor’s Hammers. The Prinz Eugen and Guderian continued their paired duel against the Kafer battleships, moving to close range. 

	The 20e Flottille Spatiale was the first unit to be forced to break contact, having expended all of their ordnance. At 19:08, the speedy Martels turned for the inner system making for Station Premiere at full speed to rearm and repair. The escort Robust broke off from the engagement at 19:14 as the German frigate Lutjens & Rheinland moved in to cover her withdrawal. The first casualty of the engagement came one minute later, when 1 Squadron, 39 Wing was wiped out by concentrate missile fire before they could close with their target. The first British kill occurred at 19:30 as 5 Squadron, 39 Wing mortally crippled a Kafer Gamma that strayed within range of their devastating submunition field. The destroyers Kolberg and Stuttgart succeeded in chasing away an enemy battlecruiser from the fray. At 19:41, Captain Hamilton was forced to call for all personnel to abandon ship as the Vian succumbed to hull failure. The fighters of Thor’s Hammers continued to provide close defense for the life boats as the escorts Kolberg and Stuttgart moved to pick up survivors. Thanks to crew discipline, only fifteen hands were lost. The thin-skinned cruiser Prinz Eugen was lost with all hands at 19:56 due to a catastrophic power plant explosion. The Guderian retaliated three minutes later, destroying a Kafer Alpha with a combination of beam and missile strikes.

	The Thor’s Hammers moved to seek out another target once the escorts arrived on the scene to rescue survivors. Finding an enemy escort chasing down a limping wing of Donovans, the speedy Gustavs moved to intercept, allowing their British counterparts to break contact. Lieutenant Olgerlund aboard the frigate Lutjens & Rheinland called for support at 20:47, with his ship suffering major damage and unable to break off or conduct offensive operations. The Duquense continued her brawling with an enemy Beta, receiving more damage than she was inflicting. The escort Kolberg, supported by Stuttgart managed to inflict minor damage on the enemy Alpha that had killed the Vian.

	The Guderian forced its opponent to break off contact at 21:10. At 21:23, Westfalen & Emden managed to chase off a Kafer destroyer. The Thor’s Hammers broke contact at 21:27, having used up their submunitions and suffered damage to their beam weaponry. British Donovans of 39 Wing claimed their second kill at 21:28, as 6 Sqdn destroyed an escort in a suicide run. A wing of French Bonaparts broke off contact ten minutes later, having suffered tremendous battle damage. 2 Sqdn 39 Wing succeeded in leaving another escort dead in space after unleashing a deadly barrage of submuntions into the aft of the Gamma. The French cruiser, Duquense, plagued by bad luck seemed to reverse its fortune, claiming a battlecruiser kill at 21:56. Capitaine Garneau would later comment in an interview that it was not luck, but the high level of skill and discipline of the crew that allowed the cruiser to kill its opponent. Interviews with crew members reflected that the mood aboard the warship did change… to one of pure anger and blood lust. Regardless, the ship’s luck seems to have changed. One minute later, the German destroyers Kolberg and Stuttgart forced an enemy battleship to break off. By 22:05, the remaining Kafer warships were moving to disengage. Evaluating the status of the ships of JADBCV, Kommodore Mannheim ordered his adhoc battlegroup to stand down. The battle for BCV-8 was over.

JADBCV Retreats to BCV-4 Orbital Space to Lick Wounds
	Following the successful repulsion of a strong Kafer attack earlier this week, the elements of JADBCV have retreated to the world of BCV-4 to repair and re-arm. Altenhauf Station has been particularly busy with the Guderian and many of his escorts docking for repairs. The frigate Lutjens & Rheinland had to be towed in from the outer system due to the extensive damage it had received, and is expected to be in dock for several months. Leipzig & Konigsberg and Hannover & Stendal also docked for repairs. Though outclassed by more modern classes, the venerable Sachsen frigates have proved their ability to absorb damage and continue to fight.
	Premiere Station begrudgingly accepted the French cruiser Duquense to her docks for badly needed repairs. Rumors are abounding that the ship is cursed.

DM+34 2342 (Kimanjano)

HMSS Churchill Moves to the Frontier
	The flag bridge of HMSS Churchill was tense. After almost three months of garrisoning the DM+34 2342 system, which is the key to the upper French arm, orders for redeployment had come. TF Churchill was going to war.
	Vice Admiral Charles Graham looked out over the flag bridge, noting the tension. While quite large, the TF Churchill still represented untested doctrine manned by untested personnel. The doctrine was build around escort carriers (CVE) carrying updated versions of the ancient, relatively speaking, Donovan class design. It showed huge potential for delivering a massive first strike. Still, the Donovan design is a very old design. The personnel was unproven in combat, they tested high in the training missions, but lacked the intuitive knowledge that they were good enough.
	Everyone was looking at the admiral out of the corners of their eyes. Waiting. The captain had just informed the Vice-admiral that everything was ready for departure.
	?Communications, please record this message for Vice-Admiral Rochemont on IFN Richelieu?
	?Ready sir? the lieutenant at the communications console replied.
	?Vice-Admiral Ferdinand Rochemont.? ?It is my duty to inform you that I will be leaving the DM+34 2342 system shortly, with the RSN TF Churchill.? ?I hereby transfer control of BG Kimanjano forces to you, Admiral Rochemont. All forces are combat ready and no enemy presence has been detected. The RSN TF Victory will be leaving with forces assigned to the ACREF. At that time the RSN TF Invincible will be ready to take over, defending the system.? ?May your watch be uneventful??
	?Lieutenant, sign it with my ID and send it. Log any confirmation.? 
	?Captain Grisham, you may proceed.?
	The captain turned to the bridge, commands started to flow with an ease that spoke of confidence.
	?Helm, break orbit. Plot a dogleg towards Beta Canum.?
	?Communications, signal all units to form up.?
	?TAC, deploy the screening elements?
	The next couple of minutes the bridge crew worked intently in silence. As more of the personnel started looking up from their consoles, a clear sign of orders already completed, Captain Grisham gave the final order of TF Churchill while in Kimanjano near orbit.
	?Communications, signal the Dauntless and Alecto.? ?We will be waiting at Hochbaden, for a time. Don?t be to long in getting there or we might have moved on.? 
	The message was a clear reference to the two major human victories in the DM+36 2393 and Hochbaden system, and captain Grisham knew that scuttle bug would make sure that every man and woman in the TF had heard the implied reassurance of final human victory. They might even believe that complete human control would extend as far as Acturus before Christmas.  

-- Michael Siiger

HMSS Victory heads Crater Relief Force
	A battle group, centered on HMSS Victory, left the system today, bound for the colony world of Crater. Dubbed the Allied Crater Relief Expeditionary Force (ACREF), the multi-national force includes warships from Japan, Russia, and Britain. The loss of the Henry’s Star system has exposed a flank in the current war that leaves both Joi and BCV-4 dangerously exposed, and threatens the trade corridor into Pentapod Space.

Beta Comae Berenices

Decaen Leads Relief Convoy to Hochbaden
	A large relief convoy, escorted by the French cruiser Decaen, left the system today, bound for Hochbaden. This convoy represents the first such relief effort for the beleaguered colony of Aurore since the resurgence of the Kafer War.

Station Nous Voilà Re-opens Damaged Wing
	French officials were pleased to announce that all damage sustained by the orbital station in last month’s raid has been repaired and that the station had returned to operating at full capacity.

Hochbaden

Picket Station Blue Cherry
Flotilla #651, TF Odessa (Kaptain: Kuetadze)
	The commander of Flotilla #651, Kaptain Kuetadze, sat in his command couch aboard the frigate Yermoshkin, finishing his weekly readiness report for Kontr-Admiral Borodin. The bridge was quiet, punctuated only be the constant, yet unheard, sounds of the ship. Within moments, this calm would be shattered.
	"Kaptain!"
	Activating the couch controls, he spun the chair towards the shout. "Report!"
	The young ensign, suddenly aware that he had interrupted the captain, faltered for a brief moment. A second, sharp tone from his console cleared his hesitation in an instant. "Sir... Drones Gold-4, Gold-5, Gold-7, and Gold-9 report positive sensor contacts!"
	Brow wrinkling, the captain leaned forward against the couch restraints. Already, the tension in the bridge was building. "IFF recognition?"
	Swallowing hard, the ensign replied with a single hard word, "Fail."
	Spinning the couch back to center, the captain calmly began to assess the problem. “Ensign, feed to main display. Highlight Gold Line.”
	The main holographic display winked into view, projecting a three-dimensional view of the Hochbaden system. The display quickly zoomed in on the area surrounding Picket Station Blue Cherry. A string of gold symbols began to appear, indicating the positions of the line of static sensor drones deployed forward of the patrol.
	“Display contacts.”
	One by one, the sensor drones that had made contact began to pulse. Projected locations of enemy ships appeared as red symbols. As more data feeds came in, the red symbols began to overlap, creating pockets of red clouds. “My God,” said the captain under his breath there were dozens of contacts in two, no three, distinct clusters.
	As the bridge crew stared at the holographic projection, some of the gold symbols winked out. The ensign manning the sensor station looked back to his own console, quickly running some diagnostic checks. His concern was evident. 
	“Kaptain, we have lost contact with Drones Gold-1, 4, and 6.” He looked up at his commander’s face, placing the holographic projection visible in his peripheral vision. Movement caught his eye and he turned his head slightly, just in time to see several more gold symbols disappear. Looking quickly back at his console, he spoke again, in a voice laced with anxiety. “They’re gone… all of them.” Within the space of a few minutes, the entire forward sensor line had been destroyed.
	“Comms. Send an emergency bulletin to the Odessa. Include all sensor data. Add:’ Large concentration of enemy ships detected. Falling back to position Taiga Seven’.”
	The message burst had barely completed transmission when the two frigates of Flotilla #651 began to move forward, accelerating to flank speed and angling towards the nearest rendezvous point where the French cruisers Kleber and Montcalm were holding station. Taiga Seven was on the forward edge of the patrol section for BattleGroup Napoleon – safety could be found there… couldn’t it?

Picket Station Green Apple
DE Blackfoot, TF Pennsylvania (LCdr Jose Hernandez)
	"Captain,"
	"Yes?"
	"Captain, sensors are picking up faint thermonuclear detonations in the outer system."
	"Source?"
	"Mines."
	"Comms! Tightbeam to all squadrons: 'Mine explosions detected in outer system. Coordinates to follow.'"
	"Sound General Quarters! Red Alert!"
	All across the ship, the warble of klaxuns could be heard as personnel moved to duty stations. On the bridge, LCdr Hernandez studied the sensors readouts, trying to determine what was out there.

The Battle for Unity Station
	The Kafers had been detected entering the system in force. The allies had planned for such an attack… Operation Salamis. Under the overall command of Vice Admiral Sam Weiss, ASF, the allies had arranged their forces into three primary forces; Battle Group East, Battle Group West, and Battle Group Napoleon. Ukrainian forces, under Kontr-Admiral Borodin, were tasked as a floating reserve. 
	With the location of the two Kafer forces fixed, Admiral Weiss elected to launch a pre-emptive strike, hoping to catch the raiders before they could form up and launch an unified attack at Unity Station and the logistical elements located in the inner system.
	Admiral Weiss ordered BG Napoleon to engage the larger of the two forces. Reinforcing the French would be three Ukrainian cruiser divisions. BG East would engage the slightly smaller Kafer force, given their closer proximity to the location of the raiders. BG West, under the command of Admiral Sir Trevor Mountjoy, KCB, would move to a position between the two other Battle Groups, allowing reinforcement to either engagement should it prove necessary.
	
	The first shots were fired by IFN Napoleon at 0433. In a devastating barrage, the flagship of BG Napoleon scored multiple hits to the Kafer flagship, rendering it motionless in space. Each of the French cruisers paired off against an enemy battleship. With the memory of the loss of their countrymen aboard the Bassompierre still fresh in their minds, numerous hits were scored against their foes with little to no damage received in return. Supported by 42e Flottille Aerospatiale flying missile laden Bufers, the carrier Cherbourg engaged a Kafer Epsilon, scoring heavy damage and leaving the enemy cruiser a floating hulk. The Epsilon, however, gave as good as it received, inflicting tremendous damage on the carrier and forcing Vice-Amiral Jean-Paul Monlavier to declare an emergency. With multiple hull breaches and the forward missile magazines jettisoned to avoid explosions, the Cherbourg was forced to retreat after the opening round. The Ukrainian cruisers engaged enemy cruisers, unable to score hits with their weak missile complement, but equally able to defeat enemy salvoes with their own gun-heavy armament. Maréchal Bouvier, assisted by 96e Flottille Aerospatiale inflicted heavy damage to an Epsilon while taking moderate damage in return. Maréchal Marsin received a serious surprise when the cruiser that it tangled with turned out to be an upgraded version carrying twice the missile complement expected. Only the Martels of 35e Flottille Spatiale prevented the destruction of the escort. With incredible bravery, the fighters dropped multiple submunitions and made several strafing runs against the Kafer barrage, reducing its effectiveness. Maréchal LaFayette, paired off against a Kafer escort, became the first casualty of the engagement, suffering hull failure at 0439. 

	BG East engaged the second Kafer force at 0446. The three Kafer battleships were engaged by the Pennsylvania, Beijing and a pair of Kennedy-class cruisers. Neither side was able to penetrate the strong point defense measures of their enemy. The ASF escorts Potomac and Mississippi engaged a straggling Kafer cruiser, scoring several hits. Return fire caused minor damage to the Potomac. The escorts Hudson and Snake River scored several hits of their own against another Epsilon, with the Hudson suffering heavy hull damage in the attack. Three Manchurian frigate flotillas attacked the lone remaining enemy cruiser, inflicting heavy damage and forcing it to all stop. Moving in for the kill, the allied escorts were overwhelmed when the wounded Epsilon loosed a salvo of missiles. The frigate flotilla Xiaguan & Miyuan was lost at 05:08 following failed attempts at control damage and patching the hulls.

	The second hour of combat began with the battle group flagships continuing to exchange missile salvoes at long range. Though crippled, the Kafer battleship retained a potent sting for anyone who chose to close with her. The Maréchal Marsin suffered terminal damage following a massive barrage from the cruiser she was engaging and was abandoned at 05:06. At 05:20, the carrier Cherbourg, broke contact and headed for the inner system for repairs. The first enemy kill came as the French cruiser Georges Leygues closed with her opponent and inflicted massive damage from with beam weaponry. At 05:25, her opponent, Kafer Beta broke up as it succumbed to hull failure. The cruiser Montcalm also closed with her foe, and while both sides sustained moderate damage, neither was able to claim a kill. The escort Maréchal Bouvier successfully broke contact at 05:34, falling into an escort position for the Cherbourg. The 96e Flottille Aerospatiale covered the departure of the ailing destroyer by launching multiple salvoes at their mutual target, a badly damaged Epsilon. At 05:47, the Epsilon imploded due to structural failure, as the fighters of 96e Flottille Aerospatiale moved on to their next target. Assessing his ships, at 05:00, Contre-Amiral Marc St. Hilaire made the decision to call for reinforcements.

	The escorts Potomac and Mississippi delivered the first kill of the second hour of combat for Battle Group East. At 05:17, the two escorts killed the enemy cruiser that they were facing. The Potomac received moderate damage during the attack.

	The Pennsylvania and the Kafer flagship circled each other like bar-room brawlers, each looking for an opening. In the center of the circle, the frigate New York moved, positioning herself between her charge and the enemy battleship. On the bridge of the Pennsylvania, Admiral Weiss sat in his command chair eying his opponent. 
	“That’s enough of this shit,” muttered the Admiral. “Clancy! Get the New York on the horn!”
	Within a few seconds, the face of Lieutenant Commander Hanna Voretz appeared on the display. “Admiral?” asked the captain of the frigate New York.
	“Voretz, your actions are very noble but you’re crampin’ me.”
	“Sir? …I don’t understand…”
	“Voretz! Get your boat outta the way... I’m comin’ through!”
	As the New York cleared away, the two battleships leapt at each other, all weapons firing. Sensors overloaded with the intensive bursts of electromagnetic interference, causing the area to black out. When feeds returned, only one ship remained… the Pennsylvania. At 05:20, the Kafer flagship had met its match.
	“Damage Report!”
	“Admiral, we’re dead in the water. Magazines are also empty.”
	“Damn!” swore the Admiral as he banged his fist against the arm rest. He had gambled and lost. No, he hadn’t lost, but he hadn’t come away scott free either.
	“Clancy! Get Voretz on the horn!”
	As Lieutenant Commander Voretz appeared on the display, her concern was most apparent. “Sir?”
	“Commander, NOW I’d appreciate your company.”
	As Weiss terminated the connection to the New York, he undid the restraints of his chair and pushed off into the zero-G. Grabbing a helmet, he quickly sealed his P-suit and moved towards the bridge hatch. “Abe, you have the bridge. I’m going down to Engineering to light a fire under the Chief… we need locomotion and we need it now!” With that, the Admiral disappeared down the corridor.

	A second Manchuria escort flotilla, Lungchen & Xiazu, was destroyed at 05:49 by the enemy cruiser they were engaging. The remaining flotilla, Fushan & Bidao, would have to withdrawl, having spent all of her long range ordnance. The ASF escort Hudson, under the command of Captain Terri Bogart, was lost at 05:54 when she rammed an enemy cruiser. Apparently, the destroyer, mortally wounded, chose to cripple the cruiser by physical contact rather than let it fire upon the Snake River. All hands were lost. 
	At 05:02, Admiral Sir Trevor Mountjoy, KCB, announced that he was committing TF Bismarck to the aid of BG East while he took his own TF to the aid of the French and Ukrainian forces.

	By the start of the third hour, both sides were beginning to feel fatigued. The Napoleon continued to pick at her immobilized foe from afar, unwilling to close with the stricken battleship. The cruiser Dupliex found itself in close combat with an enemy Beta. Although she inflicted moderate damage against the battlecruiser, she took major hull damage, forcing Capitaine Alis Bilodeau to request permission to break off and make for Unity Station for repairs. The cruiser Kleber, supported by the 1st Cossak moved to close range against an enemy cruiser. The cruiser inflicted moderate damage and the Ukrainian fighter wing managed to immobilize the Epsilon with fire to the aft section of the cruiser. The Ukrania, supported by a wing of German Udet fighters inflicted heavy damage on an enemy cruiser, while taking only minor damage in return. Many of the combatants closed the range during the third hour but no kills were reported. This could be attributed to the damage taken in the previous hours as sensor locks became more difficult and magazines emptied. 
	The cruiser Mandela, supported by VSF-101 “Keystoners” continued its duel with an enemy battlecruiser. Unable to maintain distance, the human ships found themselves at close range, where the Beta landed a broadside that severely reduced the speed of the Anzanian cruiser. With magazines empty, Captain Mwasi radioed Admiral Weiss that he would be forced to retire to re-arm. The French cruiser, Georges Leygues, still tangling with a Beta suffered additional damage to her aft, reducing speed to a crawl. The escorts Snake River, Cairns, and Kalakonje succeeded in driving off a wounded Kafer cruiser. In a sign of increased unity among the various nations of the allied forces, the American escorts Potomac and Mississippi raced in to engage a wounded cruiser and cover the withdrawal of the Manchuria frigate flotilla Fushan & Bidao. Closing rapidly, the destroyers made short work of the already crippled Epsilon, sending it to the grave at 05:53. 
	
	The first of Battle Group Napoleon’s reinforcements to engage was the flagship of the British fleet, HMS Britannia. The battleship moved to engage a stray cruiser at 06:11, only to receive minor hull damage when the Kafer vessel reared up and struck the flagship. The escort Indefatigable scored the first kill of the reinforcements, imploding a wounded Epsilon at 06:21 while covering the Kleber. At 06:26, the destroyer Fearless moved in to cover the retreat of the French cruiser Dupliex. Engaging an enemy battlecruiser, the destroyer inflicted moderate damage at long range while showing strong point defense measures against return salvoes. At 06:27, the Ukrania broke contact, being replaced by the Courageus. The Illustrious followed suit at 06:39, covering the retreat of the Montcalm. Finding itself at close range, it received heavy damage against an up-gunned Beta. The escort Honorable became the first casualty of the British force, suffering critical hull failure while covering the badly damage Odessa. At 06:45, Captain John Smythe-Howard was forced to give the order to abandon ship. The destroyers La Fayette and Amiral Charner, stopped to pick up survivors as they fell back to the inner system.

	The battlecruiser Bismarck entered the fray at 06:12, moving to put itself between the battered Manchurian flagship and the enemy battleship. As both combatants inflicted heavy damage, the Beijing, escorted by the Changchun & Dhangxi slipped away towards Unity Station. The heavy cruisers Bonn and Aachen moved in on a damaged Kafer battleship, screening the damaged cruiser Roosevelt. Supported by the Jefferson, the cruisers pounded the Kafer vessel into destruction, causing its hull to fail at 06:43. The enemy battleship did not die without a fight, and the Bonn suffered fatal damage to its own hull, forcing the crew to abandon ship at 06:47. The remaining cruisers initiated rescue operations immediately. The escorts Augsburg and Bad Rappenau joined the cruiser Mandela, and succeeded in immobilizing a Kafer Beta. The cruiser Georges Leygues, screened by the newly arrived escorts Helgoland and Hanau & Thurigen broke contact with its foe at 06:59. By the end of the hour, the escorts Cranjome, Sime, Fushan & Bidao, Potomac, and  Mississippi had also broken off contact and set course for the inner system.

	The battleship Britannia continued her dual with the Kafer cruiser as both sides inflicted heavy damage against each other. The cruiser Jarvis was destroyed by an enemy missile salvo, despite the efforts of 12e Flottille Spatiale which was providing point defense.The escort Fearless managed to drive off a wounded Beta at 07:24, with the Illustrious following suit a minute later. The destroyer Indefatigable announced a kill at 07:44, defeating a second Kafer cruiser. The cruiser Konstantine finally lured its foe into close range, unleashing a massive broadside of beam weaponry that left its opponent dead in space and venting atmosphere. The frigate Ulysses, namesake of its class, chased the last enemy warship from the area at 08:02, ending the assault against Battle Group Napoleon.

	The first kill of the hour for Battle Group East occurred at 07:27 when 40 Wing, flying extremely maneuverable Wespe fighters neutralized an enemy fighter wing of Golfs protecting a battleship. The Bismarck continued her close assault on the stricken battleship, with the fast cruiser Jefferson providing long range missile support. At 8:09, the escort Helgoland chased off the last Kafer warship. As the Kafers pulled back, the battered allied fleet pulled back towards the inner system. The battle was over.

Last Moments of ASF Hudson
	The hull of Hudson shuddered with another hit, Bogart surveyed her wrecked bridge, most of the crew was dead, and a small, 4 centimeter hole was open to space.
	The fires were out on the bridge, as it  had depressurized, Bogart looked down, a jagged piece of metal was protruding from her suit, the self seal had sealed off the suit from the worst effects of the puncture, but it had pierced Bogart's body, slicing through her abdomen and the shock cracking three of her ribs. She was coughing up blood, and it coated the inside of her p-suit's helmet.
	Bogart knew Hudson was finished and that she wouldn't live long, even in an escape capsule, anyhow, the damn bugs had blown sick bay and Doc Reynolds into so many atoms on that Epsilon's first pass. Now there it was, large as life and not expecting much trouble.
	< I'll show that Kafer bastard> Bogart thought, and she made her painful way to the last working workstation on the bridge, shoving the dead rating, now without a face, from his chair. <Sorry, Butters, but I need this more than you do now>
	She pressed the button for the ship-wide intercom and spoke in a clear voice "This is the Captain, we are pretty bad off now, and I am hit very badly myself. I am ordering all of you still alive who can hear me to abandon ship. I intend to ram the Kafer cruiser in front of us, and no, I am not leaving the bridge, so don't even try and make me."
	Bogart then closed the intercom and configured the workstation to handle the helm. She slowly brought the ship around and behind the Kafer, right up her engine plume, and then, jammed down the thrusters for maximum output.
	Bogart's last thoughts as the Kafer filled the video feeds were ones of her family back on Tirane, especially her two daughters <Molly, Sarah, I love you both, and I love you enough to make sure these damn monsters never, ever hurt you, or anyone else!>
	The Kafer grew larger, it was milliseconds now. She screamed "OPEN WIDE YOU ROACH BASTARDS!"
	There was a white light that filled Terri's vision, and then, there was nothing.

-- submitted by Jason Weiser

Aboard the ASF Pennsylvania
	Vice Admiral Sam Weiss surveyed his wrecked bridge, his flag captain's arm in a sling when his shock mounting failed and he was flung into a bulkhead, dislocating his shoulder. He'd refused evacuation to Unity until they'd gotten the mess straightened out with BG East.
	Sam felt old, his hopes for massacring the Kafers in a pitched defensive engagement when the Allies had a supply base to fall back on, was at best, a near run thing <So was Waterloo...> his mind retorted. Sam snorted in disgust at the thought. He wondered whether or not he was going to be remembered as a sailor or a fool after today, and with Penn likely out of the war for a month, he was thinking of bringing Bush down as relief, and sending Penn back with some of the damaged escorts… but they might be able to fix her here, it was still up in the air.
	He turned to his flag captain and smiled "Well Alan, we somehow managed to stop them, I just wish it had been cheaper all around."
	His flag captain looked at him quizzically "Sir, you won, the bugs are going to have to wait at least another month to try something like this again."
	"Yeah, Alan, but we lost a lot of shipmates today." Sam's mind winced as he remembered Terri Bogart and when he had pinned the Space Force Commendation Medal and the Bronze Star with Valor Device to her uniform, and helped pin on her Captains eagles. All that was gone now. <Another young life I've snuffed out..> He remembered she had two young children back on Tirane, perhaps, if he couldn't bring their mother back...yeah, what the hay. It didn't feel right not to do something about this.
	"Alan, get me a yeoman to take a message to the law firm of Skepel, Wagner and Stein on Terra. They're in Austin. I want to see about setting up an anonymous trust..."

-- submitted by Jason Weiser

Unity Station… True Cooperation Among Old Enemies
	Recorded News Broadcast from Hochbaden System, Hochbaden - Time Delayed by Two Weeks. 
		
	<A twenty some-thing woman, dressed in an USSF jumpsuit, standing in front of a view screen silhouetting her against the planet Hochbaden and what appears to be a very large Advanced Supply Base in orbit.> 
	This is Christina Yamaushi for AP/INS on board the USS Pennsylvania in orbit of the planet of Hochbaden. Today is a momentous day in the History of Humanity.  The Nations of the Earth, fresh from their climatic victory at the Battle of Sturmwelt and the Liberation of Hochbaden… 
	<A small window appears on the right upper side of the screen. A massive Gas Giant fills the window and then the image pans to the debris of several large indistinguishable Kafer Warships> 
	…are creating a symbol of ‘Unity’. 
	<The image changes to many small construction craft and ‘vac-suited’ workers assembling a large structure in orbit>  
	Unity Station: Zwei, named in memory of the Germany colony destroyed by the Kafer Invasion Forces during the first moments of the war, has been built to support the dozens and dozens of Earth Task Forces currently in the system. 
	<The image of the star filled void filled with well over 40+ starship like specks. The image pans and zooms in on a handwritten sign in English attach the superstructure of the still yet unfinished station: Peace, Cooperation, and Unity.> 
	The Unity Station holds a significantly more important role in the future of the Hochbaden system and Humanity’s war effort. The station is a cooperative station based on the contributions of all the nations of Earth. All nations are welcome and no nation will be discriminated against nor any hostilities be allowed because of political views.  Peace, Cooperation, and Unity are the foundations of the station and in accordingly reinforced each day.  

-- submitted by Chris Johnston

Unity Station Works Round The Clock to Repair Battle Damage
	The repair docks at Unity Station are working around the clock to repair battle damage sustained by warships during the latest Kafer attack. The American warships Pennsylvania, Roosevelt, and Potomac were all seen in repair dock four during the course of the week. 
	The DSKM flagship Bavaria moved into the station, occupying the second dock. Shipyard workers indicated that the battleship would likely be in for repairs for at least a month.
	The Manchurian flagship Beijing and one of her cruisers also put in for repairs, occupying the last available dock.

Vogelheim (Alderhorst)

Humanitarian Efforts Begin
	The German merchant Zobel arrived in system today laden with a cargo of food and other disaster relief items. The first civilian vessel to dock with Alderhorst Station in over a month, the Zobel was immediately placed under military guard by detachments of the 2 Jager in order to prevent theft of the precious cargo. 
	With the French colony of Saint Benoit all but destroyed and Newmark suffering over 40% population death, order is maintained only by the military presence of the Newmark Militia and the few remaining French military units. The French colony has been completely evacuated, with the refugees now housed in temporary camps within Newmark. I/10e Division d’ Infanterie (1/10DI) continues to patrol the site of the former French colony, with orders to shoot looters on site.

Week 3

The middle of August saw a pause as humanity moved to solidify their hold on the critical Hochabaden system and repair their damaged fleets. Beta Canum Venaticorum also saw increased levels of traffic at the repair yards as the damage from the July attack was repaired. A multi-national relief effort, ACREF, was sent to Henry’s Star to liberate the colony there and both BCV-4 and Joi saw significant build-ups of ground troops. On the home front, America’s adoption of unconditional war against the Kafers failed to win landslide support in the UN, and became mired in debate as delegates, including those of some of the nations involved in the current war, argued both pro and con.

61 Ursae Majoris (Joi)

Manchurian Expeditionary Force Arrives in Elysia
AP/Reuters 22 Sept 2301.

	Manchurian Military Forces are now present in force on 61 Ursae Majoris since the defense agreement was signed with the Elysian Nation in late July. The 23rd Heavy Armor Regiment, ‘The Emperors Sword’, landed today at the Elysian capital city and was welcomed by the Republics President Marianne Vauquoy. 
	<Manchurian Tracked and Hover Armor, Mechanized Infantry flanked by their Armored Personnel Carriers, Combat Walkers, Self Propelled Artillery, and other support units move from several landing craft and the large “Mt. Han” class Troop Transport.>
		The 23rd HAR joins the Canadian PPLI Brigade, which arrived earlier in the month.  The Canadian Brigade, with the EDF, has already started to conduct security operations in and around the Elysian capital after a terrorist group bombed the Colonial Repair Facility three weeks ago. 
	<Canadian and Elysian Infantry are shown patrolling scramjet ground facilities> 
	Admiral Shihao the acting Manchurian Military Commander, the Commander of the 23rd HAR Brigadier General Khan, and Elysian’s Général de Division Jean Enfert are rumored to be preparing for extensive Military Training Maneuvers.  The reaction from the Joivan Governors has been mixed as the need to prepare for a possible invasion is important, but the arming of 61 Ursae Majoris on a planetary scale could cause considerable tension.

-- submitted by Chris Johnson

Joivan Defense Agreement Talks
	A meeting was held last week between the Japanese, Manchurian, and American Military Commanders to discuss a joint defense agreement for 61 Ursae Majoris.  According to sources, the nations were represented by Admiral Nakajima of Japan, Admiral Shihao of Manchuria, and Admiral Gsell of the United States.  The meeting established an agreement to conduct joint defensive operations during the current Kafer crisis and to avoid any misunderstandings between nations. Details have not been released. 
	On a side note, the meeting’s success, hailed by some to be a landmark in cooperation between nations that have had a confrontational history at best, has been seen by critiques as the Military attempting to impose martial law on the Joivan Colony World.  

-- submitted by Chris Johnson

Beta Canum Venaticorum (BCV-4)

Panzerkorps Beta Canum Formed Under Command of General Ernest Fuch
	The ground defense of BCV-4 was significantly bolstered this week following the arrival of two preeminent German military units. First to land was the 21 Fallschirmjäger, an elite Jump Battalion of the Deutsche Stern Marinen. After the marines secured the airfields at Uethen, heavy lift drop ships began to land, deploying the 16 Panzer, a unit comprised of hover main battle tanks. Together with existing German units, the new force will be known as Panzerkorps Beta Canum, under the command of General Ernest Fuch. 
	This represents the largest German force every assembled off of Earth, and is also the largest military force on the planet. In additional to the armor brigade, the corps contains three mechanized brigades, including the famed Gross Deutchland, another veteran army unit deployed from the Core.

DM+36 2393 (Dunkelheim)

Dunkelheim Station Falls
	DSKM High Command reported that Dunkelheim Station was taken by the Kafers after a short, but bloody boarding action. The sole wing of Ukrainian Riche fighters was unable to turn back the superior force and retreated to undisclosed bases on the colony world surface. Though not a major base, the loss of the colony repair facility will hamper logistical re-supply efforts for the colony.

Henry’s Star (Crater)

ACREF Finds System, Spence Station Abandoned
	The Allied Crater Relief Expeditionary Force (ACREF) entered Henry’s Star this week prepared for battle against the Kafer fleets that had taken the system last month. They found instead, that the Kafers had fled the system several weeks ago.
	Spence Station was board by British Commandos of 6 Brigade, Royal Marines, who quickly secured the abandoned facility. An exhaustive search failed to turn up any demolition charges or evidence of sabotage. Intelligence experts are speculating that the base was seized by a Kafer raider fleet that used it to conduct battle repairs.
	A combat drop to the colony indicated that no enemy landings had occurred and that the only facilities damaged had been facilities used for orbital communications.

Hochbaden

Repairs at Unity Station Continue
	The work crews at Unity Station continue to work around the clock repairing damage from last week’s raid. The ASF cruisers Roosevelt and Jefferson completed repairs by mid week and left the facility, bound for picket duty in the outer system. The escort Blackfoot received a turret swap out and also moved out.
	The British battleship Victory received field repairs to her stutterwarp drive, and two escorts had hull plating replaced and repaired. The French carrier Cherbourg also received field repairs, replacing three damaged beam batteries.
	The battlecruiser Bismarck moved into dock for badly needed repairs, but was only in for a couple of days before Kommodore Lutke moved him back into the outer system. Apparently concerned that the Kafers would try another attack, the Kommodore elected to conduct field repair, rather than risk having his flagship caught in dock.
	The last of the flagships to dock for repairs was the Manchurian flag, Beijing, which took the berth that had been occupied by the Cherbourg. Considerable delay occurred as the Manchurians searched the dock area for signs of French sabotage and concealed explosives that might damage the battleship.

Reinforcements Arrive
	Two squadrons of American system defense boats arrived today after a three month journey from the American Arm. The Pirate Eaters and Moon Dogs had previously been on anti-pirate patrols in the King system.
	The system defense squadrons were joined a day later by the first fresh fleet of the war, the British Task Force Churchill. Centered around a fleet carrier, the British fleet had yet to see combat in the war and contained several squadrons of the venerable Dononvan fighters that had made their mark in recent battles.
	The French cruiser Decaen arrived from Beta Comae Berenices, escorting badly needed supply ships for the Napoleon and Cherbourg fleets.
	A Manchurian supply convoy transferred tons of needed war material to Unity Station; allowing the repair docks to continue working around the clock for several more weeks.

Kafer Base Assaulted by Anzanian Commandos
	The Anzanian survey ship Skauti detected a previously unknown Kafer base during one of its survey sweeps. Calling for reinforcements as it dodged Kafer fighters, the survey ship moved at flank speed towards the nearest friendlies; the ships of Task Force Mandela.
	Leaving the Cranjome behind, the remaining four ships of the Anzanian force moved to engage four fighter wings that had scrambled from the Kafer base. The first kill occurred minutes into the skirmish as the cruiser Georges Leygues, attached to the Anzanians, destroyed one of the fighter squadrons with its opening missile salvo.
	The cruiser Mandela quickly finished off another fighter while the French cruiser moved to bombard the Kafer base. The two frigates continued to harass the remaining fighters, though the smaller, more nimble craft were beginning to take a toll on the larger Anzanian warships.
	The frigate Sime was destroyed at close range while engaging a Kafer fighter wing with its sister ship Kalakonje. The cruiser Georges Leygues continued its long range bombardment of the enemy base.
	Having defeated the two remaining fighters, the cruiser Mandela moved towards the Kafer base as the French cruiser destroyed the last of the enemy armament. Moving to all stop under the watchful eye of the Georges Leygues, the Mandela deployed assault troops composed of the veteran Zulu Guards, Group 3 to board the station. After several hours of fierce fighting, the Anzanians were in control of the enemy base.

Tallyrand Leaves for Unknown Destination
The French battleship Tallyrand departed for an unknown destination today, leaving from a non-standard departure vector. Rumors at Unity Station suggest that the task force is on a secret, deep-penetration raid into Kafer Space.

Neubayern (Nibelungen)

Kaptain Wilheim Koner
	As the ex-DSKM captain took another swig of his draft, he turned back to face the young Korvette-Kaptain seated at the bar next to him.
 	"So, you're shipping out to the frontier, eh?"
 	"That's correct, my frigate leaves tonight."
 	"Ah. And what's your position again?"
 	"I'm the tactician."
 	At that, the captain made a slight laugh. He curbed it, though, as he looked at the young officer, still in his 20s.
 	"Son, I'm going to pass on a little advice to you, from my days of tramping this Arm."
 	The young tactician leaned forward.
 	"Son, always know your enemy... his capabilities and his options. Know where to find him and when. Take these Kafers... where do they come from?"
 	"Somewhere past Arcturus," replied the young officer, wondering where the old coot was going with this spiel.
 	"Right. So... if they reach the inner Arm, where do they have to pass through?"
 	The tacitician thought for a moment, seeing a map of transit routes of the French Arm in his mind. "Hochbaden."
 	"Exactly. Now you know where." He paused to take another drink before continuing. "That's where you go. Wait there. Watch and listen; deploy some 'posts if you can. Learn about the Kafers; learn their strengths, their weaknesses, their routes."
 	"Okay..." responded the young officer, now a bit confused.
 	"If you learn all that, what can you do?"
 	"Um... I can formulate a plan of attack and engage the enemy."
 	"Christ!" thought the veteran, "he still doesn't understand."
 	"When and why will you attack?"
 	"To neutralize the enemy, according to tactical doctrine, when we have..."
 	"No!" shouted the old captain. “What the hell are they teaching you in the academy these days?!"
 	The young tactician looked puzzled.
 	"You don't strike according to doctrine! How long do you think it will take the enemy to learn your doctrine and adapt to defeat you?!"
 	"You strike when he is weak and you are strong. When you have a way out and he does not. When he is wounded and you are not. When you have surprise on your side!" Calming down somewhat, he takes a final drink, finishing his mug. "Hit the cripples when they pass through on the way to repairs in their rear areas... they should be easy targets and low risk."
 	With that, he stood and shook the hand of the young officer before he departed, "Good luck to you and your crew."
 	As the tactician pondered what the old man had said, he turned to the barkeep and asked, "Do you know who the old man was?"
 	The barkeep stared in disbelief. "That was Kaptain Wilheim Koner. He was one of the most successful raider commanders during the War of German Reunification. His ship, the Eva Marie, was credited with 16 kills, including four fighters, two system defense boats, and a frigate. You would be wise to listen to him."

Vogelheim (Alderhorst)

Zobel Drops Humanitarian Aid to Newmark Colony
	The German merchantman Zobel dropped tons of much needed supplies to the colony of Newmark this week. Consisting of everything from food and medicine to construction equipment and temporary shelters, the humanitarian aid is being distributed by Zapamoga, the European relief organization.
	“We are very grateful for these supplies,” commented the head of the local disaster relief effort, Estefan Rensiki. “We only wish there was more, especially with the state that Saint-Benoit is in.”

Sol (Earth)

Executive Order 7899
The White House, Earth, Sol, August 9th, 2301
 
< We tune into a holovision image, it is of the Oval Office in Washington. A confident, reserved President Orsaluk is sitting at his desk. His hands are folded and he is staring straight into the camera. >

 	"My fellow Americans, the war news tonight is good. While the war is far from over and there remains many hard days ahead, I can promise you this: The end is in sight."
 	"The Kafers thought us weak, they thought us easy. They found out just how wrong they were at Dunkelheim and 2nd and 3rd Hochbaden. And now, they're going to find out something else about humanity... we keep our word. I have here on my desk something I have been waiting for the right time to introduce. It is Executive Order 7899. This order proclaims that any Kafer world, which fails to surrender completely, and unconditionally, to any USSF forces, will be blotted from the stars in much the same fashion that they have destroyed Hochbaden, Vogelheim and Sans Soucci."
 
<The president picks up a Parker pen, slowly uncaps it and signs the document. >
 
	"With this signature, I make this proclamation posess the force of law. I have also directed our Ambassador to the UN to propose that such a declaration be embraced by all beligerant nations. The Kafers will either yield, or they will be destroyed."

-- submitted by Jason Weiser

Statement from the 1st Space Lord

	His Majesties government and Navy are releasing a statement in response to the Recent statement by the Government of the United states. No questions will be answered at this time.
	The  Statement follows.
	The Government considers that any unilateral act by the Military of any nation to carry out a genocidal attack on an Alien species would reflect on all of Humanity in the view of any and all Alien species currently encountered or encountered in the Future therefore such a decision is a decision which must be taken by ALL Humanity. In light of this the RSN considers that any action made by a USN force to carry out the recent presidential directive would be considered and unfriendly act and would be prevented by RSN forces on the scene. It is HMG's belief that the Kafers are the barbarians and aggressors here and humanity should rise above the need for vengeance it is possible that for military reasons bombardments on several scales may have to be carried out and it is possible that following every attempt to bring hostilities to a close bombardment MAY be an option but until that day and pending the unanimous decision of those powers involved in the fighting we will not countenance such actions. It is our hope and belief that before such policies become relevant we will have resolved these disputes. In the Meantime the American ambassador to the court of St James has been called to the Foreign office to explain his government’s behaviour and our ambassador to the US has delivered a note of protest and explained the stand of HMG"
	Cries of questions form the crowd of reporters are ignored by the navel spokesman

-- submitted by Andrew Moreton

President Responds to British Government Stance

	At a recent press conference, President Orsaluk was questioned about the stance of the British Government to the recent executive order:
	"They're a sovereign government, so they can make whatever policy they wish. But to say we are simply taking the route of vengeance is a bit premature. We are bringing the matter up in the UN. We do give the Kafers the option of unconditional surrender… so they can save their lives. After the lives lost all around, I don't see any reason however, that we should simply accept the Kafer behavior? They have made it perfectly clear, "them or us" and I guess we have to make our response clear. Them. Or don't the people of Hochbaden and Vogelheim count?"

-- submitted by Jason Weiser

America Proposes Resolution 1966 – Unconditional War Against the Kafers
L-5 Station, UN General Assembly, 15th August, 2301

	"The Chair recognizes Ambassador Harris of the United States"
	Charlene Harris rose with a measured poise, her ebon face was bright, and she didn't miss a smile from the French ambassador, followed by his then shooting a glare over at the British table < The president wanted me to take it easy on the Brits today, and I will, but this is one silly stance they're taking.>
	"Ladies and Gentlemen, today comes a faithful moment in humanity's history. We are at the crossroads: Do we wipe out a sentient alien species, bent on our utter and complete destruction? Or do we allow ourselves to be wiped out because we lack the ability to do what must be done?"
	She paused, and searched the room, the answer to the question was obvious and many of the delegates were swinging her way.
	"America may not be the most powerful nation in this body, but we have bled to preserve many of the nations in this body in the past, and we do so now, and we will continue to do so in the future if required. However, none of this was against a species that we can neither communicate with, nor has shown any interest in such communication up to this point. I remind my British counterparts, they've had three years to try. From what we have been told by liberated POWs, they don't really care to try. Their response to Human populations on Aurore, Dunkelheim, Vogelheim and Beta Comae has been standard, and always the same: Extermination."
	Charlene paused again, and took a sip of water. She looked again. The French and German delegates had hard looks in their eyes and were going to back the proposal, at least on face value.
	"We don't propose Resolution 1996 lightly; we hope the Kafers have enough sense, or self-preservation instinct to surrender. But they don't appear to, and human analogies to past wars as we have heard some use do not work because they are aliens. Aliens, who as far as we can fathom are as scared of us as we are of them. There is no reasoned, quiet diplomacy with an alien race who believes we as a species would be better off dead. As a representative for Humanity, I beg to differ."
	"We can choose to continue this war, and court our destruction, or we can choose to end it in the manner in which our enemies have chosen to start it. I ask my counterparts here as I submit this draft resolution for a vote; Do we care how history remembers us, or do we care that there is a history TO remember us at all? I know which I choose."

-- submitted by Jason Weiser

Manchuria Seconds Resolution 1966
L-5 Station, UN General Assembly, 15th August, 2301

	"The Chair recognizes Ambassador Lee of Manchuria" 
	The question before us is do we combat a great evil with a great evil? Do we resort to the last full measure of War? Do we intend to exterminate a species when they is no other recourse? <The Assembly quiets> 
	Ladies and Gentlemen. The Kafers have time and again proven that they seek the total extermination of all of humanity. The evidence - Hochbaden, Vogelheim, and Sans Souci - once colonized worlds rich with humanity and life; now lie as dead slags in the void of space. We have tried to reason with the Kafers and only have received destruction on a planetary scale. 
	The children of Earth are locked in a conflict for survival of the species. If we must resort to the total annihilation of another species, bent on our extermination, then we must. If the Kafers choose to surrender or enter a negotiated peace with Humanity, which is not likely, then this question or resolution is of no consequence. If the Kafers refuse to surrender or enter a negotiated peace with Humanity - than we must eliminate the Kafers from ever threatening Humanity again. <rumble of approvals and disapprovals>
	By no means do we make this decision lightly. We, Humanity, pride ourselves on a code of high morality. The destruction of any life, human or alien, is a terrible and unacceptable price to pay. <pause> I ask all of the Ambassadors to think of your families and the families of your countrymen. <pause> To think of your nation and our beautiful home of Earth. <pause> The Kafers have one goal - that is to obliterate it all.
	Manchuria, remorsefully and yet steadfast, seconds Ambassador Harris of the United States and calls for a vote on Resolution 1996. <Ambassador Lee leaves the podium with a glance to the French and German Ambassadors>

-- submitted by Chris Johnson

Ukraine Urges Restraint and Humanism in Response to Resolution 1966
L-5 Station, UN General Assembly, 19th August, 2301

	"The Chair recognizes Dr. Lew Gerbilsky, Ambassador from the Ukraine"
	The elderly man rises leaning heavily to the left,  using the well recognized cane he has carried since his appointment as ambassador to the general assembly. He keeps his head down as he approaches the podium, while many of those assembled begin reviewing some of the papers in front of them or whispering to aides about tomorrows meetings.
	"I do not wish to delay the good work of this honorable assembly so I will go straight to the point. I am quite sure," he begins only to pause to stifle a small cough. “I am quite sure there are many misgivings and old wounds throughout this room, we are here to represent nations that have faced each other on opposing sides of both the battlefields and negotiation tables. We are not all friends but we are not all enemies. What we are is collected together to ensure the benefit of humanity, to progress our cause through the march of time."
	"Before us will come the proposed proposition, a 'declaration of barbarism' it will be called by some and 'the only right choice' by others." Dr. Gerbilsky paused at this point, glancing around the assembly as more and more of the members began paying attention. "How many of you are historians? How many times have we heard in our lifetime or in our history books the words 'no acceptable alternative'? How many cities have been sacked, nations eradicated or people murdered because another nation said there was 'no acceptable alternative'?"
	"We all know the names of these phantom peoples, the ghosts of these places. Because an enemy would not surrender we have only memorials to the people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, of St Petersburg or the ruins of San Diego. We have lost the lives and works of entire nations in the face of those three word - the Palestinian people, the Serbs or the Kinshasa people all fell before a foe who said those words."
	Dr. Gerbilsky paused again, to catch his breath and allow his fellow statesmen to take in the reminders of their mutual history.
	"The Americans have brought forward a proposition or bombardment or unconditional surrender on an unknown number of worlds, I must say that when I watched their President speaking I was immediately reminded of the amount of pain and suffering my own brethren have suffered from the ground war in Novoa Kiyev against the Kafers as well as the tragedies we have seen in light of this new aggression." He paused for a moment of silence meant not for those assembled but those who had sacrificed or been sacrificed. "However I remember my grandfathers stories of the Twilight War, we have all heard them, we all know a great tragedy can not be stopped with yet more tragedy. This proposed order may well be the annihilation of an entire race. To those who must vote on this document I urge you with all of my being to consider carefully the folly of the zealot. To those who have already endorsed this doctrine I can only plea with them to hear me. We have other options, we have other alternatives."
	"Thank you Mister Chairman." He said nodding to the younger man seated behind and above him then to his audience "and thank you for your time." With that he collected his notes and cane and made his way from the platform.

-- submitted by Stephen Andrews

Speech Asserts British Resolve to Defeat Resolution 1966
L-5 Station, UN General Assembly, 19th August, 2301

	The British Ambassador Rises to speak
	Gentlemen and ladies, I regret the controversy and argument caused by this topic but my Government does not believe that we can allow any one nation to set the policy of all of humanity. I have two arguments against the resolution put forward by our American allies.  First the Moral argument.  We are better than the Kafers , they appear to be barbaric creatures unable to grasp that other species may think differently than them , they believe that either we must be destroyed or they must be destroyed the can conceive of no other choice. WE CAN. If we destroy the Kafers we will be reduced to their level and our species will have to live with this stain upon our already bloody history, already we have spent centuries killing our own , now we have the power to destroy another sentient species. 
	What will we say when we meet other intelligent races in the future , how will we explain our genocide , what will we do if we encounter another race more powerful than us how we will answer their judgment , would we trust another race who had destroyed their  enemies. How will the Sung react? How will the Pentapods react? How will our Grandchildren react?" 
	"Now to the practical arguments , I agree with the honorable speakers for Manchuria and the America that if the Kafers win they will exterminate us , therefore we must win. My government will take whatever steps are necessary to protect humanity; this may include bombardment of civilian targets, maybe even the destruction of a colony, BUT only if it is strictly necessary. To win this war and be in a position to bombard the Kafer homeworlds we must destroy their fleets and gain control of space over their homeworlds. Once we have this we have won the war. 
	Then do we murder our former opponents as they lie harmless before us, NO!. Such an order comes under the heading of an illegal order and I know that our own armed forces would not carry out such crime when there is a clear and simple alternative. Perhaps, maybe even probably, the Kafers will not negotiate; perhaps it will take hundreds of years to bring them to their senses. We will have that time. 	The only threat the Kafers pose to us is their space fleet, these ships must, like ours, be built in orbital facilities; all we need to do is destroy their orbital facilities. This may include colonies like this one, so be it… we must ensure our safety , if they attempt to build ships on the ground, impossible as that is, we can destroy the with Kinetic strikes or deploy battle stations in high orbit able to destroy any object before it can reach the stutterwarp threshold and become dangerous. So we have an alternative." 
	“His majesties government will abide by any unanimous vote of the UN, failing that we will not allow any nation or small group of nations to soak our races name in blood"
	"However regardless on contention on this issue we must continue are close cooperation in the war to ensure that it is we who face this choice and not the Kafers"

-- submitted by Andew Moreton

Week 4

The last week of August was a quiet one, with no reports of encounters with the Kafers in any systems. IT was as if both sides had mutually decided to take a pause and recuperate. On the logistics side, Humanity had certainly not paused, with Hochbaden seeing a record number of ships arrive. At last count, it was averaging that one ship arrived in the system every hour.

61 Ursae Majoris (Joi)

ACREF Returns Victorious
	Squadrons from the Allied Crater Relief Expeditionary Force have begun to arrive to Joi this week, as ASF and RASN ships return. Conspicuously absent are British vessels, lending analysts to speculate that they are reinforcing Henry’s Star to prevent it from being re-occupied by the Kafers.

Manchurian Ground Troops to Conduct Maneuvers
	Press Statement made by RADM Shihao’s Office, Manchurian Military Commander and Liaison to Elysia, 28 August, 2301.
	Beginning on or about 1 Sept 2301, The Elysian, Manchurian, and Canadian Military and Civilian Forces will conduct Battle Training in preparation for a potential Kafer Invasion of 61 Ursae Majoris. The Military Maneuvers held on Elysian soil and orbital assets are not hostile or a threat to the security of 61 Ursae Majoris. The maneuvers are defensive in nature and observers from all Joivan Colonial powers are welcome. The maneuvers will continue until the current crisis is resolved. 
	Office of Elysian Military Affairs
	Military Liaison RADM Shihao

-- submitted by Chris Johnson

Beta Canum Venaticorum (BCV-4)

Squadron of the Damned Reinforced
	The French cruiser Duquesne received reinforcements this week as two new escorts joined her in system. Despite the cruiser’s recent change in luck, the local media have taken to calling the new force the Squadron of the Damned. Imperial French Navy liaisons declined to comment, but there is a rumor that yard workers are painting the phrase on the hull in Kafer ideograms.

Eta Bootis (Aurore)

Station Tigre, 0340 UST
	"Capitaine, we now have updated tracking on Force Red 2."
	"Oui?" replied the base commander, weary after many hours of elevated alert
status.
	"A lone capital ship has broken away and is vectoring on our position."
	"Damn! We've been discovered!" swore the commander. "Ensign! Announce battle
stations! Launch fighters!"
	A somber alarm began to ring throughout the station as personnel moved
quickly yet professionally to their assigned positions. Within the launch
bays, crews rushed to their Martels, as the two squadrons prepared to launch
in defense of their base.
	As the minutes ticked by, the base commander continued to watch the updated
sensor data. Turning to his second in command, he asked, "Henri, an Alpha?"
	"Non," replied the Lieutenant, "But, not a Beta, either."
	"Then what?" asked the Capitaine as the battle began.

	The French field repair base found itself under attack by a lone Kafer battleship supported by a pair of fighters. Greatly outgunned, the base nonetheless opened with a long range missile barrage, only to see it smashed by the point defenses of the Kafer battleship. Return fire overwhelmed the base defenses, destroying the missile magazine and leaving it defenseless except for the two squadrons of Martels.
	As the defending fighters moved to intercept the battleship, they were engaged by the enemy fighters. As the dog-fighting continued, the battleship came to all stop and launched assault troops against the now defenseless station. Despite the efforts of the crew, the base was captured within the hour. On a pass by the base, one of the Martels noted a large collection of debris around the entrance to repair dock 1. Closer inspection revealed that it was the unprotected bodies of the station crew; they had been spaced after surrendering.
	The Martels dispatched the enemy fighters but were unable to mount an appreciable offense against the enemy battleship. With no base to return to, the decision was made to move one squadron to the Tanstaafl orbital station and scuttle the other.

French Planetary Defense Unit Forced to Disband in Face of No Supplies
	The French planetary defense unit, I/15e Groupe de Défense de Planète (1/15GDP), was forced to disband this month due to lack of supplies. With the large ground military presence in the colony, logistics are being strained and several units are operating at reduced levels due to equipment losses and casualties.

Ukrainian Partisans Continue to Harass Kafers in Novoa Kiyev
	Partisans in the Ukrainian colony region of Novoa Kiyev continue to be a thorn in the side of the Kafer occupiers. Operating from hidden bases in the vast swamp areas, guerillas wage a deadly war against the Kafers, utilizing Kafer physiology to their advantage.

French Ground Forces Suffer Defeat
	Unit of Corps d' Aurore (14e Corps) suffered another loss this month as they were outflanked in the eastern region of the colony by a similarly sized Kafer force. Losses were heavy with most units reduced to fifty to sixty percent effectiveness. The front is in jeopardy of dissolving if adequate logistics are not brought in to the colony.

Hochbaden

Unity Station Doubles as ASF Deploys Modules
	Unity Station just got bigger… a whole lot bigger. The arrival of a supply convoy from Beta Comae Berenices last week allowed ASF engineers to attach more modules onto the conglomerate known as Unity Station. The base, located on the war frontier is now the largest single repair facility forward of Queen Alice’s Star. Capacity now exists to repair eight ships at a time. It is also the most heavily defended facility, acting as a logistics point for no less than ten major fleets.

Repairs Continue as Captured ASB Brought On-line by Anzanians
	Task Force Mandela took advantage of the facility that it had recently captured and put in for much needed repairs. While separate from Unity Station, the newly acquired base increases the total repair capacity of the system by one third.

Reinforcements and Supplies Pour Into Hochbaden
	Hochbaden has become one of the busiest systems outside of the Core. Ship after ship have been arriving this week, bring much needed supplies and reinforcements to the system. The French have shipped in thousands of tons of supplies, escorted by upgunned escorts. German ships have been arriving via several vectors, including one convoy of over a dozen fully laden merchants. Numerous Ukrainian vessels have also arrived to support their fellow warships.

Search & Rescue Efforts Fail to Find Survivors
	Search and Rescue efforts by troops from the Hessen have spent the month searching the planetary surface and asteroid belt for survivors without success.

Admiral’s Stateroom, ASF Pennsylvania
	Weiss winced at the gun camera footage on his repeater screen of the bodies from Station Tigre. From what computer enhancement could tell, they'd been simply herded into the cargo airlock and the outer door opened, as very few of the bodies had actually been shot.
	Weiss rubbed his temples again to drive away the migraine. Pennslyvania was one sick girl after Salamis and with Tallyrand stooging around Aurore, as well as Kafer elements massing at Duke, the war was far from over, but the thing was, most of the Human fleets were tied down. < Dammit, we need to bust this war open, and the way to do that is to relieve Aurore, but we can't do that without leaving Hoch unprotected? And if we take the forces from BCV or Joi, the minor nations will scream bloody murder! >
	  Weiss called up his situation maps on his workstation, banishing the gun camera images. He began to study the images, wondering if there was some way to "bust this war open".

--submitted by Jason Weiser

Vogelheim (Alderhorst)

ALIMFOR Peacekeepers involved in Humanitarian Aid Efforts
	With their peacekeeping role largely unneeded in the wake of the orbital bombardment of the colonies, Australian soldiers of the 92nd Bn, Regiminto de la Tierra Negra have shifted their focus to humanitarian aid efforts in the French colony of Saint-Benoit. To date, the troopers have provided invaluable medical aid and assisted French units in maintaining order.

French Planetary Defense Force Subordinated to Newmark Militia
	The 50e Groupe de Défense de Planète (50GDP) has been subordinated to the Newmark Militia, the first time in centuries that a French unit has been put under German command. French Imperial Army staff have indicated that this is a temporary measure only, brought on by the lack of logistics and the fact that Newmark is now the only target on the planet. 
	“It makes no sense to have several surface to orbit missile batteries protecting nothing,” indicated a senior commander in the 50GDP.

System Status

This is an alphabetical listing of all systems in the campaign. There is a lot of information presented in this section, so let’s look at it step by step.

The system is identified by its common name with the colony world or major installation noted in brackets after it. The communications status is listed next. This indicates whether or not the system can trace a line of communications back to Queen Alice’s Star (and ultimately, the Core). As this is military communications, it may go through uninhabited systems. If there is a link, it is listed as being clear, otherwise it is blocked. Following this is the distance to the nearest enemy held system. This includes systems that are held or suspected of being held. This is a modifier to the paranoia level of any colonies present. It also gives a general distance for logistics.

Colony data is presented next in a table with each column explained below. 
•	Nation – the nationality of the colony
•	Colony – the name of the colony
•	Paranoia Level – a measure of the extent of paranoia felt by the colony based on the character of the colony and its government; it is used to determine requests for colony protection.
•	Population Factors – a measure of the number of colonists remaining; it also determines the amount of damage a colony can sustain before it is considered destroyed.
•	STR Supported – this represents the total strength of military units that a colony can support without additional supply points. 
•	Generated this turn – the quantity of supply points that the colony generated for the upcoming turn.
•	Used by Colony – the quantity of supply points that the colony withholds for its own defense initiatives.
•	Available for Building – the quantity of supply points available for at the colony for construction in the upcoming turn. Any supply points not consumed for construction will be available for resupply.
•	Last Turn Stockpile – the quantity of supply points that remain from the previous turn. These supply points can be used only for re-supply, not for construction.
Any relevant notes to the table follow it. After the colony data is a section of text relating to the system and its colonies.

The section on ground troops lists any ground units and planetary defense installations present. 

Any colonial repair facilities present in the system are listed by owning nation.

61 Ursae Majoris (Joi)

Communications Status: Clear and updated.
Distance to nearest enemy held or suspected system: 1; DM+36 2219 (Sans Souci)
Distance to QAS for logistics: 2
Human minefield size: 110
Kafer minefield size: none detected

					Supply Points	 	 	
Nation	Colony	Paranoia Level	Population Factors	STR Supported	Generated this turn	Used By Colony	Available for building	Last Turn Stockpile	
Anzania	Lubumbashi	moderate	1	1	2	0	2	3	
Britain	New Cornwall	low	1	1	1	0	1	0	
Elysia	Elysia	moderate	4	8	6	1	5	107	
Germany	Habinsel	moderate	3	6	6	1	5	44	
Japan	Tosashimizu	moderate	3	6	5	3	2	147	
•	Elysia spends 1 SP on 5-point minefield. Paranoia level has dropped from high to moderate due to the presence of Manchurian ground and space forces.
•	Habinsel spends 1 SP on 5-point minefield.
•	Tosashimizu spends 2 SP on PD and 1 SP on 5-point minefield.

Ground Troops
Colony	Current Ground Troops STR	STR Supported by Colony	Supply Points Required	
Anzania	1	1	None	
Britain	2	1	1	
Elysia	14	8	6	
Germany	11	6	5	
Japan	19	6	13	

America
	ALIMFOR
	Bde(L)	3-505th Infantry Bn (Airborne) – based in New Cornwall and supplied by colony

Australia
	Australian Expeditionary Force
		Bde(M)	10th Cavalry Brigade, "Wild Buffalos” – based in New Cornwall and supplied by Anzanian colony

Britain
	ALIMFOR
		Bde(L)	The Queen's Own (Seaforth) Highlanders (QO HLDRS)

Elysia
	Elysian Defense Force
		Bde(L)	Régiment 'Peuple Souvraine'
		Bde(M)	Légion Verte
		PD	7 sites
	Manchuria Expeditionary Force
		Bde(H)	23rd Heavy Armor Regiment “Emperor’s Sword”
		Bde(L)	3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry

Germany
	XXIII Korps
		Bde(L)	11 Jager
		Bde(L)	12 Jager
		Bde(L)	13 Jager
		Bde(M)	10 PzG
		PD	Luftkissenpanzerflugabwehr Abteilung Joi (air def)	6 sites

Japan
	Tosashimizu Corps
		Bde(L)	2 Yobitai Futsuuka Ryodan Tosashimizu (1st Reserve Inf Rgt Tosashimizu)
		Bde(M)	51 Kikaika Futsuuka Daitai
		Bde(M)	52 Kikaika Futsuuka Daitai
		Bde(H)	50 Kikou Daitai
		JBn	5 Imperial Marine Detachment
		PD	1 Boukuu Daitai Tosashimizu (air def)	10 sites

Colonial Repair Facilities
Habinsel Station	Germany
Lotus Station		Japan
Station Joi		Manchuria (Elysia)

Arcturus

Communications Status: open and unknown.
Distance to nearest enemy held or suspected system: next; Eta Bootis (Aurore)
Distance to QAS for logistics: 4
Human minefield size: 0
Kafer minefield size: none detected

No colonies present.

Beta Canum Venaticorum (BCV-4)

Communications Status: Clear and updated.
Distance to nearest enemy held or suspected system: 1; DM+36 2219 (Sans Souci)
Distance to QS for logistics: 2
Human minefield size: 315
Kafer minefield size: none detected
					Supply Points	 	 	
Nation	Colony	Paranoia Level	Population Factors	STR Supported	Generated this turn	Used By Colony	Available for building	Last Turn Stockpile	
Britain	New Africa	moderate	11	21	14	1	13	187	
France	 	moderate	19	38	50	1	49	818.5	
Germany	 	high	17	33	14	1	13	711	
•	New Africa spends 1 SP on 5-point minefield. Paranoia level increases to high after raid.
•	French colony spends 1 SP on 5-point minefield. Paranoia level increases to high after raid.
•	Germany colony spends 1 SP on 5-point minefield.

Ground Troops
Colony	Current Ground Troops STR	STR Supported by Colony	Supply Points Required	
Britain	18	21	None	
France	11	38	None	
Germany	15	33	None	

America
	Operation Steel Thunder
		Bde(H)	2nd Armored Bde – based in New Africa and supplied by colony

Britain
	New African Defense Force
		Bde(L)	Royal Volunteer Rifle Corps of New Africa (RVRC)
		Bde(L)	New Africa Regiment (1/NAR)
		Bde(H)	79 Armoured Brigade
		Bde(M)	2 / The Wellon Armoured Regiment (2 WAR)
		Bde(M)	1/The Royal Wellon Regiment (1/RWR)
		JBn	6/The Parachute Regiment (6/PARA)
		PD	Planetary Defense	5 sites

France
	9e Corps
		Bde(L)	I/100e Division Légère Blindée (I/100DLB)
		Bde(L)	I/102e Division Légère Blindée (I/102DLB)
		Bde(L)	II/103e Division Légère Blindée (II/103DLB)
		Bde(M)	III/21e Division de la Marche (III/21DM)
		PD	11e Groupe de Défense de Planète (I/11GDP) 	6 sites

Germany
	Panzerkorps Beta Canum
		Bde(M)	12 PzG
		Bde(M)	13 PzG
		Bde(M)	1 PzG "Gross Deutchland"
		Bde(H)	16 Panzer
		PD	Luftkissenpanzerflugabwehr Abteilung  BC (air def)	6 sites

Colonial Repair Facilities
Bristol Station		Britain
Station Premiere	France
Altenhauf Station	Germany

Beta Comae Berenices (Nous Voila)

Communications Status: Clear and updated.
Distance to nearest enemy held or suspected system: 1; DM+36 2393 (Dunkelheim)
Distance to QAS for logistics: 2
Human minefield size: 158
Kafer minefield size: none detected

					Supply Points	 	 	
Nation	Colony	Paranoia Level	Population Factors	STR Supported	Generated this turn	Used By Colony	Available for building	Last Turn Stockpile	
France	Nous Voila	moderate	12	24	7	0	7	35.25	

Ground Troops
Colony	Current Ground Troops STR	STR Supported by Colony	Supply Points Required	
France	12	24	none	

France
	12e Corps
		Bde(L)	1e Régiment de Tirailleurs de Nous Voilà (1e RTNV)
		Bde(L)	2e Régiment de Tirailleurs de Nous Voilà (2e RTNV)
		JBn	I/8e Régiment d’ Infanterie Coloniale (I/8RIC)
		JBn	I/1e Régiment Parachutiste d' Infanterie de Marine  (I/1RPIM)
		JBn	I/3e Régiment Parachutiste d' Infanterie de Marine (I/3RPIM)
		PD	13e Groupe de Défense de Planète (13gdp)	7 sites

Colonial Repair Facilities
Station Nous Voilà	France

C1

Communications Status: Clear and updated.
Distance to nearest enemy held or suspected system: 2; DM+36 2219 (Sans Souci)
Distance to QAS for logistics: 3
Human minefield size: 0
Kafer minefield size: none detected

No colonies present.

DM+17 2611

Communications Status: unknown.
Distance to nearest enemy held or suspected system: 2; Eta Bootis (Aurore)
Distance to QAS for logistics: 5
Human minefield size: 9
Kafer minefield size: none detected

No colonies present.

DM+18 2776

Communications Status: unknown.
Distance to nearest enemy held or suspected system: 1; Eta Bootis (Aurore)
Distance to QAS for logistics: 4
Human minefield size: 9
Kafer minefield size: none detected

No colonies present.

DM+34 2342 (Kimanjano)

Communications Status: Clear and updated.
Distance to nearest enemy held or suspected system: 2; DM+36 2219 (Sans Souci); DM+36 2393 (Dunkelheim)
Distance to QAS for logistics: 1
Human minefield size: 182
Kafer minefield size: none detected

					Supply Points	 	 	
Nation	Colony	Paranoia Level	Population Factors	STR Supported	Generated this turn	Used By Colony	Available for building	Last Turn Stockpile	
Anzania	Okavango	moderate	1	2	1	0	1	23	
France	Fromme	moderate	7	13	10	4	6	704	
•	Fromme uses 4 SP to construct 2 PD

Ground Troops
Colony	Current Ground Troops STR	STR Supported by Colony	Supply Points Required	
Anzania	3	2	1	
France	7	13	none	

Anzania
	Okavanga Guard
		Bde(L)	Tac Grp 1 (Ad-hoc Militia Bn)
		Bde(L)	3rd Kommando
		Bde(L)	5th Kommando

France
	16e Corps
		Bde(L)	Régiment Noire de Tirailleurs de Kimanjano (RNTK)
		Bde(L)	Régiment Grise de Tirailleurs de Kimanjano (RGTK)
		Bde(L)	6e Régiment d' Infanterie Coloniale (6e RIC)
		PD	12e Groupe de Défense de Planète (12gdp)	4 sites

Colonial Repair Facilities
Agulhas Station		Anzania
Station Fromme		France

DM+35 2436 (Grosshiddenhafen)

Communications Status: Clear and updated.
Distance to nearest enemy held or suspected system: 1; DM+36 2393 (Dunkelheim)
Distance to QAS for logistics: 3
Human minefield size: 18
Kafer minefield size: none detected

No colonies present.

DM+36 2219 (Sans Souci)

Communications Status: Blocked and unknown.
Distance to nearest enemy held or suspected system: 0
Distance to QAS for logistics: 3
Human minefield size: 2
Kafer minefield size: none detected

					Supply Points			
Nation	Colony	Paranoia Level	Population Factors	STR Supported	Generated this turn	Used By Colony	Available for building	Last Turn Stockpile	
France	Sans Souci	extreme	1	1	0	0	0	0	

Ground Troops

Colony	Current Ground Troops STR	STR Supported by Colony	Supply Points Required	
France	0	1	none	

Facilities
None.

DM+36 2393 (Dunkelheim)

Communications Status: blocked and unknown.
Distance to nearest enemy held or suspected system: 0 
Distance to QS for logistics: 3
Human minefield size: 20
Kafer minefield size: suspected

					Supply Points			
Nation	Colony	Paranoia Level	Population Factors	STR Supported	Generated this turn	Used By Colony	Available for building	Last Turn Stockpile	
Germany	Dunkelheim	extreme	2	3	2	2	0	12	
•	Dunkelheim spends 2 SP on a PD site. Paranoia level climbs to extreme with capture of CRF.

Ground Troops
Colony	Current Ground Troops STR	STR Supported by Colony	Supply Points Required	
Germany	4	3	1	

Germany
	Dunkelheim Defense Force
		Bde(L)	3 Jager
		PD	Luftkissenpanzerflugabwehr Abteilung  Dunkelheim (air def)	3 sites

Colonial RepairFacilities
Dunkelheim Station	**captured**

DM+42 2296

Communications Status: Clear and updated.
Distance to nearest enemy held or suspected system: 4; DM+36 2219 (Sans Souci), DM+36 2393 (Dunkelheim)
Distance to QAS for logistics: 5
Human minefield size: 0
Kafer minefield size: none detected

No colonies present.

DM+45 2014

Communications Status: Clear and updated.
Distance to nearest enemy held or suspected system: 3; DM+36 2393 (Dunkelheim)
Distance to QAS for logistics: 6
Human minefield size: 0
Kafer minefield size: none detected

No colonies present.

DM+46 1889

Communications Status: Clear and updated.
Distance to nearest enemy held or suspected system: 1; DM+36 2393 (Dunkelheim) 
Distance to QAS for logistics: 3
Human minefield size: 3
Kafer minefield size: none detected

No colonies present.

DM+48 2108 (Freehold)

Communications Status: Clear and updated.
Distance to nearest enemy held or suspected system: 1; DM+36 2393 (Dunkelheim)
Distance to QAS for logistics: 2
Human minefield size: 126
Kafer minefield size: none detected

No colonies present.

DM+50 1832

Communications Status: Clear and updated.
Distance to nearest enemy held or suspected system: 3; DM+36 2219 (Sans Souci)
Distance to QAS for logistics: 4
Human minefield size: none
Kafer minefield size: none detected

No colonies present yet.

The Anzania Office of Stellar Exploration has recently released survey data on this system that indicates that DM+50 1832-I is a glacier world with high potential for colonization. Several nations have indicated a desire to establish a colony on this world, including Russia, Scandinavian Union, Freihaven, and Bavarians from Heidelsheimat. While the right to colonize any planet is afforded to all by the Melbourne Accords, it is rumored that Anzania is being paid a stipend by those nations interested in the planet.

DM+66 717

Communications Status: Clear and updated.
Distance to nearest enemy held or suspected system: 3; DM+36 2219 (Sans Souci)
Distance to QAS for logistics: 4
Human minefield size: 0
Kafer minefield size: none detected

No colonies present.

Eta Bootis (Aurore)

Communications Status: Blocked and unknown.
Distance to nearest enemy held or suspected system: 0
Distance to QAS for logistics: 4
Human minefield size: 73
Kafer minefield size: unknown
					Supply Points			
Nation	Colony	Paranoia Level	Population Factors	STR Supported	Generated this turn	Used By Colony	Available for building	Last Turn Stockpile	
France	Aurore	high	5	9	2	1	1	0	
Independent	Tanstaafl	high	3	5	1	1	0	0	
Ukraine	Novoa Kiyev	high	2	1	0	0	0	0	
•	Aurore and Tanstaafl attempt to deploy a 10-point minefield but are warded off by the small craft from the Kafer CRF.

Ground Troops

Colony	Current Ground Troops STR	STR Supported by Colony	Supply Points Required	
France	11	9	2	
Tanstaafl	9	5	4	
Ukraine	1	1	none	

France
	Corps d' Aurore (14e Corps)
		Bde(L)	10e Régiment d' Infanterie Coloniale (10e RIC) 
		Bde(M)	5e Régiment Etranger d' Infanterie (5e REI)
		Bde(M)	7e Régiment d' Aero-Cuirassiers (7e RC)
		Bde(H)	Régiment de Cavalerie de la Marche d' Aurore (RCMA)
		Bde(H)	5e Régiment de Chasseurs Blindée (5e RCh)

Tanstaafl
	Tanstaafl Militia
		Bde(L)	1st Militia Regt.
		Bde(L)	2nd Militia Regt.
		Bde(M)	3rd Militia Regt.
		JBn	Tanstaafl Free Legion
		PD	4 sites

Ukraine
	Guerillas
		Bde(L)	Novoa Kiyev Partisans

Kafer
	Enemy ground strength estimated as follows (in brigades): Novoa Kiyev x1, Tanstaafl x0, Aurore x4

Colonial Repair Facilities
Station Aurore		** captured **
Tanstaafl Highport	Tanstaafl

Henry’s Star (Crater)

Communications Status: Clear and updated.
Distance to nearest enemy held or suspected system: 1; DM+36 2219 (Sans Souci)
Distance to QAS for logistics: 2
Human minefield size: 16
Kafer minefield size: none detected

					Supply Points	 	 	
Nation	Colony	Paranoia Level	Population Factors	STR Supported	Generated this turn	Used By Colony	Available for building	Last Turn Stockpile	
Britain	Crater	extreme	2	4	4	3	1	0	
•	The colony uses 3 SP to lay a 15-point minefield.

Ground Troops
Colony	Current Ground Troops STR	STR Supported by Colony	Supply Points Required	
Britain	4	4	none	

Britain
Crater Defense Force
Bde(L)	Crater Defence Regiment (CDR)
	PD	3 sites

Colonial Repair Facilities
Spence Station		Britain	

Hochbaden (Hochbaden)

Communications Status: Clear and updated.
Distance to nearest enemy held or suspected system: 1; DM+36 2393 (Dunkelheim)
Distance to QAS for logistics: 3
Human minefield size: 241
Kafer minefield size: suspected

Colony destroyed.

Ground Troops
Colony	Current Ground Troops STR	STR Supported by Colony	Supply Points Required	
Germany	1	none	1	

Germany
	Hochbaden S&R
		JBn	7 Fallschirm

Colonial Repair Facilities
Unity Station (ASB)	Multi-national (Germany, Manchuria, America)

Neubayern (Nibelungen)

Communications Status: Clear and updated.
Distance to nearest enemy held or suspected system: 5; DM+36 2393 (Dunkelheim)
Distance to Sol for logistics: 3
Human minefield size: none
Kafer minefield size: none detected

					Supply Points			
Nation	Colony	Paranoia Level	Population Factors	STR Supported	Generated this turn	Used By Colony	Available for building	Last Turn Stockpile	
Germany	Nibelungen	low	85	170	148	0	148	112	

Neubayern is considered part of the Core in terms of construction and SP generation, lying beyond Queen Alice’s Star. It is also Germany’s main starship yards.

Ground Troops
Colony	Current Ground Troops STR	STR Supported by Colony	Supply Points Required	
Germany	36	170	none	

Germany
XIV Corps
	Bde(L)	1 Jager
	Bde(L)	4 Jager
	Bde(L)	6 Jager
	Bde(L)	7 Jager
	Bde(L)	10 Jager
	Bde(L)	14 Jager
	Bde(M)	11 PzG
	Bde(M)	12 PzG
	Bde(M)	16 PzG
	Bde(H)	7 Panzer "Rommel"
	JBn	22 Fallschirm
	PD	Flugabwehr Abteilung Neubayern (air def)	20 sites

Colonial Repair Facilities
Nibelungen Station	Germany

Queen Alice’s Star (Beowulf)

Communications Status: Clear and updated.
Distance to nearest enemy held or suspected system: 3; DM+36 2393 (Dunkelheim)
Distance to Sol for logistics: 5
Human minefield size: 106
Kafer minefield size: none detected

					Supply Points			
Nation	Colony	Paranoia Level	Population Factors	STR Supported	Generated this turn	Used By Colony	Available for building	Last Turn Stockpile	
Britain	Alicia	low	26	52	56	0	56	62	
France	Europe Neuve	moderate	15	30	18	0	18	337	
 Beowulf is the end of the line for merchant convoys originating from the Core. From this point, the various merchants of the war effort distribute supplies down the Arm. Beowulf’s stockpile values listed in the table above do not include Core distributed supply points.

Ground Troops
Colony	Current Ground Troops STR	STR Supported by Colony	Supply Points Required	
Britain	36	52	none	
France	32	30	2	

Britain
Alicia Defense Force
Bde(L)	1st Volunteer Field Force
	Bde(L)	2nd Volunteer Field Force
	Bde(L)	3rd Volunteer Field Force
	Bde(L)	4th Volunteer Field Force
	Bde(L)	5th Volunteer Field Force
	Bde(L)	6th Volunteer Field Force
	Bde(L)	7th Volunteer Field Force
	Bde(L)	8th Volunteer Field Force
	Bde(L)	9th Volunteer Field Force
	Bde(L)	The Alician Light Infantry (ALI)
	Bde(M)	The Alician Maritime Regiment (AMR)
	Bde(M)	The Royal Regiment of Alicia (RRA)
	Bde(M)	The New Gloucestershire Regiment (NGR)
	Bde(H)	4th Dragoon Guards (4 DG)
	JBn	75 Commando, 7 Bde, RWM
	PD	16 sites

France
18e Corps
	Bde(L)	I/1e Division Légère Aeromobile (I/1DLA)
	Bde(L)	2e Régiment de Cavalerie Coloniale (2RCC)
	Bde(L)	4e Régiment d’ Infanterie Coloniale (4RIC)
	Bde(L)	1e Régiment de Tirailleurs Nouvelle Européen (I/1e RTNE)
	Bde(L)	1e Demi-Brigade d’ Infanterie de Marine (DBIM)
	Bde(M)	2e Groupement Mobile/1e Division Légère Blindée (2GM/1DLB)
	Bde(M)	1e Groupement Mobile/1e Division Légère Blindée (1GM/1DLB)
	Bde(H)	1e Groupement Mobile/9e Division Blindée (1GM/9DB)
	Planetary Defense	10e Groupe de Défense de Planète (10GDP)	20 sites

Colonial Repair Facilities
Queen Alice's Star Station	Britain
Station Nouvelle Europe		France

Vogelheim (Alderhorst)

Communications Status: Clear and updated.
Distance to nearest enemy held or suspected system: 1 DM+36 2219 (Sans Souci); DM+36 2393 (Dunkelheim)
Distance to QAS for logistics: 3
Human minefield size: 10
Kafer minefield size: none detected

					Supply Points	 	 	
Nation	Colony	Population Factors	Population Factors	STR Supported	Generated this turn	Used By Colony	Available for building	Last Turn Stockpile	
France	Saint-Benoit	extreme	0	0	0	0	0	86	
Germany	Newmark	extreme	3	6	5	2	3	185	
•	Newmark spends 2 SP on a PD.
•	Saint-Benoit was destroyed by orbital bombardment.

Ground Troops
Colony	Current Ground Troops STR	STR Supported by Colony	Supply Points Required	
France	1	0	1	
Germany	11	9	2	

Australia
	ALIMFOR
	Bde(L)	92nd Bn, Regiminto de la Tierra Negra – based in Newmark and supplied by colony

France
	30e Corps
		Bde(L)	I/10e Division d’ Infanterie (1/10DI)

Germany
Newmark Militia
	Bde(L)	2 Jager
	PD	Luftkissenpanzerflugabwehr Abteilung  Newmark (air def)	1 site
	PD	50e Groupe de Défense de Planète (50GDP)	9 sites – located in Germany colony

Colonial Repair Facilities
Station Saint Benoit	France
Alderhorst Station	Germany

Xi Ursae Majoris (Kie-Yuma)

Communications Status: Clear and updated.
Distance to nearest enemy held or suspected system: 1; DM+36 2219 (Sans Souci),
Distance to QAS for logistics: 3
Human minefield size: 0
Kafer minefield size: none detected

					Supply Points	 	 	
Nation	Colony	Paranoia Level	Population Factors	STR Supported	Generated this turn	Used By Colony	Available for building	Last Turn Stockpile	
America	Trilon	low	3	6	4	3	1	37	
•	Kie-Yuma spends 3 SP to lay a 15-point minefield.

Not founded by the nation but by industrial megacorporation Trilon Industries, Kie-Yuma is nevertheless an American colony. This is enforced by periodic visits from the ASF.

Ground Troops
Colony	Current Ground Troops STR	STR Supported by Colony	Supply Points Required	
America	2	6	none	

America
	Trilon R&D Unit 2
		PD	Trilon R&D Unit 2 - System Trials	2 sites

Colonial Repair Facilities
Xi Ursae Station	America

Errata

As the turn reports are reviewed, errors and omissions may be found. All necessary corrections will be listed in this section.