You get a chance to spend a few days with your great-aunt Sarah, celebrating her 126th birthday. She’s definitely getting up there in age, but still refuses to retire as the Dean of the History Department for Griffon’s Roost University. She is by far the most senior such Dean, but has refused multiple offers to take over as the head of the university itself, preferring to stick to what she enjoys. She spends most of her professional time actually teaching undergraduates, having done this for over a century now.
Of course, she insists on showing family movies, including many of your ‘greatest hits’ as a child, which is just a little embarrassing since it shows you doing many things you’d lectured your own kids and grandkids not to do, much to their amusement and leaving you sputtering a little as you tried to explain that it was totally different when YOU did it. Unfortunately your great-aunt is too old to be tossed through the Window, so you settle for just grumbling and pouting.
And denying her an extra slice of apple sheet cake. She totally deserved that.
A new trade route through the Fringe has been opened up, bringing in some rather exotic artwork and artisanal goods in exchange primarily for the superb brewery and distillery products of New Libertalia.
In terms of music, the top hit in January is actually a comic song lampooning the performance of your soccer team in the recent Olympics. You are not quite sure it is fair to compare them to blind sloths only because they failed to medal; after all they did manage to score a few goals, which is generally fairly rare against the powerhouses from the NRR and Bourbons. The song is catchy though, and you find yourself humming it at times.
The Black Pumpernickels have made an appearance, touring through the Empire performing some ancient musicals from an artist known as ‘Andrew Lloyd Weber’. The more theatrically inclined members of the family rather condescendingly inform you that he was one of the greatest playwrights ‘ever’ and that you are an utter philistine for not immediately recognizing the name. As a result you’ve tossed two of your grandkids through the Window of Defenestration as a demonstration of just how big of a barbarian you are, after discretely making sure that the Imperial Guard dumped a few large buckets of ice into the pool that those tossed through said window land in.
Still, you’ll be attending their performance of something called ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ when they arrive in the Griffon system in a few months, which you are told that you’ll enjoy. The Black Pumpernickels haven’t disappointed yet, so you’re sure that you will.
The intensity of skirmishes against the Black Steel has increased across the entire raiding area, with a slight uptick in losses amongst the Expeditionary and Strike fleets. You are primarily seeing light Black Steel forces, with the largest units being encountered in the light cruiser tonnage range, indicating that the Black Steel are holding back their heavy units, either defensively or in order to prepare for a major offensive strike.
Admiral Fisher has sent you some memos indicating that he’d like to expedite deployment of the new laser turret drones to the Arvum, Pryyemnyy and Highland systems in order to prepare for potential Black Steel threats. He is proposing an immediate priority order for at least six clusters of ten drones each, to be deployed evenly across the three most threatened systems. Ideally he’d like twice as many and initial inquiries with manufacturers indicate that it should be possible to expedite such an order at a price premium.
According to the Admiral, it is estimated that the presence of the drones would materially boost the defenses by a factor of at least ten, as the unmanned platforms would significantly spread the defensive ‘net’ of each of major defensive installations that they are attached to. And they would do so without needlessly risking any lives, as they are unmanned installations.
[]
Action
Result
[]
Purchase 6 sets of Laser Turret Drone stations, 2 each for Arvum, Pryyemnyy and Highland
Gain 6 Laser Turret Drone arrays
Will be available ‘immediately’ (IE this year, rather than next)
Cost $1,000,000,000.00
[]
Purchase 12 sets of Laser Turret Drone stations, 4 each for Arvum, Pryyemnyy, and Highland
Gain 12 Laser Turret Drone arrays (see above)
Cost $2,000,000,000.00
[]
No need for emergency spending, price premiums are for chumps.
No change
You receive reports that the NRI and NRR have settled a number of new colonies within their declared region of interest.
The NRI has formally claimed five systems, two of which are simply recharge points as the stars in question are unsuitable for actual colonization. Interestingly one shows signs of a past failed colony, with indications that at some point in the last several hundred years it had been settled from the NRI itself, but there are no actual records and the NRI hasn’t been able to figure out exactly what happened, although they suspect that it might have been Manus Dei remnants who’d fled the earlier civil war. Regardless there were no survivors, as the planet was only marginally habitable to begin with and the colonists lacked critical survival supplies.
The NRR has been simultaneously more and less ambitious, only claiming four new systems, but colonizing all four of them even though none are particularly ‘valuable’, being barely habitable dustballs with minimal capability to support life. They are making extensive use of the DoME team that you seconded to them for this, with your experts discovering that they’d been slowly building up their own native DoME program, albeit not nearly as ambitious as your own.
It appears that both the NRI and the NRR are being quite scrupulous about limiting their survey and expansion to the agreed upon corridors, meaning that they will not be intruding on any of your own areas of interest anytime soon. Already you are seeing additional NRI and NRR military units being seconded to alliance efforts, in accordance with the agreements.
You receive word from Admiral Fisher that production has started on an expedited basis for the first tranche of drone Laser Turrets. He also informs you that the majority of those on the project have been referring to them as Lasersats, but that isn’t an ‘official’ name due to the previous 8cm armed system that proved to be a failure. If and when these prove themselves operationally they may ‘inherit’ that name.
After all, a 55cm laser is just a little more… authoritative… when it comes to demonstrating an objection to uninvited guests crashing the party than a piddly little 8cm system.
In addition, if the Lasersat, and now that name is in your head and won’t leave, proves itself in battle Admiral Fisher has informed you that the Navy will be commissioning a variety of related systems based around different weapon systems, ranging from heavy naval particle cannons to heavy capital missiles since, as he is happy to inform you, these drones are unmanned and thus their magazines do not constitute a clear-and-present threat to the lives of their non-existent crews. He does note that for the latter he’d prefer to have drone supply dropships to service their magazines, with one proposal that he included in the write-up being a system where the entire magazine for the launcher is actually mounted in a drone dropship, when it is exhausted the dropship detaches and a filled one docks while the previous one returns to a logistics dump to resupply.
Clever.
Your anti-piracy forces have encountered a pirate slave depot. Thankfully the 1st Corps was still in theater and were able to immediately strike at the location within days, catching the pirates with their proverbial pants down and freeing tens of thousands of victims. They also discovered a very crude cloning facility in the depot, using techniques and equipment long considered not merely obsolete but actively dangerous. About a hundred ‘products’ of this facility were among those liberated and they are in very poor condition due to the grotesquely flawed cloning technology used to create them.
Upon hearing this the Kilburroughan embassy sends you a note practically begging you to allow them to send teams to provide assistance in this matter. Your own geneticists inform you that despite all of the progress you’ve made in the field Kilburrough is still the gold standard. Apparently the ‘utter hack job’ committed by ‘failed butchers and incompetent tinkerers’ has thoroughly offended every single sense of propriety of the Killburroughans, and they are practically frothing at the mouth for the opportunity to correct things.
[]
Action
Result
[]
Accept Kilburroughan Offer
Improves relations with Kilburrough
Kilburrough will fully assume the cost for the treatment and rehabilitation of the victims
Unlocks next level of Genetic Engineering research
[]
Reject Kilburroughan Offer
Harms relations with Kilburrough
Will cost $520,000,000.00 in total expenses to assist the victims
The Pinball militia is able to deflect a number of potential asteroid strikes on the colony thanks to excellent diligence of the incredible number of such bodies in the system. One of the asteroids is somewhat intriguing to scientists, as it is completely unlike any of the others in the system in terms of its chemical composition and albedo. Their preliminary conclusion is that it originated from outside the system, based on backtracking the orbital trajectory of the object it appears to have originated to the galactic southeast, although the astronomers caution that this is highly subjective as the object had been repeated perturbed by other gravitational fields so it might have originated from just about anywhere.
There is a massive scandal in the Nox system involving the elected system government. Allegations of bribery, vote fraud, ballot-box stuffing, and general shenanigans are raging around a series of highly disputed elections. Local authorities are denying that anything illegal took place, but opposition figures are hotly disputing that characterization. Initial investigations by the Imperial Grifftiger Mounted Police and Special Branch are inconclusive, as there were irregularities and issues with the election but there is no certainty as to whether or not there was actual fraud or illegal activity.
According to the reports, the issues involve the voting registration lists and hardware issues with in-precinct check-in systems. The election systems had recently been upgraded with new hardware from a new vendor, and while that vendor’s systems had worked well in testing and in smaller scale local elections there were failures when scaled up to a system-wide plebiscite. The vendor has fully cooperated with authorities on the issue, and they appear to simply be the sort of growing pains that any software and hardware based system goes through. The IGMP reports that the vendor has been 100% transparent on all of the issues and that a full audit of the code reveals no malicious elements, however they also note that the adoption of the new system was expedited by the system government rather than adopted through the full review process.
Sector authorities are handling the issue, with assistance from the Justice Ministry. The political climate in the system is frosty to say the least. Ironically, both parties involved nominally support the throne, both have elected both Senators and Delegates who have been, in your experience, honest and competent supporters of your policies and positions even when their colleagues have gone around the bend. Their differences are purely local matters, not anything Imperial in nature.
Parliament is in session and has been hard at work, which occasionally means that you’ll need to search for the legendary Fountain of Aspirin. In this case they appear to be simply doing their jobs and not doing anything to cause you any real headaches.
The big bit of legislation this year for your consideration is the Environmental Protection Act of 3069. The Environmental Board has been doing a stellar job balancing ecological protection and economic interests, despite the inevitable conflicts that such a balancing act produces. In many ways the board operates on the basis of ‘good compromises’ where neither side is ever completely happy, but both are able to live with the results. The legislation in question is the result of the desire of the Environmental Board to expand their remit to include operating public-access nature reserves in appropriate areas. These reserves would be acquired through donations and purchase agreements rather than through governmental designation and the revenues derived from these reserves would be reserved for the economic development of the systems which host said reserves.
While there is some opposition to this, mostly from academics, it is still a broadly popular proposal amongst actual stakeholders.
[]
Action
Argument
Result
[]
Sign the Environmental Protection Act of 3069
Balancing environmental protection and economic growth has long been a delicate situation, especially considering the critical need for economic growth in order to finance the ongoing war with the Black Steel. The current Environmental Board has been doing a sterling job of maintaining this balance ever since its inception.
Unfortunately, as currently constituted the only ‘tool’ in the Board’s arsenal when it comes to protecting ecological sites is government fiat, declaring areas off-limits to development by the power of the state. This is a very useful tool, and has been wielded with great effectiveness and discretion by the Board, avoiding both insufficient set-asides to protect delicate ecosystems as well as heavy-handed designations which cripple economic growth. This proposal would add a new tool to their arsenal, the ability, and budget, to purchase additional public lands for the purpose of both environmental protection and public enjoyment.
This proposal would allow for greater protection of ecosystems and public lands, while also satisfying private landowners and businesses that they are fairly compensated for the lands in question. One of the weaknesses of the current setup is the discovery of emergent ecosystems in need of protection, as currently all such set-asides occur during the initial colonization survey of the system. If there are unexpected discoveries after colonization within areas designated for private development, the Board generally finds itself in a difficult position of either having to seize the lands by legal fiat, or seeing ecosystems vanish underneath the demands of economic progress. This gives a third option, one that satisfies the needs of all stakeholders.
Increase Environmental Board level to 2
Doubles current maintenance cost, which stands at $8,800,000,000.00
Increase economic growth of systems by approximately .01% per year.
+1 Approval
+1 Politics
+1 Imperial Economy
Unlocks certain event chains
[]
Veto the Environmental Protection Act of 3069
Argument One
We already spend a great deal on environmental protection to begin with, all this is a giveaway to those interests who endlessly desire ‘moar’. Our current system is fully sufficient, it handles the actual cases where it is important well enough, and otherwise leaves both industry and the environment alone. Not one cent more for this, and no expansion of authority!
Argument Two
This is utterly insufficient. All lands are, by definition, public lands and at no time should any private individual or corporation have any ‘ownership’ of them, all are part of the common patrimony of the people and the greedy plutocrats and grasping capitalists need to come to terms with this. This ridiculous proposal fails to enforce this truth by allowing private interests to persist in sucking the lifeblood out of the land for filthy lucre, instead we should use Imperial authority to seize all ‘private’ lands and manage them all solely for the public good.
The situation in the Nox system is ongoing, with investigators still hard at work piecing together everything that happened. There is still no real evidence of deliberate malfeasance, but plenty of evidence of a somewhat casual disregard for the objections of IT professionals in regards to changing tabulation systems and testing. Even that seems to be more of an issue of overconfidence, in that ‘it always worked in the past’ mixed with ‘what could possibly go wrong’. Dumb, in some ways, but hardly corrupt or criminal.
All parties involved have agreed to hold new elections, primarily out of an abundance of caution and a desire to ensure that the people view election results as legitimate. The IGMP is closely monitoring the situation and things appear to be going much smoother.
A Black Steel monitoring satellite has been discovered in the Waypoint 7 system. The satellite self-destructed when a Home Fleet Legend approached. This has triggered surveys in other uninhabited systems and several more monitoring satellites have been discovered. All likewise self-destructed upon approach.
Unfortunately examining the wreckage of the various satellites doesn’t reveal anything all that useful, the actual scanning systems are broadly comparable to your own as far as your experts can tell and these satellites appear to not have any sort of AI or drone control system, being simple dumb systems with proximity based self-destructs.
You receive reports from the Kilburroughan geneticists and medical professionals who were assisting the victims of the pirate’s botched cloning setup, and you are pretty sure you’ve never seen the air turn quite as blue from the sheer level of vitriolic fury, all expressed without a single use of profanity. Impressive in many ways. They report that they are confident that they can repair the damage and allow the victims to live normal lives, which is a relief, but they note that they will have to make use of ‘extreme interventions’ to manage this.
On the plus side, captured data from the base gives you some insights into pirate operations in the fringe, giving your anti-piracy patrols greater effectiveness in handling the threat. This advantage won’t last long, as the pirates are already changing patterns in response to your actions, but it will help.
And now it’s time for the budget meeting.
Amaunet is not present for a change, being off spending time with her daughter’s newborn cub. Thankfully the service chiefs are behaving themselves even without the giant cat to keep them in line.
General Zara starts off. “Your Majesty, the recent anti-pirate actions highlight the importance of maintaining our ground forces. As such, we intend to continue their expansion. Industry has been a great help in this regard, as they have been willing to work hard to achieve production targets.”
Imperial Griffon Army
Procurement
15 Garrison Divisions
15 Militia Divisions
25 Infantry Divisions
5 Light Combat Team Divisions
General Perkins is absent as well as he is attending a conference with his senior commanders in the Glorreich system. His deputy is ably handling the briefing. “Your Majesty, with the growing production capacity we are again coming up against the need to expand our training budget. In the near future we will be requesting that the Navy provide additional training carriers to assist in fully qualifying new pilots, but that is at least two years out.”
Imperial Griffon Aerospace Force
Production
New ASF Factories
Glorreich
Shin Tōkyō
Kurortas
Raj
Pustina
Platzregensburg
Pryyemnyy
Awha
Bāṛi
Bellaterra
Procurement
50 CAP Wings
100 Fighter Wings
100 Carrier Wings
40 Training Wings
Admiral Savić is holding down the entire fort for the Navy, as Admiral Fisher and Admiral di Palo are both at the same conference as General Perkins. “Your Majesty, with the ongoing growth of the Army we have reviewed our assault transport capacity and while it is currently adequate it doesn’t account for near-future growth. Thanks to the recent lull in Black Steel activity since the last major engagement we are ahead of schedule on replacing the Mikasa-class with the new Kearsarge-class, thus we have the yard capacity this year to address this future need. Otherwise, both procurement and production expansion is projected to continue as before, improving our position vis-a-vis the Black Steel.”
Imperial Griffon Navy
Production
Orbital Shipyards
New Orbital Shipyards
Pusztaság
Apleista
Przyjemny
Awha
Kaiyo
Upgrade All Orbital Shipyards
Refit & Repair Yards
Upgrade All Refit & Repair Yards
Escort Yards
New Escort Yards
Nowy Szczecin
Baddorando
Sturmland
Neubayern
Neuhessen
Nouvelle Bourgogne
Nuova Lombardia
Skala
Stahlfurt
Griff's Leap
Kurortas
Olej
Pinball
Pryyemnyy
Nashornland
The Hub
Nuova Puglia
Nuovo Abruzzo
Stenen Tuin
Nyū Shikoku
Nuova Tripoli
Catachan
Neuthüringen
Nowe Mazowsze
Nox
Platzregensburg
Porto Milano
Landprettig
New Algiers
New Clew Bay
Nubifragio
Bellaterra
Highland
New Arcadia
New Portland
Hot Mess
New Narnia
Nueva Chiapas
Nowega Lublina
Salamander
Small Warship Yards
New Small Warship Yards
Griffon
Calliope
Edelsteine
Nowy Slask
Awha
Kaiyo
Iskra
Bohren
Feurstern
Novolar
Grand View
Kainga
New Capricorn
Pustina
Steingarten
Raj
Chuma
Medium Warship Yards
New Medium Warship Yards
New Pollux
New Phoenix
Nya Kopenhamn
Nowa Warszawa
Okusawa
Large Warship Yards
New Large Warship Yards
Bari
Shin Tōkyō
New Libertalia
Pieklo
Procurement
Standard Dropships
400 Artemis-class Planetary Defense Flotillas
213 Wright-class Dockable ASF Platforms
213 Colt-class Defense Blisters
Large Dropships
341 Kearsarge-class Parasite Battleships
60 Mashu-class Parasite Logistics Transports
30 Normandy-class Parasite Assault Transports
Jumpships
24 Rawalpindi-class Armed Merchant Cruisers
Escorts
200 Battle-class Destroyers
50 Tarantul-class Missile Raiders
50 Asheville-class Raiders
50 Legend-class Frigates
50 White Plains-class Escort Carriers
50 Consultant-class Fast Logistics Ships
Small Warships
50 Belfast-class Light Cruisers
50 Phoenix-class Light Cruisers
50 Atlanta-class Light Cruisers
3 Centaur-class Light Carriers
Medium Warships
20 Prinz Eugen II-class Heavy Cruisers
20 Hawke-class Heavy Cruisers
10 Akagi-class Medium Carriers
Large Warships
16 Kaiserin-class Battleships
16 Lion-class Battlecruisers
Fortress Command
Jump Point Defense
Waypoint 10
Pusztaság
Apleista
Przyjemny
{i]Arx[/i] Defense Stations
10
Fortress-class Heavy Recharge Stations
10
Black Tower
Waypoint 10
Pusztaság
Apleista
Przyjemny
Pinball
Spartoi-class Defense Clusters
5
Sensor Satellite Shell
Catachan
Laser Turret Clusters
30
With the military portion of the budget meeting over, Elizabeth Lee takes over.
“Your Majesty, we have three potential colony sites which, even if they aren’t the greatest bits of real estate, are still valuable enough to be worth settling.”
Establish Colonies
Pusztaság
Apleista
Przyjemny
“In addition we have a full suite of economic programs, including once again the request for us to invest in the construction of major cultural venues across the Empire.”
Economic Program
Economic Focus
Core
Bohren
Peripheral
Skala
Massive Investment
Core
Raj
Peripheral
Nowe Mazowsze
Economic Investment
Platzregensburg
Arvum
Neubayern
Nuovo Abruzzo
Neuhessen
Major Economic Investment
Grand View
Pustina
Novolar
Awha
Pieklo
Infrastructure & Industrial Zones
Cần Thơ mới
Salamander
Highland
Nueva Chiapas
Baddorando
Major Cultural Venues
“Finally, last but most certainly not least, we have a surfeit of bored DoME teams available who are already causing minor bits of trouble with their… ideas. I’ve had to veto multiple proposals to turn Griffon’s moon into a gigantic hollow battlestation as the expense would be greater than the entire Imperial GDP for the next century.”
Department of Mega Engineering
Optimization
Porto Milano
Terraforming
Hot Mess
Baddorando
Nueva Chiapas
Nowy Szczecin
Salamander
New Portland
Highland
Tiberius is off handling the civil service expansion, so is not available for the meeting. Your Foreign Minister, meanwhile, has sent you a number of recommendations.
First of all, she recommends the funding of another Charity Concert, this time explicitly for the victims of the pirates. While normally having two such concerts back-to-back is ill-advised, she notes that the combination of last year's concert with the Olympics makes this far more viable.
Further she is requesting a budget increase for trade attaches in the Fringe, citing the excellent results that they have had so far in promoting trade with the Empire.
And then the moment you’d been dreading, as the most boring person in the universe takes the podium and begins to drone on and on and on and on and on and on and on…
“Your Majesty we have two teams prepared to begin work this year thanks to the delays in one of the research projects which is still wrapping up as we speak therefore we are having to carefully evaluate the feasibility and viability of multiple proposals in order to efficiently advance our technological limits as we have done in the past we therefore have eliminated a number of potential programs on the basis of insufficient return on investment or of excessive cost in the current economic climate with one of the proposals nearly equalling the total available budget for the entire Empire which is clearly an unacceptable proposition to make therefore we are limiting ourselves to programs that best fit the parameters that our analysts have set to achieve the greatest balance between effectiveness cost and results we therefore are recommending to make use of our current collaboration with Kilburrough to advance our understanding of genetic engineering to the next level which should result in further advances in medical care and prevention we are also recommending investing in economic forecasting models in order to further accelerate the economic growth of the Empire and thus allow for the investment of resources into the more ambitious research priorities.”
At this point you pretty much tune him out for the next three hours and forty five minutes, which includes a two hundred slide Powerpoint presentation with absolutely nothing interesting at all on any of the slides. If you could only weaponize how amazingly boring he is.
Plan: You must construct additional pylons
- Procurement [$ 11,459,561,961,953.50 ]
-- Lay Down Major Unit [Construction - $86,323,141,085.75 ] (95)
--- 400 Artemis [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 94
Result - SUCCESS
--- 213 Wright [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 16
Result - SUCCESS
--- 213 Colt [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 87
Result - SUCCESS
--- 341 Kearsage [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 21
Result - SUCCESS
--- 60 Mashu [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 63
Result - SUCCESS
--- 30 Normandy [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 91
Result - SUCCESS
-- Lay down Jumpship [Jumpship Construction - $17,434,639,200.00 ] (90)
--- 24 Rawalpindi [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 34
Result - SUCCESS
-- Lay down Warship [Warship Construction - $910,395,840,333.33 ] (90)
--- 200 Battle [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 18
Result - SUCCESS
--- 50 White Plains [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 71
Result - SUCCESS
--- 50 Legend [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 69
Result - SUCCESS
--- 50 Consultant [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 26
Result - SUCCESS
--- 50 Tarantul [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 55
Result - SUCCESS
--- 50 Asheville [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 41
Result - SUCCESS
--- 50 Belfast [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 44
Result - SUCCESS
--- 50 Phoenix [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 42
Result - SUCCESS
--- 50 Atlanta [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 12
Result - SUCCESS
--- 3 Centaur [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 37
Result - SUCCESS
--- 20 Prinz Eugen II [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 88
Result - SUCCESS
--- 20 Hawke [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 70
Result - SUCCESS
--- 10 Akagi [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 39
Result - SUCCESS
--- 16 Kaiserin [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 4
Result - SUCCESS
--- 16 Lion [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 64
Result - SUCCESS
-- Purchase New Units [Minor Unit - 12,878,246,334.45 ] (90)
--- 100 Fighter Wing [auto]
--- 100 Carrier Wing [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 71
Result - SUCCESS
--- 50 CAP Wing [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 33
Result - SUCCESS
--- 40 Training Wing [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 36
Result - SUCCESS
--- 15 Garrison Division [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 81
Result - SUCCESS
--- 15 Militia Division [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 17
Result - SUCCESS
--- 25 Infantry Division [90
Target – 90
Roll - 22
Result - SUCCESS
--- 5 Light Combat Team Division [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 9
Result - SUCCESS
-- Fortress Command [$ 10,432,530,095,000 ] (90)
--- Build Jump Point Defenses
---- Waypoint 10 [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 27
Result - SUCCESS
---- Pusztasag [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 81
Result - SUCCESS
---- Apleista [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 83
Result - SUCCESS
---- Przyjemny [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 83
Result - SUCCESS
--- 10 Arx Defense Stations
Target – 90
Roll - 16
Result - SUCCESS
--- 10 Fortress Class Defense Station
Target – 90
Roll - 71
Result - SUCCESS
--- Construct Black Tower
---- Waypoint 10 [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 77
Result - SUCCESS
---- Pusztasag [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 78
Result - SUCCESS
---- Apleista [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 71
Result - SUCCESS
---- Przyjemny [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 73
Result - SUCCESS
---- Pinball [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 61
Result - SUCCESS
--- 5 Spartoi Clusters [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 26
Result - SUCCESS
--- Build Sensor Shell
---- Catachan [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 83
Result - SUCCESS
--- 30 Laser Turret Clusters [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 75
Result - SUCCESS
- General [$ 46,593,698,820,000.00 ]
-- Focus Development on Core World Bohren [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 12
Result - SUCCESS
-- Focus Development on Peripheral World Skala [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 29
Result - SUCCESS
-- Massive Core Investment Raj [85]
Target – 85
Roll – 96, Jarow reroll - 51
Result - SUCCESS
-- Massive Peripheral Investment Nowe Mazowsze [85]
Target – 85
Roll - 84
Result - SUCCESS
-- Economic Investment (90)
--- Platz Regensburg [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 22
Result - SUCCESS
--- Arvum [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 61
Result - SUCCESS
--- Neubayern [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 29
Result - SUCCESS
--- Nuovo Abruzzo [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 3
Result - SUCCESS
--- Neuhessen [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 38
Result - SUCCESS
-- Major Economic Investment (90)
--- Grand View [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 16
Result - SUCCESS
--- Pustina [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 71
Result - SUCCESS
--- Novolar [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 90
Result - SUCCESS
--- Awha [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 61
Result - SUCCESS
--- Pieklo [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 27
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Infrastructure and Industrial zones on
--- Can Tho Moi [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 81
Result - SUCCESS
--- Salamander [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 87
Result - SUCCESS
--- Highland [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 69
Result - SUCCESS
--- Nueva Chiapas [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 89
Result - SUCCESS
--- Baddorando [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 36
Result - SUCCESS
-- Imperial Outreach [-]
-- Construct Orbital Industrial Platform Griffon* [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 61
Result - SUCCESS
-- Establish Colony
--- Pusztaság [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 67
Result - SUCCESS
--- Apleista [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 21
Result - SUCCESS
--- Przyjemny [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 1
Result - Critical SUCCESS
-- Build ASF Factory Complex (95)
--- Glorreich [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 91
Result - SUCCESS
--- Shin Tōkyō [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 93
Result - SUCCESS
--- Kurortas [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 81
Result - SUCCESS
--- Raj [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 16
Result - SUCCESS
--- Pustina [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 90
Result - SUCCESS
--- Platzregensburg [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 82
Result - SUCCESS
--- Pryyemnyy [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 88
Result - SUCCESS
--- Awha [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 31
Result - SUCCESS
--- Bāṛi [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 69
Result - SUCCESS
--- Bellaterra [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 81
Result - SUCCESS
-- Build Orbital Shipyard Pusztasag [105]
Target – 105
Roll - 99
Result - SUCCESS
-- Build Orbital Shipyard Apleista [105]
Target – 105
Roll - 21
Result - SUCCESS
-- Build Orbital Shipyard Przyjemny [105]
Target – 105
Roll - 87
Result - SUCCESS
-- Build Orbital Shipyard Awha [105]
Target – 105
Roll - 98
Result - SUCCESS
-- Build Orbital Shipyard Kaiyo [105]
Target – 105
Roll - 91
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Nowy Szecin [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 88
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Baddorando [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 90
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Sturmland [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 16
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Neubayern [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 37
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Neuhessen [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 67
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Nouvelle Bourgogne [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 61
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Nuova Lombardia [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 66
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Skala [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 63
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Stahlfurt [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 63
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Griff's Leap [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 19
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Kurortas [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 17
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Olej [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 88
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Pinball [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 61
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Pryyemnyy [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 31
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Nashornland [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 30
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard The Hub [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 15
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Nuova Puglia [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 27
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Nuovo Abruzzo [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 21
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Stenen Tuin [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 81
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Nyu Shikoku [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 37
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Nuova Tripoli [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 69
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Catachan [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 63
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Neuthuringen [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 16
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Nowe Mazsowsze [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 18
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Nox [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 80
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Platzregensburg [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 84
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Porto Milano [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 77
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Landprettig [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 31
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard New Algiers [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 22
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard New Clew Bay [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 61
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Nubifrgio [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 84
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Bellaterra [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 70
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Highland [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 86
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard New Arcadia [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 36
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard New Portlanf [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 37
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Hot Mess [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 37
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard New Narnia [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 16
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Nueva Chiapas [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 9
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Nowego Lubina [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 87
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Salamander [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 79
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Griffon [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 69
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Calliope [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 31
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Edelsteine [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 11
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Nowy Slask [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 27
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Chuma [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 22
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Awha [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 20
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Kaiyo [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 16
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Iskra [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 18
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Bohren [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 88
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Feurstern [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 79
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Novolar [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 37
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Grand View [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 64
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Kainga [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 83
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard New Capricorn [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 44
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Pustina [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 29
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Steingarten [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 67
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Raj [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 88
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Medium Warship Yard New Pollux [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 71
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Medium Warship Yard New Phoenix [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 67
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Medium Warship Yard Nya Kopenhamn [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 63
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Medium Warship Yard Nowa Warzsawa [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 26
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Medium Warship Yard Okusawa [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 25
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Large Warship Yard Glorreich* [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 11
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Large Warship Yard New Port Royal* [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 19
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Large Warship Yard New Castor* [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 71
Result - SUCCESS
-- Construct Large Warship Yard Nowy Wroclaw* [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 89
Result - SUCCESS
-- Upgrade Refit & Repair Yard [105]
Target – 105
Roll - 97
Result - SUCCESS
-- Expand Orbital Shipyards [105]
Target – 105
Roll - 99
Result - SUCCESS
- DoME [$ 400,000,000,000.00 ]
-- Terraforming Nouvelle Bourgogne* [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 87
Result - SUCCESS
-- Terraforming Sturmland* [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 10
Result - SUCCESS
-- Terraforming Nowego Lublina* [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 90
Result - SUCCESS
-- DoME Team to NRR*
-- DoME Team to NRI*
- Research [$ 132,500,000,000,000.00 ]
-- Materials Research Lvl 10 [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 94
Result - SUCCESS
The re-vote has been successfully completed in the Nox system. There were no actual changes in terms of who won election or re-election, but the fact that the election was re-done and held under close scrutiny has restored trust in the election system.
Energetic skirmishes continue with the Black Steel, with very light losses this year, primarily among parasites. The new Kearsarge is proving to be much more survivable than the old Mikasa class, which is definitely helping the situation.
There were no actual losses among warships so far, with all the damaged units successfully withdrawing for repairs. Unfortunately the same can be said for the Black Steel, as it is apparent that the main reason for the low loss rate is that they too are withdrawing rather than pressing home attacks. It is obvious that they are building up their forces, most likely in preparation for a major operation, and are unwilling to take excessive losses among screening elements.
Thankfully you are able to deploy large numbers of the new drone Lasersats to the most likely targets, as in addition to the dozen clusters purchased on an emergency basis to form the initial line of defense, a further thirty clusters are procured under the normal appropriation process.
Three new worlds are settled, expanding your Empire to over ninety systems. Of the three, Przyjemny turns out to be a rather pleasant surprise. It was already the ‘gem’ of the trio, but during the colonization process a number of large deposits of germanium were discovered, boosting the economic prospects of the system enormously. Together with the Apleista and the Acélbánya systems, the Sapphire March is looking to be one of the wealthier regions of the Empire in due course. Add in the Zbor and especially the Bukoliczny systems, and the region is certainly going to be in the top three. In time, currently it is the poorest March in the Empire, but that is solely because of how new it is.
You do receive your first bit of solid intelligence from the Inner Sphere. A free trader in the Fringe sells one of your trade representatives a number of old ‘Inner Sphere Almanac’ issues dating from the 3030s. While none are complete, they do give you a much more solid image of the situation in the Inner Sphere.
Based on the data, it appears that the Federated Commonwealth was born out of both the Ten Minute War and the wedding between Peter Davion, the eldest son of First Prince Ian Davion, and Melissa Steiner, the eldest daughter of Archon Katrina Steiner, joining the Federated Suns and the Lyran Commonwealth in a dynastic union. The events of the wedding are gone into in some detail.
At the wedding, Ian Davion had proposed a toast, gifting his future daughter-in-law with the Capellan Confederation. Considering that the Davion-Capellan border, according to the Almanac, had been the single least militarized border in the entire Inner Sphere, this came as an utter surprise to everybody. According to the Almanac, Chancellor Maximilian Liao had immediately approached Ian Davion and asked what the Confederation had done to offend him, as the Chancellor had no idea that there were any disputes between them.
The Almanac then refers to something called ‘Operation Doppelganger’ which is in one of the missing sections, but a short summary is provided. It appears that somebody attempted to replace both Ian and Hanse Davion with doubles who had been surgically altered to be identical to the two leaders of the Federated Suns, with Hanse being the senior military commander and Ian being First Prince. These doubles had been brainwashed to genuinely believe that they were the person they were replacing.
The Almanac notes that the Chancellor denied any knowledge of any such operation in such a way that actually convinced Ian of his sincerity, and the planned attack on the Confederation was called off at the last minute. The entry refers to something called ‘Operation Stickleback’ as being a consequence of this, but again there is no actual detail as the pages referred to are among those that are missing. It also references the discovery of a secret underground sodality within Comstar that called itself ROM who apparently were the ones responsible for Operation Doppelganger. There are references to ongoing purges of ROM sympathizers throughout Comstar in the Almanac.
One of the apparent consequences of all of this was the, quoting the Almanac, ‘completely unanticipated by anybody in positions of power’ amalgamation of the Capellan Confederation into the new Federated Commonwealth following a series of plebiscites within the Confederation which, according to the text, had been intended to approve a series of trade deals and the lowering of official trade barriers, but which somehow resulted in the Capellans becoming the third member of the Federated Commonwealth following an invasion by the Free Worlds League at the height of the plebiscite that saw Capellan, Davion, and Steiner forces working together to repel the Mariks.
As of the writing of the Almanac, the current Chancellor of the Capellan Confederation, Romano Liao’s eldest daughter, Barbara Liao, is betrothed to Victor Steiner-Davion, the first-born son of Peter and Melissa. You do have some biographical details about Romano Liao in an article highlighting her patronage of the Federated Commonwealth’s mental health system due to the great help that appropriate medications have done for her in allowing her to live a normal life free from psychosis. That article also highlights recent advancements in genetic therapies to cure the cause of such mental illnesses, which your own experts note are very similar to the procedures that you have access to yourselves.
Notably there is no mention of any of the Periphery states, although the index mentions them none of the relevant articles are included in the portions of the Almanac that you possess, nor are there any details about the Draconis Combine apart from the maps. The Free Worlds League is noted as being ‘at war with everybody’ and on the maps there are explicit warnings about crossing their borders for any reason. One thing of importance is that Magistracy of Canopus does not appear on the maps, and in the index is listed as ‘Magistracy of Canopus-in-Exile’ with cross-references to the Federated Commonwealth, unfortunately again in sections that you are missing.
It should be noted that the maps show the borders of the Free Worlds League as being quite… expansive. Evidently they are very aggressively expanding… in your direction.
Scheduled vote count started by LordSunhawk on Aug 12, 2023 at 4:13 AM, finished with 9 posts and 5 votes.
[X] Plan: You must construct additional pylons
-[X] Procurement [$ 11,459,561,961,953.50 ]
--[X] Lay Down Major Unit [Construction - $86,323,141,085.75 ] (95)
---[X] 400 Artemis [95]
---[X] 213 Wright [95]
---[X] 213 Colt [95]
---[X] 341 Kearsage [95]
---[X] 60 Mashu [95]
---[X] 30 Normandy [95]
--[X] Lay down Jumpship [Jumpship Construction - $17,434,639,200.00 ] (90)
---[X] 24 Rawalpindi [90]
--[X] Lay down Warship [Warship Construction - $910,395,840,333.33 ] (90)
---[X] 50 Belfast*
---[X] 50 Phoenix*
---[X] 50 Atlanta*
---[X] 20 Prinz Eugen II*
---[X] 20 Hawke*
---[X] 5 Akagi*
---[X] 14 Kaiserin*
---[X] 14 Lion*
---[X] 4 Saratoga*
---[X] 16 Kaiserin*
---[X] 16 Lion*
---[X] 1 Nagato*
---[X] 200 Battle [90]
---[X] 50 White Plains [90]
---[X] 50 Legend [90]
---[X] 50 Consultant [90]
---[X] 50 Tarantul [90]
---[X] 50 Asheville [90]
---[X] 3 Centaur [90]
---[X] 10 Akagi [90]
---[X] 0 Nagato [90]
--[X] Purchase New Units [Minor Unit - 12,878,246,334.45 ] (90)
---[X] 100 Fighter Wing [auto]
---[X] 100 Carrier Wing [90]
---[X] 50 CAP Wing [90]
---[X] 40 Training Wing [90]
---[X] 15 Garrison Division [90]
---[X] 15 Militia Division [90]
---[X] 25 Infantry Division [90
---[X] 5 Light Combat Team Division [90]
--[X] Fortress Command [$ 10,432,530,095,000 ] (90)
---[X] Build Jump Point Defenses
----[X] Waypoint 10 [90]
----[X] Pusztasag [90]
----[X] Apleista [90]
----[X] Przyjemny [90]
---[X] 10 Arx Defense Stations
---[X] 10 Fortress Class Defense Station
---[X] Construct Black Tower
----[X] Pinball [90]
---[X] 5 Spartoi Clusters [90]
---[X] Build Sensor Shell
----[X] Catachan [90]
---[X] 30 Laser Turret Clusters [90]
-[X] General [$ 46,593,698,820,000.00 ]
--[X] Focus Development on Core World Bohren [90]
--[X] Focus Development on Peripheral World Skala [90]
--[X] Massive Core Investment Raj [85]
--[X] Massive Peripheral Investment Nowe Mazowsze [85]
--[X] Economic Investment (90)
---[X] Platz Regensburg [90]
---[X] Arvum [90]
---[X] Neubayern [90]
---[X] Nuovo Abruzzo [90]
---[X] Neuhessen [90]
--[X] Major Economic Investment (90)
---[X] Grand View [90]
---[X] Pustina [90]
---[X] Novolar [90]
---[X] Awha [90]
---[X] Pieklo [90]
--[X] Construct Infrastructure and Industrial zones on
---[X] Can Tho Moi [90]
---[X] Salamander [90]
---[X] Highland [90]
---[X] Nueva Chiapas [90]
---[X] Baddorando [90]
--[X] Imperial Outreach
--[X] Construct Orbital Industrial Platform Griffon* [90]
--[X] Establish Colony
---[X] Pusztaság [90]
---[X] Apleista [90]
---[X] Przyjemny [90]
--[X] Major Cultural Venues [->1]
--[X] Build ASF Factory Complex (95)
---[X] Glorreich [95]
---[X] Shin Tōkyō [95]
---[X] Kurortas [95]
---[X] Raj [95]
---[X] Pryyemnyy [95]
---[X] Bāṛi [95]
---[X] Bellaterra [95]
--[X] Build Orbital Shipyard Pusztasag [105]
--[X] Build Orbital Shipyard Apleista [105]
--[X] Build Orbital Shipyard Przyjemny [105]
--[X] Build Orbital Shipyard Awha [105]
--[X] Build Orbital Shipyard Kaiyo [105]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Nowy Szecin [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Baddorando [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Sturmland [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Neubayern [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Neuhessen [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Nouvelle Bourgogne [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Nuova Lombardia [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Skala [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Stahlfurt [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Griff's Leap [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Kurortas [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Olej [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Pinball [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Pryyemnyy [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Nashornland [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard The Hub [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Nuova Puglia [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Nuovo Abruzzo [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Stenen Tuin [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Nyu Shikoku [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Nuova Tripoli [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Catachan [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Neuthuringen [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Nowe Mazsowsze [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Nox [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Platzregensburg [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Porto Milano [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Landprettig [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard New Algiers [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard New Clew Bay [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Nubifrgio [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Bellaterra [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Highland [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard New Arcadia [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard New Portlanf [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Hot Mess [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard New Narnia [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Nueva Chiapas [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Nowego Lubina [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Salamander [90]
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Griffon [90]
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Calliope [90]
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Edelsteine [90]
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Nowy Slask [90]
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Chuma [90]
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Awha [90]
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Kaiyo [90]
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Iskra [90]
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Bohren [90]
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Feurstern [90]
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Novolar [90]
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Grand View [90]
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Kainga [90]
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard New Capricorn [90]
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Pustina [90]
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Steingarten [90]
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Raj [90]
--[X] Construct Medium Warship Yard New Pollux [90]
--[X] Construct Medium Warship Yard New Phoenix [90]
--[X] Construct Medium Warship Yard Nya Kopenhamn [90]
--[X] Construct Medium Warship Yard Nowa Warzsawa [90]
--[X] Construct Medium Warship Yard Okusawa [90]
--[X] Construct Large Warship Yard Glorreich* [90]
--[X] Construct Large Warship Yard New Port Royal* [90]
--[X] Construct Large Warship Yard New Castor* [90]
--[X] Construct Large Warship Yard Nowy Wroclaw* [90]
--[X] Construct Large Warship Yard Bari [->1]
--[X] Construct Large Warship Yard Shin Tokyo [->1]
--[X] Construct Large Warship Yard New Libertalia [->1]
--[X] Construct Large Warship Yard Pieklo [->1]
--[X] Upgrade Refit & Repair Yard [105]
--[X] Expand Orbital Shipyards [105]
-[X] DoME [$ 400,000,000,000.00 ]
--[X] Terraforming Nouvelle Bourgogne* [90]
--[X] Terraforming Sturmland* [90]
--[X] Terraforming Nowego Lublina* [90]
--[X] Terraforming Hot Mess [->1]
--[X] Terraforming Baddorando [->1]
--[X] Terraforming Nowy Szczecin [->1]
--[X] Terraforming Nueva Chiapas [->1]
--[X] Terraforming Salamander [->1]
--[X] Terraforming New Portland [->1]
--[X] Terraforming Highland [->1]
--[X] DoME Team to NRR*
--[X] DoME Team to NRI*
--[X] Planetary Optimization (Peripheral) - Porto Milano [->1]
-[X] Research [$ 132,500,000,000,000.00 ]
--[X] Prototype Lithium-Fusion Battery II* [->8]
--[X] Economic Forecasting lvl 3 [->2]
--[X] Materials Research Lvl 10 [95]
--[X] Life Extension Therapy Lvl 7* [auto]
--[X] Military Drone Theory II* [->3]
--[X] Military Drone Design II* [->3]
--[X] Military Drone Control Systems II* [->3]
--[X] Military Drone Handling Systems II* [->3]
--[X] Commercial R&D
--[X] Industrial R&D
-[X] Miscellaneous [$ 258,370,000,000.00 ]
--[X] Culture [$ 122,000,000,000.00 ]
---[X] Culture - Charity Concert
---[X] Increase Funding to Trade Attaches
--[X] Production Contract [134,370,000,000]
--[X] Emergency Lasers [2,000,000,000.00]
Your analysts are continuing to work on the Inner Sphere Almanac. You have a complete index, but are missing the majority of the actual articles as the Almanac consists of over twenty volumes each year, and you only have two. You still are gleaning a great deal of information, although much is, granted, speculative.
For example, the immediate aftermath of the fall of the Star League appears to consist of the collapse of the Terran Hegemony, followed by the Succession War, with subheadings for the Federated Suns - Draconis Combine front, the Lyran Commonwealth - Draconis Combine Front, the Free Worlds League - Capellan Confederation Front, and the Free Worlds League - Lyran Commonwealth Front. There apparently was then an extended Cold War, with subheadings highlighting major confrontations during this period that appear to be more flashpoints and raids than actual invasions, then the Ten Minute War, and, which appears to have still been ongoing in 3033 as of the publication of the Almanac, the Great War.
The included maps show minimal to no details within the Free Worlds League, only noting that none-FWL traffic is forbidden. Of particular interest to your analysts are the large number of systems listed as ‘Restricted - Naval Shipyard’.
Your great-aunt is one of the historians who are pouring over the data, so you are certain she’ll let you know if anything important is discerned. In the meantime, the Pan-Griffon Games are beginning, and your eldest granddaughter is participating in the mountain biking events.
Granted, she’s nineteen, but she’ll be racing a mountain bike down a mountain wearing sneakers, a helmet, elbow and knee pads, and a helmet cam. A smile is optional. In your opinion it’s ridiculously dangerous, and you know that the Imperial Guard agrees, but she had been quite adamant about this and in the end she’d won the argument.
Still, that is an issue for Future-You, not Present-You, since the mountain biking event isn’t for a few months. The opening ceremony for the Pan-Griffon Games, this year held on Novolar, is quite impressive, returning to the pomp and ceremony of previous such ceremonies rather than the raucous party of the recent games on Okusawa. They still manage to put on an exceptional show.
There have been a series of massive clashes between your raiding forces and the Black Steel, with thankfully relatively moderate losses on both sides considering the intensity of the fighting. You have lost a number of older model cruisers and battlecruisers, as well as several squadrons of destroyers and a large number of parasites, but all-in-all your admirals consider the battles to be a net victory for the Empire, with the Black Steel being forced to retreat in every instance rather than driving off your raiders.
Black Steel scouting forces are sniffing around the Arvum system again, although your analysts are divided as to whether or not they’ll strike there yet again or choose a different target. As all of the most likely targets are receiving substantial increases in both fixed and mobile defenses, your admirals are confident in the Empire’s ability to withstand any assault.
Anti-Piracy actions are continuing in the Fringe, with a number of your old Dido-class light cruisers distinguishing themselves as pirate hunters. First Corps has remained in the region as a ready ground force and has assisted in a number of minor surface actions against pirate outposts.
There have been no recent reports of that ‘Fedcom Aegis’, either confirmed or not. Your forces are finding evidence of past attacks by that ship, but the reports tend to be… contradictory and confusing.
A somewhat macabre discovery has been made in an otherwise empty system in the Fringe, an ancient Princess-class luxury liner dropship was discovered drifting without any power by your patrols. There was no sign of damage to the vessel, and the builder’s plate indicates that it was one of the oldest ships of that class, dating back to 2660. The last entry in the log dates from 2670 and indicates that there had been a catastrophic misjump and the jumpship it had been attached to had been destroyed and that life support was failing. The crew and passengers were discovered frozen to death. However there were a number of extreme oddities. For one thing, while the clothing and uniforms and such appear to indicate a normal distribution of ages among the passengers and crew, all of the bodies are that of children, ranging from infants to pre-teens. There is absolutely nothing in the logs to explain this, although the handwriting of the logs abruptly becomes far more indicative of a child writing it than an adult.
Your scientists are classifying this as an extremely bizarre and odd case of a catastrophic misjump and KF shenanigans.
A number of representatives of the various Agriworlds of the Empire have come to Griffon to petition the crown, specifically over the poor economic conditions on those worlds. They are among the poorest planets in the Empire, despite their critical role in feeding the teeming masses in the Core Worlds. Per-Capita GDP drops to as low as under $800 on some of them, and they are experiencing increasing issues with finding sufficient workers at the wages they are able to pay, considering the low prices they get for their output.
They are not, however, requesting handouts or artificial subsidies, rather they are requesting that the Empire invest in the base infrastructure of these planets, assisting in building roads, irrigation networks, drop ports, and the like. Currently the system governments here are barely able to maintain the bare minimum of such on the meager tax revenues available, and the representatives believe that with Imperial support they’ll be able to redirect those tax revenues into diversifying and improving the overall economy without losing the ability to serve as breadbaskets for the Empire.
[]
Action
Argument
Result
[]
Make the investment
These farmers and ranchers quite literally feed the entire Empire, allowing your more industrialized worlds to produce war material and consumer goods to drive your military and economy. They still need to pay their own bills, however, and despite the universal demand bulk food prices have remained extremely low. While you do subsidize agriculture in general, this is an empire-wide thing, rather than limited to the agriworlds, and is geared more towards small ‘truck farms’ than the larger operations, mostly still family owned, on those worlds.
A long time ago, when we were limited to just the Griffon system, and indeed before we became interplanetary, we provided just the sort of assistance that these farmers are asking for now. Doing so will be the best of both worlds, allowing for the continued production of inexpensive high-quality foodstuffs to keep the Empire fed while allowing the farmers and ranchers to live on the proceeds of their labor.
Will cost $10,000,000.00 per year per Agriworld
Currently this will total $30,000,000.00
Prevents certain events
-1 Imperial Economy
+1 Politics
[]
They are on their own
If they can’t survive on the prices offered, then they shouldn’t sell, it’s as simple as that. While rising prices would cause issues across the economy, that is simply the price of letting the free-market run. Subsidizing anything further, even such supposedly ‘common good’ items as roads, drop ports, and irrigation systems, is simply a slippery slope towards everybody begging for handouts. We must hold the line here and take the hit if need be.
There still hasn’t been any major Black Steel attacks, although recon activity continuing to tick upwards. Your admirals are confident that they have distributed their resources in the most efficient and effective manner, all that remains is the hardest part, the waiting.
Add in that your granddaughter’s is competing in her first heat of the Pan-Griffon Games, where she manages to do well enough to progress on to the next heat a few days later. The mass start is predictably chaotic, although the course is exceptionally wide at the start and only narrows the further down the mountain you get. She manages not to fall, unlike many of the other competitors, and doesn’t suffer any flat tires or bike damage, so she finishes in the top ten in her heat overall, and second in the women’s category which is quite impressive.
Although still frightening to watch, especially when the course becomes incredibly twisty and tight, or during the chaos of the mass start itself.
The Department of Periphery Studies is in the local news once more, as the distinguished tenured faculty have evidently decided that magic is real and that they are all magicians. However, this appears to mostly involve running around throwing rubber balls at each other while screaming ‘LIGHTNING BOLT’ and wearing funny hats and ‘robes’ that appear to mostly be of the ‘bath’ variety. It’s one of their more harmless bits of shenanigans, but it was a relatively slow news day so the local newscasts were covering it.
Nuova Tripoli is experiencing an unusually severe storm season coming right after an unusually dry local summer, resulting in large numbers of wildfires. Thanks to proper forestry management, these fires are mostly of the ‘brush’ variety, burning up what little underbrush there is since the last fire and mostly serving to strengthen the mature trees by burning off parasites like the local variety of bark beetle. A small number become crown fires, but the authorities are fully on top of them and do not require any Imperial assistance.
On the other side of the Empire a serial killer has been caught in the Salamander system, leading to a minor PR triumph for the Imperial Grifftiger Mounted Police as they’d managed to track down and stop him before he committed another gruesome murder while rescuing his prospective victim in the process. The case is in the hands of the judicial system right now, and in your opinion the evidence is overwhelming.
The single most pointless smuggling operation in the history of pointless smuggling operations has been busted in the Iskra system. The items being smuggled were not only completely legal, exceptionally common, and of very little intrinsic value, but the sheer amount of work that went into setting up the operation exceeded the cost of simply purchasing a plot of land and growing their own.
Who smuggles bananas to a world with the largest banana plantations in the Empire? The initial theory was that the criminals involved were simply testing the system and planning on smuggling actually illegal items next, but interrogations reveal that no, their entire plan was to smuggle bananas and sell them to banana growers and somehow this would lead to a profit. The fact that they were literally buying the already shipped bananas from the Iskra system in the Grand View system, smuggling them back to the Iskra system, and trying to sell them to the very people who’d grown said bananas in the first place… well, it’s simply bananas. It appears that the people behind this simply completely misunderstood the concept of the velocity of money.
Parliament is in session and they are currently working on the Communications Act of 3070. Mass production of HPG generators has reached a level where it would be commercially viable for private industry to setup, operate, and maintain their own HPG networks on a commercial basis, competing with the current government monopoly on HPG communications. Allowing such a market to form would have significant benefits to the economic growth of the Empire, but would have security and tax implications that may outweigh that benefit.
[]
Action
Argument
Effect
[]
Support the Communications Act of 3070
While it is true that the government monopoly on HPG communications has been beneficial to the Empire as a whole, it is also true that we live in an otherwise mostly free market economy, with monopolies permitted in only the most serious circumstances. A well-regulated competitive market generally provides superior services and generates superior economic results.
While there are valid security concerns, especially in regards to counter-intelligence threats, the legislation as written addresses this by requiring all prospective providers to be licenced and regulated by the Empire, with counter-intelligence requirements built into the license terms. Your intelligence bureau would be able to freely scan and monitor all traffic through these private nodes, just as they do for the current government nodes.
Finally, the economic benefits of this will quickly offset the relatively minor loss in tax revenues from the government network having to compete with private networks.
It should be noted that this proposal applies solely to full-sized planet based HPG generators, not to mobile or ground-mobile systems used by the Military, and the regulations would preclude the use of high-order encryption.
Creates a new Imperial Communications Commission to oversee and regulate commercial HPG companies
Base cost of $1,000,000,000.00 per system in the Empire
Reduces the Tax Rate bonus from HPGs from .00001*number of HPGs to .000075*number of HPGs
Increases Econ growth rates of all systems by .0001*System Wealth Rating
This will result in a between .01% and .07% increase in system GDP growth each turn going forward
Reduces Counter-Intel Level by 1
+1 Politics
+1 Economic Event
-1 Approval Change
Unlocks certain events
[]
Oppose the Communications Act of 3070
The current system works exceptionally well, is available at extremely reasonable rates to all citizens of the Empire, and has a remarkable history of stability and safety. There is no real reason to change what is currently working just to pursue a few lofty aspirations.
The current monopoly insures that all systems in the Empire receive the same quality of service, no matter if they are one of the oldest Core Worlds, the capital, or the most recently colonized Peripheral World. Any citizen, any where in the Empire, can walk into any HPG office at any time that they are open, which are the same hours at every station, and for the same fee transmit a message anywhere else in the Empire. With the always on Academic and Commercial HPG networks we have even extended this service to an empire-wide data network that operates at an impressively low latency and high bandwidth, all things considered.
Moreover, while the legislation does make a reasonable attempt to address security concerns, the fact is that an HPG generator in private hands is a counter-intelligence nightmare, because while they may be required on paper to follow reasonable security guidelines, in practice it would be nearly impossible to guarantee full compliance. In the end we would be leaving a major segment of our communications security in the hand of the least scrupulous and most greedy person in the industry, a recipe for future disaster.
Your granddaughter has made it through the quarter and semi-final heats for the mass start downhill mountain bike race and will be in the finals in a few months. She’s had a few minor spills, but thankfully hasn’t been actually injured beyond a few minor scrapes and bruises. Having made it to the finals she is practically guaranteed a place on the Griffon Olympic Team as at least an alternate.
You are quite proud of her, even if your heart is in your throat everytime the starting gun sounds and the races begin. In a race vehicle you at least have roll cages and/or proper safety equipment, and permanent injuries from accidents are vanishingly rare. In mountain biking there have been deaths in multiple events the last several years, although proportionally the death/injury rate is actually comparable to the motorcycle racing events.
Still doesn’t mean you have to like it.
There is one extremely concerning bit of news, a Black Steel scout squadron was engaged by the system defenses in the New Arcadia system in the far southwest of the Empire, well to the galactic south of any previous Black Steel activity. Home Fleet has made use of the massive carrying capacity of the Rawalpindis to shift a number of additional Artemis Planetary Defense Flotillas down that way, but your analysts believe that this is primarily an attempt by the Black Steel to get you to shift forces away from their intended attack vector. Your raiding forces, after all, have not detected any Black Steel fleet movements through the region of space that they are operating in, and any such major movement would pretty much have to go through that region. A small scouting squadron can slip through, but a major fleet would be detected.
Still, you are glad to see that your commanders are being diligent and cautious, without taking their eyes off of the prize.
A serious disease outbreak in the Imobiliar system is causing some serious issues on that relatively newly settled world. Your medical teams are already in the process of isolating the disease vector and working on a cure, and report that they believe they’ll have the outbreak controlled by the new year. Thankfully the disease, while debilitating and uncomfortable, has a very low mortality rate with the worst symptom being that it causes severe intestinal gas build ups of extremely odiferous gas that makes a ‘normal’ fart seem like perfume, and which rivals the legendary stink of a skunk for sheer awful smells.
Late night comedians are having a field day with bad fart jokes. Some of which are even funny.
It is now time for your budget meeting for the year.
Amaunet is back and looking smug as ever. “Padrone, the military continues to be in superb shape, with production levels rising and the main concern, budget wise, being training. General?” The big cat nods to General Zara who takes the podium.
“Your Majesty,” the fireplug of an Italian begins. “We are continuing a slow and steady buildup of our ground forces in order to meet our projected future needs. We are in better shape than others for the purposes of training infrastructure, but will be soon adding additional training divisions as our growth accelerates.”
Imperial Griffon Army
Procurement
15 Garrison Divisions
15 Militia Divisions
25 Infantry Divisions
5 Heavy Combat Team Divisions
General Perkins then takes over, and you are quite glad to see that there seems to be no lingering signs of the previous tension between the two men. “Your Majesty, our training issues are being addressed by the Navy, so in general we remain cautiously optimistic about the situation. Loss rates have been slightly below projections, which are resulting in obvious benefits for force expansion.”
Imperial Griffon Aerospace Force
Production
Construct New ASF Factories
Glorreich
Shin Tōkyō
Kurortas
Raj
Pustina
Platzregensburg
Pryyemnyy
Awha
Bāṛi
Bellaterra
Procurement
100 Fighter Wings
100 Carrier Wings
50 CAP Wings
50 Interceptor Wings
Admiral Savić then takes over, while as has been typical lately Admiral Fisher remains at the table watching. “Your Majesty, as General Perkins alluded to, we are intending to expand our training capacity by adding ten new Wolverine-class Training Ships. We believe that there are sufficient ASF capable dropships available for training purposes at this time, with the nearly two-hundred oldest Saipans which are considered unfit for combat purposes yet still capable of operational training being formally assigned permanently to that duty.”
She brings up the first of the extremely long, yet quite interesting, presentation about the Navy’s budget requests.
Imperial Griffon Navy
Production
Orbital Shipyards
Upgrade All Orbital Shipyards
Refit & Repair Yards
Upgrade All Refit & Repair Yards
Escort Yards
Nowy Szczecin
Baddorando
Sturmland
Neubayern
Neuhessen
Nouvelle Bourgogne
Nuova Lombardia
Skała
Stahlfurt
Griff's Leap
Kurortas
Olej
Pinball
Pryyemnyy
Nashornland
The Hub
Nuova Puglia
Nuovo Abruzzo
Stenen Tuin
Nyū Shikoku
Nuova Tripoli
Catachan
Neuthüringen
Nowe Mazowsze
Nox
Platzregensburg
Porto Milano
Landprettig
New Algiers
New Clew Bay
Nubifragio
Bellaterra
Highland
New Arcadia
New Portland
Hot Mess
New Narnia
Nueva Chiapas
Nowego Lublina
Salamander
Small Warship Yards
Griffon
Calliope IV
Edelsteine
Nowa Warszawa
Awha
Kaiyo
Iskra
Bohren
Feurstern
Novolar
Grand View
Kainga
New Capricorn
Pustina
Steingarten
Raj
Chuma
Medium Warship Yards
New Pollux
New Phoenix
Nya Köpenhamn
Nowy Śląsk
Okusawa
Large Warship Yards
Bāṛi
Shin Tōkyō
New Libertalia
Piekło
Procurement
Standard Dropships
400 Artemis-class System Defense Flotillas
237 Wright-class Dockable ASF Platforms
237 Colt-class Defense Blisters
Large Dropships
359 Kearsarge-class Parasite Battleships
60 Mashu-class Parasite Logistics Transports
Jumpships
24 Rawalpindi-class Armed Merchant Cruisers
Escorts
200 Battle-class Destroyers
60 Legend-class Frigates
60 White Plains-class Escort Carriers
50 Tarantul-class Missile Raiders
50 Asheville-class Raiders
10 Wolverine-class Training Ships
Small Warships
50 Belfast-class Light Cruisers
50 Phoenix-class Light Cruisers
50 Atlanta-class Light Cruisers
20 Centaur-class Light Carriers
Medium Warships
25 Prinz Eugen II-class Heavy Cruisers
25 Hawke-class Heavy Cruisers
10 Akagi-class Medium Carriers
Large Warships
16 Kaiserin-class Battleships
16 Lion-class Battlecruisers
Fortress Command
10 Arx Defense Stations
10 Fortress Heavy Recharge Stations
5 Spartoi Defense Clusters
30 Laser Turret clusters
Black Towers
Nox
Olej
Glorreich
Pryyemnyy
Novolar
Sensor Satellite Shell
Nya Köpenhamn
Once she takes her seat Elizabeth bounds up to the podium, obviously deciding that she needs to be more energetic to make up for the approaching Death By Boredom that is lurking in the wings.
“Your Majesty, let me start with some DoME teams. We have only three idle at the moment and for the first time in several decades we will not be recommending the initiation of any terraforming operations, rather two will be dedicated to building the required support facilities for a Capital Yard in the form of army and naval bases in the Nya Köpenhamn system while the remaining one will be constructing the next Capital Yard in the Nowa Warszawa system.”
She then checks her notes. “Next, for economic planning, we have the following recommendations.”
Economic Planning, Investment, Infrastructure
Focus Development
Core World
Shin Tōkyō
Periphery
Nox
Massive Investment
Core
Bohren
Periphery
Platzregensburg
Major Investment
New Castor
New Capricorn
Pustina
Kurortas
Novolar
Economic Investment
New Algiers
New Clew Bay
Nuova Tripoli
Neubayern
Hot Mess
Infrastructure & Economic Zones
Salamander
Highland
Gateway
Cần Thơ mới
Nuova Basilicata
“Finally we have a number of survey targets to the East of the Empire. We have limited astronomical data on these systems, but have never really studied them before.”
Survey
GX-I39
A somewhat dim red dwarf primary with evidence of high interplanetary dust levels in the system. There is believed to at least be some gas giants present in the habitable zone, which might mean habitable moons.
GX-I40
A main sequence orange star which is just slightly smaller than average for the type. There are believed to be habitable planets present, but little detail can be discerned
GX-I41 A
Another main sequence orange star, this one shows signs of some variability, with indications that it can brighten to yellow at times based on estimations of the astrochemistry.
GX-I41 B
An extremely large and massive blue hypergiant that is a seething ball of plasma that practically blinds any telescope pointed at it without adequate optical shielding. Surveying this system may be challenging, but it would be an amazing recharge point.
Tiberius has managed to avoid the meeting, claiming to be busy with soothing the egos of some members of Parliament. He once again, however, graces you with a haiku…
Bureaucrat - A Haiku
by Tiberius
Freezing wintertime
A tiny bureaucrat grows
after the almond
OK… he wants to expand the civil service some more. Why can’t he just say so in plain English?
Your Foreign Minister has a much better excuse to be absent, as she is present at a diplomatic summit in the Bourbon capital soothing some ruffled feathers among the nobles there who are still upset that you’ve encircled them. She sends you a memo requesting funding for sports camps as well as a German oktoberfest styled cultural festival.
By tradition… oh please dear God save us all… the most boring man in the universe takes the podium and proceeds to open up the most boring Powerpoint in the history of boring Powerpoints, evidently made ten times more boring as he attempts to justify funding a project you rejected last year for being too expensive with extensive cost-benefit-time studies all rendered in the most amazingly boring monotone ever without any evidence of any pauses, inflections, pitch changes, or any sign that there is a human being at the podium and not some computer just soullessly reciting Words.
The presentation lasts for over three hours, and in the end all you can really say is that you at least know what two projects he wants you to pursue, namely Genetic Engineering and Improved Automation.
Sine Day is present, although she has no new projects for you to consider, she at least is suffering alongside you through the boring.
Martina is also present, although she does have a pair of budget requests. First, the expansion of the High-Security Prison station in the Griff’s Leap system, and second the expansion of the Imperial Grifftiger Mounted Police.
---[X] 10 Fortress Class Defense Station [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 77
Result – SUCCESS
---[X] Construct Black Tower
----[X] Nox [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 19
Result – SUCCESS
----[X] Olej [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 34
Result – SUCCESS
----[X] Glorreich [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 2
Result – SUCCESS
----[X] Pryyemnyy [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 84
Result – SUCCESS
----[X] Novolar [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 88
Result – SUCCESS
---[X] 5 Spartoi Clusters [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 83
Result – SUCCESS
---[X] Build Sensor Shell
----[X] Nya Kopenhamn [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 89
Result – SUCCESS
---[X] 30 Laser Turret Clusters [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 71
Result – SUCCESS
-[X] General [$ 42,138,350,000,000.00 ]
--[X] Focus Development on Core World Shin Tokyo [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 17
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Focus Development on Peripheral World Nox [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 8
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Massive Core Investment Bohren [85]
Target – 85
Roll - 31
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Massive Peripheral Investment Platzregensburg [85]
Target – 85
Roll - 22
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Economic Investment (90)
---[X] New Algiers [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 37
Result – SUCCESS
---[X] New Clew Bay [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 36
Result – SUCCESS
---[X] Nuova Tripoli [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 36
Result – SUCCESS
---[X] Neubayern [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 61
Result – SUCCESS
---[X] Hot Mess [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 6
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Major Economic Investment (90)
---[X] New Castor [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 16
Result – SUCCESS
---[X] Pustina [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 37
Result – SUCCESS
---[X] Novolar [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 71
Result – SUCCESS
---[X] Kurortas [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 48
Result – SUCCESS
---[X] New Capricorn [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 88
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Infrastructure and Industrial zones on
---[X] Can Tho Moi [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 61
Result – SUCCESS
---[X] Salamander [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 37
Result – SUCCESS
---[X] Highland [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 61
Result – SUCCESS
---[X] Gateway[90]
Target – 90
Roll - 12
Result – SUCCESS
---[X] Nuova Basilicata [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 27
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Imperial Outreach [-]
--[X] Expand High Security Prison - Griff's Leap [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 16
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Expand Imperial Grifftiger Mounted Police [85]
Target – 85
Roll - 8
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Major Cultural Venues* [80]
Target – 80
Roll – 71
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Build ASF Factory Complex (95)
---[X] Glorreich [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 91
Result – SUCCESS
---[X] Shin Tōkyō [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 37
Result – SUCCESS
---[X] Kurortas [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 36
Result – SUCCESS
---[X] Raj [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 95
Result – SUCCESS
---[X] Pustina [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 90
Result – SUCCESS
---[X] Platzregensburg [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 37
Result – SUCCESS
---[X] Pryyemnyy [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 21
Result – SUCCESS
---[X] Awha [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 47
Result – SUCCESS
---[X] Bāṛi [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 37
Result – SUCCESS
---[X] Bellaterra [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 39
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Survey GX-I39 [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 16
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Survey GX-I40 [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 1
Result – Critical SUCCESS
--[X] Survey GX-I41 A [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 84
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Survey GX-I41 B [90]
Target – 90
Roll – 100, Jarow reroll - 98
Result – SUCCESS (with Complications)
--[X] Expand Civil Service [80]
Target – 80
Roll - 71
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Nowy Szecin [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 31
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Baddorando [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 23
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Sturmland [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 81
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Neubayern [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 3
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Neuhessen [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 84
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Nouvelle Bourgogne [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 71
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Nuova Lombardia [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 73
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Skala [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 58
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Stahlfurt [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 49
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Griff's Leap [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 63
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Przyjemny [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 1
Result – Critical SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Olej [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 87
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Pinball [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 16
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Pryyemnyy [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 37
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Nashornland [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 88
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Escort Yard The Hub [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 61
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Nuova Puglia [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 18
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Nuovo Abruzzo [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 27
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Stenen Tuin [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 22
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Nyu Shikoku [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 31
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Nuova Tripoli [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 29
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Catachan [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 19
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Neuthuringen [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 38
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Nowe Mazsowsze [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 88
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Nox [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 64
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Platzregensburg [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 81
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Porto Milano [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 13
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Landprettig [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 51
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Escort Yard New Algiers [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 14
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Escort Yard New Clew Bay [90]
Target – 90
Roll – 100, ShadowArxxy reroll - 4
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Nubifrgio [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 84
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Bellaterra [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 11
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Highland [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 2
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Escort Yard New Arcadia [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 27
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Escort Yard New Portland [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 81
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Hot Mess [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 41
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Escort Yard New Narnia [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 8
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Nueva Chiapas [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 17
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Nowego Lubina [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 49
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Salamander [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 81
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Griffon [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 22
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Calliope [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 16
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Edelsteine [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 30
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Nowa Warzsawa [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 28
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Chuma [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 87
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Awha [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 61
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Kaiyo [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 55
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Iskra [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 29
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Bohren [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 71
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Feurstern [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 77
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Novolar [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 31
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Grand View [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 22
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Kainga [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 28
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard New Capricorn [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 6
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Pustina [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 59
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Steingarten [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 37
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Raj [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 71
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Medium Warship Yard New Pollux [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 80
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Medium Warship Yard New Phoenix [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 39
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Medium Warship Yard Nya Kopenhamn [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 67
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Medium Warship Yard Nowy Slask [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 69
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Medium Warship Yard Okusawa [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 81
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Large Warship Yard Bari* [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 82
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Large Warship Yard Shin Tokyo* [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 16
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Large Warship Yard New Libertalia* [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 31
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Construct Large Warship Yard Pieklo* [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 28
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Upgrade Refit & Repair Yard [105]
Target – 105
Roll - 98
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Expand Orbital Shipyards [105]
Target – 105
Roll - 99
Result – SUCCESS
-[X] DoME [$ 4,040,000,000,000.00 ]
--[X] Terraforming Hot Mess* [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 89
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Terraforming Baddorando* [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 12
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Terraforming Nowy Szczecin* [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 37
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Terraforming Nueva Chiapas* [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 22
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Terraforming Salamander* [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 41
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Terraforming New Portland* [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 42
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Terraforming Highland* [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 19
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] DoME Team to NRR*
--[X] DoME Team to NRI*
--[X] Planetary Optimization (Peripheral) - Porto Milano* [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 83
Result – SUCCESS
-[X] Research [$ 195,000,000,000,000.00 ]
--[X] Improved Automation Lvl 11 [100]
Target – 100
Roll - 91
Result – SUCCESS
--[X] Commercial R&D [-]
--[X] Industrial R&D [-]
-[X] Miscellaneous [$ 227,390,000,000.00 ]
--[X] Culture [$ 91,020,000,000.00 ]
---[X] Local Games [-]
---[X] German Cultural Festival [70]
Target – 70
Roll – 81, General reroll - 69
Result – SUCCESS
While your granddaughter doesn’t earn a podium finish in the finals of the mountain bike race, she does do exceptionally well, finishing in the top ten and definitively earning herself a spot on the Griffon Olympic Team. You are quite proud of her, while still being utterly convinced that she is completely insane and should be locked up for her own good, because being such an adrenaline junkie as to ride down a mountain on a fragile little bike in the suit that you were issued with at birth is madness as far as you are concerned.
The Pan-Griffon Games in general have been very successful this year, with some very spirited competition and no real issues encountered. Ratings were excellent and the athletes clearly were enjoying the competition.
The program to build major cultural and athletic venues throughout the Empire goes quite well, being received very positively by the population and causing a massive boom in economic and tourist activity as people flock to the new facilities. Here in the Griffon system, off-duty DoME teams assisted with the project in their spare time, resulting in something called the Sky Needle, an enormous megastructure that is so tall that the top thousand floors had to be built more along the lines of a space station than a building. It is not quite a space elevator, as the top is ‘technically’ at a sub-orbital altitude, but dropships can easily dock at the top without having to reenter the atmosphere, so it basically counts as one.
In a bit of exceptionally good news, orbital construction crews in the Przyjemny system have discovered an incredibly useful iron asteroid that is of just the perfect configuration to serve as the best anchor for escort shipyards. As a consequence, it is far easier to build such yards in this system then just about anywhere else in the Empire, proven when with the same resources normally needed to build a single new slip the construction teams are able to build two. QM Note - this is the result of two things, first the QM messed up and had a Core world still only getting Escort yards. That has been corrected by giving said Core world a Small Warship Yard this turn and switching the Escort yard to Przyjemny, and then I went and rolled a critical success on that exact yard. Going forward, whenever you build an Escort yard in the Przyjemny system the rating will go up by 2 instead of 1.
The civil service expansion actually goes extremely smoothly this year, which is a bit of a relief as hopefully this will mean that Tiberius will stop trying to write haikus.
Overall construction of new shipyards and such goes very well, and the general result of the economic planning this year has been more than satisfactory, especially in conjunction with the expected economic boom from the new cultural venues. The military is reporting no issues with the new construction this year as well, which is always good news.
Three out of four of your survey missions this year go quite well indeed.
GX-I39 is remarkable for the sheer number of rivers present on the otherwise Pangea-like supercontinent which graces the large habitable moon present in the system, orbiting one of the super-Jupiters in the habitable zone of the star. Resource-wise there is nothing remarkable about the system and so the survey crews have dubbed the place Nowa Rzeka, or ‘New River’.
The survey teams investigating GX-I40 are stunned by the rugged beauty of the exceptionally mineral-rich habitable earth-like planet in the system. The climate is glorious, the soil is fertile, the native life forms are actually relatively advanced mammals, quite similar to those of the Miocene epoch, including primitive apes. Thankfully most of the wildlife is concentrated in the large, fertile plains leaving the rugged mountains free for colonization without fear of disrupting the local ecosystem too much. Survey crews have named the system Bergheim, or Mountain Home, because of this.
The teams at GX-I41-A find a very frigid world only marginally habitable. The system is somewhat lacking in resources as well, making for a rather miserable place with one exception… The place is an amazing site for skiing and other such winter sports. Therefore that system has been dubbed Eisabfall, or Ice Waste, by the survey teams.
Unfortunately the survey work in GX-I41-B ends in tragedy. As expected, the system possesses an enormous raging blue hypergiant as the primary with no useful planetary bodies of any kind, especially considering the radiation environment. Unfortunately contact was lost with the survey ship not long after transmission of confirmation of the hostile environment and a follow-on investigation by the Navy discovered the ship adrift and extremely irradiated. It appears that while transiting back to the jump point from deeper in-system the survey ship was struck by an enormous burst of radiation from the star. The raw intensity of the burst overwhelmed the anti-radiation measures in place on the vessel and appears to have killed the entire crew instantly as well as utterly destroying all the electronics on board. Raging fires sparked by this completed the work started by it, and the ship is a constructive total loss. Salvage has been deemed too dangerous, and the investigators quite hastily departed the system. Waypoint 11 has been marked on the charts as far too dangerous to use, even as a recharge point.
DoME reports excellent results from their many terraforming projects this year, significantly improving those systems that they’ve been assigned to.
Work on improved automation techniques has been completed, boosting overall industrial efficiency. Thanks solely to the combination of excellent social-services and your superb education system the disruption to employment has, for now, proven minimal. The margin for such is shrinking, however, which is an area of future concern.
You are starting to get rather nervous about what the Black Steel is up to. Engagements in the raiding region have trailed off to nearly nothing, yet Black Steel scouts are continuing to harass worlds in the northeast quadrant of the Empire. Worse, the scouts are new classes of vessels that you’ve never seen before, which run whenever your forces attempt to engage them, depriving you of meaningful intel about their capabilities.
Anytime the Black Steel changed their patterns to this extent in the past was a prelude to a heavy attack somewhere, usually with some new, devastating, weapon or tactic. You have every confidence in the Navy, but it is still something that occasionally keeps you awake at night worrying.
One positive thing is that this is giving you time to get as many LasSats deployed as possible to the threatened region, although Home Fleet is mostly concentrating Artemis flotillas in adjacent areas on the theory that the small parasites are best used to cover rear areas and those less exposed to Black Steel attacks, freeing up heavier units for the most threatened regions.
Across the Empire, meanwhile, the economy is booming this year. Among other such good bits of news is that the Pinball system has been officially designated as a Core system, expanding your potential naval production base for heavier warships than Escorts. Pinball already is a minor producer of escorts and parasites, so this will be a nice new industry for them. However, despite the great news this year, there are some storm clouds on the horizon for the economy next year, as analysts suspect that the sheer exuberance of growth this year will lead to a bit of a correction next year.
The newly expanded IGMP faces an early test this year as an organized crime ring is busted in the Diamond March after they attempt, and fail, to slip sympathizers and members into the March government. The attempt is thwarted thanks to the excellent anti-corruption measures in place in the Empire, combined with the Empire’s reputation for being exceptionally diligent in rooting out such things. The trials are ongoing and are expected to result in a number of new inmates in the Griff’s Leap Penitentiary.
A series of extremely heavy storms have swept through the main inhabited planet in the Awha system, although thankfully damage was extremely light thanks to the extensive measures put in place by DoME in the past to contain such things. It still makes for some very spectacular video footage of furious winds, blazing sheets of lightning, and boiling clouds.
Speaking of DoME, you have plenty of teams awaiting their next assignments and they are plotting something…
You receive several status updates on the first of the Nagato-class, which is still under construction in the yard over Griffon. Progress is going very well and Admiral Fisher reports that he expects the ship to meet or exceed all specifications. However he is recommending that the first of the class be reserved as the Imperial Flagship, rather than assigned to Grand Fleet, on the grounds that such a powerful unit is the most suitable to serve as your transport in times of trouble. Most of the Admiralty appears to agree that this is most suitable, with even the current CO of Grand Fleet concurring.
Operationally speaking, a single ship of this size is actually less of a benefit and more of an anchor around the rest of the fleet, it simply is too valuable to risk, but too powerful to keep in reserve. Once you have several ships of the type the calculus rapidly changes, but with the first it becomes a simple question of risk/reward. If you lose the ship, you’ve completely lost the capability which you might have come to rely on due to just how potent the ship is.
Logistically speaking this would allow the Navy to conduct an extended shakedown of the design even after officially commissioning the vessel next year, thus permitting them to iron out any potential faults without exposing the ship to the front lines. It would also give the Quartermaster Corps time to fully evaluate the supply requirements of the ship in a controlled environment where errors are less damaging. Homeporting the ship out of the Griffon system would additionally insure that it remains close to your top ship designers and engineers, further amplifying the benefits of an extended shakedown.
[]
Action
[]
Accept the recommendation
[]
Decline the recommendation
On the diplomatic front your trade attaches in the Fringe have succeeded in arranging another trade route, this time for exotic fabrics and porcelain with a planet that appears to have modeled their culture and society on ancient China despite being of obviously African and Middle-Eastern ethnic heritage. It creates some fascinating combinations of art styles and has proven to have a rather niche, if profitable, market in the Empire.
You have also discovered one of your grandfathers and great-grandmothers' more amusing ‘annoyances’ is now directed at you, as apparently there is now a cult in the NRI devoted to you personally. You thought their complaints about this were a bit overblown, but now that you discover that there are heroic nude bronzes of, well, you, being worshiped in temples in the NRI you realize just how annoying and embarrassing this actually is. Your husband is no help, as he is of the opinion that they are simply giving you your due, while laughing his head off.
So you toss him through the Window of Defenestration a few times. Along with your kids. And your grandkids. And everybody else who keeps on laughingly pretending to ‘pray’ to ‘your magnificence’.
The long awaited, and feared, Black Steel attack strikes the Arvum system with tremendous force, with the single largest Black Steel fleet concentration ever seen. The ships themselves are significantly different in design, appearing extremely boxy and nearly modular, with radiation levels detected that would make them utterly lethal to any living crews.
Unfortunately those ships also have a number of new tricks up their sleeves, the worst of which were hundred-thousand ton parasite kamikazes that could accelerate at a blistering rate along with shocking agility, extremely thick armored hides, and massive point-defense. These kamikazes were found to have absolutely enormous nuclear self-destruct charges linked to impact triggers.
The initial stages of the battle were brutal, with Home Fleet spending lives like water simply trying to hold the Black Steel tide back.
Then it got worse.
Grand Fleet jumped in, as planned, and that is when the Black Steel sprung one of their own trump cards. No sooner had the Grand Fleet jumped into a pirate point to defend the system than a massive number of small Black Steel ships deliberately jumped right on top of them before they could clear the jump point, causing nearly catastrophic damage and ripping the guts out of Grand Fleet before they could even truly engage the enemy. These ships were jumping in from within the same system, so there was absolutely no warning as the pre-jump pulse occurred literally nanoseconds before the actual arrival, giving zero time to react.
Admiral Teijo was killed instantly, along with his flagship, and the Black Steel wasted no time exploiting the chaos this caused. More and more relatively light Black Steel ships jumped in, releasing the kamikaze parasites, and died. The fleet did their absolute best, and the exchange ratio was ridiculously lopsided in your favor, but the Black Steel had raw numbers on their side.
Grand Fleet died that day, but in dying they killed the Black Steel forces. Casualties were catastrophic on both sides. In the end, your navy held the line. Not a single missile, mass driver round, or energy weapon shot struck any civilian target in the system. Not a single Black Steel ship escaped to fight another day. But the losses. By God Almighty the losses.
Over two thousand warships lost. Almost three thousand parasites were destroyed. Four hundred wings of ASFs were obliterated to the last man.
And it cost you Admiral Fisher. As the reports came in the old admiral had sat there, listening, in silence. At some point during that litany of horror he died, still in his chair, and it took his aides almost a half hour to realize that he was no longer breathing and had passed away. An autopsy showed that he suffered a catastrophic heart attack that killed him instantly. He had to have been feeling the signs, but the stubborn old admiral had refused to show any weakness in this time of tragedy. Admiral de Palo is taking over for her former boss as the Chief of Naval Operations, and Admiral Savić has been assigned as the head of BuShips.
Unit
Number Lost
Kaiserin-class Battleship
100
Prinz Eugen II-class Heavy Cruiser
70
Belfast-class Light Cruiser
400
Guiseppe Garibaldi-class Light Cruiser
100
Worcester-class Light Cruiser
100
Atlanta-class Light Cruiser
100
White Plains-class Escort Carrier
60
Battle-class Destroyer
800
Tarantul-class Missile Raider
200
Asheville-class Raider
200
Artemis-class System Defense Flotilla
700
Wright-class Dockable ASF Platform
513
Colt-class Defense Blister
513
Kearsarge-class Parasite Battleship
421
Mikasa-class Parasite Battleship
750
Carrier Wing
200
Fighter Wing
100
CAP Wing
100
QM Note - losses are rounded down to the nearest multiple of 100 in many cases, mostly to keep my accounting easy but also as a benefit to the players. As a peak behind the scenes, the rolls for the battle were absolute garbage for Griffon the first time I did it, so I rerolled it, got garbage again, rerolled a second time, and while the rolls were better, the Black Steel rolled even better. And when I was rolling for damage control survival, you had a target number of 80 thanks to all your upgrades to damage control, the lowest number I rolled after multiple rerolls was an 87. The new dice bot really wanted you to suffer in this battle.
One very bright spot in this disaster was the performance of the fixed defenses of Fortress Command, especially the new LaSats. They proved remarkably effective against those Black Steel forces that tried to force their way past in order to attack civilian infrastructure. Plans are in work now to develop multiple variations on the theme, dubbed the BattleSat program. Initial results are expected early next year.
For the scale of losses suffered, the actual death rates among the spacers aren’t nearly as horrendous as in previous battles with the Black Steel. This time, the Black Steel never wasted a single shot on an escape capsule or lifeboat, unlike past experience.
It helps. A little.
Parliament is in session, but out of deference to the battle and the dead they focus on memorializing the fallen and ensuring that adequate funding is available for survivor benefits. It is rather welcome that they are neither seeking to exploit the casualties nor causing you any further headaches this year.
Scheduled vote count started by LordSunhawk on Aug 22, 2023 at 3:22 AM, finished with 13 posts and 13 votes.
The funeral for Admiral Fisher is a quiet and somber affair. In many ways, he was the soul of the Imperial Navy, having left his mark in all areas of naval affairs and shaping naval doctrine for decades. Admiral di Palo has huge shoes to fill, for all that Admiral Fisher was a small man.
After the funeral she does meet with you to go over a few details. BuShips had actually finished work early on the new BattleSat designs, at least the PPC, Missile and Point Defense ones. The naval gauss one was still utterly unsatisfactory due to the recoil shaking it apart. The design teams had been extremely motivated by the deaths of their admiral, after all, as they hadn’t expected to finish work for several months.
All three of the new drones share a common five thousand ton chassis with the only difference being the loadouts. The Naval PPC drone has a single Heavy Naval PPC along with batteries of 8cm pulse lasers. The Missile drone has a trio of Killer Whale launchers loaded with nuclear anti-ship missiles, again with batteries of 8cm pulse lasers for close-in defense. The Point Defense drone, despite its name, is intended to target enemy ASF drones, not missiles, and has enormous batteries of long range missiles backed up by equally massive batteries of 8cm extended range lasers.
She reports that the raiding activities of the Expeditionary and Strike fleets are continuing for now, pending a shift to the galactic ‘north’ that the Admiralty is recommending to take advantage of the hopefully weakened state of the Black Steel by hitting more substantial production facilities. Since both formations are still at full strength, Admiral di Palo believes that it is an acceptable risk to keep them in action rather than fully turtling up. The main issue is shifting your logistics train to support such action, but the Admiral believes that they’ll be ready to commence operations in that sector in the coming months.
The public mood is a sort of somber triumph, mixed with the sober understanding that this is not an easy war you are fighting. The Black Steel are, in many ways, a superior opponent to you, their ability to effectively ignore losses and their sheer adaptability make them especially dangerous.
You get the report on the losses suffered by your allies in the battle. The NRI lost over a hundred of their corvettes alongside Grand Fleet, while a further fifty were destroyed alongside Home Fleet in the initial actions. The NRR lost a hundred ASF wings as well.
You make a point of mentioning their losses in your various public appearances to show that your allies are standing foursquare with you in this conflict, and also ensure that appropriate gratitude is conveyed to your allies both publicly and privately.
You make the decision to continue the anti-piracy patrols, the ships used for that are all obsolete at this point anyways and wouldn’t add much to rebuilding Grand Fleet and are doing a great deal of good for the Empire doing precisely what they are doing right now.
You go into the budget meeting with a bit less enthusiasm than usual, knowing there will be at least one missing face. Amaunet kicks things off like she usually does. “Padrone, I won’t lie and say that we are in good shape this year, because we aren’t, but we are well positioned to recover from the blow struck against us and strike back even harder.”
General Zara then takes over. “Your Majesty, while the timing is less than happy, the Army is finally at a point where we need to expand our production capacity in order to fully support further growth.”
Imperial Griffon Army
Production
Build Mech Factory Complex
Griffon
Calliope IV
Glorreich
Shin Tōkyō
New Libertalia
New Capricorn
Edelsteine
Nox
Steingarten
Iskra
Construct Conventional Military Factory
Nya Köpenhamn
Nowy Wrocław
New Phoenix
New Pollux
New Port Royal
Neuhessen
Glorreich
Olej
Przyjemny
Skała
Expand Military Industrial Infrastructure
Neubayern
Neuhessen
Neuthüringen
Procurement
18 Garrison Divisions
18 Militia Divisions
25 Infantry Divisions
5 Regimental Combat Team Divisions
General Perkins is up next. “Your Majesty, the Aerospace Force took heavy losses on top of the 400 completely destroyed wings. Rebuilding our strength will take some time, but thankfully our production numbers are finally reaching a point where doing so is a matter of years, not decades.”
Imperial Griffon Aerospace Force
Production
Construct New ASF Factory
Glorreich
Shin Tōkyō
Kurortas
Raj
Pustina
Platzregensburg
Pryyemnyy
Awha
Bāṛi
Bellaterra
Procurement
100 Fighter Wing
100 Carrier Wing
50 CAP Wing
60 Garrison Wing
Admiral Savić looks less like the formidable young woman you are accustomed to seeing and more like a carved statue, her eyes glittering with carefully banked rage. “Your Majesty, the fleet is, on the whole, still fully committed to the defeat of the Black Steel and, despite our losses, we are confident that we can continue full intensity combat operations against them. This battle hurt us, deeply, but we will prevail.” Her voice burns with conviction, drawing approving nods from around the room.
Imperial Griffon Navy
Production
Orbital Shipyards
Expand All Orbital Shipyards
Refit & Repair Yards
Construct New Refit & Repair Yard
Przyjemny
Expand All Refit & Repair Yards
Escort Yards
Nowy Szczecin
Baddorando
Sturmland
Neubayern
Neuhessen
Nouvelle Bourgogne
Nuova Lombardia
Skała
Stahlfurt
Griff's Leap
Pusztaság
Olej
Przyjemny (Reminder, get 2 for the cost of 1)
Pryyemnyy
Nashornland
The Hub
Nuova Puglia
Nuovo Abruzzo
Stenen Tuin
Nyū Shikoku
Nuova Tripoli
Catachan
Neuthüringen
Nowe Mazowsze
Nox
Platzregensburg
Porto Milano
Landprettig
New Algiers
New Clew Bay
Nubifragio
Bellaterra
Highland
New Arcadia
New Portland
Hot Mess
New Narnia
Nueva Chiapas
Nowego Lublina
Salamander
Small Warship Yards
Griffon
Calliope IV
Edelsteine
Nowa Warszawa
Awha
Kaiyo
Iskra
Bohren
Feuerstern
Novolar
Grand View
Okusawa
New Capricorn
Pustina
Steingarten
Raj
Chuma
Kurortas
Piekło
Medium Warship Yards
New Pollux
New Phoenix
Nya Köpenhamn
Nowy Śląsk
Kainga
Large Warship Yards
Bāṛi
Shin Tōkyō
New Libertalia
Pinball
Procurement
Standard Dropships
400 Artemis-class System Defense Flotillas
229 Wright-class Dockable ASF Platforms
229 Colt-class Defense Blisters
Large Dropships
387 Kearsarge-class Parasite Battleships
60 Mashū-class Parasite Logistics Transports
Jumpships
24 Rawalpindi-class Armed Merchant Ship
Escorts
200 Battle-class Destroyers
50 Tarantul-class Missile Raider
50 Asheville-class Raider
130 Legend-class Frigates
60 White Plains-class Escort Carriers
1 Excelsior-class Survey Ship
Small Warships
50 Belfast-class Light Cruisers
50 Phoenix-class Light Cruisers
50 Atlanta-class Light Cruisers
18 Centaur-class Light Carriers
Medium Warships
25 Prinz Eugen II-class Heavy Cruisers
25 Hawke-class Heavy Cruisers
Large Warships
16 Kaiserin-class Battleships
16 Tiger-class Battlecruisers
Fortress Command
Drone Clusters
30 Laser BattleSats
30 Naval PPC BattleSats
30 Missile BattleSats
30 Point Defense BattleSats
Build Jump Point Defenses
Waypoint 11
Eisabfall
Bergheim
Nowa Rzeka
Arx Defense Stations
10
Fortress Heavy Recharge Stations
10
Black Tower
Waypoint 11
Eisabfall
Bergheim
Nowa Rzeka
Waypoint 1
Spartoi Defense Clusters
5
There is silence for a moment as the Admiral takes her seat, then you shake yourself, you’d half been expecting to hear Admiral Fisher interjecting like he sometimes did at this point. Instead you wait while Elizabeth Lee takes the podium.
“Your Majesty, we are going to take an unimaginable risk this year and leave a pair of DoME teams idle, simply because we’re going to need them next year to begin work on the new capital shipyards we are expecting to be able to start production of then.” It’s good to see that she’s still able to keep that old canard going, even now.
Department of Mega Engineering
Terraforming
Nouvelle Bourgogne
Hot Mess
Baddorando
Sturmland
Nowego Lublina
Optimization
Neubayern
“We intend to establish a trio of new colonies this year.” She continues.
Colonization
Nowa Rzeka
Bergheim
Eisabfall
She takes a breath and continues. “And even in the midst of this crisis, Your Majesty, the economy still needs attention to fuel future growth.”
Economic Focus, Investment & Infrastructure
Economic Focus
Core
Nowy Wrocław
Periphery
Olej
Massive Investment
Core
Okusawa
Periphery
Neubayern
Economic Investment
Nouvelle Bourgogne
New Narnia
Arvum
Neubayern
Hot Mess
Major Economic Investment
Nowa Warszawa
Kainga
Chuma
Kurortas
Novolar
Infrastructure & Industrial Zones
Imobiliar
Highland
Gateway
Cần Thơ mới
Nuova Basilicata
“There is one additional project that we are recommending this year, Your Majesty, the upgrading of our existing Germanium Refining facilities in order to ensure that we are able to produce sufficient jump cores for our warship production needs.”
Your Foreign Minister is on Nova Roma meeting with the consuls there. She has left you memos recommending funding a memorial monument for the fallen at the latest battle of Arvum, as well as urging you to still invest in sports camps for the upcoming Olympics as, after all, life does go on.
Tiberius is present at the meeting. You’d taken away his haiku generating books, but you probably didn’t need to as he looks serious for a change. “Your Majesty, I am actually going to strongly recommend against any expansion of the Civil Service this year, going against many years of tradition. Right now the Civil Service is about the right size, for the moment, and any larger risks creeping inefficiencies we can ill afford.”
Then the most boring person in the world takes the podium and proves that he is in fact just that socially clueless as to immediately begin droning on in that dreadful monotone about more details about ongoing projects than you ever wanted to hear. You really are not interested in his highlighting improved efficiencies due to more efficient bathroom placement, for God’s sake.
There are over a thousand slides in his boring Powerpoint presentation. One thousand, two hundred and thirty three to be precise, not including the fifty three slides of his references and endnotes, nor the seven hundred and twenty four page book he seemed to feel was the minimum level of critical data for you to make a decision.
You don’t even know what some of these words mean, and it is everything you can do to not fall asleep about a quarter way through the most boring presentation in the history of boring presentations.
You manage to glean out of this that there is a new military research project that all three branches are supporting to investigate more advanced missiles for your ASFs, BattleMechs, and Conventional Vehicles, not to mention for Fortress Command and Home Fleet.
Plan: Fisher's Memorial Plan
- Procurement [$ 11,541,369,336,002.90 ]
-- Lay Down Major Unit [Construction - $87,121,518,209.75 ] (95)
--- 400 Artemis [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 91
Result – SUCCESS
--- 229 Wright [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 62
Result – SUCCESS
--- 229 Colt [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 89
Result – SUCCESS
--- 387 Kearsage [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 94
Result – SUCCESS
--- 60 Mashu [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 3
Result – SUCCESS
-- Lay down Jumpship [Jumpship Construction - $17,434,639,200.00 ] (90)
--- 24 Rawalpindi [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 71
Result – SUCCESS
-- Lay down Warship [Warship Construction - $991,019,534,800.00 ] (90)
--- 200 Battle [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 49
Result – SUCCESS
--- 50 Tarantul [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 88
Result – SUCCESS
--- 50 Asheville [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 20
Result – SUCCESS
--- 60 White Plains [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 65
Result – SUCCESS
--- 130 Legend [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 38
Result – SUCCESS
--- 1 Excelsior [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 59
Result – SUCCESS
--- 50 Belfast [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 72
Result – SUCCESS
--- 50 Phoenix [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 69
Result – SUCCESS
--- 50 Atlanta [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 81
Result – SUCCESS
--- 18 Centaur [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 9
Result – SUCCESS
--- 25 Prinz Eugen II [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 16
Result – SUCCESS
--- 25 Hawke [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 12
Result – SUCCESS
--- 16 Kaiserin [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 51
Result – SUCCESS
--- 16 Lion [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 67
Result – SUCCESS
-- Purchase New Units [Minor Unit - $ 14,645,138,793.15 ] (90)
--- 100 Fighter Wing [auto]
--- 100 Carrier Wing [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 87
Result – SUCCESS
--- 50 CAP Wing [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 81
Result – SUCCESS
--- 60 Garrison Wing [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 70
Result – SUCCESS
--- 18 Garrison Division [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 16
Result – SUCCESS
--- 18 Militia Division [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 20
Result – SUCCESS
--- 25 Infantry Division [90
Target – 90
Roll - 52
Result – SUCCESS
--- 5 Regimental Combat Team Division [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 37
Result – SUCCESS
-- Fortress Command [$ ] (90)
--- Build Jump Point Defenses
---- Waypoint 11 [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 90
Result – SUCCESS
---- Eisabfall [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 76
Result – SUCCESS
---- Bergheim [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 81
Result – SUCCESS
---- Nowa Rzeka [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 88
Result – SUCCESS
--- 10 Arx Defense Stations
Target – 90
Roll - 63
Result – SUCCESS
--- 10 Fortress Class Defense Station
Target – 90
Roll - 16
Result – SUCCESS
--- Construct Black Tower
---- Waypoint 11 [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 27
Result – SUCCESS
---- Eisabfall [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 36
Result – SUCCESS
---- Bergheim [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 35
Result – SUCCESS
---- Nowa Rzeka [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 18
Result – SUCCESS
---- Waypoint 1 [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 81
Result – SUCCESS
--- 5 Spartoi Clusters [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 50
Result – SUCCESS
--- Build Sensor Shell
---- Griff's Leap [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 55
Result – SUCCESS
--- 30 Laser Turret Clusters [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 67
Result – SUCCESS
--- 30 Naval PPC BattleSat Clusters [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 49
Result – SUCCESS
--- 30 Missile BattleSat Clusters [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 83
Result – SUCCESS
--- 30 Point Defense BattleSat Clusters [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 26
Result – SUCCESS
- General [$ 24,344,198,820,000.00 ]
-- Focus Development on Core World Nowy Wroclaw [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 47
Result – SUCCESS
-- Focus Development on Peripheral World Olej [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 81
Result – SUCCESS
-- Massive Core Investment Okusawa [85]
Target – 85
Roll – 96, Jarow reroll - 83
Result – SUCCESS
-- Massive Peripheral Investment Neubayern [85]
Target – 85
Roll - 16
Result – SUCCESS
-- Economic Investment (90)
--- Nouvelle Bourgogne [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 10
Result – SUCCESS
--- New Narnia [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 41
Result – SUCCESS
--- Arvum [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 49
Result – SUCCESS
--- Neubayern [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 87
Result – SUCCESS
--- Hot Mess [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 69
Result – SUCCESS
-- Major Economic Investment (90)
--- Nowa Warzsawa [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 37
Result – SUCCESS
--- Kainga [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 67
Result – SUCCESS
--- Chuma [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 55
Result – SUCCESS
--- Kurortas [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 41
Result – SUCCESS
--- Novolar [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 21
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Infrastructure and Industrial zones on
--- Can Tho Moi [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 22
Result – SUCCESS
--- Nuova Basilicata [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 60
Result – SUCCESS
--- Highland [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 87
Result – SUCCESS
--- Gateway [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 79
Result – SUCCESS
--- Imobiliar [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 68
Result – SUCCESS
-- Imperial Outreach [-]
-- Establish Colony (90)
---- Eisabfall [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 46
Result – SUCCESS
---- Bergheim [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 24
Result – SUCCESS
---- Nowa Rzeka [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 36
Result – SUCCESS
-- Upgrade Germanium Processing Facilities [95]
Target – 90
Roll - 81
Result – SUCCESS
-- Expand Military Industrial Infrastructure Neubayern [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 87
Result – SUCCESS
-- Expand Military Industrial Infrastructure Neuhessen [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 17
Result – SUCCESS
-- Build ASF Factory Complex (95)
--- Glorreich [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 81
Result – SUCCESS
--- Shin Tōkyō [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 43
Result – SUCCESS
--- Kurortas [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 26
Result – SUCCESS
--- Raj [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 77
Result – SUCCESS
--- Pustina [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 93
Result – SUCCESS
--- Platzregensburg [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 81
Result – SUCCESS
--- Pryyemnyy [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 41
Result – SUCCESS
--- Awha [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 91
Result – SUCCESS
--- Bāṛi [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 83
Result – SUCCESS
--- Bellaterra [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 77
Result – SUCCESS
-- Build Mech Factory Complex (95)
--- Griffon [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 71
Result – SUCCESS
--- Calliope IV [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 33
Result – SUCCESS
--- Glorreich [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 41
Result – SUCCESS
--- Shin Tōkyō [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 11
Result – SUCCESS
--- New Libertalia [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 2
Result – SUCCESS
--- New Capricorn [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 83
Result – SUCCESS
--- Edelsteine [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 16
Result – SUCCESS
--- Nox [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 87
Result – SUCCESS
--- Steingarten [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 33
Result – SUCCESS
--- Iskra [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 69
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Conventional Military Factory (95)
--- Nya Köpenhamn [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 81
Result – SUCCESS
--- Nowy Wroclaw [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 94
Result – SUCCESS
--- New Phoenix [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 91
Result – SUCCESS
--- New Pollux [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 90
Result – SUCCESS
--- New Port Royal [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 47
Result – SUCCESS
--- Neuhessen [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 31
Result – SUCCESS
--- Glorreich [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 22
Result – SUCCESS
--- Olej [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 81
Result – SUCCESS
--- Przyjemny [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 36
Result – SUCCESS
--- Skała [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 95
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Refit & Repair Yard Przyjemny [110]
Target – 110
Roll - 98
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Nowy Szecin [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 84
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Baddorando [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 69
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Sturmland [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 61
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Neubayern [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 53
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Neuhessen [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 17
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Nouvelle Bourgogne [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 51
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Nuova Lombardia [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 55
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Skala [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 16
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Stahlfurt [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 2
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Griff's Leap [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 38
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Pusztasag [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 87
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Olej [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 51
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Przyjemny [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 36
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Pryyemnyy [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 27
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Nashornland [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 22
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard The Hub [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 6
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Nuova Puglia [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 87
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Nuovo Abruzzo [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 49
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Stenen Tuin [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 83
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Nyu Shikoku [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 59
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Nuova Tripoli [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 76
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Catachan [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 52
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Neuthuringen [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 55
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Nowe Mazsowsze [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 22
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Nox [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 90
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Platzregensburg [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 87
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Porto Milano [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 46
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Landprettig [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 41
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard New Algiers [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 22
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard New Clew Bay [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 65
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Nubifrgio [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 69
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Bellaterra [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 84
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Highland [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 73
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard New Arcadia [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 77
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard New Portlanf [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 16
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Hot Mess [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 20
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard New Narnia [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 8
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Nueva Chiapas [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 71
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Nowego Lubina [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 53
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Salamander [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 58
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Griffon [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 87
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Calliope [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 71
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Edelsteine [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 56
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Nowa Warzsawa [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 66
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Awha [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 37
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Kaiyo [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 26
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Iskra [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 71
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Bohren [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 57
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Feurstern[90]
Target – 90
Roll - 59
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Novolar [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 67
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Grand View [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 37
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Okusawa [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 21
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard New Capricorn [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 61
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Pustina [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 63
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Steingarten [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 29
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Raj [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 88
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Chuma [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 79
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Kurortas [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 81
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Pieklo [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 71
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Medium Warship Yard New Pollux [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 16
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Medium Warship Yard New Phoenix [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 84
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Medium Warship Yard Nya Kopenhamn [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 88
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Medium Warship Yard Nowy Slask [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 6
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Medium Warship Yard Kainga [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 51
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Large Warship Yard Glorreich* [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 43
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Large Warship Yard New Port Royal* [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 29
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Large Warship Yard New Castor* [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 73
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Large Warship Yard Nowy Wroclaw* [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 77
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Large Warship Yard Bari [->1]
-- Construct Large Warship Yard Shin Tokyo [->1]
-- Construct Large Warship Yard New Libertalia [->1]
-- Construct Large Warship Yard Pinball [->1]
-- Upgrade Refit & Repair Yard [105]
Target – 105
Roll - 81
Result – SUCCESS
-- Expand Orbital Shipyards [105]
Target – 105
Roll - 98
Result – SUCCESS
- DoME [$ 4,000,000,000,000.00 ]
- Research [$ 160,000,000,000,000.00 ]
-- Economic Forecasting lvl 3* [75]
Target – 75
Roll – 89, ShadowArxxy reroll – 100, General reroll – 86, General reroll - 71
Result – SUCCESS
-- Advanced Tactical Missiles - Concept [80]
Target – 80
Roll – 91, General reroll - 16
Result – SUCCESS
-- Commercial R&D [-]
-- Industrial R&D [-]
- Miscellaneous [$ 256,120,000,000.00 ]
-- Culture [$ 119,750,000,000.00 ]
--- Fund sports camps to improve performance in low performing Olympic sports [80]
Target – 80
Roll - 79
Result – SUCCESS
--- Culture - Monuments HO [75]
Target – 75
Roll - 1
Result – Critical SUCCESS
You print out a piece of paper with a target and the words ‘bang head here’ on it, place it on your desk, and proceed to do just that.
Elizabeth Lee’s concerns about two idle DoME teams have proven prescient. Visible at night from everywhere in the western hemisphere of Griffon is the result of just how right she was to consider leaving two teams idle to be a great risk.
Because those teams got bored.
Very bored.
And somehow managed to infiltrate the teams working on the memorial for the latest battle at Arvum as well as for Admiral Fisher.
They somehow contrived to talk some tugs from the local space guard to participate, improvised high-power mining equipment, ‘creatively accounted for’ a large nickel-iron asteroid, and got… creative. There is now an enormous nickel-steel replica of the Imperial Griffon Navy’s logo floating in geosynchronous orbit over Griffsport, large enough to be easily seen from the ground, with low powered lasers constantly spelling out the names of the destroyed warships from that battle across a massively reflective steel plate beneath the logo.
And they somehow contrived to make it not tacky.
So you can’t even complain, since they also did all of this within the budget for the monument, which had been intended to be a typical plinth or obelisk or such, planet-side.
The Admiralty is requesting permission to expand the raiding area north into a region suspected of having a much heavier Black Steel presence. On the one hand, this could yield good results in knocking back the Black Steel’s ability to recover from their own losses at Arvum, but it would also place your raiding forces at significantly increased risk.
[]
Action
[]
Approve Admiralty Request
[]
Disapprove Admiralty Request
The three new colonies have been successfully established. While nothing unexpected happened, it is still welcome to see continued growth.
Likewise, all of your infrastructure planning goes off without any hitches, with economic growth expected to be solid thanks to your investments and focus. The newly completed work on enhanced economic forecasting is projected to make such investment even more effective in the future, which is a rather lovely thought.
The new Advanced Tactical Missile system has produced some test articles for the missiles themselves, although not the launchers yet. They are a common ‘family’ of missiles, with variable range and warhead options. Unlike your current missiles, these have advanced Artemis technology built into the guidance package as standard and the intention is to integrate said systems into the launchers as well, thus eliminating the need to mount such systems separately.
The sports camps go rather well, giving you some expectations of success in the Olympics next year.
A good number of new shipyards of all types have been brought online, increasing your production capacity right as you need to desperately rebuild from your recent losses. Thankfully the commissioning of several hundred new warships takes the edge off of the situation, giving you at least a small cadre to rebuild around.
The year is ending on a relatively positive note. It was a hard one for sure, but you not only survived but thrived, especially economically. Hopefully this will translate into greater military success in the future, especially against the scourge of the Black Steel. Only time will tell.
The very first target system contained a large munitions production and storage facility, which detonated in a very spectacular ‘boom’. Only light Black Steel forces were present, validating the decision to expand the raiding. It is now a race between your raiding forces and the Black Steel to destroy as much Black Steel infrastructure as possible before they get their forces back in order to resist.
Other operations are also being fruitful, although you’ve been hitting supply depots and such rather than actual yards so far. Losses are minimal and all well within the capabilities of your fleet train to handle, as no ship has, so far at least, been a constructive loss. You’ve taken casualties among the crews and, especially, among the ASF pilots, but your total combat power in the theater is unchanged.
It appears that the Black Steel have not been bothering with fixed defenses any longer, which is proving to be a quite serious mistake on their part. Evidently your habit of forting up and rebuilding has lulled them into a sense of complacency that is sure to not last all that long, given how quickly they’ve adapted in the past. Your analysts project you have a window of a few months before you’ll start encountering defenses, and your spacers are eager to take full advantage of that window. The more you destroy now when it’s relatively easy the less the Black Steel will have to defend with.
Speaking of forting up, exercises with the new drone turrets are well underway and the drone operators are quite confident that their new ‘toys’ will be very effective indeed. Work is continuing on adapting naval autocannon and gauss weapons to the BattleSat format, but there is some internal debate as to whether or not that is actually important enough to prioritize.
It’s a rather nice bit of news to open the new year with, and the Opening Ceremonies for the latest Olympiad, being held in the NRR this time around, are quite… nordic themed, but with plenty of fireworks as well. Considering the climate of Gotland, you have a feeling that the environment will make for some… interesting interactions with the Grecian-style olympics. Unfortunately, your granddaughter is competing, and will have to deal with that during the mountain biking races.
The early events are going acceptably, although not as well as in the last Olympics. At least your teams are medalling in those events which have completed early, but are not earning gold like you’d prefer. The margins are very tight, however, so it appears to be more a case of the other teams being better than your team slacking off or failing to perform. Indeed, in the decathlon, Team Griffon earns a silver medal, missing out on gold by a single point to a team from the Fringe which is only competing in the decathlon.
Your granddaughter does quite well in the first race of her heat. She’s not on the podium, but is in the top fifteen. The course is especially challenging, going from an alpine glacier down to a small ski town at the base of the chosen mountain. An adjacent mountain is being used for the skiing events, so it is quite cold. For some reason that makes things a bit more popular than normal.
Men.
Bellaterra and Catachan have both been redesignated as Core worlds, giving you a rather nice boost to the number of Core systems. Catachan is especially welcome, given the long, hard road that system had to travel to reach this point. Bellaterra is already a major shipyard system, at least for escorts, making it another welcome addition to the Core worlds, as now the proven shipbuilding capabilities of the systems workers can be applied to larger ship types.
Several other worlds are getting close to earning Core status, which will definitely be welcome when it comes time to build more yards. Pryemmnyy, Nubifragio and Skala are all on the cusp of achieving Core status. Skala is still, technically, an artisan world, but the artisans there have proven to be quite capable of relatively ‘heavy’ industry, just while using older methods of construction. The Interior Ministry has therefore decided that, so long as they continue to prove capable, that Skala can indeed be so designated.
You haven’t received any new intelligence from the Inner Sphere, but your diplomats, attaches, and anti-piracy patrols are working hard making friends and influencing people, raising your overall image within the Fringe. It’s a long process, but it has been quite rewarding so far so you are perfectly willing to be patient.
Speaking of the pirates, 1st Corps is getting rather busy cleaning up small pirate bases and is getting quite proficient at the task. They’ve adopted a unit nickname as the Pirate Hunters, and hunting them is what they do quite well. They have requested additional transports, not for the assaults themselves but in order to rescue victims of the pirates in a more timely and efficient manner. A number of modified Lublin-class transports are being sent forward by the Navy in response to the request pending design work on a new dedicated infantry transport replacement for the old Queen-class.
Thankfully for your sanity the Department of Periphery Studies is pursuing quieter obsessions at the moment, which mostly seems to involve painting miniatures and dressing up in ridiculous outfits, but remaining indoors because ‘the sun burns’.
You have very fond memories of those halcyon moments when you thought that the latest Periphery Studies obsession would be ‘quiet’ and ‘unobtrusive’. You deeply desire to return to those happy days.
Because Periphery Studies has managed to become incredibly annoying and very obtrusive indeed. Not to mention loud. They have evidently decided that they are all vampires and werewolves and that this means they need to wage an epic ‘war’ throughout Griffsport with nerf guns, swords, stakes, far too much makeup… and they are trying to include regular passersby into their ludicrous obsession, giving them small bags of red tokens that supposedly are ‘blood’ for the vampires.
The ‘vampires’ are actually the least of the problem, because they are obsessed with skulking around, wearing overly dramatic and theatrical clothing straight out of a production of Phantom of the Opera, and talking in horrid lisps thanks to the fake ‘fangs’ in their mouths as they, surprisingly politely, ask people for blood tokens before going back into ‘hiding’ in the most obvious places ever. It’s the werewolves, who are taking method acting up to Shatner, howling at the moon every night, running around brandishing their ‘klaives’ and demanding people show them where the ‘vampires’ are hiding.
The Periphery Studies staff is hard at work making sure that none of the distinguished faculty get their hands on anything that is actually dangerous, to anything but everybody's sanity that is.
You have started taking light losses in the raiding actions against the Black Steel, the most serious of which was the loss of a pair of Centaur-class CVLs with all hands to a Black Steel ambush. The officer in command of that particular raid got overextended and failed to properly screen his carrier support, resulting in their loss. On the other hand, he did take out the largest production facility discovered so far this year, a large weapons manufacturing station that appears to have specialized in naval missiles. That same raid also took out a dozen Black Steel destroyers and twice that many corvettes, along with several hundred Black Steel dropships and massive numbers of their drone ASFs.
Other raids are taking out mines, supply depots, and minor manufacturing sites. You’ve not found any significant yards yet, but there is evidence that mobile yardships had been present in a few systems but have since retreated. Your raiders are leaving behind early warning satellites tied into your HPG network to give you some early-warning of the Black Steel moving back in to this region.
The Olympics are continuing, and Team Griffon is starting to do much better in terms of actually winning gold medals. In the process, your granddaughter is still in contention as part of Team Griffon for the mountain biking medal, and has complained to you, laughingly, about getting chilly nipples. You’d warned her that this would happen, but she’s still quite enthusiastic and happy to compete.
She’s not had any spills so far this time around, which is a blessing, but the competitors are quite impressed by the NRR’s safety precautions on the mountain and your own officials are taking notes for upgrades to the courses within the Empire.
Parliament is back in session and they are working on another farm bill, which is being promoted by the Eldest as well as the family farmers from the various agriworlds.
The bill is quite comprehensive. First, it would establish an Imperial Seedbank, under the direction of the Ministry of the Interior, in order to guarantee the preservation of heritage varietals of crops. Several strains of wheat, for example, are facing ‘extinction’ primarily due to the specific climatic conditions for which they were bred being terraformed out of existence, however maintaining those strains is very valuable for future terraforming operations. Second, it would initiate land reforms to permit some consolidation of croplands on agriworlds without bringing in large agribusiness megacorporations. Specifically, it would allow cases where family farms are joined via marriage to remain joined when passed down to heirs, rather than required to be split back up as soon as possible. The issue comes from a minor, and unintended, issue with the wording of the original Farm Bill which effectively prevented such consolidations. There are still strict limits on total acreage for any given farm, but more farms would be able to reach those limits under these reforms. Finally it would expand the budget for agricultural inspection, specifically in order to efficiently speed up inspections of outgoing harvests while maintaining the strict health and safety standards that the industry has become accustomed to.
You are rather surprised at the relatively low overall cost of this bill in comparison to the projected effects, and ask your great-aunt to have Griffin’s Roost University double check the numbers. The report comes back that, if anything, the projections are on the low side, as speeding up inspections alone would significantly improve the overall efficiency of the agricultural system.
[]
Action
Arguments
Effects
[]
Sign the Farm Bill of 3072
In a very real sense agriculture is the lifeblood of the Empire, as every single citizen needs to eat, and having a healthy variety of foods available at reasonable costs is the surest means of preventing social unrest and promoting health and growth. We have long worked hard to ensure that the Empire’s citizens are able to afford the basic necessities of life, and this legislation would be a useful tool for this purpose.
The seed bank alone would ultimately be helpful to DoME and almost worth the cost of this bill all on its own. The land reforms are comparatively trivial, but will have a strong impact on the efficiency of the farms, especially on agriworlds, while the improved inspections regime would dramatically reduce the overall costs and time required to ship out harvests to our most heavily populated Core worlds.
This will, admittedly, result in a temporary strain on the Empire’s civilian shipping markets, as agricultural shipments will surge, but this should even out quite quickly on its own as the markets adjust and compensate. Indeed, this could ultimately be a gift to the transportation sector, as it will open the door for growth and expansion.
Increase Agriworlds Subsidy by 1
Increase overall Agriculture subsidy by 1
+100 POP Limit to all worlds
-1 Imperial Economy
-1 Economic Event
Prevents certain events
[]
Veto the Farm Bill of 3072
The strain placed on the shipping industry by these reforms is, sadly, understated by the proponents. Currently a good quarter of our transport ‘bottoms’ are devoted to the agricultural trade, and this bill is projected to increase that to almost half as farmers will be able to export far more, mostly due to the expedited inspections process. This will mean less hulls available for shipping raw materials to other industries which will, ultimately, drive up costs in those sectors. While it is true that eventually the situation will correct itself and stabilize, this will be a cold comfort for those who will suffer due to the raised prices in the interim.
The question that will need to be answered is if the benefits, which admittedly are quite attractive, are worth the cost. We would argue that they are not, and that this bill needs to be sent back to the drafting board for significant revision in order to address the real issues.
Black Steel resistance is stiffening, resulting in significantly more damage to your raiding formations although you’ve been fortunate not to lose any hulls in the past few months. You have managed to take out a ‘small’ shipyard, insofar as it appears to have been specialized in building destroyer scale vessels, with over a hundred construction ‘frames’. Oddly, they were all empty, although prior to their self-destructing you were able to determine that their latest construction had left just a few days before your arrival in the system. Said self-destruction managed to inflict the most damage so far, as a number of your ships were too close to the stations in an attempt to capture them for analysis.
In that same system you also destroyed a large station that, initially, your crews had marked as some sort of command & control node. It was, after all, very close to the yards and possessed massive numbers of shuttle bays. Analysis of the wreckage, however, finds large amounts of organic matter and drifting corpses, mostly of children and teens. Your experts have found that most of the older female corpses were pregnant but showed signs of highly atrophied legs and arms. Analysts have come to a grim conclusion that this station was a sort of ‘brain farm’ for the Black Steel.
The Kilburroughans are absolutely livid, although they did know about this intellectually, same as you did from the Ikeans, Black Pumpernickels and Crimson Storm. Just seeing it for the first time in all of its gruesome horror is something else.
The Olympics are a nice distraction, with your granddaughter continuing to do well for Team Griffon in the mountain biking races. Team Griffon continues to do rather well across the board, especially now that you’ve gotten into the motorsports events in which you continue to dominate. You are hopeful that you’ll have a good, solid haul of golden hardware this year.
That thought is rather comforting as you head in for the budget meetings. You used to love them, until you appointed the most boring man in the universe to be your science minister and now you need to block off an entire day for them, mostly because of him.
Amaunet, however, is her usual insouciant self. “Padrone, the military is in solid shape. I will let the chiefs give you the details, but all in all we are doing better than we’d feared, and the raiding has gone better than we’d hoped. General?”
General Zara then takes the podium. “Your Majesty, 1st Corps is being augmented with additional civil affairs and medical personnel due to their ongoing anti-piracy operations. We are also in the final phases of converting a number of Queen-class transports for humanitarian transport and medical services in coordination with the Navy.” He checks his notes. “We’ll not be expanding production this year, as it is of lower priority than other services needs, but will be doing so in the near future.”
Imperial Griffon Army
Procurement
18 Garrison Divisions
18 Militia Divisions
25 Infantry Divisions
5 Battlemech Divisions
General Perkins then takes over. “Casualties continue to be an issue, Your Majesty. While we haven’t lost any full formations, we are churning through replacement pilots at a heightened rate during the ongoing raiding operations. However we thankfully have been able to maintain pilot training standards at the same, or even higher, levels as we rotate combat veterans back to training slots with the able assistance of our friends in the Navy.”
Imperial Griffon Aerospace Force
Production
New ASF Factories
Glorreich
Shin Tōkyō
Kurortas
Raj
Pustina
Platzregensburg
Pryyemnyy
Awha
Bāṛi
Bellaterra
Procurement
100 Fighter Wings
100 Carrier Wings
50 CAP Wings
70 Light Attack Wings
Admiral Savić then steps up to the podium. “Your Majesty, one of the more positive issues facing the Navy is that with the new carriers we have more flight decks than the Aerospace Force has aerospace fighters to fill them, in consideration of their other responsibilities. This is allowing us to rotate the carriers to training rotations more often, which is proving very helpful for both of our services. In the near future we’ll be slowing procurement of the Wright-class Dockable ASF Platforms, but for now we still require more of them for proper efficiency.”
She checks her notes. “There will be a pair of Capital yards starting this year, which you’ll hear about in the briefing about DoME. We’d like to start a trio of them, but one will need to wait for next year due to logistical issues.”
Imperial Griffon Navy
Production
Orbital Shipyards
Expand All Orbital Shipyards
Refit & Repair Yards
Expand All Refit & Repair Yards
Escort Yards
Nowy Szczecin
Baddorando
Sturmland
Neubayern
Neuhessen
Nouvelle Bourgogne
Nuova Lombardia
Skała
Stahlfurt
Griff's Leap
Pusztaság
Olej
Przyjemny
Pryyemnyy
Nashornland
The Hub
Nuova Puglia
Nuovo Abruzzo
Stenen Tuin
Nyū Shikoku
Nuova Tripoli
Eisabfall
Neuthüringen
Nowe Mazowsze
Nox
Platzregensburg
Porto Milano
Landprettig
New Algiers
New Clew Bay
Nubifragio
Bergheim
Highland
New Arcadia
New Portland
Hot Mess
New Narnia
Nueva Chiapas
Nowego Lublina
Salamander
Apleista
Nowa Rzeka
Acélbánya
Small Warship Yards
Griffon
Calliope IV
Edelsteine
Nowa Warszawa
New Pollux
New Phoenix
Iskra
Bāṛi
Feurstern
Awha
Grand View
Okusawa
New Capricorn
Pustina
Steingarten
Bellaterra
Chuma
Kurortas
Piekło
Catachan
Medium Warship Yards
Glorreich
Kaiyo
Nya Köpenhamn
Nowy Śląsk
Kainga
Large Warship Yards
Bohren
Raj
Piekło
Novolar
Procurement
Standard Dropships
400 Artemis-class System Defense Flotillas
257 Wright-class Dockable ASF Platforms
257 Colt-class Defense Blisters
Large Dropships
379 Kearsarge-class Parasite Battleships
60 Mashū-class Parasite Transports
Jumpships
25 Rawalpindi-class Armed Merchant Cruisers
Escorts
200 Battle-class Destroyers
50 Tarantul-class Missile Raiders
50 Asheville-class Raiders
110 Legend-class Frigates
60 White Plains-class Escort Carriers
Small Warships
50 Belfast-class Light Cruisers
50 Phoenix-class Light Cruisers
50 Atlanta-class Light Cruisers
22 Centaur-class Light Carriers
Medium Warships
25 Prinz Eugen II-class Heavy Cruisers
25 Hawke-class Heavy Cruisers
Large Warships
18 Kaiserin-class Battleships
18 Lion-class Battlecruisers
Fortress Command
10 Arx-class Defense Stations
10 Fortress-class Heavy Recharge Stations
5 Black Tower-class Defense Fortresses
Stahlkampfauge
Steingarten
Pustina
Kurortas
Arvum
5 Spartoi Defense Clusters
30 Laser BattleSats
30 PPC BattleSats
30 Missile BattleSats
30 Point Defense BattleSats
Once the military presentation is finished Elizabeth Lee takes over.
“Your Majesty, the economy is humming along, and we’d like to keep it that way. Our analysts and forecasters have been working together on investment and focus strategies for next year.”
Economic Focus, Investment & Infrastructure
Economic Focus
Core
New Pollux
Periphery
Nubifragio
Massive Investment
Core
Calliope IV
Periphery
New Narnia
Economic Investment
Griff's Leap
Stahlfurt
Arvum
Baddorando
Hot Mess
Major Economic Investment
Calliope IV
Okusawa
Pustina
Steingarten
Novolar
Infrastructure & Industrial Zones
Imobiliar
Highland
Gateway
Cần Thơ mới
Nuova Basilicata
“Our survey crews are ready to go out and explore some more unknown systems. We have very limited astrographic data on these, mostly due to the same nebula that has been hindering our astronomy in the area. We have some basic data however.”
Survey
GX-I42A
A red giant that is highly unlikely to have any planets or usable resources, but there are some odd reports from old pirate interrogations that could refer to this system. We’ll be sending a number of Legend-class frigates along with the survey teams just in case.
GX-I42B
While it is relatively close to GX-I42A, B is not, in fact, part of a binary system. A yellow main-sequence star that is slightly cooler than our own, there is a possibility of habitable planets here.
GX-I43
An unusually bright red dwarf, in terms of luminosity. There is a strong possibility of the presence of a brown dwarf companion, but that is not confirmed.
GX-J41
Another yellow main-sequence star, also with a chance for habitable planets based on the limited data we’ve been able to observe through the nebula.
“Finally, Your Majesty, in order to keep DoME from further mischief, we have a pair of projects for them that the Navy earlier alluded to.”
Department of Mega-Engineering
Capital Shipyards
Okusawa
New Pollux
Both your Foreign Minister and your Political Advisor had impeccable excuses for not being present for this meeting, leaving you to have to suffer the next advisor who steps up to the podium and loads his presentation… to your horror he has multiple other memory sticks with him, indicating that his presentation is too large for just one.
What follows is five hours of utter and complete boredom as the most boring man in the universe drones on in a monotone voice devoid of any sign of emotion, excitement, interest, or life. He manages to top his previous record in terms of the size of his powerpoint presentation, which is as dull, drab, and boring as he is, and equally interminable. You can feel your will to live slowly slipping away as your life force is drained away by this… this… emotional vampire, he obviously feeds on the boredom in the room, and thus seeks to generate more of it… you shake yourself, that way lies Periphery Studies.
You realize to your horror that the entire first memory stick was the executive summary… in text form… you almost sob at this realization, as you have to read the entire mass of densely written jargon-laden text. Thankfully SARAH is on the job and in just an hour, which tells you just how massive this ‘summary’ was, she is able to condense it into a pair of action points. Improved education research and research into building actual launchers for the new advanced tactical missile prototypes.
Plan: Nothing new under the sun
- Procurement [$ 11,489,292,021,968.50 ]
-- Lay Down Major Unit [Construction - $86,988,770,006.75 ] (95)
--- 400 Artemis [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 91
Result – SUCCESS
--- 257 Wright [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 93
Result – SUCCESS
--- 257 Colt [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 49
Result – SUCCESS
--- 379 Kearsage [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 71
Result – SUCCESS
--- 60 Mashu [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 16
Result – SUCCESS
-- Lay down Jumpship [Jumpship Construction - $18,161,082,500.00 ] (90)
--- 25 Rawalpindi [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 37
Result – SUCCESS
-- Lay down Warship [Warship Construction - $960,637,627,466.67 ] (90)
--- 200 Battle [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 84
Result – SUCCESS
--- 50 Tarantul [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 71
Result – SUCCESS
--- 50 Asheville [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 20
Result – SUCCESS
--- 60 White Plains [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 69
Result – SUCCESS
--- 110 Legend [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 88
Result – SUCCESS
--- 60 White Plains [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 37
Result – SUCCESS
--- 50 Belfast [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 29
Result – SUCCESS
--- 50 Phoenix [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 61
Result – SUCCESS
--- 50 Atlanta [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 57
Result – SUCCESS
--- 22 Centaur [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 31
Result – SUCCESS
--- 25 Prinz Eugen II [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 19
Result – SUCCESS
--- 25 Hawke [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 88
Result – SUCCESS
--- 18 Kaiserin [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 71
Result – SUCCESS
--- 18 Lion [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 6
Result – SUCCESS
-- Purchase New Units [Minor Unit - $ 14,219,556,995.10 ] (90)
--- 100 Fighter Wing [auto]
--- 100 Carrier Wing [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 36
Result – SUCCESS
--- 50 CAP Wing [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 22
Result – SUCCESS
--- 70 Light Attack Wing [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 19
Result – SUCCESS
--- 18 Garrison Division [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 71
Result – SUCCESS
--- 18 Militia Division [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 89
Result – SUCCESS
--- 25 Infantry Division [90
Target – 90
Roll - 67
Result – SUCCESS
--- 5 Battlemech Division [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 34
Result – SUCCESS
-- Fortress Command [$ 10,409,284,985,000.00 ] (90)
--- Build Jump Point Defenses
--- 10 Arx Defense Stations
Target – 90
Roll - 26
Result – SUCCESS
--- 10 Fortress Class Defense Station
Target – 90
Roll - 19
Result – SUCCESS
--- Construct Black Tower
---- Stahlkampfauge [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 79
Result – SUCCESS
---- Steingarten [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 47
Result – SUCCESS
---- Pustina [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 41
Result – SUCCESS
---- Kurortas [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 46
Result – SUCCESS
---- Arvum [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 52
Result – SUCCESS
--- 5 Spartoi Clusters [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 31
Result – SUCCESS
--- Build Sensor Shell
---- New Phoenix [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 29
Result – SUCCESS
--- 30 Laser Turret Clusters [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 20
Result – SUCCESS
--- 30 Naval PPC BattleSat Clusters [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 10
Result – SUCCESS
--- 30 Missile BattleSat Clusters [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 29
Result – SUCCESS
--- 30 Point Defense BattleSat Clusters [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 37
Result – SUCCESS
- General [$ 24,288,750,000,000.00 ]
-- Focus Development on Core World New Pollux [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 87
Result – SUCCESS
-- Focus Development on Peripheral World Nubfragio [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 57
Result – SUCCESS
-- Massive Core Investment Calliope [85]
Target – 85
Roll – 97, Jarow reroll - 12
Result – SUCCESS
-- Massive Peripheral Investment New Narnia [85]
Target – 85
Roll - 67
Result – SUCCESS
-- Economic Investment (90)
--- Griff's Leap [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 69
Result – SUCCESS
--- Stahlfurt [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 84
Result – SUCCESS
--- Arvum [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 71
Result – SUCCESS
--- Baddorando [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 12
Result – SUCCESS
--- Hot Mess [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 67
Result – SUCCESS
-- Major Economic Investment (90)
--- Calliope [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 59
Result – SUCCESS
--- Okusawa [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 62
Result – SUCCESS
--- Pustina [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 63
Result – SUCCESS
--- Steingarten [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 21
Result – SUCCESS
--- Novolar [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 19
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Infrastructure and Industrial zones on
--- Can Tho Moi [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 71
Result – SUCCESS
--- Nuova Basilicata [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 84
Result – SUCCESS
--- Highland [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 59
Result – SUCCESS
--- Gateway [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 53
Result – SUCCESS
--- Imobiliar [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 44
Result – SUCCESS
-- Imperial Outreach [-]
-- Survey GX-I42A [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 84
Result – SUCCESS
-- Survey GX-I42B [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 10
Result – SUCCESS
-- Survey GX-J41 [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 81
Result – SUCCESS
-- Survey GX-I43 [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 29
Result – SUCCESS
-- Build ASF Factory Complex (95)
--- Glorreich [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 91
Result – SUCCESS
--- Shin Tōkyō [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 83
Result – SUCCESS
--- Kurortas [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 33
Result – SUCCESS
--- Raj [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 19
Result – SUCCESS
--- Pustina [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 94
Result – SUCCESS
--- Platzregensburg [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 92
Result – SUCCESS
--- Pryyemnyy [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 80
Result – SUCCESS
--- Awha [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 70
Result – SUCCESS
--- Bāṛi [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 68
Result – SUCCESS
--- Bellaterra [95]
Target – 95
Roll - 37
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Nowy Szecin [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 84
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Baddorando [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 61
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Sturmland [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 59
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Neubayern [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 16
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Neuhessen [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 78
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Nouvelle Bourgogne [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 31
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Nuova Lombardia [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 21
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Skala [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 84
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Stahlfurt [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 90
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Griff's Leap [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 61
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Pusztasag [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 31
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Olej [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 28
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Przyjemny [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 77
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Pryyemnyy [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 81
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Nashornland [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 37
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard The Hub [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 20
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Nuova Puglia [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 19
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Nuovo Abruzzo [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 86
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Stenen Tuin [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 59
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Nyu Shikoku [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 44
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Nuova Tripoli [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 71
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Eisabfall [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 78
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Neuthuringen [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 50
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Nowe Mazsowsze [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 51
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Nox [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 69
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Platzregensburg [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 39
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Porto Milano [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 37
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Landprettig [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 33
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard New Algiers [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 90
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard New Clew Bay [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 84
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Nubifrgio [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 88
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Bergheim [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 81
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Highland [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 79
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard New Arcadia [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 67
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard New Portland [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 80
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Hot Mess [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 2
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard New Narnia [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 37
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Nueva Chiapas [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 61
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Nowego Lubina [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 59
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Salamander [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 58
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Apleista [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 66
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Nowa Rzeka [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 37
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Escort Yard Acelbanya [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 19
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Griffon [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 51
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Calliope [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 1
Result – Critical SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Edelsteine [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 51
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Nowa Warzsawa [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 17
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard New Pollux [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 86
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard New Phoenix [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 69
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Iskra [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 71
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Bari [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 21
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Feurstern [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 18
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Awha [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 76
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Grand View [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 75
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Okusawa [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 57
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard New Capricorn [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 29
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Pustina [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 38
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Steingarten [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 67
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Chuma [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 49
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Kurortas [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 41
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Pieklo [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 33
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Small Warship Yard Catachan [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 61
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Medium Warship Yard Glorreich [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 67
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Medium Warship Yard Kaiyo [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 69
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Medium Warship Yard Nya Kopenhamn [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 71
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Medium Warship Yard Nowy Slask [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 81
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Medium Warship Yard Kainga [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 12
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Large Warship Yard Bohren [->1]
-- Construct Large Warship Yard Raj [->1]
-- Construct Large Warship Yard Pieklo [->1]
-- Construct Large Warship Yard Novolar [->1]
-- Construct Large Warship Yard Bari* [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 27
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Large Warship Yard Shin Tokyo* [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 61
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Large Warship Yard New Libertalia* [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 49
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Large Warship Yard Pinball* [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 71
Result – SUCCESS
-- Upgrade Refit & Repair Yard [105]
Target – 109
Roll - 98
Result – SUCCESS
-- Expand Orbital Shipyards [105]
Target – 105
Roll - 61
Result – SUCCESS
- DoME [$ 6,000,000,000,000.00 ]
-- Construct Major Army Base - Nya Köpenhamn* [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 57
Result – SUCCESS
-- Construct Major Fleet Base - Nya Köpenhamn* [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 77
Result – SUCCESS
-- Terraforming Nouvelle Bourgogne* [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 81
Result – SUCCESS
-- Terraforming Hot Mess* [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 73
Result – SUCCESS
-- Terraforming Baddorando* [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 44
Result – SUCCESS
-- Terraforming Sturmland* [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 71
Result – SUCCESS
-- Terraforming Nowego Lublina* [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 51
Result – SUCCESS
-- DoME Team to NRR*
-- DoME Team to NRI*
-- Planetary Optimization (Peripheral) - Neubayern* [90]
Target – 90
Roll - 28
Result – SUCCESS
- Research [$ 245,000,000,000,000.00 ]
-- Advanced Tactical Missiles - Prototype [80]
Target – 80
Roll – 92, ShadowArxxy reroll – 99, General reroll - 18
Result – SUCCESS
-- Improved Education Lvl 11 [100]
Target – 100
Roll - 51
Result – SUCCESS
-- Military Drone Theory II* [65]
Target – 65
Roll – 84, General reroll - 29
Result – SUCCESS
-- Military Drone Design II* [65]
Target – 65
Roll - 31
Result – SUCCESS
-- Military Drone Control Systems II* [65]
Target – 65
Roll - 12
Result – SUCCESS
-- Military Drone Handling Systems II* [65]
Target – 65
Roll – 87, General reroll - 3
Result – SUCCESS
-- Commercial R&D [-]
-- Industrial R&D [-]
- Miscellaneous [$ 230,390,000,000.00 ]
-- Culture [$ 94,020,000,000.00 ]
--- Olympics [-]
--- Polish Cultural Festival [70]
Target – 70
Roll - 37
Result – SUCCESS
Amid reports of continuing success in the various raids and attacks in the region of Black Steel space directly adjacent to your own territory, including another destroyed yard complex just two KF jumps away from Arvum, Admiral de Palo comes in to meet with you.
“Your Majesty, we have been planning this for some time, but we finally have something concrete to put in front of you. Namely, the reorganization of the Naval fleet structure to fit a more offensive mindset as well as better position our forces for future operations. The current structure is, bluntly, too bloated and inflexible, and in light of the Black Steel’s demonstrated capabilities we can no longer rely on our internal lines of communication and rapid reinforcement tactics like we have in the past.”
“To begin with, we intend to break up Home Fleet into individual March Fleets, one for each of the imperial marches and with responsibilities directly for said march’s defense. The two largest would be the Ruby March and Steel March fleets, as those are the marches most directly threatened by the Black Steel, but all marches will receive defensive formations drawn from the former Home Fleet.”
“Second, the Expeditionary Fleet will be redesignated as 1st Fleet, and currently will be assigned to the new raiding and defensive region adjacent to the Ruby March. Strike Fleet will be redesignated as 2nd Fleet and will continue operations in the old raiding region adjacent to the Steel March. Instead of reforming the Grand Fleet, as each Nagato comes online, after the Imperial Flagship of course, a new numbered fleet will be formed around it. For now, we are splitting up the surviving assets of Grand Fleet into four numbered fleets, third through sixth. They will all remain within the Ruby March for now at the various fleet bases in the region.”
“Our hope is that 1st Fleet will provide us with a defense in depth, creating a buffer zone through which the Black Steel will need to move prior to reaching any inhabited systems. 1st Fleet would engage in defensive operations, but instead of the ‘final stand’ type engagements we’ve been forced into in the past they will instead attempt to bleed the enemy attacks while preserving their own forces. If possible additional numbered fleets will join in that effort well before the enemy makes it to our actual borders, at which point we would return to the ‘final stand’ type engagements that we’ve used in the past, but hopefully against a significantly attrited and weakened enemy.”
You nod at that, it makes a great deal of sense to you and you aren’t an experienced naval officer. Concentration of force was a good idea, when you had relatively limited production capacity and hadn’t been able to create a suitable buffer zone, but now that you have one you can shift to a more elastic defensive posture that will allow you to build up offensive as well as defensive forces.
After all, the unspoken statement lurking in the admiral’s presentation is that, given enough time, you can build up the numbered fleets to the point where they can each independently sustain an offensive strike, without having to spend them like water in desperate defense of your own people.
In lighter news, your granddaughter is part of a gold-medal winning mountain biking team, although she herself didn’t finish in a podium spot in the final race, coming in 7th. Considering that even in the final race there were over three hundred competitors, that is quite impressive. Overall, while Team Griffon has hardly anything approaching a record haul of gold hardware this Olympiad, you do get a respectable 32 gold medals, out of sixty events, and managed to earn at least a bronze medal in all but three. You still aren’t exactly sure how ‘dressage’ is judged, but evidently Team Griffon doesn’t get it either because they managed to come in dead last, albeit by only a single point behind a tie for second to last between the NRI and NRR.
You do take the time to tour your new flagship, as the nameship of the Nagato-class has been commissioned over Griffin's Roost. It’s a rather spectacular ship indeed, and according to the trials has turned out to be even tougher and more durable than they’d expected. Something about an unexpected synergy between the chosen hull design, the armor layout, and internal bracing if you are understanding the terminology correctly.
In general the shipbuilding program goes quite well this year, with the fleet expanding as it recovers from the enormous losses to Grand Fleet over Arvum. Production capacity is also growing at a solid rate, which is, as always, welcome news indeed. With the pair of new capital shipyards under construction there is even the prospect of eventually being able to build multiple capital ships at a time, which would be nice.
DoME reports successful terraforming efforts, concluding all of their current projects in that vein successfully and well. It at least is keeping them away from the latest Polish cultural festival, you were actually worried that the maniacs might try to weaponize pierogi or something equally insane.
R&D work on drone technology has concluded. The main improvements has been to the control systems and interfaces, allowing for finer control of the existing drone BattleSats than before. The new control systems also form a template for future drone control systems of smaller, more mobile, units, although the computerized systems for such are still a work in progress. You now, however, have a solid framework from which to build and thus while development work for the next phase of the research project will still be expensive, it won’t be excessively so.
The improvements in educational technology, on the other hand, are welcome across the board. The improvements within your R&D establishment are the least of the benefits, as it is projected that the new methods, techniques, and technologies will spin off multiple new industries across the Empire, improving your economic outlook as well.
Survey work has been completed.
GX-I42A was as expected, a red giant with no usable resources within the system. However the remains of an old pirate slave holding facility were found within the system that appears to have been abandoned almost a century ago. Investigators have discovered log entries that seem to indicate that this particular band of pirate slavers had withdrawn to the galactic east when raids on the NRI became unprofitable.
GX-I42B is a gorgeous world, with large oceans moderating the climate and landmasses that more resemble enormous chains of islands than continents. The weather is beautiful, there are ample resources, and the vegetation is gorgeous. When the survey crews arrived it was spring and the local analogue to the cherry tree was in full bloom, creating spectacular scenery and inspiring the survey crews to dip into Japanese for the name, Atarashī Kyōto, or New Kyoto.
GX-J41 is a far less pleasant location. It is a barren, rocky, ugly place with limited water, very poor soil, a thin atmosphere and boring views. The most memorable thing about the place is just how many massive boulders are present everywhere on the surface of the lone marginally habitable world. Thus it has been dubbed Baile Carraig, or Rock Town in Irish.
GX-I43 is a much more pleasant place, especially in comparison to J41. While it has just average economic potential according to the survey crews it is much more habitable, especially if you like living around water. Because unlike Baile Carraig, this place has almost too much of the dihydrogen monoxide. Since the survey crews were in communication with each other, some wag in this survey team decided to tease the ones stuck over in J41 by dubbing this place Talamh Uisce, or Water Land. Cheeky bastard.
Finally you attend a demonstration of the new Advanced Tactical Missile system. The launchers are far more refined now, although technicians indicate that there are plenty of areas where they perceive future work could improve things even more. A preliminary design for a variant of the Eagle making use of the new missile reveals that it is broadly equal to the old missile variant of that platform while being significantly cheaper and with far more flexibility. It only has a pair of 12 tube ATM launchers compared to the three pack of 20-cell LRM launchers in the older design, but the new missiles are so much more capable than the older ones that overall damage output downrange is a near wash, for less net heat generation. The design if hardly a finalized one, of course, but designers are confident that they can come up with something usable if needed.
Scheduled vote count started by LordSunhawk on Sep 2, 2023 at 4:17 AM, finished with 6 posts and 6 votes.
[X] Plan: Nothing new under the sun
-[X] Procurement [$ 11,489,292,021,968.50 ]
--[X] Lay Down Major Unit [Construction - $86,988,770,006.75 ] (95)
---[X] 400 Artemis [95]
---[X] 257 Wright [95]
---[X] 257 Colt [95]
---[X] 379 Kearsage [95]
---[X] 60 Mashu [95]
--[X] Lay down Jumpship [Jumpship Construction - $18,161,082,500.00 ] (90)
---[X] 25 Rawalpindi [90]
--[X] Lay down Warship [Warship Construction - $960,637,627,466.67 ] (90)
---[X] 50 Belfast*
---[X] 50 Phoenix*
---[X] 50 Atlanta*
---[X] 18 Centaur*
---[X] 25 Prinz Eugen II*
---[X] 25 Hawke*
---[X] 10 Akagi*
---[X] 16 Kaiserin*
---[X] 16 Lion*
---[X] 1 Nagato*
---[X] 200 Battle [90]
---[X] 50 Tarantul [90]
---[X] 50 Asheville [90]
---[X] 60 White Plains [90]
---[X] 110 Legend [90]
---[X] 22 Centaur [90]
---[X] 18 Kaiserin [90]
---[X] 18 Lion [90]
---[X] 0 Nagato [90]
--[X] Purchase New Units [Minor Unit - $ 14,219,556,995.10 ] (90)
---[X] 100 Fighter Wing [auto]
---[X] 100 Carrier Wing [90]
---[X] 50 CAP Wing [90]
---[X] 70 Light Attack Wing [90]
---[X] 18 Garrison Division [90]
---[X] 18 Militia Division [90]
---[X] 25 Infantry Division [90
---[X] 5 Battlemech Division [90]
--[X] Fortress Command [$ 10,409,284,985,000.00 ] (90)
---[X] Build Jump Point Defenses
---[X] 10 Arx Defense Stations
---[X] 10 Fortress Class Defense Station
---[X] Construct Black Tower
----[X] Stahlkampfauge [90]
----[X] Steingarten [90]
----[X] Pustina [90]
----[X] Kurortas [90]
----[X] Arvum [90]
---[X] 5 Spartoi Clusters [90]
---[X] Build Sensor Shell
----[X] New Phoenix [90]
---[X] 30 Laser Turret Clusters [90]
---[X] 30 Naval PPC BattleSat Clusters [90]
---[X] 30 Missile BattleSat Clusters [90]
---[X] 30 Point Defense BattleSat Clusters [90]
-[X] General [$ 24,288,750,000,000.00 ]
--[X] Focus Development on Core World New Pollux [90]
--[X] Focus Development on Peripheral World Nubfragio [90]
--[X] Massive Core Investment Calliope [85]
--[X] Massive Peripheral Investment New Narnia [85]
--[X] Economic Investment (90)
---[X] Griff's Leap [90]
---[X] Stahlfurt [90]
---[X] Arvum [90]
---[X] Baddorando [90]
---[X] Hot Mess [90]
--[X] Major Economic Investment (90)
---[X] Calliope [90]
---[X] Okusawa [90]
---[X] Pustina [90]
---[X] Steingarten [90]
---[X] Novolar [90]
--[X] Construct Infrastructure and Industrial zones on
---[X] Can Tho Moi [90]
---[X] Nuova Basilicata [90]
---[X] Highland [90]
---[X] Gateway [90]
---[X] Imobiliar [90]
--[X] Imperial Outreach
--[X] Survey GX-I42A [90]
--[X] Survey GX-I42B [90]
--[X] Survey GX-J41 [90]
--[X] Survey GX-I43 [90]
--[X] Build ASF Factory Complex (95)
---[X] Glorreich [95]
---[X] Shin Tōkyō [95]
---[X] Kurortas [95]
---[X] Raj [95]
---[X] Platzregensburg [95]
---[X] Pryyemnyy [95]
---[X] Awha [95]
---[X] Bāṛi [95]
---[X] Bellaterra [95]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Nowy Szecin [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Baddorando [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Sturmland [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Neubayern [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Neuhessen [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Nouvelle Bourgogne [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Nuova Lombardia [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Skala [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Stahlfurt [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Griff's Leap [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Pusztasag [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Olej [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Przyjemny [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Pryyemnyy [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Nashornland [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard The Hub [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Nuova Puglia [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Nuovo Abruzzo [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Stenen Tuin [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Nyu Shikoku [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Nuova Tripoli [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Eisabfall [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Neuthuringen [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Nowe Mazsowsze [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Nox [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Platzregensburg [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Porto Milano [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Landprettig [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard New Algiers [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard New Clew Bay [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Nubifrgio [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Bergheim [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Highland [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard New Arcadia [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard New Portland [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Hot Mess [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard New Narnia [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Nueva Chiapas [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Nowego Lubina [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Salamander [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Apleista [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Nowa Rzeka [90]
--[X] Construct Escort Yard Acelbanya [90]
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Griffon [90]
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Calliope [90]
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Edelsteine [90]
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Nowa Warzsawa [90]
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard New Pollux [90]
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard New Phoenix [90]
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Iskra [90]
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Bari [90]
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Feurstern [90]
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Awha [90]
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Grand View [90]
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Okusawa [90]
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard New Capricorn [90]
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Pustina [90]
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Steingarten [90]
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Chuma [90]
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Kurortas [90]
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Pieklo [90]
--[X] Construct Small Warship Yard Catachan [90]
--[X] Construct Medium Warship Yard Glorreich [90]
--[X] Construct Medium Warship Yard Kaiyo [90]
--[X] Construct Medium Warship Yard Nya Kopenhamn [90]
--[X] Construct Medium Warship Yard Nowy Slask [90]
--[X] Construct Medium Warship Yard Kainga [90]
--[X] Construct Large Warship Yard Bohren [->1]
--[X] Construct Large Warship Yard Raj [->1]
--[X] Construct Large Warship Yard Pieklo [->1]
--[X] Construct Large Warship Yard Novolar [->1]
--[X] Construct Large Warship Yard Bari* [90]
--[X] Construct Large Warship Yard Shin Tokyo* [90]
--[X] Construct Large Warship Yard New Libertalia* [90]
--[X] Construct Large Warship Yard Pinball* [90]
--[X] Upgrade Refit & Repair Yard [105]
--[X] Expand Orbital Shipyards [105]
-[X] DoME [$ 6,000,000,000,000.00 ]
--[X] Construct Major Army Base - Nya Köpenhamn* [90]
--[X] Construct Major Fleet Base - Nya Köpenhamn* [90]
--[X] Build Capital Shipyard Nowa Warszawa* [->2]
--[X] Terraforming Nouvelle Bourgogne* [90]
--[X] Terraforming Hot Mess* [90]
--[X] Terraforming Baddorando* [90]
--[X] Terraforming Sturmland* [90]
--[X] Terraforming Nowego Lublina* [90]
--[X] Build Capital Shipyard Okusawa [->4]
--[X] Build Capital Shipyard New Pollux [->4]
--[X] DoME Team to NRR*
--[X] DoME Team to NRI*
--[X] Planetary Optimization (Peripheral) - Neubayern* [90]
-[X] Research [$ 245,000,000,000,000.00 ]
--[X] Prototype Lithium-Fusion Battery II* [->5]
--[X] Advanced Tactical Missiles - Prototype [80]
--[X] Improved Education Lvl 11 [100]
--[X] Genetic Engineering Lvl 7* [->1]
--[X] Military Drone Theory II* [65]
--[X] Military Drone Design II* [65]
--[X] Military Drone Control Systems II* [65]
--[X] Military Drone Handling Systems II* [65]
--[X] Commercial R&D
--[X] Industrial R&D
-[X] Miscellaneous [$ 230,390,000,000.00 ]
--[X] Culture [$ 94,020,000,000.00 ]
---[X] Olympics
---[X] Polish Cultural Festival [70]
--[X] Production Contract [134,370,000,000]
The new 1st Fleet had its first trial by fire as they ran into a well-defended Black Steel manufacturing node. While they succeeded at destroying the node and driving the Black Steel out of the system it was located in, they did take the first major losses of the campaign as ten of the Lion-class battlecruisers were lost in action, along with around a hundred lighter units.
While the losses were heavier than you’d like to hear about, they are still sustainable, considering that you are now building around 16 new Lions every year. The loss of life is highly regrettably, but to be honest is lighter than the losses you’d take if you let the Black Steel rebuild unchallenged. The campaign is continuing, despite the losses.
Second Fleet is continuing their operations, although they are only rarely finding small Black Steel outposts in their patrol area. Every little bit helps, though, and their operations are securing that flank of 1st Fleet’s operations.
The anti-piracy patrols have continued to hit small pirate outposts and deal with pirate bands that have yet to get the memo that there’s a new sheriff in town. Your diplomats are making hay while the sun shines, and your standing in the Fringe continues to improve.
You’ve also gotten a bit more intelligence from the Inner Sphere. A free trader has sold your agents a data chip that contains recorded news reports from the Federated Commonwealth News Network. They date from the late 3030s, so they are dreadfully out of date, but they do give you a great deal of insight into daily life in the Federated Commonwealth at least. Among the human interest stories, which mean next to nothing to you but your analysts are having a field day trying to build models about daily life in the FedCom from them, there are a few gems.
A news report about a natural disaster highlights the humanitarian effort led by ComStar amid a plea for donations for recovery efforts. ComStar personnel are shown working alongside FedCom military personnel providing food, shelter, and medical care to the survivors of a cataclysmic series of earthquakes which had leveled a rather large city on this planet. There is what appears to be an almost throwaway reference to ComStar recovering their reputation following something called ‘the Purge’.
Almost as informative are the advertisements, including one that has your analysts scratching their heads in confusion as it is for a tour of ‘romantic getaways in the Draconis Combine’, sponsored by the Draconis Combine Tourism Agency. You’d never thought of putting the words ‘Draconis Combine’ and ‘romantic getaway’ in the same paragraph, let alone the same sentence, and from your experience you didn’t think the Dracs knew what the word ‘Tourism’ meant. Yet here it is, a rather snazzily produced commercial extolling romantic vacations in the Draconis Combine carried on a FedCom news network.
Interestingly, there is a news story about ongoing ‘diplomatic discussions’ between the FedCom and the Draconis Combine, evidently dealing with further reducing tensions along the former Davion borders. There’s a reference in this story to an ‘upcoming documentary’ about the Combine’s response to the Kentares Massacre titled ‘From Dragon to Worm’. Considering that this documentary is supposedly produced by a Combine documentary maker… This has some interesting implications.
There’s another advertisement for donations for Canopian refugees from the ‘Marik Genocide’ jointly sponsored by ComStar, the Taurian Concordat, the Aurigan Coalition and the Federated Commonwealth showing extremely large refugee camps, apparently located within Taurian and Aurigan space. The advertisements are not simply for financial donations, but also recruiting volunteers to help in the camps.
There is another news story, detailing a major battle between the Federated Commonwealth Navy, supported by elements of the Taurian Concordat Navy, against a ‘major incursion in Aurigan space’ by the Free Worlds League. The allied forces were, according to the story, successful in driving off a Marik raid on a refugee center ‘before they got in bombardment range’. The story includes a statement from the Free Worlds League denouncing the FedCom for ‘sheltering murderous Canopian terrorists’ and that this is proof that the Federated Commonwealth is an ‘illegitimate bandit state’.
Closer to home you receive some somewhat amusing reports from Elizabeth Lee, specifically noting that somehow the entire Empire managed to grow its basal industrial capacity by the exact same absolute amount, from the smallest and newest Peripheral world to the largest and wealthiest Core world. It was not for the same reasons across the board, in some cases it is due to relatively poor growth, like in the Core, in others it is because of surprisingly large investments by private interests significantly boosting industrial potential beyond what would ordinarily be expected based on local infrastructure levels. Nevertheless, it is a quirky and somewhat odd coincidence. You’d seen that spreadsheet before, and had never seen every single final entry in that area be the same.
The Department of Periphery Studies and their distinguished tenured faculty continue to be obsessed about being either extremely dramatic and emo ‘nobility of the night’ or savage werebeasts. Thankfully the citizens of Griffsport are taking it all in very good humor and are playing along with both sides of this ‘war’. This particular silliness is not happening on the palace grounds, thankfully, sparing you from the worst of it. Evidently the hard-working staff have convinced the distinguished faculty that the Palace is ‘sacred ground’ and that if they step foot on its grounds they will be forced to spend twenty-four hours regenerating in their ‘place of power’.
That’s something at least, and you send a very grateful note to the director of the Department for that clever bit of foresight and improvisation.
