*********Subspace Static Week 52 Year 197 - 18th December 1997*********
Good News
Ships and ground parties can now be returned via email. Please specify which positions you want emailed, that is a list of positions, writing "ALL" will be ignored as it means searching though 5000 positions just to find them! These positions will then always be emailed until otherwise ordered.
Colonies and Political's are to follow shortly.
Merry christmas and a Happy New Year and thanks for the cards.
*** End of week 52****
As Mica is off on his holidays for two weeks, and as far as I am aware, nothing has been said about when week 52 should end, I have called it for 3pm Tuesday 30th December. I will then try to get the colonys out before the New Year holidays. Week 1 of the new year will end on Tuesday 8th as normal. Mica is back into work on the 5th so you will be able to send special actions for week 1.
All the best for Christmas and New Year, and I hope I don't make too many mistakes with your turns! It has been a while since I last processed BSE. Kevin
*********Subspace Static Week 51 Year 197 - 11th December 1997*********
Message from the CIA 'Battle Fleet' to the Imperial Services
"We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new Hiport."
New Rulebook and Email
Both of these projects are coming along nicely, with the cover art now being finished and the programs having reached the debugging stage for both ship and ground parties.
GM's Holiday
In order to avoid the cold and wet and relax in front of a fire drinking,I will be away from the office from the 20th December until the 5th January. Due to the 'lost' week around the 37th, week 52 will last for two weeks. I strongly recommend that you avoid the chaos that usually accompanies Christmas mail, actions are kept to budget profile with little need for deadlines.
*********Subspace Static Week 50 Year 197 - 4th December 1997*********
The week drew to a close with the destruction of a RIP scout ship by the Brotherhood. It is likely they were hoping that the RIP were going to send reinforcements.
*********Other News*********
Due to a number of anonymous phone calls that may be related to the game, Dave Smith has been left no option but to step down from controlling the Kastorians. Unlikely as it may seem, should anyone know anything relating to this, I would be grateful if they would either contact the police or myself. This leaves Kastorian space under the direct control of the GM, which means that as I cannot spend the time negotiating with the various factions to the same degree Dave did, I have little option than to reinstate the Kastorian system ship programme (basically speaking, zero tolerance, with as many ships as are needed
to completely and utterly destroy any and all aggressors in the Kastorian space, the moment they arrive).
For the same reason, the RIP can no longer jump into Kastorian space.
Emails
The first step has been completed today with the successful sending of a system map via email. The rest is soon to follow.
Websites
As expected, there was a fierce outcry regarding the posting of battle reports on the website, although all have shown interest in posting subspace static instead. There shouldn't be any problem with this.
*********Subspace Static Week 49 Year 197 - 27th November 1997*********
*********Space Battle*********
RIP (Really Independent Pirates?)
In an unprecedented move the RIP broke the treaty of non-aggression with the Kastorians in order to capture two SMS merchant vessels while completely avoiding a fight with a lone CNF battleship situated in the same location. While the CNF can't be blamed for the RIP's choice of targets, questions are being asked.
The Brotherhood would gladly have traded places with the CNF as all they managed to destroy were a couple of RIP yachts that had been strategically placed to allow the remnants of last week's fiasco to escape.
If this was not as productive as hoped, a lone BHD Tempest was caught by a RIP fleet and captured, although the primary target was an AFT ship of the line which was also boarded. The RIP seem to be doing very well preying on ships in the Darkfold periphery.
Meanwhile back in the Capellan periphery, the IMP, FET and SMS were about to throw a party for a RIP ship when Rolling Thunder, the CNF war fleet gate crashed. The results were cataclysmic, annihilating the FET and one of the IMP ship of the Lines while the other IMP vessel crawled away with barely enough life supports. Needless to say, the CNF didn't engage the RIP and vice versa, leaving the SMS to deal with them.
*********Boarding Action*********
Having learnt the location of a Brotherhood survey ship, a RIP vessel landed next to it and sent out a boarding team. Fighting was fierce as the Brotherhood ship was not without defences, but the pirates had the advantage and the ship finally fell.
In the Capellan periphery the AFT boarded the derelict paddington Bear, the RIP ship engaged last week.
*********Other News*********
After realising the futility of continued aggression, the Kastorians and the Brotherhood have vowed to become allies. With the breaking of the agreement with RIP and the danger the RIP now pose in Kastorian space, is a timely event.
IMP reply to latest CIA demand for compensation.
In light of the fact that the CIA have declined to accept our most generous offer of compensation for the loss of their cog in the orbit of Winward and have also indicated that they are not prepared to negotiate a reasonable settlement, the offer is withdrawn forthwith. On consideration, the Viceroy has awarded the Governor of St. Perersburg the stellar order of Merit for destroying the gun running rebel ship.
Website
As we are currently working on the website for KJC games, would anyone object to posting the battle reports for all to view Thursday/Friday so that mail delays do not hinder game play.
Reprints
Due to the tireless work or the programmer (bless him), BSE will soon be saved to file rather than direct printing, this will mean that reprints will be available. This is the first step towards returning via email which we hope to have running by the new year.
*********Subspace Static Week 48 Year 197 - 20th November 1997*********
*********Space Battle*********
A break down in communication was the undoing of the RIP, as events started to turn horribly pear shaped. In two separate incidents an early movement led other affiliations to discover where marauding with enough time to send for backup. A third event, also connected, was that one RIP ship attacked an FET ship of the Line with no other support. Needless to say, it received a thoroughly good hiding and fled with it's tail between it's legs. As the smoke cleared, the Brotherhood had notched up three kills while the combined efforts of the SMS and AFT had derelicted another.
Another Confederate scout ship bit the dust in the continuing efforts to discover viable Imperial targets and strategic information.
*********Land Battle*********
The assault on St. Petersburg continued this week, but help was at hand. Two Imperial task forces that had been tracking the CIA across the planet gave up the goose chase and decided to head home. Luckily for them, they arrived just in time to see the CIA bombing the colony. Rushing to the rescue, their combined forces were able to inflict massive damage on the CIA, but at great expense to themselves. The matter has by no means been resolved.
A daring display of ingenuity allowed the CNF to capture an IMP ship. By landing a ground party on a world and boarding the ship, they were able to capture her with little effort and no chance of the ship escaping.
*********Other News*********
Ex FET ships on the CNF posted list
The CNF has noted the change in ownership of a number of FET vessels currently on the CNF posted list. It is believed they have been acquired for resale to a third party.
Warning - any affiliation contemplating the purchase of Deep Explorers Protector (2106) or Mutsu (2964) take note that these positions will NOT be removed from the CNF posted list. Buy and operate these positions at your own risk - they will remain legitimate targets for the Confederate "Rolling Thunder" Strike Force!
Colony Assaults
After a number of justified points (and not too few unjustified ones), I have drawn the conclusion that attacking ground parties need not enter the starport to capture the colony. The reasons are as follows:-
1. The straport is not an intimate part of a colony in the same way that Heathrow is not the centre of London, also explaining why it takes half a day to pick up 1mu of goods!
2. Most assaulting forces are not surface capable, therefore must move into the colony sector before entering the colony. If someone is willing to go to the extra expense of incorporating shuttles, they should gain an advantage.
The ongoing problem of protecting the military wing (a feature present since the conversion to computer 15 years ago), is being considered. So far there is a split exactly down the middle with the sides taking the stance that the proposed solutions are either woefully inadequate or make the colony completely invulnerable, obviously both can't be right? I think a few tests may have to be done.
*********Subspace Static Week 47 Year 197 - 13th November 1997*********
*********Space Battle*********
While on route to a colony, the AFT Carrier Persian Star II was blasted by the RIP with Ion Cannons killing all crew and passengers.
Possibly the last fleet of the DOG was completely derelicted by the Clan during a drawn out battle, although from the start it was clear that although the Clan only just outnumbered the DOG, they seriously out gunned them.
A desperate attempt by the RIP to inflict damage on the saviours of Yokusoka ended in total defeat for the RIP. Mayby there will now be a return to peace.
CIA Bombers rolled in on an Imperial colony in a hit and run attempt. Extensive damage was delivered as the whole region shook from the assault.
The CIA run in with hostile natives on an unnamed planet ended in a similar way. No survivors.
Deep in Imperial territory, a CNF scout was spotted by an Imperial Patrol Cruiser who having no weapons had to let it go as no aid arrived.
*********Other News*********
Winward Blockade
From week 48 the emergency blockade of the planet Winward will be lifted, now that sufficient time has passed to bolster the defences of the colony on this world.
The Leader of the FET has a new address:-
Ted Pratt - 10 Kefford Close, Horndean Hants PO8 9JR Tel. 01705 715354
*********Subspace Static Week 46 Year 197 - 6th November 1997*********
*********Space Battle*********
After a long period of inactivity, the Clan have once again initiated hostilities towards the DOG, striking a group of five ships. The Clan seemed to gain the advantage despite being outnumbered and managed to derelict the DOG vessels.
Within the Capellan periphery an SMS vessel happened to run across a RIP ship, quickly derelict it then carry on it's journey. Very efficient.
*********Other News*********
Response to Imperial offer of compensation for the illegal attack in the Blagard system
Due to the nature of the events leading to this issue, the CIA will not accept any offer other than the one requested by the CIA membership. This non-negotiable step is taken due to the ineptitude and lack of forward planning by the Imperial services.
*********Subspace Static Week 45 Year 197 - 30th October 1997*********
*********Space Battle*********
Yet another CNF scout ship fell to an IMP patrol while wandering though the Capellan Periphery.
*********Other News*********
Message from the KAS
The moon Kindom in the Skord system is now open for exploration.
Due to constant harassment of the KAS colony Jadis situated on Kindom, the Brotherhood are banned from both the world and orbit of Kindom and will be posted for being in either.
Good News
Finally one of the problems listed some time ago for colonies has been fixed. This being the between turn scans for colonies. Now you will receive as part of the sensor report for colonies a list of all positions that scanned your colony in the same way a ship does. Ship scans have also been upgraded to ignore subsequently deleted positions.
*********Subspace Static Week 44 Year 197 - 23rd October 1997*********
*********Space Battles & Boarding*********
A CIA Runner fell prey to the RIP on their tour de Darkfold. Leaving ships in the middle of nowhere is asking for trouble.
Having missed the earlier assault on the KAS colony a few weeks back a couple of Brotherhood warships decided to check on the rebuilding work in progress. That they were both destroyed indicates that it is presumably on schedule.
The Brotherhood were feeling rather pleased with them selves for derelicting an FET Supra Freighter last week. This week had loaded up a ship ready for the boarding action. Unfortunately for them, the RIP had other plans, and having discovered the location of last week's battle turned up in force destroying the Brotherhood boarding vessel and stealing the Supra freighter.
The CNF were luckier in their boarding action carried out on the RIP ship derelicted last week. The boarding action was a mere formality.
A rouge Dewiek ground party in a colony successfully boarded a KAS ship that had landed in the starport. The colony not having the KAS on the defend list was unable to prevent the proceedings.
*********Other News*********
Colony Assaults & Starport Battles
A colony will use it's security complexes to launch attacks and defend other positions. This is a starport battle. In these cases a colony will never be captured. This is the definition of a starport battle.
If the colony is defending itself, it will use the entirety of it's military wing and may be captured as a result. This is the definition of a colony assault.
The question arises is should the attacker have to enter the starport to capture it if the battle was won in the colony sector? If it does, it means it will generally have to fight defenders in the starport making colonies almost invulnerable. If it does not, it would entice people to keep more military hardware in the military wing rather than using it to form a ground party in the starport. Your opinions would be appreciated, but please keep them very brief, hi-lighting your choice.
IMP Claims Debt
It has been concluded that a CIA COG was destroyed as a result of a breach of Inter Affiliation Rules of Engagement at IMP Colony St. Petersburg. Pecuniary compensation is therefore available at the standard rates.
Hulls at replacement cost (Cog @ 8/60/15) = 197000
Engines at replacement cost = 11000
1280mu of unspecified cargo @ 100/mu = 128000
Ship Total = 336000 stellars
To families of lost crew, assumed to be 8, 20 years pay based on a 40 week maintenance Cycle @ 5 stellars per maintenance = 1040 stellars
Cargo & Fittings can be adjusted to replacement cost on provision of a certified ship's manifest. Alternatively pecuniary compensation set by an independent party (EEM/IND Thorne) will be considered.
*********Subspace Static Week 43 Year 197 - 16th October 1997*********
*********Space Battle*********
The RIP vessel badly damaged in last week's confrontation with the CNF was this week finally derelicted after the CNF brought in reinforcements.
*********Land Battle*********
At the other end of the peripheries, the RIP and the FET clashed over the recently captured FET colony. Both sides disengaged after a short skirmish. The FET most definately gained the upper hand in this round managing to capture some of the spoils that the RIP were removing from the colony, The Brotherhood launched the final and futile assault against the KAS. All the Brotherhood forces were either destroyed or injured during the fight.
*********Subspace Static Week 42 Year 197 - 9th October 1997*********
*********Space Battle*********
Kastorian Relief
Having suffered major casualties, the Kastorians issued a plea to allies to come to their aid. The turnout was surprising considering the lack of preperation time with a show of force from both humans and aliens, effectively blockading the planet of last week's vicious attack by the Brotherhood. Unfortunately as fast as the response was, almost all of the Armada had already vacated and only a couple of vessels ran into the blockade, these having been damages in their last battle. Needles to say there were no survivors.
Confederate Housecleaning
Having discovered a small RIP warfleet in the Darkfold periphery the AFT alerted all the Confederate Factions of their presence. Seeking revenge for past atrocities warships were sent from the AFT, BHD, CIA, and the DTR. Even a FET ship got caught up in the excitement although it didnt hang around. This would almost certainly have been a decisive victory but the RIP, rather than bolstering their fleet, fled before the end of the week, leaving only a scuppered yacht.
Other Battles
Across the Darkfold periphery there were numourus other fights involving the dereliction of two FET ships (not the one in the above space battle though). Why one was landed in a Brotherhood colony is anybody's guess.
*********Other News*********
Press Release from IMP
The Imperial Services do not consider the words "Ultimatum" and "Demand" to have any place in the diplomatic lexicon but discussion of the implications of the CIA statement and a formal reply will be submitted by the end of week 44. Further negotiations will be conducted.
Message from the Kastorians
All BHD merchant and exploration vessels are allowed in KAS soace as of now, but there is still a ban on Warships. The KAS also give the BHD a four week period to remove the ground party from the planet Kingdom in the Skord system.
*********Subspace Static Week 41 Year 197 - 2nd October 1997*********
No sss.
*********Subspace Static Week 40 Year 197 - 26st September 1997*********
*********Space Battle*********
A minor skirmish in the Darkfold periphery resulted in the loss of a couple of small trading ships. The attacking pirates had hoped for something a little more substantial. At the other end of the peripheries part of the IMP warfleet successfully destroyed a CNF scout ship. This time reinforcements failed to show, probably due to the lack of communication time.
*********Land Battle*********
The FET colony that got caught up in a space battle with the Confederacy last week was captured by the RIP as a result of an anonymous tip-off. At the same time, the CNF Battleship derelicted in orbit last week was successfully boarded by the GTT.
*********Other News*********
Order In Council
By order of the Imperial Viceroy and in light of the discovery of a ground party, Spitfire (818), on the surface of the planet Winward in the Blagard (172) system, comprising a real present danger to IMP St. Petersburg (2853), the Imperial forces will adopt a shoot on sight policy towards all and any CIA positions found to be in the said system until such time as all CIA ground forces have surrendered or the colony has been destroyed.
Witness this my hand and seal - Admiral Lord Simms, KSG, Imperial Viceroy, Capellan Periphery
Pirate Election
The unofficial opening of a new sausage factory on Tyburn by the former Pirate King has prompted the ascension of a new ruler.
Long live the King.
Ultimatum from the CIA
In response to the unjustified attack on a CIA trading vessel by the IMP, the CIA demand 750,000 stellars and 2 SOL's as compensation or there will be a reprisal against an as yet unspecified IMP colony. While this might seem steep, the CIA PD wishes it to be known that it is only for the complete lack of any sort of public apology, hence clear promotion of piratical acts.
*********Subspace Static Week 39 Year 197 - 23rd September 1997*********
*********Space Battle*********
Confederates Raise Stakes
The Confederacy managed to pull off a potentially disastrous mission this week. The war fleet entered orbit of a world containing a FET colony with an active posted list. The colony opened fire on the fleet but the return fire was devastating cutting the colony defences to ribbons almost immediately. The lack of FET friendly ships in the orbit meant that the entire fleet could devote all their attention and fire power to the colony whilst suffering only one dereliction.
*********Other News*********
I have returned from holiday to discover that week 37 has been stolen. How this happened is uncertain, but the boss assures me that it has been taken care off and there should be no in-game ramifications as nobody gained an extra turn. Apart from that everything should be back to normal....
*********Subspace Static Week 38 Year 197 - 19th September 1997*********
KJC error resulted in no sss
*********Subspace Static Week 37 Year 197 - 12th September 1997*********
KJC error resulted in no sss
*********Subspace Static Week 36 Year 197 - 5th September 1997*********
*********Space Battle*********
Despite numerous tactical manoeuvres this week by no less than the RIP, the CIA and the SMS, only one small skirmish involving a RIP yacht occurred. It appears that the lessons of recent weeks have finally been learnt and affiliations have taken a tighter control of stray ships of more likely one fleet was chasing another only to find it too had gone in search of victims.
*********Other News*********
Even as I speak, work is being done drilling and laying new cabling for the network. this will mean that when I return from my holiday, the current rise in inputting errors will be a thing of the past (well...wishful thinking). Current delays, sometimes up to minutes for order processing can lead to re-inputting of the same order, skipping orders, or skipping part of orders mainly due to concentration loss.
In order to help me, I will give a short list of the top five mistakes players make. most of these are trivial and are generally spotted, but these can mean orders fail if not used.
Thrust Movement - there are lots of stars out there, please try to avoid them. Check if you are going though multiple systems that will not take you into one. It's your TU's your wasting.
Correct Locations - make sure you give the right location for the planet you are heading for, the sector you are trying to land in etc. Check that the system actually contains the world you want.
Leaving and Entering orbits - I know that there are a few that neglect this order on a regular basis either as they don't think it's important, just forget, or to make room for other orders. Please include it as it really stuffs the inputting when forgotten. There is actually a fixed penalty of 5TU's even though I don't use it.
Position Numbers - don't forget to include them on any transfer order as well as any PA wherever appropriate. If you do not have the PA code or an authorisation, then your turn should be aborted there and then.
Clearly written orders - this can make the difference between straight forward inputting and a complete disaster. Even emails are not free from this as carriage returns appear to be arbitrary in some cases leading to a block of confusing text and numbers.
*********Subspace Static Week 35 Year 197 - 28th August 1997*********
*********Space Battle*********
The Confederate war fleet made another dramatic attack into the Capellan Periphery striking with absolute destruction against two FET vessels. The FET vessels destroyed were a Ship of the Line and a Patrol Cruiser. Once again it is proved that defence of the Capellan Periphery is more tenuous than moon mist.
The only bright speck in otherwise bleak news for the FET was the Confederate scout ship whose mission it was to discover viable targets accidentally wandered into a small fleet of ships and was torn apart.
In another part of the galaxy, an SMS Belter class was waylaid twice by RIP ships during the same week but despite this the ship managed to pull though relatively intact. Some captains have all the luck.
*********Other News*********
GM Annual Holiday
Two weeks of freedom covering weeks 37 and 38 (8th - 19th September) means that the game might be a little chaotic and special actions that need the referee's attention should be avoided if possible.
*********Subspace Static Week 34 Year 197 - 22nd August 1997*********
*********Space Battle*********
RIP Deviant was completely destroyed while scouting an ART colony in Imperial space.
A lone CNF Battleship penetrated Imperial space in order to attack one of the IMP survey ships. Luckily for the IMP the survey vessel was faster and managed to flee at the first sign of trouble, although it suffered extensive damage to the main section.
*********Subspace Static Week 33 Year 197 - 14th August 1997*********
*********Space Battle*********
The Flagritz are once again on the war path. A calculated strike following tactics pioneered by the Confederacy led to the annihilation of the GTT patrol cruiser Executer while suffering no damage themselves.
*********Other News*********
IMP Blast Innocents
Last week an Imperial colony opened fire on a CIA ship as stated in subspace static. Following the attack an investigation revealed that the attack was illegal. It is clearly stated in the rules that affiliations can in general, only be added to an enemy list during war situations. All other times the posting rules must be used. This has been mentioned in subspace static before. Check your positions, they are your responsibility and your PD might get very upset if accidents happen.
Slow turn around on turns
Some of you might have been experiencing a delay between the time you expect your turn and the actual arrival. This is caused by the computer network, As you might be aware, we have recently upgraded the system and the new one should be much faster, but nothing is ever straight forward and the whole system appears to be crawling. Having exhausted all the checks we are capable of doing, we are having to send for the big boys with the High Tech Doo Dams and Thingimy Bobs to rip it all to bits and sort it out.
*********Subspace Static Week 32 Year 197 - 7th August 1997*********
*********Space Battle*********
Once again the Confederacy appear to be the aggressors although this time only their scout ship was caught by FET as it ventured a little too close to a well protected world. Needless to say this was the last tour of duty for CNF Ranger 2. The CIA are getting in on the act, as this week one of their vessels was destroyed when entering an Imperial guarded orbit.
