 | Sub Space Static
Weeks 27.202 to 52.202
Classification: Open |
*********Subspace Static Week 48 Year 202 - 1st December 2002*********
*********Space Battle*********
Confederate Enter Fray
A large Confederate warfleet having taken note of the Imperial activity over Kastor moved to intercept. The reason for their involvement is at present uncertain. As to whether this is merely the prevention of an Imperial aligned space station in the Darkfold Periphery or whether it was to aid the Kastorians. If they latter, it is very doubtful that they would be admitting as much on account of the political ramifications for the security of their Yank colonies. The battle was decidedly one sided. The entire Imperial fleet including the space station was destroyed. This will strengthen their claim that they were not aiding the Kastor faction of the Kastorians.*********Other News*********
Starbase Conversions
This has been largely written by Thomas Franz of the DTR.
Colony conversion options:
1. Colony to Starbase
- This is the option to go if you want to run the colony as a starbase at this location in the future, which means you also want to run merchandising complexes at this location (because you either want to or think this might be a nice location for it). Merchandising complexes at your starbases will be constructed during conversion and will be coming from spare modules that come from farms, structural units, etc. If you already have merchandising complexes at your colony then they will be converted on a 1:1 basis and you will end up with more spare modules at your starbase.
2. Colony to 'phoenix outpost'
- Only chance to turn ALL complexes into modules. This is the correct choice if you have a colony that you do want to dismantle and move the content elsewhere in Phoenix. The title of this option is misleading, I think Mica meant to say 'colony into what you get from a BSE outpost during conversion', meaning something you do not ever want to run as a starbase at this location. Obviously after the conversion you can construct complexes from modules in order to keep the outpost at this location.
3. Colony to starbase flagged as outpost.
- Converts your colony into a starbase with the exceptions that no merchandising complexes will be created from the spare modules and it will be flagged as outpost. Outposts in phoenix are starbases flagged as outposts (Starbases flagged as outposts won't be able to use factory production and won't be able to generate stellar income from merchandising complexes. Also research will be very ineffective at outposts compared to starbases). You might want to use this option to turn your colony into a starbase flagged as outpost because you do not have the possibility to run it as starbase at the moment. In this case you can decide whether you want to build merchandising complexes at your starbase when you are able to run it as such. This is also the right choice if you want to turn an existing colony into an outposts that still has all the complexes (outposts in phoenix will be able to have and use special complexes etc but they will be less effective).
Additional comments on colony conversion options:
- The amount of merchandising complexes present on a planet right after conversion (option 1 - merchandising complexes, option 2 - no merchandising complexes, option 3 - existing BSE ones) will influence the planetary merchandising values. Every Affiliation will receive a startup scenario that is sufficient to support their stellar needs and all Affiliations will find reasonable growth potential in planetary markets that are already colonized, regardless by starbases with or without merchandising complexes.
BSE outposts conversion:
- All BSE outposts will be turned into starbases flagged as outposts during conversion. All mines present will be converted on an Mu to Mu basis into modules, and for every 50 modules you will get a cave complex so the outpost won't be scanned from orbit normally.
Note from KJC - Do not attempt to manipulate the starting scenario through strategic selection of starbase options, i.e. opting for all starbases to convert to option 1 for the most benefit, you may find that in order to maintain the stellar income you will be forced to run all the starbases in Phoenix. Alternatively selecting option 3 for all but a few in order to get brilliant merchandising in the few starbases will ultimately mean that KJC have to reduce the merchandising potential on all other sites where option 3 was chosen. Bottom line, do not try to exploit the conversion. Make choices for your starbases based solely on what you intend to maintain in Phoenix and leave the rest to KJC.
NB. All untooled factories will be converted to modules irrespective of which option is chosen. This is a direct mass conversion. By selecting option 3 and untooling all factories, a starbase can be converted into a permanent Phoenix outpost.*********Subspace Static Week 47 Year 202 - 25th November 2002*********
*********Space Battle*********
Hostility Neutralised
The Kastorians saw an opportunity to inflict considerable damage on the fleet of Empire ships holding in the space square of the station. Increasing its range to cover the space square, the station initiated a devastating conflict that destroyed many of the ships present. The returning barrage however was too much to handle, completely clearing the military quarter of the station. Subsequent shock troops were then easily capable of securing the station.*********Other News*******
We are terribly sorry for the delays in BSE. Maintenance will be on Friday this week (although a weekend shift will be run as well just to make sure).
Just for the record, all players with positions in BSE will automatically have all their positions transferred over to Phoenix. There is no need to contact us, it is all being taken care off.
Affiliation technology - some players have expressed worries over this. The primary concern is that choosing technology prior to the conversion is not too dissimilar to firing in the dark. For this reason, all technology that is based solely on affiliation abilities, i.e. not researched technology, will be chosen and put into place after updates for the new game have been sent out. This only applies to principles, techs and blueprints. This is not replacement items for special abilities that are functions of positions, e.g. each Nebulons will produce an inertial damper at the time of conversion, but the DTR will have to decide how many blueprints they select with their starting points between the start of the game and the new year.*********Important*********
Colony Conversions
Currently there are three options:
1. Default - colony converted to starbase. All complexes remain. Factories go to half quantity of factory complexes.
2. Colony to Phoenix outpost. All complexes and factories converted into modules on a straight mass swap.
3. Colony converted to starbase but downgraded to outpost. As 1, but flagged outpost. This will enable the affiliation to convert it back into a starbase when a suitable player is found to control it. This will give the player the advantage of getting the 56% complex > complex and 25% factory > factory complex mass bonus.
NB. All outposts will have mines converted into modules. Should the player desire the outpost to remain, then merely give the order to build mines from the modules and assign them to the registered deposits. Please let us know ASAP as complexes cannot be converted into modules once Phoenix is started.*********Subspace Static Week 46 Year 202 - 15th November 2002*********
*********Space Battle*********
Kastor in trouble
The imperially chartered affiliations launched a number of assaults on the Kastor Kastorians (those wicked evil relatives of the nice friendly Yank Kastorians). An FET ship, having dumped ordnance into a ground party was destroyed while fleeing back into space. The ground assault when it came was only just repulsed by Kastorian security forces. Meanwhile in space th fleet opened fire on an IND ship. This was believed to be owned by Alexander Enterprises.
Rogue Captain
Having no access to subspace communication (internet) a recently appointed captain for the CIA took it upon himself to make a quick tour of duty in the Venice system in order to acquire market reports. Why else would the ship enter orbit of on of the most heavily protected planets in the Peripheries? Apparently the DTR are giving away missiles!*********Other News*********
GM Holiday
Not so much as holiday as a break from processing in order to complete all the rulebooks and conversion data. Richard will be covering BSE for the week.
Message from the Pirate King
In a landmark decision the Pirate King Joshua Porteus abolished slavery in every RIP colony. Celebrating the occasion of the release of the slaves with the population of cape Horne a mammoth week of drunken debauchery pirate style is currently taking place. Before he became too drunk the Pirate King said "Pirates are pirates and are born free, live free die well."
Announcement by Alexander Enterprises
Alexander Enterprises (AE) greatly resent being called pirates! Contrary to their public claim, the GTT were neither law-abiding nor peaceful when they came under attack. Instead, they had illegally entered Kastor and deployed a GP for espionage. The KST posted them accordingly and a starship with a KST Letter of Marque was dispatched to deal with the incursion. Said ship is not a proper member of the AE fleet but rather operated for the KST by AE personnel. Unless the Empire consider themselves to be at war with the Kastorians it is clearly the GTT who could be accused of piracy in other territory over this incident. Needless to say, the EEm do not consider the attacking vessel to be a pirate and have not re- classified it as RIP. AE is a peaceful trading enterprise and would very much prefer to be left alone. Yet the FET initiated hostilities and to this day maintain their attitude of attacking all IND on sight, which is why the AE, having suffered greatly from unprovoked FET aggression, fight back to force the FET to admit their mistakes, apologize and pay an adequate compensation to AE (see SSS week 8 year 202). Now it appears that the GTT are going down the same road as the FET. Once can only wonder if the IMP Viceroy is unable or unwilling to control his raving subjects. Justice shall prevail!*********Subspace Static Week 45 Year 202 - 7th November 2002*********
*********Other News*********
Announcement by the GTT
Due to the unprovoked assault on peaceful Galactic Trade and Transport shipping, going about their lawful business by people best described as pirates, the GTT has no option but to regard any ship or colony flying IND flag as nothing more than pirates, in drag. As such any IND ship or colony sighted by either a GTT colony or warship will be destroyed, at the GTT's convenience. This cowardly attack will be avenged, and the IND have no one but themselves to blame for now being regarded nothing more than target practice. To simplify matters there will be absolutely no exception to this.
Phoenix Launch
BSE will officially end following weekly maintenance on Thursday 6th December 2002. At this point all positions and data will be converted to Phoenix format. This is expected to take a couple of days. The launch date for Phoenix is set for Tuesday 11th December 2002. On this date, free updates will be sent out for all positions in the game. Leading up to this momentous event however, all players will be sent a CD containing all rule books, programs, information and basically anything else we can cram onto the disc. More information will be announced ASAP.*********Subspace Static Week 44 Year 202 - 1st November 2002*********
*********Other News*********
Apologies
The weekly maintenance was a day late this week due to infortunate real world events. Things though may also be a little chaotic next week as well due to a meeting of minds to finalise some of the technical points of Phoenix. This is the start of the big push from BSE to Phoenix due to the continueing reliability of the code during the playtest. We anticipate launching Phoenix during the quiet period of December and then going for the official launch some time in January of next year. December will be used to iron out rulebook errors and fix any oversights during the conversion. The ship rulebook, while finished is being treated to standard formatting. Starbase rules are nearing completion. If all goes well this coming week, the necessary item and technology information will have been completed allowing for the much desired list of affiliation tech and BSE researched tech conversion document to be published. This document outlines exactly how the conversion of non-troop items, research and affiliation abilities convert. No doubt this will be hotly debated during November.*********Subspace Static Week 43 Year 202 - 24th October 2002*********
*********Space Battle*********
Alexander Enterprises appear to be dissuading visitors from visiting Kastorian space. A GTT vessel was blasted with ion fire after having a little look see of Kastor. These guys at not one for issuing threats and declarations, straight for the throat. Only a small command section saved the ship from being derelicted. Had they used space fighters there would have been a very different outcome.*********Other News*********
Phoenix Update
Political positions have been added along with affiliation structures. These have been tested all week and a few tweaks have been used. Agents and operatives have been integrated and testing of these will occur over the coming week. Documentation is being written up and one hell of a job it is too. The first manual, for ships should be completed this week-end.*********Subspace Static Week 42 Year 202 - 18th October 2002*********
*********Ground Battle*********
CIA Shock troops leapt into action in an attempt to recover the ship lost last week. They easily overpowered the Inner Brotherhood force present but were unfortunately too late for the ship which had scooted some time before.*********Other News*********
Phoenix Update
Although we are now increasing the number of players in the playtest we would appreciate it everybody did not sign up all at once. It must be remembered that this is a test so there is a great deal of infrastructure that is just not present in the playtest universe. There is also a deplorable lack of documentation. At this stage it will be very confusing. If you really want to give it a go, contact a player known to be in the test and have them send you a copy of the order editor. By doing it this way, we ensure that you have at least one contact who is knowledgeable about Phoenix mechanics. This we feel is vital until the documentation is completed. It is hoped that the documentation will be completed in the next week or so and when it is it will appear on the website along with various front end editors and such.*********Subspace Static Week 41 Year 202 - 10rd October 2002*********
*********Boarding Action*********
While scouting the the Inner Confederacy a undefended CIA ship was lured down onto a planet where a faction of religious zealots immediately boarded the ship and killed the crew in ways too unpleasant to mention here. Nice!*********Subspace Static Week 40 Year 202 - 3rd October 2002*********
*********Other News*********
Phoenix Update
The recent arrival of twins (congratulations David) threw a spanner in the works, but once again progress is being made. There has been a period of debugging and automation of the email system. The playtest is going swimmingly and will in a week or so be open to all. The latest development is the political position. Each player with multiple positions will have one of these. This lists all your assets on a weekly basis. Further the position is also represented by a physical item within the game. If the political position has rank within the affiliation, it will be able to vote on issues such postings, stripping assets, promotions and much more. As well as voting they may receive reports on affiliation assets. This is a copy of a playtest political report. Note that outposts compared to starbases are more in-depth as they are not automatically printed each week.
We are busy working on documentation. This is a massive task and due to the fluid nature of the development could only be effectively carried out towards the end.
(- this turn has been stripped of printer codes so will not be set to columns)
Phoenix: Beyond the Stellar Empire KJC Games www.kjcgames.com ORI POLITICAL Orion Overlord (2785)Printed on 27th September 2002, Star Date 202.38.5----------------------------------TURN REPORT-----------------------------------|-Political Report-------------------------------------------------------------|| || Name: Orion Overlord (2785) Aff: Orions(60) || Rank: Periphery Director Votes: 8 || Political: Margret (147010) || LOCATION || Docked at ORI STARBASE Central Command (13) || ||-Financial Report-------------------------------------------------------------|| || POSITION INCOME EXPENCES WAGES NET || Prospectors (1892) 0 0 0 0 || Exploration Vessel (666) 0 0 0 0 || KJC Standard Warship (1031) 0 0 0 0 || Barrage Boat (1675) 0 0 0 0 || Phoenix Rising (2345) 0 0 0 0 || ATOD (4910) 0 0 0 0 || Sensor Ship (7009) 0 0 0 0 || High Brazil (8152) 0 0 0 0 || Ship o' the Line (8301) 0 0 0 0 || Warship (8448) 0 0 0 0 || Mineral Search (8563) 0 0 0 0 || Freighter (9712) 0 0 0 0 || Central Command (13) 0 500 0 -500 || Metal Source (2866) 0 0 0 0 || Rubis (4802) 0 0 0 0 || Xlight Carrier (6159) 0 0 0 0 || Xlight Ore Carrier (7714) 0 0 0 0 || Ave Some of This (5987) 0 0 0 0 || ------- ------- ------- ------- || 0 500 0 -500 || || Affiliation Tax: 0 Stellars Tax rate: 0% || Wealth: 420429 Stellars || ||-Starbases--------------------------------------------------------------------|| || Central Command (13) Orionis (6) Orion IV (229) [L] || Efficiency: 100% Complexes: 267 || Workers: 4014 Troops: 5002 || || Rubis (4802) Yank (146) Spritzer (519) [L] || Efficiency: 100% Complexes: 2508 || Workers: 30446 Troops: 165895 || ||-Outposts---------------------------------------------------------------------|| || Metal Source (2866) Orionis (6) Orion IV (229) [L] || Efficiency: 97.3% Complexes: 38 || Workers: 360 Troops: 60 || Sensor Profile: 436% Spread: Packed || Resources: 2 (2) Mines: 35 (35) || 12[M] Basic Elements (2) 324 mus || 23[M] Rare Earth Elements (22) 48 mus || 2[R] Toys (30020) 19 mus || ||-Ships------------------------------------------------------------------------|| || Exploration Vessel (666) Orionis (6) - {Alpha,10} || Integrity: 48% (Max 100%) || Efficiency: 100% || Hull Damage: 0/4000 || || KJC Standard Warship (1031) Andromedae (1) - {Alpha,1} || Integrity: 100% (Max 100%) || Efficiency: 100% || Hull Damage: 0/10000 || || Barrage Boat (1675) Andromedae (1) Andro I (639) [O] || Integrity: 100% (Max 100%) || Efficiency: 85.9% || Hull Damage: 484/10000 || || Phoenix Rising (2345) Andromedae (1) - {Alpha,1} || Integrity: 92% (Max 100%) || Efficiency: 100% || Hull Damage: 0/10000 || || ATOD (4910) Orionis (6) - {Alpha,1} || Integrity: 100% (Max 100%) || Efficiency: 100% || Hull Damage: 0/5000 || || Sensor Ship (7009) Yank (146) - {Alpha,10} || Integrity: 46% (Max 100%) || Efficiency: 100% || Hull Damage: 0/2500 || || High Brazil (8152) Docked at ORI Central Command (13) || Integrity: 46% (Max 100%) || Efficiency: 100% || Hull Damage: 0/4000 || || Ship o' the Line (8301) Orionis (6) Orion IX (815) [O] || Integrity: 100% (Max 100%) || Efficiency: 93.2% || Hull Damage: 0/10000 || || Warship (8448) Docked at ORI Central Command (13) || Integrity: 90% (Max 90%) || Efficiency: 100% || Hull Damage: 0/10000 || || Mineral Search (8563) Docked at ORI Central Command (13) || Integrity: 70% (Max 100%) || Efficiency: 100% || Hull Damage: 0/4000 || || Freighter (9712) Andromedae (1) - {Alpha,10} || Integrity: 55% (Max 100%) || Efficiency: 105.6% || Hull Damage: 0/4000 || ||-Platforms--------------------------------------------------------------------|| || Ave Some of This (5987) Orionis (6) Orion IV (229) [O] || Hulls: 13000 Cargo: 15400/6500 || Combat Efficiency: 100% Troops: 200 || ||-Ground Parties---------------------------------------------------------------|| || Prospectors (1892) Orionis (6) Orion IV (229) [O] || Efficiency: 100% Troops: 700 || ||-Debris-----------------------------------------------------------------------|| || Xlight Carrier (6159) Orionis (6) - {Alpha,1} || Cargo: 11037 mus || || Xlight Ore Carrier (7714) Orionis (6) - {Alpha,15} || Cargo: 16413 mus || ||-Pending Orders---------------------------------------------------------------|| ||------------------------------------------------------------------------------|*********Subspace Static Week 39 Year 202 - 26th September 2002*********
*********Other News*********
Attack on Jasil
News is just filtering in concerning a desperate assassination attempt against the former Emperor of the Stellar Empire Jasil. Breaching high security the crack team infiltrated the colony and opened fire at short range. Luckily for the target, he was being protected by veteran guards although this failed to stop him going down in a hail of blaster fire. At this stage the Imperial Services as not issued a statement as to whether Jasil was killed.
Fire at Ariel
The administrative offices of the AFT were severely damaged by fire on Saturday. While the cause of the fire in Ariel's civilian quarter has not yet been determined, it is known that it centred on the Association's data stores. No lives were lost in the blaze but an investigation has been launched into its cause, and the reason why it was not extinguished before causing significant data loss. a spokesbeing for the Master Trader was quick to state that the disaster should have a minimal effect on current customers, although communications with the Master Trader's office may be disrupted for the next week or so.
SMS Announcement
Star date: 202/39
In an imposing office, the decor grand, plush carpets, a golden sign DCI is above the desk seated at a desk in front of a gathered audience of reporters is a rather imposing figure with short greying black cropped hair and a black goatee beard dressed in a black nehru suit. The audience murmurs quietens as the figure starts to speak, when this man speaks the press listens.
`Ladies and gentleman you all know me. Today I Michael Drake-Cortez, Chief Executive Officer of Drake-Cortez Industries am pleased to announce an exclusive deal with the megacorp Stellar Mining and Smelting (SMS).'
`For 250 million stellars we have acquired a leasing agreement to enter the Capellan Peripheries. Since the withdrawal of the SSL from the Peripheries there has been no new entrant to the new markets the Capellan Peripheries. Today I am pleased to announce that my Inner Periphery Corporation enters that market.'
`At present this leasehold agreement amounts to 1 colony and a number of starships of various classifications'.
`For those that are wondering how our corporate goals and values tie into existing SMS policies, I say that we spent a great deal of time considering the deal and feel that SMS policies closely match our own. Which are:'ْ We will explore the galaxy, with the intention of using our resources and findings for the betterment of mankind through exploration, exploitation and research and development.
ْ We will obey the legal system in which will operate and will support such actions against those that seek to bring such a system down. However within this Drake-Cortez Industries are considered none political and recognises the IMP, CNF, CIA, DOM, DTR, FET, GTT and alien races as legitimate governments of their assets and space.
ْ The DCI do not recognise the RIP for obvious reasons as they work outside of legitimate means.
ْ We will defend our assets and those of our partner the SMS. We will offer military assistance to the SMS at times where we considerate it necessary. This includes production of materials and use of warships
ْ We will seek to work with alien races in mutual harmony and co-operation and help such races in need of help.'
ْ We will improve working conditions for our colonists and employees to a degree where others will wish to work for us.'
`Since the Middle Ages on Old Earth the names of Drake and Cortez have been recognised with exploration and exploitation and although their methods we sometimes questionable, they worked.'
`Drake-Cortez Industries brings new levels of expertise to the Peripheries and in this new age of human development a recognition that old ways must change to improve humanities lot.'
`Thank you for attending today and may humanity prosper.'*********Subspace Static Week 38 Year 202 - 19th September 2002*********
*********Battles*********
A joint task force of IMP and SMS ships launched an attack on the RIP. Keen to enforce Imperial Law the IMP and SMS ships relentlessly bombarded the RIP colony and also destroyed several RIP ships. Once the colony bombardment ceased an IMP ground party captured the colony.*********Subspace Static Week 37 Year 202 - 12th September 2002*********
*********Battles*********
It's not over yet.
Having captured the Inner Brotherhood prime cathedral, the Confederacy have had the unenviable task of trying to pacify a planet of angry zealots. At the same time the CIA have been pursuing the remnants of the IBH ground forces still lurking in starports. The Brotherhood however have shown that the fight is not over. The moon Bethlehem, is defiant, destroying the Brotherhood scout ship that entered orbit. While this is the case, the will of the Inner Brotherhood is unlikely to be broken.
Meklan Skirmish
The Flagritz appear to have found themselves a hoard of meklan to battle. They are definitely not revealing the location.*********Subspace Static Week 36 Year 202 - 6th September 2002*********
*********Space Battle*********
Jihad Dies
Following the internal conflict which rocked the Inner Confederacy, Mark Eaton rose to power as the Pope and undisputed ruler of the Inner Brotherhood. This zealot, having humbled the Confederate Noble Houses sought to impose Brotherhood doctrine on the Periphery's factions of the Confederacy. It is a poorly kept secret that during his tour of Darkfold he was brutally murdered by no less than the insane Brotherhood Patriarch, Jordan Roswell. A declaration of jihad against Darkfold was made and an armada of vessels prepared in secret. Luckily for the Brotherhood, the CIA were able to get plans of the attack and a counter preparations were made. Instead of razing the intended target, the last known location of Eaton to the ground, the fleet met with heavy resistance and the thirty strong warfleet of Battleships and Frigates was smashed, all hopes of revenge dieing with them.
Inner Brotherhood get closer to the True One
Having discovered that the Inner Brotherhood would be sending their fleet to Darkfold the combined forces of the Confederacy and CIA amassed more than one hundred warships and set a course for Varanasi, the capital colony of the Inner Brotherhood. The planet proved to be no pushover despite knowledge that it had been shipping out ordnance to keep the Confederate Noble Houses in their place. Over a quarter of the warfleet was atomized and many more damaged and crippled by the relentless barrages from the colonies on the world. The day however went to the Confederacy and the power of the Inner Brotherhood crushed, maybe forever.
*********Ground Battles*********
Confederacy Captures Inner Brotherhood Capital
On Confederate planet there was dancing in the streets as news spread of the fall of the fanatical Inner Brotherhood. The Inner Brotherhood has been harsh on the Noble Houses, stripping them of assets and subjecting any dissenters to the inquisition. With the occupation of the Inner Brotherhood planet, it is believed that the Confederacy will reclaim control and the brutal regime will end.*********Subspace Static Week 35 Year 202 - 30th August 2002*********
*********Space Battle*********
The Dominion have always shown that they have not been afraid of a little negative publicity. In fact many have speculated that they even relish being seen as the 'bad boys' of inter-affiliation diplomacy. It therefore comes as no shock to find that they have instigated a policy of fire on all IND's despite being in a regularly travelled location. Destroyed along with the small harmless freighter destroyed was its cargo of small potatoes.*********Other News*********
Hubble, Bubble, Toil and Trouble....
We are running a little late due to the Bank Holiday and the almost predictable knife in the back by our ISP. Apologies to anybody attempting to use the webpage turncards. Our ISP failed to inform us it was changing this service due to their security system upgrade. We hasten to add that the fire started in their head office on the 7th September 2002 was nothing to do with us.*********Subspace Static Week 34 Year 202 - 22nd August 2002*********
*********Other News*********
Affiliation Profiles
Work for the new website is continuing apace. In typical artistic style, David Dixon is loathe to show work in progress to the masses although we can vouch that it is already looking excellent. After the repercussions of the racial descriptions (Pears not Slugs), can players submit their affiliation profiles direct to KJC ASAP. We will then assess and ratify them before forwarding them on to David for inclusion into the website. Descriptions need a specific history, aims and ambitions and political structure, possibly even some basic tenets or laws. Obviously it is a good idea to include a list of contact details and website links. If we do not receive anything then KJC will fill in the details, and we all read with delight the racial descriptions. Please send this information to kjc@kjcgames.com*********Subspace Static Week 33 Year 202 - 15th August 2002*********
*********Other News*********
Races in the Peripheries
While there has been a lot of information about what the various races have achieved over the past few hundred years, there is, generally speaking very little about their appearance. With the imminent arrival of Phoenix, some time has been spent filling in a picture of the aliens. They are presented here. These reflect KJC's visions and as such may differ from those of the players. If these are acceptable to the PD's of the various races then they will become official documents and appear on the new website.
Dewiek
Standing around 2.5m these are bipeds with a roughly anthropoid physiology. Here though all semblance to humans end. Their brains are stored in the broad area of the main torso and they do not have eyes, ears or noses although a large region on what would be the head in the case of humans has an orifice filled with long sharp teeth. The entire body is covered with a thick matting of hair. Their powerful arms have an exoskeleton ending in talons. These however are retractable allowing the dewiek to use long slim appendages similar to human hands. The overall appearance is something that is quite startling even unnerving. They are a telepathic race, able to distinguish the electrical and even spatial harmonics of everything around them thus making the need for speech, eyes and ears superfluous. This though is relatively short ranged, quickly fading to noise. It is certain that they cannot 'read minds' but can pick-up and send on 'open frequencies'. Genetic coding has shown that they have had their DNA altered at some point in the past possibly to increase their telepathic ability or more likely to stimulate cognitive brain activity. As to which race is responsible, they are not letting on.
Flagritz
These appear repulsive to humans and it is understood in no uncertain terms that humans appear just as equally repulsive to them. Their body is that of a grey nearly amorphous pod with a number of tentacles. The upper parts end in eyestalks. They have no bones at all and have been likened to slugs. They constantly ooze lubricating secretions along the entirety of their body. Amongst themselves they communicate by changing body colour. This rapid pigmentation change allows them to hold as many as fifteen separate conversations at once with other flagritz. With humans and various other life forms they have developed speech-using devices that loop over spiracles. These tend to form bubbles when they speak which inevitably halting long conversations while they clean the device. It is quite amazing but even here they can still have six separate conversations, one for each spiracle.
Felini
The felini, while capable of walking on their hind legs prefer to use all four appendages for both propulsion and manipulation. This is possible as they have a primary 'paw' with a number of smaller phalanges surrounding it. They also have two 'tails' although these are in fact longer phalanges that have developed from the rear appendages. These are used extensively for balance and copulation. Their faces have four large sets of incisors and stereoscopic vision. Their sight while still within the visual is shifted towards the infrared end of the spectrum. This is no doubt an evolutionary product of the constant mists that dominate their homeworld. This makes them particularly insensitive to blue. Their balance, hair, penchant for running on four legs along with the phonetic sound of their race name led to them being colloquially known as felines, hence the human name for them being Felini.
Hive
Hive individuals come in a number of radically different shapes and sizes. The largest warrior types can be up to five metres long, while the workers may be as small as a few tens of centimetres. They all have chitinous outer shells although the thickness and manoeuvrability of attached appendages relates to the role they perform within the hive society. They have a single egg-producing queen that may or may not be intelligent. There are also drones that are definitely intelligent and capable of independent thought and action. They communicate through a variety of means. Many species are known to have limited telepathy although this is fairly primitive in most hives, little more than empathic. Pheromones are commonly used, as are ultra high frequency sonic bursts.*********Subspace Static Week 32 Year 202 - 8th August 2002*********
*********Space Battle*********
KST - Puppet Master?
Having tracked down Alexander Enterprises to the orbit of Kastor, the Felini engaged one of their Infiltrator class ships. This otherwise routine seek and destroy mission turned nasty when KST Colony Drougal actually defended the ship, destroying the three Felini vessels. Could it be that Alexander Enterprises is being funded by the KST, the bitter enemies of the Yank Kastorian Military Junta? This would certainly explain both the spate of attacks in Yank space and the loss of the KAS space station.
Darkfold Patrol
A wing of ships were sent to engage an FET vessel found snooping around the Darkfold Periphery. The skirmish was brief and very much one sided. All crew were incinerated although the ship was hardly damaged. A quick dusting and the Brotherhood have themselves a new Deep Explorer.*********Subspace Static Week 31 Year 202تت -تت 1st August 2002*********
*********Space Battle*********
Dewiek telepathy appears to have precognitive capabilities The tables were turned on the Flagritz Alpha Fleet, when what should have been a routine engagement against a pesky little Dewiek Cygnet class ship turned into a blood bath. A squadron of Direwolves happened to be on route to another periphery via the stargate at which the battle was taking place. Arriving in the nick of time the squadron engaged the Flagritz, destroyed both ships then carried on their way leaving the DEN Cygnet to carry on its job of monitoring activity through the stargate.*********Ground Battle*********
KAS station captured
A small space station owned by the KAS but stationed outside Kastorian space was successfully captured by an IND ground party. The presence of so many troops gives a strong indication that they had substantial backing.*********Subspace Static Week 30 Year 202 - 25th July 2002*********
*********Space Battles*********
A lone Flagritz vessel in the heart of Dewiek space came to a sticky end. Having wandered into orbit of a highly colonized world was asking for trouble. The DEN and DTR were more than happy to oblige.*********Boarding Action*********
The Kastorians were reeling from a sneak boarding action against one of their ships. That somebody would be so arrogant so as to challenge their authority is staggering.*********Other News*********
Phoenix Conversion
Yank and the Kastorian Military Junta
At the time of the conversion, Yank will have to remain neutral, imposed by the might of the Kastorian Military Junta. There are a number of reasons for this, primarily players need time to adjust to the new game mechanics. Secondly we need somewhere to sell ships and blueprints. Thirdly, it gives some breathing space for newbies. It may even prove to be the case that the potential for unhindered trade encourages affiliations to keep the peace. It is, however, our aim to phase out artificial restrictions imposed by GM factions.*********Subspace Static Week 29 Year 202 - 19th July 2002*********
*********Space Battles*********
GTT never receive a slap in the face without taking a swing back. A rapid response fleet was sent to engage the RIP vessel involved in last week's battle. The result was a decisive victory for the GTT.
Not to be left out, the Flagritz Alpha Fleet also targeted a RIP Patrol Cruiser, destroying it.
Snooping around Detinus space has never gone unchallenged. The IND Surveyor Canis Lupis was treated to a welcome by no less than five Nebulons. This proved to be rather too warm.
*********Other News*********
Phoenix Conversion
As players may be aware we are working on the conversion programs. There are two main points highlighted by this message: Beam weapon conversion and what will happen to ships
Each pulsar beam will be converted into a gatling laser and a pulse beam. The first is point defence (counters missiles/space fighters etc) and the second is a low grade beam weapon.
Photon guns get converted in a range of photon weapons mkI. The total mass is split in the following ratios.
Light Photon Gun (10mu) 25%
Photon Gun (50mu) 35%
Photon Cannon (120mu) 25%
Photon Battery (1000mu) 10%
Heavy Photon Battery (4000mu) 5%
Excess mass caused by fractions are sequentially distributed from PB->LPGs.
The Claw get converted in a range of photon weapons mkI. The total mass is split in the following ratios.
Light Photon Gun (10mu) 5%
Photon Gun (50mu) 25%
Photon Cannon (120mu) 35%
Photon Battery (1000mu) 25%
Heavy Photon Battery (4000mu) 10%
Excess mass caused by fractions are sequentially distributed from PB->LPGs.
Disrupters get converted in a range of photon weapons mkI. The total mass is split in the following ratios.
Light Photon Gun (10mu) 5%
Photon Gun (50mu) 10%
Photon Cannon (120mu) 25%
Photon Battery (1000mu) 35%
Heavy Photon Battery (4000mu) 25%
Excess mass caused by fractions are sequentially distributed from PB->LPGs.
Photon Cannons (FGZ Weapon) are as Photon Guns but get converted to Nova Guns (these nature of these weapons will not be related here, we have to leave some surprises).
Ships
As many have expressed some concern about producing a list of ship blueprints for the conversion, an alternative solution is to be implemented. This will do the following:
1. Move the ship to the starport of a specified starbase (default is HQ).
2. Convert the BSE ship into a empty Phoenix ship with the following default settings.
BSE Warships > Heavy Hull Phoenix ships
BSE Merchant Vessels > Light Hull Phoenix Ships
Normal BSE ships > Normal Phoenix ships
The size of the ship will generally be the maximum possible size unless otherwise directed by the Affiliation
(i.e. contact the GM). Human class 7 > 75 Hulls, Human class 8 > 100 Hulls. Aliens will be appropriately converted.
3. Thorlium coating > % max armour plates of type as specified (default are ablative armour for light & normal, armour plates for heavy). 3 coats on each section will give the maximum armour for the hull type i.e. % plates = 100 * coats/9 Armour plates are the standard for warships. Ablative armour is the thickest but is easily destroyed - good for 1 day skirmishes i.e. fleeing trade ships. Light armour is suited to fast, manoeuverable ships. Stealth and korondite plates reduce the chance of being detected.
4. Class 8 ships will be given hulls mkII. These are more resilient to damage but do not give any more
protection to the contents of the ship, nor do they provide extra space.
5. Add some basic requirement to the Phoenix ship (min spec only)
6. Add to the starbase all ship items (both within ship and special ability/installed item conversions).
The default settings are printed in the "Phoenix Conversion" section of the turn. Feel free to change the settings for any of the parameters, including starting starbase. Just put on your turn what settings you desire.
For the first month or two of Phoenix we will remove the installation integrity loss, allowing players to experiment with ship set-ups.
All ship blueprints will be stored as default blueprints (tied to the AFF though!) which can be assigned as designs are decided on.
*********Subspace Static Week 28 Year 202 - 12th July 2002*********
*********Space Battle*********
Some poor shooting by the RIP allowed a GTT merchant vessel to carry on its way with only the slightest inconvenience. Are the RIP loosing their edge? This is three failures in three weeks. Let's hope that the newly appointed pirate king can sort out these lily-livered scum and raise them back to being scourge of the Peripheries.*********Subspace Static Week 27 Year 202 - 4th July 2002*********
*********Space Battle*********
Things turn pear shaped for the Flagritz
Trouble is obviously brewing in the alien camp as two Naplian vessels opened fire an a rather stunned Flagritz Cygnet class ship. While the damage inflicted was insufficient to destroy the ship a few lucky hits to the command section were enough to derelict it.
"Aah! You point the end with the hole in it at the enemy," commented the chief Naplian engineer as he busily beat out the flames caused installing the weapons backwards. The captain having manually targeted the main barrage apparently with a thumb and one eye is no longer available for questioning.