[dumbluck]

So much has happened in the last year! We've now charted 9 star systems, colonized 3 more planets, and we've discovered 3 worlds with a breathable atmosphere. One of those is in Emminence, and it is one we have already colonized. While it's atmosphere is Oxygen rich, it's helium gas vents create pockets of disturbingly high temperatures, and a wildly fluctuating global temperature range. It is rich in organic matter, however, and it also contains structures similar in design to those we found on Erosion.

Two more breathable planets were discovered in Ellemm, 2 jumps east of Yukra, but I'm not sure that we can colonize them anytime soon. But more on that later. The MOST important thing that happened this year is that we made contact with one of the Traitors. On the thirteenth day of the fifth cycle, the Viking scum jumped in from the eastern Yukra Warppoint and attacked our Ro Meli class scout. She out-gunned her opponent, though, and took the day without taking any damage at all. Command's decision to outfit the Ro Meli class with light kinetic missiles in lieu of heavy armor has proven a wise choice so far. The failed attack was the only physical sign of the Vikings we've encountered (despite heavy communications intercepts), but they declared war on us just last cycle, four short cycles after the encounter at Yukra. Their animosity toward Etheirians knows no ends, it seems.

Needless to say, our shipyard construction efforts have taken a military turn. We now have 7 combat capable vessels on-line (including the two Ro Meli class scouts, which have proven themselves capable of taking the fight to the Traitors). We have also built a Defolag class carrier, but Command seems more interested in using it to shuttle citizens to the colonies than to use it as a combat platform. Not that we have more than a handful of fighters, anyway. And now it seems that Command has returned to constructing Colran Ibars at New Haven! While it's true that Erosion's shipyards continue to build Military vessels, they are far less efficient that New Haven's larger shipyards. Sometimes I wonder if Command WANTS the Traitors to win!

The Yukra system to the east is being set up as a military buffer zone between the Vikings and New Haven. While it's possible that the Viking vessel was on a deep space exploration mission, we are preparing for the worst as quickly as we can. Yukra III and Yukra IX (they have yet to be renamed) have both been colonized. Yukra III is being set up as a major Fleet base, with a resupply depot just completed, and repair facilities now in the works. Yukra IX is a secondary base, but it's MAIN purpose will be ore harvesting. It is extremely rich in many of the minerals needed for ship construction. Meanwhile, explorations east of Yukra continue, in an attempt to locate the Viking systems and get a sense of their force strengths. They undoubtedly outnumber our forces greatly, having plundered the Technotheocracy for all it's worth. But we still need to know what we're up against.

Our scouting efforts east of Yukra have also led to the discovery of the Ellemm system. With it's two Oxygen-atmosphere planets, it could be a boon to the Ascendancy. If we can secure it, that is. Unfortunately, initial estimates put it well inside Viking space. Exploration and colonization efforts to the north continue, as well. We're 3 jumps out to the north, and 2 jumps out to the west, and still we have yet to make contact in either direction. Perhaps this portion of the Warppoint network is still relatively untouched by the Traitors. One can only hope....

Research & Development has developed a new method of protecting our ship crews. It involves a vessel venting molten ice out into the vacuum of space. As the molten ice expands, it re-solidifies around the vessel, shielding it from incoming damage. Quite inventive, actually. Also, with the colonization of Emminence, the structures previously detected are being evaluated by the archaeologists now. However, they have already discovered a strange garment that has some odd qualities. R&D thinks that they have some potential. And finally, there was a breakthrough in engine technologies which should allow our fighters to travel much faster than before. Unfortunately, these new engines are significantly larger than the old technology.

In the coming months, we need to locate and ascertain the strength of the military forces the Vikings have arrayed against us. We also need to prepare an adequate defense against those forces. While Alpha fleet is just now jumping in-system, until now the Yukra system was completely undefended! Alpha fleet consists of only three vessels at the moment, hardly enough to stand against a Viking armada. It's strength needs to be bolstered as soon as possible. We also need to increase our industrial base in order to produce the amounts of military forces needed to hold the Vikings at bay. And it would be nice to get some fighters on that blasted carrier!