Ouroboros Cluster

News of the Universe (Galactic Year 5)

Announcements

There have been major changes in the economy, as you'll see on your results. I'm sorry that some factions won't be seeing the economic results they expected. There's going to be more tweaking, so expect things to shift more. Some things you can expect:

Ship maintenance dependant upon size
Newer, smaller colonies will have lower incomes
Older, more established colonies will have higher incomes

Rules notes and clarifications:

Military units will always automatically defend their current location
H.E.A.D domes are only actually useful on worlds flagged as "hostile". They remove the effects of hostility when the world is colonized.

News

Galaxy-Wide News

Economic Chaos! The galactic economy has begun to experience wild fluctuations. Some speculate that this is the result of the explosive growth since the New Races began to interract. Others claim it is becaue the galaxy lacks a unified currency combined with wild speculation on currency values between races and colonies. Still others beleive this is temporary situation, and the market is sure to sort itself out. In the meantime, several governments have found that their economic predictions are bunk.

Despite the strange economic times, a treaty creating more open trade between Orchera and Majestic was created. Due to the great distance between the systems, this hasn't had much economic effect, although claymore collecting is beginning to catch on as an Orcheran hobby, and Orcheran vine mats have proven to be excellent winter clothing for the Majestica winter.

Heart Region

Voting took place on the "Archivist of the Ancients" proposal. Delegates Tendril, Malas, Uhrmax, Ivana Parva, and the Majestic diplomatic corps supported the motion with none against. The Archivist will be supplied with a ship and a science team to seek out a deeper understanding of the ancients. The position has been added to the galactic constitution. Chairman Ominix is expected to appoint an Archivist sometime in the next year.

Delegate Malas of Terpsichore spoke eloquently to the assembly:

Fellow sentients, while I am aware that words alone cannot move metal and goods, yet we may hope, in this great age of expansion, that words may move mountains. And so I move that the Ouroboros Route be extended in the eyes of the council and the galaxy, to embrace its one-time origin, the Terpsichore system.

Malas asks that the delegates vote for this extension of the route.

The Scientists of the Unseen University stunned the galaxy by announcing that practical hydrogen scoop construction has been perfected. Until this point it has been unclear how HE3 might be harvested economically. Conventional mining produces such small quantities of HE3, that the substance is still prohibitively expensive. Some race's research institutions were so stunned by the discovery that they acknowledged they had not even known any special technology was necessary. At least one skeptic was heard to mutter "yeah, but what's it for?"

Independent observers have published a speculative paper outlining some of the technologies that might be researched if HE3 ever becomes more commonly available. These include:

HE3 Warheads: These warheads replace standard heavy weapons with a harder hitting explosive payload.
HE3 Factories: Theoretically, powerful HE3 reactors might improve industrial output by as much as 10%

The Tribe armada arrived at Barter at the end of the year. Some observers remarked that The Tribe's militia were outfitted in snappy new uniforms and have greatly improved their discipline.

Heartstrand Region

"It's time for humanity to start playing with the big boy in town!" with his characteristic flair, President Gault founded the human Jupiter colony. Despite the success of this colony effort, some pundits on Earth are saying the President Gault is too old for the job, and that it's time for him to step down.

Representatives of the Saturn colony carried out a planetary survey of Saturn. The survey had many highlights, but no HE3 was found. Just how hard is it to find this stuff anyway?

Earths shipyards were busy building defensive sattlites this year.

Cocoon Nebula Region

The Majestics, in their ongoing spirit of military gigantism, began construction of another massive battleship, the Hugin. Majestic leaders continued to aggressively patrol and defend the home system.

Ice miners in a small village on Majestica discovered the ruins of an ancient city buried beneath the ice. At first the Majestic government tried to cover up the discovery, but they could not prevent word from leaking out. Descriptions of the find vary from a small cache of artifacts, to descriptions of a gigantic city complete with working power grids and hellish weapon systems. So far, no photos have been released.

In Cappernau, rumors began to spread that un-named persons were seeking to recuit ships and crews to join in general piracy. The rumors were put violently to rest, however, after the battle of Cappernau.

The battle of Cappernau: Responding to rumors of pirate activity, Sir Mojnar and the Atlanta Peacekeeper squadron began to approach and board vessels passing through the system. This led them into direct conflict with a pirate vessel calling itself "Revenge". The Revenge was a large ship, but it was unprepared for the sudden banzai charge executed by the peacekeeper fleet. The peacekeeper fleet made two passes at the pirate vessel. On the first, one peacekeeper was destroyed, but the Revenge was damaged. A second pass blasted the vessel to space dust. Investigations revealed that the Revenge was a retrofitted merchant ship, formerly registered in the Terpsichore system.

Olympus Region

Ilithid activities in Sechi continue to escalate. This year, a colony ship, led by several emmient Ilithid administrators, moved into the Sechi II system and established a starport on one of the world's moons, and a colony in the upper cloud level. Gas giants seem to be all the rage this year. Observers report that the view from the upper observations decks is breathtaking.

Ilithid diplomats have hurried to offer their support and protection to the peoples of the Sechi system. The union leader of the Gron mining outpost IronForge hosted Ilithid diplomats for a week-long discussion, the end result of which was an agreement of military co-operation. The infamous StarLight base had no offical response to the Ilithid movements, though there is a general spirit of defiance aboard the station.

Farstrand Region

The Ilithon shipyards were busy doing upgrades to ships of the Ilithid fleet.

Ilithid scientists are working on a method of enhancing hyperspace travel by mind power.

A new hyperspace route has been opened by the Ilithids, linking Llorasc to Terpsichore.

Transept Region

The Orcheran settlement of Cholust continued its efforts to expand its industrial base.

The Terpsichorans, meanwhile, have been having increasing problems with their equipment on Selenis I. It seems that their equipment is not as resistant to environmental effects as they had hoped. Corrosion and mold seem to be the main culprits. It is feared that this will begin to have a negative impact on production.

The Tribe Armada arrived in system and immediately efforts were made to re-incorporate The Tribe's orbiting habitat at Selenis II into the armada. Nomad Felix was quoted as saying "our work here is done", and truly he is correct. Selenis has gone from being a backwater system to having a smoothly functioning economy.

In celebration of their success, the Tribe threw a huge multi-day party on Selenis II, inviting everyone who had a hand in the industrial expandsion efforts. Though hundreds tried to crash the gates, security was very strict. The party included live musical performances and zero-atmosphere fireworks, all at tremendous cost. Audax, the chief executive of the Tribe made a speech that some are already calling historic. The signature quotation from the speech was "The Tribe always protects its own, and never abandons anyone." Soon after the speech, Audax left the party. Partygoers under the main dome were amazed to see the entire armada unexpectedly leave the system and enter hyperspace for Barter.

A standoff has developed in the Selenis II city of Cathedral. Religious zealots calling themselves the "Red Angels" have formed a permanent guard around the Miraculous Tree. Meanwhile, Terpsichoran scientists continue to monitor the tree. The Angels have sworn to attack if the scientists attempt to harm the tree in any way.

Ousl Terps ended years of speculation by appointing his Secretary of State. Gramond, a one-time inmate at the Selenis II Penal Colony fills this long vacant slot in the Terpsichoran command. Construction began on a destroyer.

A representative of the Scientists, the flamboyant Scientist 003, arrived at the Shrine of the Tree to carry out its own investigation of the famous tree.

A tree grows in space

Propspero Region

The Orcheran science vessel Sprout began the process of surveying for HE3 sources in the Vas Orchera system. So far, none has been found.

A new courier ship was constructed at Orchera Prime. Meanwhile, the Orcheran military remained on station, defending the home system.

Orcheran scientists have perfected new advanced terraforming techniques. These methods allow worlds with atmospheres to be colonized more effectively.

Widows Gap

The Hive homeworld saw the departure of an escorted colonial convoy. The colony ships departed into hyperspace for destinations unknown.

There was great activity in the Hive capitol with the foundation of a new reaserch institute. The purpose of the institute will be to push back the boundaries of knowledge and ensure Insectoid participation in the forefront of research. A new destroyer was also commissioned from the shipyards.

Factions

Faction Name	Wealth	Player	Contact	Current Prestige	Lifetime Prestige
Orchera	6.1	Brandon Amancio		7	2
Terpsichore	13.35	OPEN FOR NEW PLAYER	tony AT dowlerDOT KOM	5	0
Terra	10.77	Doug		4	2
Majestic	3.92	OPEN FOR NEW PLAYER	tony AT dowlerDOT KOM	3	1
Ilithids	7.55	Phil LaRose		3	2
The Tribe	14.1	Will Herlan		2	0
Insectoid	4.42	Scott Waterson		2	2
The Scientists	8.46	Patrick Colacurcio		2	1

Technology Report

The Tribe
Theory of Everything (pure science, discovery)	The Theory of Everything is the result of Human science's contact with interstellar culture. The Theory unifies the current branches of physics under one model. It promises to bring many further breakthroughs in its wake.
Terra
Theory of Everything (pure science, discovery)	The Theory of Everything is the result of Human science's contact with interstellar culture. The Theory unifies the current branches of physics under one model. It promises to bring many further breakthroughs in its wake.
H.E.A.D (applied science, discovery)	The H.E.A.D (H.E.A.D. (Highly Efficient Adaptable Dome) is a modular habitat for colonists. These habitats can be adapted to many environments. On gas giants, the dome float at a pre-defined atmosphere pressure. On ice worlds, electronics near the outside can take advantage of low temperatures for superconductor use. The H.E.A.D project increases the number of colonists who can safely live on a harsh world.
Insectoid
Theory of Everything (pure science, discovery)	The Theory of Everything is the result of Human science's contact with interstellar culture. The Theory unifies the current branches of physics under one model. It promises to bring many further breakthroughs in its wake.
Supercrops (applied science, discovery)	Supercrops are genetically engineered crops that can live on hostile environments. They improve the farming of desert, ice, and other difficult environments, leading to greater agricultural output.
Advanced Hyperdrive 1 (applied science, propulsion)	Advanced hyperdrives allow hyperspace jumps of 7 sectors.
The Scientists
HE3 Viability (pure science, discovery)	HE3 is a rare form of Helium that can be found on certain gas giants. HE3 fusion is a clean and incredibly efficient power source, providing more cheap energy than any previous method. This technology is required to create applications of HE3 use.
Theory of Everything (pure science, discovery)	The Theory of Everything is the result of Human science's contact with interstellar culture. The Theory unifies the current branches of physics under one model. It promises to bring many further breakthroughs in its wake.
Advanced Biological Engineering (pure science, )	Advanced Bio Engineering is a deep understanding of the underlying principles of life.
Practical Hydrogen Scoop (applied science, )	In order to gather HE3 efficiently from gas giants, huge hydrogen scoops can be used. These scoops can be deployed from orbital satellites or from a floating colony base. This technology allows construction of Hydrogen Scoop Deployments.
Majestic
Theory of Everything (pure science, discovery)	The Theory of Everything is the result of Human science's contact with interstellar culture. The Theory unifies the current branches of physics under one model. It promises to bring many further breakthroughs in its wake.
Ilithids
Theory of Everything (pure science, discovery)	The Theory of Everything is the result of Human science's contact with interstellar culture. The Theory unifies the current branches of physics under one model. It promises to bring many further breakthroughs in its wake.
The Life of the Mind (pure science, discovery)	Ilithids, with their unique physiology, have delved into psychic phenomena in a more systematic way than the other races.
psychic Ram (applied science, starship weapons)	psychic weapons function by amplifying the psychic abilities of crew to attack the crews of enemy ships. This weapon requires at least one psychic individual to crew the weapon. The psychic ram magnifies the phsychic signature of the crew of a starship, enabling them to launch a mental attack at the crew of another ship. When this close range weapon is successful, it sometimes enables enemy ships to be captured intact. This component can replace heavy weapons in any ship design.
ghost cloak (applied science, starship components)	The minds of sentient creatures are easily clouded. The ghost cloak uses this ability to enable a ship to pass un-noticed by sentient observers. The ghost cloak does not render a ship invisible, but does make it easier to conceal its passage. A ghost cloak requires specially trained psychic crewmembers, essentially adding 1 construction size level to any ship that includes it.
Orchera
Theory of Everything (pure science, discovery)	The Theory of Everything is the result of Human science's contact with interstellar culture. The Theory unifies the current branches of physics under one model. It promises to bring many further breakthroughs in its wake.
Advanced Biological Engineering (pure science, )	Advanced Bio Engineering is a deep understanding of the underlying principles of life.
Advanced Terraforming (applied science, )	Advanced terraforming can be used to improve the agricultural value and population limit of a colonized desert, ice, or ocean world..
Terpsichore