Far Frontiers Gateway Sector #2

[Murph]

I updated the sector map using (and cussing a lot) Adobe Acrobat Pro. It is a work in progress. Unfortunately it is too big to post here, so I am sorry. I will try and edit some smaller subsector maps as I get used to Adobe.

 

[Murph]

Ok, here is the first effort using Adobe Acrobat Pro. The hard part was finding a blank subsector map that I could use as a template. Then playing around with things. The star is of course a naval base, the diamond is a scout base. I will try and rework Shadowland Belt using a marker tool to make it look more like an asteroid belt as I get more proficient with the software. Purple are MAJOR worlds, Green less important, and Gateway is yellow since it is the most important world in the sector.

 

[Murph]

Thank you, I have gotten some pretty rough feedback on this effort, but as I told the person commenting, it is an early effort, so be gentle with me, I will continue to work on it for now. One of the problems is the web interface for Adobe which is very non intuitive. So I might post some additional efforts as soon as possible.

 

[Murph]

Current mornings effort. Additional map key items:
b= Binary System
GG= Gas Giant Only system
R= Research Station
T= Beanstalk
C=Colony
Purple hexagon- Shipyard (Major)
I also changed the colors to match the Sector Map (which cannot get edited due to a glitch with Adobe).

 

[Murph]

115-2511 Gateway News Service- Amaterasu

Several news items coming out of this world today. The first story we have for you is a report, that like in the New Texas system, several large nuclear explosions were detected in unvisited areas of the system, as well as on a moon of one of the gas giants. The explosions were in the one megaton range, and there was nothing in the area where the blasts occurred. Ships of the Imperial Amaterasu Navy were sent to the areas and found no sign of anything out of the ordinary. Yet another mystery.

Prime Minister Matsumoto released a statement regarding the Amaterasu incident as it is being called. He stated that the Imperial military will remain in occupation of the two colonies for the time being, until the government finds out who or why the ambassador was murdered to its satisfaction. An additional two infantry divisions are being sent over the next two months in order to take over occupation duties.

The Prime Minister did warn those “Opportunistic bandits and criminals” who were resisting Imperial occupation that their actions could and would have “serious repercussions” for the members of their colonies. He did not specify what those repercussions would be, but did directly tell the assembled reporters that the Imperial government was unwilling to allow much leeway to “rogue and lawless elements violating the Imperial Peace”.

We are told that an Imperial conference was held, with the Emperor himself giving approval to the measures on Marduk. His reported to have issued awards of the Order of the Rising Sun, and the Golden Sword to several of the commanders in the Marduk force. We have been told by the Defense Ministry that commando units have hit several suspected hideouts of rebels and guerrillas who have been opposing the Imperial forces, eliminating a number of them, and seizing several weapons caches.

 

[Murph]

116-2511 Gateway News Service- New Joseon

The President of New Joseon has directed his ambassador to Amaterasu to seek “clarification” of the goals of the occupation forces, and if Amaterasu anticipated seizing additional territory on Marduk. His spokesman related to the press that New Joseon is taking a “wait and see” approach to Amaterasu’s actions, and will firmly oppose any additional territorial aggrandizement on the part of Amaterasu.

He told the assembled press that the Ambassador has been asked to be given a clear statement regarding Amaterasu’s plans towards the other colonies on Marduk, which is a concern to New Joseon since they have trade and other relations with a number of the colonies on that world.

New Joseon is viewing with alarm the recent activity on Marduk since they have claimed that Amaterasu is being very secretive regarding their plans for this planet which some are stating is a pretext for outright annexation which would upset the balance of power in the sector.

 

[Murph]

120-2511 Gateway News Service- Gateway

The Gateway Exploration Service is dispatching a Pathfinder class vessel to the Black Hole found at 0727 for a long term exploration of the only known Black Hole in the sector. The mission, which is dangerous will jump into the extreme outer edges of the system to avoid any possible danger from the gravity of the black hole. The captain of the GES Lookfar, Dan Holland, has said that he looks forward to this mission which is going to be a hard science trip of the sort that he and his crew have trained hard to complete. Before jumping in, one of the smaller ships will jump first to determine the safe distance before the Lookfar jumps in.

The Lookfar will jump from Sulawesi to head towards the black hole system where it is anticipated that they will spend three months observing the astrographic feature, and collecting data. Additional probes have been provided to this mission, which will also feature an enhanced science crew to include members from the famed Banzai Institute.

 

[Murph]

125-2511 Gateway News Service- Sulawesi

Enclaves Burcepherous and Donar-Sulawesi have begun combat over the rainbow steppes area where recent finds of rare earths have sparked a rush of mining companies and individual miners to the area. Both sides have claimed the desert, but until the mineral finds neither side has actively attempted to control the area.

We are told that both enclaves have rushed mercenary troops to the region, where some spirited firefights have occurred. At this time there have been few casualties, but both sides are forcefully pressing their claim to this area.

We have been told that combat between Enclave Burcepherous and Sulawesi-Timur have also re-ignited in the Gold Canyon region between those two enclaves, with the Burchepherous forces having to retreat, as many of their troops were moved to the Rainbow Steppes region. Right now Sulawesi-Timur has claimed 80% of the canyon region, to the anger and annoyance of Burchepherous.

Enclave Clan Ranald has come out in support of Enclave Burcepherous, and is sending two companies of troops to assist in defending the portion of Gold Canyon that Burcepherous has maintained control over in light of the Sulawesi-Timur offensive. It is thought that Sulawesi-Timur has deployed close to 1,200 troops to the canyon, which overwhelmed the 367 troops left behind by Burcepherous.

The Xin Zhongguo Imperial governor has called on all sides to step back and cease shooting at each other to allow for a diplomatic settlement to take place. But with the ongoing resistance movement in their latest purchase. The two enclaves have developed a rather annoying resistance movement to the Xin Zhongguo government. We are being told that the Imperial government suspects that New Drakkensburg is supplying weapons and equipment to the rebels since they do not wish to see Xin Zhongguo take over this planet.

New Drakkensburg is completely denying these rumors, claiming that they are totally peaceful and would never do anything of the sort.

 

[Murph]

130-2511 Gateway News Service- Gateway

The Prime Minister was present in orbit for the commissioning of the new Battle station Agincourt in planetary orbit. The 2.5 million ton station is based around the latest in meson guns, with extensive missile bays, and anti-missile defense systems. The meson and nuclear dampers are the best that TL 12 can produce. These stations have been under construction for five years, and when all are completed there will be 20 of them guarding the worlds of the Gateway Federation.

The Prime Minister said that the reduction of ships has allowed for the construction of these stations which are due to be fully deployed by the end of 2520. These platforms are the most heavily defended structures ever created. They have a maneuver speed of .5 G which allows for some movement to adjust orbits or location as needed. The stations have a compliment in peacetime of 3,000 with a wartime or emergency compliment of 9,000.

Also stationed on board under peacetime conditions is a battalion of marines, which will be increased to three battalions during wartime or emergencies. The stations are to be named after famous battles. Each station also sits inside of the best sensor net that can be produced by the Gateway Federation’s companies. The stations have the fire control links to control salvos of 150 missiles at a time. Fully armored missile magazines are incorporated into the design, with the launch tubes able to fire every current, and future missiles.

The meson gun is the latest from Gateway Mesonic Technology Systems, and with the sensor net can target ships at a very respectable distance. The anti-missile systems comprise both laser clusters and sandcaster systems. It is anticipated that one or two of these “death stars” as some are calling them will enter service each year until the complete run of 20 platforms are completed.

Each battle station will also have a compliment of system defense boats that can be used to stiffen up the anti-missile defense or to act as “hand off” craft for missile guidance. Each station will be under the command of a Commodore or Rear Admiral, with the largest station being the system command platform.

The Prime Minister has said that these stations will ensure the safety of the Gateway System for decades to come. Supplementing the systems will be a series of smaller “listening and sensor” platforms which will be located around the Gateway System to provide advanced early warning and detection of any incoming craft.