Some thoughts and responses.
Suspected Force on Romulan Border:
None
All ships removed
Alert klaxons. When the ever-paranoid Romulans leave their border
completely unguarded, you know it's all hands on deck, all the marbles, everything is on fire time. They're scrambling every ship.
I notice the Klingons didn't do the same.
Strengths/weaknesses of Imelak bio-technology
Separate report will arrive shortly.
It's worthy of a whole separate post? One of the GMs must be inspired to do some serious writing about it!
Cardassian Ship Analysis - Kapit Courier Frigate
We don't know much about the Kapit frigate, and are reliant mostly on information from a single source, codenamed 'Pivot.' Frankly, I don't know how much we can trust 'Pivot', but signals intercepts have provided extremely limited intelligence on the Kapit, so they're all we've got.
According to 'Pivot', the Kapit began life as a design study to turn the failed Takaaki Courier design into a worthwhile ship; this soon shifted to a clean-sheet design, with the emphasis put on reaction capability and warp speed. The design was locked down for final development before 45 Gabriel; nonetheless, the scout/skirmish frigate designs of the Amarki and Starfleet caught Cardassian attention even before that battle.
That said, the Kapit, in its courier configuration, appears to have primarily a skirmish role in battle; signals intercepts show deliveries of modern impulse engines, nacelles, and warp cores to Trangot, which we believe to be the primary shipyard producing Kapits. (Or, at least, courier-configuration Kapits). Those same signals intercepts show only civilian-grade long-range sensors, thoroughly inadequate if this configuration was intended for a scout role.
Kapit Courier Frigate:
C(2-4) S(2-3) H(2-3) L(3-4) P(3-4) D(5-7). 750-825kt, unknown length. Unknown crew.
So it's like we worried... this is intended to be a skirmish-winner. Looks like we may have to go with
@SynchronizedWritersBlock 's preferred D7 Generalist frigate after all. Other than that presumed high D score, the Kapit is nothing to write home about... though I find it interesting that they have such a high Presence score. Super-high for a Cardassian frigate! Looks like with the effort of having to coordinate a multi-species polity, the Kapit is going to serve as a fast diplomatic courier in peacetime.
Cardassian Ship Analysis - Tolkor Battlecruiser
'Pivot' appears to have only limited knowledge of the Tolkor; instead, we are getting most of our information from intercepts on Dylaarian signal traffic, as Cardassia appears to have licensed the design to the Dylaarians.
The Tolkor is built on a bigger frame than the Lorgot that preceded it, though it is still limited in size by Cardassian shipbuilding capacity. Tactical capabilities are provided by long-range superheavy phaser banks and torpedo tubes, similar to but more advanced than those of the Takaaki Destroyer. Sensor capability is at best marginally improved over the Lorgot; clearly, this is intended to operate in conjunction with supporting Jaldun IIs and scout frigates. Protective capability is superior to the Kaldar II, but command facilities appear little better, and reaction capability is similarly modest for a ship of this size.
The Tolkor's role in Cardassian doctrine is unknown. We surmise that it may be serving as a kind of 'super-linebacker', providing heavier firepower than even the Kaldar II. That said, given that the Cardassians have licensed the design, it is possible that they do not intend to build many themselves.
Tolkor Battlecruiser:
C(8-10) S(2-3) H(5-6) L(7-9) P(3-4) D(4-5). 1900-2000kt, unknown length, unknown crew.
It's a mobile oppression fortress! Seriously, they seem to have decided to pile on all the guns and as much shielding and hull as the frame will hold. It's fearsome, but slow and short-sighted. And the Dylaarians are going to be building them, huh?
Cardassian capital ship design seems to have hit something of a wall with their refusal to invest in bigger berth sizes.
Imelak Fleet Strength Report
Intercepted Cardassian military transmissions cracked by the Icebreaker unit detailing analysis of Imelak capabilities have done most of our homework for us. However, we have done our best to confirm with long-range scans tuned to Imelak warp signatures. Innovations at the Masscenchenxinet Institute of Science in tachyon resolution gain at these extreme distances have allowed us a clearer view of ship activity than ever before.
Our signal intercepts indicated the existence of at least one more ship type, known as the Host class. We know at least one exists due to the discussion around it, but have been unable to secure hard numbers. Either the Cardassians lack complete information about this class as well, or are keeping information about it incredibly secure.
At least 3 Breeder-class Capital Ship
~12 Jockey-class Frigate
At least 1 Host-class
That's a relatively small fleet of combat-capable ships. 3 caps and 12 frigates... I mean, I feel like the Hismeri would crush them. Though who knows, maybe that Host-class is like the Kadeshi Mothership.
Klingon Fleet Strength Report
Resources put to signal intercepts from both Romulan and Klingon sources, as well as placing informants with free traders through Solitude, have allowed us to put together an estimate of Klingon Fleet numbers.
~4 Tar'chak Capital Ship
~2 K'Vort Cruiser
~40 K'Tinga Cruiser
~50 Advanced Bird of Prey
~35 Bird of Prey
Is that before or after recent losses? Because damn, that's still a lot of metal. They only have two K'Vorts still, though, and one wonders if they have the resources to produce any more.
Klingon Ship Analysis Report - K'Vort Battlecruiser
The K'Vort has been developed as a response to the gap in capabilities between the K'Tinga and the new Tar'chak capital ships in production. While the Tar'chak shows a clear design lineage with the K'Tinga class, the K'Vort's lineage recalls more the Raptor style. Unlike the Birds of Prey that the K'Vort is designed to assist, the K'Vort focuses on all-area firepower, designed to cover the flanks of assault and quickly responding to Romulan Warbirds decloaking in ambush.
C6 S2 H6 L5 P1 D4
100br/80sr/980kt
3yr 6mn - 3O/5E/2T
20.62% Evasion
Does it have a Cloak? This is a ship that's frigate size with cruiser equivalent guns, shields, and hull... at the cost of everything else. Wow, but look at that crazy build time though. Nearly 4 years! They Klingons may regret not going with a weaker design they could build more quickly.
Hishmeri Diplomatic Posture Report
Analysis of current trends suggest that if the Hishmeri regain a taste for large scale great power alliances, they would make excellent auxiliaries to the Klingon fleet, if the Klingons were so inclined to reach out to certain adventure-minded Septs.
Larger, species-wide, goals and objectives are usually set by the "Perfect," the military leader of the Hishmeri as a whole. Currently the Perfect's policy seems to be aimed towards solidifying her hold on the Septs after her recent accession to her position and as far as we can tell she has yet to take a position on foreign policy that would override that of individual Septs and clans.
Additionally, Brosmen freedman have informed us that part of the Hishmeri's presence in this area of space is the pursuit of their "Jinn" enemies who they have historically perused and attacked mercilessly.
Overall the whole of the Septs, as of this time, cannot be said to have a set diplomatic posture.
Hmmm. A push by the FDS could probably net us a loose affiliation with the Perfect... help keep anyone else from scooping them up. But what about these Jinn?
....say
.....I wonder if "Jinn" is the Brosmen name for the Imelak. I mean, it's quite a coincidence that the Imelak arrive fleeing something, in about the same timeframe as the Hishmeri arrive, pursuing something.
Horizon Diplomatic Posture Report
All's quiet on the coreward front.
Worryingly quiet.
Indications are that the Harmony have completed their diplomatic recalibration.
While they try not show it, our own diplomatic and social expertise has triggered a shake up in the Foreign Relations Directorate with it being reformed into the Diplomatic Outreach and Galactic Hospitality Directorates. Both are currently in the middle of a massive draw up of diplomatic resources, with major retraining and educational programs underway in both the Peacekeeping and Diplomatic Outreach Directorates that specifically have lessons learned from the Federation Diplomatic Service in mind.
The coming months and years should see a massive surge in diplomatic efforts on the part of the Harmony as they bring these new resources to bear on their Spin and Rimward frontiers.
The Harmony are falling back from their blanket attempts to sow discord in our own members and close affiliates and moving to implement a longer term plan. Current analysis indicates that while they are not giving up on outreach to our Coreward members and allies, Horizon is refocusing on the smaller states that lie between us.
While we do not have the full picture of their charm offensive, we can confirm the following:
In Licori space we find ourselves in the awkward position of supporting the nobility against Horizon missionary efforts with the poorer classes and slaves.
In the Outer Space Alliance, the Harmony are focusing their current efforts in setting up subsidized trade links with the OSA's small business community.
In Felis space the Harmony is undermining the traditionally more powerful Parliament of Corporations by treating directly with the League Senate on economic matters and winning goodwill with the political class.
As far as the Bolians go, the Diplomatic Outreach Directorate is scrambling to take advantage of the Bolians first tentative steps away from isolationism.
Current trend analysis shows that the Federation's Coreward frontier is shaping up to be a diplomatic freefire zone. Interestingly Horizon's diplomatic focus has been on groups the Federation typically appeals to. It is likely an attempt to stymie the Diplomatic Service by gaining support and goodwill among our typical grassroot sources of support.
Well, better than a shooting war. It's good to know they're pulling back from messing with our members and close affiliates. I think that means we can breath easier as far as the Honiani and Ked Peddah are concerned. Maybe the Laio... though they're still below 300.
But we are going to have to prioritize what we give up the the Horizon. We can't fight on all fronts. I'm inclined to keep pushing on the OSA and the Licori. Let the Harmony go to all the effort of removing the Bolian isolationist tag... and then we strike! I don't even know about the Felis.
Definitely need to maintain a diplomatic task force next year and put it on the task of fighting a Horizon influence tag on somebody.
Romulan Shipbuilding Report
Please be advised that the collapse of the Romulan frontline in multiple locations has made the following list very speculative.
6~8 Khellian
~4 Daljerra
~10 Aehallh
6~10 Cargo Ships
3~7 Freighters
Ouch, looks like they didn't get a chance to complete all those Khellians... very bad for the Romulans.
Horizon Shipbuilding Report
3 Fleet Tender
6 Liberator
4 Scientist
2 Solace
12 Virtuoso
3 Alert
1 Hospital Ship
1 Civilian Research Cruiser
1 Passenger
1 Super-Freighter
6 Cargo Ship
4 Civilian Freighter
That is a lot of ships in build. A lot of ships.
Iberius Front
Combatants
Heavy Forces - Heavy action
A devastating offensive launched with strategic surprise collapsed the Romulan fleet, sending them fleeing in disarray. Before the situation could be retrieved, the Klingons had further overrun the Levoc, Rator, and Sanan Opek systems. They were rebuffed only at the battle of Nereid IV, the last major obstacle before Romulus. Near-suicidal counter-attacks and heroic sacrifices were required to halt the sudden Klingon tide.
Key Objectives
Romulus - Capital world of the Romulan Star Empire - Now suffering heavy raiding
Nereid IV - A small outpost world that now serves as the last line before Romulus
Sanan Opek - A minor colony on the approach to Romulus, most noteworthy for good sensor clarity to other logistics lanes
Rator III - Small shipyard overrun by Klingons
The Levoc System - A minor colony world with an outpost and a weapons production facility supporting Iberius Fleet Yards - Devastated by Klingon Wolf Packs
The Iberius System - A Major Romulan World, with one of the largest shipyards outside of Romulus
The Vinum Starbase - The Gateway to the Iberius system, a tough obstacle
The Ginok Pah System - A heavily reinforced outpost protecting Tholinium mines
The Hadab System - The Starbase that controls the shipping lanes back to Qon'os
Momentum
Major Klingon Empire Advantage
Oh shit. Romulus itself is under threat and being raided, with only Nereid IV standing in the way of the Klingon fleets. No wonder the government collapsed. This is the nightmare scenario for them.
Yes, damn right they'd pull in every ship. And speaking of ships, they lost the Iberius shipyards and the Rator III shipyards. Say goodbye to any ships in build in those locations. Say goodbye to using them any time soon even if the Romulans retook them. You know the Klingons dropped some photon torpedoes on the infrastructure first chance they got.
Paskan Front
Combatants
Heavy Romulan Counter Offensive
A renewed assault by the Romulans saw Alixros retaken, the fortifications and minefields cleared at a heavy price. Their abrupt assault caught the Klingon forces marshalling at Path'loq off-guard, effectively serving as a spoiling attack. The ensuing major Klingon offensive was held back for a long time. However, the system was impossible to hold, as shortly after the system was secured, news arrived of the complete collapse of the other two Fronts. With so many resources then stripped away, the Romulans had to fall back to Mothidium.
Major Objectives
Ivix - A sparsely inhabited colony, but a major fleet hub. Formerly a key industrial site.
Pompara - One of the major worlds, has been raided on a couple occasions
Mothidum - A minor colony with strong outposts, hub of the Paskan Front for the Romulans
Alixros - Originally a major Romulan colony, now captured by the Klingons, and the Romulans place a high priority on retaking it - Retaken by Romulans but unable to be held as the Iberius Front collapsed
Path'loq - A Klingon system with civilian shipyards
Momentum
Romulan Star Empire Advantage
No relief here. They couldn't take Alixros, and that means they're no closer to Path'loq.
Blood Gate Front
Combatants
Heavy Forces - With the masking presence of the nebula, it is easy for cloaked ships to cause mayhem, executing ambush and counter ambush
No tactical withdrawal was possible during this year, as the next Klingon assault cut clean through the Ocutis starbase and more systems besides. The Romulan fleets were put to flight, with the Klingons chasing closely.
Major Objectives
Atraka Outpost - A fallback position, further to the tailwards edge
Terix II - A small shipyard system, now overrun.
Old Red Eye - A system with a distinctive star, home to a research colony.
Jarok's Beacon - Inhabited only by a Tal Shiar facility and a small logistical hub. The Tal Shiar facility was heavily damaged in a raid.
Ocutis Starbase - The last major stronghold left in the sector, which must be held - Now damaged by raids.
Aniak System - A former Romulan Research colony, now destroyed, which the Romulans have now recaptured - Then re-recaptured
The Latch - A key system near the centre of the nebula that offers the best sensor vectors on the rest of the nebula
Beta Kornak - The hub of Klingon activity at the base of the nebula
Momentum
Major Klingon Advantage
Near complete collapse. They lost their starbase, the Tal Shiar facility, and then another shipyard in Terix II. Do they have any shipyards outside of Romulus itself left?
Frontier
Only a few raiders could be spared, but those Romulan ships that did take to the Frontiers to cut deep into the heart of the Klingon Empire fought with boldness and desperation. Their pressure on the Klingon industrial base caused a collapse in output, seemingly the only thing keeping them in the game.
Major Romulan Advantage
This is where my most recent omake put Wenlai, by the way. Doing his best with not a lot of ships, trying to strangle Klingon production.
Romulan Losses
3 Starbase
7 Outpost
2 Devoras
3 Khellian
4 Daljerra
6 Aehallh
6 Bird of Prey
1 Science Ship
17 Cargo Ships
12 Civilian Ships
8 Freighters
3 Engineering
1 Passenger
2 Colony Ship
Klingon Losses
1 Outposts
1 Tar'chak
14 K'tinga
18 Bird of Prey
17 Bird of Prey II
24 Cargo Ships
9 Civilian Ships
9 Freighters
2 Engineering
1 Super-Freighter
2 Passenger
The amount of years of production lost in a single year of battle is just incredible. How are they still going?
Klingon Diplomatic Posture Report
Everything we had prepared has now effectively been scrapped. The situation for both the Romulans and the Klingons is extremely fluid. A governmental collapse has struck in Romulan space, with an interim government formed from the Senate minority. The Continuing Committee likewise has resigned. We are still attempting to ascertain as to the status of the traditional Tal Shiar representative, but this is very difficult in the current flux.
Klingon attempts to broker a peace have begun on some level, but, again, the situation is in complete flux. Their own government is teetering, with a wave of assassinations and usurpations radically changing the mix. There is in fact a strong suspicion among the Intel community, and Starfleet Tactical, that this was a final roll of the dice for the Klingons, who are now utterly played out.
The Federation Diplomatic Service and the Council are directing all of their attention now towards this matter, and are exploring every avenue to broker a peace between the factions before we find ourselves facing a worst-case scenario of complete fragmentation of two major polities.
Everything is on fire indeed. The Continuing Committee resigned, and a minority Senate faction has taken power? And who the hell knows who just got assassinated in the Klingon government. Klingons can't keep fighting. Romulans just lost incredible swathes of territory. No one knows who is in charge anymore.
ADMIRAL WENLAI: We just received new contingency orders... for the potential fall of Romulus.
GENERAL RENHADD: I call it an opportunity.
ISC Diplomatic Posture Report
Unsurprisingly for a very cautious people, the Padani have made little change in their strategic and diplomatic posture since last year's report.
The Padani have made some inroads with the Shanpurr, appreciating their philosophical alignment on the issue of the Prime Directive. However, the relationship is multifaceted and overall remains distant. The Padani find the Shanpurr unacceptably inquisitive and overbearing, and think we are being very reckless in allowing them to visit our homeworld in such numbers. Shanpurr society placing a high value on openness, or using soft power to convince others to be open, does not play well with the Padani.
So why did we vote for a diplomatic posture report on the ISC for a second year in a row instead of stats for their cruisers?
GBZ: Determine what projects other factions are up to
The Cardassians are, we believe, still preparing for an assault on the Enio subsector, but are concerned about ensuring sufficient force is available.
If we can start reinforcing the GBZ next quarter, maybe we can make them hesitate longer on Enio.
