Turn 16 (49AE): Piracy and Sovereignty Results
Budget: 335B Or
Government Support: 52
Internal Politics:
Parliamentary politics has finally calmed enough for things to stabilize and for the massive gains of the PPM to be stalled out. The drive for morphological freedom and the acceleration of the economy off the nearest cliff is still finding new adherents but nowhere near the rate of the other parties especially now that the Workers Party is adopting some of the same doctrinal lines. Social liberalization of society is something of a buzzword, being discussed by left-wing parties as a way to bring the Authority to something approaching a modern standard on the rights of minorities, those considered differently, and even some of the mentally infirm. Conservative opposition has shaped up, fighting the issues as a means of maintaining the traditional character of society against perceived and imaginary foreign influences that have somehow convinced the youth of the same thing they believed in twenty years ago.
More relevantly for the military, the new budget cycle is looking to be exceptional with strong industrial and economic growth underpinning the entire system. New technologies have revolutionized domestic production and the self-strengthening movement which was more a slogan than a concrete policy movement has come into its form. Gains in technologies alongside something of a free domestic policy for innovation have rapidly raised production and brought what was previously considered unachievable into easy reach. High yield gains from fusion reactors have collapsed energy prices with larger deuterium cores derived directly from military applications entering construction, if ones that are technically obsolete compared to the forefront of science. Xolotlan reactions have if anything been ones of surprise and moderate suspicion as the Dannan Economic Miracle as they have termed it is only accelerating with prospective investment into imported technologies forming a major aspect.
Production of new technologies has posed issues across the entire economy despite what the rapid growth has indicated as the speed of modernization has caught businesses consistently off guard. The scale of technical change alone has made many businesses unable and unwilling to invest capital in new machinery as the forefront of science is unstable and so rapidly shifting that a short-term profit is not worth the cost of adopting radical production improvements. Domestic production limits have stemmed from that as even with improvements to theoretical technologies practical engineering has significantly lagged in several sectors. The domestic knowledge base has at this point mostly caught up in comparison to civilian sectors but the industrial base is unlikely to reach technical limits for another decade.
Coalition executives have indicated that strongly protectionist practices go against the spirit of the treaty, if not the text but even this complaint has been only stated informally. Current cultural interpretation teams believe that this is a half-hearted attempt to secure more profit instead of a genuine tension point of the relationship as strong export growth has contributed significantly to their bottom line. Their complaints are something of a signifier of the general mood of the Sovereignty with if anything a view of the Authority as a militarized state that is built entirely around military matters. Diplomatically the perception is not useless, but this will color perceptions across the known cluster significantly. Reasonable preparedness has been several times mistaken as some radical mobilization program with many of the professors hired and visiting convinced that something must be wrong with the general population.
These theoretically well-meaning academics have not produced a diplomatic incident yet but they have if anything been more pervasive than actual enemy agents. Xolotlan professionals who should know better have documented several qualities that they believe are indicative of severe societal stress on every level to make strange and radical conclusions. In the general view of social sciences academia Dannan itself is a world that is challenging to survive on much less thrive, documenting the entire species as being in something of a permanent survival mode instead of what they perceive as a regular civilian mode of operation. Militarization of youths has been criticized across several papers with the worst of the criticism coming from the softer Xolotlan core worlds convinced that current practices are stunting growth, damaging the youths, and harmful to self-perceptions of social competency.
All of this is of course wrong and misguided, because of an altered social base that has so far failed to endure any similar level of crisis. The development of early society in a universal and permanent state of privation has had some effects on the general mentality but their criticisms are fundamentally cultural instead of psychological. Intensive competition for positions has brought up the best of a generation and proven to be strongly motivating for all who can strive. Their models of population and mentality are derived from a concept that expanded variation would induce significant variation in personal capabilities instead of a general baseline where growth is determined solely by personality and will. Their models of support for those lacking ability are fundamentally flawed when applied to the Authority and can somewhat be disregarded outside of genuinely disaffected populations directly affected by acute trauma.
Assault on PRLM Intelligence Station
AAR by Captain Carhal Beirgin(Credit
@Adronio)
The chartered pirate frigate conducted a preliminary bombardment on the intelligence station, stripping it of radiators, and the main reactor and breaching the hull of the station in several places, including the complete removal of the 'lowest' level, out of eight total. The objective was to seize encryption and technical equipment, as well as the CO if possible. The enemy was estimated at around one hundred (100) determined military personnel, compared to our platoon of eighteen (18).
The decision was made to breach level four, which was the docking decks because the large breach made from the removal of the first level was obvious and therefore liable to be the most well-defended entry point. From there the plan was to make our way to the central access shaft, then onwards to the sixth level, which was believed to be the command deck. After seizing the objectives we could, exfiltration would occur along the same path to minimize the odds of navigational error and maximize speed.
The initial breach was made via a particle beam strike from the frigate blowing open one of the docking ports. The first drone sent in was immediately engaged and destroyed before any actionable intelligence was gained, but a follow-up wave managed to confirm five keyhole positions defending the breach. An attack by fire was launched by two squads, overmatching the enemy and silencing the positions with only one soldier sustaining damage to their weapon in the process. The breach continued, with metallic hydrogen explosives used to breach the bulkhead cargo door. Several hostile KIAs were now confirmed, but due to the deteriorated state of the remains a proper headcount was not possible.
The advance continued unabated, with drones used to good effect to provide forward recon and security. Several hostiles were encountered and defeated with no casualties despite the speed of our advance, with our ISR advantage and concentration of force proving decisive. This pattern continued until the platoon reached the central access shaft. As entry was made into the shaft, an enemy ambush originating from the second level was launched. The platoon suffered three (3) wounded before fire superiority could be gained. This engagement diverted our advance into the fifth deck instead of the sixth, and the decision was made to breach the sixth deck from there instead.
Upon making the breach, the enemy decided to surrender instead of fighting on as expected. A quick interrogation of a junior officer confirmed that the entire station had surrendered, and the decision was made to accept the surrender and transport the prisoners, hoping that the unidentified CO was among them, as well as the equipment over to the frigate. Due to the novelty and surprise of this event, which was not properly prepared for, as well as my own workload, control over the platoon was compromised. In the process of searching for survivors one of the third squad's enlisted got trapped in a side room, and was injured in the process of being rescued.
Overall the operation was a complete success, with all objectives completed. Thirty-four (34) prisoners were taken, including the CO. Four (4) out of eighteen (18) of our force were wounded. More training is needed on combat operations inside stations; traditional urban combat training as well as microgravity combat training provide a good baseline but is not adequate alone. In addition, training needs to focus more on how to properly handle and care for large amounts of POWs.
Operation History Highlight: Initial operations against the People's Republic can begin as a part of more general intelligence operations. Agents in border positions are going to be key for their picture of internal affairs, prioritizing them for snuffing out. The involved communication systems are not proof of interception and setting up listening and decoding equipment can start to bring the hammer down. The less awareness the People's Republic has of what awaits them the more they can be exploited. (70)
Target selections for operational commitments were aimed at first-ring surveillance stations alongside several softer planetary targets outside the main area of PRLM expansion. Military action at the smallest scale was practically an expected factor with a go-ahead provided in part by the Xolotlan ambassador. Such operations are not out of the scope of higher intensity periods of state-on-state conflict and by their expectation commitments in the area have already been subject to several pirate raids both encouraged and unencouraged. Vulnerabilities in regional surveillance infrastructure are somewhat expected to be fixed with time as low-scale attacks can only be sustained for too far before triggering a war but shaping operations for the conflict can begin now. Primary goals have been deniable operations done in concert with dissident crews choosing to operate as pirates for initially ideological reasons with a strong degree of self-delusion, achieving some successes in obtaining critical intelligence at the affordable cost of a denouncement for encouraging pirate activity and destabilizing the dead zone.
Operation Truck Taboo: So-called freeports are dens of scum and villainy but ones where something approaching equitable treatment can be bought with enough violence. The forces in the local area are sponsored by the larger states to some extent or other but embedding operatives directly into the freeports can enable further operations. Starting the process of placing essential workers into local roles as technical specialists, common names, or even general laborers can provide identities and deep cover to allow for further specialized operations. The price of a single ship is immense and securing intact technologies would be a major leap in capabilities. (79)
Governmental consolidations have consistently occurred within the PRLM regime with something of a naval purge sweeping through the ranks approximately forty years prior. The Xolotlan ambassador is convinced that this was because a new great leader moved into power, but that is unconfirmed and with intensive analysis of all legislation passed unlikely due to excess consistency in policy aims and ideological directives. Some of these changes came with the effective decertification of privateers over an incident caused by one, leading many to choose to continue working as effective pirate dissidents. Of these sixteen captains were at all approached and five were brought onto state payrolls with lists of operational targets. A comprehensive analysis of the captains involved has indicated a strong ideological and somewhat delusional character profile but that is adequate for forming a starting point for operations.
Operation Clean Smile: Curach monitoring operations have produced a modicum of results but the campaign has at this point moved to one of wrap-up over direct surveillance. The reduction in targets and the steady movement of hostiles to the tunnel networks has reduced the efficacy of atmospheric strike packages. Moving high-capability SF units into the tunnels to test newer armor and weapon systems will be the first step along with proper clearing and surveillance missions. (67)
Initial operational successes for Clean Smile could be said to be some of the most lopsided engagements achieved since the colonial era. Remnant troops have so far failed to have much impact on local authority with known tunnel networks steadily becoming more dangerous to exist outside of. Limitations to filtration supplies have forced consistent attacks while plentiful reserves of exchange-era gasses have been utilized effectively as something of a constant attritional imposition. New armor and tactics have been revolutionary as integrated systems, trained operators, and a broad immunity to the unwieldy heavy weapons that are unlikely to be used effectively have enabled effective deep penetration operations. Attempts to use nuclear earthquake charges were noticed and criticized as a mild excess despite only a few hundred warheads used to destabilize networks judged to be expanded or challenging for conventional clearing methodologies. Resistance operations at this point are expected to become a civilian problem as hardline combatants are tracked and eliminated across all forms of theoretical concealment.
Operation Questionable Theory: Getting ahead of any possibility of leakage of information on the domestic end will be essential to eliminate the threat of a single imbecile causing a new great war. Deliberate leaking of a series of nonsensical but mildly humiliating tidbits on controlled unreliable sites and feeding them to hackers through more open servers will have some political costs but built up a big enough diversion. If theories are deeply split and generally inaccurate, those who think there is an alien artifact under the ice can be dismissed on a pre-emptive level. (Minor Political Support Gain) (96)
Receiving the approval of the government to avoid a second incursion was if anything far easier than expected. Discussions of military necessity with the cabinet and what was to be done to provide a cover for internal movements have produced some terror and general acceptance with all involved. First series stories including several propositions that there might be artifacts found under every single colony site have started spreading across more anonymous areas of the web alongside utterly irresponsible conspiracy theories. The press, failing to know any better, has even managed to pick up on a number of them only to be reassured at length that the military and politicians are not hiding anything. Several lower-level but more believable stories discussing issues with graft and corruption alongside overspending for luxurious infrastructure have spread on more dissident media but that in itself has provided a capable cover. The conspiracy theorists and malcontents have even helped significantly by producing capable cover making planned story deviation campaigns unnecessary with entire complex narratives created practically overnight about absolute irrelevant idiocy.
Operation Closed Eye: Reducing the penetration of digital systems from alien sources is a new concern as domestic electronics and software are far less capable than comparable international ones. Starting the development of a fully closed ecosystem that cannot be easily penetrated by state and non-state actors will be the first step towards reducing the practically free intelligence provided. Hardening programs will not entirely solve the issue outside of air-gaping essential facilities but efforts can start to exclude all but the most capable non-state actors. (71)
Previous networking programs, especially wartime ones have consolidated much of the digital footprint to a mixture of hardlines and short-range networks but that standard can be improved upon. End-to-end encryption has been significantly strengthened and mandated on all transmissions as a standard aspect to reduce possible signal interception. On-base technical catching has started being implemented, partially fragmenting military information networks but providing non-sensitive information to avoid failures born of laziness or boredom. Connected devices have started being installed with AI content screeners running concurrently to all user activity for on-the-spot analysis and surveillance to pinpoint foreign agents or suspicious activity. Pattern testing can and still will miss some agents that practice novel methods but security on the surface level for common access databases will only be strengthened as time and funding are made available.
Infantry Naval Assault System: New generation medium suit systems have continuously run into more issues despite the funding allocated. Fine articulation of joints is at the current point beyond easy-to-produce techniques. Rationalization programs on the suit have achieved some rationalizations but these have not been sufficient for a combat-ready suit to be issued. A variation that has reduced mobility and a lacking system for the elevated recovery of another suit has been produced with the design otherwise ready for mobilization. This is an inadequate design for most specifications but one that has been produced entirely domestically and one that would enable lessons to be learned. After a half decade or more of operational and industrial experience, a second-gen design could offer far improved performance. (43)
[]Adopt the Airgetlam Arsenal Suit: The prototype suits on offer are adequate for broader assessments of technical performance. They are subpar relative to Xolotlan armor but can be produced cheaply and with our current limited mastery of industrial techniques. The suit has the same Type 45B electronics suit with a few novel applications alongside a far-refined movement system. Combined electronic control somewhat compensates for the limitations in polymer mobility systems, stabilizing movement through smart feedback on a limited number of driving polymer bands. Armor plating performance is less with the same weight budget spent protecting mobility and life support systems with a light plating layer over less critical areas. (Moves to LRP) (-50B Or)
[]Expand Technical Funding: Spending more money to ensure that a functional suit is made will be essential to develop domestic capabilities. This would go towards mastery of the mobility systems along with more advanced computational hardware to compensate for the lack of fine control. A second-generation system would be significantly more capable and less problematic if a total technical basis could be created now and ironed out. (-100B Or)
General Space Suit System: Despite its number of derisive nicknames for being round around the waist and the localization of life support assets to the hips, the GA system is entirely functional. Space testing has found some mild issues with excessive force driving the polymer system to mild injury but that is a software error. Coolant capability in space lasts significantly shorter than general life support but the under-coat can act as any other MCP suit, enabling the crew to sweat in emergency circumstances. Evaluation testing with crews in simulators has seen the built-in display systems mostly used for alternative tasks over primary on-ship ones with training expected to solve the issue. Redundant digital MFDs are expected to improve redundancy anyway, even if currently not used as intended. (58) (Procurement Completed)
Type 50 Combined Orbital Equipment: Second generation orbital powered equipment has consolidated direct combat and general purpose capabilities into one standard suit. Applied in a modular fashion with a mechanical counterpressure suit providing primary resistance against vacuum. Electronic systems are all integral on the first layer with the primary helmet incorporating a small tank for free flow short duration oxygen for a sufficient time to reach a suit locker and don a full equipment set doubled. Primary suit equipment is done through rear entry, connecting to frontal ports in a semi-opened suit to provide sustained life support capability. Linkages on the exterior surface enable local tanks to be refilled from ship supplies, routing around adsorbent cartridges to reduce maintenance under combat conditions. HEC armor on the primary surface is sufficient to resist light carbine fire from any range. Data links and radiation protection help to improve conventional crew roles, allowing for enhanced sustained operations. The standard armament is currently the 12mm Type 46 Rifle with orbital modifications to reduce thermal buildup issues.
Light Laser Rifle: Significant size reductions have been achieved through the use of foreign lensing systems even if domestic power systems have proven somewhat inadequate. This has come through deficiencies in novel high-power capacitors and battery systems, in effect incorporating them on unproven unevaluated designs. Overall the prototypes for the rifle when built with samples of the soon-to-be-produced lenses manage to achieve adequate performance on all envelopes. Active rangefinding systems have been mounted over passive ones due to size limitations, with soldiers drilled on the importance of proper ranging for combat performance. Thermal issues are problematic but otherwise uncomplicated with many of the onboard systems capable of dealing with heat spikes as long as enough atmosphere is available. The question that remains though is the production of the rifle and if it is to be adopted as a standard non-power-armor infantry arm. (79) (Procurement Complete)
Type 50 Infantry Laser Rifle: Half of the system's weight comprises a strong power pack, capable of two rounds per second in standard mode with capacity for continuous bursts to twenty shots. The capacitor system has gained some weight and represents the most thermally concerning area of the rifle, but it is top mounted to keep it away from any hand-holds and enable steady airflow through the use of a togglable turbopump. Penetration incident on standardized diamondoid armor is approximately 7 cm at 250m with sublinear gains at closer ranges. When fully equipped with a modern lensing system built through technical transfer alongside automatic optics integrating mid-resolution FLIR capability the total weapon system comes out at 10.4kg.
[]Standard Combat Arm: Pushing the new rifle as the universal replacement to the Type 45 grenade launcher and Type 46 rifles will be essential given the disparities in capability. Modernizing the entire military will be expensive and beyond the costs typically expected from an infantry weapon. Comprehensive modernization would in effect be planned across the period of the next budget with soldiers receiving ever-increasing quantities of the weapon to improve general combat capability. (Significant Equipment Production Costs)
[]Squad Assault Role: Avoiding massive increases in the production of diamondoid lenses and the over-straining of the plant producing the rifle would be prudent to reduce costs. Efforts will be taken to steadily increase production but it is somewhat expected that the Type 50 will be a transitory system more than a mass adoption one. Nearly a million rifles will still be made across the next budget with a slow transition toward laser weapons enabled through the full-scale retirement of grenade launchers. (Moderate Equipment Production Costs)
[]Specialist Unit Issue: First-generation light laser weapons represent something of a dead end in design and specialization. Avoiding further expansion of production capacity while operating current plants at capacity is still expected to produce nearly two hundred thousand rifles. These would go towards the highest quality units with a focus on increasing the combat capabilities of veteran units. A second-generation rifle can be the new mass issue system while the light rifle remains in a transitory stage without much development. (Negligible Equipment Production Costs)
Power Armor Rifle: Transfering the lessons and lensing systems directly over towards the heavy Type 50 Power Armor Laser System has enabled some weight savings and mild improvements in range compared to original specifications. Some of the savings were lost due to the combined power and cooling system but in effect, the original specification has been met through alternative capability prioritization. Strong fan systems are capable of compensating for the heat produced by the lasing media and lensing more so than for the light rifle but the significant heat emission is both emissive and extremely uncomfortable outside of armor. The hand-carried segment is only thirty-five kilograms with mounted optic, carrying a fifteen-kilogram battery on the suit to extend ammunition reserves and provide for a cyclic rate of three rounds per second. Current developments are in a sense suboptimal from the perspective of rate of fire, but thermal requirements are a greater limit than peak RoF even for modern Xolotlan weapons. (-50B Or) (Procurement Complete)
Type 50 Power Armor Laser System: A developed laser weapon system that brings domestic heavy weapon capabilities to galactic standards with compromises in weight and rate of fire. A two-part system with a thirty-five-kilogram primary system and a fifteen-kilogram secondary battery to feed energy into the weapon. This provides ammunition capacity for approximately six hundred shots at three rounds per second, dropping to two hundred at one per second if the two units are disconnected. The gun can achieve 18 cm of effect on diamondoid armor at five hundred meters with shorter range capability improving moderately to 100m. Issuance with all standard infantry-powered armor is expected, equalizing practical capabilities with military forces.
Pre-Assessments of Purchase Classes: (Expect approximately 250B XCU without major superconductor sales) (Superconductor sales of up to 600B XCU) (Select as Many Modifications as Desired per Hull, a yard will attempt them)
Oltl Class Frigate: One of the first and immediate issues assessors have found with the Oltl is that its internal spaces are too small for any Seelie crew. Single file crawl spaces are an active hazard at all operational states and represent a threat to the safety and capability of any teams onboard. Quarters are small if adequate for sailors and costly modifications would be necessary to bring the ships up to code that the Acalan would be cheaper per unit. (16) (nat 1) (Cannot be Procured)
Ixhuatlan Class Destroyer: A monolithic and reinforced hull design is a seemingly good idea when designing a warship class but has made refits to the destroyer costly and impractical. The particle beam and supporting systems are all good but the crew section is tiny for the demands expected of the ships. Endurance onboard tends short but that in itself is also adequate, the largest issue is that the duration of patrols would be limited to a few months without dedicated tenders. Refits and modernizations would balloon costs over more practical hulls to purchase but can still be conducted. Buying hulls in original form is still viable, but would require the fleet to be formatted around ships without effective internal berthing space. (17) (-30B XCU per Vessel)
Acalan Class Destroyer Raider: The best platform of the set and as an added benefit built on a modular frame due to the indecisiveness of even demanding a destroyer raider. The ship is built on a central frame with the drives and particle beams mounted to a removable diamondoid armor prow on which all habitation and life support systems are built alongside fuel reserves. This in effect offers an easy route towards improving capabilities and further modernization, slowing the ships to the speed of a less capable light cruiser but extending the particle beam to be in line with a light cruiser of its generation. Refits to further increase acceleration have already been proposed and conducted, bringing the drive to a 19th-generation standard to enable expanded capability. Xolotlan yards are willing to give discounts on large orders, but if custom refits are to be desired at least eight hulls must be ordered limiting current purchases to one "design". (98) (-14B XCU per Base Hull)
[]Buy Only Standard Designs: The ship can be refitted in domestic yards, saving XCU in favor of spending Or for comprehensive refits. (No Added Cost) (8x rule does not apply)
[]Mild Modernizations: Moving functional but technically still obsolete 18th-generation engines into the system along with consolidating power to the particle beam can produce something close to a super frigate. The configuration would have internal volume for a crew cut down with on-station time minimized to half a decade with a competent Seelie crew that is regularly recycling onboard resources. If anything the largest improvements will come in the wholesale improvement of the particle beam to a more capable 18th generation system, bringing the hull to something of an ultra-light cruiser in effect if under armored in the extreme but fast and adequately armed for the class. (-18B XCU per Variant)
[]Comprehensive Overhaul: The onboard systems are old even for the generation and with a full replacement with top-of-line 19th-generation engines along with the use of a larger 18th-generation particle beam the hull can approach modern standards. Armor is going to be deeply inadequate outside the raiding role but in an ideal world, the new raider will be able to outrun anything heavy enough to threaten the armor. In non-jousting engagements against single frigates, the increased range will likely enable easy and safe victories, enabling a viable deep raiding role. The only downside of such a conversion is the cost, as near-modern systems still come at a premium. (-28B XCU per Variant)
[]Light Cruiser Conversion: The engines are appropriate for a light cruiser but the rest of the hull is not remotely capable of such a conversion. Extending the hull and maintaining a thickened version of the same armor package will not be optimal, but can be done for comparatively little. The additional middle space is expected to be converted to fuel tankage and an expanded and reinforced particle beam that is the standard for a light cruiser. As the hull is being worked on, more modern 18th-generation engines can be mounted, making the class average for light cruisers in acceleration. Armor is not going to be universally adequate and the particle beam will be weaker than a contemporary cruiser, but the conversion itself is not expected to be that expensive for how comprehensive it is. (-25B XCU per Variant)
[]Heavy Tactical Destroyer: Radical modifications in the guise of PRLM designs can improve the combat power of the destroyer to win over any contemporary light cruiser in an individual engagement. This would involve the extension of the ship and particle beam, mounting an 18th Generation heavy cruiser particle beam outside of the hull with a small thin forward shield to protect against fire. This design style has been made for older generations of battleships in Volnay service and several PRLM and Baslu vessels, so there is certainty some viability in it and as long as it is not exposed to flanking fire it will easily overmatch any lighter ship. (-32B XCU per Variant)
[]System Defense Optimizations: Entirely removing the excesses involved in the design crew quarters and sizing onboard room for only six months of independent operations can provide significant gains in internal volume. Additional tankage will be mounted as standard with reinforcement provided to reduce stress on the overall spaceframe and ensure it can sustain acceleration with full tanks. Light VLS banks will be mounted for future missile systems along with a simultaneous modernization of the integral particle beam using leftover internal volume. The armor will not be improved but the ship will be able to serve as a system defense craft, especially for jousting engagements along with secondary deployments around Dannan orbit. (-20B XCU per Variant)
Teuila Class Light Cruiser: There is little fundamentally wrong with the Teuila outside possibly excessive space provided to the crew that can be better utilized. Many of the onboard electronic systems are their unique standard and have to be replaced, but that can be done at a domestic yard without significant further issues. Consolidation of onboard crew spaces and the increase in fuel fraction is expected to produce some minor performance gains but the largest question of purchasing ships of the class will be the particle beam. The neutral beam is modern and represents a treasure trove of technologies and novel approaches that could theoretically be copied over to domestic designs. (80) (-95B XCU per Vessel)
Xolotlan Spare Parts Program: Reductions in shipping throughput are expected to significantly impact the supply of local task forces. Starting programs to replicate most elements of the hull plating along with efforts to build superconducting internal power system components can be undertaken now. Replicating their drives is well beyond any techniques but the internal shielding and several electronics components can be reproduced domestically through committed efforts. Some diplomatic gains are expected but as a formal deal has not been made yet the program may be premature. (-25B Or Cost) (Minor Tech Roll DC Bonus) (69)
Technical work on the spare parts program came as a series of proposals to work closely with the fleet for the supply of spare parts. Command circuits of the detachment itself were willing to extend an olive branch for it with the ambassador offering technical assistance to be sent for the establishment of plants centered around the production of diamondoids, armor components, disposable supplies, and more technical provisions. The standards expected of the goods are not exceptionally more than current manufacturing and can be done for a comparatively minimal degree of money, little opportunity will be present to effectively externally subsidize the production of key industrial components for an entirely domestic orbital fleet.
(Select 3 Actions, Can Select 4 at -5 Procurement Penalty, 5 at a -20 Procurement Penalty)
Xolotlan Training Initiatives: Bringing down ground commanders and the limited marine contingent for a series of larger-scale wargames can create an accurate picture of combat against a near military force. Recent discoveries have been pushing Xolotlan commands to a higher state of readiness and holding a series of combined arms exercises can ensure that their forces can operate in concert with the military. Practice against their forces will help to refine novel approaches outside of wartime situations, ensuring that the next budget cycle can feature more effective training. (-50B Or Cost) (74)
The Xolotlan military and several participating corporate forces have managed to provide a mixture of formations, coming in the form of three separate brigades and some smaller and worse-equipped units. Operational training with them will be conducted at scale with dissimilar and similar equipment wargames to determine optimum military developments and provide a comprehensive argument for future military reforms. Several wartime commands have expressed interest in less severe exercises with domestic units already aiming to recreate some of the battles of the war to learn lessons and orient around the new generation of equipment. Before the general state of the military can be brought to an operational standard massive amounts of technology will have to be processed and brought to bear to overcome the massive technical advantages of alien states.
Internet Regulations: Looking at the internet of the Xolotlan Sovereignty has found it far more tame and less stress-inducing compared to domestic networks. The content available is far more regulated and normal compared to the mountain of garbage spewed by domestic sources. Basic regulation to further reduce the roles of algorithms for content creation can be implemented, disallowing full impersonation of users and bot accounts. (Moderate Political Support Cost) (66)
Limits have finally been placed on domestic networking, forcing the attachment of computational keys with identification to reduce the extent of cybercrime. Further programs for AI-enabled filtering of content and the minimization of both hostile propaganda and unsafe material have started even if the impact mostly amounts to a warning in all but the most egregious cases. Regulatory programs have passed the government as a logical consequence of a mixture of protecting the youth and a practical understandings of the cesspit that the internet has become. Limitations on generative content are proposed but are likely to die in committee due to being too foundational in several key defense industries.
Fortify the 12th Moon: Hauling out the material for an obvious bunker network would be detected without any opportunity to notice anything. Focusing on developing limited mining industries to support a complex of laser anti-orbital batteries could be conducted without major surface construction. Xolotlan commands are willing to cover the initiative as a part of local orbital fuel supply development, effectively using the construction of a fueling hub as cover for archeological investigations. (50-300B Or Cost) (Subvote) (85)
Deployment of heavy anti-orbital weaponry as a mainstay for defending the new "refueling depot" is going to be critical for securing the artifacts from foreign espionage. A planned array of batteries has been proposed with some bunker networks that will hold off lighter attacks with long-range laser fire from the surface as the massive ice fields can be used as a thermal reserve. The main question remaining is how many batteries are to be installed and how deep the fortifications should go. Light deployments can stop any observers from getting a closer look but will almost certainly be useless in case of a full-scale invasion, but keeping assets reasonable will somewhat improve the cover story.
[]Limited Batteries: Building in six triplex anti-orbital batteries based on local fusion power and the use of ice for cooling can nearly clear the sky on an entire planetary orientation. Any ship heavier than a cruiser will amble into range no matter what the batteries do but limiting reconnaissance operations to extreme speed flybys to avoid continuous pulse laser fire can present its value. Defending the entire orbital system from invasion or even slowing an invasion is not practical but keeping a few reconnaissance craft away can be done at a minimal cost. (-50B Or Cost)
[]Heavy Laser Installations: Going further and expanding defensive works to the point that dug-in underground overlapping networks of laser batteries can ensure that lighter ships can be broken up before breaking through the defensive rings. The combination of heavy laser batteries and a minefield will provide time for a response fleet rally and perform a jump to the local jump points. If Volnay confirms that these points exist then the laser installations would somewhat be justified through the increased value of the gas giant but on their own, they will raise some suspicions. (-150B Or Cost)
[]Heavy Installations and Dense Minefields: Rings of bomb-pumped lasers deployed from VLS pods alongside several fortified zones with heavy laser systems built in a semi-overlapping system can provide a massive defense potential for the dig site. Any dedicated fleet will be able to break through and win the fight with a small degree of damage if at massive delay but that delay can provide the time for heavier assets to be shifted over. Xolotlan forces will not be available in any invasion but more defenses can increase time and force commitments. This will be conspicuous with the PRLN certain to investigate to see what is being defended so intensely. (-300B Or Cost)
12-Hour Moratorium Vote by Plan (Budget Next Turn, unused funding dumped)
