[Suicide Junkie]

2404.0
It has now been four long years since the opportunity for freedom was given to the organics of the galaxy. Our "Rebel" Alliance now includes 21 billion people, across 81 planets and 35 systems.
Free worlds have been reindustrialized as far south as Tudran, as far east as Baksha and all the way to Millenia and Fwandrei in the southeast star cluster.
Life in the fringes of free space has always been dangerous, and it is even more so now, with AI controlled warships becoming more aggressive and far more numerous.
Despite the dangers, our members have been signing on in record numbers to help bring the freedom we enjoy to all of the other planets in the galaxy. Over 32000 space and ground units are working across the galaxy, with thousands more serving aboard our carriers, troop transports and reconstruction ships.
We have faced and overcome many challenges these last years, but the greatest challenges remain ahead of us. Up to this point, we have made most of our gains by restoring basic services on worlds with collapsed infrastructure and thus no AI presence. We have been doing our work in systems free of AI ships.
Such easy objectives are quickly running out as the AI reconstruction ships move ever farther out from their core worlds and become more and more aggressive in their attempts to regain control over the people of the galaxy. We have been given a taste of the future in Dussullet, and we all know what our fate will be if we fail.
We have made progress towards our goals from the past year, but none have been achieved yet. Securing the southern and eastern borders, as well as the southeast star cluster remain high priorities, but our methods must change. This year, our goals are to first clear out the scattered AI ships from all three areas, to liberate and rebuild the planets in the area, and finally to begin preparing defenses for the inevitable return of the large AI fleets.
Although the ongoing battles with the AI planets in the north are very important, the situation is mostly contained, and there are plenty of resources in the area for small scale operations to continue, so it is not a priority.

2404.1:
Our only loss this month was a liberator, ambushed at a warppoint in the northeast. We are hopeful that there are no reconstruction ships in the area yet, but our nearest armed response is 5 months away so there is little we can do about it if they do come.
In the southeast, one AI scoutship was destroyed in Zyx, but two more have just entered and a third is on its way. Although our bomber squadrons are more than capable of destroying these scouts, if they split up interception could be a problem.
In the south, a fresh batch of ships has arrived from the core; five Independence carriers and a Deliverator are being sent south to attack the AI world in Quikil and provide reinforcements to the isolated troops in Nibbrix. 2600 troops and 62 bombers should make quick work of the light AI defenses.
Good news up north as well; the mining world of Xuberra VI was captured with four facilities intact including a small spaceport. Six thousand minerals per month are now benefitting us instead of them. While local defense troops are training on VI, the fleet is now making its way to the system capital of Xuberra VII.
Even better, the AI has started pulling ships out of Dussullet; a fleet of four Independence carriers is being dispatched from Kythrik to break the remaining blockade.

2404.2:
Over four thousand troops participated in the liberation of Xuberra VII this month, and the last citizens are now free. With a well developed infrastructure including resupply and repair facilities now under manual control, the population should have no trouble defending themselves in the future.
That is the extent of the good news this month, unfortunately. AI forces are rallying on every front with fleets of up to 20 ships. In the far south, 30 heavy tanks and 300 light troops launched a surprise raid on Tudran V. Although defenses were in place, they were overwhelmed by the volume and strategic positioning of troop drops. At last report, over 90% of our forces have been overrun, and it is only a matter of days before the last few villages fall.
Large AI fleets have also been spotted entering Zuria in the southeast, Baksha in the east, and Othello in the north.
All planets in border regions have been advised to cancel economic projects and increase defense production.

Some results have come in from the military commission; first of all, our current forces are quite reasonably effective in small combat such as we have seen until recently. However, our reliance on missile bombers has become a serious hinderance in more modern fights, since they are hard to organize effectively in the so-called target rich environments. Asp bombers utilize timed patterns of missiles to penetrate the AI plasma shields; although the first missile of each volley does no damage, it does open a hole for the rest. Until now, direct fire cannons have been avoided because fighters are simply too small to carry a gun powerful enough to penetrate AI shields. Given that missile combat has reached a point of diminishing returns, we will be forced to rely more on direct fire weapons. This also means that we will have to rely less on fighters to provide anti-ship firepower: we need our own combat ships.
It is also clear that the warships will need to operate in large packs, to deny the enemy an easy missile advantage. Our industrial base should be more than sufficient for the task now. What will not be sufficient is the skills of our crews. Training facilities will have to be set up in strategic locations for ships and crews to gather and practice the brand new art of ship combat. Two locations have been chosen so far; Centrolius, gateway to the east, and Jorun, a convenient link between the southern and southeastern fronts.
Design plans for the new warships have yet to be finalized.

2404.3:
The attack fleet in Tudran has vanished like a ghost back to Nibbrix, leaving only the 300 troops and a subjugated world in their wake. We have also lost track of the fleet in the east, which has presumably entered Vullera. In the southeast, 13 ships are expected to reach Zuria V on the 18th of the month. Although there are no space defenses, we have twice the ground defenses as were in Tudran. In the north, the AI fleet is travelling through Othello, destination unknown.
The 18 ships from the Dussullet blockade have left for Othello as well, and our fleet of four carriers have won by default.
An Independence suffered light damage this month while intercepting an AI scout at the Jorun warppoint after a long chase. Due to cargo bay damage, four of the bombers will have to be picked up later this month by a spare carrier.

Our liberation fleet in the north has warped from Xuberra into the hub system of Torren. There are four industrialized AI worlds detected; the core world of Torren IV and its two moons, and Torren IX. The isolated world of Torrent IX has been chosen as our first target, as it will make a good base of operations for a future attack on the AI core. A direct assault on the AI core world will not be a viable option for quite some time... in order to be successful, we will need a force capable of destroying any orbital defenses, as well as maintain a blockade afterwards. As shown by our battle in Auric, we will also need to commit ten thousand troops for two years. With our fleets dispersed over four fronts, that is not going to happen for quite some time.

2404.4:
Five AI ships were destroyed by an Independence in Zuria this month, at the cost of 17 bombers. The AI fleet in the system has begun a blockade and bombing campaign at Zuria V. The smallest of the major fleets, it contains only a single carrier and a large continent of escort ships. With the addition of a second carrier and a restocking of bombers from Zuria II, we may be able to break the blockade.
In the north, 150 medium and heavy AI troops have landed on Othello VIII. Despite an estimated 15% casualty rate during the initial drops, our forces retained control of the manufacturing centers, and are holding their positions.
In the south, the AI fleet has returned to Tudran V, this time with 30 ships. Attacks are expected on the other planets in the system at any time.

For our part, we are gathering forces in Dussullet. Combined with the fleet in Torren, we should have twenty carriers capable of striking targets in Othello within two months. Our primary target will be Othello III; it has been almost three years since the planet fell to AI control, and the return of freedom is long overdue. After that we will strike at the blockade of Othello VIII and deliver reinforcements for a quick end to the AI invasion force.
Our strength is also improving in the south; we now have ten loaded carriers operating south of Jorun, although most of them are tasked as troop transports and we are still vastly outnumbered.

2404.5:
Two more AI scout ships were destroyed this month, but that is little consolation for the losses suffered elsewhere.
In the north, AI forces dropped 800 new light troops behind our lines on Othello VIII. Casualties were very heavy, and our troops have been forced to retreat back to the capital. All of the outlying towns have been overrun with AI troops, and the capital is now under siege. Without additional troops, the capital is expected to fall by the end of the year.
In the south, our troop invasion of Quikil VI was nearly wiped out before it could begin, as the AI revealed a new type of extra-small fighter. Although our missiles were still able to lock on, the enemy fighters had surprisingly dense shielding and charged straight into our lines, opening fire with DU cannons. While our bombers attempted to deal with the threat, enemy bombers struck hard at our troop transports. A quarter of our force was trapped aboard the lead Independence when its engines were disabled only seconds from insertion; all hands were lost as the ship broke up under a heavy missile bombardment. The second Independence was hit shortly after deploying troops, and suffered heavy damage before our bombers were able to end the threat. The Deliverator escaped with minor damage, and has taken on fighters to shuttle back north. The damaged carrier will spend the month retrieving the remaining stranded fighters before setting out at speed 1 for the repair facilities in Jorun. Emergency repair ships are on their way to assist.
And finally, the southern AI fleet of 30 bombed Tudran II for two solid weeks. We lost contact with the last bunkers as fighters strafed them with cannons and torpedoes.

2404.6:
A stupendous showing this month; the two Independence carriers have broken the blockade of Zuria V! Of the 13 enemy ships, six were destroyed and two more damaged. The remaining AI ships are now in retreat. Despite the loss of most of our fighters, and the disabling of one of the carriers, this is a clear strategic victory. Fighters will be restocked from the nearby Zuria II, and a repair ship has begun construction there to get the carrier out of danger.
In the north, an AI carrier intercepted our main troop fleet at the Dussullet-Torren warppoint. Although it was a suicide mission against against a far superior force, they were able to damage the engines one of our carriers. Unfortunately, this will delay their arrival by another month. The fleet from Dussullet unfortunately does not carry any troops, but will press on without the extra support of the Torren fleet. A carrier loaded with troops from Othello V will attempt to meet up with the fleet next month; if the carrier can be protected long enough to drop, our ground forces will be able to easily hold out for the second wave. With 25 AI ships in the blockade, that will be a tall order.
In the south, Tudran III has been bombed by the AI fleet as well. The fleet is in position to strike any of three more planets next month, but all of the planets have significant ground defenses, so it will not be as easy this time. A pack of three Independence carriers are making a run past the fleet, hoping to drop troops to retake Tudran V.

Ground battles continue in Dussullet, but with the blockade cleared, we are making excellent progress. AI troops on the planet are now in full retreat, and we expect complete victory before the year is out. AI forces on the moon are also starting to wear thin, but they are still well entrenched.

The military commission has released the finalized plans for three warships this month, codenamed Honor, Valor, and Vigilance. The Honor class ships are frigate hulls with 900 kt of heavy armor and a 100mm DUC cannon; these ships are very simple and require only a minimal crew. Their main role is to lead the charge and strike at enemy ships and carriers directly. This will put them in harm's way, which is why they carry so much armor and so little crew.
Valor class ships are based on the much larger cruiser hulls, and although they carry more moderate armor, sheer size and extra shielding boosts their resilience, particularily against fighter scale weaponry. These ships mount three 40mm Laser cannons, plus forward and aft light Torpedo tubes. This long range firepower is intended mainly for shooting down fighters, and thick defenses should protect them from much of the small ordnance being returned.
Lastly, the Vigilance class ships have a large crew composed mostly of gunners. A battery of 13 small laser cannons and 12 flak torpedoes will allow the Vigilant to shoot down up to ten missiles per minute in combat. Defenses include light shielding and extra armor to help protect against missile impacts, since this ship will be flying right in amidst them.
These three designs have begun construction at yards across Alliance territory, but they will not arrive at the front lines in sufficient numbers to begin offensive operations until at least 2406.

2404.7:
The southern AI fleet has begun bombing raids on Tudran VII this month, but our ground forces were ready for them. Although none of the enemy fighters were shot down, they could not reach any of our industrial centers and had to settle for strikes against our outer air defenses. Losses were limited to a few troopers and vehicles.
Our trio of troop carriers has made it past the AI ships, and will be dropping all 1800 troops early next month.
In Nibbrix an Independence on a scouting mission was attacked by seven ships, including a carrier. One ship was destroyed and two more were heavily damaged along with an unknown number of fighters before the Independence was finally surrounded and destroyed.
In the north another Independence was lost at the Arklite warppoint. Vastly outnumbered by 16 AI ships, they were able to destroy only about 20 enemy fighters before their lines were overrun.
There were also a few skirmishes in the southeastern system of Fizbon. A number of AI scoutships have been attempting to penetrate deeper into Alliance territory lately.

2404.8:
And now, what you've all been waiting for; the battle for Othello VIII... will not be seen today.
The AI fleet broke orbit just ahead of our first wave, and the six hundred troopers from Othello V made their insertion without incident. Dropping in behind the enemy lines, our forces made great gains and broke the capital siege. Although our forces are still outnumbered, the immediate threat has been defused. With Othello VIII safe from capture, our main force and planned second wave, will be striking Othello III as originally planned before this emergency.

In the east, we finally got a carrier into Vullera, but surprisingly, the system was found to be empty. With the Loop clear of AI forces, Baksha is now a single chokepoint for the entire eastern front. Liberators have been scheduled to visit all of the local planets and will begin reconstruction in relative safety.
Two AI ships attempted to pass the Baksha-Kartogia warppoint into the Loop this month, but both were easily destroyed by the pair of Independence carriers guarding it.

In the south, bombardment continued on Tudran VII; in a total of six major strikes, we lost 15% of our defenses. Although planetary production is currently able to keep up with the demand for replacements, we cannot allow the situation to continue indefinitely. Four attack carriers from Quikil will attempt to cross through the AI held system of Nibbrix and enter Tudran from the east. If all goes well, they could arrive in three months.
An additional four carriers are being organized in Jorun, but they are at least five months away.
Our three troop carriers at Tudran V are making a break for the north, and a carrier from Ulce will attempt to hold the warppoint until they are through.

2404.9:
The southern AI fleet has broken off their attack, and are heading back towards Nibbrix this month, presumably to stock up on ordnance. Our four carrier force has spotted 26 more ships in Nibbrix, with half of them heading in the direction of Tudran.
The fleet will attempt to avoid system defense ships until the 30 ship fleet passes the warppoint before proceeding themselves.
The newly liberated Quickil VI was attacked this month by a single AI carrier, but the fighters left behind fought valiantly. Only one bomber survived, but the AI carrier was destroyed and the colony was saved.

In the north, AI troops on Dussullet IV were defeated at their last remaining stronghold; a power plant converted to a charging station. A final sweep for any remaining units is underway.
On the nearby moon, completion of the spaceyard facilities has increased our troop capacity by 40%. An additional 250 troops are being transferred from the planet, and the enemy forces are becoming increasingly desperate. Our strikes this month decimated the last remaining concentration of heavy tanks on the moon, and complete victory is expected in the next eight months.
Victory was ours in Othello as well; five thousand troops made a clean sweep of Tudran III. With the help of the locals, we were able to capture and subvert a large number of facilities, including a vast research complex. Some prototype plasma-based weapons have been discovered, and the design is simple enough to build into a ground based vehicle. Preliminary tests show excellent damage potential, and inexpensive material costs; although the plasma charges ignite organic materials quite easily, the extreme ionization kills electronics just as fast. A tank using the plasma cannon will be capable of carrying heavy armor while still delivering more firepower than a Skimmer.