NationStates Jolt Archive

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Cestus News Network
The State News Service of the Dictatorship of Cestus Three

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Cestus Defence Force engages Alien aggressors in the Asteroid Belt
(http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=464619)

CNN, CESTUS CITY: The Cestus Defence Force High Command has issued information today that CDF naval forces have engaged unknown alien vessels in the Cestustian Asteroid Belt.

The engagement follows the dispatching of Vanguard Class Cruiser 'Manchester' and the 2 Council Class Destroyers 'Davidson' and 'Goldberg' twenty four weeks ago to investigate the loss of contact with 'Alpha Mine', a mining outpost of the Cestus Dictatorship established to test the richness of minerals and other materials in the asteroid belt. The 'Manchester', under Captain Frederick Wilhelm, sent a message to the High Command several hours ago which reported that unknown alien vessels had been found in the vicinity of the destroyed outpost, and that these forces had engaged CDF vessels. Even now, a battle is raging among the asteroids, and the outcome of this will not be known for several hours yet.

The Council has ordered all Cestus Defence Force personnel and equipment to a heightened state of alert in case of any retaliation on the homeworld itself. As of now, the Council has not released any new information on the situation.

http://www.corante.com/mooreslore/archives/images/CNN-logo.jpg
Cestus News Network
The State News Service of the Dictatorship of Cestus Three

1 Cestus Quarter Dollar - Payment Transmitted

CDF Naval Forces Defeated at the Battle of the Belt

CNN, CESTUS CITY: Information issued by the CDF High Command in Cestus City has revealed to the Cestus News Network that CDF Forces in the asteroid belt have been defeated by massively superior alien forces that are responsible for the destruction of the Cestustian mining outpost twenty four weeks ago. Early indications report that the Council Class Destroyer 'Davidson' destroyed itself valiantly holding ground to allow the remaining two vessels to escape, destroying her own fusion reactor and destroying one of the enemy frigates in the process. Further damage reports indicate that the Destroyer 'Goldberg' has considerable damage to her engine systems and is under two, whilst the Valiant Class Solar Cruiser 'Manchester' has suffered severe damage to its armour and moderate damage to its superstructure.

The Council today issued a statement that CDF naval personnel had acted valiantly in the face of massively opposing forces, and that the Captain of the 'Davidson', Peter Tammerville, would be posthumously awarded the Cestus Three Medal of Supreme Honour, the highest and most rare award in Cestustian military decorations. Only three have been awarded in fifty years.

The Chairman of the Council, Frederick Forsyth, today spoke personally to CNN interviewers, and said the following;

"Today is a day of mourning for the hundreds of lives lost today at what is being called commonly by our people as the Battle of the Belt. Whilst we have seen supreme valour on behalf of Captain Tammerville, we are saddened and angered by the loss of the 'Davidson' and her crew."

"Today is also a day of rebirth on Cestus Three. The Dictatorship is in the process of developing diplomatic and technological relations with several other alien races, and hope to create a stable group of allies to protect ourselves from those that wish to eliminate us from existence. From now until deemed otherwise by the Council by Executive Decree, a State of War will exist between the Dictatorship of Cestus Three and the authority known to us only as the Imperium at this time. We will prevail in this time of sorrow, and we will survive."

http://www.corante.com/mooreslore/archives/images/CNN-logo.jpg
Cestus News Network
The State News Service of the Dictatorship of Cestus Three

1 Cestus Quarter Dollar - Payment Transmitted

CDF Announces 'Peace' Class Cruiser for Exploration and Diplomacy

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CNN, CESTUS CITY: The Cestus Defence Force has announced plans for the construction of a vessel built exclusively for peaceful exploration and diplomatic missions.

The Peace Class Cruiser was developed in the face of increasing contact with other races of the galaxy as the Cestus Dictatorship strives to improve its knowledge and its diplomatic relations. CDF (Navy) has released the following planned specifications:

Dimensions: 150 Metres Long, 25 Metres Beam
Crew: 150
Powerplant: 1 Fusion Reactor
Engines: 15 Gee Main Engine, 10 Gee Retro Rockets
Embarked Craft: 3 Shuttlecraft

Whilst the Peace Class has been widely welcomed by government officials, there has been some unrest over the fact that the Cruiser is unarmed. The CDF claims that 'diplomatic vessels should not be armed to the teeth', however there is concern that, due to the nature of hostile alien species as witnessed at the Battle of the Belt, even a meagre defence would be preferable.

http://www.corante.com/mooreslore/archives/images/CNN-logo.jpg
Cestus News Network
The State News Service of the Dictatorship of Cestus Three

1 Cestus Quarter Dollar - Payment Transmitted

Cestus Defence Force announces commissioning of 'Kennedy'

The CDF Naval branch today announced the completion and commissioning of the brand new Council Class Destroyer 'Kennedy'.

In the wake of the loss of the 'Davidson', the 'Kennedy' will bring the strength of the Cestus Defence Force (Navy) back up to its former size and standing power.

The 'Davidson' was lost at the Battle of the Belt several days ago, and the surviving vessels of the Detachment are currently travelling back to dock for repairs.

The CDF (Research) Branch also announced the near completion of a new Vanguard Class Solar Cruiser, and the research of several weapons and anti-weapons systems.

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http://www.corante.com/mooreslore/archives/images/CNN-logo.jpg
Cestus News Network
The State News Service of the Dictatorship of Cestus Three

1 Cestus Quarter Dollar - Payment Transmitted

Construction of new Space Dock, Fighter Construction leased.
http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=10286609#post10286609

The Council today announced the construction of a new Space Dock in orbit of Cestus Three, in order to increase the construction capacity of the Cestus Defence Force (Navy).

The Council also announced the leasing of fighter construction to private companies, in order to increase the speed and capacity at which fighters are brought into service.

This follows the Motion of Expansion that was passed by the Council 15-0 in favour, and sees the start of a new age of the Cestus Three Dictatorship.