BACKGROUND:   The eco-system collapsed a century earlier killing two thirds of the planet's population and nations are still scrambling for self-sufficiency as the planet slowly returns to normal.

Threat Zone One:   The NEW SOVIET
The New Soviet regained political control of Russia during the eco-collapse erecting another iron curtain.   During this same period North America fractured into six competing regions leaving the New Soviet nearly unchallenged for the better part of the last century.   Formation of the United Network Command Authority has provided the first credible challenge to their colonization of the outer system and has within the last two decades overtook their space superiority with a strong international presence.

MAXIMUM PRIORITY:   The New Soviet has made a critical technological breakthrough that has helping it to create a completely secure data/communication network.   Because of this their future aspirations are unknown.

Threat Zone Two:   EUROPE, THE MID-EAST and ASIA
-Europe remains relatively stable politically but tensions exist between internal divisions who compete for food stocks to feed their populations while ensuring the New Soviet doesn't expand their influence into this sphere.

-Tensions in the mid-east remain high but this is considered a regional problem since the switch to alternative fuels means the resources of this area no longer have international market value.   As none of the governments in this region are wealthy enough to afford W.M.D. (Weapons of Mass Destructions) their conflicts are limited to skirmishes with archaic conventional weapons.   United Network Command Troops are however active in escorting assistance to refugees and areas still decimated by earlier conflicts.

-China and the sub-continent are prone to sabre rattling as these nations try to feed their still large populations.   Recent intercepts imply someone in the Indian/Nepal border area has made amazing strides in bio-mechanical research.   As this has wide ranging implications further investigation is warranted.

Threat Zone Three: NORTH AMERICA
-Western Canada split off from the Dominion following an attack early in the Eco-Crisis by food starved Heartland states in the US mid-west.   Because of corporations like RIGEL Aerospace Western Canada is currently the world's technology leader, it is therefore the target of many forms of espionage and sabotage.   From this location the race to break the light barrier has begun.

-Western States:   American western alienation motivated the western states in the US to declare independence forming the Union of Western States.   Coming as it did during the eco-crisis the remainder of the United States was unable to mount a challenge to this declaration.   In the intervening years the two nations have all but politically reunited but a large obstacle remains, that being Buffalo Common.

Two centuries of population drift from the vast mid-west to both coasts made the area politically nonviable.   This led to the creation of a nearly frontier region consuming the better part of 15 states between the Rockies and the Mississippi where fringe groups, Survivalist, New Republicans and pockets of alternative cultures are thriving although many are in open conflict with what little infrastructure control that remains.

-In addition to the above both Canada and the eastern United States have been crippled by infrastructure problems, corruption and class struggles as those who are comfortable struggle to retain their place in an uneasy political climate.

- Both Americas have southern populations that are increasingly Hispanic and the cultural identity of both have shifted enough that factions in both nations are looking to reunite with a revitalised Mexico.

Threat Zone Four:   SOUTH AMERICAN, AFRICA and the SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE
-In South America, Brazil and other southern hemisphere nations have shifted to become the main food producers but at the cost of much of the rain forest.   Attempts to limit this by northern nations who need the ecology to recover for their own crops to return to productivity have created many competing pressures in this region and with it an instability.

Argentina and Chile have been locked in a decades old battle for control of offshore sea harvesting.   Along the historic "White Coast" in the equatorial region recreational drug production has returned after almost a century's absence feeding new demands as global wealth returns.   Although many of these exports are traditional drugs there is also a new and powerful drug known as Neiva Cayo (street name is "hot ash").   The impact of this has yet to be explored.

-Africa.   The Alliance of Southern Africa has one of the strongest economies on the planet but the isolationist governments in control are contributing to world tensions as Africa fails to meet its international commitments.   The ASA leadership is no longer hiding their northern aspirations, which is causing popular revolts of many mid-African states.   ASA has been increasing troop deployment along its northern border but its too early to tell if this for northern advance or to stem the tide of refugees currently moving south.   Strategic Intelligence has assets both on the ground and in house and will continue to monitor.

-Australia and New Zealand, long ago allies, have been engaging each other over control of the Tasman Sea.   At this point events have stopped short of open hostilities but they seem inevitable as the riches of this area beckon both financially strapped nations.   The United Network Command Authority is restricted from getting involved yet continues to monitor the situation in the event circumstances change and the conflict moves outside this region.

Region Two: NEAR EARTH:

BACKGROUND:   Conflicting networks of transfer platforms, satellites, space-docks, Space Stations and Space Colonies dot this area.

Threat Zone Five:   LAGRANGE SPACE
-Low Earth Orbit Transfer platforms (LEOs) are critical to control of transport to and from Earth.

-Geo-synchronous Orbit Satellites (GEOs) help various interests monitor their concerns or interfere with the monitoring of their concerns by others, sometimes physically.

-High Earth Orbit Space-docks (HEOs).   Glavcosmos, the New Soviet space agency, refuses to risk contamination by using any of the transfer platforms or Hubs run by the international community instead spending the extra funds to operate its own network of massive Space-Docks between the Earth and Luna.   Because of the inherent instability of this zone New Soviet protocol gives outgoing craft right of way, this contradicts internationally agreed protocol giving returning craft priority and remains a source of tension.

-LAGRANGE Stations.   A group of eight space stations and colonies that form the rest of the orbital system some of which reside in gravity stable libation points.

Station One is the primary Transfer Hub in the earth system and sits a LaGrange 1, a semi-stable space some 58,000 kilometres above the Lunar surface between Luna and Earth.   Most flights within Lagrange space and from Earth orbit outward transit through here.   An international agreement keeps this station open to all with separate terminals for various fractions and as such is a prime base for smugglers.   Station One has no permanent population and is generally staffed by some 500 people with passengers, transient crew adding between 1,000 and 4,000 additional people on the station at any one time.

Station Two is a medium sized component orbital colony residing in the LaGrange 4 position, some 60 degrees ahead of the moon in Lunar orbit.   This station has one Habitat Ring with a permanent population of 2,500 people.   Maximum recommended occupancy is 4,000.   Station Two is sometimes referred to as L4 Station.

Station Three is a larger facility based on the same component design but residing in LaGrange 5, some 60 degrees behind the moon in Lunar orbit.   This station has one Habitat Ring with a permanent population of 2,500 people.   Maximum recommended occupancy is 5,500.   Station Three is sometimes referred to as L5 Station.

Station Four also follows the component design but because it's unable to take advantage of the stable gravity space of a libation point it relies on clusters of thrusters that keep it 100 degrees ahead of the moon in Lunar orbit.   This station has two Habitat Rings with a permanent population of 5,000 people.   Maximum recommended occupancy is 7,500.

Station Five is identical to Station Four using the same thrusters to keep it 260 degrees ahead of and 100 degrees behind the moon in Lunar orbit.   This station has two Habitat Rings with a permanent population of 5,000 people.   Maximum recommended occupancy is 7,500.

Station Six is a much larger station, a Space Colony primarily providing housing for the increasing LaGrange population and rests in the unstable L3 position directly opposite the moon, 180 degrees ahead of and behind Luna in Lunar orbit.   This station has four Habitat Rings with a permanent population of 10,000 people.   Maximum recommended occupancy is 11,500.

Threat Zone Six: LUNA
Earth's moon has numerous bases built on its surface, many connected to each other by a complex optic fibre network.   Most of the bases are corporate concerns, with loose national allegiance, that mine, process, refine and ship everything from the raw materials used in space construction to hydrogen fuel, oxygen and water.

Lunar colonisation is also a fast growing though still very expensive undertaking.   The New Soviet have two bases on the moon in addition to their GUBACHEN hangar facility and the remains of Marxgrad destroyed in 2199.   Total lunar population is estimated at 30,000 but New Soviet Troop deployment on the Lunar surface is a mystery.

Strategic Intelligence has successfully compromised the optic fibre net on the lunar surface with no threat discoveries.   Further investigation is underway.   Additionally the increasing data/communication silence of the New Soviet has grave implications relating to their presence here.

Region Three: THE INNER SYSTEM:

BACKGROUND:   The inner system means from Sol (the sun) to the Asteroid belt just beyond Mars orbit.   Although the Asteroid Belt is operationally apart of the Inner System, monitor duties are shared with Outer System resources.   To better balance the threat report the Short Bow Corridor and the Asteroid Belt have been included with the Outer System.

Threat Zone Seven: MARS
-Mars is currently undergoing a massive green-house gas build-up and this is by design.   In the only example of full co-operation Corporation facilities, Multi-national plants, United Network affiliate and New Soviet controlled bases are polluting the Martian atmosphere on a large scale in an attempt to thicken and warm up the atmosphere, a crucial first stage to terraforming this world.   This is not to say Mars is a model of harmony.   The planet has numerous regions currently hosting Terran habitation but the primary concerns are:

ARCADIA:   RIGEL Aerospace is engaged in both mining and production at bases in this region.   The silicate by-products made here include EMITTER ARRAYS and other energy management components used in everything from GRAV-PLATE levitation technology through Propulsion and offence/defence weaponry.   RIGEL is very protective of this operation and has the highest security contingent of any Mars facility including the New Soviet bases.   Evidence exists these precautions are not unwarranted as the Arcadia operation also seems to be target of more sabotage than any other.

HELLAS:   New Soviet mining and production is centered in this plains region.   Branch productions operations are spread out through the Noachis, Hesperia and Eridania plains as well but all of these are controlled from the Hellas main base.

ARGYRE EXCHANGE:   A large primary facility run by a multi-national consortium that specialises in being the central storehouse of supplies for Mars.   Nearly every planetary concern deals with ARGYRE at one point or another as the option for replacing critical supplies takes almost a week at high-speed and for most several months.   As such Argyre is a prime location for collecting trans-Martian news.

ZIZU RAIDERS:   An increasing threat.   Mysterious pockets of almost nomadic groups that strike at transports and bases throughout Australe Mare and as far north as Margaritifer Sinus.   Intel supports a theory that the ZIZU RAIDERS are raiding parties sent from one of the poorly funded concerns around the Argyre Exchange but subjects have yet to be contained so confirmation remains elusive.

SOJOURNER STATION:   The primary orbital platform orbiting above the Tharsis continental range.   Sojourner is another co-operative concern (except for the New Soviet who have their own station – See ISIDIS STATION).   Because of the large volume of traffic moving through Sojourner this is another prime source for casual information on Martian events.

ISIDIS STATION:   The New Soviet Orbital Platform.   Consistent with the isolationist policy of Glavcosmos all New Soviet traffic moves exclusively through Isidis.   As with every other New Soviet operation the recent shift to secure data silent technology increases the threat register for this operation.

Threat Zone Eight:   NEW TERRA COLONY, Near Sun and The Mid-Way Platforms
-NEW TERRA:   A massive multi-national venture has resulted in the creation of the largest space colony yet.   New Terra houses 30,572 permanent residents tracking in the Earth's orbit at its exact counter point.   Originally built to ensure no vessel was more than six months from assistance New Terra has grown, developed near self-sufficiency and a distinct society.   With this maturity has come a desire for self-governance considered by most beyond its grasp.   New Terra has claims on the bodies in the Asteroid Belt that it uses as its primary industry base.   Strategic Intelligence has resources on sight monitoring both sides in this debate coded "Newbuck" and "Blue Bishop".

-COUNTER-WEIGHT PROBE and ORBIT CERN:   Primary research facility network established in the orbit between Mercury and Venus whose principle research facility is on the Mercury dark side.   Orbit CERN is at the forefront of physics and the race for Light Speed/Faster than Light research and development.   Built nearly forty years ago in a co-operative commercial venture by RIGEL Aerospace and MAGELLAN Ship Building.

-MID-WAY PLATFORMS:   The United Network Space Command response to the New SOVIET Shortbow Corridor was a series of Space Stations and Platforms positioned between the orbits or Earth and Mars.   Each year another platform goes into place but as of this writing the number is ten with eight of them United Network platforms named for their position on the compass:   Midway N (North), Midway NE, Midway E, Midway SE, Midway S, Midway SW, Midway W and Midway NW.   The other two platforms are commercial platforms, one controlled by RIGEL Aerospace as part of its Martian support network and the other controlled by SINO-Corporation.

Region Four: THE OUTER SYSTEM:

BACKGROUND:   Since the latter part of the 22nd Century the outer system has been dominated by the New Soviet.   This control was first effectively challenged by the United Network Space Command at the BATTLE OF SHORTBOW, which led to negotiations dividing mining rights on the Asteroid Belt among the contenders.   Since then tensions have been building along the LONGBOW CORRIDOR.

Threat Zone Nine:   THE ASTEROID BELT and The Shortbow Corridor
-THE SHORTBOW CORRIDOR:   Initially the only interest the New Soviet had in Mars was as a stepping stone toward the mineral rich Asteroid Belt but as this meant timing operations to compensate for the movement of two stellar bodies they soon abandoned Mars as a transfer point and set up their own series of Space platforms/Mass Drivers to funnel the materials mined to Earth directly.   This network became known as the Shortbow Corridor.

The first string increased mining production and delivery of these raw materials to near Earth orbit with a minimal of expense but on three separate occasions the MASS DRIVERS failed to adequately control the shipments which became space hazards.   In one of these cases the errant packaged caused massive damage to a LaGrange Station on impact.

Conflict heated up between the New Soviet and opposing forces when they attempted to set up another Shortbow Corridor to the opposing bank of the Asteroid Belt.   In fact it was multi-national attempts to compete for these fields that led to the formation of the United Network Command Authority and the UNSC.   The resulting BATTLE OF SHORTBOW secured rights for all to the ASTEROID BELT and restricted the New Soviet concerns to the original East/North East bank.

THE ASTEROID BELT:   A ring of mineral rich asteroids spread around the sun in an orbital plane roughly one third between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.   For the purposes of treaty the Asteroid Belt has been broken up into banks matching the Midway divisions of North, North East, East, South East, South, South West, West and North West.   The original claim of the New Soviet was in the East/North East bank while subsequent claims include the West Bank stretching into the North West bank.

The South and South East bank are primarily free commercial zones as are the North West bank.   The United Network Space Command Stations that dot these regions include "Andrejewski Station", "Mathers Station", "Lydon Station", "Bulsara Station", "Hewson Station", "O'Dowd Station", "Burrell Station", "Evans Station" and "Starkey Station".   As each field seems to contain different amounts of various desirable compounds Cold War tensions are highest in this region.   Neither side is helping the situation as the rash of flight exercises and war games that are constantly going on throughout the Asteroid belt attest to.   The area between the Asteroid Belt and Jupiter's orbit is frequently patrolled by both New Soviet and UNSC Carriers with back alley approaches to Asteroid mining concerned often salted with proximity mines.

Threat Zone Ten:   The OUTER PLANETS, The Long-Bow Corridor
-JUPITER:   In addition to it's use in the Long-Bow Corridor for outer system bound mining concerns Jupiter holds strategic significance to both sides and constantly has United Network and Glavcosmos presence with neither side risking the establishment of a permanent base.   Among with the various military there are a number of long term science projects studying the Jupernian micro-system most notably the moons Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto.

-The LONGBOW CORRIDOR:   Used by every transport craft heading to the outer system this corridor is considered one of the most sensitive hot spots in the system and the most likely sparking ground for future conflict between the two powers.   Large craft travel extra-distance or schedule departures to make use of Jupiter's immense gravity well to boost them to higher speeds and shorter hauls in their transits.   The area between Jupiter and Saturn has seen a 70 per cent increase in patrols by both the New Soviet and UNSC Fleets.

-SATURN:   Holding a less dominant presence in the system strategically this planet has still seen its share of tensions and hostilities as either side suspiciously eyes whatever interest.   Some mining concerns exist on various moons here and to a smaller degree scientific study.

-URANUS, NEPTUNE and PLUTO:   Even with the fast moving craft of recent development little manned activity takes place this far out in the solar system.   Until that changes the three farthest planets will remain of little note here.

Region Five: BEYOND:

BACKGROUND:   Little hard knowledge has been obtained beyond our sun's heliopause but what we have has been included because of recent extra-solar directed manned space programs.   There is definite evidence the Light Speed barrier will be met or broken within the next few years as numerous Aerospace concerns develop non-parallel programs testing recent theoretical approaches to Faster than Light (FTL) travel.

Threat Zone Eleven:   EXTRA-SOLAR
-AC2 MISSION:   An eight member team on a converted MAGStar X17 craft with a complex multi-discipline scientific payload currently half way between the Sol heliopause and the Alpha Centauri star system.   Launched 2231 it is estimated to arrive in the Alpha Centauri binary system 2239.   Telemetry response is now at 623 days delay but steady.   "Yellowjacket" is in place and reports nominal.

-Barnard's Star MISSION:   Final stage approval for this mission has moved through the United Network Space Command with mission requirements scheduled to be announced in 57 days.   This mission will require a vehicle capable of sustained three-quarter light speed travel.   As there are only two space-frames currently rated for this the pool is limited to some 102 craft of which only 9 meet the other mission requirements.   S.I.S is currently analysing these contenders for insertion potential.

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