[Suicide Junkie]

2402.0
In the past two years we have liberated 28 worlds across 17 systems; as far east as Centrolius, and south as Ulce. Final preparations for a second invasion of Auric are proceeding quickly, and development efforts on the free worlds are doing well.
A single AI scoutship has been spotted entering Jorun from the south. This is a clear indication that other major AI worlds other than the one in Auric are still active. Our experience with the local AIs allowed us to fool the new contact long enough to identify three core processing worlds in Fortunil, Delamer and Keptin. Despite our best efforts, the scout did see through our deception, and announced that repair ships were on their way.

2402.1
The invasion fleets are being launched. 300 Asp missile bombers and 2100 Combat Technicians are setting forth from Texrek, and another 240 bombers are aboard Independence carriers breaking orbit from Telome. Reinforcements will meet up as they come available.
A fleet of five AI carriers and five more support ships have entered Auric from the north, and are on a heading which will take them either to the colony or to Telome. The Carriers from Telome will attempt to engage them, giving the Texrak fleet a clear shot at Auric X.
With a total of 14 ships in Auric, but only one actually orbiting Aurix X, we stand a good chance of success here.

2402.2
Although completely overwhelmed by the fleet of 12 ships, and stymied by a quartet of point defense ships, the fighters of Auric IIa were able to moderately damage one of the enemy targets.
With luck, that damaged ship will impair the mobility of the AI fleet next month, when our fleets enter Auric.
In unqualified good news, one enemy ship was also overwhelmed and destroyed at the Auric warppoint by our Texrak fleet with no casualties.

2402.3
Our fleets are in position, and only three AI ships are in range to intercept us. Total forces are 550 bombers and 2853 Combat techs.
To the south, an Independence set out to intercept the AI scout, but was ambushed at the warppoint to Xiban. Although all eight pilots survived the battle, the Independence suffered heavy damage, including both fighter bays. Although they are unable to restock, the fighters do have almost 50 missiles remaining unspent from the last battle.
It is almost certain now that the AI ship exchanged strategic data with its counterpart from the north in order to execute the ambush. This war will not be getting any easier.

2402.4
The operation was a complete success this time! The lone AI defense ship went straight for the lead Independence, and managed to do heavy damage to engines, armor and control systems before the bombers vaporized it with a full volley of missiles. Despite the damage, all of the troops aboard survived the decent to the surface.
Almost all of the AI ships seem to have abandoned Auric now, and with a huge presence over and on a major AI world, morale is very high.
Quite a few ships have been seen in the far north lately, and Othello currently has 18 of them in two fleets. They have been avoiding our worlds in the area, but some type of counterattack is expected in the next few months.

2402.5
Othello V has fallen! Despite a valiant defense effort by the local space forces, disabling half of the 8 AI ships, a horde of laser tanks and rocket-bots was able to destroy 95% of our ground forces in the first 20 days.
Othello V was our oldest and largest world in the north, with the best space defenses. Clearly they were insufficient. All colonies in the area have been instructed to maximize ground defenses in preparation for the AI troops. We hope the sacrifices of Othello V will prove a sufficient delay for the other planets to prepare.
Debate is raging, as to whether a small fleet of ships and the required troops can be spared from the operation in Auric for the 5 month trip to Othello.
In Auric, 1200 additional troops have landed, and reports indicate that we have control of between 2% and 3% of the planet. Independence carriers continue to skirmish with solo ships in the area, but no major threat to our position has yet materialized.
Another Independence suffered moderate damage in Hades as it intercepted an AI ship. There were no casualties, but it will take two months to return to base, and another year to complete repairs with the limited facilities available. The crew will be transferred to one of the other carriers in the area.

2402.6
Light damage was suffered by an Independence at Auric X this month, as an AI missile ship challenged the blockade from below. With 9 other carriers remaining to cover our troop transports, the damaged Independence is being sent to Telome for some armor repairs and seven replacement bombers.
AI forces blockaded Othello III this month, but with only three ships, they were unable to provide a credible threat.
Four damaged ships remain in orbit of Othello V, presumably undergoing repairs using our very own facilities.
More AI ships have been showing up from the south lately, so an Independence is being sent with some technicians and a half load of bombers to take care of the situation. Supplemental units will be available from the southern colonies as needed.

2402.7
Ground forces continue to flow into Auric, but progress is slow. Casualties from the blockade trickle in monthly; eight bombers one month, a damaged carrier the next. Morale remains high despite, or possibly because of, the lack of reports coming from the surface.
AI forces continue to increase in the north. There must be at least one more major AI planet in the area. With a fleet of 16 heading south out of Othello, the militia forces of Arklite have been put on alert. Defense plans include a network of missile satellites plus extensive ground fortifications, but both will take time.
In the south, two AI ships are being pursued by our carriers. Although Independence carriers have proven more than a match for solo AI gunships, we have a number of unarmed liberators and potentially vulnerable colonies which must be protected.

2402.8
More trouble in the south this month. Two more AI ships have entered Jorun, including a carrier, which we must assume is fully stocked and extremely dangerous. The two AI ships at the Dornot warppoint are due to be intercepted early next month, but we have no ships in position to intercept the new two, which may be headed for our immobilized carrier in Xiban.
Although two rescue ships have already arrived and begun work, the damage is quite extensive and the carrier will not be able to extract our pilots for another two months. While the eight bomber pilots would stand a chance against a single AI ship, against an entire carrier, there is no hope.
A fully stocked carrier has been detached from escorting troop transports in Auric to assist in southern defense.

In the north, more AI ships have been spotted moving south into Dusullet, so another Independence has been detached from the Auric blockade to boost defenses in that region as well.

This increasing drain on Auric assets is worrisome, but replacement carriers are on their way from the orbital yards in Aldan.

2402.9
The southern AI ships are moving north to meet our incoming carriers. Our forces will be holding position over the Xolox colonies to await the AI forces.
In the north, AI forces continue to build up. Clearing this territory will be a very tough challenge. Even holding our ground is becoming questionable. If the battle in Auric drags out too much longer, we may be unable to build enough of a fleet fast enough to counter the AI forces.