Alright, so, we continue. To try and make it run a little smoother, I will try and go by month, instead of month and day. Might work better then.

~Jan 2228~

We finally see the Altarians begin their expansion, an expansion that will prove to be a thorn in the side of the Drengin Empire in the years to come. As scouting reveals their own sector barren with the exception of the previously discovered extreme planets, and the only habitable planet aside from their home system already take by the Drengin, they begin sending ships into Drengin space, to the numerous as of yet unclaimed worlds. Altarian settlers claim the second habitable planet in the Akilians system (Akilians V, PQ 8), as well as a PQ 11 world that a Drengin colonizer was en route to, Amber IV. In response to the new influences in the cluster, the mining colonies started by Drengin ships begin to threaten revolt as Altarian cultural influences are stronger on them.

~Feb 2228~

The month begins with Impending Malice discovering an additional military and moral resources to the west of the Core Cluster, half-way to the next cluster. These resources are ear-marked for claims to help the Empire become stronger. And as the Altarian expansion continues, it becomes evident it will be needed, as alien settlers grab the PQ 12 Frey III and PQ 7 Sivil III. However, the Drengin colonials grab the prize in the Frey system, the PQ 20 Frey I with its +100% Production, +100% Research, +100% Moral, and +100% Food tiles, which are immediately developed to begin transforming Frey I into a major world. In grabbing Frey I, we also discover the Jessuins homeworld in the next system to the East, and tensions between the Altarians and Drengin continue to rise as mining colonies begin revolting to beam their resources to the Altarian worlds. 

In anticipation of the coming conflict, the Drengin High Command begin the process of directing further development of planets under their rule, despite the economic costs, intent on boosting production and research, and colony ships set out for the surrounding star clusters, determined to beat the Altarians to the fresh planets. The production of constructors was halted and the slaves once again turned to building colony ships to take themselves and their Drengin masters away from Drengi to new worlds, and the planets bordering Altarian worlds witnessed the creation of new Embassies by which the Altarian influence could be combated. 

~Mar 2228~

The race for planets continue, as the Drengin seize Alcyone V, a PQ 8 immediately worked for research with its +700% Research, +100% Research, +100% Production, and +100% Moral tiles, and the Altarians colonize the PQ 6 Cheli III.

The Altarian influence can be felt in Drengin space as mining colonies opening revoke relations with the Empire, and the glorious red of Drengin space becomes polluted with the blue of the Altarians.

~Apr 2228~

This month was largely uneventful, with the production of colony ships and the development of worlds continuing. Trade as conducted with the other races for desired or needed technology and credits, securing Diplomatic Relations from the Akilians, and credits from the Jessuins and Altarians for Drengin structural technologies (again, hoping that the Altarians will build our structures, saving us some time when we take their worlds).

~May 2228~

We colonized Aphrodite IV in the South Eastern star cluster, a PQ 11 world with two +100% Research tiles, marking our expansion beyond our own cluster, and securing an advanced foothold here should it become contested by the Altarians. In addition, work began on Diplomatic Translators on Drengi, to both boost our ability to trade with other races for tech, treaties, and credits, and to improve relations with future races to avoid unnecessarily hostile relations, and after working our way through the next research and industry techs, as well as Xeno Farming, we began researching Trade in order to boost our economic situation, which continued to degrade despite our quickly rising population and numerous worlds dedicated to generating revenue.

~Jun 2228~

This month saw a small boom in colonization, bringing the worlds of Magica 1 (PQ6, +100% Production) to the SW of Drengi, Osiris V (PQ 8, +100% Research, +100% Farming, and +100%Production) to the South of Drengi, and Hyadea I (PQ 10, +100% Influence, and +100% Food) in the South-West star cluster, into the Empire further securing another foothold outside of our home cluster, and reinforcing our position within it.

It was on Osiris V that the Empire faced its next ethical choice:

All was not entirely well, however, as Altarian colonists showed they had the gall to colonize Kora, in our own home system. This was somewhat lessened by the almost immediate threats of revolt to join the Empire.

~Jul 2228~

Research into Trade was completed, and our attention now turned to the inevitable need to militarize, with focus being made on Space Weapons. More trading occurred with the Akilians and the Jessuins for minor techs such as Xeno Engineering, and credits to fuel our expansion efforts.

~Aug 2228~

As the Altarian colonization of Drengin space continues with their seizure of numerous new worlds in the southern portion of the Core Cluster, Drengin efforts for expansion halt as it becomes clear there are little worlds in this cluster worth immediately claiming for the Empire. Instead, Drengi begins construction of freighters with which additional revenue for the militarization effort may be raised, and research begins on Planetary Invasion as Space Weapons becomes a reality. This cannot come sooner, as it is revealed the Altarians have begun military production...

~Sep 2228~

The forges on Frey I become operational, and production begins on the basic Star Fury design, as do the forges on Magica I which is set to producing constructors. On both worlds, the slaves are worked overtime, as the need for these ships becomes great. Shortly after, the first Freighter laden with slaves, minerals, and goods is launched from Drengi for the Jessuins.

In a twist, rather than the Empire declaring war on the Altarians to retake the worlds in our space, the Altarians decided that it was economically justifiable to declare war on the Empire, as we begin the process of militarizing our worlds and space. Our new Dominators are immediately launched for the Altarian homeworld.

The Altarians have declared we should prepare to be destroyed. Bring it on, shining knights, Drengin live for war!

~Oct 2228~

The first of many Star Furies is completed, and launched to patrol Drengin space for incoming transports or colony ships, and production continues on Frey I, as well as Ivy IV in Altarian space. Our Dominator fleet, named Annihilation Fleet, gets its first look at the opposition, a passing Altarian Defender with a single missile attack which is promptly destroyed. In the meantime, a second freighter is completed, and sent to begin trade with the Akilians.

~Nov 2228~

With the slave camps and forges on Aphrodite IV complete, the production of Star Furies begins to protect the eastern cluster from Altarian invasion and colonization. Further, we notice many of the resources, such as the Influence and newly discovered military resource near Akilians, have been grabbed by the Akilians, prompting the Empire to speed production on constructors to acquire resources.

A satisfying victory comes when Star Fury 169, patrolling Drengin Space proper, encounters the Altarian Flagship and destroys it, denying them the use of anomalies. Our own Flagship the Impending Malice continues to explore far from home, finding resources that we would be lucky to beat anyone to, including a research resource. 

In addition to the production of ships and targeting of ships around Altarian worlds, we colonize Hatch II in the cluster northwest of the Core (PQ 9, with +300% Production, and a moral resource practically a stone's throw away). Here, we encounter a new ethical choice, with predictable results.

~Dec 2228~

The month of December starts off with an event doubling reproductive rates (a god send for the Empire, as it greatly helps boost our population and economy), as well as the completion of Diplomatic Translators. Then, Star Fury 169 engaged an Altarian Defender, only to learn they have upgraded their design, and the Fury was lost. The pressing need for new weapons technology was met a week later, however, with the encounter of the Lentzlandians, who were more than eager to trade missile and shield tech for economic tech, allowing for the creation of the new Missile Fury ship, sporting a Missile attack of 2, giving Fury fleets a leg up over their larger Altarian opponents.

~New Year~

The New Year saw a UP legislation denied, as well as an evaluation in where our civilization stood, and an event on Drengi.

~Jan 2229~

Early in January, Kona finally defected to the Drengin Empire, and as anticipated there was already slave pits constructed on the planet, saving the Empire time and money. It seems that trading our infrastructure technologies to the Altarians would pay off after all. Further, Annihilator Fleet arrives in the Altarian Home Sector, at Ivy IV, and continues on to the Altarian homeworld.

~Feb 2229~

Annihilator Fleet begins destroying Altarian mining bases, while a Fury launches from Ivy IV and attacks out-going colony ships. Shortly after, the research into Planetary Invasion is completed, and production of transport ships begins immediately (customized high-speed ships), with research turning to Interstellar Construction  Logistics  and Miniaturization in order to create more effective combat craft.

Meanwhile, the Annihilator Fleet makes contact with the newly fielded Altarian Heavy Fighters over Altaria and wins, with severe damage to a single Dominator. The Fleet withdraws to Ivy IV for repairs, then continues harassing ships and mines.

~Mar 2229~

The Empire's economy has finally began to show serious improvement due to the growing population and our policy of improving moral and economic structures on our worlds, coupled with increasing trade with the Akilians and the Jessuins. For the first time since our Empire took to the stars, we are showing an economic surplus of 6 bcs per week!

Following this, Furies continue to harass Altarian mines and ships, and with Interstellar Construction production begins on a new ship design, dubbed the Blood Defender, sporting Missiles on a small hull. Annihilation Fleet engaged with forces in Altaria's system and over Wisp, and lost a ship in the process, falling back to Ivy to be reinforced.

Traded with the minors for additional defensive techs, and learned the Altarians lack planetary invasion, though they had upgraded their fighters once more, each now sporting 3 missile attack. The month of March ends with an invasion force being launched for the Altarian home system, and the Altarians beginning to seize resources in the Core Cluster, as well as increasing their attempts to colonize outside of the Core.

I will get some more done later, but it is heating up. Next, the siege of the Altarian Home System, the Flight of the Warhawks, and the beginning of the end of the Core Cluster's isolation from other galactic powers.

Hope people are enjoying it, I apologize if it is a bit clunky, it is my first attempt at an AAR. I am thinking of just doing summaries of multiple months at a time, or something similar, as even a month-by-month narrative is time consuming to write up.

I like it. Reminds me of my AAR style a little.

Are some images not showing up, or are you just putting spaces between each paragraph?

Ok then, to continue...

~The War with the Altarians~

The Furies of the Drengin Empire laid siege to the Altaria system, attacking mining bases, miners, colony ships, and planetary defenders, receiving repairs and reinforcements from the forges on Ivy as needed. Meanwhile, transport ships were under construction on Drengi, being launched to Ivy as a staging point to conquer the Altarian's home. Shortly after the siege begins, Wisp falls to the Drengin army, and is immediately retooled as a production world, creating yet more Furies with which to hamper the Altarians. The world of Altaria, however, would prove more difficult, resisting multiple invasions, her upgraded Defenders taking their roll on the Drengin ships. 

Elsewhere in the Core, things were ground to a stalemate. Despite their superior numbers, the Altarian ships were larger and could take more damage, as well as possessing a higher attack rating, and though the Drengin were the superior warriors, Altarian technology succeeded in holding back their savage warriors for the time being. As the War stretched on for months, neither side gaining an upper hand even as the Empire begins to produce more of their Blood Defenders to meet the Altarian ships on more even ground. Determined not to lose this war, the Empire buckles down, beginning construction not only on more Blood Defenders to phase the smaller Furies out, but also on Constructor ships to create military star bases along contested areas to provide a boost for Drengin forces, an effort which draws attention from the Altarians in the form of Heavy Fighters. As the Drengin continue to research new and better technologies to allow them to match the Altarian's technological edge, Altarian and Drengin forces continue to clash over planets and along trade routes, targeting one another's ships, freighters, bases, and colony vessels, and despite attempts by the Empire to halt the spread of Altarian colonization, their ships continue to slip past patrols, spreading not only deeper into the Core, but establishing colonies outside of the Core in clusters claimed for the Empire.

As Wisp threatens revolt to rejoin the Altarian Resistance, the Drengin complete their line of research into improved weapon systems, defenses, engines, miniaturization, and logistics, and the result is the production of the new Small-hulled Warhawk design, a combat superiority fighter boasting basic defenses against Altarian missiles, a superior missile weapon system, efficient engines to intercept targets, and enhanced sensors. After the design proves effective against Altarian forces, all production moves to focus on the new Warhawks, and existing Blood Defenders and Dominators are upgraded to the new design specifications. Though an expensive undertaking, this allows the Empire to quickly push back the Altarians to their worlds, and halts the spread of Resistance colony vessels and military transports as the Warhawks prove effective in detecting them and running them down.

The Siege on Altaria is ended when a large military force of several billion Drengin warriors lands on Altaria, defeating the local military powers through the use of information warfare after the new Warhawks cleared the skies. With the home system of the Altarians conquered, Wisp no longer threatens rebellion, and Altaria sees much of its existing infrastructure razed to the ground to make way for recruitment centers, slave pits, and arenas, boosting the population of the world and beginning the production of new transports, making their homeworld the birth place of the ships that would conquer new Altarian worlds. With the Siege completed, the Drengin would turn their attention not only to the worlds in the rest of the Core, but also to those worlds claimed in outlying clusters, with transport ships making landfall before they have a chance to build defenses or sufficiently train an army. After another 4 months of bloody fighting, and the conquering of 8 Altarian worlds, the Altarians beg for peace.

While tempted to decline and press the Altarians to extinction, the appearance of two new races, the Torians and the Thalans, in outlying clusters, and the military power of each already dwarfing the Drengin and Altarian combined, the Empire agreed to peace negotiations. In exchange for their technological advances, all worlds outside of the Core Cluster, and those Altarian worlds immediately in Drengin space, the Empire ceased its war against the Altarians, and both sides agreed to an uneasy peace. With the war resolves for the time being, the Empire turned its attention to the two giants moving ever closer, and how its growing people could be prepared for inevitable conflict.

~Peace and the Growth of an Empire~

No longer needing to focus its entire economy on eliminating an alien threat, the Empire turned its attention back to its infrastructure, intent on improving its economy and production, researching top of the line production methods such as the Slave Canyon, and improving its research capabilities, and in developing its new worlds many of them became dedicated to new purposes, such as producing war ships, generating income for the Empire, or researching new technologies. Constructors are fielded to begin claiming more resources, and to assemble new star bases to improve the nearby worlds' economy and trade, and to provide additional military cover for planets and ships in Drengin Space. 

As the two new superpowers in the region continued to colonize new worlds, the Empire renewed its expansion efforts, sending colony ships out to claim worlds before the Thalans and the Torians, and to claim the as of yet uninhabited Clusters to the north. With the Norther Cluster claimed by the Empire, and a hard border drawn between advancing Torian and Thalan space, and Drengin space, the Expansion era came to a close, and all Drengin efforts were focuses on improving the well-being of the Empire, and its place in the galactic order. 

To this end, two minor "wars" broke out during the improvement of the Empire's infrastructure. Irritated over the number of resources in Drengin space claimed by the Akilians and the Jessuins, the Empire declared war and destroyed their stations, claiming the resources for their own. Their worlds were invaded, and their people enslaved to work in the mines providing for their new Drengin masters, each of their worlds then focused on research and population lacking any special resources. The "wars" lasted less than a week. 

A few events took place during the period of development, namely the invention of a new engine which quickly spread through the galaxy to increase the speed of ships, and a period of economic boom briefly increased the Empire's revenue. Both events were put to good use, and as the developmental abilities of the Drengin reached their peak in terms of economy and production, the view once again turned to preparing for war, researching new weapons, new defenses, new invasion tactics, and new ship designs.

In an odd twist, the Thalan proved friendly to the Empire due to favorable trade and dealing, and the Empire was able to manipulate them into a war with the Torians, keeping the two giants occupied while the Empire secured its own technology and place. Soon after, an official alliance between the Thalans and the Drengin was formed, in addition to shared economic and research treaties. Contact with the Korx and the Drath soon followed, with the Korx becoming a new ally in short order.

It was during the advanced militarization of the Drengin that an odd occurrence took place: A new, ancient race invaded the known galaxy, the Dread Lords. While their potential may have break great enough to bring any number of civilizations to their knees, their reign was short lived as a colony vessel exploring one of the last unclaimed clusters came across their world, and the would-be colonists quickly invaded the world to prevent them from gaining power that could threaten the Empire (stumbled across the Dread Lord planet with a colony ship about a week after they popped up, upgraded to a transport and invaded. Least trouble I have ever had out of them).

~WAR!~

With the production of new Medium-hulled combat vessels (the Blood Axe-class ship) and improved psionic weaponry and advanced defenses, the Drengin military quickly upgraded, rapidly taking its place as the first military power in the Galaxy as a result. Having decided it waited long enough, it summarily declared war on the Altarians, intent on purging their alien existence from the universe. This drew the Resistance's allies, the Torians and the Drath, into a war with the Drengin and their allies, the Thalans and the Korx. (On a side note, the good races were not officially aligned, I forgot about that damn Super Organizer).

The war began with the Drengin strengthening their Torian-Drengin border in the Western Clusters, while sending the newly upgraded Warhawks into Altarian space, laying waste to all they found, the Altarian military which had remained stagnant since the end of the previous war not standing a chance. After three weeks of fighting, the Altarians surrendered to the Drengin after wasting half of their navy attempting to destroy a heavily-armed economy star base, one which destroyed all comers. The Resistance ended not with a bang, but with a whimper. 

Beginning to develop its new worlds and purge the Torian and Drath ships from its space (as they acquired ships as a result of the Altarians surrendering), the Empire turned its attention to the Torians, its largest threat. This threat, however, proved to be a paper tiger: it was discovered that much of their power came from numbers, and not quality, as even their Frigates lacked substantial firepower. The Torian ships were no match for the Warhawks, and certainly not for the Blood Axe capital ships. Drengin fleets tore through Torian space relatively unopposed, losing only a few ships in the process (I only lost 3 Warhawks in the entire war, and I just put all my ships on auto-attack and watched the fun). 

The most damage was done by Impending Malice and its veteran fleet of Warhawks. During the developmental stage, the Empire created and fielded a number of small-sized scouts to survey the Galaxy, and prior to the outbreak of the war they were all called back to Drengin space, upgraded along with the Malice to become elite combat ships which struck into the heart of Torian space and destroyed resource bases, fleets, and mines. 

Shortly after the onset of the war, the Drath caved and surrendered to the Thalans, and after almost 4 months of Drengin ships running lose in Torian space killing everything they saw, and world after world falling to waves of transports from the Empire, the Torians surrendered to the might of the Empire, and resumes their place as a slave race to the Drengin. The Galaxy was ours!

Over all it was a lot of fun, though to be honest the end was slightly disappointing. I didn't anticipate how poorly built the Torian navy was (had not seen a Freighter until the war broke out, though I knew they had them), and my ships, the weakest of which had hardened hull points, defenses, and a minimum of two Psionic Missiles, were able to simply auto-attack their way through Torian space. Even my armed combat transports could deal with anything in orbit. They ended up caving in the end.

The best part was the Dread Lords. Those things have gave me hell every time they have shown up, but this time a colony ship stumbled across their new world a week or so after their appearance, and I made short work of them. This overall has been fun, and I will likely do another AAR, and try to put more effort into it.

Thank you, I am glad you like it, I had fun writing it. I am currently playing the Yor, and will likely do an AAR for them as well.

And yeah, I get tired of small fighters wiping out whole fleets of transports, or else having to wait for escorts to clear out a minor ship from orbit so I can invade, so I tend to arm my transports when possible. These particular transports had psionic missiles and hardened hull points, and were fairly durable.