Sir Walter Raleigh jumps for Ferle, running the FFS jump drive for the first time.

Details of the Anastasia's jump drive and old research projects are hurridly produced to build a new drive for the almost complete Sir Walter Raleigh.

The latest IFSS projection indicates a protracted standoff at Jusk -- the IFSS now believes that the initial invasion into Scorpionis has actually been defeated, and that the Scorpionis over-reaction is based on a total lack of strategic military expertise.  Their massive force and reasonably sound tactical basis should be capable of holding out for several years once a second invasion is launched in (probably) mid-1120, possibly even longer with the likely alliance between Scorpionis and the Foundation.  More dates are not available without further information.  In particular, if the Visitors have captured Jump-3 technology from Scorpionis, then Jusk can be bypassed and single-point defence becomes impossible.

The emphasis now is on fact-finding beyond Jusk, and a request is sent to the Karma FarSpace Station for their latest hostile exploratory ship.

The IFSS projection shows that the Visitors have bypassed the main body of Scorpionis and are preparing for a multi-year battle along the Dulu - Staru - Jusk - Joloch route; it is assumed that they already hold Dulu and Staru; it is also indicated that the loss of the Scorpionis resource base will cause deterioration of military capabilities resulting in a loss of Joloch and an invasion of Hurnarey within two years.  The dates of the 123-1117 projection are pushed back by one year.

The IFSS sends a message to the Corona Foundation recommending that they pursue an alliance with Scorpionis to supply their Jusk task force in return for recognition of Stevvin's independence.

The IFSS projection shows a Scorpionis total commitment to a defensive operation at Jusk, but that they will be forced to wait there until the Visitors have conquered the rest of Scorpionis; a sudden Visitor thrust some time in 1120 is expected, which will drive straight through Joloch and Hurnarey within three months, and conquer the Corona Foundation with the capture of Csarfar.  Consolidation will procede until 1122, and then similar larger thrusts will conquer the Lirian Conglomerate (1125) and press through the non-aligned worlds in Reidan sector to a conflict with Darrian in 1129.

An IFSS projection is attempted, but no conclusive results can be obtained.  Best estimates indicate a internal collapse of the government and military of Scorpionis, and a total defeat at the hand of the Visitors by the end of the year.  The rapid strike will push through to Lirian in 1119, when the Visitors will consolidate and reinforce, and contact Darrian worlds around 1125.

The Scorpionis forces assume they have been outflanked and bypassed, and rather than waste their few ships to request help (after all, they themselves were supposed to be the reinforcements!) they reserve all forces for what they expect to be a drawn-out war for the survival of Scorpionis -- they believe they are the only remaining fleet, as they have not been relieved by the major force they knew to be at Jusk.

As for the Visitors, they assume (correctly) that the invasion force has been defeated at Dulu, as this was its next destination, and are settling in to hold this system until the next invasion is launched.

Orders are sent to the remaining forces at Dulu to reform as two fleets: the liberty-fleet is to join the defence of Jusk via Darthlaru and Federu, while the victory-fleet is to jump to Staru to reclaim the system or reinforce the coruska-fleet. Dulu is to be left with inoperative starport and no operational space vehicles or advanced weapons.  When victory-fleet reaches Staru , it is to take what remains of the coruska-fleet and jump to Jusk , leaving Staru likewise useless and destroying all crops on the planet.