Kalistani Major History

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The Ying Ying Times
Delegation Visits Kalistan to Discuss Joint Fighter Development
March, 5098

Tai'nan: The Ministry of Defense has send a delegation to the Kalistani capital of Kaliburg consisting of engineers, diplomats, defense experts and high ranking officials from MoD to discuss the possibility of jointly developing a multirole fighter. The idea, first mentioned by the Prime Minister, came about as Yingdala announced its aviation focusses, which would put a lesser emphasize in massive air to ground capabilities and more so on maintaining air superiority above Yingdala itself. To still provide some form of air to ground support to the army the idea for a light but flexible fighter came to be. After some inventarizations the idea floated to work with a partner on such a program, seeing as it would be of lesser importance to Yingdalan defense and by doing so would lower the cost for Yingdala while also creating stronger diplomatic ties. After contacting Kalistani authorities, it became clear that they were interested following their trouble in developing a fully fledged more heavy multirole aircraft. The delegation has reportedly already been meeting with their Kalistani counterparts and are still in Kaliburg discussing the idea of joint development.

It is unclear if and when the two sides will reveal concrete steps to a joint development plan for such a fighter aircraft.

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Months into new LWF program, KALMILINCO halts EF-18 research
Fundamental Design Flaws said to be primary culprits
Sulari, Suldanor
March 31, 5098


Speaker for Republican Aeroengineering division of KALMILINCO briefs reporters following briefing

At a public press briefing yesterday, spokespeople of the Republican Aeroengineering Division of KalMilInCo have announced that they are halting the design of the EF-18, which was to serve as the backbone of the newly reformed Kalistani Regular Airforce.

“As of today, we are halting the Experimental Fighter Program,” said spokesman Todd Gold, of the RAD. “We have a solid afterburner, which will meet our specs if we ever pick the project up again, but structural design flaws in the jet fighter will need to be addressed to make the craft serviceable at any speed, let alone the speeds we need to get anything close to what the Defense Ministry is looking for.”

Several scale models based on early blueprints disintegrated in recent wind tunnel simulations long before they should have. “Our aerodynamics produce a wild sheer along the fuselage that prevents the plane from remaining in tact at subsonic speeds,” said Gold. “Under no circumstances would the current design ever serve as anything more than an extremely expensive crop duster, and then it is likely that the stress on the plane would still be too great even then.”

Kalistani efforts to build a new fighter craft were initially met with fairly wide skepticism by a few of the world’s powers, and treated as a non-event by most others. “We will continue to look for ways to construct an Air Force, though, despite what leaders of the world say or do not say about it,” said Gold. He noted that engineers have uncovered an outdated aircraft similar to the EF-18 being used among a number of nations, most notably Hurori. “We will, within the next few weeks, launch a delegation to Hutori to talk to Federal Party of Hurori, who has long showed a positive attitude toward Kalistan, and who happens to own majority interest in the defense industry that used to build Hurricanes before they were replaced with newer F-35s. If we can make a deal with Horizon Technology that will keep us from having to re-invent the wheel, we can easily restart the experimental fighter program, and shut our critics up good.” Kalistan is also said to be continuing to work on electrical systems for whatever fighter they eventually do build, to include flight controls, targeting, reconnaissance, and communication. “There are literally thousands of systems operating in a single modern military aircraft. We have a handle in many of them from the civilian side, but we will need to actually invent new processes for many others. That is where we will focus our energy and resources for the time being.”

With the shelving of the EF program, Kalistan is set back in its ambition to join the family of nations with modern military equipment. But Kalistan remains undeterred. “Our strategic goal is to possess the power capable of turning even nuclear armed navies back at sea and to defend our skies from their aircraft. There is no time limit of this project, but we will complete it. We will work with anyone who wishes to work with us. It is a national obsession by now.”

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KALMILINCO confirms meetings, cooperation with Indrala
“Kalistan will have a multi role fighter come hell or high water!”
Kaliburg, Ananto
March 31, 5098

As has been reported in Indralan Papers, and noted in brief in The Republic, Kalistani officials from the Ministry of Defense, KALMILINCO, and AeroKal have been holding meetings with Indralan counterparts in the Capital this week. The meetings come quick on the heels of the suspension of the LWF program due to structural design flaws and other issues.

“The fighter program is not dead, after all,” said defense spokeswoman Diana Shelby. “We consider this change of direction a good opportunity to continue our efforts to defend the Republic from external expansionism and militarism and increase security in the Northern Anantonese.”

When asked what this means for the growing bonds between Kalistan and Lourenne, Shelby was explicit. “We are still fully on track with Lourenne to restore their security position in our region. It is in our interest to have a secure Lourenne, and to aid ourselves in the defense of this area of mutual concern to both Kalistan and Lourenne. However: we have long expressed an ambition to bring our airforce and our navy into the modern era, and this proposed work with Indrala is the first sign that a country wants to put significant resources and effort into helping us achieve our strategic ends. Despite external nations attempting to stop us, Kalistan aims to go ahead and build regional defense at any cost, and it makes no difference to us, a nation which is, at the end of the day, neutral and not formally aligned with any collective security arrangement, who’s help we accept to accomplish this goal. If Lourenne wants to put resources and time in on this project, Kalistan fraternally welcomes them.”

Matters discussed are the joint development of a new fighter jet which will serve both air defense, interception, and ground attack functions, potential creation of both Kalistani and Indralan variants, research and construction of avionics, and development of new aerodynamic designs. “The plane, when completed, will be built by both Kalistan and Indrala, with no restrictions on its construction or deployment. Naturally, each country will design elements that serve its respective intended role. But splitting the cost of design and construction saves both of us resources, and allows both of us to acquire aircraft in our own terms.”

The spokeswoman was asked about closer political ties with Indrala as a result of the cooperation. “Closer political ties were not on the table,” she answered. “These meetings are strictly about cooperation over the design of this aircraft. Naturally success will likely lead to closer ties, but we would anticipate that Indrala would be far more interested in closer commercial and diplomatic relations, and Kalistan is under no circumstances interested in granting anyone any political concessions.”

Meetings will continue over the next few months and the spokeswoman said to expect the next updates to come from Indrala regarding design and specs.

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Fun-Loving Grit band Karma Rejects defy Stereotypes
Port Swedes trio make a run at Superstardom
Port Swedes, Vrassa
April 12, 5098


Karma Rejects, from Port Swedes “don’t actually hate it there.”

Swedeport punks Karma Rejects, a trio of youngsters who bust into the gritty Port Swedes music scene last fall have inked a development deal with Vrassa District Records. “Well, a development deal is some kinda thing where the label thinks we have potential and they want to support us while we get more experience and like learn things and stuff,” said drummer “Pat McGroin”, born Partrick Talmidge. (Pat McGroin was just simply the name he gave our interviewer. He’s never gone by that or any other name professionally to our knowledge.)

“It means we play bars and make demos on VD’s ruble,” said lead singer and guitarist Albert Courtney. “Maybe we have a future, maybe we don’t…”

If the reaction of their fans is any indication, there is plenty of future for this band who fuses punk rock energy and noise with grit abrasiveness. “I mean, we do some acoustic stuff. But I know my fans like it when I plug in the bass,” says bassist and reportedly “five foot sixteen inch tall clown” Dave Bjorksson (also not his last name.). Indeed, the band so rarely plays acoustic instruments that the line is blurred between their grit roots and their punk rock chaos lords persona.

“No, we ain’t a grit band. Who said that?” Said Courtney. “We’re a punk band.” But the group’s song structure, as well as their topical material comes straight out of grit, and they do have more than one song that involves an open snare and zero pickups. When asked about one such song “It’s okay to Eat Fish,” Courtney answered, “well that’s clearly not our song. Does that sound like anything we’d ever do?” Noting that the band just played the song at a show ten minutes before the interview, Courtney said. “That was our doubles, the Dharma Cult. They're always trying to make us look bad.”

While it is often stupidly difficult to have a linear conversation with this band about their influences (“beer and pizza”) and what their plans for the future are (McGroin said he was eventually going home to “change his draws”, whatever that means?) the band did have an unusual (and uncharacteristically coherent) take on their oft reviled home city. “No, we don’t actually hate it there,” said Bjorksson. “It does have great coffee. I suppose the rain water has an effect on a person that makes them just want to snuggle up with a book and a pitcher of coffee and drink the whole thing.” He then added “I like Sulari’s coffee too. But, you know. It often tastes like smog.”

Asked if they do drugs, the band answered in unison “No.” Courtney then walked the answer back, “I mean unless you count weed and probably acid. I think DMT finds it’s way into my lungs once or twice a week. And lots of Hutori Whiskey. With pop. That’s caffeine. I guess I do do a lot of drugs…” Bjorksson nodded and said, “Yeah me too I guess.” Drummer McGroin was resolute “You junkies. I’m high on life! Choose life!” He then proceeded to quit the band, though he remained seated with the others.

When asked if he had quit the band just now, for real, McGroin responded “oh yeah. For real. Let’s see how these losers do without a drummer.” The reporter was confused and expressed the confusion as to why the drummer had remained seated after quitting the band, and Courtney stone faced responded “He’s not in the band. Our drummer is named Talmidge. I’m not sure who this dude even is.” To which Pat McGroin responded “I’m actually still in the band. You can call me McGroin.”

The interview went further afoul from that point on. Most of what was said was utterly unprintable nonsense. Four and a half hours later, as the interview wrapped up, finally Bjorksson sent this reporter off with “Pleasure to meet you, Don’t kill anyone.”

Don’t kill anyone. It’s solid advice. Karma Rejects are playing across Vrassa now and will at some point, if they are to be believed, play in Kaliburg. Courtney, for his part, handed me a strange picture composed of random items scattered about haphazardly. “Cover art, for the record,” he said.

Strange interview, strange band, but it is clear from their music which only exists in live form as of yet, that this band is destined for greatness.

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KALMILINCO representatives release sketches of new Fighter
Joint development with Indrala moves forward
Sulari, Suldanor
September 12, 5098


Drawings of the Joint Designed Y-10

The joint fighter design being completed by engineers and builders from Indrala and engineers from the Republican Aeroengineering Division of KALMILINCO have finalized designs of the tentatiely named Y-10 and are in the process of beginning the build process. As Indralan electricians, aeronautics technicians and weapons specialists are designing the systems with Kalistani input, Kalistani engineers are in the process of testing a new turbofan based on the T340, which had been designed for the now shelved EF18 program.

"The earlier turbofan was designed to be used in tandem," said project leader Jay Miller, of the RAD. "The design settled on by Kalistani and Indralan designers requires a single engine design, which is capable of producing a greater thrust. The new design produces 1000 more Kgf than the two 340s combined, which will serve the plane both in terms of speed, and maneuverability." Miller called the new engine design the T450, and it will serve as the baseline engine for the fighter.

The design also adopts a delta wing design with a smaller set of canards mounted beneath the cockpit and beneath the tail for a smaller turn radius, and greater stabilization. "We have insisted on a two seater variation for ground attack missions," said Miller. "and a programable Flight control system that will allow for a significantly higher amount of control by pilots." The engine intake is mounted below the fuselage and aims at a reduced radar signature, to help aid in counterdetection efforts.

The new fighter has 11 hardpoints beneath the wing and fuselage which can be used to mount external fuel tanks, air to air rocket batteries, air to surface missiles or avionics components. The Y-10 is armed with two 23 mm cannons in a double barrel configuration.

As tests are being completed on the afterburner in Kalistan, Indralans are working on the various systems. Construction of the airframe is expected to begin early next year following airtunnel tests of various scale models of the design. Kalistani engineers are especially sensitive to this phase, given that this is where the LWF program went off the rails. However, there is greater confidence in this design, given the input in seasoned aircraft designers from Indrala, and KALMILINCO expects to have a working prototype of the plane within the space of a year.

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Kalistani Pilots train on new Joint Multirole Fighter
Extensive Flight training in Yingdala produces first corps of Fighter Pilots in Centuries
Tian An, Han Province, Indrala
April 18, 5099


The new prototype Y-10, which Kalistanis call the "Northern Dragon" succeeds in test flights

Nicknamed "The Northern Dragon" to acknowledge contributions from both Kalistan and Indrala, the new multirole Fighter, known by the Indralan Nomenclature Y-10, has undergone months of extensive flight testing. Initial tests were conducted by Indralan Pilots to begin with, and with Kalistani pilots working first on fighter trainers belonging to Indrala, and then finally taking their turn flying the new plane. While Kalistani pilots, who will form the first corps of Kalistani Fighter pilots in more than 200 years, reported generally favorable results, issues with power in climbs, handling in tight turns, and target identification and acquisition will require further work. Some issues can be relatively handled, noted KALMILINCO spokespeople: For example: Handling is merely an issue of recalibrating the Flight Control system to prevent Pilots from overcorrecting, an issue which could prove disastrous in combat, as it would lead to spin outs and possible failure of the aircraft's aerodynamics, but sluggishness in climbs will need to be addressed at the powerplant level in Kalistan, and target acquisition will necessitate further development of the radar system in Indrala.

"We believe, despite the matters we have noted, this aircraft is getting close to its final form," said the incoming Defense Minister Vincent Herrera. "As agreed upon, once we have reached the point where both Kalistan and Indrala have rigorously tested every system, under a number of different scenarios ranging from combat situations to recon to, well, basically everything we can imagine for this vehicle, and have launched and landed it in all the different kinds of weather that it could possibly encounter in both Kalistan and Indrala, and put it through the whole standardized battery of testing, poking prodding and so forth, we will put this plane into production both in the Republic and in Indrala. Kalistan will continue to purchase armaments and electrical systems, as we spin up our own industries to provide Kalistani variants for the Indralan systems. The goal is to ultimately produce an all Kalistani version and an all Indralan version."

Herrerra said that mass production of the aircraft in Kalistan is likely "less than a year away", and noted that Kalistani Pilots will begin to rotate through Indrala in that time to train on the protoypes under training from the Indralan air force, and then back to the Republic to continue training on the two models transferred to Kalistan. "Ultimately, we hope to have more than 300 pilots trained in the use of this aircraft by year's end," said Herrerra, "and then 100 of them will be assigned to a new Flight School we are opening at Fort Harrison in Springfield Odufaray." The Minister said Kalistan will order 150 Y-10s, which the Republic has nicknamed "The Northern Dragon" to be stationed primarily in Ananto and Odufaray.

"As we begin to build the entire planes on our own within the Republic, we will also be creating the infrastructure necessary to begin building additional planes to serve other roles in the regular Air Force as well," said Herrerra. "While the willingness of Indrala to build this aircraft with us is invaluable to the defense of the Republic and the Northern Anantonese Ocean, what is far more important, from a future perspective, is the experience we gain from tooling up and building these jets ourselves." The Minister also noted that he feels that it is pathetic that a modern nation like Kalistan does not have the capacity to build its own defensive materiel, and "I am happy to report that this is now finally changing, on Kalistan's part."

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Karma Rejects release Debut Album "Negative"
Critics call it "noise"
Port Swedes, Vrassa
April 30, 5099


"Negative" feels unpolished, and in doing so, may recapture punk rock attitude

The Port Swedes trio, Karma Rejects, released their debut album "Negative" on Vrassa District Records this week. Sales were high along the Vrassa Coast, but in larger markets in Sulari and Kaliburg, the album went largely unnoticed. Except, it seems by the music critics, who roundly criticized the record. One critic, Jefferey Applebaum, on his widely read music blog "Total RawkNRoll" summarized the album with one word: "Noise." Others called it "Unpolished", "a real miss for VDR," and "Unplayable by any but the college set, who often can't tell good music from a whole in their head." There were few positive reviews for the record, most notable one coming from College DJ Pedro Golf, who has featured a listening party at High Bong University, who has stated that the album is not properly fit into existing punk genres, but instead represents "the sound of records to come."

The Band was unphased by early reviews- Their response was more like a collective shrug. "Talmidge wasn't even on this record," said lead singer Albert Courtney. "The dude who played drums on the record... well, lets just say we thought we could do better than Talmidge. We were wrong. He's out." Courtney was referring to session drummer Eddie Beard, who's drumming was not viewed as especially inspired. In fact, Talmidge left the band at the beginning of recording to finish his degree in fashion design, so he will have something to fall back on "if this band thing don't work", but VDR pushed the band to record a record to both get some experience, and to have something to show for their year in development. Talmidge, when interviewed, said "Yeah, that Beard dude f--ked up my songs. I'll be back."

Bassist Dave Bjorksson seemed to think highly of the record, at first. "I mean, yeah, its a little different than I remember it sounding in the studio. They did some pretty good stuff in post production I guess, but like some of the songs, I don't even remember playing on... And I know Court's voice is really scratchy. Like irritatingly so... but on this record he sounds smooth as silk. Its really amazing what technology can do." Bjorksson went on to praise the horns, especially, but also the strings and the lush production. Courtney reportedly asked him what record he was talking about, and it was discovered after about 15 minutes of questioning that Bjorksson was describing what he thought was his band's debut album, but was really the soft/yacht rock classic eponymous album Jerry McGee, by 3989's artist of the year Jerry McGee. "Weird. I was wondering why our album was named Jerry McGee. I was like 'Did that decision get made after I went home or what?"

He was handed a copy of "Negative" and told to go home and listen to it. He came back in two hours and reported that indeed that was "the right record." When asked what he thought of it, he said "Well, I mean it sounds closer to what I remember playing."

VDR, for its part, has not washed their hands of the Karma Rejects. They have agreed that when the band is ready and brings back new material, they will pair them with a stronger producer, and try again. Though this record is generally viewed as an artistic disappointment, it recaptures more of a traditional punk sound than much of the pop-punk that has pervaded Kalistani radios and M7 for the last several decades, and may just be the first shots in a music revolution that aims at recapturing a far more aggressive and indeed, gritty sound.

[Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdPdFNptSU0]
You can Listen to [img]"Negative"[/img] by Karma Rejects, from VDR here.

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Construction of the new Joint design F/A-10 shifts to Gendaris
KALMILINCO's Gendaris plant complete and is producing a new plane every three days
Gendaris, Odufaray
October 18, 5100


The first dozen new F/A 10 "Northern Dragons" await delivery at KALMILINCO's Gendaris Operation in August

KALMILINCO reports that the new factory built specifically to begin serial production of Kalistan's new, joint design fighter Jet, designated the F/A 10 in the Republic, and nicknamed "The Northern Dragon" is now capable of producing a new jet on average of one every three days. The Kalistani Regular Airforce has ordered 130 of the fighters, which will be fabricated at the KALMILINCO's Gendaris factory, and distributed to airbases at Eshar and Sulu, near Dahreil, as well as Naval Airstations in Gendaris, Dulnerstaad, and the strips at Bozo and Yoshimi.

"Following thousands of hours of experience gained in Indrala, our engineers have brought their technical knowledge back to Gendaris and we now make everything for the F/A 10 save munitions," said KALMILINCO spokesman Jack Olgar. "We will become the primary supplier of this fighter jet aircraft, its radar system, and its flight control system to both Kalistan and Indrala, who will be entitled to purchase the fighter at cost, same as the Republic. Meanwhile, our negotiators will continue to talk to our Indralan counterparts to transfer the munitions' technology to the Republic, or at least license the Republic with the rights to produce our own munitions, to meet our own unique needs."

While KALMILINCO sees the development of the F/A 10 as the first step toward a robust air defense of the Republic, and will seek to continue acquiring and developing new fighter craft, the first gross of aircraft will perform essential roles in the maintenance of both the Northern and Southern Limits as well as the entire Ananto Strait. "We do not have carriers, so our fleet is necessarily land based," said Olgar. "As a result, given the operational range of the plane, we can effectively conduct combat patrols over approximately sixty percent of the Strait at any given time and directly engage over 100 percent of the Strait." Having eyes on 100 percent of the Strait is a long sought after goal of the Republican Government, and the air procurement, supporting naval operations, now brings this into the realm of possibility.

The mission of the squadrons based at Sulu and Eshar AFBs will focus on ground attack and close air support, according to the Defense Ministry while those based at naval air stations will focus on air superiority and reconnaissance. It is possible that the Regular Air Force, which has never really been functional beyond limited recon and search and rescue, may ultimately be liquidated and folded into the Army and Navy, but for now, the Air Force doctrine of support of Regulars on the surface and on land will remain in place. The SP has also said that if it ever reforms the militia, it may put in orders for the plane.

The entire procurement is priced at nearly K6 Bn, and is covered under the procurement line in the Defense Ministry's budget. A separate armament budget for missiles and bombs to arm the aircraft with has already been covered with Indrala. The procurement process is expected to last for the next twelve months in both Gendaris and in Indrala.

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MoCo takes early lead with new Electric model EA-100, AAC to follow suit
New Sleek Design, performance enhancements make use of Kalistan's Green Power Plant
Sulari, Suldanor
November 8, 5100


MoCo's EA-100 features an innovative cabin which is mostly shatterproof glass, designed to reduce weight

Roadtest figures demonstrate greater performance than gas engines

In light of Kalistan's new found love of electrical things following the installation of the last handful of fusion reactors across Neveras and Vrassa, MoCo has responded by building a new model of electric automobile, named the EA-100, for mass production in Sulari. MoCo, traditionally known for the generic Kalistani automobile, which is ubiquitous on Kalistani Roads, has invested heavily in battery and motor technology since the arrival of their primary competitors, Anantonese Automobile Company, and given longstanding relationships with KalTech, MoCo has taken an early lead in the production of an all electric car.

"The MoCo EA-100 primarily employs aluminum and safety glass in its design," said MoCo spokeswoman Jill White. "The chassis is reinforced with a number of safety features that will make the car destrucable, but keep the driver and passengers very safe, including a reinforced roll cage built into the car itself. Meanwhile, as with all electric cars, we don't need as much space to house the motor or the batteries as we would a standard gasoline engine, which allows us to make the cabin more roomy and comfortable. While focusing on comfort, driveability and performance, we cut many of the extras that most of our customers have become used to. For example: we also do not include many features such as air conditioning or power seats or windows, saving not only weight, but also energy. We do, of course, use soft LED lighting in the interior, Clearshine LED lights in the head and tail lamps, and a state of the art stereosystem." In fact, some reviewers of the EA-100 have called the car "a stereo system on wheels."

Benchmark tests have reached 500 miles per charge, with charge rates of about 6 hours for full charge, or 3.5 hours at speed charge rates. It can hit sixty miles an hour in about 2 seconds on test tracks, and can reach a maximum speed of 237 miles per hour. Operational limits are somewhat lower, with operational ranges topping out at just under 400 miles, 0-60 speed at 2.56 seconds, and maximum speed at just over 200 miles per hour. Regardless, these stats are impressive, especially when compared to heavier and less fuel efficient gasoline powered vehicles. "We wanted to focus on lightness. Not only is the car aesthetically pleasing, but it is also very efficient, and incredibly agile."

MoCo is well known for creating functional cars that work for a long time, rather than cars designed for their appearance--for example, many of its cars are used to make short in-city trips to shopping centers, or take kids to school during inclement weather. Kalistan, for its part, doesn't have much of a car culture that dictates massive numbers of cars one would see in perhaps Indrala or Lourenne, though Kaliburg and Sulari are exceptions to that rule. When it is not making run of the mill mundane vehicles, MoCo has a long and storied history of creating concept cars. Over the last three hundred years, most electric cars sold in Kalistan have been from the Hutori-owned DMA Motors, but they have more or less disappeared from the Kalistani market more than 100 years ago, and now DMA vehicles are merely sold to replace old ones that break down to people who are fiercely loyal to the DMA brand. MoCo now makes a bid for that market: This first generation electric automobile aims to demonstrate the commercial viability of electric cars, and the beginning of a push in the Automobile industry to produce cars that can take advantage of changes in Kalistan's energy market.

AAC is expected to unveil their new all electric car at a trade show later this year, and it appears that electric cars will begin taking a more prominent place on Kalistan's roads and highways. MoCo aims to more than promote its electric cars over even its own gasoline powered engines: It has set the pricepoint of gasoline engines at K12,500 higher than its new electric vehicles and has began exploring a buyback/ rebate program for Kalistani owners of gas powered MoCos.

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Anantonese Automotive Company to Invest heavily in Charging Infrastructure
"AAC investment will allow company to avoid direct competition with MoCo" says CFO
Dahriel, Ananto
Nay 1, 5102


Charging stations for Electric Vehicles pop up across the Republic near shopping and entertainment centers as vehicles make shift to Electricity

Following the decision of the Kalistani Motor Company to begin moving to an all-electric fleet, it was unclear how the upstart Anantonese Automobile Company would respond. "AAC had a number of electric and hybrid options for drivers," said AAC CFO Lucas Flowers, "But MoCo is far better situated in marketshare to allow us to compete successfully against the resources and longstanding brand loyalty that MoCo can bring to bear. So we decided simply to not compete-- We sat down with MoCo and agreed to keep our respective market shares but shift new resources into developing the infrastructure that would allow electric vehicles from both our companies to integrate into a new way of driving in the Republic."

AAC will follow MoCo's lead and abandon gas powered engines within the next three years. "The company has announced its intention to end support for gas powered AAC vehicles still on the road at the end of a normal life span, by 5115, but we will no longer produce gas powered vehicles starting in the 5105 model year. At the same time, we will begin emphasizing our electric options for consumers. New Development however will go into building quick charging stations in cities and along highways across the Republic."

Flowers outlines an extensive plan to make charging stations more than just a place where Kalistani Drivers go and plug their cars in and sit around for four hours. "We are looking to partner with short term entertainment options, like record stores, movie theaters, museums, or bowling alleys, for example, so that as your car is charging, you can be doing something enjoyable. You need to stop anyway: You might as well play a round of miniature golf or see the newest movies or check out your favorite band's latest album while you do it." Flowers noted that charging stations will require a fairly large sum of cash in the initial outlay, but ongoing maintenance costs will be more than offset by the local services that pair with the charging stations.

"We have already built several pilot stations in Kaliburg and Sulari," said Flowers. "In Sulari, for example, we have paired with a massive music mall called 'The Disc Barn', where people charging their vehicles can go and listen to albums, possibly meet bands who are playing live in the store, or socialize with friends while they drink coffee in the coffee shop. AAC takes a percentage of sales from the adjacent location, to ensure that the price of the use of the station is not passed on to consumers. In all, it helps bring people to the Disc Barn, and gives people an opportunity to charge their electric cars."

KMC has stated that the division of the market in this way certainly benefits it, and KalEnCon, who supplies power to Republican households free of charge, is currently in discussions with AAC to provide energy at a reduced rate to its charging stations, so car drivers will not end up paying a private sector rate premium.

The building of a Republic wide distribution infrastructure pushes the Republic one step further toward embracing an all electric car fleet.