Galnet News

The announcement of Federal plans to expand into the Pleiades Nebula, and the Federation's call for the support of independent pilots, has ignited a firestorm of controversy. Although there is support for the Federation's goals, many have expressed reservations.

One Commander, who wished to remain anonymous due to his rank in the Federal Naval Reserve, clarified his concerns:

"The Federation has a history of concealment when it comes to discoveries suggesting the existence of non-human entities."

"We don't know how long Federal scientists have been experimenting with the Unknown Artefacts and Unknown Probes, but we do know they came to public awareness when they fell out of Federation vessels. We don't know much about the barnacles, but we know the Federation has set up perimeters around them."

"I believe in the Federation," he continued, "but there is an element within it that wants to cover up important information about humanity's place in the galaxy. That information belongs to everyone. We must demand increased transparency and openness before allowing the Federation to assume greater influence."

Commander Corlas

This report presents the latest data on expansion and withdrawal among the galaxy's minor factions.

Here are the latest factions to have expanded into new systems:

Thakur Ltd

Maratians Co-op

People's Ququve Progressive Party

Allied Almudji Front

Hu Jini Patron's Principles

Hidar Federal Industries

Keiadir Company

Picoria Defence Party

Medusa Galactic Systems

Li Bestina Ltd

Expansions occur when a minor faction reaches a sufficient level of influence and there is a populated system within striking distance. Expansion is costly, so when a faction expands, the wealth and development level of the system it controls are temporarily reduced.

Here are the latest factions in withdrawal:

Limapa Blue State Commodities

Koraik Dragons

United Teaka First

United Pendijin Focus

He Pola Empire Pact

Gebel Empire League

League of George Pantazis Defence Force

Social LFT 859 Green Party

Inhers Alliance

LHS 1380 Empire Assembly

Factions are considered to be in withdrawal if their level of influence within a system drops below a certain level. If the faction's influence remains low for a total of five days, the faction must leave the system entirely. If the faction manages to increase its level of influence, it remains in the system.

General Alexander Lee, recently retired from United Teaka First, made a guest appearance on the independent talk show Affairs of State this weekend. General Lee responded to questions regarding Federal fleets stationed at barnacle sites.

"Strategic resource acquisition and denial is key in any conflict. It is accomplished by taking resource-rich territory by force, by destroying one's own resources when in retreat, and various other means. The presence of Federation warships at barnacle sites follows this strategic behaviour."

"It doesn't take a grand strategist to see what's happening. The Federation has secured a key strategic asset – the only resource known to counter damage inflicted by Unknown Artefacts. Even if the Federation doesn't intend to collect the meta-alloys, the Empire will be forced to respond by either securing alternative sites, or by contesting current Federation claims. In either case, Independent systems afflicted by UA malfunctions will continue to suffer."

Commander Corrigendum

A growing proportion of the Federation's population is clamouring for the release of former Federal president Jasmina Halsey, who is currently a patient at a secure psychiatric facility on Mars. Despite assertions from Halsey's personal staff that the former president entered the facility of her own volition, an increasingly large section of the galactic community apparently holds the view that she was hospitalised not for the good of her health, but in order to silence her.

One of those calling for Halsey's release said:

"It seems even former presidents aren't allowed to speak the truth. Jasmina Halsey is right – we should keep expanding, pushing out into space – but the Federal government isn't interested. And now they've had her imprisoned."

There has been increased discussion on newsfeeds over the past week concerning the former Federal president, and crowds of people have begun congregating outside the Clearwater Clinic, protesting her confinement.

General Alexander Lee, recently retired from United Teaka First, made a guest appearance on the independent talk show Affairs of State this weekend. General Lee responded to questions regarding Federal fleets stationed at barnacle sites.

"Strategic resource acquisition and denial is key in any conflict. It is accomplished by taking resource-rich territory by force, by destroying one's own resources when in retreat, and various other means. The presence of Federation warships at barnacle sites follows this strategic behaviour."

"It doesn't take a grand strategist to see what's happening. The Federation has secured a key strategic asset – the only resource known to counter damage inflicted by Unknown Artefacts. Even if the Federation doesn't intend to collect the meta-alloys, the Empire will be forced to respond by either securing alternative sites, or by contesting current Federation claims. In either case, Independent systems afflicted by UA malfunctions will continue to suffer."

Commander Corrigendum

This report presents the latest data on conflict among the galaxy's minor factions.

Here are the latest factions to experience a civil war:

Thraskias Silver Hand Gang

Dalagritu Exchange

G 87-16 Blue Crew

Justice Party of Djakah

Natural BD-07 4419 Regulatory State

Lalande 13942 Jet Dynamic Ind

Warigua Holdings

Tau-2 Gruis A Universal Inc

Maujinagoto Inc

Union of LP 399-165 Union

Civil wars occur when minor factions compete for control of major assets such as starports. When a faction is involved in a civil war, the standard of living, development level and security level in the system it controls are temporarily reduced. Combat activities can bring a civil war to an end.

Here are the latest factions to experience war:

Mob of Minerva

Pohnpet Industry

Limapa Blue State Commodities

Thakur Ltd

Gooheim General Holdings

Friends of Indrundjara

Sirius Free

Mafia of Sama

Labour of Ethgreze

Sobek Silver Netcoms PLC

Wars occur when a minor faction invades a star system controlled by another minor faction. For the duration of the war, the standard of living, wealth level and security level in the disputed system are reduced. Combat activity between the two warring factions determines the outcome of the conflict. If neither faction succeeds in dominating the other, the war ends in a ceasefire.

The first stage of the Rise to Power campaign is over, and the second is about to begin.

This phase of the competition will focus on what has been euphemistically referred to as commodity reallocation, with pilots being asked to gather as many technical blueprints as they can for their chosen faction. The only condition is that the technical blueprints be obtained unlawfully...which is to say stolen. The group with the most technical blueprints at the end of the event will be declared the winner.

The Rise to Power competition will run for a total of three weeks, and the victor will go on to join the ranks of the galaxy's major power players.

The event begins on the 7th of July 3302 and will run for one week.

Only a week after an independent mission was launched to bring aid to Jaques Station, personnel at the starport have reported that limited repairs have been completed. A member of the station's technical team confirmed that meta-alloys had been used to partially restore the starport's commodities market, and went on to say:

"We're hugely grateful to all the pilots who have so selflessly made the long trek to Eol Prou RS-T d3-94. But we feel bad about not being able to reimburse those who schlepped out here, so we're trying to secure funds for a proper campaign to repair the starport. More details will follow soon."

Meanwhile, reports have surfaced of an increasing number of independent pilots and civilian delegations departing for Eol Prou RS-T d3-94, indicating a strong impulse to establish permanent bases in the region.

The Future of Segovan, a Federal organisation based in the Segovan system, has announced plans to construct a number of new Federal Naval outposts, starting in Segovan and reaching out into the Pleiades sector.

The bases will serve as resupply points for Federal vessels, and will support ongoing Federal operations in the region.

A spokesperson for the Future of Segovan said:

"This is an ambitious initiative that will only succeed with the support of the galactic community. We are therefore calling on all Federation-aligned pilots to deliver insulating membrane, gallium and power generators to our base of operations at Ramsbottom Hub, so we can start work on the first outpost."

The initiative begins on the 7th of July 3302 and will run for one week. If the final target is met earlier than planned, the campaign will end immediately.

The Graill Redd Liberals have announced that their campaign to clear the Graill Redd system of agitators has been a success. Hundreds of pilots responded to the appeal, taking to their ships to eliminate the communists operating in the system.

Authorities in the Graill Redd system have extended their gratitude to those who participated in the operation. Rewards for those who contributed to the initiative are now available for collection at J. G. Ballard Gateway.