Galnet News

As the scientific community grapples with the discovery of mysterious wreckage in the Pleiades Sector AB-W B2-4 system, controversial naturalist Ulla Burton believes she has the answer.

In her most recent broadcast, Ulla said:

"The answer is staring us in the face – it's a form of giant space crab. I'm surprised the Canonn Institute hasn't considered it. The creature was obviously confused by frame shift emissions, and beached itself while looking for food."

While answering viewers' questions, Ulla dismissed suggestions that the remains were dangerous or indicative of the existence of intelligent life.

"The chances of anything coming from the Pleiades, or beyond, are a million to one. Other than the space trees the Federation is guarding, there's nothing in that remote, forbidding area. The Unknown Probes are nothing more than space fungi. The Canonn should stop misleading people with its pseudo-science."

Commander Gan

Ogilvy Observer | Interstellar Press

At 7.00 am tomorrow morning (GMT), the monitoring of powers' activities will go offline for a short period while the latest data is assembled. Pilots who operate for one of the powers should deliver any cargo or vouchers before this time to ensure their activities are registered.

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

Here are the latest factions to experience famine:

LFT 1349 Mafia

BPM 40823 Republic Party

36 Ursae Majoris Gold Posse

Justice Party of Orule

Corngaranga Nationals

Confederacy of 47 Ursae Majoris

Jet Major Co

Iktock Jet Family

Boresti Blue United Corporation

Njuwai Transport Co

When a faction is affected by famine the standard of living in the system it controls temporarily decreases. Combat activity has no effect on influence while a famine is active. Completing food-trade missions can bring a famine to an end.

Here are the latest factions to experience an outbreak:

LHS 4003 Blue Organisation

Independent Kambila Confederacy

Traditional Ackwada Order

LFT 444 Crimson Energy Systems

Kokowar Solutions

Adachit Solutions

League of Rudrato

Sigma Hydri Gold Family

HIP 14997 People's Party

LTT 1935 Gold Galactic Network

When a faction is affected by an outbreak the standard of living in the system it controls temporarily decreases. Combat activity has no effect on influence while an outbreak is active. Completing medicine-supply missions can bring an outbreak to an end.

Recent statements from Professor Steven Eisler of the Okinura Xenobiology Institute appear to have frustrated large sections of the scientific community.

Darius Maddox, presenter of weekly science broadcast The Face of the Universe, said, "Eisler isn't a field scientist – he's an academic – and to throw around the T-word every time humanity encounters something it doesn't understand is irresponsible."

Eisler responded to the criticism:

"I'm not leaping to the conclusion that the object in the Pleiades is of Thargoid origin. I only meant that if it is Thargoid, it's likely to be a relic of the past."

"It's true that I haven't done much field science recently, but I plan to visit the site soon, and I'll be looking for indications of whether this is a recent find or something that has been sitting on the surface for a while."

Jaiotu

This report presents the latest data on the security status of the galaxy's minor factions.

Here are the latest factions to experience a lockdown:

V816 Herculis Purple Major Ind

Kupoli Fortune Limited

HIP 21991 Crimson Partnership

League of Ndjabog Autocracy

Kappa Tucanae Dynamic Company

Basi and Co

Mahin Partners

Alpha Caeli Freedom Party

Ross 47 Blue Allied Limited

Kappa Tucanae Emperor's Grace

When a faction experiences a lockdown, the security rating of the system it controls temporarily increases and the system's wealth temporarily decreases. Bounty hunting activity can shorten the lockdown period.

Here are the latest factions to experience civil unrest:

Values Party of Yukan

Mbukuravi Shared

Unktomi Inc

Hessian Conglomerate

Official Kakas Constitution Party

Potriti Flag

57 Zeta Serpentis Incorporated

LHS 6128 Gold Dragons

League of Carmenta Focus

HIP 18466 Regulatory State

Civil unrest is the result of illegal activity. When a faction is affected by civil unrest, the standard of living in the system it controls temporarily decreases, as does the system's wealth. Combat missions and activities can bring civil unrest to an end.

This report presents the latest data on the economic health of the galaxy's minor factions.

Here are the latest factions to experience an economic boom:

Opila Ltd

Luyten's Star Co

HIP 1914 Purple Universal Inc

LTT 15449 Dynamic Incorporated

Betel Defence Party

HIP 113010 Company

Wuthielo Ku Progressive Party

Democrats of Liu Di

EQ Pegasi Jet Power Partners

United Bese Party

Boom is usually the result of consistent trade profit and completed trade contracts. When a faction experiences a boom, the wealth of the system it controls temporarily increases and trade missions completed in the system have double the effect on influence. The faction's influence may also increase. Booms typically last until they naturally expire.

Here are the latest factions to experience an economic bust:

Aditi Jet Universal Interstellar

Kikapu Stakeholders

CdE Corporation

Traditional Chamunda Nationalists

Revolutionary Nemehi Future

Vortex Continuum

Values Party of Nervi

Nebula Goat Appreciation Society

Chamunda Crimson Travel Exchange

Tun Dynamic Corp.

When a faction experiences a bust, the wealth of the system it controls is temporarily reduced and the faction's influence is temporarily diminished. Trade actions do not contribute to boom while a bust is active. A bust typically has to run its course before ending.

The leaders of the galaxy's major powers have responded to the discovery of a mysterious shipwreck in the Pleiades Sector AB-W B2-4 system.

Speaking from the Imperial Palace on Capitol, Emperor Arissa Lavigny-Duval said:

"This is a potentially momentous discovery that could signify the dawn of a new era. I speak for all Imperial citizens when I say that the Empire faces this new era with optimism."

Meanwhile, Federal President Zachary Hudson released a statement from his office at the White House on Mars:

"Like many of you, I have watched this story unfold with mounting astonishment. I want to assure all Federal citizens – and, indeed, all members of the galactic community – that the Federation is ready for whatever lies ahead."

Alliance Prime Minister Edmund Mahon struck a more measured tone in his statement:

"The discovery is unquestionably a remarkable one, but at this stage it would be irresponsible to speculate on its implications. I will say only that, at this point in time, the need for solidarity has never been greater. It is my sincerest wish that the human race moves forward as one, united in purpose and philosophy."

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:

BD-20 2665 State Organisation

Progressive Party of Nawait

Guincans Legal PLC

Quaaybuwan Partnership

Bidiono Independents

Tewi Guardians of Tradition

Elite German Commanders

New BD-18 394 Autocracy

Raba Solutions

Dukes of Lepchaimyu

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:

Social Savii Confederacy

New Arexack Law Party

LTT 617 Regulatory State

Surmati Limited

Olurung Blue Legal PLC

Pa Para Partners

LAWD 8 Major Corp.

61 Ursae Majoris Liberals

Nuakea Republic Party

Democrats of Ruwachis

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.

Professor Ray Miller, director of the United Research Council, has announced that the organisation's proposed research programme will be temporarily delayed.

"Following political lobbying form a number of key powers, we have decided to lift the restriction on activity in the Coritab, Darian, Freng and Lunduwalaya systems."

"Unfortunately, this will unavoidably delay the start of our research programme. To avoid further complications, we will announce the new locations for the experiment a number of days before the programme begins. This announcement will be made towards the end of next week."

Sources in the Achenar system have revealed that an individual identified only as 'a senior member of the Imperial hierarchy' has been arrested in connection with the recent assassination attempt on Admiral Denton Patreus.

Although the individual's identity is not known, a security officer let slip that the person in question is "no stranger to controversy". The suspect is believed to have been placed under house arrest.

Speculation abounds as to the identity of the individual and to the evident instability within the Imperial power base.

"A house divided against itself cannot stand," quipped one Imperial patron, who asked not to be identified. "History teaches us that much."