Galnet News

A pilot by the name of Commander Falchion has won the Melee Masters arena competition.

In a tense final bout, Commander Falchion appeared to give up right on the cusp of victory, but it was revealed to have been a ruse designed to bring his opponent into firing range.

A reporter from Sports Zeta Weekly commented: "I had no fingernails by the end of that one. The sheer moxie of Commander Falchion, to sucker in his opponent like that! Big risk, big payoff. The crowds loved it! A worthy winner."

Commander Falchion was not available for interview and appears to maintaining a cloak of anonymity, although it is known that he or she is from the Chi Orionis system.

Otto Granger, the smuggler who involved the galactic community in an elaborate search for the mysterious debris in the Pleiades Nebula, has demanded that he receive credit for the discovery.

In an interview with The Federal Times, Granger made his feelings clear:

"Look, I admit it – when we found the wreck, we saw it as an opportunity to make some money. But we never planned to keep the discovery from the public."

"The point is that we found it – me and my friends. But now the discovery has been credited to someone else! It's outrageous!"

Commentators have been quick to point out that Granger's efforts to profit from the discovery, and his reluctance to share it with the galactic community in a spirit of altruism, are sufficient grounds to deny him credit.

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

Here are the latest factions to experience a civil war:

Liberty Party of Zeessze

86 Mu Herculis Commodities

Social Qa'wakana Revolutionary Party

HIP 78136 Republic Party

Gang of Kakmburu

Auso Family

Bida Gold Syndicate

Bida Labour

Union of Lencali Independents

Lencali Freedom Party

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:

Ross 129 Liberals

Confederation of Julannsa

LHS 3677 Purple Transport Org

UGP 64 Jet Travel and Co

Independent FF Andromedae for Equality

Nuevo Orden de Comandantes Imperiales

United Li Tzicnii Democrats

Halai Republic Party

Union of LHS 3781 Future

Traditional Yamunab Yu Justice Party

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 United Research Council has announced that its postponed research programme will begin on the 15th of September 3302. The announcement comes a week after political lobbying prompted the Council to temporarily delay the programme.

The Council's experiments, which are understood to involve monitoring radiation levels and recording the positions of celestial bodies, will encompass all systems within a 30 light-year radius of the Clayakarma, Nauo, Gyhldekala, Boga and Kpaniya systems. Due to the sensitive nature of these experiments, pilots pledged to one of the galaxy's major powers will be unable to lay claim to these systems while the project is active. Pilots should also be aware that any preparatory activity conducted in these systems will be negated when the programme begins.

The United Research Council will make a final announcement shortly before the programme starts.

Security operatives in Mu Koji have reported that the Empire and Federation have launched rival military operations in the system.

Both superpowers have fleets stationed in Mu Koji, and both have launched attacks against these convoys with the aim of securing valuable enemy intelligence.

The Xuangu Crimson Major Network has been authorised to coordinate the Imperial operation, while rival organisation the Mu Koji Resistance is directing the Federal campaign. Both factions have asked independent combat pilots for support, promising to reward those who come to their aid.

The rival operations are scheduled to run for one week from the 8th of September 3302.

A spokesperson for the AEF Legion of LFT 133 has announced that its appeal for gold has been enthusiastically received by the galactic community, resulting in a massive influx of deliveries to Sullivan Dock, the organisation's base of operations. The spokesperson also confirmed that the agitators disrupting operations in the region have been neutralised.

The AEF Legion of LFT 133 has extended its gratitude to those who supported the campaign.

For much of the past week, the galactic community has been captivated by the mysterious shipwreck discovered in the Pleiades Sector AB-W B2-4 system. The wreck, which was found on one of the system's moons, is believed by many to be the remains of a non-human starship.

Given the magnitude of the discovery, it was only a matter of time before one of the superpowers took action. That action has come in the form of an Imperial deputation, which was despatched to the system within the past twelve hours. Eyewitness reports indicate that a Majestic-class Interdictor has taken up position directly over the shipwreck site.

The Empire has not commented on the deployment, but Federal President Zachary Hudson was quick to condemn the act.

"It is no surprise that the Empire is attempting to control the site, but the fact is that they have no authority in AB-W B2-4, and no right to lay claim to this discovery. If the Empire makes any effort to prevent access to the site, be assured that the Federation will respond appropriately."

As independent pilots flock to the mysterious wreckage in the Pleiades, many have been speculating on the meaning of the discovery. Some believe the wreck is of Thargoid origin, but that rumour has little evidence to support it.

One pilot who visited the site shared his opinion:

"While the alien wreck is worthy of further study, I doubt it's recent. Judging from the lack of heat signature, I think it's been dead for a while – maybe even centuries. It's hard to tell how old something is with a simple visual inspection, especially on a planet with no atmosphere."

"I suspect it won't be long before the Federation or the Empire tries to claim the wreckage, so we probably don't have much time to study it."

Independent pilots are still flocking to the site, but many questions remain. Possible links to the barnacles, Unknown Artefacts and Unknown Probes have been suggested, but no evidence of a connection has been found.

Commander Cosby714

This report presents the latest data on starports experiencing technical issues as a result of Unknown-Artefact related interference.

The following starports are currently closed:

Fozard Dock, HIP 19934

Irens Dock, Manite

von Bellingshausen Port, Almar

Haack Gateway, Halbangaay

Gurragchaa Gateway, Warkushanui

Korolyov Hub, Arawere

Rutan Terminal, Scirtoq

Tarelkin Dock, LP 462-19

Liwei Gateway, 63 G. Capricorni

Beltrami's Claim, Wolf 1509

Bondarek Orbital, Munfayl

The following starports continue to experience technical issues:

Carter Port, Rhea

Kooi Gateway, G 190-28

Alexander Freeport, HIP 18843

Bloch Vision, Loperada

Lave Station, Lave

Newholm Station, Solthis

Donaldson Retreat, Rajuar

Rutan Terminal, Minanes

Meanwhile, the following starports are on the brink of closure:

Spring Gateway, LHS 215

Akiyama Hub, Shorodo

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

Here are the latest factions to hold elections:

Workers of LHS 2887 League

LHS 1348 Incorporated

LHS 1348 Inc

Co-op of KUV 410-4

Independent Ross 89 Future

Earls of LTT 5623

Chuevik Dynamic Interstellar

Birjoromi Partners

BD-10 5142 Purple Vision Limited

Vayurathi Purple Transport Serv

Elections occur when two minor factions with a similar political structure resolve a conflict over ownership and influence within a system.