Galnet News

News feeds throughout the galaxy have received a mysterious message from an as-yet undetermined source.

The message, which is reprinted in full below, appears to contain an oblique reference to a particular location, but the nature of the communiqué makes it hard to determine exactly what it refers to.

"We've found something. Something incredible. Something the whole galaxy will want to see. The truth."

"We could show it to you, but that wouldn't be much fun. So instead we're going to play a little game."

"It begins on the 28th. We'll be waiting for you."

The Federal Security Service, aware that the message will pique the interest of the galactic community, said:

"Frankly, I suspect this is some kind of hoax, but there will inevitably be some who attempt to unravel the mystery. All we can do is urge them to exercise caution."

Independent auditor BigSix has reported various anomalies in the accounts of MetaDrive Inc., a company based in the Chi Orionis system specialising in hyperdrive research.

Reviewing the company's financial records, assessors found evidence of a series of payments to undisclosed suppliers but none of the corresponding checks and balances.

"It's a big mess," said the senior auditor of BigSix. "The company is being placed in receivership. It needs a buyer, and quickly."

Femi Dakarai, the chairman of MetaDrive Inc., was not available for comment.

Following the news, shares in MetaDrive Inc. plummeted. But a short time later, Sirius Corp unexpectedly volunteered to prop up the company.

"We've been interested in collaboration for a while," said the marketing manager of Sirius Corp's hyperdrive research division, "and were in talks over licensing MetaDrive's exciting new technology. We have no desire to see them go under."

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:

Kamarada Jet Legal Services

Tollan Free

Wuluwait Fortune Commodities

Epsilon Phoenicis Principles

Yuinni Worker's Party

Hatis Silver Brothers

HIP 19408 Monarchy

Brutas Crimson Netcoms Corp.

Official GCRV 52424 Defence Force

Machadan Alliance

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:

Aymiay Values Party

Confederacy of Yamahun

Alliance of CD-33 8748

HIP 24968 Empire Consulate

Partnership of Kaupatak

HIP 106213 Jet Power Services

Fular Purple State Corp.

Union of BD+14 611 Partnership

Dukes of Kachakapa

Union of LTT 2240 Democrats

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.

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

Lobachevsky Outpost, Pic Tok

Rutan Terminal, Scirtoq

LP 462-19, Tarelkin Dock

Liwei Gateway, 63 G. Capricorni

Ramsbottom Hub, Segovan

Meanwhile, the following starports continue to experience technical issues:

Carter Port, Rhea

Kooi Gateway, G 190-28

Ising Dock, 109 Piscium

Jaques Station, Eol Prou RS-T d3-94

Robigo Mines, Robigo

Skvortsov Orbital, 63 G. Capricorni

Saunders's Dive, Wolf 1301

Alexander Freeport, HIP 18843

Bloch Vision, Loperada

Lave Station, Lave

In his keynote speech at a recent conference, Karl Devene, head of the Federal Astrocartography Department, warned would-be explorers of the dangers of venturing into the void:

"While there are some very well-organised expeditions, many are poorly prepared and have no goals beyond pursuing ridiculous myths echoing back from the edge of inhabited space. It is dangerous and irresponsible to venture into uncharted areas without proper discipline."

"What we need is sound astrocartographic data – not a bunch of amateurs traipsing all over the place and making a complete mess of the whole situation."

"I will be making deputations to various authorities to curtail these activities and leave exploration in the hands of the professionals."

"If humanity finds itself in a first-contact position, do we really want some grubby, ill-prepared spacer to be our envoy? I think not."

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

Here are the latest factions to experience a civil war:

LP 64-194 One

LHS 5072 Industries

Kakas Flag

Nuenoch allied

Ross 692 Law Party

Confederation of Sui Xing

Nezhenses Gold Posse

People's Party of Bolon Tzu

Tabaldak Gold Cartel

Monarchy of LHS 3117

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:

Angelic Church of Messi

HIP 57352 Free

Blood Brothers from Alrai

Traditional Borme Defence Party

HR 826 Empire League

Warra Confederacy

Urd Confederation

The Fuel Rats Mischief

Union of Malloc Independents

Parhua Purple Major Corp.

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 latest development in the ongoing Federal-Imperial conflict takes the form of a statement from Admiral Denton Patreus, who has announced plans to add three new Majestic-class Interdictors to the Imperial fleet. The announcement comes only a week after the successful conclusion of a Federal campaign to amass material for three new Farragut-class Battlecruisers.

In a candid statement, Admiral Patreus said:

"We cannot stand idly by while the Federation attempts to establish a monopoly over the meta-alloys. And if the Empire does not oppose the Federation, who will?"

"So as long as the Federation continues to expand its navy, we will continue to match it, ship for ship."

The Empire has placed an open order for supplies and has authorised the Morai Nobles to reward pilots who deliver autofabricators, tantalum and superconductors to van de Hulst Vision in the Morai system.

The campaign begins on the 25th of August 3302 and will run for one week. If the Empire's targets are met earlier than planned, the campaign will end immediately.

Arque Commodities has announced that its campaign to clear the Arque system of agitators has been a success. Hundreds of pilots responded to the appeal, taking to their ships to eliminate the criminals operating in the system.

Authorities in the Arque 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 Austen Town Station.

The 80 DD-D 774-CE-2 faction, an independent organisation based at Jaques Station in the Eol Prou RS-T d3-94 system, has issued a request for exploration data. The request is part of an ongoing initiative to establish a permanent community in the Colonia Nebula.

A spokesperson for 80 DD-D 774-CE-2 released the following statement:

"If we're going to settle in the Colonia Nebula then we need to know more about it, which is why we're currently offering highly competitive rates for exploration data. After all, pilots will be making the trek out to Jaques anyway – might as well make some credits en route."

80 DD-D 774-CE-2 has promised to reward pilots who deliver exploration data to Jaques Station in the Eol Prou RS-T d3-94 system. The campaign begins on the 25th of August 3302 and will run for four weeks.

Following the success of the Total Recall race in April, the Buckyball Racing Club has once again been contacted by a leading manufacturer of SRV tyres to help improve its public profile. Pilots from remote settlements throughout human space have claimed that the latest TrakMark tyres are not fit for purpose, resulting in damage to SRVs after just a few kilometres. It's up to the Buckyball Racing Club to prove them wrong.

The race, which starts in the Cernobog system, runs from the 27th of August to the 4th of September.

Commander Alec Turner

Buckyball Race Organiser