Galnet News

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."

On the 30th of August 3302, the August Exodus came to end with dozens of independent pilots assembling outside Jaques Station for photos and general tomfoolery.

Despite a few explosions, revellers enjoyed a race on the track that will host the first official event of the newly established Colonia Citizens Network on the 4th of September.

The August Exodus team issued a statement saying: "With the establishment of this colony, our wildest dreams have come true. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all those who took part in this endeavour. This could not have happened without your help."

Commander unrealization

Six months have elapsed since Doctor Elana Lorax warned against the exploitation of the non-human structures commonly called barnacles. In her plea, she noted that aggressive harvesting could jeopardise efforts to produce a viable synthetic alternative to meta-alloys.

Despite President Zachary Hudson's claim that the purpose of the Federal deputation in the Merope system is to protect the non-human structures, independent pilots report that the system's barnacles have been entirely depleted.

Commander Vindicator Jones shared his observations:

"Just went to Merope 5c to check out the barnacles. They've been destroyed. I've tried visiting several, but they're all barren."

It is not known why the Federation has acted inversely to its stated objectives, particularly given President Hudson's acknowledgement that the barnacles may possess some form of sentience.

Doctor Lorax could not be reached for comment, but it is becoming increasingly clear that we should have heeded her warnings.

Commander Corrigendum

Following recent reports of a possible alien wreck in the Pleiades, the Canonn Interstellar Research Group has released further information about the Unknown Probe.

Shortly after planetary data was found in the Probe's tight-beam transmission, a message was sent to the Canonn from a pilot by the name of Commander Wace. It read: "The headerless octal number - it is distance compared to Merope!"

A list of data followed, obtained by monitoring the Unknown Probe in different systems. The octal number was shown to steadily decrease as Commander Wace neared the permit-locked Col 70 Sector.

In an impressive display of field mathematics, Commander Wace pin-pointed the Col 70 Sector FY-N C21-3 system as the Probe's 'zero point'. Unfortunately, the Canonn is prevented from further investigation of the system by the permit lock of the Col 70 Sector.

Commander Han Zen

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

Here are the latest factions to experience a civil war:

Ross 47 Dominion

Aristocrats of Anali

Independent LHS 140 Values Party

LHS 140 Jet Universal Company

Revolutionary Ross 878 Resistance

Liberty Party of Bodedi

Kuukese Hand Gang

Ququve Silver Life Organisation

Ququve Gold Drug Empire

Zhonvenk Jet Transport and Co

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:

Tewinicnii Vision Corporation

LHS 3564 Conservatives

BD-20 2665 State Organisation

Progressive Party of Nawait

Black Aegis

Civitas Dei

HIP 18187 Blue Legal Partners

Salleda State Systems

CPD-59 314 Imperial Society

BD-08 535 Services

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.

Last month, the 80 DD-D 774-CE-2 faction launched an ambitious four-week initiative to amass material for a new planetary outpost in the Eol Prou RS-T d3-94 system. The campaign was a resounding success, attracting pilots from across the galaxy and resulting in the accumulation of thousands of tonnes of osmium for use in the construction.

In a statement, the organisation's spokesperson said:

"We're real pleased with the response, and we're going to start work on the outpost just as soon as we can."

The spokesperson was asked why he thought the galactic community was so eager to establish a permanent presence in Eol Prou RS-T d3-94.

"Well the way I see it, people are getting tired of the superpowers and their petty disputes. As a species, we've come a mighty long way – it'd be a real shame if all that progress amounted to was a fight over territory and resources."

"People want to make a fresh start, and they're thinking Eol Prou could be just the place to do it."