Galnet News

Professor Ishmael Palin, founder and former director of the Palin Institute, has released a statement concerning his ongoing research into meta-alloys.

"I have discovered previously unidentified properties that could make the meta-alloys ideally suited to the development of robust new materials – materials that could be used to great effect in combat starships."

"My research is still at an early stage and I am far from developing a working prototype, but the early signs are very encouraging. This discovery could herald a major step forward in the development of defensive technologies."

Professor Palin has been researching meta-alloys from his personal research base on Maia A 3 a since he resigned from the Palin Institute in April. He closed his statement with a promise to share his progress with the galactic community.

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 the security status of the galaxy's minor factions.

Here are the latest factions to experience a lockdown:

Nenexo Blue Netcoms Solutions

Union of Aparctias Future

LTT 569 Justice Party

Zeus Bureau

Bitjala Liberty Party

Durojin Systems

Codorain General Industry

Mu Aquilae Gold Rats

LHS 278 Bridge Limited

Natural LFT 601 Law Party

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:

Gabien Ku allied

Psi Capricorni Noblement

Mislika Movement

Ross 860 Blue Public PLC

Czernovale Group

Changthini Corporation

Nanomam Crimson Clan

HIP 18725 Defence Force

Kokary Holdings

Ross 671 Galactic Industries

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:

Cemiess Commodities

Allied FK5 2550 Autocracy

Ngaledi Federal Corporation

Ross 490 Mafia

Tau-2 Gruis A Universal Inc

LDS 883 Gold Galactic Services

Mictlan Empire Assembly

Cosi Flag

LHS 1110 Patron's Principles

Epsilon Phoenicis Principles

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:

People's Llyr Free

HIP 12155 Blue Council

People's Tun for Equality

LP 715-52 Purple Hand Gang

Brotherhood of LP 98-132

BD+49 3937 Liberals

Leaders of Unelenses

Confederation of Dahan

Urd Confederation

Coalition of Kannari

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.

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:

Sirius Free

Camumba Partners

United Macushi Democrats

Bureau of Taunetes

Samkyha State Network

Partnership of Coelans

Marquis du Ma'a

Booze Brothers

Li Chi Empire Consulate

Pauline's People's Party

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:

Progressive Party of Bolg

Barons of Medzisti

Mianomama Electronics Company

Jarnae Independent Protectorate

Karbudj PLC

Blue Dynamic Inc

Union of Valtys Independents

Social FAUST 2688 Confederation

Conian Noblement

Hirpasuk Guardians of Tradition

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.

Board members of MetaDrive Inc. today announced the sale of MetaDrive Inc. to the Sirius Corporation. Rosaline Merden, acting Chair of MetaDrive, was clearly pleased with the outcome. At a press conference, she said:

"The board of MetaDrive wholeheartedly welcomes the security this acquisition brings. As part of the Sirius Corporation, the MetaDrive brand will continue to go from strength to strength."

Reporters asked about the ongoing audit of MetaDrive, and also the fate of former employee Raan Corsen, who was reported missing a couple of weeks ago.

"The audit has been successfully completed and all assets are in the hands of Sirius Corporation," said Merden. "Raan Corsen's employment was terminated prior to the takeover."

Merden was challenged by a representative of the Earth Defence Fleet, who alleged that Raan Corsen had in fact fled from Sirius security forces and been killed in the Alioth system.

"Mr Corsen's business in the Alioth system was his own," said Merden. "It has nothing to do with the Sirius Corporation."

The press conference closed with outstanding questions, but reporters managed to get a final word from Commander MoonWeb of the Earth Defence Fleet.

"According to our intel, Corsen was pursued before crash-landing on a planet in the Alioth system. This was observed by Commander Ashley Wilkinson, a Canonn representative working with the Earth Defence Fleet."

"The specifics surrounding Corsen's demise are not known, but we have a transcript of his final transmission that points a finger squarely at the Sirius Corporation."

Commentators have reacted with surprise and dismay to a speech from Admiral Denton Patreus at a military tattoo on Achenar, in which he spoke in strident tones about the London Treaty. The treaty, established in 3278, imposes limits on capital-ship construction in order to prevent possible arms races.

"This treaty was foisted on us by overzealous Federal lawyers," said Patreus. "Now it is used to limit our ability to defend ourselves. This I cannot accept."

"I am proud to announce that henceforth the Empire will build as many ships as it needs, treaty restrictions be damned!"

Federal representatives were quick to denounce Patreus's proposal, saying it would have severe repercussions. But stock markets in the core systems reacted favourably to the news, with reports indicating that the Empire had already secured several construction contracts.

Admiral Patreus will soon depart for the Prism system to oversee the trial of Kahina Loren.

In honour of Alan Shepard, the second human being to enter space, a group of independent pilots has announced a galactic endurance expedition. The SHEPARD Mission (Stellar Heliographic Expedition for Proto-Astronomical Reconnaissance and Discovery) will document three types of stellar measurement: star composition and clustering, unknown supernova remnants, and star triangulation and migration.

The SHEPARD Mission will consist of five legs covering 37 waypoints and 12 base camps in the Centaurus Reach, the Scutum-Centaurus Arm, the Styx and the galactic core. The mission will also include an SRV planetary-circumnavigation endurance race and a climb to the galactic ceiling using newly discovered Pulsar-FSD boost technology.

Still accepting pilots, SHEPARD will last six months and depart from the Sol system on the 5th of November 3302.

Commander Parabolus

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

Here are the latest factions to experience a civil war:

LFT 1448 Federal Industries

Purple Dynamic Incorporated

Citizen Party of Argel

Argel Universal Solutions

Revolutionary Nemehi Future

Ofaye Aibe Inc

Amun Gold Brotherhood

Green Party of He Pola

Cai Quapa Purple Comms Corp.

HIP 38129 Life Systems

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:

Dyr Values Party

Time of Chaos

Camumba Partners

Ditae Empire League

Progressive Party of Wolf 433

Bletones Legal Industry

Earls of Xibalba

BD+23 296 Blue Federal Inc

Chunza Dominion

Reddot Blue Clan

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 Colonia Council, the governing body of the Colonia system, has launched a campaign to expand infrastructure and manufacturing facilities in the region. The initiative is intended to support future colonisation of the Colonia Nebula, and address the needs of the growing Colonia community.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Council elaborated on the nature of the campaign:

"Colonia is expanding rapidly, and with an official colonisation initiative due to start soon, we need to make sure we can meet our citizens' needs."

"The colony has received a lot of support from the galactic community, but if it's going to become a fully fledged society, we need proper infrastructure."

In support of this initiative, the Colonia Council has placed an open order for mined palladium, and has promised to reward pilots who deliver the required material to Jaques Station in the Colonia system.

The campaign begins on the 20th of October 3302 and will run for two weeks.