Galnet News

It is widely understood that Unknown Artefacts have the ability to extract materials from their immediate environment as part of a complex self-repair process. Unfortunately, this can have disastrous effects on starships and other forms of machinery.

Perhaps the worst affected by this phenomena have been the galaxy's starports, many of which have had to suspend services as a result of Unknown Artefact-related disruption. The high prices offered for Unknown Artefacts on the black market means many starports have been flooded with the mysterious objects. And although meta-alloys can be used to counter Unknown Artefact-related interference, the scarcity of the material means this potential salve has had little impact.

But a recent announcement from the Sirius Corporation indicates that the company intends to tackle the issue by funding a major new research and development project. The purpose of the project is to make starports and other outposts more resistant to Unknown Artefact-related interference through the application of specific microresources.

In support of this programme, the Sirius Corporation has placed an open order for unknown fragments, untypical shield scans and aberrant shield pattern analysis, and promised to reward pilots who deliver these materials to Cormack Hub in the Procyon system.

The campaign begins on the 19th of January 3303 and will run for two weeks. If the final target is met earlier than planned, the campaign will end immediately.

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

Here are the latest factions to hold elections:

HIP 8593 Empire League

Order of Ethgreze

Junga Interstellar

Independents of Mildeptu

Nuenets Corp.

Jet Fortune Exchange

Barnard's Star Alliance

LHS 3384 Progressive Party

LP 811-17 Gold Energy Partners

Ross 490 Blue Public Corp.

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

Birkhoff Station, Chnemine

Bohr Prospect, Kisatsya

Descartes Station, Neche

Dogmaa, Wolfberg

Frick Base, Naurung

Frobisher Terminal, Yimakuapa

Gaiman Dock, 49 Arietis

Hahn Gateway, Nanomam

Haisheng Orbital, HR 8474

Maia Point, Maia

Obsidian Orbital, Maia

Onnes Gateway, LFT 37

Phillips Terminal, CD-72 190

Roentgen Hub, LFT 37

Rutan Terminal, Scirtoq

Solovyev Port, HIP 8865

Tall Enterprise, Ngalia

Tarelkin Dock, LP 462-19

Williamson Hub, Kogich

Wright City, Elli

The following starports continue to experience technical issues:

Alexander Freeport, HIP 18843

Amnuel Dock, Kwiamoni

Bloch Vision, Loperada

Bondarek Orbital, Munfayl

Carter Port, Rhea

Cayley Landing, Atroan

Donaldson Retreat, Rajuar

Finney Dock, Eleu

Gilmour Orbiter, Tau Ceti

Gurragchaa Gateway, Warkushanui

Haack Gateway, Halbangaay

Hinz Hub, Ngobe

Irens Dock, Manite

Kooi Gateway, G 190-28

Korolyov Hub, Arawere

Li Qing Jao, Sol

Liwei Gateway, 63 G. Capricorni

Manakov Survey, Aeduci

Melvin Hub, GD 1192

Noctrach-Ihazevich Research Facility, Pleiades Sector AB-W b2-4

Panshin Port, Heikegani

Roberts Port, CD-52 9732

Spring Gateway, LHS 215

von Bellingshausen Port, Almar

Weyn Dock, 64 Arietis

Ackerman Market, Eravate

Gentil Hub, Harm

Elder Works, Ross 154

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

Tiedemann Dock, Balones

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:

HR 3954 Crew

Koleti Purple Dynamic Co

LHS 3705 Dominion

New Mutj Nationalists

Cenni Corp.

Sesmu Incorporated

LPM 26 Pirates

Workers of Jurokkju Democrats

Laifang Silver Mob

Social Hunahau Free

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:

HIP 105577 One

League of Villae

Delphin Blue Federal PLC

Junga Interstellar

Kvenland Services

HIP 32350 Industries

Anlave First

Chicoana Silver Travel Corp.

HIP 105639 Party

HIP 9610 Jet Legal Systems

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.

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:

Brotherhood of LP 98-132

Wolf 359 Blue Travel Commodities

Alpha Centauri Gold Brotherhood

New CD-61 6801 Flag

Democrats of BD-02 4304

Bhotho Rats

Njikan Jet Dynamic Industry

Oho Bajo Public Holdings

Confederation of Dahan

Nationalists of Aulin

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:

Brotherhood of LP 98-132

Ngaliba Blue Camorra

WISE 0855-0714 Gold Gang

Partnership of LHS 2819

i Bootis Central Limited

Mictlan Empire Assembly

Ovid Defence Force

Lokitaka Mu Silver Universal Net

Blue Major Exchange

Values Party of Snotock Ek

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.

Professor Ishmael Palin, independent scientist and leading authority on xeno-biological research, has added his voice to the debate over sightings of mysterious spacecraft.

In a statement, Professor Palin said:

"I have no wish to be alarmist, and I can understand why the galactic superpowers have issued a somewhat noncommittal response. But suggesting that these craft may be of human origin, or the product of a hoax, rather stretches plausibility."

"To my mind, there is a clear visual connection between these mysterious vessels, the shipwrecks found in HIP 17862 and the Pleiades, the Unknown Artefacts and the Unknown Probes. And I believe we can draw only one conclusion: we are sharing the galaxy with an intelligent non-human species. We therefore have an obligation to discover as much about this species, and its intentions, as possible."

Independent engineer Ram Tah, who has been leading research into the Synuefe ruins, also commented:

"I share Professor Palin's view that these reports are of great significance. But attempts to communicate with these vessels have proved fruitless, as have efforts to discern their point of origin. We must learn more about these ships and whoever – or whatever – is piloting them."

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:

Limapa Blue State Commodities

Uru Federal Interstellar

Union of Wolf 359 Labour

Coalition of Ngaliba

Lords of Ngaliba

Cemiess Commodities

Orrere Ring

Eravate Network

Eravate Life Services

Brani Federal Holdings

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:

HIP 111755 Gold Cartel

Iapodes Purple Dynamic Holdings

NLTT 6667 Republic Party

Green Party of CD-54 4840

Surya PLC

Crimson Transport Ltd

Future of Udegoci

Carpaka Central Industry

HIP 1419 Empire Consulate

Union of Kappa Phoenicis Labour

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:

Kapurri Emperor's Grace

Betel Free

Ovid Democrats

Leschanatya Future

Dilga Empire Consulate

HIP 111755 Commodities

CD-54 9671 Empire Group

Partnership of Bean

HIP 117865 Empire Pact

Tetek Patrons of Law

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:

Delphin Blue Federal PLC

HIP 105577 Boys

Kvenland Services

HIP 10570 Constitution Party

Junga Patron's Principles

United Hatmehit Revolutionary Party

HIP 15545 Public Network

Chicoana Silver Travel Corp.

Auste Gold Ring

Hand Gang of Taunitoq

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.

Following several sightings of mysterious spacecraft, the leaders of the galaxy's three superpowers have released official statements.

Emperor Arissa Lavigny-Duval, currently undertaking a tour of Imperial systems, exhibited reservation:

"To surmise that these encounters constitute proof of the existence of non-human intelligence would be rash in the extreme. We cannot rule out the possibility that these ships could be experimental human spacecraft, or even the product of an intricate hoax. I urge all Imperial citizens to remain calm, and not to leap to conclusions."

Federal President Zachary Hudson, meanwhile, struck a characteristically strident tone:

"I have reviewed the footage submitted by the galactic community. Granted, the evidence is not conclusive. But tell me this: would you rather prepare for an attack that may not come, or be met by an attack you did not prepare for? We know nothing about the true nature or purpose of these vessels. It would be in our best interest to prepare for any eventuality."

By contrast, Alliance Prime Minister Edmund Mahon was diplomatic:

"Like the Emperor, I believe it would be premature to conclude that these are non-human spacecraft. But it is clear to me that these encounters warrant further investigation. We must gather more evidence and keep an open mind. Knowledge, not ignorance. Proof, not speculation. That is the way forward."