Galnet News

Following news that the Thargoids have attacked a Federal convoy in the Pleiades Sector IR-W d1-55 system, Aegis has recruited two of the galaxy’s foremost independent engineers to immediately begin developing new defensive and offensive technologies.

One of these engineers is Liz Ryder, a specialist in explosive weaponry, who spoke to The Federal Times about her involvement:

“It’s not about penetrating the Thargoids’ shields – we’ve been blowing each other up for centuries so we’ve gotten pretty good at dealing punishment – it’s about creating weapons that are specifically calibrated to damage Thargoid hardware.”

Ryder was asked if she thought it was too late to avert all-out conflict with the Thargoids:

“That’s a question for the politicians. My job is to design weapons. And if someone – or something – shoots at you, you’ve got two choices: run away or shoot back. At the moment, the first of those is our only option. It would be nice to have a second.”

Professor Ishmael Palin, a leading authority on xenobiology, has also been recruited to the programme. He said:

“My first task will be developing a scanner that can provide us with meaningful data on the Thargoids’ ships. Of course, to properly calibrate these new technologies we will need large quantities of Thargoid material.”

Aegis has placed an open order for a range of Thargoid materials for use in the programme. Aegis Core has pledged to reward pilots who deliver unknown technology samples, unknown biological matter, ancient relics and explosives to Awyra Flirble in the Eurybia system for Liz Ryder. Aegis Research has promised to reimburse Commanders who deliver unknown technology samples, unknown resin, computer components and resonating separators to Obsidian Orbital in the Maia system for Ishmael Palin.

The campaign begins on the 21st of September and will run for one week. If the final target is met earlier than planned, the campaign will end immediately.

A spokesperson for Aegis, the joint-superpower initiative established to coordinate research into the Thargoids, has confirmed that the organisation is to widen its remit.

The development is understood to be a response to the recent Thargoid attack against Federal ships in the Pleiades Sector IR-W D1-55 system.

In a statement, the spokesperson said:

“Aegis has received sanctions from the leaders of all three superpowers to focus not only on research, but also on defence. This reflects a belief that Aegis, which includes some of the galaxy’s foremost experts on non-human life, is best positioned to coordinate such efforts.”

“We understand that some will lament this development, but the decision was arrived at only after careful consideration, and all parties have agreed on its necessity. Rest assured that our research initiatives will continue.”

It is understood that the organisation’s budget has been dramatically increased.

Following news that a Federal convoy was destroyed by Thargoid vessels in the Pleiades Sector IR-W D1-55 system, Lieutenant Jarah Kael of the Federal Navy has addressed rumours that the Thargoids may have attacked in self-defence.

“There has been speculation that the Thargoid attack was an act of self-preservation. Nothing could be further from the truth.”

“It is true that Thargoid vessels typically scan human craft rather than attack, so I can understand how this misconception has taken root, but I assure you it is baseless. Data recovered from IR-W D1-55, including the black box from the Farragut-class Battlecruiser, proves beyond a doubt that the attack was initiated by the Thargoids. To suggest otherwise dishonours the memory of those who lost their lives in this tragedy.”

A spokesperson for Aegis, which is coordinating research into the Thargoids, confirmed the veracity of Lieutenant Kael’s statement:

“We have been analysing the data from the attack site in an effort to understand the Thargoids’ motives and military capabilities. While I cannot yet reveal the results of that analysis, I can confirm that the convoy was attacked without provocation by multiple Thargoid vessels.”

Over the past few months, several reports have surfaced of Federal convoys coming under fire in the Maia system. While circumstantial evidence strongly suggested Thargoid involvement, the Federation declined to comment, saying only that the matter was “under investigation”.

But fresh reports indicate that another attack, resulting in the loss of a Farragut-class Battlecruiser and a number of other vessels, has recently taken place. In a galaxy-wide announcement, the Federation confirmed that the attack was perpetrated by Thargoid Interceptor-class vessels, as corroborated by those who survived the assault.

Chief of Federal Security Admiral Aden Tanner issued the following statement:

“Since we cannot communicate with the Thargoids, and cannot therefore determine the motive for this attack, it cannot be considered an act of war in the conventional sense. Nevertheless, I can confirm that the Thargoids are now considered an enemy of the Federation.”

Admiral Tanner’s statement was swiftly followed by a public address from Federal President Zachary Hudson, speaking from the White House on Mars.

“Like many others, I hoped that the Thargoids would prove to be peaceful. Today I am forced to concede that my optimism was misplaced. What I say now, I say to every citizen of the Federation: Action will be taken.”

“I have given Admiral Tanner total authority over this matter, and extended to him the full resources of the Federal Navy. I have every confidence that he will address this threat to the Federation.”

Recent reports indicate that conflict has erupted in the Ho Hsi system between Ho Hsi Jet Comms Limited and the Freedom Party of Ho Hsi. System security forces were caught off guard by the violence, which began without warning and has escalated rapidly since then.

Both sides have issued calls for aid, appealing to independent combat pilots for support. Commanders who participate in the conflict will be generously rewarded by their chosen faction.

A representative of system security forces issued the following statement:

“It would be irresponsible of us to encourage independent pilots to join this fight, but if the galactic community can bring this conflict to a swift end, they will have our gratitude.”

The two factions have set out week-long operations to take control of the system, which will begin on the 14th of September 3303.

A spokesperson for the Kamadhenu Chapterhouse of Inquisition has announced that its plan to establish a series of starports between Colonia and the core systems has received the wholehearted support of the galactic community.

Hundreds of pilots took to their ships to deliver construction materials to Shajn Market over the course of the three-week campaign, allowing the Chapterhouse to achieve its ambitious goals.

As the campaign drew to a close, a spokesperson for the Chapterhouse released a statement:

“Thanks to the hard work of the galaxy’s independent pilots, construction of the first starport is almost complete, work on the second is well underway and construction of the third will begin soon.”

“We are immeasurably grateful to those who supported this initiative, and we look forward to a future of increased travel and trade between Colonia and the core.”

Pilots who contributed to the campaign can now collect their rewards from Shajn Market in the Kamadhenu system.

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

Here are the latest factions to hold elections:

Union of Wolf 359 Labour

Coquim Industry

39 Tauri Interstellar

HIP 96289 Blue Major Inc

Gliese 868 Services

Parhul Silver Electronics Hldgs

Epsilon Phoenicis Forum

Smethells 119 Blue Life Int

Barnard's Star Alliance

HIP 305 Nationalists

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

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:

Siluruba Purple Transport Ltd

Kvenland Services

HIP 32350 Industries

Bureau of HIP 1914 Focus

LHS 1387 Jet Mob

Zhou Wang Blue Partnership

Kawal United Commodities

Pirates of Bean

Yhele Fortune Exchange

Law Party of Tau-2 Gruis A

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:

Order of Ethgreze

GCRV 4654 State Interstellar

Kvenland Services

HIP 19773 Shared

Machatkwa Inc

Co-operative of HIP 49102

HIP 5183 Emperor's Grace

Progressive Party of Ross 210

Momotaro Silver State PLC

Labour of Bactrib

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 starports experiencing technical issues as a result of Unknown-Artefact related interference.

The following starports are on the brink of closure:

Litke Mines, Wolfberg

Vlaicu Terminal, HIP 115917