Galnet News

President-elect Felicia Winters has discussed the growing discontent within Federal Congress over her delayed inauguration.

A series of devastating earthquakes struck Winters’s home world of Rhea 3 in February this year. Millions were killed during the unprecedented disaster, including six members of Winter’s family in the destruction of the capital New Greenacre.

Winters took an extended leave of absence to direct relief and recovery efforts on Rhea 3, which included a widespread appeal for resources from the independent pilot community. But recent articles in Sol Today have suggested the goodwill for Winter’s situation may be wearing thin.

Political journalist Ewan Klein recently wrote:

“When Winters first announced the delay to her inauguration, there was obvious resistance from her Republican opponents – though perhaps less so from President Hudson, who has remained in office temporarily. As more details of Rhea’s turmoil came to light, support for Winter’s choice on compassionate grounds increased.”

“Seven months later, however, some in Congress have started to wonder if Winters will ever overcome her grief and accept the presidency.”

Winters has finally released a statement on the matter via the Federal Free Press:

“Nothing can ever repair the hole left in my heart following the tragedy on Rhea 3. That pain is shared with millions of families affected by the catastrophe that befell our home world. We may never truly overcome it, but must resolve to move forward despite it.”

“And during our darkest hours, the outpouring of love and support from across the Federation has been a source of great strength. I was reminded a thousand times over of the charity, selflessness and warmth of Federal citizens. Your patience has been cherished, and it is time that your faith in me as president-elect is rewarded.”

“I plan to step back from personally directing the recovery of Rhea 3 in the near future, leaving the task in the capable hands of Rhea’s emergency aid and relief committee. When the time is right, my inauguration ceremony will proceed and I will humbly accept the role of President of the Federation.”

*Pilots’ Federation Alert*

Aden Tanner, special military advisor to the Aegis project, has warned of the potential for targeted Thargoid assaults on key military locations.

Speaking during a recent graduation ceremony for the latest batch of Federal AX recruits, Tanner warned against complacency following the destruction of Titan Thor last month.

“It may seem that we have the upper hand in this war. There’s no shame in taking pride in our accomplishments, and we’re certainly in a better place than when the Thargoid invasion started.”

“But the Thargoids are just as dangerous as they’ve ever been. Entering a conflict zone with anything less than full focus would be a terrible mistake. Think of how hard you’d fight if you thought the Thargoids were driving our fleets back a little further each day. That’s the situation our enemy finds themselves in.”

“In fact, while our forces push towards the remaining two Titans, Aegis is always watching for counter-attacking efforts behind our front lines. We know the Thargoids can travel via portal technology, allowing them to spring ambushes on our ports beyond any fleet blockades. What we're less clear on is how the aliens assign value to potential targets.”

“Important systems are well protected, but we're playing catch-up when predicting the Thargoids’ next move. When you join our AX forces in combat for the first time, remember: look out for each other, and always expect the unexpected.”

Recent moves by Sirius Corporation have resulted in an uncharacteristic wobble in stock prices, according to Money Matters.

In an exclusive story, economist Roberta Unwin has revealed increasingly aggressive attempts by Li Yong-Rui to initiate a corporate takeover of Achilles Aerospace. Thus far, these attempts have proven unsuccessful.

Unwin went on to say:

“The current darling of the technology world, Achilles is riding a wave of momentum following the release of the SCO Frame Shift Drive. This breakthrough risks dislodging Sirius’s monopoly on FSD technology for the first time in over a decade. According to my sources, Li is increasingly unhappy with the challenge to his dominance of the aerospace industry.”

“I’ve heard phenomenal numbers when detailing Sirius’s multiple offers to purchase Achilles Aerospace and its proprietary SCO designs. Maxine Patro remains unswayed and has kept Achilles’ board members on her side. A company insider described Li’s obsession with Achilles as ‘unhinged’.”

“Sirius Corporation has recently acquired several smaller corporations across the core systems, most of which relate to aerospace and technological research. But a perceived lack of short-term strategy has unnerved some investors, with this week’s 3.9% share price drop costing the megacorp trillions.”

In recent weeks Sirius Corporation has sought to pressure Pranav Antal and the Utopia community into forging stronger links, with Li described as ‘enthusiastic’ about gaining access to Utopia’s advanced technological prototypes. Pranav Antal has warned that Sirius personnel are not welcome in Utopian communes, claiming to distrust Li’s motives.

“Then again,” says Unwin, “It's hard to bet against Sirius Corporation for long. Li Yong-Rui is accustomed to getting what he wants eventually.”

Civil, commercial and political groups within the Alliance and Federation are pledging loyalty to two increasingly high-profile individuals.

Sofia Trevino published a summary for The Federal Times:

“President Zachary Hudson has long been the figurehead for a wide range of Federal communities and corporations. But as he prepares to depart the White House, many of these are transferring their allegiance to the new head of the Republican Party, Vice President Jerome Archer.”

“When Felicia Winters becomes president, Archer will take on the role of shadow president and lead the Republican opposition to the governing Liberal Party. He will effectively inherit Hudson’s political power base, which spreads across the Federation and through many independent systems. Many millions of people, including members of the Pilots’ Federation, will perform tasks and exploit local resources in order to expand Archer’s influence.”

In the Alliance, a similar situation is now being recognised, as discussed by Vanya Driscoll of The Alliance Tribune:

“Councillor Nakato Kaine is the representative for the Tionisla system and has been a vocal presence in the Assembly for several years. She ran against Prime Minister Edmund Mahon in the 3307 elections, gaining many followers despite being ultimately unsuccessful. Kaine has also directly opposed many of Mahon’s policies, particularly the strategic defence pact with Sirius Corporation, on the grounds that the Alliance’s founding principles should not bend to megacorporate influence.”

“This has led Kaine to become a rallying point for those who wish to see Allied systems governed more like the Old Worlds. She is a proponent of electoral reform that would allow the public to directly choose their leaders, rather than the Assembly voting on their behalf. Many local businesses, organisations and political bodies have been attracted by Kaine’s ambitions to transform the Alliance.”

An explosion outside the Federal Republican Party offices on Nanomam 1 has claimed the lives of three government workers.

The blast originated from a small shuttle waiting to collect Shadow President-elect Jerome Archer, who had spent the morning at the building on party business. Archer was reportedly approaching the vehicle at the time of the explosion but was unharmed.

While security services hunted for evidence among the wreckage, a public announcement from Archon Delaine quickly claimed responsibility:

“All the surveillance technology in the galaxy could not prevent the Kumo Crew from reaching Jerome Archer’s personal vehicle. Only by our generosity does he live to learn from this event. He wraps himself in the cloak of the police state, blind to the real danger to people like him: complacency.”

“As the Emperor recently discovered, all the wealth and titles humanity has to offer provide little protection when faced with reality. Their deaths would mean less than the message: even if the Thargoid war is won, there are dangers waiting for you all that have been ignored for too long.”

Media commentators have speculated that this statement also claims responsibility for the attempted ambush of Emperor Arissa’s convoy earlier this month. A short response from an Imperial Senate spokesperson has dismissed such talk, saying that Delaine was ‘nothing more than a self-aggrandising pirate eager for the spotlight.’

This latest incident highlights growing concerns that the core systems face a significant period of post-Thargoid invasion uncertainty. Pressing concerns include a cooled economic climate, widespread population movements and significant military spending by all superpowers.

Titan Thor in the Col 285 Sector IG-O c6-5 system has been reported as destroyed, leaving only two of the eight Thargoid motherships still active.

Aegis has begun a scientific analysis programme to investigate the hulks of all inactive Titans. A spokesperson told the media:

“Xenologists from the Alliance, Empire and Federation are eagerly cooperating to study the Titans’ remains. Military teams are accompanying our research specialists as they seek to improve our understanding of Thargoid biotechnology.”

“We are aware that some independent ships are already scavenging the debris, hoping to locate something of value. Aegis advises extreme caution to all pilots when approaching inactive Titans. The immediate area has been reported to be highly corrosive , and individual Thargoids may have survived deep within their motherships. We cannot discount defence mechanisms still being active, or even attacks from smaller Thargoid vessels.”

*Pilots’ Federation Alert*

Titan Thor is under siege. This is an urgent call to all independent pilots to aid in the complete defeat of the sixth Titan.

The key modules for the assault continue to be readily available at all Rescue Megaships:

• Thargoid Pulse Neutraliser – To break through the maelstrom defence wave.

• Caustic Sink Launchers – To protect your ship from caustic effects of the maelstrom.

• Guardian Nanite Torpedo Pylon – To hamper the Titan’s vents and make it vulnerable to damage.

Rewards have been requisitioned for all Commanders able to participate in ending the Titan threat.

Good luck, Commanders.

*Pilots’ Federation ALERT*

Utopia’s campaign in the Polevnic system has ended, with Pranav Antal announcing that it did not receive the desired quota of goods and samples.

The requested deliveries of several types of commodities and encoded materials arrived at Tanner Settlement starport in the Polevnic system. The Guardians of Harmony, which managed the initiative, is now arranging payment on behalf of Antal for all pilots who took part.

Simguru Pranav Antal transmitted a short message that was broadcast by all newsfeeds:

“These limited materials will be put to good use, so I’d like to thank those pilots who sought to assist our ongoing work for the betterment of all. It would appear Sirius Corporation maintains its shadow over humanity, even as Achilles’ Corporation enjoys a brief moment in the sunlight.”

Li Yong-Rui, CEO of Sirius Corporation, offered a response to claims of exerting pressure on Utopia:

“If Pranav Antal is unable to maintain his carefully protected courier network, which provides vital resources for the Sim Archive, then Sirius Corporation is perfectly capable of fulfilling any requests. Utopia's excellent research could benefit humanity in the present, not just some hypothetical future. My role as a representative of Sirius Corporation’s many shareholders demands that I seek profit and potential in all areas of colonised space. Utopia is no different, and I look forward to discussing more with Pranav in person.”

Participants can now collect their rewards from Tanner Settlement.

*Pilots’ Federation ALERT*

Utopia’s campaign in the Polevnic system has ended, with Pranav Antal offering his thanks to independent pilots.

The requested deliveries of commodities and encoded materials arrived at Tanner Settlement starport in the Polevnic system. The Guardians of Harmony, which managed the initiative, is now arranging payment on behalf of Antal for all pilots who took part.

Simguru Pranav Antal transmitted a celebratory message that was broadcast by all newsfeeds:

“These materials will be put to effective use in several key projects. Our simulation technology, including the Sim Archive, can be properly maintained and calibrated to provide reality-adjacent experiences for our community in search of future technological breakthroughs.”

“Recently, I have come to better appreciate the wisdom of my late father Rishi Antal, who founded Utopia decades ago. Accessing his memories helped me realise the necessity of isolating our commune, in pursuit of our ultimate goal of establishing the Acheron Interface. But, on this occasion, I felt the support of those outside Utopia who believe in the importance of our project. Thank you.”

Li Yong-Rui, CEO of Sirius Corporation, offered a brief comment following claims of exerting pressure on Utopia:

“I am not going to dignify such brash words from Pranav with a public denial. My role as a representative of Sirius Corporation’s many shareholders demands that I seek profit and potential in all areas of colonised space. Utopia is no different, and I look forward to discussing a mutually beneficial arrangement with Pranav personally.”

Participants can now collect their rewards from Tanner Settlement.

*Pilots’ Federation ALERT*

Utopia has asked for encoded materials and commodities in the Polevnic system, as part of an initiative to update its reference library.

Simguru Pranav Antal, leader of the commune, provided this message to all news channels:

“In recent years, Utopia has been inexorably drawn closer to the mundane politics, rivalries and conflicts that beset humanity. I am especially concerned about the increasing risk of our advancements being duplicated, as with the Vitadyne nanomedicines that were stolen from us. Misuse of our other inventions could lead to a shift in power or colossal casualties, something my conscience will not permit.”

“And yet, while Utopia's gaze remains fixed on the horizon of humanity’s potential, the corporations we seek to avoid insist on making their presence felt. External suppliers to our commune have been bought or dissuaded by Li Yong-Rui, who hopes to leverage an exchange agreement between us. Such tactics put the archives of physical data which inform our simulation technology at risk of becoming outdated.”

“I am hesitant to send members of my community to collect samples for our reference libraries and expose them to elements that would take advantage of them. Therefore, I ask members of the galactic community to bring research samples to Polevnic in exchange for an appropriate payment.”

Sirius Corportation have not responded to requests for comment at the time of this article.

Utopia’s initiative is being organised by the Guardians of Harmony faction. Submissions of classified scan databanks, cracked industrial firmware and unexpected emissions data can be delivered to Tanner Settlement starport in the Polevnic system.

A parallel request for animal monitors, auto-fabricators, and micro controllers has also been made, and deliveries of these commodities can also be made at Tanner Settlement.