Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Pranav Day

The whole of Utopia was in rapture today as its beloved leader, SimGuru Pranav Antal celebrated his 77th birthday.

In an impromptu simulation, citizens across Utopian space networked to wish their leader a day of happiness and enlightenment as a week-long celebration began.

As citizens filled the streets, workshops , education centres and Enforcer monasteries opened to the public showing the results of Pranav Antals guidance and leadership over the year.

While the revelry continued, the Simguru made a personal pilgrimage to the Antal system where he visited the Sim Archive and the newly established Sukhavati commune. There he relived several childhood memories with his father, Rishi Antal, and reviewed the progress of several projects being conducted in the system.

Although he made no statement, aides to the Simguru claimed 'he was deeply moved by the spontaneous outpouring of happiness, and is evidence the Path we walk is true'.

CMDR Gan
Utopian News Network | Interstellar Press
Published in Antal...

Concerns Of The Populace

An anonymous think piece is going viral amongst the general public, gaining traction due to its forthright views on leading interstellar powers:

“Admiral Yorke’s recent comments are a classic example of what we don’t need, claiming that the people of Neits welcomed the Federation and talking about ‘enemies’. It’s the people who have paid the cost in blood, and will again if he has his way. The new Emperor promised changes would be made but where are they? Even the Alliance has become so embroiled that they can no longer arbitrate. No effort’s been made towards reconciliation or improving the lot of the people all these governments are meant to serve. Look, they’ve all got their pros and cons, but these leaders are so obsessed with petty internal conflicts it’d be a miracle if they actually did anything for the betterment of humanity. They’re practically inviting an outside force to come in and squash us all.”

The piece has met with silence from official sources, but has sparked considerable debate amongst informal public forums.

CMDR Stateira Eleshenar
Liaedin Chronicle | Interstellar Press

Published locally in Sol, Alioth and Achenar.

Common Ground

Senior figures in the Utopian government tonight cautioned against unilateral action as Federal battleships maintained positions over ‘barnacle’ sites in surrounding systems.

“For many weeks Utopian police forces have brought stability to this lawless area, but as Utopia itself faces new tasks and challenges we must call upon the wider galactic community to help shoulder this burden.

"As such, we request that Imperial, Alliance as well as independent forces join the Federal contingent and contribute equally to security in the spirit of co-operation and scientific endeavour.
Humanity as a whole must unlock the mysteries of this galactic enigma and face any and all challenges together, whatever they may be. We must not allow selfish impulses to divide us when so much is at stake.”

CMDR Gan
Utopian News Network | Interstellar Press
Published locally in Maia

The New Network Of Archon Delaine


For a year now the Kumo Crew have been associated with the crime lord of the Pegasi sector. It is well known that this group of criminals supply their special flavour of contraband and 'law enforcement' to any systems that resist Archon. What has also become increasingly clear are the number of other factions now willing to side with Delaine.

As efforts to undercut and repel the advancement of his illegal maneuverings have been rebuffed a surge in the number of corrupt governors, factions and leaders has been noted. Criminals that once watched from the sidelines to see the result of the intense Pirate war feel emboldened and are beginning to form an intricate web of protection and service around the notorious ruler. While legitimate trade routes still exist there has been a boom in the number of reported black markets throughout the last 12 months and many now deem these the 'safer' way to make money.

The growth of this network makes it more challenging for the bounty hunters and investigators of the empire to locate the elusive self styled king and bring him to justice. Never the less, many still vow to do so. The frontier has never been more perilous or rewarding for those who will brave it.

Commander Mikalus
Liaedin Chronicle | Interstellar Press

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Top Archon Commander Missing

Top Archon coordinator Commander McFergus has gone mysteriously missing and Delaine's Kumo Crew have responded with a system by system manhunt. Commander DrGottaLottaLove insists that he "better be sick or dead" for leaving the boss waiting.

Combat levels over the last week have increased as Archon put the whole Pegasi region on red alert. McFergus allegedly knows many of the top military plans that Delaine possesses and any confirmed defection will result in an instant intent to assassinate. Current mission orders are to retrieve any black box information that the Commander has absconded with and return it to Gabriel Enterprise in the Harma system.


Commander Mikalus
The Star Express | Interstellar Press

*****

Note: This has since been retracted due to the return of McFergus who dispelled any rumors of his apparent defection or demise.

The Divide


Violence erupted at Wagner Gateway in Antal last night as scheduled lectures regarding the Utopian development of transhuman technology were interrupted by protestors.

Led by Utopian critic Lev Baudrillard, the group demanded the end to what they regard as ‘Utopias hidden agenda of coercive eugenics and social manipulation by advanced simulation technologies’.
‘The Simguru and his ‘Path’ are nothing more than lies leading to human enslavement’ stated Baudrillard. ‘The Sim Archive, the virtual commune of Sukhavati and the irresponsible experiments conducted at this station endanger the very foundations of human identity.’

Seeking to counter the accusations, Administrator Brandis Fedorov addressed the critics: “It is our duty to responsibly develop these technologies, and guide our species to a better future. Baudrillard wishes only to enshrine human limitations, and hold us back.”

Utopian Enforcers later re-established order, detaining several activists for empathy realignment counseling. Baudrillard himself is thought to have evaded capture.

CMDR Gan
Utopian News Network | Interstellar Press

Published in Antal and Polevnic

Friday, June 17, 2016

Archon Launches Blitz on Gliese 828.4

The citizens of Gliese 828.4 discovered that rumors of Delaine's demise were apparently exaggerated. The crime lord focussed unprecedented power on the system, defeating thousands of security forces and stamping his authority on future proceedings.

Many had anticipated an easier defense due to the quiet of previous weeks but Archon's commanders brought everything from Anacondas to Eagles as they blitzed their opponents. Millions of credits had been offered to commanders who defeated large numbers of the Gliese security forces and the result has been a flurry of ranks and titles handed out to Delaine's followers. One commander described the combat scene as a "turkey shoot."

Newly produced Kumo narcotics have once more found their way into multiple systems beyond their current frontier and citizens have been left wondering if they will be next.

Commander Mikalus
The Privateer | Interstellar Press

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Religion On The Frontier

Religion is seen by some as a leftover from humanity's ancient past. To others it is just as vibrant and unique as it always has been. Indeed, it is argued by many that the same questions at the center of religion are also the questions which have led to the exploration of much of the galaxy. Is there something else out there? Is there more to our life than what we can see? Is there a deeper experience I am missing?

The Federation and the Empire both sanction official religions and put a big red question mark over others that don't fit the traditional mould. Many people seek a freer expression of their beliefs and feel that the current ruling governments of mankind do not allow for this. Their eyes turn naturally to the frontier.

Far from being a place of only anarchy and despotism there are whole colonies of people seeking to follow their faith in the best way they see fit, away from the ever watching eyes of controlling governments. The Faithful Cult of Mannovalo and the Harai Angelic Shrine are just two such religions in a sea of many. Their people have travelled, much as their ancestors before them once did, to find solace in a place that does not quash or persecute. They have travelled to find their god as much as to find themselves. They have travelled to the frontier.

Commander Mikalus
Sentient Life | Interstellar Press

Monday, June 13, 2016

Obruchev Legacy Backed Up

Reports indicate that Obruchev Legacy, in the system of Geawen is experiencing a sudden boom and a backlog of market requests. The increase in goods sold and the subsequent lines of waiting commanders is due to the renewed interest in Geawen Dance Dust, a rare commodity sought after by none other than the notorious crime syndicate Crom Silver Boys.

The crime syndicate hope to re create Wolf Fesh, a popular psychoactive drug that was banned when control of Wolf 1301 was changed. The Geawen station is located over 400,000 light seconds from the system arrival point and unused to such traffic. It's largest dock is for medium sized ships such as the popular Asp and demand has put a strain on the station's capacities.

The Crom Silver Boys believe all of the necessary ingredients should take no longer than the remainder of the week to procure, so station inhabitants are hopeful that all will return to normal before too long. Other systems such as Tarach and Aganippe are also booming under strong demand but are considering a permit approach taken by another illegal drug producing system, Terra Mater.

Commander Mikalus
Privateer | Interstellar Press

Published in Herthe, Terra Mater and Aganippe.

Controversy Over Return of Fesh

The E.X.O. government of Wolf 1301 made headlines six standard months ago when it comprehensively took over the star system and ran the local Syndicate out of business, ending the trade in Wolf fesh. However, the fears of social commentators at the time have now been proven well-founded, as the Crom Silver Boys gang of the Herthe system launch their project to recreate the artificial psychotrope. One anonymous local commentator stated:

“E.X.O. worked real hard to shut the operation down, but as much as the general public here hoped the recipe of Wolf fesh embraced the cold vacuum of space with the Syndicate, chances were it was still out there. The criminal elements of the galaxy will always be interested in producing goods that hook the user – it’s a guaranteed supply of funds, and the more illegal it is, the more they can charge for it.”

A spokesperson for the Crom Silver Boys responded:
“We’re only providing what people want. If not us then someone else. If fesh is illegal in certain jurisdictions, that should be the concern of the traders and the consumers to lobby local government.”

CMDR Stateira Eleshenar
Zaonce Market Circular | Interstellar Press

Published in Wolf 1301 and Herthe.