Historic Support for Alliance in Lahasim

Five Alliance factions from around the sector have joined forces in Lahasim as the local community rejects other major factions. After months of preparation by the Alliance Elite Diplomatic Corps (AEDC), the Negasta Family concluded its expansion into the system earlier last week, thus becoming its fifth political body pledged to the Alliance. 

In a historic display of support for Alliance ideals, the residents of Beaufoy Ring welcomed their new neighbours with open arms. In the words of a citizen: "Out here on the edge of civilisation we all have to help each other - life's tough. It's been great working with AEDC this past month to bring our new friends to Lahasim. The future looks very green for us!"

According to Victoria Wolf, First Merchantress of Wolf 406 and primary sponsor of the AEDC: "This is the latest milestone in our Fringe Development Programme. Our long term mission is to provide political and logistical support to those systems on the edge of civilisation, to help them prosper."

If Lahasim is anything to go by, support for the Alliance is steadily growing at the edge of the populated bubble. 

CMDRs MdN, Apos and L. “Kulzar” Chamberlain

Allied News Service | Interstellar Press

This has been published in Lave, Alioth, Gateway, Wolf 406 and Lahasim.

White Templars Withdraw from the Pegasi Sector

The White Templar battle fleet retreated without warning last week from the Pegasi system, according to local witnesses.

Some observers believe the White Templars may have reached an agreement with the Kumo Crew. However, a coded transmission was allegedly intercepted earlier this week that could contradict this rumour.

An anonymous source reached out to Interstellar Press:

''The signal has originated from one of the Templar explorers on the Distant Worlds expedition, but my sources within the enclave have gone dark. This transmission used the Grand Master's personal cipher, therefore its destination must have been the Templar enclave at Baal.

Is this a coincidence, the Templar battle fleet jumping away from Kumo systems at the same time as this mysterious transmission? Only the Master Templars seem to know what is happening, and they are being very quiet.''

Commander Pierre916

Capitol Herald | Interstellar Press

This has been a sponsored story for the White Templars.

Diplomatic Summit in Alioth

A Summit for the Alliance of Independent Systems was hosted at Alioth's Irkutsk Station over the past week, attended by ambassadors and diplomatic envoys from a varied array of political backgrounds. Eleven fleets were represented, from both Alliance and independent governments.

In the words of one attache, "I've never seen much need for Feds, Imperial, or Alliance. But they’re looking helpful to the Indies, so I’m glad I made the trek." 

It was a momentous occasion, where contrasting politics found common ground to discuss a framework for a quick response force, deemed necessary to protect all parties from the growing threat of Imperial and Federal expansion. The historic accord was host to a number of different treaties. Noted topics at the summit were faction sovereignty, mutual assurance of self-governance, benefits of increased free-trade, and the importance of communication as a means to maintain civility across a landscape of diverse cultures.

Commander Noir1787

Radio Sidewinder reporter

Alioth Guardian | Interstellar Press

Published on Galnet News. 

Eating Your Words - Clean version

Controversial mega chef Oliver Gordon was humiliated yesterday after losing his battle over the PanGalactic trademark, and must now close his restaurant due to spiraling legal costs.

The case had been raised after Pan Galactic Mining Corp issued a writ demanding he change the name of his restaurant and pay substantial damages for infringing intellectual property.

A corporation spokesman released the following statement:

"Pan Galactic Mining Corp rigorously defends its brand, and are disappointed Chef Gordon did not accept our offer to become Pan Galactic Mining Corps preferred catering partner with a new restaurant name as part of our company portfolio."

With his characteristically short temper, Gordon gave this colourful response:

"I am the galaxies greatest artisan chef and I will not degrade my art for anyone. I'd rather eat a printed hotdog live on Galnet than work for Pan Galactic making sandwiches for business seminars like a lackey."

CMDR Matzov & CMDR Gan

Zaonce Market Circular | Interstellar Press

Published on GalNet News. 

Eating Your Words - Parental Advisory

Controversial mega chef Oliver Gordon was humiliated yesterday after losing his battle over the PanGalactic trademark, and must now close his restaurant due to spiraling legal costs.

The case had been raised after Pan Galactic Mining Corp issued a writ demanding he change the name of his restaurant and pay substantial damages for infringing intellectual property.

A corporation spokesman released the following statement:

"Pan Galactic Mining Corp rigorously defends its brand, and are disappointed Chef Gordon did not accept our offer to become Pan Galactic Mining Corps preferred catering partner with a new restaurant name as part of our company portfolio."

With his characteristically short temper, Gordon gave this colourful response:

"If Pan Galactic think I'm working for them making ████ sandwiches for ████ seminars in some ████ ████ system they can ███ a HIP Proto-Squid. I am the galaxies greatest artisan chef and I will not degrade my art for anyone."

CMDR Matzov & CMDR Gan

Zaonce Market Circular | Interstellar Press

Melt In The Mouth

"It was all going so well," remarked PanGalactic's maitre'd after the first service of space barnacle broth with Deuringas Truffles and Ochoeng Chilli, "until guests started melting".

Earlier that evening chef Oliver Gordon met rapturous applause as celebrities sampled the flamboyant restaurateurs latest creation, but as service finished events took a sinister turn.

"For a minute we thought we had overdone the chilli" said sous chef Cleo Sote, "but after wafer thin mints were served we knew something had gone terribly wrong as guests started dissolving at their tables."

One attending paramedic described the scene as something from a horror sim, quoting: "This is worse than the Cerberus Plague. Victims were literally being mopped from the floor."

Tests later revealed large quantities of barnacle flesh to be highly corrosive when eaten with Deuringas Truffles, the key garnish in the meal.

After facing copyright issues from Pan Galactic Mining Corp, the restaurant remains closed pending investigation by the Galactic Food Standards Agency. Oliver Gordon himself was unavailable for comment.

Commander Gan

Sentient Life Magazine | Interstellar Press

Pegasi Pirate War Protest Movement Gathers Pace

Dissent against the Pegasi Pirate War grew more insistent this week, as pressure group Peace In Pegasi (PIP) staged protests on Imperial worlds.

Since military action began in 3301 Imperial public opinion has shifted on continued intervention against the Kumo Crew. With three new Federal Navy bases opening on the edge of Imperial space at Carpaka, Concantae, and LPM 229, opinion has hardened against what some see as a reckless foreign adventure.

At a rally on Cubeo PIP organiser Ayberk Lorraine criticised the squandering of naval resources spent tackling the Kumo Crew:

“The argument that many billions of Imperial citizens are threatened by Archon Delaine doesn't stand up to scrutiny.” he said, “We have seen vast flows of refugees fleeing the war zone. The number of Imperials under the yoke of the Kumo Crew is now vanishingly small.

“No doubt emboldened by our Navy's complacency at home, the Federation is now posturing at our doorstep! This can no longer be tolerated – We demand an immediate end to the Pegasi Pirate War!”

Responding to protests in his home system of Concantae, leading Patron Alvin Holzmann offered support for the movement:

“President Hudson's expansionism forces me to agree with the sentiment of the crowds; the heart of our Empire could soon be threatened unless serious thought is taken to the disposition of our forces. I will make a statement later this week on the matter.”

It is understood that a Senate committee has been planned to discuss the future of the Pegasi Pirate War.

Commander Edgar Starwalker

Liaedin Chronicle | Interstellar Press

Published in Achenar, Kamadhenu, Cubeo, Eotienses, Synteini, Harma, Nanomam, Baal, Carpaka, Concantae and LPM 229.

Remlok Latest Gen Escape Pods Recalled

Remlok were forced to recall the latest iteration of their popular escape pods when a fault was found with a pod that was recovered from the surface of an airless moon in Santupik. Master Reuben Hampton, captain of the Pretty Ditty, said:

“I was taking my new SRV out for a run across the dunes, see what it can do, when there it was. Funny thing – it wasn’t putting out a comms signal or anything. Looks like the transmitter never deployed. The occupant was trapped for months with no way to call for help. Dreadful.”

A Remlok spokesperson stated:

“We tried to replicate this in our workshops and found that it did occur when the stress conditions were reproduced, in a small number of pods. We take the trust and safety of our customers seriously, so we are issuing a recall in order to fix this issue. Replacement pods are being provided free of charge to all Remlok owners, and be assured the latest build will be repaired and shipped out as soon as possible.”

Cmdr Stateira Eleshenar

Jameson Memorial Review | Interstellar Press

Federal Citizens Seek Answers

News of former President Halsey has swept through the Federal populace with mixed reactions. Whilst many think that nothing will change, a significant proportion across the political spectrum believe that Jasmina Halsey has vital information about the loss of Starship One and should be assigned a Presidential bodyguard detail. Further, some protests have taken place outside the White House on Mars from citizens calling for a re-vote for the presidency. Protestors declared:

“President Hudson may have won the vote in Congress by taking advantage of Halsey’s absence. The constitution demands that on her recovery a re-vote take place.”

White House officials stated:

“The greatest round-the-clock care is being taken of Jasmina Halsey, as directed by the President’s office. Constitutional issues are not the primary concern at this stage, but will be addressed if and when it becomes necessary.”

Cmdr Stateira Eleshenar

Regulus Observer | Interstellar Press

Implications of Emperor’s Latest Appointment

The appointment of Senator Denton Patreus to the post of Admiral of the Fleet by the Emperor last week has been met with a mixture of speculation and criticism from Imperial high society. General Anthony Corvus, who previously disparaged Patreus’ handling of the Emperor’s Dawn campaign, stated:

“This is a clear conflict of interests. The Senator already commands a private fleet. Will he promote his own officers to leading positions in the Imperial Navy now?”

An anonymous palace source responded:

“Corvus is generally known amongst court circles as a sciolist with the mere pretence to wisdom. Even the lowliest serf knows that every Senator is required to submit to the feudal duty they owe to their liege lord at any time when called upon. The Emperor makes all final decisions about top military appointments.”

A few royal commentators have wondered aloud whether the elevation of the Senator denotes an attempt to confer appropriate status for a different manner of elevation, but their remarks have been widely rubbished by supporters of the Emperor who point out that Her Imperial Majesty is in no rush to address the succession.

Cmdr Stateira Eleshenar

Liaedin Chronicle | Interstellar Press