Civilised Justice

An audio interview with one of Archon Delaine’s Kumo Crew, rumoured to be a top lieutenant, is going viral across civilised space. In the recording the anonymous pirate, who identifies himself only by the moniker ‘Blackjack’, reveals why he joined the Kumo Crew.

“Yeah, I was a Lieutenant Commander in the Federal Navy. There was a slave ring operating out of the neighbouring system, someone was coming in and grabbing our people. I was assigned to work with the governor, investigate, and come up with a plan to shut it down. Then the Post Commander tells me to stop digging around, that if I just let it go we can all make some credits. I reported him to the Rear Admiral of the battle group. Turns out he was in on it. Dishonourable discharge, blacklisted from finding honest work; this is how the Federation treats an officer of integrity. This is what they call civilised justice.”

Federal Navy commentators have rubbished the recording as a hoax, but public clamour may prompt an internal investigation.

Cmdr Stateira 'Starcloak' Eleshenar

Regulus Observer | Interstellar Press

Published in Harma, Sol and Achenar.

Large strike force undermines Federation systems

Reports are coming in of a massive attack against the Federation systems on Sunday. This has now been confirmed as the first joint strike by the Aislings Angels and The White Templars. Sources have revealed that 4 squadrons of ships from the two groups attacked Felicia Winters control systems, seven systems under her control have now been heavily undermined in one night. This could be a worrying trend for Winters as the Empire groups look to be working closely together to cut off her income. 

Quote from the Templars 'This is the start of a new and stronger relationship between the Empire groups, this cooperation is for the good of the many, let us breakdown the barriers and all work for a common good.'

A worrying trend for the enemies of the Empire, cooperation of this kind could turn the tide in the many battle fronts of the Empire. 

Commander Pierre916 

Capitol Herald | Interstellar Press

This has been a sponsored story for the White Templars.

Intergalactic Travel Takes a Step Closer

Professor Yvette Kunoth of the widely respected independent institution, the Sapiens Research Centre and Space Agency, today released a brief statement alongside the publication of an extensive paper with 12776 contributing authors, two years after beginning a research programme funded by the SRCSA.

“My team has worked exhaustively, collaborating with leading minds across human inhabited space, and utilising the cutting edge equipment and technology available to us in SRCSA labs, to produce this paper. To summarise our findings in layman’s terms, the results of our investigations thus far indicate that it may be possible to enhance the scope of frame shift technology significantly in the future, with a view to bringing the dream of travel between galactic clusters closer.”

SRCSA officials acknowledged that findings were promising, but noted that future development relies on a massive influx of sustained funding in order to produce tangible technology.

Cmdr Stateira 'Starcloak' Eleshenar

Zandu Science Journal | Interstellar Press

Breaking the Syndicate

Wolf 1301, long under the control of the Wolf 1301 Syndicate, has made serious strides in breaking the power of the drug cartel. The Syndicate, which made a fortune selling Wolf Fesh to black markets across the galaxy, was recently run out of Saunders’ Dive by the up and coming E.X.O. democratic independents.

Fesh is illegal under the new government, and E.X.O. security patrols have bust the drugs trade, beating back the Syndicate to one of the system’s outposts. Several arrests of high-ranking Syndicate members have already been made, and local observers are anticipating an imminent raid on the outpost to break the Syndicate’s power.

The E.X.O. government is hoping that the drugs trade will at last be eliminated, but social commentators are warning that the popularity of fesh may see the recipe for the synthetic psychotrope turn up again once the high profile campaign has ended.

Cmdr Stateira 'Starcloak' Eleshenar

Q1 Eridani Dispatch | Interstellar Press

Published in Wolf 1301.

The White Templars come out of the dark

The White Templars have decided to come out of the shadows. Their leader, the Grand Master Templar has decided to openly show the strength and compassion of the Templars to the universe. They have set up a home on the border of A. Lavigny-Duval to share their immense knowledge and skills with pilots who will uses them for good and to assist any who wish to learn the ways of the Templar Knight.

  

Already the name of this order has been resounding through space as they successfully opposed the pirate Lord Archon Delaine for many months. These Knight are committed to providing help to those that need it, but they are also known for not backing down when faced with anyone trying to take advantage of others. If you see these white ships there is nothing to fear, unless of course you are a pirate.

Commander Pierre916 

Capitol Herald | Interstellar Press

This has been a sponsored story for the White Templars.

Quarantine and Corruption

Charges of corruption were today pressed against Martin Sanders, senior vice president of the Witchhaul Corporation, as evidence of bribery and false claims has emerged.

Reports indicate that Mr. Sanders used company funds to make several significant donations to agricultural health and hygiene monitors, in return for which over twenty Kobe Beef ranches on the southern continent were placed under quarantine orders.

In response to the health scare, the Witchhaul Corporation then placated the market by announcing that it would be placing larger orders from northern ranches, to fill any shortfalls in distribution and maintain the galactic supply. New links have been discovered showing that Mr. Sanders had previously made significant investments in the ranches which benefitted from the crisis.

CEO Ava Ngobeni made a brief statement expressing her shock at Mr Sanders’ illicit activities, and said that the board of directors would meet to discuss an internal review as a matter of urgency.

Cmdr Stateira 'Starcloak' Eleshenar

Regulus Observer | Interstellar Press

Resettlement Aid from Pranav Antal

Given the recent increase in tensions between the Empire and Federation and the continuing Pegasi Sector War, resettlement authorities in Munshin have been reaching out to anyone interested in providing war refugees a home beyond the Empire's borders. One promising location is the recent Utopian acquisition, HIP 118213.

Aasha Singh, coordinator of relief efforts for Libertas Co-operative, praised the Utopian initiative, "They were here for us two months ago providing medicines and they are here for us now by providing a new home to those in need."

Some refugees are becoming Imperial citizens, a promised option from the now Emperor Arissa Lavingy-Duval. However, many thousands have started boarding transports headed for Antal systems to seek a life outside the centuries old binary conflict between the Empire and Federation.

CMDR Quade
Sentient Life Magazine | Interstellar Press

Published in Munshin and HIP 118213.

In Harmonia Progressio

After being displaced by the Pegasi War, fleeing Mushin refugees have finally begun settling in the Utopian commune of HIP 118213, aided by the local Guardians of Harmony movement.

In emotional scenes, the head of the Utopian relief effort Adjudicator Adric Claavis welcomed the settlers as the first transports docked at Lorenz Hub.

“It is with great pride we offer these unfortunate people a chance to begin again, to put behind them the horror and misery of the Pegasi War. However, I am concerned as Imperial forces launch Operation Hades against Federal targets and the Pegasi conflict becoming ever more protracted, this refugee crisis threatens to spiral out of control. Utopia and the wider galactic community must do more to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe and prepare for mass migration as we enter a new period of political uncertainty.”

Commander Gan

Sentient Life Magazine | Interstellar Press

What's Going On Out There?

A small expedition to Sagittarius A* recently returned to civilized space with a startling tale.

“Something’s not right out there,” said Kyle Klasky, the expedition’s leader. He explained that his group had encountered several incidents during their trip that could not be easily explained away.

“We’ve all seen shipwrecks on our journeys,” he said, visibly concerned. “But we were finding them quite frequently on this trip. Not just single ships either, but several at a time. I suppose it could be pirates, but I find that difficult to believe.”

“We also noticed high-energy wake signatures near black holes on more than one occasion. Maybe they were from other explorers, but how many times does it have to happen before it stops being a coincidence?”

Critics are dismissing the testimony as being ridiculous exaggerations, but Klasky insists on its veracity, saying “Look, if you don’t believe me, go out there and see for yourself!”

Commander Driggers

Sagittarius A* Messenger | Interstellar Press

Published in Sagittarius A* and Quince.

Archon Delane Holds Firm Grip on Pegasi Sector

With the end of the most recent week in powerplay and the turmoil of systems in both Utopia and the Empire, it has become apparent that only Archon Delaine and the Kumo Crew have had the stability to avoid open rebellion.

With fear mounting amongst the rest of the galaxy that the Kumo Crew’s reach might expand even further, it is uncertain how the rest of the galactic superpowers will react to this news.

We reached out to one of our confidential sources within the Crew and asked them to relay their thoughts on the news. That member had only this to say:

“What Archon Delaine takes, he keeps.”

An official statement from the Empire has yet to be made in regard to their progress in the Pegasi Pirate War, but this is surely a chilling reminder of the strength of the Kumo Crew.

Commander Maxwell Stokes

The Privateer | Interstellar Press

Libertas Co-operative seeks to close Munshin Black Market

Galleria Huneric, Community Organizer of Libertas Co-operative, issued a terse statement today from Co-operative offices aboard Orcinox's Orbiter regarding the presence of Black Markets in the Munshin system.

"As the duly appointed stewards of the Munshin system, The Libertas Co-operative seeks to carefully coordinate among all stakeholders for everyone's mutual benefit. I am saddened, therefore, by the actions of Munshin Allied PLC, our longtime partners. For weeks, negotiations have failed to bring about a satisfactory resolution to the issue of Black Markets functioning aboard our sister station, Sterney's Refuge. Munshin Allied PLC, victims of greed and avarice, have blatantly disregarded law and decency for a measly few credits. I am directing system security forces to interdict and capture any Allied PLC vessels."

Local reports indicate that all relations between Munshin Allied PLC and The Libertas Co-operative are officially closed. Allied PLC representatives have no comment for the press save that they will defend themselves with deadly force.

CMDR Quade

The Privateer | Interstellar Press

Published in Munshin.

Scientific progress is not earned through war

The interstellar STEM community has expressed their concern over Zachary Hudson's decision of engaging in preparations towards the annexing of Kaushpoos, the system selected for the construction of the Ocellus Exploration Station which will act as a beacon for explorers in the Pleiades Nebula.

The head engineer in charge of construction stated that Mr. Hudson has to respect the Universal Cartographic's decision to entrust this project to the engineers of the Alliance and that any hostilities towards the system will not only earn him no glory, but can only hinder the progress of this goal and mankind in general.

CMDR Apos

Galactic Science Weekly | Interstellar Press