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.

What is the Shadow Navy?

Within the recesses of the Federation’s special forces community exists a rumor, spoken of in hushed tones and never truly substantiated, of a specialized task force operating on its own authority. Its official designation is unknown, but those who speak of it call it the Shadow Navy. 

The Federation Special Operations Division (FEDSOD) denies all knowledge of the unit, but the Shadow Navy’s existence was revealed during Operation Blossom, in which the group allegedly attempted to wrestle control of Liaedin away from the Empire and return control of the system to the Federation.

Since then, the Shadow Navy has faded from the limelight and out of the minds of many. However, there are those who believe that it not only still exists, but is an active participant in many clandestine and deniable unilateral actions against systems of strategic importance to the Federation.

Commander Driggers

Times of Mars | Interstellar Press

Human Rights Group Decries Emperor Lavigny-Duval's Request

Operation Chainbreaker, a human rights activist group based in Sol, has issued a statement critical of Emperor Arissa Lavigny-Duval’s request for slaves ahead of her coronation.

“Emperor Lavigny-Duval’s request for slaves as ‘gifts’ is a shameful display of hypocrisy,” the statement said. “At this moment, the Empire wages war to end slavery in the Pegasi Sector, while its new ruler seeks to proliferate it by offering incentives and rewards for slave traders who bring their human cargo to Achenar.”

The statement continues with a demand that Emperor Lavigny-Duval free all slaves received during the days leading up to her coronation, and that she take steps to abolish the practice of slavery in the Empire as a whole.

“It is the sincere hope of Operation Chainbreaker, and lovers of freedom and the right to self-determination everywhere, that the new Emperor brings an end to the institution of slavery in the Empire.”

Commander Driggers

Liaedin Chronicle | Interstellar Press

Published in Liaedin and Sol. 

Is Emperor's Dawn Operating in Federation Space?

The Federal Security Service recently addressed growing fears that Emperor’s Dawn may be attempting to flee into Federation systems to escape the Imperial Navy’s ongoing counterinsurgency operations.

“We are cooperating with our counterparts in the IISS, but we cannot say more than that,” an FSS spokesman said, emphasizing that measures were being taken to tighten security in systems near the border with the Empire. “If Emperor’s Dawn is using Federation systems as a staging ground for their operations, we will not stand for it.”

Stratis Information Group analyst Marcus Orrin believes that such a move by Emperor’s Dawn would significantly hinder the Imperial Navy’s efforts. “By forcing the Imperial Navy to coordinate with Federal authorities on future strikes, Emperor’s Dawn would buy itself time to regroup.”

“The Empire would also be in a very precarious political position, as any unilateral actions might be seen by the Federation as a violation of their sovereignty.”

Commander Driggers 

Regulus Observer | Interstellar Press

Tenim Neseva Confirmed as High Commissioner

After months of blocked votes and parliamentary conflict, the Federal Congress has confirmed the appointment of Tenim Neseva to the post of High Commissioner of the Federation Foreign Service.

Congresswoman Lainey Presamaco led an eighteen-hour-long filibuster to delay the confirmation vote, attempting to persuade her Republican counterparts to rethink their position. Republicans remained undeterred and, after overriding the filibuster, pushed Neseva’s appointment through with a straight-line vote.

Congressional majority leader Robert Emersson was pleased with the final outcome, saying “Tenim Neseva has been a diligent steward of the Federation’s foreign affairs for many years now, and I am confident that he will tend to his responsibilities with the tact and discretion befitting the office.”

Neseva will be sworn into office next week, thus assuming the responsibility of determining the Foreign Service’s long-term diplomatic goals and overseeing the operations of hundreds of diplomatic missions across the Federation.

Commander Driggers

Regulus Observer | Interstellar Press

Published in Sol.

Remembering the Eravate Rebellion of 3298

October 5th will mark the third anniversary of the Eravate Rebellion, the bloodiest conflict in the system’s history. 

The two-week-long standoff began when insurgent forces, financed by rival interests to the Eravate Network corporation, seized Ackerman Market and positioned an improvised orbital weapon - a small asteroid - over Chantilly, a city on the surface of Eravate Five. 

The insurgents demanded the resignation of Eravate Network’s Board of Directors and for the Federal Security Service to relinquish control of Cleve Hub and Russell Ring.

Negotiations were conducted, but ultimately failed when the insurgency’s leader, Ramone Osalla, executed the Federal negotiator in cold blood just before giving the order to destroy Chantilly.

A counter-assault on Ackerman Market soon followed, with the Federal Navy successfully driving Osalla’s forces from the station, but at the cost of many innocent lives. 

Memorials will be held throughout the month in remembrance of those lost in the conflict.

Commander Driggers

Regulus Observer | Interstellar Press

Published in Eravate.

Federation Defense Contractor Allegedly Supplying Kumo Crew

Phantom Black, a hacker-activist group, has released documents that allegedly implicates a Federation-aligned, government-subsidized defense contractor in providing material support to the Kumo Crew.

The group released the financial records of Arborgate Logistics, a corporation well-known for its involvement in supplying weapons, vehicles, and other military hardware to various system defense fleets and private security firms.

The records released by Phantom Black show that Arborgate used funds from government subsidies to purchase surplus ships, components, weapons, ammunition and armor without a clear reason given for the purchases. These supplies were later transferred to numerous systems in the Pegasi sector, many of which fall under the direct control of the Kumo Crew.

Requests for comment by the press were ignored by Arborgate, but a spokesperson for the the Federal Security Service has said that they are in the process of conducting an internal investigation into the matter.

Commander Driggers

Regulus Observer | Interstellar Press

Federal Forces Hold the Line at Nurundere

Supporters of President Zachary Hudson declared victory in Nurundere this week, weathering stiff opposition from resistance forces. The system had been the focus of an Empire-backed counteroffensive - codenamed Operation Janus - which failed to prevent Federation loyalists from taking the system.

Citizens of Gubarev Port were observed chanting pro-Hudson slogans & waving Federation flags in the station docking bay, celebrating the return of pilots from the combat zones as hostilities closed.

The victory came hot on the heels of news that Hudson-pledged systems targeted by Operation Janus had also successfully repelled attacks.

“Don’t get cocky,” Jack Kerner, a Federation privateer, said to a group of his fellow pilots, “We won a decisive victory here today, but don’t assume for a split-second that it’s always going to be like this.”

Commander Driggers

Times of Mars | Interstellar Press

Federal Navy Pilots Inspect New Ships

Core Dynamics recently hosted a number of Federal Navy pilots at Navy Central in Eta Cassiopeiae, giving them an opportunity to inspect the company's newest products, the Federal Gunship and Assault Ship, before they are formally deployed.

Pilots were able to try out the ships in purpose-built simulators and take part in a Q&A session with Core Dynamics representatives. Many pilots seemed to be impressed with the vessels and their potential uses.

“The Assault Ship seems like a great balance between speed, manoeuvrability and firepower,” Ensign Isaiah Evanson said. “We’ve been asking for something like this for a long, long time.”

“The Gunship is a tank, for sure. It’s a very adaptable weapons platform. With some smart modifications to suit the pilot’s needs, I’m confident it will be one of the hardiest ships on the market. I’m excited to see what we can do with them.”

Commander Driggers

Jameson Memorial Review | Interstellar Press

Celebrating Utopia

Yesterday Utopia issued invitations to all major Powers inviting commanders to come and join the party at Tanner Settlement in Polevnic. Utopia is celebrating a milestone of pilots pledged and the festivities are set to go on for the next couple of days, to which independent and pledged commanders from all backgrounds are welcome to attend.

Last night over Tanner Settlement, Utopians were joined by a multitude of visitors including Cmdr Mikalus of the Kumo Crew, Cmdr Driggers pledged to Zachary Hudson, Cmdr Stateira “Starcloak” Eleshenar from Denton Patreus, and a wing contingent pledged to Aisling Duval. The celebrations went on long into the night with decorative chaff deployed outside the spaceport entrance and friendly combat contests. An exchange of gifts also took place as Utopian commanders handed out canisters of Utopian publicity and visitors swapped canisters of silver, fish, and even Centauri Mega Gin.

The celebrations were deemed a great success by all involved, with several guests committing to attend future invitations from Utopia and pilots from opposing backgrounds seen to be setting aside their differences and mingling in a friendly manner. All in all it is widely agreed that the festivities are a triumph for Utopia and their goal of one day uniting humanity in peace.

Cmdr Stateira "Starcloak" Eleshenar and Cmdr Driggers

Sentient Life | Interstellar Press

Report Raises Concerns About Operation Davy Jones

Stratis Information Group, an independent think-tank of political, economics, and defense analysts, has published an in-depth study of "Operation Davy Jones".

Apart from statistics regarding the current Imperial deployment, the report raises concerns about the overall purpose of the operation, stating that “the current premise of ridding the Pegasi Sector of the Kumo Crew is a convenient cover for aggressive expansion into Federation-aligned systems by the Empire.”

Stratis analyst Marcus Orrin elaborated on the concerns: “The Imperial Navy has invested a tremendous amount of effort and resources in securing the Pegasi Sector. To think that they would simply withdraw from the region once hostilities come to an end would go against historical precedents.”

"The Empire will likely maintain an occupation force there for some time after, and it’s anyone’s guess as to what will happen when they begin asserting control over the systems they liberated.”

Commander Driggers

Times of Mars | Interstellar Press

Published on GalNet News