Nagi Addresses ISA Condemnation of HIP 23926

Conflict was sparked this week, as the influential Nagi Empire Pact commenced military operations against mining conglomerate HIP 23926 Limited, under the auspices of the Imperial Slaver Association (ISA).

The corporation is accused of serious contraventions of ISA regulations, after an inspection revealed systematic mistreatment of Imperial Slaves at local markets. Nagi's Empire Pact has been vocal in criticising the unsanitary and overcrowded conditions reported. Observers had been expecting intervention from the Pact, itself a strong supporter of the Emperor's Shield of Justice and anti-corruption campaigns.

Agents from the Chapterhouse of Inquisition are providing support to the Pact in enforcing ISA regulations.

Asked why the Chapterhouse was getting involved in ISA matters, Inquisitor Commander Lord Rog explained, “We always stand ready to ensure imperial traditions are upheld."

“Nagi Empire Pact shares this noble aim and so deserves our support. Emperor Arissa has a vision for the Empire, good treatment of our slaves is part of that,” he finished “We will endeavour to make her vision become a reality.”

Commander Edgar Starwalker
Capitol Herald | Interstellar Press

Published in HIP 23926, Nagi and Kamadhenu.

Chapterhouse Restores Order to Nemgla

Months of political upheaval in the Nemgla system came to an end this week as Kamadhenu's Chapterhouse of Inquisition made the difficult decision to impose direct rule upon the struggling mining colony.

Visitors and workers alike had been alarmed by outbreaks of violence ever since rival corporations had arrived to engage in a turf war for control of Nemgla's mineral wealth.

Original rulers Integrated Nemgla had requested assistance from Kamadhenu following the loss of their Norman Point mining facilities to Sauraratec Industries; Inquisition operatives were sent from the Chapterhouse to mediate a peaceful resolution.

It is understood that before talks could begin a second corporation, Arapa Crimson Advanced, unexpectedly seized control of chief starport Maine's Inheritance, deposing Integrated Nemgla as system authority. There are conflicting reports immediately after this point, but what can be determined is that Integrated Nemgla's governing council was assassinated by unknown assailants, and that the system then suffered an almost complete breakdown in order and security lasting up until this week.

Eyewitnesses have reported Chapterhouse and Arapa Crimson Advanced armed forces clashing at key locations in recent days. From Shajn Market in Kamadhenu a spokesperson for the Chapterhouse of Inquisition confirmed that they had now taken control of the Nemgla system:
“Events in Nemgla up until yesterday were clearly spiralling out of control. The reported fate of Integrated Nemgla's leadership is a tragedy, and we grieve together with the people of Maine's Inheritance,” she continued, “We commend the actions of our Inquisitors who were coincidentally so well placed to intervene at the critical time, protecting innocent civilian lives from any further harm,”
“Although it has been a difficult decision to make, the Chapterhouse of Inquisition will now strive to govern the people of Nemgla responsibly in the absence of their former leaders.”


CMDR Edgar Starwalker
Capitol Herald | Interstellar Press

Published in Nemgla and Kamadhenu.

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.

Nagi Rejoins Empire

Last night militia forces loyal to Empire Pact boarded Bolkow City, industrial and political centre of Nagi.

Governance in the system, long-standing member of the Empire and home to millions of imperial clients, recently fell to hostile takeover by independent Nagi Corporation.

Inquisitors of the Chapterhouse, Noxa, Edgar Starwalker, and Jubei Himura, from nearby Kamadhenu, led ships into battle above the rings of remote Nagi ABC 2 – drawing away corporate security forces.

Eyewitnesses claim Empire Pact faced little resistance from station defenders, with System Authority command codes secured within minutes of their arrival.

Chapterhouse of Inquisition spokesperson Selune d'Amenta confirmed the group's involvement:

“With our help Nagi has returned to the imperial fold. Citizens can rest assured that other fallen systems can expect similar intervention very soon, as part of our Tour of Duty initiative.”

Events in Nagi contrast with reported problems in Facece, where Chancellor Anders Blaine has been struggling for months to regain control from a local independent faction.

Commander Pentwyn Sudonnan

Capitol Herald | Interstellar Press

Written by CMDR Edgar Starwalker under a pen name.

Published in Nagi, Kamadhenu, Achenar and Nemgla.

Updated - Changing Face of Senate could Threaten Emperor's Progress

The Eridani Dispatch editorial team is sorry to confirm that this report was based on unsubstantiated rumors and accusations. While corporate interests in the Empire may be on the rise, there is no indication that the patronage networks of established Senators in the Imperial Senate are under their influence. Furthermore, the spokesperson for the Chapterhouse of Inquisition, Selune d'Amenta, claims that she was entirely misquoted. For these reasons, the editorial team of the Eridani Dispatch officially retracts support of the story but will leave it available for review in a show of transparency for its readers.

Findings published by advocacy group Chapterhouse of Inquisition point to increased corporate influence in the Senate.

The coronation of Arissa Lavigny-Duval had commentators predicting resurgence for patronage governments in political centres throughout the Empire, driven by the new emperor's lauded traditionalism.

Chapterhouse's report paints a different picture, highlighting Nyalayan, Vish, and Ocairi, examples of key systems that formerly sent Senators from among their patrons to Achenar, but in recent weeks have seen their governments restructured - and new Senators sponsored by corporations instead.

Selune Saunders, a spokesperson for the Chapterhouse HQ in Kamadhenu, explained the report's implications, “The changing make-up of the Senate means the Emperor will face serious hurdles passing her legislation.

“Measures seen to unduly favour the Empire's various Pacts, Societies, & Leagues – widely supportive of the Emperor - will be robustly challenged; as will measures that risk curtailing freedoms of the corporate sphere.”

Saunders refused to take questions on social media rumours that Federation mercenaries covertly support certain corporations in the Empire; independent newsfeeds link the changes in the Senate with recent slow-downs in Arissa Lavigny-Duval's anti-corruption projects.

Cmdr Edgar Starwalker

Q1 Eridani Dispatch | Interstellar Press

Senate Report Reveals Patronage Gains

A Senate report tracking political trends shows marked swings towards patronage governments throughout Empire space.

The systems of Vodyanes & HIP 20524 highlight the report's key finding – corporations and dictatorships are being swept away by imperial assemblies and societies - replacing boardroom decisionmaking and the diktat of juntas with codes of obligation and mutual respect.

Why many citizens are returning to patron-client relationships is unclear, although the report offers some possible explanations: traditionalism may offer comfort following Hengist Duval's assassination, or escape from anxieties brought on by the Pegasi Pirate War.

Somewhat outlandishly, the report suggests that organised groups of pilots may be responsible for covertly supporting some governments on behalf of certain unnamed powerful individuals.

When approached, a spokesperson for the Chapterhouse of Inquisition, an advocacy group for patrons and feudal lords based in Kamadhenu, was keen to point out the virtues of traditional governance, but declined to comment on the particulars of the Senate report.

Commander Edgar Starwalker

Capitol Herald | Interstellar Press

XYZ Fight Club : Athena Hosts Tournament

The popular tournament took place again this weekend. Our reporters were ringside for the spectacle. Pilots descended on Athena, pitting dog-fighting skills against one another in Light and Medium ships.

Criminals targeting participant Commander Angel Rose marred the start, & forced an evacuation of Darboux Orbital; Commanders Rhea & Lynk1973 ensured that contingency arenas allowed combatants & spectators to avoid further harassment.

Commanders Bodmans, Danten, and Old Sauveur dominated play for the Light rounds – fast paced jousting with no shortage of collisions; Commanders DJTruthsayer, Estelath, Ace Rimzy, and Jankster showed solid performances but were knocked out.

The Light semi-finals saw Bodmans - recent champion of the Sol Grand Prix – facing off Commander Rainy Day in close-quarters knife-fighting: Rainy Day spent chaff and shield-cells before Bodmans delivered the deathblow - a barrage of missile-fire – delighting the audience.

Medium-class continued into the night, with Couriers, Vipers, and Diamondback Scouts; Commander Synaptic made notable use of DBS-stealth capabilities to evade missile-fire, but eventually succumbed to attacks.

Angel Rose's Viper took on Commander Louise of Darkwater's Courier. Audiences streaming the event live cheered the Commander from Slough Orbital – but it was not enough to protect from rail-fire – a victorious Louise of Darkwater moved onto later rounds.

Showing impressive skill in the marathon tournament, the very same pair of combatants managed to reach Finals for both classes: Bodmans and Old Sauveur first exchanged fire in Eagles; Old Sauveur proving victorious in the fast-paced battle, use of shield-cells well timed.

Head-to-head to decide the Mediums in Couriers, Bodmans eventually claimed victory at the end of a protracted defensive battle.

Commander Edgar Starwalker
Lomas Racing News | Interstellar Press

Interstellar Press Announces New Acquisitions

Interstellar Press, arguably the galaxy’s fastest-growing publishing conglomerate, has disclosed details on its latest round of acquisitions.

Speaking at a press conference on New Caledonia in Alkaid, an I.P. spokesperson outlined takeovers that add to the multimedia juggernaut’s portfolio.

I.P. now holds controlling stakes in news distribution channels throughout space. Included on the list are stalwarts of news from all major superpowers – the Federation’s Times of Mars, the Empire’s Capitol Herald, the Alliance’s Alioth Guardian - and a plethora of other entities associated with special interests groups - including this very publication.

Despite strong assurances that the independence of subsidiaries is to be respected, news of Interstellar Press’s sudden expansion unsettled some observers. Speaking at the University of He Bo, acclaimed sociologist Dr Jean Minns explained, “Such a concentration of media ownership isn't necessarily a good thing for galactic journalism,” she continued, “It remains to be seen if I.P.’s Board can be trusted to manage news outlets at arm’s length, giving them the freedom they and their readers deserve.”

Others welcomed the announcement, “I get frustrated accessing news over GalNet in my ship – reading stories from inhabited space is a lifeline to me, but standards seem to vary between outlets hosted over the service.” said one deep-space explorer, “Maybe I.P. will hold editors to higher standards? Perhaps I’ve been out exploring for too long, but poor grammar really bothers me.”

In a separate statement Interstellar Press announced a number of openings for freelance contributors – interested parties are encouraged to contact the Interstellar Press Office for assignments.

Commander Edgar Starwalker

Zaonce Market Circular | Interstellar Press 3301