Above and Beyond the Call of Duty

Since the calls put out over ten months ago by leading interstellar figures for independent pilots to pledge their ships and their service, the response from commanders has been overwhelming. Many have been pledged from the day recruitment offices opened, and their efforts have been invaluable in supporting their chosen leaders. 

Some have chosen to serve in one particular field, tirelessly hauling the supplies that keep outlier systems connected to headquarters, whilst others have seen tours of duty along domain borders that have lasted for months. Rumours abound also that covert and unidentified strike teams cross over the borders, risking danger time and again to disrupt enemy efforts. One anonymous pilot stated:

“I’ve racked up thousands of hours since I took my pledge of allegiance. There’s been some exhausting weeks, it’s true. But it’s all worth it if I can make a difference.”

CMDR Stateira Eleshenar

Jameson Memorial Review | Interstellar Press

Published in the following systems: Gateway, Rhea, Harma, Polevnic, Kamadhenu, Nanomam, Eotienses, Lembava, Cubeo and Synteini

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.

Shadows of the Wicked

After chaotic scenes last week in LTT 874, citizens have begun to return home as the threat of Kumo expansion recedes in the system.

The sense of relief was short lived however when several mutilated bodies were discovered in abandoned consignments of crop harvesters aboard Parkinson Orbital, all belonging to LTT 874 Empire Party officials. Each corpse had been branded with a sinister message:

"Who will be next?"

Speaking anonymously, a representative of the LTT 874 Empire Party spoke of her terror as fear gripped an already traumatised population:

"We thought the Kumo had gone, but after finding these bodies people are afraid again. Every shadow reminds us that we are no longer safe- may the Emperor protect us."

Commander Gan

The Privateer | Interstellar Press

Published in Harma, Achenar and LTT 874.

Federal System Burns, Governor Killed

Governor Neil Chong, of the Social VVO 19 for Equality party, has been confirmed as amongst the dead in what has been described as a brutal attack on Meade Port by forces suspected to be with Archon Delaine’s Kumo Crew.

Witnesses described how a Federal Corvette, flying the colours of Captain Oliver Jackson, arrived at Meade Port to collect a ransom of the governor’s children. The following day Governor Chong’s office released a statement that Captain Jackson had been brought to trial on charges of piracy, kidnapping, and murder. The trial was brought to an abrupt halt by the arrival of three heavily armed Anacondas followed by power failures across Meade Port, during which the prisoner absconded and 55 were killed in the fighting that ensued. A new viral recording was released shortly afterwards which appears to confirm the identity of Kumo lieutenant ‘Blackjack’:

“Chong was traitorous scum! I thought there was still a chance for reconciliation with the Federation, with an old Navy buddy as envoy. Turns out he was the one betrayed me all those years ago. My wife figured it out and he shot her dead! Let VVO 19 burn. Let them all burn!”

Cmdr Stateira 'Starcloak' Eleshenar
Regulus Observer | Interstellar Press

Published in Harma, Sol, Achenar and VVO 19.

The Devil At Your Door

Citizens across the Empire were in panic today as reports emerged of Kumo infiltration in the wealthy system of LTT 874, a place only 15ly from Achenar and Capitol.

The Kumo Crews advance into the system began violently aboard Parkinson Orbital when the body of a missing LTT 874 Empire Party official was dumped from a passing transport clutching a blood stained note:

“The Imperial Senate foolishly began the war with the Kumo. Now we return the favour, and bring the Pegasi War to the very doorstep of the Empire, to the gates of Achenar itself. There is no place left to hide, for we are everywhere. Surrender and live, oppose us and die.”

Despite pleas for calm and unity, wealthy families have been reported secretly moving finances away from the system as dread grips the heart of the Empire. Terrified citizens in LTT 874 have taken to the streets to plead for help, but so far the ruling LTT 874 Empire Party and other Imperial channels have remained silent.

Attention now falls on senior Imperial figures, and the difficult task of fighting their elusive foe in the one place that was once thought safe.

CMDR Gan

The Privateer | Interstellar Press

Published in Achenar, LTT 874 and Kamadhenu.

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.

Imperial Raid in Kumo Crew Home System

The rumour of an organized aggression against commanders in Harma have been independently confirmed by spokespersons for the “Kumo Crew” and the Imperial-aligned “Order of the White Templars”. While the specifics diverge, it is now certain that a major altercation took place in Archon Delaine’s home system.

According to a commander recognized as the “Voice of The White Templars”, this attack dubbed “Operation Typhoon” was put into effect late Sunday evening. This long-range mission, composed by four wings of “Templars” and pilots aligned with various Imperial powers, aimed to destroy any commander pledged to Archon Delaine found in the system. The group says to have destroyed 21 ships, at the cost of only 7 of their own, thus claiming victory.

While the Kumo Crew confirmed that a large battle took place in the space lanes of Harma, they also claimed victory in the fight against what they identified as supporters of Denton Patreus and Arissa Lavigny-Duval. According to a spokesperson, Kumo affiliated pilots quickly responded to the attack and scattered or shot down at least three Imperial wings.

The attack on Harma marks another escalation in hostilities between the Kumo Crew and the Imperial powers in the war for the Pegasi sector.

Commanders Predicted Cy and Pierre916

Liaedin Chronicle | Interstellar Press