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.

Stranded Pilot Rescued by Survey Team

A stranded pilot was rescued today after a Universal Cartographics survey team arrived in the unexplored star system, some 1000 ly from Sol. The captain of the SS Amundsen stated in a transmission sent back to inhabited space:

“We picked up a short-range distress signal from the third planet, a metal-rich world with close to 1g but an unbreathable atmosphere. The pilot is suffering from malnutrition and psychological trauma but is otherwise unharmed. We are treating him in our medbay and are confident of a full physical recovery. I can confirm that we still intend to complete our four week survey mission before returning with our data.”

Lindelani Mduduzi was stranded on the planet over three years ago when his craft’s frame shift drive was irreparably damaged after a close encounter with the system’s binary stars, apparently after having set out without filing a flight plan with any authorities. He commented:

“I took my eye off the ball and it cost me. I’m just glad I’ll be back in the Federation soon. Is Halsey still running the show?”

The Pilot’s Federation recommends that all explorers file a flight plan with the appropriate authorities before embarking on expeditions.

Cmdr Stateira "Starcloak" Eleshenar
Sagittarius A* Messenger | Interstellar Press

Published in Shinrarta Dezhra, Nanomam, and Rhea.

The Labyrinth of Bureaucracy

As the Federal Congress reconvenes following a brief holiday interval to mark the start of a new standard calendar year, Liberal representatives are preparing for the reading of a new bill submitted by Congressman César Neves. The bill outlines a proposal to make the Federal system of government more accountable, by requiring representatives to declare any donations they have accepted from a corporate sponsor. Former Congresswoman Ailana Middlebrooks made the following statement on premier Federal politics show HARDTalk:

“Well the system is a joke and has been for decades. A Federal citizen cannot simply bring an issue to their representative to act on. Some bills backed by petitions from significant numbers of the populace are shelved simply because certain members of Congress refuse to vote without a generous incentive – usually only the corporations and the mega rich can afford to sweeten the deal. And what’s going on stays behind closed doors – the Federal public has no idea whether their Congressperson is honest or taking bribes just to do their job.”

The Liberal party will be hoping to crack the whip to their own members and find partial support amongst the Republicans, although whether they gain the support they need remains to be seen.

Cmdr Stateira 'Starcloak' Eleshenar

Regulus Observer | Interstellar Press

Published in Sol, Nanomam and Rhea.