Concerns Of The Populace

An anonymous think piece is going viral amongst the general public, gaining traction due to its forthright views on leading interstellar powers:

“Admiral Yorke’s recent comments are a classic example of what we don’t need, claiming that the people of Neits welcomed the Federation and talking about ‘enemies’. It’s the people who have paid the cost in blood, and will again if he has his way. The new Emperor promised changes would be made but where are they? Even the Alliance has become so embroiled that they can no longer arbitrate. No effort’s been made towards reconciliation or improving the lot of the people all these governments are meant to serve. Look, they’ve all got their pros and cons, but these leaders are so obsessed with petty internal conflicts it’d be a miracle if they actually did anything for the betterment of humanity. They’re practically inviting an outside force to come in and squash us all.”

The piece has met with silence from official sources, but has sparked considerable debate amongst informal public forums.

CMDR Stateira Eleshenar
Liaedin Chronicle | Interstellar Press

Published locally in Sol, Alioth and Achenar.

Famous Composer Seeks Patron

International superstar and composer Lilit Kassouni today begins a tour of inhabited space to showcase her new work, '400 Billion Stars'. Critics, who had a sneak preview during rehearsals earlier in the week, are already calling the suite a revolutionary blend of ancient Earth forms and modern technology that tells the story of Humanity’s place in the galaxy.

The tour begins at Sol, and will travel to Sirius, Alioth, Antal, and Achenar to close the final performance. It is widely understood that the composer is looking for a patron amongst the great and good of the galaxy, though in a brief press statement Ms. Kassouni focused on her music:

“It’s telling a tale of the Human experience thus far, and what we may encounter in future. Our history is both beautiful and terrible, and there’s a lesson to be learned in that. I hope it will speak to audiences across space, whether you’re living in the Alliance or the Empire.”

Cmdr Stateira 'Starcloak' Eleshenar

Wolf Entertainment Weekly | Interstellar Press

Published in Sol, Alioth, Antal and Achenar.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.