Black-Bart

Ackerman Market in Eravate is just one of the stations affected by the plague. Before it was shut down it was a popular rest stop for Commanders embarking on new careers in space. Just a few days ago its commodities market reopened, and a huge demand for meta-alloys has been reported.
Responding to this, an alliance comprising Commanders Kermit Laphroaig, ThatDamnRanga, Ollobrains, Zenith Ddraiglas and others has formed, which hopes to saturate the market at Ackerman with meta-alloys so the starport can be restored to working order.
A joint statement reads:
“Everyone wants Ackerman online, so we’re putting aside our differences to make it happen. We hope Commanders of all allegiances will join us in this collaborative effort, which starts immediately and will run until the station is operational again.”
Commander Lord ZoltanUpdate from Galnet News

The campaign from the Canonn Interstellar Research Group to establish a new research outpost in the Col 285 Sector IX-T d3-43 system has been enthusiastically received by the galactic community. Hundreds of pilots supported the initiative by delivering palladium to Thompson Dock, prompting a spokesperson for the Canonn to release a brief statement:
“We are immensely grateful to those who supported this campaign. With more Unknown Artefacts being discovered every day, it is more important than ever that we have access to a dedicated research outpost. Hopefully, the new station will become one of the galaxy’s foremost centres for UA research.”Update from Galnet News

The Beta Hydri Corporation has announced that the Federal campaign to construct a new Farragut Battle Cruiser is now complete. According to a company spokesperson, the galactic community responded positively to the appeal, resulting in the rapid construction of the new Federal vessel. Captain G.C. Richards, who oversaw the project, released a brief statement to the media:
“The Federation extends its gratitude to all those who supported this initiative. Your hard work has given the Federal Navy a potent new asset.”
Captain Richards went on to single out a pilot by the name of Commander Khemsa, who made the largest single contribution to the initiative. President Hudson has even extended the honour of naming the new ship to Commander Khemsa in recognition of their singular contribution.
The new ship is expected to embark on its inaugural voyage soon.Update from Galnet News

This report presents the latest data on democratic activity among the galaxy’s minor factions.
Here are the latest factions to hold elections:
STF 1774 Central Ltd
Antai Energy Group
Karadjari Creative Holdings
Chih Zhua Imperial Society
BD+04 4988 Bridge Co
Bureau of Njambalba
Ba Bhuti Allied Company
Eta Draconis Gold Vision Co
Aeolus Collective
Partnership of LHS 417
Elections occur when two minor factions with a similar political structure resolve a conflict over ownership and influence within a system.Update from Galnet News

The first season of the Galactic Combat Championship has come to a spectacular finish. Competitors in the five-week tournament included Adle’s Armada, Blood Brothers from Alrai, Ronin of Amarak, Triadius, Contrail, and the Balkan Intergalactic Guerrillas.
Fifteen matches of three rounds were fought every weekend for five weeks, concluding with a spectacular eight vs. eight, winner-take-all match in front of a live audience. Despite many exciting moments, near wins and losses there could be only victor, and that victor was Adle’s Armada.
The Armada was a favourite going into the tournament, but few expected them to win every match. The leaders of Adle’s Armada gave praise to their competitors: Commanders Poaarctica, Breakfastmelon, Philip J Fry, Truesilver, Finegan, Memoocan, Thatdamnranga and Cosmic Booty.
The second season of the championship is due to start soon, and will is likely feature more groups and match modifiers than the first. Fans of the tournament are already placing bets on the season two winner.
Commander S!LKUpdate from Galnet News

Following the extraordinary rescue of former Federal president Jasmina Halsey, whose escape pod was recovered from the wreckage of Starship One, questions have been asked about her possible return to power. According to an anonymous source within the Federal government, several senior-level politicians have voiced the opinion that, should she make a full recovery, Halsey ought to be allowed to serve out the remainder of her term.
Simon Newell, a legal advisor to the Federal government, spoke to the Federal Times earlier today.
“There’s no direct precedent for this situation, so it’s hard to be certain. I know some members of government believe Halsey should be reinstated, but my feeling is that such an outcome is unlikely. When Halsey disappeared she was already facing a vote of no confidence, and her presidency was officially terminated so a new president could be elected. My suspicion is that if there were a legal challenge, the law would uphold the vote of no confidence recorded at the time.”Update from Galnet News

When Professor Ishmael Palin and his team disappeared en route to Maia b1ba, research into meta-alloys was brought to a near standstill, with only the Canonn Interstellar Research Group continuing to investigate the mysterious material. But recent reports indicate that research has continued in Professor Palin’s absence under the helm of Lea Tantaga, a molecular chemist based at Obsidian Orbital.
“We’ve known for a while that the ongoing technical issues are the result of molecular interference from the Unknown Artefacts,” said Tantaga. “What we now know is that meta-alloys can be used to neutralise this interference. In their raw form, the meta-alloys aren’t all that effective. And the process of using them to create materials that can counter the artefacts’ dangerous self-repair mechanism hasn’t yet been perfected. But we’re definitely on the right path.”
In response to this development, authorities at starports affected by the technological plague have opened their markets to the sale of meta-alloys, no doubt hoping to receive further quantities of the much-needed material and return their outposts to normality. But the harvesting of meta-alloys continues to prove controversial, with some opining that the so-called ‘barnacles’ from which the materials are derived – and which are destroyed in the harvesting process – should be protected.Update from Galnet News

Various media outlets throughout inhabited space received an anonymous communiqué this morning. “The galactic community is in peril,” the message began. “They just don’t know it yet.”
The transmission asserts a connection between Core Dynamics, the destruction of the Antares and Starship One, the Emperor’s Dawn insurgency, and setbacks in Unknown Artefact research. It also claims that the deaths of Federal Vice-President Nigel Smeaton, Sean Richards, Arnold Lowe, Susan Monroe, Elaine Boyd, Emperor Hengist Duval and the disappearances of former Federal president Jasmina Halsey and Professor Ishmael Palin are similarly connected.
The message concluded: “Many of those who have tried to connect these seemingly disparate events have been silenced, along with their sources. That is why I have chosen to remain anonymous. So far, only pawns have been revealed in this shadowy game. We must discover the king.”
Neither the Federation nor the Empire has chosen to comment on the transmission.
Commander CorrigendumUpdate from Galnet News

With less than a week until the Spring Break race, the Buckyball Racing Club is running a short ‘Midweek Madness’ event to get racers warmed up.
‘Buckey Ball Raleigh’ is a fuel-restricted race from Buckey Ring in NLTT 57216, via Ball Dock in CD-37 641, to Raleigh Orbital in Ross 720. The race is open to all but will run for just three days, from the 15th to the 17th March 3302.
Commander furrycatUpdate from Galnet News

It has now been over a week since Professor Ishmael Palin and his research team were rescued from a criminal syndicate known as the Blue Hand Gang. Since then, there has been considerable speculation about who might be responsible for the abduction. Although the Blue Hand Gang has been known to trade in human cargo, to date it has not been connected to any kidnapping operations. It is therefore assumed that the gang merely purchased Professor Palin and his colleagues from those responsible for the abduction.
With Professor Palin now having made a full recovery, he released a statement concerning the nature of his ordeal:
“To describe the experience as traumatic would be an understatement. One moment our ship was cruising through space, the next, all hell was breaking loose. A klaxon sounded and our vessel banked sharply. Then I heard an explosion and peered out of the viewport just in time to see our escort ships disappear in a ball of flame. It was immediately clear to me that our assailants were no mere pirates. I felt our ship slow and then stop as it was drawn into the belly of our attackers’ vessel. Then the hull was carved open and a handful of black-clad figures poured in. I was unconscious within moments.”
“I woke in a darkened room, strapped to a chair. They interrogated me for days, although it was only later that I was able to establish how much time had passed, as it was impossible to keep track of days in my windowless cell. My interrogators were careful never to show me their faces, but I remember the nature of the interrogation clearly enough. Why was I researching the Unknown Artefacts? Who had I shared the information with? I explained that most of what I knew was already a matter of public record, but that did not satisfy them. They were convinced I was withholding something.”
“I soon realised my abductors intended to kill me. Presently I was given an injection, and I felt darkness descend. I assumed I had been poisoned, but I now realise I had simply been given a sedative. The next thing I knew, I was lying in a bed in the medial wing at Wilkes Orbital.”
Professor Palin was asked if he had any theories about who his abductors might be.
“I do not know the name of their organisation, but I know what they represent: control, oppression, and the obviation of civil liberties. Such organisations have existed for millennia – the banner under which they march is immaterial.”Update from Galnet News