Black-Bart

The Voice of Varati recently interviewed the lead researcher at the Canonn Interstellar Research Group, Commander RedWizzard:
“We know that the UA’s Morse-transmission behaviour is evolving. It’s almost as if somebody is pushing buttons to trigger different behaviours. It’s very strange.
“We’ve also observed that they’re spreading at an alarming rate over a huge volume of space. We learned a while ago that UAs seem to align themselves towards Merope in the Pleiades, and there is evidence that the systems containing UAs form a ‘shell’ around Merope at distances between 135 and 150 light years. Current estimates place the potential number of UAs in this region at thousands – possibly even tens of thousands.”
“This undeniable explosion in numbers is worrying, and we don’t yet know its significance. But rest assured that we’re working hard, and we hope to have some conclusions soon.”
RedWizzard also commented on the return of Professor Ishmael Palin to active UA research:
“It’s great to see him back in the game, and we wish him the best of luck. We also hope he might have some insight into this ‘shell’ phenomenon. Why this pattern? Why so many UAs? And where are they coming from?”
“Our research is open to all, including Professor Palin. We hope he will reciprocate our openness.”
Commander Lord ZoltanUpdate from Galnet News

Work has now begun on a new Ocellus starport in the Kaushpoos system. The project began with a request from the Explorers’ Association, which issued an appeal for metals for use in the station superstructure. The response to the request was overwhelmingly positive, and work on the starport is now underway. A spokesperson for the Explorers’ Association released a brief statement:
“We’re delighted with the response, and are hugely excited about starting work on the starport. With a little luck, there will soon be a brand new, state-of-the art outpost in the Pleiades Nebula.”
The Explorers’ Association is expected to announce the next phase of the project soon.Update from Galnet News

For the past two weeks, the Empire has been battling the insurgent organisation Emperor’s Dawn in the Namarii, Tabaldak and LTT 874 systems. This morning, the Empire confirmed that the campaign had been a resounding success, resulting in the total destruction of all three Emperor’s Dawn bases. Senator Denton Patreus, who has been leading the campaign against the insurrectionists, issued a defiant statement:
“Today we have delivered a decisive blow to our enemies, shattering their forces and leaving them scattered and defenceless. For all their bluster, these dissidents have been shown themselves to be nothing more than petty brigands, lacking in unity and moral conviction, and unable to withstand the might of our combined military forces. Their bases have been destroyed, their fleets routed. Emperor’s Dawn is no longer a threat.”
But General Anthony Corvus, the veteran responsible for coordinating the Empire’s military operations, adopted a more cautious tone:
“This is a significant victory, certainly, but the war is not over. Cell organisations such as Emperor’s Dawn can be surprisingly resilient, and it would be a mistake to discount them, even at this stage. Once I have seen the very last of their fighters destroyed, I will consider them vanquished. But that day has not yet come.”Update from Galnet News

Ishmael Palin, the Federation scientist tasked with studying the anomalous extraterrestrial objects discovered earlier this year, has announced his decision to resume his research. This development follows the termination of an earlier, Federation-backed research programme led by Professor Palin.
The decision to restart the programme constitutes a defiant move on the part of Professor Palin, who declined to make a public statement at the time of the original project’s cancellation. The new research effort will be based at Christian Dock in the Nganji System, close to the region of space where the objects were discovered.
Professor Palin made the following statement:
“I have no wish to speculate on Governor Quaid’s reasons for cancelling the original research programme, but I will say that these objects signify a potentially momentous scientific discovery, and I am extremely pleased to be able to continue my research. As a scientist I feel it is my duty to subject these fascinating objects to comprehensive analysis, and to share the results of that analysis with the galactic community. Hopefully, now that Governor Deacon has allowed us to establish a research base at Christian Dock, my team and I can continue with our work, free from interference.”Update from Galnet News

At approximately 21:00 on Saturday the 18th October 3301, a slew of heavily armed Cobras began congregating outside Powell Terminal in the Athena system for an all-on-all bloodbath. Millions of credits’ worth of insurance claims were issued as the Commanders of the XYZ Fight Club kicked off the ‘Cobra Crunch’.
One of the most epic battles of the tournament was the fight between Koldnitz and FlappyHamWallet (both very experienced commanders), who lit up the skies around the Coriolis starport with their lasers and missiles. Much whooping and cheering was heard over comms chatter for over four hours, after which many congratulatory messages were directed to Commander Estalath, who appeared to be the victor.
Station security has confirmed that several thousand credits’ worth of fines were issued, but there was no significant damage done to the station. One station worker reported: “This old girl can withstand a few out-of-control Cobras crashing into her.” Meanwhile, system authorities were reportedly unhappy about Athena hosting a second XYZ Fight Club event, saying: “we thought they’d host one event and then move on”.
Commander Amphetamine RushUpdate from Galnet News

The war between the Empire and the insurgent organisation Emperor’s Dawn has taken a decisive turn, as the Empire dealt critical blows to the insurrectionists’ forces in the Namarii, Tabaldak and LTT 874 systems this week. In response, Emperor’s Dawn has issued a statement indicating that it intends to dramatically increase the amounts it is offering to privateers:
“The Empire thinks that those who fight on its side do so because they share its ideals. We believe they fight because they are well paid. Fortunately, the Imperials are not the only ones who can purchase victory. From this point on, we will give any pilots who fight for our cause double the amount originally offered. Let us see how much people really believe in ‘Imperial values’.”
This development is likely to rekindle debate over how the insurgent organisation is funded, given its apparent ability to access significant reserves.Update from Galnet News

To commemorate ‘Star Wars’, the classic audiovisual entertainment series of the 20th and 21st century, the Buckyball Racing Club, sponsored by Leesti Azure Milk, presents the first part of a new galactic race, the Kessel Run.
The race runs from the 31st of October 3301, 00:00 GMT, to the 15th of November 3301, 23:59 GMT. It will begin at George Lucas station in Leesti and end in the Jabbah system, a few hundred light years outside the bubble. Between start and finish, participants must dock at every station and outpost named ‘Kessel’ in any order they desire.
There will be three racing classes: Regulation Solo Sidewinder, Regulation Solo Cobra Mk III, and the Open Unlimited Spec class.
Commander Stern WinterUpdate from Galnet News

For the past few months, a development group founded by the Explorer’s Association has been working on plans to build a starport in the Pleiades Nebula. Now, it appears the plans are about to become reality. A spokesperson from the Explorer’s Association made the following statement:
“A starport in the Pleiades Nebula would be of tremendous value to pilots, serving as a reliable resupply point and sanctuary in the depths of space. But breaking into deep space is always costly, not to mention potentially dangerous. Fortunately we have received generous support from the Brewer Corporation, Pacap Limited and Universal Cartographics, and are now in a position to begin construction. The first phase of the project involves collecting the necessary materials to create the starport superstructure, and to this end we are willing to offer generous premiums to pilots delivering metals to Neville Horizons, our base of operations. I encourage all those with an interest in exploration to join this exciting project, and contribute to the next phase of humankind’s expansion.”
One of the pilots involved in the programme was quoted as saying:
“Hopefully, getting a station farther out into uninhabited space will be the first step towards human expansion out into the wider reaches of the galaxy.”
Pilots who wish to contribute to the campaign should deliver metals to Neville Horizons in the Kaushpoos system.Update from Galnet News

Last week, Emperor Arissa Lavigny-Duval invited galactic citizens to deliver gifts in honour of her forthcoming coronation. The response was enthusiastic, resulting in hundreds of pilots flocking to the Achenar system to deliver slaves to Dawes Hub. In a statement, the Emperor expressed her gratitude to those who responded to the request:
“I am delighted with the reaction to my appeal. The fact that pilots affiliated with the Federation and Alliance responded to my request fills me with hope for a future of peaceful exchange and cooperation.”
Pilots who took part in the event were offered discounts on Imperial ships, as well as being granted access to vessels that would ordinarily require a rank in the Imperial Navy.Update from Galnet News

Amid news that the technical issues plaguing the Warkushanui system have worsened, reports are coming in that starports in the system of 49 Arietis are experiencing similar problems. According to Blake Fry, a commercial freight pilot who regularly traverses the 49 Arietis system, the starport of Gaiman Dock has been hit with a plethora of issues in recent hours, including power outages and system failures. Speaking to the Federal Times, Fry said:
“I don’t know exactly what’s going on, but they’ve got problems popping up all over the place. Energy, infrastructure – everything’s on the fritz. They’re in a world of pain over there.”
When asked if he had any theories on what was happening at Gaiman Dock, Fry was unequivocal:
“Hey, I read the news. I’m not stupid. First they take those alien pods there, and then there’s a complete technical breakdown. Didn’t they say those AEO things damaged machinery? Join the dots, man!”
The issues in 49 Arietis are not believed to be affecting station services at this time.Update from Galnet News