Galnet News

Only a week after an independent mission was launched to bring aid to Jaques Station, personnel at the starport have reported that limited repairs have been completed. A member of the station’s technical team confirmed that meta-alloys had been used to partially restore the starport’s commodities market, and went on to say:
“We’re hugely grateful to all the pilots who have so selflessly made the long trek to Eol Prou RS-T d3-94. But we feel bad about not being able to reimburse those who schlepped out here, so we’re trying to secure funds for a proper campaign to repair the starport. More details will follow soon.”
Meanwhile, reports have surfaced of an increasing number of independent pilots and civilian delegations departing for Eol Prou RS-T d3-94, indicating a strong impulse to establish permanent bases in the region.Update from Galnet News

The first stage of the Rise to Power campaign is over, and the second is about to begin.
This phase of the competition will focus on what has been euphemistically referred to as commodity reallocation, with pilots being asked to gather as many technical blueprints as they can for their chosen faction. The only condition is that the technical blueprints be obtained unlawfully…which is to say stolen. The group with the most technical blueprints at the end of the event will be declared the winner.
The Rise to Power competition will run for a total of three weeks, and the victor will go on to join the ranks of the galaxy’s major power players.
The event begins on the 7th of July 3302 and will run for one week.Update from Galnet News

This report presents the latest data on starports experiencing technical issues as a result of Unknown-Artefact related interference.
The following starports are currently closed:
Fozard Dock, HIP 19934
Irens Dock, Manite
von Bellingshausen Port, Almar
Haack Gateway, Halbangaay
Gurragchaa Gateway, Warkushanui
Korolyov Hub, Arawere
Lobachevsky Outpost, Pic Tok
Rutan Terminal, Scirtoq
Liwei Gateway, 63 G. Capricorni
Meanwhile, the following starports continue to experience technical issues:
Carter Port, Rhea
Kooi Gateway, G 190-28
Jaques Station, Gliese 1269
Robigo Mines, Robigo
Alexander Freeport, HIP 18843
Bloch Vision, Loperada
Lave Station, LaveUpdate from Galnet News

Authorities in the Graill Redd system have reported a sharp increase in the number of criminals operating in the area. Apparently, organisations in neighbouring systems – the Citizen Party of G146-60 and the Workers Party of G 176-29 – are attempting to cultivate discord in the system in order to pave the way for the introduction of communism.
To counter this threat, the Graill Redd Liberals have placed a kill order on all wanted ships operating in the Graill Redd system, and have promised to reward pilots who deliver bounty vouchers to J. G. Ballard Gateway.
The campaign begins on the 30th of June 3302 and will run for one week. If the final target is met earlier than planned, the campaign will end immediately.Update from Galnet News

As the debate rages over the presence of the Federal battle cruiser Thanatos at Merope 2 A, public opinion has reached a crescendo. Commanders throughout the galaxy are weighing in. Is the Federal presence warranted?
While some Commanders applaud the Federation for its efforts to conserve the barnacles, just as many condemn the action.
One pilot, who wishes to remain anonymous but who supports the Federation, said: “Whether or not you believe the barnacles are sentient, they’re currently our only known source of meta-alloys. That in itself should warrant renewable harvesting techniques, rather than the vicious exploitation that has taken place so far.”
Others are just as adamant that everyone should be allowed to access the barnacles, and that the Federation has no right to place restrictions on valuable resources.
Another Commander said: “Typical Feds, sticking their nose into something that has nothing to do with them.”
Commander BluWolveUpdate from Galnet News

Recent reports indicate that a coalition of independent pilots has coordinated a mission to deliver meta-alloys to Jaques Station. A spokesperson for the group issued the following statement:
“We need your help, Commanders! Everyone’s favourite cyborg barman Jaques has been discovered by Commander CLY in the Eol Prou RS-T D3-94 system.”
“Pilots are gathering in Maia for what will be the longest single-stop trade run in galactic history. Their mission is to deliver meta-alloys to Jaques Station and repair the damage done by the Unknown Artefacts.”
“In the interest of speed and efficiency, many pilots are flying Asp Explorers. Outfitting options vary between eight and 16 tonnes of cargo, and large fuel scoops are common among the intrepid rescue party.”
“The mission’s first waypoint has been designated as synufai pi-i c26-8. Further systems along the route will be announced soon.”
Commander Andy BUpdate from Galnet News

Despite assertions from Admiral Maxton Price that Federal ships in Merope would not initiate conflict, a recent incident report tells a different story.
Apparently, a clearly marked Asp Explorer science vessel was shot down, without provocation, by Federal vessels above Merope 2 A. Rescue teams from Obsidian Orbital, responding to a distress call, found the smoking wreckage of the ship a short distance from a barnacle site guarded by a Farragut Battle Cruiser and a squadron of combat ships. The pilot – a captain in the Federal Auxiliary Navy – was only slightly injured. They said:
“A lone Asp with retracted weapons is no threat to a battle group, and the navy can’t shoot whomever they want without jurisdiction. If one of my boys ignored the rules of engagement like that, I’d throw the book at them. Admiral Price can expect a formal inquiry from the JAG as soon as the paperwork is done.”
The Federation has not issued an official response.Update from Galnet News

Yesterday, the Empire joined the debate over the Federation’s decision to deploy Farragut Battle Cruisers in the Merope system. In a statement, Senator Zemina Torval asserted that the use of Federal warships represented an attempt to claim possession of the non-human structures found in Merope commonly known as barnacles.
Responding to this criticism, Federal President Zachary Hudson has released a statement to the media:
“Our motives are entirely altruistic. The Federal presence in the Pleiades is motivated solely by a desire to protect the non-human structures located there.”
“Since the barnacles were first discovered they have been ruthlessly exploited. Given the barnacles’ value to xenobiologists, and taking into consideration the possibility that they may possess some form of sentience, this exploitation cannot be allowed to continue.”Update from Galnet News

Today marked Kumo Tribute Day, which sees representatives from systems under the control of Archon Delaine curry favour with the Pirate Lord by presenting him with lavish gifts.
Highlights included the presentation of several Imperial aristocrats, an assortment of rare narcotics and even a live barnacle. One system gifted a gold-plated Federal Corvette equipped with experimental weapons, much to the Pirate Lord’s approval.
But several systems were unable to present anything of value, having fallen on difficult times. One unlucky official named Ferdinad Haim, representing the Lusonda system, arrived empty handed, pledging his system’s undying loyalty as tribute. As silence descended, the Pirate Lord thanked Haim for his gift before ordering him to prove his loyalty by taking his own life.
As Haim’s dead body was removed, one pirate joked: “There’s always one who plays the loyalty card. Who do they think we are – the Empire?”
Commander Gan
The Privateer | Interstellar PressUpdate from Galnet News

After months of vicious fighting, the Imperial Naval Auxiliary has reinstated the Facece Empire Party as the controlling power of the Facece system.
Marquis Endincite, who coordinated the effort to reclaim the system, made the following statement to the Imperial Herald:
“The Empire Party has regained administration of Facece, and we beseech Imperial commanders everywhere to ensure its continued dominance in the system. Never again should the Empire allow its preeminent naval base to fall under the sway of disloyal elements.”
The Allied Facece Order, which seized Facece late last year, retains control of multiple planetary and orbital stations. Fighting is likely to continue for months.
Chancellor Anders Blaine, the systems’ administrator, has yet to make an official statement, but he is reportedly preparing to address the Empire, and to commend Marquis Endincite and the Imperial Naval Auxiliary for their service.
Commander CorrigendumUpdate from Galnet News