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| The Verge: Galactic Enterprise Background |
 Star System: Oberon
Date: 2501-07-22
The Verge: Galactic Enterprise Background and Finances
The Galactic Enterprise Corp. (GE) went public in 2501, but has been in existence in one form or another for several years. The brain child of Derek "Dirk" Sutherland, GE began with a group of six like minded individuals that saw the opportunity for increased profit margins by combining individual resources, working together, and taking risks.
This band of six individuals consist of: Dirk Sutherland, President and CEO of GE, Quinn (Mechalus), President of Event Horizon (EV) , Psya, President of Interstellar Mercantile Company (IMC), Francis "T-Bone" Coffee, President of Galactic Security Services (GSS), Noden, President of Interstellar Salvage and Recovery Company (ISRC), and Draco Von Hahn, Vice President of GE Operations. The four Company Presidents also hold VP positions in the GE Corporation encompassing Medicine and Science, Communications, Security, and Public relations.
Having made enormous amounts of money in the trade business over the last four years with a major focus on Rhodium out of Oberon, and utilizing the speed and broad range of the Lighthouse through piggybacking the past two years, GE has been converted into its present Corporate format. The board of Directors decided to increase the Corporations cash flow by going public with 40% of the Corporations stock on the Vessy and LIEX. The ticker symbol should be obvious (GE). The remaining 60% is owned in equal shares by the six founding members, who also happen to be the Board of Directors.
GE currently has five Stardrive capable ships employed. Four are Corporate owned and one is contracted.
GE is always on the lookout for ships to contract for specific trade missions (info trading, transporting dignitaries, etc…), long term trade routes (circuitous repetitive routes), escort duty of before mentioned trade routes, planetary surveys, deep space exploration, salvage operations, and an assortment of other missions.
The Corporation currently has 30 full time employees (including Board Members), and four contractors (crew of the contracted ship), for a total of 34 personnel. 19 personnel and four ships travel with the Lighthouse and purchase at every location, merchandise that will sell at the highest profit margin at the next stop. During long layovers, after making the required sales/purchases, these personnel hire out as bodyguards for visiting dignitaries, security at Lighthouse functions, survey moons or nearby planets for the Concord Survey Service, or do just about anything that will bring in a CD (Concord Dollar). The last ship carries the six Board Members. They spend most of their time seeking high yield projects around the Verge (read adventures), sometimes hiring additional personnel to assist them in their endeavors. Of the last nine employees, six of them work at the corporate office on Bluefall, and the last three work on Oberon. Their main function is to advertise the Corporation, meet potential clients, coordinate the Board of Directors instructions and make things happen.
One of the reasons to go public with GE is to raise capital for a very ambitious attempt to renovate a salvaged dreadnaught. The ship will need to have a full time crew, and the repairs alone are going to almost break the bank. “We plan on fortifying the Oberon system with some real fire power, and of course using the dreadnaughts increased carrying capacity to increase our mercantile business” said Dirk Sutherland during a recent interview.
Going public requires financial disclosure, below is the 2501 financial disclosure sheet. GE has declined requests to disclose financial statements from the years prior to going public.
Note: This only includes the income made by the four ships accompanying the Lighthouse. It does include all liabilities however.
Item (Asset) Liability
Total income from 4 ships on Lighthouse ($14,775,775)
Taxes (approximately 15%) $ 2,935,775
Wages (annual, for all employees) $ 1,662,000
Dock fees (Lighthouse) $ 100,800
Repair/Resupply (low due to piggybacking) $ 72,000
Fees (Redman/Smith trading Corp) $ 8,694
Mortgage/Utilities (Oberon) $ 40,000
Mortgage/Utilities (Bluefall) $ 90,000
Rent (11 apartments on Lighthouse/ deck 187) $ 191,400
Misc (expense account / etc...) $ 1,675,000
Capital on hand (from before going public) ($ 177,468,000)
Ships (all four owned ships) $ 21,890,000
Total Corporate assets $ 207,358,081
Due to a space/time limitation, I neglected (on purpose) to add the hard assets like the actual buildings on Bluefall and Oberon, the shuttle on each planet for the employees to use, and other miscellaneous items (weapons, armor, adventuring equipment, scientific equipment etc…). The unedited version of this financial sheet would fill pages. My finances were also in a table which did not copy so I did my best to fix it up so it is understandable. Assets are in parenthesis.
The ships and crews will follow in another dispatch.
Reporter: Vladimir
December 07, 2010
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| The Verge: Galactic Enterprise Ship and Crew List |
Star System: Oberon
Date: 2501-07-25
The Verge: Galactic Enterprise Ship and Crew List
OBERON. As promised, here is the follow up to the Galactic Enterprise Financial Report. A comprehensive view of the Corporations major assets. "People make GE and her subordinate Companies great, where would we be without them"? Said Dirk Sutherland, GE Corporations outspoken President and CEO.
All Galactic Enterprise ships have designators that start with the Corporate ticker symbol, GE. This two letter identifier is followed by the initials of the company it is assigned to, and a numerical designator if there is more than one ship assigned to a Company.
As a reminder for those that missed the previous reports:
IMC-Interstellar Mercantile Company
EV-Event Horizon
GSS-Galactic Security Services
ISRC-Interstellar Salvage and Recovery Company
Below you will see the designator (described above), type of ship, name of ship, note of ownership, and a few details about the ships defenses and cargo capacity. This is followed by the crew list with profession and career/job on ship and amount earned monthly.
Ship designator: GE-IMC 1
Ship type: Trader class transport
Name: Deliverance
Company owned
Max Crew: 10 mass cannon/point defense 5LY drive
Cargo space 6x14 / 10x14 / 10x22 / 6x14
Cpt Sparrow (dip/tech) pilot $6000mth
Jenny "Skywalker" Smart (tech) comms/hacker $5000mth
Martha Kalin (CS)weapons $4500mth
Billy Albright (FA) security/detective $4500mth
Scott Dugal (tech) reporter/comms $5000mth
Ship designator: GE-IMC 2
Ship type: Herald class transport
Name: Tarawa
Contracted ship
Max Crew: 7 no weapons 5LY drive
Cargo space 4x12 / 6x6 / 6x7
Cpt Gaston Von Pender (tech) physician $6000mth
Richard McAllister (tech) pilot $5500mth
David Anderson (CS) security $4500mth
Oki Tmatsu (tech) engineer/comms $5000mth
Ship designator: GE-EV 1
Ship type: Sojourn class transport
Name: Trinity
Company owned
Max Crew: 9 mass cannon 5LY drive
Cargo space 10x10
Cpt Deacon "Blackjack" Dean (dip/tech) pilot $6000mth
Gerold Mcnight (tech) comms $4500mth
Tikriiti (FA/seshayan) Bounty hunter/weapons $4500mth
Michael McGurd (tech) engineer/sensors $5000mth
Jeff Rather (FA) detective/security $4500mth
The above three ships travel with the Lighthouse selling/purchasing cargo. During layovers they have an assortment of skills they can put to use in system or on the Lighthouse. GE-EV 1 May do survey work in system after the trading work is done. The following ship also accompanies the previous three, but with no cargo space, it is limited to info trading, or carrying small (3 person max) delegations. It protects the cargo ships when away from the lighthouse, and may assist GE-EV 1with survey work if both GE-IMCs are with the Lighthouse. All of them will accept paying passengers. They also have the authority to hire specialists for certain jobs if it required. All ship Captains (with the exception of contractors) have hiring authority on a part time basis.
Ship designator: GE-GSS 1
Ship type: Sparrow class scout
Name: Falcon
Company owned
Max Crew: 8 plasma cannon/4 ARN/4CHE missles/chaff disp
10LY drive No cargo space
Cpt Owen Cade (dip/tech) pilot $6000mth
Mona "slipstream" Baxter (tech) comms/hacker $5000mth
Grraiza (CS/Weren) weapons $4000mth
Richard Grimes (FA) detective/sensors $4500mth
Sam Houston (tech) physician $5000mth
The following ship is operated by the GE Board of Directors and is often found around Oberon, although it also hitches rides with the Lighthouse, and visits the GE offices on Bluefall. That of course could be because the Bluefall offices are on a private island with a beach.
Ship designator: GE-GSS 2
Ship type: Vanguard Class Assault Ship
Name: Nemesis
Company owned
Max Crew: 10 plasma cannon/4CHE missles/chaff disp
10LY drive Cargo space 3x3
Cpt Dirk Sutherland (dip/FA) pilot
Draco Von Hahn (dip/CS) security
Quinn (tech/mechalus) physician/sensors
Psya (FA) comms
Noden (FA) bounty hunter/security
Francis "T-Bone" Coffee (CS) Merc/weapons
Below are the land based employees. Make note that many of them are able to work jobs on ships, should GE add to their fleet. Three employees work on Oberon and six work on Bluefall. Their primary duties are to solicit employers, wealthy investors, and advertise GE's abilities. Oberon is the official headquarters of the GE Corporation.
OBERON STAFF
Jason Wallace (tech) engineer/scanner/comms $5000mth
Cpt Jade McNeil (tech) pilot $6000mth
Zugreeza (CS/Weren) weapons/security $4000mth
BLUEFALL STAFF
Richard Higgins (tech) biologist $5500mth
Robert Steele (CS) security specialist $4500mth
Andrei Varaknokov (tech) physicist $6000mth
Segei Sardov (FA) investigator/spy $4500mth
Bart Zatherman (FA) bounty hunter $4500mth
Sara Yamato (CS) security specialist $4500mth
In addition to monthly pay, each employee has free room and board. Each receives one month paid vacation a year, with the caveat that if on a ship, an attempt should be made to vacation on Bluefall or Oberon so one of the planet bound employees can replace them while on leave. This is not absolutely necessary except for the skilled positions (pilot etc).
Employees may also elect to sell their month vacation for a double paycheck one month out of the year. All MDs/PHDs have facilities to do their work available free of charge with all insurance paid by GE. The Bluefall station has several scientific labs. While on leave Captains may hire one or two personnel to replace those on leave for the month.
There is obviously more work to be performed than these 34 personnel can perform. Many of the specialized cargos between obscure systems are contracted out. You may have noticed that there is no GE-ISRC ship. Contractors wanted. Contractors that work for GE are treated as if they were full time employees. Contractors performing long term operations who want to become full time employees may apply and may be hired. Contracting gives the contractor a little more freedom to come and go between missions, and saves GE money by not paying for more down time than the before mentioned vacation time. GE has part time employees in almost every Verge System, even if it is only an advertiser. The more populated the system, the more GE employees.
Cpt Von Pender of the contract ship Tarawa has made it clear to Corporate HQ's that he and his crew want to be full time employees. Dirk Sutherland said that "Cpt Von Pender has surpassed the required 6 month probation period with high marks and will be hired immediately". He also made it clear to me that with all the publicity GE has received he feels compelled to begin a major hiring spree.
Reporter: Vladimir
December 07, 2010
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| The Verge: The Verge's newest Corporation |
Star System: Oberon
Date: 2501-06-01
The Verge: The Verge's newest Corporation
Galactic Enterprise Corporation is the newest company to be added to the Redman -Smith Index. Based out of the Oberon system, they also have offices on Bluefall and on the Lighthouse.
GE is a Corporation made up of four seperate companies covering a vast array of services.
GALACTIC ENTERPRISE CORPORATION
MOTTO: "Good service to good people at a reasonable price."
A conglomeration of Companies with a broad range of services. Willing to work for any Stellar nation, government, corporation, organization, or private citizen.
INTERSTELLAR MERCANTILE COMPANY (IMC)
MOTTO: "Not meteor shower, External, or pirate will stop delivery; next Starfall delivery guaranteed."
Supply/Transport runs on demand, be it information or bulk products, either intersystem or interstellar. Fast and reliable. No history of lost or stolen merchandise. Very discrete.
GALACTIC SECURITY SERVICES (GSS)
MOTTO: "No mission too dangerous, no foe too deadly."
Performs a variety of security services, from close protection to information security. Works for private individuals to Stellar nations. Services also include bounty hunting and finding missing persons.
INTERSTELLAR SALVAGE AND RECOVERY COMPANY (ISRC)
MOTTO: "If we can find it, we can fix it."
Performs salvage and recovery operations for clients in the Verge and beyond.
EVENT HORIZON (EV)
MOTTO: "We boldly go where no one has gone before."
Specialized in exploring new reaches of space, and new star systems with an eye towards natural resources and alien life.
Reporter: Vladimir
December 07, 2010
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| Noted Historian goes missing |
 Star System: Sagittarius
Date: 2501-01-20
Noted Historian goes missing
Pascal, CONCORD SAGITTARIUS - Xavier Sanchez, professor of the Justice-Ethics school, recently implied to be a “perpetrator of lies” by the Thuldan Bureau of Information, had reportedly disappeared just ten days after agreeing to be interviewed by GNN. Approximately a month ago, during the bi-annual Galactic War symposium, the Professor provided details concerning little known military operations by the Thuldan, that ended in disaster on the edges of known space. This speech had earned particular attention from the Thuldan Bureau of information. The Ministry of Information had indicated at the time of the possibility of a response, although it was not specific about what that might entail.
After the story broke, GNN dispatched a reporter to get an interview with the professor. Xavier sent a response to the GNN bureau located at Kropotkin. Due to the normal delays caused by travel, the reporter did not arrive for twenty-five days. Upon arrival, our reporters confirmed that the professor had been missing for fifteen days.
“It is unlikely anything happened to him,” Deborah Green, Provost of the University of Justice Ethics on Pascal, and Xavier’s boss has said. “He has always been known for his flights of fancy. Since he doesn’t really teach anymore, we have no real need to keep tabs on him. He probably decided to follow up on some story he heard during the symposium.” Deborah added, “ He has never been to the Verge. Perhaps he wished to see Algremon up close and personal. Or, perhaps he decided to visit Hammers Star.”
Others are not so sure. A campus security official, speaking on condition of anonymity noted that “on the day of his ‘departure’, the professors office looked like a wild animal went through it. Everything was wrecked. “ The individual added, “even if the professor left Pascal, it seems unlikely that he would take all of his assistants with him.” In addition, the official stated that the one assistant professor, and three students assigned to Xavier had not been seen since his disappearance. School is still in session on Pascal, and at least two of the students were attending classes this semester. He also noted that leaving the planetary surface would have been difficult without Planetary security noticing. In any case, “Most of this region is nothing more than the wreckage of former colonies, or Hatire missions. Given that his ship probably only had a maximum range of 5LY, he would have had to do some serious planning for a journey. Planning that someone would have noticed.”
Thomas Helios, Dean of Pascal, Dean of High Rationalism, has indicated that he believes that the Professor was murdered, in a speech given three days after the news had hit the local Pascal Grid. GNN requested and received several quotes from his press secretary. “The professor was close to retirement. It is unlikely that he was going anywhere.” The press secretary, Maria Xiopious added, ‘even if he is alive, it is likely that anyone that has him is in the process of making him dead, either spiritually, mentally, or physically.” Thomas Helios had already issued an executive order, starting up the “martyrs” clock on Xavier. Under a quirk in Pascal law, left over from the early postwar days, when Thuldan Warbeasts were accidentally set loose on the planet, individuals who disappear under mysterious circumstances for more than thirty days can be presumed “dead”. That allows for any genetic material in the government registry to be publically released. Xavier is on public record indicating he did not want his genetic material used for any cloning, (at least not in its “pure” form.) Once legally recognized as dead, the state is allowed to use the material of its citizens, who profess “high and noble traits.” Helios is on record for allowing all interested Pascal citizens access to genetic material, which can be used to “recreate the heros of our proud planet.”
Helios, in his public speech, was also clear in what he believed happened. “Those Thuldan mutts are probably hiding the individual or individuals who have targeted the professor.” Mutts, is a local pejorative referring to the small band of illegitimate Thuldan-Borealin children, who were not accepted back into the Empire at the conclusion of the war. Often referred to as mutts, (not only because of their mixed heritage, but also due to the presence of mutants amongst them), a small community of them exists in the capital, over the objections of much of the population. Assuming the Deans accusations are true, it would be ironic since it was Xavier who allowed them to settle on Pascal, when he was President of Pascal.
Provost Green dismisses Helios’s notions, noting he has many reasons to encourage the perception the professor is dead. “Xavier’s death gives him an excuse to push his reactionary Back to Borealis agenda. He is the one changing everything back to the pre-war days, as if that is even possible. The fact that he would use “that” phrase in a public speech is morally repugnant, and suggests an alternate agenda that will only hurt our planet in the long run. He is a born Solipsist, and the only thing I fear more than him is that others are listening to him.” (Solipsist is a subtle Borealin insult (except to the neosolipists), referring to the excesses of the ancient Greek school.) Green and Helios are known political foes. Green also noted that she was unaware of any other missing students. However, she was aware of the missing assistant. She countered that this individual disappeared before the symposium. Green indicated that a private investigator, (who was serving the assistants rich family), was looking into the case with the help of university security.
Compounding the problem of finding the professor, are the grid problems that have popped up on Pascal. “It is unfortunate, the professor got caught up in this mess,” said Jose Ferraro, the Justice Ethics professor who coordinated the symposium on Pascal. “It seems some locals remain loyal to the Pentad, and took none to kindly to the perceived bias of the symposium. They, along with some enthusiastic off- worlders seem to delight in taking down our grid site, and as well as that of anyone involved..” The grid on Pascal has also experienced noticeable deterioration in speed, unexpected cut transmissions, and numerous “spoofing” incidents. This has also affected the grid sites identifying incoming and outgoing traffic on Pascal. The local head of Grid security in Pascal’s provisional police, Sarah Barnett, indicated that “older systems remain vulnerable to attacks of this nature. As a former VoidCorp employee, I learned the hard way, that new equipment and up-to-date software is the only way one can beat such security problems.” She added, “the professors situation is unfortunate. However, he and the symposium organizers only have themselves to blame for bringing these problems onto Pascal.” When asked her opinion on the symposium, she refused public comment.
The professor was born on Planck (Pascal) before the start of the Second Galactic War. He joined the Borealin Navy just after the Tau Ceti rebellion out of a sense of duty. After nearly eighty years of service, including twenty-five as an admiral, he retired citing his increasing uneasiness over the war. Unable to go home, he attended the school of Justice-Ethics on Sapphire, and eventually earned his Doctorate, with a specialty in history. Not content to study ancient human history, (unlikely anyway given the precarious relationship between Borealis and the Union of Sol during the war), he choose to study “evolving” history on the front lines of the Second Galactic War. As a former commander, he often had access in a way most academics would envy. His skills were also used to organize small teams of non-combatants on some of the front line worlds, often times just after a critical battle. His most impressive mission of this sort, occurred after the Battle of Halifax in 2460, when he organized a volunteers for a mass evacuation and food deliveries, while under harassing attack from a Thuldan detachment. Even with a bunch of civilians he managed to evacuate over a million people without loosing a single ship. Halifax was also the closest he got to home (15 light years away.)
He published numerous texts, including three seminal texts used in Concord Sagittarius and Borealis schools. After the war, he became a citizen of the Concord. He later reclaimed his citizenship on Pascal once its status was clarified. With his experience, he reluctantly accepted a lead title in the provisional government created on Pascal, over the objection of locals. As one of the few citizens, who remembered the Quanta school, he unsuccessfully sought to wrest the old college from the hands of the Hatire. He also won few friends when he (successfully) opened Pascal settlement to citizens of VoidCorp and the Thuldan Empire. But those who think his administration a failure accept that he had an important hand in Pascal becoming the capital of the Frontier Borealis Autonomous Region in Concord Sagittarius. His regime also had remained relatively tranquil considering all the repressed rage the colony had during the occupation. He handed his power over peacefully to Alba Orintino. His last ten years were spent studying the effects the war had on the edges of human settled space. He is believed to have visited Far Reach. The professor is also known to have had an interest in the “lost” Borealin colony on Spes, in the Verge. It is believed he only recently became aware of the colonies unfortunate fate.
The professor never married. Those who knew him have indicated he believed his soul-mate had disappeared just before the siege of Pascal. He had little hope of ever finding her. Most of his family did not survive the siege and subsequent occupation of Pascal. The only surviving family is a sister who lives with her husband on Nouvelle in Far Reach. She is believed to have three (living) children, eight grand-children, fourteen great-grand children, twenty great-great grand children, twenty-seven great-great grand children, and two great-great-great grandchildren. She is also believed to be in good health.
Story republished on TVN with permission of GNN. GNN is a Stellar Ring service serving the political communities in the Profit Confederation, (and in particular the Union Of Sol.) It specifically caters to the individual who “finds GNA reporting plain as vanilla, stale as four day old bread, and spun by the Pentad and Freespace Alliance like a top.” TVN will continue to publish GNN stories believed of interest to citizens of the Verge. TVN is not responsible for any inaccuracies reported in the story. However, we will note when inaccuracies occur. (To wit, the previous story suggested the Hatire-Thuldan invasion of Borealis commenced in 2359. Our research suggests it started in 2364. Additional digging has uncovered that the Hatire began harassing the space around Pascal in 2359. We believe this is what GNN was referring to. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused..)
Reporter: arijur
December 04, 2010
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| Concord Governement: The FOG has rolled in |
 Star System: Prime
Date: 2503-02-18
Concord Governement: The FOG has rolled in
"One after one they just kept hitting us, it was a nightmare that wouldn't end!" one witness reported. A faction that is using hit and run techniques on freighter ships that pass through the system. One source tells us that the Concord Military has there hands tied with this. Another tells us that VoidCorp is responsible.
"Foundation of Glory" also known as FOG is what they call themselves. They issued a statement today stating "We just want to bring the criminals to justice. No more hiding behind the collar of power. We want to bring them forward for the crimes against humanity".
Gen Loymen Psy-Ops/SW Commander of the Thuldan Empire suggests "Justice? How can they justify justice with there attacks on the innocent. It has been set in stone for centuries, We will not negotiate with terrorists!"
After that brief statement Gen Loymen's press secretary will hold a press conference during the week to discuss further details about this matter.
The Thuldan Government is working hard with the Concord Military in bringing these criminals to justice. But why is the Thuldan Government so interested in this? More news later...
Reporter: Disko_B
December 04, 2010
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| Ad Section: Adventure of a Lifetime Awaits! |
 Star System: Borealis Republic
Date: 2502-01-05
Ad Section: Adventure of a Lifetime Awaits!
Tired of the rut you've fallen into? Tired of being planet-bound for one day longer? Tired of all the bad news streaming across the Grid? Ready to do something about it? Well, read on, hearty soul, read on...
Borealin Librarian, Jeff Bullard, and Union of Sol Captain (retired), Ras T'Far are looking for able-bodied sentients with a hunger to see what's beyond the next starfall, a desire to touch what no other has touched before, and a keen interest in creating a little fame for your descendants to be proud of.
Borealis Jeff and Captain Ras want you for this Grand Tour of Unexplored Space on board the venerable and spaceworthy BSS Philadelphia. Galactic News Now (GNN) has agreed to gridcast daily updates on this historic journey so that all galactic citizens of Old Space, The Verge, Far Reach, and beyond can thrill to the daily adventures of this intrepid crew as they expand our horizons for the benefit of all.
Deep Space Pilots, Navigators, former members of the Concord Survey, those retired and/or discharged from Star Force Service, communications experts, First Contact Specialists, doctors, medics, scientists, spacehands, cooks, all have a part to play in this momentous event.
Contact Bj0836104 at your nearest grid access location to join. Don't Miss the Opportunity of Your Life. [nogauranteeofmissionlengthsalarieshealthandwelfarestatedorimplied. Joinatyourownrisk]
See You On The Docks of History!
Reporter: BorealisJeff
December 04, 2010
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| Austrin CEO issues formal response to Concord |
 Star System: Austrin Ontis
Date: 2502-03-14
Austrin CEO issues formal response to Concord Proposal
Jamestown, Powder. TVN has just learned that CEO Karina Jahra of Austrin-Ontis has issued a statement regarding the return of Austrin wreckage.
The statement, which was delivered to the current Concord Ambassador, reads as following:
“The Board of Directors of Austrin-Ontis Unlimited will allow the return of our property recovered by Administrator Kyle Black Eagle. While no mere material possessions can ease the pain or suffering our people endured during GWII, we can only hope that this will allow some of our bereaved to find some small measure of closure. After an extensive investigation by the Intelligence Division, any uncontaminated and identifiable personal effects will be returned to their rightful owners. We thank the Administrator for his assistance in this matter.”
Inside sources have informed TVN that the above statement was almost rejected by the Board, and that it was only after extensive editing that wavering members were persuaded. Our source would not identify the exact vote, but experts agree that objections probably came from both sides, with some wanting a softer response, and some wanting outright rejection of the Nariac offer.
Inside sources has also indicated that under no circumstances will the Austrins open broader relations with the Nariacs, whom they hold accountable for the so-called Leodal Atrocities.
Reporter: kieran57
December 04, 2010
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| New Discovery Suggests Sesheyan Deception |
 Star System: Algemron
Date: 2503-01-05
New Discovery Suggests Sesheyan Deception
Artifacts recovered from a recently-discovered crash site on Grith have resurrected old suspicions concerning the sesheyan presence in the Corrivale system and the truth of their origins.
According to VoidCorp intelligence agent SI267 91PKR (Arlyn Gates), starship wreckage brought to the surface of the Boreal Sea 700 kilometers north of Diamond Point proves once and for all that the sesheyans of Grith were not brought to the Verge by a precursor species as they have always asserted, but instead invaded the Corrivale system and took the moon of Hydrocus from its original colonists by force.
The VoidCorp accusation states that the wreckage has been positively identified as VCT PM00282 (Lucky Haul), a cargo ship modified for military use during the second Galactic War and believed lost in 2359. The public disclosure document goes on to describe sesheyan remains found within sealed sections of the ship's sunken hull and a partially-intact computer record that, according to VoidCorp, details a "traitorous group of sesheyans plotting to destroy a helpless colony with their stolen fleet." The announcement goes on to claim that the vessel was shot down by Hatire defenders and forgotten by both sides after crashing into the sea.
This claim has been met with expressions of outrage both from the seshyans, who continue to assert that they are indigenous sentients, and from the Hatire colonists, who are calling for a full independant investigation. Tensions between the sesheyan and Hatire communities of Diamond Point have escalated overnight, as both parties demand that VoidCorp turn over the alleged evidence for analysis.
Meanwhile, VoidCorp is refusing to share or display any of the recovered material and is demanding that the Galactic Concord overturn the controversial Mahdra ruling of 2499 which determined that the Grith sesheyans were independant and not subject to VoidCorp's Sesheyan Compact. If the petition succeeds, nearly 200,000 free seshyans will become legally recognized as VoidCorp employees and subject to its sovereign laws.
The Galactic Concord has not yet made a public comment on the matter, and no Concord official was willing to go on record about the situation at this time. TVN will bring you more information as events unfold.
Reporter: Gabriel Connor
November 13, 2010
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| Lucullan Alliance Summit Begins; Experts Skeptical |
Star System: Algemron
Date: 2503-08-05
Lucullan Alliance Summit Begins; Experts Skeptical
A high-profile conference began today that could affect the fate of the entire Lucullus system. Participants in the Governmental Alliance summit gathered on board the Lighthouse, in a previously-vacant embassy building on deck 199 temporarily dedicated to this purpose.
While an official roster of delegates has not been released, Consulate Minister Michael Thayne and Station Administrator Kyle Wakefield were both seen entering the building along with Ambassador Richard Klindo. Others reported to have entered the summit building include delegate Norio Morita of the Solar Union, Ambassador Avarie Valeria of Bluefall's Regency government, and, surprisingly, General Toris Klangat of the Thuldan Empire. At least five new visitors to the station have been identified as members of the Lucullan League's Bureau of Directors. Nolan Aymes, Concord ambassador to the Lucullan League, met with Minister Thayne late yesterday evening and is also expected to be in attendance at the summit. While such a list of participants might give some sentients hope that the Lucullus system may soon become a safer and more lawful system, many experts in the field of political science believe that the summit is not likely to effect any real changes within the system.
"It's just a political show-and-tell," says historian Nash Stellinopolis, "The Lucullan League has no real power in the system, because the factions within it are not actually bound to recognize any policy it makes. Besides that, the Barons are perfectly happy with the current state of things. Couple this with the fact that the Solar Union really has no desire to govern Penates again, and this summit begins to look more like a waste of time and effort and less like the breakthrough in governmental relations that the politicians want it appear."
Because the summit has already begun, none of the representatives involved were available for comment.
Reporter: Gabriel Connor
November 13, 2010
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| Weren Settlement Abandoned |
Star System: Algemron
Date: 2501-05-04
Weren Settlement Abandoned
"New Kurg," one of the oldest weren settlements in the Hammer's Star system, was found devoid of life yesterday afternoon when an independent merchant vessel landed at the site of the Arist colony on a monthly resupply visit. Jack Severis, captain of the Alaundril-based trader ship "Happy Debt", promptly reported his discovery to a nearby Star Force patrol which confirmed the findings.
Signs of a major conflict were evident, yet no bodies were found. "From the type of blast marks on the cave walls and other structures, we believe that klicks were involved in the attack," said Lieutenant Commander Jenda Ta'nor. "Our investigation is ongoing, however...security of the settlers on Arist is of great concern to us, and we intend to make sure that this type of tragedy is not repeated." While the disappearance of the weren settlers is the foremost mystery of this situation, it's not the only one. A VoidCorp vessel registered as VCT PM77929 (Secure Contact) was also found abandoned at the settlement site, and the stellar nation to which it is registered has so far been unable or unwilling to explain the ship's presence there. Since the colony was originally founded by weren refugees fleeing VoidCorp service in Old Space, it is considered unlikely that this vessel would have been welcomed. To confuse matters further, the vessel is not equipped with a stardrive. New Kurg was founded on a region of deep interconnected natural cavern systems, which are very common throughout Arist. If the battle moved into that tunnel network, there's no predicting what further Concord investigations might find.
Reporter: Gabriel Connor
November 13, 2010
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| Concord Vessel Shot Down By Galvinite Forces |
Star System: Algemron
Date: 2502-11-25
Concord Vessel Shot Down By Galvinite Forces In Algemron System
Yesterday, 25 November 2502, the patrol ship Losanne has been attacked and destroyed by Galvinite fighters in an hostile act of unpredictable consequences.
28 Concord crewmembers (over thirty constituting the crew) lost their life in the incident, including the ship's commander, Lieutenant Marion Lei-Wong. It is the first time since the institution of the Algemron Neutrality Patrol, in 2497, that a skirmish turns into the utter destruction of a Concord vessel from regular Galvinite forces.
The accident happened for causes still to be cleared.
As reported by the Concord survey/radar frigate Perseverance, that was in the area and logged the whole escalation, the escort vessel was in patrol in the area when it intercepted on its sensors four galvinite aerospace crafts (two Totmacher IV strike-fighters and two FSF-37 Harpy interceptors, as it was confirmed by the Perseverance) heading at full speed on the course of the Estrella III, an Orion medium freighter carrying a food and medicine shipment for Alitar.
Immediately, Lt. Lei-Wong entered in comm contact with the fighters, ordering them to slow their course and clear their intentions, while ordering the ship to approach the hot area.
No reply followed the message of the Losanne; the fighters, instead, took an attack formation. The Perseverance communicated to the Losanne that the four crafts had apparently armed their weapons.
The Concord officer didn't lose time, giving a last-chance warning to the squadron: halt immediately their hostile action against a neutral vessel and head back.
When no answer arrived from this last radio communication, the ship's commander ordered to fire warning salvos towards the four Galvinite crafts; immediately, the Losanne's heavy lasers shoot three consecutive salvos at a no-harm distance from the fighters.
As soon as the first laser burst was fired from the ship, the two Totmachers suddenly broke formation and headed to the ship's sides. In a matter of seconds, they unexpectedly and with absolute no-warning loosed two deadly matter torpedoes towards the ship.
The Losanne, not prepared for such a repentine hostile maneuver, simply did not have the time to avoid the incoming projectiles. The first stroke the ship in the aft, while the other, partially fooled by the ship's flares, exploded amidships. The terrible payload devastated the Grassopher-class ship, destroying on impact the vessel's engines, engineering room, and almost all the crew quarters. After the strike, the Galvinite squadron immediately changed course and headed for Galvin. The Estrella III safely reached Alitar ten hours later, escorted by two Concord scout and an Alitarin frigate.
Aboard the Losanne, probably 90% of the casualties happened on impact, as further analysis reported.
The wreck of the ship continued its course while flames were consuming the few compartments still not exposed to the void. The Perseverance, too poorly armed, could not but witness the tragedy from its radars and sensors. Five minutes after the torpedo-strike, the remains of the ship exploded; only an escape-pod flew from the onslaught.
As reported by the only two survivors, Ensign Avra Sotiropulou (also Losanne's helmsman) and Spaceman Christophe Laurenti, the acts of their commander were pure heroism.
"The whole bridge was in flames, and there were dead and blood everywhere";, cries in shock the 19 years-old Ensign, interviewed by our Algemron reporter Sandrine Kutznetova; "The commander obliged us to enter the only available escape pod. She ordered us, you understand? She still had hope to save the ship and Bradley, Carrillo and Kristeller that were unconscious on the ground. I cannot forget it. She was bleeding from a cut in the head, she was going to die, and she was smiling to us. Oh my God oh almighty God. Why? Why?".
Her words are confirmed by Laurenti, that had served for 2 years under the command of Marion Lei-Wong. "The captain has always had incredible chilled blood. I remember once when she obliged a Galvinite destroyer to retreat from approaching a convoy; i mean, that monster could have fu**ed us into dust in no time, but she did it. But this has been an ambush, believe me. I am not in space since eleven years for nothing. Those m*********ing bastards were preparing this. We should clear them out of space. That woman was the best captain i ever served with, and she is dead now. She saved my life".
Accuses of an open and clear provocation come from Captain Safiya Al-Husseini as well, commander of the Algemron Neutrality Patrol. "This has been an open, criminal and deliberate act of piracy. Bombers armed with weapons of such destructive magnitude were not simply fulfilling an interdiction mission. They wanted what happened: this is terrorism. We have no intention to let the Galvinite forces to slip untouched through this", declared the officer during the inflamed press conference held few hours after the incident on the Neutrality Patrol flagship, the light missile-cruiser General M. Davidson. "This has nothing to do with the private issues of Alitar and Glavin. This banditry must stop or it will face strict punishment and retaliation; we expect the explanation of the Supreme Commader himself".
Thirty minutes after, a military spokesman for the Federal State of Galvin replied to TVN Network: "This has been the legitimate response to five years of Concord interference with the private issues of Galvine. Our fighters have returned fire after the umpteenth arrogance show of Concord forces. To protect neutral vessels means too often for the Concord military to disturb our maneuvers in order to help the Alitarin terrorism.
We have no problems with Concord vessels as long as they keep their distance from our ships. The tragic happening of today is the sign for a more balanced and careful Concord politic in this area; otherwise, Galvinite forces have again proved their self-defense capabilities".
As tension in the area grows, Concord high-ranking officers call for calm and carefulness in the actions of Captain Al-Husseini, that has already risen the alertness of her forces to Red-Delta Tetra (pre-warfare) status.
We remember than in the area are actually present about 40 Concord vessels, including the light cruisers General Davidson and Higashi-No-Kaze, the escort carrier Katrina and five destroyers.
Reporter: Alitar
November 13, 2010
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| Increase in Whitespike Trafficking Worries Concord |
Star System: Algemron
Date: 2502-07-22
Increase in Whitespike Trafficking Worries Concord
Wreathe, ALGEMRON - The Concord, working in tandem with local authorities on the asteroid Wreathe, has confiscated the largest haul of biaxinin yet uncovered by the anti-smuggling efforts in the Algemron system. Over 200 kilograms of the dangerous drug were discovered aboard the independent freighter Gray Landing during a routine inspection. While the capture of the contraband is encouraging to some, it leads others to believe that the Concord is losing the war against the whitespike smugglers...
"It's a nightmare scenario out here," said Sergeant Lionel Davenport, a member of the team that first searched the Gray Landing and detained its captain. "We don't know where all these drugs are coming from. Over the past two months, the amount of arrests we've made has skyrocketed. We've never had to deal with this many smugglers, let alone ones carrying several hundred kilos of spike in a load..."
Normally, the harsh conditions on Wreathe's surface provide a natural deterrent to whitespike smugglers. E-suit accidents are quite common among people who regularly work on the surface, as are encounters with dangerous lifeforms. Despite these perils, many squatters have opted to set up whitespike "farms" on the surface of Wreathe, cultivating the growths to sell to aspiring drug runners. The local authorities have done little against these farms, instead focusing on confiscating whitespike as soon as it reaches Midas City, the capital of Wreathe.
The investigation of the Gray Landing and its captain was a textbook search, at least in most regards. The local government of Midas City issued a warrant for the arrest of its owner, Harold Walker, after a detained drug courier admitted selling several kilograms of biaxinin to him. When police approached the vessel at its dock, Walker sealed its airlocks and attempted to lift off. Fortunately, the authorities managed to seal the hangar where the trader was docked, giving the narcotics officers enough time to ground the Gray Landing and bore through its hull with a plasma torch.
"Nobody with nothing to hide does that," stated Sergeant Davenport. "Fortunately, Walker was still alive when we got to him. He even put up a fight when we went in to arrest him. It was almost like he was high off of spike himself--it was like he didn't feel pain."
Walker's arrest brings with it many disturbing questions. Given the rarity of whitespike, it is unlikely that even the most dedicated gatherer could supply that much biaxinin. The local authorities may have an explanation for this.
"From our analysis, we believe that the drug was either cut with something, or is an altered version of biaxinin itself," said Phyllis Carmichael, the narcotics officer who first analyzed Walker's shipment. "It has some of the same chemical properties, but in other respects, it's a completely different substance. For all we know, we could be dealing with a nastier version of the drug."
If this is the case, the government of Wreathe could have a whole new set of problems on its hands. The Concord primarily focuses on protecting neutral shipping, leaving only a few vessels free to enforce anti-smuggling regulations. The Alitarin government has offered no help to its distant colonial world, as it is still trying to free itself from the orbital blockade and occupation achieved by the Galvinites. This leaves Wreathe's government with barely enough resources to stem the tide of whitespike smugglers.
"Somebody has to be backing them," said a senior police official who requested to remain anonymous. "I think it's the Galvinites. They're just trying to wreak hell with our economy, and get thousands of Alitarins addicted. You know they're getting hopeless down there, and a little whitespike does a lot to get rid of pain like that..."
"A lot of the runners and growers we've captured seem to have trouble of their own..." said Sergeant Davenport. "It seems that somebody's trying to get a stranglehold on the market. Though I don't see where they'd set up their base of operations--in order to survive on Wreathe in the long run, you need habitat domes, and those need quite a bit of infrastructure and support." For now, the situation on Wreathe remains precarious indeed...
Reporter: Berylliumt
November 13, 2010
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| Unknown group seizes pumping station |
 Star System: Aegis
Date: 2502-03-22
Unknown group seizes pumping station, repulses attack, demands negotiations
Olit City, BLUEFALL – As the tense stand off at the Socarta Pumping Station entered its third day, tensions are reaching new heights. On March 20, 2502, a previous unknown group calling itself the Sickle of Truth seized a critical pumping station just off of Olit Isle, in the process taking one hundred and fifty individuals hostage. Two days later, an attack by unknown forces on the platform took place, with the attackers repelled with heavy casualties. After the attack, the terrorist group reportedly executed ten individuals on the platform. However, they opened communications indicating that they seek to negotiate with the Christopher Hale, or one of his direct reports, “without delay”. They also indicated that they intend to kill a hostage for each hour that passes until that demand is met.
Aegis Frontier Petroleum had financed the building of the Socarta Pumping Station in 2499. Considered one of the earliest successes of the Olit Incentive program, Olit’s administrators held it up as an example of how foreign investment could improve the lives of common citizens on the isle. The platform supported the Socarta Oil farm, which was the highest producing in the Olit-D’Mar field in 2501. However, the farm and station became a source of controversy when the Clone Compensation Committee (CCC) filed suit in Bluefall courts, seeking seizure of Aegis Frontier Petroleum, New Arrival Insurance, and Arrivers Charters as compensation to former Borealin clones, who live now in Rigunmor territory. Despite Christopher Hale’s suspension order, which required a cool down period, each company has continued to face different obstacles stemming from the suit. The Insurance Company was split into several pieces as a form of compensation to Vessey Traders, the individuals filing suit, and their Borealin owners. A separate case for Arriver Charters was filed in a Mary Belle court. Up until now, this company has drawn the most interest, not the least of reasons, because of the CFN attack on the hotel where the lawyers for Arrivers were staying. Unlike Arrivers, Aegis Frontier has no holdings outside of Bluefall. Therefore, Aegis Frontier Petroleum fell only under Bluefall jurisdiction. Every other Stellar Nation on Aegis refused the case. After this, Aegis Frontier Petroleum sites and vessels have been subjected to various public protest and harrassment tactics since the suspension. Up until now, though, the protests have been very public, and rather amateurish.
“It has been a nightmare,” says Lorne Tuvelov, CEO of Aegis Frontier Petroleum. “These protests strike us as a form of blackmail. They are attempting to take by intimidation what a court will not give them.” Tuvelov, for his part, has now relegated himself to the Rigunmor Island of Rhulesport. Private sources indicate that he is afraid for his life.
The seizure of the Socarta Pumping Station is believed to be a culmination of these incidents. Fortunately, for many, most of the pumping stations crew was on shoreleave, so that they could be involved in Remembrance ceremonies and celebrations. It was also the lack of a crew that probably allowed for seizure of the platform by terrorists.
Early attempts at negotiations proved futile, as the terrorists simply refused all forms of communication. The Regency, sent ships to sea, in order to isolate the platform. However, with only police boats, the Regency choose to maintain a loose parameter of 15 kilometers around the platform. It is believed that the Regency contacted the Nariac and Visions of Divinity about possible reinforcements. Neither side seems to have deployed any forces in the area..
Approximately thirty-eight hours after the attack, unknown assailants, ignoring the hails of the Regency fleet attacked the platform. The terrorists seemed to use several Ronin 900 25MM Sabot Cannons to defend themselves. In the process they sank six of the attackers boats. The attackers retreated, but only after salvaging or obliterating the wreckage. A small Regency fleet gave chase to the attackers. However, the attackers somehow disappeared. TVN has received exclusive imagery from Nariac satilites in orbit over the Stricken islands that suggests that they came from a renegade settlement on South Stricken. However, Regency sources suggest that the bulk of the fleet came from a nearby-uncharted island. No one from the Nariac Domain was available for comment. However, several Regency officials, unwilling to go on the record, noted that the domain has had considerable trouble with those settlements. There have been hints that Thuldan agents have been present in the settlements. No official evidence of this has been presented to anyone anywhere. There are rumors that the Nariac are looking for an excuse to bring these settlements to heel.
Today, however has provided the most startiling revelations to date. TVN has uncovered documents filed with Vessey regulators that suggests that the platform was sold three months ago to a private Thuldan consortium. This move, if true, opens up quite a number of possibilities as to who attacked the platform. There are only two known groups that have Aegis Frontiers in their sights. The first, CCC has showed no capacity for military operations up until this point. Meanwhile, CFN has not conducted any operations on Bluefall until this point, and has seemed to direct its wrath towards Arriver Charters. Meantime, Aegis Frontiers is not known to be on the list of any other terrorist organization. Still, Aegis Frontiers legal problems aside, it seems somewhat shocking that a Borealin company would sell out to a Thuldan interest. Lorne Tuvelov did note that such a sale was legal under Bluefall, Borealis and Rigunmor law. Lorne also indicated that the company was more than “amply” compensated for the sale. However, Lorne refused to disclose the exact details of the sale, and also indicated that he was unaware of the nature of the buyer, although he believed the individual to be non-Thuldan.
What the Thuldan interest is in a Pumping Station would be subject to some debate. Ambassador Stott has recently suggested that the many individual Thuldan should invest more “in the infrastructure of Aegis”. It is still with some surprise though that Thuldan interests have bought a pumping station. The Thuldan have, (to date) shown little interest in Petroleum extraction or refinement. Indeed, it is not entirely certain that the Thuldan are even involved in the acquision, as attempts to contact the new owners have so far been unsuccessful.
Currently, a much larger Regency task force, from Regency Island, is expected to arrive within three hours and take up positions arround the station. The belief is that this force includes more tactical firepower, which will be able to storm the rig, should negociations fail. In addition, Austrin-Ontsis, Orion, Borealis and Concord have made available several small ships to the Regency for deployment as they see fit. Although no one is certain, it is also believed that a Rigunmor contingent is on its way as well. However, the Regency has made clear that it will not accept any mercenaries, and it will not provide any reward for operations conducted by its allies.
The Regency believes that a Thuldan fleet is on its way, although its exact composition is unclear. It is also possible that Ambassador Stott has contacted the Nariac in order to deal with the platform. Given the recent strains between Pentad allies though, it seems unlikely that Nariac would be in a listening mood. Attempts to contact the Thuldan Ambassador have proven unsuccessful.
For now, the tense standoff continues. The Regency has already indicated that no representatives of the government would be involved in face-to-face negotiations with terrorists. While the surrounding fleet seems to be tightening the noose, due to the stations position, they cannot prevent the terrorists from making a run to D’Mar Isle for safety should they choose to try. D’Mar is owned by Visions of Divinity Inc, who is widely suspected of having extended connections with the Coreeno Crime family. Visions of Divinity have made no comment during the current crisis, but it is widely believed that they would not take kindly to any thing penetrating their territorial waters. Whether the Regency or anyone else would persue the terrorists if they succeeded in landing on D’mar is not known.
reporter: arijur
November 11, 2010
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| Small Activist group files suit |
Star System: Aegis
Date: 2501-07-16
Small Activist group files suit against three Bluefall based corporations
HUGHES ISLAND, Bluefall – Today, a group previously unknown in the Verge filed an open suit with the Bluefall judiciary seeking ‘financial compensation’ from three companies traded on Vessey. The Clone Compensation Committee, representing former clones created in the Borealis Republic, charged three companies with a failure to properly compensate individuals who had been created as clones during the pre-civil war Borealis Republic. The three companies targeted, New Arrival Life Stages Insurance, Aegis Frontier Petroleum, and Arriver Charters. Established in the Verge in 2497, all are companies that were seeded by the Tuvelov Consortium, and recently sold off to local Vessey traders through an Initial Public Offering. The Consortium, founded by Ariel Tuvelov in the early 23rd century, built its business around spaceports, cargo transportation, and finances in the Borealis Republic. During the 23rd, and 24th century, the consortium expanded as fast as the Republic. Today, just one part, Tuvelov Financial is the largest privately owned corporate group in the Borealis Republic. Overall, Tuvelov trusts encompass three private corporations, and a stock portfolio that encompasses many of the largest companies in the Republic. The company also retains interests in Far Reach, Concord Sagittarius, and in Rigunmor territory. It is the latter that has pushed the CCC to pursue consortium interests wherever they exist.
The history between Borealis and its clones is well known. Many clones were made to fill agricultural, manufacturing, and service jobs, while the nobles focused on ‘higher’ pursuits. In the later years of the antebellum republic, many clones created had come to increasingly suffer under corporate control. Labor laws, medical laws, and certain liberties were violated in the pursuit of ever-more perfect clones. The subsequent reforms made during the reformation, provided compensation considered adequate by many of the victims. However, this reformation which occurred in modern day Borealis and Concord territory, never covered any territory seized by the Rigunmor during the First Galactic War. The Rigunmor only belatedly allowed any reforms on ‘liberated’ territory. Many believe that lack of reform reverberates in Rigunmor society through today.
“It is utterly criminal what those ex-Borealin companies did. They unfairly profited off of the labor of individuals who were essentially born into bondage. That labor was turned into capital, which was then used to build an empire. When it looked as if they would be forced to come to terms with what they did the Rigunmor seized the territory, and let them get away scot-free. Meanwhile those who provided that labor are now left to rot in slums,” charged Emily Peterson, the Borealin lawyer leading the case. As evidence, she cited statistics suggesting that over eighty percent of all descendants of Borealin clones in Rigunmor territory remained in conditions ‘significantly below acceptable living standards’. Most specifically, they continue to lack access to education, adequate living units, advanced medical care, and to other necessities of modern life. While other Borealins who lived in this territory, have integrated into Rigunmor culture, or migrated back to the republic, these individuals have been trapped in a culture of despair.”
“This is utter nonsense,” counters Anna Sorinski, CEO of New Arrival Life Stages Insurance. “’The status of clones in territory annexed by the Rigunmor was dealt with under the Treaty of Earth. They were accepted as full citizens of the Consortium. The Treaty of Concord gave them additional protections, and the Consortium allowed many of these individuals to migrate to Concord territory. Anyway, the last affected individuals passed away in 2448. We are talking great-great grandchildren in many cases who are arguing that they were treated unfairly. And they are simply whiners who are unwilling to move on with their lives, determined to find others to blame their problems on.”
The law on which CCC is basing its suit is quite convoluted to say the least. The three corporations were spun from Tuvelov interests in Rigunmor space. Since the Rigunmor division of the Tuvelov Conglomerate was never indemnified under Borealin law, they were open to lawsuits under inconsistencies in Borealin law before the Civil War. Borealin court, however, has consistently thrown out such complaints as having been settled in both international treaties, and a side agreement made between Borealis and Rigunmor in 2481. However, an ancient Orion Nation law, passed in 2290, allowed for a citizen of the Orion Nation to file suit against a foreign power when that foreign power acted in contravention to its own laws. More importantly, it allows for seizure of assets of any such corporation, when such assets exist on Orion territory. CCC has filed under this law, seeking to secure the three corporations for its plaintiffs.
“Basically, they are attempting to rob Vessey shareholders of their wealth and transfer it to a bunch of down-on-their-luck Rigunmor citizens, ” said Joe Phi, local Vessey trader. He works for Sensible Investments, one of the larger brokerage firms representing citizens throughout the Verge. “They are going after these companies, under the mistaken belief that a bunch of simple locals will sympathize with a bunch of down-on-their luck Stellar Ringers. What they are really doing though is picking the pockets of Vergers because they can’t find relief in Stellar Ring space.” The three companies, are now majority-owned by citizens who have settled on Aegis, and it should be noted that the suit seeks to strip all current shareholders of ownership, and transfer it to the plaintiffs. Rumors on the grid suggest that many private traders on Aegis believe that Sensible was aware of the possibility of lawsuits, and failed to disclose it. Sensible was the broker who underwrote the IPO, and if true, this would be conceived as a major blow to a firm that many Vergers believed to be relatively clean compared to some on Vessey. Meanwhile, Vessey traders have not taken kindly to the lawsuits, punishing the three stocks by driving their price down nearly sixty- percent. Some grid-postings on Aegis messenger boards are suggesting that Vessey traders may have created the CCC in order to corner the three stocks. The plaintiff who filed the case is a Roy Geigerson. His citizenship on Aegis has been confirmed by TVN. However, his previous citizenship is unknown. One trader commented, “I wouldn’t be surprised if this was some convoluted ploy by the Tuvelov's or the Rigunmor to gain control over those companies.”
What the Bluefall courts are going to do is not certain. The Regent, who is believed to be courting several Rigunmor corporations for certain projects, has remained silent on the laws in question. The Rigunmor meanwhile, have threatened to pull out all contractors, and economic concerns, if this case goes forward. Concord officials, while sympathetic to the pleas of the destitute, are embarrassed by the persistence of this group. Officials in the Ring have noted in the past the great pains that Borealis has taken in compensating any wronged citizen, whether Borealin or not. They have also noted that other citizens in the Ring have not been nearly so fortunate. In the past, CCC has targeted businesses operating on Concord territory. CCC was instrumental in making Tuvelov interests in Concord Sagittarius address issues regarding the company’s involvement with the Hatire during the Second Galactic War. They have filed with the Rigunmor in seeking a dismissal of the case. Unfortunately, the Concord has found their hands somewhat tied by legal maneuvers done by the CCC in the Stellar Ring.
Unfortunately, this case has also drawn unwanted attention from several Verger separatists groups. “Once again, the web of Stellar Ring politics has ensnared us in its web. This should not be allowed, and everything must be done to prevent this from happening,” indicated a spokesman for July-22, a small Bluefall political group, known with its links to Verge separatists. More ominously, CFN’s political arm has also issued a statement on the case noting that “Arriver companies should not expect a stable business environment on the Verge.” To many, such statements from CFN are viewed as a bad harbinger of things to come.
CCC has not indicated what they plan to do if the lawsuit is unsuccessful. Mantebron’s governor has issued a decree that amends local interpretation of the 2290 law in such a way as to prevent such a suit from being pursued in its courts. There are rumors that CCC may attempt to pursue such a case at Mary Belle, despite their known distaste for anything Orion. How such a suit could play out is not entirely certain, but it is believed that Life Stages already has hired lawyers in the system to deal with any such possibility. CFN though, has already indicated that any Tuvelov, or Rigunmor interests in the system would be ‘unwelcome’, even if they were only seeking judicial relief. TVN also broached the subject of possible alteration on Lison. Given the current relations between the Rigunmor and their former colony, it is believed that no one on Lison is interested in pursuing any case.
Reporter: arijur
November 11, 2010
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| Concord "Operation Affinity" Bears Fruit |
Star System: Aegis
Date: 2503-12-14
Concord "Operation Affinity" Bears Fruit
The Tower, BLUEFALL- A pretty brunette begins the broadcast, sitting in a busy communications center at what appears to be a makeshift news desk. “This is Dainko Tryll, reporting from the Aegis System. A few days ago, I agreed to interview a Concordian official, on the stipulation that they remain anonymous."
"While I normally have trideo, in this case, the entire interview was communicated via telepathy. However, I was allowed to record the interview in a specially modified simsense rig.
“Without boring you the viewer further with the technical details, the subject, who only identified itself as ‘Cade’ for this interview, stated that they came forward to, in their words, ‘Give the Verge hope, that there are smart, experienced people who are deeply involved in this war against the Externals.’”
DT: “Thank you for allowing me to be the one to bring this information to the public.”
C: “Your welcome. As I told you earlier, I have a brief statement and then you may ask a few questions.”
DT: “Let’s begin with your statement then.”
C: “A number of years ago, near the beginning of the Concord, a project was started to bring together the best and brightest that the different races of the Stellar Ring had to offer. Many such being already were involved in their own governments or busy with other projects. However, as time went on, Project Synergy began to see some results. At first they were small things, inventions that found parallels in other Stellar Nations and so the project was continued. Aleerin cybertechnology was mated with Fraal psionic technology, T’san engineering and Human ingenuity. Other avenues of research were pioneered. Cultures, ancient, modern and in between, were dissected. Interpersonal relationships, intra- and extra-species were all reevaluated. Ancient philosophical questions were pondered, but this time from separate viewpoints. Why is there war? What price is peace worth? Freedom?”
“With preconceived notions thrown aside, some conclusions were new, and some not so new. Without delving into the theoretical, I can tell you some of the practical results. Operation Affinity, one outgrowth Project Synergy, is tasked with equipping the Concord to deal with the External threat. Imagine if you took the technologies available to the different races of the Stellar Nations and brought them to bear in a ship building program. Aleerin nanotech: Nanofluidic armor and powerful AIs. Fraal: Psionic Amplifiers and Gravitic Redirectors. T’sa: Life support expertise, Humans: Sheer production capacity.”
“We’ve been waging a clandestine war against the Externals for far longer than I’m currently willing to say. While secrecy still serves as a shield against our cunning foes, I am proud to say that the Concord will be stepping up their support of the Verge in this terrible conflict. While its true our enemy has some advantages in technology, the gap is a great deal narrower than many believe.”
There is a short pause before ‘Cade’ says, “You may ask your questions now.”
DT: “What can you tell me of Project Synergy?”
C: “Not much more than I already said. It is an umbrella research organization with a variety of projects that it oversees. For the most part, they deal with the primary goal of the Concord: The ability to wage peace among the various interstellar powers.”
DT: “And those that don’t directly support ‘waging peace’?”
C: “They have what I believe is a unique collaborative environment that is geared towards pushing the boundaries of knowledge in as many directions as possible.”
DT: “How much of the Concord’s resources is tied up in Project Synergy and its daughter projects?”
C: “I have no idea.”
DT: “5%? 10%?
C: “I’m not an accountant, nor do I have access to the information you’re asking about. Having never been associated with any projects of similar scope within the Stellar Ring, I have nothing else to compare it to.”
DT: “Do they produce starships? And if so, what size and how many?”
C: “That information is classified. Starships have been and will continue to be produced. As to their nature, all I can say is that there are ships out there with technology that is beyond what is currently standard Concord issue, and quite possibly, ton for ton, a step or two beyond what’s currently available in other stellar navies. Given the obstacles we’re up against, both in and outside of the Stellar Ring, quite frankly, it simply has to be.”
DT: “You’re conducting this interview via telepathy…how widespread is psionic use in the Concord? In Project Synergy? In Operation Affinity?”
C: “I can only comment on what I’ve personally witnessed. In some daughter projects of Project Synergy, psionic use is very prevalent, due to the nature of the researchers. In others, it is nonexistent. There is no blanket template for a project. However, in many cases, those projects that are equipped with telepathic researchers, there have been rapid results due to the speed and clarity of datasharing.”
DT: “Can you detail one such project?”
C: “The Kali-series Warbot. She went from concept to production in less then 6 months.”
DT: “So, you’re going on record as saying the Kali is one of the daughter projects of Project Synergy.”
C: “I just said so, yes.”
DT: “Are all the projects geared towards war?”
C: “No, only those of Operation Affinity. There are a variety of other tools and technologies that have been developed that will be introduced once their impact has been fully assessed.”
DT: “Isn’t that an arrogant stance to take? Aren’t you basically saying that the Stellar Ring isn’t mature enough for these ‘new’ technologies?”
C: “For one thing, I never said these were new. Many of these technologies are being researched by the Stellar Nations as we speak. You don’t see the Solars sharing their terraforming knowledge with the other Nations do you? Or the Nariacs cybertechnology? Thuldan genetics? In many cases, we’re playing catch up here. The big difference is that if and when its decided this information can be released publicly, it will be shared with all, Stellar and Verger alike. There is simply no way we could match the resources of the entire Stellar Ring, even if we so desired. Lastly, if anything, the fact that there have been two Galactic Wars is evidence enough that caution must prevail when dealing with the data we’ve accumulated and the memes we’ve developed.”
DT: “You mentioned that the Concord now possesses ships that are superior to other Stellar Nation ships. When will we see them and will they be able to stand up to the Phelgethon?
C: “They’ve already be operating in the battle theatre for quite some time. Unfortunately, I do not know of any vessels constructed by Operation Affinity that have the firepower of the Phelgethon. That being said, she is not the only ship, or indeed, the most important ship the enemy has in her navy. I can stress with great vehemence that a number of resources are been directed at the problem of Phelgethon. She will be dealt with.”
DT: “The question then is, when?”
C: “I’d like to be able to answer that, but to do so would be tantamount to murder.”
DT: “A separate question then: If the Concord has access to all this wonderful knowledge, why aren’t we seeing it?”
C: “What makes you think you aren’t? Just because we’re not trumpeting the latest trid player or drivesat doesn’t mean that we haven’t been using what we’ve learned. The fact that GW3 hasn’t occurred is one such piece of evidence I can offer.”
DT: “You’re saying that we’ve been close to GW3?”
C: “Still are. Despite all the sacrifices we’ve made to stop it, I afraid all we’ve done is slowed it down.”
DT: “Is it inevitable then…will we see another Galactic War?”
C: “Not if the Concord gets to have any say in the matter. Thank you, Dainko, we’ll stop here.”
There is a short pause before the trideo again shows Dainko Tryll at her makeshift desk. “I mentioned at the beginning of this transmission that this interview took place a few days ago. During that time, I’ve been attempting to corroborate any piece of this story. While much of the information presented by ‘Cade’ is still shrouded in mystery, I have been able to determine that the Kali warbots mentioned were constructed here on Bluefall, at the Tower to be precise.
One last piece of the puzzle is the arrival of the Chevalier in the Aegis System earlier this week. Sources in Ion Productions have confirmed that her hull is armored with nanofluidics, a technology that is generally only available in Mechalus body armor. Given the relatively small Mechalus population of the Verge, and their affiliation with the Rigunmor Star Consortium, it’s a mystery how the Chevalier could have her entire hull plated with the material…unless you believe that she was produced by Operation Affinity. Her survival against a heavy cruiser underscores the possibility of other technologies at work as well. If so, this can only be good news for the inhabitants of the Verge as the war against the Externals continues to rage. This is Dainko Tryll, TVN News.”
Reporter: Merid
November 05, 2010
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| New Evidence Links Liquid Sky to External Attack |
Star System: Aegis
Date: 2503-09-30
New Evidence Links Crew of Liquid Sky to Unknown External Attack
Investigators have obtained pictures showing the Liquid Sky fleeing the scene of the External attack on Hughes Island last May.
Investigators have been given new evidence linking the crew of the Liquid Sky to the tragic External attack which occured last May on Hughes Island, Bluefall. (see TVN reports "Unknown External Threat on Bluefall" May 6th, and "Additional Information Re: Unknown External Threat on Bluefall" June10th.) Choosing to remain anonymous, an individual came forward yesterday with several pictures of the disaster. The individual claimed to have recorded the images as he fled the scene in a skycar, and that the images clearly show the Alaundrin ship Liquid Sky in retreat. (see gallery, various, title "attack at Aegis".)
During an interview with reporters on Hughes Island, the witness remained behind a screen to conceal his identity. Though his voice was altered, his distress was appearent as he had this to say: "The thing just looked like a giant amoeba or something- a huge blob with eyes. Nobody knew for sure where it came from. It just seemed to appear in the middle of the warehouse district." According to police and emergency rescue teams, the creature then made its way to the edge of the city, tearing through anything in its path. Keri Frankich, Chief of Hughes Emergency Response Team, described the scene. "There was one explosion after another. Most of the buldings in a 2 block radius were engulfed in flames. Those of us with the E.R.T. didn't get a good look at the thing because we were too busy trying to evacuate the area. We were trying frantically to get people to safety."
Using the images to support his claim, the witness attempted to fill in the gaps. "I was just unloading a shipment at the dock when a strange storm started brewing. I have lived on Hughes Island for years, so I've seen a lot of storms in my day. But I never saw one blow in so quickly. And it didn't seem to come from over the sea like they always do. This one seemed to blow in from the city itself. In ten minutes we went from clear sunny skies to a fierce storm. Then I started hearing explosions nearby and decided to get the heck out of there. As I high tailed out of there in my skycar, I recorded as many images as I could, but most came out pretty fuzzy or too dark. By that time the sky was almost black. That was very strange also, considering it couldn't have been much past 3 or 4 in the afternoon. Anyway, just as I was almost out of range I caught a couple shots of the Liquid Sky flying off. I can't help but think they were the cause of this destruction."
When asked why he had waited so long to come forward with the pictures and information, the witness had no comment.
Reporter: mig_nova
November 05, 2010
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| Regent "Stressed" Ahead of Democracy Rally |
Star System: Aegis
Date: 2503-01-09
Regent "Stressed" Ahead of Democracy Rally
A spokes-person for Bluefall Regent Christopher Hale has blamed stress, and a long overdue visit to an anti-aging clinic, for the Regent's conspicuous absence at a publc forum held earlier today.
"Regent Hale has been working very hard lately, and has been long overdue for a scheduled anti-aging treatment," said Regency public relations officer Kailey Vorne. "Finally it's all caught up with him, and he's resting up for a few days with stress related fatigue. His doctor reports that it's nothing serious, he just needs some rest."
Vorne also denied rumours circulating on the Grid this morning that there was an incident involving the REC and an unknown intruder at the Regent's residence last night. "No, I do not know of any intruder," she said. "As you know, the REC have been conducting training exercises ahead of next week's pro-democracy rallies, but they did not clash with an intruder here."
Lith Maine of the Regency Enforcement Commission confirmed that exercises in emergency response and crowd control, including some at night, were taking place this week. "We don't expect any trouble from the rally here an Regency Island," he said. "But the corresponding rally over on Hughes is apparently going to have a high proportion of Arrivers taking part. It's just best to be prepared."
Rally organiser Cath Viswanathi confirmed that a number of Arrivers were going to be marching in the Hughes Island rally. "Yes, representatives of a number of Stellar Nations, particularly the Orion League share our views that we should have the right to self-determination. Oh, don't get me wrong, I have great respect for Hale - I'd probably even vote for him. The point is, we should be able to vote for him - or anyone! Bluefall is a great place in most respects, but lets not forget - it's also a dictatorship!"
When asked her opinion on the REC training this week, Viswanathi's opinion was clear. "Totally unnecessary. These are peaceful demonstrations by peaceful people. If anything, Enforcer presence is just going to aggravate people - after all, the power that a dictator could wield with a force like the REC at his disposal is one of the things we're against."
Meanwhile, an unofficial Grid poll today shows that if an election were held tomorrow, 73% of Regency citizens would vote for Hale. Regent Hale is expected to be back to full health by the time of the rally next week.
Reporter: Lukas
November 05, 2010
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| Orion League Supports Democracy on Bluefall |
Star System: Aegis
Date: 2503-01-11
Orion League Supports Democracy on Bluefall
In an unprecedented statement, the Orion ambassador to Bluefall, Olivia Lorne, has issued a statement supporting pro-democracy rallies to be held on Regency and Hughes Island later this week.
"I commend the people of Bluefall in exercising their freedom of speech, and campaigning for their natural rights - to have a say in government, and freely elect their leader from amongst their own," said Ambassador Lorne as part of an unrelated speech at a diplomatic function on Hughes Island last night.
The statement has sparked controversy in diplomatic circles and the community of Bluefall. Many are shocked or surprised at the comment from the normally diplomatic Lorne, who has had a long working relationship with Regent Hale. "Who is this Arriver to be telling us how to run our nation?" asked Marc Wover, a merchant from Hughes Island. "Our parents left Old Space to get away from the ways of the Stellar Nations, but these Orions dont seem to realise that Bluefall doesn't belong to them any more."
Not everyone on Bluefall is concerned by the ambassadors statement of course. Cath Viswanathi of the pro-democracy movement had this to say; "Great! Maybe now that the Stellar Nations are taking more of an interest in Bluefall and the Verge, Regent Hale will see that he can't keep us under this outdated form of government forever."
At this stage it is unclear whether Ambassador Lorne's statement was merely personal opinion, or a belief shared by the Orion government - so far, the ambassador has refused to elaborate, and no word has come from Orion officials elsewhere in the Verge. Whilst it may seem unlikely the Orion League would make a statement that would seem to contest Hales right to lead, some rumours from within the Orion consulate suggest that the League has become increasingly frustrated by the Regencys refusal to give them full access to the Deepfallen.
As yet, none of the other National ambassadors have publicly commented on Lorne's statement, but the Thuldan ambassador Andrew Stott has banned all Thuldan nationals on Bluefall from marching in the Hughes Island rally. Regent Hale has not yet returned to active duty, and has likewise not commented.
In related news, an anonymous source from the Regents staff has contacted TVN to allege that there was indeed an intruder within the Regents quarters two nights ago. "I know someone was inside," says our source, "and got into a gunfight with the Enforcers. I don't know whether they were killed, escaped or what." The REC and the Regency government still officially deny any incident.
Reporter: Lukas
November 03, 2010
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| Remembrance Holiday 2501 |
Star System: Aegis
Date: 2501-07-21
Remembrance Holiday 2501
For anyone who's never been on Bluefall during the Remembrance Holiday, images of outrageous costumes, ghost story competitions and wild midnight beach parties may not spring immediately to mind. But these are just some of the things that visitors to Bluefall might experience during tomorrows public holiday. While the day will begin with sunrise religious services held by most of the major faiths active on Bluefall, in remembrance of the 11 million sentients lost to the Vanishing, sunset will herald the beginning of a series of parties, street parades, and festivals planet wide.
One of the businesses on Hughes Island doing a roaring trade leading up to the holiday is Carl's Costumes, on Frield Street in the city. "The Deepfallen costumes have been my best sellers this year," says Carl. "The top range ones are really life like, you'd be hard pressed to tell them from the real thing at night. Actually I was surprised at the number of adults hiring these costumes - I had to alter some of the children sizes to meet the demand."
This reporter will attest to the fact that these costumes are really life-like, if the news footage we've seen of Deepfallen is anything to go by - and Carl has plenty of other great outfits as well.
The big event on Hughes tomorrow night will be the Grand Costume Party at North Beach, Welcome Point, with over 20 000 people expected to attend. The action starts at sunset.
For those who might enjoy something a bit quieter in their evening, why not go along on a Ghost Tour of Miram Island, a small settlement which has been left almost exactly as it was found after the Vanishing; and where it's said the ghosts of some of the former residents roam at night?
There's a lot on, but there are some community voices who would remind the public that tomorrow is not all about fun and games. "We should not be celebrating in such a frivolous manner," says Held Garner, a prominent member of the Hatire faith. "Please, everyone should attend a church service throughout the day in true remembrance of those who Vanished."
Regency officials have also warned against a repeat of last year's "Vanishing Ceremonies."
"Yes, a number of misguided groups last year held Vanishing Ceremonies; quasi-mystical seances, supposed to trigger another Vanishing," said Velmont Days, Regency spokesperson. "Some of these ceremonies were probably seen as a bit of harmless fun, but others involved some pretty unsavory or suspect practices. Now, there was never any real danger, but these sorts of things tend to alarm the public, and there were some altercations last year. I'd like to remind people that such ceremonies are banned this year and anyone spotting anything of the type should contact the Enforcers immediately."
So, on Remembrance Day; say a prayer for those who are gone, party like there's no tomorrow - but please don't try to re-trigger the Vanishing!
Reporter: Lukas
November 03, 2010
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| Fraal Scientist Reported Missing |
Star System: Aegis
Date: 2503-11-17
Fraal Scientist Reported Missing
The somewhat noted Fraal scientist Nephanor has been reported missing by the authorities on Bluefall today. His ship was apparently broken into and reports are unsure if anything was stolen, but all attempts to find the missing Fraal have turned up negative.
The somewhat noted Fraal scientist Nephanor has been reported missing by the authorities on Bluefall today. His ship was apparently broken into and reports are unsure if anything was stolen, but all attempts to find the missing Fraal have turned up negative.
Having recently come to Bluefall to work with Verge Alliance officials on various data collected about the Cathedral ship mentioned by the infamous reporter "Avatar" in Oberon. After its initial appearance and subsequent attacks, the Verge Alliance has dubbed this ship "Ascension". Nephanor was recruited for reasons not made public.
Those close to the Fraal claim that a little over a year ago, he had dissapeared for almost a month, and when he was found later, he claimed to have seen an alternate reality where evil Fraal had taken over the galaxy serving some alien gods. At the time it was dismissed as temporary insanity, but now with the understanding that the Thaal are very real and the rumors of their I'krl gods, this story has been whispered of again.
The last person to see the Fraal before this dissapearance was very reluctant to speak, only doing so if their anonimity could be kept. "He told me that the black men were back, and this time they wanted his artifact or they would kill him. He wasn't going to give it up, not without at least trying to get away first. I think he used it again."
Verge Alliance officials refused to comment on the dissapearance, citing that the Fraal's work was top secret and they cannot say anything more then the fact that his spaceship was broken into.
Reporter: Tseran
November 03, 2010
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