Rumors! Gossip! Tabloids!

Lochan stumbles with two weeks to go

LA HARROULETTE, Vaashnapoor, Duureanta, Harroule IV - 17/02/122

Duureanta’s rollercoaster campaign for the Archon’s chair took another unexpected turn this week as race favourite and incumbent, Gopala Lochan, was embroiled in scandal following a reception to celebrate the opening match of the Major League Kendu season.

Lochan, doyenne par excellence of Duureanta’s establishment, had been fancied to just about defend a challenge from the populist Vasumati-Rumaita ticket. Throughout the campaign he had traded long on his deserved track record as a safe pair of hands and guardian of traditional Duureantan values, including in his speech before the big game. In an uncharacteristic stumble, however, Lochan left himself vulnerable to both accusations of hypocrisy and difficult questions about his judgment after the appearance earlier this week of intimate images of him in the company of a off-world guest at the event (whom we are unable to identify for legal reasons).

Devastating social media commentary in recent days has reversed last week’s polling gap. Although it still remains within the margin of statistical error, the trend is clear. Perhaps equally worrying for Lochan is the public withdrawal by a raft of prominent establishment backers of their endorsements and financial support, led by the outraged family of his deceased spouse.

Public reaction has been surprised and bemused. “I’m disappointed, after all these years of support, to find out he’s saying one thing but doing another (if you know what I mean), just like the rest of them. Thought we could trust him at least.” commented one Vaashnapoor market stall holder. “I’m kind of impressed he had it in him at his age having watched her holoreel catalogue but still, no… just no.” added a first year biochemistry student.

The market seemed to be pricing in a Vasumati victory this morning, with several big biotech stocks trading upwards in anticipation of deregulation driven investment. At this point, the real question is now how big the margin, which will determine whether Vasumati wins in a position to bring lasting change to Duureanta or facing dangerous and motivated opposition.

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A wandering Vherokior skald passes from station to station telling tales and singing for his supper, in such a way are traditions maintained and news passed between clans.

One such tale is that of a recent murder and the failure of the clan elders concerned to agree punishment. So the story goes, one Beiro of the Tendri Brutor (a mining foreman with Minmatar Mining Corp in Gelfiven) did murder his shipmate Eiri of the Kuvar Krusual (an astrogeologist working on the same mining project) in cold blood by bludgeoning his head with a compression ratchet. The Kuvar Clan demand punishment in kind, given the killer was sober and claimed no offence of honour, which the Tendri reject on the grounds of diminished responsibility (not disputing that Beiro wielded the ratchet), claiming Beiro has no memory of the incident and may be the victim of a curse.

Meanwhile, work on the project has stopped while a replacement astrogeologist is found (all agreeing that an outsider would be a more diplomatic choice for now) and some are predicting that the dispute will be elevated to the elders of the two tribes given the clans’ deadlock.

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The virus spreads while the host exhibits no symptoms. It is undetectable for several weeks and extremely contagious. Mortality rates are high and the virus, developed in a military bioweapons research program located in the heart of the infection zone, was designed to mutate unpredictably.

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Oursulaert VI - Chemal Tech Research Centre

An APPLICATION for surface use on a celestial body

Celestial: Oursulaert VI - Moon 1
Location: Centre of planet-facing side

Permission is requested for the construction of a permanent 
life-supporting structure at the centre of the planet-facing 
side of the moon. An indefinite lease of the region within 
1km of the structure is also requested.

The proposed purpose of the structure is to serve as a 
non-denominational shrine or meditation site. There shall be 
no permanent habitation facilities. See attached blueprints. 
The structure shall have an automated homing and docking 
system but will not broadcast any signals.

Construction is to be contracted to Dusk of the Old Horizon [OLDHR].
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CRIME BOSS’S DEATH BY CAR CRASH DECLARED A MURDER

25/02/122: Kamio VI - Moon 7 - Sukuuvestaa Corporation Production Plant

A Sukuuvestaa investigative tribunal has concluded after thorough examination that the death of crime lord Igor Kaitu, an overboss working for the Guristas in the regions of Sanctum and Sinq Laison by high speed hovercar accident aboard the Sukuuvestaa Corporation Production Plant station in Kamio is the result of electronic tampering.

The spokeswoman for the local branch of LAWbringer Co., the current law enforcement contractor for Sukuuvestaa’s station, Yuru Isaro, said in a statement, “At this moment, we are treating the electronic attack as a multiple homicide and are attempting to locate the culprit and determine the method whereby the vehicle was accessed. However, what we do know is that the death of Mr. Kaitu and his passengers and the serious injury of three others in the resultant collisions, were both intentional and premeditated on behalf of an as-yet unknown third party.”

Chief Overboss Igor Kaitu was known to authorities operating on behalf of CONCORD in the Sanctum region, specifically as the primary Guristas affiliate managing that region and expansion efforts in neighboring Gallente space. He was also known to be involved in ordering and organizing the conflict against the Alabaster Song Ring, a large, independent criminal organization which is responsible for the majority of criminal operations in the Sanctum region. Both organizations are said to be headquartered in the Secure Commerce Commission Depository in Tar, an underdeveloped system in Sanctum. Kaitu’s death preceded a wave of pacification attacks by the Alabaster Song Ring, as well as infighting as members of Kaitu’s Guristas organization struggle to take control.

“We expect the next few weeks to be relatively dangerous, but we must send the message that we do not tolerate any criminal organization to operate in the Sanctum region. This space belongs to the honest, hardworking people of the system. It is not territory to be divided up by hooligans,” says Lieutenant Mendos Villier, Special Crimes Unit Lead for the Tar Police division of CONCORD, in a statement. “We urge citizens to stay cautious and alert, and to report any criminal activity they see so we can put this unnecessary gang war to rest.”

At present, LAWbringer Co. is operating under the assumption that the Alabaster Song Ring is responsible for the attack, though Lieutenant Villier was noncommittal. “The Alabaster Song Ring actually is not very technologically sophisticated, and the report we read indicated this to be a very high level electronic attack.”

Indeed, the manner in which the attack was carried out is still baffling LAWbringer criminal investigators.

“We do know that, for an as-yet unknown reason, Mr. Kaitu was driving quickly and recklessly with two associates in the car,” said Korut Thimnasan, Cybersecurity Investigations Division II lead for the Tar Police division of CONCORD, presently involved in the investigation as a consultant. “We also know that he very quickly commandeered a vehicle he did not own and this was the vehicle involved in the crash. We also know that, within ten minutes, as he was traveling through the SuVee station in Kamio, a third party managed to somehow access the vehicle’s maintenance protocols and open their own command shell. This third party then used their command over the maintenance protocol to disable several redundant safety features, lock the accelerator in the current position, disable all onboard braking, and then engaged the right front retro-repeller.”

The car then slid out of control, constantly accelerating with one front thruster firing wildly, until contact was made with a nearby automobile seconds later. This guided the car into a protruding guard rail. The impact nearly split the car in half from front to back, and the resultant damage ignited the capacitance gel in the car’s battery bank. All three men in that automobile, including Mr. Kaitu, were killed by either the impact or the resultant explosion and fire. The car contacted by the accident ended up sliding against the guard rail, and the couple who were inside at the time suffered serious injuries. They were released from hospital after a week, expected to make a full recovery.

However, police are still baffled by how Mr. Kaitu’s commandeered vehicle was infiltrated so quickly and interfered with so accurately. Further investigation has discounted the possibility that the station-side security surveillance system was compromised. No other vehicle or drone was seen pursuing Mr. Kaitu, the theft of the vehicle he was driving had not been reported at the time, and the footage of Mr. Kaitu and his vehicle has not been altered.

“Whoever was operating that command shell managed to input precisely the correct set of commands for that make of hovercar to cause the accident at precisely the right time, even though there was no way to know what car Mr. Kaitu was going to take. We can only surmise that they knew where he was going, but how they knew when precisely he was going there, or when or if he would arrive precisely at the scene of the crash, is still unknown,” Thimnasan said. “If it hadn’t unquestionably happened and evidence for the tampering been undeniable, it wouldn’t even have occurred to me that it would be possible. I give great credit to LAWbringer Co. and their staff who even investigated the possibility and found that there was no other way for this series of failures to happen.”

Mr. Kaitu was later found to have visited the station regularly, but investigators have yet to understand precisely why. It is not thought that Mr. Kaitu’s criminal enterprise extended so far as Kamio, nor are any of his Guristas contacts or administration thought to use that station as a base of operations or means of communication. It is thought that, considering this new method of attack, the deliberate nature of the hack and difficulty of investigators to discover a culprit sends a message on behalf of those who carried it out.

Lieutenant Villier says that, for the moment, he is grateful for LAWbringer Co.'s assistance in the matter of investigating the death of Mr. Kaitu, but the greater danger is the power vacuum he leaves in Sanctum, and particularly the Tar system. “A wave of reprisal killings and pacification attempts by the Alabaster Song Ring erupted hours after the incident and continue to the present, and so it is a matter of re-establishing order and taking advantage of the situation before either the Alabaster Song takes over the entirety of the station’s criminal enterprise or one of Mr. Kaitu’s lieutenants assumes control of his operations.”

Thimnasan grimly expects the Alabaster Song to best benefit from the situation. “They reacted almost as soon as it happened, which is why we assume they contracted out the murder to the party who managed this. We do not assume the Alabaster Song Ring itself has this level of expertise or capability. We frankly don’t know anyone who does.”

Spokeswoman Yuru Isaro spoke adamantly on the subject. “We are still investigating the matter, and will until it is resolved. No matter the methods employed, this was murder, pure and simple, for gain. And whoever is responsible will be brought to justice. We will not rest until it is so.”

LAWbringer Co. has offered a 100,000 ISK reward for any information which would answer facts in this case, and has asked that those that have said information should contact LAWbringer Co. franchise 1453-A in the Sukuuvestaa Corporation Production Plant, asking for Detective Ghalio.

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The campaign office of Gopala Lochan, incumbent Archon of Duureanta, has released a statement regarding the events of 8 February FC237 (YC122), at which time he apparently engaged in scandalous behavior following a party he held for the Cannons-Lions kendu match.

To the surprise of some, Lochan confirms and takes responsibility for said behavior, walking a fine line between not disowning the events but showing regret for the resultant upheaval. Some have commented that the strategy is a risky one considering that he is up for reelection. Cynical points of view have suggested that the release of this statement was timed so as to better support his chances in the election this upcoming week.

The statement, which was provided to all Duureanta news outlets and several other Federation media outlets as well as posted to his campaign’s GalNet site, is provided below.

Supporters, friends:

By now you may have heard the gossip and read the pundits’ takes on my activities on 8 February of this year. I hosted a viewing party for the first Major League Kendu match of the season, which our Duureanta Lions won in dramatic style. The party was attended by several offworlders, mostly capsuleers, and it happened that I spent most of the match in the company of one of them. She was a charming woman, and combined with the thrill of the match and rather extensive celebratory drinking, that night I made some uncharacteristic decisions.

I say “uncharacteristic” because drinking so heavily and spending the night with a woman are not regular habits of mine. Understand, however, that I do not disavow these choices. Most of what has been said of that night is true. I accept responsibility for my choices, and I do not regret them.

To those who believe my actions that night were hypocritical, I extend my apologies for betraying that which you held me to represent. I have only ever held myself to be that which I am; I can be no other. But such a personage is subject to the interpretations and wills of others, whether it be his constituents, the media, or his own family. I have a responsibility to be a representative of the public’s interests at all times. For a short while, that responsibility eluded me.

I remain as committed to Duureanta and her citizens as ever, and my stances on public issues have not changed. As ever, I will continue to protect the traditions of our community.

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Mylain Advocate–Special Report, 26 February YC122

Well-Known Slashfic Author Writes Colorful Political Novella Just In Time For Elections

Tessande Falconer, known better to her GalNet readers as “Tessie”, has composed a biting satirical novella called Election Night. While her past fare has used capsuleers as leading characters, this novella features the Federation’s most famous and infamous politicians, especially those who are angling for the President’s chair.

For those who are familiar with Tessie’s work, Election Night (not its actual title) is a masterwork, building on her past writings and exhibiting a maturity and sensitivity that has been steadily growing as she hones her craft. New readers will certainly be entertained–and likely titillated–by these heady, creative stories, though her politics prove highly subjective.

Each chapter features a different candidate (or expected candidate) for the Presidency, and each candidate’s portrayal is highly dependent on Ms. Falconer’s point of view. It’s clear where her vote is going–and possibly where she wants your vote to go. Senators Suvio Bellaron and Mentas Blaque suffer ignoble endings–one of them humps an unidentified but highly fetid creature–while candidates Celes Aguard, Wayaki Kayara, and Shaileen Ramnev enjoy more successful adventures. The chapter “Are You Up For It?”, featuring a surprise “cameo” from controversial local leader Gopala Lochan, paints presidental hopeful Celes Aguard in the best light of all. (Julianus Soter and Kelen Ontbad fall somewhere in the middle; the former’s chapter, “War Prostiteering,” also features President Roden and is dedicated to capsuleer @Charles_Cambridge_Schmidt.)

“Tessie” is already facing accusations of attempting to sway voters towards her favored candidates. Indeed, the growing thread of comments on “Election Night” include many statements supporting that sentiment–but framed in positive, grateful ways. “I wasn’t gonna vote, but I sure am now,” one posted, while another enthused, “I hadn’t paid much attention to Aguard and Kayara, given how small-fry they are, but now I’ve done some research and I think I like what they’re saying!”

For her part, Ms. Falconer seems perfectly happy to have influenced the public in such a manner. “I wanted to get people involved. Get people motivated–but not to run for the easy answers. This is a time for reconciliation and tolerance, not war and hate,” she said in a statement sent to The Advocate. “We’re about to set the tone for the next five years. Let’s make sure we do it right, you know?”

The final chapter in the novella, “Many Voices, One People,” illustrates just that point. Ramnev, Aguard, and Kayara spend Election Night at a pajama party, chatting about their ideas and hopes for the Federation. (Eventually the scene turns into the most tender and affectionate intimacy seen in the novella.) While Falconer’s choice of politics for this particular story won’t please everyone, her writing is superb and detailed, and shows plenty of promise for this Mylain-born rising star–albeit only if, as she clearly hopes, the Federation’s politicians have an appetite for sensual satire.

Election Night can be found at Tessie’s blog, The Pen and the Pod.

(( Link, but ))

(( These stories don’t actually exist, because liability. But I did write up an OOC explainer outlining what’s in them, so that characters can discuss the novella as if they’ve read it. While the explainer doesn’t go into lurid details about the slashfic’s content, it’s still not the sort of thing you want your boss to see you reading without context, so I’m marking it NSFW. Be smart, kids! ))

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After the recent terrorist attacks in high security space, the Arataka Research Consortium quietly issues a brief news ticker. The Consortium’s fleets against the Triglavian menace are recalled from the border regions to Amarr and Caldari core territories. Scouts are sent out to all four empires to document unusual presence of precursor spacecraft or installations. Otherwise, the Arataka Research Consortium does not respond to the latest crisis yet. However, a press statement issues expressions of condolences to the victims of the attack as well as a condemnation of these acts of terror.

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New Archon faces fragmented Daarbur
LA HARROULETTE, Vaashnapoor, Duureanta, Harroule IV - 02/03/122

The Archon’s chair in Vaashnapoor’s Daarbur has a new occupant this morning, Tanvir Vasumati. However, without a majority in the Daarbur, Vasumati’s ability to govern will depend on building and maintaining a coalition of minority partners.


Announcement of the results was delayed as the margin between Vasumati and Gopala Lochan fell below the threshold triggering an automatic recount and Duureanta’s constitutional court had to give judgment on a petition to suspend the election based on Federal Government directives following recent violence elsewhere in the Federation. The final results, with a voter turnout of 78%, are as follows:

  • Tanvir Vasumati: 31%
  • Gopala Lochan: 29%
  • Jairah Kaaron: 8%
  • Garick Mahabir: 6%
  • Sayani Narallan: 4%

Vasmati had been expected to win comfortably after Lochan’s recent behaviour allowed critics to question his self-professed ‘traditional values’ but many voters appear to have accepted to Lochan’s public apology, while others were more reluctant to back reformist Vasumati in the wake of the series of terror attacks that swept the Federation just before Election Day.

For many years there has been a clear winner as Archon which, under Duureanta’s constitution, makes the Daarbur assembly relatively weak. Not this time, though, so here is a refresher for those who may have forgotten or are unfamiliar with Duureanta. The Daarbur has 100 chairs. Twenty-two of these will be left unoccupied as a reminder of those who did not vote but must be represented. The remaining 78 will be filled by nominees of the candidates proportionally to their respective shares of the vote. Only the Archon may propose a motion. Motions must be approved by a simple majority of the occupied chairs, in this case 40 votes. The Archon can propose motions as he or she sees fit but must propose any motion requested in a petition signed by two thirds of the occupied chairs, in this case fifty-two signatures.

Our coverage of the election has not focussed on the three minor candidates to date but they now, unusually, find themselves king makers. Jairah Kaaron is the spokesperson for an ultra conservative Reborn constituency, who we expect attracted many former Lochan voters and would be a deeply uncomfortable partner for Vasumati. Sayani Narallan leads Durreanta’s independence movement, with links to other secessionists across Viriette. Garick Mahabir is a former star for the Duureanta Lions kendu team, a popular local hero and something of an unknown quantity politically. While there are a number of possible coalition combinations, our tip is Vasumati with Mahabir and Narallan (holding 41 votes) but the dust is still settling and, as this election has illustrated, five days let alone five years is an awfully long time in politics.

[[Art Credit: Adam Kuczek]]

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REPUBLIC STAR

BREAKING: BOSENA ACCORDS’ OPERATION GALATINE WEAKENS SEYKAL-KRULLEFOR STRENGTH IN MOLDEN HEATH

Confusion and violence spread across Molden Heath today as a joint coalition of Bosena Accords warclones, independent capsuleers, and advisors from Corovid Industries have conducted a series of high speed raids against the Seykal Clan and their Krullefor allies.

Acting on critical intelligence sold to the Bosena Accords by an unknown hacker, the attacks have targeted key Seykal-Krullefor strongholds and supply areas in an effort to cripple both organizations ability to make war in the on-going Seykal-Cartel war. Six days ago, Bosena Accords spokeman Galm Esokla-Fae initially offered a ceasefire to the Seykal Clan in the interest of de-escalating the ongoing war but quickly altered their terms following input from cadet chief Melisma Ramijozana. Unless the Seykal and Krullefor were willing to agree to terms, they would instead refocus their efforts on “delivering a hammer blow to [Seykal-Krullefor] operations while they are on the back foot defending their territory from the Angels [Cartel.]”

Citing the persistent threat that the Seykal Clan has posed to the stability of the Minmatar Republic, a coalition was quickly formed to use the opportunity created by the Seykal-Cartel war to put a swift end to Seykal-Krullefor influence in the region should the Seykal refused to negotiate. The newly formed coalition has carried out assaults on a series of fortifications across Molden Heath. Rather than intervene in the on-going gangland violence in populated civilian areas, a vast majority of attacks were focused on rapid strikes against strategic supply centers on former warclone-controlled lands planetside or “hard target” orbital fortifications.

Exceptions occur, however, with Accords troops amassing on their stronghold planet of Bosena IX in preparation for a sustained invasion of the Krullefor planetary fortress located in the Third District of Muttokon II. With the air war already raging in the skies above Muttokon II, the Accords has dispatched veteran pilots from the 1st “Hellawes” Strike-Fighter Squadron to conduct SEAD operations against Krullefor defense batteries to clear the way for their air assault corps.


(Above: Strike-fighters from the Bosena Accords’ Hellawes Squadron conduct strafing runs against Krullefor supply convoys outside Muttokon II District 3 while a gun battery burns in the distance.)

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Protestors caught in Navyii Akat terror attacks fearful of government medical care

VERIFIED VIRIETTE, Navyii Akat, Intaki V - 05/03/122

The protest movement against the Intaki Assembly that sprang up in the last quarter of YC 121 came out in strength last week to mark Senator Bellaron’s campaign speech at the Assembly Chambers. The extent of the casualties among the crowds outside the Chambers is still being assessed but seems likely to run into scores or even hundreds.

While some of those affected are being treated in government run facilities, we have received multiple reports of many others who are unable or unwilling to access this care due to fears of being arrested for earlier armed clashes with Assembly loyalists. Talks between the Intaki Assembly, protest organizations and “rebel Intaki Militia” to achieve peaceful disarmament and political amnesty have been underway since late YC 121, apparently without achieving a comprehensive agreement.

A particular challenge is helping those affected by the ‘chemical warfare agent’ used during the attack, which some sources have identified as the notorious ‘deathglow’. While Senator Bellaron has been placed in a medical coma to prevent neurological damage, no such treatment is available to those in political limbo following the protests and local expertise in relation to deathglow is understood to be particularly limited given it has not been deployed in the Federation to date.

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Once upon a time, there was an inexperienced captain who used a needle filament to escape from a wormhole. however, she had not considered that New Eden is very big and that she now had to fight for survival far away from her home… did she survive? I don’t know.

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(post withdrawn by author, will be automatically deleted in 24 hours unless flagged)

“Months.”

“I know.”

“He’s been sitting in station for months, making day trips to Placid. CONCORD hasn’t come by to root him out like they promised. Hasn’t found that bomber, but he’s still been sleeping.”

“Know she’s been sleeping around, then.”

“That’s not all. He’s hired this pilot. Mean streak an AU wide, nasty brawler. Training him, and he’s adapted. He’s gotten twelve marks in the last four weeks alone, and that’s beaten his last two years in total.”

“He’s getting ballsy.”

“We picked up these, deep embed.”

“…no ■■■■■■■ way.”

“He is almost back to full strength. Look at his eyes. He’s got that weird flashy ■■■■ on his wings and he’s not backing down from what we believe to be one of, if not the best fighter on her homeworld. He’s lost it.”

“And?”

“Just rumors. Nothing solid. But there’s rumbles she wants more.”

“More?”

“That’s all I have.”

“That’s great. That’s just ■■■■■■■ great, A.”

“Hey, whatever the security is, I can’t crack much of it.”

"Whatever the hell he’s on, we need to shut him down. Last time he had this kind of confidence he nearly razed a planet to a perfect sphere, and took out nearly sixteen billion in ship assets before they made landfall. Over a girl."

“He’s alloying fast.”

“He’s getting too big for his britches. Are they ready?”

“What, the-”

“Yes, the whole thing.”

“We not going to wait until the bomber’s cooked?”

“No. We move now.”

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“Is Beth in?”
“Who’s asking?”
“Tell her this is Lleyl.”
“Go ■■■■ yourself.”
“With pleasure. After you get me through to Beth.”

“I’ll take it, Iro. It’s fine. Hi Lleyl.”
“Hi. Are you secure?”
“Yea yea, we’re fine, as always. Do you happen to know where Tinny is these days?”
“That’s why I called. They’re putting the band back together. Wanna come?”

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REPUBLIC STAR

KRULLEFOR UNDERBOSS KILLED ON MUTTAKON II AS OPERATION GALATINE CONTINUES

The Bosena Accords has claimed credit for the death of Sals Armarthen, the Krullefor Organisation’s lead underboss in Molden Heath. As the airwar over Muttakon II begins to draw down, the Accord’s elite Draugr Division was dispatched planetside under the command of Bosena Accords veteran Foley Jones to conduct battle damage assessments following a key series of airstrikes from the 1st “Hellawes” Strike-Fighter Squadron. According to squadron commander Mobius Wyvern, Sals Armarthen’s convoy was intercepted attempting to reach Seykal-aligned territory ahead of the Bosena Accords invasion.

It is unknown at this time why Armarthen was attempting to reach Seykal territory. While the Krullefor organisation appears to be closely allied with members of the Seykal clan in smuggling operations across Molden Heath, the Seykal Expeditionary Force has recently pivoted their operations in working with the RSS-affiliated Krusual Covert Operators to combat the growing Angel’s Cartel presence in the region following an initial turf war with the Cartel. It’s unknown at this time if the newfound Seykal-Krusual bloc is merely an alliance of convenience, or a purposeful move to distance themselves from Krullefor operations to protect Seykal interests as the Bosena Accords continues their war against the Krullefor Organisation.

When asked for comment on the nature of the Krusual-Seykal alliance, Bosena Accords spokesman Galm Eskola-Fae had this to say.

“The situation in Molden Heath, and the Republic at large, is incredibly contentious. Our continued operations against the Krullefor in Molden Heath is only possible due to our allies in the region and in the United Neopian Federation. Our coalition maintains excellent standing with the Republic Security Service, which has allowed us to coordinate with local leaders and officials to help navigate the politicial minefield in the Heath. While the current political landscape has forced us to withdraw from attacks on Seykal targets, this latest strike has allowed us to deliver a crippling blow to Krullefor operations on former warclone lands. It is unknown if Sals Armarthen was cloned ahead of our strike, but I remain confident that our attack has caused enough chaos among the rank-and-file of the Krullefor Organisation that we can mop up Operation Galatine without any major resistance.”

At the time this article is being written Foley’s Draugr Division reported multiple victories in their land assault on the Krullefor facility on Muttokon II. To any Krullefor operatives on the receiving end of the Bosena Accord’s assault, Galm Eskola-Fae was quick to offer them clear terms of surrender:

Lay down your arms and become independent mercenaries under the Bosena Accords charter, or be sent back to Baliggan Krullefor “in a dust pan.”


(Above: Draugr Division soldiers mop up hold-out Krullefor forces on Muttokon II )

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6NJ8-V VI - Moon 6 - Guristas Production Shipyard, Starship assembly line B-12.


"Man…What’s with all these frigates and destroyers coming down the assembly lines of late? Past five days I’ve worked on nothing but Merlins and Condors.

“That’s…Off to you? We’re working in a ■■■■■■■ shipyard where we BUILD ships daily. Seems like business as usual to me.”

“But it ain’t business as usual, because these ain’t Guristas ships, the materials and blueprints for all these ships are being supplied by a Capsuleer.”

“And how the hell would you know this?”

"Because none of these ships are being placed in Guristas hangers…They’re being redirected towards a private part of the station. Also we’re skipping the nanocouting phase, so all of them are being delivered to storage without Gurista colors.

“I did think that was kinda weird actually…I was assuming they were gonna be for some operation where they need a bit of subtlety to sneak up on their target…Form up with some Navy convoy making port with some State outpost and light the place up once you’re past the security perimeter.”

“Wow, Look at you thinking strategy - planning the big heist from the goddamn factory floor trenches. Why ain’t the Rabbit coming to you for advice?”

“■■■■ you, I’m just trying to make sense of stuff going on here like you…So you’re sure these ships are being requested by some Capsuleer?”

“Gotta be, ontop of the ships being stored in different hangers on the other side of the station - all the manufacturing jobs that come in are not apart of the usual daily production list. A third party definitely is funding the production of these ships and I don’t see anyone except a Capsuleer being said third party. Who else has that kind of pull around here?”

“Well…Which Capsuleer?”

“I don’t know that much…T-Though when I was working the assembly line, prepping some construction-drones to wield the armor plating on the nose of a condor, I looked up and two levels above is where you’d see the Overseer - I saw this girl talking to him…Something about her was familiar…”

“In what way?”

“It’s weird…But she was wearing this “thing” in her head, can’t really put it to words - but it was like some metal halo or something.”

“Wait…It wouldn’t be…God dammit, where did I leave my neocomm?”

“Right there on the table, dumbass.”

“Ah! Good…Overseer would have my hide if I left this somewhere…Now, she wouldn’t have looked like this - would she?”

“She didn’t have rabbit ears.”

“Dickhead.”

“I’m ■■■■■■■ with you! Yeah, that’s why she looked sorta familiar. She looks exactly like that outplace mascot character for that network that popped up awhile ago…You know, aside from the lack of rabbit ears.”

“Well who the ■■■■ is she? Is she the Capsuleer?”

“I guess? Though I could’ve sworn the Capsuleer that was making the announcements for the Network was a guy.”

“No you’re not off…Maybe…Maybe he’s the one backing the construction of these ships?”

“Would make sense…Maybe they plan on selling all of these on the market. Just doing it in bulk so they can bring the price down to something affordable? Establish a strong presence on the market with the largest quantities of goods and set the lowest price for them.”

“Damn, look at you planning strategic moves on the market. Why ain’t Fatal coming to you for financial advice?”

“Because he’s ■■■■■■■ dead, that’s why.”

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The following was found in a Throne Worlds based nobility gossip tabloid.

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A Runaway Commander

Earlier this week a Strike Commander N. of State protectorate forces has field a petition to a superior officer in regard of a maniac with psychosis who was stalking her. The psycho was found to be a capsuleer and his apprehension wasn’t seem possible despite the Commander’s demand. As a preventive measure Cmdr. N was assigned a pair of guards to her quarters, which she tried to protest, but was forced to comply.

A day ago she was found missing. Guards didn’t report anyone or herself leaving the quarters, the footages of the inside quarters security cameras were mangled. Following alarm was stood down as Cmdr. N was found boarding her ship from the docks.

Over two days the situation has repeated five times with the Commander seemingly appearing out of nowhere on outside security cameras on decks above and below her quarters or again in the docks. When she was finally apprehended she refused to give comments why did she do this or how did she manage to escape quarters with single door without guards noticing. Apparently, she was reprimanded behind the closed doors for this irresponsible and childish behavior that doesn’t correspond to her rank and status. However, it doesn’t look like she will have to face any harsh consequences, considering her actions constitute only minor misbehavior.

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"The Pinch" (a local online tabloid, Kasrasi system)

Monsters terrorize the docks; capsuleer party is to blame?

YC 122-04-05


"Multiple witnesses reported bizarre creatures harassing the personnel and passers-by at the shuttle docks of the Trust Partners Trade Post after the midnight today. According to the victims, there were at least three of the “monsters” wreaking havoc in the transport hub, with station security arriving when the prankers’s shuttle already disengaged the clamps.

One of the witnessess, a Thukker maintenance worker, describes the perpetrators:

“…There was a woman with metal hands and blue lips and the wolf ears and the tail, you know, like some Gallente freaks wear. And there was a tall, hairy thing, like, from a horror holo, a werewolf, but it wasn’t a wolf, it was all spotty. And it was wearing bloody human skin for a bra, I swear! And then there was a catman that walked on all fours but then he lagged behind and got up and ran after the other two.”

“The cat was really creepy.” - confesses a young Sebiestor employee. - "I was completely startled and scared by the hyena as it looked on me and scowled, and the cat sneaked at me from behind and said “Meow!”

“I think they got Klaus.” - said a crewman from one of the ships docked at the facility. - “I saw the cyberfurry offer him a beer and no one can find Klaus now.”

“When I saw the werebeast groping a passenger, I called the security, but they got here maybe a minute too late. We’ll get the departure logs and video surveillance data to see those bastards banned from our station for good, whoever they are!” - said an angry Nefantar shift manager.

Sources in the station security linked the mysterious “Dock Monsters” to the capsuleer masquerade party that Ms. Raske, a well-known socialite, held at her venue the same night.

“Usually all the fun that takes place in L’Amore stays within the establishment. Apparently, some of the guests this time decided they haven’t had enough fun.”

“…I saw a walking tree on level thirty-nine, man.” - a Brutor janitor told us. - “A ■■■■■■■ ten foot tall walking tree, with branches, twigs and ■■■■, and it was eating a burrito!”

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