Volume 4

All the news that's fit to print, first!
From the Editor's Desk
I have borrowed the graphic designer "nickpan" from the Tiacken Tribune. So changes are underway, albeit slowly. Have patience. Hopefully the use of a pirate won't damage the paper, but any and all resources to get the job done is how I work.



General News
There has been a rash of disappearances in the Neutral Zone areas this week. Many Daayans and some buildings there simply disappeared. Starbases disappeared without any notice. Whole alliances disappeared even, yet no one seems to know what happened. Let's hope these random anomalies don't crop up in Empire space.

Scientists have found that Medusa's and their offspring the Medusa Swarmlings are breeding, and their numbers increasing. The only good news to offset this hazard to shipping, is that the lifespan's of the creatures are found to be getting shorter. Praise the Emperor.

Rejoice! Imperial researchers have just produced new weapons. The 140MW laser has just been added to the Imperial arsenal as well as two new super missiles. These new weapons will only be available to high ranking officers (Earls, Marquis, and Dukes). Advances were also made in Gatling technology, reducing the size of these now mostly outdated weapons. Unfortunately at the same time, design flaws were found in many of the Empire ships, such as the Phantom Advanced Stealth Craft, the Spectre, the Ficon,the Constrictor and the Boa Ultimate Carrier, prompting changes to their structure.

It would seem Federation engineers also made some breakthroughs, increasing the hull strength of some of their ships. We also now know where the incredible weapons on their runaway Z-drones and fighters came from. The thieving humans have once again stolen our research and shared it with their allies.

A new Enemy - Energy Bee Swarms, has been spotted in the Lane Cluster, North Pardus Rim and Rashkir. I think we'll let the rebels...I mean Federation, worry about these abominations.

Pirate Activity
Dave Angel and Ace "short stack" Rimmer, previously of Red Cell, a rebel aligned group of pilots, has been spotted pirating in TSO areas. No word on why these former do-gooder and killer of Mooninites decided to jump ship and take up with the Jolly Roger.
Szeryf, previously of M.E.R.C. has been found pirating in the Urlafa area. Hopefully some lucky bounty hunter will destroy him. Also of little repute and even smaller skill, micase was seen in Quana.
Bird the III of Famous Pirate has also recently been spotted in Ska. It is rumoured the increased pirate activity is in response to the MO's that have just been erected.


New Buildings and Demolitions
Pass-Emp-01 and Pass-Emp-02 are now blocking all pirate traffic into the Ska'ari cluster. The Imperial Paladins erected two MO's in 01 and let through all but foes. 02 is controlled by The Shadow Order and Ruby Legion and are passing only friendly's at the moment. This was a concerted effort put forth by Imperial alliances. Working together to make the Empire safer. So if you are heading to or from the Neutral Zone bring some energy and fuel, and when in doubt, take Pass-Emp-01. Also worth mentioning is that Serio Beneficium is helping stock the MO's in Pass-Emp-01.
In addition, the Starbase The People's Starbase was demolished and a new one has been erected on the Empire side of the MO's. ziggurat finisterrae umbrosae is the new SB name, I think we'll just call is ziggy.
Scorpion Guard longtimer Kahldar has also recently finished constructing Scorpion Hold in Urhoho. Let's hope the Scorpion Guard have better luck with this one.


Alliance News
This week a group of pilots from the Imperial Order of Paladins, Circle of Enlightenment and The Pardusian Inquisition mounted an attack on the Delta Pavonis nook. Run by The Chaos Order. The Imperial Guard also were involved in attacks on TCO and in all 12 pilots were sent hurtling towards their homeworlds in pods. Thanks to bounties on every pilot in TCO, the Soul Reapers also joined the party that ensued.
Firsthand accounts indicated that 5 pilots from the attacking forces were sent on pod rides. Before all hostilities ended, infamous Mooninite and ex-TCO leader LordofChaos was seen in the area actively defending.
The Imperial Guard was only involved as the Starbase owners of TCO (cargo and WanderingLynx) have Mooninites and other pirates on their friends lists. TIG called off their hostilities 24 hours later on promise of having the offending pirates removed from safe harbour in the Empire.
Diligent researchers at This Week In The Empire have found that, like most pirates, cargo has not held true to his word. I expect to hear more in the coming weeks from this conflict.


Interviews

This weeks interview was with Kora of Ruby Legion, who was more than happy to answer all of our questions.

MG > How long have you been a pilot?

Kora> For quite a long time. I signed up about august or early September two years ago.

MG>How many active pilot's do you have in your ranks?

Kora> According to recent activity data, that's 41 out of 44.

MG>What are Ruby Legion's main objectives?

Kora> To keep Empire at peace. To keep our grounds safe and secured. And to provide some young pilots a good start for a more interesting career.

MG>Do you get much resistance to your MO wall's in Lianla and VH 3-344?

Kora> Not much - there were several assaults, mostly by those newbie pilots that weren't smart enough to send a passage request and decided to go aggressive way - I assume that safe flying could be worth some failed missions. And there were 2 major sieges, both unsuccessful. Still, MO's usually block off those pilots that have a negative Imperial rating or been noticed at telerobbing/piracy, so there are not that much pilots that feel themself unjustly blocked.


MG> It must be useful to have a dragon den behind MO walls? Do you encourage your pilots to use that opportunity to the fullest?

Kora> Sure, it's quite useful :) at least gives pilots a good hunting grounds for fast exp(erience) and skill gain. Of course, it's all voluntary, and dedicated traders are not necessarily needed to visit combat training, but anyway, all pilots are recommended to spend a couple of weeks hunting :)


MG> Do you foresee an end to the Private Conflict between yourselves and M.E.R.C. anytime soon?

Kora> Maybe. Once again, maybe not. I personally do not like those who split on behavior rules at our territory, while dictating their own rules at their - so there's not a single reason to peacetalks yet. Especially now, when their members have been banished from known space.

MG> You picked up romanu when the Scorpion Guard fell. How is that working out so far?

Kora> So far - difficult enough, he had quite a lot of foes after his SG service, and I had to use lots of diplomacy to cease hostilities. But this is legion, and as long as pilots follow the given orders and do not violate our code, I do not care for their past. Their present is of my concern.

MG> It appears that the Scorpion Guard has rebuilt and are reforming. I have heard that your alliance helped play a role in that? If so, how?

Kora> Some supplies and some military support - nothing special at all.

MG> When will we be seeing you in a fighting ship again?

Kora> No idea :) I'm not top of the fighters, not best of the traders, so I just accumulate some cash for alliance needs.

MG> Do you have any concerns with the Universe being unstable and wormholes opening, of having your sector open up via XC 3-261?

Kora> No, this VH opening has already been thought over, discussed and several possible ways of solving this security breach had already been worked out. Most probably, some of the new sectors would be claimed as multi-alliance protectorate and would be closed both by legion and ur allies.

MG> Thanks for your time. If you have anything to add, I'd love to hear it.

Kora> Not for the same topic, but Ruby Legion and PACK have finally signed non-agression pact instead of staying at cease-fire stance to honor the annual anniversary of our conflict :)

Next week we interview...You'll have to read to find out.