Volume 25

All the news that's fit to print, first!

From the Editor's Desk

Well here I am at the Editor's desk, feeling inadequate to the task of replacing TWITE's holidaying founder and star writer - Meanguy. Still, I will do my best to pass on the news of the week.

For the Empire,
Baron Fezdan

General News

This week saw several developments with new Imperial Alliance, The Crimson Knights. In what one source described as a "wild week" we saw members desert TCK, saw its leader attempt to "sell" it on the open market, and finally wind up in a Private Conflict with the Imperial Guard. One wonders how they can top that next week. I am sure we will hear more on this story in the days to come and look forward greatly to Frozen's promised interview with Jesus Nix, the current leader of TCK.

The really big alliance news though was the shock resignation of Denezar as CEO of Conglomo. After founding this large trade organisation and leading it for 18 months, Denezar issued a press release citing personal reasons for his decision. The new CEO is none other than Viscount Katmai, long serving member of Conglomo and one time Imperial Guard. He kindly agreed to an interview recorded below in The Imperial Soapbox.

The war on piracy took a giant leap forward this week with a joint operation between Red Cell and The Imperial Guard to destroy the Mooninite SB Orionstown. The attack was led by none other than Pixx, who gained fame as the Scourge of the Empire during our recent war with the Federation. He has once again shown he is a pilot of courage and resourcefulness. One wonders why he remains in the Federation.

The Keldon Report - by Frozen

This week I interviewed Kornel the current leader of Technocracy. I wanted to do this interview a long time ago but somehow we didn't get to do it until now. So here it is, enjoy..

(Frozen) First tell me something about you and how you got to be the leader of Technocracy

(Kornel) LOL... these interviews are hard......

(Frozen) Yes, I know, very hard question but try and give an answer :)

(Kornel) I used to be a freelance trader - strongly attached to Keldon Sector. I was a member of unofficial Keldonian trade alliance that was a basis of Technocracy. I took me many APs before I finally decided to join Technocracy, being the only member of that Keldonian alliance beforehand. As soon as I became Techno's governor of my beloved Keldana 2, I had to coordinate the new recruits around and supervise it's buildings. If I remember well, the first pilot fresh from training school assigned to me was a late Frost - a great person and a great pilot (she was pardus Mod for some time). So I started my alliance career very high, but stopped it there - I was the governor for a couple of months, then passed to post to Frost. Later, I've had to limit my pardus gameplay cause I was very busy in RL, also I lost the interest in game. Then in the mid of January 06, Krzysiek almost forced me to come back to our game. I bought a hawk and started some serious skilling and exping. As for techno, it was in quite a bad shape - many leaders changed in last months and there was no clear patch on what to do. So, I had to make that decision, and step up as a leader finally. We're now contcentrating our activites and preaparing for a big expansion.

(Frozen) The pilot, Frost, you mentioned was a good friend of mine. I always tried to help around Keldon and I always coordinated my actions with her. I think she is the main reason I have a good relationship with Technocracy. I'm really sorry she's gone... From your story I think it's good Krzysiek almost forced you. The alliance has had some hard times and It's about time someone does something about it. What are your plans for Technocracy? Where would you want to see Technocracy somewhere in the future?

(Kornel) I had to limit my battle venom usage cause I started to run a familly transport company on the surface of Keldana 2. In the same time I had to attend the Keldonian Univesity - I was doing my second graduate studies in Astro-Economy (my first degree was in Imperial Pilot Academy of course). The late Venom got rusted in the oxygenated atmosphere and it ran out of hydroden - I've almost forgot i have it... Then one day, krzysiek contacted me on my mobile space communicator - and told me he's got a nice, part-time job for me. The only problem was that i would need a fully armed Hawk for it. Hopefuly, I could find the needed 6m cash in my 'space buildings'....As for the Technocracy I want to see it revived, like it used to be - fully controlling and governing Keldon, Eta C and one sector with z-mobs! Also, we are thinking of finding ourselves a nice nook to keep a part of our buildings and pilots in safety.

(Frozen) I think all sectors that have Z-mobs are controlled by other alliances. How do you plan to take control of one of those?

(Kornel) Why do you think all the z-sectors are controlled by other alliances? ;-)

(Frozen) Well, all those sectors have starbases of other alliances. To control one of those sectors you would at least need a starbase there...

(Kornel) Yes. That would be very handy – but is not necessary. Other choice is to be a good friend of the SB owner.

(Frozen) So you plant to expand your activities beyond Keldon and the Empire. Is that maybe the reason why Technocracy never became a Empire alliance?

(Kornel) Sure. All the regions are being developed. But Keldon and Empire not. So if I want to expand I have to go somewhere else. But we aleady have some presence outside the Empire. As for our alignment - there were some plans and voices to become officially aligned. Most of the time we had some fed/union members, and for the short period of time when there were only Imperials in Techno we concluded not to do it. But beside that, everyone interested knows we're strongly attached to the Emperor. We have good relations with most of the big Imperial alliances. Everywhere we go we try to boost the Imperial influence.

(Frozen) So, tell me something about Technocracy. What makes this alliance special, how is it different from other alliances?

(Kornel) Hhmmm.... I think I've aleady told you something...I think the most important about Techno is our succesful and long history. We were one of the first alliances in Keldon Empire Core. We have a great number of our ex-members spread around the galaxy and different alliances and factions. Most of them have very good remembrance of Technocracy, and could still give us some help if needed.

(Frozen) What's Techno's stance on illegals? And what do you think about the TCO drug nook in Delta Pavonis?

(Kornel) Average. We're not Palladins, but not Slave Traders either. Me, i've never owned any illegal buildings...as for the TCO - Our attitude is neutral - we'll not interfere with other alliances unless they become harmfull to us. And they are quite a good neighbours...

(Frozen) Well, thanks for the great interview and for letting us know a bit more abut you and Technocracy. Is there anything you would like to say at the end?

(Kornel) You're welcome. It was nice to be interviewed by you. I hope I wasn't saying anything too crazy - cause it sometimes happens to me. So, good luck to all and safe flying :P





The Imperial Soapbox - by Baron Fezdan.



This week I managed to track down Viscount Katmai (VK) having a drink at the wine bar at Scofali's Restaurant on Urlafa. He kindly agreed to give me a few minutes of his valuable time for this interview.

(BF) Congratulations Viscount on your new appointment.

(VK) Hey thanks very much it’s a real honor to be running things over here.

(BF) In your first public announcement you mentioned that there would be some changes with you coming in as leader. Can you tell us more about these changes?

(VK) Well yes and no ;-) one of the main things I am working on is pure organization, in all forms, this also includes communication as the focus. Better communication leads to a better alliance I always thought. I am taking some of my experiences with IG and using that for reference for my changes to Conglomo.

(BF) What is your vision of the future of Conglomo?

(VK) Well I would like to see us become a more well rounded and active alliance, we have many good folks but not enough in the right place atm ;)

(BF) You were Denezar’s annointed successor, how did this baton passing sit with the rank and file of your members? Your public statement made it sound like there was some resistance?

(VK) I wouldn’t say resistance so much as being unsure. There was a poll taken among the members and there were only 2 folks who did not think I should be in charge, granted only 32 votes were cast with 20 for, 10 for but with nominations, and the 2 against. I hope to make everybody’s views feel welcome in all alliance actions and to dispel any fears that may remain.

(BF) Conglomo has always been seen as a trading alliance, you yourself are something of a fighter, serving with distinction during the recent war. Do you see Conglomo beefing up its military arm?

(VK) We are currently in the process of doing so but that is all I can say as the rest is classified and I really don’t want to have to kill you.

(BF) The Conglomo investments in Lane have been the centre of controversy and conflict in recent weeks, has the situation improved? What are your aims for the area?

(VK) Well it was a center of controversy since it was first settled many months back. The situation involves Conglomo renouncing its secret NAP with Mutant Enemy and actively attacking or preventing trade to occur. With some success thanks to help from other alliances, it is not over yet and wont be any time soon, we as loyal imperials need to send that type of scum back to the bottom of the food chain where they belong.

(BF) I like to think of myself as a serious commentator but I have been inundated with requests from swooning Imperial females (of several species) who want to know - is there a Viscountess Katmai in your life?

(VK) Heheh no, not as of currently, granted I wouldn’t have much time for her if there was. But I am always interested in propositions so if anybody out there is interested let me know :D

(BF) Your status as a war hero and your recent appointment make you one of the most eligible bachelors in the Empire. Can you tell those breathless admirers out there what you are looking in a female?

(VK) Well I would hope she is understanding of the responsibility I am under, I need her to be able to take care of herself and not rely on me to provide for every need. She needs to be hard working but knows how to have fun. I get along with most anybody so just pop on over and see what happens ;)

Now if you will excuse me I need to get back to calculating and double checking the alliance money transfers from the past 3 months, unfortunately the records are not well kept and many folks have not gotten their proper funds.

(BF) Thankyou Viscount for your time. We wish you luck.