Volume 43

Welcome to This Week In The Empire

From the Editor's Desk
It's been an interesting week for sure. I had myself a run in with a dreadscorp that sent me on a pod ride. I always learn a lesson though. This time it was that things change. I'd never had issues retreating before. Well this time I did, and I stupidly forgot to bring repair robots with me. Live and learn.
That said, it's been a busy week. I attended a funeral for a planet bound friend and had to fight a she-devil for a replacement Luicidi cloaker, so my apologies for no interview. They'll resume next week.

General News
Pirate Poo and Amai y Hassa decided to have a sspot of fun last week after a bout of drinking. The two, of Famous Pirate fame, decided to make a big bang to impress an Admiral. Two starbases in the GAP were destroyed, with large losses of life. One was an Imperial base, Delta Redemption, commanded by Calibur. It was located in Cegreeth, and had an approximate population of 50000 (numbers vary with a certain amount of migrant populations). We mourn this loss of life and the blow it deals to Imperial colonization of the GAP. No resistance was given as the base commander was caught totally unaware. The location of the squadron hire is still being investigated.
A second base was also removed, Midnight Sanctuary also in Cegreeth commanded by Eugenides. Resistance was given, but priority had been given to evacuation, and eventually the base was destroyed. Much life was still lost (in excess of 30 000), and we mourn the passing of all these souls.
Following these actions Famous Pirate issued a statement. They now claim the GAP and plan to return it to the wilderness it once was, issuing and edict that no building in GAP would be safe.

The Union starbase Arrakeen in Remo was destroyed by members of Red Cell after a failed attempt to accomplish that very feat the day earlier by Admiral's Nebulosa and Quetz. Losses were estimated at 97% loss of life for base inhabitants. No concrete totals have been released.

Two days ago, in retaliation, the Union has struck a crushing blow to the Federation sector of Sargas, capturing all three bases in the Sector. The Admirals Scratching Post, commanded by Admiral Nebulosa was captured by the mercenary Ghorahkhan, widely regarded as one of the best squadron commanders in the Universe.
Next to fall was Monument of Indomitable Spirit, commanded by Macros, and captured by Whooboy. Last to fall was Eclipse, commanded by Admiral Quetz, but fall it did. The entire assault was over in less than two hours.
Yesterday fighting continued, with the Fornacis base Nittany Station commanded by Aiex Rider being captured by Zanth. Bombers then proceeded on to southwest Fornacis and the Lost Temple of Excel 2.0, commanded by Tightwad, and destroyed the base completely. The bombers then moved on to northwest Ras Elased and destroyed The Shubbery Mk 2 commanded by Volkh. The base had previously been weakened by an internal property dispute within the Federation. Lysin was the squadron commander responsible for both base destructions. This leaves Sargas and all but one starbase in Fornacis under Union control, and it is surmised that last Fornacis base cannot be far behind. Again the entire operation was executed with precision and took under two hours.

Imperial News
Famiso had it's asteroid averted in short order by Conglomo. Mostly comprised of Imperial traders, the alliance made short work of assembling the required supplies for scientists to create the tractor beam.