02 JUL 3302
Today marked Kumo Tribute Day, which sees representatives from systems under the control of Archon Delaine curry favour with the Pirate Lord by presenting him with lavish gifts.
Highlights included the presentation of several Imperial aristocrats, an assortment of rare narcotics and even a live barnacle. One system gifted a gold-plated Federal Corvette equipped with experimental weapons, much to the Pirate Lord's approval.
But several systems were unable to present anything of value, having fallen on difficult times. One unlucky official named Ferdinand Haim, representing the Lusonda system, arrived empty handed, pledging his system's undying loyalty as tribute. As silence descended, the Pirate Lord thanked Haim for his gift before ordering him to prove his loyalty by taking his own life.
As Haim's dead body was removed, one pirate joked: "There's always one who plays the loyalty card. Who do they think we are – the Empire?"
Commander Gan
The Privateer | Interstellar Press
02 JUL 3302
Yesterday, the Empire joined the debate over the Federation's decision to deploy Farragut Battle Cruisers in the Merope system. In a statement, Senator Zemina Torval asserted that the use of Federal warships represented an attempt to claim possession of the non-human structures, commonly known as barnacles, found in Merope.
Responding to this criticism, Federal President Zachary Hudson has released a statement to the media:
"Our motives are entirely altruistic. The Federal presence in the Pleiades is motivated solely by a desire to protect the non-human structures located there."
"Since the barnacles were first discovered, they have been ruthlessly exploited. Given the barnacles' value to xenobiologists, and taking into consideration the possibility that they may possess some form of sentience, this exploitation cannot be allowed to continue."
02 JUL 3302
After months of vicious fighting, the Imperial Naval Auxiliary has reinstated the Facece Empire Party as the controlling power of the Facece system.
Marquis Endincite, who coordinated the effort to reclaim the system, made the following statement to the Imperial Herald:
"The Empire Party has regained administration of Facece, and we beseech Imperial Commanders everywhere to ensure its continued dominance in the system. Never again should the Empire allow its pre-eminent Naval base to fall under the sway of disloyal elements."
The Allied Facece Order, which seized Facece late last year, retains control of multiple planetary and orbital stations. Fighting is likely to continue for months.
Chancellor Anders Blaine, the system's administrator, has yet to make an official statement. But he is reportedly preparing to address the Empire, and to commend Marquis Endincite and the Imperial Naval Auxiliary for their service.
Commander Corrigendum
02 JUL 3302
This report presents the latest data on expansion and withdrawal among the galaxy's minor factions.
Here are the latest factions to have expanded into new systems:
Caspatsuria Empire Assembly
Glutia Citizens of Tradition
Social Ix Chita Partnership
Windri and Co
Xue Davokje Empire League
62 Ursae Majoris Silver Life Ltd
Wu Kich Solutions
Parnut Purple Power Corporation
LP 747-25 Creative Organisation
Rugai Interstellar
Expansions occur when a minor faction reaches a sufficient level of influence and there is a populated system within striking distance. Expansion is costly, so when a faction expands, the wealth and development level of the system it controls are temporarily reduced.
Here are the latest factions in withdrawal:
HR 8170 Brotherhood
15 Pegasi Legal Limited
LP 715-52 Network
BD-08 535 Services
Jarildekald Public Industry
Chem Holdings
People's 73 Rho Cygni Democrats
LP 404-66 Life Industry
Values Party of LTT 10462
Huokang Silver Universal Ind
Factions are considered to be in withdrawal if their level of influence within a system drops below a certain level. If the faction's influence remains low for a total of five days, the faction must leave the system entirely. If the faction manages to increase its level of influence, it remains in the system.