19 MAR 3302
Last week, Federal President Zachary Hudson announced plans to construct a new Farragut Battle Cruiser in the Federal system of Beta Hydri. The production of the ship was designed to mark the inauguration of a new arm of the Federal Navy known as the People's Navy. One Federal source said the ship would "occupy a significant role in the Federal Navy, strengthening our borders and enhancing the profile of our armed forces".
The Empire made no response to the announcement, but an anonymous source from the upper echelons of Imperial society has now revealed that Admiral Denton Patreus has expressed concern over the Federal initiative. In a message released to a number of media feeds, the anonymous source said:
"The construction of a new ship, even a warship like the Farragut, isn't necessarily a cause for concern. But we have reason to believe that the Federation intends to significantly expand its Navy over the coming months, and naturally this has the Admiral Patreus worried. If the Federation did indeed embark on a campaign of military fortification, it's likely the Empire would respond in kind."
19 MAR 3302
This report presents the latest data on expansion among the galaxy's minor factions.
Here are the latest factions to have expanded into new systems:
Asvincegin Empire Pact
Simarasir Dynamic Solutions
Volkhabe Blue United Solutions
Nepehuevit Empire Assembly
V2160 Cygni Values Party
Tjupany Blue Life Corp.
HIP 34961 Empire League
Revolutionary Gorgon Liberals
Wayan Energy Network
Left Party of Polecteri
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.