20 AUG 3302
The Canonn Interstellar Research Group has discovered, recorded and translated a tight-beam transmission from an Unknown Probe directed at Merope 5c.
Research into the Probes has so far been hindered by their scarcity, but with the increasing number of Probes being found, transmission analysis efforts have ramped up, leading to successful decryption. The transmission was found to contain blocks of octal numbers describing planetary data such as radius, surface temperature, gravity and atmospheric composition.
The nature of the 'receiver' on Merope 5c is now under investigation.
Commander Muetdhiver
20 AUG 3302
Recent reports indicate that an attempt was made on the life of Admiral Denton Patreus as he delivered a speech at Mackenzie Relay in the Cemiess system. The Imperial Internal Security Service confirmed that it apprehended three individuals carrying firearms who attempted to approach the admiral's podium.
Following the incident, Admiral Patreus appeared slightly shaken but said: "I will never submit to terror. These individuals will be brought to justice."
Subsequent reports identified the culprits as belonging to the organisation Emperor's Dawn, but it is rumoured that the dissidents were bankrolled and supported by a second party.
"Emperor's Dawn was smashed – it's history," said a researcher for the Imperial Citizen. "Someone else was behind this – someone with a major grudge against Patreus."
20 AUG 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:
Lundji Major Corporation
Earls of LHS 283
Byel Tan Jet United Corp.
Canary Mining Corporation
Nidarijedi Empire Party
Traditional Velliep Justice Party
Ch'anjie Netcoms Commodities
Gabri Labour
Wolf 1414 Nobles
Tomani Blue State Co
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:
New Wolf 248 Independents
Chinicollo League
Paletes Order
Social Mombawet Revolutionary Party
Confederacy of Mandubii
Nisgayo for Equality
United LHS 1101 for Equality
Vetta Bureau
Official Huano Regulatory State
Negidals Co
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.