27 AUG 3302
Independent auditor BigSix has reported various anomalies in the accounts of MetaDrive Inc., a company based in the Chi Orionis system specialising in hyperdrive research.
Reviewing the company's financial records, assessors found evidence of a series of payments to undisclosed suppliers but none of the corresponding checks and balances.
"It's a big mess," said the senior auditor of BigSix. "The company is being placed in receivership. It needs a buyer, and quickly."
Femi Dakarai, the chairman of MetaDrive Inc., was not available for comment.
Following the news, shares in MetaDrive Inc. plummeted. But a short time later, Sirius Corp unexpectedly volunteered to prop up the company.
"We've been interested in collaboration for a while," said the marketing manager of Sirius Corp's hyperdrive research division, "and were in talks over licensing MetaDrive's exciting new technology. We have no desire to see them go under."
27 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:
Kamarada Jet Legal Services
Tollan Free
Wuluwait Fortune Commodities
Epsilon Phoenicis Principles
Yuinni Worker's Party
Hatis Silver Brothers
HIP 19408 Monarchy
Brutas Crimson Netcoms Corp.
Official GCRV 52424 Defence Force
Machadan Alliance
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:
Aymiay Values Party
Confederacy of Yamahun
Alliance of CD-33 8748
HIP 24968 Empire Consulate
Partnership of Kaupatak
HIP 106213 Jet Power Services
Fular Purple State Corp.
Union of BD+14 611 Partnership
Dukes of Kachakapa
Union of LTT 2240 Democrats
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.