==Headline #462194== Construction Chaos ==Article #462195== Planet Miura - 817 A.S. - A saboteur recently detonated a large amount of explosives smuggled onto a section of the Sigma 19 jumpgate, killing eleven workers and injuring nineteen more. The jumpgate construction, which had been on schedule for completion during the first quarter of 817 A.S., has been set back by at least eight months, according to DSE engineering teams sent in to inspect the aftermath. We will work with the Kusari authorities to find out who was behind this atrocity and bring them to justice, stated DSE spokesman Mark Brenston. "No asteroid will be left unscanned until the perpetrators are sent to the Miura mines for their crimes." It is believed that an anonymous tip-off arrived soon after the explosion, lending weight to the evidence that agents of the Hogosha were to blame. Investigations into the incident are still ongoing and no conclusive results are expected for some time. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #462196== Prisoners' Plight? ==Article #462197== Planet Miura - 817 A.S. - A number of disturbing reports have surfaced recently regarding the treatment of prisoners in the uranium mines on the planet Miura. Allegations of physical and sexual abuse are regularly filed with the prison authorities, although it appears that little is being done to resolve the issues. One prison guard, who would speak only on condition of anonymity, stated: "The conditions down here are appalling. The guards are not paid enough for the work they are doing, and the prisoners have it much worse. Most of them are Bretonians, although there are a lot of political prisoners from New Tokyo as well." In the meantime the uranium shipments continue to arrive at Isehara Terraforming Outpost on time, and despite the relatively high turnover of prisoners, more continue to be shipped in from various prison stations to serve as the GMG's cheap workforce. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #462198== Terraforming of Planet Miura ==Article #462199== The terraforming of Planet Miura is on schedule as planned, according to several top Kishiro executives who spoke earlier today, in an attempt to calm the nerves of panicky investors after the terrorist bombing of the Sigma 19 Jumpgate project. Stocks in Kishiro plummeted following the terrorist attack, but rose again and stabilised after the announcement by Kishiro Technologies' financial executive, Mr. Yutaka Kinjo. "This terrible attack on the Sigma 19 jumpgate has in no way set back the scheduled date for completion of the Planet Miura terraforming project. Shipments of terraforming materials continue to arrive safely and security has been further tightened to ensure the continued safety of everyone working on the project." Officials from the GMG, who own Planet Miura, could not be reached for comment although it is believed that their security has increased considerably around Isehara since the incident at the jumpgate. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #466636== Terrorism Works ==Article #466637== Encouraged by the recent success that the Mollys in Bretonia have had in getting the Government there to come to the table and talk terms. The Xenos have stepped up their attacks on targets throughout Liberty in the hope of provoking a similar response from the Liberty Government. "We know they are hurting" a spokesman for the Xenos said recently, "For every 3 ships that make it into Liberty, they are losing at least one". The Xenos attacks have recently become Liberty-wide, indicating a degree of organization higher than what was originally believed, Liberty forces, while coping for now are finding themselves increasingly stretched thin by the constant harassment. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #466638== A Problem of Cash Flow ==Article #466639== Money has always been a problem for the Xenos. A grass roots organization made up of mostly disgruntled lower class workers and their families, the Xenos have never had much of a cash reserve to call upon. Raiding supplements their income, through the sale of stolen parts and commodities, as well as plundering the last remains of silver from the silver fields of Colorado. It is rumoured that they may also have a number of secret beneficiaries within the upper classes of Liberty itself who donate funds and support to the group. Though this has never been proven and no one has ever been formally charged in this area. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #466640== Someone on the Inside ==Article #466641== Xenos have no shortage of manpower. As the number of dissatisfied workers in Liberty grows owing to the Governments economic policies there, so to do ranks of the Xenos. Their brand of simple politics and nationalism is an attractive drawcard for many among the millions of bitter and angry out of work people of Liberty. The prison ships of Texas also provide a reservoir of hardened recruits, where the Xenos are aided by insiders in the LPI itself, who are always eager to make a quick buck under the table. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #466642== We Stand Alone ==Article #466643== Or do they? Recent reports have indicated a level of tolerance shown to some non-Liberty factions from the Xenos themselves. Particularly the Zoners and the IMG. Speculation about possible attempts at real diplomacy from the Xenos might be premature however, as indicated in comments made during a recent Xeno pirate radio broadcast in New York. "We don't need anyone else in Liberty" the speaker said, "We look after our own. We won't go trashing through someone else's backyard, but we don't welcome others coming and trashing through ours". -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #466644== A Ready Made Army ==Article #466645== The desperate Liberty citizens that join the Xenos bring with them a multitude of skills and abilities. Ranging from technicians to Doctors, Priests to labourers there is no shortage of ability within the ranks. "It's not technical skill we lack" said a Xeno spokesman, "That we have plenty of, if your ship is damaged, we have ample people who can fix it, it's the parts to fix it with that we sometimes lack". The fickle nature of supply and the deep pool of talent has made the Xenos skilled improvisers and well versed in "making do". Skills which will be needed if they ever hope to achieve their political aims in the face of the stiff and determined resistance from the Liberty military. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #477304== Religious belief rate drops ==Article #477305== Thanks to education initiatives in both science and philosophy, religious adherence has dropped to an all time low of 2.3% in recent months, with the majority of this small group sticking to the Islamic faith of their ancestors. Experts claim that this is due to ethno-cultural factors as opposed to religious fervour or belief. Of the remainder, the faiths vary widely, although most of the believers have incorporated the ideals of communism into their faiths, as approved by the Commissariat. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #477306== Fighter corps expand ==Article #477307== The Coalition Fighter Corps has sprung to nearly twice its former size in recent months, mostly due to recruits from Rheinland. Although these pilots possess natural skills, and are more than happy to fight for the Revolution, their sense of discipline is hampered by years of piracy. It is rumoured that squadrons may be broken up by ethnicity in the future, but high ranking Coalition officers deny any such thing, and claim that they are fully integrating all recruits into established units in order to foster proper revolutionary ideals. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #477308== Corsair threat is blunted ==Article #477309== Throughout the last few months Coalition pilots have won stunning victories against the Corsairs, both in Omega-5 and Omega-50. It is believed that Corsair casualties have reached a number of over one thousand pilots and crew, although since no prisoners were taken and combat logs are sketchy, exact totals will not be forthcoming. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #477310== Coalition pilot rakes in medals ==Article #477311== A former member of the Bundschuh, Commander Eugen Weise, was awarded his third 'Hero of the Revolution' medal today for single-handedly destroying a Corsair cruiser in his snubfighter. Commander Weise has served the Revolution for more than two years, and in that time has become the single most decorated member of the Coalition in active service. Commander Weise has vowed not to lay down his arms until the scourge of capitalism is cleansed from the sector, and is an inspiration to all members of the Coalition. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #477312== New fighters enter active service ==Article #477313== Earlier this year a team of engineers began work on a new Coalition line of snubfighters, and their diligence has paid off. Within the next month three new types of strike craft will enter service: the Revolution Bomber, the Partisan Light Fighter, and the Insurgent Very Heavy Fighter. All three of these ships boast heavy armour and advanced power plants, and have proven to be far superior to their Alliance counterparts in exhaustive tests. It is rumoured that a new type of capital ship is currently under design, although sources on Mykolaiv Research Station refuse to comment. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #477314== Rheinlanders flock to the Coalition ==Article #477315== Hundreds of new recruits from all corners of Rheinland have joined the Coalition forces in the past year. Whether ex-pirates, simple citizens, or former police or military members, they all now serve the Coalition as pilots, crewmen, and mechanics. The Workers of Rheinland are rising to a new banner, and that is the banner of the Coalition. If all houses of the Alliance were to follow the example of their cousins in Rheinland, the sector would be free from capitalism within the year. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #477316== Zvezdny Gorodok completed! ==Article #477317== After months of toil our dedicated workforce has finished hollowing out a lunar body in order to house our Fighter Corps in their new base: Zvezdny Gorodok (or Star City in English). The base's commanders claim that it is able to withstand heavy bombardment, providing that the enemy actually works out what it is, and providing that opposing forces aren't already eliminated by our elite patrols. According to them, the possibility of an enemy even making it far enough to spot Star City is unlikely, at best. This moon base is a perfect example of the efficiency of the Coalition model in Sirius, and should hopefully be the first of many such projects. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #500343== Tensions Rising between Kusari and Bretonia ==Article #500344== NEW TOKYO -- 813 A.S. -- Kusari government can no longer tolerate provocations of Bretonia, backed up by considerable increase of Bretonia Navy presence in Tau systems. According to latest information, Bretonia has stationed capital ships near Holman Outpost, a peaceful installation of IMG in Tau-31 system. Bretonian patrols were spotted in different regions of Tau-31 and Tau-29. Independent Miners Guild has already expressed regret over militaristic actions of Queen Carina that were undertaken without any particular reason. Carina herself explained military buildup with shameless lies that we already heard many times - about New Tokyo government supporting Gaian eco-terrorists and preparing aggressive actions against the Leeds system. Therefore, Kusari Foreign Ministry accuses Bretonia of preparing aggression and deliberately false accusations against Kusari people. Since now on, mighty forces of Kusari Navy will enter Tau-29 to defend Kyushu and other Kusari systems from potential aggression of Bretonia. Tau-29 is now under Kusari military jurisdiction, and Bretonian military and police ships that will try to enter the system will be shot on sight. For the sake of peace in the Tau sector, Kusari government will soon move its forces into Tau-23 system, which is currently plagued by Outcast pirates and Bretonian intruders known as BMM. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #500345== Tensions Rising between Bretonia and Kusari ==Article #500346== NEW LONDON -- 812 A.S. -- Peace in Sirius sector is under threat once again. Kusari militaristic government, supported by Hogosha criminals, is doing everything to destabilize situation in the Tau space. Previously, the only enemy of Bretonia in Tau systems were the Outcasts and the Gaians; nowadays, it appears that there is a new, more dangerous enemy - Kusari Naval Forces. Long ago Queen Carina was aware that the Gaian eco-terrorists are supplied directly from Kusari. However, the negotiations that New London initiated on this subject has failed, and attempts of Liberty to become a mediator between Bretonia and Kusari were declined by Foreign Ministry of Kusari. Many started to suspect that Kusari government wants to provoke a full-scale war with Bretonia. Queen Carina did not believe this until she had proof of Kusari military buildup in Tau-29. Several hundreds of Kusari destroyers and gunboats entered neutral Tau space. To secure borders of Bretonia, Queen ordered to increase Bretonian Navy presence in Tau-31 system. Navy forces will not yet approach jump gates and jump holes into other Tau systems. However, Bretonian Navy retains a right to fight back if Kusari military vessels enter Tau-31. Unfortunately, during the recent weeks Kusari ships have intruded into Tau-31 many times, proving aggressive intentions of Kusari. Only because of Bretonian patience and willingness to fulfil international treaties, full-scale war between two Houses has not yet started. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #500347== Coalition Formed in Order to Stop Corsair Expansion ==Article #500348== BUFFALO -- 812 A.S. -- The Corsairs and their Kusari allies, Hogosha, are on the run against Outcasts once again. For over a hundred of years, the Corsairs had numerical superiority, but attempts to press the Outcasts from their territories were mostly unsuccessful. Now, using weaknesses of Kusari government that is heavily dependent on Hogosha, Corsairs are trying to provoke a war between two strongest Sirius houses - Kusari and Bretonia. While military forces of both nations will be fighting war for Corsairs' benefit, Corsairs will strike Outcasts in the Sigma and Tau sectors simultaneously. Forces of Farmers Alliance and Gaians were most likely bribed by Hogosha and will assist Corsairs in their treacherous plans. However, the Outcasts are not alone! During the recent meeting on Buffalo Base, leaders of Liberty Rogues, Lane Hackers and Mollys signed a treaty with Outcasts. Now all those groups will stand united against Corsairs in attempt to stop the war and put an end to ambitious plans of Corsairs and their allies. This new alliance will be backed by the Junkers, who were never on friendly terms with Corsairs or their Hogosha brethren, and Blood Dragons and Golden C from Kusari. Blood Dragons and Golden Chrysanthemums are struggling against corrupt New Tokyo government in order to break the aged bond between Kusari top officials and the Hogosha mafia. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #500349== Tensions Rising between Bretonia and Kusari ==Article #500350== MANHATTAN -- 812 A.S. -- Uneasy times await Sirius as tensions between two of the major Houses, Bretonia and Kusari, are rising. Accusations of Bretonia about Kusari supporting Gaian eco-terrorists were treated as an insult by New Tokyo officials and public. Both houses are increasing their military presence in Tau space, and occasional fighting already takes place in Tau-31. Although it remains unclear which side is to blame for escalation of aggression in Tau, it is known that New Tokyo did not respond to Bretonia's attempts to solve the conflict peacefully and rejected proposal of Liberty willing to becoming a mediator between two sides. Analysts from Liberty and Rheinland admit that most likely Kusari were the first to move military force into neutral Tau territory. While two houses are actively preparing for a full-scale war, pirate activities throughout Sirius are increasing. The Corsair presence in Omega systems is growing, and the Outcasts are concentrating forces in Tau-23 and Sigma-19. Other large pirate groups are also on the move, which might mean that Tau war has more important reason than borderline provocations. Moreover, in Rheinland rumors are spreading about new Edge World systems discovered in Omega space. If those rumors are true and Corsairs have an alternative way to strike against Bretonia, we are left to guess what are Corsairs planning against New London and their old enemies - the Outcasts. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #500710== Zoners Fail Corsair Expectations ==Article #500711== FREEPORT 9 -- 804 A.S. -- Negotiations between the Corsairs and the Zoners to build a Corsair installation in Omicron Theta have failed. Zoner representatives would not agree to allow a Corsair battleship fleet into their system, despite the fleet being necessary to protect the building site. The Zoners claimed that the presence of Corsair battleships would threaten the peace in the whole sector. It is rumoured that a war between the Zoners and the Corsairs could start in the near future, although currently no military preparations are being made by either side. The Corsairs and the Zoners have both profited from the recent decades of cooperation and expansion in the Omicron worlds, and are therefore unlikely to start a costly war with an unknown outcome and doubtful consequences. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #500715== Liberty Trying to Prevent War ==Article #500716== MANHATTAN -- 813 A.S. -- As conflict in Tau systems between Bretonia and Kusari is escalating, Barbara Jacobi, ex-president of Liberty, has proposed to conduct a meeting of all four House representatives at planet Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles summit is supposed to take place in less than two months, and Queen Carina is expected to attend personally, though it remains unclear if Kusari will participate. Rheinland government was surprisingly reluctant to collaborate with Liberty in drawing up a peaceful solution for the conflict. However, Rheinland Foreign Office promised that Rheinland representative will be present at the summit. Meanwhile, fighting in Tau space continues. Kusari forces that occupy Tau-29 are being constantly under attack by Bretonian fighters, but casualties from both sides were light so far. In spite of IMG protests, Bretonia holds Tau-31 tight, and very few Kusari ships were seen away from jump gate. However, at the jump gate between two systems Bretonian and Kusari capital ships clash in endless battles, and neither side is taking advantage. Although Kusari was expected to increase their military presence in Tau area and push Bretonia deeper back in Tau-31 ice fields, Kusari Naval Forces had to regroup fleets again to counter Blood Dragon assault on Honshu. Kusari accuses Bretonia of supporting local pirate groups like Dragons and GC, however, no proofs were produced that Bretonia is behind the recent Honshu attacks. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #500717== Rheinland Responding to Tau Events ==Article #500718== NEW BERLIN -- 813 A.S. -- Rheinland Foreign Office has issued a press release regarding recent Tau events. Conflict between Bretonia and Kusari is leading to inevitable war in which Rheinland will not participate. Rheinland representative will be present at Los Angeles summit, however, Rheinland will not support attempts of former president Jacobi to secure peace on Bretonian terms. Both Kusari and Bretonia are equally responsible for the ongoing war. Independent Miners Guild proposition of making Tau sector a neutral zone free from House influence seems to be the best solution. However, Jacobi did not agree to invite IMG representatives to the summit, even if they were part of Rheinland delegation. Disrespect and violation of rights became a typical policy of Liberty and especially Bretonia in their relations with IMG. Bretonia Armed Forces has reportedly threatened to destroy Battleship Hood, South Shields and Holman in order to secure IMG neutrality during the war with Kusari. This attitude to free miners' rights is unacceptable for Rheinland people, for it is well-known that IMG founders originated from Rheinland. We will insist on immediate withdrawal of Bretonian Navy and BMM forces from Tau-31 and Tau-23. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #500719== Anti-Corsair Coalition Broadens ==Article #500720== MALTA -- 814 A.S. -- While fighting between Bretonia and Kusari continues in Tau-29 and Tau-31, Corsairs prepare a massive assault against Outcasts. Corsair negotiations with Zoners about using Omicron Theta for staging an attack against Omicron Alpha failed, just like we predicted. However, Zoners refuse to ally with Outcasts as well, trying to secure a neutral position for the future war. Unlike Zoners, many mighty pirate organizations from all over Sirius will assist in the Outcast struggle against the Corsairs. These include Mollys from Bretonia; Liberty Rogues and Lane Hackers from Liberty; Blood Dragons and Golden Chrysanthemums from Kusari; Red Hessians and Bundschuh from Rheinland. Gaians of Bretonia, Hogosha and Farmers Alliance from Kusari, and Unioners from Rheinland, as well as treacherous IMG and The Order chose Corsair side. Xenos, Junkers, and LWB remain neutral for now. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #500721== Bretonia on the Brink of War ==Article #500722== NEW LONDON -- 813 A.S. -- Queen Carina in her recent broadcast appeal warned all Bretonians that their nation is most likely at the brink of a full-scale war with Kusari. All attempts to secure a peaceful solution for the conflict have failed. Kusari officials are reluctant to respond, and Kusari media, most surely paid by government and Hogosha, report false information about Bretonian actions and carry on militaristic propaganda. However, Kusari Naval Forces are too far from triumph that New Tokyo dreams of. Bretonia Armed Forces didn't let a single Kusari ship pass through Tau-29 Jump Gate. During three months of fighting in Tau, Bretonia has lost over 300 soldiers, civilians and pilots killed and about 500 wounded. Casualties of Kusari are about twice as much. Independent Miners Guild is spreading false rumors about Bretonia Navy trying to blockade IMG bases and even threatening to destroy those bases in case IMG undertake any hostile actions against BMM or Armed Forces in Tau-23 or Tau-31. We deny those treacherous lies. Patrols near IMG bases were increased due to overall security increase in Bretonia. Meanwhile, Kusari refuses to admit that convoys of BMM and other Bretonian corporations are subject to blackmail and robbery. It is also reported that Samura and Kishiro ships attack BMM convoys in Kusari and Tau. Therefore, Queen cannot guarantee safety of Kishiro and Samura transport ships heading through Bretonia systems. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #500723== Kusari Close to Victory in Tau-31 ==Article #500724== NEW TOKYO -- 814 A.S. -- Bretonia is trying to prevent mighty Kusari fleets from reaching Tau-29 by hiring petty Blood Dragons and so-called "Chrysanthemums", females addicted to cardamine, so that they would attack civilian patrols in Kusari systems. Because of piracy, full-scale assault into the Tau-31 system was delayed, but not for long. Very soon six Kusari battleships along with hundreds of support ships will reach Tau-29 and suppress any Bretonian resistance in Tau-31. While Bretonia Armed Forces will lose larger part of their strength, Independent Miners will strike against BMM intruders in Tau-23. During the war, Kusari lost over 200 of its men killed, while Bretonia lost more than 400 killed and 600 wounded. Kusari Navy pilots are intended to revenge their fallen brethren by destroying even more Bretonian ships - military, police, and corporate. Several Bretonian civilian convoys that arrived to Kusari before the war had explosives and heavy weaponry onboard, as well as Queen's letters to Dragon and GC in which she persuades pirates to join Bretonia aggression against Kusari. This hypocrisy of so-called "peaceful" Queen Carina won't go unpunished. No protection will be offered for any civilian ships of Bretonia in Kusari systems. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #500725== Bretonia Allies with Terrorists and Drug Dealers ==Article #500726== CRETE -- 814 A.S. -- Bretonia launched an attack against the peaceful IMG population in Tau space, forcing Kusari to increase their military presence to ensure peace. Bretonia attacked the peacemaking Kusari Naval Forces and thus provoked a war between the two Houses. Bretonia accepted help of the Outcast drug dealers and the Molly terrorists against Kusari. As it was not enough, Bretonia accuses the Corsairs of provoking the war and bribing Gaians and Hogosha. These lies will not go unpunished. Bretonian officials assure that the Corsairs influence Kusari government; we will tell you truth: Outcasts bribe Queen Carina and her advisors, supplying them with cardamine and gold. Luckily for all free nations of Sirius, Kusari knew about plans of Bretonian aggression and prevented Bretonia from conquering the Tau-29 system. Soon mighty Kusari Naval Forces will proceed further into Tau-31 and liberate Holman outpost from the intruders. When Bretonian Navy and BMM aggressors will be pushed back into Leeds, peace in the Tau sector will be secured. IMG and Kusari will stand united against cardamine expansion of Outcasts. When Cali base will be turned into space dust, way to Omicron Alpha will be free. Burning cardamine fields of Malta will become a symbol of the new era in the Sirius history. Outcasts and their cardamine will become nothing more than memories of distant past. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #500838== Kusari Forces Occupy Tau-31 ==Article #500839== CALI -- 814 A.S. -- Fighting in Tau continues, and unfortunately our Kusari enemies are gaining the upper hand. Bretonia Armed Forces have lost a battle near the jump gate from Tau-31 to Tau-29 that lasted five days; both sides suffered heavy casualties. Now Kusari battleships freely roam in Tau-31 ice fields as far as Holman and attack both military and civilian ships of Bretonia and Bretonian corporations. Therefore, our installations in Tau-23 and Newcastle are under threat from both Kusari Navy and our pirate enemies. Cape Wrath base in Newcastle is relatively safe since our Molly allies will help in defending it. Corsairs won't strike against Bretonia until Bretonia and Kusari forces won't weaken each other in endless skirmishes. However, Cali is under direct threat, and we will be relocating our forces from Malta to Cali during the next few weeks. Uneasy times await Outcasts, and we are hoping for the help of our allies as the only chance to survive the uneasy times that will follow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #500840== Kusari Victorious in Tau Space ==Article #500841== NEW TOKYO -- 814 A.S. -- Just as we expected, Kusari Navy won a decisive victory over Bretonia Armed Forces in a bloody battle near the jump gate between Tau-31 and Tau-29. Bretonia lost dozens of fighters, as well as five destroyers and two gunboats. Over 1500 Bretonia troops died in the fight, leaving even more wounded. We also lost over 1000 men and women; each of them died a honorable death, contributing into our great victory. Greater battles will follow, and we are never intended to lose. Kusari Navy already secured Holman Outpost, installation of our Independent Miner Guild allies. Soon enough we will destroy Planetform terraforming infrastructure on planet Harris. After this, Tau-31 will be absolutely free from Bretonian scourge. Our next primary target is Outcast base in Tau-23 known as Cali; this base is a key point in primary Cardamine routes leading into Liberty, Bretonia and our homeland. Needless to say that losing this base will be a fatal blow for Cardamine business of the Outcasts. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #500842== Bretonia Fleets Recalled to Border ==Article #500843== NEW LONDON -- 814 A.S. -- Bretonia Armed Forces command admits that Bretonia is unable to defend Tau-31 from increasing Kusari aggression. Being outnumbered and outgunned, Bretonia frontier fleets had to withdraw from the Holman Outpost and Tau-29 jump gate. Now we are concentrating our forces to defend Leeds and Newcastle systems, if Kusari ever dares to attack native Bretonia territories. Citizens of Leeds and New London should not be afraid, for we will never allow a single ship of our enemy to come close to any of the populated planets of our homeland. Planetform expects heavy losses, cause Harris terraforming effort would have to be stopped. Assault on Harris appears to be one of the main goals of Kusari conquering Tau-31. Right now Kusari Navy is gathering forces near Holman, getting help from the treacherous IMG and eco-terrorists known as Gaians. However, Planetform and Bretonia Navy won't leave Harris without making our enemy pay a high price. A trap is being prepared, trap that Kusari Naval Forces will never forget. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #500848== Kusari Attacking Civilian Targets in Tau ==Article #500849== NEWARK -- 814 A.S. -- Interspace Commerce and other Liberty corporations express concern about Kusari attacking civilian convoys in Tau-31. Several Deep Space Exploration and Planetform transports have reportedly been destroyed by Kusari Naval Forces. Escort fighters, being outnumbered and outgunned, either got destroyed or fled to the part of Tau-31 still under Bretonian control. However, Bretonia fleets are being recalled to Leeds, and we expect that soon Kusari will occupy the whole system. 38 passengers died in the attacks, most of them Bretonians. According to information yet inconfirmed, there were citizens of Kusari and Liberty among those who were killed. Therefore, we propose a complete cease-fire in Tau until an international team of experts will investigate details of recent attacks. If Kusari government will be proved guilty of deliberate mass murder, we will call upon putting an embargo on all trade between Kusari and Liberty. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #500916== Tau-31 Lost, Harris under Siege ==Article #500917== NEW LONDON -- 814 A.S. -- After a honorable stand in the battle near Leeds Jump Gate in Tau-31, Bretonia Armed Forces were defeated, and most surviving ships retreated to Leeds system. Kusari now have full control of Tau-31 trade lanes and jump gates. Groups of Kusari fighters regularly take jumps to Leeds to check our defences, but larger Kusari vessels did not attempt to breach through - yet. Meanwhile, Harris is still under control of Bretonia and Planetform. The planet was surrounded by mine fields, both to defend it and to set a trap for assaulting Kusari forces. Several fighters and gunboats fleeing from Leeds jump gate drove Kusari fleets into those mine fields. Bretonian ships had accurate maps of the fields and could choose safe routes; but Kusari could not. Just like we expected, Kusari pilots were overconfident after their previous victories. As a result, Kusari Naval Forces lost 10 cruisers, 6 gunboats and dozens of fighters; some killed by mines, some trapped between mines and later destroyed by Bretonian patrols. Even after this, Kusari had enough forces in Tau-31 to lay siege on Planet Harris, although mine fields became impassable barriers for any ships larger than a gunboat. Battleship Macduff is the key to Harris defences, commanding a large fleet of cruisers and smaller ships. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #500918== Situation in Tau Critical ==Article #500919== MALTA -- 814 A.S. -- Situation in Tau space became critical for Outcasts and their allies. Kusari has occupied the whole Tau-31 system except for the Planet Harris area. This means that the routes between Cali and Bretonia are no longer accessible for all but best of our pilots. Very soon we are expecting a deadly strike against BMM operations in Tau-29, followed by assault on Cali Base. Independent Miners Guild didn't join the war against Bretonia, for IMG bases in Bretonia are defenseless against Bretonia Armed Forces possible revenge. This fact will benefit Bretonia, but certainly won't be any good for us, since IMG may strike in Tau-37 or even Omicron Alpha when our ships will be defending Cali. Our only chance to delay Corsair assault against Dublin and Tau sector is helping the Red Hessians with everything we can spare, so that Corsair ships will be busy fighting in Omega space. LWB has reportedly betrayed Corsairs and re-joined their old ally, the Red Hessians. Molly agents assisted Bretonia engineers in creating mine fields around Harris that proved to be very effective against Kusari invaders. At the same time, our own ships blocked Edinburgh jump hole and patrolled the ice fields of Tau-31, so that no Gaian ships would reach Kusari fleets and report locations of the mine fields. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #500920== Disgrace of Bretonia in Tau-31 ==Article #500921== CRETE -- 814 A.S. -- While the Kusari Naval Forces free Tau-31 from Bretonia and its corporations, the Outcasts and the Mollys are trying to help Bretonia survive the war. Bretonian forces have proven no match for Kusari, losing every engagement of the war so far and losing any hope of winning in an honest fight. Determined to win whatever way they can, Bretonian forces have turned to their former enemies, the Mollys, hiring them to build mine fields around Harris, setting a trap for the Kusari navy. This underhand tactic paid off with many Kusari ships being destroyed by mines, encouraging the Bretonian forces to continue fighting in a treacherous and dishonest manner. However, the new tactics did not prevent Bretonia's disgrace being deepened further when the cowardly defenders of the Leeds Jump Gate surrendered it to Kusari Naval Forces, giving Kusari an opportunity to target the Leeds system itself. When the Kusari do move their fleets to attack again, the IMG will become the authority in Tau-31, and the path into Outcast territory will be clear. One day Cali Base will fall, and when it does, the Outcasts will no longer be able to supply their petty allies with cardamine and money. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #500922== Cowards of Bretonia Trap Kusari Fleet ==Article #500923== NEW TOKYO -- 814 A.S. -- In a shameful move that disgraced Bretonia and Queen Carina, Bretonia Armed Forces have set a trap for assaulting Kusari fleet. With the help of Molly terrorists, mine fields were set up around Planet Harris, a terraforming site of Planetform. Outcasts helped to conceal the mines from our scouts. 7 cruisers and 6 gunboats and numerous fighters were trapped in those mine fields and destroyed, either by mines or by Bretonia patrols. More than 800 women and men of Kusari died, and their death will not come unavenged. Defeat near Harris in 813 A.S. will be known our only defeat during the war with Bretonia. Bretonia Armed Forces obviously cannot win in an open fight, which was proved in the recent battle near Leeds Jump Gate. Losing most of their fleet, including one battleship, Bretonia forces fled to Leeds and to Harris. Kusari Naval Forces surrounded Harris and mapped the mine fields to avoid further casualties. We will proceed with care, expecting more dishonest moves from the cowards of Bretonia. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #500924== Bretonia Losing the War ==Article #500925== MANHATTAN -- 814 A.S. -- Bretonia is losing the war in Tau systems. Tau-31 is under full control of Kusari, except for Planet Harris and the surrounding areas. Bretonia Armed Forces pilots show exceptional bravery in fighting back the aggressors, but they are outnumbered at least twice by Kusari Navy and have few chances of winning. Bretonia engineers set up mine fields around Harris that caused accusations of dishonesty and violation of military laws. Those accusations were supported by Kusari and even Rheinland. Liberty will not join them, for setting mine fields against hostile military forces is not against any international treaties. In fact, the side that violates international treaties is Kusari. Kusari Naval Forces still attack civilian ships of Bretonia in Border Worlds and even in Kusari systems. Many citizens of Bretonia that came to Kusari before the war were detained, their belongings confiscated. Ships, cargo and other property of Bretonia corporations in Kusari was nationalized. Liberty will not place a full embargo on Kusari, but we suspend all financial transactions between our states. Interspace Commerce will no longer insure any cargo going to or from Kusari. We confirm our willingness to seek peaceful solutions and assist negotiations between the combatant nations. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #500926== Bretonia Violating War Laws ==Article #500927== NEW BERLIN -- 814 A.S. -- Rheinland Foreign Office has issued a press release regarding the battle near Harris in Tau-31 in which Bretonia Armed Forces used mines to defeat Kusari Navy. Rheinland experts investigated the course of action and came to a conclusion that using of mine fields was a deliberate violation of war laws. Large mine fields around Planet Harris were reportedly set up with the help from the Molly terrorists. The mine fields became a threat not only for military forces of Kusari, but also for civilian pilots. Several civilian ships were destroyed in those fields, including IMG pilots and freelancers. Independent Miners Guild requests the mines to be completely removed from the system, but Bretonia ignores those lawful requests. We once again propose that Queen Carina and the government of Bretonia should immediately issue orders to withdraw all forces of Bretonia from Tau-31. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #501505== War in Tau Space Continues ==Article #501506== MANHATTAN -- 815 A.S. -- In the end of 814 A.S. the nations of Sirius saw first hope for peace between Kusari and Bretonia. The Kusari government offered a 6-month truce to Bretonia, and Queen Carina accepted. It was apparent that Kusari Naval Forces are no longer able to conduct any large offensive operations after losing lots of ships and men during continuous fights with Bretonia and the Outcasts. On the other side of the Leeds Gate, Bretonia Armed Forces suppressed any attempts of Kusari to proceed further into Leeds. Planet Harris was under siege for half a year, but Kusari could not breach Bretonia defenses, and Bretonia was unable to break Kusari blockade. Truce seemed an opportunity to proceed to full-scale peace negotiations. However, this impression proved to be wrong. Both sides used the truce to resupply their forces and prepare reinforcements. By the beginning of 814 A.S., a large fleet of Bretonia Armed Forces gathered near the Leeds Gate. To prevent possible aggression, Kusari Navy also started to gather forces hear Holman Outpost and Leeds Jump Gate. After 4 months of peace, Bretonia broke the truce, motivating this action with Kusari aggressive intentions. The same day, Bretonia Armed Forces attacked Tau-31 from two sides: from a deserted Dundee system, and through the Leeds Jump Gate. Fleet that attacked from Leeds was defeated by Kusari, and Bretonia suffered heavy casualties. Surprise attack from Dundee proved to be more successful. Kusari forces stationed near Holman Outpost were almost defeated. Only bringing reinforcements from Tau-29 saved the day for Kusari. Bretonian fleet had to retreat to Harris and join defenders of the planet. During the battle, Holman Outpost was heavily damaged by Kusari heavy weapon fire. Several independent miners were killed; Kusari government apologized, but refused to move their battleships away from Holman as IMG requested. Since the battle of Harris was over, situation in Tau-31 stabilized. Both sides are tired of the war, however, Kusari did not reach their initial goal: eliminate Bretonian presence in Tau space. Kusari Naval Forces cannot yet launch an attack against BMM bases in Tau-23; IMG refuse to undertake any hostile actions against BMM, fearing revenge of Bretonia. Sporadic fighting near Harris and Leeds Jump Gate continues. Situation in the Dundee system remains unknown. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #501507== Bretonia Becomes the Aggressor ==Article #501508== NEW BERLIN -- 815 A.S. -- The war in Tau space continues. The 6-months truce that Kusari offered to Bretonia was broken by Bretonia Armed Forces. Bretonia became the aggressor this time, launching a massive attack against Kusari fleets in Tau-31. Attackers came from Leeds and a hidden Dundee system. Despite significant casualties, Kusari Naval Forces were able to defeat the intruders both near Leeds Jump Gate and Holman Outpost. Forces of Bretonia that came from Leeds were completely destroyed; some of the Holman survivors were able to retreat to Battleship Macduff. Unfortunately, Holman Outpost was damaged by occasional fire of a Kusari battleship. 28 Independent Miners became the new casualties of this bloody war, lasting for 3 years and taking more than 20,000 lives from both sides of the conflict. Rheinland government supports IMG concerns about escalation of violence in Taus. But neither Bretonia nor Kusari are ready to leave Tau-31 this moment. BMM is earning billions of credits by exploiting Tau mineral resources, and we have grounds to believe that many of those billions are spent to outfit new Bretonia warships, as well as to pay bribes to Bretonia officials. Kusari have their own interests in Tau space. Until the two nations find a peaceful solution, IMG calls for making Tau-31 and Tau-23 a neutral zone will never be heard. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #501509== Outcasts Safe in Tau-23 ==Article #501510== MALTA -- 815 A.S. -- Bretonia broke the 6-month truce that Kusari proposed. Queen Carina had serious grounds to make this decision. Apparently, Kusari Naval Forces used the truce to launch an assault in Tau-23 against Cali Base and BMM operations. To save the BMM bases, Bretonia attacked Kusari fleets from Dundee and Leeds; Bretonia Armed Forces were outnumbered and had no chance to achieve a victory, but did enough to disrupt the Tau-23 assault. Kusari had to bring all their forces to Holman Outpost, key point of Kusari supplies in Tau-31. Defenders of Harris still cause lots of trouble for Kusari Navy, and fighting near Leeds Gate continues, not letting Kusari to regroup their fleets. Current situation is beneficial for the Outcasts of Cali. While Bretonian presence in Tau-31 is strong, Kusari Naval Forces will not be able to attack Tau-23. IMG is still a threat, but the miners fear revenge of Bretonia too much to attack BMM facilities in Tau-23. Facing possible destruction of South Shields and Battleship Hood, the IMG are losing faith in Kusari protection. Since the location of Dundee Jump Hole was revealed to Kusari Navy, the Kusari forces occupied a large part of this previously deserted system. Through Dundee, Kusari might gain access to Edinburgh, and this is something we must prevent at all costs. Edinburgh is barely defended, and fall of this system will mean that our Gaian enemies will become stronger than ever. Nowadays the fighting in Dundee continues, and who will gain the upper hand remains unclear. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #501511== War Without End ==Article #501512== NEW LONDON -- 815 A.S. -- Queen Carina has recently addressed the nation with a new broadcast appeal, calling for patience, firmness, and courage of the nation of Bretonia. We hoped that truce that Kusari offered us would lead to peace treaty negotiations, but we were wrong. Kusari used the truce to gather forces for a new attack against Leeds. Bretonia had no choice other than to break the truce and attack Kusari in Tau-31. The attack was launched from Leeds and Dundee, and we reached our goal in preventing the aggression. Fleets that came from Dundee later joined Harris defenders. Our actions revealed the location of the previously secret Dundee Jump Hole to our enemy. Although we secured Leeds Jump Gate and did not let the enemy to capture Planet Harris, we now have to fight on two fronts. Dundee became a stage of continuous fights that cost many Bretonian and Kusari lives. These are the casualties we cannot avoid, for the fall of Dundee will mean fall of Edinburgh. Supplying our forces in Dundee is a very complicated task on its own: the Gaians of Islay attack our convoys and even military patrols in Edinburgh, and we are aware that the treacherous eco-terrorists might try to strike our forces in Dundee from behind. Meanwhile, according to official statistics, almost 10,600 men and women of Bretonia were killed during the 3 years of Tau war, and more than 300 are missing in action. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #501513== Bretonia Attempts to Strike Back ==Article #501514== CRETE -- 815 A.S. -- Bretonia continues the tradition of treacherous attacks and cowardly retreats. While Kusari were building up their forces to strike against the Tau-23 system, Bretonia broke the truce saying that an assault against Leeds is being prepared, which was an apparent lie. Bretonia Armed Forces attacked from Leeds and Dundee systems, hoping to catch Kusari unprepared. This dishonorable action proved to be completely useless: both invading fleets of Bretonia were defeated. Revealing the Dundee Jump Hole location made the situation even worse for Bretonia. In addition to defending Harris, Leeds Jump Gate, and Newcastle Jump Hole in Tau-31, Bretonia Navy is now trying to prevent Kusari fleets from advancing deeper into Dundee and Edinburgh. Our Gaian allies will make sure that Bretonia will fail this attempt. Day will come when Bretonians of Dundee will be retreating to Edinburgh to escape Kusari wrath. This day, the Gaians of Islay and Glendale will stand united on the other side of jump hole, making sure that none of the Bretonian pilots reaches home alive. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #501515== Bretonia Breaks the Truce ==Article #501516== NEW TOKYO -- 815 A.S. -- In an act of dishonor that we could not expect, Queen Carina of Bretonia broke the truce that lasted for 4 months. Bretonia accused us of gathering strength for an assault against Leeds. This accusation was an obvious libel, for no additional Kusari forces were brought to the Leeds Jump Gate. Despite our attempts to secure the truce, Bretonia attacked our forces near the Gate and near Holman Outpost. Battle near the Leeds Jump Gate once again resulted in a complete destruction of Bretonian forces. Attack against Holman was launched from Dundee system that was unknown to us before. Holman defenders were caught unprepared, but were able to fight back and scatter Bretonia Armed Forces fleet. Few remaining ships joined the defenders of Planet Harris. During the battle for Holman, a Kusari battleship with disabled aiming systems has fired at Holman Outpost, damaging the station and killing 27 civilians. The Kusari government apologized for this unfortunate incident; captain of the battleship refused to perform seppuku, and the military tribunal sentenced him to be shot. The new defeat of Bretonia in Tau-31 caused even better consequences than we could hope for. Dundee Jump Hole location is now revealed, and we are launching an offensive in this system. Soon enough, we will clear Dundee from the remnants of Bretonian defenders and will have a secure passage into the strategically important Edinburgh system. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #501517== New Menace for Rheinland ==Article #501518== NEW BERLIN -- 815 A.S. -- When the Nomad War of 799-802 A.S. was almost over, the Nomad-infested fleet of Rheinland returned home from Kusari. Aggression against Kusari was a success, but back in Rheinland the government and military command was redeemed from Nomad influence with the help of The Order agents. Nomad-infested officers of Rheinland were planning to defeat the forces of the new Chancellor and return to power, killing or infesting everyone who would attempt to resist. The plans, however, never became a reality. In Sigma-13, the fleet was scattered by GMG; in Frankfurt, lawful forces of Rheinland were waiting. Losing 6 out of 7 battleships and over 400 other ships, the renegade fleet was no longer a force capable of breaching the New Berlin defenses. Hiding in asteroid fields, where they were chased by the Red Hessians and LWB, the Nomad-infested pilots (who were nicknamed Die Wilden, or The Wild, by Hessians) were now seeking a new home for themselves. By 804 A.S., most of The Wild gathered in an uncharted Omega system. No one heard of them afterwards - until they appeared again in Dresden in 812 A.S. In 814 A.S., The Wild came as far as New Berlin, proving themselves to be a new menace for our whole nation. They attack any ships on sight, both lawful and unlawful, and use powerful Nomad weaponry; they never disengage and never take prisoners. Civilians are advised to avoid the New Berlin - Sigma-13 Jump Hole at all costs and take extreme care when visiting Dresden system. Rheinland Military will provide detailed information on all raiding parties of The Wild that appear within Rheinland boundaries. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #501521== Independent Miners in Tau Threatened ==Article #501522== SOUTH SHIELDS -- 815 A.S. -- A conference of Independent Miners Guild that was held in the South Shields Refinery is over. Delegates from Battleship Hood, Cardiff Mining Facility, Freeport 2, Holman Outpost, and Freistadt Base are preparing to go home. But what will await them there? Spies of Bretonia are everywhere. War in the Tau space continues. Even near South Shields, more and more patrols of Bretonia Armed Forces are seen. Our bases are well-defended, and we are not afraid to fight for our lives; but we will not be able to repel an assault of Bretonia or Kusari fleets. In a recent battle between Bretonia and Kusari near Holman Outpost, a Kusari battleship that was damaged by Templars has opened fire in the direction of Holman. Several modules of the station were depressurized; 28 civilians were killed, with more severely wounded. We accepted apologies of Kusari, but requested the Kusari forces to be moved farther away from Holman. Even though we agreed that Holman would still be a supply depot for nearby Kusari forces, the Kusari Navy command has rejected our proposal. This is the gratitude for our assistance that Kusari received from the beginning of the war, since we hoped that Kusari intervention would bring an end to Bretonian rule in Tau-31. Instead, we are getting a new 80-Year War. Every day, blood is spilled in once peaceful ice fields of the Tau-31 system. IMG retain neutrality in the war, but despite this fact we have already lost 148 men, women, and children since 811 A.S. when the fighting in Tau sector began. Some were killed by incidental fire of Bretonia and Kusari ships; some were trapped in the mine fields that Bretonia has set up to protect Planet Harris. Our calls for peace negotiations are ignored by both sides of the conflict, and we have no hope that Liberty or Rheinland would intervene to change the situation. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #501848== Fighting in Tau-31 and Dundee Continues ==Article #501849== NEW TOKYO -- 816 A.S. -- The offensive campaign against Bretonia is slowing down. Having to deal with terrorists and pirates who have became increasingly active at home, the Kusari Naval Forces cannot relocate enough forces into the Tau-31 system to effectively penetrate the defenses of Edinburgh and Leeds. As the casualties of the Bretonia Armed Forces continue to mount, increasing numbers in the BAF believe that further resistance is pointless. Demoralized and poorly supplied, the Bretonians will one day ask for peace, ready to give up everything to return to their peaceful lives. Taking Tau-31 and Dundee under the control of Kusari will mean that our mighty military will be free to launch an assault against the Outcasts and Bretonia Mining and Minerals in Tau-23. Once Tau-23 is cleansed of criminals that currently populate large part of the system, we will complete construction of trade lanes and jump gates that Bretonia left unfinished. Kusari Naval Forces will guard Tau space, along with the Independent Miners Guild, against any possible future intruders. There is no place for Bretonia or the Outcasts in the Tau systems. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #501850== Corsairs Threatened in Omega Space ==Article #501851== YAREN -- 816 A.S. -- The war between Kusari and Bretonia will last longer than the Corsair Elders initially expected. The delays made sudden strike against the Outcasts in Tau space impossible, since our foes are aware of our plans and are now preparing to defend themselves. The Independent Miners Guild cannot help as much as the Hogosha anticipated, as the Guild is threatened by Bretonia and is more concerned about ensuring safety for its own members than fighting with the Outcasts and the Mollys. Additionally, the Corsairs have to relocate part of their fleets from the Omega-49 system to protect Cadiz against a new danger that plagues Omega space. Rheinland terrorists known as The Wild are a common foe for all humanity, much like the Nomads were fifteen years ago. While far less numerous than the Nomads, The Wild have powerful weapons and skilled pilots that are equally hazardous to us and all other lawful and unlawful factions present in Omega space. The Wild don't see much difference between the Corsairs and our Hessian enemies and attack both factions with equal ferocity. As if those problems aren't enough, Rheinland has initiated a diplomatic conflict with Liberty by publishing several materials regarding the so-called "Liberty Conspiracy" in the government press. According to information collected by The Order, the Liberty Navy has been increasingly active in the Nomad systems controlled by The Order. Purposes of these activities remain unknown at this moment. Obviously, Liberty took the accusations very seriously. A victorious war against a weakened Rheinland would have great political benefits for the current Liberty president and his followers. While the Rheinland Military is in the process of reconstruction, even a short war with Liberty would mean that the Red Hessians will be capable of moving most of their forces into Omega to turn the tides of war against the Corsairs. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #501852== Bretonia Succeeds in Defending its Borders ==Article #501853== NEW LONDON -- 816 A.S. -- The Bretonia Armed Forces succeeded in defending the borders of our state from the Kusari aggressors. We were able to push the Kusari Navy back from the Edinburgh Jump Hole in the Dundee system, as well as defend the Planet Harris area in the Tau-31 system, and keep the gateway between Leeds and Tau-31 secure so that no large Kusari fleet could break through into the Leeds system. However, this does not mean that the war is anywhere near its end. Tau space bears great economic significance for Bretonia, and we cannot tolerate presence of the aggressors near our boundaries. Meanwhile, we are getting increasing reports about sporadic raids of The Wild in Omega systems. The Wild, a faction of nomad-infested humans that were once part of the Rheinland Military, is a threat to all lawful and unlawful ships passing through the Omegas. Several times during recent months raiding parties of The Wild were spotted in the Omega-3 system. Attacks against Cambridge are only a matter of time now, so the Bretonia Armed Forces are planning to move one of its fleets from Leeds into Cambridge to counter the new enemy of our House. While security of Leeds will not be compromised, the offensive campaign against the Kusari forces in Tau will have to be delayed. Analysts predict that a full-scale offensive could start no earlier than next year, and heavy resistance is expected. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #501854== Tau War Continues, Conflict between Liberty and Rheinland ==Article #501855== MALTA -- 816 A.S. -- Just as we expected, the war between Bretonia and Kusari continues. Both Houses have too much in stake and are not ready to give up. Kusari has enough power to hold Tau-31 firmly enough to counter any possible counterattacks of the Bretonia Armed Forces. Bretonia is successfully defending the Dundee system and the Planet Harris area, at the same time accumulating large forces in Leeds. However, the casualties that Bretonia suffered during the previous years will make launching a successful offensive in Tau-31 extremely difficult. Lacking capital ships and experienced pilots, Bretonia still faces a danger of foreign intrusion into its own territory. At the same time, mysterious events related to the so-called "Liberty Conspiracy" have caused a diplomatic conflict between Liberty and Rheinland. According to rumors that we were unable to confirm or disprove, relations between the Liberty Security Force and the Liberty Navy deteriorated gradually since president James Powell has come to power. According to what we know, the LSF has initiated a leak of information into the Rheinland media, faking the proofs that the Liberty Navy is conducting experiments on the Nomads somewhere in the Alaska system. Additionally, it is rumored that several high-ranking officers of the Liberty Navy remain infested by the Nomads since 800 A.S. While our allies in Liberty were not able to confirm the information about the Nomad infestation, it is certain that several secret Liberty Navy installations were built in Alaska during the recent decades. We will provide more information on the Liberty-Rheinland relations as soon as we receive hard data from our agents in the region. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #501856== Libel against Liberty Published by Rheinland Media ==Article #501857== MANHATTAN -- 816 A.S. -- President Powell has recently expressed deep concern over publications about the so-called "Liberty Conspiracy" that appeared during recent months in various Rheinland newspapers. Authors of the publications claim that the Liberty Navy is allegedly experimenting with live Nomads captured in the Edge Worlds and that certain top officials of the Liberty government remain Nomad-infested since the Nomad war has ended. According to Mr. Powell, since his election in 811 A.S., the Liberty Navy has never conducted any experiments related to Nomads. In addition to that, Liberty, like other Houses, is using the Nomad detectors produced in Rheinland to counter any potential infection. If there were any Nomad-infested citizens on Liberty populated planets or space stations, they would have been eliminated by the police and state security long ago. Of course, Liberty cannot guarantee that its citizens who betrayed their homeland and joined terrorist organizations like The Order or Xenos are not Nomad-infested. Rheinland officials haven't condemned the media reports in which slanderous materials about Liberty have been published. Moreover, the government of Rheinland stimulates citizens' interest in the "Liberty Conspiracy" via its own newspapers and neural net resources. News reports have also revealed that a "documentary" about the conspiracy is being filmed, sponsored by the public television of Rheinland. The Foreign Office of Liberty considers such actions of Rheinland unacceptable and demands an immediate investigation. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #501858== The War in Tau Slows Down ==Article #501859== NEW BERLIN -- 816 A.S. -- Hopes for peace in the Tau sector proved to be ungrounded. Although the Bretonia Armed Forces reported that the Kusari Navy officers are demoralized and tired of fighting the war, weak counterattacks of Bretonia were easily suppressed by the Kusari fleets that still maintain numerical superiority in Tau-31. In the Dundee system, forces of both Houses are nearly equal, and Bretonia was so far successful in keeping Kusari away from the jump hole into Edinburgh. While casualties of both Houses increased very slowly in recent months, greater numbers of civilians have become victims of the war, most belonging to the Independent Miners Guild. According to an anonymous but trustworthy source within the Bretonia government, one of the Bretonia senior admirals has recently said that Holman Outpost will be blown into pieces for collaborating with the Kusari invaders when Bretonia Armed Forces will retake the Tau-31 system. The accusations against IMG are apparently ungrounded, since the Guild is forced to help Kusari due to security reasons and commercial interests. However, it is clear that the IMG population in Tau-31 will be in great danger if Bretonia ever succeeds in an offensive campaign. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #501875== The Liberty Conspiracy ==Article #501876== HAMBURG -- 816 A.S. -- The latest reports that the Hamburg Department of Information has received from Manhattan indicate that our previous suspicions were true. The Liberty Navy command has taken the recent publications about Nomad experiments very seriously. President James Powell has already made statements demanding that the Rheinland government interfere in the situation. Powell's speeches clearly indicate that Liberty is ready to threaten Rheinland with war if the journalists who published materials related to the Liberty Conspiracy will not be detained and extradited to Liberty. President Powell is known for his strong support of the Navy. Since he came to power in 811 A.S., he has initiated a large-scale militaristic buildup in Liberty. We will summarize the information that we have so far. Since 811 A.S., the Liberty Navy and the Bounty Hunters have been expanding into the Nomad systems. The purposes of the expansion remained unknown until recently. Now proof exists that the Liberty ships are seeking live Nomads, as well as the Nomad brains residing inside their ships, and carrying them to a secret station located in the Alaska system. In Alaska, Liberty scientists conduct various experiments using the captured Nomads. It is assumed that some of the experiments involve infesting humans, namely people who were detained by LSF in 800 A.S. and who were later reported dead or missing. Codenamed "Project Anchorage", the Nomad research was initially started by the Navy and the LSF in about 803 A.S. and kept secret from the Liberty government and even President Jacobi. This fact denies the rumors that Liberty Conspiracy information leak was initiated by the LSF because of their conflict with the Navy. The conflict related to cutting LSF budget did exist, but it was resolved with all parties fully satisfied. When Powell was elected in 811 A.S., Project Anchorage entered its active stage. Massive expansion into the Nomad systems was started. The expansion has two purposes: first was to collect as many varieties of Nomad brains and live Nomads as possible and second was to cut the supply lines that allowed The Order to gain help from Liberty. Both of those purposes were successfully achieved. The Liberty scientists gained enough biological materials to continue their research and The Order had to strengthen their ties with the Corsairs to gain supplies, thus allowing Liberty propaganda to continue to portray The Order as a loose union of terrorists and pirates. We have strong grounds to believe that the Liberty Navy command still contains Nomad-infested officers who have determined the Navy policy during the last 16 years. Military buildup initiated by President Powell indicates that the Nomads might use the same tactic as they used in Rheinland in 800 A.S., infesting the top officials and initiating a Sirius-wide war. Experiments in Alaska might be necessary to create a new infestation scheme that will be more complicated to detect. The Rheinland intelligence indicates that Liberty has increased patrols near Hudson and Bering jump gates. The Rheinland Military has already been warned and is preparing for the worst case scenario. Our House maintains peaceful relations with all our neighbors, but we cannot allow the Nomads to overtake Sirius once again. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #501877== Omicron Eta: the War that Never Ends ==Article #501878== PALERMO -- 816 A.S. -- Since the Omicron Eta system was discovered by the Corsairs, it has become an area of constant fighting between us and our old enemies. At first, the Corsairs gained the upper hand. Later, we succeeded in setting up a large minefield near the center of the system and a heavily fortified outpost called Palermo was built to protect the path into Omicron Alpha. Until recent times, the Corsairs have never been able to breach our defenses and attack Omicron Alpha. However, the situation is changing. While technological levels of the Corsairs and Outcasts are similar, the Corsairs continue to increase their numerical superiority. According to our research, the number of trained Corsair fighter pilots is more than twice the number of trained Outcast fighter pilots. While our pilots are generally more skillful, the abilities don't compensate low numbers against opponents as dangerous as the Corsairs. Several months ago, a raiding party of three Praetorian bombers and several Titans breached through the mine field and attacked the Palermo Base. In a fierce fight, most of the attacking Corsairs were eliminated. However, two remaining bombers launched a Nova strike against the base, dealing heavy damage to one of its sections and killing 32 of the base crew. In the confusion that followed, the bombers along with one escorting Titan successfully escaped. Chasing Outcasts followed them as far as the Theta Jump Hole, where a Corsair ambush was waiting. Our Sabres had to retreat towards the mine field. It is only a matter of time before the Corsairs will repeat their treacherous attack. Security at Palermo was tightened and we have increased patrols in the area. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #501879== Rheinland Pirates Declare Neutrality ==Article #501880== VOGTLAND -- 816 A.S. -- As the war between the Corsairs and the Outcasts has continued in different regions of Sirius, unlawful factions of Rheinland have not been anxious to participate in the conflict. While the Red Hessians are sworn enemies of the Corsairs and have therefore become one of the key allies of the Outcasts, the LWB, Unioners and Bundschuh are not joining either group. The Unioners were approached by Corsair agents to join the Corsairs against the Red Hessians. However, the Unioner leaders who supported the Corsair alliance were removed from their positions with the help of Liberty Rogues. New leaders of the Unioners broke up all agreements with the Corsairs, ensuring that pirates of Rheinland will stand united against common foes. The primary threat for all Rheinland is now The Wild, a faction of savage Nomad-infested pilots who have settled in two remote systems of Omega space. Reconnaissance by the Red Hessians indicates that one of those systems contains a site for building a Nomad Jump Gate, presumably leading into an unknown Nomad system. If this Nomad Gate is completed, a direct path between Nomad worlds and Omega will be established, allowing the Nomad forces to launch a sudden and massive assault against all nations of Sirius. Bundschuh tried to use their connections in the government to warn the Rheinland Military command. However, it appears that the Military is too preoccupied with preparations for the possible war with Liberty to pay attention to the more serious threat that The Wild poses. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #504658== Kusari Wins the Battle for Leeds Gate ==Article #504659== New Tokyo -- 817 A.S. -- In February 817, the Kusari Naval Forces launched a long-prepared assault against the Leeds Jump Gate. Four specially modified Bumblebees were sent through the gate, carrying two powerful EMP bombs each. The bombs disabled all Bretonian ships in a radius of 3K around the gate. Our transports became disabled themselves and were easily destroyed by Bretonian scouts that arrived shortly afterwards, but their crews knew that their lives were forfeit for the success of the whole operation. Immediately after the EMP explosion, the Naval Forces transferred a large fleet of 11 battleships to the Leeds side of the Gate as quickly as the jump gate capacity allowed. No other large ships were used, since the risk of collision was too high, and it was necessary to entrust the ships only to the best of our officers. Collisions were unavoidable, and they occurred as the ships were coming through the gate, but the casualties were relatively low. When the ships appeared on the other side, they launched numerous fighters from their decks to fight back Bretonian patrols that had already arrived at the site of the battle. Meanwhile, the battleships consecutively destroyed all of the disabled Bretonian Armed Forces ships that were unlucky enough to be in the vicinity. Over 80 ships were disabled, including 20 capital ships, and only a few survived until their power arrays went online again. The defense systems of Glasgow Outpost recovered from the explosion much sooner than expected, and started firing back at the Kusari ships, severely damaging several battleships that came within weapons range of the station. Glasgow was an installation of strategic importance to the gate's defense, and several transports with marines were prepared to attempt boarding the station while its defenses were distracted by fighting Kusari warships that advanced through the jump gate in increasing numbers. Bretonia was fast to retaliate, sending a large fleet of capital ships from Stokes. In a battle that lasted nearly a day, the Kusari fleet was pushed back to the jump gate. However, in the chaos of the battle, the KNF successfully deployed dropships to Glasgow, and the station brought under partial control of Kusari marines. While fighting on Glasgow continued for almost a week, the marines successfully captured one of the central defense control units of the station, and gained control of almost half of the station turrets. When stationary defenses started firing at the advancing Bretonian warships, we brought our last reinforcements from Tau-31 to fight back the confused Bretonian ships. The maneuver succeeded, and Bretonian ships that survived the fight had to retreat to Stokes. However, Kusari had suffered severe casualties, and plans to attack Stokes had to be postponed several months into the future. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #504660== Kusari Captures Stokes Mining Station ==Article #504661== New Tokyo -- 817 A.S. -- The consequences of winning the Battle for the Leeds Jump Gate were largely beneficial for the Kusari Naval Forces. Battleship Derby was severely damaged and retreated from its position, while Glasgow Outpost has been taken completely under Kusari control after a week of fierce fighting onboard the station. Casualties on both sides has been very high, however, Bretonia lost even more than Kusari due to unsuccessful counterattacks; over 30 capital ships and two hundred Bretonia fighters never returned from the battlefield, and remnants of Molly Wolfhounds and Werewolfs have been found among the wrecks, further proving that Bretonia uses local terrorists to assist its war efforts. After securing the Leeds Jump Gate, the Kusari Naval Forces moved further towards Stokes Mining Station. This facility belonged to Bretonia Mining and Metals, the corporation that stands behind Bretonia's aggressive actions that lead to this war. Most of the remaining Bretonian forces awaited our naval forces there, while reinforcements from other Bretonian systems have been gathering near Leeds. Three months after the Leeds Jump Gate battle, we launched a full-scale offensive against Stokes and Bretonia forces stationed nearby. In a brief but bloody battle, Bretonia stood fiercely to defend the station, with BMM civilian fighters fighting alongside Bretonia Armed Forces ships. Outnumbered and outgunned, a large part of the defending fleet has been eliminated, while the rest attempted to retreat to Leeds or LD-14, a high-security Bretonian installation located within a mine field. A group of our bombers disrupted the trade lane leading to Leeds, trapping a large force of retreating Bretonians. None of them ever reached the planet. Although we could not stop the ships fleeing to LD-14, victory near Stokes is the most decisive victory for us so far: we lost two capital ships and 60 fighters, while Bretonia has lost 12 capital ships and over 140 fighters. The Bretonian fleet stationed near Leeds tried to retaliate, but without much success: the trade lane has been disrupted all along the way, and Bretonian ships finally retreated again to regroup and take defensive positions. Meanwhile, the guards inside Stokes have sealed all airlocks and threatened to blow up the whole station if anyone tried to breach its hull. Stokes contains valuable equipment that we could not afford to lose. Kusari drones drilled several holes in the station's hull, and paralyzing gas was pumped into the station, killing or disabling most of its defenders. Over a hundred guards survived the attack and tried to fight back our marines. Some were killed, some were trapped in locked-down station quarters and had to surrender. Most civilians were already evacuated from Stokes, and we are already transporting our own workers to keep the station working for our own benefit. In the middle of 817 A.S., our fleets started the siege of Planet Leeds that continues until present day. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #504662== Bretonia Loses the Tau-31 Gate ==Article #504663== New London -- 817 A.S. -- The beginning of the year 817 A.S. has brought us a bitter and completely unexpected defeat at the Tau-31 Jump Gate. The heavily patrolled Gate had never been breached by any large Kusari force, and it was never considered possible that a large number of capital ships could come through the gate and not fall under crossfire of the numerous capital ships that patrol the area. Instead, Kusari implemented a cunning tactic of sending transports with extremely powerful EMP devices onboard. When the ships in the vicinity of the gate were disabled, Kusari battleships rushed through the gate and dispatched numerous fighters and bombers. Reinforcements have been sent from Stokes immediately, but in the chaos of battle Glasgow Outpost was boarded by Kusari marines. In an intense fight aboard the station, the marines were able to seize one of the defense control units, and take almost half of the station's defensive turrets under their control. After the turrets of a supposedly friendly station started firing at Bretonia Armed Forces fleet from behind, Bretonian commanders had to reorganize their defenses and delay offensive operations. The time was enough for Kusari to bring their own massive reinforcements through the gate. In the fierce battle that followed, Bretonia was outnumbered and suffered heavy losses while inflicting similar losses to the enemy; however, in the end, the battle was lost, and remaining Bretonian ships had to retreat to the Stokes area. Fighting onboard Glasgow has reportedly continued for a week after those events, but eventually the remaining defenders were killed. Kusari did not share any information about prisoners taken aboard the station. The area around the jump gate is now under full control of the Kusari Naval Forces. Bretonian intelligence had to admit that it has underestimated the potential of the Kusari Naval Forces. Reconnaissance data about Kusari reducing its patrols in the Dundee system to reinforce the Leeds offensive has yet to be proven. In any case, the Bretonia Armed Forces is confident of its capabilities to defend Bretonian planets, and the latest polls show that only 9% of the Bretonian population support negotiating a peace treaty. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #504664== Leeds Under Siege ==Article #504665== Leeds -- 817 A.S. -- The defeat of the Bretonia Armed Forces near the Tau-31 Jump Gate was followed by another defeat near Stokes Mining Station. In May 817, Stokes was captured by a small party of Kusari marines after almost all its inhabitants were killed or disabled by paralyzing gas. After the forces that defended Stokes were scattered, Kusari made an attempt to capture LD-14. The attempt failed, and Kusari lost almost a hundred fighters, most of them killed or damaged by the mines that surround the facility. Despite this partial success, the Kusari Naval Forces' path to Leeds was clear. Being the center of great strategic importance, the planet was heavily defended, but without the support of Bretonia's scattered fleets the defenses could not last long. The only choice for our nation was to bring the last reinforcements from New London and Newcastle; however, a battle that took place near Leeds in the end of October 817 A.S. has only helped us to secure enough of the space around the planet to allow us to bring in ground reinforcements. The presence of Kusari Naval Forces near Leeds is still significant, and is considered to be very dangerous by Armed Forces command. Meanwhile, Bretonia Armed Forces achieved much better results in a desolate Dundee system. Fighting there has continued since 815 A.S., and now Bretonia has gained the upper hand and driven Kusari capital ships away from the system. While Kusari patrols still frequent the area, the whole system is under the tight control of Bretonia now, and can be used as a staging ground for operations against Kusari in Tau-31. It should also be noted that Planet Harris has not been captured by the enemy and remains Bretonia's last bastion in the Tau-31 system. Good news from Dundee does not change the situation that Bretonia now faces. The enemy has breached the borders of Bretonia, which has never happened for the last 8 centuries. We redouble our efforts to fight back and free our space from invaders. From now on, all shipyards and ship-building facilities will switch to producing fighters and capital ships for the Bretonia Armed Forces. We are increasing production of army side arms and military vehicles to aid the armed forces stationed on Leeds, for it is only a matter of time when Kusari will attempt to land troops on the planet and launch a ground assault. Enemies of Bretonia claim that we are using the aid of Mollys to stage our attacks. It is true that Mollys are attacking Kusari ships, however, we never asked for any help from this group, and never received any help. Mollys is a dangerous organization of terrorists that respect no authority, and the citizens of Bretonia can be sure that even in a hopeless situation we will never ally with their cause. Even now, when our nation loses thousands of soldiers and civilians in a war with our aggressive neighbor, some Molly detachments find it convenient to attack our civilian shipments and military patrols. No peace with Mollies will ever be made, unless they move away from the borders of Bretonia and free the Dublin system from their presence. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #504666== War with Rheinland Has Begun ==Article #504667== Manhattan, Liberty Department of State Press Release -- 817 A.S. -- Liberty border patrols in New Hampshire have discovered that large Rheinland Military forces are gathering in the Braunschweig and Bremen systems near the Liberty border. Moreover, a military buildup of Rheinland is underway in the Hudson system as well, and a Navy patrol in the Hudson system was attacked by Rheinland fighters several days ago. As a result of the aggressive actions of Rheinland, President Powell has declared on June 19 817 A.S. that a state of war exists with Rheinland. It is time to avenge our losses in the Nomad Wars caused by Rheinland intruders. Using the cloaking devices gained from Nomads, Rheinland fleets advanced as far as the New York system in 800-801 A.S., causing heavy casualties and losses in the very heart of the House of Liberty. Rheinland would claim that those who lead the fleets were Nomad-infested. But how can we be sure, especially after Rheinland has accused us of secret experiments conducted upon Nomad aliens in the Alaska system? The war with Rheinland is not going to last long. The Liberty Navy is almost two times stronger than the Rheinland Military. The Liberty Navy is going to assault Rheinland on three fronts at once: in Bremen, Hudson and Bering, later proceeding into Braunschweig and Hamburg. After the successful offensive, Liberty will demand a compensation from Rheinland for the systematic libel against our House in Rheinland mass media, and will demand publishing our version of the events that preceded the war. If Rheinland prolongs the war, we will add Hudson and Bering to our claims. Those so-called "independent" systems have long ago become the places where Rheinland pirates safely gather together and rob Liberty convoys, silently encouraged by the Rheinland Military, who never care about the lives of Liberty pilots, and Rheinland corporations, who cannot succeed in open market competition and have to seek pirates' aid to impede their competition. In Bremen, the Navy is going to investigate the secret research facility of the Rheinland Military Guard. According to recon, the name of this station is Munster, and it is off limites for all except the Military Guard officers who have security clearance. Our plans include breaching the station, investigating what is being kept inside, and destroying whatever could potentially threaten our House. Some of our political opponents call what the President is doing an aggression against Rheinland. With all due respect to Barbara Jacobi, the former President and now head of the Liberty Reform Party, we have to say that what we are doing is necessary, and all of our actions so far have been provoked by Rheinland. The traditions of our House will be kept intact, and the course of the war will be widely and objectively reported by Liberty media. In addition to that, we assure our opponents that the war laws and customs will be strictly followed, and we will implement all necessary precautions to avoid civilian casualties. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #504668== Cold Bay Provocation ==Article #504669== Hamburg -- 817 A.S. -- In the beginning of 817 A.S., a Rheinland scouting patrol in the Hudson system discovered a small installation next to Planet Atka. Further investigations showed that the installation was built jointly by Planetform and the Liberty Navy, and indicated preparations by Liberty to begin terraforming Planet Atka. It also became known that the Liberty Navy was going to establish a covert base on the planet surface, even before the terraforming commenced. Considering the huge Liberty military buildup in Texas and even in Hudson itself, it is most likely that Liberty has aggressive intentions in driving Rheinland away from Hudson and claiming the system as part of Liberty's own territory. Gottkanzler Reinhardt passed a note to the Liberty ambassador on New Berlin, demanding an explanation of Liberty's current activities in Hudson. No reply was given, and Rheinland Military warships entered the Hudson system to secure our borders. Patrols were dispatched to scout the area around the Jump Gate and nearby trade lanes. Liberty, in response, increased their military presence in the system and accused us of escalating the conflict. Our scout patrols near Atka were attacked by ships that did not identify themselves, but visually appeared to be Avenger crafts constructed in Liberty. After a short skirmish with no casualties, the group of Avengers retreated to the nearby trade lane. There, another group of Avengers with Liberty Navy designations were waiting. The two groups merged together, and our forces continued the engagement. They were berated by a Liberty officer who said that their assault was unprovoked and that the event was being recorded for future reference. After that, the whole force engaged our patrol, this time forcing them to retreat. Shortly afterwards, Liberty accused us of aggression, presenting the video of the second part of the fight. One of our own fighters made its own records, but the data storage devices were crippled in the fight, and recovering lost information proved to be impossible. Events like this only show the true aggressive nature of Liberty and President Powell himself. It is evident that such provocations would be impossible if Liberty did not have extensive and detailed intelligence, including access to secret reports about our ships. Rheinland Military investigators are now looking for possible sources of the information leak. When the spies are found, they will spend the rest of their lives in Vierlande, for however long that may be. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #504670== Rheinland Under Threat ==Article #504671== New Berlin -- 817 A.S. -- In a surprisingly outrageous move, Liberty has declared war on our House. The warlike intentions of our neighbors have become obvious since the last year, when Liberty fleets amassed in Houston and the New Hampshire system. Now, apparently, it's time for us to defend our homeland from this unwarranted and unprecedented assault. This move is even more hypocritical if we take into account Liberty's response to the war that Kusari started against Bretonia. Three years ago, Liberty claimed that Kusari is the aggressor, while we were sure that the attack against Bretonia had clear reasons, although the war is arguably not the best way to solve the disputes between the Houses. Now, the so-called peaceful Liberty administration has turned on us, seeking compensation for the actions of our independent journalists, and trying to connect the current events with the Nomad War that ended almost two decades ago. President Powell does not remember - or doesn't want to remember - that our state had reached an agreement with President Jacobi about a fair compensation of Liberty's losses in the war that were caused by Rheinland. Only a year ago, we completed the restitution; and now, immediately after Liberty has satisfied its greed, we face new accusations, and an unwarranted aggression. What the Liberty Navy is unaware of is that the Rheinland Military has gained significant strength in recent years. Liberty is dreaming of a blitzkrieg, but we will defend the borders of our House with all the forces that we have, and even launch an offensive against Liberty itself to punish them for their arrogance. It is true that Liberty numerical superiority. However, Liberty has not engaged in any large-scale conflict since the war with the Coalition and the exodus from Sol. We, proud sons and daughters of Rheinland, have the experience that our foes are lacking. We constantly have to battle the Red Hessians and Corsairs, the most powerful pirate groups in all Sirius. We fought the 80-year war with Gas Miners Guild, and, despite the loss, we've learned our lesson well. Even in the Nomad War, we learned. Liberty has made a grievous mistake in their aggression, and our glorious nation will make them pay for it. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #504672== The Wild Delay Corsair Conquest Plans ==Article #504673== Mindelo Base -- 817 A.S. -- Corsairs' long-term plans of conquest into the Tau systems has once again been delayed due to reasons beyond our control. The Wild, savage Rheinlanders who settled in the Omega-55 system, are frequently raiding Cadiz and our operations in Omega-47. We have to increase our defenses, exactly like our Red Hessian enemies who are also being threatened by The Wild. Any attempts to contact The Wild have been unsuccessful so far, and it appears that their ships don't have the usual communication equipment onboard. How The Wild coordinate their actions as well as the reasons for their onslaught remain unknown. During the last several months, however, The Wild are showing increased interest in Corsair ship building technologies, attempting to capture defeated Corsair ships that have not been irreparably damaged in combat. Some Corsair commanders have proposed a temporary alliance with the Red Hessians to drive back The Wild. However, the alliance is hardly a possible option. After decades of fighting, Corsairs and Red Hessians have no trust towards each other, and it is clear that both sides will attempt treachery when fighting with The Wild will be over. To make things worse, The Wild are skilled and numerous, and their bases are very well defended. Even a combined fleet of the Corsairs and the Red Hessians will not be able to breach through Wild defenses and reach their home installations. All we can expect is that Red Hessians will not attack us as frequently as before, since right now both of our groups have a different enemy to tackle with. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #504674== Bretonia Attempting to Encircle Kusari Navy ==Article #504675== Cali Base -- 817 A.S. -- The war between Kusari and Bretonia continues with increased intensity. Kusari has achieved its goal and finally captured the Jump Gate between Leeds and Tau-31. After forcing Battleship Derby to retreat and defeating the fleets of Bretonia that defended the passage towards Planet Leeds, the Kusari Naval Forces put Planet Leeds itself under siege. Military targets planetside have not been attacked yet, but most of the planet's defenses were eliminated in the first weeks of the siege. On the surface, the Bretonia Armed Forces is gathering whatever equipment and human resources it has to counter a ground assault that is expected to start near the end of the year, or sometime in 818 A.S. Bretonia has attempted to break the siege and attacked Kusari forces near Leeds. However, the attack was a failure rather than success: after suffering heavy casualties, Bretonia was able to control only part of the space around the planet, with Kusari gathering forces on the other side, not far from the trade lane exit. Meanwhile, the situation in the Dundee system proved to be much better for Bretonia than we could expect. With the help of Mollys, Bretonia has defeated Kusari Naval Forces detachments in the area and come close to the jump hole in Tau-31. Instead of bringing the Dundee fleets back to Leeds to defend the planet, the Bretonia Armed Forces chose to attack a barely defended Tau-31 and finally encircle the Kusari Navy that concentrated its capital ships near Leeds. If Kusari fails to bring reinforcements from Tau-29, supply lines that connect Leeds with Kusari will be threatened by Bretonian ships, which will almost inevitably result in a devastating defeat of Kusari near Leeds. Our analysts, however, speculate that Bretonia is exhausted by the war more than Kusari and may not have enough military resources to drive Kusari back to the Tau sector during this year. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #504676== Red Hessians Threatened by The Wild ==Article #504677== Vogtland Base -- 817 A.S. -- With the Rheinland Military preparing for a war with Liberty, the Red Hessians gained more freedom to operate in the core systems of Rheinland and even in New Berlin. If Liberty gains the upper hand in the war, we will have no choice other than to stop attacking the military targets of Rheinland. There is no use to threaten our homeland's defenses when a more serious threat is right on our borders. Speaking of our old struggle with the Corsairs, we have to admit that any large-scale attacks against them will have to be delayed until the intensive attacks of The Wild are over. Our bases at Ronneburg and Freital are both threatened by frequent raiding parties that show no mercy and fight until the end. When The Wild lose a battle, their pilots become even more outrageous than ever, trying to deal as much damage as possible; when they are irreversibly damaged, they commit suicide by ramming our ships, increasing our casualties even more. A truce with the Corsairs is not an option for us, most offensive operations will be delayed until the Wild threat is reduced or eliminated. Neither we nor the Corsairs have enough resources to combat two powerful enemies at once. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #504678== NEW HOUSE IS UNVEILED! ==Article #504679== Java Station -- 817 A.S. -- The remote system of Orkney which is part of Bretonian space, although it is not considered part of Bretonian territory, has become a site of events that will change the history of the Sirius sector forever. On day 320 817 A.S., 1704 Manhattan time, a massive explosion was sighted by local Independent Miners Guild patrol in an old mine field. First it was thought that the explosion was an accident. Later, however, several consequent explosions followed. The explosions cleared a wide pass within the mine field that lead to a previously unknown jump hole. From the jump hole, a large fleet of unknown ships came through the passage between the mines and ventured into the clear area of Orkney. IMG first considered them to be unknown aliens and brought warships from Dounby Station in case their intentions were hostile. However, very soon IMG ships were contacted by the newcomers who identified themselves to be representatives of the lost French House, bearing the Latin name of Gallia. Gallia has been aware of existence of Sirius Houses for centuries but, however, chose a path of intentional isolation. The fleet of ships that breached the mine field belonged to a group named the Council, a political and military opposition of the Gallic central government. It took many years of fighting for the Council to suppress the powerful defenses of the Gallic Navy and reach the mine field. Now, isolation is a thing of the past, and Languedoc system to which the jump hole from Orkney leads can be freely visited by any ships from any Sirius Houses. Systems beyond Languedoc are still under control of the Gallic Navy, and the Council warns everyone willing to explore the distant Gallic systems that forces loyal to the Gallic government have most likely received an order to attack any unknown ships on sight. Shortly after breaching the mine perimeter, the Council began to construct a space station not far from the mine field using hull components brought from Languedoc. The station was named Reunion, not only after an island in the Indian ocean that belonged to France until the year 2088 A.D., but also as a reminder of what happened on 320 817, day that will be remembered in history as the Day of Reunion. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #504680== BREAKING NEWS: New House on the outskirts of Bretonia space ==Article #504681== New London -- 817 A.S. -- Bretonian information agencies are receiving contradictory news upon unidentified ships that appeared in the Orkney system at the edge of Bretonia space. Orkney is currently beyond the reach of Bretonian lawful forces, since the path through Tau-31 and Tau-23 is blocked by the advancing Kusari, and the path through Lewis is blocked by a significant Gaian presence in the system. Trustworthy sources within the Independent Miners Guild, however, indicate that the information has been confirmed and that the ships belong to the House of Gallia, the existence of which has never been known to anyone in the Sirius Sector. If the information is confirmed, the discovery of Gallia is expected to become one of the most important dates in the whole history of Sirius. It remains unclear why the information about a previously unknown French sleeper ship remained secret from the other nations of the Alliance, and why this House was never discovered before. Our records indicate that France, Italy and Australia lost their sleeper ships and the launching facility to a surprise attack by the Coalition shortly before the other 5 sleeper ships launched from Jupiter. The Australian ship was fully loaded with colonists who were all killed in the attack, and the ship belonging to Italy had started to unload the cryogen cameras several days before the attack due to a technical problem aboard, many of them urgently transferred to Hispania that ended up severely overloaded. Information about French colonists, however, is rather vague and contradictory. Bretonia will seek the aid of historians from other Houses to clarify what could happen at that time. We are expecting more information from the Independent Miners Guild and other sources soon. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #504682== BREAKING NEWS: New Power in Tau Sector ==Article #504683== New Tokyo -- 817 A.S. -- Kusari news agencies are receiving a massive amount of information and footage about the newly discovered House of Gallia. A group that calls itself the Council has informed IMG ships located in Orkney that the mine fields that separated Gallia from the rest of Sirius have been breached, and that now the Council will allow any ships from Sirius to venture into previously unknown space. No trustworthy information is present right now about the origins of the Gallic house, since our records indicate that the French sleeper ship was destroyed along with Italian and Australian sleeper ships prior to the day when Liberty, Bretonia, Kusari, Rheinland and Hispania launched from Jupiter. Records of the destruction show no possibility of rebuilding or repairing the ship, especially considering the fact that later the Coalition took the whole launch facility under its control. The situation deeply concerns the Shogun and his councillors, for the newcomers appear to have powerful warships that may threaten our plans of Bretonia conquest. Military is expected to increase security on all supply lines of our forces that run through the Tau sector. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #504684== BREAKING NEWS: Gallia: a Myth or Reality? ==Article #504685== Manhattan -- 817 A.S. -- Liberty agencies have received information confirmed by their partners in Bretonia about the new House that has been recently discovered. Descendants of this House that reached Sirius through a path in the mine field claim that it is Gallia, a French house populated with descendants of the ancient French. This information will need additional proof, for it is known that France was one of the nations of the Alliance that lost its sleeper ship shortly before it was launched. President Powell held a brief press conference in which he said that "Liberty, and hopefully all constructive powers of Sirius, welcome our new neighbors". "However", he added, "we will need to investigate the origins of the new House more thoroughly, for more than eight hundred years have passed since our sleeper ships launched from Sol, and no information indicated that France could rebuild and launch its own sleeper ship almost simultaneously with ours". "Even if the French could re-build Gallia, a question remains: why were the other nations of the Alliance left behind? Liberty could not interfere, since it could compromise the security of our main launching site on Jupiter, but if the French knew about any other means of escaping Sol, they could warn the others and offer them help". -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #504686== BREAKING NEWS: French House is Unveiled ==Article #504687== New Berlin -- 817 A.S. -- Reports from Bretonia indicate that Independent Miners Guild ships in the Orkney system have stumbled upon unidentified ships that belong to the previously unknown House of Gallia. The two available jump holes into Gallia have been hidden from the rest of the Sirius by huge mine fields, and, according to the information we are receiving, the fields could have been set up intentionally to prevent us from finding the entrance into Gallia. Now, as the field in Orkney is breached by a dissident group named The Council, all ships in Sirius are offered passage into Gallia. However, the new House is not expected to be a safe area to travel. Gallic Royal forces are likely to attack all unknown ships venturing into their territory. Rheinland does not recommend any of its citizens, regardless of their location, to go to Gallia before we establish diplomatic relations with its central House government. Astronomers indicate that information about the core worlds of Gallia is rather contradictory. The Council has informed us that Gallia arrived at New Paris in 84 A.S. If the French sleeper ship was travelling at the speed similar to known sleeper ships, the Gallia would have reached New Paris in about 35-40 A.S. The New Paris star is located about 245 light years away from the Manhattan star, and the whole star cluster that forms the central part of Gallia is considered to be the most remote part of the Sirius sector ever populated by humans, even more remote than Nomad systems charted in 800-801 A.S. As such, it is disputed whether Gallia should be considered part of the space known as the "Sirius Sector". Such distances are beyond the reach of currently available navigation computers, and on the nav maps the Gallic systems will be placed close to Tau space between Bretonia and Orkney, while in reality they are separated by dozens of light years of unexplored space. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #504688== Gallia: New Power on the Scene of Sirius? ==Article #504689== Cadiz Base -- 817 A.S. -- The Corsairs have become aware of the unexpected events in the Orkney system that indicate the revelation of a new House, Gallia. The information has been sent to the Council of Elders on Crete that will be summoned in a matter of days. The Elders will study secret archives of events that preceded the sleeper ship launch to determine how the French sleeper ship could survive. For now, all the information we have is that the Gallia was one of the three sleeper ships that were stationed in a location different from the other five ships that eventually reached Sirius, and that those three ships were completely destroyed by the Coalition along with their launching facility. We have also received information that Outcasts have already successfully attempted to fight the Gallic ships, and indicate that while they can be defeated by superior numbers, they bear advanced technology, some of which is unfamiliar to us. Aggressive nature of our Outcast counterparts is well-known, and it is not surprising that their relations with newcomers from Gallia started with shooting instead of negotiations. Our goal is to consider all possibilities, including possible purchase of advanced weapon systems from various Gallic groups, to aid our own cause. Events in the Tau systems indicate that we have delayed our invasion against Dublin for too long, and in the next year we will have to act swiftly to turn the balance in Bretonia in our favour. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #504690== New Neighbours of the Outcasts ==Article #504691== Genoa Base -- 817 A.S. -- URGENT MESSAGE TO ALL OUTCAST PILOTS -- Our scouts have just detected a series of high-energy explosions in the middle of the mine field not far from our installation. At first we thought that the mines started to explode uncontrollably, and issued an order to evacuate the station, but in several hours the explosions stopped. They unveiled a path towards a jump hole in the middle of the mine field, from which a group of ships emerged that identified themselves as belonging to a group named "Council" from the lost House of Gallia. The ships provided additional details on their goals, claiming to be friendly, but refused to stop and proceeded towards the area of Genoa. When the ships were in the vicinity of the station, we opened fire and destroyed the intruders. We have just received the news on another mine field breach in Orkney that happened several days ago. These two events are clearly linked to each other. We are also receiving details about a newly found House. For us, this is not only a challenge, but an opportunity. Very soon, the Council of Dons will be summoned on Malta to decide what to do with this completely unexpected turn of events. For all Outcast pilots out there: while the Council has announced that it is letting any ships into Gallia, this does not mean that we are letting any ships of the Council or any other Gallic faction into Outcast space. All ships coming through the jump hole into Omicron-80 system will be shot on sight. Only exception will be made for human-piloted ships that have no weapons or explosives onboard. Even in this case, we advise extreme caution. While the systems of the intruders' ships match ours in terms of weapon technology, they do bear some advancements that are unfamiliar to our scientists. Stay tuned and wait for the orders of your direct command. Genoa out -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #504692== Second Gallic War - Part I ==Article #504693== 710-716 AGS (794-800 A.S.) -- Some historians name the year 798 as the beginning of the Second Gallic War, for that was the year when the Council acted openly against the Gallic Army for the first time. Yet it is commonly considered that the war started in 794 A.S. on Planet Marne located in the Champagne system, when a massive rebellion broke out in three out of five of Marne's prime industrial centers. The rebellion was apparently well-prepared and organized. Gallic media reported that many rebel commanders were former military officers or even professional criminals hired to fulfill this task. Those reports were denounced by the Council, but it is apparent that there were a number of experienced soldiers and military commanders among the rebels. Initial tactics involved taking control over the main Marne cities and industrial facilities with minimal destruction and civilian casualties. At fist, the rebellion was an overall success: police forces in the cities were defeated, as well as army detachments recently deployed within the cities to preserve order. However, most Gallic ground troops resided on well-defended bases in desolate areas of the planet. Their resistance was much heavier than the rebels first expected. Despite numerical superiority, rebels were heavily outgunned and could not establish control over the planet's terrain. At first, the government hesitated to use heavy weaponry against the cities. Rebels used this time to reinforce their defenses and capture space ports which were used to deliver weaponry and reinforcements. Light military vehicles and artillery were mainly supplied by the Council, while Gallic Brigands supplied firearms and ammunition. During this time many volunteers from the Council, various pirate groups, and even citizens from other planets joined the rebellion. The space around the planet was controlled by the Gallic Navy at that time, but the Navy apparently underestimated the amount of help the rebels were receiving from off-planet. Patrols assigned by the Navy were not enough to isolate the planet. Attempts of the army to capture any of the rebel-controlled cities and settlements failed, much like the rebels themselves failed to take control over military objects. In the middle of 798 A.S., a large army of over 110,000 troops was assembled in the Core Worlds and prepared for transport to Marne. Only about 45,000 made it through, for the Council finally interfered and attacked incoming Navy forces near Reims station and planet Sezanne. These were the first of many space fights that occurred during the war. The Navy was caught completely unprepared, and had to retreat. The Council failed to destroy any of the transports carrying the troops, but prevented them from proceeding to Marne. The ambush near Reims happened before the Council forces landed on the planet, although some sources state otherwise. The Gallic Army, reinforced by fresh manpower, launched a massive attack against the rebels, striking on every front. After that, the rebels were probably aware that the Council would arrive in a matter of days, and threw all their forces to defend space ports where Council transports could land. The Council, however, could not break through the planetary blockade soon enough: they had to capture Reims Station in order prevent the Gallic Navy from striking from behind. Once Reims was captured and reinforced with heavy anti-capital-ship weaponry, the Council fleet proceeded to planet Marne. Attacking forces of the Gallic Royals were scattered by the newly arrived Council units, but resistance did not end until 801 A.S. when it was perfectly clear that the Gallic Navy would not be able to break through Council defenses, at least for the next several years. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #504694== Second Gallic War - Part II ==Article #504695== 717-724 AGS (801-808 A.S.) -- After the fight on Marne was over, the war was mostly fought in space and on space stations, with the notable exception of a large-scale ground operation on Planet Quillan. Marne and Quillan are responsible for over 90% of all war casualties, which are estimated at 105,000 from both sides of the conflict (numbers are for year 816 A.S. and don't take into account later events). After overtaking Marne, the primary goals of the Council were securing the whole Champagne system and eliminating any Gallic lawful presence there, and preparing the attack against Lorraine and Languedoc. By the year 803 A.S., the entire Champagne system was under control of the Council. The next obvious target was Lorraine. The Lorraine Jump Gate was located only one trade lane away from Marne, and in 803 A.S. the Council assembled a large fleet to attack the system. It was unknown to the Council that the Royal Navy was preparing for this attack, aware of the final goals of the Council to gain access to the mine fields. The Navy used an alternative route from the Core Systems to reinforce Lorraine's defenses. Council High Command realized its mistakes only after the Navy had launched an offensive against the fleet in Champagne in the beginning of 804 A.S., scattering the forces preparing to attack Lorraine just days before the attack was scheduled to start. Casualties from both sides were very high, with over 12 battleships and hundreds of smaller vessels completely destroyed. Nevertheless, daring Gallic Navy admirals ordered an advance on Marne, thinking that they had destroyed all Council capital ships in the system. Near Marne, they were engaged by a large defensive fleet quickly assembled of what was remaining of Council forces, heavily reinforced by Maquis and reportedly even Brigands. With the trade lane behind them consistently disrupted by smaller support crafts, the Navy was completely surrounded. Fierce battle continued for several hours before the Council gained the upper hand. Only a handful of the Royal Navy ships escaped. The rest were destroyed or captured. The forces of the Gallic Royal Navy in Burgundy could not aid their Lorraine colleagues, for they were attempting to fight back the Council raiding parties that appeared in every part of the system with even more regularity than pirates. By that time, Council High Command had already moved from Macon Base in Burgundy to Marne. Macon has become a primary place for Council military preparations, overcrowded with new recruits coming from Marne, as well as weapons, equipment and ships produced in Champagne and in other systems. Due to fights taking place in Burgundy and Lorraine, Navy numbers in Dauphine and Languedoc became much smaller than before the war had started. Additionally, both Dauphine and Languedoc did not contain any defensive installations that the Navy could use to delay the offensive, with the exception of Montpellier Guard Station defending the Languedoc Mine Field. By the end of 806 A.S., Council was fully aware of this weakness and had prepared a multiple-step operation that involved attacking Dauphine, capturing or destroying any Navy ships that would oppose them, and quickly proceeding to Languedoc to complete their initial goal of creating a path through one of the mine fields. A surprise attack against Dauphine would disrupt Gallic communications and allow large fleets of the Council to pass from Burgundy to Languedoc. At the same time, a plan of a covert operation in the Lorraine Mine Field was being prepared. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #504696== Second Gallic War - Part III ==Article #504697== 725-728 AGS (809-812 A.S.) -- The plan of the Dauphine offensive developed by the Council did not work as well as initially expected. In 809 A.S., Council sent a large fleet into Dauphine to secure the area of Bourgon-Jallieu Station. Bourgon-Jallieu proved to be a tough target, equipped by multiple defensive systems and providing cover for numerous Police patrols that deteriorated the progress of Council fleets. In the end, Council decided that the station had to be destroyed. A diversion was prepared to distract Police ships to the Burgundy Jump Gate. During the diversion, the Council launched its bombers and very heavy fighters against Bourgon-Jallieu that now had only a few ships to defend it. After the defensive systems of the station were eliminated, a Council heavy transport on autopilot was directed into the station hull, destroying the station and killing over 120 Police and Navy officers. The number reportedly includes a few civilians as well. In the same year, one of the most controversial events of the whole Second War followed. Gap Station, which occupied a crucial location on the route from Burgundy into Languedoc, was attacked by the Council. Because destroying the massive and heavily guarded station that had many civilian inhabitants was not an option for the attackers, their goal was to drop marines within the station and capture it with minimal casualties. Once again, the plans of the Council became known to the Navy command, and Gallic Army detachments were brought to defend the station. Eventually, a large Council fleet arrived to the Gap area, neutralized station defenses and launched dropships. Fighting within the station lasted for more than 4 days and ended only when all Council landing troops were defeated. The victory cost both sides greatly, with over 400 killed and many more wounded. While the Gallic soldiers were stationed near the airlocks to prevent a new assault, a large Royal Navy fleet finally arrived to breach the blockade. Before retreating, desperate Council ships launched a final missile attack against all Gap's airlocks, which could have potentially resulted in the station de-pressurizing. Gap Station's engineers had to seal the inner airlocks before the Gallic soldiers could escape; trapped outside, they were blown into space and perished. Very few of the military and police personnel survived the attack, and civilian casualties were low only by a miracle. With no chance to capture Briancon or Gap stations located in the central part of Dauphine, the Council chose the tactic of sporadic raids to distract Navy and Police patrols from outer regions of the system that were used to relocate Council fleets into Languedoc. By the end of 812 A.S., Council had built multiple storage banks and small repair facilities near the jump gate path between Languedoc and Dauphine. Most of those facilities were equipped with simple but deadly self-destruct mechanisms that activated when Navy or Police ships were approaching. The next year, an offensive against Languedoc was set to begin. Meanwhile, the situation in Burgundy and Lorraine was under dense control of the Navy. Security of the two systems was declared the highest priority for the GRN, and most available forces in the Gallic Border Worlds were ordered to defend them. Attempts to breach defenses in Lorraine failed repeatedly, and Council presence in the system remained minimal. Maquis secured a small base in one of the Lorraine asteroid fields, but they could do nothing with the Navy fleets and mostly concentrated on smuggling and piracy against small corporate shipments. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #504698== Second Gallic War - Part IV ==Article #504699== 729-731 AGS (813-815 A.S.) -- The Languedoc offensive caught the Gallic Royal Navy completely unprepared. Apparently, their previous means of gathering intelligence on the Council failed them. A massive armada of Council capital ships came into Languedoc directly through the Jump Gate, which was not guarded by any Navy ships at that time. At the same time, hundreds of Council fighters began advancing from the Lozere asteroid field in Languedoc. Local Navy detachments delayed capital ships advancing to Remoulins, which gave the station's inhabitants time to evacuate. It was rumored that the Council allowed this intentionally to avoid civilian casualties, for most of Remoulins' inhabitants were miners employed by Gallic Metal Service. The decisive battle for Languedoc took place in the middle of 813 A.S. near Remoulins. The station was empty at that time, and during the fight one of its outer storage tanks filled with explosive fuel was damaged by battleship fire. The tank detonated shortly afterwards, destroying the whole station. It remains unknown which ship damaged the tank, since Council and GRN used similar types of weaponry in this battle. It is also unknown if it was done intentionally or not. However, it is certain that the explosion helped the Council to achieve a victory, for Royal Navy cruisers that used the station as cover from Council battleship fire were crippled in the explosion and became easy prey for Council bombers. Nimes Station was the next target, and in 814 A.S. the Council attempted to use the same tactic that failed with Gap Station. This time, however, previous mistakes were taken into account. The Council made use of inside support from civilians loyal to its cause. While Council fleets were stationed next to Remoulins' wreck and Nimes was preparing for an assault from space, a group of Council special operatives breached the station through a maintenance airlock that was left unguarded. Before local Police and Army guards could organize any resistance, the Council took over control of the station's life support, computer mainframes, internal and external defensive systems. Later, a Council fleet arrived, and station defenders had no other choice but to surrender. With minimal casualties from both sides (4 men killed), this operation is known as the most bloodless in the whole Second Gallic War. The Council offensive on Planet Quillan was the second planetary operation of the war. Capturing the planet was vital for the final success in breaching the mine field defenses. Breaching planetary defenses was a relatively easy task. However, after Council ground forces landed on the planet in the end of 815 A.S., they discovered that a Gallic army of 90,000 was stationed on the planet and prepared to defend its settlements and factories. Outnumbered, the Council forces had to fortify their positions and prepare for a lengthy fight for the planet's surface. This moment was crucial for the whole war. The Royal Navy was planning to launch a counter-assault against Council in Languedoc. If the Navy's assault was successful, the Council would lose ground in Languedoc and fail to breach the mine field. TheCouncil suffered heavy casualties, and launching a new offensive was not an option until losses were recovered. During that time, the Navy could concentrate all forces near Champagne and take back the system, undoing all progress that the rebels had made since the start of the war. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #504700== Second Gallic War - Part V ==Article #504701== 732-733 AGS (816-817 A.S.) -- In 816 A.S., the Council had no option other than to request support from the Maquis, who, in turn, rallied their allies in the Core Worlds to attack Royal Navy from behind. While it was impossible to stop the whole fleet that was moving to Dauphine, Maquis succeeded in using terrorist tactics to bomb several battleships of the GRN offensive fleet. An array of brutal and merciless attacks from Maquis and Brigands against civilian convoys followed shortly afterwards, forcing the Navy to relocate resources from the Languedoc offensive to local security tasks. Now, with the Navy's progress slowing down, the Council gained more freedom to act in Languedoc. Moving the last reinforcements from Burgundy, the Council established lines of defense near the Dauphine Jump Gate, wreck of Remoulins, Nimes Station, and Quillan itself. More Council troops landed on Quillan, increasing the numbers of Council corps on the planet to 95,000. The Council soldiers were mostly unemployed Marne workers, badly armed and trained. They would be no match for Gallic Army in open combat. However, the Council used a waiting tactic and successfully rallied local miners to aid its cause. Army detachments were stationed in the miner settlements, causing numerous conflicts between miners and soldiers. In several settlements, the unrest turned into rebellions aided by the Council. Overtaking settlements one by one, the Council slowly advanced, and in the beginning of 817 A.S. the remaining Gallic Army soldiers were scattered and forced to surrender. In the end of 816 A.S., the Council finally gathered a large fleet to attack Montpellier. Being the largest fleet ever brought to battle in this war, and possibly the largest fleet ever assembled in the whole Sirius sector since its colonization, it was opposed by a matching number of Gallic Royal Navy capital ships, fighters, support crafts, and stationary defenses. For several weeks, fighting next to Montpellier continued; at the same time, the Navy advanced from Dauphine and breached the Council's defenses near the Jump Gate. It was too late to retreat at this point, and despite very heavy casualties, the Council advanced to the mine field, destroying numerous weapon platforms, smaller supplementary mine fields, and hundreds of enemy ships. A large part of Montpellier station itself was destroyed in a suicide attack by a Council battleship packed with thermonuclear explosives, with most station defenders killed in the explosion or shortly afterwards. Path to the mines was now clear, and Council moved forward to destroy the mines and create a large corridor that would allow all ships, even the largest ones, to pass through without being at risk of mine explosions. After the path was ready, the Council started to build a new space station on the other side, baring a symbolic name of Reunion. At the same time, using the aid of local Maquis and several Junker turncoats, the Council started to set up a covert path within the Lorraine mine field. With the Royal Navy relocating all available forces to advance into Languedoc, the part of Lorraine that was far from the Champagne Jump Gate was left loosely defended. Finally, by the end of 817 A.S. the path to the Outcast system of Omicron-80 was revealed. Unlike the route in Languedoc mines, Lorraine's path was narrow and dangerous, having no navigation buoys nor other ways that could help to make this route safer. It is still likely that it will be discovered by Gallic Royal Navy patrols in a matter of months, and will possibly be remined. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #504702== WARNING: Unidentified Ships in Gallic Space ==Article #504703== Planet Nevers -- 733 AGS -- Gallic Royal Navy and Gallic Royal Police issue a warning for all civilian and corporate ships located in Gallic Border Worlds. A large number of unidentified ships has entered Gallia space from Languedoc and Lorraine. Those ships belong to the long-lost Colonies of Sirius, nations that were involved in a treachery that forced us to build our own Sleeper Ship in secret from the other major powers of the Alliance. Those ships are not an organized force and belong to various factions and organizations. They mostly use jump holes to navigate between systems, and avoid trade lanes and Gallic lawful space stations. We are already receiving reports of several attacks against our civilian shipments staged by the intruders. It is likely that they will seek refuge on pirate stations in case they are in danger or run out of supplies. Also, we should not forget that it was the Council who let those ships pass through the mine fields, and it is likely that some of those ships might join the Council and openly attack Police or Navy ships. All ships that are currently located in Gallic Border Worlds are advised extreme caution. The Navy and Police are increasing patrols on all major trade lanes. For your own safety, avoid venturing far from commonly used trade routes and populated areas. If attacked, hail any Navy and Police patrols in your area, and escape towards the nearest space station. We have already started to gather information on the newcomers. The King and his Foreign Office on New Paris is preparing necessary measures to establish diplomatic relations with the selected powers in Sirius Sector, however, this will become possible only after the Gallic Royal Navy liberates Languedoc system from the Council, and opens a way for our own diplomatic couriers to pass through the mine fields. In the meantime, we are sealing all jump gates leading from Gallic Border Worlds into the Core Systems. In total, 4 gates will be closed, 2 in Burgundy, 1 in Dauphine and 1 in Lorraine. This is done to prevent the intruders from reaching densely populated areas of Gallia. Without sufficient knowledge and navigation maps, pilots of the newly arrived ships will not be able to find alternative ways into the Core Worlds. The measures that we undertake now are temporary, and very soon we will ensure complete safety for all law-abiding citizens of the Gallic Border Worlds. Please stay tuned and await for further announcements -- Burgundy Royal Navy Headquarters, Planet Nevers, August 17, 733 AGS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #504704== Kusari Preparing for Assault against Leeds ==Article #504705== New Tokyo -- 817 A.S. -- After the battles for Stokes were fought, the Kusari Naval Forces attempted to eliminate the threat from the flank: Bretonian presence near LD-14. While capital ships were not capable of operating in the area filled with asteroids and mine fields, our fighters have achieved limited success in weakening Bretonia's defenses in the area. However, we suffered heavy casualties and had to withdraw from the area since it proved to be exceptionally hazardous for our pilots. LD-14 is still operational, with Bretonia using alternative routes to bring supplies to the station and transport MOX fuel from it. Both sides have been exhausted by the war, and since the beginning of May 817 A.S. no large battles have taken place in the Leeds system. Meanwhile, the Bretonia Armed Forces launched their own offensive in Dundee, and gained military superiority in this system. Kusari Naval Forces in Tau-31 faced a possible threat of being surrounded, although later reconnaisance discovered that Bretonia did not have enough firepower to breach through our Tau-31 defenses. In October, Kusari Naval Forces started the siege of Planet Leeds that continues until present day. In a desperate move, Kusari gathered its forces and launched an offensive against Leeds, but did not gain a strategic advantage. While most of the Leeds planetary defenses have been destroyed, the planet is defended with a large Bretonian fleet that acts cautiously and tries to avoid casualties. The economy of Bretonia has been disrupted by our attacks against Leeds, and now it is only a matter of time before Bretonia runs short of vital war resources and reinforcements. While fighting in Leeds continues, the Kusari command has received disturbing news from the nearby Dundee system that has been overrun by overwhelming Bretonian forces aided by Mollys. The fleets designated for an assault against Tau-23 will once again have to be relocated into Tau-31 to defend our supply lines from the possibility of aggressive actions by Bretonia. Currently, a large ground task force is being assembled on Planet Kyushu, and during the next year it will be dispatched in order to land on Leeds and capture key industrial areas of the planet. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #504706== Way into Gallia is Open! ==Article #504707== Reunion -- 733 AGS, 817 A.S. -- The Council is proud to announce that the mine fields that have concealed the existence of Gallia from the rest of the Sirius population have been breached in Orkney and Omicron-80. This achievement has cost us decades of bloody war with Gallic government forces who rejected the rights of the Gallic nation to re-unite with the rest of humanity that escaped Sol more than eight hundred years ago. We will welcome any ships willing to explore Gallic space and establish relations with local factions. In exchange for the passage, we ask for guarantees of neutrality towards the Council, its military and civilian personnel. We also warn that any capital ship fleets or other large military detachments will be denied passage, by force if necessary. Our goal is to prevent the war, not to encourage attacks of other Houses who might consider Gallia its enemy. Gallia is no one's enemy, and our task is to prove it. We hope that after our actions in the Gallic Border Worlds the King of Gallia will demonstrate responsibility and discretion by establishing diplomatic relations with all four Houses and by canceling plans of Sirius-wide aggression. However, even if the relations will be established, we, the Council, will still remain sworn enemies of the Crown, and the Second Gallic War will continue. Our current goal is to hold the passage in Languedoc open for everyone for as long as possible. However, the Royal Navy has assembled an overwhelming fleet in Dauphine that will soon head towards Languedoc. Our casualties has been very high during the recent years of fighting in this system, and odds to win the battles that will follow are very low. Languedoc detachments of the Council, and all civilians willing to escape the prosecution by Gallic government, will have to seek refuge in the Sirius Border Worlds. We are already looking for possible locations where we can build our bases and defensive installations. We are also aware that Sirius space has its own unlawful factions, much like Gallic Brigands and Unione Corse in Gallia. Since our situation is complicated right now, we might seek help of those factions in order to survive and prevent unnecessary casualties. But we also realize that our equipment, ships and weaponry contain Gallic technologies that many Sirius parties are willing to appropriate. We are not trading or exchanging any of our military technologies. If any attempts to capture or attack Council personnel and ships occur, we reserve the right to retaliate with deadly force. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #504708== Business in Gallic Border Words: Risks and Profits ==Article #504709== Alesia Station -- 733 AGS -- Second Gallic War made conducting business hazardous all around the Gallic Border Worlds. New threats are not directly related to the military conflict between Gallia and the Council. Instead, the war gave rise to unprecedented increase of piracy in all Border Worlds, except for Lorraine. Criminal activity is on the rise even in the well-protected Core Systems. Using the war and chaos associated with it, Gallic Brigands, Corse and other groups gained access to new ships and weaponry, and gained opportunities to increase their numbers by rallying recruits from Council-controlled worlds of Marne and Quillan. As a result, most financial institutions refuse insurance for any shipments going to and from the Core Worlds. Even if they do, insurance is so expensive that only a few shippers are able to afford it. As of now, the only efficient way to protect cargo is hiring Gallic Navy escort. Presence of Navy fighters usually scares pirates away, however, the Navy has many other duties to perform. Government promises to increase Police presence in the area, however, increased numbers of Police does not guarantee presence of their ships in the areas where pirates are going to attack. According to the reports from Briancon and Gap installations in Dauphine, some police patrols deliberately avoid patrolling areas where commercial transports are present and where pirate attacks are most likely to occur. Solar Engineering, the only large space corporation without a significant presence in the Border Worlds, has actually gained profits from the war rather than losses: gaining large government contracts for building up the Core World defenses, its stock value has risen more than 80% over the last 15 years, an unprecedented rise for any large company listed on the New Paris Stock Exchange (NPSE) for the last four hundred years. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #504710== Second Gallic War Continues ==Article #504711== Planet Marne -- 733 AGS -- While the gate into Sirius from the Languedoc system has been opened, and a secret passage in Lorraine is now complete, the Second Gallic War still continues. Despite facing the inevitable, the Gallic Navy will continue to consider us enemies of the state. We could not expect anything else from the corrupt monarchy that was bringing our whole nation towards an inevitable doom of interstellar war and bloodshed that was prevented by our recent actions. Future generations will be grateful to our soldiers who fought bravely and died on the battlefields of this lengthy and devastating conflict. Still we, leaders of the Council, have to think about our present. We achieved the victory at a very high price, and a vengeful Gallic Navy will not wait long to retaliate. We will be able to defend Languedoc for no longer than a year from now. Without serious help from other Sirius factions we will not be able to hold longer. Exhausted and isolated, our fleets will have no choice other than to seek refuge in desolate areas of Sirius not claimed by any of the larger Houses. After that, the Gallic Navy will gain full control over Languedoc and passage into Sirius. While the Navy has not yet achieved the strength necessary to fulfill the insane plan of Sirius conquest, Gallia still has the strongest military of all the Houses, by far exceeding Liberty and Kusari space military forces, let alone Rheinland and Bretonia. The technological superiority of Gallia is also not as significant as Navy analysts predicted, however, there are certain unique weapon technologies that Gallia will be able to use against Sirius forces. With diverse tactics and advanced weaponry, Gallia will have an advantage over any opponents, at least in the first several years of the conflict that may or may not take place. Those facts are already known to the Navy command, because it is no secret that there are many government spies and Junker spies among our ranks. We have to act openly in Languedoc, and Junkers, along with other groups, have full access to whatever information on Sirius we gain now. It is also rumored that Junkers, which are present in Sirius as well, are actually part of the same group that was spying for the interests of Gallia and selling information on Sirius houses, their technology and military disposition to the Crown, the Navy, and the corporations. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #504712== Maquis: Allies in War, Partners in Crime ==Article #504713== Mazagran Depot -- 733 AGS -- After the well-known split between the Maquis and the Council, the special forces of Gallia have attempted to spur hatred between us and the Council by using various disagreements that we had. While we are still fully independent from the Council, and while our methods were disapproved by the Council multiple times (just as we disapprove their ways), we are still allies. To the immense grief and disappointment of our enemies, the Maquis and Council can still stand united against our common foe. The course of Second Gallic War proved multiple times that we fulfill our obligations and act with honor and courage. The presence of Maquis on Planet Marne is stronger than ever, and several space ports on the planet are fully under our control, open for ships of our unlawful allies such as Brigands and the Corse. Gallic Brigands and Unione Corse do not participate in our fight for overthrowing the monarchy in Gallia, however, they share our desire for freedom from the control of corrupt officials and Gallic corporations. The liberation of Languedoc, a massive operation of the Council in which many of our ships participated, was our most recent - and most deadly - strike against the monarchy. While several hundred of our fighters were destroyed by the Gallic Navy during this operation, with Council suffering much more severe casualties, the goal is now achieved: isolation of Gallia from Sirius is a thing of the past. Maquis also played an important role in securing a secret passage in the Lorraine mine fields. Unione Corse delivered us the prototypes of devices that Gallic Navy was going to use for neutralizing their mines when time for the Sirius-wide invasion will come. Council engineers copied those devices in sufficient numbers to disable a large portion of mines in Lorraine and a nearby system that is known as Omicron-80 in Sirius. Then the mines were moved away to the sides of the passage, providing a way within the field that fighters can pass through. Despite our recent victories, the Second Gallic War is far from over. Gallic fleets are gathering strength, and soon they will inevitably gain the upper hand in Languedoc. Our current objective is to secure our installations in the asteroid fields of the Gallic systems. We will also aid in defending the Champagne system from possible attacks of the Navy, since many Maquis consider Planet Marne to be their new home, a place to live after decades of wandering in space from one asteroid base to another. Fresh air instead of recycled space station atmosphere, fresh food instead of synthetic substitutes - this is what we missed for so long, and what this war's successes have made accessible for us. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #504714== Unione Corse Cautious on Council Activities ==Article #504715== Montelimar Base -- 733 AGS -- Unione Corse are one of the groups that indirectly aid the Council in their war with the government. However, the agenda of the Council contradicts the goal of Corse to preserve status-quo on the black market of Gallia. Sirius has its own powerful pirate groups, and rumors of some of the most powerful of those groups, known as "Outcasts" and "Corsairs", are already spreading in Gallia. The House of Bretonia, which is closest to Languedoc, has a group of terrorists known as "Mollys", and a mysterious group of unlawfuls with no particular goals, "Gaians". Outcasts and Gaians, who are closest to Gallia borders, represent the imminent threat. Other groups will also be interested in gaining access to whatever Gallia has to offer. Corse consider the decision of the Council to open passage for all ships from Sirius into Gallia a premature and ill-thought one, a decision that will harm all parties in Gallia itself. Unione Corse will treat intruders in the way they deserve, attacking them only if they will attack first or will venture into areas they are not supposed to visit. In addition to that, Unione Corse plans to avoid any dealings with the newcomers, and will secure its own interests in Gallia space with any means necessary. Venturing outside Gallic space is not in the best interests of Corse, but our group will continue gathering of information on Sirius and seeking new business opportunities related to the new discoveries. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #504716== Brigands Benefit from the War ==Article #504717== Epernay Station -- 733 AGS -- Second Gallic War has been a great time for all sorts of unlawfuls that populate the Gallic space. While the Navy is distracted fighting the Council, and most Police officers are doing what they are used to do - saving their own hides and avoiding any serious fighting - Gallic Brigands and our allies gain power, resources, wealth, and more men and women to fight for our cause. Marne has become a perfect source of recruits that join our ranks. Most of them are not experienced enough, but we now have enough ships to teach them how to fight the Government. Where did we get those ships? The Council was aided substantially by using our supply lines from the Core Gallic Systems. Supplying the Council comes for a price, and while they usually avoid dealing with us directly, caring about the "public eye", the Maquis trade with us freely and simply transfer goods that they purchase from us to the Council. While we are not much concerned by the political motives of the Council, we share their hatred for the government, a rotted monarchy that has no sense of style, and corrupt corporations. If the Council needs help, we will provide as much as they can buy. Since money is not the only thing we need, the Council's new factories on Marne provide us a wide range of various goods necessary for a brigand's life, including ammunition, side arms, ship weaponry, and, most important, new ships. Maquis deliver the stuff to our installation of Epernay, and from Epernay they come to many other Brigands' bases all around the Gallic Border Worlds. Now, as the path to unfamiliar new worlds in Sirius has been opened, the Brigands consider the future possibilities of this unexpected change. While the information on Sirius is now much less expensive than before and is easily accessible from anywhere within Gallia, we still do not have sufficient data on the unlawful groups that most surely exist in the Houses of Sirius and in other populated areas. We are now negotiating with Maquis to see if our survey parties could be granted passage through the mine field to gather intelligence and to find places where we could establish new bases of operations. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #504718== Strange Events in Omega-58: Possible Interpretation by Rheinland Astronomers ==Article #504719== Solarius Station -- 817 A.S. -- Rheinland researchers are increasingly concerned about surprising activity in the Omega-58 system controlled by a faction of former Rheinlanders called "The Wild". Unmanned probes that are regularly sent into this system to attempt monitoring of The Wild activity have transferred images of large asteroid belts forming around the Nomad Jump Gate. The object's configuration has been confirmed by an unnamed representative of an organization called The Order, a group originating from Liberty that played a significant part in defeating the Nomads in 801 A.S. and exposing their agents in populated worlds, including Rheinland. According to The Order representative, a nomad gate of similar form was first encountered in a remote Nomad-controlled system named Omicron Minor. Unfortunately, astronomers have no other sources of monitoring Omega-58 activity. Light from this system reaches the nearest accessible point for Rheinland researchers in over 17 light years. Probes that are sent through jump holes are quickly destroyed by local ships and stationary defense systems of The Wild. In most cases, no information can be transferred, and several blurred photographs of the system's central part are all that researchers have right now. Otto Buchholz, a well-known astronomer and honored member of Rheinland Academy of Natural Science, has confirmed that information from the photos can indicate that a powerful source of gravitational energy similar to a black hole is present in the area where the gate is being built. "We cannot say what source of energy it is, but it is evident that The Wild have no resources to build a large construction such as a Jump Gate without using a technology that allows them to gather matter from nearby space. Most probably, the scaffolding of the gate was built manually, and later was used to collect mass from nearby space using the alien energy cell. The mass is necessary to stabilize the artificial jump gate tunnel formed within the gate" - the expert said - "Some of my colleagues are convinced that what we see is a natural part of the process. However, the devastating effect on the system is evident, moons and planets are destroyed or change orbit, dragged deeper into the gravity well of the Gate. The Wild have probably acquired the Power Cell before they arrived in the Omega Border Worlds. They may not be aware of the danger that the cell poses, and may not be able to control the process they have initiated." Astronomers who researched the newly acquired images report that the luminosity of Omega-58's sun has slightly increased compared to older images acquired one year ago. It is impossible to tell if this is related to changes in the sun's location related to the Gate, or changes in the sun's atmosphere and internal nuclear processes. More exploration probes will be sent to the system shortly to gather more information. In any case, populated areas of Rheinland are located far away from this desolate system, and the republic will have plenty of time to prepare if a cataclysm like a supernova explosion takes place there. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #504720== Colonies Rebuild, Chancellor MIA ==Article #504721== MANHATTAN -- 801 A.S. -- It's been nearly two weeks since hostilities between Rheinland and the other Houses came to an abrupt end, and peace has settled over the colonies. Despite many lingering questions, government officials remain tight-lipped about what has triggered this sudden change. President Jacobi pardoned the leaders of the military coup against her, who are all recovering from what has been officially called "encephalitic viral infections." Insiders speculate that these infections may be linked to recently discovered evidence of a bizarre mind-control plan initiated by the Chancellor to bring down the major Houses. Meanwhile, the Chancellor and several of his staff are still missing at this time and together face a long list of charges. Newly appointed government officials in Rheinland are now looking into recent events and are said to be enlisting even Liberty's help in their investigation. In other news, LSF Commander Jun'ko Zane and freelancer, Edison Trent, both former enemies of the state, have been granted full pardons and have received the Lone Star for bravery, the highest decoration any individual in the colonies can receive. Though the details of their heroism have been sealed by executive order, they were honored today in a ceremony by President Jacobi, who said, "I, Liberty and the rest of the colonies owe you both a debt of gratitude. It is through your efforts, and people like you, that Sirius will embrace the future. We salute you." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #504760== The Second Gallic War: True Goals of the Council ==Article #504761== Briancon Station -- 733 AGS -- The so-called Second Gallic War that was inspired by the Council two decades ago is nowhere near its ending. The Council, the powerful and wealthy group formed mainly by Royal Navy and Royal Police deserters, and financed by semi-legal businesses and criminal cartels of the Core Worlds, is sometimes described as a revolutionary movement. Yet, through the course of the war the Gallic media collected evidence that Council is nowadays more like a state within a state, having its own bureaucracy, enforcement agencies, and even newly established oligarchy that came into fortune due to the war. The Council leaders claim that their goal is to change the government of Gallia and overthrow the monarchy, in addition to breaking the isolation of Gallia from the rest of Sirius worlds. According to our today's expert Robert Broussard, Doctor of Economy and senior consultant of Solar Engineering and Ile-de-France Shipping, the Council never had an intention to overthrow the New Paris monarchy. "Our information on the Council agenda is mainly based on their own public announcements and press releases. Yet, New Paris is so far from the Gallic Border Worlds that the Council will not be able to overtake the Core Worlds by force, even if all Border Worlds fall under their supreme rule," - Broussard says, - "On New Paris and other prominent worlds of Gallia, public support for the warlike actions of the Council is relatively low, and the Council is aware that the chances to inspire revolts in the heart of our nation are very slim." Independent analysts estimate black market operations in Gallia rising by 150% during the last 30 years. At the same time, frequency of pirate attacks had risen twice in the Core Worlds, and more than three times in the Border Worlds. This unprecedented wave of piracy occured mainly because of the demand for various smuggled goods that the Council generates, and because of the overall chaos caused by the war. Royal Police was caught unprepared by this new dangerous tendency, unable to defend corporate and civilian shipments. The pirate groups are expected to grow even larger now that the path to Sirius was breached by the Council in Languedoc. Being able to take advantage of this new development, pirate groups like the Unione Corse, Gallic Brigands, and Maquis now plan their expansion into Sirius, searching for new markets and recruiting more pilots. The Council supports those pirate groups almost openly, in return for their help against the Royal Navy. Sporadic raids of Brigands and Maquis never cause significant losses, but play a crucial role in delaying Navy operations against the Council. Almost every asteroid field and nebula in Gallia is now swarmed with ships of various unlawful groups. It remains unknown for how much longer the Council resistance will continue, but it is already evident that there are forces within the Council and within the pirate groups interested in using the war as a source of income. For the Council leadership, political struggle and the wellbeing of their own people appears to be less important than gaining personal wealth and power. This is the reason why the Council would never support any peace negotiation initiatives. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #504762== Path into Sirius Opened by the Council ==Article #504763== Dijon Station -- 733 AGS -- Shortly after the path into Sirius was opened by advancing forces of the Council, a large number of unidentified ships were detected in the Languedoc and Dauphine systems. Disturbing reports come from Lorraine where powerful and agressive ships of unknown configuration were reported engaged in several fights with the Royal Navy not far from the Luneville Guard Station. During last week, several sightings of the as of yet unidentified ships were reported in the Burgundy system as well. The mine paths created by the Council are narrow and dangerous, and very few ships of heavier class can pass through them. Newcomers from Sirius do not appear to be organized as one power and belong to a number of various groups and factions. Gallic officials are now collecting information on the factions that dispatched those ships, their possible goals, and level of technology. Before this information becomes publically available for ship pilots, we advise civilian and Royal Police pilots to avoid any contacts with the newcomers, reporting all unidentified contacts to the local Navy patrols as soon as possible. It already became known that some pirate bases offer docking and repair services to ships from Sirius. The newcomers also appear to have access to our Trade Lane and Jump Gate initiation procedures. To secure the Core Worlds and prepare for establishing official contacts with the other Sirius nations, Gates leading to them are now blocked for any and all ships. Gallic Royal Police and Gallic Royal Navy apologize for the inconvenience to passengers and shipping companies, but maintain that this precaution is necessary for reasons of national security. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #504829== Munster Research Facility: True Goal of Liberty Offensive? ==Article #504830== NEW BERLIN -- 817 A.S. -- Rheinlandischer Nachrichtenkanal, Breaking News -- Recent developments in the Liberty - Rheinland conflict seem to indicate that the true goal of Liberty is taking control of the Bremen system. While the system posesses no strategic value, it was recently revealed to the public that a top secret military research facility known as Munster is located somewhere inside. A trusted source inside the Rheinland Military told us that a week ago a Liberty Navy gunboat had been disabled and captured by the Rheinland forces. The gunboat experienced severe hull damage, and all of its crew members were killed due to depressurisation and internal fires that left most of the ship's equipment destroyed. Computer systems belonging to the command staff were luckily left intact however, and the data extracted from those systems contained partial outlines for a plan that the Liberty Navy was in the process of undertaking. The tactic was to distract the majority of the Rheinland forces away from the Bremen system. Several dozen fighter squads were dispatched to Hudson and Bering to stage a provocation against Rheinland and force a declaration of war against the Rheinland state. Later, Liberty imitated a massive capital ship fleet buildup on the outskirts of Houston. Those capital ships were in fact older ships that were subject to decommission, or ships that suffered heavy damages during the battles of the Nomad War over seventeen years ago. Meanwhile, the large and heavily armed assault fleet of Liberty was assembling in Quebec. That fleet is gathering in the system even now. It was scheduled to reach Bremen in a matter of weeks. Alongside battleships, cruisers, gunboats, and hundreds of fighters and bombers, the Liberty fleet was supposed to contain two dozen heavy transports. The exact class and capacity of those transports remains unknown. What is even more interesting, Liberty is preparing to equip several of its cruisers with sophisticated mine clearing equipment recently delivered from the Willard Research Station. Reports indicate that the Rheinland Military command in Bremen requests immediate backup from other Military detachments. Admirals in charge of Hamburg defense, however, express concerns, considering the gunboat a specially prepared trap meant to distract forces of Rheinland located in Hamburg to other Rheinland systems. The possibility that the gunboat capture was planned by Liberty is highly unlikely, as the gunboat was caught by surprise, and several high-ranked Liberty Navy officers were killed in the attack. Hamburg defense, however, remains a high priority due to presence of a populated planet in that system. At this moment, Rheinland officials did not verify or refute the information. Our news service will provide updates as the story develops. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #504831== Liberty Companies Maintain a Stake in Rheinland ==Article #504832== PLANET NEW BERLIN -- 817 A.S. -- Unilateral Libertonian aggression against Rheinland continues to dominate the Sirius-wide news, facing the Berlin Reichstag not only with military choices and buildups, but also important and difficult questions concerning the nation's economy. Both major and minor Liberty companies with holdings in Rheinland space have been continuing their withdrawal back to New York, mostly leaving their assets frozen and protected by Interspace Commerce. This does not include Synth Foods Incorporated however, which is determined to keep its stranglehold on Stuttgart strong and unquestionable. Several parties in the Reichstag have described this as a political move of economic warfare on the part of Liberty, and have asked for a vote towards the immediate nationalisation and reappropriation of Planet Stuttgart - a motion which was surprisingly denied by Chancellor Reinhardt himself, quoting financial claims by Interspace and Synth Foods as the reason behind his decision. While there is speculation that this move may have been prompted by different motives, several high profile economists in both Rheinland and Kusari disagree. "Rheinland in its present state is very fragile. If we were to make moves against Synth Foods now, the IC would certainly demand compensation per the contract we agreed to with Liberty over a century ago, and that move would devastate the currency by increasing our already considerable national debt. We would find ourselves needing to borrow money from Kusari just to keep the government afloat, and at that point Liberty could simply withdraw its Navy and wait for Rheinland to dissolve on its own." - says Jonas Koehler, chief advisor to the Minister of Finance. When asked why exactly did Liberty not follow this move in the first place instead of aggressively pursuing a shooting war, Herr Koehler mentioned the exact reason being unknown at the time, but also said that "Liberty officials are likely hoping to force us to capitulate without collapsing our economy, and having to invest even more money into restarting it afterwards". This would mean that Liberty is in fact hoping for a quick and decisive victory. Despite the Chancellor's involvement however, it is unlikely that his decision will be unanimously approved by the Reichstag, and another vote can be expected soon enough. Party representatives hope for a quick resolution, as discussion continues over the subject. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #504833== Rheinland Patriots Prepare for the War ==Article #504834== BRUCHSAL -- 817 A.S. -- With the first invaders at the gates of Rheinland, the prospect of the unification of our homeland against a common enemy stands strong. Many idealist Bundschuh party members have left Frankfurt to help defend the border from the imperialist tendencies of Liberty. The Liberty Navy has since reported increased unlawful attacks against their convoys and patrols, something they dare not attribute to a political organisation such as the Bundschuh out of fear of other Rheinland revolutionaries joining in the fight. A few weeks ago a successful buildup has managed to reactivate the old Bundschuh base in Bremen without intervention on the part of the Rheinland Military. It is unlikely that they are unaware of the situation, as reports of skirmishes versus the Libertonians and the Bundschuh along the Hamburg and Bremen border arrive in Rheinland at a steady basis, meanwhile the formerly dense Bundschuh attacks against most military targets have severely lessened during the last weeks. The question that the people of Rheinland now ask themselves is: Is this the day on which we put all our differences aside in order to battle a common enemy? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #504835== Red Hessian Expansion Still Under Way ==Article #504836== VOGTLAND -- 817 A.S. -- Despite the increased Wilde attacks and the prospect of war in Rheinland, the Red Hessians still pour significant resources into their expansion in the Omega edge worlds, especially the Omega-47 flank. In a recent unexpected development the Hessians have begun reactivating their old diamond smuggling routes to Hudson and the rest of Liberty via the Unioners and Liberty Rogues. These diamonds however are unlike any other ever encountered. Their reddish tint and plentiful applications serve as both a political statement and a lucrative source of income for the Red Hessian movement. Some believe that this is connected to their recent build-up in the edge systems, however no such rumours have been confirmed so far. While the corporate backed Rheinland government lobbies Kusari to outlaw this new commodity in order to assure continued income for Daumann, opportunists flock to Hessian bases with the market in Liberty standing wide open, as the house stands in their refusal to declare it as contraband. Whether future political developments will change this attitude is unknown, but the Red Hessians plan to use the resulting profit to further their goals for as long as they can. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #504969== New Smuggling Route Established ==Article #505030== Niverton Base -- 817 A.S. -- According to the Liberty Rogues representative Ashton Pierce, several Unioner convoys have been reported for landing on their base with blood diamonds and hauling slaves back to Freital. This has happened countless times, while we suspect the Hessians and Unioners to have come to an agreement, which let Unioners distribute the blood diamonds freely in return of delivering slaves to Hessians, claimed Pierce. Rumors have it that Red Hessians are liberating these people to use them as a cheap labor force and integrate the ones they deem fit into their movement. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #505031== Liberty Meets a Disturbing Surprise ==Article #505032== Planet Hamburg -- 817 A.S. -- Several Liberty Navy vessels were decimated in Hamburg system on Thursday. A joint counter offensive launched by the local police forces and the revolutionary fighters of Rheinland saw the Liberty fleet off. Names of the ambushers were not disclosed by the authorities for security reasons. On the other hand, Zoners of Freeport 2 have declared that they have been aware of the skirmishes going on between the navies of neighbouring houses. Unpleasant things happen in Bering such as the violation of the no-fire territory around the Freeport and they have been urged to take action against invading forces on several occasions. Civilian casualties have sharply increased according to this month's statistics announced by Zoners. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==Headline #505033== Unioners in the Middle of the War ==Article #505034== Pacifica Base -- 817 A.S. -- Recent events have shown that Unioners are directly involved in the war between Rheinland and Liberty. Several border skirmishes have already taken place in Bering and Hudson with Unioners intervening as the deciding factor in some of them. Freedom fighter Roland Mayer claimed that fending the foreign threat off their homeland is imperative at the moment. They are taunting our supply lines and we can't let this happen. Launching attacks against the Rheinland Military can be postponed in order to focus on the border front against Liberty, added the veteran pilot. Unioners obviously hope to see both sides losing resources and being detoriated in the long run. Therefore, they will do whatever they can to ensure neither Liberty nor Rheinland gains the upperhand in this war. Unioners are also known to be plundering the battle wastes for their own use. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Document Generated 2010-05-26T10:47:44-04:00