Styxian ambush
As predicted, the native species beneath the vast oceans of Styx, the “Styxian” considered our explorations as invasive. Not only did the inter-species talks suggest that, but as feared, they actually attacked some of our autonomous craft that went and investigate their “holy-Sites” an ambush of rudimentary armed Styxian led to the loss of one of the more expensive underwater probes and drones. This was met with swift and resolute force, pounding the Styxian into submission. No further incident was reported since.
Umimaru attack responsible found
A thorough investigation surrounding the attack with a common Excelsior-class Trader vessel, that struck the governmental district of the city has led to the name of the owner, and the ship itself. The ship was named “Solace V” and was flown by Cpt. Miranda “Mira” McDooley. Not much is known about her other than being an [WIG] based citizen. She was killed during the attack as any of her crew did, who did not secretly escape, which is very unlikely at this point. It is not confirmed, whether it was an actual attack or an accident, to be fair despite the reports that state otherwise.
lEss-Thots
Following the raid son several Connect and E-Thot bases, the E-Thot branch of Connect SecNet presentation is, for the time being, banned. The SPL-special task force is stating that once the innocence and correct handling of those models and contents is proven, the page would go live back again immediately.
ECB Brawl simulator
The Shiguen-based Sprava Group is on the rise. Their latest thing is an adult entertainment system establishment, so to speak. It is incredibly innovative, in that, it is not dependant on Connect tech to simulate an ECB experience. It is an actual IRL bar, or rather, saloon like the environment featured in the ECB quad-finals, in which the “Cardinal Sins” faced off against “Hiatus”. You certainly remember the epic and raw saloon brawl, which was one of the most beloved matches in the whole ECB `93 tournament.
This establishment features multiple layers of detailed, customizable designs, to simulate a multitude of environments and arenas in which grown men and women are able to “safely” engage in brawls and hassles against one and other. The bar is brand-new, and yet the reception is out of this world.
HOST - High Official Security Transport
This upcoming month, a very well-guarded, very secretive (about its content) and very, very well armed transporter is expected to enter the Sol Secundae system. We heard snippets about it only from unverified sources and are sure to make some enemies by telling you about it. But understand, that this is a warning and a safety advise to not mingle in this affair, since it seems it is a CredSec operation, and you really do not want to engage in their business unless benefactory.
[ORCA]`s end of the road
Despite everything that happened to the vast conglomerate, which is [ORCA], the government remained somewhat intact and resolute. The order was kept so to speak. But in the last few months and especially weeks, the paradigm shifted and the government as it stands seems to break down, with its personnel and main families fleeing into other parts of the sector, taking their belongings and loved ones to safety from which is about to happen to the whole of the [ORCA] territory. It seems inevitable that the grand section of the sector which formerly was the [ORCA] territory will cease to exist as fixed governed area but will collapse into a void of chaos and will its “bones” get picked clean by the vultures that circle its “carcass” for a good time now, waiting in the shadows for the right moment. There are in fact talks and information from higher ranking officials within the [ORCA] society which state that a huge movement is going on that will face its pinnacle by the breaking of the [ORCA] Conglomerate. The reveal of these news triggered great uncertainty since it is unknown how the inevitably new formed governments and groups will position themselves regarding the rest of the sector especially the ambitions in the south and their former partnerships, be it trade-wise or military-wise.
Slight increase in gold-value
For some time now, gold prices were on an all time low, since the establishment of the latest [ORCA] based gold mine. Since the loss of the most northern systems, first, the supply of gold stopped and secondly the demand slightly increased because of the high numbers of ships with gold plated connector-tech – a direct consequence of the amounts of warships, the [USNE] and [SHIF] shipyards are pumping out, to compensate their losses in the SDF-Alliance-ambition.
Umimaru carefully hopeful
Since the end of the ECB`s, Umimaru has become calmer, believe it or not. The streets are, not only, statistically speaking saver to trespass even at night and in the grittier areas of the giant city. Police confirm that despite having no reason at all, on the contrary, the most ravenous and violent gang of the city, descendant of the Kabuki-based “Red-Fangs”, stopped their perpetrations almost overnight. We are not entirely sure, what made them stop their business and even our sources from within Ryoshi can not or will not tell us anything. The tiny bit of street-talk we gathered hints at least at the formation of a new gang, which lacks the violence, at least for now. But that still does not give us any reason – yet here is hoping, some other, less brutal gang took it upon them to rid us of those animals. And if so, we whole heartedly thank you.
Grotesque Ghostship
Europa, near the Pasteur-research station, a drifting [USNE]-based trading vessel, the “Opal Grandeur” was found, completely without any power and unresponsive. It was sheer luck it was found since it came into reach for the system defences.
A boarding party found no personnel left and much of the ship dissolved by a form of dark-violet or black fungus. The fungi-species was dead at that point and saturated with dissolved metal, resembling many parts of the ships base material even some of its outer hull, probably reason for the disastrous shape in which the ship was found. Investigations showed the ship has been missing for about one and a half year and was travelling to supply the [USNE] depot in Hagris. It was commandeered by the experienced Cpt. Theodore Ruukner.
Winter is coming
A looming thread hangs menacing in the far north of our realm of existence. While the [ORCA] faction is literally crumbling more by the day, the abduction of whole systems is continuing. And while CredSec is stacking up their ambitions within the area, significantly so, there are no facts coming out of the lost systems. Even we do not have more then rumours of white ships of an alien design – rumour that have long been debunked and yet some eeriness is to the stories we hear.
We feel like no one is willing to say it, but the situation has completely spiralled out of control. But we do have a meeting with an CredSec official scheduled or the end of next months, who promised to share some of the limited information CredSec intel-services may have.
[FFD] slips
A major slip up in the traditional Irish-themed food producer, Finnigan Food and Drinks, is very likely to cost them an utter fortune.
Their latest batch they delivered throughout the whole sector, has been found to be partly tainted with watered down toxins from the “Melter Termite” – “Termitoidae
Liquefacere” (often named “Mean Spiked Firebelly”), which caused intestinal distress notifications from all over the sector. An investigation is pending to find whether this could`ve been avoided or if it was a plain accident, which insurance is bound to pay for.
Wilkinson clan calls off hunt
A representative of the [WIG] based Wilkinson clan officially called off the hunt for Mr. Casper Ito, who may or may not be on board with one of Shiguens most respected personnel, Commander Bartosz Lubomir Zoldak. They even went as far as to openly suggest, that Mr. Ito might be wrongfully persecuted, since there would be clues to Macy Gray Wilkinson being responsible for the, apparently, false claims regarding Mr. Ito`s criminal career. SPL officials are looking into the matter.
Wilkinson clan calls off hunt
A representative of the [WIG] based Wilkinson clan officially called off the hunt for Mr. Casper Ito, who may or may not be on board with one of Shiguens most respected personnel, Commander Bartosz Lubomir Zoldak. They even went as far as to openly suggest, that Mr. Ito might be wrongfully persecuted, since there would be clues to Macy Gray Wilkinson being responsible for the, apparently, false claims regarding Mr. Ito`s criminal career. SPL officials are looking into the matter.
Soul-soul reaper
Arno Sillince has been locked away for more than six months now, but his excesses don`t seem to break up. Dozens of women from around the sector seemingly feel strangely attracted to the spy, thief and murderer. Sillince receives mail after mail, letter after letter and the stream does not seem come to an end. The ladies just think of him as a sexy idol or a forbidden fantasy some argue, which was fine, weren`t the guy such a massive threat to society. Some fear, his influence on said women maybe a way to arrange crimes even from within the prison. Thus, his mail is closely monitored, within the legal borders of the now unified law. Of course, there is also significant investigation taking place around his possible connections to a young man named Casper Ito, son to a once renowned computers and science specialist. Ito himself is said to have done quite some sick SecNet-stunts leaving victims dead or crippled as well as gathered some amount of wealth over the course of his active carrier. Regarding the topic, there is a special operations group of SPL cyber crime units, that appreciate every hint and clue. We will keep you posted as the investigation keeps going on.
[CSM] for now in check
The SDF Alliance is going strong but is also losing on other ends. The war is stretching everyone’s patience and resources very thin.
And while the Shiguen Empire kind of got some new upstream financial-wise, the significant outbreak of Muta-Fever in the [USNE] core worlds is putting some heavy strain on the once impenetrable military force. And while the front is exclusively within the south-eastern part of the sector for now, the humanitarian effort is almost seven times as expensive as only two months ago. One good thing is, following the front, CredSec military forces are now able to shift their focus upon the south-eastern area. This makes the SDF Alliance numerous time stronger in this particular territory.
Mt 25,40
It is in these dire times, that humanity remembers their believes, and it is with not great surprise, that we see a massive rise in theological advisory roles popping up throughout the sector. And although the bishops sent and received are from within the ranks of [ACO], they are but spiritual consultants and advisors, that help with the theological and even moral questions within the governmental apparatuses of the sector. Almost all major factions have allowed and in fact asked for moral and theological advice in the near past. Seems like humanity is on the verge of becoming a people of prey and worship again. A transformation some argue seems to fast and to forced as for being honest and legit. We at SNX3 think it’s a natural and good movement, that lets us come together in faith.
Sucker punching terrorists
While the [ORCA] territories are sinking into a dwindling void of chaos, one particular group is using the helplessness and confusion of the civil population of the area to the maximum of their ability. The Autonomous Systems Union is spending significant men-power and resources (however they may come to them) on annexing territories that temporarily lost the guidance of the official [ORCA] government. And while we are monitoring the situation closely, no one really seems to care that much, understandably so considering everything that is going on now. The only institution that really cares and is, in parts, acting is the newly formed SPL by CredSec. However, with their personnel stretched thin between the northern and southern territories, there is only so much they can do until they are fully staffed out.
News from the SDF
While the whole operation is going arguably well, one group of servicemen and servicewomen is coming up again and again.
The men and women of the 5th Shiguen Military Intelligence Corps (SMIC), led by special operator Urakao, is again considered one of the backbones of the secret service operations behind enemy lines within the SDF Alliance. We rarely are able to spotlight these heroes, but we may or may not have an insider within the ranks of the intelligence game. We just recently got word from a covert operation within the Kalfoorn system which is a significant territory and incredibly valuable strategic location, which in itself has a lot of expensive and important materials in its major bodies. It may be, that we are witnessing some preparation for a new offensive in this area aimed to shorten the influence and general possibility for getting support and supplies in the area. When there ever was a time to gain the edge, it is now, while [CSM] forces are still not really focused on their defence and offense strategies. A mayor problem is of course the Dreadnought, currently residing in the Hua Doen system. The thing may be massive and well-armed, but it is incredibly slow, which in turn might be its biggest weakest, and the greatest chance for our troops, to cut supplies on all sides while evading the big baddy through cunning and swiftness.
Lion revival
[USNE] officials chose to revive, probably to boost morale, an old classic from former conflicts some of you might have heard from in stories that are told in the oil-thriving corners of giant depot-stations or overhearing marines that overtook the back of a bar to exchange war stories. The infamous Lions-Squad, which was slaughtered and extinguished in the late fringe belt conflict but is considered one of the greatest bunch of soldiers, the [USNE] had ever the privilege to count in their ranks. Now a group is being created consisting of the most talented and engaged soldiers, the [USNE] MilTec forces has currently employed. The Lion Squad will be led by Master Sergeant Fiona Thresher, a descendant of one of the original members, Sgt Pharell Hykes who died on Caphei in the early stages of the first Fringe Belt conflict with the Autonomous Systems Union. This newly arranged squad will be placed wherever the chances of success are the slimmest and the odds play entirely against the striking team. [USNE] officials and recruiting officers around the sector acknowledge once more the contribution this name made over the decades and congratulate the motion to revive the name and spirit of what was once the greatest “boots on ground” asset available within the MilTec branch of the [USNE].
[KMU] / [LOI] / [SPG]
A brand-new production facility is being built on Oberon, one of Reach`s major moons within the Lis system. It marks the starting point of a huge joint venture of the Sprava Group, Logan Industries and Kendrick and Memmo Universal who are the driving forces behind this mammoth-project. It is said that the newly announced batch of battle machinery will be produced there in the case of [KMU], what their respective partners will be producing is, at that point, unknown, but the facility is grand so we may be right in expecting great things coming up in the future, but only time will tell.
Muta Fever!
A first “official” case of Muta-Fever has been confirmed in the Ala system, north of the fully quarantined Washington system. All alerts are on red in the [USNE] science and biology community. Voices are getting loud, calling for even more extreme measures as in Washington, and they seem to fall on fertile ground with many people in the area. Fear is s great driving force in this case. The sheer helplessness in the face of an invisible ruthless killer is just too overwhelming a feeling, most of the normal population is not able to bear.
Warning: venomous
A subspecies of the Jisay-native “Klaffen” has surfaced in the Daphney system on a large freighter, that was camouflaged as system-patrol-corvette. The vessel was found spiralling on a far orbit around the central body, not answering any pings or contact-attempts by a SPL corvette named “SPL Nine Mill”. A boarding party then continued to force their way into the unresponsive ship, finding it roaming with floating bodies of multiple creatures, most animals from various planets and environments, all on the list or forbidden creatures. All of those creatures died from the lack of oxygen and gravity thanks to a major malfunction aboard after no maintenance has been issued for probably more then a year. The rest of the corpses were remnants of the crew, which all died to a more then deadly dose of a neurotoxin (Martyrnatoxcin) similar to the one found in “Klaffen”, specifically their mouths and teeth. This venom however turned out to be more then 15 times as potent – even when the specimen aboard did not, at first glance, appear to be any different from normal “Klaffen”. More thorough scientific study strongly suggests these were genetically modified, and heavily so. The when, where and why is, for now, not known, but the investigation is ongoing.
If any of you out there were to encounter such an animal, stay away at all costs and call the authorities.
Huge 2nd-hand market
The, until now [USNE] exclusive “Thief’s Market” is now for the first time conglomerating sellers and buyers from both Shiguen and United Splash Nebula Empire regions. Thus, this is very likely to become the sectors biggest, most advanced second-hand flea market yet. It is going to be hosted at Kansas, just outside of Kansas City in the Coyote Valley. The Thief`s Market has a long tradition and is not really named after the act of robbing people, but because the sellers claim the prices were so low, it’s basically stealing.
Humn to the dead
Despite scientist’s greatest efforts, today marks the day, that the common yellow jacket wasp has officially died out. We heard the voices of a billion bug-fans cry out in agony and then just keep on whimper. They will be missed.
TRY.asc
Our data miners at Renraku and Jisay found one interesting entry within the technology development branch of the upcoming E-Tec-Convention at Umimaru this month. It is named “TRY.asc” in the file library of the event schedule-system. This possibly is big. A good while back, we had an article, referencing some theoretical-only pseudo-scientific tech which bore the name “Ascension” by Trinity. And here is the deal: [TRY] , of course, is the Trinity corporate tag and what could “.asc” possibly stand for other than “Ascension”? Worth to mention which place it has within the scheduling. It comes at day three, at 08:00 pm. This is a prime spot. I mean THE prime spot. This could go three ways, either, this is all a big joke/PR-stunt, they really developed something which they dubbed “Ascension”, since it is based on their research for the original “Ascension”-project or and this is really out there, they actually made progress in developing some sort of jump-gate technology. We will monitor the whole thing and will let you know what is going on.
Connect - Abstergo
With connects latest deep-dive-tech, and the experience composition skills from their shared experience department, Abstergo, Connect has come forth with their newest model of deep-dive-equipment (peripheral): “The Animus MDX” (Memory Data Exchanger).
It is in design similar to their latest children entertainment system from last year but is very much built for an adult audience and consumer demographic. The first and main pitch is to relive moments from ones past or even from the past of other suitable human beings. “Explore your past” it is incredibly wise to throw out the tech at times like these, where the real-life experience is at best grim, and the chance to live through better times is exciting and promising to say the least. The AMDX is shipping since last month and is becoming a best seller by the hour. Not only deep-dive enthusiasts are eager to get their hands on the machine, but since it is extremely affordable, even normal folk are buying, to get their share of the latest shared- and simulated reality slice.
Reaver? Leaver!
Ever since the PlanTrack shuttle was raided and destroyed by Reaver forces within the Sol Secundae territory, SPL was hunting them down along side MilTec military police forces, finally crushing down on them killing every last one of them in a swift and violent strike, setting an example for possible other Reavers in the area. This goes to show, that, when it comes to security within the confines of the Golden Band, [USNE] and CredSec spare no expenses and take it utmost serious.
This is why the Golden Band is after all still the most save route through the sector, that we know of.
Wood you?
Connect has released an interactive environment of the Woodstock 3893, with more than 30.000 unique NPC`s all voiced and fully fleshed out, so people that were not able to come to the Woodstock event are now able to fully submerge themselves in the world and vibe of Woodstock. The interaction in deep dive is said to be extremely well designed and almost on a level where it becomes difficult to spot any difference to the real world at all. At that’s without any experience enhancing or altering substances. And although Connect suggests using their newest tech, to get the fullest out of the experience, the simulation runs on every current gen tech as well, just normal dive tech is not suitable.
[WIG] turning to [NDR]
Following the political crash and fall within their former partners at [ORCA], [WIG] officials recently reached out to [NDR] politicians to open up new channels of communication as well as maybe even get a little closer with their direct neighbour. Von Sieverlingen showed interest in forming some bonds to ensure proper connections between both major political factions. This happened right after one of the bigger players within the [WIG] faction, Wilkinson Inc., released a statement in which they declared their distancing and condemnation of the actions of one of their relatives, Mrs. Macy Grey Wilkinson from Wilkinson Blades. It seems some internal struggle brought up some rogue action of the young descendant of one of the most powerful family clans in the faction.
Mrs. Macy Grey Wilkinson was thus officially declared disinherited, her financials frozen and her titles revoked. The family is no longer willing to possibly be held accountable for the doings of Mrs. Wilkinson.
Promising Promethium
After the devastating attack on the Polyeid 1 Mine facilities, a Sprava Group owned newly established mine in the Acapulco system is here too safe the day. And even when all odds play against them, regarding the pirate riddled environment in which their mine lays, they keep delivering the critically needed materials to the SDF shipyards. Though some structural problems made huge winnings impossible for the moment the work is being carried out at a significant pace now, resulting in a steady flow of material.
Cradle of Men
A special museum/educational project is being developed as you read. It is a longing for our roots and where we came from, that nurtures this undertaking at Sol Secundae. A Dome, several kilometres in size filled with memorabilia from earth, or rather a simulation and rebuilding of such. They got the jungle villages and deserts of Africa, the buzzling cities and steamy mountains of Asia, the cracking, blue ice of the arctics, the mountain ranges and grassy seas of America as well as the deep, dark forests and hills and seas of Europe as well as examples of towns and cities from every continent featured in this theme world called “Pale Blue Dot”. It is currently under construction but will open, if everything goes to plan, within the next three months.
Open for business
The unofficial “Golden Band Tax” is finally being removed from whares using the once exclusive way from north to south and vice versa. Since with the newer jump-drive generation and the many system discoveries of the last few years, more and more trading fleets kept looking into alternative routes avoiding the Golden Band altogether, and with it said tax. The systems along the Golden Band now face a significant change in travel and trading behaviour and the consequences in turn are much less money streaming into their pockets. The now by far saver and more established route should in theory attract the trading and logistics companies “back on track” with the Golden Band.
[ASU] sympathizer triggered nuke
A Khaya / Chloea native man rumoured to have ties to a local [ASU] cell, did the unthinkable and triggered an old tactical nuke device from ex-[ORCA] munitions. The target was a residential area in the city of New Ores on Maka in the Feegerett system. The current number of losses maybe not final but is estimated at over 50,000 immediate deaths and probably more than double the amount of people suffering from minor to horrible radiation burns and other fallout related sicknesses or wounds. SPL investigators could connect the man, supposed perpetrator, Mr. Antoine Richèt, to the attack and track him down within days. He was found in a small apartment on the other side of the planet in the city of Germont, between monitors and computers filled with violent media and many articles around and about the topic of [ASU]. This sparked the discussion if there is a military solution to the rising [ASU] threat.
Connecting dots
An intensive investigation process turned up some harrowing facts regarding Connects standards and practises within their E-Thot branch. Following this investigation, a few dozen facilities were found, some of them extremely well hidden, run by some high profile personnel throughout the sector, which host up to 150 E-Thot models confined in glass tanks filled with water and nutrient solution, designed to alter the aging effects on the model and keeping it alive while it is constantly (!!!) connected to the ether of SecNet, pleasing men and women of the sector 24/7.
Whether this is “E-Thots” doing or “Connect” new about this is not known at this point, but the leading officer of the task group “ECon”, Detective Harlon Meyer promised harsh consequences following these discoveries. “We will not let a single stone unturned, and we will not let a single person get away with this!” – He claimed on a brief press conference confirming the findings.
Connect signalled their full cooperation and promised to look into the matter with utmost precision in order to find whoever is responsible for these “practises”.
[VLNDR] big spender
A giant push in Agrar-technologies and workforce has been made by the “Vereinte Landwirte des neuen deutschen Reiches” to help out in the northern famine threatened territories of [ORCA]. It seems while many others tried to sell food for the best price, to make some money off of the starving and suffering, [NDR]`s food-workers made an extra effort, to produce so much excess material to be able to ship a significant amount of “food-aid” onwards to where it is needed most. We salute this motion and thank the brave and hard-working men and women in the fields.
T.A.S. members watch out
Latest cooperations between Public Transports [TRAN] and Rheinmetall [RMA], led to the development of the ultra-fast and agile human transportation ship codenamed B.U.S. – “Bequem Und Schnell”. This is the latest star in the [TRAN] line-up and will most definitely please a new generation of public transport enjoyers. The transportation capability is more then doubled by smaller energy and fuel consumption which is a huge step up for the otherwise known not exclusively for efficiency and comfort, [TRAN].
[ORCA] Gullible Pretender returns
An [ORCA] ship lost over two centuries ago just turned up after being vanished and lost in a hunt for pirates in the north-western fringe belt territories, which was deep within [ORCA] space back then. The crew of 23, on the very light frigate, are malnourished but safe and sound, other then majorly confused about the situation and most prominently: time. Turns out the Pretender was stuck in orbit around Cu 841-15 (lovingly dubbed Cupid by locals) for what felt three months for them but over two hundred years for us passed in the meantime. This is a hefty shock for the experienced crew, who now only have themselves as people they know in a universe full of strangers. They are living testament to a time long gone and witnesses to a time in which some pirates were the worst to handle in the sector. A press conference featuring Cpt. Jake Xanders of the Pretender will be held in the upcoming weeks.
[NDR] reviving a classic
This year in Oktober, [NDR] officials stated they would organize a huge festive in the sense and spirit of the “Oktoberfest” of old, a traditional celebration that originated from old earth Germany. The premise is beer and food, and we just know, that’s what people crave so we picture it an absolute banger to help cover the time to the next Woodstock event.
All good things come to those who wait
This month the very first iteration of non-alpha and non-beta version of Star Citizen an ancient game-project, in development for thousands of years, forgotten rediscovered, crowdfunded, bought off and refinanced and finally it will hit the shelves. The gaming community has not seen hype this intense, since Valve announced Half-life 3 as a joke, presenting a fan-made teaser video on the Valveterans Forum. It is predicted to remove the all-time champion of space games from its mighty throne, Freelancer, which in itself is an incredibly ambitious goal considering Freelancer is sold and resold every few years for centuries. But gamers gonna game and the hype is real. Congratulations Rienna Roberts. (She is an actual descendant of the initial spark of the game Christopher Roberts)
Exclusive Explosive
A new type of explosives has been developed by [RHE] Red Head Explosives from Kansas. This super-efficient and incredibly controllable substance is to revolutionize the use of explosive either in mining or environmental appliances but in weapon technologies as well. The potential for the upcoming generations of torpedoes and missiles will greatly benefit from the advanced properties of this composite. It is called Tredecimex or T13, and it is the future of save and controlled detonation.
