Issue #5
Monday, February 21st, 2005Cease Fire in the Neutral Zone
An insider reports that PACK and Ruby Legion have agreed to a temporary cease fire this weekend. After a tough fight, both leaders have agreed to stop hostilities for the time being. According to the cease fire, all fighters were to withdraw to their respective areas within 24 hours. Any attack after this time would be considered a violation. Assuming the cease fire holds for the next few days, peace talks will begin early next week. It’s rumored that leaders outside both alliances were crucial in helping negotiations along.
These are stpes in the right direction, however, the Tribune warns all traders in the Neutral Zone to be cautios of both Ruby Legion and PACK fighters. One small spark could start hostilities up all over again. Here’s hoping the the temporary cease fire leads to a long term NAP bringing some security back to the Neutral Zone.
Moral Dilemnas in the Galaxy
Recently, a trader named Nickpan came across a newly built trading outpost. Upon closer examination, Nickpan discovered that the outpost’s owner had left open a loophole whereupon a trader could buy for less than what the outpost was selling for. Using the loophole, the trader could have bankrupt the outpost’s owner. So the question had to cross his mind. What would he do? He had the opportunity to basically steal two million and some change from the outposts owner. Would he take the credits and run, or would he alert the owner of the loophole and go home with nothing? Greed is a funny thing. Normal upstanding citizens in the universe will toss out everything they believe if enough money is on the line.
I’m happy to report that Nickpan verified the loophole and contacted the owner. The damage to the outpost was negligible and there ended up being a happy ending. So while Nickpan may not be 2M+ richer, he most likely has the undying gratitude and loyalty of the player he helped. Is that worth 2.5M? Probably not in the short run. But there will be some time in the future when Nickpan will need some kind of help that money can’t buy. When that moment happens, I’m sure Nickpan will be more than happy with his decision.
Thanks Nickpan for being an outstanding Pardusian citizen.
Medusas Enter the Galaxy
From mythology to reality, the Medusa has enetered the galaxy. Rumors have been floating around for some time that there were weasels in deep space, but weasels sure didn’t look like this. Attacking with tentacles and energy shockwaves, the Medusa is a menace that wanders throughout space. Your local trader is just as likely to run into one as an active Medusa hunter. Reports have come in that a few medusa have already been downed by some of the top pilots. If nothing else, we know they can be killed. What they want, why are they here, are they dangerous? Those are the questions that need answering. Actually, scratch that last one. We KNOW they are dangerous. Traders are warned to be on the lookout for these creatures and report siting to their local Medusa Spot and Kill group.
The Return of the Pirate
Pirates are almost a legend to most folks in the galaxy. Sure you hear that somebody gets attacked, robbed, building destoryed, and whatnot, but for the majority of the galaxy, piracy is a myth. However, the rumors have become increasingly insistent that the pirates are merely biding their time. They will be back shortly with new ships, new abilities, and as aggressive as ever. Honest traders around the galaxy are in the process of building defenses for what is bound to be an ugly reintroduction to piracy.
Defensive of Defenses
Local droids manufacturers have been putting in extreme anouts of overtime recently relating to the new demand for droids. The number of droids required for outfitting the largest defense on a military outpost requires FIFTY-FIVE droids, while the biggest on a normal building requires 35 droids. With multiple defensive modules installed on every outpost/buildings and with the large number of buildings that require defenses littering the galaxy, the droid manufactuers simply cannot keep up. For the time being, many owners are having to stay content with the much less agressive defenses. The shortage won’t seem to go away any time soon…
Tiacken Public Service Announcement
The Tiacken Center for Positive Attitudes would like to wish all visotors, traders, hunters, assassins, alliances, mobs, builders, pirates, and citizens a pleasant day.
Thank you.
ADVERTISEMENT
Did some guy just rip off your trading outpost of two million credits? Is that bothersome alliance two sectors over taking out your peaceful traders? Are you just bored and want to stir up some trouble? If so, contact the Scorpion Guard! The Scorpion Guard has a proud tradition of eliminating defenses, buildings, and unwanted individuals. For the right price, they can work for you! For more information regarding services and pricing, you can see the Scorpion Guards alliance page or PM Anubis for details.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Esther - Member of Scorpion Guard
Last week, the Tribune put together a piece on the Scorpion Guard based on observations from an outsider’s view. This week, the Tribune seized the opportunity to interview a current member of the Scorpion Guard: Esther.
Tribune: Why don’t you start off by telling us who you are and what is your role in the Guard:
Esther: I am Esther (what a surprise ^^ ) and my role in the alliance is Sweeper. I clean buildings of defenses and/or destroy building(s). Also in my department is the execution of people whom are condemned to death by other pilots.
Ok then, let me just start firing off some questions at you:
Tribune: Seeing as you take anyone who can follow the Guard’s rules, what would the Guard do with a new trader? How about a new trader interested in fighting?
Esther: New traders can work in our home sector to aid in the supply of our own economy there. A new trader interested in fighting will be given the chance to increase his/her skill and money, after that, the lords of the Guard will decide what is best for the new fighter.
Tribune: Do you have ranks for the different fighting members that reflect the ability to complete specific jobs (clearing defenses, destroying buildings, death warrants, etc.) and do you have members that specialize in specific types of jobs?
Esther: We have indeed specialized pilots in our ranks, some are leading the supply runs into our economy and some are maintaining the inner flow. Same is with the fighter-departmen, where we have the militairy general, followed by the squadron leaders and below on the chain are the new fighters. The squadron leaders take care of the defences of the building and the fighters take care of the buildings themselves.
Tribune: Tell us about the closest call you’ve had on one of your jobs?
Esther: Entering FHA space while we knew that they were waiting for us, and watching our every move; but still continue with the mission. Then we destroyed the target and we had to move through the entire FHA space again… Due diplomacy and stealth no unneeded combats occured.
Tribune: How are the defensive systems affecting the Guard’s ability to complete jobs?
Esther: We have had no problems so far and for the future, well … We keep on training our skills to be of service to the Guard and our client.
Tribune: Ok, based on last week’s article, it could be viewed that the Guard is ‘above the law’. The Guard can deal death, but will not accept it in return. Yet, with your confidentiality with your clients, there’s really no way for anybody to know whether a contract was actually arranged. For all the public knows, the Guard could be stirring up trouble to make business for themselves. Thoughts?
Esther: There is a point of view possible for this kind of thinking, but it would only lead to the destruction of the Guard itself. Due the high tension and the death-deals we make at such a period; we would gain enormous wealth, but we would destroy our own market for the future. I know that we act as if we were above the law, but then again… What use would a mercenary have, if not to violate the laws to accomplish it’s goal?!
Tribune: What’s the best thing you like about being part of the Guard?
Esther: The dentist-insurance and the assistance we get when training. We are never send out alone on a mission (training or not) we are always together; to ensure the safety of our members and to stike back when needed.
Tribune: Anything else you’d like to say before we close the book?
Esther: Yeah, I think you are doing a great job by creating a newspaper, so that everyone knows what is going on =) Keep up the good work!
Thank you for the interview!
And there you have it! Another exclusive interview from the Tiacken Tribune.
About Tiacken
The Tiacken team has created a solid foundation between Tiacken I, Tiacken II, and the three surrounding starbases. We are currently in a position to exapand with more medium and high level buildings. If you are looking for a place to plant your flag, or are in need of a change in scenery, come on by or send a Pardus PM to Brackard for more information.
The Tiacken Tribune would like to welcome Whoami to the Tiacken area. May your ventures be profitable, your travels safe, and your alcohol strong! I hear the brewery next to Tiacken II has some great brew.