Issue #63
Monday, April 24th, 2006War Updates
And the war continues. Deaths mount on both sides but it seems no real destruction has been seen in the on either front. The initial Empire thrust into Federation has seemed to fizzle a bit and both sides seem to be regrouping a bit before further assaults into the interiors.
A few of the Federation Guard seem to have penetrated Empire space to try to cause some Havoc in the Keldon area. The amount of damage inflicted and casualties were sketchy, but it’s interesting to see that the Federation Is starting to strike back after receiving, by far, the worst of the war so far.
FTS has announced that due to various assaults on their pilots and property as well as non-FTS Federation pilots in their territory, that they are entering the war alongside other Federation alliances. So unless you are an Imperial pilot with an agenda to kill or be killed, FTS territory is no longer neutral grounds. Some alliances were not appreciative of FTS’s change of policy.
As the war progresses, we’ll begin seeing how the factions try to break the inevitable equilibrium.
Starbase Destructions!
While the war among the center of the factions seems to involve ships destroying one another (for the most part), the first real landscape changing assault came this week as starbases became targets. The first starbase to fall under attack was the Federation’s Spook Factory owned by STS in Begreeze. It fell under the pressure of Bombers owned by the Imperial Guard and was destroyed in a magnificent explosion. The residents inside likely differed in their opinion but the attack seemed to be well coordinated and well executed. Surviving bombers of the attack were under severe euphoria where they pressed the assault on another Federation owned starbase where they were easily destroyed by the starbase defenses.
In retaliation to the attack, Namza of TXC coordinated a bomber attack against Capt Solo’s Free Trade Memorial in Canexin. The bombers swooped in and began their assault on FTM’s defenses. Unofortunately, Namza looked to have been short a few bombers and while penetrating the habitat ring, wasn’t able to destroy it. Desperate to destroy the base, Namza piloted his own ship into attack position but was sent back to Earth by starbase defenses.
Shortly thereafter, the call went out to all forces that Capt Solo had seen the error of his ways and switched over to the Federation. Namza then had a choice – to go finish the job he started and avenge the loss of the Federation base of Spook Factory, or to call it even – the Federation lost a base, then gained a base with the switching of FTM. Namza called off the attack and saved his position within the Federation.
Capt Solo probably didn’t do himself any favors with this faction switch. It’ll be interesting to see how Capt Solo pays for the move in the future….
Cloning Centers on Springer!
It seems that it wasn’t just faction pilots who intensely disliked each other. Even members of the same company found themselves in squabbles over policies, profits, and even work ethics. The UCC, Universal Cloning Center, stretched, and then split once the war began into 3 different companies over the course of the war – one covering the Federation, one in the Imperium, and one servicing the Neutral Zones.
Well, with the breakup of the company, the Federation and Imperial offices refuse to speak to one another, and without communication, the ability to clone a pilot on worlds held in enemy hands has proven impossible. As such, all pilots must have their cloning insurance papers sent to faction friendly planets in case an ‘accident’ should occur.
Those that don’t may never find themselves again with the next ‘accident’…
Fed Moving Faster
Released before being fully tested, new ship drives have been introduced to Federation pilots in hopes that this might help make the difference during the war. Greeted with cheers from the Federation and groans from the Empire, the new drives are smaller, more efficient, and hold more fuel than their comparative models. Good for both fighters and traders, the new drives are a definite upgrade for anybody needing that extra Ooomph.
I have to admit, this trader is extremely pleased with the breakthroughs the Federation has made this time around!
What to Make of the Mooninites
Union Space has been a very interesting place the last few weeks. There have been power conflicts, misunderstandings, random shootings, and everything else that can be expected in sudden power vacuums. However, one of the most interesting stories is that of the Mooninites.
An absolute scourge to traders in the West Pardus Rim, the Moonies made no attempt to hide the fact that they would attack just about anybody at any time if they came across you. You knew exactly what to expect when you came across the wrong side of a Mooninite gun. Nothing. Pick up where you left off and move on or go on a personal vendetta to kill your attacker. Neither would bother the Mooninites until the next time they came across you.
However, now that Union has opened, the Moonies have begun setting up base near the heart of Union space. They’ve worked to track down and destroy non-Union outposts as well as eliminate any non-union residents they happen to come across. For all practical reasons, they appear to be helping the Union get started.
However, the past is tough to shake sometimes, and the Moonies history of death and destruction has given many pause as the Mooninites begin a peaceful attempt at promoting the Union. Some Mooninites couldn’t handle the transition and reverted to old ways before being kicked out of the alliance. Various struggles over starbase locations have also caused them some anguish but all in all, it looks like the Mooninites are ready to support the Union. Whether it was the right move or not to allow them to help remains to be seen.
TPI Calls it Quits
Last week saw the end of one of the older Pardusian alliances. The Pardusian Inquisition, an alliance dedicated to the eradication and elimination of slave camps and drug stations across the universe, admitted failure in their attempt to make the universe a better place. Thomas von Mistont suicided after the declaration and TPI as we know it ceased to exist. Members of the Inquisition, with the loss of their leader, scattered around the universe in an attempt to find themselves. Some of them found their way to Circle of Enlightened, another group dedicated to the freedom of all. Others went primitive and are trying out life Barbarian style.
All in all though, the loss of TPI is a huge loss to everyone – those who loved freedom, and those who opposed it. The character lost by TPI leaving will be felt by all.
Here’s hoping Thomas and TPI do better in their next incarnation.
The “Order”
I’m one to enjoy conspiracy theories now and then, and this one from Dakini is interesting if nothing else. Apparently there is the “Order” (no relation to TSO) which consists of alliance leaders, starbase owners, and influential members of various large alliances. Apparently the “Order” works together in a large group to bring about influential changes to the universe as well as assist each other in various other ways.
Does the “Order” actually exist? Haven’t a clue. Is it possible it exists? Absolutely. Just keep your eyes and ears open, and you may see or hear something about this “Order”.