The Tiacken Tribune

Conglomo: Has the Bubble Burst? (Spider Jerusalem)

Keldon - These days, spirits are low within the Imperial Exchange on Keldon; Conglomo stock, once considered a safe bet, has been in rapid decline recently. While not exactly in freefall yet, investors nevertheless have reason for concern: “This is even worse than all those Famiso incidents;“ says a trader on the floor, “Investor confidence has taken a real hit.” Formerly one of the big four in the Pardus economy, during the last quarter, Conglomo has even been overtaken by the upstart union powerhouse ERA in terms of shareholders, and while they still retain considerable clout, there is no doubt that company morale is at an all time low, with even senior supporters opting to cut and run.

But how did it come to this? Many analysts state the retirement of CEO and Founder Denezar as the turning point in Conglomo’s destiny. His chosen successor, longtime member and war veteran Katmai, while continuing to command popular support, nevertheless got onto a rocky start. Within weeks of the transition, numerous senior managers left Conglomo, many to create their own start-ups; be they fledgling pirate social clubs (Yarr Inc.); 2-man merc clones (Smoke and Mirrors CMC) or institutions no one is really sure what they’re about (The Black Tower). Even the alliance Razened, which originated as a rather silly prank at the expense of Denezar, made a recent comeback, counting more members than it’s had since it’s inception…
This massive brain-drain has led, among other things, to severe delays among senior management as the remaining board members struggle to make up for the loss of manpower, further exacerbating the classic problem of every large scale alliance: employees that fail to show up for work regularly. Also, due to the exodus, only 7 of the 15 Military Outposts protecting the Lane 7 remain under Conglomo control, making the volatile security status of the northern branch even worse.

Says a disgruntled shareholder: “For sure, all successions are tricky business, especially if you’ve never known another leader; but still, I can’t help but think that something went wrong here…” He is quick however to come to the defense of the new Chief Executive: “It would be very unfair to place all the blame on Katmai though. He works hard for the good of the company, and it’s not easy leading such a large conglomerate, particularly if you’ve spent the last few months on the frontlines defending your emperor. But still, the transition has been hard on us rank and file, and the new leadership style has been rubbing some of us the wrong way.” And indeed, the most common reason stated by outgoing talent, aside from “boredom,” tended to be irritation concerning the new “closed doors” management policy promoted from the top down. Our disgruntled shareholder elaborates: “Naturally, we all understand the importance of security within a huge company – there are bound to be a few bad eggs in the basket, and I’m sure Katmai’s experience as an Imperial Guard is proving invaluable here…But if you lock out everyone, you’re not only shutting out the spies, but also your own people!“ Behind closed doors, many members are lamenting what some have started to call “the new paranoia” and long for the transparency of the past.

This has led some of the more adventurous Gossipmongers to even start talking about a possible split of the Conglomo Holdings into several smaller, more manageable companies…
But such assumptions on the state of Conglomo may well be proven to be unfounded; the core business in the Empire Keldon Cluster continues to be a money spinner, their joint development of Nusakan with the Imperial Guard is thriving, and even the problem child Lane has potential to spare… But in the words of one shareholder: “Either way, AC (Alliance Communications) will never be the same…”

The Adventures of Amai y Hassa (Walkingrazor)

The Tiacken Tribune presents an Emergency News Update:

Officials in the Federation Sol Core report an incident where a Famous Pirate, now identified to be one Amai y Hassa, has slipped past the Federation Military Outposts, and is now on the loose. Citizens are urged to retreat to the safety of star-bases and planets, and remove all valuables from any factories in the affected areas. Officials say that this security breach has now been rectified, but widespread concern and incidents of near panic are sweeping the Federation. Reports are that most of the Federation Admiralty has departed for the Lane, but assurances from Federal High Command state that they will soon have the situation under control.

Already at least one Federation pilot has had their ship destroyed, and notes left by the pirate in places that he has raided indicate that he will not be stopped until he is shot down and/or brought to justice.

TT reporters will be following this situation carefully in the coming days and will report more as news becomes available…

Setting the Stage:

The Nighthawk Deluxe slipped from building to building, keeping close to ground as it carefully approached the Sol core. The Jolly Roger inset over crossed dueling pistols was clearly visible below the cockpit.

Amai y Hassa, Famous Pirate, current scourge of the Federation, looked carefully around the sector, and was a bit taken aback by the lack of traffic. Something was afoot. He ghosted into Sol, using a back way established for bootleggers and smugglers and brought his ship in for a landing. The welcome beacon confirmed his suspicions.

“Celebration for Admiral Pvt. Stash, the charming voice said. All Federation personnel are encouraged to join the Federal High Command in celebration of Rear Admiral Stash’s promotion. Please join us at Triad City as we welcome him to his new rank. Food and drink will be served.”

Amai grinned, showing two gold teeth, and grabbed his best cloak and pistol belt from the cargo hold. He attached some epaulets to his shoulders, and pitching a doubloon at the ship tender, he fished in his pocket and got out the “good ID card” as he liked to think of it. This card had been expensive, but the ability to confuse the Federation access computers about his reputation ranking had been worth every penny. He strode boldly to the trans nexus and entered a tram for the party location. A short whoosh and the arrival chime sounded as the door opened and he exited.

The card reader at the door beeped helpfully and opened the hallway to the reception area. Federation officers of all shapes, sizes and races filled the room with cocktail party banter. Blue and gold bunting hung everywhere and food and drink was arranged in spreads fit for a king.

Amai headed for the bar at a good clip.

Growling at the barman for a rum punch, he flipped a coin onto the bar, took his drink and surveyed the room. As he turned, he saw her….

The name on the uniform of the Rear Admiral said “Ovest” and her beautiful green eyes and fetching figure brought a lump to Amai’s throat. He straightened his eye patch as she headed over to the bar. She took the stool next to him and ordered a drink.

Amai quickly put a coin down into the bartender’s hand and turned to Ovest. He leered and looked away slyly. The bartender returned with the drink and went down to the end of the bar. Their eyes met.

“Do I know you?” she said

He whispered something softly and motioned her close. She bent towards him and he spoke in a low rasp. “Nay, my lady, but I know you. ‘Twas your military outpost that let me slip into the Sol core for some good and proper pirating. Don’t you know me, Ovest?” He smiled, flashing his gold teeth and touched the brim of his expansive burgundy hat.

Recognition played across Ovest’s face. “Amai y Hassa,” she growled. “You had better leave while you still can.”

A pistol appeared in his hand, held low under the bar. Ovest glanced at it. “Milady, come away with me,” he said. “Live life on the open spacelanes where we can be free souls in the pirate way. I’m offering you this chance – join Famous Pirate and we can be carefree, together. I’ll rekindle all the dreams it took you a lifetime to destroy.”

“You’d only destroy the success I took a lifetime to achieve,” Ovest replied.

Amai winked at her. “So you’ll think it over?”

“Never!” she yelled and dropped to the ground.

Security started toward the scene and Amai shrugged, stood, finished his drink, and drew his sword. He jumped on top of the bar and addressed the crowd with a flourish.

”Yarr!” He sliced the hanging wine glasses with a stroke and spoke loudly, “Dear ladies, most respectable gentlemen, Admiral Stash. I am Captain Hassa. Generation upon generation of my forefathers have been men of space, brave and strong. Aye, all right, there was my uncle Esteban, who was a well known pimp in Andexa, but that’s not the point. The point is that now you will know me and remember my name. From here I will go forth and will take from you in your decadence and return that which is theirs to the young and the downtrodden. Know me and repent your ways!” Amai glanced around and noticed Admiral Stash seated at the main table. “Oh, and Admiral,” he remarked, “nice party.”

Amai leapt down and kicked a table into the approaching guards and ran for the exit, holding the crowd at bay with his gun. The tram hissed it’s approach and he strode into the cars and punched for the dock. The guards ran from the hallway too late, the cars began their rapid ascent.

The massive manhunt of the Sol core proved useless, no sign of Amai could be found. Sectors of search netted nothing. Then the reports began to trickle in slowly, then faster and faster. Buildings raided, pilot deaths, and even stranger, accounts of a generous stranger who appeared bearing gifts and disappeared into the dark of space.

The Capture:

The holograms flared to life in Edenve and in the Sol core. The Admiralty of the Federation looked at each other over the transmission. “So we’re agreed, yes” Admiral Ayanari said. The others nodded. Action would be taken.

The troops that laid ambushes reported only old sightings of the pirate in the sectors when the Doomstar headed out. The hack into the Sol security camera system and the enhancement of the holo capture and audio processing played on the ship’s deck. Ayanari moved her hand and paused the footage, rewound, and listened again carefully. She set her course grimly and engaged the drives.

Whispered at the bar, he’d said softly to Ovest, “Lovely maid, come away with me to Alpha Centauri.”

The ships hovered in the energy, waiting in the dark of the cloak. They chose their spot carefully and Atrellium broke from the group. He had special federation technology to lay a trap for Amai, to end his pillage. The chronotons collected over the last week danced in the glittering crystalline surface of the bomb. It caught the light of the stars as it tumbled into position in space.

Amai uncloaked and awoke the systems on his ship. He’d been hiding in the backwaters, in the unexplored regions of the sectors and it was time to move. He totaled up the results of his work so far with a hearty chuckle and a soft yarr: 2,000,000 credits raided, a multitude of Federation ships shown the true meaning of pirate, and the stories of his gifts spread far and wide.

The open sector beckoned to him, and he began to move. The ship’s drives picked up speed and propelled the big fighter forward. Suddenly, a huge blast of light engulfed him. The ship stopped dead in the water and Amai closed his eyes and swayed tiredly against the controls. The time-bomb’s effects created a huge visual vortex that surrounded him, and he fought his way to his feet. The Doomstar appeared through the vortex and fired. He grinned madly and let loose with all his ship had at the attacker. With a hearty cheer, his shots hit home. The Doomstar unleashed a giant salvo of missiles and weapons fire that bored into the armor of the Nighthawk. Amai desperately moved the controls, but the ship wouldn’t budge. He grabbed his hat and pistol belt and ran for the pod.

The message arrived minute later, marked Urgent. Ayanari keyed it up on the screen. The gold teeth leered at her and the eye not covered with the patch winked. “Curses on you, and your ship Admiral, he said charmingly. Well met on the battlefield, but I assure you, you haven’t heard the last of my name. It will echo in the corners of the Federation, where I will emerge again one day!” He swept off his hat and took a graceful bow. The message folded to a tiny Jolly Roger and winked out.

The Tribune caught up with Amai y Hassa several days later in Mizar. When pressed about the four days it took Federation officials to track him down, Amai’s grin turned into a full smile. “Aye,” he began, “it appears that the whole image of a cozy, lawful Federation life is an illusion, a myth, under which there rages a silent, black sea of feuds, bloodthirst, and barely concealed hatred.” The Tribune reporter, a Sol native, fell silent at this comment. Amai y Hassa’s smirk disappeared from the vid screen as his ship vanished back into the spacelanes.

Crystal Collectors (Brackard)

And so the crystals explosion in Edenve has come to an end. Whatever set the exotic matter off to begin producing these crystals was never verified by scientists, many of them finally getting into the system and setting up shop only to find the event over. However, that didn’t stop speculators who arrived en masse to look for and collect these crystals. And collect they did. Nobody is really sure how many crystals were shed by the EM fields but rough counts of well over 100 have been speculated.

The system of Edenve is happy to be getting back to normal. Between the increased ship traffic of collectors, telerobbers, bounty hunters, fighters, and the plain curious, the system of Edenve was overrun with ships. The EM fields were consistently stripped bare and local economies suffered as EM for the local neb plants become unavailable with people scrambling through the EM looking for gold.

Ruby Legion, Soul Reapers and Red Cell were also seen in the area, playing ‘tag’ of sorts as they telerobbed each other at safe points while ambushing each other as they could.

Speculation over what the crystals are used for run the gamit. They could be materials needed for some kinds of advanced armor or weapons. They could be a condensed form of EM. Some suggest that they are simply ornamental while others suggest that the crystals, ground JUST right, makes a perfect spice for your favorite Ska’ari dish (not yet verified).

So who were the ‘winners’? Well, it’s hard to say as many collectors didn’t announce their findings. That didn’t stop Lancel and the Imperial Sardaukar though of announcing their findings of 49 of the crystals over the several day period. While a very impressive feat in and of itself, the announcement could have painted a target on the alliance’s back once an ultimate use for the crystals is discovered. Whether it happens or not? We shall see.

Coming Soon:

Ask a Scorpion

Have any burning questions about life in the Pardus Universe? Want to learn how to handle yourself properly at a Keldonian “smarming?” Ever wonder how to tell one Ska’ari from another? If so, please write “The Scorpion” c/o the Tiacken Tribune.

Advertisements:

Staff Positions Available!

Are you interested in becoming one of the most valued pilots in the Universe? The Tiacken Tribune is seeking interested (and interesting) individuals for staff writer positions. If freelance work is more your bag, the Tribune may be interested. Please submit your portfolio to Eldritch at Tribune headquarters.

Advertising Space Now Available:

Want pilots to know that you’re selling something? Maybe you’re buying? Either way, the Tribune is willing to advertise for you. Please submit a short advertisement (or request) to the Tribune for screening.