Galaxy Headline News Archive

DATELINE 4523.378

TRANSPO EXEC INVESTIGATED FOR EXCESS! Executives of Transport Technology Limited (TTL), along with agents of the Nova Corporation, announced the results of a year-long investigation into funds misappropriation at the spacecraft company. Seventeen executives and managers, along with nearly two dozen low-level administrators, were named in the corporate indictment. The most senior of these was Harold Wexler, Vice-president of Smallcraft Development for TTL, who was placed under house arrest today. Wexler is accused of being the mastermind of a group of individuals who were diverting funds from legitimate projects. The diverted funds were then used to construct custom spacecraft for a number of off-the-books clientele. The investigation is a joint TTL-Nova operation due to the sector-wide implications of secret spacecraft construction. An anonymous source indicated that classified portions of the indictment describe the construction of small warships for private individuals.

DATELINE 4523.300

FEDERATION INCREASES CROSS-SECTOR TRANSPORT FEES! The Federation Trade Council (FTC) announced yet another increase in fees that will be applied to all intersector trade that crosses Federation space. In addition to an across-the-board increase of 3% in all trade fees, the council has established a “Special Activities Application Fee” for any commercially-registered vehicle making commercial visits to 3 or fewer ports of call at Federation member worlds. The fee will be the greater of 7% of total projected sale value of any commercial cargo aboard ship, or $500. Representatives of the Corporate Sector and Phoenix Domain expressed vehement opposition to these new fees and threatened legal action.

DATELINE 4523.309

CARGO CREW CRACKS SMUGGLING RING! Three members of a freighter security team on shore leave decided to investigate a mysterious passenger death that had occurred aboard their ship. In doing so they discovered evidence of an intersector smuggling operation that involved psionic agents ferrying contraband psi crystals from Beehive. The bold crewmen of the White Line freighter Prosperity received a $2M reward for their effort. Their leader Chief Stevan Eggars, who organized the team and continued the investigation, was awarded an officer's commission in the Merchant Service. 

DATELINE 4524.010

CHATTING UP STRANGERS LEADS TO PROFITS! The Better Interplanetary Business Bureau (BIBB) released its annual “Free Trader Survey Report” today. Among other items, the report advises that interacting with random strangers at Class III or better spaceports increases the likelihood of lucrative if unorthodox trade opportunities.

DATELINE 4524.022

THE RACE FOR WATER IS ON! Corporations and governments are racing to discover precious sources of water beneath the surfaces of desert planets. Desert planets throughout the five sectors are being targeted for explorative hydrological operations. Many of these operations bring much-needed revenue to these rarely-visited worlds.

DATELINE 4524.030

FEDERATION SPIES ON ITS OWN! Evidence presented Ambercromby Mulcahy, technology reporter for UBS Galaxy News, suggests the Federation is engaged in espionage against its own members and protectorates. Recent events on the planet Regalia revealed that a series of Federation surveys under the guise of hydrology research were actually attempts by the Federation to gather intelligence on key domestic security installations of the Regalian planetary government. Diplomats and other official representatives of several Federation worlds lodged protests at the Federation Assembly, demanding an immediate investigation. Reports that many of the intelligence operations involved psionic agents is likely to cause diplomatic friction with the Phoenix Domain. Representatives of both the Federation and the Domain declined any comment on the matter.

DATELINE 4524.057

GIANT GEYSER ERUPTS ON CARSTAIRS! Experts were surprised by the sudden eruption yesterday of a massive geyser on Carstairs. The eruption occurred in the mountains north of the vast tundra of northern Carstairs. Scientists are unable to explain the eruption, as the area was not known for geothermal activity. Early measurements suggest the water is highly rich in minerals and may be the remnant of an ancient glacier. At last report, the geyser had been erupting for over 24 hours with little sign of slowing. Local authorities express no concerns about any effect on agricultural operations as the majority of Carstairs farmland lies below the equator, thousands of miles from the eruption. The Federation has requested permission to send scientists and other experts to study the phenomenon.

DATELINE 4524.067

ANCIENT RUINS DISCOVERED ON GITH! A massive quake has revealed the ruins of a previously unknown historic site on the planet of Gith. The ruins were discovered by a group of surveyors who were fulfilling a standard planetary survey contract. Previous scans indicated no structures in the area, so it is concluded that the ruins were previously covered and revealed only after one of the frequent seismic disturbances on the planet. Federation archaeologists have been dispatched to study the site in greater detail, along with a team of engineers who will attempt to stabilize the structure and prevent damage from future seismic activity.