Galaxy Headline News Archive

An archive of headlines and articles from Galaxy Headline News.

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 by 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.

DATELINE 4524.080

SAGA SECTOR COLONY DESTROYED! The rumored destruction of a human colony in the distant Saga Sector was confirmed today by a spokesperson for the Nova Corporation Rescue Service. Over 6,000 are reported dead and thousands missing in what appears to have been a massive military assault by unknown forces. Details regarding the incident are being kept classified by Nova Corporation Security Services. In the absence of any interplanetary government in the Saga Sector, no organization may claim original jurisdiction. Through its emergency services contracts with independent worlds, Nova Corporation is entitled to perform as the primary investigatory agency in the event of such catastrophes.

DATELINE 4524.083

PHOENIX DOMAIN ANNOUNCES ALLIANCE WITH THEOCRACY! Representatives of the Phoenix Domain announced the formation of a multifaceted treaty and alliance with the expansionist religious organization known as the Theocracy. Analysts predict this will not only result in an improved interplanetary business posture for the Domain, but will also settle the recent religious war that has enflamed the distant Saga Sector. Trade with the Saga Sector has been reduced for over a year due to the disruptions caused by the interplanetary conflict.

DATELINE 4524.98

REGALIAN MILITIA REFUSES TO JOIN FEDERATION! In a move that bears serious consequences for Regalian membership in the Federation, the planetary militia has refused to cooperate with the merger of its forces with the Federation military. The merger of planetary militia into Federation military has long been a requirement of member worlds. Moat planetary governments welcome the transference of expensive military costs to the Federation. The governor of Regalia ordered militia leaders to comply with Federation officials or resign their posts, but militia leaders responded with adamant refusal. Regalia’s militia is a grass-roots organization that historically has little or no ties to government authority. Its officer corps is notably loyal to the SciMinder organization, which notably expressed grave concerns and objections to Regalia’s membership in the Federation.

DATELINE 4524.107

THEOCRACY WORLDS MARIANIS AND WELLBEFALLEN TO JOIN PHOENIX DOMAIN! In a move predicated by last week’s announcement of a Phoenix-Theocracy alliance, the Theocracy worlds Marianis and Welbefallen will become member world of the Domain.

DATELINE 4524.111

FINANCIAL HUB OF SAGA SECTOR JOINS PHOENIX DOMAIN! The interplanetary financial markets were rocked today by news that Covenant, the financial hub of the distant Saga Sector, would become a member of the Phoenix Domain. This move is expected to lead other worlds in the sector to align with the Domain.

DATELINE 4524.121

LEAVE THE LAW TO THE LAWYERS! BIBB Free Trader report published the results of a decade-long study of free trade and interplanetary law. The report comes to one definite conclusion: with the colorful variety of laws encountered by the average trader, the entrepreneur attempting to navigate the law without the assistance of a paid professional is placing his business (and sometimes his life) at risk!

DATELINE 4524.151

UPRISING ON REGALIA! Members of the former Regalian militia have joined forces with rebel Sci-Minders to form an insurgent army, according to Federation representatives. The army is resisting efforts by the Federation to bring advanced technology to Regalian citizens, including water-conservation technology and health supplies. Most of the actions taken by the insurgents have been non-violent in nature, but Federation Security has doubled the number of police forces assigned for the transition of Regalia from a protectorate to a full-fledged member of the Federation.

DATELINE 4524.200

INTERPLANETARY OLYMPICS BEGIN! Opening ceremonies for the 123rd Interplanetary Olympic Games were held today on Tien Men. This year the games will last nearly a month and competitions will take place on five different worlds. The Phoenix Domain is competing in the games for the first time in nearly two decades.

DATELINE 4524.210

MAJOR FEDERATION EXPLORATION EFFORT BEGINS! The Federation of Planets announced today it had begun a major effort to explore deep space. Three different exploratory fleets, complete with scientific and diplomatic personnel, were dispatched to various coordinates outside Federation space. Many of these ships are headed to the last known locations of distant human colonies in hopes of renewing contact with any technologically-capable humans. A small number of Federation Naval vessels accompanies the diplomatic and scientific corps. The entire expedition is expected to last nearly two years and the Federation expects to discover and survey hundreds of new worlds in the process.

DATELINE 4524.248

FEDERATION MARINES ON REGALIA! Reliable government sources have admitted in private that the Federation Marines 1197th Separate Light Infantry Brigade has been engaged in counter-insurgency operations in the Vandere district of Regalia for the last three months. This admission is in direct contradiction to the Federation’s official claim that only Federation Security were engaged on Regalia. The official also explained that the ultimate goal is for Regalia to form its own Federation Marine division, consisting of personnel drawn from the local population, to quell the insurgency.

DATELINE 4524.250

ALLIANCE CONGRESS MEMBER KILLED! Junior member of the Alliance Congress Legis Augustus Scott was killed along with four of his staff today in a freak accident at Bollux Spaceport. Scott was on Bollux negotiating a major shipping treaty between the Corporate Alliance and the Bollux government. Eyewitnesses report that Scott’s party was waiting to board a shuttle when an out-of-control baggage lifter crashed into and ruptured several liquid hydrogen refueling lines. The resulting explosion killed Scott, his personal secretary Rana Melvy, bodyguard Stef Riles, and press agent Raven Marker. Several bystanders were also injured in the accident.