TNS 1118 (alt)
Traveller News Service 1118 - Alternate
Date: 001-1118 ⑆ Capital (Core 2118)[edit]
¶ The emperor issued his annual Holiday message today, wishing all citizens of the Imperium luck, prosperity, and health in the upcoming 1118th year of the Third Imperium, and in years to come. Ω
Date: 007-1118 ⑆ Terra (Solomani Rim 1827)[edit]
¶ A spokesman for Archduke Adair announced today that the Archduke has granted the appeal of relatives of Jeffrey Long to release the former reporter from the prison ward of the mental hospital where he has been held for several years into private care.
¶ Long, formerly a reporter for the Phoenix Sun news organization, is the author of a series of articles looking into rumors of a condition known as 'hyperspace sickness," evidence for which Long alleges has been suppressed by a military and industrial cabal.
¶ The archduke declined to release details of where Mr. Long will be transferred or when the release will take place, citing privacy concerns. Mr. Long believes he is in considerable personal danger from those who seek to silence him. Ω
Date: 019-1118 ⑆ Capital (Core 2118)[edit]
¶ Elements of the fleets of Dagudashaag and Core Sectors are will engage in a series of combined maneuvers over the next few months. The fleets will divide into two teams, and simulate an invasion of Dagudashaag by a hostile invading force -- Core's fleet will simulate the invaders, Dagudashaag's fleet will defend. Ω
Date: 007-1118 ⑆ Shululsish (Solomani Rim 0214)[edit]
¶ The Office of the Duke announced today that Iwohlarko, Duke of Alderamin, would be spending several days at Aggarish Naval Hospital for a physical examination and treatment.
¶ Sir Rickard Tallyns, the Duke's personal spokesman, issued the following statement: "The Duke's health is as sound as that of any Aslan male of his age. His condition is not life-threatening and his physicians expect a full recovery within a few days."
¶ Details of the Duke's medical condition were not available to the press. Ω
Date: 031-1118 ⑆ Dlan (Ilelish 1021)[edit]
¶ With much fanfare, the leaders of the Virasan faith opened the 457th meeting of the Khanu, or Supreme Synod, in the holy city of Rimblan. By tradition, the Khanu meets at least once a decade to discuss matters of import to Virasins. Often, these matters are worldly concerns, such as the reorganization of administrative boundaries or the assessment of candidates for the dilanu. However, the 457th Khanu seems likely to be a major theological synod. In contention is a central issue of the faith, namely whether Virasin that die non-violent deaths while not on Dlan may attain full revelation in the afterlife.
¶ This issue pits the faith's conservative and liberal wings against one another. Conservatives believe that there is neither scriptural nor traditional justification for this change in doctrine. Reform clergymen argue that the stricture against dying offworld is simply a holdover from the early days of the faith and more a statement of Dlani nationalism than religious truth. It promises to be a heated debate. Ω
Date: 040-1118 ⑆ Ludmilla (Solomani Rim 1216)[edit]
¶ The Ludmillan government has released a statement denouncing "terrorist violence" in the nearby Boskone (Solomani Rim 1214) system. "Pirate forces have struck at fueling stations operated by Tukera Lines and Sharurshid. We call on the sponsor of these attacks to stand down, or face dire consequences."
¶ Ludmillan planetary naval forces are reportedly planning an extended patrol in Boskone system, which is nominally under Ludmillan sovereignty. The system is currently the focus of a prolonged dispute over transit and refueling rights, involving the Ludmillan government, several Imperial merchant carriers, and the Vegan tuhuir Ewm Shao Gwi. Ω
Date: 045-1118 ⑆ Terra (Solomani Rim 1827)[edit]
¶ A spokesman for the family of Jeffrey Long announced today that Mr. Long has been admitted to a private mental care facility in Imperial territory, somewhere in the Solomani Rim.
¶ Long, formerly a reporter for the Phoenix Sun news organization, is the author of a series of articles looking into rumors of a condition known as 'hyperspace sickness," evidence for which Long alleges has been suppressed by a military and industrial cabal.
¶ Mr. Long believes he is in considerable personal danger from those who seek to silence him, and because of this his location remains a secret known only to close family members and his legal representatives. Ω
Date: 047-1118 ⑆ Capital (Core 2118)[edit]
¶ Famed comedian Anton Wilson Peale announced today that he will commence a grand tour of the Imperium, in celebration of the Golden Jubilee of the Emperor Strephon.
¶ I'm going to start a couple of years ahead of the Emperor, because Strephon is a bigger draw than me," Peale remarked to reporters, "We won't be in the same place at the same time, and I'm going to a few worlds he won't see, but other than that, think of me as his opening act
¶ Peale told reporters he will announce a precise schedule for the three year Jubilee Tour in a few weeks, but that he intends to depart on 909-1118, well in advance of the Imperial family's departure. Ω
Date: 048-1118 ⑆ Capital (Core 2118)[edit]
¶ A spokesman for the Imperial family announced today that Prince Lucan is adjusting to his new life as a Naval Cadet very well. The Prince enrolled in the Imperial Naval Academy last year after his twin brother Varian departed on a grand tour of the Imperium, and has been assigned to a special group of cadets aboard the flagship of the Dagudashaag fleet, the battleship Smilodon. Ω
Date: 062-1118 ⑆ Terra (Solomani Rim 1827)[edit]
¶ Jeffrey Long (the former Terran reporter who until recently was held Imperial custody) believes someone is trying to kill him. An anonymous source states that Long, a patient at a private sanitarium in the Solomani Rim, has asked to be moved to a different institution. The source states that Long believes that his food is being drugged, and fears that one of his fellow patients is a hired assassin.
¶ The source states that the family will accede to Long's wishes, and will arrange for him to be transferred to a new facility under an assumed name.
¶ Long believes that a mysterious cabal of industrialists and the military seek to silence him because of his researches into "hyperspace sickness," the disease which Long claims is the subject of a massive cover-up. Ω
Date: 085-1118 ⑆ Capital (Core 2118)[edit]
¶ Almost the entire staff of the Capital branch of the Traveller News Service has come down with a non-fatal but highly debilitating virus. Classified variously as "a bug," "that thing that's going around," and "some kind of flu," the disease manifests itself as a fever, headache, and general malaise lasting several days, settling first in the nasal passages, moving to the throat, and then on to the bronchi of it's victims. At least one editor was also afflicted with watering of the eyes so bad as to interfere with vision for hours at a time.
¶ This plague is expected to run it's course within 10-14 days, and everything will be back to normal, but it has caused considerable discomfort here at TNS/Capital. Ω
Date: 073-1118 ⑆ Lode (Zarushagar 2908)[edit]
¶ Admiral Sir Nigel Rudel, Baron of Ynsulmaar, announced he will retire as of 120 of this year. "I have served the Emperor for many years," the Admiral said in a tersely worded press release, "and I've decided I'd prefer to spend some time with my grandchildren while I'm young enough to enjoy it. Ω
Date: 097-1118 ⑆ Alekvadin (Core 0811)[edit]
¶ Reports of a toxic chemical leak caused officials at Twunchel Highport to order portions of the orbital facility evacuated today. While in the process of unloading a freighter, an inexperienced grav loader operator bumped against a discharge hose, fracturing a fitting and causing a leak of potentially toxic hydrocarbons.
¶ At first it was believed that the chemicals had leaked into the ventilation system, causing starport officials to order the evacuation of several loading bays as a precautionary measure, but the spill remained isolated to a single ship loading bay, and was quickly cleaned up by starport Hazmat personnel.
¶ A spokesman for the port director revealed that there were no fatalities, although several starport personnel had to undergo decontamination and were being held in the port's medical facility for observation. Ω
Date: 100-1118 ⑆ Capital (Core 2118)[edit]
¶ A spokesman for the University of Sylea announced that Doctor Ganidiirsi Simalr has been appointed to the Banasdan Chair of Comparative Sophontology at that institution. Doctor Simalr, son of the Duke of Ushra, was attached to the IISS Contact and Liaison Branch as a consultant for the university.
¶ Doctor Hasni Shukov, chairman of the Department of Sophontology, was quoted as saying: "It is a little unusual for someone so young as Gani to be appointed to such a high position -- those familiar with his work, however, were not at all surprised." Doctor Simalr will begin his duties on 120-1118. Ω
Date: 110-1118 ⑆ Monmouth (Delphi 0225)[edit]
¶ Pirate attacks on shipping in the Monmouth system have risen sharply in the past three months, Imperium officials confirmed today. Most of the attacks have focused on capturing the cargo of trading vessels entering the system, though three ships have also been hijacked. Crew members of the ships say that the pirates seemed very well organized. Descriptions of the ships and perpetrators suggest that the pirates are members of the Fallani Syndicate, a criminal organization whose operations throughout the Fornast, Old Expanses, and Delphi sectors seem to be on the rise. The Fallani Syndicate is suspected to have headquarters on Granicus, in the Glimmerdrift Reaches sector. Imperial Navy officials would not comment on the matter, except to say that it is under investigation. Ω
Date: 118-1118 ⑆ Capital (Core 2118)[edit]
¶ The imperial family will attend the first performance of a new symphony by Terran composer Alar Falco, titled Reflections. The performance marks the opening of the 1118-1119 concert season for the Sylean Philharmonic Orchestra, and it is unusual for the entire imperial family to attend, but both Strephon and Ciencia Iphegenia are said to be interested in the compositions of Dr. Falco.
¶ The opening performance will be 130-1118, at Artemsus Concert Hall on the campus of Sylean University. Ω
Date: 125-1118 ⑆ Capital (Core 2118)[edit]
¶ Sources at the Imperial Palace today revealed that Emperor Strephon has almost settled on the artists who will be commissioned to create the official Imperial portraits for his upcoming Golden Jubilee.
¶ The Emperor will choose one artist for each of several forms, including two and three dimensional photographs, several sculptures, and a formal painting showing the Emperor in the traditional pose on the Iridium throne. Strephon has narrowed the list for each type of art to less than four names, but the source declined to reveal the artists under consideration. Ω
Date: 128-1118 ⑆ Capital (Core 2118)[edit]
¶ Dr. Enil Shugishviilii, a hematologist in private practice, has petitioned the Imperial Navy to be allowed to examine the tissue samples recovered from the wreckage Archduke Dulinor's gig two years ago. Dr. Shugishviilii believes that the Navy was too hasty in its conclusion that the tissues indicated that the Archduke was present on the gig when it exploded.
¶ "The Archduke, like many wealthy people, traveled with quantities of blood and other medical supplies in case of an emergency," the Doctor's petition reasons, "It is my contention that the Navy identified these as coming from Dulinor's body. While this does not prove he wasn't killed in the explosion, it casts doubt on that conclusion."
¶ Navy spokesmen had no comment on Shugishviilii's remarks. Ω
Date: 132-1118 ⑆ Alekvadin (Core 0811)[edit]
¶ A spokesman for the port director at Twunchel Highport reported today that it now believes that the chemical spill reported a few weeks ago may not have been an accident, as was initially reported. Investigators for the SPA have uncovered evidence that the grav loader operator responsible for the spill may have intentionally caused the spill.
¶ "We think he may have been trying to create a diversion in order to cover a theft from the bonded warehouse section, but that his confederates were not able to penetrate highport security, and abandoned the operation." The official declined to give specific details. "We have a member of the gang in custody, and we are hoping to use his testimony to help apprehend her partners in crime.
¶ There were no fatalities in the spill, although several starport personnel had to undergo decontamination and were being held in the port's medical facility for observation. Ω
Date: 138-1118 ⑆ Vland (Vland 1717)[edit]
¶ The Historical Preservation Bureau of Vland has caused quite a stir by denying an archaeological permit to Professor Enli Dahtha of the University of Ot Zell. Dahtha, best known for a recent article in the sophontological studies journal Lurashu Garshanri, in which he identifies the Ancients with the mysterious shiimsarnii of Vilani legend, wished to visit the Kunashaakri region to test gather evidence in support of his theories. However, the Preservation Bureau believes the ruins in the region would not withstand the in-depth examination Professor Dahtha intends to pursue.
¶ "This is outrageous," Dahtha explained. "My examination will be no more intrusive or destructive than any other that's been to the site -- possibly even less so. I have access to state of the art densitometer and equipment that will allow my party to gather the information from a hovering air/raft. We have guaranteed the Bureau that not a speck of dust will be disturbed. I contend the Preservation Bureau has something to hide."
¶ The spokesperson for the Bureau declined to comment, but that didn't prevent academics from across the Domain of Vland from doing so. "Professor Dahtha sees conspiracies everywhere." explained Dr. Kevin Ikira, a noted archeologist and expert on ancient Vilani sites. "The fact is he's advancing a very dubious claim, namely that Vilani religion owes its origin to encounters with the Ancients millennia ago. That theory's been discounted for centuries. Dahtha's just trying to give himself some notoriety in order to boost the sales of his next book." Ω
Date: 140-1118 ⑆ Kurae (Zarushagar 2806)[edit]
¶ An Imperial Navy crewman was killed and three more were seriously injured during a training exercise in the outer Kurae system when a cargo shuttle crashed while attempting to dock with the Imperial dreadnought Smilodon. Details are being withheld pending an inquiry, but it appears that human error on the part of the shuttle's pilot may have been responsible Ω
Date: 156-1118 ⑆ Warinir (Daibei 0507)[edit]
¶ In a prepared statement, the press secretary for Duke Craig Horvath announced that the Duke will not attend the beginning of this year's fleet maneuvers in the Warinir system, for what the secretary described "personal reasons."
¶ "His grace likes to oversee training maneuvers personally, but this year he has chosen to spend the time with family," said press secretary Aella Lavosier. "He will resume normal activities with 10 days, and will be able to oversee the final stages of the exercises shortly thereafter." Ω
Date: 161-1118 ⑆ Capital (Core 2118)[edit]
¶ Sources inside the imperial palace have indicated that Emperor Strephon will reward Doctor Ganidiirsi Simalr with a knighthood in the prestigious Order of the Arrow, the order devoted to those who have achieved distinction in interstellar study. Doctor Simalr, son of the Duke of Ushra, was attached to the IISS Contact and Liaison Branch for several years (as a consultant from the university), where he made a name for himself in the field of comparative sophontology.
¶ Dr. Simalr was appointed to the Banasdan Chair of Comparative Sophontology at the University of Sylea on 120-1118. The formal announcement will be made with the publication of the Birthday List later this year. Dr. Simalr will be knighted in a formal ceremony at some unspecified time soon thereafter -- the palace sources did not reveal when this would be. Ω
Date: 169-1118 ⑆ Banasdan (Solomani Rim 3017)[edit]
¶ A humorous incident occurred today as highport workers tried to sort out why the wrong cuisine was delivered to a passenger liner earlier today. "I took delivery on three month's supplies, just like I ordered," said chief steward Hanford Falco of the passenger liner Majorca, "The only thing wrong was that they were for Hivers. We found out because one of the cooks wanted to make baklava for the crew before we loaded passengers and started poking around among the containers. Well, you don't have to crack many packages of Hiver fungus to realize that somebody's made a serious error."
¶ Highport officials blame an inexperienced clerk for the error, which sent the supplies for the recently-arrived Hiver embassy ship to the passenger liner, and vice versa. A spokesman for the Hiver ship said no apology was necessary, "We often consume supplies intended for other races -- sometimes by design and sometimes by accident. It is one of the great pleasures of travel." Ω
Date: 173-1118 ⑆ Ilelish (Ilelish 2907)[edit]
¶ Demonstrations erupted outside the Government House in Ilelish's capital city of Anitarra. The demonstrators belong to a group of Suerrat preservationists appalled at what they see as the "encroachment" of Imperial culture on their homeworld, especially the growing use of Galanglic as a first language among the youth of Ilelish.
¶ "This is nothing less than cultural genocide," explained Sen-vat ma-Happat, a spokesperson for the demonstrators. "Archduke Dulinor understood our concerns and was preparing to take action to preserve our way of life, but has his daughter followed through with his plans? Has the Imperium done anything to help us stave off the loss of our native ways? We will not sit idly by and watch ourselves be subsumed into a bland Imperial culture that does not recognize our uniqueness."
¶ There was no official comment from Archduchess Isis, but a source at the Government House, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said "This is nothing new. Radical Suerrat groups have been blackmailing the Imperium for generations. The late Archduke believed he could avoid such confrontations by co-opting them into his efforts to renew the Imperium. We can see now the folly of such an approach." Ω
Date: 186-1118 ⑆ Capital (Core 2118)[edit]
¶ A spokesman for the IISS announced today that Doctor Ganidiirsi Simalr, newly appointed Banasdan Professor of Comparative Sophontology at the University of Sylea has been asked to deliver an address before a special committee of the Moot on preserving cultural and ethnic diversity within the Imperium.
¶ Unusually, the Emperor Strephon (in his capacity as Archduke of Sylea) will attend the meeting, and Princess Ciencia Iphegenia has been invited because of her great personal interest in the subject matter.
¶ Doctor Simalr, son of the Duke of Ushra, was attached to the IISS Contact and Liaison Branch for several years (as a consultant from the university), where he made a name for himself in the field of comparative sophontology. He is due to be honored with a knighthood in the prestigious Order of the Arrow on the next Birthday List. Ω
Date: 196-1118 ⑆ Dlan (Ilelish 1021)[edit]
¶ A mysterious fire in the downport offices of the Planetary Transit Office has been ruled accidental after 10 day's investigation by local police and fire officials.
¶ "We suspected arson initially because of the presence of certain accelerants," a spokesman said, "but subsequent investigation revealed that the fire was started by an aromatic incense burner, sometimes used by office workers during their breaks, left unattended overnight. The aromatic oil used in the burner was the cause of the rapid spread of the flames, and the reason we initially suspected arson."
¶ "The responsible parties have been disciplined." Ω
Date: 213-1118 ⑆ Warinir (Daibei 0507)[edit]
¶ Calim Yei-jei, the director of the Ministry of Justice's Daibei Sector office, today announced that he will resign at the end of his current term. "I've had a great career," Yei-jei stated, "and I want to retire while I'm on a high note, and do nothing but write and watch my grandchildren grow up."
¶ Calim Yei-jei achieved fame last year as the prosecutor who finally ran to ground the saboteurs responsible for the so-called Ulane Hoax. This is considered to be the high point of Yei-jei's career, even though some members of the MoJ believe that at least one of the perpetrators remain at large. Ω
Date: 221-1118 ⑆ Dlan (Ilelish 1021)[edit]
¶ Hortalez et Cie Divisional Director Jurgen Iwagami-Laragii issued a press release today announcing that investigators for the megacorporation's loss prevention division had uncovered a barratry scheme involving a number of starship captains and lower-level corporate officers. Undercover operatives infiltrated the organization, with the help of one of the conspirators, who received immunity from prosecution in return for information on the perpetrators.
¶ Iwagami-Laragii announced that all key participants in the plot had been apprehended by corporate security and will be turned over to the Ministry of Justice office on Dlan for prosecution. Ω
Date: 232-1118 ⑆ Dlan (Ilelish 1021)[edit]
¶ An anonymous source inside the Imperial Ministry of Justice admitted today that a key witness against a barratry ring is no longer in their custody. The unidentified witness escaped MoJ protective custody on Dlan last week, and is believed by MoJ officials to be trying to settle his personal affairs.
¶ "This could be a serious mistake," the source commented, "Trying to contact any friend or acquaintance could subject the man to grave danger from unapprehended members of the conspiracy who want to prevent him from testifying -- all of his known associates will probably be under observation by those who wish him harm. We'll do what we can to find him before they do, but in these situations, who knows what can happen?"
¶ The witness had previously received immunity from prosecution in return for information on the perpetrators in a massive barratry scheme involving a number of starship captains and lower-level corporate officers at Hortalez et Cie. Ω
Date: 239-1118 ⑆ Knabbib (Core 2115)[edit]
¶ A major accident on Zimiin was avoided today by the skillful actions of Arlen Uantil, a shuttle pilot employed by the SPA at Hamilcar Starport. Uantil was a passenger on the inbound shuttle to Hamilcar highport from the outer system when Khugi Munioz, the pilot of the 95-ton shuttle suffered a seizure. Uantil, who happened to be on the flight deck at the time, administered first aid (saving Munioz’ life) and made an emergency landing of the full-loaded shuttle in a freight bay. No injuries resulted, and Munioz is currently in good condition at the highport SPA medical facility.
¶ Medical personal are somewhat at a loss to explain Munioz’ attack. “Her medical records indicate she was in perfect health,” said the SPA’s medical director, “She’d just had her annual physical recently, and there was nothing to indicate anything amiss.” Ω
Date: 248-1118 ⑆ Dlan (Ilelish 1021)[edit]
¶ The unidentified witness against a barratry ring who escaped from MoJ protective custody on Dlan nearly 14 days ago has been found. Anonymous sources inside the Imperial Ministry of Justice confirmed today that the mysterious witness had been located and is once again under Imperial protection.
¶ The witness had previously received immunity from prosecution in return for information on the perpetrators in a massive barratry scheme involving a number of starship captains and lower-level corporate officers at Hortalez et Cie. Ω
Date: 251-1118 ⑆ Dlan (Ilelish 1021)[edit]
¶ The seneschal for Hutara Astrin Ilethian, uncle of Archduchess Isis of Ilelish, confirmed that the former sector admiral suffered a minor stroke last week, and will spend the next few weeks in the care of his personal physician on the family estates.
¶ Ilethian retired when his niece became Archduchess over two years ago in order to devote his full attention to the management of the family lands and business interests. "He's been driving himself pretty hard since that time," said Tadashi Conacht hault-Musillo (Ilethian's seneschal), "and his health has suffered. The rest of his staff and I have been unable to get him to take any kind of a break, and this is simply the inevitable result of overwork,
¶ Archduchess Isis expressed concern for her uncle's health, and will visit him as soon as her duties permit. Ω
Date: 256-1118 ⑆ Capital (Core 2118)[edit]
¶ At a short press conference today, General Mueni Arap Rutan, commanding officer of the Imperial Guard, announced that Colonel Murnas De'Angelo, commander of the Ilelish Regiment of the Imperial Guard, will be promoted to the rank of brigadier and transferred to a field command as of 275-1118. The current executive officer of the Ilelish Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Anthony hault-Khemiris, will be promoted to the rank of Colonel and assume command of the regiment. Ω
Date: 265-1118 ⑆ Dlan (Ilelish 1021)[edit]
¶ Archduchess Isis of Ilelish, in a press release issued today, announced that her uncle, Hutara Astrin Ilethian, is recovering from the minor stroke he suffered a few weeks ago.
¶ "My uncle is a determined man," the Archduchess said, "and is already chafing under the restrictions of his therapy. He is expected to make a full recovery, but I will insist that he get himself some help in managing our family's affairs.
¶ Ilethian retired from the Imperial Navy when his niece became Archduchess over two years ago in order to devote his full attention to the management of the family lands and business interests. Ω
Date: 269-1118 ⑆ Ilelish (Ilelish 2907)[edit]
¶ Opening arguments from the prosecution began today in the trial of seven Suerrat activists arrested earlier this year for inciting a riot during demonstrations outside the Government House in Ilelish's capital city of Anitarra. The Suerrat, appalled at what they believe to be a deliberate attempt by the Imperium to absorb and weaken the unique culture of their homeworld, accused the Imperium and the Archduchess of Ilelish of “Cultural Genocide” were demonstrating against the growing use of Galanglic as a first language among the youth of their homeworld.
¶ Imperial prosecutors are expected to accuse the Suerrat of conspiracy, and attempt to prove that the violence was carefully orchestrated. The Suerrat intend to offer evidence that police overreacted to a peaceful demonstration. Ω
Date: 273-1118 ⑆ Ilelish (Ilelish 2907)[edit]
¶ Archduchess Isis Arepo Ilethian today confirmed that she has requested the Imperial mint on Dlan to continue striking the commemorative credit coin, issued on 001-1118 in honor of the late Archduke of Ilelish, Dulinor Astrin Ilethian.
¶ The coin, which bears the Archduke's portrait and a stylized representation of the Great Reft (which dominates the night sky on Dlan), has proven immensely popular, and despite the fact that the mint has produced the coin continuously since Holiday, demand continues to exceed the supply.
¶ The Archduchess' requested that the mint continue to strike the coin until demand ceases. Ω
Date: 278-1118 ⑆ Dlan (Ilelish 1021)[edit]
¶ Archduchess Isis Arepo Ilethian today formally requested that Harlan Sandoval Akis, her uncle's seneschal, assume control of Hutara Astrin Ilethian's affairs until her uncle is capable of resuming his duties or until further notice. Hutara Astrin Ilethian, the archduchess' uncle, is recovering from a stroke he suffered approximately 245-1118, but the archduchess' request indicates that his recovery is not proceeding as well as was originally hoped. Ω
Date: 282-1118 ⑆ Ilelish (Ilelish 2907)[edit]
¶ The presiding justices today ordered the courtroom sealed in the trial of seven Suerrat activists arrested earlier this year for inciting a riot. The trial has been continually interrupted by demonstrations both for and against the defendants, and after considerable deliberation, the tribunal of judges decided to ban all non-participants from the courtroom. The public may view the trial live via closed circuit holovision, but the judges will not allow any non-essential personnel into the courtroom.
¶ The Suerrat, appalled at what they believe to be a deliberate attempt by the Imperium to absorb and weaken the unique culture of their homeworld, accused the Imperium and the Archduchess of Ilelish of "Cultural Genocide" were demonstrating against the growing use of Galanglic as a first language among the youth of their homeworld. Ω
Date: 289-1118 ⑆ Dlan (Ilelish 1021)[edit]
¶ The 457th meeting of the Khanu, the supreme synod of the Virasin faith concluded today, with the usually ceremony blessing all who participated and wishing them a safe journey home. The meeting had promised to be a major theological event, debating a central issue of the Virasin faith, namely whether Virasin that die non-violent deaths while not on Dlan may attain full revelation in the afterlife. The issue has been proposed for the agenda several times in the past, but has never been debated before the full Khanu.
¶ In what commentators are calling a major anticlimax, however, the highly contentious issue was tabled until the next meeting, which will be in two years. Ω
Date: 290-1118 ⑆ Lode (Zarushagar 2908)[edit]
¶ Baron Sir Nigel Rudel of Ynsulmaar, today announced that he will accept an offer from the University of Sylea Press to edit the university's upcoming History of the Fourth Frontier War.
¶ "The Baron retired from the Imperial Navy on 120-1118, after a long and distinguished career," university spokesman Ramsey Khan Oberta said, "and has written several monographs on the war. He is a former instructor on fleet operations for the Imperial Navy, and will enhance the prestige of the work immensely." Ω
Date: 296-1118 ⑆ Kurae (Zarushagar 2806)[edit]
¶ An Imperial Navy board of inquiry has ruled that the death of an Imperial Navy shuttle pilot was due to pilot error.
¶ Ensign Jargas Hanuman was killed on 138-1118 during a training exercise in the outer Kurae system when a cargo shuttle crashed while attempting to dock with the Imperial dreadnought Smilodon. Three other personnel were seriously injured during the incident, but are expected to recover.
¶ The board found that Hanuman over corrected and lost control of the shuttle at a critical moment in the docking maneuver, and collided with a structural support inside Smilodon's docking bay. The shuttle was severely damaged during the crash, and Smilodon sustained minor damage to the particular docking bay involved. Ω
Date: 298-1118 ⑆ Medurma (Dagudashaag 2124)[edit]
¶ An anonymous source in the Ministry of Justice revealed today that investigators from the Imperial Navy felt there might be a connection between the murder of Colonel Hiroshi Enera in 1117 and the murder of Archduke Dulinor. Enera, former commander of the Ilelish Regiment of the Imperial Guard, resigned shortly after Dulinor's death, and was found dead in a hotel room here on 240-1116, while en route to his native world of Dlan.
¶ The MoJ source revealed that two officers from the special group investigating Dulinor's murder were assigned to monitor local authorities involved in the investigation of Enera's murder (which remains unsolved) early in 1117. The officers were recently reassigned, and our source speculates it is because no link between the two deaths could be found. Local police and the Imperial Navy refused to comment on either case, claiming that the investigations were on-going. Ω
Date: 302-1118 ⑆ Capital (Core 2118)[edit]
¶ Sources at the Imperial Palace today revealed that Emperor Strephon has chosen one of the 12 artists to create the official Imperial portraits for his upcoming Golden Jubilee.
¶ The Emperor will choose one artist for each of several forms, including two and three dimensional photographs, several sculptures, and a formal painting showing the Emperor in the traditional pose on the Iridium throne. Strephon has chosen Solomani painter Mobi Branjan Ibn-Daud, to create the formal two-dimensional portrait in the traditional oil on canvas technique.
¶ Ibn-Daud, whose parents are from Vanefa (Solomani Rim 1304) in the Solomani Rim, came to Capital to study art at the University of Sylea nearly 11 years ago, and since that time has acquired a great reputation. Ibn-Daud works in a variety of media, and is well-known for his work in traditional oil as well as more modern media. Ω
Date: 312-1118 ⑆ Ilelish (Ilelish 2907)[edit]
¶ The trial of seven Suerrat activists on incitement to riot charges ended today. The presiding justices have sequestered themselves to consider the evidence presented, and will render a verdict within a few days.
¶ The Suerrat were arrested earlier this year for inciting a riot during demonstrations outside the Government House in Ilelish's capital city of Anitarra. The Suerrat were demonstrating against the growing use of Galanglic as a first language among the youth of their homeworld, when the crowd erupted into violence. The defense alleged that the police overreacted to a peaceful demonstration, and attacked the crowd without provocation. Ω
Date: 316-1118 ⑆ Mora (Spinward Marches 3124)[edit]
¶ Prince Varian (Emperor Strephon's nephew) arrived at Mora (Spinward Marches 3124) with his entourage aboard the luxury liner Dumaani as part of the prince's Imperium-wide grand tour. The prince requested that no formal celebration of his presence take place, and stayed only long enough to pay courtesy visits to Archduke Norris and Duchess Delphine, announcing himself as merely as "Duke of Sanches," and thus not requiring honors and salutes as a Prince of the Imperial family.
¶ By traveling as a Duke instead of a Prince, Varian may have provoked a minor incident that could have proven highly embarrassing. The Prince's liner was halted for three hours while SPA officers boarded the liner to serve notice of a violation of customs regulations and conduct a search. The Prince cooperated completely with starport officials, and after the search was completed (nothing illegal was found), the Dumaani was granted clearance to leave system.
¶ The Prince declined to comment on the search. SPA officials and Duchess Delphine's seneschal also declined to comment, although the SPA said they had received information indicating one of the crew was involved in illegal activities. Archduke Norris' office said merely that it would look into the affair to make sure no laws (Imperial or local) were violated. An official in the Archduke's office remarked that Varian, as an Imperial Prince, could have invoked the privileges of his rank and refused the search, but then he would have been honor-bound to remain on Mora until he could receive the ceremonies due him. Ω
Date: 319-1118 ⑆ Excalibur (Spinward Marches 1225)[edit]
¶ Rumors of a major archeological find on the third moon of this world were confirmed today, when sources with the IISS, speaking under conditions of anonymity, revealed that they have evidence that ruins of a previously unknown type have been discovered. Although poorly preserved, first reports indicate that they are not of Ancient origin, but they seem to have been created by a non-human sophont species previously unknown to the IISS.
¶ Our sources indicated that the IISS has not yet been formally called in, as the political situation on the Imperial client world is sensitive. Ω
Date: 334-1118 ⑆ Excalibur (Spinward Marches 1225)[edit]
¶ More details came to light regarding the archeological find on the third moon of this Imperial client world. Sources within the IISS leaked part of an excavator's report indicating that the ruins do not appear to have been created by Humaniti, and show no characteristics of the Ancients. While the report does not include the section dealing with chronology and dating of the ruins, our sources state that dating indicates the ruins are less then 20,000 years old, and are clearly artificial constructs by at least one and possibly two species of sophonts not native to the Excalibur system. Ω
Date: 335-1118 ⑆ Ilelish (Ilelish 2907)[edit]
¶ A tribunal of justices today found seven Suerrat activists guilty of disorderly conduct and refusing to obey an order to disperse in connection with a demonstration that took place in front of the Government House in Ilelish's capital city of Anitarra on 173-1118. The justices (in accordance with local regulations on Ilelish) reduced the charges brought against the Suerrat, indicating they felt that the accused were less culpable in the incident than the government charges indicated.
¶ The Suerrat were arrested earlier this year for inciting a riot during demonstrations outside the Government House in Ilelish's capital city of Anitarra. The Suerrat were demonstrating against the growing use of Galanglic as a first language among the youth of their homeworld, when the crowd erupted into violence. Ω
Date: 345-1118 ⑆ Excalibur (Spinward Marches 1225)[edit]
¶ Sources within the Imperial Interstellar Scout Service have formally confirmed the discovery of non-Human ruins on the third moon of Excalibur, and announced that the client government on Excalibur has requested the IISS to assign an investigative team to oversee local scientists in the study of the ruins.
¶ No further information is available, but the IISS indicated they will issue a full report as soon as the preliminary investigation is concluded. Ω
