TNS 1118

012-1118 Nulinad/Empty Quarter [0338]

Until now engaged in sporadic fighting in the rimward reaches of Antares, large squadrons of the Antares Fleet, with the attached 104th Reserve Fleet and several squadrons of the 226th Fleet, clashed with ships of Empress Ciencia's Imperium in the Nulinad system. This major clash has for the first time pitted massed enemy ships against the proud fleets of Antares, testing the League's commitment to independence.

013-1118 Nulinad/Empty Quarter [0338]

Caught off-guard in a classic refueling ambush, portions of Brzk's fleet were engaged and destroyed. At least seventeen large warships were destroyed, and no Imperial ship received critical damage. The remainder of Brzk's fleet has dispersed and jumped out of system. An unofficial source suggested that they must be intending to retreat out of the area in the face of superior ship strength, possibly toward Zukhisi or Dini. The fleet base on Nulinad's moon, though never engaged during this battle, is now being hardened against future assaults by the corps of engineers.

019-1118 CAPITAL/CORE

Large numbers of Dulinor's ships have broken through into Dagudashaag and Core sectors and declared for Empress Ciencia. The desertion of much of his front line naval force is expected to force the traitor Dulinor to sue for peace for the good of his domain.

020-1118 ZUKHISI/EMPTY QUARTER

Fresh from its victory at Nulinad, Empress Ciencia's forces appeared in the Zukhisi system today. The system defense craft available were quickly forced to retire to the outer system.

022-1118 ZUKHISI/EMPTY QUARTER

Relief forces which jumped into the system yesterday performed poorly against Empress Ciencia's forces today. Another thirty major warships were destroyed, and many more critically damaged. Also, fighter squadrons from the Antares Fleet and system defense took terrible losses. One damaged ship, the cruiser Leonaffle, was boarded and seized. The prize crew has been instructed to return through the sector for possible repair of the ship and its return to duty in the service of Empress Ciencia.

022-1118 DLAN/ILELISH

The Emperor Dulinor has dismissed the Empress Ciencia's Imperium. "The girl is not fit to rule the Empire. Who would believe that a mere child would have the audacity to think that we would believe she could be Empress. I loved our former Emperor; I was forced to kill him for reasons of state and the greatest good of the greatest number. That she survived is a fluke which I shall rectify at our next meeting." In later comments, Emperor Dulinor denied that he has ever used a double to substitute at routine court functions.

051-1118 CAPITAL/CORE

A garbled xboat message, apparently damaged in transit, indicates that Vargr raiders have, through an act of barbarism, destroyed the outpost at Chunwi in Corridor sector. Vargr corsairs in the Chunwi system attacked and seized the merchant liner Hyukt Moi with 78 persons aboard, demanding ship repair privileges, plus fuel and weaponry from the outpost. When refused, the Vargr commander went wild, set course for the Hyukt Moi, and sent the liner plunging into the outpost itself.

Exact figures on casualties and damage are unknown. Apparently the Vargr attempted to disrupt xboat passage through the area, which threatens communications with the Spinward Marches.

074-1118 VLAND/VLAND

The latest recorded tirade by Oekhsos, the violently charismatic Vargr leader, arrived by special packet from beyond the Imperial border today. In addition to the standard anti-Imperial ranting and raving, the video included a sequence showing a human mission to assassinate Oekhsos. The clip details the mission's progress through the Knouksarrgh Ong complex on Lair, and culminates in a violent attack on Oekhsos himself. In the climax, the human attackers are destroyed, and Oekhsos is unharmed and laughing uproariously. Although on-screen evidence indicates the mission was Imperial in origin, local officials denied that any official sanction was given the assassination plot.

075-1118 Susanawo/Trojan Reach [2910]

Aslan invaders have occupied this Imperial world at the farthest reaches of Imperial territory. The ihatei fleet jumped in at the systems gas giant and after refueling proceeded to the main world where after a short battle it fell. The victors have allowed the locals to retain their personal possesions and even depart if they wish, but nearly the entire planet has been claimed by the victors including the best land which had been laboriously improved by generations of settlers.

077-1118 BELUMAR/EMPTY QUARTER

Regrouped after its victory at the Battle of Nulinad earlier this year, the forces of Empress Ciencia have converged for a coordinated attack against the fleet way stations at Belumar. A liaison robot for the Admiralty suggested that Belumar's secret location must have been leaked to Empress Ciencia's agents, otherwise its out-of-the-way location would have protected it from such a well planned assault.

081-1118 TERRA/SOL

Jeffery Long, formerly a reporter for the Phoenix Sun News organization, surfaced today from SolSec, following his internment by Imperial authorities nearly six years ago. Long claims that his work dealing with so-called hyperspace sickness drew him into a ring of high-tech Imperial research and, ultimately, to an Imperial jail cell, as well. "My findings will be published soon, I promise you," stated Long, as he was reunited with his family in Buenos Aires.

088-1118 BELUMAR/EMPTY QUARTER

A relief force consisting of the 36th and 84th Fleets, with attached reserve squadrons, arrived today to engage Empress Ciencia's forces here. The fleet retreated with minor casualties after finding reinforcements for Empress Ciencia guarding the gas giants. Though driven off, the relief force will combine with other reserve units to spearhead further assaults.

092-1118 DEPOT/CORRIDOR [1511]

"Continued rumors that Vargr corsairs are massing against facilities in Depot are not only annoying but are doing much to undermine the very real job of maintaining effective border patrols," says Commander Lynx Breneri of the Naval Information Office today. He also added that the notion of Vargr acting in any sort of large concerted effort is "ludicrous."

093-1118 TERRA/SOL

SolSec released today a communique stating that Jeffery Long, recently freed from Imperial prison, has been murdered.

"The hotel room where Mr. Long and his family were staying on their vacation in Osaka was all but destroyed by a bomb. There were no survivors." Though several staff members of the hotel are under investigation, no charges are expected to be filed against them. "We cannot rule out the possibility that Imperial intelligence agents carried out this vicious crime against true humanity - the technology of the bomb and its professional placement are very suspicious," stated an anonymous source in the local district attorney's office.

102-1118 DEPOT/CORRIDOR [1511]

A force of Vargr warships, estimated to be over 500 vessels strong, has entered the system today and begun its systematic hunt of merchant vessels. The three squadrons of the 255th Fleet left in the system were sent out against the Vargr, and performed admirably against the marauding Vargr. Fighter wings from Depot joined in the attack suffering heavy losses while destroying four cruisers and a number of escorts. "With the Vargr animals beaten back from Depot we have the choice of firming up our defenses or hunting them down" said Baron hault Grivven. The Naval Information Office has been unavailable for comment, except for a brief statement to the effect that they await orders from Deneb. Recently called up reservists work frantically with the resident troops to de-mothball ships and fighters.

114-1118 CAPITAL/CORE [0509]

Military atrocities on the part of Imperial forces were categorically denied by a fleet spokesman today. "The destruction of cities on three worlds in the Gushemege sector has been investigated and has been attributed to enemy activity in the area. Several cities in that area were subjected to nuclear and chemical attack from orbiting ships during military clean up operations. Though the cause of the catastrophe is still in question, the fact is that a million plus individuals have been killed in 'an unfortunate act of war.'"

116-1118 KURAE/ZARUSHAGAR

Today saw the conclusion of the largest fleet action to date between Empress Ciencia's Vengeance Fleet and Dulinor's Illelish Fleet, centered around the three worlds in the outer Kurae system. The week long conflict resulted in the defeat in detail of the rebel fleet. Although several ships did manage to jump out it is expected that the conflict will end soon and the Empress will be able to turn to the Antares and Solomani conflicts.

In one incident of interest, patrols of both sides approaching an outer- system planet fought it out to the last two ships. Both ships, heavily damaged and unable to use their ship-to-ship weapons, managed to come into contact and commence boarding actions, leaving only 15 Imperial crewmen alive on the wrecked hulks proclaiming their own victory. Both fleets have jumped out of the system to regroup. Salvage ships from a dozen nearby worlds have arrived to begin picking through the wreckage, careful to evade the few fighters left to secure the area against looting.

123-1118 TERRA/SOL

From notes gathered from the wreckage of the hotel room where Jeffery Long and his family were murdered earlier this year, his publisher has produced and released a draft of his works entitled "The Hyperspace Web." In it, Long's notes suggest that he was jailed by Imperial authorities when his investigative work into the problems and mysteries of hyperspace sickness was becoming uncomfortable to naval researchers. It states that the popularized research into the sickness was getting dangerously close to research facilities the Imperial Navy had working on breaking the jump-6 barrier.

125-1118 CATANIA/SOLOMANI RIM [2618]

The Battle of Catania has come to an end between forces of Empress Ciencia's Imperium and the Solomani.

In the action 20 warships were destroyed on each side. The three-day battle was characterized by quick raids against enemy ships shrouded in the system's unique dust cloud formations.

Both sides are proclaiming victory in this battle, although both have evacuated the system in search of reinforcements and repairs.

128-1118 LODE/ZARUSHAGAR

A large portion of the 2nd and 4th Fleets was ambushed today as the fleets put in for frontier refueling at the large gas giant Muendor. Enemy ships, apparently hidden in their lairs for days or even weeks, came out of hiding and attacking when many of the refueling ships were at their most vulnerable. Dulinor's ships had apparently acted on a hunch, lying in wait in the extensive asteroid belt and Muendor's ice ring for the right moment to strike.

Effective command by Fleet Admiral Nigel Rudel brought the high guard to bear against the assault, inflicting several critical blows with concentrated missile attacks against the larger vessels. Further thrusts by the rebels, however, did manage to get through to damage four vessels, one so badly that it had to be scuttled a few hours later.

Despite this, Admiral Rudel will almost certainly be decorated for his valiant defense in an unpredictable situation.

143-1118 DLAN/ILELISH

Several ships of the 40th Reserve Fleet have been fatally ambushed by system defense boats in the to-date neutral Shupin system. In a communiqué from that planet's High Kyefik the "huttmyen of the 17 tribes unite behind the true Empress Ciencia and accept her protection in the face of continued war among the holy stars."

An ambassadorial party from Dulinor on Shupin was asked to depart with all haste before local custom forced the Kyefik to behead them all.

The Shupin incident emphasizes the willingness of worlds, especially less sophisticated ones, to flock to the banner of the Ciencia, despite her tenuous claim to the throne.

149-1118 CAPITAL/CORE

Security troops today seized the family lands and assets of Duke Anthony of Guintaria, hustling the Duke and his family off to maximum-security facilities in the palace.

Unofficial sources say the Duke is being accused of high treason, having divulged troop and fleet movement information to agents of Dulinor.

In his position in the advisory commission to the admiralty, Anthony has had regular access to highly sensitive information, and if these rumors are true, the effect on the fleets in Zarushagar could be devastating.

150-1118 KHANDI/DAGUDASHAAG

An extensive pacification campaign against unprotected industrial worlds in the sector has been dealt several blows in the last week.

Empress Ciencia announced the governments of seven industrialized worlds in the sector, Shankida, Dashi, Ispumer, Medurma, Dipa, Ekhugush, and Nimluin, have pledged allegiance to the Iridium Throne.

"The good will of these worlds is paramount to the successful completion of the fleet's mission and the eventual return of the sector to rightful Imperial administration," said a spokesman.

159-1118 BANASDAN/SOLOMANI RIM

Several Solomani squadrons have been tracked and confronted by a large combined fleet of Empress Ciencia Imperium.

Elements of the Diaspora Fleet, supported by the 22nd Fleet and 22nd Reserve Fleet, plus a number of Vegan ships attached at the squadron level, were involved in the action. The Solomani were caught unprepared and were effectively surrounded.

Their dispersal spelled their destruction. In all, 44 Solomani ships were destroyed and three captured. Unfortunately, a courier vessel with several Hiver diplomats and observers on the scene was destroyed in the battle. There were no survivors.

The Naval Intelligence Office, operating out of the flagship Beatrice, stated that "despite proper identification and markings, all commonly used by both Solomani and Imperial vessels, the courier ship was wantonly attacked and destroyed by a vastly superior Solomani vessel. "We protest this action and apologize on behalf of the Solomani to the Hive Federation at large."

164-1118 TERRA/SOL

Commerce raiding by renegade Imperial vessels continues to hamper efforts to rebuild the defenses of Terra and other vital war endeavors. Temporary Governor General Sequieros has stated that "Solomani plans to deal with the problem have thus far failed" and that "proper administration of the war on the front lines would have prevented this problem." In response to that statement, the Defense Department suggested that it is nearly impossible to stop commerce raiding altogether in times of war.

166-1118 CAPITAL/CORE

In a sudden and rare move, the Palace announced a public execution, that of accused traitor Duke Anthony. The execution took place in the security block, and minimal coverage was allowed. The duke's family is being held pending investigation into their involvement in Duke Anthony's treason. The duke's two minor children were allowed to travel to a second family home which is located in Illelish sector.

168-1118 USHRA/CORE

The captured rebel vessel Delorian, escorted after being seized while commerce raiding in the coreward portion of the sector, was in starport for refueling and refitting when its captive crew staged a recapture of the ship today. The prize crew was overcome by the captives still held on the ship during docking procedures at the starport. The ship's escort vessel, the Warren, was also taken by captives held on that ship. How the two events were so well coordinated is unknown - all of the prisoners were given thorough routine examinations prior to incarceration, according to a Naval spokesperson. Its weapons largely repaired by the prize crew, the rebel crew extorted provisions and fuel from the starport workers; then both vessels moved away from the world and out of the system with multiple hostages.

172-1118 Grote/Spinward Marches

The Grotian Black ship Tuskiniallia, was apparently successfully hijacked from orbit in a daring attack involving three pirate ships and a group of infiltrators on the surface. Although details are sketchy, officials speaking off the record say that a trusted employee most likely helped a group of men enter a cargo module destined for the Tuskinialla. On arrival they overpowered the maintenance crew and got underway as two Viper class Sword Worlds commerce cruisers boosted from Grotes surface and a coordinated attack was made on the starport defenses. Evidence indicates that the ships spent some time on the surface, possibly having landed the ships using chemical rockets. Crawler tracks led back and forth to New Port. The Vipers attacked the orbiting Outrim Firestone with nuclear missiles, Blasers and fusion guns, causing heavy damage. Automatic defenses were online and returned the pirate fire. An Imperial Naval Courier and a merchant, the Diamond Feq'ker, came to the defense of the stricken Outrim and inflicted heavy damage on the attackers. As the Tuskinialla gained velocity and began shaping orbit for the 100 diameter limit a third Viper attacked the Clan Menzies Trader Dinky Dan, in orbit awaiting berthing at New Port. Although Dinky Dan was able to get off a few shots it was quickly abandoned after taking damage from the Fusion guns of the Vipers. The Outrim Onyx, inbound from Esso, was alerted to the attempted high jacking by New Port SPA, and attempted to damage the Tuskiniallia drives but was unsuccessful. At that point the Tuskiniallia apparently jumped successfully from inside the 100 diameter limit. One of the Vipers imploded on attempting the same maneuver inside the 10 diameter limit. The second Viper was captured with most of its crew still alive for trial. All of the group which attacked the port defense batteries were killed. The third Viper was vaporized by missile fire from the Outrims and planetary batteries. Grotian Forces began jumping to surrounding systems within hours in an attempt to catch the Tuskinillia, carrying nearly 1500 tons of cargo and 1350 Clan members already in cold berths for transport to The Beyond sector as well as the maintenance crew of forty. The Naval Courier and the Diamond Feq'ker returned to New Port for repairs. One crew woman on the Diamond Feq'ker was killed, Kire NLN, a former scout from Regina/Regina/SM.

175-1118 NARQUEL/DIASPORA

Black Ralph, the privateer who claims allegiance to Ciencia herself, has made his greatest raid yet, gaining two valuable cargoes and two new ships. The popular hero is actually gaining momentum in the area in support for Ciencia after two months of raiding which have taken him through three subsectors. Originally a captain in the 66th Fleet, Black Ralph fled the ranks with his single ship three months ago. This latest raid on shipping caught the merchant ships Ravenna and Rosetta with only two fighters for escort. Their cargoes were weapons and missiles intended for the Vengeance Fleet.

Presently Black ralph has a total of five ships and perhaps 300 loyal followers.

177-1118 INFRAPOLIS/ANTARES

Archduke Brzk's fleets have lost heavily to Empress Ciencia's ships in this subsector over the last two weeks. Empress Ciencia's squadrons found large groups of the Antares Fleet gathering for a thrust against them. Before they could all assemble, many of the formations were engaged and dispersed over the course of the campaign. More than 30 enemy ships were destroyed in the operation - most of them in the Infrapolis system itself.

180-1118 CAPITAL/CORE

It was reported today that Admiral Count Markron Morone will be placed on charges for misconduct once her squadron comes out of action along the Zarushagar frontier. It is alleged that the Admiral placed her squadron in jeopardy by disobeying direct orders and attacking the elements of the rebel 102nd Fleet. The fleet was led by her personal enemy, Admiral Roberta Sword, with intentions of taking the world IImii. In 1113, Sword humiliated Count Morone by winning the hand of her husband. Having remarried, the two make their home on Iimii, and Count Morone obviously had in mind some sort of personal revenge by abusing her position as admiral of an Imperial fleet.

186-1118 TEPHANY/LISHUN

The newly established Vargr governor has issued warrants for the arrest of thousands of nobles and agitators to the new regime. Gtweng, who is in charge of the Vargr on Tephany (as best as can be ascertained), is a former world emperor deposed 30 years ago in Meshan sector. He has a reputation for being ruthless and violent, although he has no particular hatred for humans. In the absence of a sector fleet, the Vargr have run rampant, pillaging the coreward half of the sector. Vargr cooperation in this takeover has been almost nonexistent, as might be expected from Vargr. Local reservist ships and system defense boats are still putting up resistance in the rimward areas, but the Vargr advance seems to have been halted by their own bickering - not by any concerted human effort to stop them.

199-1118 DURIMA/CORRIDOR

Local elements of the 58th and 56th Reserve Fleets today smashed disorganized Vargr corsairs.

The Vargr refueling and supply bases on a gas giant moon in the outer system were also located and destroyed, according to the Defense Coordination Office on Durima. "Unfortunately, a marine raid on the Vargr base prior to the bombardment failed to locate or procure valuable cargoes believed to have been stored there at one time." Examination of the wreckage indicates that the complex could accommodate no more than five Vargr ships at one time, and conditions were primitive.

202-1118 DACHNIS/OLD EXPANSES

In a surprise attack on Solomani fleets in the Dachnis system, Empress Ciencia's Old Expanses Fleet engaged and destroyed a considerable number of enemy ships. In all, some 70 major Solomani warships were destroyed, and considerable ground forces were captured or cut off from their fleet. Imperial losses totaled less than 20 ships. "With so much of their strength lost, the Solomani must retreat toward the rim and their homes," said Admiral Gytanyo for the fleet. "Dispersed and weakened, the Solomani cannot hope to hold off our ships, which can now move in to begin retaking worlds lost to the Solomani last year."

210-1118 CAPITAL/CORE

Word has reached Core concerning the world of Alekvadin/Core. According to reports, the world has been sacked by deep penetration raiders from Dulinor's fleets. The great riches of the ancient Vadin civilization, from the spired towers of Twunchel to the endless art treasures of the period, have all been seized by the piratical rebels, members of the 166th Fleet. The estimated worth of the treasures is in excess of MCr50,000. The raiders have escaped without a trace, and the dearth of ships in the area suggests that the capture of the raiders is quite unlikely.

212-1118 DACHNIS/OLD EXPANSES

Today, a counterattack by Solomani raiders destroyed five patrol vessels of the Old Expanses Fleet. The admiralty had no comment, but unofficial sources claim the attack was very well planned and executed on the part of the Solomani. They also denied that SolSec has penetrated the fleet at very high levels. [Challenge 38]

223-1118 WARINIR/DAIBEI

Government offices are buzzing with activity, but they are reluctant to comment on what has become known as the Orvon Incident. Three patrol ships from the Daibei Fleet, apparently on routine maneuvers, were approached and fired upon by a squadron from the 239th Fleet, en route to the Solomani front. With sketchy facts, the naval Information Office is declining any comment on the incident, stating only that it must be some sort of terrible mistake.

227-1118 Capital/Core [2118]

The Office of the Emporer announced the marriage of Empress Ciencia Iphengia Alkhalikoi to Lieutenant Commander Sir Riiker Nevroni Gaagishmuudi, V, KCDi, Baron Skeen. The marriage took place shortly before the Imperial Consort shipped out to the rebel front.

244-1118 O'keefe/Trojan Reach [2709]

This world on the Imperial border fell to Aslan ihatei fleets after a three week battle. Reinforcements from Gazulin were scattered by the Aslan force. Transports unloaded tens of thousands of Aslan warriors and colonists before jumping out. A fleet estimated to be equivilant to a colonial naval fleet has taken up defensive positions in the system.

258-1118 LIASDI/ZARUSHAGAR

A report from Imperial Navy fleet headquarters announced, "The brave warriors of the 166th Fleet have apparently all been lost in commerce raiding near Illesh itself. Their short-term raiding on the enemy was no doubt fierce, and their long-term effect on enemy trade and commerce will greatly aid the war effort. They should be remembered with honor."

Due to arrive back in Zarushagar sector more than a month ago, members of the fleet have been written off as casualties.

299-1118 NARYA/DAIBEI

The 111th and 176th Fleets, previously attached to the Daibei Fleet, arrived collectively here today to hold the system for Imperial control. Narya has traditionally been a stronghold of Imperial support in the rimward regions of the sector. Gaining popular support, ground troops have been landed, and defensive measures are being undertaken to fight off the inevitable retaliation from rebel worlds which have aligned themselves with the new independent Federation of Daibei.

344-1118 MEDURMA/DAGUDASHAAG

The Admiralty today announced major gains against Dulinor's deep penetration raiders operating in Dagudashaag sector. To date, merchant vessels totalling more than a million tons have been destroyed in the dangerous trade corridor between Medurma and the rimward edge of Lishun sector. Major portions of the enemy fleet are apparently turning back because of concerted drives against their supply and coordination bases over the last three months. In the face of crippling losses in major engagements against the Vengeance Fleet earlier this year, most of the commerce raiders are expected to sortie back toward their own lines.

351-1118 ARQUEL/DIASPORA

The Admiralty announced that a battle between elements of the Imperial Navy and the Solomani Confederation Navy had skirmished last month deep inside the Solomani Sphere. Capt. Tai Selene, from Far Trinity/Massilla reported that the enemy lost a cruiser and two Destroyers as well as a number of smaller ships, but refused to put a number to Navy losses.

360-1118 PHALN/GUSHEMEGE

The Second Battle of Phaln has finally ended in a decisive victory for the forces of Ciencia. Three of Empress Ciencia's fleets engaged an undetermined number of rebellious ships in the system beginning on 328-1118. The struggle for the system has taken more than a month since the first engagements. The battle was one characterized by smaller squadron actions rather than being a set piece contest. In the end, attrition forced Dulinor's fleets to withdraw, after having lost nearly 100 vessels to the forces of Ciencia. Empress Ciencia's fleets lost a total of 30 ships.