Capellan Periphery Times
Veritas simplex oratio est
VOLUME 17, No. 1 PRICE: 5 MINUTES July 8, 2004
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WAR IN THE TCA: (204.18)
A garbled and barely understandable transmission is received from somewhere in the TCA:
)(*)*)##$_(@_*# QSN )(*)@*()#_*_%*_+#% Wiped out )((*#$$))%&*@_# Help! )*#@)$(*)@
Shortly thereafter, a broadband announcement was issued by the Unitredd Council, declaring war on the ZCS and DDR races. Forces from QSN colony "Well of Souls" moved against ZCS "Hittite" in retribution for previous unprovoked attacks involving both the ZCS and their running dog lackeys the DDR. In route to Hittite the Quman juggernaut crushed the ZCS "Peace Keeper" force maintained at Well of Souls as spies and saboteurs. Observers at Well of Souls report massive movements of tank and troop carriers and uncountable shuttlecraft. Millions of mu's of military equipment soared into battle and thousands of Quman warriors in full battle dress were seen moving out of their barracks as they mustered for the assault. The civilian population rallied in support of the war. Many had suffered losses of loved ones in the prior year when the ZCS and DDR made their unannounced attack on the QSN colony and stripped it of valuable assets (Jacium). At the time Well of Souls was virtually defenseless and supposedly under the protection of the Grey Princes who attacked it. It is rumored that entire Quman colonies were scrapped to produce the ground forces used to launch the attack. The Myr ambassador was quoted as saying "It doesn't pay to make them (Qumans) mad. If they are your allies they will sacrifice everything to support you. If they are your enemy they will give every thing to destroy you. They have long memories." Initial reports are that Hittite is hanging on by a thread and Quman forces are in route to other ZCS and DDR systems. More to follow---- freelance reporter Zod Buk.
AIS response to QSN- ZCS activities
Qumans have long been a powerful race. While not a declared belligerent, it was QSN production that enabled the Axis forces to prosecute the Great War. There is a long history of strife between QSN and the TransHole powers. They have rebuffed our attempts at normalization. Since we rarely interact this is rarely an issue. Yet it may be an indicator of their motives. There was conflict in 201 between ZCS and QSN over mining rights in the ZCS home systems. Both sides had declared the conflict resolved by early 202. This background may serve publicly as QSN justification for this most recent strife. There is a deeper possible explanation. Grey Princes had established mutually beneficial trade relations with the Samillian Hegemony, joining the Detinus Republic in normalizing relations with the TransHole. This fracture in the solid alignment of TCA with Axis against TransHole may not have been taken kindly by other members of TCA which includes QSN. Indeed, were this the only disturbing news concerning QSN, the above would serve well as the primary working hypothesis. But it is not. We have reliable reports that QSN are also attacking EKN, apparently attempting to seize their colonies. This appears to be a campaign to aggrandize QSN at the cost of weaker races. Why? For what do they hope to use this new power? Embassy Node 0x0J AIS Ambassador Plenipotentiary
Late Edition Update: (204.19)
A second transmission has been received: MAYDAY MAYDAY
...ZCS H.....
Overwhelming...
... Slaughter ....
150,000 militia wipe.....
)(#*$) Fizzzlle...
ZCS Hittite Falls:
From the Unitredd Council regarding ongoing hostilities with the ZCS in the Defiant system and other sections of TCA space. The Council has acknowledged that Quman forces have captured ZCS Hittite and that battles continue to rage in and around Naram where Hittite is located. The casualty count at Hittite alone is estimated to be over 500,000 soldiers and militia from Hittites forces. Reports of ship battles are expected to follow hard on the heels of the surface combat as both sides maneuver for advantage. More to come later----CPT News Flash
As we are going to press, a press release from the RKA has been issued that they have a mutual defense treaty with the ZCS and will respond to their defense. As this conflict threatens to spiral out of control, we will keep you informed as information becomes available.
RIP activity increasing in the Shark system: 204.6-19
Reports have been filtering in of RIP activity in ZCS space. Week 6, transmissions were received of 2 RIP Ships, RIP Ant killer and RIP Stellarfire attacking a lone ZCS Cargo carrier Moon Runner. LCDR PI-KI Kiawee broadcast distress messages as the two RIP ships opened up with Ion Cannons. Communications with ZCS central command were abruptly terminated and it is feared that Moon Runner has become yet another victim of the lawless pirates.
RIP Ant Killer's victory was short lived. Reports from Shark on 11.204 indicated that RIP Ant killer engaged a FOE Executioner class ship, the Shadow Defender6 which was on patrol at the time. The encounter was brief and final for RIP Ant Killer. FOE Shadow Defender6 hit RIP Ant Killer with 769 Disruptors out of a possible 787 (A 98% hit rate!). The 57833 Mu's of damage in the Main section of Ant Killer was too much and it was left as a pile of space Debris. Who would have thought that the FOE would have avenged the ZCS?
On 17.204, a major action occurred in Shark over the planet Bull. 3 RIP Ships- RIP Stormbringer, RIP Malignant Misery and RIP Stellarfire attempted to jump some small ZCS ships. The tables turned as ZCS reinforcements arrived. As the RIP fleet closed in on Surveyor ZCS Searcher and Privateer ZCS Star of Zolmani, Dreadnought ZCS Hercules IV and Frigate ZCS Sarstun comved to intercept. The RIP Fleet opened up with Ion Cannons against the Star of Zolmani and Sarstun. In the covering fire, ZCS Searcher managed to flee from the battle. ZCS Hercules IV fired 2 batteries of a mix of Ion Cannons and Disruptors at RIP Stellarfire and RIP Stormbringer and immediately turned RIP Stellarfire to a cloud of space dust. RIP Stormbringer attempted to withdraw with RIP Malignant Misery providing covering fire. ZCS Hercules IV and ZCS Sarstun continued to punish both RIP Stormbringer and RIP Malignant Misery. RIP Malignant Misery paid for its heroics as the two ZCS ships concentrated re-targeted it exclusively. After more pounding, RIP Malignant Misery when out in a fiery blaze of glory. Observers from the ground reportedly applauded the pretty fireworks.
Post battle assessment showed that although the ZCS held the field, the victory was not without cost. ZCS Star of Zolmani was left a derelict along with ZCS Sarstun. Services for these crews was scheduled to be held week 18. The ZCS did capture a prize - RIP Stormbringer was left on the field of battle as a derelict as well.
Late word in that a large fleet has moved into ZCS space and is assaulting the ZCS home world. More news as it becomes available! This area of the TCA appears to be developing into a major warzone (see earlier story).
The RIP Strike Back: 204.19
The RIP returned in force to the scene of their previous defeat, this time in force. Two RIP Flagrtiz Baseships, a Man-O_War and 2 IND ships, a Survey Cruiser and a Cargo Carrier moved back into the orbit of Bull. The Hercules IV was joined by the ZCS Hercules II, another Dreadnought and again the ZCS Searcher. It was obvious from the outset that the RIP were not here to capture ZCS prizes, but to punish ZCS targets for their previous defiance. The RIP ships opened up with Photon Gun batteries causing massive damage to the ZCS defenders. All initially concentrated fire on ZCS Hercules IV. The brave defender could not withstand the punishment and was vaporized on the spot. Not surprisingly, as the IND ships fled battle as the ZCS weapon systems were activated. The ZCS Searcher did likewise. The RIP fleet then turned their guns on the sole remaining defender and it too, met a similar fate. The RIP with only light damage, this time holding the field of battle, spread out to claim the derelict prizes from the previous encounter. Captured ships include, Star of Zolmani, Stormbringer, and Sartstun. Next of kin for the captured and destroyed ships are demanding retribution against the RIP, but with a two-front war brewing, what chance doe the ZCS government have for survival, much less justice?
Dateline Nexus: EKN Declare Martial Law
The specter of war has not escaped the Nexus either.
EKN High command has reported attacks upon their weakly defended colonies and ships in the Nexus by IND ships within the past 4-6 weeks. For security reasons, EKN officials declined to report which colonies have been attacked. There is no information on who may be behind these attacks or to what purpose they have been carried out. The results of the attacks are unclear. "As is normal for our race, if an EKNOID, EKN Crew or Star trooper ever become captured or under a non-EKN flag, they self-terminate. This is a racial trait. Therefore, we have no information beyond the attack", stated an EKN official. The EKN declared martial law above their colonies and stated that all affiliations are being posted and ANY ship-entering orbit of one of their colonies will be fired upon. Several affiliations protested this action citing peaceful exploration operations. EKN officials refused to provide assurances of safety or disclose the locations of their free fire zones. "The EKN have initiated a state of alert, and have begun to move our ships into defensive positions. The only provision is our warning. Don't come out and bother the EKN. If you are an explorer, it's part of the job to go into dangerous areas. You have been warned." The EKN High command will not confirm mobilization to recapture these colonies.
There is the potential for further escalation and the past few months of relative peace seem threatened. - CPT reporter B.G. Mawth
1.204 Dateline - FET Cobal - FET HQ has issued the following statement: A GTT Ship has landed at our starport with a medical emergency. The starport of FET Cobal is under medical quarantine and the GTT ship will remain in starport under medical observation until further notice. Assistant PD (4420) Aspidistra. GTT officials immediately contacted the captain of the GTT Fungible. Reports indicate that the crew was in good health and were being held against their will under a false pretense of medical emergency. GTT APD immediately demanded their release and protested the impoundment of the ship under Imperial Laws 6, 14 and 21. Imperial officials declined to become involved, further enraging the GTT leadership. Tensions began to rise in the standoff and inter-affiliation conflict seemed inevitable. Arriving on the scene was a ship marked with medical markings "Rescuer's of the Imperial Periphery". Several civilians were crushed under the landing ship as it decloaked in the space port. MEK warriors poured out and captured the impounded ship, easily defeated the token medical security forces. During the pandemonium, the two ships quickly departed the spaceport, but not in the diplomatic manner that had been hoped for. Unconfirmed rumors describe interruption of a payoff to the FET governor at the time of the incursion. Current whereabouts of the missing ship are not known at this time. FET officials are still clearing away the bodies and debris generated by the incursion.
Official Response to Spurious Allegations
The gallant forces of the Rescuers of the Imperial Periphery (RIP) were on a rescue mission to FET Cobol, when they were savagely attacked without warning. The RIP medical team immediately took cover. They tried to make their peaceful intentions clear to the FET, but the FET ran up the Black Flag, signaling "No prisoners". This left the RIP medical team no choice but to call in their MEK support team which was able to cover their retreat. When contacted about the brutal disregard for human life, the RIP PD shook his head sadly, "The Black Boots of the Imperium have corrupted yet another once honorable affiliation. To think that the FET would fire upon an unarmed MEDEVAC unit on a mission of mercy shows how far the sickness and corruption has spread throughout the Capellan Periphery. It is time for a change." When further questioned about that, he refused comment. - RIP Public Affairs office
Another Race Falls:
The tireless CPT staff followed up on additional rumors of battles between the FOE and the OMG.
Our office has received rumors that FOE forces have moved against OMG positions in the Shangri-La system. Can you confirm or deny these rumors? If true, can you state for the record your reasons for moving against the OMG, your plans for the system and the ultimate fate of the innocent civilian population?
B.G. Mawth
CPT Times Reporter
The FOE response was short and terse:
"It is no mere rumor.
The FOE has rid the galaxy of their "ilk"."
Cin - FOE High Priest
This reporter asks: Where will it all end? Can't we all just get along?
Press Release: Dateline Detinas, Date: 204.11
The Detinas Republic has re-emerged after a long period of inactivity and entropy. The old, corrupt government has been replaced. We are starting with a clean slate towards all affiliations. Past grievances against the Republic will be forgiven and we ask the same in return. All DTR colonies will be instructed to reset their enemies list to a neutral status. The DTR systems (and worlds in the Nexus) are declared no-fire zones. If you have quarrels with others, do not bring them to our space. Aggressors will be forcibly removed. While previous treaties and agreements will not be dissolved out of hand, please resubmit previous agreements for review. We will endeavor to honor all past agreements as long as they do not create new conflicts or hardships to our members or with other affiliations.
We assert our right to peaceful exploration in known space. We will not place colonies, outposts or ground parties without permission in recognized sovereign systems. In the time since a stable government was in place in the DTR, all exploration data has been lost. We will be initially be surveying all worlds in the TCA. We are working to identify assets that were lost by the previous regime. If you know of former DTR colonies or ships that would like to return to the dynamic new republic please put them in contact with us.
Do not take our willingness to coexist with others as a sign of weakness. We are quire capable of defending ourselves and will relentlessly pursue those who attack us. I will not allow our people to suffer injustice. We are interested in peaceful trade and pursuit of knowledge. We look forward to working with all representatives of all affiliations.
Lord Maxwell Storm
For the Detinus Repubic
New Tech for the ROC
The ROC has recently brought several new techs online. According to Dr G.I "Willie" Feelgood, head of ROC NuevoSanFrancisco's Sciences & Technologies Services, many have been for new ship mods and a couple for new items. Feelgood said, "All the ROC labs have been working feverishly this last year!"
The new ship mods include both Streamlining and Landing Bonuses, now available at Nuevo San Francisco. While these useful techs are old hat, more exciting is the +50 AMB Mod now online at ROC Looking Glass. These techs are available to all ROC friends and allies in the DC!
Old hat and new & exciting also holds true for the new items researched by two colonies. ROC Romero has finalized the tech for Megashuttles, the FS for which was a gift from the ALP. Meanwhile, ROC LondonTowne finished a long-term project into Light Industrial Modules. The FS for this one was part of the payoff for helping evacuate the former KZK colony in the DC last year. According to Feelgood, the light industrial module uses jacium to replace some of the metals in a normal ICM, and thereby reduce the item to a 20mu item. Feelgood said, "To any colony with large stockpiles of jacium, the Light IM is a real boon for more rapid starport growth."
Feelgood went on to say that the ROC is tired of lagging behind most other governments and affiliations in technology, and that the ROC intends to continue its new winning ways in such efforts.
Everything I needed to know about surviving the Capellan Periphery I learned 20 years ago...
1) The Imperial quick reaction squadron will always arrive 2 turns after you are attacked.
2) There is no such thing as a "good deal" when trading with the GTT.
3) R&R at WERTH. Ooooh yeah!
4) When your PD tells you to go after some marauding alien scout ships with your destroyer squadron, ask him "just how big are those scouts?" BEFORE you go dashing off to the rescue.
5) Thorlium... there is no substitute.
6) The only time you will catch the RIP truly offguard is when you're both minding your own business and neither one of you wants a fight.
7) Open colonies will always be more successful than enclosed colonies.
8) Ground combat is so much more fun when you have fighters and bombers on your side.
9) Make just one high profit Black Lotus run and everybody you know will want a piece of the action.
10) Any restricted use item is readily available somewhere on the black market... at a price. (Yeah, I got Plasma Projectors and Spider Tanks... What you got?)
Unusual Ship and Colony Movements In QSN Space
News Flash This reporter has gained access to documents of an unprecedented and historic nature. It seems that many well known and long established Quman colonies have simply vanished from the face of the planets and moons where they were located. Is this the product of some unknown war or blight wrecking havoc within Quman society? It is well known that for some time now the QSN has banned travel within the Drell system where Qumans originated. It was thought that this was a sign of unsettle times facing this stoic but industrious race. But this does not explain why colonies in Periphery and TCA areas have also undergone radical changes leaving some of gargantuan size and others simply holes in the ground. The Qumans have displayed unprecedented aggression in recent times as demonstrated by their ongoing conflict with the ZCS and DDR in TCA space. Rumors abound about a near miss with hostilities involving their previous ally the DTR. What, I ask is going on with this once stable people. For decades there have been reoccurring rumors of a plan for a mass Quman migration into new areas of space. But why would such a migration occur and why would it occur now. Documents secreted by my sources from within the Drell system indicate a possible reason for this monumental exodus. The Quman race is facing a challenge of epic proportions. Their massive population growth has pushed the Qumans to the limits of their resources as their population continues to surge. It is noteworthy that in prior years the aggressive Quman nature acted to restrain such growth to a manageable level as they fought ongoing wars of attrition against each other and their varied allied clans. Peace however seems to have been the undoing of this unique people. They need to either disburse themselves over a wide and varied section of space or revert to the old ways of genocidal conflict. Apparently they have selected a middle course where they will migrate large sections of their population while absorbing territory from their neighbors. I call for the Maalox and the Unitredd Council to come clean and tell the truth about their intentions in the multiple conflicts they now seem to be embroiled in. -----FreeLance reporter Zod Buk.
204.20 Transhole, Rapsody system, FOE Rapture
A large fleet of IND ships moved into orbit and bombarded the colony FOE Rapture. Inital claims pointed at the RIP, citing a revenge move for past betrayals. RIP officials could not be contacted to confirm or deny their part in this conflict. The FOE discounted these claims of RIP involvement and laid the blame at the feet (or wheels) of the AIS, SAM and USS. An Official FOE statement was issued:
An active state of war now exists between the FOE and the USS, SAM, and AIS. This wanton act of destruction will not be tolerated. The SAM, have once again proven that they cannot be trusted by any race, by destroying yet another signed treaty.
When the TH is in ashes, remember, you started it.
Do you have any idea how absolutely stupid you are?
We were fine with the status quo. Rapture was a smaller colony, we have over 20 larger ones. We have the will and the resources to blow you idiots back into the stone age, and will do JUST that.
I *highly* suggest you start arse kissing, right now. Replace what you destroyed at Rapture and return the colony to the FOE by next week and we might spare your HQs.
Cin
FOE High Priest
Dateline 204.21.3 FOE Necropolis
This reporter has been allowed to issue the following article by the FOE High Priest.
Today I witnessed one of the most gruesome scenes these eyes have ever beheld. Earlier today, the High Priest, held a public sacrifice ritual. He took 3 beings, each representing their respective races, a Secutiybot, Human and a Hive Queen, and "sacrificed" them to Foebuis. The actual sacrifice was not as bad as the carnage that followed afterward. The witnessing demons were allowed to join in the blood-bath. It was amazing to me to see how much blood the human body contained, the fact that over a thousand demons each had a part of the human, queen, or securitybot either in them or on them, still shocks and appalls me.
Afterwards the High Priest addressed the throngs of demons:
"Our enemies had made themselves known. Now they will learn why we are the Shadows. Now they will learn why they fear the night…"
In keeping with FOE tradition, Cin ordered the sacrifice of 100,000 work slaves preceding the ritual sacrifices. These were "humane" in comparison.
Cin declared this week, the week of the "Deliverer" and gave the rest of the colony the week off.
Reporting from FOE Necropolis, Chris Waco
The last weeks have been quiet as the cloud of war hangs heavy between the FOE and AIS.
204.11-25 The Park Bench Rebellion Erupts
When the DTR returned from hibernation, DTR KME HQ was in a shambles. The colony governor, Lord Sam, had allowed colonial morale drop as low as it could go and a general strike was called by the workers. People were starving and dying in the streets. Security troops arrested the governor and tried him for dereliction of duty, treason and murder of DTR citizens. He was found guilty in a military court and summarily executed. Being of the Entian race, his body was then used to make park benches for the welfare of the citizen he abused for so many years.
Over the next weeks, raspy voices were heard in broadband communcations enciting the creatures of the shadows to rise up and throw off the chains of the oppressors. The transcript follows: "Mayday Mayday This is......ARGH!! AHHHHH!!! A new rhaspy voice is heard...We claim this colony in support of the rebellion... Kill Rip Shread! DTR Scum, beware!" It was then followed by another transmission: "Ahhh... fresh targets... FIRE ALL WEAPONS.. Kill the murderous fleshies." Just as the comm line clicks off: "...benchs indeed!"
Lady Varina Taylor bas-Benjamin arrived at KME HQ and was giving her welcome speech. She had just announced the change of name of the colony to Umeheim and was addressing the citizen when the alarm claxons sounded.
A previously cloaked and unknown colony emerged and opened fire on the DTR Torraide and DTR colony Umeheim. The attackers seem to be Ents, a strange race of thinking tree-like beings. Both DTR positions report no damage. The Ents were soon forced to cease firing, but their final status is unknown. One ship supporting The rogue colony, IND Ent Rebellion, was destroyed in the exchange.
The following week saw an unsuspecting ship captain of the DTR Apophis Revenge was caught up in this conflict. Admiral Tara O'Connoll was inbound to Darkside for ship upgrades when IND colony Ent Rebellion opend fire on her ship. Damage was minimal as the colony had not had time to replenish any armaments since the previous weeks engagement. A colony to colony exchange followed and the weapons of Ent Rebellion were silenced.
Events are still confused and unfolding at Darkside. We are attempting dispatch a reporter to determine what is happening. They are claiming attacks by living trees? This may just be the result of someone slipping large quantities of Black Lotus in the public water supply. We will try to provide more information as it becomes available. Full transcripts of the Park Bench rebellion will be made available soon.
Drunk Star captains allowed to roam freely?
This is "Roving" Ralph, your newest CPT investigative reporter. I am giving you a report on recent rumors concerning drunk star captains causing interference in our space lanes. As recently as week 24/204, this reporter has been given information on
Star captains, apparently drunk, ordering their ships on erratic courses. In week 24 alone, at lest two captains, one DTR and one ROC either ran their
ships at the sun or sent their ship to the opposite end of a star system.
When I attempted to contact these captains, I was told in no uncertain terms to go away. One of the ship's crews told me to do some very unpleasant and
anatomically impossible actions with my nose. Your intrepid reporter will continue to check out all the rumors in the
Greater periphery, and will keep you informed.
My next assignment is to head out to the Nexus and try to interview some kind of park bench. Of course, interviewing a park bench seems pretty silly to me, but one goes where the story is.
Remember when:
· The FET Quick Reaction Force was considered the baddest fleet in the Capellan Periphery?
· Missile Launchers were the weapon of choice for combat?
· Anti-Missile Beams were a colony's best defense against orbital attack?
· Warbots were the hottest thing in ground force multipliers?
· A fleet of 16 destroyers (yeah, 29 hulls each) was enough to lay waste to most colonies?
· The GTT was the largest affiliation in the galaxy?
· The COM was considered more of a threat than the RIP?
· Imperial authority actually had some meaning and respect? (Well, sort of.)
· The FGZ were the most dangerous alien race around?
The Lemmites proved that you can shoot them, capture them, disect them, nuke their hidey holes to oblivion, but the little buggers just wouldn't go away.
Articles Desired
The CPT is always interested in receiving articles. Do not hesitate to contact the offices of the CPT if you have something you would like published.