RCF Get Some IND/PIR Help
by Cornelius Merryheart, exclusive for the GGG
Following a CNF attack against RCF assets in the Hitite System, an IND platform in orbit of Alalus, IND Shoot (36006), opened fire against outpost CNF Merry Harbour (43406). Initially it was thought that the offensive move could be part of the HBO measures against exclusion zones, but the IND platform seems to belong to the starbase IND Westfall by Farmwich (72324), which openly brags about not necessarily being aligned with their hosts the Halo Benevolent Oligarchy (HBO). A public message informs anyone entering orbit of Alalus about their thoughts: "This is the Free State of Alalus, we may have signed the charter, doesn't mean we like foreign laws." CNF General Carter informed us that the IND attack will not stop their effort against the RCF in the Halo Periphery: "This in no way prevents Operation Manassas from continuing - it just means that a change of tactics is required.
We also received a scan report from a ship visiting IND Westfall by Farmwich clearly showing seventeen pirate ships docked at their starport. Some of these same PIR ships have previously been spotted attacking harmless outposts throughout the Halo Periphery. We wonder how long the HBO, so keen on enforcing their laws, will tolerate this nest of pirates encrusted in their territory.
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Soft Sentence for Demetrius Liquan
by Ringo Baxter, exclusive for the GGG
What should be the punishment for killing hundreds of IMP employees and destroying an IMP outpost on an asteroid (alongside with a few thousands MUs of Pulac and the asteroid itself)? Apparently, the Imperial Services believe that one year of imprisonment for the person who gave the orders (in this case, Demetrius Liquan, the HLQ second in command) is enough. According to the official announcement by IMP Viceroy Githyanki, a more fitting sentence has been waived due to "certain mitigations and interactions on his behalf by his father" and to "a return of more amicable relations between the Imperial Services and House Liquan in recent months". Curiously, there has been nothing but silence from IMP members who had previously been stating that war was the only possible answer to the attack or that a reimbursement of millions of stellars needed to be made to the victims.
Meanwhile, a confederate court has found IMP officer Zladmir Tomeshenko guilty of opening fire and destroying an HLQ ship in the Sol System, and condemned him to indentured servitude in the Thorlium mines of Masda. In a theatrical surprise, however, Baron LiQuan has stepped in to pay the convict's debt and to set him free. Apparently, officer Tomeshenko is now a guest of the HLQ in the Dolphinus System. It's unknown if the baron expects his gesture to soften even more the sentence passed on his son Demetrius Liquan, but he told us that his lawyers will soon study the trial transcripts to determine whether to raise an appeal or not.
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