On the Topic of the 'Imperial Federation'
(Galnet: Synuefe and Tucanae sector, 16.08.3302)
In the wake of the so-called colonial mismanagement and exploitation of the Tucanae and Synuefe sectors by some imperial clients, the governments of Gamma-3 Octantis, Papako and Otohime have decided to establish a loose confederation they call an imperial federation.
After having suffered colonial exploitation and mismanagement themselves, Papako and Gamma-3 Octantis saw a recent change of government by support of the Socialist Union of Otohime.
This new developement and their openly communicated goal to rejuvenate the borderworlds of the Empire even against the opposition of 'cleptocratic autocrats and corporations' might soon lead to conflicts, however. Thus, it is of little help, that their open hostility towards non-democratic goverments serves as an outlet for the local neo-feudalists and corrupt officials to band together against their claims for the region. Which, in all honesty, is solely based on their archaic democratic agenda and in their adoption of our local viceregent, Her Highness Aisling Duval, as their at best figurative head of state.
In the end the only solace we take is that this risky experiment of neo-democracy inside the Empire's jurisdiction falls into a long neglected area of colonial expansion and will hopefully never leave its premises. One should never forget, a war can be started but never ended at once beg and call and profits might be lost in its wake.
Long live Empress Alissa-Lavigny Duval!
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The Labour Union of Auso receives Federal Support
(Galnet: Imperial Federation, 16.08.3302)
Auso, know as one of the major industrial hubs of the local cluster, has been send an ultimatum by High Admiral Aislin Conrad of the Federal Fleet in the wake of a request from its local labour union. In it the High Admiral declares the will of the Gamma-3 Octantis combined fleet and those of the newly formed Federal Fleet to advance on the system's 'Thorne City' to remove its 'problem'. While the Crimson Major Industries immediately called this step into question, even going as far as citing the newly formed Federation's own founding principles, High Admiral Aislin only had one answer for Executive Makenna Garrison.
"Thorne City, as we believe, is not under jurisdiction of the Crimson Major Industries. It does however supply a third of its workforce. The wealth of the Crimson Major Industries is build upon exploitation and intimidation, yes, even slavery at times. Make no mistake, we are not talking about the despicable practice of imperial slavery. They are willing to capture and traffic their own people by the hands of the local mob in the name of their own profit, even against imperial law itself, and did so for years.
What they claim is their sovereign territory we encroach upon in reality is nothing but a willing coexistence with a local mob for their own ill-gotten gains. While, for all its misdeeds, the local militia of Gamma-3 Octantis kept us safe from this madness until they stepped down, we know Papako and Otohime suffered the actions of similar criminals. Thus, it was the solemn wish of the Imperial Parliament to commit a major part of its combined fleet for lend-lease in anti-slavery operations throughout the cluster. We will support all people in their attempt to bring down illegal slavery once and for all. This will be an officially condoned pirate war by the request of the Labour Union of Auso and its democraticly elected government in exile. And that, despite Lady Makenna's claim, also doesn't violate our fundamental charter. We are also certain this is in goodwill with her Highness Aisling Duval and her plans for the region.
Lady Makenna, I hereby repeat my stern request that the Crimson Major Industries does not interrupt this operation, for any act in defense of the local Auso Family will be seen as an open collaboration in matters of illegal slavery and murder. An act which can only end in an immediate blockade of Vess Station and seizure of any trade in the region based on human trafficking.
If you are willing to defend your ill-gotten gains by openly admitting to your crimes, expect to share the same fate as the Papako Dragons and the Otohime Posse before you. This will be the natural course of all illegal slave-traders in the region. The Imperial Federation is coming and this will be your only warning."
Coniaci Netcoms Industry cut out of Arms Deal
(Galnet: Synuefe and Tucanae Sector, 18.08.3302)
After the change in government of Gamma-3 Octantis in which the Cooperative forced the local militia to step down and the appointment of their Progenitor Aislin Conrad to High Admiral of the newly combined fleet of the Imperial Federation, it came with little surprise that new arms deal were on the horizon.
Now that the negotiations have begun between the Cooperative and local producers, the only foreign major player inside of Gamma-3 Octantis bewailed its own absence from the meeting. Despite its long standing ties to the system and their local assets in the nearby systems and Coniaci, the Netcoms Industry was not allowed to attend the meeting. With the potentially cataclysmic developement for the local branch of the Netcoms industry in mind, Executive Waldo Boyer surprised the people, as he found only appreciatory criticism for the initiative.
"Of course we personally regret the decision of the Gamma-3 Octantis Cooperative to favour local producers over long standing friends, but we also understand that they wish to change the symmetry of power in the area. Not only in political, but also in economical matters. And just like them, the Netcoms Industry understands that diversity among the market is a boon, not a hindrance. For too long the local cluster has suffered under corruption, danegeld and all the things natural to the authocratic rulership in the area. Things the local economy had no way to deal with on its own, other than to make friends with the current person exploiting the system. If you didn't get their gold chair, your competitor did. There was no time for friends.
I won't deny that we might be punished for supplying the previous militia before and during the insurrection, but like many before us, the Netcoms Industry will survive. We will restructure our company, and yes, if need be close our local branch in Gamma-3 Octantis to make way for new enterprises. But, we believe that change is good. Change is what our cluster needs most and the Netcoms Industry will try to stay at the forefront of new endeavours to seize the opportunity for new profits and new partnerships."
Founder Jonah Pugh from the Cooperative's economic forum denied any fault with the Netcoms Industry and pointed to their general business modell of shared wealth.
"We knew what our decision would cause for the foreign corporations involved in Gamma-3 Octantis, but not only will the ties to local producers strengthen the unity in the system, it will also serve as a catalyst for our long sleeping industry. Most of the materials used for our new weapons and modules will stem directly from our local mines, reforged and refined in nearby industries and refineries who will then be chosen between many in equal proportion at reasonable and fair prices, before local craftsmen and engineers will refit them to suit our fleet and those of our trusted friends. We believe in autarchy and thus wish for as many systems to stand on their own feet by local trade networks. If you can do it yourself, you should!"
While questioned if this local focus would interfere with research and developement in general, Found Jonah Pugh further denied this idea himself.
"Autarchy doesn't necessary beget ignorance. We won't risk the safety of our state or our people. Even our local producers understand that they have to constantly better themselves, because we made it absolutely clear to them, we want the best. And if we can't get the needed know-how in Gamma-3 Octantis, we of course will continue to rely on our trusted partners. Ingenuity should never be punished."
The Auso Family evacuates Thorne City
(Galnet: Synuefe and Tucanae Sector, 18.08.3302)
Shortly after the announcement of High Admiral Aislin Conrad, the ships of the Auso Family left the premises of Thorne City. In the last and maybe greatest shakedown the city ever saw, the frightened mob tried to steal all it had overlooked in the past years, yet mostly found only empty houses. Then all was silent.
When the Gamma-3 Octantis fleet arrived, they didn't find themselves in the midst of an ambush or in the face of a well executed urban warfare. All they found were the proud colours of the Labour Union and some hastily recreated flags from the newly designed federal flag shown in the streets. Instead of preparing a siege, the local admiral ordered the supplies to be distributed among the citizens, leading to a massive liberty feast in the streets by the evening.
"I've never expected for a mob to just up and leave like that." Cited one of the local citizens before he was forced to join his peers again. With the supplies only half empty, no one expects the night to end soon and the medical specialists of the Cooperative finally saw action as they had to reanimate some overeager guests with more than one over the eight.
It is expected that the spokeswoman of the now officially instated Labour Union will give an official statement about the situation in the following days, when the festivities have died down and the reality sets in that now that freedom has arrived, the people will have to resume their work to keep it. This time though, the future they work for is only for themselves, for their families and for their own home. A home they can from now on defend themselves, preferably by vote.
Free Elections in Zillig end with Socialist Victory
(Galnet: Imperial Federation, 20.08.3302)
After peace and prosperity had returned to Otohime's colony of HIP 10137, the first free elections inside the liberated settlement of Zillig saw the socialists win with a clear lead of 58%. The conservative party under the Otohime Imperial Society outperformed all its other competitors by far, coming in second at 35% with the liberals just barely taking the percent hurdle.
Federal President and former owner of the Zillig settlement, Alberto Dervishi, wasn't willing to comment on the situation and professed this to be related to his current appointments with the Imperial Senate and other political matters concerning the newly formed Imperial Federation. Without any comment on the situation we are left to believe that the fallout of his childhood residence with the old imperial traditions might have hurt him more than has been anticipated.
The new socialist mayor, Suraj Puga, pronounced his ideal of a united city and his plans to make way for compromise whereever possible between the Union and the Imperial Society to include as many people into the process of reviving their home as could be accounted for.
"Contrary to popular belief, I don't think one has to replace the old in the light of a new vision. No. As one born among you, my friends, I belief we should shape our vision from the fundaments we have been given. There can be no future if we disrespect our past.
I do believe there is good in the old ways of the Empire. Just at times honor and respect took a toll on our humanity. It is no shame to ask for bread. There is no reason why the poor have to suffer a self-imposed social imprisonment. And there is no reason why we should want to exploit them for it.
Together we can help each other out in these dark times. Just as the people of Otohime helped each other and us during the reign of the Posse to finally see this day realized. A day when I can proudly say I want to live in Zillig and I want for my children to do the same. For we, just as we are now, will build the home they will wish to see grow and defend. Together, we can make this into a settlement rivaling not only Bickel Vision, but maybe even the great moon colonies of those that braved the stars before us."
While the new mayor received mixed reactions from the people, there was no doubt about his honest intentions. Yet, many actually seemed reluctant to make peace with their former masters, especially the descendants of those that were bought by the Dervishi to help build the Zillig colony and the surrounding planetary mines in the first place.
Meanwhile the local authority of Bickel Vision and the Union Fleet are conducting a final operation to clear out the last nests of the Posse around the planet, to finally put an end to their short but violent legacy. Soon the whole system of HIP 10137 shall know peace again.
