Community Event / Creation Sitakapa Signal Source

[Jmanis]

Introducing the Sitakapa Signal Source!

What is the Sitakapa Signal Source?
The Sitakapa Signal Source is a pro-Empire regional news outlet covering Sitakapa and the local surrounds. Regional coverage includes the following key systems:
Sitakapa, Mac Og, Shanhauls, Xelardi, Callici, Kamaki, Turona, Peng, Damoch, Diegakul, Ekoimunggu


... and the following nearby uninhabited sectors:
Crucis Sector, Scorpii Sector, Col 285 Sector


Topics covered by the Sitakapa Signal Source
Includes:
- Headlines: Factional State changes or other significant events in the covered areas, styled for in-universe reading
- Sitakapan Spotlight: Each edition I'll try and do a special focus on something in the region. Maybe one week it'll be an overview of the system of Xelardi, and the next it might focus on a particular faction.
- Flavour Articles: Trashy, throwaway articles, perhaps with some invented characters, purely for adding flavour to this region of space. I don't plan on seriously roleplaying any of the characters I invent or mention, but I'll try and keep them canon with the universe, and have things happen to them if background sim events conspire against anything I invent.
- And more...


Background

Spoiler

I occasionally like going down the creative writing path (but definitely won't say I'm 'good'). A while back I put in an article to Galnet News because, well, why not. Seemed like a good idea at the time. In hindsight, it was never going to get any attention for quite a few reasons.
- It was just a bit of fiction
- It didn't involve anyone except myself
- While I wanted to imagine it being part of something bigger in my area, it really wasn't much to go on.


I've had fun flipping station control in my area and fantasising about political machinations in my little clutch of systems. I looked forward to carrying that on into Powerplay as a loyal imperialist for whoever took control or had influence over Sitakapa when PP lands, and of course, fight any non-imperial influence.


So... when I saw (in the beta) there was no power even remotely close to exploiting Sitakapa, I was a little disappointed, but certainly not deterred. I have some friends who hang out here, though it is a pretty quiet area of space. I convinced my friends to hang out here because there's some OK trade opportunities, and you've got a melting pot of major/minor factions around here. I reminded myself "Hey, later on you'll be able to raise powers. Maybe you could do that with Sitakapa?"... problems being:
- It's not even scheduled yet
- It probably needs lots of reasons and people for it to happen
- I don't really play nice in large groups.


Then it hit me. The newspapers were always a fun read in FFE, and Galnet is kinda for the real movers and shakers of the game. What if I kicked off my own news outlet to follow the goings on in Sitakapa.


And so here it is. The Sitakapa Signal Source


Why?
Space is huge. Really huge. I always hear about gankfests going on in the popular regions, and all the community events happen at least 100LY away, so it's kinda quiet in these parts. With Powerplay factions not exploiting Sitakapa, it could be fun to push an agenda either for greater recognition of frontier systems and their utility for powers, or even an agenda of power resistance. Regardless of what happens, it could be *really* fun to track it, whatever goes on. So that's enough about why I'm giving this a crack.


If you want an RP reason, Frontier system factions are tired of slipping under the radar of the big universal media and power groups. People on the borders are just as loyal to the Empire, and a wealth of opportunity can be had for those wanting to exploit it.

Other Stuff

Spoiler

Format
I'll probably just update this forum post now and then so it's in the eyes of other players at least. Eventually I might kick off a blog, and I'll eventually put something in my forum sig for it.


What's next?
I'll cack up some articles tonight, probably a sprinkle of all those types, hopefully they'll be interesting. This is a pretty casual endeavour by me, so don't expect big regular updates yet. This is very much a suck-it-and-see process for me. Stay tuned!


By the way...
If this idea takes your fancy, feel free to do a similar thing for your region of space. Again, space is big, and it would be great to hear about what goes on elsewhere!


(PS yes, Sitakapan Signal Source is a pun on Unidentified Signal Sources. Hurr hurr.)

- - - Updated - - -

1 Jun 3301 Skirmishes Flare Up in Mac Og


While Amis Dock and subsequent control of Mac Og was secured by the Sitakapan Empire League just two months ago, other factions have decided to take advantage of the instability, with skirmishes breaking out between Jet Power Exchange and the Mac Og Liberals. Conflict has escalated from a dispute between the two factions over ownership of the Harness Dock station.

Before the Empire League sent an expeditionary force to secure Amis Dock from the Mac Og Silver Mafia, Jet Power Exchange provided industrial support to the Federal-aligned Mac Og Liberal group in order to establish Harness Dock as a holdout against the local Mafia. Tensions grew during the development, as Jet Power's efforts to secure trade routes in the area often took a back seat to Federal propaganda interests. Bolstered by the Imperial incursion to depose local mafia forces, Jet Power have exploited the tumultuous security situation in Mac Og to try and push out Federal influence in the system.

Empire League checkpoints have been established throughout the system to ensure the conflict does not spill over and disrupt their efforts. Officials have commented "Stabilising Mac Og is our highest priority, and securing Amis Dock has been a big step in this process. The system is still considered to be in a state of anarchy, and while we cannot condone opportunistic behaviour during uncertain times, we can only try to shape the situation towards a sustainable outcome in the best interests of the Empire."

 

[Jmanis]

5 Jun 3301

Jet Power Exchange pushes advantage in Mac Og
Hostilities continued to escalate in the system of Mac Og as Pilots Federation Commanders were observed joining the fray against Mac Og Liberal forces. At least three Commanders were reported fighting alongside Jet Power Exchange forces, providing the Imperial corporation the upper hand in several engagements. It is not known why the Commanders have provided Jet Power Exchange assistance in the conflict, though analysts speculate the economic strength of an Imperial corporation operating under the political auspices of the Empire League would provide stability through the region, and that these Commanders recognise the potential of this arrangement.


Meanwhile, Mac Og Liberal representatives arrived in Sol today to petition Federal representatives for greater military support in the conflict, but are expected to meet opposition from members who question the viability of frontier colonies.

Sitakapa Spolight: Turona
Turona, one of the twin technological powers in the Sitakapan region, contains the sizeable Federal research post McNair Terminal, and services mining and agricultural efforts in the area. The facility, operated by Crimson Universal Industries, also provides a considerable array of refining facilities, with several mining groups exploiting the abundant metal-rich asteroid fields the system hosts.


Though the smaller facility compared to it's Imperial competitor Shinjo Station in Kamaki, Federal focus on the latest consumer trends ensure it's products remain popular in Sitakapa and throught the region. These unique aspects attract many from Imperial society to the system, either to collaborate on research efforts or to over-indulge in Federal consumerism.


McNair Terminal has occasionally been the focus of controversy, with claims that it has manufactured and supplied weapons to criminal elements in the region in efforts to destabilise Imperial order in the region. Crimson Universal has always denied these allegations, with it's CEO stating "You just need to look at Turona to see such claims are false. Crime is at an all-time low, and citizens from everywhere come here to experience everything we have to offer, whether it be for business or pleasure"

Everyone wins in Sitakapan Economic Boom
An unprecedented economic boom has seen the two major mining factions in Sitakapa, Sitakapa Co. and Gold Natural Limited, report record profits for this quarter. While the two corporations have a bitter rivalry over provision of resources in the region, and have often come to blows over mining territory rights, the profits recorded by both suggest that Sitakapan materials are highly desired compared to other materials in the region.


Representatives of the two corporations concur their success is in-part due to the skilled governance of the incumbent Empire League. Promotion of Sitakapa to foreign neighbours has encouraged big investment, paving the way for discussion of future expansion.


Given the success of these two corporations, it is unsurprising that Sitakapan authorities have reported an increase in the smuggling of illicit goods into the system. A dramatic increase in the importation of narcotics has been reported, with thousands of tonnes being intercepted by customs authorities over the last week. Underground sources suggest that these activities have been facilitated by local criminal organisation Syndicate of Sitakapa, who have also been reaping the benefits of Sitakapa's economic success.

*** BREAKING NEWS ***

Jet Power Exchange and Mac Og Liberals call ceasefire in wake of Civil Unrest

Recent reports indicate that civil unrest has broken out in Mac Og. Initial reports indicate remnants of the depose Mac Og Silver Mafia have commenced disrupting trade lanes and inciting riots among inhabitants of the system. In the wake of this, Jet Power and Mac Og Liberals have called for a cease to conflict in the system in order to address the resurgence of the pirate group which has long been a plague in the system.