.:The Regional Report:.
Highlights of the Month
Month 4, Year 197 (April 1st, 2412)
Kalonda Campaigns
Self-proclaimed 'Lord-Protector' Peter Tallman of Kalonda has continued his war against the indigenous lifeforms of Kalonda. This time however his campaigns are aided (or perhaps more accurately, lead) by the 10th Division of Innovaganix Security forces. The campaign was lead by Major General Tobiasz Piontek. The forces at his command consisted of the 10,000 Innovaganix regulars but also about 9,000 colonial auxiliaries ... about 7,000 of which were armed with spears. Mr. Piontek decided against ever using the spearmen, since it has been made very apparent that they might as well not exist.
Intelligence was gathered by many infantry patrols which revealed the arthropods strong positions... perhaps most tellingly, all very near Kalonda's mines. Commander Tobiasz split his forces into holdouts, difficult to assault but easy to - and indeed designed to - be bypassed - the so-called 'hedgehog defense'. His reserve, consisting of 2,000 Innovaganix regulars and 2,000 colonial auxiliaries, would counter-attack once the enemy had been spread thin attacking his holdouts.
The Napoleonic Square was reinvented during the campaign as soldiers faced off against the fast and tough arthropods. Charge after charge was repelled, but it seemed that the bugs were rapidly adapting to this tactic. Before too long, rather than charge the squares with futility, they fell back someways. Thinking this to be their retreat, the humans gave pursuit, before being descended upon by volleys of what witnesses call 'bile-bombs' as well as razor-sharp chitin darts. The clustering of the soldiers and the degradation affect the acid has on armor meant that many soldiers were wounded. In addition, the total surprise created by this bombardment (no one suspected they had ranged weaponry afterall) meant that the squares fell apart as the soldiers ran for cover.
Scattered and disoriented, the bugs launched a relentless melee attack. The colonials routed almost instantly - but the Innovaganix soldiers fought on with a vigor that could only be caused by some kind of genetic manipulation. They held firm until the bugs gave up and, after heavy losses, fell back into the mines.
Although the campaign was indecisive, the bugs have taken gruesome casualties, meanwhile most of the human soldiers were able to recover from their wounds thanks to Innovaganix' very advanced medical technology.
Trade Routes Raided!
Tritach's many trade lanes were raided by marauders this month. Rich in plunder and lacking in security, the marauders have had a field day. As a result, Tritach's colonies, as well as Tritach itself, have suffered from the lack of goods. All the more reason to be self-sufficient! Three of Tritach's mass conveyors have been raided, crippled, and looted.
Survey Ships' Data Recovered!
Iota Ermina was one star system which InTran chartered for exploration and, indeed, colonization - but the survey ships never reported back. Well, now we know why. Two ships from Lukkastor Fleet Services along with Rho Aquilae's galleon and a band of mercenaries embarked on an expedition to the system after finding strong evidence that InTran's survey vessel was attacked and destroyed. Further examination proved this as a boarding party activated the reserve power and transmitted the ship's status.
However the trio of ships was attacked by an unknown, likely alien assailant. After a brief exchange of fire, the unknown starship decided it was outgunned and withdrew.
The data of Iota Ermina is now public information and fair game. Remember that InTran encourages expansion!
Change of Sponsorship
Colonial Deputy Nathaniel Eximius has decided to sign the contract to be under the employ of Acteon Shipbuilding Currents rather than Ronstal. Once this was agreed to, a number of Acteon starships and soldiers were deployed to protect the planet, and a great deal of development aid has been provided the colony, including possibly industrial facilities and a space elevator for its foundry.
In addition Epsilon Izari has colonized its moon, turning it into a mighty fortress with laser emplacements and star bastions to defend its new-found prosperity and wealth from any would-be marauders.
Council of Funding Investors
The most powerful economic forces on Epsilon Izari, including numerous local companies as well as Acteon itself, have become the founding members of the 'Council of Funding Investors'. Recently, they held a meeting addressing numerous issues on Epsilon Izari, debating matters of infrastructural development, environmental usage, and other such things.
Rescue of the Soaring Eagles
Ronstal mass conveyors arrived at Catana COR with the mission to rescue the stranded remnants of the Order of the Soaring Eagle's chapter in Pel's Aurora. The 30,000 combatants of the chapter, including chapter master Ricardus, went with Ronstal, but the remaining non-combatants, the clerics, refused to go aboard Ronstal's mass conveyors. Instead, they awaited transport from Colonial Deputy Yayigri's 'Nabvos Pynelt' for transport to Meio, where they have chosen to go.
Charm and Beauty
A great planet-wide festival was thrown on Meio to celebrate the stabilizing situation in the colony: one of the hallmarks of which was establishing a reliable supply of power. Of which, the tribes had agreed to guarantee the 'Isimni' tribe control, a tribe neutral to the rulers of the Yshtyvos tribe - Deputy Yayigri and his ilk. During the festival, a Yshtyvos woman and Isimni man became enamored with each other and soon a marriage was to be arranged. Such a marriage has formed an alliance between Yshtyvos and Isimni.
Trident Arena
Duels to the death (or surrender!) with tridents have started on Meio. People there have found all sort of reason to go to the arena, whether its a duel of honor, to settle a family feud or personal grudge, or simply to spectate and gamble on the winner.
The only weapons allowed are the tridents, and no armour is permitted. If a participant has surrendered, it is illegal to kill him anyway - a rule which has been brutally enforced by Meio's military police. Despite this, many of the more serious duels only end with one victor walking out.
Meio's government was eager to take advantage of this development however, with 10% of all earnings from the gambling scene being given towards its ruling council. So far, this is the only form of taxation in Pel's Aurora extracted by a colonial deputy. In addition, spectator's tickets' proceeds go directly to the council.
Indeed, the very martial nature of Meio's people has meant that the High Council literally sanctioning the practice of killing people has raised stability in the colony.
Summer Approaches
Iota Zulu draws ever closer to the planet's extreme summer. Great precautions have been taken to preserve the colonists' livelihoods in the hostile conditions that will arise in the near future. Already, temperature at the equator has risen by 80 C since the previous month, and its only getting hotter. As miners are gradually being replaced by automatons who can take the heat, and more and more people cluster into the capital, only place that's totally safe and comfortable, observers have remarked on the bravery and audacity of the locals, who live in such an inhospitable environment without even breaking a sweat.
...Okay, maybe just a little.
Methane Lake Combusts!
A methane lake on Psi Olympia 'spontaneously combusted' - with no real reason in sight. The lake was a raging fireball for several days until it eventually burned out, with most of the gas harmlessly escaping into space. Local methanol riggers say the occurrence could not have been accidental, distinctly recalling how a bright light had illuminated the entire sky for but a split-second... but long enough to blind many. Riggers and their equipment also suffered severe burns and need medical attention.
The circumstances of the incident, particularly the flash of light just prior, have only provided one remote explanation: laser fire.
Workshop of Pel's Aurora!
Ronstal's industrial capability is unsurpassed in Pel's Aurora, and recently Ronstal demonstrated this when it fulfilled a huge number of manufacturing contracts for various warlords, colonies, and megacorps alike. Ronstal's ability to out-produce any single competitor in the region has allowed them to proudly proclaim 'Workshop of Pel's Aurora' as their slogan.
HMMC's Evaluation
HMMC has received several applicants for the helium-3 harvesting base, and are presently running through the data after teams have paid visit to each planet and written home about the pros and cons of working with the locals there. A decision should be made by the end of the month.
Federal Guard Battalion
A new ceremonial guard has been formed by the colonists at Psi Olympia, known simply as the 'Federal Guard Battalion'. Compared to the planet's local militias, they are more prestigious but perhaps not seriously meant to go to war - afterall they are armed only with replica bolt-action rifles, the Krag-Jorgensen to be exact. With these antiques it is clear that these soldiers are not actually meant to engage another army.
Their discipline is no better than the common militiaman however. Their nice uniforms and high position in Olympian society has made them the dream of every young woman everywhere. After a huge parade in Aurora City, the capital of Psi Olympia, the Federal Guard Battalion indulged in the sorts of things which, their officers at least, believe to be beneath them... like sex parties.
Meteor Shower
Dracona is a colony which, although a barren world, has a ring system. Stellar cartographers from all over the region are still unsure how, in this particular case, they formed - but in any case, the regularly cause storms of rock to batter the planet. Normally this happens some distance away from civilization - big planet after all - but this month, a shower of small meteorites rained down on the capital city. No one was killed, but many were wounded. Nonetheless, most of the damage was structural. Power and air conditioning in the Deputy's villa were knocked out during the shower which has lead to calls to renovate the building if not start construction on a more glamorous accommodation for Deputy Valkier.
Deputy Called up for Service
With military experience like that which Deputy Nathaniel Pickett had, and the very militaristic nature of his colony of New Sol, it was inevitable that the Human Domain would 'request' his services. With no choice but to accept, he has left new Colonial Deputy Jackamo Lance in charge of the colony. Jackamo has a background rooted in xenophobia, a view of the world which has precipitated into his policies and has had an impact on the lives of the colonists, who are now unequaled in their hatred of anything non-human, and equally virulent in their belief that mankind's destiny is domination - not submission.
Rotary Shifts
The population of Rho Aquilae defined itself by its professional life, and for some the news that individual workhours were being reduced in favor of a shift system was the worst news ever. The colonists, for a while, had no idea what to do with all that extra free-time. By the end of the month they had acclimated to the new schedule... raising happiness and healthiness on the colony as workers spent less time exposed to noxious fumes and toxins associated with the mines.
Bank of Gothy
A bank has been created by Captain Morgana 'Gothy', in one of the rooms of the Starbase in Catana COR. It's already lent money to some people. Come on by, your money is safe here!
Artifact Retrieved!
Captain Aquila recovered InTran's artifact and was rewarded.
Strange Substance
A substance has been found, purchased from local drug distribution centers, which has become proliferate in Pel's Aurora. From Meio's grand festivals, to Olympia's group sex parties, to the bar in Catana COR, this substance is not addictive or very pleasant on its own but seems to multiply the effects of other more commonly known drugs. It is also very potent, and perhaps dangerous if used to any significant extent.
Rumor has it that this substance comes from the laboratories of Innovaganix.
Deputy Fired!
InTran has decided to fire Colonial Deputy Decius Dahler. Reason for termination of employment: "Laissez-Faire policies not suitable for development of Pel's Aurora region."
InTran Tour: Visit to Dracona!
The first planet to be visited by InTran as part of their grand tour was the colony of Dracona. They have established a research center here, dedicated to defensive technology. Dracona is now the first, and perhaps only, colony that is capable of developing its own domestic technology independently of the Mega-conglomerates.
InTran has moved on to its next planet.
Aliens Lost!
We have lost contact with the Maghua aliens we spotted. As far as InTran knows, no one tried to interrogate them. This contract is still available but we have no idea where they are. They can't have gone far!
Megacorps
Most Advanced: Innovaganix (Eternal)
Most Powerful: Lukkastor (Sushiman)
Most Wealthy: Tritach (Dodes)
Most Developed: Ronstal (Hulksmash)
Balance Tweaks
1 Unit of Dark Matter which was acquired (by any means) or produced by a Mega-Conglomerate is worth 3 units to warlords and colonies. This was found to be a more optimal ratio.
