Up to the minute Battle Reports

Intel Blockade Savage Skullz ap was engaging Battlegroup [FGE] DIAMOND JAWS on 14:55 11-4-2511. read more ...

Intel Blockade Savage Skullz ap was engaging Sentry Skynet Centauri Prime on 12:50 11-4-2511. read more ...

Intel Blockade Savage Skullz ap was engaging Explorer [Centauri Prime] Scanner on 10:46 11-4-2511. read more ...

Intel Blockade Blockade was engaging Explorer Scout 19 on 03:20 11-3-2511. read more ...

Intel Blockade Blockade was engaging Explorer Scout 2 on 01:16 11-3-2511. read more ...

Carrier Group The Final Countdown raided strongtonis colony strongtoni Colony Prime on 23:25 10-30-2511. read more ...

Carrier Group The Final Countdown raided MBs colony MadBlast Colony Prime on 14:16 10-29-2511. read more ...

Carrier Group The Final Countdown raided MBs colony MadBlast Colony Prime on 08:13 10-13-2511. read more ...

Interstellar Network News: The Galaxy's Most Important Network

Tales from the Lost as told by Kodiak Ash of The First Galactic Empire

11-26-2491 Centauri Prime - The last cannons ceased their fire as what is being referred to as the "30 day war" ended today. Beginning a month ago above the native Centauri Prime world Hyperion, the renown First Galactic Empire was victorious in humanity's struggle against the mysterious race known only as The Shadows. The First Galactic Empire first arrived in Centauri Prime early last year, and immediately began conquering it's enemies, The Legion of Scorpion Pirates. Originally thought just another invader ravaging an already splintered system, recent efforts have proven themselves to be perhaps humanity's best hope against the merciless enemy that had rent Centauri Prime asunder.

Immediately following the fall of the last colony, Fleet Admiral Kodiakash of the First Galactic Empire made an announcement regarding the recent war.

"Today the brave forces of Operation: Lightbringer were victorious over the Shadows. The war lasted a surprisingly short time, and ended with minimal loss to human lives. Currently all hostile Shadow forces have been removed from the system. In the wake of the Shadow attacks and the consequent 'land grab' numerous fleets were also left stranded and left without orders. Such fleets have been removed from Centauri Prime space and their threat removed. The emperor will make a more encompassing announcement later, thank you."

In an interview with one of the Cobra pilots, Captain Zaroff, a new light was shown on these seemingly invincible invaders.

"These 'Shadows' ain't jack and . Hell, my squadron alone scrapped six of 'em bigger ships ourselves. Why these natives couldn't get the job done is beyond this soldier, just makes me proud to be part of the Empire. Their use of Capital ships seems intimidatin' at first but they go down like any other pilot I ever fought in my years of service. , they even abandoned one of their colonies as we arrived to it! I don't see nothing special 'bout 'em..."

Centauri Prime is filled with tension now with only two major empires remaining within it's space. Already, diplomats of the Hookers and Beer and First Galactic Empire are already meeting to discuss the current situation of the system and it's defenses. It is already thought that the Shadows will return to the system and preparations are already under away to counter act that new threat as early warning systems are being placed and potential spies removed. Transports and Prison Holds are moving constantly within the system currently as preparations have already begun.

However, we here at the ISN are not so sure about The Shadows and what they may bring. This mysterious race has proven to be victorious in nearly all it's dealings prior to Operation: Lightbringer and may even choose to target the softer targets of the new Faction Homeworlds being established still even after years after the Shadows first attacks. For such a discussion we leave it to our show coming up next ISN: Night Line hosted by Taggert Jones...

*The Report fades out and into ISN: Night Line....*

We shall bring light to dark places

Tales from Genesis as told by Aerious of Hookers and Beer

The admiral sat deep within the Flagship. He looked over the battle plan again. They had been here before and all hands were lost. He would not make the same mistake the other commanders had made. He would not under estimate the Shadows. Slowly he went over the events that happened months ago...

Everything was going according to plan, the fleets had smashed through the Shadow blockade with minimal losses. They had orbited Narn and were ready to invade. The crews were flush with confidence after the first battle. Little did they know they were about to invade hell. The invasion started as planned, but shortly afterwards things went wrong. The Shadows had heavy AA batteries, they had missile launchers and what was worse, they had ships. Lots and lots of ships. The fleet was understaffed with bombers and gunboats. The first fleet was full of fighters.. fighters that were easy targets. It was over in scant hours. The glorious Elecry Invasion was defeated. Not just defeated but completely wiped out of the universe. After the bombers, gunboats and fighters were destroyed the Shadows swarmed from Narn and overwhelmed the Carriers and Corvettes. All hands were lost. No survivors.

The high command was in chaos, total defeat had shaken the confidence of the whole empire. The set back was almost ruinous. But, slowly, ever so slowly high command had rebuilt. The homeworld had contributed massive amounts of resources towards vengence. Retribution would be had, they would fight until Narn falls.

The admiral remembered, he knew the history of Narn. The Shadows had conquered a small Elecrian outpost and enslaved the people to work in Narn. Elecry doesn't forget, though the Empire's name has changed, every Elecrian would not forget the brave souls first enslaved and conquered, then the fleet sent to rescue them destroyed. He had lost friends during both battles. Today he would set it right. Narn would be conquered.

Though he had doubts, he walked the halls of the Flagship and smiled at his crew. They were hard at work readying last minute details before the strike. He would project confidence, they needed to see he had no doubts. No matter what ghosts crossed his mind, he WOULD not let his crew see anything but strength. Everything was ready, now was the time. There was nothing left to do but signal the attack.

All hands to battle stations. All hands to battle stations. The red alert went out to the fleet.

The admiral addressed his fleet, "Today we bring the light. Justice will be served with the blinding light of retribution. Good luck and godspeed."

The admiral watches his gunboats and fighters stream from the heavy carriers. He watched his corvettes and destroyers take position. He looked out towards the planet and as he saw flashes of explosions he thought, IT BEGINS!

If you put yourself between us and our objectives, you may come to regret it.

Mister Morden gazed at the rubble formerly known as the thriving planet of Do Pacem. It had been a home world of some sort, he did not remember which Faction, and he did not particularly care. It no longer mattered. It belonged to the Shadows now, just as he belonged to the Shadows. Once that line was crossed, very little else seemed to matter.
It was only a matter of time before the rest of the system fell to the unyielding fury of his “associates.” He smiled a little at the thought of the “Shadow Coalition,” as Haier had said. It was a bitter smile, full of memories of the past, of a different life and a different person, one who had not been burnt by trying to fly too close to the sun. Yes, the “Shadow Coalition” was useful to his associates for the moment, and so its members were generally left alone, with a few breadcrumbs thrown their way to keep them in line willingly.
He stared into the horizon, seeing not the view of destruction but the man he once was, so many years ago, back when he could still consider himself human. The Shadows were the masters of many races, technologies, and skills, but their power of persuasion was still their strongest asset. They would offer gifts, and petty baubles, and promises of granted dreams beyond wildest imagination. If accepted they would deliver on their promises, using only a portion of their full strength, while gaining trust and building reliance upon their continued support. Once you were positioned where they wanted you, there was no turning back from the path; your soul was theirs whether you willed it or no.
Those who resisted the promises of riches were offered a different arrangement entirely. This had been his course. No promises of dreams, no web of politics to pull the desired victim into the proper desperation, only a simple and final offer. Eternal service to the Shadows was the payment, and in return they would provide a gift that was half-threat, half priceless.

The right to live.

Very few from his expedition on the Icarus had accepted that arrangement; Mister Morden could count himself on that short list. Life was a gift more precious than anything, or so he had always believed, although sometimes he did wonder if life serving the Shadows was life at all. They treated him well, providing him a level of comfort and respect greater than he had ever known. He was permitted his own free will, and his advice and opinions with regards to the younger races were frequently sought out by his Shadow masters. He had certainly come to appreciate the constant company of the two cloaked Shadows who followed him everywhere, although whether they were meant to be guards or guardians, he could not determine. Despite all the latitude he was allowed, the philosophy of the Shadows colored everything.
Yes, this “Shadow Coalition” was useful to his associates, for the moment, but the Shadows never allied with anyone, not even himself. The Coalition would be permitted to take advantage of the political and strategic advantages provided by their arrangement with the Shadows, so long as they continued to allow the philosophy of the Shadows guide them in their actions. As soon as their choices began to vary from his associates’ desires, he would not give two credits for their chances of survival. That was, after all, the agreement, in the end.

Serve the Shadows, or Die.

Morden smiled, more the smile of a hungry barracuda than a sentient gesture of happiness, and laughed.

Live from FILMORE ASTEROID

Tales from Genesis as told by Wystan of the Legion of Scorpion Pirates

Well the Concert for Centauri Prime is over. If you missed it, you're probably no worse off than the millions of people who 'saw' the concert. Twelve deaths, two hundred injuries, sixty-eight births, about a thousand three-hundred and eleven epiphanies later, and over five hundred million credits spent (some might say wasted); the Concert for Centauri Prime leaves Filmore Asteroid what is essentially a wreck.

The concert began on July 1st, 2488. Organized by Genesis President Wystan, it has been called the longest music festival since Greenstock. Of course, Wystan's message was peace, to point out not only the failure of the factions to adequately communicate, but Genesis' own failings, the plight of the refugees from the violence of the wars, and to also expose that Association President deserteagle has plans to conquer the other factions and lead suicide attacks against the Shadows.

Those not familiar with current events might remember Wystan as the eclectic band leader of the rock band Green Rangers, and later the CEO of the Green Ranger Electric Recording Company. The Green Rangers are the greatest rock band ever, easily outselling Unitology Gospel-Rock band Nomine Patris and Xanaphian Death Metal Emocore band Bleeding Gangrene-Infested Flesh Wounds. Records such as Green on Green, Born to Gun, and Greenstock Calling outsold every single album. Noted for their extreme versatility, able to traverse all categories of rock that aren't crap; the Green Rangers eventually stopped recording and touring together, as the bands' personal wealth became representative of everything wrong with the recording industry. Wystan's attempt to revive rock and roll in this universe went horribly awry, and when he lost his drummer, he was forced to disband his band.

While Greenstock is considered the greatest concert ever played, and featured an after concert/party as the band members rocked out in other places across Greenstock; Wystan's pinnacle of artistic perfection was the Space Battle Opera performed by fleets over Greenstock, simply title "War Frenzy".

The Concert for Centauri Prime doesn't reach those same heights, especially since Filmore Asteroid has no atmosphere, and Wystan wished to protect music fans from the debris of a space battle. Instead, it has an earthier feel, none of the music was recorded, everything was live. While there were any number of workshops and performances, Wystan's last performance of the festival is the focus of this article, particularly because it featured a number of unreleased songs.

The performance began with a rare halt in the playing, and the lights on all stages went dark. A lot of us in the Tumbling Meteor section were of the opinion that the concert goers were incapable of being worked into a frenzy, but we were quickly proved wrong as many seemed to go into music withdrawal in the relative silence. Shouts to "play some frakking music!" were lobbed, along with some shoes, and various drug paraphernalia. The equipment buzzed, and voices could be faintly heard with the microphones still on. A guitar was plugged in, annoying the audience. A single bass note was struck.

And in the midst of the jeers of the crowd, a person stepped to the mike, and said "Hello, I'm Sam Wystan."

The spotlight quickly illuminated him, as the audience cheered and roared. Wystan stood there and basked in it briefly, his harmonica brace at the ready, his guitar humming.

"Shut the frak up," he growled, "I wanna play a rock song." The crowd, of course, went wild.

He then launched into a one-man version of "Bad Little Daggit", obviously playfully admonishing the crowd. However, it could be considered a protest against the myriad members of the universe who seek only personal gain.

He came to the end of the song and as he struck that first signature chord of "I Feel Frakked", the band behind him started up. The bass exploded over the crowd deafening many of these stoned out pseudo-hippies. Futures and Rollers were singing side by side, the basic rock structure resonated with fans of all rock.

This wasn't the collaborative rock of the Green Rangers days. It was what Wystan wanted to play, stuff like the mockingly biting "Do Pacem Planet Preservation Society", "Colonies Made of Sand", "Like A Traveling Comet", and "Jumpin' Jack Solarflare". The band was in top form, quarter-note crescendos crashing out of the drums with a force to be reckoned with. There were bass solos, a constant fiddle, a mandolin adding a bluegrass twang, and the rough vocals of the performers gave a grit that struck your soul.

Blues-rock figured prominently. "My Last Fair Deal Gone Down", "Killing Floor", "Sanctuary Blues", and "Outside Android Blues" all were stellar performances, given extra star power by the appearance of Blues Messiah Blind Bill Quasar.

One of the most damning songs was the Genesian backwater-rock tune "There Ain't No Unitos on ChongoplusGrae Forever". Wystan's heavy voice and crying harmonica, along with the mournful lead guitar and fiddle lent the song a downtrodden air that captivated the audience, and surprisingly there were no catcalls to speed up the playing. Wystan did, launching into the ancient song "We Gotta Get Out of This Place", a call to continue colonizing, and not pin our hopes on Centauri Prime.

The rambling "So Long Haier, Emp'ror" sent out a mocking message to those who have lost their homeworld colonies, and a mourning for the loss of honest leaders. However, "This System Is Your System" was a rocking version of a folk song that gave warning to those who would attempt to take Centauri Prime away from its rightful owners, all the factions.

Wystan went on to play his major hits, "Lost In the Asteroid Field", "Born to Gun", "Visions of Xanaphia", and "Greenstock Calling". The last number brought the playing to a roar, and the refrain of "Greenstock Calling!" was shouted out by the crowd in a fit of jubilation.

The penultimate song was "Stranger in A Strange Land", a very ancient song, and the version here paid homage to those traveling through the universe. This version lasted well over five hours.

The final song, was "Centauri" and its opening lines of "My friend came to me, with sadness in his eyes,/He told me that he wanted help,/Before his planet dies," brought back the purpose of the concert. Raising awareness that something bad is going to go down soon enough. It's the kind of pessimistic we've come to expect from Wystan.

One thing is for sure though. President Wystan can rock.



Grey Marker is editor of the Tumbling Meteor concert review section.

Editor's Note: We appreciate the irony of having the benefit concert for the system prior to the attack. Wystan is a Rock and Roll Prophet, after all.

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