::Galactic News System - Star Wars Combine::

Veritas News Inc. -- Algara, Lambda

THE EXCHANGE SPEAKS ITS MIND: A COLOSSUS ON CLAY LEGS

Recent revelations coming from deep within Falleen Federation territory have alarmed countless Federation citizens this week, after reports of invasive Exchange activity painted a far different picture for the Falleen Federation than the figure of a powerful former Galactic Government. The reports surfaced from the Algara system, in the Lambda Sector, which houses a collection of Falleen shipyards and a huge population of sentients based around gaseous planet Algara V. Their illusion of safety through protection offered by the Federation was shattered last week when an Exchange force entered the system without warning, and quickly encircled the largely undefended area within a matter of hours.

During the formative years of the Exchange's existence, relations with the Falleen Federation were close, with some political analysts lauding it as almost symbiotic. Previous leaders of The Exchange have enjoyed access to restricted Federation technology, regularly productive diplomatic coordination, widespread use of Falleen facilities and an incontrovertibly beneficial relationship, often put down to these previous leaders having close personal relationships with several prominent Falleen Federation officials. This relationship soured just over a standard year ago, when a coup displaced the pro-Falleen leadership of the Exchange. The new leadership of the Exchange severed any ties with the Federation, while holding on to the restricted technology provided by the Federation that they had grown so accustomed to.

It is reported that the appearance of the Exchange fleet within the Lambda Sector is the result of a routine pirate-hunting operation. Exchange officials outlined that their fleet chased the enemy into the Lambda Sector, and it is suspected that this location was chosen as a fall-back position in a desperate hope that poor relations between the Federation and The Exchange would deter further pursuit. Officials stated that they were surprised to find almost no defenses of any kind within the system, and without the presence of the Federation's military forces, they had simply continued their mission to capture the pirates as they had been contracted to.

Bevel Widom, a shift supervisor in one of the shipyards and resident of the planet Kerilt, expressed great distress when asked about his thoughts on the presence of the Exchange. We don't know why they're here. I'm worried for my family and it doesn't seem like our government even cares! They left us completely open to attack! We'd be dead before they noticed the drop in production from the shipyards.

Exchange leaders, on the other hand, are attempting to assure residents that their safety is not at any risk from the Exchange, and that their entry into the system is not connected to relations with the Federation. In an official statement, Captain Arku Feetoc, commander of the Exchange fleet in Algara, said. A contract to hunt pirates brought us into the system and we will be leaving as soon as our contract is complete. We've tried to portray that information to all the major population centers in the area. If we actually intended to cause harm, we could have knocked out a majority of their production without much effort. The place is an open bar.

The once supreme Falleen Federation, considered by many to have been almost all-powerful throughout the Galaxy in recent years, seems to be on a sharp downward spiral of late. Reports from the system indicated that the Exchange fleet had been in Algara for well over a week without any contact from Falleen officials; spurring the question as to whether the Federation is capable of defending its territory in the current galactic climate of increasing malice and instability.

TO THE PUBLIC

For additional information on groups and persons mentioned in this transmission:

The Exchange Holosite

The Falleen Federation Holosite

This transmission from The Exchange has been prepared for publication and supplemented with additional data by the Veritas News Department.

We invite all sentients to join the galactic discussion of this article and others like it at the Veritas Holo Nexus.

GEARS IN MOTION: SOLE OWNERSHIP

Vorsia News Network

As of the 341st of the 13th recognised galactic year, the ownership of Dark Skies Gearworks was fully acquired by Forgemaster Lilith Delcroix, dissolving the business partnership with Cait Catra, Black Sun Vigo. The leader prepared a short announcement about the change and the effects it will have on the Gearworks community.

After short negations with Cait Catra we have decided that it would be in the best interest of the company to have singular ownership to maximise the efficiency in which we can operate. The transfer to full ownership went smoothly; Gearworks should not expect to be affected in anyway. Cait was well compensated for her stake in the company. Despite the dissolution of our partnership agreement, I'll be always grateful to the opportunity and support Cait offered when we decided to start Gearworks.

Vigo Cait Catra also commented on the change.

I can't think of anyone better suited or more respected in my eyes than Lilith Delcroix to fully take the reigns of ownership from me. Her dedication and drive are second to none, and I trust that my namesake group will continue to expand and extend itself among the stars and beyond.

Dark Skies Gearworks always had an neutral business approach, but separating itself from shared ownership of Black Sun Vigo should put any doubt about the company's neutrality to rest. Exact value of the company's stock was not shared by either party but Vorsia's economic experts have estimated the value to half a billion credits.

- Lilith Delcroix