It is said that a Beacon burns most brightly in the darkest depths of night - as a new darkness descends on the galaxy we offer a place for hope to shine again.

We will not lie and claim to be unbiased as other publications do, our aim is to give an opportunity to all the Humans and Aliens who oppose the darkness that has infiltrated the Empire of Man to tell their side of the story. It is up to you as readers to hear both sides of the story and decide who you believe is telling you the truth.



News from the front lines - The Caliphates war continues



It has been a few weeks since we last reported on the Caliphates (CAL) war against the neutral trading affiliations and Aliens in Corewards. Below is a summary of recent events.
___________
At the end of week 14 the CAL “claim jumped” the Dewiek (DEN) to gain control of the Galleon system in Corewards. When a system claim is made there is a period of several weeks which the system becomes contested and which others can also make a claim for ownership. It would appear the DEN did not believe there were others interested or established in the system and so made the claim with the minimum number of troops required. The CAL waited till the last day to make a counter claim and win the ownership with just a few thousand troops more then the DEN.

The Dewiek were obviously not happy by this sneak move, the High Lord Folkvar has declared that

“The Caliphate has decided to spread the conflict out of its so called zones of influence by claim jumping Galleon. All CAL claimed systems are now targets for the Nation.”

It would seem this escalation worried the Caliphate as they have made an offer of peace to the Dewiek. As of yet their is no word on the DEN councils decision.
___________
In Zewt the Caliphate along with support from the Brotherhood (BHD) and the Coalition of Oceanic Development (COD) are contesting the system claim from the Civilian government. The CAL have already expressed a desire to claim Arridian which is what many believe the attacks on the neutrals is all about, if they were to gain both Zewt and Arrridian they would control the 2 systems all ships must pass through to get into the Arridian Spur.
___________
There has been an escalation in the number of pirates spotted in Corerwards over the last few weeks. Unlike normal pirates which are set-up to board and capture ships these forces seem to be set-up to destroy ships. As with the MRC/PRV forces rumoured to be supported by the Caliphate these ships have high tech armour and equipment and many of them are outfitted with just light photon guns to take on freighters. We have received reports of PIR ships being engaged and destroyed by the GTT, FLZ and HEX. An Interesting bit of information we were provided was that the forces engaged by the HEX in the Arridan spur which escaped destruction by their warships relocated and blockaded the FLZ, so not only were the these ‘pirates’ not interested in getting rich but were only targeting Aliens.
___________
Elsewhere we have a report that a MRC ship claiming allegiance to the Confederacy has made attacks on a previously unconnected Alien race which maintains an outpost in Darkfold - is this a further escalation of the conflict?
___________
We have received an unconfirmed report that CAL warships have destroyed a Merchant ship flying the FRE flag in Zewt. Is this an expansion of their current policy to now target all merchant ships not aligned to them?


The early pioneers of the Human Empire -The Stella Mining and Smelting (SMS)



The SMS are one of the oldest Imperially chartered affiliations, they focused on exploration and resource gathering and were instrumental in establishing the Human empire in the peripheries.

The SMS learnt quickly to adapt to the dangers of the galaxy and SMS military forces were instrumental in the defeat of the flagritz during the second Flagritz war in 199, the battle for the alien artefact, the taking of Barbary coast and in defending the empire from the confederacy during the Imperial/Confederate war.

Following the end of the Imperial/Confederate war the SMS worked with a number of the smaller Alien races and were involved in a number of smaller conflicts. However in the last few years the SMS has not featured as prominently as other charter affiliations in galactic events.

The Beacon team therefore reached out to Mikhail Morgan to find out a bit more about the affiliation that did so much to create the Human Empire.

- What do you think the SMS's primary role and purpose is - what motivates/focuses you?

We have always been a group with the outward urge so exploration and investigation are the main drivers. We are also supporters of the Human diaspora - even now far too much of humanity's gene pool is in SOL and nearby systems so colony building is also a major focus.

- As a chartered affiliation that falls under a Governmental flag do you believe that there is a place for affiliations that are neutral and do not fall under governmental flags?

Yes (DOM?) but there is a big but - you have to be able to defend yourselves, not only the pirates and other similar competition but also from greedy governments and other corporations.
The more successful you are as an independent, the more likely you are to attract the interest of others. Recent events have shown that even operating in civilian space is not enough to avoid giving "offence".

- There was a time where the SMS was very active in supporting the IMP however for some time the SMS has been absent from the political scene - is there a reason for this?

Not particularly. Where specifically asked to assist we usually will, but not necessarily in way that courts publicity. The IMP and GTT seem to manage without us most of the time.

- During the early years of the Empires expansion in the Capella Periphery many would say it was the SMS and not the GTT that really backed up the Imperial efforts - is the SMS still as capable as it once was and what are your views on the emergence of the GTT?

The early expansion from the Inner Empire into Inner and Outer Capellan was very much driven by the SMS but that lead was very quickly followed up by the several other chartered affiliations.
The GTT were able to make better use of their inherent advantages in the new environment and grew somewhat faster than all the others.
These days, that, and their very close relationship with the IMP helps them maintain the lead.
For a long time relations between the GTT and SMS were strained - we have long memories and the fit of pique over Little Italy many years ago, that went pretty much unpunished, was not forgotten. Recent relations between the two companies have been much better and that has much to do with former Viceroy, Ike Krieger.

- What is your take on the ending of the Imperial/Confederacy war and/or the emergence of the Caliphate?

No real view - we were always sat on the side of the IMP, even while we ran without a charter, but have generally enjoyed good relations with the Confederate side. It is too early to take a view on the Caliphate although some return to stability was needed following the major upheaval that followed the death of Jackson.

- Do you believe that affiliations like the AFT and GCE are collaborating against the empire of man with Aliens?

No, not really. I doubt they do any more dealing with them than any other primarily human organisation.

- The SMS maintain an alliance with the Felini, what are your views on them and the other aliens?

We have been friends with the Felini for a long time - the alliance precedes my own ascension to SMS Company Commander by a couple of years.
Apart from some particular areas, they are probably the nearest of the alien races to humanity.
I find most of the Aliens reasonable to deal with but some care is needed to avoid misunderstandings.

- Do you believe there is an Alien Alliance which the empire needs to be worried about?

Yes, but it is still a watching brief I think. There has always been a risk but it is one that can be mitigated by trade and talk.

- What are your thoughts on the current conflicts, both the CAL's war on neutrals and the possible wider conflict between humans and Aliens?

War Hinders Trade. A strapline that was popular under a previous SMS leader (and probably remains within a number of starbase messages). Without the detailed knowledge of the various CAL discussions/demands I cannot comment.

Human/Alien conflict always likely. It would be interesting to know whether the Alien alliance came about because the humans have again stopped fighting amongst themselves or was to take advantage of the earlier resumed conflict.

Strong and Independent - The Dominion (DOM)



The Dominion are survivors of Humanity's first experiments with Jump Engines. Since space travel was in its very early experimental stages at the time, 'expendables' were sent in the first ships. Thus a good mix of criminals, political intellectuals and extreme social cases and other 'undesirables' were sent out. The fate of most of the ships in this period is not known today. Some of the ships made it safely through their first jump, but they lost contact with Earth and was stranded in whatever part of space their ended up in.

One such ship was 'The Dominion' which ended up in what is known as the Cluster today. Later studies showed that the ship had ended its jump right in the mouth of the wormhole which at the time was not known about and had been transported through into the cluster. The ship continued its travels and ended up crash landing in Avalon. At that time the Clan who ruled the Cluster was in the middle of a bitter war and left the Dominion alone. The Dominion began to evolve into a unique Society were no laws or morales would stand in the way of the survival of the group. This has given the Dominion a strong will to survive, and they have evolved many Traits that set them apart from the Humans coming from the Inner Empire.

In 195 human vessels located the wormhole and the Dominion was reunited with its lost race. However due to the many years of evolving on its own the Dominion found it did not want to integrate back into the rest of the empire and kept to itself staying neutral between the Imperials and the Confederates war.

The Dominion was part of the legendary 3D alliance between the DOM, DEN and DTR, this established their close relations with the DEN and when the alliance ended the DOM re-established close relations with the Imperials. There was a time when the Dominion ceased as an independent affiliation with its members integrating fully with the Imperials.

A few years ago the Dominion re-emerged as an independent affiliation, becoming the galaxies preeminent traders and filling the void that the departure of the Mohache (MOH) had on the galaxy. We spoke with Igor "Wylde Carrd" Konstantin on the Dominion and current events:

- What do you think the DOM's primary role and purpose is - what motivates/focuses you?

The Dominion has only one overarching goal: To survive. This motivates each and every one of us on an individual level, and it motivates the formation of the overall Dominon organization. Everything that we do we do in furtherance of this goal, however indirectly it might be in any given case.

- The DOM disappeared for a time and then re-emerged - are you able to tell us a bit more of that time?

Not long after jump links were established back to the Inner Empire, the Dominion made itself part of IMP command structure where we remained for the better part of a decade. With the resources of IMP and DOM combined the empire was able to engineer the recovery of a human species ravaged by war and nuclear devastation, and today humanity is well on its way back to its former strength.

Once the goal of our union had been achieved the direct integration was unwound; this led to the re-emergence of DOM flagged assets throughout the peripheries.

The Dominion remains dedicated to the recovery effort, most readily evident in the massive investments we are making in the development of the African continent; and our continued close ties to the IMP is a vital part of this.

- Although the DOM are Aligned to the Empire and has a special kinship with the Nation do you consider the DOM as being an independent affiliation?

The independence of the Dominion is clear to see from the fact we now fly our own flag, but this does not mean we do not have ties to other affiliations.

Among our ranks are no less than two previous Imperial Viceroys and so it goes without saying our ties to the empire remain strong. Earth is humanity's and our cradle: We have a deep devotion to its peoples, and feel a special responsibility for helping secure their future.

The Dominion grew to its present form in partnership with our Dewiek brothers, and a deep bond was formed between us. Earth was our first home, and the DHP has been our home away from home.

- With the DOM now claiming a system are you becoming your own Government?

The Dominion will form governments where we find it necessary to do so. Demon system was in disarray and clearly in need of some order so I decided to step in and offer expertise and resources to make it happen.

Who exactly provides order is of less concern than the fact that someone does. The Dominion is not afraid of taking this responsibility where it is needed, and as can readily be seen we are not foreign to the idea of supporting the order provided by others.

- Do you believe that there is a place for trading affiliations that are neutral and do not fall under governmental flags?

Managing to stay neutral, and go it alone, in this hostile universe is a mark of true strength. I salute those who can successfully do so over any appreciable length of time.

Yes, there is definitely a place for affiliations who possess this strength. But there can be no surprise that many who try, will fail.

- Do you believe there is an Alien Alliance which the empire needs to be worried about?

You always need to worry about what the other guy is doing; and if you figure he's getting out of hand you may need to adjust the situation a little. If the aliens did not constantly worry about the humans, and if the humans did not constantly worry about the aliens, then they would be fools.

- Is the DOM a Human aff or one made up of both Humans and Aliens in equal measure?

The Dominion started out as a pure bred human culture, separated from our homeworld by a freak astronomical event. Once the struggle for survival made itself known in earnest we started shedding old prejudices and when we encountered the Dewiek we were good and ready to ally ourselves with huge monstrous bipedal wolves; because why not.

The current Dominon has no species preference. If you can demonstrate the necessary strength to ensure your own survival and that of your brothers, then we're not counting pseudopods; and tentacles have all sorts of interesting uses.


Reasserting Independence - Raiders of the Imperial Periphery (RIP)
* WITH EXCLUSIVE GALACTIC ANNOUNCEMENT *



The RIP are one of the most colourful and dangerous Human affiliations, they were initially formed in Darkfold by those who would not submit to the shackles of IMP charters and wished to maintain a greater degree of freedom.

This evolution to become RIP occurred following years of troubles and encounters with the various legal systems of the inner and various outer peripheries. Hardened and sculpted by their struggle RIP formed into raider tribes, each led by a Captain, who sat on a Council of Captains, a ruling body who imposed their own laws and shared out the resources amongst the raider factions. The Council was for many years led by a unknown individual nicknamed the "Pirate King”.

The society had few morals but a strange sense of honour that created a strong bond of loyalty between the RIP members - where life is hard all must work together for survival and ones word must be ones bond.

There was a time when the galaxy lived in great fear of the RIP who were able to operate in the shadows throughout the galaxy. It is not surprising that much of the stealth and cloaking technologies which affiliations use today originates from this group.

However for the last few years they have faded from public eye and their exploits are merely legends and stories told to scare captains…. or are they? The Beacon team was able to speak with Lazarus Dredge on his work to revive the RIP:

- What is the RIP's primary role and purpose - what motivates/focuses you?

The RIP are dedicated to freedom; the freedom for you to do what you want, and get paid for it. My charge & purpose has been to resurrect the RIP in such a way that the machinations of the others can never again drive us to the edge of extinction. By decree of the Pirate King I shall ensure all those captains within RIP who have the savvy to reach a political level be completely free and unfettered. Beyond that I like to ensure that I have cause to smile and play my music loud! I'm a simple kind of man.

- Is the RIP an independent aff or do you hold ties with any power blocks within the galaxy?

While the sun hangs in the sky and the desert has sand, while the waves crash in the sea and meet the land, while there's a wind and the stars and the rainbow, till the mountains crumble into the plain...

...the Captains of RIP will not kneel, we do not swear fealty or allegience to anyone, even each other. RIP does not sign treaties, nor offer or grasp the hand of friendship. The King Beyond the Hole may make no demands of the Captains, he is elected to offer fair counsel. The Captains of RIP are unfettered by tax, rules, law and are entirely free to tread their own path, wherever it may take them whatever the consequences to themselves or one another. One may deal with individual Captains, (I myself am happy to deal in pretty much anything), but each Captain and each agreement must be taken on its own merits. RIP as an aff will not be creating formal ties with anyone.

- Do you believe that there is a place for independent and/or neutral affiliation that do not fall under governmental flags?

I believe that you can be anything you want to be, just turn yourself into anything you think that you could ever be. You must be free with your tempo and surrender your ego to be free yourself. There is no place for anyone who does not have the strength and/or savvy to ensure their own survival. Having said that, neutrality is nothing more than a philosophical concept, in practice it would take every sentient in existence to either agree you are neutral or ignore you for all time. I guarantee this will never happen. Neutrality is a bastion of idiocy.

- What are your views on some of the independent trading Aff's like the AFT and GCE?

I had no love for the GCE, lying, treacherous *Censored* hiding behind a veneer of honesty and integrity. I've taken some quiet satisfaction watching them fail, but after consideration simply don't care. The AFT are a bunch of fat cows and dumb sheep. I'm not so keen on mutton dressed as beef and personally doubt it's wise to steal food off the Viziers plate. There are a few crumbs I may ask for when he is finished eating.

- There was a time when the RIP were very active pirates but then they reformed - is there any truth in the rumours you are returning to your roots?

The fact is that things didn't work out too well for the reformed RIP, the reformers were capable men but made the fatal mistake of attempting to exist within the wider galaxy according to the laws of others. The re-reformed RIP will not. Personally I subscribe to nothing beyond Yank and perhaps other KAS systems should the Junta ask. The other Captains may do as they please.

- is the RIP a human or Alien or mixed affiliation?

People are people, sentience is sentience, flesh is flesh, life is life. Is humanity not just one species currently known to contain such? Dominant in large areas, less so or not at all in others. I acknowledge that others seem quite hung up on this issue at the moment but I find the distinction pointless. Surely everyone is Alien to an Alien?

- What do you think of the current conflicts (CAL War on Neutrals and the recent alien/human fighting) - is war inevitable?

With the exception of the AFT and HEX the other affiliations involved seem to exist and be structured to exist in a perpetual state of war or conflict. So yes, and double yes as many find delight in proving their prowess. Prile of yes’ if it is potentially profitable.

- Before we handover to the Sargasso Stranglers is there anything else you'd like to say?

Actually yes. In closing I would like to formally attest that by ancient rite of salt and smoke RIP once again claims dominion over the system of Sargasso and by Decree of the Pirate King renders the following agreement void.


IMP BLOC CEASEFIRE CONDITIONS
The RIP are to hand over or scrap all assets, fixed or otherwise that are present within IMP systems as of now. Additionally any assets in the following systems must also be handed over or scrapped with these systems for purposes of the agreement being considered IMP space - Madonna, Masters, Demon, Stockton, Pegasus, St. Dismas and Caribbean. Freedom City must be handed over, not scrapped within 2 days it is deemed to be the consideration of the agreement and it will not be considered in force until exchanged.
No new fixed assets to be created within IMP claimed systems.
Any breech of the above will render the agreement void.
Any hostile action by the RIP will render the agreement void.
Any proven, in the eyes of IMP law, support of PIR operations by the RIP will render the agreement void.

With the agreement rendered void we invite the following individuals to join RIP and claim Captaincy:
* Mr James Stryker, former CEO of GTT
Pirate Large
Calypso
* Jeremiah Phillips, former CEO of GCE

Fade to live performance…

Skin Deep - Sargasso Stranglers
Many people tell you that they're your friend
You believe them
You need them
For what's round the river bend
Make sure that you're receiving the signals they send
'Cause brother you've only got two hands to lend…
...
…
...Brother you better watch out for the Skin Deep.

Who Are Beacon?
Based in Yank, Halo and Corewards the Beacon team is a mixture of Human and Alien traders who fly under a number of different flags. Able to gather stories and information from all over the galaxy they have unrivalled access to the events of the day.

Can others Submit?
While we have a team of writers we are happy to accept submissions from others outside the Beacon team. To send a submission send a PM to “The Beacon”.