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.



Lannus Crossing Falls - The Caliphates war continues



At the start of week 18 the Hexamon (HEX) base of Lannus Crossing along with the Civilian Militia of Astra succumbed to the overwhelming Imperial (IMP) forces attacking them.

Prior to its fall the base had received reinforcements flown in by a number of privateer vessels, with many choosing to rename in honour of the fallen Jake Lange. They were joined by a squadron of elite Flagritz (FLZ) vessels know as the Astra Runners who also ran the blockade to deliver additional troops and tanks to try and stem the onslaught of massive waves of Mercenaries being thrown at the planets defences.

When the base fell several thousand survivors escaped into a ground party and attempted to evacuate in the ships that had landed. Around a thousand were able to get out but those that were unable to board the first transports were wiped out by the Imperial forces on and around the planet.

The death toll for the defenders was heavy but it was even heavier for the unsupported Imperial mercenaries who had charged the base. It would seem that life has little value within the Empire of man as the death toll for the Mercenary forces ran into the tens of thousands. We were told that as quickly as the mercenaries fell more were shipped in to take their place.

Following the fall of Lannus Crossing the Caliphate (CAL) was able to counter the Dewieks (DEN) counter claim in the Galleon system. They then went on to catch the Dewiek unprepared for an attack in a core system and wipe out their forces in Zewt which were supporting the Civilian Governments claims for independent rule. The Caliphate has now declared an unrestricted war on the Dewiek.

A Massive fleet of over 700 CAL, IMP and GTT warships is reported to still be operating within Coreward with hundreds of support vessels capable of moving the vast mercenary forces at their disposal. Which such a force in the field is any of the Civilian systems safe and is Coreward set to become an extension of the Caliphates growing empire?

The only good news is that the Imperials have reversed course on their shoot all Trade vessels policy and have changed their relations to Free trade vessels to just antagonistic. FRE vessels are once more welcome in Imperial space and are safe from Imperial attacks in developed and Core systems.


A New Hope - The Aliens Strike Back



Although the recent fighting in Coreward has not gone well for the Neutrals and Aliens that have found themselves under attack by the Caliphate and its allies there is room for hope. over the last few weeks we have been provided a number of battle reports from various Alien affiliations which shows that they are beginning to organise and fight back against this Caliphate aggression.

Below is a summary of events from the reports provided to us:

Back in week 16 there were a few small raids by Flagritz vessels into the Beach system. The Beach system is one of a number of systems which forms the Caliphates controlled Darkfold Periphery. The attacks saw Brotherhood (BHD) and Caliphate Intelligence Agency (CIA) outposts sustaining significant damage and some lone CAL and BHD ships destroyed or badly injured.

It was not until week 17 that the first surgical strikes into Darkfold took place with attacks in Fetlock by DEN and FLZ destroyer squadrons resulting in the loss of 10 BHD heavy cruisers.

The Caliphate was quick to respond with 140 CAL, BHD and CIA capital ships being deployed to Fetlock to catch the raiding force. The Caliphate forces however had walked into a trap and found themselves facing 200 DEN and FLZ ships. After the first days fighting 30 of the Caliphate ships had been destroyed with only the loss of 4 small Alien Destroyer vessels.

On the Next dat the Caliphate forces ran but not before nearly 200 more Hexamon (HEX) and Felini (FEL) ships had joined the battle and helped destroy over a dozen more Caliphate capital ships as they left with no further Alien losses.

Week 18 saw the Aliens continue their strikes within the heart of the Caliphate with first an attack on the platform in orbit of Desert Orchid in Fetlock which reduced the platform to under 200 hulls and then a larger attack in the London System which saw 2 Platforms in the orbit of Lewisham completely destroyed and several outposts sustaining heavy damage.

Week 19 saw the first signs that the Aliens had not abandoned Corewards with battles taking place throughout week. The first few battles saw GTT ships being destroyed by HEX, FLZ and DEN ships in the Discorida system. Among the ships blown up were 2 large transports equipped with extremely expensive Hyper Drives. Fighting continued to rage in Discorida and Solo with around a dozen CAL and GTT vessels falling over the next few days.

From all accounts it seems that the Caliphates war is growing into a much larger conflict with both sides suffering victory and defeat in equal measure.



Return of Gath-Edhoras - An interview with the Dewiek Wolf Lord



And now for an interview with noted Dewiek Wolf Lord Gath-Edhoras. Conducted by our award winning regional news reporter 'Brant Speiglhecker'

'So Lord Edhoras or can I call you Gath'

"In human you can call me what you will, if you being entirely correct you should address me in Ragnian as."
(Gath makes a sound much similar to a frog trying to vomit up a hair ball larger than itself)," but that would be gilding the lilly.."(Brant looks confused)

"Much has been made of your hatred of humanity - so to cut to the knub of it - who do you think will win X Factor 3k?"

"What hatred of humanity? Plus your actually leading with the X-Factor?"

"Some people regard your strident denunciations of the glorious three fold Empire, may it live forever along with the beloved Darius lover of pets, carer of orphans and general good g.".

Brant stops as Gath removed his notes and flicked it over his shoulder.

"Did they pay you to say that?"

"Well yes, perhaps threatened to remove my balls if I didn't"

"I think it proves you are already missing them. Anyway I don't 'hate' humans and the Dewiek have a long history of working with the Dominion and further in the past the DTR as well. Recently Dewiek forces assisted the GTT and Imperial forces in dealing with a TCA incursion when the Confederates were nowhere to be seen. No I don't like the current actions of this Axis. I don’t like the way they twist history to make attempt to cover up their own aggression and show dishonour with the very dealings with anyone not of their particular coven"

"So not an X-Factor fan then either?"

Gath ignored him and carried on," What gets me is that they are dancing to the tune of a serial turncoat. Darius has left so many affiliations I hear the Caliphate have installed a revolving door so he can leave as quickly as he entered. Look at his history - he joins , starts wars, sprouts sanctimonious crap then leaves to whatever mad scheme appeals to him next he's been what. Falconian, DTR and now Caliphate in short succession. It would not surprise me to find him in the Wimbles next trying to declare all pies illegal.

"But isn’t Darius trying to protect the human alliance against an,ahem, massive alien alliance"

"No he isn't. His initial targets were other humans and they have so far killed more humans than alien races in their 'crusade'. You can dress it up whichever way you fancy - and with Darius dresses seem to be his thing but this is old school human Empire building at its worse. The ESP is a defensive alliance whereas Darius seems to be controlling something far more aggressive. Our only hope is that the GTT and IMP realise they are being led on a lead and wake up to what he actually is. Either that or we slap them about so much they back down. Personally I prefer the second option but wars, even local restricted ones, against forces of the size of this particular Axis are difficult to predict or even beat."

"Surely you are putting words into his mouth?..."

"I would like to put my fist into his head followed by a hammer"

"…Darius has repeatedly stated he is peaceful! He is protecting humans and after all he always says peace be with you at the end of his messages"

"What award did you get? Biggest reporting suck up. How about I smash your face in!, Oh peace be with you. - you notice the discrepancy between message and signature there?. Plus your own Plato said, quite correctly, 'the people have always some champion whom they set over them and nurse into greatness. ...This and no other is the root from which a tyrant springs; when he first appears he is a protector.'

All the biggest tyrants in human history have gained power by pretending to defend the people against a, usually, incorrect of overblown enemy. So your Darius is the latest in a long line of despots. Plus who knows what the Caliphate really is? The CNF had their war with the Empire at its heart but to move from that to this rubbish. It really is a sad fall to observe "

"So finally, no comment on the X-Factor finals?"

"I think Darius the amazing talking turd should win"

Studio lights dim.



Who Are Beacon and what do they do?
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.

All our reports are prepared based on observations (OOC: turn data provided), submissions which are verified, interviews which are credited to their source and historical data and communications available publicly.

Can others Submit?
We are happy to accept submissions from others outside the Beacon team. To send a submission send a PM to “The Beacon”.

We will try and include anything that is news worthy.