Emperors Disclaim Faction Mission

UUNN Newswire

(UUNN HQ)  Emperors Venticus and Cineon released a statement on the current Octavius Faction Mission this morning:

After much consideration and discussion, we have decided that it is best for everyone that we do not remain silent about the curent “Octavius” Faction mission.  This mission is, in fact, NOT an Octavius mission.  The mission was initiated by Empress Iulia without our agreement or consent — which would be the norm for such things.  In our opinions, it is not a mission that benefits Octavius and we would encourage pilots to carefully consider this before participating any further.  This mission is a mission to benefit Martius . . . and more specifically the Empress herself.

We consider this situation to be anomalous and still consider Octavius to be united in purpose, with a strong, bright future for all of our planets.

Although the planets of Octavius have had a contentious and sometimes violent history, there has been nothing hinting at this level of discord since Octavius joined The Recontruction Initiative almost 100 years ago.

Hyperial President Issues Statement

UUNN Newswire

(Hypsos, Hyperial)  The following statement was just released by the office of Hyperial President, Drago Maximilian:

Over the past two weeks it has saddened me to watch as our people have fallen into squabbling and back-stabbing.  I chose to allow things to play out while I collected enough information to make a proper decision.  That time is now.

“Evidence” that our Station Governor, the Honorable H.A. Nelson, was involved in a murder plot  was obtained by a member of The Directorate.  This “evidence” was delivered by a known smuggler and it was allegedly discovered during maintenance of an Octavius subspace transceiver.  Careful forensic evaluation of this record reveals that it was falsified — actually a pretty sloppy job that the perpetrator tried to cover up with random data corruption.

Unfortunately this kind of evalution did not happen before emotions flared and this witch-hunt began — and before we made public fools of ourselves.  This was clearly an attempt made by outsiders to destabilize Hyperial — and we are looking into that.

As of this moment, Governor Nelson is completely and absolutely cleared of any wrongdoing in the murder of Berl Rismore; and Grain shipments to Hyperial Station will resume.

Now, hopefully, this circus is at an end and we can focus on getting some traction on the important faction mission under way to construct the new RAM production facility.

Hyperial High Court to Review Nelson Situation

UUNN Newswire

(Hypsos, Hyperial) Hyperial Chief Justice, Graham Talut, announced today that the High Court will be reviewing the recent actions of The Directorate which handed down murder indictments and removed  Station Governor Nelson.

So far, Nelson has proclaimed innocence and has refused to relinquish his position.

Nelson Responds

By Thane Carios
(UUNN HQ) In this brief interview via secure subspace channels, the Hyperial Station Governor has denied any involvement in the demise of former Directorate member and Mayor of Barnard candidate Berl Rismore.
Carios: It’s been an eventful few days …
Nelson: It has.
Carios: What is your response to the Directorate’s allegations?
Nelson: Well, it’s kind of shocking . . . out of the blue. I did hear about the emergency session of The Directorate. They kept things very tight and I was not able to gather any information regarding what was going on. Then … this. Of course I had nothing to do with Rismore’s murder. Frankly I’m just not a very political animal. I took this job back in 111 because Graham (Talut) was moving up and the Presdent asked me to take over here. They seemed to be OK with the job I’ve been doing sinc they re-appointed me seven months ago.
Carios: So what happens now?
Nelson: Well until I figure out what is going on … it’s business as usual. I just initiated an important mission to build a new production facility and I intend to see that through. Meanwhile, HSS controls this sector so they can yammer all they want dirtside. I’m going to find out how this started, what alleged “evidence” they used and who is supporting me. Then we’ll see. I don’t even know whether the Hyperial Charter allows them to do this.
Carios: Isn’t that political suicide?
Nelson: As I said, I’m not political.
Carios: Have you had any direct contact with any members off The Directorate . . . or the President or Chief Justice?
Nelson: Probably best not to discuss that.
Carios: Thanks for your time and candor.
UUNN will, of course, continue to follow this developing story.

Hyperial Releases Statement

UUNN Newswire

(UUNN HQ) The Hyperial Directorate has released the following statement:

An emergency session of The Directorate was convened this week after information was received regarding the 118 murder of Directorate Member and Mayor of Barnard candidate Berl Rismore.  This information provides strong evidence that H.A. Nelson, our current Station Governor and Commandant of the HSS, was a deeply involved in the murder as well as the subsequent cover-up.

Therefore, this body, after careful deliberation, has decided to hand down an indictments of H.A. Nelson and HSS Asst Commandant Lerril Bade for the murder of Berl Rismore.  Nelson has been notified that he has been relieved of his duties and has been commanded to turn himself in for official processing.

The Hyperial statement confirms the earlier information received regarding Nelson’s ouster, but opens up many new questions regarding Nelson’s alleged role in the murder and the nature of the evidence driving such a major decision.

Reports Indicate Directorate Ousts Nelson

UUNN Newswire

(UUNN HQ)  According to dirtside sources, Hyperial’s Directorate convened a special session earlier this week that lasted three days. After multiple, deeply-divided votes the session has reportedly resulted in the removal H.A. Nelson as Governor of Hyperial Station and head of Hyperial Station Security (HSS).

Nelson was just re-elected for his fourth term by The Directorate about seven months ago.  It is unclear why Nelson was removed and who was instrumental in organizing the special session to call a vote.

So far, Hyperial has not responded to requests for a statement.

Estrucera Palace on Lockdown

by Thane Carios

(Great Pillars Station)  The palace of Empress Iulia Atreus is on lockdown today after a dispute that ended with a brief battle in Great Pillars sector that resulted in the destruction of two ships — one an Imperial Guard Phoenix and the other the ship of Consul Caelina Arsann.  It is unknown whether the Consul was actually flying that ship.

A source who was at the palace today said there was some kind of meeting that ended up with an unknown delegate leaving very abruptly.

The Empress was allegedly restrained by her advisors as she burst from the meeting chamber screaming:

“They threatened me!  They … threatened … ME!!!  I’m going to get them.  I’m going to BURN IT ALL down!  First that picture shit on the dark nets.   Now this . . .

Caeli!  Where’s Caeli?

One witness said the fleeing ship was “Weird. White with numbers.” They indicated the ship was being chased at high-speed by two Phoenix-class fighters, but then it turned and began firing.

There has been no response to inquiries from Martius.

Nelson Re-Elected Governor

UUNN Newswire

(UUNN HQ)  The Hyperial Directorate today announced it has re-elected Commander H.A. Nelson as Governor of Hyperial Station for a fourth consecutive term.  Nelson, who was born Quantar and served as a Quantar jump-pilot, was one of the most famous Hyperial mercenaries in the early 100s. He was awarded The Order of the Ancients along with Hyperial citizenship in 108. He has been serving as Station Governor since replacing Graham Talut in 111 AT.

Although Nelson technically remains a jump-pilot he has not served as such in many years.

Hyperial “Prince” Calls for Retribution

by Thane Carios

(UUNN HQ)  At an impromptu rally on Hyperial Station,  Hyperial Prince Sandrich Fablemi called for a military response against Quantar for the Faction Mission blockade being enforced by some Quantar pilots.

“For the Quantar vermin their jihad has never ended,” screamed Fablemi to the crowd, which roared its agreement.  “So if THEY want war — I say they should GET a war!  There are tens of dozens of out-of-work mecenaries out there.  I say we give the economy a jump-start by HIRING them to put Quantar in its place!” urged Fablemi, as he led the crowd in a ‘death to Quantars’ chant.

Empress Chooses Donor and Surrogate

UUNN Newswire

(Etruscera, Martius) Consul Caelina Arsann of Martius announced today that Empress Iulia Atreus had chosen a donor and a surrogate to bear the “Heir to the Empire.”

This has caused some debate about ascertaining genetic continuity, but a contest to the legitimacy of Iulia’s heir-to-be would most likely meet immediate retribution. While it is unlikely that the surrogate will be named — to protect against assasination — many are hoping to know the name and lineage of the donor.

As has been usual with recent Octavius politics, there has been no comment from the leadership of the other Imperial States.