Genetic Analysis Connects Conflux to Extinct Sea Creature

by Thane Carios
(Cornea Station) Sutonia College announced today that the study of sentient conflux biomass by Prof. Athena ShaiDen indicates a genetic connection to the Giant Cephalosian, a long-extinct sea creature on Hypsos.
As noted in Prof. Athena Shaiden’s preliminary report on the genetic analysis of a donated sample of sentient conflux biomass, we have found some genetic markers which may indicate a family-level (“Oegopsina”) connection to the giant cephalosian — a deep sea invertebrate that had been found in Hypsos’ Tethiyan Ocean which has been extinct for more than 100 years. It should be noted that this is very a tenuous connection and that before drawing any conclusions, new, unique sentient biomass extractions — preferrably from different sources — would need to be studied.
The initial sentient conflux biomass samples were collected from a C14 sentient on 123.12.27 by pilot GrimGriz and were donated to Sutonia College by Edgar Reece Industries (E.R.I.).
As far as we know, just one captive (cloned) Cephalosian remains — and it is on display in the docking bay of Hyperial Station. According to our sources, a request by the college to Hyperial for a tissue sample was denied.

Infestations Cleared

UUNN Newswire

(UUNN HQ)  It took over a week, but pilots finally cleared the last super-infestation yesterday from Quantar Gate. It is estimated that approximately 800 nuclear missiles — including 20 specially-modified Maul missiles — were needed to complete the task.

Pilots Andanwen, Cat4Par, Cono, Donnie, Flowbar, GrimJack, HitGirl, Kanthakeh, Koopmans and Rail69 have all been nominated for FluxBuster awards.  Donnie, Flowbar and Rail69 have also been nominated for the Defender of the Barrier medal for their particularly important roles in taking down these infestations.

 

Prof. Athena ShaiDen was originally nominated, but she requested to be taken off the list, saying that “it was not appropriate” for a person in her position.

Adiar Calls for All-Out War on Conflux

by Ares Kiden

(Solrain Core Station) After yesterday’s massive infestation event and the independent analysis done by Xenobiology expert Prof. Athena ShaiDen, TRI-DEF’s Conflux-guy, Carlo Adiar spoke out with a very different view.

“This was a punch in the face,” said an agitated Adiar.  “And we need to respond.  With force.  If we don’t it’ll be a sign of weakness . . . blood in the water.  And then, god help us.”

Adiar’s recommendation:  all-out war.  “I say we ‘brute force’ those remaining infestations.  We have plenty of nukes in stock.  I don’t see what the issue is,” said Adiar in response to ShaiDen’s recent analysis.  “But we should not stop there.  We need to send out a call for all pilots to go on the offensive.  Take conflux missions.  Harvest Conflux biomass.  Destroy Conflux hives.  Wipe out Conflux swarms.”

“These primitive space-fish are more instinctive than intelligent.  Let’s let them know we don’t [edited] around.  Watch them tuck-tail and sulk.”

 

Expert Releases Scan Data

UUNN Newswire

(Cornea Station)  Professor Athena ShaiDen, Xenobiology Chairperson at Sutonia College, released the following statement on the recent infestations blocking unregulated space:

Upon hearing about the spate of infestations that had sprung up across space, I installed my prototype Narrow Beam Scanner and headed out to gather data.  In some instances it was simple, raw data from the infestations, but in a couple instances I was able to gather differential data before and after nuke strikes.

Although my team at Sutonia College is still evaluating the data, some of the patterns I saw in the data from the strongest infestations — Light Lost, Outer Ring, Inner Storm and Greater Arm — were very similar to patterns we recorded in 115 during the Battle for Dark Crossroads.

What we saw then was infestations that lasted for days — not only because they were strong, but because unlike normal infestations, these infestations regenerated (it was never determined exactly how).

Today, pilots were able to “brute force” one of these super-infestations (Quantar Gate/Greater Arm).  We may be able to do the same on the remaining ones — or we could suspend efforts temporarily in hopes that Lexxor can duplicate the specially modified weapons use in the Battle for DX.

It is not for me to say which approach to take.

I will provide additional information if we find anything of additional importance during our analysis.

Determined Trio Exterminates Hives

by Thane Carios

(UUNN HQ)  It’s finally done.  Thanks primarily to Clanlord, Gen.Tra and Morris, the targeted hives in sectors First Sight, C-3309, C-1101, C-1102,and C-2199 were destroyed and most of them have not re-spawned.  And as predicted, asteroids that were staying in a high-entropy (heated) state after mining have finally begun to cool.

“Unfortunately, we still don’t know exactly what was causing the problem with mined asteroids not-cooling,” said Carlo Adiar, TRI Corp’s Assistant Director for Conflux Studies.  “Nor do we know which hive(s) and sector(s) were the source.  But we just didn’t have the luxury of taking the time to narrow it down one-by-one.”

“FluxPert” Suggests Hive Strategy

by Yaz Shanndar

(UUNN HQ)  Xenobiologist and Conflux “expert” Professor Athena ShaiDen believes she has uncovered a potential strategy for destroying the targeted Flux hives.  “I have been monitoring the telemetry from the test-runs against the hives,” said ShaiDen.  “Mr. Adiar is absolutely correct in his assessment that timing is everything.  But I think one thing that no one has publicly discussed is that longer-established hives are much more difficult to destroy than newly-spawned ones — which only take about 5 nukes to take out.”

Fears Grow Over Conflux Inroads

by Thane Carios

(Solrain Core)  Changes in Conflux spawn patterns has begun to raise concerns among pilots.  There have been confirmed changes in spawn behaviors in a number of sectors — in some instances, the spawn strength has decreased, but in the majority of cases, pilots have been seeing higher-level Conflux drones appearing.

“This is nothing to worry about,” said Carlo Adiar, Asst. Director of Conflux Studies at TRI Corporation.  “We have seen Conflux patterns change periodically and see no particular threat-pattern here.”

The (Unregulated) Update

Vol I, No. 7 by Ares Kiden

Well I went on holiday … and I stayed a lot longer than expected.  But my mom finally kicked me out so I’m back with another UPDATE!

Pilots Stay Away in Droves
The holiday crowds were in stealth-mode for this year’s Reconstruction Days with minimal participation in the organized events (“minimal” is a generous term here).  Some blame was put on the numerous protests of the recent Speaker’s election but it’s hard to believe that was the sole reason.  I really liked the “What’s Your Story” contest about The Henge.  I guess I should have entered.  I would have WON.  (My theory is that it was a VERY ancient, VERY huge trampoline.)

Landmark Election
Well the recent Solrain election for the Speaker’s Chair for Amanra was a landmark in a number of ways.  A long-time incumbent was unseated.  TWO challengers ended up tie in the popular vote, forcing a runoff in the STCC – which has not happened in a long time.  Supporters of Verhal have hit the streets in droves, with protests in boroughs and cities across all three planets.  While there has been no violence, there’s been unrest-a-plenty.  Protesters have contended that Hyperial was instrumental in influencing the election.

Funding Denied for ShaiDen Project

by Yaz Shanndar

(Solrain Core)  In a surprising outcome, the funding applied-for by Conflux expert Professor Athena ShaiDen of Sutonia College was denied by Sorian Bank.  The loan, which most expected to be granted, was to help mass-produce a special kind of narrow-beam scanner ShaiDen had developed.  The scanner was used to take readings from Conflux infestations — with the goal of finding better ways to destroy — of even deter them.

Professor ShaiDen was unavailable for comment, but Carlo Adiar, TRI Corporation’s Director of Conflux Studies spoke out, “This is just incredible.  Professor ShaiDen and I do not always see eye to eye, but this was a no-brainer.  And the 500 million credits she was looking for is just a drop in the bucket for Sorian.  Her reputation alone should have been plenty of collateral — but she had a working prototype!  I don’t get it.”

Expert Speaks on Recent Infestation Data

by Thane Carios

(Cornea Station) Conflux expert Professor Athena ShaiDen of Sutonia College announced today that more data is needed on Conflux Infestations.  On 117.3.30 ShaiDen used a new technique to collect data on Conflux infestations, employing a customized narrow-beam scanner and taking readings from the infestation’s plasma port as it was being destroyed by nukes from the other side of the gate.

“We go some really great data,” said ShaiDen, “but we really need more to make the information useful.  Unfortunately, you need to use special equipment and be at the right place at the right time.  I was really lucky the last time.  It was not a planned thing.  And infestations have not been happening that frequently.”

“Not that I’m complaining,” she added.

ShaiDen said she is looking into the possibility of assembling a small team to assist in data collection, but is not ready to announce any details.  “I need to figure out how many narrow-beam scanning kits I can get funded before taking this further,” she said.