Every session or two, I like to add some news stories from the INS (which is not restricted to Imperium systems) to add background, drop hints, foreshadow storylines or provide adventure hooks that the players can choose to engage with if they wish to do so.
These are most of the stories from 1105. A few from 1105 arrived later since they came from more distant areas of Deneb, the Marches of further afield.
One or two may ring a bell to long-time Traveller players!
72-1105 Chronor – The Imperial Ambassador to Chronor (Spinward Marches 0304) was assassinated; The “Pantheress” (a “Tigress” class dreadnought) has been dispatched to receive the body. Accusations of Zhodani involvement have been denied by Consulate representatives.
097-1105 Regina – Officials of the General Shipyards on Regina today announced that they have completed negotiations with Tukera Lines to locally manufacture L-Hyd drop tanks for use on high-capacity commercial vessels. The first production examples are expected to be available within six months, at which time Tukera Lines will begin high capacity service from the interior. Component assembly will be carried out at General’s more modern facilities on Pixie (0303-A100103-D).
A spokesman for General Shipyards explained that local yards are not yet capable of manufacturing the long-storage capacitors required for the process, but that production of the drop tanks is possible, thus allowing the high capacity starships of the Tukera Lines to begin service to the Regina subsector.
Local production will also allow the extension of the J6 Imperial express boat service, making military and civil government communications faster and more efficient to and from Capital.
162-1105 Kterioa – The seasonal Ihatei congregation on Kterioa has this year peaked at over two thousand Aslan. Experts have suggested that the recent trend of geometric growth will see sufficient Aslan gather in 1106 to pose a threat to Asim, Drinax, Paal or Sink.
182-1105 Arunisiir – Trade tensions along the Borderland flare up again after a violent incident involving heavily armed Aslan ihatei on Arunisiir. Rumours suggest the Borderland Alliance is at risk of fracturing over disagreements in policy toward Aslan expansion.
184-1105 Arunisiir – Reports claim that the recent attack on Arunisiir by Aslan Ihatei has been successfully repulsed. Government sources denied the extensive involvement of off-world mercenary forces, claiming that Arunisiir troops and citizens rallied against the attack and drove off the invaders with heavy losses. While the presence of the Charnwood Regional Defence Company forces was admitted, Arunisiir sources clarified that the mercenary troops were committed to security duties away from the line of contact.
192-1105 Torpol – Torpol saw Oghman Raiders attack an isolated polar mining installation and kidnap several technicians into slavery. Taking advantage of their experience of fighting in arctic conditions, the Oghman force also seized substantial amounts of mining machinery. Residents have demanded that their government locate the deep space refuelling point that allows the Oghmans to raid Torpol with their Jump-1 ships.
192-1105 Salif – Salif forces were able to defeat another effort by opportunistic raiders to attack outgoing shipping. This represents the second attempt in recent months following an attack by an alleged Theevian raider group comprising three ships including a repurposed Vulture class salvager on 106-1105. Salif government sources confirmed the repulsed attack and stated that “this demonstrates the iron-clad resolution of the Salif government to protect system trade and our valuable mineral exports.”
207-1105 Marduk – A trawler captain on Marduk operating out of the capital region recently reported an unusual and persistent sonar anomaly when searching for shoals of fish. Conspiracy theorists suggest that this is yet more proof of the existence of the so-called Gods of Marduk. Scientists suggest that the sonar anomaly is more likely to be caused by an underwater rockslide.
298-1105 Gram – Gram has announced that due to “intolerable provocations” from the Darrian Confederation, they are increasing fleet expenditure and reactivating six mothballed divisions across the Sword Worlds Confederation. Reports from Third Imperium sources condemn this as “reckless posturing that places peace in the Spinward Marches at needless risk.”
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