"Admiral, we appear to have exited the Void at the correct coordinates. The
anomaly we encountered while in Void transit does not seem to have altered
our course. All systems aboard UPFS Courageous are optimal, sir. "
"Thank you, ensign. Helm - bring us about on an approach vector to Morgaine's World. Orders are to report to Gollwin Academy to take on a training crew. Good news - all of you will be getting 1 month shore leave while the training crew is on maneuvers aboard the Courageous."
[murmurs of happy approval from the bridge crew]
"What is it comm?"
"Sir - I've picked up an incoming videocom broadcast on a public frequency. I think you'd better have a look at it..."
"On screen."
Our top story tonight is renewed military action in the Dramune System.
Despite repeated bombardments by United Fleet forces, the renegade world of
Outer Reach continues to defy Fleet authority in the name of "freedom". This
new engagement began to unfold when an undercover Fleet operative, one Garlus
Tylappar, infiltrated a rogue trading ring operating out of Brightworld
Station; Brightworld has been a hive of resistance activity for years,
despite severe pacification measures taken by the UPF Marine Battalion
occupying nearby Pinnacle Station. It now appears that a criminal dralasite,
known as the "Malthar", has been smuggling medicines and other humanitarian
goods to embattled dissidents on Laco and Volturnus and has also been
amassing a small rebel fleet. Regrettably, Agent Tylappar perished in
Dramune space - his survivors will be conforted that proper vengeance has
been exacted in his honor.
Latest transmissions from Fleet captains in the area indicate that this
pathetic resistance force has been completely crushed by a task force
detached from Strike Force NOVA. Admiral Kadara, in command of the task
force now searching the wreckage above Outer Reach for survivors, reports
that all dissident vessels have been destroyed. As a demonstration of force
to the inhabitants below, the habitat decks of Brightworld station were
incinerated by concentrated laser fire from the Fleet frigates Z'yttl and
Daring; Admiral Kadara reports that both ships' captains will receive medals
for their bravery in eliminating this nest of dangerous radicals. Admiral
Kadara's flagship Courageous, meanwhile, has begun thermonuclear bombardment
of major population centers on Outer Reach to drive the message home that
resistance is hopeless. The Admiral has reportedly ordered his frigates to
tow the crippled Brightworld into low orbit, where it will soon enter the
atmosphere on a course for impact just outside the planet's capital.
Casualties in the capital city should top 40%, not only encouraging
submission to Fleet authority but also reduce dangerous levels of
overcrowding due to recent immigration by undesirable elements. After
impact, the Admiral has recommended the designation of the molten wreckage as
Fleet Monument, a memorial to the lives of the troopers who died obeying
Fleet orders.
This just in! Reports have reached this office that the surviving
members of the Maltharian puppet government on Outer Reach have denounced
their planet's recent attempts to halt Fleet production of the harmless
recreational drug Ixiol on Inner Reach. Misinformed scientists had insisted
for some time that Ixiol production would soon drive the otherwise worthless
Chukkah species to extinction, but Fleet researchers announced just days ago
that vat-growing and factory-farming techniques will ensure a steady flow of
Ixiol to all its happy users on the Frontier.
Our other top story tonight is word that Fleet forces have enjoyed a
string of victories on the rebellious planet of Volturnus. Mechanon forces
lost control of the planet after a Sathar liberation force secretly shuttled
planetside and armed the primitive organic races which blemished the planet.
In light of the Mechanons' continued supplying of manufactured goods and
heavy metals to the Fleet war machine, a strike force was jumped out to the
Zebulon system from Cassidine only a month ago. Several divisions of Sape
slave troops, drawn from breeding facilities in the moons of Venturi in the
Belnafaer system, have linked up with Mechanon warbot forces and exterminated
most of the rebels on Volturnus. Zebulon system's Fleet governor has
reportedly recommended granting the Mechanons the inhospitable planet Mechan
in exchange for their continued service to Fleet.
That's all the news for now, but stay tuned to PGHNN for an interview
with Commodore Karl "Rough" Reider, commander of the daring Frontier
Expeditionary Force. A direct descendant of the "Butcher of Kdikit", Lars
Hengstrom - famous for his brutal expulsion of the Vrusk colonies on Kdikit
centuries ago, Commodore Reider was only weeks ago awarded Fleet's Neutron
Cluster for gallantry. According to the Ministry of Information, Reider's
force single-handedly seized the Liberty system from its decadent Mhemne
inhabitants; he personally ordered the execution of over 10,000 peaceful
technicians who foolishly refused to work in planetside.
"Uh, sir, I've got a coded subspace transmission coming in from the vicinity
of Morgaine's World. Should I acknowledge and decrypt it?"
[Admiral Kadara, in growing horror] "I guess you'd better, Ensign - we've
got to find out what in the stars is going on here... Astrogation - are you
sure that Voidspace anomaly didn't throw us off course? Data officer - is
this some sort of systems glitch?"
"Here's the transmission sir - it's a live feed!"
[Scarred Yazirian officer's face on screen, his ornate Fleet chest belts
bristling with medals and service decorations, his exposed fangs glinting in
a broad grin]
"Admiral Kadara - this is Admiral Gratchu Har-Vort of the UPFS Battleship
Admiral Clinton. Intel reported that you were bombarding the helpless miners
of Outer Reach, but I knew better - you old snake. I knew you might seize
this moment, with our forces dispersed to Volturnus and Liberty, to seize
control of the Fleet Council on Gollwin Station. You always were a bold
officer - just a bit slow in your tactical thinking. You thought leaving
your escort vessels in orbit around Outer Reach would lull the Council into
complacency, but I saw through you all the way. Now, the mistake will cost
you dearly. Prepare to be destroyed, old enemy. I will enjoy the screams of
your wives at night..."
"Sir - he's broken the commlink!"
"Admiral - multiple bogies closing from Morgaine's World orbit - I've got two
frigates, three assault scouts, five fighters - and the Clinton! What are
your orders?!?!..."
Good evening and welcome to the Pan Galactic Holo News Network, the
official broadcasting outlet for the UPF Ministry of Information. The
Minister of Information extends ids personal greeting to all citizens of the
United Planetary Fleets.
[several minutes of stunned silence on the bridge]
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