Monday, April 20, 2009

Imperial Navy protects mining operations in Deep Space

Date: 200409
Planet: Deep Space

Story: (Written by the Galactic News Agency, Ramona doesn't write IC).

Two days ago the Imperial Navy launched an operation to protect ore mining facilities in Deep Space while at the same time deny the asteroid ore to rebel forces. Led by the DFA Squadron the Imperial forces that protected a vigo-class mining ship encountered heavy rebel resistance.

The imperial fighters took control of the center of the sector early, but then spread out as skirmishes erupted all over the area and rebel-crewed mining ships tried to collect ore for their shipyards.

Fighting went on for over an hour, but the imperial forces gained the upper hand early on, driving the rebels back wherever they found them. Several rebel-controlled mining ships were were destroyed by TIE Bomber strikes while civilian losses to rebel attacks were light.

The following footage was released by the Fleet Headquarters on Talus. It was taken during the end of the operation, when rebel forces were extracting and a general pursuit order was given:

Terrorists Striking at Civilian Trade

Date: 200409
Planet: Tatooine/Naboo System/Ord Mantell
Region: Farpoint Valley/Nova Orion Station

Story: (Written by the Galactic News Agency, Ramona doesn't write IC).

A week ago the Intergalactic Mining Company's cargo trip from Tatooine to Ord Mantell encountered more difficulties - of a seldom heard nature. Pirates were expected, but was happened was not.

The YT-2400 class ship "TTC-Errant Star", chartered from TTC, was escorted by Racacowlur in a restored ARC-170, imperial pilot Toomian in an Oppressor and a Y-Wing and Y-Wing fighter. In the Naboo system the convoy was attacked by a raider in a YT-1300 - possibly the infamous Thunder Squadron - but the raider was quickly shot down. The relief felt by the freighter crew was shortlived though.



As it turned out, the A-Wing and Y-Wing LP pilots were traitors. They shot down the remaining escorts, then pursued the freighter which tried to flee, destroying it without any attempt at capturing the cargo - an act very much unlike any done by pirates in the past.

CorSec is still investigating, but the Imperial Sector Command announced that such acts of wanton destruction were the hallmark of the rebel alliance trying to scare the civilian population by spreading terror. IMC announced that the corporation was apolitical, and the cargo destination the civilian shipyard in the Nova Orion Station. Manager Kimisei Bythmi was quoted stating that he abhorred such senseless violence, and hoped the perpetrators would be brought to justice. He also announced a more stringent screening system for escorting ships.

IMC shares fell 5 % at the Coronet Stock Exchange following the news.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Thunder Squadron Strikes Again!

Date: 130409
Planet: Tatooine/Naboo System/Ord Mantell
Region: Farpoint Valley/Nova Orion Station

Story: (Written by the Galactic News Agency, Ramona doesn't write IC).

A week ago, one week after the "Forlorn Hope" ended up heavily damaged on a cargo route, Intergalactic Mining Company sent another freighter on a cargo trip from Tatooine to Ord Mantell, the chartered YT-2400 ship "TTC-Errant Star". The ship had only a skeleton crew but it was escorted by a force of three X-Wings and one Vaksai, led by Racacowlur, in anticipation of another attack by the quickly becoming infamous "Thunder Squadron" pirate gang.



Despite a scout the pirates managed to ambush the freighter at the entry point at Penumbra Omen, where they were immediately engaged by the escorting fighters. One raider YT-1300 was shot down, but at the loss of all escorts, and a Vaksai - according to rumors piloted by a notorious ace pilot that has struck at several ships in the past - disabled the TTC-Errant Star.

Without any help on the way, the freighter was forced to pay a ransom of 100'000 credits to be allowed to repair and continue towards the Ord Mantell system, although the cargo was delivered at the Nova Orion Station with only a slight delay, since the jury-rigged repairs held.

IMC shares fell 3 % at the Coronet Stock Exchange following the news. IMC is offering a bounty of 50'000 credits on any pirates that is identified or caught in the act.

Monday, April 6, 2009

"Forlorn Hope" shot up in Naboo

Date: 060409
Planet: Tatooine/Naboo System/Ord Mantell
Region: Farpoint Valley/Nova Orion Station

Story: (Written by the Galactic News Agency, Ramona doesn't write IC).

A week ago, the Vigo-class medium freighter "Forlorn Hope" of Captain Aenius Bosk was transporting ore for the Intergalactic Mining Company from Tatooine to the Nova Orion Station in Ord Mantell. Viqui Starhopper flew as an escort with his Firespray "Malificent".

Upon arriving in the Naboo system the ship was attacked by a YT-1300 with no markings near the hyperspace jump point"Kylantha's whim". In a short but intense battle, both escort and freighter were disabled.



The "Forlorn Hope" then was forced by the pirates, which identified themselves as "Thunder Squadron", to transfer the cargo or face imminent destruction.

IMC did not comment on rumors that captain Aenius Bosk, who has acquired something of a reputation as an alcoholic lately, was drunk during at the controls during the flight, and at least partially responsible for this incident.

IMC shares fell 4 % at the Coronet Stock Exchange 5% following the news.