Ωmega News: the final word on the facts

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Ωmega News
The final word on the facts

Welcome to Ωmega News, the premier media outlet of the Empire! We strive to bring the citizens of humanity the best of the news, no matter the story, no matter the danger! Join us - the paper of the people - for regular updates on the state of all the news that matters to you. With over 200 years of journalistic integrity and experience under our belt, you know you're with the best.

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Ωmega News
The final word on the facts

BREAKING NEWS!
Solarius System, Southern Passage

Following reports of turmoil within the system, spokesmen from House Altaine and the Directors of Altaine Industries have broken the veil of silence with an official press release. Numerous unverified reports of a large explosion in orbit of the capital, Planet Astraeus, have now been confirmed. Speaking earlier today from the steps of Altaine Industrial's planetary headquarters, Earl Matteo Udinese of the Order of Directors described the current situation.

"Several days ago the orbital trade centre Golden Patriarch was attacked and destroyed in the largest terrorist attack in Solarius' history." The Golden Patriarch Trade Hub coordinated the majority of the imports and exports throughout the system, acting as a refuelling and relay station for passing merchants. Operated by almost 17,000 crew, it is currently uncertain how many were killed in the attack.

The conflicting rumours of calamity have sent ripples through the local and surrounding economies, with market uncertainty causing fluctuations in Altaine Industry's Terran stock index. With the official confirmation of the tragedy, it is expected that AI will suffer further financial losses before a recovery can be attempted. The cost of goods imported to the system are expected to steeply rise in the interim period until a new orbital structure can be completed.

The Golden Patriarch was critically damaged in the early hours of the 24th, Terran standard calendar. Several components vital to the superstructure's overall integrity were detonated in a large and coordinated bomb attack. The remaining wreckage has since been written off as unsalvagable, with the ruins now falling into a degrading orbit. It is expected that much of the fuselage will burn up on entry, with defence force vessels using boosters to direct the larger sections away from inhabited regions.

Giving a passionate speech from the Altaine palaces on Hecate, acting system governor Lady Adelaide Altaine vowed that those responsible would be caught and brought to Solarian justice. "Those who would hide in the shadows and spill the blood of the innocent have no place in the Empire of today! I and my husband pledge find the vile creatures responsible and drag them into the light for just recompense!" As an immediate measure, the forces of the Solarius System Defence Force have been mobilised on high alert, with full war powers being activated by the Hectate Council.

High Prince of Solarius and Duke-Director of Altaine Industries Eligio IX is currently away at the Imperial Coronation on Terra, but is expected to return shortly to take command of the situation and the Altaine response. Anonymous sources within the SSDF have already stated to Ωmega agents that that attack is unlikely to have been perpetrated by domestic criminals or pirates, and that they would be investigating who the 'prime beneficiaries' of the event were.

As the system enters a period of mourning, already angry voices are being raised with demands for information: how could this happen? Why did it happen? Who is responsible? Uncertainty permeates one of the Empire's most affluent regions, with calls for a swift and just resolution pouring in.

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Ωmega News
The final word on the facts

BREAKING NEWS!
Long live the Emperor!
Terra System, Core Worlds

Celebrations have rung out throughout the Empire, with the coronation of Emperor Louis VII taking place on Terra last night. Putting an end to the interregnum following the death of Emperor Maximilian, the Coronation has brought back a degree of stability to a concerned Empire. Acting as the Lord of Terra Nova prior to his election, Emperor Louis has long been a force in Imperial politics. Having participated in the Grand Assembly for over 70 years and the Imperial Council for many of those, he has a deep and intimate knowledge of the Imperial governmental . Acting as a conservative source of experience and wisdom, it is expected that he will guide the Empire along well trod, traditional paths that have allowed us to prosper throughout the centuries.

In a symbol of the Empire's unity, many of the System Lords and other important dignitaries attended the ceremony in person to pay their respects and affirm their loyalties. Despite this, there is a degree of inevitable discord among the regions caused by some of the more controversial appoints to the Imperial Council.

Enjoying a majority government for the first time in years, the High Lords of the Core Systems have secured many of the most prestigious seats in the government including First Minister, Lord Admiral and High Justicar. Many political correspondents believe this was enabled by the support of a breakaway faction of slave owning Lords from the Homeworlds tipping the balance of votes. This was seemingly confirmed by the appointment of Lord Alexios Gin-Ammon from the Vici System to the position of Lord Treasurer, a move which has drawn open condemnation from merchant interests in the Southern Passage and Calmar Loop.

Similarly controversial is the appointment of the young Alexander Archer to the position of Lord Warden of the Marches. Lord Archer is only technically eligible for the position, having recently been granted stewardship of the abandoned and desolate Marten system. This has caused outrage among the Marcher Lords who contest that the Warden of the Marches should be a military man who has successfully led military operations.

Advocates of Lord Archer insist that this is not the case, and his Lordship will be bringing a fresh and original perspective to reinvigorate the region. There has also been some speculation that the Imperial grant of feudal privileges over a lost system may indicate that a new Holy Campaign is due, but Palace spokesmen have remained tight-lipped on the matter.

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Ωmega News
The final word on the facts

BREAKING NEWS!
Sol System, Core Systems

Much alike a phoenix rising from the ashes, joy has today surpassed the abject woe of Emperor Louis's ill-timed death. Less than a year into his reign, the elderly Emperor passed away in his sleep within Terra's Imperial Palace. After several days of intense negotiation and voting, a new candidate has been elected. With almost unanimous support, Lord Balthasar Ignatius has been elected to this most lofty of ranks, titled Emperor Balthasar V.

Having acting as First Minister during Louis' short rule, Emperor Balthasar is sure to have acquired many of the skills in statehood he will need to steer the Empire ever further along the path of humanity's prosperity. Speculation is also rife as to how the Council of Ministers may be affected by recent events. With the current Council dissolved for the duration of the election, an announcement regarding appointments is expected to be made shortly.

Common consensus is that the Council will probably reflect the Old Lord pedigree of the Emperor himself, although it is likely that several posts will be awarded to the Empire's outlying regions as reward for their consensus support. The appointments the Emperor makes now are likely to shape the policy and outlook of his administration for the foreseeable future, and help determine the most influential lords in the Empire.

An efficient Council will surely be needed to assist the Emperor, for several core issues currently plague the Empire. Most recent in the news is a spate of brutal piracy spanning the Empire's heartlands. The latest report from the Imperial Spacelane Authority - and most embarrassingly for the new Emperor - was a raid on the shipping of Nu Scorpii itself, the home seat of House Ignatius. With the current blight of piracy going entirely unanswered by the previous regime or Lord Justicar, stern action will be required in order to dissuade further brigandry.

There have also been increased calls from The Hook for greater expression of religious freedom. While most citizens would consider the denizens of The Hook to be little more than misguided heretics, it is undeniable that the star cluster now encompasses several billions of settlers. Largely drawn to the zealot systems by their message of spiritual tolerance, these Altrist pilgrims now present a concerning factor for Imperial authorities. The last concentration of such numbers of 'The Faythful' occurred shortly before the Altrist War. With a number of the systems seeking greater unity under the leadership of Lord Ramses II Vaiken of Thrax, the Emperor will have to carefully consider how to react to such a large demographic.

A potential crisis also still brews within the Southern Passage as hostilities between the Solaris and Gumpalt systems simmer. Following the bombing of the Golden Patriarch trade centre in Solaris last year, relations between the two systems have soured. While Solarian authorities are yet to publicly name a responsible party, draconian stop-and-search measures have been implemented along the Gumpaltian border with Altaine Industries citing 'security reasons' as the cause. The merchant cartels of Gumpalt have responded with a sternly worded condemnation of what they describe as 'Solarian belligerency'.

A strong hand will be required for the Emperor to resolve these myriad issues and time will surely be the judge of Emperor Balthasar V.