BaronAzrael

Give Me Your Poor, Your Dispossessed...*sigh*...Yes and Your Coruscanti As Well Refugees have in recent months been fleeing Coruscant, mostly heading to neighbouring Core worlds, but some venturing further afield when faced with indifference or a lack of dedicated support. Once used to a life of relative luxury and security, Coruscantis are now faced with the prospect of being unwanted refugees, suspected of carrying the Sith Plague, and with nothing of value to contribute. Alsakan Sector's Quarantine Screening Programme (QSP) has been extremely successful in preventing any trace of the Corsucanti or Devaron strains of the Sith Plague from reaching the sector, but has left QSP-cleared individuals with no apparent path onwards, sitting in ships awaiting word of acceptance and welcome by the Galactic Republic. That welcome has not been forthcoming, with some small number of individual worlds scrambling to deal with the refugee crisis by themselves. The Alsakan Sector government now joins those few worlds, forming the Corsucanti Alsakan Resettlement Programme (CARP), rumoured to cost nearly 30 quadrillion credits. CARP commits to supporting up to 36 billion refugees for two years with unemployment benefits, housing, medical needs, educaitonal support, and social services, with immediate permanent residency visas followed by citizenship after two years. Coruscanti Quarters are now appearing in major cities, funded by CARP, and with local surrounding communities invloved in integrating the newcomers with the formation of community liasion organisations to limit the potential for tensions with incoming refugees. CARP has prioritised those with pre-existing family or business ties to the sector, or those with pressing medical needs, but those with technicial or business skills in demand, and former security and government personnel have also been targetted by CARP for resettlement. A special division of CARP, with a separate fund, has been assisting Coruscanti individuals and businesses to relocate their headquarters or operations to Alsakan Sector by means of a mix of loas, grants, and tax exemptions. This has lead to an improved economic growth rate due to business relocation, as well as stimulating construction and consumer spending by financially supported CARP families. Already feeling encouraged and supported by their Core neighbour and rival, the Coruscantis were further delighted when it was announced that two special non-districted seats were to be established in the House of Commons, where CARP registrants could elect two members of parliament to represent their interests in the government of the sector. The government has already created the non-Cabinet post of Minister for Coruscanti Affairs, which has been offered to Lord Elkran of Coruscant, whom has been summoned to the Alsakan House of Lords by means of a writ of summons, in the Alsakan title of Viscount Elkran, as the senior Coruscanti noble on Alsakan. Viscount Elkran will oversee the integration of CARP registrants, and represent their concerns to gpvernment. The broad welcome felt by the Coruscantis has seen a number of former military, security, and intelligence personnel sign on with the one of the only militaries to risk sending organic troops to fight for their planet. The Alsakan Ministry of Security has confirmed that at least two Corusanti Mechanised Regiments will be designated to maintain and carry on the traditions and symbols of the Coruscanti military and one Dragoon-class Heavy Cruiser and a refit Dreadnaught will be majority ex-Coruscanti staffed and renamed. Although Alsakan Sector has taken on a significant number of refugees, its substantial financial committment, and its foresight in increasing the infrastructure rate by 0.4% in its last budget (and a further 0.2% rise promised this year), means that it is well-resourced to absorb and integrate these dozens of billions refugees, and to reap the rewards in population and economic growth. But this does highlight another, glaring issue. Alsakan was the first to suggest a Republic Refugee Registry, and whilst all members appeared in favour of it, nothing more has happened. We do not wish to take anything away from those individual members who, often with fewer financial resources, have taken on the burden of welcoming the weak and dispossessed, but others have outright refused to accept refugees, or have been conspicious by their silence. In this the Republic has failed, and much of its membership has failed. We see a great turning inwards, when we should be standing together. Alsakan troops stood on the soil of Coruscant with only cold droid shoulders next to theirs. Refugees from Force disasters shiver silently on ships as they grow colder in the void, a forgotten inconvenience, The Grand Army of the Republic is not grand, and barely an army, subsisting on begged scraps from worlds that horde their wealth and might. The Republic is dying, not from the enemy without, but the enemy within. But it is not dead yet. Those few who take in the now homeless, and fight for somethign greater than themselves may give life back to the Republic...or they may just be its last dying gasp.

I'm Partial to a Lady's Finger, But if the rest of the Lady is Attached I'd Rather Deal with it by Post Phase I of the Alsakan Sector's foray into orbital agriculture is now complete, and considered a roaring success, helping push Alsakan Sector's GDP growth into the positive for the first time in centuries. OrbAg, the state-owned company responsible for designing and seeding orbital farms throughout the Sector, has now been authorised a 20 quadrillion credit fund to triple its productive capacity. OrbAg and its private sector Ithorian consultants have already begun a survey of the most productive agriculture products to focus their expansion efforts on. However, OrbAg has committed to avoid the dangers of monoculture (e.g. disease or market flucuations affecting non-diverse agricultural production) by ensuring that more moderately successful products are also included in the expansion plan, albeit to a more modest degree. It is expected that this tripling of capacity will further improve the Sector's food security position, in addition to providing lower foodstuffs and new career opportunities for the local citizenry. Unfortunately, as with all things in Alsakan, the local foppish aristocrats have taken some advantage of the new rolling fields, with several groups riding mounts in chase of some animals they released, blowing their horns, and generally acting like entitled toffs. OrbAg security personnel quickly rounded them up, firing the staff member who was bribed to let them onboard, and have not commented on rumours that Prince George, heir to the throne, was caught in flagrante de lick hole with Molly the Milkmaid betwixt two scratchy haystacks. In related news, OrbAg has recieved some enquires from aristocrats wishing to purchase tracts of land in the verdant floating farms, to set themselves up as country squires.

Alsakan Tightens The Nuts Following on from the Supreme Chancellor's enactment of an emergency decree for a lockdown, Alsakan Sector has fully complied by remotely screening all vessels having passed through Coruscant or Devaron-situated sectors, and enforcing mandatory quarantining all vessels carrying persons which have been on said planets in the last 2 months, even in cases in which only the ship itself entered the atmospheres of those planets. The Alsakan government Quarantine Screening Programme, or QSP, has stated that this is to avoid any vessels inadvertently carrying microbes taken up by their air intakes. The Alsakan Sector Provosts (ASP) have been designated the lead enforcement agency by the QSP Command Team composed of various relevant agencies. ASP System Patrol Forces have begun enforcing mandatory remote screening of crews and passengers by thousands of recently purchased medical droids and other monitoRing technologies, whilst their ASP brethern of the 14th and 15th System Provost Brigades, scattered throughout orbital facilities, customs and border posts, and astronavigation facilities, have likewise been conducting symptoms checks of people passing through their facilities. Whilst people are expected to quarantine aboard their ships for 14 days, resupplied remotely by labour droids where necessary, dozens of passenger ships crewed by droids have been hired to provide overflow quarantine facilities should incoming vessels have strained their life support systems by overcrowding. Some OrbAg orbital farms have also been identified as backup overflow facilities, due to their mostly droid maintance staff and closed environmental systems. In addition to a Sector-wide contact tracing system established to monitor for symptoms locally, several quarantine facilities, noticably ringed by flamethrower-equiped CCF-M1 Lynx vehicles and troops, have been established on both planets, but remain empty at this time. A government spokesperson confirmed that people in orbital quarantine will not be moved planetside until cleared as being disease free, rather the facilities are there in case any planetside outbreaks occur, although this is not expected due to the lack of symptoms present in the Sector.

Alsakan's Be Excellent CCF-LS1 Stallions Continuing on from Alsakan Sector's Common Combat Framework ground vehicle programme, a new arrow has been added to the CCF quiver in the form of a dedicated assault landing ship to transport CCF vehicles and troops to planetary surfaces from orbiting Dragoon-class Heavy Cruisers or during insystem transport. Essentially a fast, armed flying crane, the unique CCF-LS1 Stallion design has an underslung deployment box which allows for the quick deployment of vehicles and troops via drop down ramps. Should the airspace be too contested however, the Stallions can land, quickly disengage their deployment box, and rapidly return to orbit. The left-behind deployment box can then function as an emergency shelter for troops, equiped with power charging points, light tools, and an aid station whilst further boxes are picked up on ships by the Stallions, allowing for rapid surge deployments in contested planetary surfaces and airspace. Prototype the CCF-LS1 Stallion The modular design purportedly allows for the carrying and deployment of 2 heavy, 3 medium, 5 light, or 6 scout CCF ground vehicles, or 100 troops or 2MT of cargo. For short deployments troops and crews can be seated within their vehicles, ready for immediate driving out once landed. If the Stallion project successfully extends the CCF concept of using common off-the-shelf components, ease of use and maintenance, and cheap production and upkeep costs, then the Alsakan military may see significant benefits in a simplfied logistics chain and air and ground vehicles designed to complement and support each other.

Combine This! For the past year Alsakan Sector has been steadily building a coherent and simplifed military logistics and training system, centred around their Common Combat Framework series of vehicles. Having recently finished prototyping of their last of the M1 series wheeled ground vehicles, the Sector now boasts Infantry Fighting Vehicles, Cargo Carriers, Ambulances, Air Defence Vehicles, and Command and Communcations Vehicles, all based around a common chassis and parts. AMA (Alsakan Military Automobiles) has also just announced that their assault lander, the CCF-LS1 Stallion, will be ready to enter production in Month 7, whilst a Valor refit, to be called the Dragoon-class Heavy Cruiser which is capable of carrying a full Dragoon-Assault Regiment, vehicles, Stallions, and a fighter wing, has just entered service and already been licenced to the famed shipwrights of the Rendili Sector. With the coming together of all the various CCF strands within but a few months, the Secretary for Security has announced the formation of the Alsakan Combined Arms Training Institute (ACATI). With a permanent CCF-equipped TRAFOR (Training Force) and a legacy-equipped OPFOR (Opposition Force), ACATI has a 5 quadrillion credit budget to develop a planetary combined arms doctrine, and to diseminate that doctrine throughout Alsakan Sector regular forces. The Dragoon Assault Regiments, and 13th Independent Dragoon Battalion have spent 2 months at the germination of ACATI, assisting in the development and practicing of combined arms doctrine, experimenting with what works and what doesn't. For 3 months after Dragoon attendance, the regular Yeomanry brigades have likewise rotated through ACATI, to be better instructed on employing the now standard CCF ground vehicles. The Dragoons are likely to be soon considered experts in combined arms warfare, and have been authorised a unique maroon beret to wear, and are already being referred to as veteran units. Whilst not trained to the same standard, it is expected that the Yeomanry units will still be able to outclass most Republic militaries in combined arms ground warfare. As part of ACATI's mission to improve combined arms and ground warfare knowledge, a specialist archival database has been constructed, to allow for access to records of historical and ground combat, and will be updated along with current events. It is believed that the ACATI Archive will one day, maybe even soon, become a valued resource for staff instructors from Alsakan Sector and further afield. Whilst still small by galactic standards, and without the prestige or broad training capacity of the Azure or Corulag Academies, Alsakan's focus on effective and coherent ground warfare may make it a leader in this niche military field, with some considering that one day the Alsakan Dragoons may become the tip of the Republic's spear, able to transport light but concentrated force units on dedicated transport ships for rapid deployment across the Republic.

A Grower, Not a Shower The Alsakan Chancellor for the Exchequer has just posted the latest quarterly economic statistics, and announced that Alsakan Sector is no longer in recession, having posted positive GDP growth for the first time in generations. Like most ancient Core founders, the economy is massive but stagnant, still able to swell its treasury with quadrillions of credits whilst loosing economic growth over the centuries, whereas the Rim worlds have been the seat of much of the Republic's enthusiastic and vibrant growth. For the past two years the Sector government has focused on diversifying Alsakan Sector's economic via the ASIF fund which invested in growth areas across the Republic (e.g. military ship interiors, weapons components, durasteel, hyperdrives, etc.) and the OrbAg company which has just finished constructing its first generation of orbital food production systems in the sector. The Chancellor has confirmed that further investments are planned to expand ASIF holdings, and to triple the OrbAg capacity. Although only a modest 0.2% growth has been achieved, economic analysts and investors are still highlighting Alsakan's example in being able to turn around even the largest moribund economies. They have further commended the Sector government's committment to stable growth by a policy announcement to limit growth below 1.5% as a maximum, to prevent overheating an economic and society which may not be prepared for such changes. The turn around in the economy has been generally celebrated by the public at large, and some credit is given to providing the Sector with some insulation from future financial shocks, by diversifying the economy, and by increasing self-sufficiency in food production.

Alsakan Sector Says "You're a Very Naughty Boy!" Alsakan Sector is famed for its wealth, and like all wealthy societies, it does suffer from a degree of corruptive practices. However, the common taxpaying public and government has become increasingly concerned that reportedly up to 25% of public funds are lost to such practices. The issue is considered so disgraceful that the Royal Court itself has directed the government to begin immediate programmes to rectify this abhorrent state of affairs. Under said Royal direction, the Home Secretary George Colthurst St Barleigh has set up the Anti-Corruption Crime Service (ACCS) as an independent entity in order to investigate and prosecute fraudulent practices in relation to state funds. Whilst previous anti-corruption initiatives have been merely somewhat cosmetic, this one holds a degree of promise as it has focused on the domestic and international recruitment of senior leaders and trainers for both subsiduary branches: the Alsakan Tribunal for the Investigation of Corruption (ATIC) which tries relevant accused persons and entitites, and the State Funds Police Service (SFPS) which investigates relevant crimes. In addition, the legal protection of the anonymity of SFPS frontline officers, informers, and witnesses, as well as both organisations running their own internal training and recruitment programmes completely separately from the mainstream justice system, highlights the significant degree of independence planned. The most shocking aspect of these new institutions are that their senior leadership will be appointed by, and report to, a panel composed of a Royal Court appointee, the Home Secretary, a member elected by the Bar of Alsakan, former Justices of the ATIC (in the future), and two publicly elected representatives. On a planet that effectively contains a powerful executive monarchy, the idea of genuinely democratically elected representatives who cannot be party political members (or have been so in the past 3 years) is probably the most liberalising move made by the Sector in decades. Ostensibly formed to provide democratic oversight of the appointment of the ATIC and SFPS leadership, the true motive appears to be to avoid any influence from other commercial and bureaucratic figures within the Sector. However, criticism has been leveled at these plans, with a civil rights organisation claiming that cutouts for national security and limiting themselves to investigations involving the embezzelment or misuse of programme funds of 10 million credits or more, makes the ACCS more toothless than is needed. In the meantime, a public advertising campaign has been initiated, informing citizens of the new anti-corruption measures, and providing a reporting service for accusations of fraud involving state funds and bribes. The initial SFPS core are already preparing case files on several middle-management bureaucrats who have continued to brazenly flout the new regulations, and it is suspected that they will be made examples of by way of lengthy sentences and asset seizures. The potential problems in enforcing these stronger regulations against influential figures was embarrassingly demonstrated when the Kings's second cousin and a junior government attache, Viscount Barnestaple, was spotted partying in a nightclub and paying excess amounts of cash for services with the names of closely-linked companies written on the credits he paid with. The King is reportedly furious in private, and whilst his distant cousin is involved, a volte-face is not possible as he does appear to be attempting to seriously implement these new reforms. The newly-appointed Chief Justice of ATIC, Richard Goldstone, former Judge and chief prosecutor, is taking seriously any cases brought before him. Whilst Oliver Shaw, former Detective Superintendent and Head of the Economic Crime Directorate of the City of Xenvaer Police, has committed to continuing his pursuit of individuals at all levels of the bureaucracy in his new role as head of the SFPS. Together, these two specialists are pushing against the long-standing intransigence of certain state organs and bureaucrats. The unexpected nature of this enforcement may mean it is not truly believed by the upper echelons of Alsakan society, and so more extreme and public actions may be necessary by the Home Secretary to demonstrate his seriousness. In the meantime, a modest degree of improved efficiency has been noted in public spending, both in lowering the cost of projects and increasing outputs, likely due to the targeting of low and middle rank state employees embezzling state funds, accepting bribes, and passing on contracts to associated companies with poor performance, but the greatest impact will be seen if this new policy includes the senior levels conducting the greatest degree of fraud.

Battle group 2 Returns from ORSF Deployment - Programme Suspended The second planned rotation of Alsakan Sector ships under ORSF has been completed, and whilst a resounding success in fighting piracy in the Outer Rim, the current series of security crises around the galaxy has caused the government to temporarily suspend the SEAPEx programme. As the Dreadnaughts, support vessels, and troops returned to a heroes' welcome in Alsakan, many of the now most experienced naval crews in the RAAF have already beeen redeployed to other fleet units or placed in staff and academy positions to make the best use of their experience. Brigadier Chad Flasheart, RAAF liasion to the ORSF under SEAPEx has likewise been recalled, with his contributions recognised by his induction into the rank of Commander of the Royal Alsakan Order, with the postnominals of CRO. The government has stated that due to the mutual benefits of participation in SEAPEx, and its contribution to Rim security, it will be reactivated once the galactic situation has become more stable.

Rim Plies Anti-Core Lies Op Ed. In spite of Alsakan Sector's thousands of troops putting their lives on the line to defend the Outer Rim via ORSF patrols, despite supporting planned massive increases in Republic Rim spending in the Senate, despite providing jobs for many unemployed former service personnel, some Rim military officers, government 'sources', and even our supposed Core allies have perpetrated the lie that we have stolen away their serving military personnel. Despite constantly reiterating that the AMID recruitment programme does not allow for the recruitment of serving personnel or citizens with call-up liabilities or reserve service requirements, our government has had to fend off repeated accusations, misrepresentations, and outright lies. Even though AMID did not specifically target the Rim, the Rim has the largest pool of unemployed or low-paid former service personnel, so no wonder that they sought out better lives for themselves and their families. So what is this all about? Why would these individuals lie about Alsakan's intentions? Quite simply- prideful arrogance. The same prideful arrogance that they accuse Corers of displaying. They cannot admit that they lack the financial means or vacancies to employ former service personnel. There is no shame in that, no shame in being a hardworking Rim Sector making do with what resources are available to them. But there is shame in pushing this lie for domestic political reasons. Tis easier to blame the perfidious Corers for being responsible for the understaffing of PDFs whilst they cosy up to Hutt slavers and criminals, easier to call us unjust when they support violent seccessionist movements of foreign adversaries, easier to create a distant enemy rather than admit the greater enemy within. Yes, prideful arrogance, but not one that reflects their power or standing. And what of Holonet News? Their apparent 'balanced approach' to news seems to be less accurate than we had once believed, willing to feed inaccurate information from analysts to the wider public, implying, insinuating, and empowering the lie. If parts of the Rim and their factionalists in Holonet News want to go it alone, they can. If they want to eschew democracy and Republic funds, then go, bend the knee to the Hutts, we're sure you're so important that you won't be enslaved...although the rest of your citizenry may have more to worry about. Until Holonet News and the other lie-promoters retract their statements, they should see no support from Alsakan Sector. Should they, however, do the right thing by clarifying the true intent, purposes, and actions of our AMID programme, then we at the Tatler believe our government may continue to promote increased spending targetted towards Rim worlds in need, and further we would ask them to suspend the AMID programme as a gesture of good faith. But we will not just roll over in the face of these lies, begging to be kicked over and over again. Diplomatic relationships, like all healthy relationships, need to be defined as a partnership rather than a dictatorship.

New Budget Announced A new year dawns upon the galaxy, and whilst most sentients are gently sobbing into pillows and vowing never to imbide so many fizzing drinks with ridiculously small umbrellas ever again, accounts are dealing with a greater headache- preparing budgets for the new financial year. The variety of problems facing the Galactic Republic have continued to blossom like an evil fungus, spreading spores of conflagration even towards the Core, which now stand shaking in their expensive velvet boots. Alsakan Sector has tried to prepare for weathering the oncoming storm by diversifying its economic investments into military support services through its ASIF fund, and also establishing signifcant orbital farming via OrbAg. Whilst other governments have mulled increasing tax rates to build up their war chests, The Alsakan Chancellory has stated that tax rates will remain the same, whilst infrastructure rates have been increased by 0.4%. The IR increase will be focused on improving sector infrastructure and services, to build greater resilience in the face of galactic political, military, and economic shocks. The economy is projected to leave recession in month 3 by going positive with 0.05% growth, and further grow to +0.23% by month 6, due to the ASIF and OrbAg investments combined with infrastructure rate increased spending. As a significant surplus remains from the previous financial year, the government is projected to have over 80 quadrillion credits available for spending in the new year. OrbAg is already slated to be tripled in capacity, improving food security and further lower prices for Alsakan Sector citizens, and ASIF is likewise to recieve further funding for expansion. The government has also committed to improving local defence forces, and funding scientific and charitable programmes with other leading Republic worlds. The large liquid cash reserves, economic diversification, and tip over into positive growth, may yet see Alsakan overtake Coruscant soon as the economic power of the Core Founders, with its lower revenue rate already appearing attractive to Coruscanti-based businesses.

Is that an eggplant in your pocket, or are you ju...oh it IS an eggplant *sad face* Alsakan Sector authorities, coming up on the end of the financial year and still sitting on ridiculous amounts of credits have decided to continue the diversification of their economy, albeit in a new direction. Having taken note of the small-scale VegSatellites orbiting Coruscant which provide limited amounts of fresh fruit and vegetables to the overpopulated planet below, Alsaka has decided to go bigger, better, and bolder. Representatives of Herdship manufacturers Ithorian SkyYards, Ithorian agricultural consultancies, partially-Alsakan-owned Kost&Ko space station builders, and various agrirobot and other farming supplies companies have descended on the offices of the newly-established OrbAg company to take advantage of a rumoured 10 quadrillion credit project to change the face of Alsakan Sector food security. Established as a state-owned orbital agriculture company, OrbAg will aim to build and operate a series of orbital farms and crop-growing facilities in Alsakan orbit and dispersed throughout the local system and on towed asteroids. Interior of Planned OrbAg Facility OrbAg Crop-Growing Facility in Orbit Although designs favour heavily automated farming operations, organics will also find work as overseers, droid technicians, and quality inspectors, ensuring some work for Alsakan locals. It is expected that, with such a massive investment, Alsakan Sector will likely weather any future food insecurity concerns, and the potential for it to export some produce to other core worlds will help to further diversify its economy, and insulate it from some economic shocks, in addition to the direct boost from infrastructure spending and the likely improvement in the restaurant and supermarket sectors of the local economy. Once again, although some locals are concerned about the size of the funds used, it has generally been welcomed as a sensible investment that will also directly benefit local citizens, and it would not hurt local opinion of the government if Alsaka becomes a significant food producer in its immediate area. The immediate effect has been a modest reduction in food prices and improved food security, although greater funds will need to be allocated to make Alsakan Sector truly food independent.

Oh Look At The Lovely Lumps on That! The first production model from Alsakan Military Automobiles (AMA) hhas been announced as being under construction right now, for entry into the Alsakan Sector Yeomanry (ASY) within the year. Formed due to a perceived lack of suitable cheap, easy to use ground vehicles, the Common Combat Framework is a planned series of vehicles using similar wheeled chassies, components, and other parts to allow for simplier logistics, cheaper repair, and easier maintenance. The CCF-M1 Camel is the first of the Medium 1 Series to go into full production. Orientated around a utility concept, the Camel can have modules switched out at workshops to be used as an armoured personnel carrier for up to 10 passengers, cargo transporter, or ambulance, and defends itself with a remote turret weapons stations consisting of a light laser cannon and concussion grenade launcher. Prototype M1 Camel undergoing weapons testing M1 Camel APC module testing out deploying infantry dismounts M1 Camel using ambulance module in extraction scenario The simple design and light weapons loadout, combined with user ability to change the module setup from cargo to ambulance to APC, and straightforward field maintenance requirements is likely to see the Camel become a mainstay of ASY forces, and may see this design philosophy expand further afield. Other M1 variants due to enter production within the next year are the M1 Lynx (Infantry Fighting Vehicle), M1 CyberEagle (communications, command, and electronic warfare support), and the M1 Kestrel (anti-air).

Battle group 1 Returns from ORSF Deployment Just a few hours ago the ships of the RAAF's Battle Group 1 returned to Alsaka, festooned with bunting and receiving the flashing running lights salutes of insystem ships. Having been the first unit to be under ORSF command during the SEAPEx exchange, the ships and crews of BG1 spent their 5 month deployment battling pirates on the Rim as embedded members of the vaunted ORSF. BG1 Dreadnaughts entering Alsakan Sector space Composed of the old but venerable Dreadnaught Heavy Cruisers, DP20 Frigates, and assorted support craft and infantry in additon to the tens of thousands of naval personnel, BG1 was inducted back into the RAAF, where many of the crew will use their experiences to instruct other personnel, reform and update doctrine, and some will be posted as staff instructors to the Alsakan Academy. Battle Group 2 has already taken BG1's place in the ORSF, continuing the 1 year SEAPEx experiment, after which the valuable experience will be transferred into Alsakan Sector security forces, and a determination will be made as to whether SEAPEx will continue. The SEAPEx Liaison Officer to the ORSF had this to say. ...enlightening as ever Brigadier. Whilst it shall take some time to spread the SEAPEx knowledge throughout the RAAF and wider Alsakan military, it is believed that by the end of the first year of SEAPEx, the RAAF will be one of the very few Core World militaries to have some combat experience.

Should we spend our vast reserves of cash? AS IF! I mean...ASIF The current explosion in military-industrial activity has not gone unnoticed by the Alsakans, with their government sitting on a mountain of underused credits and contemplating economic stimulus ideas. Having already been in the process of considering investment into components and ancilliary services to the military and shipping sectors, the Alsakan Sector government has accelerated their plans to take advatnage before market saturation occurs. Having noted that access to liquid cash seems to be a major limiting factor for various businesses trying to expand to meet demand, or to enter this field in the first place, the Alsakan Sovereign Investment Fund (ASIF) has been established with an initial investment budget of 5 quadrillion *sounds of anchor choking* sorry, 5 QUADRILLION?! credits to be used to build up or expand businesses trying to supply the growing military-industrial complex. Unlike banks, ASIF makes investments in return for shares in companies assessed by ASIF as having potential for growth or strategic value, which has made Rimward citizens look more kindly on the eccentric Alsakans as, unlike the banks which provide little support and rarely any money, ASIF is risking their own money to invest in companies and individuals rather than just loaning the credits. Companies and individuals have been extensively targetted by Galaxy-wide advertising, and a slew of ASIF offices have popped up in every Republic Sector, encouraging applications. Having stepped in where local banks seem unable or unwilling to tread, ASIF is on track to becoming an investment behemoth, particularly in the Rim. Although focusing on smaller business concerns, some medium-sized companies have benefitted from ASIF funds to expand their operations, and ASIF now has controlling or substantial shares in the following companies which we here at HoloNews consider to be of particular interest. Titus Steel (controlling share), Spaaga Core Inc., and Ocanis Gas all provide raw materials which includes metals, gases, and gems for lasers. Interstellar Lightspeed Manufacturing is having their hyperdrive production facilities upgraded with the potential relaxation of Ruusan limitations for large-scale faster hyperdrives, whilst SunnGun (controlling share), formerly producing personal lighting systems are now expanding into interior ship lighting fitouts. Similarily, Steelton, the leading maker of podracing control cables, is being expanded to produce more general cabling for starfighters and larger vessels, and Karrel Engineering (controlling share) is hiring more staff and machines to increase output of their toolsets. A particular investment of note is that into Kost&Ko Factories, makers of the X7 Deep Space Manufacturing Facilities, who will expand into maintenance, repair, and logisitic support services for Republic vessels. ASIF is also aware of the dangers to organics from groundside combat, hence their investment into the makers of survival gear and high-rated tents Survival Equipment Inc. and Rim Excursions Inc., both of which ASIF now has controlling shares in. This is a massive investment fund established by Alsakan Sector, and whilst some of it will undoubtably have been invested into ventures that fail, the widespread nature of the companies and the focus on support and ancilliary services is likely to reap them rewards in the medium to long-term. Having been an early entrant to these less competitive economic sectors whilst much other investments focus on productive platform capability, has resulted in ASIF being likely seen as a significant player, if not outright market leader, in ancilliary and support services to the rapidly growing Republic military-industrial complex. The diversification of the Alsakan economy has been broadly welcomed by local citizens, although a small group has complained about the lack of domestic investment but others have pointed out that Alsakan domestic companies do not typically compete in the ASIF investment fields. Non-attributable briefings from ASIF employees and government sources have confirmed that further investment and expansion is likely into the forseeable future.

The Achilles Heel of Republicanism Op Ed. Those disunited voices along the Rim, always lashing out against perceived injustices, now sound more coherent, not yet quite a choir, yet no more a cacophony of resentment. Alsakan Sector had requested a delay to the Military Creation and Reformation of the Republic Engineering Corporation (REC) Act, with the Alsakan Sector Senator voting against it once it was brought to the floor. Fearing the negative repercusions this could have on the Hutt negotiations, we too were one of a few voices raised in protest, aught to no avail. So we can understand the reaction of the Rim...understand it, but not permit it. Pirates are being forced across Republic borders, driven by the Hutts, whilst the Rim protests demcracy. Slavers position themselves as civilialisations to be emulated, whilst the Rim riots against civil-monitored police forces. Murders and rapists descend upon the Rim, whilst the Rim burns down institutions designed to defend against those evils. The Rim demands democracy, and yet ignores the fact that democracy does not mean bending always to your own will. Democracy means everyone has a voice, everyone is subject to the same law, and everyone benefits from the protections of this vaunted and ancient ideal. The Rim must choose- is it a partner within the Republic, with all the rights and obligations therein? Or will it favour its hubris, and so abandon the Republic during these difficult times? Because make no mistake, it is the Rim that is on the frontline of the Hutt proxy invasion, and should it abandon the Republic, the Republic may likewise abandon it.

RAAF Welcomes New Ships In recent years the Royal Alsakan Aerospace Force has had to mothball some of its older heavy vessels due to personnel constraints, and focus on crewing lighter multi-role ships capable of constabulary and defence tasks. As part of ongoing restructuring, the RAAF retained two heavy battlegroups capable of offensive actions, however, the recently instituted SEAPEx exchange programme with the ORSF has seen one battlegroup at a time assigned to the ORSF for Outer Rim security operations and experiential training purposes. When SEAPEx was first initialised, the Hutt crisis was not yet an issue, but recent tensions have seen some Alsakan defence analysts highlight public concerns about sector defnce when a whole battlegroup is unavailable. In repsonse, the RAAF has announced they have recently taken delivery of 15 Ruusan-class Light cruisers. The RAAF has also reportedly taken delivery of over 100 AIAT/i Gunships, some of which will remain with the RAAF, and the others to be sent to the Alsakan Sector Yeomanry and the Royal Dragoon Commandos for troop mobility and air support duties. Whilst the introduction of 15 modern cruisers has been welcomed, some analysts remain concerned at the crewing requirements for older heavy cruisers, and the lack of available personnel.

Alsakan Sector Loves Rim The Rimward systems have oft complained of being abandoned to criminality by the inward-looking wealthy worlds of the Core, having to fend off pirates and smugglers to protect the flow of resources to the hungry industries at the centre of the galaxy. Those wealthy worlds have for the most part ignored the complaints of more distant governments, content to play with their large economies and relatively safe shipping lanes. Seswenna Sector has been one of those more distant worlds active of late, in deploying their vaunted Outland Regions Security Force to fight the scourge of criminality, wearily recognising that help or even just a modicum of attention was always unlikely to come from the Core capitals. Today, however, something quite unexpected was announced. Taking heed of the criticism of the inward Core, the government of Alsakan Sector has agreed to fully fund a deployment to Seswenna Sector to aid in their fight against piracy and criminality. A force rumoured to be composed of tens of thousands of personnel, at least eight capital ships, supplies, and spare parts along with transport vessels to ship them in, have been ordered to the Seswenna Sector. For all our readers expecting this ancient Core giant to arrogantly sweep in and instruct the poor uncivilised non-Corers in how to properly run their sector, we have another surprise in store- the Alsakan Sector forces have been placed under the operational command of the ORSF. Called the Sectors Experiential Assistance Patrol Exchanges (SEAPEx), every half year Alsakan will rotate forces through Seswenna, with an ORSF officer appointed temporary deputy commander of the Alsakan formation, whilst an Alsakan Command Liaison Team will be embedded within ORSF Command. In general the Seswenna Sector public have been supportive of the news of SEAPEx, seeing it as a vindication of their government's direction by a prestigious Core Founder, in addition to providing further forces to fight pirates and criminals. On Alsakan the response was more mixed, with the public wondering at the cost of a deployment so far away, and even questioning the need for Alsakan forces if they have nothing better to do than engage in foreign 'jollies', although others have trumpeted SEAPEx as a diplomatic triumph, highlighting the continuing importance of Alsakan Sector. The greatest benefit for Alsakan Sector however, may come from gaining practical experience of actual contested patrol and policing actions which, in a home sector which is relatively stable and peaceful, may be invaluable for institutional knowledge of combat. To this end Alsakan Sector has already tapped personnel coming off their 5 month deployments for staff and Alsakan Academy positions. Brigadier Chad Flashheart, Alsakan Liaison to the ORSF, had this to say: "Governor-General Tarkin. Fantastic chap. Fantastic tache! Set everything up lovely for us, and welcomed us with open arms into some pirate-bashing eh? He gets Alsakan steel, and we get to bloody that steel. Good all round WHAT WHAT!" Some analysts are commenting that the Judicial Council should be working on a similar programme, to have relatively more peaceful and secure Sectors offer their underused forces and/or financial support to reduce criminal activity further out, before it filters down the hyperlanes.

No idea...definitely a long time ago (pre-2008) but not the first round. I started at World Power, went to SPC, and found it through there.

Dolores the Hutt How absolutely fascinating dahling, one of my mechanical martial aides has apparently gained sentience...so adoreable!

Oh you naughty little sausage!

Flak? What flak? engages Space Pirate Trump backstory

Unlike many of the players on SWD I'm not a big Star Wars buff or fan- sure I've watched all the films and some of the tv shows, but for me I research things like Wookiepedia and other sources only in as much depth and width as needed to write certain actions. For me, this game is creative escapism rather than an interaction with a beloved body of literature, and so requirements to adhere more strictly to things like names, characters, playstyles, etc. reduces my enjoyment of the game. I completely understand that for many players their enjoyment comes from immersion into this body of lore and styles, which is why I have tended recently to apply for planets that would allow me to compromise to a degree (e.g. Hutts, Zeltron, etc.). However, as someone not well versed in the lore nor very interested in it outside of the game, my interest and enjoyment wanes when there is less scope for me to inject my personal creativity into the game (rather than the personal creativity that can be injected by true fans of Star Wars). If the Game Mods and community decide this is the way to go, fair enough, and I realise the game needs to benefit the largest amount of players, just personally I prefer a looser playstyle and more personal choice in the way story arcs can run 🙂