Star Wars Combine Galactic News Service

New Chairman appointed, Union Conference convenes

Talor Dakari — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:50:27

Scylla, (GNS, Te Verd Ca'narase) In a news conference held earlier today, representatives of the Imperial Union (IU) member-states officially announced the appointment of Alor'aan Vong Gin`aal of Mandalore as the new Chairman of the Imperial Union. The appointment of a Mandalorian to represent the Union marks an important step in re-defining the image of the prominent organization consisting of the Galactic Empire, Hapes Consortium, the Trade Federation and Mandalore.

Chairman Gin`aal, a Wookiee, is to replace Valusa Zagnol, the first woman to represent the Imperial Union since its creation. In a brief statement, Chairman Gin`aal praised his predecessor's achievements and announced a new opening of the IU to the rest of the galaxy.

"The Union is first of all a platform to exchange ideas and foster economic cooperation. Our members come from different backgrounds and often stand for different principles, yet this diversity is what makes us strong and ensures the long-term success of our governments. For the past two years, we have made significant progress toward building a new identity and working together on economic and military projects. It is now time to share the unprecedented welfare our citizens enjoy within the Core worlds, and spread the stability the Imperial Union has to offer to other governments, corporations and organizations."

Several organizational changes have been made to the governing structure of the Union, allowing non-governments to be actively involved in all discussions while the Leadership Council consisting of the four original IU member-states' leaders remains the ruling body of the IU.

In addition to the appointment of a new chairman, there was a debate among the high ranking Imperial Union representatives on several key economic and cultural topics covering the rise of the inflation index, galactic commerce and increasing integration between member-states' citizens. After the panel discussion, one of the delegates had the following comment: "[...] Inflation itself, in a reasonable amount, does not pose a threat to the stability of the Imperial Union's economy. We can assure you that the jobs, savings and investments of our citizens are not in danger. Inflation is a normal sign of the huge budgetary surplus of the Imperial Union's member nations."

When asked about increasing salaries in the public sector, the delegate quickly condemned it as an option, saying it would only create a spiral of higher spending within the commercial sector. A problem, he says, because production capacities are already approaching their limits.

Military commanders were also present at the semi-annual meeting to evaluate the safety and sustainability of the IU territories. Though discussions concentrated on anti-piracy measures, the current galactic situation was also on the agenda. One of Mandalore's senior military commanders expressed confidence in the IU's military dominance. "Our superior technology and training will make our enemies think twice before entering IU-controlled space." When asked if he had any particular hostiles in mind, he refused to give definitive names "[...] there are governments and other groups [...]. They should know that not even allying themselves with larger groups will save them from paying the highest price for crimes they have committed in the past." None of the IU's military commanders was willing to confirm the rumours of over a dozen Super Star Destroyers being commissioned to the IU's fleets over the next few years.

The Shocker, Edition 2

Drexel Skorzeka — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:26:58

CSL A SUCCESS ALREADY?

Only two weeks into the first full season of the new Colonial Shockball League and some observers are pondering if CSL could already be deemed a “success.” A quick glance at the facts and figures released by the CSL’s governing body, The Galactic Sports League, will show any observer two quite remarkable facts. First, the number of active participants now involved in some capacity with Shockball surprised everyone, including CSL President Troon Kebris. “We knew what we were building here would be a very good product for both fans and participants, but to be able to boast well over 100 registered players of Shockball by only the second week of our first season is quite remarkable. New players wanting to enter the world of Shockball and potential new team owners for next season continue to apply each day!”

It is hard to argue with this view. Nuvin Bamad a player with the Pelentar Flares, backed up the words of Kebris by stating, “Well obviously anything that would take people’s mind of the normal rigamarole[sic] of life is going to be met with great success. I think that despite a few minor problems initially, the CSL management was able to do a great job getting the sport organized and finding people willing to buy teams in a short time which lead to players being recruited in droves.”

Why is it then that so many have been, and continually are, drawn to CSL?

Bamad continued; “The team owners take a big part in making sure player needs are met, and this approach leads to a high morale among players. Word of mouth spread between the initial players and people they knew outside the league, and due to no race or gender requirements, everybody was willing to come try out their hand at being the next big sports icon.”

Callisto Xaltir, owner of the Endor Supernovae offered an alternate theory, “I enjoy the competition. When things flow well on both sides of the ball, it’s a great game. If it happens to be a bad day, you can always hit someone to make it better.”

GAMBLING FIGURES SEE STEADY RISE

And it is not only the impressive player numbers that points towards success. With the opening of the Gambling Office this week, over twenty million credits have been wagered on the second week’s games. While this figure is not huge comparatively speaking in the current galactic economic climate, it is impressive for an event very much in its infancy.

InterGalactic Banking Clan Chairman and Kal`Shebbol Echelon team owner, Ellias Aubec, explained it this way; “I would guess that there is a deep-seated desire for entertaining sports events throughout the galaxy. And only now are such desires becoming realized.”

Certainly the CSL, if nothing else, is pointing in the right direction. Is it the action, the spectacle, the chance to win large amounts of credits or perhaps the opportunity to shine by becoming the next big sporting icon of the galaxy that is the winning ingredient? Is it a combination of all? Or is it the fact that Shockball gives all sentients in the galaxy the ability to escape the realities of life and transcend above galactic politics.

Perhaps Nuvin Bamad summed it up best: “There is great camaraderie among the players. It doesn’t matter if you knew this person from a previous business venture or have never met the person. Most people are willing to put aside their differences and work together to get a win, like we Flares did over the Rangers in the last game.”

ROUND 2 ALTERS THE CSL LANDSCAPE

The second round of matches was kicked off this week by the Lothbo Rancors taking out the Endor Supernovae 33 - 22. You could not keep the smile from Locago the Hutt’s face as Rancor centre, Wuma Uxal-Lumir expressed, “Like I said before: Endor Supernovae equal Storm in a glass of water and nothing stronger then a fart in deep space.” Comments like this will surely fire up the Supernovae for their next match.

Kabal Onslaught and Kal`Shebbol Echelon this week shared in some Shockball history. With both teams well outplayed in their first weeks matches, the Onslaught and Echelon this week managed to secure themselves the CSL’s first ever recorded drawn match. Echelon player, Sagoro Cloud hit the nail on the head earlier in the week when he was quoted in the Kal`Shebbol Chronicle “I think Kal`Shebbol Echelon will give the Kabal Onslaught a very difficult time. The team has taken its lessons from last match and attracted a few new talented players. I’m excited to be playing my first match for this team and think we have a pretty good chance.” Although the draw will give confidence to both teams, it must be obvious to them that they still are without a win in this competition, and conference leader, Lothbo Rancors are moving further out in the lead.

There were no surprises in the next match, as the highly fancied Meerec Wildcats won their match against the Corulus Rangers. Despite not having as dominate a display as last week, Wildcats still were able to hold off a desperate Rangers outfit. This loss now sees the Rangers as the only team to have lost both their opening matches and have seen them seemingly drop out of the championship race. It would appear that the on field issues are not the only problems facing the Rangers. Team captain Dac Kain, unhappy with team owner Troon Kebris’ performance in the match, was heard to say publically “Troon you couldn’t pass a Hutt in a foot race.” With the successive losses and what appears to be a rift forming between owner and captain, it is no wonder then that the Rangers have dropped in the race for season champions, with bookmakers having them at a ridiculous 1.62 to win the competition.

The final match of the week saw a remarkable turnaround for the Calivir Crushers as they defeated the Pelentar Flares 44 to 23. After being embarrassed last week against the Wildcats, the Crushers obviously put in plenty of extra work this week and it truly showed. During the week, both sides were very vocal in their feelings towards this game. Flares player Archon Romanus stated at the weekly press conference, “It is my belief that the Flares are unstoppable in the subject of Shockball, and that the Crushers have no chance of winning Week 2.” Teenek Ta`ash of the Crushers added fuel to the fire by adding “Let me tell you all some thing. Those who fear nothing, lose the most. We’re not called the crushers by accident and Romanus will feel our Crushing power soon enough.” Have truer words ever been spoken?

With the competition heating up, each week brings with it new results that change the CSL landscape. New players, interested in playing this popular sport continue to register with the CSL, hoping that one of the existing teams or a new team entering in the next season will sign them to a lucrative contract.

=========================================
Credits: Story written by Troon Kebris. Edited by Fenn Drayson for the State Wireless Network. Brought to you by Auvasa Corp., The Galactic Sports League, and The Labor Union.

Corrections/Retractions/Comments: GSA management would like to apologize to Nuvin Bamad. We neglected to mention in the last edition that it was his suggestion for “The Shocker” title. Thanks, Nuvin.

First Glimpse

Sirrela Corleone — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:01

House Ismay has been quite quiet on their private life as of late, but have recently decided to come out on one subject, the health and safety of Owen and Caitiri von Ismay twins.
Despite the propaganda piece the Anzatan Commonwealth put out after the illegal abduction and possible execution of Caitiri von Ismay, the youngest Ismay children are safe in their father's custody and have never so much as been in Anzatan space.

Caitiri von Ismay had given birth to Lusira and Wilhelm von Ismay on the planet Bittny in the home seat of House Corleone, her family's planet. The birth was witnessed by her husband Owen von Ismay, a physician in the employement of Black Sun, and her close friend Serli Sarn who had taken time out of her busy schedule to visit and ended up assisting in the birth.

With the exception of being four standard weeks premature, the babes were born healthy and strong. Lusira, named for Caitiri's older sister Sirrela Lusira Corleone, was born first after 13 hours of labor. Her brother Wilhelm II, named for Owen's late brother Wilhelm von Ismay, was born 5 minutes later. Both newborns had healthy lungs and rosy complexions.

During Viscountess Caitiri von Ismay's kidnapping at the hands of Black Sun traitor Natsuki Haines and later arrested by traitor of the Jedi Order Soki Ionian, both Lusira and Wilhelm were in their nursery onboard the Kaloth Battle Cruiser under the care of their nanny and Turner Securities Limited guards. The ship, under the pilot of Sirrela Corleone, jumped into hyper as soon as trouble was detected as was planned for cases when the twins lives were in danger. Sirrela had come back from a long self exile to reunite with her family and had been onboard the battle cruiser when the ship carrying Caitiri disappeared.

Since that time Lusira and Wilhelm, along with their siblings and cousins, have been hidden away in a palace on Thyferra, a Black Sun controlled planet. They are cared by their father and his household. A household that mourns the loss of their lady.

Ripples in the Hegemony

Drexel Skorzeka — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:10:30

Rebellion Turns Militant

The sounds of discord are growing in the Tionese Sector. The production of insurgent battle droids buzzes alongside the growing dismissal by Hegemonic leaders.

What started as a peaceful movement against the Tion Hegemony in both political effort and medical distribution has gained momentum in both propaganda and militarization. The Cron Resurrection, a cult of personality following historical Tionese leader Xim the Great and spearheaded by Paul Cron, has publicly demanded the control of the Tion Cluster following the formation of the current Hegemony following its contemporary form under a Corbin family dynastic regime.

The Tion Hegemony unsurprisingly denied all demands by Paul Cron igniting a vivid if isolated campaign of Rebellion within the Cluster.

Hawks Triumph Over Doves

Originally divided on how to carry out a rebellion against the Hegemony, the Cron Resurrection was split between those wanting to produce arms, coming to be known as Hawks, and those championing a medical effort, known as Doves, in their attempt to win minds and hearts of sentients within the Hegemony.

Recently however, the Hawks seem to have gained ground within the group and the more than 70 million credits in Cron Resurrection’s profits have been from the sale of military droid technology with only a smaller percentage counting towards medical technology.

In response to the growing amount of military droid technology coming out of the Cron Resurrection, the Anzatan Commonwealth, one of two governments with data card technology for the battle droid designs being used by the insurgents, has publicly denied supplying the technology necessary for their development. Administrator Azarin Isard has accused the Imperial vassal state the Trade Federation, the only other government with battle droid data card designs, of supplying the Cron Resurrection.

Since its inception, the fledgling Rebellion has now claimed credit for the sabotage of development projects as well as the disappearance of ships and members of the Hegemony.

Cron “Situation” Dismissed

“There is no insurgency within the Hegemony” declared Hyperion Typhon Corbin, current leader of the Hegemony, “This Cron nuisance did not come from within Tion….Other than causing irritation through mad ramblings and delusions of grandeur, the Cron Resurrection does not threaten the Hegemony.”

Former Lord Hegemon Jeff Corbin also dismissed claims made by the Cron Resurrection as “rubbish.”

Claims of Cron actions against government targets and personnel were denied by Typhon as well as claims of maltreatment of citizens and employees. Against allegations of misuse of credits, rigged raffles, higher crime and lower morale and luxuriant lifestyles at the expense of the populace, brothers Typhon and Jeff maintained the falsity of the accusations. “We make sure that all members enjoy the fruits of their labor and also that of the government,” says Jeff Corbin, “morale within the Tion sector is at an all time high and crime rates have greatly reduced.”

Tionese Leader Accused of Mental Illness, Joins Ranks of Jedi

In the various attacks upon the legitimacy and personalities of the Hegemony, former Lord Hegemon Jeff Corbin was initially thought to have been committed to an asylum for the mentally-ill. The allegations, according to Jeff, occurred on an incidental visit to an asylum for unknown reasons.

While admittedly having acted “mental” on occasions, Jeff claimed to have suffered stress from the dual responsibilities of leading a government as well as training as a Jedi, though he refused to elaborate on the nature of the “mental” incidents, saying only: “For the safety of the government and myself after a few incidents which i will not elaborate on, I felt it was best to resign my post and fully take the path of a Jedi.”

Typhon countered the accusations of his brother being mentally ill by counter accusing Paul Cron. “As I said before, Paul Cron appears to be, from our perspective, quite mad. To his credit, he did at least ask us to hand over the Tion Cluster before he formed his group.”

=============================

Credits: Story by Fenn Drayson for the State Wireless Network. Brought to you by Auvasa Corp., and The Labor Union.
Corrections/Retractions: The Minister of State for the Falleen Federation, Simon Eusnomis, has issued a statement clarifying the position of the crown as being in “stewardship of trust” of the Chalcedon Dominion instead of holding sovereign control, as earlier reported.

A new Horizon in entertainment

Seif Keilani — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:49:08

Over the past few months a small project had been put into place to form an organised racing league that would span many different forms of racing, from pod racing amongst raging volcanoes to epic journeys through the depths of space and beyond. After some initial interest from people, sustained contact was unfortunately lost. Though the first race had everything in position, rules and regulations wise, there was a severe lack of sentients that were crazy, or talented enough to try it.

However, the time has come to open the doors to the galaxy, and see if there are more daring rogues and dashing military officers out there that are looking to show off. A time has been set for Year 11 Day X (Dec 1st) for the race to open. Due to varying conditions both on and off the track, the race will not be a typical circuit race - it will instead be a time-trial race with three laps being performed separately over a week and the times combined for a final time. Full rules will be made available in other sources.

For those of you that are wondering about the rather large time delay between revealing this race and it starting, it is because of one very good reason: the race will take place on a planet in the far Outer Rim. Racing will cover the surface of Torize, a planet in the Qu`mock system in the Kathol sector. This should give people enough time to obtain permission to join this race, and actually get to the start line in time. Racing will be entirely on the planet's surface since the race will be using pod racers and swoops. Personal vehicles are preferred, but there are several vehicles we can offer for those that do not own one. However this will be a first-come, first-served offer. These are already in position for the race.

There will be prizes for the top three racers, and these will be listed with the rules. However it will be in excess of 500k, and most likely more. Anyone wishing to race will have to pay an entry fee of 100k credits, payable in either credits or Nova Crystals. Members of the Galactic Alliance can enter for free. Imperial Union members are not prohibited from entering, nor will they receive a higher entry fee. Entry fees will be applied to the prize pool. Additionally, if there is a significant number of entries there may be a split in categories with prizes for the top three pod racers and top three swoops.

And finally, Horizon Racing is sponsored by the InterGalactic Banking Clan and is proud to be affiliated with the Krath.

The Shocker, Edition I

Drexel Skorzeka — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:03:03

SHOCKBALL KICKS OFF

Fans were jubilant today as the first weeks matches of the Colonial Shockball League finally kicked off. After initially announcing the rebirth of the popular CSL by Troon Kebris and Aces Israel, eight teams were born and their stadiums raised on their home worlds.

The Core Worlds conference got the action underway with the closest of the weeks matches between the Pelentar Flares being hosted by the Corulus Rangers. The Flares took the match 52 to 44. It is reported that Rangers owner, Troon Kebris was unhappy with the commitment shown by captain Dac Kain. It seems it was a feeling echoed by the Rangers Captain and winger, Kain, as his comment at the after-match press conference showed: “Well my attitude sucked.” It will be interesting to see how the relationship develops between Kebris and Kain over the coming weeks.

Elsewhere in the Core Worlds Conference the Meerec Wildcats showed they were serious title contenders by trouncing Calivir Crushers 72 to 12. Crushers “Super-Sub” Carn`ilo` Sabosen was despondent after the match, stating “We got the crap kicked out of us.” He then went on to say “we need a strategy!” It will be interesting to see what changes Crushers owner Jaxom Sky implements.

Over in the Outer Rim conference, the Lothbo Rancors inflicted a similarly heavy defeat over the Kal`Shebbol Echelon, going up 67 to 26. Echelon owner and player Ellias Aubec was happy with his team’s effort despite the heavy loss. “Was a long, hard game. Not bad for the start to the season. Could’ve been better. Heck could have been WAY better. I will have to look into getting my team into better shape, what with drones taking over a lot. Hopefully, come next game we’ll be in better shape for a win.”

The biggest talking point of the week however was the loss by the big talking Kabal Onslaught. Boasting arguably the largest supporter base the Onslaught, owned by Kabal Shryke, were the most outspoken of teams during the pre-season. However they were made to eat their words as they went down to a fiery Endor Supernovae 54 to 34. After the match, Shryke had this to say: “The players are still getting accustomed to working together. I won’t name names but there does seem to be some issues to work out with some of them. We will come back strong though.”

PLAYER RIVALRIES LEAD TO ALL-IN-BRAWL

The Wildcats and the Crushers were at logger-heads all night, after numerous altercations between Stefan Corleone and Tarn Fyy. A cheap shot from Corleone sparked the tension which later saw Fyy exact revenge by shocking Corleone until he was unconscious. An all-in-brawl occurred once Corleone returned to the field only to make a direct course for Fyy. The referees eventually managed to break the fight up but not before both Fyy and Corleone were bruised and battered. Corleone commented, “His (Fyy) head clearly wasn’t in the game, he forgot it’s all about fun. But I will fight him anywhere, anytime! Wait, no, that’s Pit Fighting.”

RUMOURS OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE CONTINUE TO PLAGUE CSL

Despite denials by CSL officials the reported abuse of performance enhancing substances continue to run hot throughout the competition. Goran Goran of the Flares commented to reporters “I love how there is no ‘juicing’ in the game but we have unconscious players returning in less then two minutes.”

The home of the CSL can be found http://csl.galacticsportsleague.com/. Have a look around, register to read the forums, support your team or even place a bet on who you think the winners will be!

CSL. Be Smart, Hit Hard!

============================

Credits: Story written by Troon Kebris. Edited by Fenn Drayson for the State Wireless Network. Brought to you by Auvasa Corp., The Colonial Shockball League, and The labor Union.