Hapan news sources, in conjunction with the Trade Federation, announced today the successful completion of a series of raids on pirate bases near Hapan and Trade Federation space.

Both governments coordinated together to strike out at pirate forces that have recently been raiding intergalactic freight convoys passing near their respective space.

According to information de-classified by the Royal Hapan Navy, the pirate bases were located thanks to superior intelligence. Secret insertions of special forces preceeded the attacks of Hapan and Trade Federation strike fleets, disabling perimeter detection systems and defenses and allowing the main forces to hit pirate bases with surprise and power.

The Hapan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lord Andrew Starfyre, met with reporters today and made, among others, the following statement:

Holo-footage of the Press Conference is shown

"The forces of the Hapes Consortium and Trade Federation took the initiative in destroying external pirate bases that have been preying on intergalactic shipping for the past several months. It is a move that should destabilize the efforts of pirate groups in our respective sectors and make the shipping lanes safer.

"We are sending a message to all pirates. Hapes is taking the initiative and the offensive. Beware."

The anchor re-appears

While few are surprised that the Trade Federation is committing forces to such offensive action outside their space, many are shocked that the Royal Hapan Navy is leaving the Hapan Cluster to carry out these operations, considering Hapes' long history of guarding its borders zealously and refusing to leave them. This is a sign to criminal organizations operating near Hapan space that the Hapans are going the full nine parsecs in their efforts to put a stop to piracy near their borders.