This report presents the latest data on expansion and withdrawal among the galaxy's minor factions.

Here are the latest factions to have expanded into new systems:

The Pilots Federation

39 Tauri Interstellar

Liberals of Delta Pavonis

Co-operative of Yiman

Kuwemargl Patrons of Law

Heike Co

Kapurri Emperor's Grace

Kondriates Prison Colony

LHS 199 Guardians of Tradition

Jaques

Expansions occur when a minor faction reaches a sufficient level of influence and there is a populated system within striking distance. Expansion is costly, so when a faction expands, the wealth and development level of the system it controls are temporarily reduced.

Here are the latest factions in withdrawal:

Labour of Ethgreze

Kokary Liberals

Eranin Peoples Party

BD+07 4267 Gold General PLC

LHS 3598 Transport Group

HIP 13269 Silver Drug Empire

Dominion of Skadjalini

HIP 113632 Empire Consulate

Aisoci Empire League

Briganu Confederacy

Factions are considered to be in withdrawal if their level of influence within a system drops below a certain level. If the faction's influence remains low for a total of five days, the faction must leave the system entirely. If the faction manages to increase its level of influence, it remains in the system.

A spokesperson for the Sirius Corporation has announced that its appeal for microresources has been enthusiastically received by the galactic community. Hundreds of pilots responded to the corporation's appeal by delivering Unknown Energy Source, Shield Density Reports and Shield Pattern Analysis to Cormack Hub in the Procyon system.

As the campaign drew to a close, Li-Yong Rui, CEO of Sirius Gov, released a statement:

"While irresponsible fortune hunters continue to destabilise the galaxy's starports by selling Unknown Artefacts on the black market, the galaxy's superpowers stand idly by, mired in bureaucracy and paralysed by indecision. Well we say: no more."

"I will do everything in my power to put an end to the technological plague and restore the galaxy's starports to functionality. The effort to conquer this epidemic starts now."

Pilots who contributed to the initiative can now collect their rewards from Cormack Hub in the Procyon system.

Authorities in the Parun system have reported that the Laksmii Jet Power Industries plot against the Independents of Parun has been foiled. The operation centred on smuggling various items into Underwood Port so Imperial agents could use it to conduct guerrilla attacks against the Independents of Parun, the system's controlling faction.

After learning of the plot, the Independents of Parun placed bounties on Laksmii Jet Power Industries ships operating in the Parun system. The strategy resulted in the destruction of hundreds of Laksmii Jet Power Industries vessels, severely undermining the organisation's plan.

A spokesperson for the Independents of Parun thanked those who supported the operation.

Pilots who contributed to the initiative can now collect their rewards from Underwood Port in the Parun system.

This report presents the latest data on health issues among the galaxy's minor factions.

Here are the latest factions to experience famine:

HR 3954 Crew

Koleti Purple Dynamic Co

LHS 3705 Dominion

New Mutj Nationalists

Cenni Corp.

Sesmu Incorporated

LPM 26 Pirates

Workers of Jurokkju Democrats

Laifang Silver Mob

Social Hunahau Free

When a faction is affected by famine the standard of living in the system it controls temporarily decreases. Combat activity has no effect on influence while a famine is active. Completing food-trade missions can bring a famine to an end.

Here are the latest factions to experience an outbreak:

HIP 105577 One

League of Villae

Delphin Blue Federal PLC

Junga Interstellar

Kvenland Services

HIP 32350 Industries

Anlave First

Chicoana Silver Travel Corp.

HIP 105639 Party

HIP 9610 Jet Legal Systems

When a faction is affected by an outbreak the standard of living in the system it controls temporarily decreases. Combat activity has no effect on influence while an outbreak is active. Completing medicine-supply missions can bring an outbreak to an end.

This report presents the latest data on the security status of the galaxy's minor factions.

Here are the latest factions to experience a lockdown:

Brotherhood of LP 98-132

Wolf 359 Blue Travel Commodities

Alpha Centauri Gold Brotherhood

New CD-61 6801 Flag

Democrats of BD-02 4304

Bhotho Rats

Njikan Jet Dynamic Industry

Oho Bajo Public Holdings

Confederation of Dahan

Nationalists of Aulin

When a faction experiences a lockdown, the security rating of the system it controls temporarily increases and the system's wealth temporarily decreases. Bounty hunting activity can shorten the lockdown period.

Here are the latest factions to experience civil unrest:

Brotherhood of LP 98-132

Ngaliba Blue Camorra

WISE 0855-0714 Gold Gang

Partnership of LHS 2819

i Bootis Central Limited

Mictlan Empire Assembly

Ovid Defence Force

Lokitaka Mu Silver Universal Net

Blue Major Exchange

Values Party of Snotock Ek

Civil unrest is the result of illegal activity. When a faction is affected by civil unrest, the standard of living in the system it controls temporarily decreases, as does the system's wealth. Combat missions and activities can bring civil unrest to an end.

Professor Ishmael Palin, independent scientist and leading authority on xeno-biological research, has added his voice to the debate over sightings of mysterious spacecraft.

In a statement, Professor Palin said:

"I have no wish to be alarmist, and I can understand why the galactic superpowers have issued a somewhat noncommittal response. But suggesting that these craft may be of human origin, or the product of a hoax, rather stretches plausibility."

"To my mind, there is a clear visual connection between these mysterious vessels, the shipwrecks found in HIP 17862 and the Pleiades, the Unknown Artefacts and the Unknown Probes. And I believe we can draw only one conclusion: we are sharing the galaxy with an intelligent non-human species. We therefore have an obligation to discover as much about this species, and its intentions, as possible."

Independent engineer Ram Tah, who has been leading research into the Synuefe ruins, also commented:

"I share Professor Palin's view that these reports are of great significance. But attempts to communicate with these vessels have proved fruitless, as have efforts to discern their point of origin. We must learn more about these ships and whoever – or whatever – is piloting them."

This report presents the latest data on expansion and withdrawal among the galaxy's minor factions.

Here are the latest factions to have expanded into new systems:

Kapurri Emperor's Grace

Betel Free

Ovid Democrats

Leschanatya Future

Dilga Empire Consulate

HIP 111755 Commodities

CD-54 9671 Empire Group

Partnership of Bean

HIP 117865 Empire Pact

Tetek Patrons of Law

Expansions occur when a minor faction reaches a sufficient level of influence and there is a populated system within striking distance. Expansion is costly, so when a faction expands, the wealth and development level of the system it controls are temporarily reduced.

Here are the latest factions in withdrawal:

Delphin Blue Federal PLC

HIP 105577 Boys

Kvenland Services

HIP 10570 Constitution Party

Junga Patron's Principles

United Hatmehit Revolutionary Party

HIP 15545 Public Network

Chicoana Silver Travel Corp.

Auste Gold Ring

Hand Gang of Taunitoq

Factions are considered to be in withdrawal if their level of influence within a system drops below a certain level. If the faction's influence remains low for a total of five days, the faction must leave the system entirely. If the faction manages to increase its level of influence, it remains in the system.

Following reports of mysterious spacecraft in human-inhabited space, the leaders of the galaxy's three superpowers have released official statements.

Emperor Arissa Lavigny-Duval, currently undertaking a tour of Imperial systems, exhibited reservation:

"To surmise that these encounters constitute proof of the existence of non-human intelligence would be rash in the extreme. We cannot rule out the possibility that these ships could be experimental human spacecraft, or even the product of an intricate hoax. I urge all Imperial citizens to remain calm, and not to leap to conclusions."

Federal President Zachary Hudson, meanwhile, struck a characteristically strident tone:

"I have reviewed the footage submitted by the galactic community. Granted, the evidence is not conclusive. But tell me this: Would you rather prepare for an attack that may not come, or be met by an attack you did not prepare for? We know nothing about the true nature or purpose of these vessels. It would be in our best interest to prepare for any eventuality."

By contrast, Alliance Prime Minister Edmund Mahon was diplomatic:

"Like the Emperor, I believe it would be premature to conclude that these are non-human spacecraft. But it is clear to me that these encounters warrant further investigation. We must gather further evidence, and keep an open mind. Knowledge, not ignorance. Proof, not speculation. That is the way forward."

A spokesperson for Balones Gold Touch Systems has announced that its appeal for materials has been enthusiastically received by the galactic community, resulting in a massive influx of deliveries to Tiedemann Dock, the organisation's base of operations.

A spokesperson for the organisation released the following statement:

"Balones Gold Touch Systems extends its deepest gratitude to the galactic community for its support."

"We know you have questions, but we make you no promises. It will take time to develop these devices. And even when the probes are despatched, we may find nothing. But anything we do discover, we will readily share with the galactic community."

Pilots who contributed to the initiative are now free to collect their rewards from Tiedemann Dock in the Balones system.

This report presents the latest data on health issues among the galaxy's minor factions.

Here are the latest factions to experience famine:

HIP 10570 Constitution Party

Delphin Blue Federal PLC

HIP 105577 Boys

HIP 73428 Exchange

Kvenland Services

Junga Patron's Principles

Bureau of HIP 1914 Focus

United Hatmehit Revolutionary Party

Gliese 868 Services

Hand Gang of Taunitoq

When a faction is affected by famine the standard of living in the system it controls temporarily decreases. Combat activity has no effect on influence while a famine is active. Completing food-trade missions can bring a famine to an end.

Here are the latest factions to experience an outbreak:

HIP 105577 One

League of Villae

Kvenland Services

GCRV 4654 State Interstellar

Junga Interstellar

HIP 32350 Industries

Hatmehit Purple Crew

Leesti Alliance Union

HIP 9610 Jet Legal Systems

Conservatives of HIP 41984

When a faction is affected by an outbreak the standard of living in the system it controls temporarily decreases. Combat activity has no effect on influence while an outbreak is active. Completing medicine-supply missions can bring an outbreak to an end.

This report presents the latest data on the security status of the galaxy's minor factions.

Here are the latest factions to experience a lockdown:

Morgor Crimson Pirates

Amahu Labour

Lokitaka Mu Silver Universal Net

LHS 535 Silver United Ltd

Blue Major Exchange

G 180-18 Jet Society

United CD-61 6801 Democrats

Official CD-61 6801 Flag

People's Bactondinks Future

Velnians Gold Transport Holdings

When a faction experiences a lockdown, the security rating of the system it controls temporarily increases and the system's wealth temporarily decreases. Bounty hunting activity can shorten the lockdown period.

Here are the latest factions to experience civil unrest:

Fusang Fortune Commodities

Vanayequi Independents

Uszaa Society

Quator Ring

Democrats of BD-02 4304

Bhotho Rats

Segoveduwa Empire Party

Nationalists of Aulin

Aulin Focus

Xuanduna Silver Allied PLC

Civil unrest is the result of illegal activity. When a faction is affected by civil unrest, the standard of living in the system it controls temporarily decreases, as does the system's wealth. Combat missions and activities can bring civil unrest to an end.

This report presents the latest data on expansion and withdrawal among the galaxy's minor factions.

Here are the latest factions to have expanded into new systems:

Fawaol Patrons of Law

Durius Dominion

Allied Herthans Front

Betel Free

Lao Gobe Coalition

Sui Xenates Indie Union

Jaques

Labour of Kalads

Revolutionary Abazates Democrats

Styra Empire League

Expansions occur when a minor faction reaches a sufficient level of influence and there is a populated system within striking distance. Expansion is costly, so when a faction expands, the wealth and development level of the system it controls are temporarily reduced.

Here are the latest factions in withdrawal:

Ross 754 Labour

Labour of Ethgreze

Revolutionary Heheng Future

Labour of Geras

Ross 210 Pro-Alliance Party

Ciguru Republic Party

LHS 3384 Progressive Party

Emperor's Will

Codorain Network

Nahuatl Guardians of Tradition

Factions are considered to be in withdrawal if their level of influence within a system drops below a certain level. If the faction's influence remains low for a total of five days, the faction must leave the system entirely. If the faction manages to increase its level of influence, it remains in the system.

Media outlets throughout the galaxy are abuzz with news of an event that many are interpreting as an encounter with non-human life.

According to reports, an independent pilot by the name of Commander DP Sayre was interdicted en route to the Aries Dark Region XU-O b6-3 by a highly unusual ship bearing no resemblance to any known human craft.

As the Commander's ship was plucked from hyperspace, all their systems were completely disabled. The mysterious craft subjected the pilot's vessel to some kind of scan before departing, at which point the hapless Commander's ship returned to life.

Commentators reviewing the pilot's recording of the event have noted strong similarities between the mysterious craft and the shipwrecks found in the Pleiades Sector AB-W B2-4 and the HIP 17862 system.

Is the ship a Thargoid vessel? This is the question many are asking.

We will continue to bring you up-to-the-minute updates on this story.

Clauss Incorporated has announced that its festive appeal received the enthusiastic support of the galactic community, with hundreds of pilots taking to their ships to transport personal gifts from Frost Dock in the Njambalba system to Clauss Port in the Santa Muerte system. Nicolas St Clauss, CEO of Clauss Incorporated, released a brief statement:

"We're delighted with the response. We'd like to thank the galactic community for helping us spread joy through the galaxy."

In addition to offering generous remuneration, Clauss Incorporated has promised to reward those who made the largest contributions with special festive prizes.