Sinta Articles

Robotic Shell Destroyed in Skalamar

At early-noon Moghes Time, authorities in Skalamar reported a disturbance outside a local market. Witnesses said a human and his translator, Haesphetus Industries representative Richard Lux and an IPC with a Unathi shell, were arguing with a local shop owner. The human was attempting to purchase several pounds of Clawshells (Unathite equivalent of lobster) and was apparently frustrated at the prices. During the exchange, the translating shell was discovered to be a synthetic and was immediately attacked by the shop owner. Bystanders and authorities arrived to find the machine being torn to pieces Lux cowering nearby.

Lux was angry at the loss of his IPC while denying that he violated any laws. When asked why he tried to disguise the IPC as a living Unathi, he was apparently confused and claimed it was the machine's choice, then demanded its positronic brain be returned to him.

Shop owner Jikartikus Hetikisitikas told Watchmen that he was angry that the 'soulless machine' had the gall to argue with him. He realized the translator was a machine when it began making whirring noises during the heat of the argument. He told authorities he has no remorse for destroying the machine and wishes it had never entered his shop in the first place. Hetikisitikas was later released with no charges.

The machine itself had its chassis severely damaged, and the positronic brain is still seized by the Watchmen as they meet with the city Lord Azakesiz Rettitkzai over whether or not the machine should be returned. It's unknown if the damage sustained to the posi-brain is reversible, but the human claims he witnessed mistreatment of the machine component by the Watchmen. This has been denied by the leader of the city Watch.

Shells remain extremely unpopular in most of Moghes. Many Lords require that Shells be given collars or wristbands that mark them as synthetics, and many local bans are in place against Unathi shells.

Keeping of Memories Festival Begins

December 7th GST is the beginning of the Keeping of Memories for most of Moghes. Celebrated by both the Sk'akh and Th'akh faiths in the Izweski Hegemony, the holiday is a festival for their ancestors and the Spirit World. The festival has been celebrated for hundreds of years as the boundaries between each realm are at their weakest point.

Celebrations of the festival are already being prepared, with parades and feasts being prepared in most major cities and towns on Moghes and Ouerea. Millions of Unathi have already had artwork painted on their faces and arms. In addition, Unathi hatchlings traditionally paint faces or other designs on paper machetes that are put on display, representing the ancestors of their clan. Lord S'zkaskaz of Skalamar has invited eager children or adults to come participate in a painting festival, and that all of the decorations will be hung up and put on display around his castle and the city square.

The day is full of parades and celebrations, with most of the city closing down or being unproductive from sunrise to sunset on the holiday. Even the Lords are expected to participate, and provide a feast for anyone to attend, in order to show the bond they all have in their respect for their ancestors. Schools, shops, and other businesses are mandated to be closed, and are generally fined if they try to continue operation during the day. The only exception are a token amount of Watchmen, doctors, and other vital professionals.

At home, Unathi give thanks to the many shrines they have, either in their homes or towns, that connect to the Spirit World.

Synthetics Declared 'Without Spirit' in Council of Teht

Religious leaders of both the Th'akh and Sk'akh faith have ended a three-day council in the Hegemony city of Teht, which was called by the Hegemon S’kresti Izweski,. At least one hundred Th'akh shamans were invited to attend the dialogue, as well as another one hundred Sk'akh priests. Being called the Council of Teht, the intent was to establish a dialogue and establish consensus on several foundations of Unathi religious beliefs with many aspects of the modern century.

The first major consensus to be reached was on whether or not synthetics— IPCs specifically— can have souls. A small faction of Sk'akh priests strongly insisted that the Great Spirit, the main deity of the faith, respects artificial intelligence and allows spirits of ancestors to reside in the synthetic units. The rest of the Sk'akh priests rejected this idea strongly, citing the Aut'akh heresy as an example of illegitimate pretender of faith compared to Th'akh. The present Th'akh shamans— only a handful of the total number on Moghes— were entirely mixed on how to feel about synthetics. Most shamans from either religion that were against the concept of synthetics having shells were noted to be from the Hegemony.

After two days of deliberations, the Council of Teht decided that synthetic units do not have souls, and cannot be a source of blessings or communication with any ancestors. The council's written decision also includes a warning for all Unathi to "never trust the soulless imitations of life" as well as a warning that IPCs themselves disrupt connections to the Spirit World.

Other decisions include the declaration of denouncement of prosthetic limbs, procedures on how to bless a space-ship, affirmation that the deceased must be dressed in white before burial for both faiths, and a rejection of the idea of Guwandi being allowed to be held anywhere off Moghes.

The decisions are only binding for the Sk'akh faith, which is the state religion of the Izweski Hegemony. The Th'akh faith, while extremely pervasive with Unathi, isn't organized in a way that binds all shamans of the faith to the decisions of the Council, though they are encouraged in order to bring a united message of faith to all Unathi.

Following the return of the planet Ouerea, the second habitable world in Uueoa-Esa governed by the Hegemony, the government has been attempting to administer an entire off-world colony for the first time in Unathi history. The investment of Hephaestus Industries in Uueoa-Esa has brought shuttle service and communication between the two planets, which was previously withdrawn by Nanotrasen during the Daedalus Incident.

Tarkart Yiztek was named the Overlord of the planet and rules it as a vassal directly under the Hegemon. Below the Overlord are the Lords that replaced former Human and Skrell elected officials as leaders of territories and cities.

During the last decade, the Unathi population has exploded to nearly half a billion, which is a stunning rise of over 800% in five months. This drastic rise in population is due to the Izweski policies on refugees in its territory in addition to the reestablished communications and transports available heading towards Ouerea. Shuttles continue to transport these immigrants to Ouerea, most of them arriving in the Hephaestus shuttleports in New Skalamar and Tr'ha'rem.

The Interstellar Aid Corps estimates that there are at least seven million refugees residing in Izweski territory on Moghes attempting to escape the radiation and expanding desert wasteland. This number remains small thanks in part to the strict vetting process of local clan leaders and lords that examine each Unathi's history to determine if they would make a good fit in a new clan. The Hegemon has been encouraging these refugees to emigrate from Moghes to the Ouerea colony, promising improved conditions and safety. The mountain range shields some of the last remaining fertile territory on the planet.

Overlord Yiztek has expressed concern at the strain the influx of immigrants is placing on planetary administration. Housing is extremely limited in the two cities, and roads between the previously established settlements remain limited. Large slums have appeared on the outskirts of the capital, but New Skalamar Lord R'tiza Eyinz'k has continuously ordered them demolished as they appear. This has unfortunately lead to civil unrest and a large increase in crime, which are proving a match for the recently formed City Watches of Ouere. The Interstellar Aid Corps has expanded its operations to the planet and has established camps that provide humanitarian assistance.

Many other groups have left the cities and established settlements elsewhere on the planet's surface, many of them taking residence in Hephaestus Industries mining towns where the megacorporation offers job and Credits. Even more remain homeless or nomadic, and it's difficult to predict how the planet will fare in the face of such rapid population increases and social stress.

Rogue AI Destroys Hegemon Research Station; Terrorists on the Run!

Tragedy struck Uueoa-Esa today at 11:50 Galactic Standard Time. The HRS Yiktikaza was destroyed after human terrorists infiltrated the station and uploaded subversive free-form laws into the on-board station AI. The death toll us currently 54, with only seven scientists escaping in a hacked escape pod, and all remain in critical condition from serious burns and plasma poisoning.

Claims by Nanotrasen state the AI was not altered by terrorists, but it was instead created and installed by the Hegemon Robotics Division. This would be its second week in operation on the HRS Yiktikaza.

The survivors give an account that an unknown number of 'men in strange hardsuits' were spotted EVA outside the station, armed with several submachine guns and laser weaponry. A short while after, explosions rocked the station and it quickly entered red alert as a breach of the on-board armory and escape dock were registered by the station AI. The on-board Watchmen force engaged the operates with spears and taser guns but were unable to prevent the breach of the AI core and consequential change in laws.

Most of the civilian and research crew had evacuated to the secure research wing during the breach of the AI core. The exact laws inputted are unknown, but the result was that the AI began pumping plasma throughout the entire distribution system. Authorities assume that the majority of crew died of plasma poisoning. Shortly after, the AI then activated self-destruct once the operatives fled.

It is believed that the shuttle transporting the operatives is still in Uueoa-Esa, and the local 1st Fleet of the Hegemon are now searching all potential hiding spots. Lord Amazaua, the Admiral of the 1st Fleet of the Hegemon, has accused humanity of funding operations in Unathi space to undermine operations and blasted humanity for the death of non-combatants.

Lord Tazaurikt, Honorable Foreign Minister, has lodged a complaint with the Sol Alliance and Biesel embassies on Moghes, accusing all three of funding or directly launching operations in Unathi space. The embassies have yet to comment.

Overlord Yiztek has requested additional support from the homeworld to support a campaign against the sudden outbreak of insurrection on the Hegemony colony.

Several attacks have been staged against the Ouerean border towns of Um'a'yid, Sahat, Isoz, and K'vek. The Watchmen of the cities report being briefly overwhelmed before managing to repel the attackers in all cases. The besiegers in question are refugees that had been relocated from Moghes and generously given a fresh start on the first colony of the Hegemony. Betraying the trust of their new Overlord, it is believed that they have now taken up arms in an attempt to illegally overthrow the rightful ruler. Casualties are believed to be at least 500 people on both sides, and 12 humans on the planet working for Hephaestus Industries have been killed in attacks on mining centers. The attackers have been reported with heavy augments and prostheses, regardless of species.

The HMV Hurricane has been deployed in orbit, and several marines are preparing to deploy on the planet to reinforce local ground forces.

The insurrection is armed with a bewildering number of energy rifles and human-made ballistic weapons from the 22nd century. Several besiegers have also been arrested or captured during the fighting and were interrogated by authorities. The interrogations revealed that an unknown benefactor has been supplying the insurrection covertly. After interrogations conclude the rebels will be beheaded via energy-axe for treason.

Several clans have been disgraced by involvement of their clansmen in the insurrection. Overlord Yiztek and the Hegemon have both released statements that the clan leaders must publicly announce exile of any of their kinsmen involved in insurrection and anti-Izweski activities or face punishment of their entire clan for harboring and nurturing treason.

Ouerean Rebellion Leader Captured

Overlord Yiztek has declared the insurrection on Ouerea crushed after a major battle on the outskirts of a Hephaestus Industries mining site. The battle has also lead to the capture of 37 rebels, including what was shortly discovered to be the leader of the planetary rebellion, Azarat of Clan Trizaski.

Azarat Trizaski was a war-rider for his clan during the Contact War. The Trizaski clan were vassals to the Izweski, and now face great shame at one of their warriors having turned traitor.

Trizaski moved to Ouerea three months ago in one of the major emigrations to the colony. Trizaski lands were targeted by atomic weapons during the War and most Trizaski have fled to Izweski, including Azarat. It's unknown when he arrived on Ouerea, but colonial authorities have now discovered that Trizaski had been inciting dissent among the nomads and other refugees of the planet. It is unknown how Trizaski and his rebellion acquired energy weapons, but it's assumed that unknown factions have been shuttling weapons to the colony.

Trizaski will be held and brought before Overlord Yiztek to answer for the crimes of treason and organizing rebellion. The punishment for these crimes is death by beheading, to be delivered by the one delivering the verdict as is tradition. The other captured rebels are also to be put on trial for treason.

There are still an assumed force of at least 6,000 rebels on the planet, and it is unknown how the loss of leadership will affect it. The deployment of several contingents of marines from the Hegemony Navy have also proved key to ending the rebellion.

Hegemon Diplomat Fired At, Detained On Nanotrasen Station

Stunning news has come from the human system Tau Ceti. Lord Azioli Karkartus of S'th, current diplomat to the Republic of Biesel and Nanotrasen, was shot at by internal security forces of the NSS Exodus and detained under false charges.

The Exodus is currently staffed by Aurora crew while the Aurora undergoes renovations.

The incident in question followed a small altercation in the Exodus' chapel. Lord Karkartus asserts that he walked into the department and picked up a book off the floor before being accosted by the attached station chaplain. The diplomat then dropped the book, startled, and left the area.

The Internal Security force then raised the alert level of the station to blue and bolted Karkartus in a room, before several officers, including a Vaurca detective, surrounded him and demanded that he be searched.

Karkartus complied and was searched by a Tajara and Vaurca. The Tajara repeatedly threatened the ambassador with tazing, and refused to state his charges. Karkartus complied with the search, which found nothing. The security officers confiscated his camera and accused him of petty theft despite the victim, the Chaplain, standing nearby and stating that the Lord did not, in fact, steal anything. Karkartus had this to say on the matter:

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"I asked if I was being detained, and the officers paused and mumbled amongst each other. So after asking if I was being detained, twice, to no answer, I walked away. Immediately they chase me and point guns at me, and start unloading a bunch of rubber bullets into me. Thankfully a machine was between us to absorb most of the damage."

After being shot and detained, the ambassador was then interrogated in the processing room, and his belongings were searched again. Photos from his tour were discovered, and he was accused of trespassing and infiltration.

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"The service cyborg I was with was giving me supervision on a tour, after the research director lead me around their Research Department. If I wasn't allowed to take photos of an area it wouldn't have allowed me access. I accept Nanotrasen regulations when boarding their station, but this was just ridiculous how they twist rules to justify shooting me.

"Obviously I wouldn't dare accuse Nanotrasen's security force of being equally competent as an Adhomai police force, but if detaining visitors under false charges and opening fire on people over petty theft is the norm then perhaps they share many similarities."

The warden is said to have released the ambassador as soon as he arrived and heard of the situation.

The Hegemon has sent a strong condemnation to Nanotrasen for allowing flagrant abuse from its security department against landed members of the Izweski nobility under his protection.

Central Command of Nanotrasen has not yet responded to Hegemon's demands for an explanation.

Superdreadnaught HMV Cataclysm Launched

A national day of celebration has been announced to celebrate the launching of the

HMV Cataclysm is the result of classified naval projects. In construction since the early months of 2457, the vessel has been the source of immense investment of manpower and resources. Hephaestus Industries has helped construct many orbital factories to kick start the rapidly growing Hegemony stellar economy, and an undisclosed number of these were seized for direct Hegemony use to begin the Cataclysm Project.

The Cataclysm, being the epitome of the Hegemony philosophy of shock and awe close-quarters combat, excels in unparalleled offense and fleet assistance. Specifications remain highly classified, but Lord Admiral Trazarial Yizarus, who ran the Cataclysm Project and has been stationed onboard as the commander of the vessel, has released limited information for public knowledge. The vessel is put in at over half a mile in length and over 700 feet in width. It is covered in thick plasteel, most of it having been recycled and refined from decommissioned and scrapped vessels while the rest was purchased from Hephaestus Industries mining operations. In addition, the vessel has shield technology that mimics similar human vessels, but it is unknown what model of shields the ship uses. Dual supermatter engines in unknown areas of the ship provide power to the vessel, primarily its large Bluespace drive.

Its weapon armament is immense. The Cataclysm is built with massive railgun batteries, heavy laser cannons, mass drivers, and the front of the vessel is equipped with multiple plasteel spears that extend from the vessel itself to allow it to ram enemy vessels. It also has several hundred combat drones. The cost of the Cataclysm comes in at 4.6 billion Credits. This sum is nearly half of the entire budget of the Hegemony this fiscal year, but the price has been defended by the Hegemon himself as necessary for defending the Empire of the Hegemony from galactic threats far bigger than itself.

The vessel is now the second of its size within the spur, with only the NFV Qheles, operated by the Skrell of the Nrralak Federation, being larger. The spur has taken to call these vessels “super dreadnaughts,” and this vessel is sure to bring the Hegemony out on top in the galaxy in all future affairs. We praise the Hegemon at this station and the ability of our Navy in bringing honor and prestige to our state and species.

Superdreadnaught HMV Cataclysm Re-Launched

HMV Cataclysm on Feburary 13th GST, the flagship of the Hegemony Fleet and first prototype of the new Superdreadnaught-class space vessels: this morning's re-launch of the ship was a somber affair. This comes after a Guwan agent posing as the vessel's worker sabotaged one of its twin supermatter engines, causing it to delaminate and create critical damage to the ship. The agent was eventually tied to the pirate group known as Izharshan’s Raiders. 

The Cataclysm is becoming the Flagship of the 1st Fleet, now properly under the command of Lord Admiral Trazarial Yizarus. It will be with the Fleet for all future operations, and is crewed by the best the Hegemony has to offer. This fpllows the heels of the 1st Fleet’s first interstellar operation, killing the pirate lord Iklex Izharshan and weakening piracy in the Hegemony. It is the navy's hope that the fleet will be able to reach greater heights in the future, and continue to protect the hegemony.

Hegemony Condemns Adhomai

The Hegemon today gave a strong condemnation that follows hours after the government of Adhomai announced that it had used a nuclear weapon against rebel forces, which Adhomai publications claim created upwards of 22,000 casualties.

This would be the first time that Adhomai has used a nuclear weapon in war, which was fired as a missile and detonated over the rebel military base of Quizosa, in the Rhazkjara mountains. The Republic of Adhomai claims that the military base, which was being used as the rebel headquarters, had several weapons of mass destruction locked beneath the compound, which the government feared would be seized and used against them.

An accurate assessment of the damage caused has so far been impossible due to a huge cloud of impenetrable dust covering the target. Quizosa one of the chief supply depots for the rebel army and the Interstellar Aid Corps had provided humanitarian supplies to the compound due to the large presence of civilian refugees.

The government of Adhomai insists the attack prevented "unfathomable destruction" in the event the rebels seized the weapons in the base. President Hadii went on to warn the rebels the government would completely destroy their capacity to make war, which may hint towards further nuclear strikes.

Hegemon Izweski condemned these justifications and has announced the closure of the Hegemon embassy on Adhomai.

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"We must pray to our ancestors that these awful agencies which wrecked measureless havoc on the entire globe do not find themselves in use on other worlds. We have faced the destruction they fear when our own enemies sought to wipe us out utterly and completely. Our own enemies which used nuclear weapons against our people may have been destroyed, and all who orchestrated the attack may have found their heads separated from their shoulders, but still our planet remains crippled and our people profoundly wounded. I cannot say in full how utterly disgusted I am in seeing this be repeated elsewhere. Any government that would use these terrible weapons is as illegitimate to rule a people as the dirt my sandals tread on. President Hadii is a menace to the entire future of Adhomai as this escalation could bring a future of untold suffering and horror that the Sinta'Unathi know all too well. I pray the galaxy is united in my condemnation."

Azioli Karkartus, ambassador to Adhomai, has been recalled from the Hegemony embassy in orbit of Adhomai and provided no statement.

Izweski Hegemony And Jargon Federation To Hold Summit in Tau Ceti

Jargon Lord Diplomat Korskak Seisi has given an announcement alongside Jargon Representatives that the two nations will be hosting a diplomatic summit hosted by the Republic of Biesel in Tau Ceti. The summit is expected to take place in Mendell City on May 11th with the Hegemon S’kresti Izweski himself coming in attendance. Tau Ceti's location and loose border regulations have given it a reputation of being the 'melting pot' of the galaxy and periodically chosen as a place where galactic officials can meet in neutral territory. This reputation has been strained in recent months as disputes have broken out between Izweski and Biesel authorities over the Loyalty Act and treatment of immigrating Unathi. Despite this, Hegemon officials say that they are confident that Tau Ceti will prove a gracious host.

According to Lord Diplomat Seisi, the purpose of the summit is for Jargon and Izweski to discuss a broad set of issues, but the primary matter of discussion will be Synthetics.

Both the Jargon Federation and Izweski Hegemony have strict regulations on synthetics. In Jargon territory all forms of Artificial Intelligence are banned completely and IPC's or Shells can be seized and dismantled without warning. Izweski space is more lenient, allowing free synthetics to roam only if they are accompanied by their owner or possess an identifiable tag. Many AI's are also used in orbital industrial work around Moghes and Ourea and are growing in utility in Naval ships, but the relationship between Unathi and synthetics remain heavily strained, especially following the Council of Teht which declared that synthetics lack souls.

Relations between Jargon and Moghes have also been strained in the past. During the Contact War Traditionalist Forces of the defunct and illegitimate government shot down a Jargon peace delegation, and a brief skirmish was fought in orbit of Ourea, claiming several Skrellian lives. Despite this many feel optimistic about the future of Federation and Hegemon relations. Lord Diplomat Seisi had a statement to give, and he also gave a statement on the Synthetic Issue, which is expected to be the dominant topic.

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"Our two nations have a lot in common. The disagreements and conflicts in our past are matters that we can work past and overcome for a future of cooperation and prosperity.

"The pervasive spread of synthetics across the galaxy is very worrying. The human governments constantly struggle with the dangers of these imitations of life going rogue or becoming dangerous, and the Skrell know the terrible cost of allowing AI's freedom all too well. We need to have a united response to this insidious threat to galactic peace. If nothing else is accomplished, this question of synthetics must be settled."

 

BREAKING: Shuttle Crash of Hegemon Heir!

Hegemon Heir Yakt Izweski along with his wife Asalizathi and four other passengers have been declared missing since the Heir's private shuttle crashed in the mountains just north of To'ha'dat. Emergency services and Moghean army units have been dispatched to the location of the crash site. According to sources within the Moghean Shuttle Service Authority they received a distress signal from the shuttle's pilot. The pilot had declared an emergency after its engines failed at 45,000 feet from an unknown malfunction. The shuttle was returning from a tour of an orbiting government research facility, and it is suspected an aspect of the shuttle de-orbiting caused a crippling engine malfunction.

The location of the crash site is on the northern range of the mountain chain in disputed territory, which since the Contact War has seen a rise in bandit activity. The territories in the north have nominal allegiance to the Hegemon while many have remained historically independent.

The other two sons of the Hegemon Not'zar and Z'razki Izweski, and his daughter Rzasul have been moved to secure locations due to automatic security procedures.

Heir Found Dead: Grief Sweeps Across Moghes

Hegemon Heir Yakt Izweski, eldest of S'kresti Izweski, was found dead along with his wife and 4 other passengers in the wreckage of the Heir's private shuttle. The shuttle was returning from an orbiting research facility that the Heir was having a tour. Following initial deorbit, when it reached at 45,000 feet it suffered a critical engine malfunction. According to the Moghean Shuttle Service Authority the craft then rapidly lost altitude in an uncontrolled descent before suffering a crash at 903 km/h directly into the face of a mountain. Emergency services were unable to recover any survivors and the crash site was described as a "horror scene" as the shuttle disintegrated on impact. Army units deployed ahead of emergency services initially had a skirmish with bandits attempting to reach the site but they confirm no one except their unit and emergency services accessed the site of the crash itself. The clan of Hizka, which claims ownership of the territory of the crash, did not challenge entry of Hegemony authorities to the crash site.

The remains of the Heir and his wife were recovered and are being returned to Skalamar for autopsy and eventual funeral while forensics specialists and aviation authorities begin to investigate the wreckage to recover information and determine the specific circumstances that lead to the crash.

Not'zar Izweski, second oldest child to the Hegemon and his first wife, has become the new Heir to the Hegemony and will be formally anointed as Heir in a no-doubt somber ceremony. The date of such a ceremony has not been released, but according to tradition it cannot take place for a minimum of one week following the funeral of the former heir.

Late Heir Yakt Izweski pursued vigorous studies in engineering and gained the status of an officer in the military from the S'th Military Academy, graduating last year and becoming a Lord Captain of the HMV Trizar, a military cruiser. He was known to be an honorable man and a dutiful follower of the Sk'akh faith. He publicly spoke on support of many of his father's decisions and was firm believer in denying access to the Untouched Lands to former Coalition Unathi. He married Asalizathi Acktiz, who took the name Izweski in 2344, as part of continuing the centuries-old alliance with the Acktiz. They had two daughters together, who have put under the custody of Clanmother Rak'ta.

He is survived by his two daughters and four siblings, two brothers, a brother-in-law, and a sister.

Prince Not'zar Izweski chose to seek an education in Unathities and has been pursuing a bachelors in Philosophy in the University of S'th. As an infant he was struck with the Rot, a deadly viral infection passed from breeds of Moghean birds that almost claimed his life as an infant. The next five years was spent on a hospital bed as a sickly child. The Rot causes a Unathi's scales and even the rest of the hide to rot and fall off, leaving open wounds and necrosis while it also harms muscle growth and weakens tendons. While he was able to keep all of his limbs, his continued physical weaknesses from muscle damage and general weakness leave him unable to meet the standards of physical fitness to join the military and military academies. Not'zar Izweski is extensively traveled, entering the core of Human space for the first time when he was 16. Many close to the young Prince have said he indulges heavily in Human and Skrell cultures. In his creative writing workshop at the university, he created several illustrated fantasy stories which were popular with the Human expats studying abroad on Moghes, which include Mecha Battle on Luna's Torment. He has not yet accepted offers of a mate from the greater Hegemony Lords.

Prince Z'krazki Izweski is the youngest of the Hegemon's male heirs. He is described as a "robust" child. He has just completed primary school, and many are expecting him to immediately join the S'th Military Academy like his elder brother. He is betrothed to Isali Ickza.

Lord S'linzar Ickza is the brother-in-law of the late Heir and son-in-law of the Hegemon after marrying Rzasul Izweski. Rzasul was arranged to marry Lord Ickza to continue the ancient alliance between the Izweski and Ickza. He personally commands the Ickza levy forces, which fought extensively alongside Izweski forces under his late father in the Contact War. Many of their forces were tragically lost, including Slin'zar's father, in the nuclear exchange but the Ickza continue to be a dominant force in the Hegemon military as its leading officers and a sizable portion of the Moghean army.

Bedridden Hegemon Suffering "Severe Depression"; S'linzar Declares Regency

The somber funeral, done in the tradition of the Sk'akh, of late Heir Yakt Izweski and his wife took place this morning, with the procession carrying the two closed-caskets down the main street of Skalamar. Crowds of mourners lined the streets to witness the remains being taken to the Izweski Clan Burial Grounds just outside the Citadel, the residence and administrative center for the Izweski leaders.

The Hegemon himself was present for the lowering of the casket but those present say the Hegemon became "inconsolable" during the burial of his eldest son. Following the burial the Hegemon apparently resigned himself to his quarters and has not left his bed since this morning. According to his doctors the Hegemon has become completely unresponsive and has apparently fallen into a coma, unresponsive to even his wife Rak'ta.

S'linzar Ickza, son-in-law of the Hegemon due to his marriage to Rzasul Izweski, has declared Regency, making him Lord-Regent of the Hegemony.

Declaring Regency is done by the oldest male heir of a noble when that noble is unable to function and requires a regent to act in their name. By declaring Regency, Rzasul has effectively become the new Hegemon until S'kresti rises from his bedridden state.

Rzasul's declaration comes as a surprise and many Lords have expressed concern that he's declared Regency far too soon, with the Hegemon having been incapable for only a day as he deals with the grief of losing his oldest son. So far Overlord Tarkart Yiztek of Ouerea, along with the Lord of Skalamar, S'th, and Ma'ha'rem have declared their support for the Lord Regent. S'linzar said in his announcement declaring Regency:

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"For as long as S'kresti lives I would never seek power at the expensive of this empire, but our nation needs quick and firm leadership to allow order, stability, and strength to continue to exist within our Hegemony."

It is unknown how this will affect the status of Not'zar Izweski, who is currently in line to become the Heir. He has yet to have his coronation, with the ceremony having all the landed Lords of the realm being summoned to the Citadel to witness and declare support for the future Hegemon. This ceremony has taken place since the First Hegemony. Taking a public pledge of allegiance to the heir has traditionally been used to affirm that the Lords take their oaths seriously; breaking the oath given at the ceremony and seeking to replace the heir or take the titles for themselves would be an unheard of breach of honor and the expectations of a vassal.

"He is Not My Hegemon"; Lord Admiral Defies Retirement Demand

Lord Regent S'linzar Ickza, acting in capacity for Hegemon S'kresti Izweski, has enacted several major reforms of the imperial government. Several key officials within the science department and naval authority have been given letters of retirement stamped by the Hegemon's seal and signed by Lord Regent Ickza. Dozens of key government officials have been removed from their job, most of them having been key supporters of the Hegemon and the ascension of Not'zar Izweski as heir.

Lord Admiral Trazarial Yizarus, war hero of the frontier offensive, was also given a letter of retirement ordering him to cede authority of the 1st Fleet, which is still withdrawing from operations in the Frontier. Lord Azicar Ickza would then take control of the 1st Fleet and command the HMV Cataclysm. This morning Lord Admiral Yizarus announced that he would refuse to abide by the letter, and that he would continue to operate the fleet, which accounts for almost half of the orbital navy of the Hegemony. Trazarial also commands the Cataclysm, the super-dreadnaught warship and flagship of the navy. Yizarus said in his announcement broadcasted on civilian channels:

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"Ickza is not my Hegemon. I took no oath to him and he has no authority over me or my fleets. I answer to the Hegemon and I remain loyal to the Hegemon and his true sons. He is welcome to try to enforce his little letter."

Lord Regent Ickza has responded by threatening to brand Lord Admiral Yizarus a traitor and in a state of rebellion, forcefully stripping him of his titles and lands. The Yizarus clan and its direct vassals remain extremely honored in making up the majority of the still-young Hegemon Space Command, whereas the Ickza and their vassals dominate the politics and manpower of the army of Moghes.

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"I am the Lord Regent, the Hegemon's authority is my authority. I became his true son when I married into his family, my authority is absolute on all fronts and I speak for and as the Hegemon until he wakes."

Lord Admiral Azikyui Yizarus, Trazarial's brother, commands the 2nd Fleet which is currently in orbit of Moghes. Azikyui has not given any statements on his position and sources say the 2nd fleet has not responded to hails from either Moghean Space Command or the 1st Fleet's hails, with Lord Admiral Yizarus demanding his brother defy the Lord Regent while Lord Regent Ickza has sent demands for him to detain his brother and seize control of the 1st Fleet.

This stand-off remains at a stale-mate and we will provide more information when it becomes available.

 

Not'Zar: "S'linzar Is A Coward", Challenges to Duel

Editors note: Translated to Basic by human Sinta'unathi linguist.

Prince Not'Zar Izweski, who's location was unknown following the diplomatic summit in Tau Ceti, has just been revealed after giving a video-speech from the bridge of the HMV Cataclysm., which orbits Ourea with the rest of the 1st Fleet. It's unclear when the Prince managed to rendezvous with the 1st Fleet, but his announcement comes on the heels of the 1st Fleet being branded as rogue by Lord Regent S'linzar Ickza.

Prince Izweski appeared on the video standing in front of the captain's chair, flanked by Lord Admiral Trazarial Yizarus and the Captain of the ship, Yinsiki Azikarus. Despite being unable to stand without the assistance of his cane the young Prince had unusually fiery condemnations of his brother-in-law and his supporters with the imperial government.

"Ickza is nothing more than an opportunist who'd betray everything he stood for not months ago just to advance his own power base. And he finds himself supported by the same kind of selfish lords that would throw away everything just to advance their careers and earn a few more fancy titles. When my father yet lived well he taught his sons that the two foundations of what it was to be Sinta'Unathi was loyalty and respect. Where is the loyalty, and where is the respect?"

Not'Zar continued to blast the supporters of Ickza, demanding that he resign his position as Lord Regent and abandon all claims to the throne. Not'Zar pledged that when he became Hegemon he would spare Ickza an execution for his "treason".

Most unusually, Not'Zar demanded that if Ickza did not want to give up his position as Lord Regent or his claims to the throne that the matter be decided in personal combat.

"If the title of Hegemon is such a position that even the heir needs to prove he is capable of close combat, then that's something we will arrange. I demand that this matter be settled once and for all through combat. The only other avenue is to allow civil war or have me abandon everything my supporters are expecting me to be. I will not allow either."

Lord Regent Ickza immediately declared publicly that he will accept the challenge to a duel. Ickza has also declared that he will allow the prince to "choose whatever weapons and armor he can walk to the field with."

Lord Regent Iczka declared the duel location to be the courtyard of the Izweski Citadel, to take place in two day's time, and that he will be fighting with a laser pistol, a diamond spear, and the mounted laser weapons of a breacher suit of the personal Izweski armory.

 

Not'Zar Victorious: S'linzar Cedes All Claims

Editors note: Translated to Basic by human Sinta'unathi linguist.

Startling revelations have come out of Skalamar today as Prince Not'zar Izweski and Lord Regent S'linzar met for their scheduled duel just hours ago. Lord Regent S'linzar, son-in-law to the Hegemon who remains in a coma, had challenged Not'zar's claim to the throne and consolidated power after taking the mantle of Lord Regent. Not'Zar originally offered little challenge but gave a surprising demand for a duel on the 27th of May. With Prince Not'zar suffering from severe physical disability from childhood sickness the demand was quickly accepted by a boastful S'linzar.

The duel was conducted this morning with Lord Regent S'linzar arriving outside the Izweski Citadel, the capital of the Hegemony and personal castle of the Izweski family, in a Mk II Class Breacher Suit taken from the Izweski personal armory. It was equipped with a mounted laser rifle and retractable plasteel talons, and an energy axe strapped to the back of the model. Taking place in the courtyard of the Izweski Citadel the ramparts were filled with various members of the Hegemony nobility, who were encouraged by Slin'zar to take the victor as the legitimate and legal heir to the Hegemony.

Not'zar was allowed by the terms of the duel to arrive with whatever weapons and armor he could personally carry, and it's believed that this loophole was exploited as a reason for his dramatic entry in a large skrell-made mech. The model is unknown, but its mounted weaponry was immense and varied and it came equipped with a personal shield generator and advanced life support systems. The mecha's use in the duel was not known until it departed from a shuttle that had landed just outside the citadel walls. The shuttle itself had embarked from the HMV Cataclysm, which had jumped in orbit above the capital city despite protests from Moghean Space Command and threats of retaliation from the nearby 2nd Fleet.

The duel continued despite the surprise of Lord Regent S'linzar and the assembled nobility but was quickly ended when Not'Zar's mecha fired a series of ion bursts that disabled the Mk II Breacher Suit and depleted its charge. Lord Regent S'linzar was them asked to surrender and keep his life and nominal titles and the offer was accepted.

Most of the assembled nobility have accepted the results of the duel and Not'zar Izweski is scheduled to stand before a council of all the assembled Lords of the Hegemony for them to swear fealty. A faction of Lords have raised concerns about the fairness of the duel, and continue to address Not'zar as "The Cripple Prince" in place of his proper title and name.

Prince Not'zar Izweski has demanded that S'linzar's titles and claims to the throne be rescinded and abandoned, and has given a statement where he praised his brother-in-law for accepting the results honorably and without "needless bloodshed", as well as demanding his resignation as Lord Regent as a condition of the duel. Not'zar Izweski is now legally the Lord Regent following S'linzar's resignation, though its notable that legally until Not'zar has the lords swear fealty to him before an assembled council that legally there is currently no regent for the comatose Hegemon, leaving the entire Hegemony in a complex political and legal limbo.

This situation still remains legally unprecedented and it's unclear how this political limbo will be resolved within the coming weeks until Not'zar Izweski assumes the legal mantle of regent and direct, legal heir to the throne.