Jericho’s Trumpet is published on Jordan, the Human tenet world within the Sildatha Alliance. Settled by Humans “blown” off course in the original Human expansion, Jordan is the most dynamic tenet world under Sildathi protection. Jericho’s Trumpet is Jordan’s chief paper, and it carries a liberal voice when compared to usually more sober Sildathi publications. It is widely read throughout the Alliance, often by Sildathi who want “another perspective” on a given story.
Wide Spread Unrest on the Second Anniversary of the Kalasi Massacre: Sections of Vorajesa under martial law.
LYGALT BROUGHT TO A STANDSTILL AS PROTESTERS TAKE TO THE TRANSITWAYS.
In the largest protests yet seen in the troubled Sakoras Region, thousands of activists beseiged the offices of the Lygalt Authorities and the region's transit network in protest of Lygalt's new fee structures and the company's heavy handed treatment of Vorajesa's native oposition movement.
Well organized groups of protesters have clogged the transit network, effectively shutting down all operations within the Sakoras Region.
At this hour, no word has been received from the offices of Lygalt Industries' Governing Council, which has overseen the administration of the region since the signing of the Talosa Tigra Accords in 2447AD.
EXCLUSIVE: "VORAJESA LOOKS LIKE THE SCENE OF A POGROM..." SAYS STEPHENS.
Upon his return from the Sakoras Region, K. Dan Stephens, the Special Human Affairs Correspondent for the Alliance News Service described what he had directly witnessed during his time trapped in the Sakoras Region. In grim detail, Stephens asserted that "parts of Vorajesa look like the scene of a pogrom against the native protest movement." and that the level of violence used by both sides is "disturbing."
In a startling revelation, Stephens announced that Lygalt Security was faced with a well-organized alliance between anti-Lygalt protesters and native Hyrunians unhappy with Lygalt's control of Vorajesa. He also confirmed that he had witnessed elite units of the Irrosa Homeworld Federation's En Tabak [Special Purpose Police] engaged alongside Lygalt Security in efforts to find what Irrosan officials have in the past called "traitors" among the native Hyrunian population. Stephens characterized much of the violence as running battles between Security units and "well prepared" groups of local residents.
Stephens reported that the violence erupted when Security units opened fire during a botched attempt to arrest Zera Natafa, the leader of the native Hyrunian population who has been highly vocal in her condemnations of the Lygalt Authorities in recent years. Now in hiding, it is believed that Natafa is directing the continuing resistance.
After exiting the Sakoras Region, Stephens met with Sildathi and Zethi officials to report what he had recorded on Vorajesa. However, officials on Soras and Sildath were unavailable for comment.
CALL FOR ACTION RISING AMONG ZETHI.
A steady clamor for action is rising throughout the Zethi Commonwealth as anger over the latest quarrel between Soras and Irrosa continues to deepen. Governor Sefa, leader of the Zethi Sadaqat [Resurrection] political movement has been vocal in calling on Chancellor Gernehava to respond to the Hyrunians with "swift and appropriate action."
Some Sildathi officials in Illithin have quietly expressed concern that the situation may be quickly moving beyond the abilities of the Central Powers [Zethi, Rukira, and the Hyrunians] to instill peace and calm. One unnamed official said, "at the current level of distrust and hostility, the Central Powers run the risk of reaching a point where they can no longer back down."
SEISARANTA ANGERED BY ZETHI ACTION; VOSHA MONARCHY WILLING TO ACCEPT TEMPORARY OCCUPATION OF SAKORAS REGION.
Sources in Illithin have reported that the President is "furious" with Chancellor Gernehava for not fully consulting with the Sildathi before deciding to issue the Seven Point Ultimatum. At this late hour, diplomatic activity has reached a furious pace and word has been received that the Vosha Monarchy has informed Illithin that they would be willing to accept President Seisaranta's idea of a temporary occupation of the Sakoras Region.
Very little information has been received from Soras except a statement saying that the Commonwealth was patiently waiting for an official response from the Irrosa Homeworld Federation.
ILLITHIN ATTEMPTS TO CALL ELEVETH HOUR MEETING BETWEEN IRROSA, SORAS & HASHIR.
Today, Sildathi officials remained adamant that there is still an opportunity for the Central Powers to seek a negotiated settlement to the Sakoras Crisis. The statement comes amid reports that President Seisaranta is attempting to reach an agreement with the Vosha Monarchy for hosting an eleventh hour peace conference between representatives from Irrosa, Hashir, Soras, Sildath and Talosa.
However, there may be little that the President can do to alter the situation. Elder Dotepthasalyn lamented that "any effort will be fruitless until each party desires peace more than war. The revered Elder and former President also offered that "the experience and memory of conflicts passed has moved beyond the grasp of the living both sides seem to have forgotten that only brambles grow where an army has been."
WAR! ZETHI FORCES ADVANCE INTO SAKORAS REGION.
Forces from the Zethi Commonwealth have entered the troubled Sakoras Region and are reported to have already captured Vorajesa. This follows the release of a broad statement in which the Zethi Commonwealth declared war against the Irrosa Homeworld Federation and the Hashir Alliance (See Declaration).
At this point, few details are available about the scope and size of the Zethi operation or the disposition of the Commonwealth Fleet in other sectors.
The High Commissioner on Hashir has called an emergency meeting. It is expected that after that meeting, the Rukira and the Hyrunians will follow the Zethi in releasing a formal declaration of war.
Thus far, neither the President's office nor officials in Illithin have issued any official comments.
ZETHI OFFENSIVE MOVING ON FOUR CLUSTERS.
Officials on Sildath and experts within the Grand Fleet have reported that they believe that the Commonwealth Fleet is pressing its attack on the four Hyrunian controlled clusters along the Hyrunian-Zethi frontier.
Heavy fighting between the Commonwealth Fleet and the Federation Defense Forces has been reported within the Apila, Zinaroba, Banu and Mdiyo clusters. Irrosa has not issued any official response to Zethi claims of victory along the frontier. However, an official for the Central Alliance reported that the Hyrunian 2nd Fleet was heavily engaged within the Apila cluster and that elements of the Hyrunian 3rd Fleet have been actively opposing the Zethi's attempt to probe the defenses of Zinaroba, Banu and Mdiyo.
ZETHI KILL TWO RUKIRA BVS'S IN ZAPALNIACH RAID.
The Zethi Commonwealth has confirmed that its forces conducted a major raid across the Rukira frontier. The Zethi effort was focused on the vital Zapalniach cluster. Zethi forces were apparently able to enter the star system that serves as the H.Q. for the Rukira's 6th Fleet unchallenged.
Among the vessels that the Zethi claim to have destroyed, are two BVS's that the Zethi have identified as the Zevenya and the Pyenikosos of the 15th BVS Group. If ultimately confirmed, their loss could only be characterized as devastating to Rukira operations involving the 6th Fleet.
ZETHI OPEN WIDE GAINS: ATTACK TAL MKGIZA AND RIFANI.
After pushing the Hyrunians from the Apila cluster and repelling several efforts by the Federation's 2nd Fleet to retake the Apila systems, the Zethi Commonwealth has launched a major offensive against Hyrunian positions in the Tal Mkgiza and Rifani clusters.
The Zethi have confirmed that their forces have launched a major effort in the Tal Mkgiza and Rifani clusters. However, Irrosa has not offered any comment as to the nature or extent of the latest fighting.
The Zethi offensive has surprised many experts. Strongly defended, the cluster is the primary base and marshaling area for the Irrosa Homeworld Federation's 2nd Fleet. "The Rifani cluster has some of the most well defended star systems outside of the Sildatha Alliance," said Kossenthilok, Elder of Defense and former Admiral of the Grand Fleet. "The topography of hyperspace surrounding Rifani severely limits the points from which one can safely exit into normal space. Any attempt to invest the cluster would require a prolonged and determined effort by the bulk of the Commonwealth Navy."
ZETHI HIT IRROSHIR! TRAP HYRUNIAN 2ND FLEET IN RIFANI!
In a stunning turn of events, it has been learned that the Zethi have attacked Irroshir in force. Very few details have been confirmed regarding the latest Zethi attack; however, officials with the Central Alliance and the Zethi Commonwealth have confirmed that Irroshir is the scene of a "massive operation." At this hour, a state of emergency is in effect within the Irroshir region and all traffic and communications have been restricted until further notice.
The Irroshir cluster is considered to be the "Gateway of the Alliance," and is the primary junction between the Irrosa Homeworld Federation and the Hashir Alliance. Also known as the "Colonial Capital" of the Federation, Irroshir is the home of the Central Alliance's Joint Expeditionary Fleet (J.E.F.).
As yet, no details have been received regarding the size of the Zethi effort or the current disposition of the J.E.F. However, reports of heavy fighting around the Mlotskot cluster have appeared in the Rukira press. Analysts believe that the Zethi force in Irroshir have used Mlotskok and Upu Tuni as staging areas and point to the recent loss of communications from that remote region of the Rukira-Hyrunian frontier as a possible early indication of the Zethi move.
More bad news for Irrosa as Soras has reported that its forces have effectively isolated the Hyrunian 2nd Fleet within the Rifani cluster. Confidential sources in the Commonwealth have indicated that Marshal Chnahss' forces has confined the Hyrunian 2nd Fleet to a secondary node system after "deactivating" Rifani's primary node.
Although 2nd Fleet maintains a solid transit connection to the Irrosan Home District, the Zethi have reportedly deployed several formations of the Commonwealth's new "Arsenal" ships along the transit route in an effort to intercept ships attempting to enter and leave the Rifani cluster.
ZETHI TIGHTEN HOLD ON RIFANI AS THREAT TO IRROSA PROGRESSES.
The Zethi fleet led by Marshal Chnahss appears to have briefly paused in its otherwise relentless pursuit of the hard-pressed Hyrunian 2nd Fleet in the Rifani cluster. However, the Zethi have continued to tighten their hold on the Hyrunian cluster, virtually cutting off all transit to and from the cluster.
"The very factors that made Rifani such an attractive base of operations have turned against the Hyrunians," said Retired Grand Fleet Admiral Kossenthilok. Referring to the local topography in hyperspace, the Elder Admiral commented, "there were only a handful of channels suitable for entering the Rifani cluster, and the Zethi's new 'shallow draft' capable drives have allowed them to take up positions outside the Hyrunian defensive zones along those routes."
The Zethi appear to be using their Arsenal class vessels to great effect in these areas. With their ultra advanced 'Hydar Detection Systems,' they are able to direct a variety of guided munitions to target frequencies in hyperspace with incredible accuracy. The apparent success of this new technology has captured the attention of the Grand Fleet and officials with Kumyat Shipyards.
In a statement issued by Chancellor Gernehava, the Zethi angrily denied that its forces have been targeting civilians attempting to flee Rifani or any other theater of the war and called the Hyrunian allegations "the worst sort of propaganda."
CHAOS IN BANU AS HYRUNIANS PULL OUT. OFFICIALS INTRIGUED BY MEANS OF ZETHI ADVANCE.
The Hyrunian 3rd Fleet under Admiral Jadara is pulling out of the Banu cluster. This news arrives quickly on the heels of the Hyrunian pullout in Mdiyo.
Sandra McPherson, a correspondent for Jericho's Trumpet, reported that the scene within the cluster was one of utter chaos as panic stricken Hyrunians have desperately tried to board any vessel leaving the cluster. In her report, she stated, "The situation worsened as word spread that the retreating fleet had taken the unprecedented step of demolishing the primary transit node. Almost all of the colonial authorities had pulled out with the military it was complete anarchy, I was lucky enough to talk my aboard a vessel from the Imperial League that was crowded with officials and their families from Utyani [Banu's central colony]. No one was certain what to expect from the advancing Zethi; but rumors of massacres and starvation abound. Rumors that have been fed amplified by Irrosan officials and the silence coming from the colonies overrun by the Zethi."
President Seiseranta has accepted the Zethi proposal to allow observers from the Sildatha Alliance to travel to Vorajesa and the Hyrunian colonies that have been cut off from Irrosa.
Many officials on Sildath, including several prominent senators have been interested in reports that the Zethi have been asserting local control of transit nodes within Hyrunian and Rukira space. Numerous experts have cited this as possibility in light of the starling advance of the Commonwealth's forces Rifani and Irroshir. They also point to the extreme measures being enacted by Irrosa and Hashir to limit traffic throughout the war zones. Said one Grand Fleet analyst, "While shutting down portions of the transit grid would be expected, demolishing a node is almost unheard of; their systems are hard-wired for network integration so that they can be denied from any other part of the transit grid. When they are removed from the network, they become useless to an enemy force. It is strong evidence that the Central Alliance at least fears that the Zethi have manufactured a way to use their own nodes against them. Under those circumstances, who can blame them [Irrosa, Hashir] for not taking any chances."
FALL OF RIFANI PUTS ZETHI IN POSITION TO MOVE AGAINST HYRUNIAN HOME DISTRICT.
Reliable sources in Illithin have indicated that the Zethi have essentially eliminated the I.H.F.'s 2nd Fleet as a viable fighting force.
"Despite the Central Alliance's attempts to down play the outcome, the fact remains that the Hyrunians have suffered a debilitating setback," said Fleet Admiral Sytherintal. "A few weeks ago, I don't think the Hyrunians or anyone else, would ever have believed that a major Hyrunian fleet could be ambushed, isolated, and dismembered within its own home cluster by the Zethi. Now the Zethi are in a position where they could conceivably move against the Federation's Home District"
Jericho's Trumpet has confirmed through our sources that Admiral Lamenket has been killed. It has been learned that the Admiral was killed aboard his flagship, the BVS Ulaya Varda, while leading the effort to smash through the Zethi cordon.
After reportedly receiving information on Zethi preparations to eliminate the remainder of 2nd Fleet, Admiral Lamenket decided it was time to attempt one last all out effort to escape Rifani. Sources report that 2nd Fleet launched a surprise attack through the Ta'Blus system. Leading the way in the damaged Ulaya Varda, the Admiral used the irresistible target of his own BVS to draw Zethi fires away from the rest of 2nd Fleet's survivors. Admiral Lamenket blazed a trail through the cordon of Zethi picketts, allowing the remnants of 2nd Fleet, led by Admiral Varleyta, to fight its way through the gauntlet of the Zethi arsenal ships.
As much as eighty percent of 2nd Fleet has been severely damaged or outright destroyed. "I knew Admiral Lamenket," said Admiral Kossenthilok (Ret.). "He was an honorable and highly intelligent leader. His tragic loss is as great as the death of a dozen warships."
The Elder Admiral and hero of the Sho'tahl Intervention also commented "I am sure that Lamenket's stubborn defense of Rifani has tired Marshal Chnahss's Zethi forces. I doubt that they will be in any kind of condition to move against Irrosa in the near future. As such, I stand by my original remarks that this will be decided by what happens in Irroshir."
IRROSA CLAMPS DOWN AT HOME.
The Irrosa Homeworld Federation has passed a series of stringent and far reaching "security measures," in an effort to clamp down and possibly head off any trouble within their own territory. The move comes in the wake of the terrible defeats suffered by the Federation Fleet in Zinaroba and Rifani.
"The Senior Council has made what is tantamount to a declaration of martial law throughout the Federation," reports Thymendentok, Sildath's Ambassador to Irrosa.
The measures have dramatically broadened the powers and authority of the Senior Council's En Tabak [Special Purpose Police]. Among the new measures approved by the Senior Council, is an order restricting all foreign press to Irrosa. The Security Office must approve travel beyond the Hyrunian homeworld and security representatives must accompany individuals at all times.
However, these restrictions pale in comparison to the stern measures aimed at the Hyrunian populations. The Senior Council has ordered all unnecessary travel and communications to be curtailed. Broad authority has also been granted to the much-feared En Tabak to "ensure the safety and continued public order of the Federation."
All non-military organizations have been placed under the jurisdiction of the Senior Council's agents, essentially giving the Security Head Zerazahn and his secret police the run of the Federation.
ZETHI ANNOUNCE EXCLUSION ZONE; IRROSHIR STRONGHOLD STANDS FIRM; ZETHI MOVE INTO WATOTARA AND TAYARI.
Soras has announced what it calls an "exclusion zone" surrounding the Irroshir cluster and several other clusters in Rukira and Hyrunian territory. The Commonwealth has declared that all hyperspacial traffic within these zones is subject to immediate attack by the Commonwealth Navy's Arsenal Corps and warned all governments to avoid the war zone. The Zethi named the Rukira clusters of Zapalniach, Rysidia, Kejpe, and Nurosko as well as the Hyrunian clusters of Chora Dim and Tsefa.
As yet, there have been no official reactions from the governments around the Known Sphere. The move follows the recent Zethi victory over the Rukira fleet at Zapalniach and comes, as the long expected battle for the Irroshir Colony appears to be gathering momentum. Yesterday, the collected strength of the Zethi armada, under Marshal Thevana, decimated a large attempt by the Central Alliance to relieve the colony. Zethi Arsenal ships reportedly erected a cordon of fire around the Irroshir system that extended well into the upper frequencies of hyperspace. Many Central Alliance vessels were lost when the intense barrage forced them to reenter realspace, where they were easy prey for the waiting Zethi. An unknown number were lost in hyperspace.
Communications with the colony and the J.E.F. units within the star system have been disrupted due to unusual solar activity: however, reports indicate that the Zethi have yet to make any serious forays into the star system. One dispatch from Irroshir's defenders reportedly read "our guests have yet to cross the threshold, but we can hear them knocking."
Analysts believe that the Commonwealth Navy wishes to ensure total domination of Hyperspace before moving into the Irroshir system. "The Zethi appear to have assembled every Arsenal ship and strike unit in the Commonwealth Navy and deployed them under Marshal Thevana," said one source within the Grand Fleet.
In other war news, Marshal Chnahss's forces have begun to reach out from Rifani to the Hyrunian clusters along the Sildathi border. Sildath has confirmed that it has received reports of Zethi units in the Watotara and Tayri clusters. However, officials were quick to say that these appeared to only be monitoring units. "Marshal Chnahss appears to be securing his position," said one official.
“WE ARE PREPARED FOR ANY RUKIRA RESPONSE,” SAYS SORAS. ISSINIUM SHIPMENTS FROM IRROSA HALTED.
Soras has reported that its forces still retain control of the Avashimmqa cluster, despite reports that the attacking Rukira fleet is now within striking range of the cluster's primary colony worlds.
"We are prepared for any Rukira response to the current war situation," said one senior Zethi official. "Since the dreaded days of the Khiva Wars, we have vowed that we would never allow another colony to fall prey to the Rukira. Neither the Commonwealth Navy, nor the citizens of Avashimmqa will yield a single world hallowed by Zethi dead."
Despite Soras' brave words, reliable sources have reported that the Commonwealth Navy is operating at close to one hundred percent, and is scrambling to throw back the Rukira's push into Avashimmqa.
In news related to the ongoing hostilities, issinium prices reached a record level today, following reports that Irrosa has ordered a halt to all commercial shipments to the Sildatha Alliance. All Hyrunian vessels have been commandeered by the Irrosan government for use in the current conflict. The commercial transport of issinium from the Federation's rich coreward region, has been turned over to non Hyrunian registered ships, mainly from companies in the Vosha Monarchy, the Hashir Alliance and the Imperial League. The Sildath Alliance's declaration of neutrality forbids any Sildathi commercial vessel from entering the war zone.
As such, stocks favoring Guild enterprises soared under speculation that domestic production of issinium would be increased to compensate for the short fall in Hyrunian sources. The news has led some to accuse the Guilds of lobbying the Senate for a positive vote for neutrality in an effort to cripple non-guild companies dependent on issinium shipments from Irrosa.