Fire Rages Through South Burgton

Burgton, Solaris, Rahneshire, Lyran Commonwealth

A fire raged through a South Burton neighborhood last night. Several warehouses burned down. There have been no deaths reported and the only injuries were incurred by two firefighters. There were no witnesses present when the fire started.

At this time, police have no indication of how the fire started. "The warehouses are still very hot," said a police spokesperson. "There is one firefighter squad still here to monitor the area. We will send in a team to investigate tomorrow."

Heavy Protesting on Skye

Skye, Isle of Skye, Lyran Commonwealth

Archon Katrina Steiner was greeted with a massive protest staged by Skye separatists. The protests have continued with some violence occurring between civilians and Skye police. Dozens of people have been injured, some seriously.

The Archon has been saddened by the protesting. "The people of Skye are afraid of the future," said the Archon. "The Commonwealth needs the Isle of Skye and the Isle of Skye needs the Lyran Commonwealth. Independence will not solve Skye's problems."

Comstar Interdicts Galtor

Galtor, Irurzun Prefecture, Benjamin Military District, Draconis Combine

Comstar has placed Galtor under a communications interdiction which started last week. The interdiction is in response to the Galtorian government's attempt to tax Comstar as a regular business. Comstar has long been excempt from all taxes throughout the Inner Sphere. The Galtorian's attempt is the first since 2839.

With no hyperpulse communications out of Galtor, the planet's economy will suffer. It will also put Galtor in danger of a Federated Suns attack since they won't be able to call for help. Comstar will lift the interdiction when the Galtorian government rescinds its Comstar tax. There is no word from the Galtorian government or from House Kurita.

Invader Class Jumpship

The Invader is the most common Jumpship operating in the Successor States. Designed to transport up to three Dropships, the Invader has a cargo capacity of close to 1000 tons. It's availability and efficient design make it well- suited for both commercial operations and for large mercenary units. The Invader is also the Jumpship most commonly used by the regular armies of the Successor States.

The Invader masses roughly 152,000 tons and is 505 meters long. When fully deployed, the ship's sail is just over a kilometer in diameter. It's appearance is similar to the familiar needle-like shape of many other Jumpships. Measuring 65 meters in diameter and 6 meters wide the spacious centrifugal grav deck provides artificial gravity for offduty and visiting personnel.

Though no Successor State has any notable concentration of Invader Class Jumpships, reliable estimates indicate that approximately 46 percent of all Jumpships within the Inner Sphere are Invaders. Of these, Successor State armies operate nearly 51 percent, merchants own 32 percent, and mercenary companies operating within the Inner Sphere own 17 percent.

-- From: Dropships and Jumpships, Editor Unknown, ComStar Publications.