The Federal Census Board has released the current figures on the population of the Librium universe. The numbers show that the general population has declined sharply, and is a mere 20% of what it was 4 rounds ago.
Here are some raw figures culled from the Census data:
Current population is 549, which is half of what it was at the end of the last universal cycle, know as The Awakening. This is roughly one third of what it was two cycles ago during Milliways, and about 1/5 what it was during the Badlands cycle when the total number of traders was 2,008.
57% of all pilots are currently members of a top 10 alliance.
35% of all pilots are currently members of their racial council.
Most experts are somewhat alarmed by this, and are beginning to question the effect that a lower population might have on economic trade among and between the Races, alliance membership and interaction, and the overall stability of the Universe as we know it. Others who are less concerned about the figures point out that population tends to increase, although slowly, as a universe progresses to the completion of its cycle.
Worried citizens are currently petitioning the Federal governing body to come up with a plan that will increase the general population and improve the level of prosperity not only across this universe but also for future universes to come.
Federal Innoculation Efforts Fail
Researchers at the Federal Agency of Topical Anti-viral System Search (FATASS) appeared before a visibly disappointed gathering of decision-makers from across the universe, to announce that their efforts to develop an effective innoculation method against the many viral infections spreading across universe had failed.
Pressured by disgruntled merchants of every race, the researchers have battled hard to discover a cure against the illnesses hitting traders with no discrimination. "We have detected a number of serious viral infections that are spreading at an alarming rate. But we haven't been able to identify where these infections are coming from. If we only knew that, we'd soon end this threat.", said Chief Medical Officer Bill Loating.
The audience was not satisfied with the poor FATASS performance, and several speakers demanded that the Federation turn over the task to private entrepreneurs, who should be given free hands to terminate the epidemic. However since no such private party has stepped forward, it would seem that infections of the common cold and other dangerous viruses will continue to claim the lives of innocent traders across the universe. Will no one rid us of this plague ???
Politics as Usual
Here at the Intergalactic Mercantile ConFab spirits are running high as racial tensions and trading cartels are swapping deals and doing the requisite backstabbing. With the alignment of the Creonti's, Salvene and Thevian races, the majority of the high powered offensive races (or races that are offensive, take your pick) are now poised to wreak havoc on the more peaceful members of the galactic confederation.
In an attempt to counterbalance this axis of aggression, the Alskants, Ik'Thorne and Human races have sought to interpose themselves to prevent the pending galactic onslaught. As usual, the Nijarin and the WQ Humans are taking a backseat in this play to either pick over the remains or allow themselves some additional leverage when push comes to shove, comes to downright assault.
The trading cartels are busy trying to enforce their collective wills in dubious attempts to own trading rights in certain "key" galaxies. As of yet, there are no mega-alliances seeking to garner a corner on toilet paper and corn cob holders as of yet, but there are rumblings of sinister plans, accusational mutterings, and the usual slander as each group warily eyes the other seeking advantage.
As of yet, the outcome is murky and the future is undecided as to who has what advantage over whom.
This is Twice Daley, at the Motel 6 mega-complex on Sinistar 7.
The Hollow Clashes with Virus and Gets Infected
Detailed reports coming in from the Crux galaxy are sketchy, but it appears a large battle took place there between two of the top alliances. A large battle fleet of ships bearing the insignia of The Hollow led by Jester moved into the Crux galaxy and set about attacking the planet in sector 3432 owned by Virus member West Nile. Witnesses say there were at least a dozen of The Hollow ships orbiting around the planet and patrolling nearby space.
The attacking fleet took some number of shots at the planetary defenses, but was unable to breach its defenses before a large fleet of Virus warships took to flight and launched into formation in nearby space. The two fleets engaged and the Virus pilots, led by
took the upperhand in the ongoing battles. The Hollow lost 24 ships worth approximately 280 million credits to the Virus defenders. No Virus losses were reported. Some observers are speculating that the Virus fleet had been tipped off about the attack, which could explain the prepared defense that Virus was able to launch. This has not been confirmed, however.
Racial Birthrate Levels Cause Concern
Various members of ruling Powers that Be have expressed concerns about the dwindling population levels occurring throughout the galaxies. The trading cartel ministers are noting that while the major cartels appear to be unaffected, the day of the independants may be drawing to a close.
One long time hauler, who chose to remain anonymous, spoke of the difficulties involved. "Well you got yer pack hunters and the gang bangers and there are those guys that are even just sporting bad attitudes if you take my meaning."
Some of the concerns are being felt in the halls of racial government as well. The Nijarin Hooker Tax was recently repealed, and a memo was circulated asking Nijarins to "get down with their bad selves". The Alskants are offering two for one baby bonuses in their attempt to stimulate their economy and their population growth. The WQ Humans campaign of "Get Horizontal for Peace" is having mixed results since the missionary position is currently outre in the high cultured circles. So far, the Salvene efforts of "Getting jiggy with it!" seem to be having the best results, although no one really is quite sure what jiggy is, or even who jiggy is or if jiggy is simply taking numbers. As it is, this reporter is standing, or rather laying true to his name......
This is Twice Daley, saving the universe, one encounter at a time, reporting from the Anconus Mustang Ranch.
Pod Stock on the Rise
Investment advisors across the galaxies are telling their clients: invest in escape pod stock now.
The Galactic Stock Exchange has seen a huge advance in the stock prices of companies which manufacture escape pods. The small metallic escape pods are required by Federation law to be installed in all space-faring vehicles, and according to galactic market analysts, the rise in stock prices is directly related to the number of replacement pods ordered and installed by ship dealers. "Our orders on new pods have increased 35% in the last month," said one local Nijarin ship dealer. "With all the warfare going on in Apus and Crux and Salzik, we've got our hands full just keeping up with demand." And given the current situation among the contentious alliances operating across the universe, that demand is not likely to decrease any time soon.
The increase in escape pod demand has also caused a new side industry to spring up: pod recycling. Racial HQs typically dispose of the escape pods that land in their docking bays. But environmental activists have petitioned the racial governments to change their policy, and now, the less damaged escape pods are re-installed and re-used on other ships. Pods that cannot be salvaged are melted down, and the metal of the pod hull is turned into armor plating and sold at UNO shops. The effect of all this recycling on the profit margin of new escape pod manufacturing is expected to be minimal.