This week a wave of terrorist bombing hit jump drive factories across the planet. Seven had production lines extensively damaged by fuel-air explosive devices. Production is expected to be held up for several weeks whilst repairs are made. The EFA has claimed responsibility.

Massive blast destroys jump-drive factory. 1000’s dead! Government blames terrorists.

Today a massive explosion vapourised a jump drive factory on the outskirts of the capital city. The explosion is believed to have killed in excess of 3000 people, mostly jump drive workers and Naval Staff. 20000 are reported injured in the worst terrorist outrage this century. The blast, which is believed to have been caused by a jump drive being activated whilst attached to the crystaliron building framework, shattered windows up to 80km away. A spokesman said, “There is no chance that this could have been an accident, the safeguards are just too failsafe.” The EFA has declined to comment.

A New Colchis courier brings news of the detainment of the Orphée patrol in the New Colchis system. New instuctions for the patrol to go via Joyeuse are issued and carried back via New Colchis courier.

Fleets 1, 3 and 5, the majority of the Esperanzan Navy, leaves the system. This is a huge decoy mission whose purpose is to flush out enemy espionage agents.

Fleets 1, 3 and 5 have returned after their counter-espionage decoy mission.

Trading vessels brought news of the annexation of Zuflucht by Serendip Belt forces in week 3. They carried a plea for help to the “Free peoples of the Islands”.

Large elements of the 5th Fleet have formed themselves into task force ‘Besançon,’ and departed for Besançon. They will travel via military fuel dumps.

The Esperanzan 2nd Fleet today began a series of manoeuvres and weapons testings inside the atmosphere of Esperanza. These were widely believed to be an attempt to intimidate the EFA. Several citizens who complained that their windows had been shattered by sonic booms have been detained for “Psychiatric Readjustment.”

The 2nd Fleet continued its maneuvers this week. There have been no further complaints about sonic booms.

Another bomb explosion in a jump drive factory has caused ‘minor damage’. Two men were arrested by police a few hours later. Both were employees of the factory. They will stand trial as soon as they have got out of hospital.

An F-Cour class carrier has left, bound for New Home. It is carrying captured New Home spies who are being repatriated as a gesture of good will.

Fleets 1, 4 and 5 have departed for manoeuvres in the Wellington system. Grand Admiral Ripley commands the expedition.