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After their initial advances, Federation 'peacekeeping' troops have taken control of most populated areas, and all key industrial and military sites. This weekend saw them pause to consolidate their positions whilst continuing to bring in more troops and supplies and preparing for a final offensive to crush the remaining opposition. Activity at the starport and other ad hoc landing sites has been frantic as dozens of shuttles and drop ships form an almost continual line of traffic down from the orbiting assault carriers.
Meanwhile, loyalist forces have been far from idle. Although low on supplies and support, and faced with total Federation aerospace supremacy, they have continued to mount a vigorous hit and run campaign, attempting to keep the Federation forces off balance and do anything to slow them down. In a series of small but vicious clashes all along the perimeter, Federation patrols and outposts came under determined attack. In some cases, the supposedly battle hardened Federation troops apparently lacked the motivation to hold off the loyalist raiders and retreated in some confusion, allowing the Loyalists to 'liberate' significant quantities of supplies before disappearing back into the forests.
In one particularly impressive attack, Loyalist commandos managed to slip through a lightly patrolled section of the Federation lines and inflict a serious raid on a major Federation forward air head, destroying several dropships and a command centre, the results of which are certain to bring delay and confusion to the Federation efforts to bring their operations to a speedy conclusion.
Nevertheless, the fact remains that it is only a matter of time before the mighty Federation war machine pins down and destroys the surviving loyalist forces. The recent loyalist successes look likely to merely delay the inevitable, their survival time can probably now be measured in weeks rather than days.
Comms drones just in from coreward carried the following crucial dispatch:
The Republic has long stood accused of lacking the political will to stand up to the aggressive behaviour of the Centaur Federation, a charge which was amplified when Republic Task Force 6 stood by whilst Federation forces occupied Valhalla last November. In a surprise development today, the Republic Foreign Office issued the following statement:
The Republic does not view the newly installed military dictatorship of Valhalla as being a legitimate government representing the wishes of the Valhallan people.
Although under the terms of the Valahallan constitution the previous civilian governments term of office has expired, given the circumstances on Valhalla, the Republic continues to recognise the surviving members of that government as being the sole legitimate authority on Valhalla until such time as the normal election process can be carried out.
The Republic has clear and incontrovertible evidence of the following illegal actions carried out by agents of the Centaur Federation:
Funding of terrorist organisations on Valhalla.
Complicity in the murder of 23 staff at the Republic embassy on Valhalla.
Complicity in the murder of 6 agents of the Eridani Republic Diplomatic Close Protection Service.
Complicity in the disappearance of Ambassador Paul Hood.
The Centaur Federation has repeatedly ignored the requests of the interstellar community to return Valhalla to its legitimate government.
Accordingly, the Senate has today voted on the following motion:
'This house considers the continued occupation of Valhalla by Centaur Federation forces to be unacceptable. This house empowers the armed forces of the Republic to take any and all means necessary, including the use of deadly force, to remove Federation forces from the Valhalla system and to restore the elected civilian government.'
The motion was passed with a majority of 132 votes. Accordingly, the Republic calls on the Federation to withdraw immediately or face the consequences."
3 hours later, at a hastily convened press conference, the Federation Ambassador made the following counter statement.
"The new military government on Valhalla does in fact have the support of the overwhelming majority of the population, and as such is recognised by the Centaur Federation.
The accusations made by the Republic are completely groundless. It is scandalous that a major power should resort to such blatant misinformation - Where is this 'incontrovertible evidence' may we ask?
Federation Peace Keeping forces are present on Valhalla at the request of the Valhallan government and people. We are acting to help *curtail* terrorist activity, not promote it, and it is ridiculous that anyone should suggest otherwise.
The Republics threat to use 'any and all means necessary' is outrageous. Our forces are present in the Valhalla system at the request of the legitimate government. Not only will they act to defend themselves, but they will also act to protect the Valhallan people from any external meddling.
To that end, my government has authorised me to make the following statement.
'Federation forces will remain in the Valhalla system for as long as the military government requires their assistance. Interference from any other government will not be tolerated. Accordingly, the Federation announces the establishment of a space exclusion zone, 1 Light year in diameter, centred on Valhalla A. All vessels are ordered to remain outside of this zone unless they have received specific authorisation from the Valhallan government. Finally, any act of hostility against Federation forces will be considered an act of war. Accordingly, the Federation advises the Republic that unless they are prepared to withdraw their resolution, it is they who should be prepared to face the consequences.'"
More news from Merc Bureau News Service: 16 Feb 297
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