Eranin Civil War Escalates

The Azebanian provincial city of New Fresno fell to rebel forces this morning as the civil war moved into its fourth day.

Thousands of pro-government refugees have fled to Azeban’s historical capital city of Fort Bradley, escaping what is believed to be, thus far, a largely bloodless rebellion.

The weekend had seen significant government victories, thanks in large part to the participation of traders from the Pilot’s Federation. Cmdrs Johnny V and Fallschirmjäger provided Eranin’s government with high quantities of Combat Stabilizers and Basic Medicines, while Cmdrs Nephalim Angel and Psychopomp delivered cases of celebratory liquor in the thousands.

However, orbital strikes on grain silos by rebel craft have caused panic on the streets of New Fresno and a mass exodus of loyalist civilians that has left the city in rebel hands.

Civilians have begun hoarding medical supplies, driving demand for essential medicine while demand for luxury goods and consumer technology is plummeting. Commentators suggest the market’s reaction, when it comes, will be swift and dramatic.

Fort Bradley remains untouched by rebel forces. An official speaking from the city denied rumors of Imperial support for the long-standing government, and said:

“We are doing all we can to support our comrades making the journey to our capital, where they will be greeted warmly by the loyal people of Azeban.”

He went on to dismiss the uprising, describing the conflict many are calling the ‘Anniversary War’ as a ‘skirmish’, saying:

“Eranin is a system of pioneers that has stood proudly independent for 30 years, and we ask our friends in the Pilot’s Federation to supply us with medicine and weapons to assist in opposing these rebels’ unjustified attacks against Eranin’s people.”

In a dispatch believed to have come from the overthrown New Fresno, rebel forces responded:

“We demand democracy, nothing more. Our unelected government steals away our freedoms while raising ever more in taxes. We will remove them from power one building, one city and one planet at a time, if we must. We have attacked only the grain silos with which Eranin’s government shackles its people, and any bloodshed will be on our oppressors’ hands, not ours.”

In other developments:

The conflict has yet to reach the orbital Azeban City. The starport remains under government control, though rumors persist of a growing black market in aid of the rebel faction.

Ambassador Eliza Fernandez of the Independent Alliance has declined to comment on her detention by customs officials, or on the contraband liquor alleged to have been found in her ship’s hold.

Delegates in the independent Wyrd system denied accusations of interference or partisanship in the Anniversary War.

Cmdr Neon Raven is Eranin’s Most Wanted for actions against Pilot’s Federation ships. Cmdr Vega Trantor is Most Wanted in Asellus Primus. The Pilot’s Federation condemned all attacks against its members and local authorities.

Conflict between Pilot’s Federation Commanders in the i Bootis system has seen 3,316 bounties collected in recent days, but a further 6,343 fresh bounties handed out by the federation’s enforcers. Cmdr Erik Marcaigh is the system’s Most Wanted, and has been described as “a menace”. The Pilot’s Federation asked other pilots to “follow the lead of leading bounty hunter Cmdr kiFF and collect the generous rewards offered on rogue agents”.

Trading and combat activities currently favor Eranin’s government over its rebels, though disinformation campaigns on both sides make accurate reporting problematic.