The people of Ulfsbay are proud of the achievements of our son Cebula the Shorn. We thank MasterTyler for his diligence and astute guidance in the First Chaos World Invitational.

The Altareth Union Bosses have today reached out to The Red Sun News with an exclusive announcement about their decision on the inclusion of Xandrian Handlers in the upcoming Second World Invitational Championship aka “The Big Party”.

Breaking: Merchant City, Altareth: The Red Sun News has received a statement from Sorith, legendary Brillouin Chaos Agent, about the judges’ decision regarding 3 of the Chaos Brokers participating in the Xandrian Challenge offering to “donate” their Victories to the Xandrian team, changing the result from a 9-0 sweep for the Chaos Brokers to a 5-4 win.

Breaking: Merchant City, Altareth: The highly anticipated Xandrian Challenge was a resounding success, attended live by over 220,000 spectators at the Altareth Chaos Battle Arena, and streamed by over 3.1 billion households across the Firmament. Viewership ratings were highest across Convocation-member planets such as the Massieu homeworld of Prevarus. Surprisingly, the Xandrian world of Moufette, not known for their enthusiastic spectatorship of Shard Battles, had the third most viewers across all planets.

I was hoping that at least one of you will show empathy and concern for the Xandrians, and am proud that you have done so. Empathy and service to all are values that we try to instill in Academy-trained Chaos Brokers, along with the drive to think for themselves, regardless of order, directives, and politics. As a matter of course, I had to also ensure that my fellow High Council members were in agreement with what I am about to tell you.

Greetings Chaos Brokers,

We are thrilled to learn that some of you are interested in supporting the cause of our Xandrian brethren.

Please reach out directly to me, Edrei Gesa, for details on how you can support the Xandrians — your support as an official Chaos Broker is valuable and appreciated.

While for the rest of Altareth and the Firmament, this will simply be another Tournament to enjoy, I can disclose, in confidence to you and your fellow Brokers at the Academy, that the stakes of the results are much higher than they seem. As you have no doubt learned via Red Sun News and other sources, the Xandrians, supported by the Padoccia Trade Union, have been requesting rights to get licensed as Chaos Brokers and start their own Brokerage Houses. While the Convocation supports equal rights for all species, and as a Clausian balance is of utmost to me, I can convey in no uncertain terms that the Xandrians cannot, under any circumstances, be permitted to participate in real Shard wars and campaigns as Chaos Brokers.

The Padoccia Trade Union is proud to announce a one-time only 4v4 Challenge Tournament that pits 4 of the top Chaos Academy-trained Brokers: MrThrifty, Luchapetal, Zhawk and Pickles, against 4 of the most promising Xandrian Handlers from the planet Moufette.

The Challenge will be scheduled at an hour agreed upon by all 4 of you. Along with her letter, High Regent Dusana will send you her advice on how to best prepare for the Challenge and its consequences. As much as I’d like to help more, much of this matter is above my paygrade… while this might irritate you, it’s more frustrating to me than a game of Liar’s Bingo played with those uncouth regulars at the Three-faced Liar. So I encourage you to follow Dusana’s advice, and write back to her for more advice if you need it.

If this were a yodeling contest against the Xandrians, I’d say you had as much chance at winning this challenge as beating a Madhi at a game of thumb wars, but your training at the Academy makes you the favorite against the Xandrian Handlers.

“The Xandrians have been a close partner and ally of the Padoccia Trade Union since its inception. We are proud to count more Xandrians within our workforce than any other organization in the Firmament, and the result of this partnership is the Firmament-altering technologies that Padoccia has produced. Our Most recent collaboration was the Shard Rods that have transformed the economy of Altareth and elemental science forever,” said a spokesperson for Padoccia Trade Union during a brief public statement.

Would you like to win an Agent Contract Token? Well now is your chance! Last week we started a competition for Broker Trainees to win their very own ACT by being the first person to deduce the origins of our XN-####. You may have noticed that Chaos Broker AIs controlling Agents in Training are now called “XN-1031” and similar names, instead of the Random Attackers and Greedy Collectors of old. Who are these mysterious XN Brokers? What species do they belong to?

Also, as you may already know, we have reached an agreement with the Padoccia Trade Union to secure a limited number of their highly sought-after shard rods with time-displacement technology. This is a significant departure from our long-standing commitment of avoiding trade with unions whose trade credo doesn’t align with our own. However, we view this as an anomaly rising primarily from exigent demands imposed upon us by our new contract with the Chaos Broker Training Academy, as well as the port congestion leaving us without a necessary supply of shards.

Breaking: Merchant City, Altareth: The Academy Board announced today that, after carefully reviewing all contract bids from interested parties, they have selected the Myakon Trade Union as a “priority supplier” for all of the Academy’s upcoming needs. Spokespeople for both entities refused to comment further on the details of the contract, however the Red Sun was able to track down a copy of the internal memo sent to all Myakon Trade Union members and employees.

The Academy Board has partnered with the local Port Authority to secure a contract with a supplier able to fulfill its imminent need of equipment, components, and materials for the Chaos Broker Academy. Given the accelerated development schedule, large volume needs, and short-term deadlines for this ambitious project, the Academy will consider all options, including sole-sourcing to a single supplier as well as cooperative suppliers, provided assurance can be made for meeting deadlines, quality specifications, and cost-effectiveness.

Breaking: Merchant City, Altareth: While rumors of a Chaos Agents Battle School grow, evidence is mounting that the Altareth Trade Bank is funding both it and the publicly acknowledged Broker Academy. One piece of such evidence is a pair of agent dossiers that were intercepted by astute Chaos Broker Trainees Zhawk and SHEU of the Broker Academy, who’ve advanced far enough in their Broker training to successfully explore the intelligence feeds that power engagement displays. It was here that the Trade Bank mistakenly delivered a docket of pending agent recruits. Sources within the Academy say that while concerns remain about intelligence security and leaks, Mentors are proud and encouraged by the initiative shown by Zhawk and SHEU.

“We at the Padoccia Trade Union have worked hard to ensure that Padoccia is the best place on Altareth for skilled and ambitious citizens,” said Mr. Padoccia, Union Boss. “Our engineering acumen is unparalleled, as is evidenced yet again by our invention and production of the highest quality Shard Rods, despite significant interference and resource challenges. We are especially proud of the teamwork exhibited by our valued employees, who have helped us set up a stable and efficient Shard Rod production pipeline. As a result, we are delighted to reward the most skilled and loyal union members, as exemplars of Padoccia values. There is no better way to show our commitment than by awarding these Shard Rods to those who put in the effort to build them.”

Breaking: Merchant City, Altareth: Due to ongoing trade congestion on Altareth, the normally secretive and reclusive Dagna Ro Trade Union is offering select citizens rare access to its valuable intel to those able to provide them with Padoccia-made shard rods. Dagno Ro representatives have been tight-lipped, as usual, but some Dagna Ro Archivists have been overheard complaining about poor working conditions of late, due to the difficulty in procuring off-world energy sources.

Merchant City, Altareth: Many off-worlders have been congregating in increasing numbers near the main Dagna Ro brokerage archive with each passing day, blocking traffic, littering, and chanting loudly. These disruptions are not welcomed by neighboring businesses and housing residents, but none would go on record to complain. Presumably, complaints are scarce due to the enormous influence and promise that Dagna Ro represents. After all, proximity to the Dagna Ro main brokerage building has always driven up real estate values nearby.

Merchant City, Altareth: Our most seasoned investigative reporters at Red Sun News have been working with their confidential sources, and have determined that the increased activity at the port is not all Academy related. Whispers among these sources are indicating increased activity among other Trade Unions in Altareth, and some of those “unnamed” Trade Unions have a reputation for secrecy, particularly as it relates to shards and trade.

Merchant City, Altareth: An anonymous source from inside the Chaos Broker Training Academy’s board has confirmed to Red Sun News that future Chaos Brokers will be looking to recruit Agents of all sentient species from across the Firmament to pursue the broker’s goals.

Merchant City, Altareth: Record level numbers of applicants to the Chaos Broker Training Academy will be pleased to know that a first group of students have been selected as of today, and that we welcome these first students with open arms.

Breaking from Merchant City, Altareth: Red Sun News has exclusively learned that the Chaos Broker Training Academy on Altareth has quietly but officially opened its doors to its first batch of Mentors and Trainees.

“Have you ever dreamed of being at the forefront shaping the future and leaving your mark on the Firmament itself? Well, now is your chance! Introducing the Chaos Broker Training and Certification Program—an exciting opportunity for you to realize your true potential while bringing glory to your people and create the greatest team of Chaos Agents the world has ever known.

The government and people of Altareth are thrilled to invite you to join us on this exhilarating journey—no matter where in the Firmament you are from and what your background is. Today is the day when everything changes for you—if you have what it takes.

Do you?”

Breaking from Merchant City, Altareth: Red Sun News has exclusively learned the first ever details about the origins of the Chaos Broker Training and Certification Program, whose existence was recently confirmed by Altareth port authorities and reported via our news network.

Citizens of Altareth have demanded an immediate end to the “gag order” placed by the authorities, banning large gatherings and discussions on any spaces that can be considered “public”. This has created a lockdown-like situation across the planet where citizens are only allowed to gather within their homes or in private spaces in their workplaces.

Merchant City, Altareth: Over the past two months, several explosions have been reported at the Padoccia Trade Union, spreading panic among its employees as well as at the Altareth Markets.

Merchant City, Altareth: Sources from across the Firmament are confirming massive star-cruiser traffic converging on Altareth – something momentous is underway.

All around Altareth are new signs announcing that the many new arrivals will soon have the opportunity to participate in something of great political and economic consequence. The more observant residents of Altareth had noticed signs of activity across the planet with hoards of new arrivals – licensed and unlicensed. Reliable sources report that the Altareth authorities will have major announcements within the upcoming weeks.

Merchant City, Altareth: Titus, Scion of the First Honor, has arrived in Merchant City, Altareth from his home on Grovaws, and has expressed his intent to stay in the City for an indefinite period of time.

Titus has sent an open request to all citizens of Altareth to assist him and his Madhi brethren in tracking down stolen Chaos Shard shipments that are regularly making their appearance at the Altareth Port’s docks: “Chaos Shards are as much a part of Madhi culture and heritage as planets such as Grovaws and Vespersa, that birthed and nurtured our species,” wrote Titus in his statement to the Red Sun, “It is at great cost and sacrifice that our people are able to harvest and supply Chaos Shards to the rest of the Firmament. Those who steal these Chaos Shards for their own profit are not only harming the economy of the entire Firmament, but causing grievous harm to the Madhi. We humbly request the assistance of Altareth’s citizenry in tracking down stolen Chaos Shard shipments and to put an end to this menace. If the thieves can’t profit off their stolen Shards, we believe they will be forced to stop this practice.”

Wolfram “Both Ways Baby” Marflow dug one claw into the hard earth, anchoring himself to the side of the cave. Two kilometers down, the compacted soil felt like granite, and dripped with a sour mash, as if the weight of the Moufette planetary crust was squeezing it like an orange rind.

Fellow spelunker, Minister Dagget — geophysics fellow at the Xandrian Institute for Exhaustible Reductions — drove a rappel anchor bolt into a fissure, leaned back, and pulled out a hand-rolled cigarillo.