The Red Sun News

The Altareth River Valley (ARV), with its rolling meadows, crystalline rivers, and ancient lore, has long been a sanctuary for the soul. The ARV Gorge, where the Altareth and Khyok Rivers dramatically meet, has inspired poets, philosophers, and spiritual seekers across the Firmament for millennia. Over the centuries, it has become more than a place—more than a geographical marvel—it has become legend. As beings of all species and beliefs descended on the ARV from all corners of the Firmament to marvel at the confluence of its natural wonders, they spoke of the “Jewel of the Alta Mountains,” a moniker that rings as true today as it did in the early days of Altareth City’s founding. But beneath this legendary tranquility, a storm—both literal and political—has been brewing.

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.

Breaking: Merchant City, Altareth: The Red Sun News Brokerage can exclusively reveal from trusted sources that The Padoccia Trade Union offered several incentives to Chaos Brokers participating in the Xandrian Challenge that led to the offer of “donating” Win Conditions to the Xandrians.

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.

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.

“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: 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.

“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 Mahdi 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 Mahdi 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 Mahdi. 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.”

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.

“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. “It has been our privilege to support the Xandrian request to be able to command Chaos Agents in Shard Battles. While we are pleased with the Academy allowing Xandrian Chaos Brokers to command Agents during Training Matches, we will continue advocating for the right of Xandrians to join the Academy and become fully licensed Brokers. We believe it is imperative for future Shard economics that Chaos Brokers are not limited to those selected by the Chaos Academy through obscure and non-public processes. This is a matter of utmost importance to Mr. Padoccia himself.”

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.

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.

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.