Intergalactic Summit

Just over a week ago, Gutter Press was approached by a pair of informants with a truly staggering news lead.

The news lead was that Caldari State loyal astrophysicists were very close to deciphering the secrets of wormhole manipulation, with the possibility of using the technology to force the Gallente Federation to the negotiating table to end the current Gallente war of aggression.

Numerous Caldari astrophysicists have claimed that certain elements, some claiming them to be classified as 'coalesced elements', obtained from Drifter Hives are some form of control mechanism, that is used in a particular Drifter built structure, to generate and open a wormhole, to any arbitrary point in space. Including the possibility of opening wormholes to Jove space !

Unprecedented !

Some have speculated that Sansha Kuvakei uses a similar device, to generate the wormholes that his so-called 'Incursion' forces use in their raids.

Military experts known to Gutter Press have indicated that the possibility to open a wormhole above Gallente Prime, to deploy a Leviathan strike force, could compel the Federation to sue for peace, as it would completely bypass the Gallente early-warning systems, known as "Tripwire", which would invalidate the entire Gallentean naval strategy.

Victory ?

Research into these Drifter elements however, has been slowed by lack of availability of research materials. Drifter Hives are one of the most strongly guarded space installations in all of New Eden, with a formidable Drifter presence. In addition to this, the elements retrieved from Drifter Hives are also difficult to obtain, because of the rumoured existence of one thing.

It has been alleged to Gutter Press, that a Drifter Element Price Fixing Cartel exists !

Monopoly !

The central figures of this alleged Drifter Element Price Fixing Cartel are none other than the senior co-ordinators of the most prominent Drifter research agency, the Arataka Research Consortium !

Controversy !

It is alleged that senior ARC personnel collude, to fix the prices of Drifter Elements, with a view to ensuring their organisation are the first to publish scientific treatises on the manipulation of wormholes, regardless of the wider political implications of such public knowledge of the methodology involved.

Unpatriotic ?

A prominent Caldari State loyalist, Strike Commander Diana Kim, when asked for an opinion about this alleged price fixing cartel, had this to say:
"I am not surprised she (Makoto Priano, senior ARC researcher) is participating in some sort of dishonorable scheme"
Strike Commander Kim also was sceptical about the use of wormhole technology to force an end to the war:
" Signing peace with gallente isn't a good idea, as they will just use it to backstab us... again"

Gutter Press asked senior ARC personnel for comments on the existence of the price fixing cartel, however Chief Executive Makoto Priano declined to comment.

More talkative was Coordinator Morwen Lagann, chief executive of Tyrathlion Interstellar, an associate member of the ARC.
Executive Lagann had much to say on the topic, denying that a price-fixing cartel exists, and that rumours of such, were "petty mudslinging by someone who wants something they don't have, but is unwilling to put in the effort to acquire themselves."

Mud !

Executive Lagann also seemed surprised at the suggestion that Drifter Elements might be a control mechanism for a wormhole generator device, stating that "none of our research or studies have shown anything like that, to my knowledge."

Executive Lagann concluded by confirming that the Drifters remain uncommunicative, with the only interaction between Drifters and the population of New Eden being weapons fire.

Mystery !

With the allegations of a Drifter Element Price Fixing Cartel distinctly unproven, and the mystery surrounding the nature of 'coalesced elements' remaining unclarified, then are Caldari astrophysicists genuinely on the verge of a breakthrough in wormhole science that might usher in a new age for humanity across New Eden and beyond ? Or is this yet another false hope, that will ultimately be another disappointment to those seeking an end to the wars ?

Whatever the answer, Gutter Press will be there to investigate.

Gutter Press. News.

Why open a wormhole "above Gallente Prime" when you could open one in Gallente Prime?

Also, why open a wormhole above a planet to deploy titans when you could deploy asteroids for a much more devastating and cost-effective result?

Atrocities?

That's one way to commit a political suicide and ensure everyone in the cluster hates you. Just look at Imperium. Where are they?

Better yet, why pointlessly kill each other when together we can reach greater results.

I believe it has to do with the gravitational forces of celestial bodies might destabilise the artificial wormhole and interfere with the workings of the device.

I suspect the plan is to report anything and everything so that they can be the first when something does happen. If it is someone else who makes the breakthrough it is just gutter press and no one remembers they were wrong. If it is in fact who they say then they "predicted it."

They never source their information and as I described above take a shotgun approach to journalism. To be "first."

This correspondent is prepared to the ask the difficult questions. Nice piece of investigative journalism.

Bless her, but that daft little bird is not known for having the firmest grasp on reality. We'd previously had a disagreement over Heth's place in history. Her response was questionable, and I believe demonstrates the depth of her delusion.

As usual, Sirlan Takahi's marvelous little bit sums it up.

None of what she said in that post was a lie though. She posted verified links and cited her sources..... more than you have done to back up your rambling. So I believe that it is you who are, in fact, the liar without honor.

With due respect, Niraia, if I were attempting to maintain a monopoly, then what I wouldn't do is publish functional maps, guides to Hive operations, doctrines involved, or indeed give talks in front of Imperial audiences on all pertinent details.

So either I'm absolutely terrible at maintaining a monopoly, or you've misread me intentionally because you personally wish to gain from rumor-mongering.

I might be biased, but my suspicion is the latter.

That said, you clearly feel very strongly about the value of Drifter Hive Elements. You're absolutely welcome to either join our operations, or lead your own.

Please, indeed. Lead your own operations. Learn first-hand the work that's involved.

This whole storm in a teacup about price fixing made me laugh. A lot. I nearly choked on my morning Holder Grey!

Anyways, isn't cornering a market to be able to sell items at a higher price the ultimate dream of every god damn trader, merchant and corporation in the entire history of man? Honestly, considering SCC doesn't do a damn thing about local comms scams and blatant market manipulation, do you really think they'd bat an eyelid if Ms Priano even where involved in price fixing? Oh don't tell me people's moral sensibilities being hurt over the price of something now constitutes a crime!

I mean seriously, what thin skinned, freedom loving, welfare supporting, garbage vomitting idiot thinks capsuleers need to be priced fairly? It's an open market for a reason, you find elements cheaper elsewhere.. Go buy elsewhere! Or as Ms Priano suggests, go get them yourself.

As a pilot who's participated in these operations I personally know they're not cheap to run, so if pilots like myself, and ARC, can make some of that cost back and then some, I'd be pretty happy.