Artic apply to join DTA

Artic has contacted the Dinos and has said it wishes to enter formal talks about an entry into the Dino Trade Association. Although Artic isn't a rich planet or very powerful (indeed their only warship has just been sold to the Aritans) this is huge news as Artic is a human colony. "Humans in the DTA could be a game changer." said a UNP source, "Quite a few planets on the UNP fringe are known to be unhappy at DDS concentration on the core worlds. Maybe they will also look to the DTA as well?"

Artic has always been different however and DDS sources say such a move is not totally surprising. Artic was formed by a breakaway group of colonists from Proxima Centauri some 45 years ago and though they joined the UNP they have always kept the organisation at arms length. Their only reasonably close ally is New Arit and when the Aritans joined the DTA it was thought a possibility Artic would follow suit. The Dinos have yet to reply to the Articans request.

• The Crusader has returned to the DDS. The former ship commander is understood to have left his former Christian organisation and wishes to resume DDS duties. AP welcomed The Crusader back and said once he had undertaken a refresher course he would be given a command.