February Flourish ends with problems for Zephyr

The latest exercise, the annual EW, cyber warfare and special forces February Flourish exercise has ended a day early because of problems to SS Zephyr, the oiler attached to the fleet detachment. The new ship, on the first operational deployment of its type, is reported to have been plagued with problems with its cargo handling system all through the exercise. The main crane finally failing yesterday preventing the transfer of supplies to one of the other ships.

Zephyr has now returned to Solaris for analysis by DDS Engineering. A spokesman said it was likely to be just teething problems with a new type. "These things do happen and its better they happen in the controlled situation of an exercise rather than a combat situation!"

• The unaligned Rim World planet Melaris 12 has requested both the UNP and DTA for assistance after a ship of unknown type entered its low orbit and fired what has been described as laser "blanks" at the surface before retreating. It is thought the ship may have been testing Melaris' defences though the planet has virtually none apart from a small ground based police force. Although the ship's identity is unknown the proximity of Melaris to Tarbotian space indicates Tarbot could be involved.