Last night The Galactic Forces brought me word of a situation on Ashtaria that has absolutely appalled me. They knew it would upset me so they had delayed telling me, but finally felt they had to let me know.
Some time ago a doctor in one of the Ashtarian's major cities became concerned because of a series of strange deaths in which the bodies were so destroyed that identification was almost impossible. He reported to the local security agent who had been having his own fears because of the disappearance of pets in the area. His investigation proved their worst fears. A group of rich individuals had reestablished the cult of Busk, the worship of The Dark One, and had been making sacrifices.
At first they had been animal sacrifices, but they had gone on to the traditional sacrifices of young adults and children.
So far over eight-hundred individuals have been arrested. Some have already been tried and are awaiting execution.
It fills me with profound sadness to know how far a race can fall when circumstances start to turn against them, what some of them will do in a vain attempt to regain power.

We wish we could report that the situation on Ashtaria with the sacrificial cult had been settled quietly in the judicial system, which is usually quite fair. but that's NOT the way it went.
Most of the accused were from one family and the leaders of that family refused to believe the charges made against their loved ones, especially that some of them had sacrificed their own children.
They claimed all the evidence was falsified by the government to bring their family down from power. They insisted on the release of their family members. When the government refused they stormed the detention center where the prisoners were being held. Other families sent in forces to help the security agents and over one-thousand lives were lost!
When the prisoners' family members were finally subdued the enraged members of other families decided to skip the judicial process. They took the prisoners and several leaders of their family to an open area and burned them alive; the traditional punishment for their crimes.
It took the government some time to restore order. The mob members have willingly surrendered themselves, and plead guilty, putting themselves on the mercy of the court. The court has decided against any further executions, but are handing out some heavy penal sentances. No family leaders are complaining.

We have received word of another incident involving the renegade Ashtarians. Worlds near the border of The Dawn Empire had been reporting raids on their outposts and shipping. The Dawn Empire sent scout ships to investigate the situation. One of those scout ships located a major renegade base and escaped undetected, to return with a vast portion of The Imperial Fleet, which engaged the raiders and fought them for three days in what can only be described as a ferocious running battle.
The Empire lost six large ships and five small ones. Several of their other ships took heavy damage. They destroyed at least twenty of the renegades and damaged many more until they retreated into uncharted space.
The Imperial Forces were amazed that the renegades put up such a fight, and that they were so heavily armed.
They are reactivating several reserve ships in the area until they can replace their lost vessels, and are offering to reinforce Galactic patrols in neighboring sectors, an offer The Galactic Community has gratefully accepted. The Imperials don't like people messing around in their territories.

The tragedy of The Ashtarian situation seems to go on and on! We received word last night that the Emperor of The Dawn Empire and many members of his family were assassinated when forty or fifty men dressed in uniforms of The Imperial Military stormed the Royal Palace apparently with the help of someone inside. The raiders were eventually killed. Though the authorities tried to capture some, it was impossible! So no questions can be answered. But many of The Dawn believe the attack was motivated by The Ashtarians.
Two elements of The Dawn Fleet attacked into Ashtarian territory doing a great deal of damage until The Galactic Forces repelled them.
The Ashtarian embassy on one of The Empire's outer worlds was stormed by an angry mob, and many lives were lost on both sides, until Imperial troops managed to secure the building and protect the surviving Ashtarians.
Things have quieted down. The new twelve year old Emperor has pleaded with his people to maintain order and keep the peace with others so he can be invested and they can mourn their dead.
The people are complying with his wishes for the moment, but there is a great deal of simmering anger. We can only send our condolences.
Over the years through our alien contacts we have come to know this ancient and proud family. This was another sorrow they did not need, or, deserve.