POTATO TAKES THE HEXAGON ! Stardate 3200.351

Amidst scenes of jubilation and gay abandon in the Star Party Headquarters, rank outsider Alphie Potato was officially inauguated as the next President of the Greater Federation of Asteel.

At least three political pundits have reportedly commited suicide in reaction to this totally unexpected result. Potato - the 'Come from Behind Kid' has once again shown political fast footwork to rival some of the greatest political minds of history.

Admittedly, the vote was close - but a Supreme Court ruling on the key New Edo Vote - placed the presidency in Potato's chocolate smeared hands.

Reform Party hopeful Snownose, is reported to have said, off the record, "It's a fix - that bastard Potato cheated - I'll get him for this...I'll...I'll....[inaudible spluttering]'

Rumours of 'Tuskan Crisis' grow. Stardate 3200.348, Tuskan Q7

News media throughout Quadrant 7 have been reporting a mysterious crisis at the little-known Earther system of Tuskan. Following on from the unprecedented step of an effective IAO 'lockdown' of the system and removing control of it from local the Quadrant Government - in effect making it administratively part of Quadrant Zero - ever more wild tales have been eminating from there.

The latest of these is word of huge Allied fleets gathering there for purposes unknown. Some say that Earther scientists at the ultra jolly secret Tuskanska Nuclear Weapons Fabrication Establishment on Tuskan III have come up with a fantastic new 'Berserker Buster' weapon. Others that there is some sort of cladestine negotiation going on with the Berserkers thenselves. Most outlandish of all is the rumour that the Forerunners have returned, from whereever it was they disapeared to, to save humanity in it's hour of direst need.