Akeron's Gate, Sol sector -- Recent heavy fighting in the Akeron's Gate sector with Progen forces has shown a disturbing trend with regard to V'rix capabilities, according to Centuriata spokesman Consul Tyr Hassan.

"Repeated battles with the enemy forces in Akeron's Gate have revealed to us the deployment of several new types of V'rix ships and capabilities, which up to now have been previously unknown. These potentially constitute a major threat to combat operations and unwary travellers alike that pass through the Akeron's Gate sector to the Aragoth system."

According to intelligence reports made available to Net-7 news, an additional two types of combat ships have been positively identified in the Akeron's Gate sector, as well as variants of the types that have already been identified. "Combat elements of the Centuriata have identified two additional types of V'rix warships, the Malakia and the Diasozo, as being active in this area. Also, an additional variant, called the Maxos, has been seen of both of these types, as well as the previously identified Helkos."

When asked what capabilities that these ships seem to possess and the general threat level that they present to human vessels, Consul Hassan commented that "In general, the combat deployment of the Helkos is fairly well known, in that they attempt to travel in formation and use the so called "Smoking Mirror" weapon on a single key target. They also tend to typically engage from close range, with a combination of beam weapons and missiles. However, with the introduction of these other two types of warships, the pattern previously seen has been broken. The Diasozo seems to be a long range combatant, while the Malakia is usually seen engaging from a medium range. What has been observed is that the Helkos move to fight in at close range using their standard tactics, while the other two types move to encircle the opponent so that the enemy can call fire down on a target from multiple attack vectors."

"The Diasozo tends to engage targets from the periphery of the combat engagement, at typical ranges of over 5k or so from the primary target with missile support weaponry. Of additional concern, however, is that it also seems to have a type of psionic attack ability that is able to induce a state of panic in the minds of starship crews. We believe that the primary role of the Diasozo is of a support nature. The Malakia seems to tend to engage from a medium range with fast firing beam weaponry. However, battle vids reviewed by Progen intelligence have shown the Malakia engaging targets as far away as 6k with beam weaponry. This shows an very advanced targeting and focusing system employed on these vessels that is used to extend their beam weapon range well beyond what the Republic is capable of employing."

Consul Hassan noted as well that "The exact abilities and function of the Maxos variant is unknown. It is possible that these are command vessels that are directing the overall enemy effort. It has been noted, however, that the Helkos Maxos has been seen employing a psi attack similar to the one seen deployed on the Diasozo. Captians engaging the V'rix should be aware of this potential threat."

In a related note, reliable sources within the Shinwa order have confirmed to Net-7 news that identical ships, formations, and tactics have been seen in the Swooping Eagle sector in the Sirius system, near the approaches to the Mazzeroth Maelstrom. Other reports have been received of similar V'rix activity in other sectors, but have not been confirmed by Net-7 news by press time.

Net-7 News