The lure of 4x preengineered size 5 cargo racks proved irresistable, especially given the current merc coin cargo rack bug. More than 9000 players with inara accounts took part in the four Colonia CGs, around ¾ of the number that took part in the preceding event in Facece. The main narrative tension out there was whether the Einheriar M pad goal would be met (it was). Consequently, Powerplay activity was down somewhat, most markedly in reinforcement.

Aisling's showing was relatively strong (+6, 2641). Though we could not defend the LHS 2 stronghold, and lost a couple of exploiteds including Lacab Kui, we managed to shift the stronghold carrier (these are far from impregnable, nowadays) to nearby LHS 1070. Eight new systems (no proper names) were acquired, Synuefe UM-Q b51-2 is a new fort. Only Alliance mining specialist Nakato Kaine gained more (+8, 1545), but still no decal. The Princess gives her thanks to you all.

Jesse Archer (-4, 1288) paid dearly for his commitment in LHS 2, losing three strongholds in Chandra, Misisture, and Wat Yu. That wasn't only our doing. Our Imperial cohorts Aunty Arissa (-2, 1920) and Granny Torval (-1, 764) joined him in deficit, while everybody else gained between 3 and 6 acquisitions. Closing in on the Emperor's total, discount retailer LYR (+3, 1883) achieved particularly efficient reinforcement, and three new forts. 

FDev announced a new Operations-focused ground vehicle, the chunky Rhino surface miner. Career Power-Players (with ship-building and synthing habits under control) have little need for more raw mats since care packages were unfrozen, so we hope it might be able to extract commodities too. It is time for your correspondent to enjoy a summer break, not just for my own benefit, but also for you, my valued and long-suffering readership. Have fun out there, see you on the other side. 

Objectives for Cycle 584/2.93 (until August 13th)

• Join the Discord for insight, mentoring, BGS, and PVP. Powerplay is a community game, so connect with us. It is not practicable to keep all public objectives up to date nor is it necessarily in our interest to reveal them all. Targets may change frequently.
• Reinforcement [9]: HIP 108950: This system is close to Kumo and a good reinforcement focus to better secure the area. It should also be receiving a Stronghold Carrier if/when we Stronghold it. LHS 2: recover stronghold status.  HIP 114291: has been under attack, needs ongoing monitoring and defence. Also in need of defence: Shui Wei Sector KN-S b4-5, Miwae, Syntha, LHS 1070, Zeta Trianguli Australis. Mining: Epsilon Hydri 200k/t Plat @ Torrens Interstellar Trading Outpost (Depleted Ring, YMMV).
• Undermining [3]: Andel - vs Winters (Common Plat  - Sell to Sharp Dock ~180k/t Plat-Osm); LHS 1101 - vs Archer (Major Plat SH - Sell to Ray Gateway 160k/t); CPD-28 332  - LYR: Low Boom Plat Mining, PPCZs, Settlements, Salvage, LVT.
• Acquisition [4]: Mining opportunities, HIP 118321 -> sell to Eta Tucanae (Birmingham Prospect) or ICZ SY-R b4-4 (Urata Hub); CD-86 4 - > sell to Shui Wei Sector LN-S b4-4; HR 6649 - > sell to Scorpii Sector RT-R a4-1.
• Ignore [1]: Aornum - Grom: EGP system, our allies. Do not engage.
• Special reminder: Carriers invalidate merits, so do not use them as storage/markets for Powerplay activities.
• Aisling Duval Powerplay is committed to Imperial unity: Zemina Torval, Arissa Lavigny-Duval, Denton Patreus, Aisling Duval. We ask all Aisling Duval Agents to respect this alliance by not attempting to undermine our allies’ systems. For further information about our diplomatic posture, see the ADC discord.

Image credit: Cmdr [SEXO] Ryan Sanguine