In 2976, the death of Francis Ashfield in the Zeaex system, allegedly at the hands of Federal assassins, prompted only the second major military assembly of Olban Hensard Duval's reign. However, conflict was averted when the settlers of Newtown in the system sent a personal appeal to both the Federation and the Empire, which resolved the matter of mining rights and established an uneasy truce. Tourist Beacon 0142