NewOriginalSchwann

Election Date Announced! Article 5 of WINNER TAKES ALL: The '67 Solarian Federal Elections NEW YORK CITY, EARTH — Earlier today (GST) the provisional government announced an official date for the Solarian 2467 general federal election. Elections are, assuming no delays, to take place on 27 February, with all votes for prime minister expected to be counted by either 28 February or 1 March (Earth Standard Time). Senatorial elections may take longer. Most senatorial seats are up for election due to delays experienced during the civil war. Absentee voting is to be determined on a planet-by-planet basis. A government spokesperson contacted by the SANN advised voters to contact the Department of the Interior, if in the Alliance, or Department of State, if abroad, for more information. Further Reading: SFP Holds Rally on San Colette Phoron Cleanup on D’Anzin Expected to Take Five Years People of the Spur: The Assunzionii

Socialists Announce PM Candidate for ‘67 Election! Article 2 of WINNER TAKES ALL: The '67 Solarian Federal Elections The camera, after the SANN jingle, zooms in on the serious-looking face of Harold MacMillan. “Welcome back to The State of Sol. Today we take you to Cua Song, New Hai Phong, where the Socialist Party is set to shortly announce their candidate for PM. We go now to our reporter on the ground, Le Quynh Cong. Quynh?” The camera switches to a typical Hai Phongese woman standing in an auditorium with Solarian flags hanging from the ceiling. Quynh is bespectacled with short hair, and is wearing a rebreather around her neck that’s been pulled down to show her face — a common sight on the pollution and dust-covered Solarian world. She nods her head to the camera. “Hi Harold! The atmosphere’s electric here in Cua Song, everyone’s excited to see the Socialist Party’s candidate for PM.” “Any predictions?” “Most people think it’ll be Senator Trang! The governors are too, ah, controversial,” Quynh wiggles her eyebrows a bit, trying to imply something, “I heard a bit about them, but nothing suitable for broadcast.” “That fits what I know,” MacMillan laughs for a moment. “Any other potential candidates?” Quynh shakes her head. “Nobody aside from Trang’s been able to get influence over the Socialists, so she’s pretty much the only one.” “Citizens of the Alliance,” a female voice broadcasts over the PA. Quynh gives a signal to the camera, which switches to a view of the stage. “The Socialist Party’s candidate and your next Prime Minister: Le Hanh Trang!” Cheers erupt from the audience as a middle-aged Hai Phongese woman in a black suit walks from the side of the stage to a podium, waving as she approaches it. A chant of “LE HANH TRANG!” comes up from the audience as she approaches. The Senator clasps her hands together and shakes them above her head, motioning for quiet as she mounts the podium and begins to speak. “My fellow Solarians,” Trang begins. “We stand now on the brink of our Alliance’s triumph over corporate greed and domination! Trang stops a moment to allow the cheering to subside. “The Socialist Party has given you, the citizens of the Alliance, a victory over NanoTrasen, over Zavodskoi, over Zeng-Hu,” Trang pauses for dramatic effect. “But!” Trang raises a finger and points it out into the audience. “Our duty is not yet done! Billions of Solarians just like you and me are forced to work under the thumb of Hephaestus Industries and their toady subsidiaries, who take our money and send it to their alien fiefdom while replacing our workers with their synthetics! And to this I say,” Trang pauses, looking around for a moment, then crosses her arms into an X! “No more! More cheering erupts. “If I am elected as your next PM, I will take the fight to Hephaestus!” Trang slams her fist into the podium! “I will fight for the Solarian worker!” Trang slams her fist into the podium again! The crowd has begun chanting her name. “And I will stop aliens and synthetics from taking over our jobs and our country! Thank you!” Trang throws both hands up into Vs for victory. The crowd goes wild, chanting her name and yelling. The senator looks beyond pleased at this reception, standing there and basking in it as the feed switches to a commercial break.

Populists Name Candidate for ‘67 PM Election! Article 1 of WINNER TAKES ALL: The '67 Solarian Federal Elections After the typical SANN jingle the camera zooms in on the familiar face of Harold MacMillan behind his desk. He maintains eye contact -- the anchor can certainly maintain a steely gaze -- with the camera as it zooms in, then begins speaking. “Good evening, and welcome back to The State of Sol. I’m your host, Harold MacMillan. Urgent news has just arrived from Venus, where the Populist Party will shortly announce their candidate. We go now to the Susuhe District and our reporter on-scene, Eberechi Oteh. Eberechi?” The screen splits, with a darker-skinned man in an assembly hall now standing on the right. The idle noise of the crowd can be heard in the background, but it’s hard to make out any words. A Solarian flag banner can vaguely be seen over Oteh’s right shoulder. “Hello Harold!” Oteh has a notable Callistean accent. “I’m happy to hear from you.” “It’s mutual. How’s the atmosphere on Venus?” “The people here are excited, Harold! We’re only a few minutes from the announcement, and the candidate’s acceptance speech.” “Any predictions on who it could be?” “Most people here think it’ll be Governor Strom. There’s been some rumors about Governor Szalai being the nominee after the events on Visegrad, but nothing to confirm it. Hang on,” Oteh puts his finger to his earpiece for a second, then looks at the camera. “The announcement is happening in just a moment, Harold.” “Right, thank you for covering this.” “Of course,” both MacMillan and Oteh disappear as the camera switches to a view of the stage. A podium dominates the center, with the backdrop being a massive Solarian flag hologram that flutters in the “wind.” Posts marked with planets of the Alliance — Callisto, Silversun, Visegrad, and more — can be seen in the audience, signifying delegations. The atmosphere is festive, but the audience quiets as the lights dim and the PA begins to broadcast. “People of the Alliance,” a male voice broadcasts from it, “please welcome your next Prime Minister: HENRIK STROM!!!” A man in a muted gray business suit walks out from the hologram, waving to the crowd as it erupts into cheers. The Alliance’s anthem plays over the loudspeakers as he approaches the podium, moving with purpose. As he nears it, Hendrik Strom throws his left fist up into the air to wild cheering from the crowd! As he climbs onto the podium he gives one last wave and the cheering fades with his gesture for the crowd to quiet. The Jintarian politician takes a moment to survey the crowd, savoring the moment, and begins speaking. “My fellow Solarians,” Strom leans into the podium, now looking serious. “The last six years have been some of the hardest faced by our nation since the Interstellar War. Enemies foreign and domestic seized on our temporary weakness: corporations stole our planets, traitors in the military tried to bring down our government, but did they?” “NO!” yells the crowd. “They didn't! Because our Alliance is the greatest nation in the Spur — and under my leadership tt will continue to be great! Strom pauses for a moment to let the cheering die down. “We will take back our economy from the corporate elite and give it back to the common Solarian! We will secure our borders! And for those Solarians living under occupation, we will come to rescue you! The crowd cheers again. Some begin chanting Strom’s name, which others quickly pick up and spread throughout the audience. “Always remember, Strom pauses for effect, letting the crowd's cheer dominant the theater for a few moments, "that a vote for the Populists is a vote for the future of our Alliance! Thank you, and long live the Alliance of Sovereign Solarian Nations!” Strom raises his right arm with a V for victory symbol as the crowd cheers again! He then begins to work his way off the stage, waving at the crowd, as Hold Us Tight by Just Us, a Jintarian band, plays. The crowd goes wild, cheering and chanting his name as the SANN’s feed cuts out and fades into a commercial break.

First, please accept our apologies for the delay in getting to this. Second, I’m pleased to announce that it has been accepted! Pending editing we’ll hopefully see it on the wiki very soon.

BREAKING: Provisional Government Announces Start of Solarian Elections! Article 28 of Dulce et Decorum The camera, after the introduction, zooms in on the unmistakable visage of Harold MacMillan yet again. He slides his PDA to the side and looks at the camera. “Welcome back to The State of Sol. Today we go to Unity Station in Earth’s orbit where our star reporter Céline Eylenbosch has urgent news from the provisional government. Céline?” The camera switches to a fashionable, blonde Cytherean woman standing in a carpeted hallway in front of a fancy wooden door. Eylenbosch looks excited — nearly as excited as she did when reporting on the lead-up to intervention in 2465 — and smiles to the camera. “Hello, dear viewers. As Harold said, we have big news today,” she looks down at her watch, then back up to the camera. “As of fifteen minutes ago, the provisional government has announced the first general election since 2461 will take place starting in November and ending in January of next year.” “Inspiring news!” MacMillan comments. “Exactly, Harold. All Solarians should be happy about this! Our nation has taken a giant step towards healing, and it’s now for the people to decide what the future will bring!” Eylenbosch gestures at the hall of government around her, looking thrilled at the prospect of months of political reporting. “Céline, who’s expected to try for Prime Minister?” “Right now it’s hard to say. Trang and Strom,” despite her general enthusiasm, Eylenbosch cannot hide all of her disdain for the Jintarian when she says his name -- the corner of her mouth twitches slightly, “are likely candidates. Other parties will put their candidates forward too, but there’s been no comment from the social democrats, conservatives, or communists. Yet.” “How’s the mood on Unity Station?” “Oh! There’s only one word to describe it, Harold: elated,” Eylenbosch smiles slyly at the camera. “For three years we’ve been deprived of political excitement, and most reporters I’ve spoken with are eager to get back to work! I, personally, can’t wait to cover this.” “Céline, I’m not as excited as you are, but I’m eager to give our viewers a clear-eyed look at our democracy in action.” Eylenbosch laughs briefly! “Oh, we will Harold! Back over to you.” The camera switches back over to MacMillan at his desk. “The SANN will offer continuous coverage of the elections, viewers. For now, The State of Sol will be right back after a short commercial break.”

SANN LIVE — The Northern Reaches Reconstruction Efforts Article 27 of Dulce et Decorum After the SANN jingle finishes and the logo flys off the side of the screen, the camera opens onto the unmistakable visage of Harold MacMillan sitting behind a desk with a PDA on it. The camera zooms in on MacMillan and his Callistean-flag-lapel-featuring suit. “Welcome back to The State of Sol — as always I’m your host, Harold MacMillan. With the cowardly attack on Visegrad overcome by local police, we go to our reporter in the Northern Reaches. Shufan?” The left side of the camera swaps to a typical Solarian woman — Shufan Koh, to those experienced with the SANN — standing in front of a construction site wrapped by a cloth screen covered in patriotic slogans. “DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR” can be seen, in part, on it. “Hello Harold,” Shufan nods politely at the camera. “I’ve been told you’re in Novi Igman?” “That’s right, Harold,” Koh gestured to her right, causing Harold to retreat and a middle-aged Slavic man wearing a hardhat to appear standing next to Koh on the sidewalk. “I’m here in an industrial district with Professor Vuk Kostić, a engineering professor working with the government to repair Novi Igman’s infrastructure.” “Thank you for offering to interview me,” Kostić smiles politely, nodding his head. “Professor, what was life like during the Civil War?” “It was, ah, not good, Shufan. We were part of San Colette’s defensive pact, initially, but the Front eventually overcame our defenses.” “What did they do during the occupation?” “Look“ Kostić glares at Shufan. His expression has shifted from neutral to irritated. “This interview was supposed to be about reconstruction, can we discuss that and not the occupation?” “Sure,” Koh looks a bit taken aback by Kostić. “Thank you,” the professor nearly hisses the words before clearing his throat. “Most of our infrastructure was damaged by the Front, or during the resistance against them. It’s taken us over a year — almost 18 months — to really start to recover our industrial capacity.” “Why is that?” “What the Front didn’t take back to Lycoris, they tried to destroy,” Kostić shakes his head. “I suppose they wanted to destroy us alongside them, make our home into a mutual Carthage.” “A mutual Carthage?” “To totally destroy us, essentially. It’s something I learned from one of my university colleagues,” Kostić smiles sadly for a moment. “But they did not succeed, and that’s in part due to the bravery of the people here.” “Thank you, professor,” Koh seems eager to cut the interview now. “As you can see the path to recovery is a long one, but one we’ll reach. Back over to you, Harold.” The camera transitions back to MacMillan, still sitting at his desk. “Thank you, Shufan. The State of Sol will be back after this short commercial break — stay tuned!”

Northern Reaches Trials End Article 26 of Dulce et Decorum HARMONY CITY, LUNA - Today as of 9PM (GST) the Department of Justice has announced its final verdicts in the Northern Reaches trials against former Solarian military and government officials for alleged crimes committed during the Solarian Civil War. All verdicts relate to the so-called “Solarian Restoration Front,” an Alliance-designated terrorist group first active in 2463 and still present on Lycoris. Rear Admiral Anton Verglas and Commodore Florentina von Keyserling, both of the 35th Fleet, Admiral Renart Paquet, 32nd Fleet, and Commodore Deng Fa, 33rd Fleet, are among several dozen ex-Navy officers found guilty of treason, desertion, sedition, extermination, forced deportation, the illegal or illegitimate use of force against Solarian citizens, and other crimes not listed here. Due to the severity of the circumstances, the Department of Justice has opted to seek the death penalty. Governor Thomas Wilks and Lieutenant Governor Richard Andersen, both of Lycoris, have been charged with sedition, operating a forced labor apparatus, labor trafficking, forced deportations, and the denial of civil rights to Solarian citizens. The Department of Justice has likewise opted to seek the death penalty. Former planetary police commissioner for Lycoris Alexandre Bernard has been charged with sedition, murder of a Solarian government employee (multiple counts), forced deportation, illegitimate use of force against Solarian citizens, and other crimes not listed here. The Department of Justice as likewise opted to seek the death penalty. Lieutenant General Sophia Zambrano, of the Lycoris System Defense Force, has been charged with treason, accessory to extermination, illegitimate use of force against a Solarian member-state, murder of Solarian military personnel (multiple counts), and other crimes not listed here. The Department of Justice has opted to pursue the death penalty for the severity of these crimes, which were carried out while the charged party was a serving member of the military. When asked by the SANN for his thoughts on the charges, Attorney General Henri Fontenot provided the following quote: “As I and the department promised last year, we have delivered the Solarian people justice in the face of unspeakable violence committed against our nation and our citizens by those who once claimed to serve it. It is my supreme hope as your attorney general that we shall move forward as a nation and recognize today as what it is: a victory over evil.” Further Articles: Visegradi Authorities Announce Further Arrests Connected to Terrorist Plot Solarian and Dominian Navy Announce Successful Joint Bust of Cross-Border Smuggling Operation The Light of Liberty’s Reality: Life in Mendell City’s Slums

Northern Reaches Trials Continue on Luna Article 20 of Dulce et Decorum HARMONY CITY, LUNA — Today as of 6PM (GST) the Department of Justice has announced several verdicts in the ongoing trials against former Solarian military officers and government officials for crimes committed in the Northern Reaches during the Solarian Civil War. All verdicts relate to the “Anti-Corporate League,” a group active from 2463-65 in the Northern Reaches and allegedly supported by the Coalition of Colonies. Admiral Frederich Müller, commander of the 67th Fleet, Rear Admiral Ruben Pravin, acting commander of the 66th Fleet, and Admiral Nikola Camilo, commander of the 58th Fleet, have been convicted of treason, desertion, sedition, and destruction of civilian property. The DOJ has opted to seek the death penalty as their crimes were carried out while a member of the military. Governor Damjana Mariyana, New Atlantica, has been convicted of sedition and accessory to destruction of civilian property, and has been sentenced to 30 years’ federal imprisonment. Mladan Spartak, Department of Interior employee and League Minister for Corporate Repossession and Distribution, has been convicted on public corruption charges, theft charges, and sedition, and sentenced to 25 years’ federal imprisonment. Sovann Soth, Department of Interior employee and League Minister of Revolutionary Affairs, has been convicted of sedition and sentenced to 20 years’ federal imprisonment. The trials of members of the “Solarian Restoration Front” remain pending. A source close to the SANN advised we are likely to see a resolution, “within the year,” at the current rate. Further Articles: Callistean Group Sues Navy for Misconduct, Brutality in 2465 Riot Monorail Accident on Visegrad Injures 15 Martian Government Reports Drop in Airborne Phoron for Third Straight Month

SISA Announces Further Arrests in Bombing Plot Article 18 of Dulce et Decorum HARMONY CITY, LUNA – Today at 11AM (GST) the Solarian Interstellar Security Agency announced further arrests of individuals related to the bombing plot against the ongoing trials for those accused of crimes in the Northern Reaches. The arrests included all individuals that escaped custody after the initial arrests, as well as persons who provided, “material support,” to the plotters. In total the agency has announced the arrests of over thirty individuals, all of whom have now been arraigned on an assortment of charges, including: conspiracy to utilize a weapon of mass destruction, conspiracy to commit murder against a public official, and conspiracy against the Solarian Alliance. The offenders face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. SISA further identified the alleged ringleader of the plot, 47 year-old Bianca Accetta, a native Lycorii and alleged former member of the Solarian Restoration Front’s government on Lycoris. The agency stated that Ms. Accetta’s association with the former rebel government is still under investigation, and more charges may be pending. The agency stressed that its investigation into the plot was still ongoing, but that there appeared to be no further threat to the public or trials. While further arrests are possible, it is believed that most, if not all, of the individuals associated with the plot have been tracked down. Anyone believing they have information relating to the individuals or the plot is encouraged to contact their local SISA field office. Further Reading: Alliance Champions League Group Stage enters final two matchweeks INTERSTELLAR✰GIRLS release surprise new album Toowoomba-Tauranga: The Winter Wonderland of Silversun

Exclusive Interview with an Officer of Visegrad’s National Defense Force Article 17 of Dulce et Decorum The camera opens onto two men — one Liao Qi, the other a younger-looking man in a forest green military uniform with a mustache — sitting across from one another. Compared to the tense environment of the last interview, this room is a well-lit office with tasteful wood decor. Barely visible off to one side, by the door, is a woman in a matching uniform wearing a vest. “Lieutenant, thank you for meeting with us on such short notice. Could you introduce yourself for the audience?” “I’m Jakab Koroknay, First Lieutenant, National Defense Force.” “Thank you. First, how do you feel about the NDF’s reformation?” “I’m supportive of it. As a planet and region we’re past the emergency period where we needed an integrated command structure with the Navy. Now, we can return to a sense of normalcy in the Danube System.” “What does that normalcy look like?” “Normalcy for us is the NDF handling security on Visegrad itself and in its orbit. We managed most security operations in the system before integration with the Navy and have continued to do so now. Our main issue as it stands now is a lack of synthetic equipment — we can’t easily reintegrate the units seized by the Navy back into our force.” “Why is it difficult?” “Well,” Koroknay pauses for a moment, considering his response. “Sorry, it’s a bit hard to describe to a general audience. Navy synthetics are designed for naval work, while ours are designed for police use. It’s hard to swap the programming over and we don’t want to deprive the Navy of assets.” “In your opinion, how is the reformation of the NDF proceeding aside from this matter?” “Quite well. We’ve managed to exceed our staffing goals thanks to an agreement to hire back NDF personnel from the Navy and many Visegradi signing up, including individuals returning from abroad. Furthermore, the Department of Justice has provided us with support when and where we need it — reestablishing a SISA office on Visegrad last year has helped fight major crimes here. One of our challenges has been acquiring linguists specialized into Coalition languages and dialects, and the D-O-J helped us resolve that issue.” “Lieutenant, thank you for your time.” “Thank you for stopping to speak with us, and for waiting for your interview request to be approved.”

XNS Exclusive: Interview with a Konyang Armed Forces Officer Article 16 of Dulce et Decorum As always, a Himean man is the sole host of the XNS’ Interviews and News segment. On a rather cozy sofa sits the famous Jude Scholes, smiling at the camera. Behind him on a holoscreen is a middle-aged Konyanger man in a military uniform. Despite the gray streaks in his hair there is a sharpness to his eyes and face. He appears to be in an office of some kind with a map of Konyang on the wall behind him. Vague writing is present around Suwon, but it’s too blurry to make out. “Welcome, our faithful guests, to tonight’s episode of Interviews and News! I’m Jude Scholes, your host, and tonight we have a returning guest, Captain Jung-Hee Eum of the Konyang Armed Forces! Captain Eum, thank you for taking time away from your duties to speak with us.” “Thank you for having me, Jude. It’s always a pleasure.” “Captain, with the Solarian government having re-established control over the Solarian Northern Reaches, are you concerned at sharing a border?” “Not at this time. Sharing a border with another state rather than a loosely-organized 'insurgent group,’” Eum makes air quotes as he says insurgent group, “has given us more stability in the short term.” “Hand in glove, Captain?” Eum looks at the screen with confusion for a moment, then looks at something off-screen. When he speaks again his professionally neutral expression has returned. “Yes, I believe we have the situation under control.” “Are there any concerns the Solarians might launch a cross-border attack of their own, similar to what happened in Biesel in ‘62?” “The Solarian Navy of 2462 is a different entity compared to the one that triumphed in their civil war. While the Alliance maintains a large force in the region, it’s spread throughout the Reaches — very little is present at the Sol-Coalition border.” “Not to spit into the glass, captain, but can you be so sure?” “I’m not able to speak to specifics at this time. However, if the Alliance does intend to launch an assault, we’ll be able to prepare.” “Right, right,” if Scholes is irritated by this response, he doesn’t show it. “Have refugees continued to cross the border into Konyang?” “We’ve seen a near total stop to refugee crossings with an end to the fighting. We’ve had more crossings from the Coalition to Sol, as Solarian citizens return to their country, than Sol to Coalition crossings. Repatriating bandits from Konyang to Sol is another matter of concern, but the crisis earlier this year has delayed talks.” “Captain Eum, thank you for your time. Unfortunately, that’s all we have for tonight.” “Thank you for having me.” “Until next time, I’m Jules Scholes and this is the Xanu News Service!”

Northern Reaches Trials Begin Article 14 of Dulce et Decorum HARMONY CITY, LUNA — Today at 9AM (GST) the Department of Justice formally began trials related to the Solarian Civil War’s impact in the Northern Reaches. Most defendants are military personnel from the naval and military wings of the “Solarian Restoration Front,” a terrorist group active from 2462 until 2465, or its civilian administration, including the former governor of Lycoris. A smaller number are from the “Anti-Corporate League,” though many named in the September indictment are currently awaiting extradition from the Coalition of Colonies. When asked by SANN reporters what he thought of the trial starting, Attorney General Fontenot’s office provided the following: “These trials are a chance for the Alliance to show that, no matter what may occur, the rule of law will prevail. These trials may take a very long time, but they represent our great nation’s commitment to not let criminal actors go unpunished. Ultimately, we hope it will be a step towards healing the wounds left by the civil war.” Assistant Solarian Attorneys Masud Lakhdar and Sarah Kalemba of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights Section were contacted by the SANN and declined to comment on an ongoing trial. The media representative of SISA Special Agent in Charge of the Lunarian Division Ulrike Henriette Marilda von Rantzau, provided the following: “Our division has been investigating allegations made against the alleged subjects for over a year, while at the same time assisting the San Colette Division in rebuilding. I have full confidence in our personnel as we take this matter to trial.” The SANN will continue to report on this matter as it develops. Further Articles: Callisto Beats Xanu 3-2 in Latest Football Match San Colette Residents Describe Life Under Orbital Fire People of the Spur: The Dominian Lyodii

XNS Exclusive: Interview with Augustín Cabanas, Leader of the Solarian People’s Liberation Front Article 13 of Dulce et Decorum The camera opens on a bizarre sight. In the middle is a poorly lit table with two men sitting on either side, with Solarian flags pinned to the wall around them — one clearly Liao Qi, the other a middle-aged Mictlani in a Solarian Navy admiral’s uniform. In the background a mixed group of men and women, their faces obscured with Solarian flag bandanas and sunglasses, stand at attention with assault rifles. Qi, notably, looks tenser than normal. A cigarette slowly burns in an ashtray in front of the Mictlani as Qi begins speaking. “Admiral Cabanas, before we begin let me thank you for giving us this opportunity to interview you.” “Of course,” Cabanas leans onto the table, crossing his arms. “I hope the ‘Republic’ was not too much of a problem coming here.” “It wasn’t,” Qi clears his throat. “Could you introduce yourself to our viewers?” “Not everyone is familiar with our struggle,” the admiral hmpfs to himself. “I am Admiral Augustín Cabanas of the Solarian People’s Liberation Fleet, which has been fighting against corporate occupation since March 2463. We are the only ones fighting for a free, Solarian Hinterlands.” “Right,” Qi clicks his pen. “You’ve been fighting without official Solarian support for two years, then?” “Yes. Allies have given us arms and tools to keep fighting, but supplies are limited. It is only through our own hands that we are still free. The corporations will never conquer us as long as we draw breath.” “Conversations on the Extranet suggest you’re very popular in the Hinterlands. Why do you think you are?” Cabanas laughs for a moment! “I am a gregarious man — and I am a force for Sol, not corporate greed. The people here, Liao, they support our Alliance. Unlike Mictlan, my home, the corporations do not control us. Yet.” “Yet?” “They have more than us, and can overwhelm us in time — drowning us in the blood of their mercenaries and conscripts. But they do not — so far.” “Is there anything you’d like the wider Spur to know about your struggle? “Yes,” Cabanas takes a drag off of the cigarette in front of him, then exhales smoke to the side before speaking. “Do not, my friend, the corporate media of the Spur will tell you we are terrorists. They will try to diminish our struggle. But they cannot run from the truth that ours is a just cause, and we fight for our freedom and our homeland. We have no quarrel with the common people of Tau Ceti. Do not be mislead by the corporations.” “Thank you, admiral.” “Thank you, Liao. My men will see you safely to the Solarian border. Tell our story to the Spur. Allow them to see why we fight.”

Press Release: Former Government Official to be Tried for Crimes in Northern Reaches For Immediate Release - Office of Interstellar Relations, Department of Justice Article 10 of Dulce et Decorum One-hundred and sixty former civil and military government officials have been indicted for offenses against the Solarian government and people during the period of chaos in the Northern Reaches commonly known as the Solarian Civil War. According to a government indictment unsealed yesterday several former Solarian Navy officials — Anton Verglas, 35th Fleet, Normand Quinault, 33rd Fleet, Florentina von Keyserling, 35th Fleet, and others — allegedly committed crimes against humanity during a period of military rule over Lycoris. The defendants allegedly seized property from Solarian and foreign nationals without proper authorization, and conspired to overthrow the Solarian government. The defendants then allegedly carried out a systemic campaign of violence and intimidation against the residents of Lycoris and the territories near it. The charges announced today are the most recent in the Justice Department’s ongoing effort to change individuals who committed severe crimes in the Northern and Southern Reaches during its period of unrest. Attorney General Henri Fontenot, Department of Justice Criminal Division head Robert Hendricks, and Special Agent in Charge of the SISA office in the Republic of San Colette Isabella Alvarez made the announcement. The Solarian Interstellar Security Agency (SISA), with assistance from local partners, is investigating the case. Assistant Solarian Alliance attorneys Masud Lakhdar and Sarah Kalemba of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights Section are prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Army Provides Update on Northern Reaches Peacekeeping Operations Article 7 of Dulce et Decorum The SANN jingle ends and focuses on a middle-aged Solarian man in a business suit sitting across from a serious-looking man in a Solarian Army uniform. The officer's hair is buzzed short and showing plenty of grey, while the anchor has only a patch of grey here and there. “Hello and welcome back to Around the Spur. I’m your host Zhang Kai. With me is Major General Patrick Edwards of the Solarian Army, and one of the senior commanders of forces on Lycoris,” Zhang begins, taking a moment to adjust some papers sitting on the table. "General, thank you for taking time out of your duties to visit our studio on Callisto." “Thank you for having me.” “How is the situation on Lycoris, generally?” “The situation has improved over the past year. We’ve had to invest heavily into counterinsurgency operations on Lycoris, but we’ve reduced the insurgency on the planet and Lycoris Minoris to a fraction of its strength in 2465.” “With it being so reduced, is it time to scale back the Army’s presence on it?” “Not yet. Tau Ceti’s handling of Mictlan taught us how to not handle a counterinsurgency, and you don’t want to withdraw before you’ve totally eliminated the insurgency or you’ll be back where you started in a year, maybe two or three years.” “We’re learning from Tau Ceti?” Edwards affords himself a brief chuckle before speaking. “That’s a generous way of putting it, Kai. What Tau Ceti’s army — the 'Foreign Legion' as it was known at the time — has shown us is how to not do things. We’re not learning from their successes, just their mistakes. Compare how we handled Mars and they handled Mictlan.” “You’re a veteran of the Martian campaign, yes? What made it succeed?” “I served in it, yes. What made it succeed where Mictlan stumbled was our Army-Navy coordination, a cooperative local population we won over through hearts and minds, and using troops from Mars itself — people who wanted to help their homes.” “You’re Martian, correct?” “I am. My first command was a Martian unit, and I’m honored to have helped my home.” Zhang looks at something off-screen for a moment, nods to whatever he's looking at, and looks back to Edwards. “That’s all we have time for right now. General Edwards, thank you for coming.” “Thank you for having me.” "Have a safe flight back to the Northern Reaches, General -- we'll be right back. State of Sol with Harold MacMillan starts right after this program at 7PM GST."