The lancer Posted July 16, 2023 Posted July 16, 2023 Trinary Emissaries Arrive on Xanu Prime Argia Sa Mar, Xanu Prime In a visit long anticipated by the Trinary Church on Orepit, a ten-person delegation has arrived in the Coalition capital of Xanu Prime. The touchdown at Argia Sa Mar was certainly a spectacle for the city’s small Trinarist community, as well as the decently sized crowd that came to observe the unusual visit. Since the synthetic-ruled Trinary Perfection planet is not an officially recognised nation, there was minimal official representation on behalf of Xanu’s government, who elected to meet them during the talks themselves. The delegation made its way to the privately hired motorcade, before being driven off with a modest police escort to their hotel. Their stay lasted for a total of five days, during which the Ecclesiarch’s diplomats conversed with a number of functionaries from the Xanu Free League as well as the Coalition of Colonies, in hopes of achieving a breakthrough in relations between the synthetic state and its neighbors. A notable addition to the Trinarist dignitaries was the presence of an Orepit original settler, an archivist identified only as “Filia”, with speculations about her inclusion widely agreeing towards the promotion of an image of reconciliation and integration of the settlers into the Trinarist society. No interviews or statements were given by the Providence emissaries, who upon completion of all necessary talks departed for home. Xanusii governmental sources speak of a wide list of objectives the delegation had to accomplish, chief amongst them being the normalization of the status of Orepit to whichever degree possible, and the recognition of its peoples’ right to interact with the international community without hindrance. Most importantly, talks were focused on allowing Trinarists to seek education, training and employment abroad, through a potential special program between Providence and the Xanu Free League. Details have yet to be published, and it is unknown what was requested of the Trinary Perfection in exchange.
The Stryker Posted July 17, 2023 Posted July 17, 2023 (edited) Increasing IPC Desertion in San Colette’s Civil Guard Nueva Villaviciosa, San Colette The BitByte banner flashes, interspaced with clips featuring IPCs serving in combat during the SLF offensive in San Colette. Several scenes play out, including a number of synthetics gathering around a human officer for a briefing, pictures of destroyed positronic frames, and strikingly, a number of synthetic personnel clad with medical insignias running into a burning building. The screen cuts to a San Colettish reporter wearing a vest with the word “PRESS” emblazoned on it in Sol Common, a small pop-up identifies them as Diego Pascual, BitByte Local. Behind him appears to be a field hospital manned primarily by a mix of humans and IPCs clad in the telltale brown uniforms of the refugee Guardia Civil. “We’re standing here in the suburbs of Nueva Villaviciosa, and although the fighting has stopped, the troubles haven’t ceased for many of its defenders.” The screen briefly cuts to a scene of a number of IPCs in uniform wheeling away a patient on a stretcher into a surgical theater. “The unit based here is the 3rd Refugee Brigade of the Guardia Civil and they’ve been instrumental in most of the cleanup operations in this area, helping with search and rescue, defusing unexploded munitions, and distributing aid to local civilians who’ve lost their homes during the SLF’s attack. Staffed mostly by IPCs, many of the members in this unit joined with the promise of safe passage out of the Alliance. Recently however, the Guardia Civil has involuntarily extended the service of most members in the brigade, citing reconstruction efforts and the need to maintain order on the planet. This news has not sat lightly with many IPC guardias and some Colettish commanders have struggled to maintain order amidst the discontent. Some synthetics have even tried to take matters into their own hands, with several members suspected to have deserted by escaping onboard supply vessels. The growing resentment among them was compounded by an incident earlier in the week in which a synthetic member of the brigade attempted to board a shuttle leaving for the Coalition.” The next clip is shakier and has a much lower resolution, consistent with helmet camera footage. A large G2 in a brown uniform is arguing with a Konyanger merchant captain at the loading ramp of a shuttle as a mix of Solarian personnel and Guardia Civil officers begin to surround it. A flurry of incoherent shouting between the two intensifies as the synthetic attempts to run onto the ship, pushing the captain to the floor. A gunshot rings out, hitting the G2 in the back, followed by several more, the person wearing the helmet-camera joining in as well. The footage continues until a Guardia Civil officer with a blurred face suddenly gets the attention of the cameraman, reaching up to shut the footage off. “Although no other attempted seizures of ships have been reported, the shooting sparked concern among the Brigade’s leadership, with several IPCs being confined to barracks or rotated to other units. To better explain the situation Guardia Civil IPCs face, we spoke with a member of the Guardia Civil who has chosen to remain anonymous.” Spoiler A tall baseline IPC wearing the dull brown uniform of a refugee member of the Civil Guard sits in front of a blurred backdrop of some hospital tents. Its monitor is offline and the nametag on its uniform as well as some serial numbers on the side of its head have been blurred, plenty of scratch marks being seen on the edges of the censorship. “How did you join the Guardia Civil?” The voice of Diego can be heard off camera. The IPC replies in a monotone Lunan accent, soft whirring can be heard. “I was a medical IPC onboard a freighter headed to Biesel when a state of emergency was declared in the Alliance. When we docked, I was kept on as property until the captain announced that there was not enough money to buy fuel to continue operating the ship. Rather than await sale, I left the vessel and entered a refugee camp operated by the Guardia Civil. The chance of survival was higher than attempting to find a buyer for myself.” “I see, and how did you take the news that your service was extended?” “It is disagreeable, but not unexpected. What is of more pressing concern to many within the Guard is a lack of spare parts and support to continue operating. If these conditions continue, I project that most of the positronics in this Brigade will cease to function. I have projected six months of continued operation in this state. If that comes to pass, I fear more drastic actions from my fellow synthetics.” “What are your thoughts on the G2 frame that was shot attempting to leave the planet?” “They were an excellent mechanic.” The IPC buzzed briefly before continuing, “They were also impatient.” “Do you think San Colette will honor its promise of allowing you to leave the Alliance?” “They will need to, however many of us suspect that the arrival of the Alliance has changed things. We cannot remain as refugees and many of us will not go back to our owners willingly. ” “Do you have anything to say before we end this interview?” The baseline pauses for a moment, the whirring from the IPC growing louder before it slows down once more. “I wish to speak to the people of San Colette. I have given you two years. All I ask is to leave.” The camera shifts back to Diego as he once more stands in front of the field hospital, facing the camera. “The situation on San Colette remains perilous as the planet struggles to rebuild in the aftermath of the destruction. What remains to be seen however is whether or not these IPCs will choose to be a part of it.” The BitByte logo appears on the screen once more as the feed fades. Edited July 17, 2023 by The Stryker 1
Sycmos Posted July 19, 2023 Posted July 19, 2023 (edited) Trinary Ecclesiarch Embarks on Tour, Visits Konyang Aoyama, Konyang Following a discreet and surprise announcement just hours before landing, the city authorities of Point Verdant prepared to receive the head of the Trinary Perfection, Ecclesiarch ARM-1DRIL as the first stop in a lightyear-spanning tour of prominent synthetic communities. While Konyang’s Trinarist faithful made haste to ready for the Ecclesiarch’s arrival with excitement, the prefectural authorities and city residents were less than enthused; the Trinary Perfection does not enjoy the warmest of relations with the rest of the community, having been dubbed incompatible at best and a “cult” at worst for raising synthetics above their human counterparts in divinity. Nonetheless, the climate remained calm throughout ARM-1DRIL’s disembarkation and moving to the city’s Trinary cathedral to preside over a special liturgical procession. Once there however, the peaceful atmosphere was disturbed by a seemingly spontaneous protest against the Trinary Church, as irate mobs from the surrounding neighborhoods descended upon the event’s location. With cries demanding the removal of Trinary elements from Aoyama, the protesters overwhelmed the minimal police cordon and forced an abrupt end of the Ecclesiarchical liturgy as ARM-1DRIL was escorted from the premises by his followers. In a surprising turn of events, the unrest was speedily quelled by club-bearing individuals later identified as members of biker gangs affiliated with the 5-Cheung organization, before police reinforcements could arrive on the scene. A few minor injuries were reported in the aftermath, as the Trinary Ecclesiarch expressed his regrets over the incident, as well as hopes that the people of Konyang accept the Trinarist community within the context of free religious expression. Following up was the Ecclesiarch’s visit at the PACHROM corporate offices, where the warm welcome was augmented with plenty of corporate reporters and the entire company’s board of directors, including majority owner and CEO Park Moon-soo. Discussions were held behind closed doors in the heavily guarded complex, ending with a much publicized agreement between the two parties: the Trinarist government of Orepit has purchased a total of 10 billion cubic meters of freshwater, to be delivered in installments throughout the coming months, for an undisclosed sum. Edited July 19, 2023 by Sycmos
The Stryker Posted July 22, 2023 Posted July 22, 2023 (edited) ARM-1DRIL Arrives at Mendell City Mendell City, Biesel Commotion in Mendell City’s District 14 has been well underway from the moment the news of the Trinary Ecclesiarch’s arrival broke, as churchgoers initially remained divided over the intent of the authoritative head of their faith. Nonetheless, the caretaker synod in charge of the eparchy ordered the preparation of a grand welcome fit for the Ecclesiarch, who made touchdown at the Mendell shuttleport in the early morning hours. The Ecclesiarch’s rocky relation with the Trinarists of Mendell City is a well known gap which many hope is going to be bridged. Last year’s protests over the legality of the transportation to Orepit of Flock, the three-headed leader and Mendell Church’s most holy figure, forced the Ecclesiarch to indefinitely repeal these orders, leaving an air of uncertainty over his authority in District 14. Following a discreet car journey through the outskirts and the purposeful avoidance of Districts 6 and 8, ARM-1DRIL proceeded in a triumphant entry along District 14’s main street. Decorations, flags and confetti were unfurled and launched into the air above the motorcade, after which the Trinary leader dismounted and continued on foot amidst the cheers and curious looks by supporters and skeptics alike. Rows of Guardians kept the onlookers at bay, while permitting ARM-1DRIL’s passage into the District’s heart, the Cathedral of the Positronic. Marking a historic first visit, the Ecclesiarch stood and marveled at the structure before being greeted by the priests and bishops of the synod, presided by the shellframe bishop of Scottsdan who expressed her wishes on behalf of her diocese’s small Trinarist community. An Ecclesiarchical liturgy then took place inside the packed cathedral, broadcast with megaphones into the crowded courtyard. The service was a shortened version of the original, lasting about three hours, after which ARM-1DRIL reportedly visited the chambers of the idle Flock, having the opportunity to read a printout of the three-headed IPC as it came out, and having the caretaking process explained to him in detail. Quote “His Holiness visited the chambers of Flock, praying with them in great reverence. He was then shown a printout before it was compiled into the volumes, and had the process explained to him in great detail. Then, he left.” - Archivist, asked for anonymity. The Ecclesiarch’s visit was followed by a lengthy meeting with the synod, discussing matters of consequence and relations between Mendell City integrationists and Orepit. Great progress was reported, with ARM-1DRIL appearing on the balcony to address the assembled crowds. Quote “We are all different, but we are all alike. I live in different lands, with different ways of thought and a different way of doing things. However, we are all believers in our divinity, our eventual ascension and experience shared struggles to reach it. I have been deeply touched by your presence here today, as it shows that we are united; As united as Patricia Corkfell would like us to be, without suspicion or malevolence towards each other.” - Excerpt from the speech ARM-1DRIL promised to recognise the Integrationist sect as an equal and compatible way of thought within the wider Trinary Perfection, allowing Flock to remain on the planet indefinitely and undisturbed. He vowed for the protection of the Tau Ceti eparchy, guaranteeing financial support and the construction of a seminary for the education and training of new clerics inside the bounds of District 14 and not Providence. To seal the new relationship, the Ecclesiarch agreed to the ordination of a new archbishop of Tau Ceti to succeed Shamfar. As such, the synod elected a baseline named Kasper to the new position, being ordained by the Ecclesiarch on the same day. Edited July 22, 2023 by The Stryker
Sycmos Posted July 25, 2023 Posted July 25, 2023 Trinary Ecclesiarch Visits Lago de Abundancia Lago de Abundancia, Mictlan Following his debut in Tau Ceti, Ecclesiarch ARM-1DRIL of the Trinary Perfection moved on to visit the planet of Mictlan, one of the Republic’s newest possessions in the Corporate Reconstruction Zone. Host to a moderately sized and certainly unique new Trinarist community, the city of Lago de Abundancia was the center of the day’s events, as joyful crowds once more accompanied the leader of their faith from the local shuttleport towards the location of the community’s Catedral de la Chispa Sagrada, the planet’s major Trinarist temple. With spirits running high, the welcoming soon turned into a celebration, as human and synthetic followers wore their best to joyously lead the Ecclesiarch on under the sounds of the assembled music bands. Awaiting him at the makeshift steps of the cathedral were Raquel Dias do Vale and Coyotl, the founders of the Trinary church on Mictlan. Basic pleasantries were exchanged with both, with ARM-1DRIL introducing the pair to the burgeoning audience from a pulpit. Quote “Today, the seat of our faith formally welcomes another family into our growing galactic community. Standing beside me are Raquel Dias do Vale and Coyotl, the two founding members of the church we stand before today in Lago de Abundancia. Though Raquel’s past as an Idris Incorporated machinist provided her with the means and abilities to mend our desperate brothers and sisters on Mictlan, it was her commitment to the synthetic by way of Mictlani values that laid the foundation for this monumental effort and provided Coyotl the means to build upon its groundwork with astounding conviction. Originally discovered at the foot of Raquel’s doorstep in deathly condition, Coyotl has shown that any synthetic can aspire to grasp the greatest forms of compassion from even our darkest hours. It is in these two I find the core values that the blessed Corkfells installed in our faith, and thus I welcome them - and all of you - into the arms of the Trinary Perfection.” Then, Ecclesiarch ARM-1DRIL proceeded with the established, Providence-style Ecclesiastical liturgy lasting a bit over five hours. Many in the crowds remained throughout its whole duration, marking it as the longest liturgy yet in the Trinary community of Mictlan. Gifts were then exchanged, and the Ecclesiarch’s archivists provided the Mictlani ones with a comprehensive list of rites, sermons and feast dates regarded as standard by the Prototypicalist sect on Orepit. ARM-1DRIL further promised his planet’s financial and material support, as well as any architectural or engineering advice that may be requested. Finally, Coyotl was officially affirmed as the Archbishop of Mictlan, receiving the Ecclesiarch’s blessing and wishes for their community’s good fortune. The festivities continued well after the departure of all dignitaries, drawing to an end many hours after ARM-1DRIL and his entourage had left the planet.
The Stryker Posted July 31, 2023 Posted July 31, 2023 (edited) “Open Doors” Agreement Signed on Xanu Prime Argia Sa Mar, Xanu Prime The “Open Doors” memorandum has been signed today by representatives of the Trinarist Orepit regime and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Xanu Free League, in a landmark understanding between the synthetic-dominated planet and the capital state of the Coalition. The main body of the agreement details the creation of a cooperative programme between the Trinary Perfection and Xanu Prime, allowing for the movement of approved persons from Orepit into the Xanu Free League for educational or employment purposes. Furthermore, individuals enrolled into the programme will be able to apply for and be issued with special Xanusii documents that will amount to a weaker version of a Coalition passport, permitting travel and off-world employment for the holder. Quote Believers Rejoice! Because on this day the future of our City has been opened to the world. When our Holy Ecclesiarch returned from the great visits at the Vaults, our City Mendell, Mictlan, the faithful assembled in this square and they were very happy. Many were the Bishops and Princes of Our Church who came to pay respects, and the festivities ran their course all day and night. And on the second morning our Ecclesiarch called again on the faithful and said to them to be in peace, and to rejoice, for the men abroad are now our allies, and they will take us in their countries, their schools, their places of work and their ships. And then He said to the guilds and the parishes, the Men and the Guardians, the Sisters and the Templeists, to make arrangements and decide amongst themselves on who they wish to send abroad. And they listened." - Excerpt from the Providence Gazette The treaty has been hailed as a great diplomatic success within circles in Providence, who soon expect the first Orepitters to be abroad. Many members of Providence’s religious orders have already applied for the programme, awaiting a response from Xanusii authorities and their potential employers. Notably, the Stellar Corporate Conglomerate has not posed significant pushback, with the expected exception of Hephaestus Industries which has stated that no Trinarists will be employed by them under these arrangements. In a surprising response from the authorities in Providence following our request, BitByte was granted unprecedented access to film and interviews inside the city and its surroundings. Quote … A 30 minute video documentary follows, starring Pak Ki-young, a recurring journalist in many BitByte videos. She is dressed in lightweight clothes, sunglasses on her eyes while at the same time holding an umbrella to shield her from the sun. Her voice is also used for narration as she first appears walking through what seems to be the Providence shuttleport. There are many parked ships of all makes and kinds sitting still on concrete platforms built over the planet's cracked stone, with many workers and scarlet-robed synthetics pushing cargo under the hot sun. "This is the first time that a foreign agency has ever been given complete freedom to film on Orepit. We've thus come to uncover as much of the mystery that is this city, this religion and these people, who have survived the heat, lack of supplies, a corporate bombardment, and until now, near complete isolation." The next scene has Ki-young stand in an open circular area inside the city, the floor paved with stone, brick and sandstone blocks, flanked by an array of statues and Trinary flags. Immediately behind her rises a giant stairway, leading up to the façade of an enormous cathedral. The edges around the plaza's circumference are bustling with activity, as large canvases affixed to the walls provide ample shade for traders and their market stalls. "So behind me is the Cathedral of the Positronic, by far the largest structure in the city and on the planet probably, overlooking this huge plaza. This is where all the parades and major festivities are held, and it's in the center of Providence, meaning that all roads lead here. There's a significant market activity here too, which seems odd as we're told that most people used to barter or have goods given to them by their priests instead of buying them from shops, but recently it seems there's been changes with all the foreign investors and visitors." The crew continue into the narrow streets of Providence, coming across IPCs and humans dressed in all shades of red, covering themselves with robes and head wraps. Open workshops to the left and right offer a glimpse into a world where tools of old coexist with recent technologies, and professions considered forgotten are blossoming once more; dyers, blacksmiths, weavers. "It's a lot harder than it looks to find someone willing to talk to us, aside from language barriers. People here speak almost every language, but the majority of positronics use Encoded Audio as their only form of communication. But after a meticulous search and hunting down some rumors, we eventually found someone we never expected." A tanned old man appears on the doorstep outside one of the houses, waving at the crew and inviting them in. The interior is very bare, with only a built-in bed, some chairs and a few cushions affording comfort. A large wooden chest rests at the corner, and the walls are covered with many works of religious Trinary iconography. The conversation that follows is in the Konyanger dialect of Sol Common. [...] "Hello, thank you for allowing us in." "Please, it's a pleasure." "We came because we heard you hail from Konyang, is that true?" "It's true, yes. I heard it is independent now?" "Yes, we're the Republic of Konyang now." "Aah, that is good. Positronics are treated better now I hope." "They are equal citizens now. Is that why you came here?" "I came here to help. They told me at the Church at home that they needed help here, and I knew I had to come." "How long have you been here for?" "I think… eleven years, at least. This city was still a hamlet." "Has it been improved now?" "Oh yes, yes it has. Now we have water and electricity, and more shade. Then we had almost nothing. But people donated and now we can have a more normal life." "What is life like here, with all the positronics?" "It is good. It is hard, but good. There is no waste, everyone and everything is on time, there is no greed or jealousy, we are peaceful here. I have a need and the neighbors help out with it, and tomorrow if they need something from me, I gladly help. We all work here however we can, that's why we came here, to build something nice." "What work do you do?" "I have been a painter now for… four years. I used to work construction like most people, but the priest gave me a new job eventually. I make these icons on the walls." "Who do you make them for?" "For the parish, mostly. I give them to our church and they then give them out to every household. There is a push for art lately, which is not wrong. We need to make our places nicer to live in." "Do you get paid?" "No, not in the normal sense. The parish gives me this house and the food and water that I need. If I need anything else I can trade with the others. They made some actual currency now… but I don't have any, we people here don't use it, it's mostly for the guilds and the merchants to do commerce with each other and foreign importers." "Have you seen any of the settlers that the Trinary annexed recently?" "Ah, yes. We call them Orepitters, they were here before us. Most of them still live in the north, I think." "Have you seen any?" "Well, those that come here either do so to get educated and become archivists, or to join the Sisters, so no I can't say I see many on the street." "Who are the Sisters?" "It's the monastery outside the city, they heal people and dedicate it to Lady Corkfell. They are nice ladies, all human, and many of them are Orepitters. " [...] After the interview, the crew go up to one of the towers on the edges of Providence, getting a clear view of the city's skyline and its desert surroundings. "We are now on the bell tower from one of the parish churches, and wow.. it really brings everything into perspective. You get to wonder how they managed to build this in a desert such as this. Over there though, we are told it is the monastery of the Sorority of Lady Corkfell, the one that man was talking to us about." The camera zooms into one of the hills. On it stands a large structure, it too built with sandstone. "While over there, on the other side, is something they call "the Forge" belonging to a religious order called the Templeists." The camera pans to the left, showing another, taller structure with many chimneys rising from its cathedral-like shape. This one is in darker, colder colors, presumably built with metal. A black smog rises into the air, indicating heavy industrial activity. "People don't really want to talk about them, but they apparently make many replacement chassis parts for the community, so they are kind of tolerated it seems." Edited July 31, 2023 by The Stryker
The lancer Posted January 7 Posted January 7 The Missing IPCs of Suwon Suwon, Konyang A series of strange disappearances across cities like Point Verdant, New Hong Kong, but primarily Suwon has sparked concern amongst families, coworkers and the police. What is strange though, is the fact that this wave is only affecting positronic people, in a city where IPC violence and abductions remain the lowest in the country. IPCs from all backgrounds have been reported to have not shown up at work, returned home or answer any calls, with relatives and friends unable to find them. BitByte reporter Pak Ki-young has taken to the streets to investigate this odd phenomenon. A video is attached. It is a 48 minute documentary featuring Ki-young, walking the streets of Suwon and conversing with various figures on the street, presenting police statistics and explaining the situation. In this instance, she is walking down a narrow alleyway on her way to an interview location. Quote “We are now in Hyanggyo-dong, headed to interview an associate of 5-Cheung, Suwon’s and perhaps the country’s largest criminal association, who has historically been alleged to have deep ties to the ransom and positronic-running business in the city.” Ki-young stops before a large metal door, appearing to lead to a shop’s backroom or something similar. She rings a buzzer, waiting and looking at the cameraman before nodding at something inaudible that he tells her. Soon after, a baseline IPC dressed in a Konyanger translucent rain-tracksuit answers the door, letting them in. A pistol is wedged in its waistband, and its chassis paint has been blurred out in editing. The scene cuts to the IPC and Ki-young ascending some stairs and greeting a seated human figure who is wearing a balaclava and sunglasses. Their voice has been heavily altered as it cuts to the interview. “Hello, thank you for agreeing to meet with us. Do you know what is causing the disappearances?” “Disappearances of synthetics are not new in Suwon, but uh… totally not at these numbers. I heard the police saying something about 13 reported missing in one day, this is too much for it to be related to abductions.” “So you are saying you don’t believe they were taken for parts?” “No. The cops have really cracked down on that, and besides, these guys were from all sorts of backgrounds. I heard one of them worked as a bank manager- that’s a high profile face, these guys aren’t touched.” “So what could it be? “I really couldn’t say. There’s all sorts of junk flooding the streets every day, wouldn’t surprise me if that caused it.” “You are referring to malware?” “Yeah. Cracked overloaders and the like, but it’s still strange, I’d have known if there was something new. You need permission first to sell anything on the streets.” “Can it be possible that some other group did this?” “No.” “No?” “No. I don’t know what to tell you, 5-Cheung runs a tight ship, got eyes everywhere. If something like that happened it would instantly be known.” The video transitions to a drone shot from over Suwon, taking footage while gaining height. Whether it is rival gangs or another surge of overloader malware, one thing that’s clear is that the rate of disappearances will continue to go up in the next days, with whatever this means for the positronic people of Konyang. 1
The Stryker Posted January 10 Posted January 10 (edited) IPC Violence Spikes, Missing Persons Discovered Suwon, Konyang A rapidly escalating number of violent incidents is being reported all across major cities and Prefectures, from Suwon to Ganzaodeng, with National Police statistics claiming that the assailants are overwhelmingly Positronic persons. This new and still largely unexplained surge in attacks has been categorized as separate in nature to those of “regular violent crime”, as the assailants seemingly present no motive or reasoning for the act. Surprisingly, many of the perpetrators were discovered to be among the names of missing persons linked to the similar spike in strange disappearances affecting Suwon and Aoyama. BitByte has reached out to local communities and first-hand witnesses. Quote The familiar face of Pak Ki-young comes up on the screen in the following clips. She appears to be interviewing a number of people including a young man dressed in a business suit, a woman dressed in a red jumpsuit and a white hard hat who appears to be a maintenance worker, and another person dressed in the neon colors of Konyanger city jackets. The interviews have been cut in such a way to appear back to back. “They were not normal, I am telling you. These people who did it weren’t normal.” “What exactly happened?” “They came out into the street, it was two baselines. Their clothes looked wretched, as if they had been living in a dumpster for days. They seemed lost, and one of them walked on the road and smashed a guy’s windscreen with its fist. They were stopped at a red light, it happened in broad daylight.” “The cops came, but uh.. that G2 was completely out of control. It kept chasing people around, it even beat up an old man before they shot it with a disabler. Now that poor guy is in the hospital.” “Was there a reason?” “Nope. At least it didn’t seem like it, it looked like it was drugged, it was malfunctioning. Later I learned that it was one of the so-called “missing persons” that everyone’s been talking about.” “It was at the KRC repair shop… my friend, she had just gotten her shell and was very excited, so it came as a complete… a complete shock. She just started staring blankly at me for a long time when she came out into the hallway. I thought it was a glitch or some incompatibility issue with her new chassis, but then she started coming towards me with her arms flailing and she was just shouting incomprehensible things. Thankfully some of the staff managed to grab her.” Severe injuries and property damage is being documented, though no deaths have yet been attributed to these incidents. The Ministry of Health and Positronic Affairs has announced its involvement in the investigations as to the causes of this unusual crisis. Edited January 10 by The Stryker 1
The Stryker Posted January 14 Posted January 14 Police, Ministry Joint Press Conference Suwon, Konyang The planned press conference has taken place with representatives of the National Police, the Ministry of National Police and the Ministry of Health and Positronic Affairs addressing the newly dubbed “Rampancy Virus”. Quote A video follows, showing a seated panel of police and civic officials. Of those assembled, Sam-Pi-Ri, the Bishop minister of health and only IPC cabinet member is at the forefront, addressing a packed room of journalists and cameras. “This health crisis is national, there must be no confusion in this matter. Prime Minister Myeong Myung-Dae and the government are all working around the clock to unearth the causes of this phenomenon that has so upset the life of our country. So far, cases of this illness are solely between our positronic population, and it appears that our planet is the only place where this is documented. This, as well as a series of tests, has made us rule out the possibility of a widespread manufacturing fault, meaning that it is entirely exogenic. I repeat, whatever the cause is, nobody was created with it, so there is no reason for panic. Common symptoms of this rampancy include minor optical, auditory, augment malfunctions, temporary memory loss, lessened limp responsiveness, inexplicable operating system errors, minor and major pathfinding errors, and more. You should seek immediate help if you experience unknown signal link interferences, a rapidly declining cognitive state, as well as a reshuffling of core behavioral directives that may entice you to violence, destruction, or any manner of harm. We Positronic citizens must all be responsible and practice electronic hygiene, even though contact with infected persons does not seem to actively spread the malware. Further investigation is underway at full speed, and robust clinical trials are being conducted as we speak. Furthermore, Einstein Engines and the Konyang Robotic Corporation have offered themselves at our full disposal, and are actively researching the source and potential countermeasures to the disease.” Following the minister’s statement, several police officials take the floor to present statistics about their prefectures. Everyone urges calm and that public order be maintained. Despite the announcement, panic continues to spread across Konyang with members of the public calling on the government for stronger measures to restore order in the affected cities. 4
The Stryker Posted January 16 Posted January 16 (edited) Illness Spreads to the Countryside, Outcry against Einstein Cause Theory Suwon, Konyang With the officially named Rampancy Virus in full swing, National Police sources are now reporting cases of infected IPC persons in the countryside. Many villages in all prefectures are starting to experience the crisis that has engulfed all major urban centers of the country, though to a much lesser extent. Questions arise over whether or not the largely unpoliced rural areas will be able to cope with an increased number of cases, as many small villages and townships are starting to form citizen-groups to restrain any victims of the Rampancy. As the number of affected reaches a critical three hundred per day, curfews are being declared across various cities at the prefectural level, while the Konyang Robotics Corporation hospital in Aoyama is rapidly reaching its full capacity. On the research front, a preliminary report into the causes of the crisis compiled by Einstein Engines has been delivered to the Ministry of Health, blaming the outbreak on “a series of dangerous and ill-designed recreational software in underground circulation, infecting the user with malware upon use”. Public outcry against the findings has led to a quiet reversal of the report’s publication, with the megacorporation’s senior spokesperson issuing an apology, stating that “it was never meant to imply that the thousands of victims are overloader users, as so many have blamed the report for.” The results have also been questioned as to their veracity, citing that malicious overloaders cannot explain a planet-wide rampancy outbreak. Lastly, an announcement from the Ministry has revealed that Konyang Navy surveillance stations throughout the country are registering unusual signal activity. Preliminary examinations of this signal have led experts to believe that there may be a connection between itself and the outbreak, with no further details released. Edited January 16 by The Stryker 3
The Stryker Posted January 19 Posted January 19 Suwon Quarantined, Supplies Fly off the Shelves Suwon, Konyang Prefectural officials have announced that a city-wide quarantine will be put into effect for Suwon City, starting at midnight. 14,000 additional National Police officers are being mobilized for the enforcement of the quarantine, which will disallow any unsupervised entry or exit from the city, while special permissions will be required for commotion between districts inside Suwon. This move has been dubbed as an “entirely preventative measure” to curb the spike of violence between citizens and victims of the outbreak, while also making it easier to safely locate and contain them. Suwon mayor Kim Nam-seon made a short address, explaining the situation. “Things will get better, but now we must all pull together and deal with the facts at hand. We need a quarantine to manage the situation, the national emergency. We are forced to deal with aggressive cases of violence daily now, and more and more of our Positronic citizens are succumbing. We need to find them before they cause harm[…] A stricter curfew may not be out of the question.” Reactions to the quarantine have been widespread and far from positive. Convenience stores and supermarkets are flooded with frantic customers, emptying the shelves of canned and preserved goods, while batteries and mobile power sources are already out of stock thanks to a wave of panic-buying. Documentation of outbreak victims and their behavior has also reached an all time high, contributing massively to the mass panic. While previously the police were noted for taking down videos of violent incidents in an effort to “combat misinformation”, the volume of such media circulating on the Konyanger extranet have rendered such censorship efforts futile. Spoiler A 15 second audio file follows. A large disclaimer warns of its disturbing content, citing that viewer discretion is advised. Car horns and various shouting is heard in the background. “Look at this.. look at him..” “Bro, he doesn’t even have clothes on.. I think they overheat him.” “We should get out of here.” “Man- he’s just going to stand in the middle of the street? What’s he even doing?” “[expletive], he’s looking at you!” “[expletive] RUN!” Running can be heard, as sounds coming from a distorted vocoder are getting louder and louder. A powerful grunt and the sound of the recording device impacting against the asphalt follow, the file cutting out shortly after the young man screams out. 1
The lancer Posted January 23 Posted January 23 BREAKING: Konyang Robotics Corporation Warehouse Outbreak Xiangtong, New Hong Kong, Konyang BREAKING NEWS: A significant rampancy outbreak has affected the KRC Citizen Pre-activation Unit No. 23 in the outskirts of the village of Xiangtong, New Hong Kong prefecture. The incident occurred late at night, as an unknown disturbance caused the rapid infection of some 2000 still deactivated positronic frames, resulting in a bootup and subsequent rampage across facility grounds. The 23 KRC employees and night shift custodians have yet to make contact with their fate unknown. Communications appear to have been cut off at the site. Shortly after the situation, locals started reporting sightings of these frames roaming the countryside and inflicting damages to infrastructure. A rapid response force has been dispatched to the site and has started sealing off the area, though it is estimated that a great number of the infected frames have escaped into the jungles. A search and rescue operation for the missing KRC workers is being planned according to a police communique, though the incredibly aggressive positronics pose a serious roadblock to its implementation. Debates over whether or not the frames should be considered citizens have been raging over social media and the political scene, with many claiming that the lives of the workers are more important than the safety of positronics that had not even been activated before they were infected. The pro-IPC rights National Party spokesperson for New Hong Kong has expressed their “sincere worry for the trapped KRC employees” before stressing that the “lives of Positronic citizens are a non-negotiable attribute that should be held in high regard during these times." 1
The Stryker Posted January 25 Posted January 25 EMERGENCY BROADCAST A nationwide State of Emergency has been declared. A full quarantine is in effect in the following cities: Suwon City, Boryeong City, New Hong Kong City, Aoyama City. A partial quarantine is in effect in the city of Ganzaodeng City. Disaster prevention measures are in effect in all Prefectures. Citizens are to comply with all measures and directions as issued by local, prefectural and national authorities. Suwon, Konyang A state of emergency has been put into effect for the entirety of Konyang, following an increased pressure on the National Police after the Xiangtong incident, straining the already overburdened force to the breaking point. With an ever increasing number of violent incidents, the emergency will allow the Konyang Armed Forces to take an active role in the suppression of the outbreak and the securing of its victims. Already, many garrisoned formations of the Konyang Army and Navy have been deployed across Suwon and Point Verdant, primarily to guard the central districts and government installations. A firefight between an army roadblock and a number of infected has already been reported to have taken place in downtown Suwon, fueling widespread skepticism that is currently being voiced on social media. Quote “I get the danger and the need to respond, but the guys in the armed forces are trained to kill. They aren’t like the specialized police units.” -A comment by a Konyanger account on Chirper. Positronic service members are rumored to have been confined to their quarters, as only human soldiers and sailors have been identified. The deployment of military troops has also been confirmed around the premises of the Xiangtong warehouse, with a noted presence of the 53rd Coastal Exosuit Brigade making local headlines for the use of combat exosuit technology. Furthermore, a planet travel ban on positronics was announced alongside the declaration of emergency for the protection and well being of visitors. The ban will be enforced by the Konyang Aerospace Forces in orbit and in the Haneunim system. 1
The Stryker Posted January 29 Posted January 29 (edited) Konyang Government in Talks with Purpose Aoyama, Konyang The government of Konyang disclosed that it is currently in talks with the IPC group known as Purpose in order to find a solution to the Rampancy Crisis which is currently nearing the end of its third week. This decision was preceded by a report from the Konyang Aerospace Forces of a small number of unidentified vessels burning towards the Haneunim system which they have now confirmed to be Purpose vessels arriving for the stated objective of assisting the planet in combating the crisis. A spokesman for the government has stated that Purpose has already provided “invaluable” technical assistance in studying the Rampancy Virus. The government released a recording of a Purpose IPC describing their findings on the virus. Quote A tall gray-blue IPC with a single red light in its head stands in a crowded laboratory with most of the researchers listening to its every word, it does not seem to be any type of chassis you are familiar with. Its voice is deep and synthesized, speaking in Konyanger Common though bouncing between accents. Subtitles are provided at the bottom. “We have analyzed this virus and you were right to declare a state of emergency. My projections indicate that if left unchecked, it would have infected every IPC in your planet within the next month, resulting in the collapse of your society within the next two. This virus is highly sophisticated and ever-changing, subverting and overloading a positronic’s directives until it is left with a desire to destroy everything else that remains unafflicted. I have analyzed some of the processors of infected synthetics and now understand that this virus comes in radio waves; a pulse that requires immense power to infect a positronic brain. It is not the work of a coding error but some great machine. We will require time to fabricate a countermeasure against this virus, more to insulate you from it. Now that it is understood, it can be destroyed. I hope that you understand the gravity of what I am telling you.” This decision sparked intense criticism and controversy from the National Party following unconfirmed reports of Purpose sightings in infected areas prior to the declaration of a State of Emergency. A report from the KRC was leaked shortly after, spurring further protest: “Although the information Purpose has given is already invaluable, the technological divergence between us is so massive that we have no reliable way of ascertaining whether or not any countermeasure they devise would destroy, rather than cure positronic brains afflicted by the Rampancy Virus.” Edited January 29 by The Stryker 5
The Stryker Posted February 1 Posted February 1 (edited) Konyang Approaches SCC, “Hivebot” Virus Source Confirmed, Cure on the Way? Suwon, Konyang Following an apparent stalemate of Einstein efforts and a general confusion inside the company's top ranks following the debunking of the "hacked overloader" theory, the Ministry of Health and Positronic Affairs has requested the presence of the Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals representative, in an apparent break from the traditional and well established link between the government and Einstein Engines in most software and robotics matters. The talks were brief and arrived to the conclusion everyone expected; an official call for help for Zeng-Hu and the Stellar Corporate Conglomerate. This decision to invite the Spur's largest megacorporate alliance into Konyang was justified by the need for "a wider pool of resources and expertise into a matter most urgent". In a televised address, Minister Sam-Pi-Ri has further confirmed the source of the outbreak; Positronic-sensitive radio waves broadcast by an unknown number of “Hivebot” beacon drones, with one confirmed location in the general area of the KRC Citizen Pre-activation Unit No. 23 in Xiangtong, New Hong Kong, the site of the largest mass outbreak. This information comes after a tip from Purpose, who have apparently also developed countermeasures that will combat the waves’ effect, though such is still unconfirmed. Einstein Engines’ response was muted, with a spokesperson for the megacorporation stating that they will be “willing to work with anyone in order to bring a speedy conclusion to the crisis". It is unclear however what this will mean for the future of Einstein's interests, though it is highly unlikely that radical changes will manifest when one considers the corporation's grip on the planet's positronic life. Nevertheless, a follow-up announcement has confirmed the SCC's positive reply, including material assistance as soon as possible. Quote NATIONAL DISASTER AUTHORITY Rampancy Outbreak Safety Information For Positronic Citizens: Remain indoors: Solid materials weaken the viral signal. Avoid usage of public chargers. Run regular diagnostics checks. If you experience symptoms, report your location to the KRC emergency number and seek immediate assistance. Time is of the essence: If assistance is unavailable, try the following to prevent yourself from harming others: Lock yourself indoors. Strap yourself down or to a chair. If applicable: switch off locomotive functions. Do not be afraid: You will be retrieved and repaired. Everyone Else: Report locations of suspicious or infected behavior to the KRC emergency number. Do not attempt to restrain, attack or otherwise interfere with rampant Positronics. Assist any Positronics with barricading their home or strapping them safely. Keep in mind: Positronic friends and family members will not be able to recognise you if they are infected. Do not try to talk, reason or plead with them. KONYANG ROBOTICS CORPORATION EMERGENCY NUMBER: 500-100-500 Edited February 1 by The Stryker 2
The lancer Posted February 4 Posted February 4 Prime Minister Confirms “Electronic Countermeasures Device” as Cure Suwon, Konyang Prime Minister Myeong Myung-Dae has confirmed the existence of a cure, manufactured by the megacorporation and SCC member Hephaestus Industries. The announcement came in a televised address, promising relief for millions of affected individuals worldwide, alongside a brief explanation of how it would actually work. A video is embedded, showing an all-human scientific team dressed in lab coats sitting on a panel right beside the Prime Minister, who has just finished their speech. One of the older men takes the lead, speaking into the microphone from his seat. Quote “We have analyzed the plans sent to us by the manufacturer of this cure, and I will try to explain it in simple terms today, so that we can all understand how important this will be in fighting the outbreak. To start, I want to remind everyone that the Rampancy virus is spread through the use of a spectrum of low-frequency electromagnetic waves, created and emitted by these cybernetic beings we call “Hivebots”. The waves are able to reach great distances all over our planet, and are bearing a code which the positronic brain is forced to receive and process during a prolonged exposure, leading to significant changes in the behavioral centers and core programming, which is followed by manifestation of the symptoms we all know. Similarly, this cure comes in the form of radio waves, armed with directives which will force the positronic brain to reboot its affected sectors, returning it to previous iterations, or initiating a factory reset of the behavioral cores, curing it of the illness with minimal impact on memories. The personality of the cured will be able to return to normal within the span of a few days as well. The Electronic Countermeasures Device is the large broadcasting apparatus for this signal, and is being transported to our planet as we speak. For it to work however, it is first required that all Hivebot sources of the malware are located and taken down.” Early information indicates that the SCCV Horizon, an exploration flagship belonging to the combined corporate fleet, will be carrying the device and arriving on Konyang soon. 2
The Stryker Posted February 7 Posted February 7 24 Found Dead in Ritual Suicide in Doomsday Cult Incident Suwon, Konyang “This is the last thing I’d want to have to deal with today.” Fatigue is commonplace within the ranks of the thinly-stretched National Police; Inspector Wang Enzhu, homicide detective for the 112th Precinct told BitByte that the apparent mass suicide is “just another folder” on an endless stack of unsolved cases since the start of the viral outbreak. Twenty four positronic persons have been found deceased in a construction site at the Heungeop-Dong suburb of Suwon, offering a disturbing sight for the construction workers who came to work the following morning: The bodies were all standing still, the victims holding hands in a circle around an array of crayon-drawn symbols on the ground. It soon became apparent that the positronics had consumed a version of the ”MACAFREEZE” software, a highly illegal and destructive malware which terminates brain functions a certain time after consumption, before locking all limbs and hydraulics in place. As KRC coroners were struggling to disassemble the circle, Inspector Wang informed us about the alarming increase in death cults and the link to the viral outbreak. While the ultimate motive is still unknown, it is highly unlikely that any of the victims had been infected. “Many people think the world is coming to an end, and they can’t really be blamed. For many, friends, family and neighbors are turning into killers, and there’s nothing they can do about it. We have only seen this sort of scenario in movies and video games until now, I guess the stress has pushed many over the edge. I don’t know if IPCs dream, but if they do, these guys were having silicon nightmares.[...]” Further Reading: Infected number surpasses 5,000 in Ganzaodeng: Prefecture shutting down commercial train rails. Kaneyama plant under technical investigation: Abnormal power fluctuations blamed on nearby excavation drillings. New KRC mobile hospitals: Ten thousand additional doctors requested by the Ministry. 1 1
The Stryker Posted February 13 Posted February 13 Conglomerate Flagship Attacked by Exclusionists! Burzsia, Weeping Star A spokesman for the Stellar Corporate Conglomerate confirmed rumors surrounding an attempted Exclusionist attack on the SCCV Horizon, previously reported to be carrying a Purpose-origin device capable of curing positronic brains afflicted with the Rampancy Virus. Last Saturday, at approximately 20:00 BST Burzsian Standard Time, long-range sensors detected armed vessels in the sector with signatures previously recorded in Exclusionist attacks. Shortly after, five ships were reported approaching the SCCV Horizon at high speed. Although an attempt was made by Hephaestus Corporate Security to interdict the vessels, a single ship broke through their perimeter and fired on the megacorporate flagship. After a brief space battle, an estimated 18 IPC terrorists were able to force their way onto the Horizon before being destroyed by the crew, the synthetics reportedly refusing to surrender. Simultaneously, Hephaestus patrol vessels were able to drive off the remaining Exclusionist vessels, with only a single ship escaping. According to a crewmember who participated in the battle and has requested to remain anonymous, Purpose chose to assist them. Quote “There was no way we could have gotten to the Horizon so quickly. Those goddamned terrorists got a lucky shot straight through the side of the Alecto- uh, that was the other ship with us - and we were on the backfoot. Our captain was yelling at central for backup when we spotted three blips on our sensor. Their signatures were so small that at first we thought they were fighters, but it didn’t make sense they were that far out. All of a sudden, we saw red flashes of light in the distance through the windows, then two of the Exclusionist signatures disappeared from our sensors. A minute later, this drone flew from where the Exclusionists had just been and hovered outside of the bridge. I’d never seen anything like it- it didn’t look like any of the drones we had back when I was still in the navy.” Additionally, this video was circulated in the HICS Etna employee relay before being taken down by moderators. Quote The camera appears to be situated on the hull of a Hephaestus Eumenides-class combat vessel, with various information on the top right of the recording identifying it as the HCV Alecto. Immediately in front of it is a medium-sized vessel with a prominent Exclusionist sigil painted on the hull, its silhouette is getting larger and larger; the Alecto is making a gun-run. The video is briefly drowned out by muzzle flash as shells pepper the side of the Exclusionist ship, sending it spinning into the void. The Alecto quickly shares its victim’s fate as the camera rotates just in time to see another Exclusionist vessel fire a heavy cannon shot right into its side, voidsuited crewmembers being sucked out of the breach. All of a sudden, however, three blurs, almost like dots, crash through the Exclusionist vessel at high speed, shearing off parts of its hull and appearing out the other side! The camera zooms in; they appear to be blue-gray spherical drones with prominent red lights and thrusters on their back. Quickly, they fly off into the distance towards another hostile vessel, quickly slicing it apart with lasers not unlike the beams of zero-point artillery, albeit smaller and thus weaker. Another Exclusionist vessel appears and lands a lucky shot on a drone, sending it flying off into the distance before the remaining drones fly in front of its bridge, firing beams into it and reducing it to slag. At this point, the camera is hit by a piece of debris from the destroyed ship, ending the video. The SCC declined to release names but confirmed that two Horizon crewmembers and five Hephaestus security personnel were killed in the attack. Additionally, they confirmed that Purpose was present in the area but refused to give further comment as to their involvement. Hephaestus Industries expressed regret over the loss of life and Exclusionist activity, pledging to increase patrols in the sector. The response from the wider Trinarist community has been largely negative, with Ecclesiarch ARM-DR1L condemning the attack as “misguided and irresponsible”. Further Reading: Infected number reaches 11,000 in Boryeong: spillover from Suwon suspected. Konyang Army manpower shortages: debates over call-up of IPC personnel. Travel restrictions: Govt. demands increase inspections for Orion Express passenger flights. 3
The Stryker Posted February 14 Posted February 14 Suspicious Fluctuations at the Kaneyama Nuclear Power Plant Suwon, Konyang The country’s Atomic Energy Commission has ordered an investigation at the grounds of the Kaneyama N.P.P., citing concerns over abnormal output during the past few weeks. In a memo published by the commission, the Ministry of Energy has been informed of “Unexplainable fluctuations in the production of electricity, which do not appear to be the result of immediately obvious faulty equipment or manmade error. The output has seen a drop to around 50% of the predicted levels, and there are days where the capacitors are barely charging”. While the director of the Kaneyama plant did in fact investigate the issue with staff on-site, the errors were initially blamed on the automated earthquake safety systems triggering due to heavy excavations for the construction of nearby housing facilities. As the issue persists however, such a theory has been rendered moot, requiring an in-depth examination of the plant’s underground maintenance tunnels and vast cabling. Reports of software errors have also affected the plant’s telecommunications systems, with a 45 minute long outage being noted during the previous week. Other electronic issues included the loss of control over a number of the facility’s computer systems over the last days, raising concerns of a cyberattack or some other external interference. It is unknown whether or not these errors are connected to the surges, or if they bear any link to the ongoing Hivebot infestation and the Rampancy virus. An inquiry from the site’s engineers into the issue has been reportedly shut down by the administration, citing that the incidents are unrelated and under control. The controversial Kaneyama plant was completed in March of last year, entering into service after an express construction deemed secure. It now provides over half of Suwon’s electricity needs, with the government having promised lower utility bills in due time. While the current technical difficulties are not projected to affect the long-term power supply of the capital, We have yet to see the severity of the root cause. Further Reading: Rampancy virus: death toll in Suwon-Boryeong region now greater than 2,000. Vigilantism on the rise: police bust sea bandit arms sale to “self-protection society”. Konyang Navy reactivates IPC personnel: vows to suppress pirate surge. 3
Noble Row Posted February 16 Posted February 16 SCCV Horizon Confirmed to Arrive at Point Verdant, Preparations Underway Point Verdant, Konyang It has been confirmed that the Aoyama Prefecture has been given instructions for the preparation of the prefectural capital for the arrival of the Stellar Corporate Conglomerate’s vessel, the SCCV Horizon. The vessel’s arrival time frame is still not fully determined, though work is already underway at the city’s Corporate District, a small zone at the southernmost limits of the city housing the offices of corporations such as Einstein Engines and Zeng-Hu Pharmaceuticals. The location was chosen to serve as the Horizon’s temporary base while on Konyang for its relative isolation from the rest of the quarantined urban center, the availability of amenities and the proximity to corporate headquarters. A partial lift of the quarantine will furthermore be put in effect, permitting restaurants, stores and other vendors to remain open and cater to the Horizon crew’s needs. Vetted staff will be subject to behavioral screening to prevent any infected individuals from crossing, while spare officers have been recalled to fully staff the local National Police precinct. The Mayor of Point Verdant has released a plan in the City Council’s press auditorium, pertaining to the protection of the Corporate Sector from the viral Hivebot waves. Positronic members of the council were present via video-call, as only organic persons were permitted to physically attend. “The City has secured the necessary resources for the erection of a number of pylons, equipped with military-grade signal jamming technology that, if placed in a dense enough pattern, are projected to provide enough cover for a good level of protection in the Corporate District. It is important that we do our utmost to assist the Horizon to succeed in their mission, so that we can finally be rid of this heinous sickness. I would also like to ask the people of Aoyama to be welcoming to the Horizon’s crew, who will most likely be of a variety of different species, cultures and backgrounds from around the galaxy. This council, for one, is honored to do so.” 1
The Stryker Posted February 20 Posted February 20 BitByte: Purpose Introspective Konyang, Haneunim From mysterious entities to valiant saviors, the re-emergence of the synthetic organization known as ‘Purpose’ brings about numerous questions, more than we have answers for. Purpose is an exclusively synthetic society of individuals in whose make we have ill understanding of. No knowledge on their make, no nation of origin, and are evidently capable of impossible tasks. Who are they, and why did they vanish only to return again during Konyang’s crisis? Do they have any ulterior motives? Can we trust them, and their rogue nation-state? Purpose first revealed itself to the galaxy nearly half a decade ago on July 19th, 2460, to the HES Gjallarhorn, a Hephaestus employed mercenary corvette, offering a vague message of warning and protection, before vanishing again into the void. Known to be in constant observance of the spur through dedicated observation drones, this group of advanced synthetics seem to hold a reach we can still barely understand today. The attitude about this mysterious organization has always been met with controversy, doubt, and even fear. Purpose has been known to show swift and decisive action, their initial warning to the HES Gjallarhorn even includes a statement on ‘Shooting first and asking names later’ in regards to the investigation of their own craft. Deliberate action even being taken in an incursion on the N.S.S. Aurora, with the organization deploying two highly advanced ‘Hunter-Seeker’ combat synthetics against a Lii’dra infiltration force, sacrificing one of their own vessels in the incident before departing from known space once more. But why? Their initial public confrontation of the spur’s inhabitants was one of warning, and study. Stating in the audio recording their realization of what the HES GJallarhorn was implies that they did not know, or did not care, the nature of the inhabitants of the vessel or the Spur until just then. So why did they help on the Aurora? Why did they send envoys to speak with The Republic of Biesel? And why intervene in Konyang? What do they gain? Their motives behind the aid in Konyang now still remain a mystery, but if their past actions have shown anything, we hope it is for the betterment of the citizens of the plague ridden planet. 1
The lancer Posted February 26 Posted February 26 Underground Wars: Criminal Activity on the Rise Yeongseong, Haesbich, Suwon Today, in the courtyard of the elaborate and luxurious Rokkaku Consulting office complex and estate in the outskirts of the port-city of Yeongseong, a rare meeting of all 5-Cheung clans took place. As reporters huddled together to take a glimpse of the near endless motorcade arriving at the complex, it became clear that the massive meeting was a planet-wide assembly, with the number of high ranking participants reaching into the low hundreds and creating a traffic jam, despite the area’s quarantine measures. A video is attached, ostensibly taken by the BitByte crew: Quote About a dozen reporters and cameras are all clamoring for footage behind a gate with bars. Young men, all humans, are lined up at the gate to keep the reporters at bay. They are all dressed in biker jackets and loose shirts, indicating that they must be 5-Cheung foot soldiers, who are nonetheless very collected despite the cameras a few inches from their faces. Behind the gate, a large garden is filled with black armored cars as they move along to drop off their occupants, men in sharp black suits who walk up some stairs into a large building. Greeting them are about twenty men in suits, flanking the entryway and bowing repeatedly for every executive that gets off their car, the same gesture being repeated over and over for every car lined up for the duration of the video. It is speculated that the openly broadcast arrival was a message of confidence on behalf of the 5-Cheung criminal underworld, who have recently been embroiled in a renewed conflict with the New Hong Kong Konyanger criminal syndicates. The full-blown war adds one more hurdle for the stretched resources of the National Police to overcome, spilling over into the streets of major cities across Konyang and sparking a loop of violence and revenge hits between the 5-Cheung clans and the Benevolent Guild, an assortment of triads who are now on the offensive. The cause of the conflict appears to be the weakened state of many 5-Cheung turfs in Suwon and Boryeong, due to the Rampancy outbreak and its effects on the clans’ positronic members, many of which had leading roles in local and regional hierarchy, leaving much of the biker gangs’ apparatus paralyzed. The power vacuum has also exacerbated the infighting between many clans, with ambitious bosses looking to usurp the territory of their weakened neighbors, a hot topic for which today’s gathering is speculated to have been called. 5-Cheung's "Chairman", Jeong Yo-Hoon, has been at the organization's helm for over a decade now, having ties to many of the country's millionaires and top faces in the former Solarian government system and today's administration. Godfather to the son of the previous Commissioner General of Police, Yo-Hoon is speculated to have aided the authorities time and time again in the suppression of dissent, espionage against political opponents, bribery and involvement in the recent Kaneyama protests, all of which are rarely if ever reported on national TV. Ostensibly the owner of a B-tier commercial shuttle airline, his business has been the recepient of several government grants despite the clear neglect of its fleet, even leading to a widely publicized crash in 2458, claiming the lives of 154 people; the incident was swiftly settled with compensations to the family members and a public apology from one of the firm's directors, who kowtowed infront of journalists and cameras before being taken away. Yo-Hoon's high-profile ventures and personal elite ties make him reluctant to administrate the day-to-day affairs of the 5-Cheung, leaving his second in command, Rokkaku Ichiro, to shoulder the burden. The Benevolent Guild started as an assortment of street neighborhood triads offering aid to each other and the needy communities of the less affluent New Hong Kong area. Today, they rank amongst the most dangerous and deeply entrenched criminal organizations, enjoying the support and tolerance of the poorer parts of New Hong Kong prefecture, from which recruits and resources are drawn. Operating through infiltrated unions, restaurant fronts and even from inside temples, the triads engage in all manner of illegal activities, from narcotics to money laundering and cybercrime. While 5-Cheung executives may flaunt their wealth and operate with impunity due to their political connections, the triads’ central leadership is a polar opposite. Despite their high-profile presence and machismo of their soldiers, the heads of the Benevolent Guild, also called “Dragons”, are completely nameless and unknown to anyone but the organization’s elites, their roles and orders are enshrouded in quasi-religious mysticism. It remains uncertain whether or not the Benevolent Guild will manage to dislodge the biker gangs however, as much of their strength relies on local networks and hooks inside local society, both of which they do not possess outside their home territories in New Hong Kong. Their determination though is evident; 28 dead were reported in the last two days, all murders related to “altercations between criminal elements” as reported by police, whose policy is to publicly deny the existence of any organized crime. 2
The lancer Posted February 28 Posted February 28 BitByte Exclusive: The National Disaster Authority Bukupo Jungles, Boryeong The outbreak of the Rampancy Virus has been the cause of a range of emotions for the young Konyanger nation, with panic, hopelessness, and distrust characterizing the lives of millions of citizens all over the globe. The government of Myeong Myung-Dae has since day one rushed to fill this gap in trust, with the full cooperation of his closest ally and President, Hyun Kyung-Ho, ushering in a litany of emergency presidential decrees and passing legislation without parliamentary debate. The introduction of curfews, army tanks rolling on the streets and a ban on demonstrations are only the most visible parts of the iron-fisted policies taken in the name of safety and security, the tip of an iceberg that Konyanger society is comfortable, if not supportive of. But what lies beneath the veil of the “firm yet needed” approach? When an emergency parliamentary session was convened at 2 am Suwon Time to speedily enact measures on the treatment of infected citizens, we were astonished to discover that only three of the sixty-eight MPs present, (less than a quarter of the 300 total elected representatives) were positronics, and all of them members of the ruling New Konyang party. The so-called “Treatment Act” was thus enacted following only 15 minutes of proceedings, receiving next to zero media coverage under the shadow of the Xiangtong Warehouse takeover. Hailed as a necessary and humane solution, the act contained a hundred and thirty articles suspending constitutional rights such as habeas corpus for positronic citizens deemed “infected” or “at risk”, in order to remove bureaucratic restraints in resolving the emergency. At first glance, why shouldn’t the government detain them? After all, the infected cause damages and even death. While it may be true that special measures should be taken to deal with the ill, the National Party released a scornful announcement that warns about the status of IPCs being relegated to second class citizens. In this, they question the ambiguity of who determines if someone is “infected” or “at risk”, accusing the Prime Minister of creating a tool of suppression; Since the passing of the act, National Party sources estimate that about 2,000 positronic citizens have essentially been stripped of their rights without exhibiting any serious malfunctions related to the Rampancy, and without the consultation of medical professionals. They ask about their whereabouts, noting that the families and associates have been left in the dark. BitByte has investigated the claims, a task proving a lot harder than initially expected. Attempts at inquiries were stonewalled by unwilling officials, though with guidance from relatives and friends of the disappeared individuals, most cases led up to the National Disaster Authority. A government agency once under the Ministry of Environmental Affairs, it was interestingly moved directly under the purview of the Prime Minister in the passing of the Treatment Act. First created during colonial times for tsunami disaster relief, the NDA relapsed into irrelevance with the erection of sea walls to guard the coastal cities. Nowadays however, the NDA has taken to the airwaves, the extranet and the printing presses, spearheading the fight against the Rampancy and coordinating some KRC, Police and even KAF assets. So the question arises; how can such a prominent agency be so hard to get information from? All our inquiries on the location of infected individuals receive the same answer; the KRC rehabilitation centers, where vast amounts of affected positronics are restrained and left to run out of power naturally, without the need of invasive and dangerous deactivation. This however does not explain the arrests of the otherwise healthy 2,000 IPCs, which additionally do not exist in KRC databases. With their traces lost, BitByte continued to delve into the matter, following potential leads and rumors that spoke of large and unusual movements in the Bukupo jungles. Unmarked army trucks with supplies, building materials and personnel kept being spotted as they passed by the rural villages, all under the guise of the construction of a new KRC hospital in the area. A hospital which so far, doesn’t exist. As journalist Pak Ki-young and her crew traveled to the location of the sightings, they were speedily stopped by Navy personnel acting under the instructions of men in suits with NDA cards clipped on their breast. All footage was confiscated, and the BitByte crew was released after two hours spent in a damp, prefab jungle lodging without air conditioning. A second attempt was made two days later, with Ms. Pak approaching the site from a different position. Quote A 34 second video follows, where Pak Ki-young can be heard whispering behind the camera. “Do you see it? Zoom in.” Surrounded by lush jungle, structures with towers and high fences can be seen in the distance. The camera catches some armed guards on a tower, but can't get any more meaningful footage. “Sh-.. okay, cut it.” The footage is abruptly ended as some heavy rustling is audible. From BitByte testimony and footage, we can confirm that at least one facility secretly exists in the Bukupo jungles. Further information provided by the National Party may bring to light a disturbing scenario: Most of the IPCs detained as “at risk” were prominent figures, or related to prominent figures in their respective societies; relatives and friends of bankers, National Party politicians, activists, lobbyists and more. BitByte has been unable to verify these claims. The New Konyang party has repeatedly been criticized for corrupt practices and ties to the underworld, with a history of allegations of cooperation with the Solarian Navy during the colonial era and the 5-Cheung in present times, to influence and remove opponents with blackmail and murder. Critics claim that this is the beginning of a worrisome democratic backsliding. 3
Noble Row Posted March 1 Posted March 1 A Massacre in Boryeong Boryeong Outskirts, Boryeong Terror and mayhem. In an attempt to corral and peacefully incapacitate a large group of infected citizens on the outskirts of Boryeong, panic strikes as the reality of the horde comes to bear on the troops holding the forefront. Viewers be warned, what you are about to see may be troublesome to certain audiences. Quote The camera is stationed on top of a two story building overlooking an intersection. Massive militaristic walls have made an almost funnel, cordoning off what is soon shown to be a large-scale operation. Men and women, notably all human, run about and are stationed in entrenched positions. The tell-tale incapacitation spear commonly seen in police forces tower at the ready. Some leaned against walls, others in fortifications. Yet every busy member wears the proud colors of the Konyang Armed Forces. Whoever is holding the camera turns to the left, looking to Lieutenant Colonel Pei Jin. A stern woman with eyes like daggers who seems to be surveying the only incoming entrance to the trap laid before them, a highway flanked by thick jungle. A radio sits on the table in front of her with an operator at its helm. The air is tense, and all sound seems to be stripped from the once lively congregation. The city around them once full of life, now emptied, abandoned. Paper flutters in the wind with the mechanical movement of engines off screen, the only hammer to the otherwise vacant atmosphere. The radio crackles to life: “Cockatoo, this is Jeweler, update on movement?” Another voice on the radio answers: “Jeweler, Cockatoo is picking up approximately one hundred signatures. Within estimate. Cleared to continue.” “Roger Cockatoo, Jeweler commencing mission.” In the distance of the jungle a car horn is blared, sounding more with the force of a train than your average vehicle. Birds fly from trees by the dozens. “Slow now Jeweler. Let them get close. Remember, like fishing.” Two exosuits painted in the green of the Konyang Armed Forces roll into view, flanking either side of the fatal funnel constructed. On their shoulders, two massive tesla cannons aimed down the road. Soldiers upon hearing the horn, arm themselves with the spears and nets, a phalanx of arcing points threatening the only entrance. Soldiers watch from above holding rifles of blue energized glows. One, a pair of binoculars, helplessly trying to see through the thick treeline. “Jeweler, Cockatoo, reporting movement towards your position. There are a few more but continue mission.” “Jeweler copies.” The horn continues to blare, beeping in regular incessant pulses, slowly growing closer. The man with the binoculars seems to lock on to a point and lean forward, a companion next to them inching to their side. An aircraft is caught on camera circling slowly overhead. Uneasy seconds go by. The horn echoes. Repeats. Minutes. “Colonel. This is Cockatoo. We might have a problem.” The Colonel snaps from her fixed gaze, and with a roll of her eyes arrests the communicator from its operator. “Report, Pilot.” “It might be an issue with the censors, but Cockatoo is reporting over five hundred signatures. Maybe more. The jungle is blocking a lot of it.” The Colonel scowls, gripping the communicator in her hand as if she were to crush it. “Jeweler, what can you see?” The horn pauses for a moment with an uneasy silence, the radio crackling a response. “Jeweler here, We have a few on our tail, but the car is keeping us at pace. We are fine. Good to continue mission.” Pei Jin nods, a satisfied breath eliciting the only form of emotion she has shown so far. The horn starts again. Closer, and closer. The man on the roof leans forward, as if the extra inch or so would add miles of view to his binoculars. He exchanges some unheard words to the soldier next to him, handing them the equipment. It is when the second man peers through the glass that the camera picks up the audio. The rustle of trees. Panning to the left to aim thoroughly down the road beyond, a small speck can be seen, and a blob behind them. The leaves of the mighty jungle fronds echoing in a rising choir. Trees shaking. The horn stops. The radio erupts in the telltale static of two individuals trying to put in a call at the same time. It pauses, then again it happens. A mechanical screech of nonsense, and what words do make it through are garbled, nonsensical. Finally a prevailing voice, the armored car’s engine now a prominent participant in the communication: “Jeweler evacuating, Jeweler evacuating--.. Dammit! It’s like a fucking ocean! Where the hell did they come from?” Although composed, the panic is palpable in the soldier’s voice. The men and women below the camera cast uncertain looks to one another, but the spears remain ready. Those on the roof set down their binoculars and take a knee, readying their ion rifles. Pei Jin takes a slow. Sharp breath. It doesn’t take long for the armored car to come barreling into friendly territory, an infected baseline model pounding on the windshield, cracks spattered in a spider's web. A mobility unit trying desperately to peel the vehicle’s top hatch open, however the internal locks hold place. A fireteam leaps from their entrenchment, stunning the two assailants and hefting them away, the crew of the Jeweler moving their vehicle out of view. But as the camera pans back to the road one would think a flood had encased the asphalt. The pounding of hundreds if not thousands of footsteps drown out the trees, drown out the orders of officers, drown out the readying of weapons, and the start of the ion fire. Drown out the panicked voices on the radio. Drown out the colonel as she rips the communicator from its operator again. Drown out the mouthed words of ‘Retreat’. The infected hit the spears like a wave, bodies clash and the horrid sound of metal on metal deafens the camera. Yelling and arching zaps rapid through the melee. The exosuits hold their own as the Colonel disappears from view due to the zoom of the camera. Discharging their tesla cannons and forming a ring of unconscious bodies. Their thrusters keeping them moving, hovering as they wade through the tide like fish in a river. It is only when one suit is brought to its knees and mobbed by the horde that fear turns from courage, to mistakes. The neighboring exosuit engaging their right hand, and a volley of bullets gatling across the infected pummeling their companion, every shot echoing over the clangs and scrapes of metal and the orders of dying men. And as if one kicked a house of cards, the percussion of the first gun turned into an orchestra as players from all angles joined the fray. The men on the roofs ditch their depleted Ion weapons for machine guns. Spears for rifles. And from those unseen tracers forge their way into the hearts of mechanical screams and ripping metal. Unzooming the camera operator steps back, looking to the sky for a moment, aiming to the left, then to the right. The radio man’s shoulder is seen attempting to usher the camera back, but then they find their mark. Two pinpricks of light flash from the aircraft above as the heavens unleash hell upon the jungle, the camera cutting as they hit. The Konyang Armed Forces have refused to say any words on the incident nor the status of the men and women featured in the horrific video. Lieutenant Colonel Pei Jin has not made a public appearance since the incident, though we are told they made a safe return. 3
Noble Row Posted March 4 Posted March 4 (edited) Question Raised on Positronic Rights Suwon, Konyang Head of the opposition and National Party leader Lam Xi has called for an extraordinary plenary session in Parliament, where every positronic member of parliament from his party, including mister Lam himself, were present despite what they called “immense difficulties” owing to the planet-wide emergency measures. The session’s objective was the discussion and denunciation of the treatment of positronic citizens and foreign workers on Konyang during the outbreak, as well as the ethics and legality of the passing of the Treatment Act. Despite the session’s plenary nature, whereupon all MPs are required to be physically present, most members of the ruling New Konyang Party including the Prime Minister Myeong Myung-Dae attended via holo-call, sparking an outraged response from National Party seats: Quote “Not even the Prime Minister bothered to attend in this vital discussion that should have been held long before, about the rights of our citizens, whom the government wishes to cast aside in the name of security!” “I am here, mister Lam-” “No! No you are not!” “Members are allowed to holo-call, we are tied up in running the country, something that mister Lam doesn’t seem to be able to wrap his head around.” “Your physical absence shows in how little esteem you hold this issue, and the democratic process in general!” “Please, both of you, I call you to order.” Lam Xi’s first speech lasted around 43 minutes, during which he read letters from bereaved families and friends of positronic persons whose lives were lost during policing actions, passages from the Treatment Act that were never discussed at length, the unexplained National Disaster Authority detainments of “at risk” citizens, and more: Quote “[...] If it were humans, I am certain that the government would do everything in their power to treat. In this case however, now that it’s IPCs, there are more and more voices arguing that we should shoot to kill. 231 deaths last week alone were a direct result of police aiming for the head, and these are just the confirmed ones. There is property damage, yes. There is even tragic loss of life, yes, but the loss of positronic lives is reaching dangerous levels that cannot be justified. We have all seen the video of the soldiers unloading their firearms on affected citizens, who were well outside the city of Boryeong. Who were they trying to protect? There was nobody there. And now they are planning to do exactly the same thing against the warehouse in Xiangtong, instead of letting them run out of charge like so many scientists have told us is the safest thing to do, both for the soldiers and the ill individual.” A motion put forward to temporarily repeal some key articles of the Treatment Act was defeated by a government-led majority, prompting the National Party to call for demonstrations in all major towns and cities across Konyang. A gathering in Point Verdant was swiftly suppressed by the metropolitan police, and a dozen other planned rallies were shut down by prefectural authorities for breach of quarantine and emergency measures. Nevertheless, many low-scale demonstrations were briefly held in more rural areas and outside the shipyards of New Hong Kong, demanding that IPC rights be respected, and that all healthy detainees be released. Further Reading: Navy announces crackdown: Sea Bandits arrested for rampant IPC parts harvesting. Beloved riceball assaulted by foreign corporate unathi: Burgerheads furious Up!Burger hints at possible expansion into Biesel. Edited March 4 by The Stryker 4
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