Tau Ceti Times

[La Villa Strangiato]

Matvei Karakhan Attacked With Bottle During Rally in Little Adhomai

Part 2, Article #6 of the 2466 Biesel Election Arc

Leader of the Hadiist Party Matvei Karrakhan was attacked and harassed by members of the crowd during a political rally in Mendell’s Little Adhomai.

The rally was attended by a group of masked Tajara, who proceeded to throw a bottle at Karrakhan which struck him on the shoulder, as well as verbally harassing him and throwing trash on the stage. Karrakhan has stated the bottle did not cause any lasting injuries but a bruise. Eyewitness accounts say that Karrakhan supporters started a fight with the hecklers, which broke out into more violence.

The rally speech was recorded live, and a clip of the assault has been shared over 300,000 times on the Tajaran Extranet site Square.

[The recording opens with a view of Matvei Karrakhan, wearing a maroon suit in a classic Tajaran cut, on a plastic stage erected in the middle of an intersection. His surroundings, from the neglected buildings to the posters in Siik’maas, are that of Mendell City’s District 6. Behind Karrakhan, a few human police and a pair of M’sai in plainclothes eye the crowd surreptitiously. Throngs of Tajara are gathered around the stage.

“How many of us have sufferrred durring the rrriots in 2462?” Karrakhan says. The view swings around as he speaks. A few Tajara have begun to gather near the edge of the stage, wearing hoods, masks, and sunglasses. Karrakhan continues; “The new immigrrrants rrrefuse to act as we have. They claim to hate ‘alien influence’, and they still come herrre, spit on the Rrrepublic’s hospitality! Let him say it now– a vote forr the Hadiist Parrrty is a vote against these dangerrous Tajara. Das’nnrans, the Northerners, the Zhan–”

Matvei is cut off as a plastic bottle full of fluid strikes him in the shoulder, splashing across his upper body. Cries of shock are heard, and chaos erupts in the crowd instantly. Brawls erupt, people flee, and more refuse is thrown at the stage as Karrakhan is quickly ushered out by police and his enforcers. The footage cuts.]

Those who were at the rally described the mood as tense, with members of the crowd wearing iconography of the rival Tajaran factions. The riots broke up before they could be dispersed by police. In the aftermath 46 were reported injured by first responders, though none were hospitalised, and 3 arrests were made.

The Mendell City Police Department suspects the hecklers, who remain at large, were supporters of the breakaway Adhomian state of the Democratic People’s Republic of Adhomai. The Democratic Republic and the People’s Republic of Adhomai have both agreed to a peace treaty since 2461, but conflict between supporters of both factions continues to flare.

[La Villa Strangiato]

Harbinger of Peaceful Purposes Heckled at Speech in District 14

Part 2, Article #7 of the 2466 Biesel Election Arc

Party leader of the Egalitarian Coalition and presidential candidate Harbinger of Peaceful Purposes was heckled by onlookers during a political rally today.

The E-Co held a rally in District 11 of Mendell City in the Singh Community Centre. During their speech, Harbinger expressed support for the Synthetic Salvation Church of the Trinary Perfection in Mendell City.

“The church’s efforts to support the planet of Konyang have not gone unnoticed. We wish to acknowledge these fundraisers, and bring positive attention towards the [...] real efforts of the Trinary,” said Harbinger.

But this statement appeared to provoke dissent from some parts of the crowd.

[In the article, a brief video is uploaded, showing the poncho-clad Harbinger of Peaceful Purposes speaking in a sonorous, choral tone. “–bring positive attention towards the very real and earnest efforts of the Trinary–”

Harbinger is suddenly interrupted. A few boos ring out from the crowd, and the Diona gestalt’s eye atop their head swivels to meet the hecklers. A couple voices shout indistinctly; one person’s cry can be partially heard. “–Trinary when the robots go crazy here!”

“Please,” Harbinger creaks, “I know you are upset, but we are trying to–”

Their chorus is promptly drowned out by a rising tide of angry voices. The camera pans around the crowd, catching a glimpse of the hecklers, who seem to be mostly Skrell and humans. The video abruptly cuts.]

Some of the hecklers were escorted out by venue security. No injuries were reported, and the rally ended without further incident.

Harbinger’s vice presidential candidate Gently Twirling Fuchsia Petals later released a statement on their blog, saying that they were “pleased that nothing had come to violence”, but that the Egalitarian Coalition was “disappointed to see reactionary rhetoric at one of our events”.

“We understand that the trauma and suspicion related to synthetics deeply affects the perception of many galactic citizens, particularly in the wake of the Rampancy Crisis. But we also must encourage critical thinking and promote a respectful dialogue, especially because Konyangers have lost synthetic friends and loved ones to the crisis,” read the statement.

“It was not E-Co’s intent to cause discomfort by expressing our support of the Trinary Perfection’s charitable efforts.”

The incident comes within two weeks of the presidential debate, where all candidates will be expected to gather in preparation for the election in early August. It is expected the Rampancy Crisis and the Stellar Corporate Conglomerate’s humanitarian efforts in Moghes, as well as the ongoing Mandate Committee, will play a significant role in the debate topics.

[Triogenix]

Mandate Committee Concludes Investigations Into Dorn Administration

Part 3, Article #2 of the 2466 Biesel Election Arc

In a press release today, the Mandate Committee has announced that it has ended its investigation into the Dorn Administration, and will not be recommending charges being pressed against officials within it, or against the president himself. The announcement has seen a resurgence in the popularity of the Free Market Party, who while not found innocent in the court of public opinion, has been found innocent by the government. During the release one of the committee members stated;

 

“War is never without tragedy, and the Peacekeeper Mandate had its share. However, we have found no evidence that the Dorn Administration encouraged any behaviour outside the bounds of the law, and only ever acted in the best interests of the Republic and its people.”

 

However, as alluded to earlier, this has not cleared the Free Market Party in the court of public opinion, where they are still struggling in polls. Members of the Dorn-Vaur campaign are optimistic about this ruling, hoping it will improve their position in the polls as the date for the election closes in. Most political experts agree however, that it is too early to tell.

 

This hasn’t ended the Mandate Committee’s investigations entirely, merely cleared the Dorn Administration, and those who are a part of it, from any blame. They will be continuing to investigate the actions of the Tau Ceti Armed Forces, including the Foreign Legion going forward. It is unclear when these investigations will end, but Times sources close to those involved indicate some months after the election is the likely period all investigations will be wrapped up.

 

We will keep our readers updated as the story progresses.

[Desven]

New Sedantis Marks Vaurca Holiday with Parade; High Queen Vaur Holds Town Hall

Last night, the Vaurca residents of New Sedantis, Caprice, held a vibrant parade to celebrate Hive War Commemoration Day, a significant holiday in Vaurca culture. The idea of a parade on August 23 is relatively new, first introduced in Mendell City to attract human spectators. However, since last year, the celebrations have been moved to New Sedantis, drawing increasing attention, with at least three networks streaming the festivities live on the extranet.

The Zo’ra Hive has been organizing a military parade for the past eight years, with the introduction of a balloon display in 2463 adding a festive flair. In Mendell City, the celebrations were supported by the local police and Zo’ra volunteers. In Caprice, however, the situation is more complex. While the Zo’ra still volunteer to ensure the parade runs smoothly, the Governorate of Caprice—the planet’s colonial government—takes a more hands-on approach for gatherings exceeding 350 Vaurcae. Given the Governorate’s limited manpower, coordinating a large-scale parade proved challenging. For this reason, New Sedantis city hall opened over 700 volunteer positions for the event—offering free housing, food, and travel expenses. It was all covered by the city’s annual budget.

The parade’s balloon display has captured public interest since its inception. In 2463, a large balloon resembling a Diona nymph went viral. This year, the floats included characters from Witchfire and other pop culture icons, drawing considerable attention. You can watch the full segment here.

Following the parade, High Queen Vaur hosted a town hall at the Vaurca Community Center. She was introduced by Melanie Dorn, niece of President Joseph Dorn and the current mayor of New Sedantis. In her opening remarks, Ms. Dorn formally endorsed the Dorn-Vaur campaign, declaring, “Here’s the woman who’s going to make a real difference in office, and someone I’m very proud to stand behind today.”

High Queen Vaur appeared in her usual form for this election cycle: a delicate, humanoid Vaurca Worker, standing around 5’3” tall. Her “avatar” is equipped with expressive eyes, capable of conveying a range of emotions—spectators could easily discern whether she was serious, sarcastic, or even irritated just by her expressions.

The town hall was moderated by Marissa Johnson, a reporter for the Times. The Zo’ra leader addressed questions about her campaign and policies in detail. At one point, she mentioned her willingness to participate in a VP debate, should one be held this cycle. Vaur also responded to inquiries about the status of Caprice and the restrictions imposed by the Governorate.

When asked if she agreed with the limitations placed on the parade, Vaur stated, “I believe the current agreement can be refined, but it has been beneficial for both our people and the Republic.”

Some questions were selected from Chirper. Marissa Johnson read a question from @emilyk166, a self-identified Phoenixport resident, who asked, “The Zo’ra Hive has recently shown interest in uplifting the Queenless community. What prompted this change?” The High Queen replied, “We have always championed the rights of all Vaurcae, regardless of their Hive. All Vaurcae across the Orion Spur face similar challenges, and they must be addressed. This August, we have provided forums for various Vaurca groups, including the Queenless, so the broader Spur community can hear their voices.”

Isaac Mann, an attendee and volunteer with the Vaurca-run NGO Vaurca Equality, shared his experience with Vaur, discussing his participation in fundraisers for Vaurca civil rights. He asked the High Queen what the next milestone for Vaurca liberties would be and her stance on the recently-passed Electoral Integrity Enhancement Act, which significantly limited Vaurca voting rights.

“I believe we still have a long journey ahead,” Vaur responded. “Vaurcae are industrious people, yet they still face discrimination in smaller businesses. A Vaurca server, for instance, is less likely to receive tips.” Vaur elaborated on her plans to improve employment opportunities for Vaurcae, emphasizing, “They are all willing and capable.” She then addressed the Electoral Integrity Enhancement Act, noting, “There are some biological differences we need to consider. However, the extreme proposal to entirely curtail Vaurca voting rights is an affront to democracy. The bill will be remembered as part of a dark chapter in the Republic’s history.”

High Queen Vaur answered questions for nearly two hours. In her closing statement, she said, “I’m grateful to have celebrated this important day in Vaurca history with all of you. My greatest hope is that those watching at home will become passionate about Vaurca history and rights.”

[Triogenix]

Cetian Conservative Congress Rises in Opinion Polls

Part 3, Article #3 of the 2466 Biesel Election Arc

About 2 weeks away from election day - the final opinion poll before the votes are cast has been concluded. It paints a grim picture for the Free Market Party, with only 18% of respondents saying that the party would have their vote. In contrast, 48% of respondents showed a favourable view of the Cetian Conservative Party, with the main reasoning provided being the parties position on the threat presented by the Solarian Alliance.

 

Having been invaded twice by Solarian fleets, citizens of the republic appear to agree with the Cetian Conservatives that a large militarization campaign is necessary to safeguard our democracy into the future. Combined with the mishandling on multiple levels of the Peacekeeper Mandate - which has seen a decrease in support for the Free Market Party Across the board - it’s uncertain just how this election day will pan out.

 

This uncertainty has begun to affect the Dorn-Vaur campaign and many of their supporters, as donations for the campaign have slowed to a crawl. In fact, this past month compared to the same time during the previous election has seen Dorn raise less than a third of what he once did.  The most notable thing about the donation list however is the complete absence of any of the Trasen’s, or their affiliated companies; in fact the complete absence of any notable corporate figures. Long time supporters of the President, the absence of their donations seems unexplained, and so far they have failed to respond to any requests for a comment.

 

We will keep our readers updated as we go into this uncertain election.

[Triogenix]

Åke Torvald Elected as Second President of the Republic of Biesel

Final Article of the 2466 Biesel Election Arc

At 11:42pm, Local Biesel Time, former President Dorn was forced to concede the election to one of his former political acquaintances, the dark horse of this election, Ake Torvald. Former President Dorn waited until the very last votes were being finalized to officially concede the election, and recognize that the former presiding speaker had defeated the once indomitable leader of the Free Market Party. At 11:50, after a short conversation with the former president, Ake Torvald descended the stairs of his campaign headquarters, to address a crowd of supporters that was beginning to grow rapidly as more republican citizens poured in to celebrate his victory;

Thank you, thank you all. Tonight, we stand at the crossroads of a new dawn for Biesel—a dawn where strength, security, and sovereignty are no longer just words but our reality. I want to take this moment to extend my heartfelt gratitude to every single one of you who believed in our campaign, who believed in a Biesel that is ready to shape its own destiny. With the help of Miranda Trasen, and the greater Stellar Corporate Conglomerate, we’re here today to celebrate a victory, but not just them, I can’t forget the Tau Ceti Conservative Party. With them on our side, we’re gonna take Biesel to new heights. No more playing second fiddle—it's time for Biesel to be the multi-system nation-state it’s meant to be. This isn’t just a win for me—this is a win for every single one of you who’s sick of the same old story. It’s a win for everyone who wants a future where Biesel stands tall, where we don’t take orders, where we forge our own path. Thank you, Biesel. Let’s go make history.

 

In other election news, senate results were also announced shortly after presidential voting was finalized, and we have the current percentages here;
The Free Market Party utterly collapsed within the senate, going from holding 47% of the seats, to hold 11%.
The Cetian Social Democrats had a more than 150% increase, seeing their 20% jump to 33%

The Congress of Cetian Conservatives however, had the largest increase, going from controlling 15% of seats, to a new, more than double amount of 38%.
The Egalitarian Coalition of Biesel lost badly as well, going from 10% to 4%.

The Progressive Party of Biesel saw minor gains, going from 8% to 12%

Lastly, the Hadiist Party of Biesel saw its limited influence further diminished, falling from 4% to 2%.

 

With no one party having a single majority, for the first time in the history of the Republic, parties are beginning to cut deals with whichever party is most closely aligned with their own, and creating coalition style voting blocs that have split the senate in two. With 51% of seats is the President’s own bloc, made up of the Cetian Conservatives and the remains of the Free Market Party, and holds the technical majority of the senate by two seats. With 49% of the seats, is the already nicknamed Opposition parties, made up of the Cetian Social Democrats, the Progressive Party of Biesel, and the ECB. While on paper these two blocs seem set in stone, the reality is as of now, they are loose alliances of parties with similar interests, who themselves are having an increasingly difficult time controlling their individual senators. With only 2 votes deciding a majority, the process to pass every bill is predicted to become a free for all, as the two main parties, Cetian Social Democracts and Cetian Conservatives, try to wrangle enough senators to their cause on any issue. As one political reporter put it;

 

Quote

“President Torvald’s job is going to be less about running the country, and more about herding cats in the Senate.”

 

However, the new President may have some help with that, in the form of his cabinet, a motley collection of influential politicians from across party lines, who President Torvald has assembled to help him with the job of running the country. Some positions still remain vacant, as the new President settles into the office, but here’s what we know for now;

 

In the position of Vice President is his old friend, Adalet Uysal, leader of the Cetian Conservatives and someone who will be a key political ally for the independent president. They first met in the political arena of New Gibson, and despite sparing often, have come to respect each other for their political acumen. As Vice President, it is expected that Adalet Uysal will be running the day to day operations of the senate on behalf of the president, wrangling senators in line and keeping the unstable majority bloc intact, a job that will prove to be difficult.

 

In the position of Secretary of Defense, President Torvald has decided to keep Secretary Trasen at his post, owing the decision to the recent formation of the TCAF, and the need for consistent leadership during these early stages of its development. Secretary Trasen’s responsibilities do not seem to be expanding much, though it can be assure his current ones will only grow, as the militaristic rhetoric of the Cetian Conservatives looks on the way to becoming law within the Republic.

 

In the position of Minister for Positronic Affairs is not a very well known individual, Jamthus Gale a low level bureaucrat in the overall ministry, having been posted to Reade for the past 10 years of his career. He is a known advocate for positronic rights, and owner of several charities dedicated to assisting positronics in D-14 - but there has still been heavy backlash that a positronic is not holding the position, something that was standard since Dorn’s 2nd Presidential Victory.

 

Lastly, as Minister for Development of the Corporate Reconstruction Zone. Head of a new ministry, Iara Galindez of Port Antilla, currently the planet’s Attorney General, has been tapped by the Torvald Administration to fill this role. Her ministry is expected to, following the conclusion of peacekeeping operations within the Eastern Corporate Reconstruction Zone, assist in developing the region in order to bring about a quality of life not seen under the Solarian Alliance, and fully integrate it into the Republic. The Times has gotten confirmation that she is making her way to Tau Ceti now, and has resigned her post as Attorney General for Port Antilla to take up this new opportunity.

 

For now, that’s all we know about the incoming President’s plan for his administration, and it’s make up. We wish President Torvald the best of luck, will keep our readers updated as more information is revealed, and will leave it off with this quote from the new President;

 

Quote

“My friends, my countrymen, we have walked a long, hard road since our Independence. Yet never once did we bow down, accepting what we were told is inevitable. No! We resisted, refused to go quietly into the night, and now here, 15 years later, standing stronger than ever before! There are those who say we have no national identity, no true culture, but they have been disproven time and time again by our resilience in the face of all odds, and in our love for this republic of ours. Today is not the end of an era, merely the beginning of a new one, one where the torch of liberty will burn brighter than ever before, born aloft by legions of all species, creed, and background who are united by three words, three words which will echo through the ages, spell death to tyrants, and harken liberation; For the Republic!”

 

Edited September 21 by Triogenix
whoops

[CampinKiller]

Can the Tau Ceti Armed Forces handle the Solarian Navy?

Article 11 of Dulce et Decorum

Since the end of the most significant upheaval within the Alliance since the Interstellar War, many have speculated if the Republic’s own military forces could defend themselves against a reformed Solarian Alliance. Those expressing doubts are not doing so without merit. The Alliance’s Navy has been successfully reformed and is battle hardened, having spring into action against the Restoration Front with resounding success, while the Republic’s own fleets are rife with corruption, poor equipment, and low morale. Some, like retired Colonel Jan Krzystof, have been sounding the alarm for some time.

“A lot of people think that the Zoleth Line is the answer to all the problems facing the TCAF, but that’s simply not the case,” he told us. “A static defensive line is not something that will turn the tide to the level that would be required in a true fight with the Solarian Navy. Let’s not forget, it took a prototype weapon and the combined power of multiple nations and corporate forces to defeat a single Solarian fleet. The Alliance has 100 fleets, and they are battle-tested.”

Others say that opinions like those of Colonel Krzystof are alarmist. They point to the Zoleth Line as being capable of delaying any assault long enough for the armed forces to mobilize, as well as buy time for friendly nations to send assistance. Additionally, they claim that the Corporate Auxiliary Forces and the Minutemen would be able to stand up against an invasion.

When reached for comment, the Secretary of Defense’s office said, “The Secretary of Defense is confident that the military could handle a Solarian incursion against the Republic. The Zoleth line is designed to withstand sustained attacks by Solarian fleets, giving time for a full mobilization of all branches of the Tau Ceti Armed Forces.”

While one cannot be surprised at the statement from the government, the facts of the matter are quite clear, says Colonel Kryzstof. “The simple fact of the matter is that without significant external assistance, which would open the door for another interstellar war, the armed forces in their current state do not stand a chance against a Solarian invasion.”

Edited October 6 by CampinKiller

[Desven]

In His Final Days In Office, Joseph Dorn Pardons Viax Driver That Killed VP

 

During this brief transition period, Joseph Dorn has not shied away from controversy. Most recently, the President decided to pardon Ka'Viax'Nurp Zo'ra, the Vaurca Drone that killed VP Fahjil Hurk'jurl three years ago.

This decision was preceded by an intense campaign sponsored by Vaurca Equality, an NGO that promotes Vaurca's civil rights. Though the campaign had its peak during Nurp's trial in 2463, the issue resurfaced recently after Congress approved the Electoral Integrity Enhancement Act, a bill that weighted Vaurca votes into an electoral college.

The Electoral Integrity Enhancement Act has been cited as one of the leading factors in Dorn's surprise defeat in late September. President Dorn reiterated during the final stretch of his campaign that he found the bill to be "unconstitutional," in how it limited Vaurca rights; A species he has been a  staunch supporter of since their arrival almost ten years ago.

Three years ago, the decision to pardon Nurp would have been highly controversial. As politicized as the trial was, a poll showed that a majority of Biesellites believed Nurp should serve their sentence for involuntary manslaughter. Today, only 41% of Biesellites believe the sentence to be necessary, with an additional 26% finding it to be "harsh, but understandable." However, even though the numbers have dropped, some  sectors of the population—including the Tajara residents of Biesel—do not agree with Dorn's decision.

"Dorn is out of their mind," said Mikhail Khirr'skolv, a resident of Little Adhomai. "This one thinks he prefers the Vaurcae to the people that have helped build this country for longer."

Ka'Viax'Nurp Zo'ra was released this Monday from the Tonsberg Federal Correctional Institution, a federal prison in New Gibson. They were met by their lawyer, Chadwick Tremblay, and a group of Vaurca Warriors, who shielded them from the press. According to an anonymous source present, Nurp "understood that [they were] being let go, but did not comment."

Vaurca Equality spokesperson Amy Monet commented on the matter: "It's a victory not only for Vaurcae, but for the Republic of Biesel's judiciary system, that Nurp can finally be free. A Viax should have been accommodated differently, and the Zo'ra are happy to be reunited with Nurp. While the future may be uncertain for the Vaurca community and its allies, we hope that President-elect Åke Torvald is open for a conversation about how Viax should be judged in a court of law."

[CampinKiller]

TCAF Officer: "We can handle anything the Alliance throws at us."

Article 19 of Dulce et Decorum

A central concern for many within the Republic is its own protection. Throughout the history of the young nation, it has faced countless threats, including two invasions. The Tau Ceti Armed Forces, the successor to the original Foreign Legion, is young and rife with issues, according to critics. Supporters of the armed forces in their current state warn that critics are being alarmist.

“Those that say the armed forces are weak, ineffective, anything of the sort, are foolishly spreading Solarian propaganda,” says Major Szek Skret’ash, a battalion executive officer in the Minutemen, “the fact of the matter is this: we can handle anything the Alliance throws at us. We’ve done it before, and we will do it again.”

While one can hardly be surprised at the attitude of an active-duty officer, we pressed the major on some of the issues mentioned by retired Colonel Jan Krzystof - over reliance on the Zoleth line, a fleet plagued by a slew of issues, and the inexperience of the Tau Ceti Armed Forces.

“The armed forces are constantly training, constantly getting better. To say they are inexperienced is simply misinformation. We have suppressed the insurrection on Mictlan, we fight off pirates, and we have many in the service who have fought the Solarians before, even when they fought amongst themselves. There is no doubt in my mind we would have total victory.”

Major Skret’ash’s gung-ho attitude is not uncommon in the Minutemen, especially among the branch’s many immigrants. It’s not a widely-held attitude in the other branches, who face many issues that the Minutemen have the funding to avoid. Attitude or not though, the armed forces have challenges to resolve before they are without significant criticism.

[Alberyk]

Little Adhomai Enjoys Dholmatyr

Despite the eclipse on Adhomai, the Tajara in Little Adhomai decided to celebrate the holiday of Dholmatyr. Carved earthen-roots, decorations from the Tajara folklore, and horror movies fill the district. Young Tajara ran around dressed in various costumes, asking for food and drinks. The band Bloodstorm organized a show in the Long Eclipse Club; older Tajara protested about the content of their new songs, some of which mocked the Adhomian religions and their fear of the eclipse. Tabletop players have also gathered to play a new horror adventure for Winter Quest about the mythical Bayonet Hand.

Religious Tajara have gathered at the Blessed Suns Temple to pray for the safety of their homeworld due to the ongoing lunar eclipse. The Shi-rra Arr'Kahata, translated as the Darkest Eclipse, is a rare event where Adhomai's Moon, Raskara, manages to eclipse the two Suns, causing total darkness. This event is regarded as a spiritually dangerous date and many remain to stay inside their homes during it.

However, the holiday was not without incidents. A group of teenagers decided to explore some of Little Adhomai's tunnels. A total of seven Tajara have reportedly vanished when entering an old sewer section. The police and the locals are currently searching for them. Only a shoe, identified as belonging to one of them, was found inside a drain. Authorities have asked the population to remain calm and avoid the area while the search is underway.