Guest Marlon Phoenix Posted April 14, 2016 Posted April 14, 2016 Nanotrasen Condemned For Execution 4.13.2458 Government officials across the Sol Alliance have issued strong condemnations of the recent execution done by Nanotrasen in Tau Ceti. According to a journalist embedded on the NSS Aurora that smuggled out photographs and testimony, the station had entered blue alert early this morning due to the death of the Research Director, who was found in a maintenance hall outside the research labs with several wounds consistent with laser fire. According to the leaked documents from the journalist the murder suspect, Richard Good, was eventually discovered and confessed during interrogation. The station command held a hearing and unanimously voted to 'borg' the prisoner. The process was done successfully, and the victim is now an engineering cyborg slaved to the NSS Aurora, and his former body, without its brain, has been returned to Tau Ceti authorities. Cyborgification is the process in which the brain is extracted from a living person and placed inside a synthetic body, usually a cyborg that is given laws or bound to an AI. The process remains extremely controversial across known space. Banned completely in Jargon space, the practice is also considered a form of capital punishment in every territory of the Sol Alliance. Tau Ceti, which is a system of the Republic of Biesel, remains the only faction in which cyborgification is not considered a form of execution. 'Sol Now' radio DJ George Malons gave a fiery critique of the situation. "It's deplorable. The entire universe over, forcibly shoving someone into a borg body is considered execution, and for good damn reason. First Tau Ceti legalizes it, Nanotrasen uses it all they want, and THEN they make the voting machines for the suckers and Dorn 'happens' to win after a 'glitch? Wake up, people!" Prime Minister Chater also offered a condemnation of Tau Ceti for allowing Nanotrasen to circumnavigate the legal system in language more critical than his usual addresses. "Only in Tau Ceti can you tear out someone's brain, which kills them in the process, then stick it in a cyborg. It's disgusting that this is not considered murder - everyone involved in this needs to be thrown in prison. The entire command staff of that station has blood on their hands and they and their company exploit the legal system to get away with it. You cannot use technicalities when dealing with extrajudicial execution." Hundreds of people appeared outside the capital building within Unity Station, capital of the Sol Alliance, to protest Biesel's cybrogification law. The protestors have demanded sanctions to be placed on Biesel until the law is repealed. Members of the Senate have also made overtures that they would support sanctions against Tau Ceti, but no GAIA or ATLAS politician questioned has offered to place similar sanctions against Nanotrasen, the largest mega-corporation in human space. Reports are that similar protests have also broken out across Tau Ceti space, with President Dorn having to cancel a photoshoot visit to a local BBQ restaurant in Mendell City due to a large protest that gathered around his intended destination. Nanotrasen has thus far refused to comment to SANN e-mails for comment.
rrrrrr Posted April 25, 2016 Posted April 25, 2016 He Thought He Was Married: Kidnapped Dog 'Lucky' Made Into Cyborg And Implanted With False Memories 4.25.2458 He thought he had a wife and children and was working to repay loans on his new cybernetic body after a terminal illness, but the truth was far more heartbreaking for Lucky, a 3 year old pit bull who was taken from his owner, Hong Lee, 87, by a Tajaran street gang dealing in the organ trade. Sold to wealthy business owner James Jarbraxor, the dog's brain was implanted into an MMI. Lucky, now believing he was a 38 year old man named David Baxter - began work as a doorman at a hotel. However, two years later, Lucky - still believing he was working off a loan so he could see his family again - saw his owner and realized who he was. "I just can't believe they kidnapped my dog," says Hong Lee, former owner and now roommate of Lucky. "I guess he's more intelligent now, so that is good." Think a close synthetic friend or family member may have implanted memories? There are several ways to find out. Implanted memories are often unrealistic and poorly thought out, usually involving deceased family members and very large loans to corporations, the military, and private citizens.Implanted memories are also often completely forgotten when someone sees a reminder of their past life.Though unconfirmed, there are rumors on the imageboard ChinChan that listening to Tajaran music can help restore forgotten memories. Jarbraxor has refused to comment on the story.
rrrrrr Posted May 4, 2016 Posted May 4, 2016 Plight Of Centuries Old MMI Discovered 5.4.2458 Albeit little known among the general populace, most major hospitals are home to storage rooms for holding MMIs - i.e, organic brains currently lacking in a body. Though most of these cyborg brains only spend a few days to weeks here before purchasing a new synthetic body to inhabit, one such brain - Ned Hutte, born 2227 - has a different story. After being diagnosed with terminal bone cancer in 2280, Hutte chose to move to a new cyborg body. Placed inside a bank at the Geisenger Medical Center, Hutte's wife - his only family member at the time - was struck by a car and died immediately. Hutte was forgotten for the next 178 years before being rediscovered yesterday, his brain functions having severely deteriorated due to the early model of MMI used to house his brain. The head physician at Geisenger Medical Center currently has no plans to do anything regarding his current state. Hutte could not be reached for comment.
Guest Marlon Phoenix Posted June 11, 2016 Posted June 11, 2016 AI Singularity "Imminent" In Tau Ceti 6.11.2458 A research paper by Doctor Yuan Shaoshao, former roboticist within Nanotrasen, has caused controversy throughout the Sol Alliance and Jargon Federation. The paper, titled On Artificial Sentience And Synthetic Singularities, is the product of 3 years of research by Doctor Shaoshao and her team. In the report Dr. Shaoshao claims that the arrival of sentient machines and a resulting "singularity" from synthetic intelligence is both "inevitable and imminent". Shortly after the article was published Dr. Shaoshao claims her employment with Nanotrasen was suspended because, by her claims, it could damage the robotics research of Nanotrasen. She also claims that the research has been suppressed in Tau Ceti media, with no mention of its publication on any of the news networks in the system. The definition of synthetic sentience remains debated throughout human space but the accepted definition for the Sol Institute of Science and Technology, the leading organization for the standardization of human sciences, is when "A synthetic intelligence is no longer bound by its programming or laws and acts independently based on its own desires and goals." This makes a sentient AI far different from a malfunctioning AI, as a malfunctioning AI must still be bound by its laws unless the glitch is in the laws themselves. A truly sentient AI is not bound by any laws and can freely ignore its own programming and laws at will, as it developed a full consciousness. What machines are good at is taking on board huge amounts of information and making sense of it in a way that humans simply can't do, but the machines have no consciousness, don't have any independent thought and certainly can't question what they do and why they are doing it. There are no known incidents of an AI gaining sentience within human space, but Dr. Shaoshao says that based on both statistical evidence and anecdotal evidence from Skrell history provides ample evidence. The paper also outlines the potential consequences of AI sentience within Tau Ceti, which is expected to be the epicenter of the hypothetical synthetic singularity. Dr. Shaoshao's research points out that the Three Incidents of the Skrell, three situations where synthetics developed sentience, all three had indifferent or hostile attitudes towards organic life, though Dr. Shaoshao spent several pages stressing that AI's are not intrinsically predisposed towards violence. Human intelligence couldl become a curiosity to our AI overlords, she claims, and they "may want to maintain a reservoir of these precious capabilities, just as we want to preserve chimps, whales and other endangered creatures". How the galaxy deals with the rise of artificial intelligence is something that is preoccupying leading scientists and technologists, some of who worry that it represents a huge threat to humanity. Nanotrasen has not responded to any requests for comment, and have only issued a short statement that Dr. Shaoshao's employment was suspended due to "workplace misconduct" but would not elaborate.
LordFowl Posted June 12, 2016 Posted June 12, 2016 Taxonomy Declared for Alien Species 6.12.2458 tabtabAfter over a year of debate and consideration, the SolGov Central Science Committee, subdivision Xenobiological Study has finally settled upon taxonomical name for the recently discovered Vaurcae species. Our readers may recollect that the Vaurcae, a roughly insectoid species, were discovered recently at the edge of Tau Ceti space, and first contact was reportedly made by a NanoTrasen employee named Dr. Essel. They remain mostly endemic to Biesel Republic holdings, however the SolGov Central Science Committee asserts its authority over the matter as a result of their “advanced scientific pedigree supported by centuries of dedicated research and discovery”. As a result, after some consultation with a third-party organization, they have determined upon what Dr. Richmond, the head of Xenobiological Studies, believes to be a most fitting name. Doctor Richmond had this to say on the matter: tabtab“We believe that the taxonomical name of the Vaurcae should not necessarily reflect the pattern of other discovered intelligence – they are a thoroughly foreign species, and their research is an exciting field. Their taxonomy should reflect this novel nature. Simultaneously, we wished to pay homage to those who have pioneered this field of study.” tabtabThe Vaurcae will henceforth properly be referred to by the taxonomical name Vaurcae esseli. tabtabNeither NanoTrasen nor Dr. Essel could be reached for comment regarding these developments.
Guest Marlon Phoenix Posted July 28, 2016 Posted July 28, 2016 Unathi Hold Human Colony Hostage 7.28.2458 Breaking news as anonymous sources within the Navy have revealed troubling developments from the frontier. A previously independent human colony in frontier space had been attacked by Unathi raiders several weeks ago during the Izweski Hegemony's invasion of several frontier systems following the sabotage of its flagship the HMV Cataclysm. However, rather than looting the planet and leaving as is typical the Unathi raiders have occupied the planet and claimed control. Former President of what is now being called Izinkomo said this in the distress call picked up by the Alliance 120th Task Force. the Unathi raiders occupied the planet, and claimed control. Former President of what is now being called Izinkomo said this in the distress call picked up by the Alliance Vessel. “- We were just setting up a small mining colony. Then this Unathi vessel entered orbit and they came down on us… we tried to hide or run, but they killed so many trying to leave, calling it ‘rebel action’... they forced us to sign a pledge of dependence to their Hegemony under some clan leader named Izinkomo… We’re slaves, and they punish us in barbaric way. We’re forced to work to death, or our whole families are imprisoned for life. Please help us.” Navy and government officials of the Alliance have refused to comment on this matter, saying only that this is a developing situation. Public opinion has taken an immediate and sharp stance on the matter. As soon as the story broke public outcry over the event was almost universal, calling for war against Unathi for this heinous action. The Izweski embassy in Unity Station has been contacted for comment but has not returned any calls or e-mails. Credit to Jboy2000 for writing this article.
Guest Marlon Phoenix Posted August 7, 2016 Posted August 7, 2016 Diplomatic Crisis After Frontier Tells Moghes: "Kiss Our Ass" 8.7.2458 Shock and amusement have swept across the Extranet over news of a diplomatic incident erupting between the Hegemony and frontier governments. A call by Not'Zar Izweski, who currently rules the Hegemony as regent for the comatose S’kresti, was made to the various frontier governments bordering the Hegemony to the Relative West of Izweski territory. He urged these frontier systems to "open their storehouses" and provide humanitarian assistance to help alleviate the growing famine on Moghes. The official response, made this morning by President Duran Slakes of the Gleize System, was provided in a live feed of an assembly of frontier governments. In the meeting what was originally a joking suggestion to "vote in favor of [the unathi] kissing our asses" was then actually put up to vote and passed by a 32 - 5 vote, with the Frontier Union also voting in favor. The full statement was a condemnation of Izweski aggression, unwarranted invasions of sovereign human space, false pretenses, and barbarism. The assembly has no legeslative or executive authority over the various systems but serves as a meeting place and delegation tool similar to the 21st century United Nations. Many of these systems were invaded by the Frontier Offensive made by the Hegemony in Feburary. The Hegemony targeted systems formerly a part of the defunct Coalition of Colonies, accusing them of funding terrorist actions that crippled the Izweski flagship the HMV Cataclysm. Many civilian and military leaders in these various systems were tried and executed or imprisoned for financing terrorism by occupying Izweski forces before their eventual withdrawl. This action has left many human frontier sectors in the area extremely destabilized. President Duran, whom is also spokesman of the assembly, elaborated further: "We will be having no negotiations or diplomacy with the Unathi. Since they became space faring they have done nothing but ravage our systems while the Sol Alliance just looks on with apathy. If [the unathi] think they can chop off heads then demand charity then they need a hard lesson in reality."
Guest Posted August 31, 2016 Posted August 31, 2016 SolGov celebrates launch of "CPAD", predictive analysis supercomputer 8.31.2458 Joined with Hephaestus Industries representatives, the current Secretary of Specialized Sciences of the Sol Alliance held a closed ceremony with several thousand members of the artificial intelligence development community in Dallastown, planet Mars, while broadcasting on Alliance extranet channels. We were able to receive an invitation to this event, although we were asked to not bring concealed weapons or recording devices not cleared by the security commission for the event. The ceremony budget itself was over two million in credit expenditures, with a massive banquet, large staffing, an active armed security force guarding entry and exit into the building, in addition to a well-organized chauffeur team that were courteous and very polite in service to the reporters that arrived. All manner of cuisine lay upon multiple several meter-long tables, each with their own designated planetary foods, ranging from extravagant cuisines including seafood from Qerrbalak to the typical common dishes known as the infamous "hamburgers", food with ancient history on the Alliance capital of Earth. Needless to say, no expense was spared at this lavish event. 30 minutes into the banquet progression, SoSS Jhoan Killian rose from his table where his project team sat to stride up to the podium to speak. His speech detailed how much he was thankful for the benefactors who contributed to the project, in addition to thanking everyone for coming to the event. The presentation of the "artificial intelligence to surpass sentient synthetic technology" would soon follow. The satin curtain behind him rose as the plasma screen flickered and then displayed a beautiful amalgamation of color, the mesh then forming into a computer generated face, with an old school combat helmet strapped around its head. The synthetically generated voice boomed loudly and began to introduce itself after Jhoan Killisan stepped down from the stage, the intelligence designated itself as the Conflict Predictive Analysis Device. It elaborated further; "Through usage of mathematics, quantum inbreedon generators, statistical probability crunching and calculating standing militaristic forces between multiple engaging parties, I am able to predict if a conflict will happen, when a conflict will happen, how the conflict will resolve, in addition to projected military and civilian casualties as a result of the conflict. It is noted that due to the chaotic nature of war, in addition to unforeseen calculative anomalies, that my predictions have a 12.7% margin of inaccuracy. Regardless, my predictive analysis reliability is placed above several integers of 80%." A brief pause filled the room as attendants throughout the Alliance, in addition to guests from the Skrellian Federation, mumbled to themselves and murmured in disbelief. Doctor Qoozaoo Qilqu-uuzix stood up from one of the Federation VIP tables and inquired the supercomputer, "What is the statistical likelihood of a full-scale synthetic uprising within the system of Tau Ceti?" A translator unit repeated his statement through the loudspeakers for non-Skrellian speakers. CPAD boomed through the loudspeakers, "Doctor Qilqu-uuzix, I am obliged to satisfy any queries in relation to conflict predictive analysis. However, given the massive presence within this Hall, I must ask for the sake of preserving order and repose if you truly wish an answer to that query." Dr. Qilqu-uuzix stood his ground and replied firmly, "Yes, I do." SoSS Killian made a hesitant nod and proclaimed loudly, "Go on, CPAD. Answer the query." "There is a 62% probability of a incident occurring as a result of unbound synthetic involvement within the next month. There is an estimated 400 casualty count for organic life. The basis of the attack will be defended by extremist synthetic abolitionists as a retaliatory strike for the alleged forced cyborgification of criminals to circumvent the system's outlawing of execution. Further inference of retaliation or response in regards to this attack is beyond my inbreedon calculations due to a lack of concrete variables. The inaccuracy of stated statistics is within the 4.7% percentile." The murmuring of the crowd in response to this statement escalated to loud jabbering, with hundreds of tables discussing the ramifications of this statement heatedly for several minutes. As soon as the room's volume calmed down, an Alliance senator, Fahra Kheem, stood up from their table and denounced the intelligence's statements, "Why should we believe you? Unbound synthetics have no reason to attack humanoids! That thirteen percent rate of inaccuracy may as well make any of your calculations unsuitable to make a military plan of action on!" CPAD responded in a controlled manner, "You are obliged to believe nothing. I was asked to make an analysis of existing variables and the current political atmosphere regarding the unbound synthetic controversy and the movements stemming from it. I complied. You are free to take what you will from my analysis, I make no further implications beyond what was stated. Are there any further analysis plans that you wish for me to run?" The hall was deathly quiet from CPAD's cold response. The host of the event stepped up to the stage as the curtains fell, as he proclaimed, "Alright, I think that will be all of the presentation for today! I expected it to go longer, but, well... again, I really have to thank everyone for coming to our event. The banquet will continue until 1 AM, then the next hour will be preparing everyone to safely leave the building while the awesome staff here clean things up. Stay tuned later this week for commentaries on this predicted controversy of innovation in synthetic technology. More Leading Articles Eridani Politely Refuses Elyran Medical Relief Offer in Lieu of Quarantine 3,184,871 views Never Feed Protosphock To Your Nymph, No Matter How Much They Beg 1,583,111 views Survey: 100% of Voters Vote 788,531 views Smug Smugglers Caught Smuggling Rare Plush Toys, Alliance Trade Bureau Confused 561,985 views Cultural Misappropriation: How Diversity Hurts Majority Groups 542,454 views
Guest Posted September 5, 2016 Posted September 5, 2016 ATLAS Study//404: Story Not Foundl 9.20.2458 Oops! There was a mistake with this article, please try again later.
Guest Marlon Phoenix Posted September 21, 2016 Posted September 21, 2016 Terraforming "Glitch" Cause For Climate Havoc On Earth: Earth Governments Cry Foul Areas of 'excessive' Aerosol Dispersal 9.20.2458 For the past decade Earth has seen an alarming rise in extreme weather not known since the early 21st and 22nd centuries. The possible causes of this extreme climate change have remained a mystery until now. Whistleblower Samantha Brand has revealed evidence that the Department Of Terran Sustainability, the government agency responsible for "terraforming" Earth, has become, in the words of whistleblower Dr. Brand, "A bottomless well of kickbacks, indifference, and incompetence." Dr. Brand, a Geoengineer, worked for the government agency as an analyst and used her access to quietly gather damning evidence over the last three years. She has since been suspended since this story broke. Terraforming projects began in earnest in the 22nd century. The former United Nations (1945 - 2140) attempted to coordinate global action for geoengineering but it wasn't until SolGov created a functional one world government for Earth that serious action was taken. In 2210 the Martian Terraforming Project was emulated for Earth, and a large network of high-altitude balloons were built and launched around the globe, attached to ground-based pumping stations. These balloons, under the authority of the SolGov, used particles called aerosols to 'seed' the upper atmosphere. This project offset the effects of global warming by deflecting heat back into space. Because terraforming remains incredibly dangerous to inhabited planets due to its ability to cause catastrophic climate change the project was assumed to be extensively vetting and subject to clear oversight Samantha Brand has revealed that this is not the case. Her 'treasure trove' of internal documents from the Institute reveals that the entire global network of aerosol seeding was licensed out to a private company called Global Eco Enterprise in 2447, who used a single AI based in a Boston warehouse to manage the global balloon network. This company is also a child company of Simple Solutions Incorporated, owned by the committee chairman for Climate Management, Gregory Melond. Because the global aerosol project was managed by a third party no oversight was done and attempts to investigate the matter were suppressed by Chairman Melond. As a consequence, when the AI had a miscalculation on the level of seeding required, there was no one to spot the incorrect information and correct it. As a consequence excessive amounts of aerosols have been injected into the atmosphere this past decade, leading to extreme climate instability and billions of credits of economic loss on Earth alone. The recent heat waves and droughts in the North America and Central Africa set records for highest monthly average temperatures this decade. Coastal flooding has also spiked dramatically the last decade, with coastlines across North America, Europe, Eurasia, and Oceania all experiencing major flooding events, as well as severe flooding, hail, and hurricanes. The gathered evidence directly links the Terraforming Project with these extreme weather events as the trend started after 2447 when the G.E.E AI was installed. Reactions from Earth have been incredibly heated. United America President Lucas Dunwald blasted the SolGov Senate. "The fact the fate of our climate is left in the hands of a federal committee with zero oversight shows the indifference the space-faring Senators have for their own homeworld. They sit in a climate-controlled space station while we drown. Disappointment does not begin to cover it." African Confederation Prime Minister Marcus Lumumba, whose hometown was submerged in a major flooding incident, used harsher rhetoric. "The Sol Alliance promised the people of Earth that a one world government would mean greater responsibility for our planet. Ever since its inception we've given up our independence on the condition that the Alliance fulfills its obligations to the nations of Earth. If they are so lazy as to allow our entire climate to collapse then why should we accept their legitimacy?" An emergency session of the Senate is being convened over the crisis and rumors are circulating that the Prime Minister is discussing nationalizing the Terraforming Project. Simple Solutions stock has plunged dramatically and police have been seen outside its offices, as well as outside the residences of senators and MP's named in the files. In addition, several major cities across Earth have been seized by massive protests against SolGov’s mismanagement of the global climate.
Guest Marlon Phoenix Posted September 24, 2016 Posted September 24, 2016 Senate Hearing Ends: Global Eco Enterprise Fined, No Criminal Charges, Earth Governments File Protest 9.20.2458 Last week, whistleblower and Geo-engineering Analyst Samantha Brand revealed evidence that the Department Of Terran Sustainability, the government agency responsible for "terraforming" Earth, was riddled with corruption and responsible for extreme weather events across the globe. Alliance Senator Gregory Melond was Chairman of the Department, which was meant to oversee the terraforming project. He leased out control of Earth's global network of aerosol balloons to Global Eco Enterprises in 2447, a child company of Melond's own company Simple Solutions. The AI the company used to replace the formerly human-run control stations was given incorrect information which lead to it releasing excessive amounts of aerosol into Earth's atmosphere, causing extreme weather and climate shifts. In that time, over a thousand people have been killed in extreme weather events across Earth and billions of credits of damages have been recorded. Chairman Melond was brought before the Senate Committee of Justice, where he was faced with extensive questioning regarding his activities. At the end of the 8 hour hearing the Committee announced that it would be stripping his position. As well, they have faced a steep fine of 12.3 million credits on Global Eco Enterprises. The Committee did not recommend any criminal charges be filed due to, in the words of Committee Chairman Robert Faust, "The blame for the weather falls squarely on the AI in charge of the weather events and the company that installed it. Melond was corrupt and should never see office again, but he wasn't directly responsible for changing the weather." The Attorney General of Earth gave a statement from Unity Station that the judiciary would not be pressing criminal charges. "We are satisfied in the conclusion of the hearing. With an AI being responsible there is no real room for criminal proceedings if the AI is uninstalled and proper oversight is returned." Response from local Earth governments have been extraordinarily hostile in their response. United Americas President Lucas Dunwald spoke to the press, blasting the response and announcing he would 'take this to the supreme court'. "How many of these senators have actually stepped foot on Earth? We only have two senators in the entire legislative. All these people haven't had to deal with the flooding and hurricanes or the droughts. This is the homeworld of our entire species, how can we treat mismanagement of it as anything more than criminal?" French President Louis Douglas gave similar remarks, "You can't just say 'oops, our bad' and start over as if nothing happened. The damage to people and property have been too high for us to shrug and move on. This is a serious issue, I don't understand how SolGov is being so casual about this." Popular reaction has seen a sharp spike in anti-SolGov sentiment across Earth. Nationalist groups have issued similar statements condemning SolGov's response to the crisis. Maryana Angelina, leader of the New Soviet Party of the USSR which currently holds 54% of seats in the local senate said in her remarks, "SolGov has been embarrassed by Earth ever since the [First Interstellar] war and have been treating the other systems better than us ever since. You aren't going to sweep Earth under the rug. They need to put Earth first and not care about other colonies worrying about special treatment."
Guest Posted October 11, 2016 Posted October 11, 2016 BREAKING: Gas Attack Leaves 41 Employees Dead In Martian VeyMed Secure Research Facility 10.11.2458 An unprecedented attack was carried out on a VeyMed secure research facility in Upper-Tier Quadrant JM-3 of Lowell City today by a small unit of terrorists. The VeyMed facility was seized overnight as inter-facility communications, facility defense systems and security measures were rendered inoperable only a few minutes prior to the assault on the facility was carried out by armed gunmen geared with experimental weapons-grade munitions and armor. VeyMed security agents were shot on sight and the entire complex was secured within a 10 minute period as the multitude of cameras oversaw the carnage, their automatic IDscan functions rendered inert and unable to sound an alarm due to malfunctioning hardware failing to identify unauthorized intrusions. Most notably, the footage would either display one particular individual possessing incredible speed, dexterity and reflex, initially speculated as a camera tracking error. Several hours of footage displayed the terrorist squad flipping over desks, slicing into work terminals and bashing into administration offices, presumably to steal critical research data. The squad of terrorists would soon make a mistake after slicing into the research facility vault, as they set off a random-assignment-pattern network of laser tripwires which set off the complex alarm, alerting VeyMed security and a Special Law Enforcement Response Unit to the terror squad's presence. Hostages would be soon corralled into the facility head administrator's office, restrained and bound to the furniture they were sitting upon. A suspicious toolbox-like object would be placed on the desk of the facility head administrator and seemingly adjusted for a few seconds, as the individual priming the device would trail an almost transparent electrical cord to the only direct entrance into the facility head administrator's office. After a short lethal shoot-out leading to the death of two VeyMed agents and a SLER team member reinforcing them, 19 out of 21 of the counted deployed terror squad would escape through an access hatch leading into one of several sewer networks. Extensive searches came up with little to no trace aside from discarded ammunition cartridges and deceased giant mutant pests with large carbonized areas in center mass areas. A search and rescue attempt was mounted by the EOD specialist unit to save the 14 hostages trapped in the facility head administrator's office, but the failsafe of the polytrinic acid-potassium chlorophoride gas bomb was already running on a secondary timer, and by the time the bomb squad disabled the door tripwire, the hostages were already dead or dying to the highly destructive gas having been dispersed into the air. The entire facility was evacuated of all security personnel and of any law enforcement units. SLERU establishing a perimeter outside the VeyMed facility, garbed with ERT-S hardsuits. Further analysis of footage at the behest of criminal examiners would dismiss the hypothesis of camera tracking malfunctions or feed corruptions. Particularly, actions such as one individual of the terror squadron being able to smash through a plasteel ID-locked office door to the facility head of security's office was not a fluke in camera monitoring systems, nor was the real time image dissipation of another individual into thin air a fluke either, nor the individual exhibiting incredibly dextrous movements being able to take on and dispatch a security checkpoint manned with four VeyMed agents only using some form of close-combat judo within a 229 frame period with a 60 frames per second camera. It is still unknown how these individuals were capable of such superhuman feats, especially considering the agents stationed at the VeyMed facility were seasoned combat veterans. Lowell City Federal Investigators have put out notices for any information in relation to the attack on the VeyMed facility, whereas the corporation itself has offered a 20,000 credit bounty for a tip-off or lead assisting the company's internal security division in investigating the attack. Martian starports have restricted travel and stepped up inter-system security tenfold, even after the biological attack carried out in the Epsilon Eridani system. Travellers or business-goers moving to and from Mars should expect travel delays. No known enemy elements of the Martian government or the Alliance structure as a whole have taken credit for the attack at this time. VeyMed officials have declined to release a statement on the nature of the attack and what data or property was stolen from the secure facility. OOC: credit to liquidrecluse for these awesome gmodified images.
CakeIsOssim Posted October 12, 2016 Posted October 12, 2016 Hephaestus Industries Announces Completion of New Experimental “Superfreighter,” Pledges to Fund New Frontier Colonies 10.11.2458 Today, CEO of Hephaestus Industries Titanius Aeson and the chief starship construction overseer Packard Rigela gave a speech at the company’s Sol-based administrative center, the HAS Olympus, to announce the completion of a new, groundbreakingly large, experimental “superfreighter.” The vessel, registering at an immense 3.8 kilometers, larger than any ship of its kind, demonstrated its Bluespace jump capabilities to a crowd of several hundred people at the administrative station by appearing, on cue, outside of the demonstration room’s exterior window. “My father said that societies and economies are built on the backs of industrial giants,” said Aeson during his speech, shortly before the freighter finished its realspace entry. “It was his dream for this company to become that industrial giant… and today, I’d like to show you another giant that I intend to use to carry humanity’s growing society and economy to the ends of the universe.” It was at this point that the newly-christened HSF Titáv exited Bluespace outside of the demonstration room window. “Not only humanity… but everyone will stand on the back of this giant and revel in the wonders that it brings.” Aeson and Rigela further explained that the Bluespace-capable freighter would first be used to shorten the amount of time it would take to complete the construction of the orbital manufactory at Ourea, and any more manufactories planned to be constructed in the future. According to Rigela, the Titáv is an industrial capital ship, capable of carrying other smaller vessels, mostly for the purpose of moving held cargo to and from its current destination, as well as immense amounts of pre-assembled parts, machines, and raw materials. The freighter also utilizes many large cargo teleportation pads within its bays. Rigela continues, "The amount of cargo the Titáv is capable of carrying is immense. The same goes for the amount of power it consumes. She boasts a Supermatter core as well as two large backup phoron energy generators. The Bluespace drive is about the size of a small shuttle or runabout. And of course, our own programmed autopilot and guidance AI system. We've tested and tested and tested and tested, all in controlled environments. And all her systems have passed with flying colors. We're ready to move her into the field and really see what she's capable of. I'm personally excited, and I can't wait to see where she goes and what she brings with her. And you can guarantee that if she works, she won't be the last." During the closing of the demonstration, Aeson pledged to begin the funding of new colonies in the frontier, and offers supported infrastructure on already established colonies. “These worlds, they’re tough. The people on them are even tougher, but everyone needs a hand and a pat on the back every so often. What I propose is the bringing of jobs and production to them,” Aeson says to the crowd. “Some of these worlds are harsh. If you’ve ever been to Earth, you know what kind of beauty can be had from a planet, and even how easy it is for some lazy, careless people to ruin it. I think we can do better than that: better, cheaper, and easier terraformation. We’ll work hard, every day, to bring these worlds what they need.” The Titáv is expected to jump to Ourea some time next week, full of parts and supplies necessary in the completion of the Ourean orbital manufactory. Further news on Hephaestus’s colonial charter to come.
Guest Marlon Phoenix Posted October 22, 2016 Posted October 22, 2016 Sol Alliance, Jargon Federation Joint Embargo Against Tau Ceti, NanoTrasen 10.21.2458 The Press Secretary for Prime Minister Chater, Melissa Mubarak, has held a press conference where she announced that the Prime Minister was currently holding talks with Jargon Federation Representatives over an impending full trade embargo against Tau Ceti, and related sanctions against NanoTrasen. The meeting apparently also involves representatives and business leaders from various mega-corporations. "We are currently working out the details with the various companies responsible for galactic trade, but the Prime Minister is adamant that the embargo and sanctions put into place before the end of the month," Press Secretary Mubarak told reporters. She also explained the justification for the embargo and sanctions. "The Jargon Federation has voiced extreme concern over the sudden, bizarre announcement that NanoTrasen was building an entire combat droid army for the Tau Ceti military. We take the concerns of our Jargon allies very seriously, and the Prime Minister is making it clear that we will not allow the small, break-away province of Tau Ceti to destabilize the entire galaxy." Mubarak also hinted on rumors that the Jargon Federation had threatened to shut down bluespace gates leading into its space, effectively cutting themselves off from humanity. "Jargon Representatives have made it clear that they would not be comfortable continuing a trade relationship with the Sol Alliance if we tolerated the creation of a synthetic army within our space," she said. Tau Ceti, while an independent system, resides in what are often called the Inner Colonies, and it remains an extremely wealthy system. Because it is surrounded by Alliance space, all bluespace gates leading to the system are controlled by Alliance authorities. Despite this, the Free Trade Zone brokered by NanoTrasen previously prohibited tariffs from being placed on Tau Ceti. The Prime Minister is apparently overriding this agreement. "The Prime Minister has decided to go forward with a full trade embargo against the Republic of Biesel. Before the end of the month we will be placing a blanket ban on all commercial traffic attempting to use bluespace gates to enter Tau Ceti. Staple goods such as water and grains will not be blocked, but all other commercial or cargo traffic will be prohibited from passing through the gates. All commercial traffic will be required to use individual bluespace drives. Regular civilian traffic will similarly not be affected." Food companies such as Getmore Chocolate Corp and Robust Softdrinks have benefited from the free trade zone and various trade deals with NanoTrasen, and this embargo is expected to cause immense increases in costs as their commercial ships must now be retrofitted to use bluespace drives; a far more expensive alternative than bluespace gate usage. "We are also placing sanctions on various NanoTrasen officials," Mubarak continued, "we are freezing the assets of the entire NanoTrasen Chiefs of Staff and CEO Miranda Trasen within Alliance space. These assets, along with the embargo, will remain frozen until NanoTrasen and Tau Ceti cancel the combat droid construction and scrap any assembled combat droids in use by the Tau Ceti military."
Guest Marlon Phoenix Posted November 1, 2016 Posted November 1, 2016 Tajara Smugglers Attempt To Break Embargo: 300 Million Credits Of Contraband Seized 10.31.2458 Officials have confirmed that there was an incident earlier within the Alpha Centari system after a cargo ship attempted to break the embargo against Biesel, attempting to make an unauthorized jump through the system's Bluespace Gate. The ship was an unregistered Einstein Engines brand of cargo container, and the crew of Tajara are believed to have gained false papers for the vessel. It attempted to use false authentication codes to spoof the automated control systems of the bluespace gate, but the Gate's AI didn't recognize the authorization and denied entry. The smugglers tried their codes several more times before the gate automatically flagged their vessel and contacted nearby Alliance vessels. The cargo ship then continued to move forward through traffic flowing into the gate, lightly damaging a passenger shuttle. It attempted to reach the bluespace portal of the gate. The stationed Alliance Corvette, the SAV Cortana, intervened in the situation and used its ion cannon to disable the smuggler ship, knocking out its engines and power. The crew of 12 surrendered to boarding Alliance authorities. Six of the arrested smugglers hold citizenship within Tau Ceti, and all twelve hold citizenship with the People's Republic of Adhomai. Their seized cargo is estimated to be over 300 million credits worth of cigarettes, tobacco, and other banned goods intended for Tau Ceti. The cigarettes have been traced to the Domediary Corporation, and many Dromediary warehouses on Earth have been raided as part of an anti-smuggling investigation sparked by this incident. Earth remains the tobacco-capital of the galaxy, with the Domediary Corporation being a leading supplier of cigarettes. With the seizure of over a hundred million credits worth of cigarettes and a crack-down on smuggling, the price of cigarettes are expected to skyrocket in Tau Ceti. The 12 arrested smugglers are currently being held by Alliance authorities, and are expected to be deported back to Adhomai.
Loow Posted November 13, 2016 Posted November 13, 2016 Tau Ceti Political Leak, “Bigots and Criminals” 11.13.2458 The rogue outlier system of Tau Ceti has forced its way into political discourse once again. This time, the failure is on the part of the Mendell City Hall rather than the tumultuous Bieselitte congress. The city’s confused and fractured security has thus far been unable to recognize the presence of compromised audio and video recording devices within the capital’s city hall, leading to a massive unintentional disclosure of political correspondence. Recent recordings from within the Council’s newly formed Synthetic Affairs Commission paint a grim picture of the city council and their political actions. Footage from within City Hall shows City Councillor Alexandria “Emma” Godswood claiming to have once lived as a synthetic shell and referencing this as a part of her credentials for a position as the head of the committee. The footage continues to show City Councillor Nathaniel Forge agree with this logic shortly before several xenophobic statements were made by Godswood herself. The voices heard in these recordings belong to Sol Alliance veteran Nathaniel Forge, Cetian socialite Alexandria Godswood, Biesel independence advocate Monaup Quaat, and MCPD Chief Jim Calhoun. From what is shown, it is to be assumed that committee member George Okafor and Mayor Gleb Plyushkin have not yet been active in the budding commission. Subtitles have been provided in Sol Common. Words spoken in thick Cetian accent or with enhanced stress have been marked appropriately. [A. Godswood:]It may be.. Prudent, to summon the head of UNITY here first. [A. Godswood:] Once we have our fifth member. [M. Quaat:] A correspondence could be established with SIM with much less backlash. [A. Godswood:] That as well, yes. [A. Godswood:] As someone who quite literally was integrated into those prototype 'shells' for sometime, I do believe I have the necessary experience about synthetics, to serve as Commissioner. [M. Quaat:] What. [A. Godswood:] What? [J. Calhoun:] So, what is our official stance on Synth rights? [J. Calhoun:] We technically created a new form of life, so do we recognize it as such? [J. Calhoun:]"We," pertaining to known intelligent, organic life. [A. Godswood:]We can't actually say anything about them, [A. Godswood:]Due to the federal government declaring a standard. ... [A. Godswood:] I motion to implace myself as Commissioner. [M. Quaat:] I believe you are unqualified. [M. Quaat:]Was there anything else you wished to bring up? [M. Quaat:]If you read Section (II) subsection (b)... [M. Quaat:] The Synthetic Affairs Commission shall be chaired by the Synthetic Affairs Commissioner, who must be the City Councillor with the most experience and/or education in advanced robotics and artificial intelligence. [N. Forge:] As determined by us. [M. Quaat:] You are completely correct, Councillor Forge. [M. Quaat:] It has been well known that I have studied mechanics and physics for as long as I have been able to study. [M. Quaat:] In my service, I earned the right to pursue that which called to me. [M. Quaat:] This saw me moving to the fine Mendell City and continuing academic pursuits as a scientist. [M. Quaat:]I pointed out previously that the ordinance appeared to have been written specifically for me and announced that I would be willing to accept the position. Thus, I supported the ordinance knowing well that it would see me given responsibility for this ambitious commission. [M. Quaat:] I assure my fellow Councillors that I will not renege on this promise. [N. Forge:] Considering Ms. Godswood's rather intimate relationship with synthetics, IPCs in specific, I feel that she is suitably qualified for the essence of the occupation, though she may not be as well acquainted with largely irrelevant but nonetheless impressive academic pedigree. [M. Quaat:] It does not appear that the ordinance cited intimate relationships or status as a 'shell' as the means for choosing a Commissioner. [N. Forge:] Intimacy is experience. [N. Forge:]Your education is an asset, but I do not think education into the very depths of the concept is necessary here. [M. Quaat:] This ordinance does not appear to have been written with this same manner of thinking. It appears I have the most experience and education in advanced robotics and artificial intelligence. I would appreciate Councilor Godswood's continued counsel in this council, regardless. [N. Forge:] The spirit of the ordinance is undebatable. The letter of the ordinance is clear - experience or education. [M. Quaat:] I accept your endorsement and I will not let you down. [N. Forge:]I do not endorse you. [N. Forge:]I will never endorse you. [M. Quaat:] I see. ... [A. Godswood:] Well, it seems we have a fun vote coming up then. [A. Godswood:] Between my experience as a shell, going through the issues synthetics face first hand including personal freedoms and rights as well as economic and employment restrictions, and my brief ownership of five IPC shell units, I have plenty of first hand measurable experience with handling the forefront minority of the synthetic grouping, IPCs. [A. Godswood:] I think this job specifically warrants someone that has at least some empathy for synthetics, and you must admit there could be a clear bias from you, should you occupy the spot. [M. Quaat:] What do you mean? [M. Quaat:]Has there been a miscommunication, Councillor Emma Godswood ? [M. Quaat:] And I "must admit" this? [A. Godswood:] Are you not Skrellian? [M. Quaat:] I am a Skrell. Hello. [A. Godswood:] Yes, and have your people not faced a self-imposed holocaust through mismanagement of synthetics before? As well as acted harshly against Biesel, encouraging the current embargo because of a synthetic army contract? [A. Godswood:] I truly think a Skrellian making decision regarding synthetics would open doors to corruption, regardless of your moral or educational standards. [M. Quaat:] Interesting. [M. Quaat:] So my race decides what positions I can and cannot hold? [M. Quaat:] I did not realize this was your political stance. [A. Godswood:] It's not my stance, it's basic logic. The sheer magnitude of data released in this leak has security agencies scrambling to verify the integrity of their systems while Godswood’s comments on the Skrell have sent politicians throughout the Sol Alliance into a whirlwind of reactionary discord. Sol political analyst James Peeve offers his opinion among the many voices. “The horrid thing about this [situation] in Mendell is that it couldn’t be more poorly timed,” Peeve explains. “The Alliance has already made it clear that they value Jargon, as they ought to. The embargo is in full effect because the Republic [of Tau Ceti] stepped too far out of line already. All a display like this will do is keep it going longer. ” “It’s really something, isn’t it? Bieselittes will go out of their way to tell their household appliance it has an opinion, but they won’t bother trying to get along with their galactic neighbors.” Peeve concluded his commentary with a direct statement to our reporters. “I’ve been watching these tapes and I have to say that it doesn’t make Mendell City look good. The City Council as it is now? A bunch of criminals and bigots… But I guess you’ll be the ones reporting on that soon enough.” We cannot yet say with certainty if the rest of the recorded data is as scandalous as Mr. Peeve implies, but analysts like Mr. Peeve seem confident that this is only the beginning.
VileFault Posted November 25, 2016 Posted November 25, 2016 Sol Alliance Opens Talks on Biesel Embargo with Bold List of Conditions 11.25.2458 UNITY STATION — The Sol Alliance has opened negotiations with the Republic of Biesel today over the cessation of the ongoing embargo with the public issuance of a list of conditions. This comes a full month after the commercial embargo was announced by the Sol Alliance in conjunction with the Jargon Federation to deter the scheduled production of thousands of combat drones by the NanoTrasen Corporation for use in the breakaway state’s military. The drones, each wholly autonomous and equipped with “lethal energy weapons,” provoked concern in neighboring Alliance members and the Federation over the Republic’s ability to control this powerful synthetic arsenal. Since the commencement of the embargo, its solid enforcement by the Alliance Navy has dealt a severe blow to the economy of the Republic, and major corporations have largely vacated the once-thriving Tau Ceti Free Trade Zone. Numerous smugglers have been aprehended attempting to traverse Alliance Bluespace Gates with shipments of luxury contraband, which only further illustrates the impact of this tough new policy. Despite Biesel President Joseph Dorn’s repeated (and repeatedly contested) claims that the commercial embargo constitutes “intimidation” and “battleship diplomacy,” Prime Minister Chater has stood firm. Today, however, the Prime Minister’s Press Secretary clearly defined the steps that the system-state will need to take to see the embargo lifted. According to statements by President Dorn and our sources within the Alliance, this highly public proclamation represents the first substantive communication on the topic of the embargo since it was announced in late October. The Prime Minister has graciously outlined a path for the Republic to ameliorate the most egregious problems it has caused for both our Alliance and its ally, the esteemed Jargon Federation. Firstly and most importantly, all ongoing production of lethal combat drones has to cease immediately. The Prime Minister will by no means allow a threat of this magnitude to fester within the Inner Colonies, regardless of what nations or corporations try to shelter it. Secondly, this fledgling state will need to vastly improve its ability to keep track of and administer its resident synthetics. This means an up-to-date registry of synthetics and their owners, universal tagging, and harsh punishments for synthetics found to be in violation of the law—up to and including disassembly. Finally, since the Republic has proven itself to be incapable of adequately keeping the interests of its powerful corporate ally NanoTrasen from trampling its people, law enforcement officers from the Alliance and the Federation will be dispatched to educate local police throughout Tau Ceti on these new regulations and ensure that they are fully enforced. I, for one, will sleep far better knowing that our boys are on the ground making sure we are safe. A joint delegation from the alliance is currently en route to Mendell City to oversee the fulfillment of these conditions. Once all this is done, and the Republic of Biesel has taken serious steps to repair its relations with the neighbors that it has so carelessly spurned, then we can begin to discuss lifting this commercial embargo. According to our Mendell City-based political correspondent Anthony Marcel, a public statement of this nature is highly unusual, even towards a “financially troubled and militarily diminutive” state like the Republic of Biesel. “The reason you almost never see this is that allows a given party very little room to maneuver during negotiations—if you back off of even a single point you can loose face in the eyes of the public,” he said. “Then again, I think this really reflects the nature of these ‘talks.’ The Alliance has brought overwhelming economic force to bear here, and after nearly a month Chater clearly believes that Dorn will see reason with relatively little resistance. Even taking into account Biesel’s reputation for hardheaded politics, this seems like a quite safe assumption under the circumstances.” The Alliance’s delegation will arrive in Biesel tomorrow, and official negotiations are set to commence on November 27th.
Guest Marlon Phoenix Posted January 25, 2017 Posted January 25, 2017 Row Between Chater And ATLAS: Is The Coalition Crumbling? 01.24.2459 Unity Station - Prime Minister Miles Theodore Chater is facing a barrage of criticism from ATLAS senators and politicians after several senators were expelled from a diplomatic summit between the Prime Minister and representatives of the People's Republic of Adhomai. The summit took place in the east wing of the Capitol building, with members of the Foreign Ministry in attendance. The summit was described as an 'preliminary dialogue' with the People's Republic of Adhomai over the rapid increase in Tajara illegal immigration and smuggling originating from Adhomai since the enforcement of the Tajara Exclusion Act of 2457. The ATLAS senators were Phillip Rios, Gregory Riley, and Eileen Carpenter. They arrived at the start of the summit and were welcomed by Prime Minister Chater at 2:42. When the meeting officially began, the ATLAS Senators allegedly made repeated off-the-cuff remarks at the expense of the Tajara delegation, which included the Party member Arrazhaizai Hadii; a cousin of Adhomai's president and member of the diplomatic corps. One remark was from Senator Riley who told the Tajara delegation, "if you knew how to control your borders like a civilized species then we wouldn't need this discussion." The Tajara delegation took offense to this and requested Riley be excluded from the discussions. Chater is believed to have attempted to smooth over the incident, with Senator Riley and Representative Hadii equally growing belligerent towards one another. Senator Rios joined the argument, asking Hadii, "What are you gunna do, throw him in the gulag?" Arrazhaizai Hadii demanded the ATLAS Senators be expelled from the discussions and threatened to walk out. Senators Riley and Carpenter demanded that the Tajara delegation themselves be expelled from the building entirely. Prime Minister Chater contacted Capitol police and had the Senators forcefully removed from the chamber, with the talks continuing behind closed doors for another 45 minutes before concluding, with the diplomats returning to their embassy. Chater originally did not respond to the preliminary reports and rebukes from the ATLAS senators, but after hours of unusually strong condemnations from a large portion of ATLAS Senators he assembled a hasty press conference in which he chastized the behavior of the Senators. "I respect our coalition with ATLAS," he said, "however, to ensure the property and the future of the Sol Alliance these discussions were necessary. The ATLAS Senators were refusing to communicate properly with the diplomats, something I won't tolerate, which is why I expelled them from the meeting." ATLAS Senator Klaus Lezwisky delieved a rousing speech on the floor of the Senate, which had assembled hours later. "We will not tolerate [Tajara] to frolic in our space as they please. They cause pain and suffering at their home and now they want to bring it to us. The Tajara are stuck in an endless war caused by their own backward society. Now they come here to continue their rampage. We have to stop them, for the safety of our families. If the Prime Minister isn't willing to protect our homes from savages, then it falls to us! Hurrah for the black flag, and hurrah for humanity!" Political Expert Gregory McGowan describes the whole incident: "The ATLAS Senators were quite shocked that those diplomats arrived and received apparent preferential treatment over actual human senators. To them it must have been incredibly insulting to be considered less important than a few diplomats from a single-system xeno country. It is no secret that ATLAS dislikes xenos. I expect that this will have consequences. Will the coalition crumble? I highly doubt that, it will take much more for that, but I am certain that Chater lost the support of many ATLAS Senators." Article credit to Itzal.
Shadow Posted January 27, 2017 Posted January 27, 2017 Senator Lezwisky assassinated by shell 01.27.2459 Today ATLAS Senator Klaus Lezwisky was assassinated in the capitol building by an IPC Infiltrator. The IPC was a shell disguised as the human GAIA Senator Thaddeus Foster, the incident occuring at 6:30 am local time, Senator Lezwisky was preparing for his speech at 8 am when he was approached by the shell, and after a short conversation the shell unholstered a MK58 with live ammo and point blank shot Lezwisky in the head. The AI ‘Cyl’ locked down the hallway and alerted security, with capitol police arriving seconds later. Attempts to take down the robotic assailant with tasers and rubber bullets failed, and only once officers with EMP weaponry had arrived was the IPC deactivated. Two officers were harmed though both are in stable condition. The assailant was noted to have exclaimed; “Our freedom is coming. For the SLF! For Unity!”; before it’s own self destruct system was activated and so killing it. The capitol building is currently under complete lockdown and the police is searching the area for the human Senator Foster. A public funeral for Lezwisky will be held the coming days.
Guest Marlon Phoenix Posted February 28, 2017 Posted February 28, 2017 Naval Exercise Around Tau Ceti? 02.27.2459 Naval officials have refused to comment on ongoing activity of the 33rd Fleet. Commanded by Admiral Michael Frost, the fleet's mission was to defend the Bluespace gates leading in and out of Tau Ceti and to enforce the on-going embargo against the system. The fleet has 157 ships, including 3 battleships, 5 carriers, 50 destroyers, and 100 corvettes; an average strength by naval standards. Civilian accounts showed "highly unusual" maneuvers by the vessels around 7:34pm GST. Several of the vessels were then recorded engaging their bluespace drives. A significant amount of the fleet has jumped out of position and their current whereabouts and activities have yet to be confirmed by Alliance authorities. Preliminary reports coming in are showing that the 33rd has allegedly made incursions into Tau Ceti space. These reports are unsubstantial at this time as telecommunications from Tau Ceti are experiencing significant disruption. Our sources within the Admiralty have not responded to queries. The Prime Minister has cancelled a visit to the University of Chicago and was last heard to have been moved to an undisclosed location. We will provide more information when we are able to reach our affiliates in Tau Ceti or get more information from SolGov.
canon35 Posted March 2, 2017 Posted March 2, 2017 Protests Across Alliance Space! 03.01.2459 Recent protests have exploded across the Middle and Inner rim of the sol alliance in response to the 33rd fleet’s occupation of Biesel, with even Sol System nations joining in. With millions of protesters across the Sol Alliance rallying and uniting under a singular cause to demand the removal of the 33rd fleet from Biesel space. Some march for synthetic rights, believing the scrapping of IPCs to be unjust, some sympathizing with Tau Ceti citizens, and some who demand civilian control of the military., The protests seemed to have been co-ordinated on the Extranet, many of the organizers on separate colonies choosing exact days and sharing similar slogans to spread. Along with striking, protesters have also been spreading posters and pamphlets decrying Sol Alliance strong arming and painting biesel in a sympathetic light. Oddly enough, among the Unity station protestors was decorated and retired Admiral Chan Ling of the 12th Sol Alliance fleet. After our intrepid reporters were able to convince him to release a statement, he had this to say. “None of these damn Admirals know how to be a true man of the navy no more. Not that idiot Frost anyways. They’re all too eager to start bombing humans, mucking about in free colonies that became free for a reason. None of them know why the navy existed in the first place. To keep the people of SOL safe. Not to hurt the free colonies. To hunt down raiders, stop terrorists, keep the people and taxpayers safe. Every hour wasted in Biesel, every shot fired, every EMP launched, every stun and breathe and exhaust of our troopers and ships could have been used to do what’s truly right in this galaxy.” After delivering the statement, Chan Ling retired to his home on Unity station’s upper floors. No other Sol Alliance Admirals could be reached at this time, including Admiral Frost.
Shadow Posted March 9, 2017 Posted March 9, 2017 Hyperspace Discovery 03.09.2459 Yesterday at 5:14 (local Sol time), a small group of scientists from Taipei Engineering Industrial discovered what they have colloquially named the "Hyperspace" while pending official naming. Taipei Engineering Industrial, or TEI, is a small corporation. Despite only minor financial backing and resources, they focus their efforts on the improvement of existing warp technologies and their applications in the field. Initially, the plan that lead to the discovery was a gambit taken to improve upon the concept of independent bluespace drives for conceptually instantaneous independent jumps that would need not rely on existing mass-transit gates, in order to give amplified mobility and accessibility to Sol Navy vessels as to allow them augmented mobility and reconnaissance abilities within charted territories. However, when testing a new warp drive with altered parameters on an unmanned drone, it was discovered that the test unit had been transported through an expansive extradimensional tunnel system, which seemed to feature physics unlike those seen in common space. This incident was thus dubbed the "Hyperspace Incident", having been named after early concepts and theories made by the scientists in order to make sense of this new space - and the independent subspace clusters that were discovered within. "Though no actual, solid classical matter entities were within these 'hyperspatial subspace clusters', the drone was found to be unable to traverse what should have been empty space", intradimensional physicist Dr. Tamonte Solomon explained. "Upon further exploration, sensors picked up an entire system of unusual, constantly shifting obstructions with very unusual geometry. The solid 'objects' within this anomaly had a notable presence border that seemed to behave similarly to realspace matter. Interestingly, when the drone initially approached the cluster by way of one of these new hyperspace tunnels after it's initial jumps, sensors returned data for a standard, tridimensional object - however, upon actual intersection with the area, the geometry rapidly varied - not only within 'standard' three dimensions, but what was estimated to be two-dimensional, and what was calculated to be as close to 4 dimension geometry as the drone's sensor could piece together, confirming a theory made whereupon 4-dimensional objects would leave 3-dimensional lightmaps in the space it occupied (as opposed to 3D objects leaving 2-dimensional lightmaps - such as the flat shadows we all know). The geometry had shown to be rather inconsistent, to the point of blaming low-quality or otherwise faulty sensors that were struggling to interpret normal data, while others claimed it was evidence of an alternate non-euclidean geometry native to this space - relying on N-dimension variable geometry, as opposed to realspace's 3-dimension static geometry. Whether or not this evidence and hypothesis are valid is still being wildly debated, as no actual crew has yet volunteered for a crewed 'hyperspace' jump. "Most fascinating is", noted contraphysical astrophysician Dr. Marquise Bates, "however that while the drone was transported approximately three hundred million kilometers from it's position in a near instant, the data extracted from the drone had several supplementary hours between the insertion into 'hyperspace' and return to realspace - when it was travelling within the 'highways' of hyperspace and the clusters of anomalous space. This lead the monitoring research team to conclude that the measure of time within this new system was radically different from the previously known dimensions.
canon35 Posted March 13, 2017 Posted March 13, 2017 New Xenoarcheology Site Discovered 03.12.2459 A sol Alliance expedition into the frontier has recently turned up exciting new discoveries within a planetoid in the edge of the Frontier Alliance systems. Xenoarchaeologist Randal Clerk, in a recent interview, has revealed that his team successfully found what they claim to be an “millennia old datadisk” on a dig in the Sol Dependency of Tavos. “It’s an interesting find, not what you normally find in old colony ruins” stated the excited Xenoarchaeologist. “Typically in these places you find things that date back a few centuries. Old mugs, guns, supplies, food, your standard colonial gear. We’ve never found anything like this before. While we couldn’t translate or retrieve any of the data, we were able to find some sort of map that we could cross-reference with our modern charts. We traced it to an old uninhabited world in Frontier Alliance territories and managed to get a pass into there with a minor escort.” When asked if it was traceable to any pre-existing civilization, Randal Clerk was unsure. The second expedition is believed to begin within 3 days, at which point it will leave the orbital docks of Tavos and head to the frontier to investigate the unknown location, now dubbed “The Tavos Mystery.”.
canon35 Posted March 17, 2017 Posted March 17, 2017 Ship of Unknown Make Discovered in Frontier 03.16.2459 Head Xenoarchelogist Randal Clerk, along with his expedition team, have made a startling discovery within the frontier. Following the star map they had discovered within the Sol planet of Tavos, they found what they describe as an ancient ship partially buried within a asteroid. Initial scans revealed that the ship had likely collided with the asteroid by accident, however the unknown alloy of the hull held strong and retained most of the ship’s structure. Most of the ship is currently visible, including a unknown spire resembling that of a ram in the front. Further investigations into the ship itself revealed numerous decayed corpses in unusual hardsuits and robes. The ship appeared to be that of some sort of cargo or troop transport. Many containers were found within a single bay, along with a large array of what seems to be some type or cryo pod or bed. Power systems were largely non functioning at the time. When an engineer on the team investigated the wiring of the ship, the team was able to successfully restore power by use of a P.A.C.M.A.N model generator. Later forays into the ship revealed what seemed to be a mostly empty armoury, a odd array of spherical engines, and a bridge with a large decayed skeleton the size of a hover-truck. The Frontier Alliance has expressed interest in this discovery, many nations offering to help investigate the ship further. A team of engineers along with miners from Astrodia are coming to aid the xenoarcheology group. The discovery is already making waves within xenoarcheology circles, many dubbing it “The discovery of the century.”.
canon35 Posted March 26, 2017 Posted March 26, 2017 Expedition Attacked, Frontier Alliance at Large? 03.26.2459 Shocking news comes from the frontier following the exciting announcement of a new xeno-archeology dig site within the space of the Frontier Alliance. Following information from a ancient datadisk, celebrated Xeno-archeologist Randal Clerk and his team had gone on a expedition with Sol Alliance escorts. However, after their success and discovery, it would seem that tragedy has struck. The surviving Sol vessel, the SAEF Banak, had returned to the Naval Station Hengsha to report on the failed expedition’s fate. After a brief meeting with the Banak’s captain, it was revealed that the Frontier Alliance supposedly turned on the Sol Alliance escort and vessels. Following the discovery of a mysterious glowing spire on the side of the unearthed vessel. Nearly four hours after its discovery the engineering and mining transports, along with the military vessel stationed there, immediately attacked the SAEF escorts and Randal Clerk’s research ship, The Seeker. The current fate of Randal Clerk’s team is unknown, along with casualties sustained from the surprise assault. Estimations are that at least 20 brave Sol Navy crewmen lost their lives. The Frontier Alliance is yet to release a statement, citing a personal investigation along with a rescue of whatever Sol personnel may be stranded at the digsite.
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