Sol Alliance News Network

[MattAtlas]

MASS ARRESTS OF SOLARIAN RESTORATION FRONT COLLABORATORS IN THE MILITARY

Article 5 of the Amor Patriae Prologue

At 10 AM this morning, the director of the SIIB, in collaboration with the SIP-CPA and SISA, hosted a press conference announcing the arrest of a large number of military officers accused of treason and conspiring against the State. This number includes 313 Navy officers, including the ones previously discharged by Minister of Defence Lucien Courtois, 98 Army officers and 58 Marine officers. Further arrests of involved enlisted personnel will be carried out in the following month, with a projected number of 1291 further arrests.

The director of the SIIB explained these arrests as a reaction to a recently uncovered web of arms trafficking into Solarian Restoration Front territory. According to the authorities, these arrested officers were facilitating and even directly participating in transporting arms, food, and other military goods stolen from Alliance military bases. Further interrogations have revealed “exceedingly dangerous concerns regarding national security”. The directors of the three agencies have declined to comment further on this particular issue, explaining that further investigation into the matter is still required. The arrested individuals have been immediately stripped of rank and will be judged in a military tribunal, with the hearing scheduled for the 19th of January.

The Ministry of Defence has put out a statement fully endorsing the SIIB’s decision, explaining that the defence staff was strictly involved in the investigations leading up to these arrests and that “the Solarian military is no place for traitors”. The Head of the Provisional Government, Yuhan Verhasselt commented that the intelligence agencies acted with the blessing of the government and refused to answer any further questions. Senators Hendrik Strom and Le Hanh Trang have fully endorsed the SIIB’s decision, claiming that “it is about time that traitors in the military were brought to justice”.

[Caelphon]

SOLARIAN PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT RESPONDS TO BIESEL CITIZENSHIP SCHEME IN OCCUPIED TERRITORIES

Justs moments after the Republic of Biesel’s announcement, Governor Hendrik Strom ordered a press conference aimed at addressing the recent announcement by the Republic regarding the citizenship situation of many Solarians in the Corporate Reconstruction Zone, a stretch of Solarian territory currently illegally occupied. 

Speaking from the podium in the Senate room on Unity Station, Governor Strom began, “The Republic of Biesel has recently announced that all Solarians in select areas of our unjustly occupied territories must choose between their Solarian citizenship or Biesellite citizenship. Faced with this corporate-backed farce, the Alliance will always consider all inhabitants of what they call the ‘Corporate Reconstruction Zone’ to be Solarian citizens and only Solarian citizens.”

Governor Strom later continued, “Knowing that they’re illegally occupying our territory, they’re trying to legitimize their occupation while they still can. But the fact that their so-called ‘Corporate Reconstruction Zone’ is rightful Solarian territory will never change.”

The Solarian Alliance will not recognise any Biesellite citizenship granted to an inhabitant of the Corporate Reconstruction Zone past the 1st of December 2464. Instead, they will be considered a Solarian citizen in all cases. Additionally, Solarians fleeing the Corporate Reconstruction Zone will be given priority in the asylum-seeking process.

[MattAtlas]

SOLARIAN RESTORATION FRONT ACTIVITY INCREASES

Article 6 of the Amor Patriae Prologue

Following the arrest of Front sympathizers in the military, political experts affiliated with the Solarian Alliance News Network have highlighted an increasing pattern of spotted Solarian Restoration Front vessel concentrations close to the northern reaches of the Alliance. These squadrons are most often not battle squadrons but instead multiple supply or cargo ships meant to store pillaged resources, along with troop carriers.

These “scavenger brigades”, as they have been dubbed, often represent Front squadrons moving to pillage more border systems, typically always inside non-Solarian space. Up until now these concentrations of Front vessels have numbered in the tens or dozens, reported by Navy sensor arrays in the Termina border system, around two to three times a month. September saw a record amount of 10 vessel concentrations, increasing to 17 in October and finally to 19 earlier today, with some even penetrating in Solarian space.

Our affiliated experts posit that this represents an increasing need of raw materials and supplies for the Front’s fleets. It is very well known that the Front possesses by far the largest fleet of all the Solarian warlords, and such a war machine carries with it an ever-increasing need of food to feed its soldiers, phoron for its engines and many other materials. It is unknown, currently, whether this is a sign of the Front’s economy faltering or, more ominously, a military build-up.

[MattAtlas]

LIVE: SOLARIAN GOVERNMENT DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY IN THE NORTHERN BORDER

UPDATE 18:00 - The Provisional Government has just put out a public notice announcing a state of emergency in the northern border. All citizens residing within 10 LY of the border with the Restoration Front are to prepare for a possible evacuation and are advised to listen to military authorities in the area. As this is a developing story, this article will be updated as new information is announced.

UPDATE 18:27 – Viewers in the northern regions report sirens and announcements for all residents to stay calm, but to be prepared to evacuate should the need arise. Local garrisons have been deployed to patrol the streets and high-security areas. Reports of fortifications being deployed around high-priority targets have also been verified by our staff.

UPDATE 18:35 – Admiral Verhasselt has explained that the Alliance has managed to confirm what has been described as “extremely grave intelligence”. He has reiterated that the state of emergency is not a drill, and that all affected residents are to follow previous recommendations, but must keep calm.

UPDATE 18:36 – Governor Strom has declined to provide any additional details, only reiterating what Admiral Verhasselt has said. He has reassured our reporters that Solarian citizens need not be concerned as of yet.

UPDATE 18:43 – Governor Strom has been ushered to a meeting room by high-ranking Ministry of Defense staff. No further comment has been provided, and the stands are now empty. Our reporting staff has been advised to wait for further information.

UPDATE 18:49 – Admiral Verhasselt and Governors Strom and Trang have returned to the press conference room. They have explained to our reporters that the previously mentioned intelligence has been corroborated and that the state of emergency is due to heightened Solarian Restoration Front movements in the area and extremely unusual concentrations of full-strength battle fleets. Current military intelligence reports hint towards all available Front battlefleets being mobilized as of now. When asked what this will mean for the Alliance as a whole, admiral Verhasselt has said that the situation is still developing, and it would be brash to make any more statements. Governors Strom and Trang have reiterated their support of this decision.

[MattAtlas]

URGENT ALERT: WAR HAS BROKEN OUT BETWEEN THE MIDDLE RING SHIELD PACT AND THE SOLARIAN RESTORATION FRONT

Act 1 Article 2 of the Amor Patriae arc

The Solarian Restoration Front has begun a full-scale invasion of the Middle Ring Shield Pact as of two minutes ago. While residents outside the Wildlands are not expected to be at risk at this time, preparations in border systems are underway in case the worst happens.

As this story is still developing, information is sparse. Our viewers and readers in the northern regions are advised to:

• Pack your bags in case of an evacuation. Be prepared to leave behind any non-essential items.
• Listen to all military staff in the area.
• Make your way to a designated safe point if necessary.
• Keep utilities such as your phone, a radio or a GPS device charged and listen for important announcements by the local government.
• Ensure you have enough food and water for your pets.

If you are perplexed on whether or not the emergency alert affects you, please activate your geolocation services and press the “Am I At Risk?” button at the end of the page.

[MattAtlas]

SOLARIAN GOVERNMENT CONDEMNS VIOLENCE IN THE NORTHERN WILDLANDS

Act 1 Article 6 of the Amor Patriae arc

Governor Hendrik Strom, flanked by Admiral Verhasselt, Minister of Defence Courtois and Governor Trang, walks up to the podium in the Unity Station Senate room, with the Solarian flag behind him. The room is chock full of reporters, functionaries, and other officials. 

“The Solarian Alliance has been through many moments of crisis before. Among them, the Second Great Depression, the Interstellar War, and now a new Civil War. When the Second Great Depression took us down, we stood back up. We survived the greatest conflict in the history of the Spur, and came back stronger from it. Each and every time the Alliance seemed to fall, we rose up, and came out better from it.”

“The little statelets in our territory think that they are vying for a race, when in reality, they’re only biding their time. In their lust for greed and power, they have turned against their fellow citizen, their fellow Solarian - the very people that this nation is sworn to protect. In their hubris, they have forgotten what makes them Solarian: they have betrayed their country and nationality.”

“Our detractors will believe that we have closed our eyes and our ears. They are open now, more than ever before. We have not watched the past week go by idly. The Solarian Alliance hereby condemns all violence within its borders and demands an immediate end to it. Every crime committed will be paid for, and every ounce of Solarian blood spilled will be remembered.”

“We are watching, and we will not forget.”

The Governor ends his statement with a standing ovation from the crowd. Strom and his entourage then leave the room without taking further questions.

[NewOriginalSchwann]

LIVE: INTERVENTION DEBATE ON UNITY STATION

Act 1 Article 9 of the Amor Patriae arc

A blonde Venusian woman in a red skirt suit is standing before the entrance to the Senate room, used as an impromptu meeting room for the Provisional Government. “Hello, my dear viewers! I’m Céline Eylenbosch, your beloved reporter, and we are reporting live from Unity Station, where the Government has announced a press conference… and it seems they’ve already started!”

The cameraman and Céline make their way inside. Strom and Trang on their podiums look fairly exhausted, with messier hair than usual. Admiral Verhasselt is behind them with his usual grave look.

“-- to answer your question, reporter, our economic progress is going great,” Strom begins, “Nationalization of corporate assets was a great challenge, the main cause of our GDP loss. It was difficult reshuffling all the industries and chains of production. A lot of corporate higher-ups fled to Biesel and took documents and information with them. It was a mess, but we’re getting out of it, as shown by our projected GDP chart.”

Trang nods in agreement, staying silent.

A reporter in the background asks, “And what do you think about the situation in the Wildlands, Senator Strom?”

The question seems to immediately tilt Strom. The cameramen begin to push over each other to get the best angle. Everyone seems to know that things are about to get ugly. Céline looks delighted, beckoning her cameraman to get closer.

“What do I think about it? I think it’s a failure! On all fronts! Those are Solarian citizens - our citizens! That’s our territory! And what’s happening to it?! It’s being razed to the ground by maniacs worshipping a dead fascist! Solarian citizens are being pushed out of their homes and murdered as we speak! And what does the Navy say?!”

He lets the question hang in the air. Verhasselt does not break his demeanour, but anyone can guess that he is likely peeved.

“That they’re not ready yet! That’s what we’re going to say to the families of dead Solarians?! That we weren’t ready to defend them?! Is that how the Solarian Alliance should behave! No! It isn’t! I wholeheartedly support i–...”

Trang interrupts Strom at this point, raising her voice speaking over him, “Intervention is off the table for the time being,” she precises, “We can’t afford it at a moment so delicate for the Alliance. Our economy still needs time to recover, and mobilising our forces would be a risk we can’t take, especially when our Navy is probably weaker than what the Front’s rallied. Our industries still need time to re–”

She is now interrupted by Strom, who raises his voice in turn, “Hai Phonger industries? And what am I supposed to say about Jintarian industries?! Well, Trang, go and tell the San Coletters that your concern for Hai Phonger industries is what stopped us from helping them! That we can’t risk our economy to save the–”

“You know that isn’t what I said, Hendrik!” Trang remarks. She begins to speak, then a journalist from the tribune interrupts her.

“Senator Strom is right. Can you once again tell the Solarian people right now, on air, that you will not intervene in the Wildlands crisis?”

Another journalist stands up, replying, “What are you, an idiot?! With what navy? Nearly our entire navy mutinied a few years ago!”

“You’re exaggerating! Our Navy’s fine!”

At this point, the tribune breaks out into a full shouting match between Strom supporters and Trang supporters. Some are concerned over the Navy, others over the economy, but most about the possibility of the Front winning against the Alliance. Confidence in the Navy is at an all time low.

“Well, dear viewers, it seems we’ve broken out into a full verbal melee here…” Céline says, clearly delighting in the drama. She is then pushed into a wall by another angry reporter who calls out her nonchalant and very Cytherean attitude, which is when she joins the verbal melee as well.

This continues for a minute or two - shoves and yells are not uncommon. Admiral Verhasselt attempts to restore some order through his voice, but it is not enough to be heard over the various yells of the tribune. Strom and Trang have by now stopped arguing, looking at each other with a grave expression.

The mess is then dispersed by Unity Station’s Army military police. No weapons were raised, but many threats of revoking press licenses were given over the megaphone. Céline exits the room after some of the reporters, looking dejected.

“What a mess, dear viewers,” she says, looking at the camera, “The Wildlands affair has many people on edge, and the Government’s split! In the coming days, we will be hearing more about the intervention debate for sure, so, stay tuned!”

Edited February 23, 2023 by NewOriginalSchwann
This is article nine, not six.

[MattAtlas]

Exclusive Interview: Fleet Admiral of the 1st Battlegroup

Act 1 Article 13 of the Amor Patriae arc

Céline Eylenbosch, a blonde Venusian woman wearing a red skirtsuit, greets the viewers with a wave and a fairly large smile. She appears to be standing in one of the hallways of Unity Station. To her left is a taller woman in a Solarian Navy dress uniform with long, black hair. She looks to be no older than her mid thirties, but to those familiar with military affairs, her tabs identify her as a Fleet Admiral. More than likely, she is actually in her mid forties or early fifties.

“Hello, dear viewers! Today we have quite the scoop for you. We’ve been able to secure an exclusive interview with none other than the Fleet Admiral of the First Battlegroup, Ingrid von Varnhagen und Langenburg. That’s quite a handful to say, but that’s quite an important position! Why don’t you tell us about it, Admiral?”

Varnhagen makes a bit of a face at the ‘that’s a handful to say’ comment, but otherwise continues with a politically subdued tone. Her responses are very precise, and never seem to quite steer off the mark. “The First Battlegroup is the most complete and the most prestigious battlegroup in the Alliance. It is made up of our very best, both in materiel and men, and has long had a tradition of being an élite force. I was promoted to this spot after Admiral Courtois ascended to the post of Minister of Defense.”

“That’s great!” Céline says, “But it wouldn’t be an interview if we didn’t ask you scathing questions that our viewers want asked. What do you think about the war in the Northern Wildlands?”

“The last dying gasp of a collective group of traitors,” Varnhagen simply responds, “The Shield Pact has the support of every Solarian proud to call themselves one. We’ve worked hard to clear the military of Front sympathizers – there is no place in the Spur for them.”

“Strong statement,” Céline responds, lighting up slightly, “According to a Venusian Herald poll, sixty seven percent of Solarians support declaring war on the Front. When you say that the Shield Pact has our support, does that mean that a direct intervention is on the table?”

“We act on orders. We will hold the border for sure, but we would not hesitate to intervene if the Government ordered us to.”

“Ooooh,” Céline responds, “Do you think we would win in a war?”

Varnhagen’s answer is a short and simple one - “Yes.”

Céline claps her hands together, with one still holding the red microphone labeled with SANN. “That’s quite enough, then! We won’t take any more of your time - we know how important you are, Admiral. We wish you the best of luck, and have a good day!”

“Thank you,” the Admiral responds with a curt nod and then sets off into the hallway. Curiously, Courtois appears next to her, and they begin chatting as they walk down the corridor and out of view.

“Strong statements today, dear viewers,” Céline says, turning back to look at the camera again, “The military never says much on camera, because of boring things like non-disclosure agreements or military professionalism or many other problems, but I feel like we’ve struck gold today! We’ll act if we’re ordered to? What a statement to make! Do you believe the Alliance will intervene or not? Vote now on your phones…”

Edited March 6, 2023 by NewOriginalSchwann
Article 13, not 12. Oops!

[NewOriginalSchwann]

GADPATHURIAN SUPPORT FOR THE LEAGUE REVEALED!

Act 1 Article 16 of the Amor Patriae arc

A particularly smug and triumphant-looking Strom begins to talk from his podium in the senate room. This time, more Army military police are present in the room.

“As we all know, some grudges are eternal, like Gadpathur’s,” he says, “Just a few days ago, Alliance intelligence revealed to us that the Gadpathurian government has been providing the League with war materiel this entire time. Guns, ships, war supplies - you name it, they’ve sent it.”

Strom’s audience almost collectively gasps at the revelation.

“Essentially, they were trying to fund their own little warlord puppet state behind our backs. I forwarded this intelligence to my counterpart on Xanu Prime - Miss Sianne, a lovely woman - and strongly demanded action on the subject. A major member of the Coalition trying to start another war? We’d never have it!”

“After a few days of drawn-out negotiations with Miss Sianne and a neutral Assunzionii mediator, we’ve found an agreement. Gadpathur is as of now completely shut out from the Coalition warp gate network, and isolated for their reckless actions!”

The tribune claps, and Strom nods a few times, clearly enjoying it. Trang looks less enthused, but nonetheless contributes to the clapping.

“The Gadpathurians will remain locked out of the Coalition’s gate network until they stop supplying the League.”

[MattAtlas]

Pro-Intervention Demonstration on Callisto Turns Violent!

Act 2 Article 3 of the Amor Patriae arc

The camera opens to a view with two groups of people, each standing opposite of one another. On the left stand an assembled crowd of very angry-looking Callisteans waving a variety of flags – some Callistean, some Colettish, and others the flag of the Alliance – and shouting at the opposite group. Said group is clad in Solarian Navy riot gear and standing in a long line four deep, with a few Industrial positronics scattered throughout and also wearing riot gear. Most of the Navy personnel are holding riot batons and all are wearing gas masks. Behind the Navy personnel, an APC in Navy blue sits with its engine idling and spotlights trained on the crowd. The camera is clearly set up on top of some kind of vehicle and a few more lightly-armored individuals clad in the duty uniform of the Callistean Metropolitan Police Department can be seen observing the situation.

“Earlier today,” an unseen narrator begins, “protests developed near this Navy facility in the Northern Shield District of Callisto – known locally as the Ringpole District – over the Navy’s seeming disregard for the welfare of Solarian citizens in the Northern Wildlands, which has recently become the site of intense conflict between several breakaway states. These protests are rooted in a belief held by many Callisteans that the Navy holds no interest in intervention, and instead wishes to profit off of profitable trade on Callisto.”

On top of the APC, a Navy officer pulls out a megaphone and yells into it.

“DISPERSE AND RETURN TO YOUR HOMES!” he yells, his Lunan accent apparent even while shouting. “IF YOU DO NOT COMPLY YOU WILL BE REMOVED BY FORCE! DISPERSE AT ONCE!”

The Callistean crowd jeers and yells at him. Somebody In the crowd starts up a chant of “SAVE OUR ALLIANCE! SAVE SAN COLETTE!” and the entire crowd begins to join in, yelling it in near-unison.

“THIS IS YOUR LAST WARNING TO DISPERSE!” the officer yells.

The crowd continues its chant, which grows louder. The offer puts away and blows into a whistle around his neck, the loud FWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! piercing even the noise of the crowd, and pulls his mask on.

As one, the Navy riot personnel take one step forward and begin to beat their batons against their opposite hands in near unison. The slamming fills the air and some in the crowd take a step back, but most hold their ground and continue to chant. After a moment of this a man wearing Solarian Army surplus equipment dashes out of the crowd. He scoops down and grabs a rock, then throws it at the line of riot police as the crowd cheers. The rock strikes true, bouncing off the helmet of an officer. The man shouts in triumph and runs back into the crowd.

A second after the rock impacts, all hell breaks loose in the street. The officers surge forward, batons raised, and begin fighting with the assembled crowd, who start fighting back. The APC shoots several grenades, which appear to contain some form of gas judging by their trails, into the crowd with the loud THUNK-THUNK-THUNK of a mechanical grenade launcher. The CMPD officers near the camera ready their weapons and one speaks something inaudible into her radio, then gestures back at the camera. The fighting continues for a few more moments before the camera’s view is obscured by smoke. Sirens, presumably from CMPD vehicles, can be heard in the distance before the feed cuts out.

“The Sol Alliance News Network will keep our viewers updated as this story develops.”

[MattAtlas]

48 Injured, 258 Detained After Protest on Callisto Turns Violent – Navy Garrison Under Fire by Local Officials!

Act 2 Article 3 of the Amor Patriae arc

NEW EDINBURGH, CALLISTO – Recent protests in the Northern Shield District of Callisto over perceived Navy inaction regarding San Colette turned violent several nights ago, with Navy riot police breaking up a crowd of Callistean protestors following what Navy security officials have described as a failure to disperse when ordered by security personnel.

A brief clip plays of the riot featured several days ago, apparently recorded by one of the protestors on their phone. A Naval riot control officer is seen bringing his baton down on a standing protestor attempting to shield himself with his arms. The protestor, against all odds, manages to get a grip on the baton and the two disappear into the crowd, still struggling over the baton.

Commander Hedwig Krämer, the highest-ranking officer of the Navy garrison stationed at Tsushima Naval Base near Callisto, praised the Navy’s response to the events.

The camera switches to a Lunarian man standing behind a podium and wearing the uniform of a relatively high-ranking Navy officer. He appears to be in his middle age and has a sheathed sword on his belt, indicating he is the commander of either a naval facility or vessel.

“--I am very pleased with our security personnel’s response to a situation as complicated as a riot,” Krämer says, looking out into the audience. “Our professionalism and respect for the Alliance citizens we serve, even if we are placed in opposition to them, is what makes the Solarian Navy the greatest fighting force in the Orion Spur. Our counterparts in the Republic of Elyra would be well served to learn about how to handle civil unrest without unnecessary bloodshed.”

Callistean officials and residents have been less enthusiastic about the Navy’s response to the unrest.

The camera switches to a Callistean woman in a suit with a dignified appearance standing in front of a crowd of reporters. A caption identifies her as Senator Anastasie Renaud, one of the moon’s senators.

“I mean, frankly, this is totally unacceptable,” Renaud says. “How can the Navy live with itself doing this? Beating honest Solarians with truncheons while there’s millions suffering in the Wildlands. It disgusts me.”

The Solarian Navy declined the Alliance News Network’s request for comment. As of our time of reporting, most detained protestors are slated to be released into the custody of the Callistean Metropolitan Police Department for further processing.

[MattAtlas]

Ministry of Defence Raises Reserve Fleets Readiness

Act 2 Article 5 of the Amor Patriae arc

In a press conference at 1300 GST today, Minister of Defence Lucien Courtois has confirmed that approximately half of the Alliance’s available reserve fleets are being mobilised towards the northern border for national security reasons. The minister has stressed that these fleets are being sent for defensive purposes and that they will not see combat at this time. Upon being questioned on whether or not intervention is expected by the Government, he has repeated that no such thing is planned. When asked if this was related to recent protests on Callisto, the minister refused to comment.

 

“And that is the gist of the meeting, dear viewers,” Céline Eylenbosch, the familiar blonde-haired Venusian reporter tells the camera, “It seems like the Alliance is still holding back, despite public polling showing an all-time high support for San Colette! Madness, isn’t it? Luckily, we have a special guest here with us today that might be able to shed some light on just what the Government is thinking,” she says, turning with the camera to a Navy officer to the side, a middle aged brown-haired man of Hai Phongese origins, “isn’t that right, sir?”

“Obviously I can only tell you what I’ve been authorised to say,” the officer, a Rear Admiral of some sort, begins with a disclaimer.

Céline looks annoyed, but pushes on, “Right, of course. You’re all like that. How does it feel to be moved to the front, then? It’s the first big movement in the Navy since the Civil War started, so it must have you guys jittering, right?”

“Like the minister said, these maneuvers aren’t a source of worry. We’re essentially moving to make sure nothing happens on the border. A lot of our fleets and battlegroups were rearranged over the past year, with all the changes to the command structure, so we’ve been getting shuffled around all over the place. Now, we’re getting orders again, and we’re all happy to be on the move.”

“Do you think you should intervene in the Northern Wildlands?”

“I can’t really comment on that,” the officer says, keeping their poker face. Céline looks frustrated, and then moves on.

“Alright, alright. So, a good amount of our public won’t really understand what this reserve fleet business actually means! Can you explain it to them?”

The officer mulls over his response, and then replies, “The Reserve Fleets are being moved to the border to reinforce existing defense systems. While normal battlegroups would handle offensive actions, our formations are purely defensive. We stay behind, garrison, and assist in defense as needed, while proper battlegroups do the dirty work. A lot of people sneer at us for having Reserve in our names, but we’re still top-class.”

“Does that mean that the Alliance is expecting hostilities?”

“Expecting? No. But in case anything happens, we want to be ready. We won’t let our border come under any sort of risk. Every single citizen will be protected.”

Céline turns to the camera, looking satisfied, “And what an explanation that is! That’s enough from us, thank you for your interview, Rear Admiral. Any last words you want to give to our dear viewers?”

The Rear Admiral turns to the camera, intrigued, and puts up as serious of an expression as he can manage.

“If any San Coletters are watching – hold, fight, and win. Don’t give them one inch, and keep your faith.”

[NewOriginalSchwann]

Callistean Interstellar Stock Exchange Sees Record Quarterly Growth in Defense Stocks as Concerns Mount over Wildlands

Act 2 Article 6 of the Amor Patriae arc

The camera opens to a middle-aged Solarian man sitting behind a desk and staring intensely at the camera. Typical viewers of the SANN will easily recognize this as none other than Gui Chen, a Lunarian-born economist and host of the Network’s economics newshour.

“Good evening,” he begins, “and welcome back to the Alliance News Network. Today’s leading headline is the stunning recovery of the Alliance’s military industry following the start of what some are calling the Solarian Civil War. We now go live to CISE, where markets have just closed for the day and have brought record quarterly growth for the defense sector. Gwen?”

The camera view splits into two. On the right, Chen. On the left is a Callistean woman labeled  Gwendolyn Llewellyn, CISE Reporter. Llewellyn smiles and waves.

“Hi Gui! The scene’s like totally ecstatic here in CISE! Like honestly,” she pauses to breathe in, “okay so like Zavodskoi left like a hella big hole in the defense industry when they moved to like Mira Sancta or like whatever right so like there was like a bit of a like gap in the industry basically.

Chen nods along, not interrupting. He is apparently used to this.

“So like the Stellar Corporate Authority stepped in but like it’s like hella stepped in since the Wildlands crisis started and like honestly like it’s like super impressive we’ve made this much! Like even without a lot of the like Middle Ring industry these are like record-breaking profits even like after you adjust for inflation!”

The Callistean stops, taking a moment to breathe in deeply. Chen seized this rare moment of silence.

“Which sectors are the big winners so far, Gwen? Any standouts?”

Llewellyn nods!

“Yeah so like for sure it’s shipbuilding like hands down Gui like honestly no contest at all. As a Castillean it makes me like hella happy since like honestly like the shipbuilding industry right it’s like the like heart and soul of Callisto since like how else are we going to endure the trade keeeeeeps coming strong!” Llewellyn shoots a finger gun at the camera. Chen gives a wry smile which is partially obscured by his mustache.

“And for our viewers back home, why is the defense shipbuilding sector doing so well?”

“Oh! So like the most obvious is due to the Navy’s recent modernization efforts since like there’s been like hella requests from them to use all kinds of dockyards and facilities for it and like that creates jobs you know? Like they’re not like civilian ships but like they money is still coming into Callisto and like now that the Hammer drive’s been on the market for like a minute it’s looking even further up!”

Llewellyn pauses for a moment to breathe, and Chen interjects.

“That’s great news for Callisto, Gwen. We need to go on a short commercial break but know you can always find us on Chirper at Sol Econ News, no spaces, for the latest updates regarding the Spur’s largest economy. We’ll be right back with more of the news you and your wallet need!”

Llewellyn and Chen both wave to the camera as it fades out into a commercial break. The first ad is for, predictably, Navy recruitment.

[MattAtlas]

First Battlegroup Moved Near Border for Exercises

Act 2 Article 8 of the Amor Patriae arc

In a press conference at 1400 GST today, Minister of Defence Lucien Courtois has confirmed the First Battlegroup will conduct its readiness exercises near the Alliance’s border alongside several reserve fleets now stationed in the region to ensure the security of the border. When asked by a reporter if this was related to protests on Callisto, Minister Courtois advised the First has intended to perform these maneuvers for, “at least several months,” in order to ensure its combat readiness remains high.

While undergoing maneuvers the First Battlegroup will be under the overall command of Fleet Admiral Ingrid von Varnhagen und Langenburg, who was unable to be interviewed due to the deployment but advised she was, “very excited,” to conduct maneuvers with the entire battlegroup. When combined with existing reserve forces, the Navy detachment stationed at the Wildlands border constitutes one of the largest concentrations of Navy vessels since the Interstellar War.

SANN reporter Céline Eylenbosch has been embedded with the First Battlegroup and will provide updates on their maneuvers as they progress. In related news, the percentage of Solarians who support some form of intervention in the Wildlands has risen sharply following widely publicized protests in the Commonwealth of Callisto. The Solarian Navy Press Office declined the SANN’s request to comment on this development.

Edited March 30, 2023 by NewOriginalSchwann

[MattAtlas]

SANN Exclusive: Interview with the 1st’s Fleet Admiral

Act 3 Article 5 of the Amor Patriae arc

The video opens up in an unusual location for the viewers. Céline, SANN’s trusted reporter, appears to be on a Navy ship of some sort, standing in a nondescript waiting room. That much can be gleaned from just looking at the environment and the Sol flags plastered about the walls. With a microphone in hand, she stands next to a serious-looking, thin, pale and gaunt woman with shoulder-length black hair and blue eyes, standing at about six feet four. She is wearing a Navy dress uniform, and those familiar with the Alliance navy can easily recognise her as Ingrid von Varnhagen und Langenburg, the Fleet Admiral of the 1st Battlegroup.

“Welcome back, dear viewers, and boy do we have a surprise for you!” The reporter exclaims, beaming, “The SANN has gotten special authorisation to ember yours truly into the one and only SAMV Gunnhildr, the flagship dreadnought of the First Battlegroup. And, as you can see, standing next to me is this behemoth’s very own Admiral - and what a title that is! First of all, welcome to the best news channel in the Alliance! How do you feel about being live? Usually, people like you work from the shadows, so to speak.”

“My pleasure to be here,” Ingrid says, her voice grave, yet still smiling, “It isn’t every day we get to show our faces to the Solarian public at large. Like you said, most of us don’t like the public spotlight. That’s the politicians’ job.”

“Great!” Céline turns back to the camera. “We have been at the Northern Wildlands border for quite a while now. The maneuvers themselves are, of course, confidential - buuuut, our special guest here can at least tell us the reasons behind them and if they’ve had any effects on the fleet’s readiness. Isn’t that right?” She asks, looking back to Ingrid.

The admiral replies without much of a change in her stance or face. “They’ve been largely a success. As you might know, the First Battlegroup is the only formation to be fully equipped with the Lopez-Zhang warp drives. Since we’ve only gotten them recently, we’ve been short on time to practice with them. But now, we’ve worked on incorporating them into some experimental maneuvers. We’ve also got a lot of new blood hand-picked from other battlegroups, since a lot of personnel were arrested for collaboration with the Front. Our new crew-members are the very best we’ve got in the whole Navy, but they’re not familiar with fighting side-by-side with a dreadnought, as most of them come from fleets outfitted with a supercarrier as the flagship. In short, we’ve caught them up to speed on how to fight with the Gunnhildr.”

“Wow!” Céline exclaims, “It sounds like you’ve had your work cut out for you. So, how do you feel about this all? Is the First Battlegroup ready to defend the Alliance? Do you feel like you’re missing anything? An Idris sponsorship, perhaps?”

“We’re ready for anything. No matter what or where - we will prevail.” Ingrid’s words brim with determination, while completely ignoring Céline’s joke, much to her dismay.

“...Right. Anyway, all those Front sympathizers getting arrested seems to me like it’s been quite the problem?”

The admiral nods once, “It was a pervasive problem at all levels. Most fleets lost a good amount of men. Some were almost entirely gutted. It means that we’ve had to wait for new personnel to replenish the ranks. Some battlegroups, like the First, have been able to recover; others aren’t at operating capacity yet.”

Céline puts her free hand on her hip and turns back to the camera. The admiral turns her gaze to the camera as well, her expression unchanging. “You heard her, viewers! Do you think the Alliance’s navy is on a good path? Or do you think this is all for nothing? I think we’re in good hands, personally! Remember to vote on our site polls to give your opinion, and I’ll see you later!”

[MattAtlas]

BREAKING: Front Incursion Repelled

Act 4 Article 6 of the Amor Patriae arc

At 4:54 Galactic Standard Time this morning, the 25th Fleet stationed in the Lumina system registered an incursion by an unidentified battlegroup later identified as the 33rd Fleet - belonging to the Restoration Front. Our sources report that they hailed the intruders for approximately twelve minutes before delivering an ultimatum to leave the system or be shot down, at which point the Front forces opened fire.

The skirmish lasted approximately two hours and fifty-four minutes, ending with the Alliance pushing the Front into a retreat. Casualties were taken by both sides, with the Front taking a much heavier share. Preliminary numbers show 314 casualties for the Alliance fleet and slightly more than 1,000 for the Front. As part of our investigation, we have managed to get in contact with a Lieutenant serving aboard a destroyer that took part in this conflict.

 

“The [explicits] just didn’t wanna talk to us,” the Lieutenant tells us, “Nothing we tried worked. They just kept moving. At which point, we had to try to stop them, somehow. We were more reticent than we should’ve been, since we knew those ships were Solarian – San Colettish design, to be precise – and we’re told to try and confirm who they are first, since we often get refugees from the Shield Pact or wherever else. But their IFF was off, and we couldn’t tell who exactly they were. We had to make a choice. And when we did, they started firing at us.”

“After that, it was a bloodbath. You’re told to expect it when you sign up for the Navy, but it’s never a possibility to you until it happens. Any second that passes could be your last one alive - you don’t know you’re getting blown up until the shell explodes in your ship. And looking out from the windows was grim, too. Explosions everywhere, and most of the time you can’t even see the enemy with the naked eye. But we made it through, still not knowing for sure who we were fighting, even if everyone had a clear idea by the time the shooting started.”

“Once the salvage crews went to the wreckages, we knew for sure. Front gear and decor everywhere. Black-striped voidsuits, posters of Hopper, Frost, Ozdemir, Keyserling, Verglas... photos of Lycoris… personal recordings of all the [explicit]-up things they did… the list goes on. The black boxes we recovered had some horrid stuff – even if I could talk about it, I wouldn’t want to – just know that shooting them down was the right [explicit] idea. They’re [explicit] animals, that’s what they are.”

 

In response to this incident, the Government scheduled an emergency meeting, of which we have received the results just now. All battlegroups near the northern border will enter an increased state of readiness and begin preparing for maneuvers. The Navy has additionally announced that the families of its servicemen in these areas should be ready for long periods of no contact.

[MattAtlas]

BREAKING: THE SOLARIAN ALLIANCE INTERVENES AGAINST THE RESTORATION FRONT

Epilogue Part 1, Article 1 of the Amor Patriae arc

All transmissions across the Solarian Alliance, at exactly 13:30 GST, cut to show the largest room in Unity Station, the Hall of History - so called due to its walls painted over with an immense canvas depicting the history of the Alliance - absolutely full of all kinds of dignitaries. Military officials, Solarian and foreign diplomats alike - wherever anyone looked, they would recognise at least one important person. On the stage, is the full Provisional Government: behind them are yet more Alliance flags. Behind the podium, decorated in a bright depiction of the Solarian flag, is Admiral Lucien Courtois, flanked by Senator Trang and Governor Strom, both standing still with their hands behind their backs. Every figure in the hall looks markedly stoic, with not a single whisper breaking the silence.

The air is cleared by Courtois, who speaks in a grave tone, “For as long as we remember, the Alliance has always been at war with itself, in one way or the other. Whether that be politically, culturally, or physically - it was never within the Government’s power to stop it. Never did we learn from our mistakes. Never did the Alliance put its people first.”

He pauses for a moment, then he continues, “Today, the cycle ends. Our borders have been terrorised for far too long by people who claim themselves to be Solarian - yet murder their kin in cold blood. Today, the Government chooses to act. No longer will we stand by and watch as our citizens are slaughtered - as our soldiers fight for their life. Today, we choose to learn from our mistakes, and to confront a monster of our own making.”

“As of now, our fleets have begun moving into the territory colloquially known as ‘the Northern Wildlands’. We declare war on the ghosts of our past, so that they may never haunt us again. May the Alliance be reunited and prosper forevermore.”

With those words, Courtois bows and leaves the podium. The room erupts into clapping, with the Government’s emissaries joining in.

The Extranet has similarly erupted into a state of jubilation, confusion, exhilaration, panic, and worry all at once, from all of humanity in the Spur at large. Early reports indicate Solarians joining each other in drives on the streets in jubilation across all Alliance planets, matched by public displays of worry, pessimism and skepticism by other parts of our people. The results of today's declarations remain to be seen, but this is surely a pivotal moment for galactic history [...]

[MattAtlas]

The Admiral of the First Fleet Lands on San Colette

Epilogue Part 1, Article 3 of the Amor Patriae arc

This news service opens in the bay of a transport shuttle. It doesn’t look to be moving, and a few personnel - high ranking military officials and pilots, by the looks - are scurrying about the bay, shuffling various crates and items around. The camera, however, pans to a familiarly blonde figure, this time wearing a suit and tie. She can still be easily recognised as Céline Eylenbosch, the SANN’s chosen reporter for all things San Colette.

 

“Welcome, dear viewers,” she says, as the bay door behind her begins its opening cycle, “to the exclusive of your life! We are the first official Solarian envoy to land on San Colette since before the Civil War. Isn’t that exciting? It should be! As you know, we arrived to this system in the SAMV Gunnhildr only a day ago, and the Alliance has secured it enough for us to land. Nueva Isabela was secured by marines from the First Fleet just earlier today, and it’s been deemed safe to land only a few hours ago. Now, let’s watch closely…”

 

Both the camera and Céline turn to the exit, which has by now started to open. Warm sunlight - clearly that of a late summer afternoon - breaks through the cracks first, and then the scenery from the top of some sort of skyscraper, from which a good amount of the capital can be seen. The outskirts are littered with destroyed buildings and rubble, the plazas and roads filled with makeshift fortifications, sandbags, and army vehicles; the fields outside the city dotted with ashy craters, destroyed tanks and other military vehicles, barricaded and broken roads, and wreckages of jets and spaceships alike. Ships and planes traverse the sky as well, likely escorts for the VIPs that just landed. Nueva Isebela does not look like an untouched, privileged capital - but yet another victim of war, like the others. It was a clear target for destruction, rather than occupation.

 

As the news reporting pair step out of the vehicle and onto the roof, the cameraman makes sure to meticulously record all of the previous details, zooming into all of them. Once done with his documentary, he pans to Céline, who had been occupied gazing at the scenery before her, with an uncharacteristically serious and longing look. She then turns to the camera again, forcing through her usual smirk.

 

“This is San Colette, viewers,” she says, dropping the adjective before ‘viewers’ she loves, “A few months of fighting have reduced it to this. Nueva Isebela may be the most well-defended city, the most valuable and the most untouched - but, even so, its suffering is palpable from here. Our reports indicate that the other major cities are in an even worse condition… it is a truly horrifying thought, isn’t it? And yet, they have still made it.”

 

The camera then pans to the shuttle, from which a previously-seen figure steps out: a taller woman in a Solarian Navy dress uniform with long, black hair. She looks to be no older than her mid thirties, but to those familiar with military affairs, her tabs identify her as a Fleet Admiral. More than likely, she is actually in her mid forties or early fifties. To anyone familiar with the Alliance military, that is none other than Ingrid von Varnhagen: Courtois’ protégée and Fleet Admiral of the 1st Battlegroup. Waiting for her outside of the shuttle, meanwhile, is a figure that is just as recognisable: an exhausted-looking woman with shoulder-length brown, greying hair, looking to be in her forties, wearing a suit with a plate carrier over it. Behind her is an armed escort of five Colettish soldiers.

As the two meet just below the shuttle, they shake hands, and the reporters approach without saying a word.

 

“President, we apologise for being late,” Ingrid says, being the first to drop the handshake and returning to attention, “but the system will be secured in the following days. You have nothing to fear.”

The soldiers behind Maribel fidget a bit, as if a colossal weight had just been taken off their shoulders. Their posture remains motionless, but their hands do not, to those that pay particular attention to these details. Everyone in the bay of the transport shuttle and the other officials on the roof stop whatever it is they were doing to look towards the two officials. After a short pause, the President responds –

“We understand, and we are happy to rejoin the Alliance once more.”

A few smiles and sighs of relief can be seen among the people on the rooftop, as everyone gets back to what they were doing - as if they were waiting for those words to be spoken. Maribel nods, and the two, along with their escorts, move to an elevator and disappear out of sight.

 

The focus then turns back to Céline, who seems overjoyed herself.

“Well then, viewers, that’s it for today! We’ll be seeing you for more exclusives in the short future… and glory to the Alliance!”

A young, Colettish serviceman can be seen saluting at the camera in the background, a gigantic smile plastered onto his face - and the feed cuts just then.

[MattAtlas]

The Alliance Navy Push: Carolean Expanse Under Control Once More

Epilogue Part 1, Article 4 of the Amor Patriae arc

The camera feed opens up to a familiar, blonde Venusian woman in a suit - none other than Céline, sat in some sort of Colettish TV studio. The room looks fairly clean and proper, unexpectedly so considering the fact that the area in question was a war zone until recently.

“Good morning, dear viewers,” she says, shuffling together some papers on her desk, “This is your special SANN reporter, Céline Eylenbosch, with a new update on the war situation. Just a few days ago we landed in Nueva Isabela, and today we are beginning to see the fruits of the Navy’s hard work.” The Venusian stands up and taps the back of her hand on the holoboard behind her, which lights up and displays an intricate representation of a space battle line between the Front, the Alliance and the Shield Pact.

On this representation, the Alliance has gained a significant amount of land and is inching closer towards San Colette, though the Navy is still quite far away. The Pact is beginning to push out of the system as well, although not very much.

“As you can see, the Alliance’s attack is working out quite well. Seventy fleets were mobilised for this operation, making it the biggest Alliance offensive since the Interstellar War. Several major population centres were recaptured today as the Carolean Expanse was brought back under control. We have no information yet on the recovered planets, unfortunately, but early, unconfirmed reports paint a grim picture, with looting, mass killing and acts of terror being reported by the Front occupiers.”

She then turns around and pinches on the Nueva Patria system, zooming in all the way. All the planets can be seen, with green checkmarks and Alliance flags over them. “The fighting in the Nueva Patria system has also come to an end. All Front troops in the system have surrendered, been taken prisoner or killed. The last of the fighting ceased yesterday, late in the evening, when one last holdout on D’Anzin finished its resistance. Solarian casualties have been very low so far - reports so far indicate a sum of less than a hundred ground casualties. That is not to say that Solarian presence is gone in the system, however: many units are remaining in San Colette and D’Anzin to carry out relief operations - whether that be rebuilding roads, running rescue operations in cities reduced to rubble or giving a much needed hand to general repairs to space stations, railguns or ships.”

Céline then swipes once on the screen to close the display. “All in all, this paints an improving picture! What do you think of the work done so far, viewers? Do you think it will be enough? And do you think the Front will come back? Let us know your thoughts on the situation, and glory to the Alliance! See you in a few days!”

She waves her hand at the camera, and then the camera cuts out.

[NewOriginalSchwann]

Exclusive Footage From Inside the SAMV Gunnhildr as it Arrived in Nueva Patria

Epilogue Part 1, Article 5 of the Amor Patriae arc

The camera opens to a nondescript older Solarian man sitting behind a desk, who smiles at the camera as the footage fades in. Habitual viewers of the SANN may recognize this as Reginald “Reg” Fitzpatrick, a Callistean news anchor who specializes in military-related reporting. A proud veteran of the Callistean Marines, Fitzpatrick is perhaps somewhat less impartial than the typical journalist. Fitzpatrick is known for never using a language other than his distinctive Castillean Tradeband, which is distinctively Utgarian rather than the rapid New Valletta accent most associate with the moon. Solarian Common subtitles are provided.

“Good evening, viewers!" Fitzpatrick begins, leaning slightly onto his desk. “With the largest Solarian Navy actions since the Interstellar War now underway, we've received many requests to cover our fighting men and women in more depth. Today we bring you a SANN exclusive — a view inside of the Gunnhildr as it warped into Nueva Patria!”

At a dramatic snap of Fitzpatrick’s fingers the camera transitions to a view of the inside of a Solarian Navy vessel. The view of the room appears to be captured from a fixed camera upon its wall which can see all of the room aside from a small amount below itself. To somebody familiar with the Solarian Navy this is clearly a fire control room for a larger vessel’s batteries — one of many such rooms in a vessel as large as the Gunnhildr. All around the room Navy enlisted sit at militarized computer consoles, idly chattering with one another. Some appear fairly nervous and a variety of accents can be heard above the idle noise of the ship in transit — Martian, Earther, Plutonian, Callistean, Native Silversunner, and Hai Phongese accents are all discernible to a keen-eared listener. A notably absent accent is the upper-class Lunan, but a likely suspect for having it is visible in the background of the scene: a tall and pale woman clad in the black uniform of a junior Navy officer who is holding one ear shut with her spare hand and holding a wired telephone to her other ear. After a moment she puts the phone down with a loud CHUNK and quickly turns to the room.

“GUNNERY THREE,” she yells in Lunan-accented Common, “BRACE FOR WARPSHOCK!”

An older enlisted man echos the call, “BRACE FOR WARPSHOCK!”

At a moment’s notice everyone in the room scrambles and braces against a variety of objects and hikers down while desperately knocking what few objects remain on top of the consoles to the floor. An alarm begins to sound. The officer, bracing against a terminal, looks down at her watch and looks up to shout again.

“FIFTEEN SECONDS TO DEWARP!”

“FIFTEEN SECONDS TO DEWARP!” a woman bracing against another computer echos.

Five seconds pass as the sailors and their officer brace themselves. At the ten second mark, a monotone feminine voice begins to count down over the room’s speaker.

As the voice loudly and monotonically declares “DEWARPING NOW” the room visibly shakes, knocking the officer’s hat to the ground and causing a man next to her to stumble in his crouch and nearly fall over before she and an enlisted man grab onto him. The PA dings twice.

“Attention all hands,” a male Lunan  says over the intercom, “we are dewarping smoothly. Move to full combat stations.”

The officer stands up as enlisted sailors around her rise to their feet

“Gunnery three!” she shouts. “Let’s show the thirty-fifth how the First fights!”

As men and women around her shout in approval and run to their stations, the tape cuts out and moves back to Fitzpatrick at his desk.

“A truly inspiring view of the Navy’s best in action!” Fitzpatrick approvingly pumps his fist at the camera once. “News from across the frontline with the Solarian Restoration Front currently shows the Navy pushing back the secessionists on all fronts and saving our fellow Solarians from the yoke of Frost’s tyranny and corruption! The Sol Alliance News Network will keep you informed of all relevant events in these historic times, and one of our best reporters is on the ground to cover the situation as it develops. For now, however, have a good night and God bless the Alliance! And if you’re in the Northern Reaches, stay safe — the Alliance is coming together once again!”

The broadcast fades out.

[MattAtlas]

BREAKING NEWS: LYCORIS FALLS, NAVY REPORTS “SOLARIAN RESTORATION FRONT” NEARLY DEFEATED

Epilogue Part 1, Article 8 of the Amor Patriae arc

The camera opens onto a Solarian woman sitting behind a desk. She is taller and appears to be in her early middle age judging by the presence of gray hairs near her ears. The pallid complexion of her skin indicates she is almost certainly Lunan and longtime viewers of the SANN will recognize her as Elisabeth von Nostitz — a veteran journalist with the SANN and daughter of a prominent Lunan family with deep connections to the Solarian Navy. She is, according to some rumors, the second (or third) cousin of the First Battlegroup’s Fleet Admiral: Ingrid von Varnhagen und Langenburg.

“Good evening,” von Nostitz begins. “We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming to bring you an important update from the Northern Wildlands: as of today, the government of Lycoris has officially surrendered to representatives of the Solarian Armed Forces and has been placed under the control of a provisional military governor who will rule it for the foreseeable future. From Lycoris the Solarian Army has sent us the following video.”
 

Spoiler

At a gesture from von Nostitz the camera’s view switches to a partially-ruined public square on Lycoris, seemingly outside of a government building. Unlike some of the helmet camera footage of the XNS this appears to have been captured from a fixed camera upon a tripod — potentially an Army or SANN film crew. A Front ensign flies from a flagpole surrounded by Solarian Army troops — some wearing the distinctive boonie hats of the 12th Silversunner — and an officer with a gray mustache wearing a distinctive kepi. To a view of the XNS this is very clearly Lieutenant Colonel Hale Kaohi, formerly of the Colettish volunteers and now once again in the Solarian Army. Any doubt it is Kaohi is broken when he speaks.

“Bring it down!” Kaohi shouts.

At Kaohi’s shout a Silversunner yanks the Front’s flag down the pole harshly and brings it to ground level. Once it is at grabbing height the trooper reaches up to it and grabs onto it, then pulls out a bayonet and cuts the Front flag off of the pole’s rope. Holding it in her hand the soldier throws the flag onto the ground and crushes it into the ground with her boot. Several soldiers in the crowd, including Kaohi, shout approvingly.

“Hoist the colors!” Kaohi shouts.

At Kaohi’s orders the soldiers come to attention as another Silversunner soldier, this one carrying a Solarian flag, walks to the flagpole alongside two other soldiers, one from the 37th Martian and another from the 1st Earther — a touching display of Solarian unity which certainly cannot be coincidental. The trio reaches the flagpole and gently unpacks it before attaching it to the flagpole and hoisting it as somebody plays the Solarian anthem on a trumpet in the crowd of collected Army troops. The flag is simply a Solarian Alliance flag. It has no canton and belongs to no specific planet. It is the flag of the Alliance — the entire Alliance.

As the flag reaches the top of the pole the trio who have hoisted it, and the collected Army troops, stand to salute it. While some of this is likely staged, the simple fact of the Solarian flag being raised over Lycoris makes this an historic day. For three years the Northern Wildlands have been ruled by anarchy and murder, divided between bandits and fascists with innocents caught in the middle. The Solarian Alliance’s flag flying over Lycoris — the heartland of the SRF — does not mean the fighting is over, but it does mean this chapter of the Alliance’s history is coming to a close. It is, it seems, nearly over at long last.

The footage finishes and transitions back to von Nostitz in her newsroom. The Lunan clicks something on her desk which causes the screen behind her to switch to an image of the Northern Reaches where the major locations are labeled in both Tradeband and Solarian Common. Navy forces have effectively seized control of much of the Front’s former territory, and are nearly linked up with the 1st Battlegroup force in Nueva Patria. The First, not ones to sit idle, have taken back Lhokgon from the Front and have undisputed control over Novo Igman’s surroundings.

 

“As you can see,” von Nostitz points to the map behind her, “Navy forces are currently routing the Front across the Northern Reaches. The fall of Lycoris is both a major defeat for the Front and a significant success for our armed forces. Notably Thomas Wilks, the last governor of Lycoris prior to the Collapse, has been captured by the Army while attempting to disguise himself as a civilian. Other Front officials have been similarly captured by the Army and Navy. Minister Courtois has announced Wilks and other individuals will be held by the Department of Justice until tribunals can be held for their actions."

von Nostitz clicks her desk again and the screen behind her switches to a middle-aged man in a factory worker’s jumpsuit with his hands cuffed behind his back. Two individuals — one a Solarian Interstellar Security Agency agent complete with suit, badge, and bulletproof vest; the other a soldier of the 37th Martian — are holding onto either arm. The SISA agent, a serious-looking man, is holding a card in front of the man which labels him as WILKS, THOMAS. The soldier is looking at the camera with a massive grin on her face.

“That concludes this special broadcast of the Sol Alliance News Network. Have a good night.”

[MattAtlas]

The Colettish Documentaries: Episode 1

Epilogue Part 1, Article 9 of the Amor Patriae arc

The camera opens up to the same makeshift studio as last time - except now with a wooden desk and two wooden chairs, one on each side: an impromptu interviewing room of sorts. Céline is sat on one chair, with the holoscreen behind her, and a Colettish man - no older than his early twenties - is sat on the other. He is wearing a Civil Guard BMT and a plate carrier, although with no weapons or ammunition on him.

Céline turns to the camera and introduces her show while the guest fiddles with his hands for a bit. “Welcome, dear viewers, to the first installment of the Colettish Documentaries! Or the C-Ds, if you’d like - very retro of an acronym, that! In this series, we will interview various people who represent the struggle of San Colette against the Front: those who have fought at the frontline and those who have supported the fight from the back alike.” Turning to her guests, she then asks, “Now, why don’t you tell us a little about yourself?”

Perking up as if he was told that he just won a million credits, the soldier smiles and begins a heartfelt introduction, although with a little awkwardness in his voice. “I’m Alejandro [last name beeped out for privacy reasons], ma’am. Twenty one years old. I wasn’t actually in the Civil Guard - or, well, I didn’t want to be– uh, no, that’s not the right way to put it… it’s more like it’s not where I wanted to end up.”

“You had other plans for your life, then,” Céline says, although it looks like she’s trying to correct him more than anything.

“Uhm, yes,” Lopez is caught a little off guard, but then continues, “I wanted to be a doctor. I was in my third year of university when they attacked, and I studied right here in Nueva Isabela, at [location bleeped out], so - pretty close to the city centre.”

“Did you sign up for the Guard, or were you drafted?”

“Since I was in university, I didn’t get drafted, no,” Lopez continues, “But it was the talk of the month there. Everyone was a little scared deep inside, I think, even if Coletters are known for their bravado in the Inner Ring,” he lets out a short chuckle before continuing, “I wasn’t the only one to enlist, but I was in the minority among the people I knew. Nobody called me crazy, though - they just told me to come back in one piece. My girlfriend was the only one who tried to stop me, but…”

“But?” Céline tries to incite a response.

“...It felt like I had to be there. Like I’d hate myself if I didn’t sign up. Like I wouldn’t have been able to live with myself. Everyone knew this was going to happen eventually, so we all had time to come to terms with it, but when you do that, you end up with a lot of pent up anger that you don’t know how to manage. Because carrying on living while knowing that one day your home will be invaded and you might die isn’t easy. A lot of us coped with it by trying to help, however we could. Both for our loved ones, and for ourselves.”

“That’s a heavy topic,” Céline says, the sparkle in her eyes signaling that she’d caught onto something quite interesting to her. “What was the lead-up to the invasion like? How did everyone feel? Was it scary?”

“Scary? Well… when we were cut off from the Alliance, it was scary. Back then, people didn’t even know if we’d have been able to import food from the Gate. We were mainly worried about our jobs and university, though, since it was mostly news anchors and politicians talking about how the economy was, well, screwed – uh, is that going to be censored?”

Céline shakes her head.

“Okay, good. I know a few Lunans and some Venusians here on a student exchange program. They essentially got stuck when the Alliance collapsed and it was miserable for them. They couldn’t even contact their parents for a while, and for them it must’ve been even worse - being unable to hear about your children when your nation’s falling apart,” he pauses, as if to let that hang in the air for a while, “They continued their studies while they could, but it was obvious they weren’t fully there. Like half of their mind was concentrated on accepting the fact that they couldn’t leave.”

“But, at this point, it was only like losing the train home and being unable to get it back. We didn’t know that the Front and League would form yet. Once we did know, though, everyone’s hearts collectively sunk. I remember people being visibly depressed for a bit. The streets were empty, the stores got practically ransacked by people trying to stock up for an invasion - but, after a month or two, it was back to normality. We Coletters rationalised it by that point, and we did it by accepting that we wouldn’t let our home fall.”

“That sounds like a terrible few years!” Céline exclaims, clearly sounding genuinely concerned. “What was the general opinion on the Alliance at that point?”

Alejandro chuckles, then simply replies, “Factually, mixed. In reality, everyone clung on to the hope that the Alliance would come back. Considering the situation, it was a delusion… but delusions come true sometimes, ey? That said, there isn’t a single Coletter who isn’t glad to be back. We also survived because of you all.”

“Don’t thank me, thank our armed forces,” Céline says with a laugh of her own. Sorting the papers in her hands for effect, she looks to the camera and says, “That’ll be all for this interview. Stay tuned for our next special guests. Goodbye, dear viewers!”

Alejandro smiles does a two-fingered salute to the camera as well, and then the feed cuts off.

[NewOriginalSchwann]

PEACE AT LAST! — Government Declares End of Major Operations in the Northern Reaches

Epilogue Part 2, Article 2 of the Amor Patriae arc

The camera opens upon a conference room featuring an empty podium with a Solarian flag behind it and what appear to be Colettish and Solarian Navy flags to its sides. Beside these flags are those of almost every Solarian Northern Reaches world with two notable exceptions: Konyang, defected to the Coalition in 2462, and Lycoris, heartland of the Solarian Restoration Front. To the left is an unassuming wooden door guarded by two individuals: one a Navy marine, the other an officer of the Colettish Civil Guard. At an unseen signal both open one side of the door as Minister of Defense Lucien Courtois walks out from it, accompanied by a Navy officer and a man in a business suit with a Solarian flag lapel. The trio walk to the podium and Courtois stands behind it, looking at the crowd. After a moment, he speaks.

“As of eighteen-hundred galactic standard time, I am proud to announce the end of large-scale offensive operations against secessionist forces in the Northern Reaches following the surrender of their last stronghold, New Atlantica.

Courtois pauses for a minute as the assembled crowd bursts into applause and cheers. A small smile escapes his otherwise serious expression as the applause dies down and he begins speaking again.

“With the end of major combat operations most elements of the Solarian Armed Forces engaged in the region will remain for temporary peacekeeping and patrol operations related to remnants of the secessionist forces in the region which have refused to surrender. Control over the Northern Reaches outside of Lycoris will be transferred to civilian authorities, and a special zone known as the Northern Solarian Reconstruction Mandate will be created to assist in the rebuilding of the region. We will build a better Alliance for our people, and ensure a civil war never happens again.

Courtois pauses for a moment as he is once again drowned out by applause and cheers.

“Thank you. I yield the stand to Attorney General Henri Fontenot of the Department of Justice, who has an announcement related to the Northern Reaches.”

Cortois steps back and allows the suit-wearing man to take the podium. Fontenot is a tall, thin man who appears to be in his early middle age — his late 50s, for one with access to the advanced medical care of the 2400s. He has a small, well-kept mustache and speaks with a notable Earther accent.

“I thank you, Minister Courtois,” Fontenot clears his throat and continues. “For nearly three years our great nation has been made to look on as so-called ‘warlords’ made a mockery of our laws, our treaties, and our good government. The treaties which founded our nation hold all of humanity as equal under the law, and granted certain unalienable rights. The ‘Restoration,” Fontenot grimaces as he says the word, “Front has consistently and grotesquely violated these rights all Solarians are entitled to.

Fontenot pauses for a moment, looking at the crowd.

“By the power vested in me as our Alliance’s attorney general, I declare that we shall try all who have violated the human rights of the Solarian people in the Northern Reaches. Justice will be provided to those who have been wronged, and those who have broken our laws will be punished.”

The crowd once again erupts into applause as Fontenot steps away from the podium. He and Courtois hold a brief, whispered conversation as the Navy officer — a middle-aged Hai Phongese man — steps up to the podium.

“That concludes this press briefing. Thank you for coming — unfortunately, we cannot accept questions at this time.

As the trio moves to exit the room the sound of camera shutters snapping and reporters murmuring, of still attempting to ask questions, becomes nearly deafening. The broadcast shortly cuts and moves to a commercial break.

[NewOriginalSchwann]

Alliance Celebrates Victory in the Northern Wildlands – Provisional Government Announces Mandate Governors!

Finale of the Amor Patriae arc

The camera opens onto a crowd waving three flags – Callisto’s, San Colette’s, and the Alliance’s – while cheering and hoisting a man wearing the black uniform of a Solarian Navy officer into the air. The man throws his hat into the sky as a Lunan-accented male begins to speak as a voiceover.

“This Monday brings an apparent end to a weekend of celebration across the Alliance with the end of major combat operations in the Northern Reaches, and the announcement of reconstruction in the war-torn region.

The camera switches to a view of the Hai Phongese skyline, where fireworks are visible exploding in the air even through its omnipresent smog and dust. A crowd of Hai Phongers watches and observes from a balcony, cheering through their respirators and chanting Solarian slogans. It switches again, now showing a celebration on Silversun where fireworks are exploding in the night sky above a pristine white sand beach. Another camera shot shows a Plutonian street with a red banner reading “GLORY TO THE VICTORY OF THE ALLIANCE OVER FASCISM!” strung across it, from one apartment building to another.

“All across our Alliance,” a Lunan-accented man narrates, “the end of the conflict has been celebrated – in many cases, for multiple days – as the end of three years of civil war.

The switches to a shot of a large screen in the Susuhe District of Binyaria on Venus which is being watched by a crowd of people. As the announcement of the intervention’s end, and victory, comes into the screen a roaring cheer goes through the crowd, which begins to chant “SOL! SOL! SOL!” over and over. The chanting is quickly drowned out as the camera switches to a scene in Harmony City, Luna, where a Navy officer of the First Battlegroup is greeted by her parents as she returns home. While more demure than Venus, it is still a celebration.

“From Venus to Visegrad,” the camera switches to a shot of the Freiheit Tower on Visegrad, which has had a massive Solarian flag projected onto it with “VICTORY OVER ANARCHY!” printed on it, “the Alliance will doubtlessly soon be truly unified once again, and stronger than ever before. We will rise from the defeat of ‘62.

The camera switches to a celebration in Korormansk Station, Europa. Lacking a way to set off fireworks the Europans are instead laughing, singing, and dancing with sparklers in their hands as a man plays the Alliance’s anthem on an accordion. Another switch brings the camera to Unified Kunlun, Mars, where a woman with messy blonde hair who is holding a Colettish flag covered in signatures for the camera as she stands alongside a few other soldiers. The camera switches again to Earth, where a statue of a pre-Interstellar War soldier has been adorned with a banner stating the following: 600 YEARS AND COUNTING OF WINNING CIVIL WARS IN ‘65!

“Even outside our borders, Solarians celebrate.”

The camera switches first to Konyang, where a small pro-Alliance crowd is demonstrating and waving flags in Boryeong. The number of police and counter-protestors seems to greatly outnumber the protestors. It then switches to a public square in Hang Tuah’s Rest, a planet in the Biesel-controlled Corporate Reconstruction Zone, where a crowd is waving flags and chanting anti-Biesel slogans. Then, to a press room on Unity Station featuring Hendrik Strom, emergency governor of the Sol System. The crowd, fitting Strom’s populist style, is filled with both journalists and everyday Solarians. Behind Strom lies a line of flags featuring every Solarian member-state aside from Lycoris. Two individuals stand behind him — one a high-ranking female Navy officer AND the other a man in a suit with a Colettish flag pin on the lapel.

“My fellow Solarians,” Strom begins. “For three long years, we have suffered. We have watched our Alliance be picked at by vultures who claim to have its best interests in mind. Today we have watched our Alliance say: no more! No more shall we have to grieve for our fellow Solarians suffering under the rule of despots, maniacs, and warlords. No more shall we have to sleep with one eye open, ever concerned about the Civil War escalating. Today, we declare victory over anarchy!”

Strom pauses for a moment to let the crowd cheer.

“Today, we announce the creation of the Southern Solarian Reconstruction Mandate and leaders for both Mandates! Without further delay, I am pleased to announce Geraldo de los Reyes as the Governor of the Northern Solarian Reconstruction Mandate!”

As the crowd cheers again, de los Reyes steps up to the podium and waves at the assembled crowd with both hands.

“Thank you, thank you!” he shouts as the noise dies down. “In our darkest days in San Colette, we never lost our faith in both God and the Alliance. I am honored to accept the nomination of both Governor Strom and Colettish President Maribel Sarmiento for the position of Governor. I shall strive in all I do to build a better, more just Alliance for both our future and for those who have their lives protecting it.”

The crowd claps for de los Reyes as camera shutters snap and he steps away from the podium. Strom returns to it.

“Governor Reyes has my full confidence, and that of the Solarian government. Choosing the governor of the Southern Reaches was a difficult prospect, my fellow Solarians. The region has been ravaged by war, by banditry, and by the interference of Biesel. But one woman has been able to keep most of the region stable, against all odds. It is my honor to announce that Fleet Admiral Klaudia Szalai shall serve as the Southern Reaches’ provisional governor until the region is further stabilized!”

As Strom steps back from the podium the crowd cheers and Szalai steps forward. She shortly begins speaking.

“Thank you, Governor Strom. For the past three years the First Middle Ring Battlegroup, alongside Sixth Middle Ring Battlegroup, have fought to preserve our Alliance in the face of unrelenting attacks from traitors and those who would sell our country to the wealthiest corporate interest. We have beaten back every effort, and are honored to rejoin the Alliance.”

Szalai receives a notably louder cheer than Reyes as she steps back from the podium. As Strom steps forward to it, he clearly looks very pleased with something.

“My fellow Solarians, we have one last announcement for our nation,” Strom pauses, perhaps for dramatic effect. “First, I am pleased to announce July 17 as a new national holiday: the Day of Reunification. Officially, it will be formally celebrated next Monday for this year. Furthermore, with the end of our Civil War, the provisional government has reconsidered certain aspects of our government. I am both honored and privileged to announce that, starting on the first of September, 2465, we will once again hold free and fair elections. May the best candidate win, and long live the Alliance!”

Strom throws his hand into the air, both doing V for victory signs, as the crowd practically explodes into cheering. This is an historic day.

[Triogenix]

Southern Solarian Reconstruction Mandate Captures Unathi Pirates!

Earlier this week several Unathi pirates who had been raiding the shipping lanes passing the southern wildlands were captured by the Southern Solarian Reconstruction Mandate in a lightning raid by members of the Sixth Middle Ring battlegroup. 

 

Intelligence officers who had been working closely with the SIIB since early this year managed to pinpoint the main base of operations for these pirates by triangulating known attacks and comparing their locations and times. This would lead investigators back to a small asteroid base, originally used for mining but abandoned after the collapse, within the former territory of the Southern Fleet Administration. Marines then used several older generation destroyers which still had their original warp drives to jump into the system and assault the base. The pirates were no match for the destroyers and marines; before long the system was once again under Solarian control and many of the pirates were captured. 

 

In a press conference on Sankt Frederick, Fleet Admiral Myo Yunso, one of the naval flag officers assigned to the SSRM answered questions about the raid and what will happen to the captured pirates. She stated that the captured pirates would be subject to a military tribunal, and if found guilty, executed by firing squad. When asked about the possibility of bias within the tribunal due to the defendants being non-human, she responded that piracy is piracy for anyone, it does not matter if the defendants are human or not. In opposition however, Governor MacPherson has put out a statement informing citizens that he has instructed the planetary justice department to prepare to try the pirates in a court of law, with the maximum sentence being execution.

Of course, upon hearing of each other's statements and ideas for the handling of the situation, the Governor and Fleet Admiral immediately fell into the back-and-forth bickering that Sankt Frederick has become known for. The Fleet-Admiral slammed the slow process of the court system, saying that due to the pirates not being Solarian citizens they should be subject to military justice as pirates. The Governor responded by pointing out there was no military government in control of the territory where the pirates were captured and referenced a previous decision by Solarian courts to try resident non-citizen Tajara the same way as Solarian citizens. Fleet Admiral Klaudia Szalai originally sided with her fellow Fleet Admiral, but has since withdrawn that statement, instead suggesting that the Solarian Department of Justice be consulted on the issue. While this back-and-forth is still ongoing, it is unlikely any decision will be made shortly. Whatever will happen though, it is expected that these pirates will be justly punished for their crimes.