Amor Patriae Arc

Amor Patriae 2023 Event Timeline Galactic Events N/A Major Events Cold Dawn Arc ·Amor Patriae Arc · Libération, Révolution et Évolution Arc · The Titan Rises Arc · Change on the Horizon Arc · Hasta La Victoria Siempre Arc Minor Events Steel On The Horizon Arc · Omnivirate's Providence This is the overview and timeline page for the Amor Patriae Arc which began on February 2nd, 2023 and pertains largely to Sol Alliance lore. It is centred around the invasion of the Middle Ring Shield Pact by two traitor fleets of the Alliance, and the defense of San Colette. Below is a summary of the arc's applicable news articles, and additions. Contents Prologue PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES PRESS CONFERENCE TOMORROW AT 18:00 News Article Publisher : Sol Alliance News Network Writer : MattAtlas The Head of the Provisional Government, Fleet Admiral Yuhan Verhasselt, has announced that he will host a press conference on Unity Station tomorrow at 18:00 GST regarding the Government’s plans for the Solarian Navy and what new measures will be taken. The Sol Alliance News Network's coverage of this exceptional event will be hosted by reporter Céline Eylenbosch. Date: 05/09/2464 MINISTER OF DEFENCE, ADMIRAL MARCUS CARBONERO, SACKED THIS MORNING: NEW REPLACEMENT AND NAVY REFORM PLANS ANNOUNCED News Article Publisher : Sol Alliance News Network Writer : MattAtlas This live coverage of today's press conference by the Provisional Government is brought to you by the Sol Alliance News Network. After thirty minutes of waiting, at precisely 18:00 on Unity Station, a man that appears to be in his late fifties rises up onto a podium, with a Solarian flag behind him. He is wearing a Navy dress uniform and has a dour, serious look. Cameras begin to flash at the man as he begins speaking. Those that are especially interested in Alliance politics would recognise this man as Admiral Yuhan Verhasselt, the head of the Provisional Government. “Nearly three years ago, the very foundation of the safety of our nation, the Navy, was shaken to the core. Parts of this organization, infested with traitors and corporate-sponsored backstabbers, began to rebel against their own kin – against Solarians – and against our great nation’s values,” he begins, clearly holding his words back to some degree. “I speak as a man that has been with the military since I became an adult. It is evident now that the Solarian Navy is no longer the organization it used to be – no longer the organization I knew it as, and the same goes for many of you. The Collapse proved to us just how unstable our foundations were and what dangers our nation faces today, and as we begin looking to the future, it is necessary to reform the Navy to bring it up to par once more. To that effect, this morning I dismissed the minister of defense. Admiral Marcus Carbonero. In his place, the provisional government has appointed the decorated Fleet Admiral of the 1st Battlegroup, Lucien Courtois.” Verhasselt steps off of the podium. After him, a man in his late thirties or early forties steps onto the podium. Still wearing a Navy dress uniform, he appears to be considerably younger with less of a dour gaze and more of a fiery and involved look. He places a set of papers on the podium and looks at the reporters in the room. When he begins speaking, he does so with a good amount of passion in his voice. “It’s no secret that the state of the Solarian Navy is shambolic at best,” he begins his speedch, eliciting a few gasps from the functionaries in the back, although they are quickly shushed, “Significant parts of our Navy were allowed to openly rebel in a state of emergency and continue to run their petty kingdoms in Alliance territory. To this effect I ask all Solarians – what is the purpose of a military, if it cannot hold together?” Nobody in the room answers. “The answer to this simple question is none. Many Solarians think that all of these traitors have left to the so-called Wildlands now, but they are wrong – the rebellions that we faced two years ago were facilitated by collaborators in our ranks. The Navy is still infested with these traitors, and it’s about time that they were brought to justice. This amount of corruption and complacency is only further exacerbated by the fact that the Navy only answers to itself, and no other individual.” The Admiral lets these words hang for a bit, but then quickly moves on… “In matters of doctrine, our Navy is not up to par either. The established doctrine is far too rigid for modern standards and needs to be adapted, especially now that ships are beginning to be outfitted with the Hammer drive. Now that we have a potentially crushing advantage over our opponents – a drive that doesn’t use phoron – tactics that make use of it must be developed. However, complacency in the Ministry of Defense has prevented any advancements from occurring in this field. While we may possess the most advanced military in the Spur, that does not mean anything if we are still using outdated tactics from the Interstellar War.” Courtois picks up the papers on the podium and starts reading from them. “Finally, this reform plan will conclude by putting all of these improvements to the test with increased border patrols and military maneuvers around our northern border. My message to every Solarian in our borders – every single one, even those currently under control by these Warlords – when it’ll be time to strike again, our Navy will stand strong, united and ready to defend you.” The Admiral says these final words looking directly at the cameras and at every single reporter, then proceeds to answer their questions for thirty minutes, before leaving with his escort. Now, the word goes to our reporter, Céline Eylenbosch. A blonde woman stands in the hallways leading to the Unity Station senate, with a large number of known VIPs, Admirals and other such figures passing through. Her expression is rather ecstatic, and she speaks with a characteristic Cytherean accent. She looks fairly exhausted -- probably from shooting rapid-fire questions to more than a few people -- and tends to pant a bit, taking a few small pauses in her words. “Thank you for passing the word to me! Fleet Admiral Lucien Courtois indeed seems to be a very qualified person for the job!... Admiral Courtois is the ex-admiral of the famous twenty-ninth fleet, the man responsible for preventing the takeover of New Hai Phong two years ago by the rogue sixty-seventh fleet! He fought a numerically superior foe and came out victorious with minimal casualties, and our battle reporters wrote many military articles on his new and revolutionary doctrine. And who else could the Provisional Government pick for a total reform of the Navy?” Céline finishes this elegy by clearing her throat. She is pushed a bit by an Admiral rushing through the hallway, whom she looks to awkwardly, but then continues. "He, as you have seen, has outlined the need for reform that many Solarians wished for… but nobody expected words of this degree! Especially after our past Ministers have always praised the establishment and never made any attempt to rock the boat. I can tell you the reporters–... all reporters in that room were completely shocked to hear his words, which I imagine came at a complete surprise to everyone! We were all pleased, but many doubts still linger on if these plans will really work… is it a good idea to rip the foundations apart now, with all these threats at our border? This was Céline Eylenbosch with the Sol Alliance News Network, thank you for tuning in and let’s hope for the best in these trying times! Long live the Solarian Alliance!” Date: 06/09/2464 MINISTER OF DEFENCE COURTOIS ANNOUNCES DISCHARGE OF 287 NAVY OFFICERS News Article Publisher : Sol Alliance News Network Writer : MattAtlas This live coverage of today's press conference by the Ministry of Defence is brought to you by the Sol Alliance News Network. Admiral Courtois makes his way to the podium with two other flag officers behind him. He puts a stack of papers down on the podium and the two officers take their positions next to the two flag poles on each side of the backdrop. “The Solarian Alliance has long had a rocky history with its military, especially the navy,” the Admiral begins, leaning forward on the podium ever-so-slightly, “And these cracks have recently shown themselves to be an issue that could no longer be ignored, as we have historically done. As you all know, some admirals and their crew – nothing more than traitors in our ranks – have taken advantage of a moment of weakness to plunge their knife into our nation’s back.” “The Navy has long been seen as an untouchable machination by our government – a corrupt, festering bear that should be left sleeping. Ever since the Interstellar war, we have been far too lenient with corrupt military staff, and this complacency directly led to the events of the so-called Collapse – or, better yet, the synchronised betrayal of our nation.” “This complacency ends today,” Courtois declares, raising one paper as he reads off of it. “Under the provisions granted to me by the Solarian Provisional Council and the Emergency Military Powers Act, I have made the executive decision to dishonourably discharge two hundred and eighty seven officers – among which, fifty seven admirals and two fleet admirals – found to be involved in collaboration with so-called warlords, the Front for example, or in other acts of corruption.” Many functionaries in the room start whispering to each other for a while – some gasp, while the camera flashes intensify in frequency. “These investigations were spearheaded by both the Bureau and the SIP-CPA and began shortly after the secession of Konyang. Most of these officers betrayed their country for sums of cash or were simply sold positions by other corrupt officers in exchange for their silence. As a result, all of these collaborators have been stripped of their rank and will shortly undergo trials on Unity Station. I will now be taking your questions.” A blonde woman – recognizable as the Sol Alliance News Network’s assigned reporter, by attentive watchers – is the quickest on the draw and manages to attract attention to herself first, standing up to ask a question. She speaks in a fast Cytherean accent, without the hints of exhaustion from the last press conference. “Thank you for having us, Admiral! My name is Céline Eylenbosch with the Sol Alliance News Network, and – to cut right to the chase – laying off so many of our wartime staff sounds like a dangerous choice, especially now with so many threats at our borders. Is this a potential problem, in your view?” The question is definitely asked in a pointed way, typical of Venusian reporting. Admiral Courtois nods and seems to have an answer already prepared. “It is true that discharging so many of our staff will have a short-term effect in doctrinal capabilities, if we concede a rather large assumption that our corrupt staff was any good at their job, but we have already begun preparations to replace them. For example with the upcoming new blood of the classes of 2464 – fierce and motivated new blood that has seen the effects of the ‘collapse’ on their beloved nation. ” Céline nods, then quickly passes onto another question – again, with the same pointed, disapproving tone. “Thank you for the answer! Next: dishonourable discharges are legally only allowed after a court martial. Why have you seen it fit to unilaterally terminate so many of our officers?” Courtois replies without much of a hitch. “Our circumstances have made immediate action necessary, and the Provisional Council has agreed with my decisions on the matter. Bureaucracy is not something we can afford to wait for, at the moment, especially when our military’s integrity is jeopardised. Like you have said, the threats at our border will not wait for our bureaucrats to finish their morning tea, take their two coffee breaks, and stamp out the papers we need.” Céline nods again, following up with another question. “Does that mean that you possess surefire evidence to convict these servicemen?” Courtois replies, “Yes, without a doubt.” Céline responds, “Will these trials be held with open doors, so that the public may see and judge for themselves?” Courtois simply replies, “They will be closed door trials for reasons of national security. These are very sensitive issues, you must understand. Regardless, the declassification of the evidence our law enforcement agencies have collected is not within my purview.” Céline notices that her allotted time has run out and sits down, leaving the floor to another reporter. Most Solarians could recognise them as a reporter affiliated with a social democratic paper, Our Way, notoriously anti-Navy. “Admiral, we appreciate being given the time to speak about our issues with your reforms. With so many processes happening behind closed doors with this government’s characteristic non-existent transparency, how can the public view these lay-offs as anything more than the removal of political opposition, given that your reforms are likely to be unpopular in the Navy?” The reporter gets a few odd looks from the military staff in the room, but they quickly straighten up. Courtois smiles a bit at the question, for whatever reason. “To say the least… you’re correct, no sweeping reforms have ever been popular,” he chuckles slightly, with some of the people in the room joining in slight laughter, “However, they are often necessary. I believe most Solarians have now realised that the Navy can’t continue being the untouchable juggernaut it once used to be. The inaction of the past centuries culminated two years ago, with Solarians turning on their countrymen across our nation. What hurt the most was not watching this unfold, but knowing that it could have been avoided. So many good men and women died as a direct result of this complacency – and to this day, this frustrates me to no end. I may have ripped into our Navy a lot, but it’s still filled to the brim with good men and women – good men and women that deserve an organisation worth their salt, one that will never leave them behind. One that will never again allow traitors to fester within its ranks. For this, I require your faith and your trust. The same faith and trust that you give to the Provisional Council, and the same faith and trust that they entrusted me with.” These exchanges continue for a while, with some of the more military-inclined reporters attempting to get into the nitty-gritty of these layoffs. Courtois is, however, tight-lipped on any matter that hasn’t been revealed in the aforementioned segments, continuing to cite national security as a reason. Everyone in the room seems to be sceptical or negative about this announcement, as a result – and the press conference ends after thirty minutes. After a while of showing the conference room empty out, the camera cuts to Céline standing in the same hallway as last time, microphone in hand. Quite a few military officials are busy speaking to eachother in the background, with some looking as stoic as ever, some frustrated, and some simply drinking their daily dose of coffee. “An unexpected and controversial announcement, to be sure! When we heard about collaborators in the Navy last time, we would certainly never have expected a figure this high! Could it really be true? So many double agents in our beloved Navy? Or is it all simply a ploy to get rid of political opposition? We’re certainly very curious to hear your thoughts on the matter, and what you think the future holds for our great nation! This was Céline Eylenbosch with the Solarian Alliance News Network, and now, a small advertisement break before our political segment…” Date: 15/09/2464 THE SOLARIAN PROVISIONAL COUNCIL ANNOUNCES THE EVENTUAL RETURN OF CIVILIAN CONTROL OVER THE MILITARY News Article Publisher : Sol Alliance News Network Writer : MattAtlas This live coverage of today's press conference by the Ministry of Defence is brought to you by the Sol Alliance News Network. Admiral Courtois makes his way to the Unity Station senate podium with two other flag officers behind him. He puts a fancy-looking binder down on the podium, with senators Hendrik Strom and Le Hanh Trang taking their positions next to the two flag poles on each side of the backdrop. This time, the room is packed with functionaries, senators, governors and representatives – practically all of Sol’s important figures are here. “In these times of uncertainty and turmoil, it’s important for our government to remain stable and be granted enough powers to see through the required radical reforms we need,” the Admiral begins, “The Industrial Reclamation Mandate was the most important of these reforms, but only a stepping stone along the way. Overtime, the government has worked to stabilise our situation, and we are now comfortable with taking steps to pave the way for the future of the Alliance.” “Today is the day we take the first of those steps. In collaboration with the senators Le Hanh Trang – who has spearheaded this project – and Hendrik Strom, we will take the first steps towards the return of the civilian government to our great nation. I’m joined by these two great politicians –” the Admiral gestures to Strom and Trang with a smile, “-- to sign into law a provision declaring that from the next legislature and forwards, the position of the Ministry of Defence, and thus control over the military branch, must exclusively be held by a civilian.” Most of the attending crowd claps at this announcement, with many standing up too. Trang and Strom also join in the clapping, looking happier than they usually do in their fiery speeches. “This agreement between the admiralty and the government has been in the making since the Industrial Reclamation Mandate, but has progressively stalled due to influence by corrupt Front sympathisers and other such traitors. We have finally agreed on the terms yesterday, and we have brought the paper here to be signed, in front of all citizens of the Alliance, for them to see that change is here. The military must not be allowed to control the nation for its whims and purposes: this simple truth was lost to us since the Interstellar War, but now that the so-called Collapse has shown us the frailty of this flawed system, it’s time to make some change. Change that will restore the people’s faith in the military, and change that will help prevent corruption at the highest level in the future.” Courtois steps back to give the podium to Trang, taking her place in the back as she prepares her own speech. “The Solarian Provisional Council has, as most of you know, been here for nearly two years, now. Two years that the Solarian people have had to endure without a democratically elected government. My friend Strom and I may have stepped up to the plate, but this situation cannot last more than it has to. No temporary measure must turn into a permanent one! And this is our first step towards embracing that commitment. Our first step that I am glad to be part of, and glad to have had the pleasure of committing my time to.” Most of the chamber applauds once again as Trang takes a pen on the podium and signs the bill. She steps aside and Strom makes his way forward. “As my colleague here said, we are well on the path to becoming whole again. There are still reforms required, of course, as Courtois here will remind you…” Strom lets out a short chuckle, “But, we must show you – the Solarian people – that we do not intend to govern by decree more than necessary. And this is our proof to the Solarian people, along with the promise of an elected legislature in the near future, that these times of rule by decree are coming to their end. Long live the Solarian Alliance!” The crowd claps with some cheers as Strom signs the bill as well, with photographers taking an extremely high amount of photos of this sensational moment. Thirty more minutes of questions being taken by Courtois follow as Strom and Trang reinforce their confidence in the Admiral, letting him answer most of the technical details while they give responses about the political side. Answers regarding the ‘when’, ‘how’ and ‘where’ of the new elections are vague at best, and both Trang and Strom make it clear that time is still needed. The camera then cuts to Céline Eylenbosch standing in the hall outside of the Senate chamber, looking exhausted from asking a significant amount of questions, by the looks (and facts, if the viewer watched the entire question segment). “What a day it is today, viewers! We have just gotten our first confirmation that the Provisional Council really is just provisional after all! Most of us are glad to know that the government is taking these steps, for a change, instead of working in the shadows as they usually do… and what’s more surprising is their resolute endorsement of the new Minister! Many of you lodged doubts in our comments sections, and we are curious to hear if today’s announcement changes your mind, even a little! This was Céline Eylenbosch with the Solarian Alliance News Network! And here’s to our next segment…” Date: 27/09/2464 MASS ARRESTS OF SOLARIAN RESTORATION FRONT COLLABORATORS IN THE MILITARY News Article Publisher : Sol Alliance News Network Writer : MattAtlas 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”. Date: 21/10/2464 Act One XNS Exclusive: The Immigrant Communities of San Colette News Article Publisher : Xanusii News Service Writer : MattAtlas “Hello, and welcome once again to the Xanu News Network! As always I am your host, Mariska van den Soeterik. Today’s featured stories include the state of emergency in the northern Solarian Alliance, the Republic of Biesel’s increasing militarization, and our very own Liao Qi’s continued reporting from San Colette. We go now to Liao, who’s currently located in an area of San Colette commonly known as Little New Hai Phong.” The camera switches to Qi, who is currently standing in front of a nondescript apartment building with Solarian script in the front. A reader of Solarian Common might be able to read the script as it consists of various ads for New Hai Phongese restaurants. Qi nods and begins speaking. “Thank you Mariska. As you can see I’m currently standing in front of an apartment building in a district of Montblanc known as Little New Hai Phong. This area was settled by workers who immigrated here from New Hai Phong during the construction of San Colette’s defenses. We interviewed its current councilperson to find out how life has been in this area since the Collapse, and—“ The broadcast flickers and distorts then appears to cut out, revealing a moderately confused den Soeterik behind her desk. She takes a moment to compose herself — this appears to be unscripted. “Well, ah, our apologies for this interruption. We’ll attempt to get Liao back on the network momentarily! For now, please enjoy these words from XNS’ sponsors!” den Soeterik smiles and nods, then waves as the broadcast switches to an ad for an all-in-one Einstein-produced tool set. Date: 02/02/2465 BREAKING: BROADCAST RE-ESTABLISHED; STATE OF WAR BETWEEN MIDDLE RING SHIELD PACT AND SOLARIAN RESTORATION FRONT News Article Publisher : Xanusii News Service Writer : NewOriginalSchwann The camera flicks back on to reveal a grave looking den Soeterik. “Grave news have just reached us from the Solarian Alliance which has confirmed that a state of war now exists between the ex-Solarian statelets known as the Middle Ring Shield Pact and the Solarian Restoration Front. We go now to Liao Qi, our reporter in San Colette.” The camera switches to a somewhat shakier view of Qi than it had previously held. Qi is saying something inaudible to de la Fuente, who appears to be fairly upset with the situation. After a moment somebody turns the audio on halfway through de la Fuentes saying something. A loudspeaker can be faintly heard in the background and seems to be broadcasting an emergency alert. “—surd that you want to come with me!” “Look,” Qi responds. “Don’t you want your story to be told? We’re the only foreign reporters here, Leticia!” He then looks over at the camera, realizes it’s on and begins speaking to it without losing a beat. “Mariska, as you can see San Colette is already reacting to the state of war. Just a moment ago we heard emergency broadcasts begin in Little New Hai Phong,” he points up and to his right at something out of frame. The camera follows, revealing the loudspeaker, “which are advising residents of a state of emergency which has just begun.” “Will you be able to stay safe?” Qi nods. “Yes, we should be. We’re planning to continue reporting to the best of our abilities, as XNS always does.” He looks over at de la Fuente, who does not look happy. This is a fairly normal expression for her, all things considered. “I’m working with the Civil Guard to see if we can cover their actions.” “You are not going to the front line!” de la Fuente responds. “You’re to remain here where it’s safe, reporter.” “How are we meant to cover your story if we’re stuck here, Leticia? San Colette’s story has to be told by someone, and we’re the only ones here!” de la Fuentes looks at the camera out of the corner of her eye, then focuses on Qi. Her expression of neutral disapproval holds something else, but it’s hard to read. “We’ll discuss it later. That’s all I’ll say while you’ve got the camera rolling.” Qi, looking totally undisturbed by this, turns back to the camera. “As you can see, we’ll attempt to cover it to the best of our abilities.” The camera shifts back to den Soeterik, who nods. “We’ll let you get to it, then. Stay safe, Liao.” “Always.” Date: 02/02/2465 URGENT ALERT: WAR HAS BROKEN OUT BETWEEN THE MIDDLE RING SHIELD PACT AND THE SOLARIAN RESTORATION FRONT News Article Publisher : Sol Alliance News Network Writer : MattAtlas 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. Date: 02/02/2465 STRATEGIC EXPERTS DISCUSS SOLARIAN RESTORATION FRONT ADVANCE News Article Publisher : Xanusii News Service Writer : MattAtlas After the opening XNS jingle the camera pans to two individuals, one standing on either side of a screen displaying the Northern Wildlands. The male individual, standing on the right of the screen, begins speaking first. “Good evening everyone, and welcome to this newly-established segment, the XNS Strategic Analysis Unit. I’m Ajit Gopal, one of your hosts.” The female figure replies in tandem, “And I’m Delphine Deschamps. Our objective is to bring you live, objective and reliable updates on the situation in the Solarian Wildlands. We have also established donation numbers for relief efforts, which you will be able to see at the bottom of your screen.” “Right,” Gopal replies, “Let’s take a look at the current situation, shall we?” The holographic screen behind them changes to show a fairly decent situation for the Pact. They’ve lost a good amount of ground in the initial days, but their forces are not spread thin, and the Front’s advance has now slowed down considerably. Counting the number of fleets, the Front has almost an overwhelming numerical advantage. To the more perceptive viewers, the only thing keeping the Pact’s defense line in place is the amount of Pact-aligned FSF vessels, marked in a different color. “The Front currently seems to have the upper hand,” Delphine says, “As we can see, the Pact’s line has now stabilized from the Aria system to the Rubicon system. The Free Solarian Fleets auxiliaries here in yellow are truly the Pact’s lifeline - if they were not here, it’s likely that their defense would have already fallen apart.” “Exactly,” Gopal agrees, “One important thing to note is that the Free Solarian Fleets are actually more mobile than we calculated. We adjusted for an expected lack of phoron for their drives, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. Our intelligence has reported that the Caravaggio - one of their cruisers - has actually managed to bring back a fair amount of fuel.” “That’s interesting,” Delphine says, hemming, “So, now that they can actually maneuver around the enemy, they’ve switched to a more mobile defense overall. We’ll have to see how long their supplies last, though. They may have secured phoron, but it must be a small and finite supply.” “Indeed,” Gopal confirms, “The short-term situation is looking well for the Pact, but the long–term situation is worrying. The numerical advantage is decisively on the Front’s side, and so is the materiel advantage. How will the Pact fare from now? Only time will tell. We thank our viewers for their cooperation, and we implore them to donate to relief efforts. Now, onto the next segment by Steve Beckenbauer, Kitchen Fantasies…” Date: 02/05/2465 THE COALITION OF COLONIES RESPONDS TO ONGOING VIOLENCE IN THE NORTHERN WILDLANDS News Article Publisher : Xanusii News Service Writer : MattAtlas The camera flicks back from its commercial break to reveal a graying man in a black suit standing behind a desk marked with “ROHAN MAGAR - ALL-XANU REPUBLIC” in both Freespeak and Sol Common. “This special meeting on the ongoing Wildlands crisis is hereby called to order. Gadpathur’s representative has the right to begin.” The camera switches to a harsh-looking man in the uniform of a Gadpathurian cadre leader. His desk is marked with “PRAVIN THAMAN - GADPATHUR.” “Thank you, Representative Magar,” Thaman stands, placing his glasses on to read from a leaflet of paper in his hands. “For centuries we Gadpathurians have struggled against the Solarian menace which destroyed our world. We have bled, fought, and died to ensure our Coalition shall never again fall to the Solarian menace, which now stands batterer but not beaten. I ask you now, my comrades-in-arms, to support a strong measure against the Solarian menace! I ask you to support an intervention in these so-called Wildlands to forever break Solarian power there!” As Thaman sits, a murmur goes through the crowd. Magar narrows his eyes, seemingly quite displeased with something. “Representative Thaman. In my capacity as chair of this committee I do not appreciate extreme deviations from prepared remarks. What is your aim with this suggestion beyond carrying on a planetary grudge?” “It will allow us to keep our former Solarians secure through the creation of a demilitarized zone, Representative Magar.” “With all due respect Representative Thaman, this zone would bring us into direct conflict with the Alliance if it opts to retake these territories.” “Let them come,” Thaman quickly responds, staring down Magar. “We have beaten them before and we shall do so again.” “Your suggestion is as absurd as ever. In my capacity as chairman I call the committee to order to vote on this matter. Konyang?” The camera pans to two Konyangers: one of a fairly old man in a suit and the other is a middle aged woman wearing the uniform of a Solarian Navy flag officer, though the Solarian symbology has been replaced with Konyanger equivalents. The man, identified as “KWAN SEOK - KONYANG,” and the woman, identified as “CMDR. MI-HI GIM, KAF,” holds a brief whispered conversation before the man speaks briefly. “Konyang does not support the suggestion.” “Just what we should have expected from a former Solarian ambassador!” Thaman sneers, looking at the older man. “Commander Gim, surely you must see the reason for my suggestion, having lived repressed by Sol for some fourteen years?” Gim looks at Thaman, appearing very irate. “I have nothing to say to you.” “Another such outburst and I’ll have you expelled for the rest of this meeting, Thaman!” Magar shouts, exasperated. “To return to voting on your proposal, I assume you are in support of it?” “Gadpathur will always support standing against the Solarian menace.” “Right. The United Syndicates of Himeo.” An older, and quite pale, man whose desk identifies him as “ABELARD DIRKSEN - HIMEO” rises to speak. “The United Syndicates abstain.” “Right. Assunzione?” A middle-aged woman wearing the garb of a Luceian clergywoman rises to speak from a desk labeling her as “TEOFILA VIOLANTE - ASSUNZIONE.” “The Republic of Assunzione calls upon our principle of neutrality and abstains.” Magar scratches something down on a piece of paper and rises to speak. “The All-Xanu Republic votes against this proposal. The final scoring is two against, one for, and two abstentions. The proposal fails to pass the committee and this meeting is hereby adjourned!” Magar bangs a gavel next to him as the audio cuts and the camera fades out, but not before Thaman can be seen riding to his feet and yelling at somebody out of frame, pointing at them all the while. Date: 02/09/2465 BREAKING: Corporate-Free League Launches Assault on the Middle Ring Shield Pact! News Article Publisher : Xanusii News Service Writer : MattAtlas The camera opens on van den Soeterik, looking as professional as she always does. Her eye augments flicker softly as the camera focuses on her. “Good evening, and welcome to XNS’ foreign news hour. As always I am your host Mariska van den Soeterik. We go now to a developing story from the Northern Wildlands, where an ongoing conflict in the region has just escalated. Liao?” The camera cuts to Liao Qi outside a fairly nondescript Colettish building which could easily pass for anywhere else in the Spur if not for the sandbags covering its ground floor. Qi himself looks a bit haggard, as if he hasn’t slept recently, and is wearing a vest with “PRESS” on it in Sol Common alongside a helmet. “As you’ve just heard, Mariska, the Anti-Corporate League, another Solarian warlord, has launched an attack against the Middle Ring Shield Pact, which is where we’re currently located. The government has issued an advisory against unnecessary interstellar travel across the Pact and has requested any civilian ships capable of moving large amounts of cargo to report to the nearest military station for conversion into auxiliary vessels.” “It sounds pretty dire there.” Qi nods. “Pact officials have called for unity in the face of adversity and the defensive line against the Front is holding, but many worry this new front puts the Pact in a very dangerous situation. Many people here are now asking themselves the same question: where is the Alliance?” “Thanks for reporting on this Liao. Stay safe, okay?” He nods again. “Always!” The camera pans back to a serious-looking van den Soeterik, who begins speaking. “The XNS will strive to keep its audience updated on this developing situation. For now, a word from our sponsors.” Date: 12/02/2465 SOLARIAN GOVERNMENT CONDEMNS VIOLENCE IN THE NORTHERN WILDLANDS News Article Publisher : Sol Alliance News Network Writer : MattAtlas 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. Date: 13/02/2465 XNS Defense Analysts Review the Wildlands Situation News Article Publisher : Xanusii News Service Writer : MattAtlas After the opening XNS jingle the camera pans to two individuals, one standing on either side of a screen displaying the Northern Wildlands. The male individual, standing on the right of the screen, begins speaking first. “Good evening and welcome to this special live edition of the XNS Strategic Analysis Unit’s reporting on the Northern Wildlands. I’m Ajit Gopal.” “And I’m Delphine Deschamps. As you may be aware, the League of Independent, Corporate-Free Systems located here,” Deschamps gestures and Gopal taps the right side of the screen, causing a red section labeled LEAGUE to light up. “has recently invaded the Middle Ring Shield Pact,” Deschamps taps the middle of the screen, causing a section marked as PACT to light up, “which is currently at war with the Solarian Restoration Front located here,” she taps the left of the screen, lighting up a section labeled FRONT. “Rumors already indicate the Pact has begun to retreat. Ajit, has your desk been able to confirm any of these?” “As of now, no. Most of what we have is open-source information from platforms such as Chirper, which Pact mercenaries have been known to frequently upload videos or images to such as this one. Gopal hits a button on the side of the screen causing it to switch from a map to a photo of a Solarian Navy sailor holding a League helmet, done up in Coalition colors, with a bullet hole through its right eye. A caption below reads: “bol coalition bastards! send more rangers!!!! xoxoxo” “As you can see Delphine, the helmet here is an example of Coalition-modified Solarian surplus provided to the League by certain member-states such as Himeo or Gadpathur.” “When is that post from?” “Yesterday. We’ve also seen rumors of Gadpathurian involvement but nothing solid yet.” “Worrying. We inquired with the Gadpathurian consulate on Xanu and have as of yet received no response.” “We’ll keep our eyes open.” Gopal then seems to pause a moment, lifting a finger to his right ear. ”— but for now the producers have told me we’re overdue for a word from our sponsors.” “Oh,” Deschamps looks fairly disappointed at this. “I suppose we are. We’ll be right back, viewers!” Date: 15/02/2465 LIVE: Pact Retreats Following League Assault! News Article Publisher : Xanusii News Service Writer : MattAtlas The camera zooms in on, as always, Mariska van den Soeterik, the dedicated host of XNS’ foreign news segment. Her augmented eyes glow slightly as she reaches across the table for her holo-paper. “Good evening and welcome to XNS’ foreign news hour. I’m your host Mariska van den Soeterik. Today’s top story is the retreat of the Middle Ring Shield Pact’s forces following a renewed assault by the League some have accused Gadpathur of supporting. We go now to Liao Qi, our reporter in the Pact’s capital of San Colette. Liao?” The camera switches to Qi, who is currently standing near a road in front of a series of nearly identical prefab buildings next to his Civil Huard escort, de la Fuente. He nods, showing he’s heading van den Soeterik. “The situation in the Pact has begun to look increasingly dire since the League’s invasion, and we’re currently standing outside one of the signs of this. Behind me is Refugee Facility 692,” he points over at the facility. “It was finished yesterday and is already being used to house Solarians displaced by the League’s recent offensive, which has already taken several Pact systems. The Pact and Free Solarian Fleets are performing what the government has described as a fighting retrea—“ “Look out!” an individual off-camera shouts, potentially camerawoman Odette Noyer judging by her voice. Qi is grabbed by de la Fuente, his Civil Guard escort, and pulled out of view as a number of vehicles bearing Civil Guard insignia on their sides and carrying large missiles scream down the road at a positively unsafe speed. After a minute the vehicles stop passing by and the camera shifts to follow them as they disappear into the distance. A dusty, and somewhat shaken-looking, Qi then reappears in front of the camera, looking dire. “Liao?” Mariska asks. “Are you alright?” Qi nods again. “Yeah. Yeah, I’m fine! I’m not sure what those trucks were, but the gover—“ “Those were anti-orbital missiles,” de la Fuente states, her usual expression of neutral disapproval broken by worry. She looks at Qi. “Give me your microphone.” “What?” “Liao. Give me the microphone.” Qi hesitates for a moment and then passes her the microphone, looking nearly as concerned as de la Fuente is. “Hello,” the Civil Guard officer begins, looking both worried and nervous. “My name, uh, is Leticia de la Fuente. I’m, I’m an officer, here. In San Colette’s military. And I’m— I’m only 22, and I’m just a Corvette Lieutenant, but—“ she pauses. “I don’t know who’s listening to this, or if this will even be heard in Sol, but we need help! We’re fighting for the Alliance! We— we— you can’t just leave us to die here! This is our home, and we’re Solarian citizens! Just like you! Don’t— don’t just leave us!” de la Fuente goes silent. Gone is the previously sour-faced Civil Guard officer assigned to Liao Qi and resenting it. She looks terrified, and like she’s about to break out into tears. Qi, breaking from his usual neutral news reporter routine, pulls the Coletter into a hug. She begins crying, and the camera lingers for a moment before switching over to a grim-looking van den Soeterik. She says nothing as the broadcast fades out into black. Date: 19/02/2465 LIVE: INTERVENTION DEBATE ON UNITY STATION News Article Publisher : Sol Alliance News Network Writer : NewOriginalSchwann 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!” Date: 22/02/2465 LIVE: Coalition Special Committee Discusses the Wildlands Crisis News Article Publisher : Xanusii News Service Writer : NewOriginalSchwann The camera opens onto a meeting room on Xanu Prime filled with the same faces as the last meeting, almost all of which appear to be some form of irate. Thaman, Gadpathur’s delegate, is shouting something at his Konyanger counterpart. “—that’s quite enough out of you!” Magar shouts, banging his gavel for emphasis. Thaman sits, and Magar turns to the Konyanger delegation. “Now, your evidence you wish to present.” “Representative Magar,” Gim stands, holding a folder of papers and walking toward the chairman. “These documents contain communications between Gadpathur and the League intercepted by the Konyang Armed Forces. I’m certain you’ll find them quite interesting.” As Gim places the papers down Thaman practically erupts from his seat, causing the Konyanger officer to react a bit too quickly for a human as she reaches for something which should be at her hip but is not there. "How dare you treat this as if it is negative!” Thaman bellows, to confused looks by most aside from him. “Only Gadpathur is willing to intervene in the Wildlands, and we are not ashamed to do what is necessary!” “You’re nothing but a fool!” Seok shouts back, pushing himself up from his chair. “You’ll bring us to the brink of another Interstellar War if the Alliance opts to intervene in the region!” “Let the Solarians come! We will defeat them once again!” “Representative Thaman, has Gadpathur forgotten the economic damage of the War?!” Magar shouts back, looking more irate than he ever has. “You must cease this madness at once!” Thaman snorts, sneering at his counterpart. “Your planet’s economic relations with the Solarians have made you weak, Rohan. Only we have the strength to do what is necessary!” “I will see your planet expelled from the Coalition!” “You will be no better than the Solarian!” “Enough!” Violante stands, interrupting the screaming match. “By the Light of Ennoia are we granted the wisdom of cooperation and Coalition, and entrusted not to stray from this course. I implore you all to come to your senses and see no enemies are in this room — only misguided allies.” Thaman considers this for a moment and promptly storms out of the room, slamming the door behind himself. His colleagues watch him leave with expressions of confusion. “Most honorable chairman, I move to permit a recess,” Violante stated after a moment of awkward silence. “Right,” Magar resumes, adjusting his glasses — perhaps out of reflex rather than any real need. “The committee is adjourned until further notice.” A bang of the gavel signals the end of the broadcast. Date: 23/02/2465 Live Updates: War in the Northern Wildlands News Article Publisher : Xanusii News Service Writer : NewOriginalSchwann Following the typical XNS jingle the camera focuses on a screen displaying the Northern Wildlands flanked by analysts Ajit Gopal and Delphine Deschamps. The right side of the map is more red than before, and the left is more black. The gray Pact-labeled chunk in the middle has shrunken slightly. “Good evening!” Deschamps begins, “And welcome to another session of XNS analysis regarding the ongoing conflict in the Northern Wildlands. Today we’ll be focusing on two recent conflict zones confirmed through analysis by Amit’s team.” “Right. The first one,” Gopal taps the screen and zooms into a section of the SRF-Pact Front. Various symbols marking FSF, MRSP, and SRF units can be seen. They seem to be concentrated around a single point. “—is the Victoria System, which is home to shipbuilding yards built by Hephaestus in the orbit of New Peoria. Currently it’s being effectively held by a mixed Pact-mercenary force against a Front assault, and has become a focal point of fighting in this area.” “Due to the shipyards, right. Any other reasons?” “There’s a couple. The most obvious one is the shipyards, which have to be either demolished or moved, and are presumed to be the main reason the Pact’s dug in so hard here. The other reason’s a less economic one: New Peoria’s got a warp gate leading straight to San Colette and has been a major hub for refugees fleeing the Front’s offensive for San Colette proper. The Pact can’t easily give it up and is likely trying to get as many people out as it can before they need to destroy it.” "It sounds dire.” Gopal nods grimly. “It’s a humanitarian crisis in the making. There’s another system like this on the League front you found, right?” “That’s right. On the opposite front,” she taps the screen a few times and brings up a similar screen to the previous one, but with different borders and colors. “—we have Hudson’s Star. Before the Collapse it was a relatively prosperous industrial system with a heavy orbital mining industry, but that’s likely not what the League is intent on taking. They’re likely attempting to secure the Solarian Navy compound known as Baffin Station, which is rumored to contain repair facilities the League presently lacks.” “Is it still intact?” Unfortunately, we don’t know. FSF vessels in the area have been unusually quiet compared to previous weeks of the conflict and nobody can speak as to the quality of the facilities, or if they’re even still intact! It wouldn’t surprise me if this is simply a stalling action by the Pact.” “Well, that’s-“ Gopal reaches up to his ear again. “—something to discuss after a word from our sponsor, Einstein Engines! We’ll be back shortly.” The crushingly disappointed face of Deschamps fades out and is shortly replaced with an ad for shell-safe nanopaste built on Konyang. What a deal! Date: 25/02/2465 EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH A FREE SOLARIAN FLEETS LIEUTENANT News Article Publisher : Xanusii News Service Writer : MattAtlas A Himean man is the sole host for this segment of Interviews and News, one of the most famous Xanusii services. It revolves around interviewing both exceptional and ordinary people. This time around, however, the guest was known to be a rather special one. The host of the show is sitting in a rather cosy sofa, while on the holoscreen behind him one can see a Solarian Navy figure, clearly video calling from a ship of some sort. “Welcome, our faithful guests, to a special episode of Interviews and News! I’m Jude Scholes, and today, I’ve got a special guest for you all! Life as a mercenary is known to be a harsh one. The Xanu News Service has managed to obtain an interview with one of these mercenaries, a certain Lieutenant Yann Mueller. He is currently engaged with the Caravaggio, one of the cruisers that has traveled the most across the Spur. Mister Mueller, why don’t you tell us some about yourself and your ship?” “Oh, uh, yeah, sure,” the Solarian - a Lunan, by the sounds - responds, with an uncertain tone, “I’m Yann. I didn’t really become part of the Fleets, like, it just happened. We were in the outer ring, and then everything started going to sh– hell, and then our Admiral said that we’re on our own now, and the government wouldn’t help because Frost kicked the bucket and the Navy’s imploding… so we all just nodded our heads and went with him. I mean, what were we gonna do? Mutiny? Go back to Earth to get court martialed? We have families too, you know,” Mueller says, with a hint of resentment. “As for our fleet, well… basically, the biggest thing that’s happened to us is that we got hired by these corporate guys from Biesel… the Horizon, I think it’s called? And they wanted an escort, or something. Well - I’m just a navigations officer, so I don’t really have all the details, but I know that most of the enlisted really hate their guts. Especially one of our sergeants, Gallagher, because she says she lost someone there, or something. Not really my problem. I mean - everyone here knows death’s at the door. We just live day to day.” “That’s a bit of a coalheaded philosophy, from a normal person’s perspective, but you people are in different circumstances,” Jude begins, with the Solarian looking distinctly confused by the word ‘coalheaded’, “What happened after that?” “Well, we came back to the Fleets after our contract was like… done, or whatever,” Mueller begins, “Then, we got a fat contract from these guys, the Middle Ring Shield Pact. It’s called that way, but if you ask me, it’s really San Colette’s show… and they’re Solarians, so most of us at least feel like we’re fighting for a better cause this time around. Yeah, if you ask one of the enlisted, they’ll say it’s for the money, but that’s not really entirely true, I think. Most of us hate these Front fu–” he censors himself, “--mmh, idiots. Obviously we wouldn’t have helped if the contract wasn’t big, because you know, it’s dangerous, but you get what I’m saying, right?” “I think I do,” the Himean host says, nodding along, “So, you all said you brought phoron with you, right? How much of a key factor was that in this battle?” “Yeah, we did bring a bunch of phoron. There are some scientific details that I won’t really explain, but basically, if you have a lot of phoron to burn, you’re a lot more mobile. And that helps a lot at a distance, especially if you need to keep a mobile defence going - like we do. We don’t really have the numbers to take on them, so we need to take pot shots from far away and then leave immediately. We can’t really afford to lose ships with risky moves, so we have to play it safe… have you seen how many Regensburgists there are? It’s insane, man. They’ve got so many fleets, and they’re all fully crewed… I don’t get it.” Something can be heard being spoken from a loudspeaker in the distance. The Solarian turns to face it, and then turns to face the camera, worried. “Regensburgists, you say?” The Himean asks, intrigued, “Anyway, I assume your time’s running out?” “Yeah, we’re… we need to get to battle stations, basically. We’re almost at the first line of defence… these Coletters are pretty philosophical, you know?” Mueller gives a short, worried chuckle, “They call it the Llorente line, after their first president. It’s pretty poetic. Anyway, yeah, we need to go.” “Thank you for your time, then,” the Himean anchor says. The Solarian nods, gives a “Bye!”, and then quickly turns off the camera. “Scruples aside, this eclectic mix of people is the only thing standing between San Colette and its occupation. Will they succeed or not? We’ll leave the predictions to you - you can tell us your opinion by messaging the number or email on your screen right now. And now for our next segment, Light’s Edge and its Secrets…” Date: 01/03/2465 Tau Ceti Foreign Legion to be Deployed to the Northern Border! News Article Publisher : Tau Ceti Times Writer : MattAtlas Earlier today the Office of the President announced a general movement of all available Foreign Legion and mercenary assets to the border with the Northern Wildlands, citing the ongoing security situation in the region as the main reason for this. When asked for comment, the Presidential press desk provided the Times with this statement: “The Republic is concerned for the safety of all of our citizens, whether they be from Biesel or the Corporate Reconstruction Zone. The Foreign Legion’s presence on the border will serve as a safeguard against any Solarian elements who seek to prey upon the people of our nation, or take advantage of our resources.” When asked if the Foreign Legion would be deployed into the Wildlands for peacekeeping operations, the press desk provided the Times with the following statement: “The Republic of Biesel is a nation interested in peace which has no interest in attacking other nations. There is no current intention to deploy Legion or other forces abroad in peacekeeping operations. Our enemies should not take this for weakness, as we will defend our borders from any assaults.” The private military companies contracted to work alongside the Foreign Legion declined the Times’ request to comment on the ongoing situation, citing matters of employee safety. Date: 27/02/2465 Exclusive Interview: Fleet Admiral of the 1st Battlegroup News Article Publisher : Sol Alliance News Network Writer : MattAtlas 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…” Date: 04/03/2465 Live Updates: War in the Northern Wildlands News Article Publisher : Xanusii News Service Writer : NewOriginalSchwann The traditional XNS jingle plays, heralding the revealing of Deschamps, Gopal, and the map. The black section, marking the Front, has increased. The League’s portion has not. “Good evening and welcome to another of our segments on the ongoing Northern Wildlands conflict,” Gopal begins. “Dire news has reached us from the Victoria System, where Pact defenses fell earlier today in the face of a Front assault. This video discovered on Chirper shows some of the moments leading up to this event.” The video switches over to a recorded feed from what appears to be a spacecraft’s external camera, which is pointed at a large orbital structure containing a warship. Military-minded observers will recognize this as a Hephaestus-produced orbital dockyard partway through the construction of a Taipei-class heavy cruiser. The camera has no audio feed but does observe a small craft — perhaps a shuttle — flying away from the structure. A few moments of utter silence pass before the camera is shaken by something and six thin objects appear below it, rapidly moving away from the camera and towards the dock. The missiles strike the dock in the traditional eerie silence of space combat, and the dock itself is consumed in a series of explosions too large for the yield of the missiles. The Taipei-class hull violently cracks in half and its fore is tossed clear of the explosions by concussive force, then is itself destroyed by another missile. As the dockyard breaks apart into useless chunks and begins falling into the planet’s atmosphere, the feed cuts out and switches back to the analysts and their screen. “Our best estimate places this as having been shot by the FSF Caravaggio at 1800 GST yesterday,” Deschamps says, looking at Gopal. “Similar destruction has been reported at the New Peoria warp gate in the system, which was allegedly destroyed by a nuclear device launched by the FSF Borgia.” “And the Front now controls the system?” “Correct. This video was posted to 64tan by what we assume is one of their marines. A warning to our viewers that this is graphic content.” The camera switches to footage of an unknown man in a SRF gargoyle voidsuit with “SGT PORTER” written on its forehead seemingly recording himself on a camcorder. Muffled speech which sounds like Nral’Malic standard is cut off by a gunshot which lights up the dark room in a brief flash of light. The Sergeant barely reacts. “Guys,” he begins, his voice muffled by the suit, “we’ve taken back New Peoria for the Alliance!” he flashes a thumbs-up, then briefly spins the camera around to look out a window. The SRF’s flag flutters in the breeze, standing above a mostly-ruined square littered with destroyed civilian vehicles. An anti-aircraft emplacement sits destroyed next to what appears to have been a spaceport until recently. “We drove the aliens out and killed all the,” a loud beep, “we could find!” Porter then flips the camcorder around. “And we’re coming for their sponsors next! San Colette! Your days are,” another loud beep, “numbered!” The feed cuts, returning to the analysts. They look grim. “With Victoria and New Peoria lost,” Gopal begins, zooming out the map and zooming it back into another system surrounded with Pact, mercenary, and Front markers, “it’s likely the Pact will likely have to retreat to the Igman System, another industrial system like Victoria.” “Can they hold?” Gopal sighs. “We’ll see. They’re still holding the League at Hudson’s Star, so we’ll see. Unfortunately, we need to take a brief commercial break. Up next is the renowned Mariska van den Soeterik.” The XNS goes on a commercial break. This one appears to be dedicated to a smaller local company producing household goods. Nothing too exciting. Date: 05/03/2465 Crown Princess Condemns Ongoing Violence in the “Wildlands” News Article Publisher : Dominia Imperial News Network Writer : NewOriginalSchwann Following the Imperial News Network’s traditional opening bells, and part of the Imperial anthem, the camera fades into a view of a Morozian man in a suit typical to the Empire’s lower nobility, though it lacks the ornamentation of any of the five great houses. “Good day, and praise the Goddess in all you do. I am Valentin de Blanchet, your host for this event. Over the past months as our glorious Empire has contributed to prosper, and we have given thanks to both Goddess and Emperor for their wisdom in avoiding the poisoner chalice of phoron, much of the former Solarian Alliance — known as the “Wildlands” in their dialect — has been wracked by the scourge of violence. The heir apparent, Crown Princess Priscilla, has been chosen to speak on behalf of His Majesty, who is currently recovering from an illness. We now go to the palace, where the Crown Princess is preparing to speak. The camera switched to Priscilla Keeser, who is currently seated in a quite nice-looking chair with one leg crossed over the other. She is, as perhaps expected of royalty, poised and elegant in both her posture and garments, which appear to be a high-quality noblewoman’s dress in the strikingly red colors of the royal family. Two guards, one male and one female, clad in the dress uniform of the royal family’s bodyguard, stand behind her at attention. “Citizens of our glorious Empire,” the Princess begins. “I and my father wish you good health and hope you have kept both Empire and Goddess in your hearts as we approach the Feast of Faith. “Our Empire has much to thank Our Lady the Goddess for, as it is through Her wisdom we have avoided much of the suffering which has blighted the Spur since the start of the phoron crisis, which has direly impacted many nations of the Spur which do not heed Her wisdom as our Empire does. “Perhaps no area has been impacted more by the crisis than the northern Solarian Alliance. This region has recently fallen into a civil war which threatens to draw the broader Spur into a conflict perhaps more destructive than the Interstellar War. Much of the blame for this can be placed firmly upon the shoulders of men and women whose ambition is untempered by faith and the compassion which grows from Her.” The Crown Princess pauses for a moment before speaking again, seemingly to let her previous words sink in. “Rest assured as the Empire, through both Her wisdom and that of the Emperor, shall not involve itself in such a conflict. We will remain resolute in the defense of our borders against any aggression, and we shall seek to bring Her guidance abroad, but we shall not become involved in a Solarian conflict. Thank you, and praise the Goddess through both your words and deeds for without Her, there is no Empire.” The broadcast fades out to the polite clapping of several unseen dignitaries. Date: 07/03/2465 Office of the Prime Minister Responds to Ongoing Conflict in the Former Solarian Alliance News Article Publisher : Elyra News Network Writer : NewOriginalSchwann The camera opens to focus on an Elyran woman, dressed professionally in an orange pants-suit, sitting in a chair opposite an older Elyran man in a black suit with a small Elyran flag pin on his lapel. Habitual viewers of the ENN will easily recognize the woman as Nathifa Sabir, host of its famous Jewel’s Eye political talk show, by both her suit and habitually messy curly hair. The man across from her is Doctor Bahir Yousif, a relatively well-known member of the Prime Minister’s advisory team and Elyran foreign policy scholar. “Thank you for tuning into the Elyran News Network!” Sabir begins with a smile. “Tonight I’m joined by a very special guest, Doctor Bahir Yousif of the Prime Minister’s office!” The audience claps. “Thank you for having me.” “Of course. Now, Doctor, many Elyrans are concerned about growing unrest in the Wildlands, particularly in the Northern Wildlands. Does the Prime Minister have any plans to address the situation, particularly as San Colette is of relevance to the Spurwide phoronics market?” “As of now the Republic has no interest in the Alliance’s problems,” Yousif responds. “While it’s true the Colettish phoronics industry has an impact on the wider Spur, its impact is barely felt in the Serene Republic.” “Do you believe the impact will be mostly localized?” “Most of San Colette’s phoron was sent to Biesel, which has long been a major consumer of it. How the Alliance will be impacted remains to be scene, as they've taken steps to reduce their phoron dependency.” Sabir nods her head. “Thank you, Doctor. With that said, do you have any thoughts on the recent Dominian announcement concerning the situation?” “I do. If the Empire thinks it can disguise its efforts to undermine our sovereignty such as how they did at al-Hamid Square, they are mistaken. The Serene Republic is fully prorated to counteract any efforts to spread Dominian imperialism into regions of national or strategic concern to us.” Sabir nods approvingly! “Thank you, Doctor. Unfortunately that’s all the time we have for now. The Elyran News Network will return after a short break with the latest news from across the Serene Republic!” Date: 07/03/2465 GADPATHURIAN SUPPORT FOR THE LEAGUE REVEALED! News Article Publisher : Sol Alliance News Network Writer : NewOriginalSchwann 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.” Date: 10/03/2465 XNS Exclusive: Interview with a Gadpathurian Naval Officer News Article Publisher : Xanusii News Service Writer : NewOriginalSchwann A Himean male is the sole host for this segment of Interviews and News, one of the most famous Xanusii services. It revolves around interviewing both exceptional and ordinary people. The host of the show is sitting in a rather cosy sofa, while on the holoscreen behind him one can see a Gadpathurian cadre leader. The cadre leader, a middle-aged woman with a prominent burn scar across the left side of her face (complete with an eyepatch), appears to be using a video call of some sort, and is in a fairly dingy industrial room. “Welcome, our faithful guests, to a special episode of Interviews and News! I’m Jude Scholes, and today, I’ve got a special guest for you all! With Gadpathur having been recently accused of supplying Solarian warlords with weapons, many have been asking for a Gadpathurian response! The Xanu News Service has managed to obtain an exclusive interview with Commodore Lavanya Tripathi, officer in charge of a Gadpathurian patrol squadron which has been stranded in Konyang by the recent warp gate lockout! Commodore Tripathi, why don’t you tell us a bit about your squadron? How are you handling these accusations?” “They’re absurd,” Tripathi practically spits. “The United Planetary Defense Council has always fought for the Coalition’s best interests, and the All-Xanu Republic’s recent cooperation with the Solarian enemy to ‘expose’ this is nothing more than retaliation against us for proposing we take decisive action against these so-called Wildlands!” “Much of the reaction to Gadpathur’s intervention proposal has been negative, and some have accused it of moving the Spur closer to a Second Interstellar War during an ongoing economic crisis regarding phoron. Do you have anything to say in response to this?” “We are not the ones who should be accused of bringing the Spur closer to war!” Tripathi responds, angrily pointing at the camera. “Who is responsible for these Wildlands but the Solarians, and who now fights themselves within it? We have been presented with an opportunity to end the menace to our Coalition once and for all, and we have wasted it through the dithering of politicians and businessmen! What the Coalition needs is decisive action, and that is what Gadpathur will provide if we are directed to!” “That’s a bit of a coalheaded philosophy, from the perspective of most Coalitioners. How do you int–” Before Scholes can finish his statement, he is cut off by the Gadpathurian. “How dare you imply we are coalheaded when we are the only ones with the strength to take action!” Tripathi slams her fist down next to the monitor, causing it to shake briefly. “Cowardice in the face of the Enemy is what caused billions of my ancestors to die to the Solarians! I won’t have any more of your frivolous comments, and I will not save you when the Solarian comes for you!” Tripathi then reaches behind her video camera and shuts it off, leaving a somewhat surprised-looking Scholes sitting on his sofa. He looks at somebody offscreen and gives a hand signal, then looks back to the camera with a polite expression. “Well, that was Commodore Lavanya Tripathi of Gadpathur! As our guest has ended the interview early, we’ll be back after a short break!” Date: 11/03/2465 LIVE: Coalition Responds to Ongoing Violence in the Northern Wildlands News Article Publisher : Xanusii News Service Writer : NewOriginalSchwann This broadcast appears to have, for better or worse, begun partway into a very heated debate. Pravin Thaman, Gadpathur’s representative in the committee, has just slammed his hand down on his table with enough force to knock over his glass of water. “You work with the Solarians instead of us! Us, Rohan!” another slam. “Our planet has bled more than any other in the Coalition, and it has bled at the hands of the very Solarians you now cooperate with!” “Xanu has done no such thing!” Rohan Magar responds from his seat, angrily pointing at Thaman. “What YOU have done is nearly bring us to the brink of a Second Interstellar War!” “Don’t insult the dead of Gadpathur, Representative! We have done what any member of this committee should,” yet another slam, “have been doing! We provided the means to protect our people from the Solarians!” “You armed a warlord state which threatens us!” a voice from the side calls out, revealing Kwan Seok of Konyang. “Representative Thaman, what do you have to say for yourself?” “I have nothing to say to Solarians who only joined us out of convenience.” “How dare you!” Mi-Hi Gim, of Konyang’s military, calls out from her seat next to Seok. “The Konyang Armed Forces have fought League incursions as often as any member of the Coalition’s border force, and it turns out you were arming them the entire time? How does Gadpathur intend to wash the blood from its hands?!” “Gadpathur has nothing to wash from its hands as it has done no wrong!” Gim stands quickly, causing her chair to clatter to the ground behind her. “How dare you imply you’ve done nothing wrong when you’ve contributed to an active war on our border!” A gavel bangs, silencing the debate before one party can become more physical with the other. “I call this meeting back to order!” Rohan shouts. “Konyang, is security a concern for your delegation?” Seok nods as Gim sits down. “It is, Representative Rohan. Commander Gim and myself would like to have more naval forces moved to the border zone due to the ongoing violence, if only to assist in the growing humanitarian crisis at the border,” Seok says, keeping his tone professionally level. “While I understand the Coalition has historical grievances with the Alliance, we cannot simply let people suffer.” “The measure goes to vote!” Rohan bangs his gavel. “Assunzione?” “The Republic of Assunzione has no objection to both protecting our borders and aiding the needy. We support this measure,” Violante responds. “Himeo?” “The United Syndicates likewise support Konyang’s proposition,” Dirksen replies. “Gadpathur?” “Gadpathur will send defensive vessels to Konyang, but we will not aid Solarians unless they renounce their citizenships.” “Must you be so obstinate even during a time of crisis?” Violante asks from the side, a touch of anger to her voice. “It is our duty, by the Light of Ennoia, to aid the needy. I hope you can see the Star’s wisdom.” Thaman does not respond before Rohan speaks. “The All-Xanu Republic supports the proposition. The measure passes by universal consent, and this meeting is adjourned for recess!” Rohan smacks his gavel once again. The delegates move to begin standing, and the video footage fades out. Date: 12/03/2465 LIVE XNS EXCLUSIVE: PACT RETREATS AS ENEMIES GAIN GROUND News Article Publisher : Xanusii News Service Writer : MattAtlas After the traditional XNS jingle the camera zooms in on none other than van den Soeterik, seated behind her desk and wearing one of her seemingly infinite number of white suits. “Good evening, and welcome to the Xanu News Service. Today’s top story comes to us from the Wildlands, where the Middle Ring Shield Pact has confirmed it is starting to surrender more and more ground to neighboring warlord states.” The camera switches to a view of de Noi, the presidential spokeswoman, standing at a podium and reading from an electronic tablet. The feed starts mid-sentence. “—it is with a heavy heart that the Pact announces this retreat, and we are only taking it out of necessity.” “What about the refugees?” A reporter in the crowd asks, sounding similar to Liao Qi. “They’ll be provided for to the best of our abilities. The Civil Guard recommends refugees who are so willing to take up arms in the defense of the Republic.” The camera cuts again, this time showing a disheveled-looking man and woman in their early middle age. A child holds onto the woman’s coat with one and, and an IPC plushie with the other. Liao Qi, the unflappable reporter of XNS, points a microphone towards the woman, who promptly begins speaking. “We never wanted this,” says the woman, identified as Maria Wu by a subtitle. “We were just trying to make a living, and moved to New Peoria from Silversun back in ‘55 to be engineers in the shipyards. And— god!” she sniffs, rubbing her nose with the back of her sleeve, “—we barely made it out!” “You were on the last ship through the warp gate, right?” Maria nods. “We were. They detonated it after we were through. I— I felt it detonate, in transit. It felt like a— a wire brush being dragged over my eyes! I thought we wouldn’t make it, but we warped out right after the feeling began. There was a, there was this Solarian ship which defended it, I heard. I don’t remember the name!” “Caravaggio, honey. It was the Carvaggio,” the man responds. The woman nods, remaining silent for a moment before speaking again. “We should… get going, sorry. I hope the Navy comes soon. They’ll fix this.” Date: 14/03/2465 Act Two Live Updates: War in the Northern Wildlands News Article Publisher : Xanusii News Service Writer : TheOriginalSchwann Following the typical XNS jingle the camera focuses on a screen displaying the Northern Wildlands flanked by analysts Ajit Gopal and Delphine Deschamps. The right side of the map is significantly more red than before, and the left is much more black. The gray Pact-labeled chunk in the middle has shrunken even more. “Hello, and welcome to another analysis of the ongoing War in the Northern Wildlands,” Gopal begins, tapping something out on a slate he’s holding in his hands. “With the Pact having officially declared a collapsing retreat we’ve seen rapid changes in the balance of power in this three-front war.” The map zooms in on the SRF’s advance. Pact forces have decreased since the last time this section was examined, but the Front retains a significant numerical advantage. New Peoria, only recently lost by the Pact, is now well behind the frontlines. San Colette itself is visible on the edge of the screen. An arrow which leads from New Peoria to San Colette has been drawn onto the map. “As you can see,” Deschamps says, pointing at the map. “This is expected to be the Front’s expected line of advance towards San Colette, and the phoron contained within its strategic reserve.” “How long will it take them to reach San Colette?” “That depends on their rate of advance,” Deschsmps hits another button on her PDA, causing multiple Pact units to expand into smaller windows shoring their projected combat readiness. For anybody who does not read Freespeak, it makes little sense. Those who can may notice that almost all Pact units which are not Civil Guard or Free Solarian Fleet mercenaries are very ragged. An observer from the Horizon may notice that one of the larger units is FSF Combat Group “Krueger’s Revenge,” led by the Taipei-class heavy cruiser Caravaggio. “Almost all of the units still capable of fighting are either Colettish or mercenary forces, with most of the Pact’s other units having been exhausted in the fighting on this front, or repositioned to the League’s front,” Deschamps swipes at her PDA, causing the front to swap to the League side. The League decisively outnumbers the scattered Pact forces on this side, who seem to be held together by a limited numbers of mercenary units and Colettish forces. “My sources indicate the League front isn’t holding as effectively as the Front’s side,” Gopal interjects. “Exactly! At the current rate of advance the League will likely reach San Colette first, but the Front appears to be preparing for a major assault based upon what we know. Both seem to have the same goal of reaching San Colette, so it might only be days until it’s under siege.” “Days?” Gopal seems to be barely able to contain his surprise. Deschamps nods, then both go silent for a moment. Gopal breaks it. “Unfortunately, we’ll have to go on a short commercial break. Please stay tuned to XNS for further news regarding the ongoing War in the Northern Wildlands.” Date: 16/03/2465 XNS EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Colettish Volunteers News Article Publisher : Xanusii News Network Writer : MattAtlas After the initial XNS fade-in the camera focuses, as typical, on the distinctive figure of Mariska van den Soeterik. “Hello, and welcome once again to the Xanu News Network! As always I am your host, Mariska van den Soeterik. Today’s top story comes from Liao Qi, who has been in San Colette since the start of the War in the Northern Wildlands. Liao?” The camera switches to Liao Qi, who looks much less clean-shaven than normal. Leticia de la Fuente, his Civil Guard escort, stands off to the side in a plate carrier with a Colettosh SMG draped over it. Judging by the backdrop, they’re somewhere in Nueva Isabel. “Thanks Mariska. I’m here today with two volunteers, both from very different countries, who are here for the same purpose: defending San Colette.” Noyer pams the camera to the side to reveal two humans in Solarian Army gear, though one has taken the unconventional step of tying a Biesellite flag around his arm and wearing what is undoubtedly a Legion beret. The first individual, who has the text “RED DEVIL” written on her vest, speaks first. “Hey, yeah, thanks for interviewing us! I’m Alexis Watts, from Mars. I used to be in the 37th ‘til I went AWOL to come here!” “Why did you desert the Solarian Army to fight in San Colette?” Watts looks at Liao as if he has asked her the most obvious question ever. “Because they’re actually fighting against the Front? Frost fu— sorry. Frost ruined my whole planet, yeah? I figured my Colonel will be okay with sending a few of his freaks to Hell for what they did to Olympia — even if I gotta buddy up with Captain Miranda over here.” Watts laughs and claps the other volunteer on the back, who shakes his head while laughing with her. “My name’s not actually Miranda, she just gives me shit for having served in the Legion. I’m Mike Forsythe, from Mendell.” “And why did you leave Biesel for a warzone?” “It’s the right thing to do! A lot of people showed up to bail us out back in ‘62, and we didn’t do enough to pay them back. Plus, I lost some friends to the 35th back during the invasion. Figured I’d come and get even.” “Do you run into a lot of volunteers like yourselves?” “Oh yeah!” Watts responds enthusiastically. “We gotta lot of people from all across the Spur! Even got a few Elyrans and Imperials, plus Coalitioners! Our governments might not wanna do anything for San Colette, and we might be from all over the Spur, but we’re all united in believing we gotta do something!” Forsythe nods his head. “So many that we figured we’d try to organize it into a cohesive unit. That’s how we ended up forming the First Colettish Volunteer Battalion, and I ended up in charge of it.” “Have you had many challenges?” Forsythe shakes his head. “A few at the start, but it’s not too different than being a Prefect back in the Legion. Everybody’s working together for a greater cause, and most of us are human anyways. My old adjutant tagged along to help us out, and she might be the only synthetic we have. She’s up to her eyeballs in requisition forms, but that’s where shells are the happiest, yeah?” “Have you seen any combat so far?” “Yeah! We were in the thick of it on New Peoria, until we had to pull out. Fragged a whole lotta 35th goons. Say what you wanna say about the Imperials and Miranda’s boys, but they know how to shoot! Once we get done with R-n-R we’re gonna be back out there, kicking Front teeth in!” “When do you think that’ll be?” “At this rate?” Forsythe responds. “It might be tomorrow, at the rate it’s going. For today though? We’ll just have to wait and see.” Qi nods, turning the mic back to himself. “Thank you both for your time. Back over to you, Mariska.” The camera, with its view of San Colette, fades out. Date: 18/03/2465 Pro-Intervention Demonstration on Callisto Turns Violent! News Article Publisher : Sol Alliance News Network Writer : MattAtlas 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.” Date: 20/03/2465 48 Injured, 258 Detained After Protest on Callisto Turns Violent – Navy Garrison Under Fire by Local Officials! News Article Publisher : PUBLISHER HERE Writer : WRITER HERE 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. Date: 21/03/2465 Continued Reporting: War in the Northern Wildlands News Article Publisher : Xanusii News Network Writer : NewOriginalSchwann Following the typical XNS jingle the camera focuses on a screen displaying the Northern Wildlands flanked by analysts Ajit Gopal and Delphine Deschamps. San Colette sits in the center of the map, now effectively completely surrounded by the League and Front. Judging by the map, the Front and League are now fighting one another in addition to the Pact. “Hello, and welcome to another analysis of the ongoing conflict in the Northern Wildlands,” Gopal begins. “As you can see, the Pact has effectively been defeated as a fighting force outside of San Colette, a system designed by the Solarian Alliance to serve as a defensive stronghold.” “That’s correct," Deschsmps interjects, “and we have footage acquirer from Chirper showing the Pact’s retreat from one of the last systems it controlled outside of San Colette, Novo Igman.” Deschamps hits something on her PDA, causing the screen to flip to what appears to be a Solarian Army helmet’s heads-up display. The helmet’s wearer is breathing quite heavily, and appears to be halfway through inserting a new magazine onto her Solarian assault rifle. Due to shaky hands the magazine fails to properly set the first time, resulting in an untranslated Tradeband whisper (an expletive, for any familiar with the language) being hissed as she inserts the magazine again and chambers its first round. “Lieutenant Escoto, we have to get to the L-Z,” a man shouts from behind. Escoto’s camera turns, revealing a man in Solarian Army armor with a Colettish flag on the front. “It’s two blocks away. Don’t panic and get yourself killed.” The man nods, then goes quiet. The camera turns, revealing more men and women in Army armor with Colettish flags. “Alright, listen up!” Escoto begins. “We’re evacuating this place and heading back to San Colette, understood? Form up on me and let’s go!” Escoto stands and her unit follows her lead, rapidly taking off through the ruined streets of what must have once been a fairly peaceful neighborhood. Scattered ruined vehicles, and the occasional body, are common sights as the Coletters sprint through the streets. Near the end of the first block a man wearing an odd mix of Solarian Army armor and Gadpathurian surplus rounds the corner ahead of the Lieutenant and is put down by several gunshots. “League bastards!” One of the soldiers shouts from behind the camera’s field of view. The group keeps running, eventually crossing through what seems to be the last block and coming into the view of a shuttlecraft as Escoto lights a flare and holds it over her head, not breaking her run in the slightest as she does so. A man on the shuttle’s docking ramp wearing a Navy jumpsuit gestures for the group to run to him. “Anybody behind your squad?” “Nobody friendly!” Escoto shouts back as she runs up the ramp and turns around, watching her fellow Coletters follow behind her. “You’re good to take off once we’re all on!” As the last Coletter boards, nearly tripping over her feet in exhaustion, the Navy enlisted speaks into his headset. With a whine the shuttle begins taking off from the landing pad and rises into the sky above the city, clearly showing the widespread devastation of the area. A Solarian Navy strike craft, flying too low for comfort, flies over the landing zone and drops its payload onto it as soon as the shuttle is reasonably far away. The entire clearing erupts into flames as the Navy enlisted whistles and a Colettish soldier crosses himself, both watching the fire spread." “Never thought I’d see that shit in action!” He shouts as he hits the loading ramp’s controls, causing it to fully close. “Get some rest, yeah? Fleet’s running interdiction, so we’re going to be fine.” The camera nods and the helmet is removed, revealing Escoto’s face as she turns it around to check the camera. She appears to be in her early 20s at best and has suffered a nasty – though not crippling – facial burn across her right cheek which has been hastily bandaged. She shuts the camera off and the XNS newsroom reappears. "With both the Front and League engaging one another near San Colette,” Gopal says, focusing the map itself on San Colette, “it seems unlikely a serious attempt to launch an assault will be undertaken in the immediate future.” “I’m not so sure. It’s well-defended, yes, but the Front in particular has a significant numerical advantage over the Pact even when we factor in their defenses. Plus, their more advanced drives have a greater need for phoron.” “That’s true, but can they handle assaulting both San Colette and fighting off the Front? That’s going to be a lot riskier for them to try." Deschsmps nods. “We’ve been wrong before, but we’ll see.” "Unfortunately,” Gopal interjects, “we’ll have to see after this commercial break.” The camera switches into an ad for nanopaste sprays, with the last image of the war room being a positively neglected-looking Deschamps sighing. Date: 22/03/2465 Ministry of Defence Raises Reserve Fleets Readiness News Article Publisher : Sol Alliance News Network Writer : MattAtlas 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.” Date: 25/03/2465 Callistean Interstellar Stock Exchange Sees Record Quarterly Growth in Defense Stocks as Concerns Mount over Wildlands News Article Publisher : Sol Alliance News Network Writer : NewOriginalSchwann 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. Date: 26/03/2465 Live Updates: War in the Northern Wildlands News Article Publisher : Xanusii News Service Writer : NewOriginalSchwann Following the typical XNS jingle the camera focuses on a screen displaying the Northern Wildlands flanked by analysts Ajit Gopal and Delphine Deschamps. San Colette now stands alone, completely surrounded by the Front and the League. “Hello, and welcome back to our continuing coverage of the Northern Wildlands,” Deschamps begins. “As you can see San Colette remains surrounded by the forces of the League and Front, both of which are engaged with one another. Information from this area has been spotty at best, but neither side appears to have launched a serious assault on San Colette itself.” “They have not, and it appears the League is currently attempting to engage the Front in the northern region of the former Pact. Prior to the Collapse this area was home to many small to medium-sized shipyards, and control of it would allow for repairs of many Solarian Navy, and auxiliary, vessels in use by the warlords.” “Right, and these systems aren’t as well-defended as San Colette.” “They aren’t! But, many of them have had their shipyards destroyed by either fighting or by the Pact itself during its retreat. New Peoria, one of the Pact’s largest shipyards outside of San Colette, may take years to be fully repaired, and these warlords don’t have that amount of time.” “What about the Republic of Biesel? Have there been any raids there by the League?” “Not yet.” Gopal zooms the map out to show the Biesel-Wildlands border. Significant Foreign Legion and mercenary forces are positioned along both the League and Front borders. “Biesel has moved almost every unit it can spare to the border with the Northern Wildlands in order to discourage attacks, and the Coalition has done the same near Konyang. The Alliance, as you know, has been conducting maneuvers on its border for a few weeks.” “Which makes whatever resources are left in the Wildlands even more important to secure, and explains their hesitancy to assault San Colette. It’s going to be difficult for either to take it while effectively holding their rival off, especially as the Pact and Coletters are likely taking this time to dig in.” “You’re exactly right, Delphine. But, unfortunately, we’ll have to go on a short break before we continue!” The camera, displaying a typically disappointed Deschamps, fades out into an ad for Xanu-produced lawncare equipment which proudly brags it is “Xanu built, Arusha tested.” Date: 28/03/2465 First Battlegroup Moved Near Border for Exercises News Article Publisher : Sol Alliance News Network Writer : MattAtlas 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. Date: 30/03/2465 The San Colette Crisis: A Benefit to Phoron Stocks? News Article Publisher : Tau Ceti Times Writer : MattAtlas After a corporate jingle the camera pans in to focus on Mike Donnelly, the balding host of the Tau Ceti Times’ Money Madness financial talk show. Donnelly is regarded as either one of the top minds when it comes to phoron investments or a mouthpiece for the Trasen regime depending on if you ask a resident of Tau Ceti or anyone else in the Spur. “Hello, hello, hello!” Donnelly begins, pointing a finger gun at the camera. “Today we have an important question many Mendell City investors have been asking: will the San Colette crisis impact phoron stocks? In order to answer that question I am joined today by Doctor of phoronics Xavier Ramirez!” The live audience calls as Dr. Ramirez, a NanoTrasen-sponsored economist, walks onto the stage. He waves and moves over to a chair opposite of Donnelly, where he sits down and smooths out his Walk Like Idris blazer for a moment. “Thanks for having me on, Mike!” “Ah, it’s no problem at all Doctor. Now, people are concerned about San Colette becoming cut off from the Republic due to the Alliance’s actions. Do you have any advice for them?” “Well Mike that’s a good question,” Ramirez clears his throat. “Colettish phoron facilities have been a minor, but important, part of our economy since 2462-63 and, since the discovery of Orchard Moon, there’s been a need for more phoron processing facilities rather than less.” “So what does that mean for the average person in Biesel?” “Chances are we’ll see some price hikes on consumer phoron stocks within the next month or so, so now’s a good time to invest in phoronics.” “You really think so?” Donnelly leans over in an exaggerated manner. “I do, yes.” “Alright!” Donnelly claps, leaning back. The audience claps in response. “You heard it here, folks! Phoron’s in for a bumper year in terms of stocks, so invest now! We’ll be back after this short word from our sponsor, NanoTrasen!” The broadcast fades out to the sound of clapping as an ad for NanoTrasen starts to play. Date: 31/03/2465 Continued Reporting: Ongoing Fighting Near San Colette News Article Publisher : Xanusii News Network Writer : NewOriginalSchwann Following the typical XNS jingle the camera focuses on a screen displaying the Northern Wildlands flanked by analysts Ajit Gopal and Delphine Deschamps. Little has changed from the last time the map was shown, and fighting seems to be concentrated around San Colette itself and the more northern systems home to much of the Pact’s former shipbuilding industry. In this northern region the League appears to have made some gains, and is approaching New Peoria. “Hello, and welcome to our continuing coverage of the War in the Northern Wildlands,” Gopal begins, tapping his PDA and causing the screen to focus upon San Colette. “As you can see by our map, the Front has focused much of its efforts here.” “That’s correct,” Deschsmps interjects. “The Front is likely attempting to fully surround San Colette in order to besiege the system more effectively, and will have to force the League out of its positions outside San Colette in order to do so. But—“ Deschsmps taps her PDA and the map moves north to New Peoria, where League forces appear to have an advantage in numbers over the Front. An image of a Yincheng-class light cruiser painted in League colors comes up on the screen. It’s badly damaged but is being repaired in a dockyard. “—their focus on San Colette is costing them ground they may not be able to lose near New Peoria. However, most intelligence points to this being some form of delaying action.” “And what about the League?” “The League has never had the supply chain the Front possessed prior to 2465, and has often relied upon raiding and ‘unofficial’ aid from Coalition member states. Their assault in the north has been pushing the Front back slowly but at great cost to themselves. Many are now asking how long they can keep this assault going.” “Any guesses, Delphine?” “Isn’t your department in charge of League OSINT?” “They are, but I want my friend’s opinion! Come on, you can focus on something other than the Front for once!” Deschamps pauses, considering something in her head. “I don’t know,” she replies. “A month at best, probably? I imagine it’ll be less than that.” “—and we’ll be able to discuss that right after this short break.” The video fades into an ad for duty-free Cytherean imports. Date: 02/04/2465 BREAKING: LEAGUE RETREATS FROM SAN COLETTE FOLLOWING FRONT COUNTEROFFENSIVE News Article Publisher : Xanusii News Service Writer : NewOriginalSchwann Following the typical XNS jingle the camera focuses on a screen displaying the Northern Wildlands flanked by analysts Ajit Gopal and Delphine Deschamps. San Colette itself has been totally encircled by the Solarian Restoration Front’s forces while in the northern sector of the former Pact the League appears to be in a general retreat, having lost the territory it gained during its offensive. An arrow has been traced in the north which leads further inwards from the offensive and towards the League itself. “As you can see,” Deschamps breaks the initial silence, “the Front has effectively seized total control of the space surrounding San Colette, which has caused the League offensive in the northern Pact to collapse due to concerns of being cut off and encircled by the Front’s forces. Ajit?” “The League will likely draw its defensive line here,” Gopal taps his PDA, causing a line to appear close to San Colette which runs vertically from the League’s border to the Coalition’s border. “It’s far enough away for them to reinforce but close enough to put pressure on the Front’s positions near San Colette, such as the Helium-3-rich system of Lhokgon, which the Front is currently using as a major resupply depot.” “Right,” Deschamps responds. “Most of the Chirper posts from Front troops there indicate the facilities are relatively intact, which is a surprise to me.” “It’s possible the Pact could’ve been using them up until the system fell, as it’s barely a Lightyear from San Colette. Everybody needs fuel, Delphine. They might have left the facilities as a distraction, considering how dedicated both the Front and League seem to be to seizing it.” “Do you believe the League has enough forces to mount a serious assault?” “They might. Take a look at this video my team pulled off of Chirper.” The feed switches to an exterior camera on, judging by the Solarian Common text at the bottom of the video, the Armsman-class frigate Worker’s Liberation. The tiny frigate, following a series of signals from a larger ship ahead of itself, turns to face a warship which effectively dwarfs it, and takes up the video’s entire screen. After a moment of buffering the frigate’s sensors properly identify this as the Wallbreaker, a Mumbai-class fast battleship. An uncommon sight in the Wildlands, these vessels are some of the largest found in the hands of post-Solarian warlords. The feed cuts out as the Worker’s Liberation begins to turn its camera. The feed returns to Deschamps and Gopal. Deschamps, for her part, appears fairly surprised. “They have a functional battleship?” “They do, and it’s in relatively good condition even after almost three years of fighting. The Front and Pact both have their own battleships, but most are currently engaged in or near San Colette. The existence of this vessel means the League likely still has enough reserves for another serious assault, which changes how the Front will have to approach the situation – particularly regarding Lhokgon.” Deschamps nods her head, thinking to herself. “Unfortunately, for now, we’ll be right back!” Deschamps barely contains her disappointment prior to the camera fading into an ad for an Xanu-produced computer system. Date: 05/04/2465 Act Three Continued Reporting: Front Launches Assault Towards League-Held Pact Shipyards News Article Publisher : Xanusii News Ervice Writer : NewOriginalSchwann Following the typical XNS jingle the camera focuses on a screen displaying the Northern Wildlands flanked by analysts Ajit Gopal and Delphine Deschamps. San Colette itself remains totally encircled by the Solarian Restoration Front’s forces, and appears to have remained static. The Front has, over the past few days, opted to push its advantage while it has it and has forced the League further away from San Colette. Lhokgon, a major Helium-3 refining planet, remains the focus of intense fighting, and the front has barely shifted here. “As you can see by the map,” Gopal begins, causing the map to zoom onto the League-Front line of skirmish. “League forces have been pushed further back, effectively causing them to lose any remaining gains they held from their earlier offensive. With the Front holding the momentum, what can we expect to see over the coming days?” “We can expect the Front to push its advantage in renewed assaults against the shipyards under League control in the Pact’s territory, which would further cripple the League’s offensive power as they’d have to retrofit and repair within their own territory rather than what facilities they have either captured intact or repaired to a relatively functional state.” “I don’t think the League will give up territory so easily, especially with its Gadpathurian support cut off “ Gopal responds. “They’re losing ground before the shipyards, yes, but look at Lhokgon. They’ve barely given any ground there, likely due to the presence of capital ships such as the Wallbreaker, which has been confirmed as active in the region. Have you seen anything on the OSINT side for the Front?” “We have. Front sailors near ‘Fortress Lhokgon’ as they commonly call it have expressed frustration at Front high command for prioritizing their offensives over breaking the League’s assault on Lhokgon, which has been grinding down their forces in the area. The Front’s main defensive line sits outside of Lhokgon and has been, according to Front reports and footage uploaded by League vessels, slowly pushed back.” “But with the Front pushing them back elsewhere, can they sustain this offensive?” Deschamps pauses, considering the question. “—I don’t know. The Front may be attempting to force the League to overcommit themselves to Lhokgon and cut off their advance, but that’s speculation at this point.” “Unfortunately, this speculation will have to come after the next commercial break. We’ll be right back!” The screen transitions into an ad for extreme cold-weather gear imported from Himeo. Date: XX0705/2465 XNS Exclusive: Colettish Militias Prepare for Invasion News Article Publisher : Xanusii News Service Writer : NewOriginalSchwann The camera zooms in on, as always, Mariska van den Soeterik, the dedicated host of XNS’ foreign news segment. Her augmented eyes glow slightly as she reaches across the table for her PDA. “Good evening and welcome to XNS’ foreign news hour. I’m your host Mariska van den Soeterik. Our top story these evening comes from Liao Qi, our reporter on the ground in San Colette. Liao has had difficulties remaining in contact with the XNS due to San Colette’s siege, and the following prerecorded message was provided to us via an encrypted transmission with the assistance of the Colettish government; we go now to Liao’s latest reporting.” Liao Qi, looking more haggard than usual, stands in front of a Colettish government building with a line stretching into it. Individuals, mostly in civilian clothing, are steadily exiting it in small groups led by Civil Guard officers while carrying, or wearing, surplus Solarian Army arms and armor. A man in the uniform of the Civil Guard stands to Qi’s side, looking nearly as tired as the reporter. “Right,” Qi begins, pointing behind himself at the building. “I’m at a Civil Guard distribution in Nueva Isabela where San Colette is preparing for a grim scenario: a situation in which San Colette itself has become a battleground. With me today is Civil Guard Captain Wilfredo Iniguez, who’s in charge of this center.” Qi turns his microphone towards Captain Iniguez. “Thank you. This facility behind us was, before the war, a station of the Nueva Isabela Police Department. Now it’s a mustering point for those volunteering to serve in the Civil Militia where they’re assigned to training squads run by the Civil Guard.” “Are there many volunteers?” “More than we thought there would be. We have both Coletters and refugees volunteering for it. I’d rather have them in the Civil Guard but,” Iniguez sighs. “I don’t think we have the liberty of time.” “What will these, ah, militias be tasked with, if worst comes to worst?” “The militia’s role is to defend our cities, towns, and villages from any invaders while the Guard and other professional forces fight the invaders on the open field. I won’t lie to you, reporter: I do not wish it had,” the Captain pauses for a moment. “…come to this. It will not be easy for our Republic, but we will not go without a fight. The Front can count on that.” “Do you believe the Alliance will intervene?” The simple question seemingly makes the Captain grow wearier simply by hearing it, and he pauses for a moment before speaking again. “We can only pray they will, reporter. Many more will suffer if they do not.” The film cuts out at this point, with an untranslated Tradeband warning featured in the middle of the screen. Any who speak the language will recognize it as saying “RECORDED BROADCAST ENDED.” van den Soeterik looks at the camera from behind her desk. “While the situation in San Colette is unstable, we will do our best to keep you informed. After a short break we will go to our reporter in Suwon regarding the rumored increase in organized crime activity on Konyang.” Date: 09/05/2465 Continuing Coverage: League Launches Counter-Offensive Against Lhokgon, Front Ceases Active Offensives in Response News Article Publisher : Xanusii News Service Writer : NewOriginalSchwann Following the typical XNS jingle the camera focuses on a screen displaying the Northern Wildlands flanked by analysts Ajit Gopal and Delphine Deschamps. San Colette itself remains totally encircled by the Solarian Restoration Front’s forces, and appears to have remained static. The Front has stopped its advances along the entire front and has even ceded ground it gained in some locations. Lhokgon, a major Helium-3 refining planet, is marked as a system contested between the Front and League, which has pushed up to the system itself. “So,” Deschamps begins. “As the subject matter expert concerning the League, what are your thoughts on this offensive?” “It’s a risky move on their part but at the same time it’s likely the only way they can contest the Front’s Hammer Drive advantage without Lhokgon and its Helium-3 facilities the Front will have to start rationing its fuel, which will make them much easier for the League to pin down and combat. This means the Front has to defend the system, which has caused it to abandon its offensive against the League’s repair facilities for the immediate future.” “Can the League afford to commit itself to this offensive for a long time?” “No,” Gopal shakes his head. “They’re still suffering from supply issues and are outnumbered by the Front. But, with the Front having to commit so many forces to San Colette’s siege, they might be able to achieve regional superiority near Lhokgon, which likely has the Front’s high command concerned.” “Right, right. San Colette itself, judging by limited communications from the system, has not been seriously assaulted aside from a few probing attacks which haven’t seriously contested the Pact’s defenses. OSINT suggests they’re arming almost any vessel — or citizen — they can find that’s willing and able to be armed.” “And the Alliance?” “There’s been rumors of intervention but nothing beyond that. The post-purge Navy is significantly tighter-lipped than what came before it, and they’ve kept the flow of information under control. The ‘exercises,’” Deschamps makes air quotes as she says the word, “near the Wildlands border are clearly meant to intimidate the Front while bolstering Solarian morale, but we don’t know anything about a potential intervention.” “It’s an interesting scenario. Even if they intervened, would they make it to San Colette in time? They’d have to cross the entire Front.” “I don’t know,” Deschamps responds. “It depends upon how far their drives can travel, and if there are any warp gates which will accept the Navy’s warp drive ID.” Gopal looks down at his watch. “Hold that thought for a moment Delphine! We’ll be right back after this word from our sponsors!” The camera fades out. Date: 11/05/2465 XNS Exclusive: Inside the Rock of San Colette News Article Publisher : Xanusii News Service Writer : NewOriginalSchwann The camera zooms in on, as always, Mariska van den Soeterik, the dedicated host of XNS’ foreign news segment. Her augmented eyes glow slightly as she reaches across the table for her PDA. “Good evening and welcome to XNS’ foreign news hour. I’m your host Mariska van den Soeterik. Today’s top story comes from our very own Liao Qi who, with the assistance of the Colettish government, has managed to send us this recording of his visit to a Civil Guard defense platform. Without further ado we now go to Liao’s recording.” The camera clicks over to a nondescript industrial corridor with Qi, who appears to have been able to shave since his last broadcast, standing on the side of it. In the corridor behind him an industrial IPC clad in a brown uniform pushed a cart full of equipment to an unknown location. Qi clears his throat. “While I can’t name this facility it is one of what the Pact refers to as the ‘Rock’ defensive line, and will likely be one of the first facilities engaged in the event of a Solarian Restoration Front incursion. We asked staff here what they think of this, and the response was similar for most: they’re nervous, but they’re not willing to give up without a fight.” The view switches to a male human in a drab brown uniform with his face blurred out. The man is labeled as J.D. “This Guard soldier,” Qi narrates, “is originally from Lycoris. As a result, his likeness has been obscured in order to ensure the safety of his relatives still residing in Front-controlled territory.” “We’re nervous,” JD begins, his voice distorted artificially, “but we won’t back down from a fight. This isn’t my home, but people have taken refuge here. We owe it to them to stand and fight.” “Are your fellow troops concerned?” Qi asks from offscreen. “No,” JD replies. “We know what we have to do. We might die fighting, yeah, but the Front would probably kill us anyways if they got to us, so we might as well fight. Better to die in control of your own destiny.” “Do you have anything to say regarding the Alliance?” “I hope they don’t let us die in vain, man. A whole bunch of people are going to die if they don’t intervene.” The film cuts out at this point, with an untranslated Tradeband warning featured in the middle of the screen. Any who speak the language will recognize it as saying “RECORDED BROADCAST ENDED.” van den Soeterik looks at the camera from behind her desk. “We’ll do our best as a network to keep our audience updated regarding San Colette,” van den Soeterik says. “For now, please have a good night — and stay safe.” Date: 13/04/2465 BREAKING: LEAGUE OFFENSIVE SMASHES THROUGH FRONT DEFENSES, SAN COLETTE CONTESTED! News Article Publisher : Xanusii News Service Writer : NewOriginalSchwann Following the typical XNS jingle the camera focuses on a screen displaying the Northern Wildlands flanked by analysts Ajit Gopal and Delphine Deschamps. While Lhokgon remains a focus between both the League and Front, an unexpected change is featured on the map now: a red corridor showing a rapid advance by the League which has reached the outskirts of San Colette, where — judging by the map — it appears to be actively engaging the Front in a pitched battle for control over the siege. Between Lhokgon and San Colette a significant Front force belonging to the 31st Fleet appears to be engaged on all three sides in a desperate attempt to stop itself from being encircled. “It appears,” Gopal begins, pointing to Lhokgon, “this attack was most likely a diversion intended to distract the Front from its defense of San Colette, which is now actively engaged by the best units in the League’s forces.” “So it would seem! The Front’s forces are in a difficult position due to the remnants of the Pact being present in San Colette, which has effectively trapped some of their forces in a position where they cannot defend or retreat. Take a look at this video discovered on Chirper by one of our analysts.” The camera switches to a brief introduction which displays a fluttering League flag set to low-quality Plutonian electronic music, which Deschsmps appears to promptly mute. The introduction switches to an external camera mounted on, judging by text on the camera’s screen, the SRFV Purity of Will, a Yincheng-class light cruiser. The vessel is burning quickly towards a field of asteroids when an alert appears on its screen in bold, red Solarian Common characters: DANGER: MUNITIONS INCOMING — BEGIN EVASIVE ACTION. The camera rattles and shifts as the entire vessel shifts into a hard turn to port, but manages to identify an unknown cylindrical object incoming to the light cruiser before it impacts. The railgun shell punches through the shield and frontal armor in the blink of an eye. Before the camera can fully register what has happened a series of explosions rock the front of the vessel as it pulls further into its evasive maneuver. A larger explosion amidships rocks the camera once again, but it manages to capture a shocking sight: the front of the Yincheng losing power entirely and, with a silent scream, falling off of the vessel entirely. The stern of the vessel, apparently trapped in its doomed evasive maneuver, continues onwards. The feed cuts out shortly after this and transitions to the League’s flag again, where “Comrade Smith” of the 67th Fleet promises this will be the end of all corporate traitors and notes the footage was recovered from an adrift black box. The camera switches back to Deschamps and Gopal. “There’s going to be more engagements like this over the coming days as the League and Front continue to fight over control of the siege,” Deschsmps says. “I’m not sure who’s going to win.” “Neither am I,” Gopal replies. “It seems like most of the League’s heavy assets are committed to this offensive, and they’d still have to break through the Pact’s lines if they defeated the Front. It’s risky.” “It is.” “Unfortunately that’s all we have for today. Our coverage of the Northern Wildlands will continue as the agitation develops.” The camera fades out to the two analysts discussing something amongst themselves which is not, for whatever reason, picked up by the camera. Date: 15/04/2465 SANN Exclusive: Interview with the 1st’s Fleet Admiral News Article Publisher : Sol Alliance News Network Writer : MattAtlas 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!” Date: 17/04/2465 Fighting Continues Near San Colette, Front Halts Lhokgon Offensive News Article Publisher : Xanusii News Service Writer : NewOriginalSchwann Following the typical XNS jingle the camera focuses on a screen displaying the Northern Wildlands flanked by analysts Ajit Gopal and Delphine Deschamps. While San Colette remains mostly unchanged, Front forces near Lhokgon have managed to push the League back and have relieved pressure on a nearly-surrounded 31st Fleet force in the process. A black square labeled “35th Fleet” is currently positioned in Lhokgon and appears to be pushing the League back. “As you can see by the map,” Gopal begins, “the League’s decision to withdraw forces from Lhokgon and commit them to San Colette had effectively ended its offensive operation there, particularly with the arrival of the elite 35th Fleet earlier yesterday. This places their entire offensive towards San Colette at risk.” Deschamps nods her head, then speaks. “It’s hard to imagine the Front not capitalizing on its gains near Lhokgon, assuming it has enough fuel, if the League can’t withdraw from its positions near San Colette quickly enough. Do you believe they’ll be able to, Ajit?” Gopal shakes his head. “If we’ve seen anything so far in this ‘civil war’ the League has proven it’s often unable to effectively coordinate, which may be due to its lack of a strong leader such as the Front’s Admiral Verglas. However, the coordination issues are likely another symptom of its ongoing supply issues following the end of Gadpathurian support.” Deschamps seems somewhat surprised. “It’s impacting them that badly?” “It is. Most League-connected Chirper accounts we can find have become increasingly desperate for donations — any donations — over the past few weeks as fighting has worn them down. The Front’s situation will likely become this bad in the near future but, for now, their reserve of Solarian Navy equipment has allowed them to sustain operations much more effectively.” “Why attack San Colette then?” “I don’t know. They were presumably trying to encircle the Front near Lhokgon but couldn’t finish the circle, which let the Front reinforce and break the League’s positions.” “Do you think they’re spent as an offensive force?” Goal nods. “I think they are, unless they can retreat in good order. We’ll have to judge they after the break!” The camera fades out. Date: 20/04/2465 XNS Exclusive: Interview with an Officer of the Konyang Armed Forces News Article Publisher : Xanusii News Service Writer : MattAtlas A Himean male is the sole host for this segment of Interviews and News, one of the most famous Xanusii services. It revolves around interviewing both exceptional and ordinary people. The host of the show is sitting in a rather cosy sofa, while on the holoscreen behind him one can see a Konyanger naval officer. The officer appears to be in his early middle age and is starting to go gray, though there remains a sharpness to his eyes and face. He appears to be in a well-decorated office with a painting of a ship in flight behind him. “Welcome, our faithful guests, to a special episode of Interviews and News! I’m Jude Scholes, and today we have a special guest with us — Captain Jung-Hee Eum of the Konyang Armed Forces!” “Thank you for having me on,” Eum replies. “Now, Captain, Konyang has been at the Coalition’s frontline for most of the War in the Nortthern Wildlands. Has it seen any impact?” “I would be lying if I said we hadn’t been impacted by the conflict, Jules. But thanks to the KAF, and our partners in the Coalition, we’ve been able to endure the conflict without it impacting our civilian population. We’ve had to fight off cross-border raids by the ‘anti-corporate’ League but they’ve never gotten past our vessels.” Scholes nods along. “Seems like you’ve got it in the glove, then!” Scholes cheerily responds. “On the subject of the Coalition, do you have any thoughts on Gadpathur’s alleged involvement with the League?” Eum grimaces for a moment, but recovers his neutral expression — and tone — before speaking again. “Gadpathur has contributed ships to the Coalition’s unified fleet in Konyang, and we appreciate this. I’ll leave any discussions of politics to the politicians.” “Right, right. Wouldn’t want to act as coalheaded as the last officer we had on,” Scholes briefly laughs. “How has life been for a naval officer since you hung up your gloves with Sol and joined the Coalition?” Eum looks at the camera with an expression of confusion for a moment, then looks at something offscreen, then back to the camera. “Are you asking how we’ve transitioned to being part of the Coalition as a military? I’m not familiar with Himean Common.” “I am! Sorry if it’s hard to get around it — it’s a habit hard to get out of.” “Right. It’s been easier than we expected to integrate into the Coalition and to bring positronics into our ranks, even if the logistics of it means we have to have separate units. Positronics have proven effective, and the KAF is happy to have them.” Scholes pauses and looks down at his watch. “And that’s all the time we have for now! Captain, thank you for your time!” “Thank you for having me on. I’m glad the KAF could present itself better than Gadpathur’s navy.” Scholes laughs in response! “You can’t fault their master of begrudgery, that’s for certain! Up next is the latest from Light’s Edge, so stay tuned!” Date: 22/04/2465 XNS Exclusive: The Volunteer Tapes, Tape One News Article Publisher : Xanusii News Service Writer : NewOriginalSchwann The camera zooms in on, as always, Mariska van den Soeterik, the dedicated host of XNS’ foreign news segment. Her augmented eyes glow slightly as she reaches across the table for her PDA. “Good evening and welcome to XNS’ foreign news hour. I’m your host Mariska van den Soeterik. With San Colette surrounded by the Front communications from it and Liao Qi, our on-location reporter, have become sporadic at best,” she swipes something on her PDA. “However, with the assistance of the Colettish government, we have been able to acquire a series of interviews done by Liao shortly before the encirclement. These interviews, which feature members of the First Colettish Volunteer Battalion, will be aired on XNS over the coming weeks per Liao’s request. Without further ado, here is the first of what Liao refers to as the Volunteer Tapes.” The camera switches to a feed of a woman in Solarian fatigues sitting in a chair inside of an office. The windows, distressingly, appear to have been covered in sandbags. She looks tired, but enthusiastic, even if her blonde hair is a mess. “Hey! Do I need to introduce myself?” “Yes, just for the record,” Qi replies from somewhere offscreen. “Sure! I’m Alexis Watts, from the 37th, currently serving as the two-eye-sea for the First Colettish Volunteer Battalion. That’s, uh, the second in command for folks who don’t know Army talk.” “You said you came here to fight the Front. How have things been since our last interview?” Watts exhales upwards, unintentionally blowing one of her messy bangs into her face. She shifts it back to the side. “It ain’t been great since then. We were on Nova Igman before it collapsed and we were one of the last Pact units to exfil. The League ain’t as good at fighting as the Front, but they’ve got a lotta ships and a lotta idiots who signed up ‘cause they think they’re saving Sol from the megas.” “What would you say to these League soldiers, if you could speak to them directly?” “Depends. Do I got a rifle?” “Not this time.” Watts shrugs, then leans back into her chair. “Shit, I dunno. I’ve never been much of a philosopher, man. Guess I’d, uh, tell’em they’re mostly just enriching their own bosses, yeah? Then ask why they’re not invading Biesel instead, ‘cause they’re real corporate.” “Why do you think they’re not invading Biesel?” “Simple: they ain’t actually anti-corp, they’re just a bunch a’ looting assholes — sorry if you gotta beep that out — who wanna make money off’a people who ain’t able to defend themselves. They’re more like Frost than they think, ‘cause they’re all—” a beep plays and Watts looks at the camera. “Sorry, that one’s for sure gotta get beeped, right?” “It does, but don’t worry about it. You were saying?” “Yeah. They’re attacking the Pact ‘cause they don’t wanna fight anybody who can beat ‘em, and Biesel’s mercs can probably give ‘em a good whipping, which means they ain’t gonna be able to loot as much as they wanted. That’s why they only started fighting after the Front attacked. They’re cowards, and they’re gonna die like cowards when the Alliance shows up. Count on it!” The tape cuts out at this point. Date: 24/04/2465 LEAGUE BEGINS RETREAT FROM SAN COLETTE - FRONT FORCES BEGIN COUNTEROFFENSIVE News Article Publisher : Xanusii News Service Writer : NewOriginalSchwann Following the typical XNS jingle the camera focuses on a screen displaying the Northern Wildlands flanked by analysts Ajit Gopal and Delphine Deschamps. The League thrust towards San Colette has begun to contract in response to the threat from Lhokgon, where the 35th Fleet has pushed the League back even further. “As predicted a few days ago,” Deschamps says as she points to the League forces near San Colette, “the League had begun a retreat from its positions near San Colette due to Front gains near Lhokgon which threaten to cut off their forces. The question for us as observers is now if the League can maintain the order of its retreat until they’re safe, or if the situation will collapse.” “Posts linked to League forces near Lhokgon indicate many believe they can’t hold their positions for very long. Most of the League’s best forces were diverted for the attack on San Colette, which has left many of the units left to hold Lhokgon demoralized. Compounding this,” Gopal zooms in on Lhokgon, causing the 35th Fleet marker to split into the Fleet’s squadrons, “is the presence of the 35th Fleet on the Front’s side. Delphine?” “The 35th Fleet is perhaps the most battle-tested part of the Front as it invaded Biesel in 2462, though at the cost of much of its effective strength. It’s regenerated to full strength since that point by integrating Navy defectors and is still centered around the veteran core of the Fleet which invaded Tau Ceti. They’ve been in charge of the offensive near Lhokgon and have rapidly pushed the League back near it.” “Do you think the retreat will collapse?” “Collapse in what way?” “Either by being cut off or by having the fighting retreat break down,” Gopal clarifies. Deschamps ponders the question for a moment, then clicks her tongue. “If the Front advances much further near Lhokgon and keels to their current rate of advance,” she says, “it’ll cause a panic which leads to the retreat collapsing. That’s my theory.” “What’s the worst-case scenario for the League?” “The absolute worst-case scenario here would result in the League effectively ceasing to exist as an offensive force, particularly against the Front, if they lose a significant number of units during their retreat.” Date: 26/04/2465 XNS Exclusive: The Volunteer Tapes, Tape Two News Article Publisher : Xanusii News Service Writer : NewOriginalSchwann The camera opens to a typical-looking Solarian woman sitting in a chair. She is wearing fatigues which appear to be about two sizes too large for her and has a blue Legion beret upon her head. Glossy hair, softly glowing eyes, and the way she seems to never blink indicate this individual is most likely a synthetic. “Should I introduce myself?” she asks in a relatively strong Silversun accent — an Expatriate one, for those familiar with the planet — with a steady, almost mechanical intonation. “Yes, we’re rolling,” Liao Qi responds from offscreen. “My apologies. I am Cynthia, Commander Forsythe’s aide-de-camp. My duties mostly consist of radio work for the Commander as my nature makes me simply more efficient at most administrative tasks.” “Why is that?” “It is quite literally what I was built to do, Mister Qi,” Cynthia smiles slightly, crossing one leg over the other. “It’s not the same as working in a shuttleport as a radio coordinator, but it’s certainly similar. I never thought I’d be calling in orbital fire l when I was handling shuttle schedules and launches.” “How did you come to be in the Legion, and meet Forsythe?” “It’s a long story, but I can summarize it. I was working on Mictlan during the Collapse and, well, our shuttleport collapsed,” Cynthia shrugs. “Getting purchased by Idris didn’t seem like a great prospect, so I cashed out and signed up to get citizenship. I ended up in Forsythe’s unit on Mictlan.” “What did you do on Mictlan?” “I don’t want to talk about it,” Cynthia responds quickly as a sudden darkness crosses her face. “We did what we did for a cause we believed in at the time, and that’s all I’ll say.” Qi, for his part, recovers fairly quickly. “Right. As a free positronic how has it felt to fight for a Solarian member-state, considering the Alliance’s stance on positronics?” “It’s an odd feeling. Most Solarians we meet assume I’m Battalion property, when I’m my own woman. They tend to get confused if you explain it, so I sometimes act as if I’m just augmented. The Battalion itself is more accepting, even if the Dominians tend to stare.” “Why come here if you’ve only been met by confusion?” “If the Front beats San Colette and the Pact, they’ll go for Biesel next. I cannot stand by like so many do and wait for the crisis to come to us. We have to stop it here, and stop it now. Evil can’t be left to fester.” “Any closing remarks?” “I’ve heard about what the Front does to people like me — synthetics, I mean. I’m not going to let myself be captured in a functional state and be turned into a political officer. Cynthia pauses a moment before speaking again. “And if I die here, at least I died doing something other than working in a shuttleport until decommissioning.” Date: 28/04/2465 LIVE: Coalition Special Committee Discusses Wildlands Crisis News Article Publisher : Xanusii News Service Writer : MattAtlas The camera switches on and reveals a quite lively room featuring the previous members of the special committee in a very heated debate. Pravin Thaman, Gadpathur’s representative, is currently banging one of his shoes into his desk. “You must lift the warp restrictions immediately!” Thaman shouts to the committee, still banging his shoe on the desk. “You will doom us all if the League falls to the Hopperites!” (redaction's note: Hopperites refers to 'followers of Terrence Hopper', the Admiral responsible for the mass bombing of Gadpathur) “Absolutely not!” Mi-Hi Gim, representative for the Konyang Armed Forces, stands out of her chair on the opposite side of the room and stares down Thaman. “You would bring us into another Interstellar War where Konyang is the frontline!” Thaman stops banging his shoe and looks at the Konyang delegation. “Of course the Solarians oppose me! Can my fellow Coalitioners not see that Konyang is cut from the same cloth as the Hopperites? Can they—“ “How dare you compare the men, women, and synthetics of the Konyang Armed Forces to the Solarian Restoration Front!” Gim shouts back. “If it wasn’t for Gadpathur supplying the League, the Pact may have held the Front back!” Thaman slams his fist into his desk! “Do not accuse Gadpathur of causing this, Solarian!” Thaman storms over to Gim and Kwan Seok’s desk. “You insult the honored dead of Gadpathur!” “And you insult the sacrifices we have made to defend the Coalition! Our Coalition, Representative Thaman!” Gim shouts back as Rohan Magar, Xanu’s representative, bangs his gavel in an attempt to reestablish order. Thaman looks at Kim for a moment, eyes burning with hatred, and opts to slap her across the face! Kim barely reacts and a sickening crack is heard from Thaman’s hand before he begins screaming in pain. Kim shoves the Gadpathurian away from herself as two Xansan police officers stationed in the room rush over and grab onto Thaman, one tackling him onto the ground and the other moving to restrain his hands. “This session is now in recess!” Magar shouts from his podium. The feed cuts out shortly after this. Date: 30/04/2465 LEAGUE RETREAT BECOMES ROUT — FRONTLINE RETURNS TO PRE-OFFENSIVE BORDERS News Article Publisher : Xanusii News Service Writer : MewOriginalSchwann Following the typical XNS jingle the camera focuses on a screen displaying the Northern Wildlands flanked by analysts Ajit Gopal and Delphine Deschamps. The League thrust towards San Colette has completely collapsed and the League itself appears to be in a full, general retreat across its frontline. This is almost certainly the worst-case scenario discussed by the XNS several days ago. “While the League’s retreat has been fairly orderly,” Gopal begins, tapping the screen and bringing up an image of a destroyer Mumbai-class battleship in League colors, “the loss of the Wallbreaker to a phoron tanker used by the Front as an IED several hours ago caused a general breakdown in cohesion and widespread panic, which caused the retreat to collapse as it turned into a route.” “And you believe this has effectively ended the League’s offensive capabilities?” “I do. Most of their capital ships were, according to OSINT, committed to this offensive and few survived the retreat. With their supply lines to Gadpathur cut and insufficient port facilities under their control, there’s not a lot the League can do at this point beyond trying to hold its ground and hoping San Colette will distract the Front for long enough to let them regenerate some of their losses.” “Considering the Front’s chatter, I don’t know if they’ll give the League the chance. Most Front officers who are present on the Extranet seem to believe the Front will push forward until the League is eliminated, thus securing the entire Wildlands. After that there will be nobody to stop them from taking San Colette and its phoron reserve.” “Nobody aside from the Alliance, at least,” Gopal replies. “What’s the latest on them?” “It’s a mixed bag, Ajit. Some parts of the Front think Sol will officially recognize them after they take San Colette, and Frost-aligned Navy officers will coup the government to make this happen. In San Colette the hope is for intervention, which has become popular across the Alliance. The Solarian Navy is, for better or worse, as tight-lipped as ever.” “Do you think they’ll attempt an assault before they defeat the League?” “It’s always a possibility but doing so would ensure they can’t commit their full strength to San Colette, and the planet’s defenses will be difficult to break through with anything less than, say, a full battlegroup, probably.” “Only time will tell, right Delphine?” “Right, Ajit. Unfortunately, it’s time for us to go on a short break. Stay tuned for more on the War in the Northern Wildlands.” The broadcast fades out. Date: 02/05/2465 XNS Exclusive: The Volunteer Tapes, Tape Three News Article Publisher : Xanusii News Service Writer : NewOriginalSchwann The camera focuses on a broadly-built and middle-aged Solarian man with a well-maintained, though slightly grey, mustache. His Solarian Army uniform is one of an officer and appears well-maintained, though it has obviously seen some signs of recent combat. A kepi perched upon the man’s head marks him as an officer of the famed 12th Silversunner Coastal Infantry Division, also known as “Mistral.” The kepi features the rank insignia of a Lieutenant Colonel upon its front — a very high rank to be present in San Colette, where he is nominally a deserter from the Solarian Army. “We’re recording, you can start,” Qi says from offscreen. The man nods. “I am Lieutenant Colonel Hale Kaohi, commanding officer of the Second Colettish Volunteer Battalion. It is my honor to fight for the Alliance while so many of my fellow soldiers will not,” Kaohi narrows his eyes in seeming disgust for a moment. For any familiar with Silversun, the Lieutenant Colonel has a quite strong Silversunner Native accent. “Did you come here directly from the Army?” “Yes, with many of my troops. We must preserve our Alliance even if the Navy is too cowardly.” “Doesn’t that make you a deserter, to speak technically?” “I am a patriot. Something you colonials,” Kaohi points to something unseen behind the camera, presumably Qi. “Could have learned back in ‘75. But I am not here to discuss the mistakes of the past, only the concerns of the present. I agreed to this interview to implore the Alliance to aid us.” “Do you think the Pact can hold without the Alliance?” “No,” Kaohi responds bluntly. “We can only delay our inevitable deaths. My soldiers are aware of this, and we do not intend to die without having made a difference.” “Have you seen any combat since the encirclement?” Kaohi shakes his head. “None. We’ve been training Coletters on how to be soldiers in the meantime, and working with the First Battalion to coordinate our efforts.” “Forsythe, the other battalion commander, is a veteran of the Tau Ceti Foreign Legion. Has that impacted your relationship at all?” “It has not,” Kaohi responds bluntly yet again. “I do not believe the Legion is at all equal to the Army, but anyone willing to come and stand against Frost’s fascism and communist insanity is worthy of my respect.” “Do you have any closing comments?” “I intend to die on my feet. I’ve lived a good life, reporter. It’s better I perish fighting for something I believe in than die knowing I could have made a difference.” The tape shuts off, with the last image being the Lieutenant Colonel’s serious gaze seemingly attempting to drill a hole through the camera’s lens. Date: 04/05/2465 BREAKING: FRONT BEGINS ASSAULT OF SAN COLETTE News Article Publisher : Xanusii News Service Writer : NewOriginalSchwann The camera zooms in on, as always, Mariska van den Soeterik, the dedicated host of the XNS’ foreign news segment. Her augmented eyes glow slightly as she reaches across the table for her PDA. She looks markedly more stressed than she typically appears. “Breaking news has reached us from the Solarian system of San Colette, where forces aligned with the Solarian Restoration Front have begun an assault on its defenses. We go now to a secure emergency communication established between our station and an unknown location in San Colette where our Liao Qi, our reporter in San Colette, is located. Liao, can you hear me?” The camera switches to a video of Qi in a fairly dark room which, all things considered, may very well be underground. He looks exhausted and appears generally disheveled – his clothes are dirty and there are notable bags under his eyes. He is wearing a military-style vest without any visible press tag. “I can hear you Mariska, can you hear me?” Qi’s audio comes through crackly, but audible. “I can. Are you safe?” Qi takes a moment before responding. Connection issues, perhaps. “I am,” he nods. “The situation on San Colette itself is stable – as stable as it can be, I guess – but it’s not good. The Civil Guard and Free Solarian Fleets are holding for now but nobody’s sure if they’ll be able to hold off the entire Front. We’re lucky they opted to do this now – the assault, I mean,” he pauses. “Maybe lucky’s not the right word, but– it’s fortunate, I guess? They could have waited and thrown their entire weight against the Civil Guard.” “How is the civilian population handling it?” “As grim as this sounds, most knew this was coming. It’s a bit of a relief for some to know it’s finally happened – the Front’s finally something they can tangibly defend against instead of the skirmishing that’s gone on over the past few months.” “What about the Alliance? Have you heard anything about them?” “Well,” Qi pauses, then begins again. “It’s complicated. Understandably I’m not really privy to the internal workings of their government, but the general population is certain – or at least they’re confident – that Sol will eventually intervene, that they have to intervene. They simply don’t know when that’ll be.” “And what about you? Any thoughts on the Alliance from somebody who saw their conduct on Mars?” Qi exhales, running a hand through his hair. He pauses for a moment before speaking again. “I’d rather see the Solarian Navy than the Front.” Before Qi can say more his feed turns to static with “SIGNAL LOST” layered over it in Freespeak. The camera switches back to a concerned-looking van den Soeterik. “While we attempt to reestablish a connection with Liao we’ll go onto a brief commercial break. Please stay turned.” Date: 06/05/2465 NEWS ARTICLE TITLE HERE News Article Publisher : PUBLISHER HERE Writer : WRITER HERE PASTE YOUR ARTICLE HERE. MAKE SURE TO ADD TWO SPACES IN FRONT OF EACH PARAGRAPH SO IT FORMATS CORRECTLY. 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