Sol Bulletin #12

The following is excerpted from issue #12 of the Sol Bulletin, an ad hoc news sheet distributed electronically among survivors of the Battle of Earth in the chaotic period following the firing of the Crucible. Issue #12 was released fourteen days after the Crucible fired. 

Chaos Erupts Across Earth In Wake of Indoctrination News
Panic erupted today in cities across Earth in the wake of renewed fears about Indoctrination. In London, there was a riot at an Alliance-run aid center. In New York City, a team of Quarian engineers was trapped inside a building by an angry crowd and had to be extracted by Alliance marines. Several cities, including Sydney, Shanghai and Cape Town, experienced widespread rioting which shattered police forces were unable to contain. Less severe protests and violent incidents occurred across the globe, as well.

Many observers blame the sudden outbreak of violence on renewed fears about Indoctrination. Following the devastation of the Arcturus Flotilla by a potentially-Indoctrinated Asari, tensions have been running high through out Sol. "People are nervous," said General Corinthus, a Turian officer deployed with troops to assist police forces in the European Union. "We saw a sharp increase in disturbances and calls two days ago. They atmosphere changed as well - you could feel it on the streets. The victory celebration was over."

However, Corinthus and others feel that the real trigger for the intense violence in many of Earth's cities was the arrest of Miranda Lawson on Luna, who the Alliance claims may be Indoctrinated. Much of the violence seems to have involved disputes over food, water, and other essential supplies. A Sol Bulletin reporter on the streets of Shanghai heard many variations of "I need to take care of my family" among looters in the downtown area, where a great deal of relief aid from the fleet was being stored.

Numerous marines from the Alliance fleet - as well as a number from the Asari and Turian fleets - are being redeployed to Earth to join the existing missions that are assisting terrestrial authorities. At the same time, however, the Inter-species Summit ordered a temporary halt in the transfer of food stores to Earth. "Food - especially food for levo-amino sentients - is one of our most precious resources," said Admiral Zhora on behalf of the Summit. "We want to do everything we can for our friends on Earth, but we can't keep sending food until the current situation is resolved and we know it will not be stolen or hoarded."